| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08891618B1 |
Method and apparatus for encoding video and method and apparatus for decoding video, based on hierarchical structure of coding unit
An apparatus and method for encoding video data and an apparatus and method for decoding video data are provided. The encoding method includes: splitting a current picture into at least one maximum coding unit; determining a coded depth to output an encoding result by encoding at least one split region of the at least one maximum coding unit according to operating mode of coding tool, respectively, based on a relationship among a depth of at least one coding unit of the at least one maximum coding unit, a coding tool, and an operating mode, wherein the at least one split region is generated by hierarchically splitting the at least one maximum coding unit according to depths; and outputting a bitstream including encoded video data of the coded depth, information regarding a coded depth of at least one maximum coding unit, information regarding an encoding mode, and information regarding the relationship. |
| US08891613B2 |
Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, and image coding and decoding apparatus
An image coding method includes: writing, into a sequence parameter set, buffer description defining information for defining a plurality of buffer descriptions; writing, into the sequence parameter set, reference list description defining information for defining a plurality of reference list descriptions corresponding to the buffer descriptions; and writing, into a first header of each processing unit which is included in a coded bitstream, buffer description selecting information for specifying a selected buffer description. |
| US08891612B2 |
Encoding and decoding multi-view video while accommodating absent or unreliable camera parameters
A method of encoding multi-view video using camera parameters and a method of decoding multi-view video using the camera parameters are provided. The method of encoding multi-view video using the camera parameters includes detecting the camera parameters from each of a plurality of video data input from a multi-view camera in predetermined video units, and adaptively encoding each of the plurality of the video data according to whether each video data has the camera parameters. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the efficiency of compressing video without degrading video quality. |
| US08891610B2 |
Method and system for chroma partitioning and rate adaptation for uncompressed video transmission in wireless networks
A method and system for transmission of video information is provided. A transmitting wireless station performs chroma partitioning of pixels in a video frame into different partitions. The chroma partitioning includes separating luminance (Y) information from chrominance information (CB and CR) of each pixel in a set of spatially correlated pixels. The luminance (Y) information are placed into different partitions. The different partitions into different packets and transmitted over a wireless communication medium to a receiving wireless station. The video information is selectively adapted to a lower data transmission rate with reduced quality degradation by dropping less important partitions. |
| US08891607B2 |
Feed forward equalizer tap weight adaptation based on channel estimation
An apparatus including a receiver having a feed forward equalizer (FFE) coupled to a communication channel. The receiver may be configured to adjust the FFE using information based on an estimate of one or more characteristics of the communication channel. |
| US08891604B2 |
Coordinated multi-point transmission
In a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless system supporting Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) transmission and having a first base station, a second base station, and a user equipment, a communications method implemented in the first base station is disclosed. In an aspect, the communications method includes exchanging, with the second base station through local information exchange, first information about a first channel between the first base station and the user equipment and second information about a second channel between the second base station and the user equipment, and computing at least one of a precoding matrix, a receiver filter, and a projection matrix, wherein the user equipment estimates the first information and the second information, and shares the first information and the second information with the first base station. Other apparatuses and some methods for wireless communications also are disclosed. |
| US08891603B2 |
Re-sampling S-parameters for serial data link analysis
A device and method of re-sampling a plurality of S-parameters for serial data link analysis is disclosed. The method includes storing a plurality of S-parameters sets, each S-parameter set being associated with a subsystem and having associated impulse responses and a time interval. An increased time interval is determined based on the time interval associated with each S-parameter set. The impulse responses are zero filled in each S-parameter set to maintain any wrapped ripples and increase the time interval. A plurality of resampled S-parameter sets are generated with a finer frequency resolution to cover the increased time interval. |
| US08891601B2 |
Apparatus and method for start-up in communication system
A transceiver in a communication system and a start-up method thereof are provided. The transceiver comprises an auto-negotiation circuit, a timing recovery circuit, an interference cancellation circuit and an equalizer. The auto-negotiation circuit performs an auto-negotiation procedure to determine whether the transceiver operates as a master or slave transceiver. If the transceiver operates as a slave transceiver, it executes a first stage and a second stage during the start-up process. In the first stage, the transceiver performs channel estimation to generate a channel estimation value, presets the parameters of the equalizer according to the channel estimation value, and trains the timing recovery circuit and the equalizer; in the second stage, the transceiver trains the interference cancellation circuit. |
| US08891599B2 |
Imaging apparatus, and transmission and reception apparatus
A transmission and reception apparatus includes: a transmitter circuit to transmit to an object a transmission signal including a comb-shaped wave in which a first plurality of pulses are arranged in a comb shape; and a receiver circuit to receive a reflection signal based on the transmission signal. |
| US08891598B1 |
Transmitter and receiver calibration for obtaining the channel reciprocity for time division duplex MIMO systems
A communication device operating in time division duplex (TDD) mode using multiple antennas is provided herein. The communication device uses receive channel estimation measurements to perform transmit beamforming and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmission, based on self-calibration of the various up/down paths via a method of transmission and reception between its own antennas, thus achieving reciprocity mapping between up and down links. Either user equipment (UE) or a base station may routinely perform this self-calibration to obtain the most current correction factor for the channel reciprocity to reflect the most current operating conditions present during TDD MIMO operation. |
| US08891596B2 |
High frequency front end module
A high frequency front end module includes a variable circulator, a transmission side filter, and a reception side filter. Capacitors that are to be selectively connected by a switch are provided between an antenna side port and a transmission side port of a circulator of the variable circulator. Capacitors that are to be selectively connected by a switch are provided between the antenna side port and a reception side port of the circulator. Capacitors that are to be selectively connected by a switch are provided between the transmission side port and the reception side port of the circulator. By selecting the capacitors, phase characteristics between the ports are adjusted to the characteristics in accordance with a transmission signal and a reception signal to be transmitted. |
| US08891595B1 |
Electromagnetic interference reduction in wireline applications using differential signal compensation
An integrated circuit device is disclosed. The integrated circuit device includes a differential driver to generate a differential signal having true and complement signal components that exhibit a relative timing relationship. A transmission port provides an interface for delivering the differential signal to a transmission medium. A common mode detection circuit detects a common mode signal associated with the differential signal. Control circuitry generates a control signal based on the detected common mode signal. Timing circuitry adjusts the relative timing between the true and the complement signal components based on the control signal. |
| US08891593B1 |
Peaky binning relaying scheme for wideband/low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) wireless communications
A method, apparatus and computer program product for a peaky binning Relaying Scheme for Wideband/Low Signal-To-Noise Ratio (SNR) Wireless Communications is presented. In a computer system having a source node (S), a relay node (R) and a destination node (D), the method includes transmitting by S a message (m), wherein a first subset of m (m1) is transmitted to R and wherein a second subset of m (m2) is transmitted to D. The method further includes decoding by R a bin index from the m1 and forwarding the bin index to D. Additionally the method includes receiving the bin index at D and decoding the bin index and receiving at D the m2 and decoding the m2. The method also includes determining by D the value of m from decoded values of the bin index and the m2. |
| US08891591B2 |
Receiver circuit and method
A receiver circuit includes an estimation unit configured to estimate a noise power of a transmission channel, a calculation unit configured to calculate a decision variable based on the noise power, and a decision unit configured to make a ternary decision based on the decision variable. |
| US08891590B1 |
Method and apparatus for processing wireless signals
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with processing wireless signals. According to one embodiment, a wireless receiver includes at least one antenna configured to receive a wireless signal. The wireless signal comprises pilot symbols dispersed irregularly throughout a two-dimensional grid. The pilot symbols of the wireless signal are usable by the wireless receiver to estimate the wireless channel at each point in the two-dimensional grid. The wireless receiver includes a pattern logic including hardware configured to generate additional pilot symbols in the two-dimensional grid. The additional pilot symbols generated by the pattern logic along with the pilot symbols dispersed irregularly throughout the two-dimensional grid form a regular distribution of pilot symbols in the two-dimensional grid. The wireless receiver is configured to estimate the wireless channel at each point in the two-dimensional grid based on the regular distribution of pilot symbols in the two-dimensional grid. |
| US08891589B2 |
Antenna diversity control for beamforming in an antenna array
Techniques for controlling diversity beamforming antenna array is disclosed. One aspect of the techniques is to utilize low-power and low area circuits to achieve combining gains, mitigate the effects of multipath fading, provide spatial suppression and diversity gains to a single input receiver. The device is radiofrequency transparent yet provides antenna gain by selective three G and four G code acquisition and tracking of a desired downlink channel. |
| US08891586B1 |
System, apparatus and method for identifying transmission frequencies for communicating data
Systems, apparatuses and methods for identifying frequencies for use in communicating data. Frequency hopping sequences are used in the communication of data without the need to store or exchange the sequences themselves. A seed value is obtained, and the frequency hopping sequence is calculated using the seed each time data is to be communicated using that frequency hopping sequence. The data is communicated via one or more frequencies in the calculated frequency hopping sequence. |
| US08891580B1 |
Resonator mounting assembly for isolation of resonator defining optics
A resonator mounting assembly includes a resonator cage, a base underlying the resonator cage, a plurality of first sets of kinematic mounting elements with the kinematic mounting elements of each first set mated with one another in an engaged non-secured relationship so as to support the resonator cage above the base and provide a kinematic mounting interface between them that substantially prevents any rotational moments applied on the base to be transferred to the resonator cage, and at least one second set of preload mounting elements fastened with one another in a yieldable secured relationship so as to preload the resonator cage relative to the base to maintain a positive contact at the kinematic mounting interface that substantially prevents disengagement of the mated kinematic mounting elements from one another due to forces and moments generated from thermal expansion and mounting distortion of the base. |
| US08891575B2 |
Optical feedback structures and methods of making
An optical resonator can include an optical feedback structure disposed on a substrate, and a composite including a matrix including a chromophore. The composite disposed on the substrate and in optical communication with the optical feedback structure. The chromophore can be a semiconductor nanocrystal. The resonator can provide laser emission when excited. |
| US08891574B2 |
Polarization purity control device and gas laser apparatus provided with the same
A degree of polarization control device includes: a calcium fluoride crystal substrate for transmitting a laser beam; a polarization monitor for measuring the degree of polarization of a laser beam transmitted through the calcium fluoride crystal substrate; and a controller for controlling the rotation angle of the calcium fluoride crystal substrate according to the degree of polarization measured by the polarization monitor; the calcium fluoride crystal substrate being formed by a flat plate having a laser beam entering surface and a laser beam exiting surface running in parallel with the (111) crystal face, the Brewster angle being selected for the incident angle, the rotation angle around the [111] axis operating as a central axis being controlled by the controller. |
| US08891569B2 |
VCSEL array with increased efficiency
The present invention relates to a VCSEL array comprising several VCSELs arranged side by side on a common substrate (1). Each VCSEL is formed of at least a top mirror (5, 14), an active region (4), a current injection layer (3) and an undoped bottom semiconductor mirror (2). The current injection layer (3) is arranged between the active region (4) and the bottom semiconductor mirror (2). At least an upper layer of the substrate (1) is electrically conducting. Trenches (8) and/or holes are formed between the bottom semiconductor mirrors (2) of said VCSELs to said upper layer of said substrate (1). A metallization (9) electrically connects the upper layer of the substrate (1) with the current injection layer (3) through said trenches (8) and/or holes. The proposed VCSEL array allows a homogeneous current injection an has a high efficiency and power density. |
| US08891564B2 |
Femtosecond laser apparatus and femtosecond laser system including the same
There is disclosed a femtosecond laser apparatus including a first laser material comprising Ng, Np and Nm axes spatially perpendicular to each other; a second laser material comprising Np axis, Nm axis and Ng axis; and a first laser diode and second laser diodes, wherein the traveling direction of laser beams generated from the first and second laser materials is substantially parallel to Ng axis of the first laser material and the polarizing direction of laser beams generated from the first and second laser materials is substantially parallel to Np axis of the first laser material, and the traveling direction of laser beams generated from the first and second laser materials is substantially parallel to Np axis of the second material and the polarizing direction of laser beams generated from the first and second laser materials is substantially parallel to Nm axis of the second laser material. |
| US08891555B2 |
Spatial multiplexing wireless transmission system, spatial multiplexing wireless transmission method and computer program
A spatial multiplexing wireless transmission system is formed by a base station, and by a plurality of terminal stations that are provided with a plurality of antennas. The base station is provided with an information signal generating portion, a control signal generating portion, a transmission frame generating portion, a multiple beamforming portion, a transmission/reception switching portion, a reception signal processing portion, a propagation environment estimating portion, and an antenna information generating portion. At least one of the terminal stations is provided with a transmission/reception switching portion, a reception signal processing portion, a decoding portion, an antenna information extracting portion, an antenna information generating portion, an transmitting portion, a battery, a remaining battery detecting portion, a transmission request extracting portion, and a propagation environment estimating portion. |
| US08891553B2 |
Selective label retention in a label switching network
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving from a label distribution peer, a prefix/FEC to label mapping at a network device and processing the prefix/FEC to label mapping at the network device, wherein processing includes determining if a next hop interface of the prefix/FEC is in a same area as a link between the network device and the label distribution peer. The method further includes retaining the prefix/FEC to label mapping if the label distribution peer is a next hop for the prefix/FEC and if the next hop interface of the prefix/FEC is in the same area as the link between the network device and the label distribution peer, otherwise discarding the prefix/FEC to label mapping. An apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08891551B2 |
IPv6 over IPv4 transition method and apparatus for improving performance of control server
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing IPv6 over IPv4 transition to improve performance of a control server. When an edge router selected by the control server according to a tunnel creation request of an IPv6 terminal receives a tunnel creation request message from the control server, the edge router transmits a tunnel creation response message for the received tunnel creation request message to the IPv6 terminal through the control server, and the edge router performs IPv6 over IPv4 transition through a tunnel created by the IPv6 terminal that received the tunnel creation response message so as to improve the performance of the control server. Therefore, loads of the control server occurred because all terminals set control tunnels to the control server can be prevented, and service extensibility due to the increase in the number of subscribers can be guaranteed. |
| US08891548B2 |
Method and apparatus for data transmissions in a wireless network
A method and apparatus for data transmissions in a wireless network are disclosed. A first device may send a first frame to a second device including information regarding a number of pending data frames to be transmitted from the first device to the second device. The first device receives an acknowledgement frame including a number of approved data frames for transmission from the first device to the second device. The first device then may send a plurality of data frames without performing the contention-based channel access procedure in response to the acknowledgement frame. The first device may send a first frame to a second device for requesting data frames that are pending at the second device. The first device receives an acknowledgement frame including a number of pending and approved data frames. The first device may receive a plurality of data frames in response to the acknowledgement frame. |
| US08891547B2 |
Link scanning method for cascaded remote control units, and remote electrical tilt antenna system
The present invention discloses a link scanning method for cascaded RCUs and a remote electrical tilt antenna system. The method includes: receiving, a link scanning message and sending the link scanning message to the RCU in the next cascaded RCU; generating, a link scanning response message, sending the link scanning response message to the RCU in the preceding cascaded RCU, and reporting the link scanning response message to the CCU, and sending, the link scanning message to the CCU. In the present invention, by adding a time delay in the link of the remote end serial communication bus, each RCU does not respond to the link scanning message simultaneously, the time-delayed link scanning response messages in the link of the remote end serial communication bus of each RCU are not aliased, therefore, the bus conflict problem of the link scanning when the RCUs are cascaded is effectively solved. |
| US08891546B1 |
Protocol splitter
Communication apparatus includes at least first and second communication interfaces, configured for digital communication with first and second nodes. At least one processor is coupled between the communication interfaces, and is configured, upon receiving a message from one of the first and second nodes that is directed to the other of the first and second nodes, to carry out the following actions: when the message contains a command, to convey the command to the other of the first and second nodes; when the message contains status information, to convey the status information to the other of the first and second nodes; when the message contains a response to a command, to discard the response; and when the message contains a query, to block the query from reaching the other of the first and second nodes. |
| US08891544B1 |
Multimedia over coaxial cable access protocol
A BCN network with BCN modems that communicate using predefined messages to establish, optimize and facilitate data communication. |
| US08891542B2 |
Unified system networking with CEE-PCIe tunneling
Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) tunneling over Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus. An initiating device, connected to a CEE network, initiates a command. An encoding device encodes a CEE frame comprising the command, target device address, initiator signals, and an address of a CEE switch closest to the target device, connected to a PCIe network. The initiating device transmits an inquiry to the CEE switch through the CEE frame. The CEE switch comprises an address table with an entry specifying a generic PCIe device. The CEE switch is configured to convert the CEE frame into PCIe readable signals and to transmit them to PCIe devices. The initiating device receives a response indicating a PCIe acknowledgement from a corresponding device from the PCIe devices. The corresponding device is associated with the target device address. Based on the response, the initiating device initiates a transaction to the corresponding device through CEE frames. |
| US08891539B2 |
Re-searching reference image for motion vector and converting resolution using image generated by applying motion vector to reference image
A gateway apparatus receives an image signal, which includes a moving image signal or a still image signal, from a first terminal connected to a first network, performs conversion that enhances resolution and image quality of the image signal, and transmits the converted image signal to a second terminal connected to a second network. |
| US08891536B2 |
Layer-3 services for united router farm
One embodiment of the present invention provides a computing system. The computing system includes a processor, a memory, a logical switch management mechanism, and a layer-2 path management mechanism. The logical switch management mechanism operates the computing system in conjunction with a plurality of remote switches as a single logical switch. The layer-2 path management mechanism includes a path calculation mechanism and a layer-2 forwarding table. The path calculation mechanism calculates layer-2 shortest paths among the computing system and the remote switches. The layer-2 forwarding table is for a first switch in the plurality of remote switches and created based on one or more of the shortest paths, wherein a respective entry in the forwarding table corresponds to a layer-2 network address. The layer-2 path management mechanism suppresses advertisement of the shortest paths outside of the logical switch, thereby hiding internal paths of the logical switch. |
| US08891535B2 |
Managing a global forwarding table in a distributed switch
Apparatuses and methods to manage a global forwarding table in a distributed switch are provided. A particular method may include managing a global forwarding table in a distributed switch. The distributed switch may include a plurality of switch forwarding units. The method may start a timer for an entry in the global forwarding table, and the entry may include a multicast destination address and corresponding multicast membership information. The method may also, in response to expiration of the timer of the entry, check at least one hit status to determine whether at least one switch forwarding unit of the plurality of switch forwarding units has forwarded multicast data to the corresponding multicast membership information of the multicast destination address of the entry. The method may further determine whether the entry is a cast-out candidate based on the hit status. |
| US08891532B1 |
System and method for conveying the reason for TCP reset in machine-readable form
An RST reason code is conveyed in a predetermined field of the TCP or IP header for a TCP RST packet in order to indicate the reason for the RST. In this way, an enhanced TCP device that receives the RST packet can access the RST reason code in machine-readable form and, unlike prior art implementations in which ASCII text is carried in the TCP payload to provide a RST reason, without having to process the payload of the TCP packet. |
| US08891523B2 |
Multi-processor apparatus using dedicated buffers for multicast communications
An apparatus includes a multiprocessor including a plurality of processors including respective memories. Each of the memories has a dedicated storage location for multicast messages. At least one bus is coupled in common to the plurality of processors. The apparatus further includes an IPC unit coupled to the at least one bus and configured to retrieve multicast messages from the dedicated storage locations via the at least one bus and to selectively route the retrieved multicast messages among the plurality of memories. |
| US08891519B2 |
System and method for monitoring, controlling and provisioning a telecommunications access network
An access device includes a first port configured to communicatively couple to a network node via a communications link, with the communications link having a plurality of information flows. At least one of the flows is configured as a maintenance and control flow and at least one of the flows is configured to carry customer data. The access device has a second port configured to communicatively couple to one or more demarcation devices via another communications link, and the demarcation device(s) is communicatively coupled to one or more customer premise equipment (CPE). A processing unit is configured to respond to commands received in the maintenance and control flow and to transmit access device information on the maintenance and control flow. |
| US08891514B1 |
Method and system for providing controllable enhanced call service features at mobile locations
A system and method for providing PBX-like functionality at a mobile location includes the capability of maintaining a network session with a mobile number associated with a remote worker. The system utilizes a remote office platform interposed between a data communications network and a conventional PBX switch. A remotely located individual (such as a telecommuter) “logs in” to the remote office platform and, once the individual is authenticated, PBX-like communication with the mobile device is established. If the device is a computer-enabled device and includes a display, the platform can enable a graphical user interface emulating a PBX station set to the device. Alternatively, the remote worker can enter either spoken commands or series of DTMF sequences to utilize the PBX-like features. For these applications, the remote office platform includes a speech recognition module and a translation table for converting a sequence of DTMF tones into a PBX-like call feature (e.g., transfer, hold, mute, etc.). |
| US08891513B1 |
System and method for low latency multicast in a network environment
An example method is provided and includes generating a packet at a switch; and sending the packet from a designated source port to a plurality of egress ports over an overlay network that is to provide an alternate routing path having a lower latency characteristic compared to a standard routing path provided by a forwarding engine of the switch. In more particular embodiments, the overlay network includes one or more dedicated paths from the designated source port to the plurality of egress ports, and the one or more dedicated paths is determined from a mapping between the designated source port and the plurality of egress ports. In other instances, the mapping is provided in a routing table. |
| US08891510B2 |
Communication system and method for accessing a network by a group of first access paths and a group of second access paths
A communication system is provided which is arranged for accessing a network by a group of first access paths and a group of second access paths. The first and second access paths have a different access technology. An access path monitor is provided for obtaining status information related to the access paths in accordance with the monitoring procedure. An access controller is provided for selecting an access path for a communication session in accordance with a selection procedure and in dependence on the status information. A modifier is provided for modifying one or both of the monitoring procedure and the selection procedure in accordance with a modification procedure and in dependence on decision information. |
| US08891509B2 |
Proxy networking device for a router
In one embodiment, a proxy networking device for a router is provided in order to reduce the load of the CPU of the router. In an embodiment, the proxy networking device is configured to receive an advertisement from the router, to store information in the advertisement, and to respond to a query from a host node by transmitting the advertisement to the host node. The proxy networking device may be, for example, a switch. |
| US08891508B2 |
Synchronized channel access in coexisting wireless networks
A system and method for arbitrating channel access in a wireless device including co-located network transceivers are disclosed herein. A wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. The first transceiver is configured for operation with a first wireless network. The second transceiver is configured for operation with a second wireless network. The wireless device further includes logic that determines which of the first and second transceivers is enabled to transmit at a given time. The logic causes the first transceiver to transmit a notification signal indicating a time period during which the second transceiver of the wireless device will perform a first wireless transaction, and during which, based on receiving the notification signal, a different wireless device performs a second wireless transaction via the second wireless network without transmitting a notification signal. |
| US08891507B1 |
Synchronizing transmission channels in a wireless network
The present invention relates to a method to improve the communication performance of a network of transceivers stations. The method comprises of a plurality of transceiver stations transmitting data to a target station, calculating correction factors at the transmitting stations, and correcting the transmitted signals for at least one of the transmitter stations so that the channels for the transmitted signals are synchronized. |
| US08891503B2 |
Wireless communications system, wireless terminal device, indoor base station apparatus, and control apparatus for obtaining location information
A wireless terminal device including a time information obtaining part configured to obtain time information indicative of a period of time the wireless terminal device is unable to communicate with a first base station apparatus, a storing part configured to store peripheral cell information in correspondence with the time information, the peripheral cell information including an identifier for identifying a peripheral cell located in a periphery of a first cell in which the wireless terminal device is located before becoming unable to communicate with the first base station apparatus, and a reporting part configured to report the peripheral cell information and the time information to a second base station apparatus capable of communicating with the wireless terminal device. |
| US08891502B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing security of a network connection
A terminal includes: a frame management unit to manage medium access control (MAC) frame information; an access time management unit to record time according to the terminal communicating with a wireless access point (AP); a conversion performing unit to modify the frame information based on the time; and a management storage unit to store the modified frame information. A method for providing security includes: at a mobile terminal, delivering mobile frame information to and requesting AP frame information from a wireless AP; at the wireless AP, delivering the AP frame information to and requesting modified mobile frame information from the mobile terminal; at the mobile terminal, delivering the modified mobile frame information to and requesting the modified AP frame information from the wireless AP; and at the wireless AP, delivering the modified AP information. A wireless AP manages modified MAC frame information. |
| US08891499B2 |
Computer radio with pre-defined configuration set
A computer with a software defined radio that can be configured based on a wireless technology specification. The computer may negotiate with a second computer that also includes a software defined radio to define a set of wireless technology specifications and trigger events indicating when each of the wireless technology specifications is to be used. As the computers communicate, if a trigger event occurs, both computers may reconfigure their software defined radios using a different specification in the set. By appropriately defining the wireless technology specifications in the set and the trigger events, the computers can operate with configurations that allow communication despite events that might otherwise disrupt communication between the computers. |
| US08891491B2 |
Method of processing signals and a signal processor
The method includes receiving a signal in a multiple carrier mobile communication system, the signal including at least two reference symbols of different types, determining a first channel estimate at a symbol position of a first reference symbol of a first type, determining a second channel estimate at a symbol position of a second reference symbol of a second type, and determining a quantity being a function of a cross-correlation between the first and second channel estimate. |
| US08891488B2 |
Inter-base-station interface enhancement for multi-operator core networks
In one aspect, the teachings herein provide an enhanced inter-base-station interface and associated processing in which a base station receives a message from a neighboring base station that zero served PLMNs are available in a neighboring cell. In response to receiving that message, the base station removes the neighboring cell from its neighbor list, or otherwise marks the neighboring cell as unavailable, but advantageously does not discard any network performance data accumulated or otherwise generated for that neighboring cell. Correspondingly, should the base station receive a subsequent message indicating that one or more served PLMNs have become available in the neighboring cell, it restores the neighboring cell to its neighbor list and reinstates links or associations, as needed, to the retained network performance data. |
| US08891487B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product providing extended measurement control signal for handoff measurement under interference coordination
In one non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a method includes: receiving radio resource control signaling with a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control signaling is indicative of at least one frequency sub-band to be measured by the user equipment for a particular cell in a manner transparent to at least one of an interference control scheme and a handover scheme implemented for the cell; performing at least one measurement of the at least one frequency sub-band; and reporting information descriptive of the at least one measurement. |
| US08891486B1 |
Shared offload vectors to control device offloads between wireless carrier frequencies
In a communication system, a data processing system determines offload vectors for first base station carriers in a first wireless communication network. The offload vectors indicate offload availability per time frame for device offloads from the first base station carriers to second base station carriers in a second wireless communication network. The data processing system determines offload vector similarity among the first base station carriers to group the first base station carriers into a lowest number of carrier groups to maintain the offload vector similarity within the carrier groups above a similarity threshold. The data processing system generates and transfers a data structure that associates the first base station carriers with representative offload vectors for their carrier groups. Wireless communication devices receive and process the data structure to control offloads from the first base station carriers to the second base station carriers. |
| US08891482B2 |
Session continuity in communication networks
Disclosed is a method including having an ongoing communication session via a packet switched network, transferring said communication session from the packet switched network to a second network providing both packet and circuit switched access, and informing an application server maintaining said ongoing communication session that the communication session is to be split into a packet switched part and a circuit switched part. Also disclosed is a method in an application server, including receiving, from a first communication device, an indication that a communication session between the first communication device and a second communication device is to be split into a packet switched part and a circuit switched part, waiting for to receive transfer requests of both the packet switched part and the circuit switched part, and informing the second communication device of the split. |
| US08891481B2 |
Scattered pilot pattern and channel estimation method for MIMO-OFDM systems
Methods and apparatus are provided for inserting data symbols and pilot symbols in an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) transmission resource utilizing frequency hopping patterns for the data symbols and/or the pilot symbols. Data symbols and pilot symbols are allocated for down link (base station to mobile station) and up link (mobile station to bases station) transmission resources in a two-dimensional time-frequency pattern. For each antenna of a MIMO-OFDM (multiple input multiple output OFDM) communication system, pilot symbols are inserted in a scattered pattern in time-frequency and data symbols are inserted in an identical frequency-hopping pattern in time-frequency as that of other antennas. |
| US08891476B2 |
Method and apparatus for resource allocation in wireless communication systems
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate resource allocation and management in a wireless communication system. As described herein, a resource grid structure can be utilized to allocate resources for respective users corresponding to a given channel (e.g., a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH)). The resource grid can be constructed using one or more cyclic shifts and a set of four orthogonal covers to provide improved efficiency in resource usage. Further, slots in the resource grid can be allocated to respective users based on user indexes via one or more resource allocation functions. For example, a resource allocation function can step along a first orthogonal cover at increasing cyclic shifts, alternate between second and fourth orthogonal covers at increasing cyclic shifts upon exhaustion of the first orthogonal cover, and step through a third orthogonal cover at increasing cyclic shifts upon exhaustion of the second and fourth orthogonal covers. |
| US08891474B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus and communication method
To specify flexibly one or more downlink component carriers for which a mobile station apparatus generates channel state information when performing communication using a plurality of component carriers complexly. A base station apparatus transmits to the mobile station apparatus a downlink control information format in which an information bit set to a value corresponding to one or more downlink component carriers requesting to report channel state information is included, and which is used for scheduling of a physical uplink shared channel, and the mobile station apparatus reports the channel state information for the one or more downlink component carriers to the base station apparatus using the physical uplink shared channel in accordance with the value set to the information bit, and a correspondence between a value set to the information bit and the one or more downlink component carriers is set in the mobile station apparatus by the base station apparatus using a signal of a higher layer. |
| US08891469B2 |
Radio transmitting apparatus and control signal transmitting method
Provided are a radio transmitting apparatus and a control signal transmitting method whereby the number of blind decodings on a control signal receiving side can be reduced without increasing the control signal allocation block rate. In a base station (100), a search space establishing unit (103) establishes two subsets into which a UE-SS established in a second transmission mode different from a first transmission mode has been divided and the number of which is the same as the number of the sub-modes of the first transmission mode, and an allocating unit (106) allocates the mutually different subsets to those two respective sub-modes. Each subset has a plurality of downstream control information allocation area candidates. In this way, the blind decoding area candidates related to DCI format corresponding to each sub-mode can be limited to the subset corresponding to each sub-mode. |
| US08891468B2 |
Content-based network system and method of controlling transmission of content therein
Disclosed herein are a content-based network system and a method of controlling the transmission of content therein. The content-based network system includes a plurality of user terminals, a plurality of access points, a plurality of content origin servers, and a transmission control device. The plurality of access points is wirelessly connected to the plurality of user terminals. The plurality of content origin servers provides content to the access points. The transmission control device determines the priority of transmission of the content based on the characteristics of the content and allocates channels and sets interfaces based on the determined priority of transmission of the content. |
| US08891467B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth adjustment in flexible bandwidth systems
Methods, systems, and devices are provided for dynamically adapting the bandwidth of flexible bandwidth carriers. Adapting the bandwidth of a flexible bandwidth carrier may be achieved through changing the scale factor of the flexible bandwidth signal. Information such as traffic patterns, interference measurements, etc., may be utilized to determine the adapted scaling factors. In macrocellular deployments, for example, dynamically adjusting the bandwidth of a flexible bandwidth system may be utilized in order to increase network capacity, mitigate interference caused to other carriers, avoid adjacent carrier interference, and/or save energy on the network. Traffic pattern and other information may also be utilized to dynamically adjust uplink and downlink bandwidths of a flexible bandwidth carrier, either jointly or independently. |
| US08891464B2 |
Architecture, devices and methods for supporting multiple channels in a wireless system
Devices, systems, and methods are presented for a wireless base station to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains among a varying number of wireless channels. In this manner, the communication system including the wireless base station may transition between a range extension mode and an enhanced capacity mode. In the range extension mode, a system is configured for maximum communication range with Subscriber Stations that are relatively distant from the radio transceiver chains, although communication is still possible with nearby Subscriber Stations. In the enhanced capacity mode, the system is configured for maximum communication throughput with Subscriber Stations that are relatively near to the radio transceiver chains, whereas communication with relatively distant Subscriber Stations will be either terminated or at least non-optimized. |
| US08891457B2 |
Resource assignment systems and methods
In a wireless communication system, a base station assigns resources to mobile stations using indices. Each index is associated with an assignment schedule for assigning resources. Once the base station determines an assignment schedule to assign particular resources, it encodes the schedule into an index and transmits it. A mobile station receives the index and decodes it to recover the assignment schedule. Both the base station and the mobile station may use look-up tables and/or algorithms for storing or generating indices associated with assignment schedules. To assign resources so as to indicate transmission characteristics over the resources, the base station transmits assignment blocks. Each assignment block indicates original transmission, retransmission, persistent assignment, non-persistent assignment, HARQ signaling, RAS-HARQ signaling, DRCH assignment, and/or LRCH assignment. |
| US08891456B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication device and wireless communication method, and computer program
Access control based on CSMA is favorably carried out with the RTS/CTS method used together.If the RTS/CTS procedure is used together, CTS information is transmitted in response to the reception of RTS information, and data is transmitted in response to the reception of CTS. The CTS transmitting station measures the quality of RTS receive signal, and thereby determines a transmission rate at which it can receive and notifies a station as the destination of CTS. The station as the destination of CTS transmits data in response to CTS information. As the transmission rate for this data, the transmission rate indicated in the RATE field in CTS is applied. |
| US08891451B2 |
Method and system for wireless communication channel allocation in wireless networks
Wireless communication channel allocation comprises scanning wireless channels for available wireless channels, wherein each wireless channel has an associated bandwidth, and selecting a channel among the available wireless channels for allocation in wireless communication. Selecting a channel comprises selecting a channel among the available wireless channels such that a maximum number of channels with wider bandwidth than the selected channel remain available after the selection. |
| US08891450B2 |
Mobile node host route installation and withdrawal
In general, techniques are described for atomically installing and withdrawing host routes along paths connecting network routers to attenuate packet loss for mobile nodes migrating among wireless LAN access networks and a mobile network. In some examples, whenever the mobile node moves from one attachment point to the next, it triggers the distribution of its host route from the new attachment point toward the service provider network hub provider edge (PE) router that anchors the mobile node on a service provider network. Routers participating in the Mobile VPN install the host route “atomically” from the attachment point to the mobile gateway so as to ensure convergence of the network forwarding plane with the host route toward the new attachment point prior to transitioning mobile node connectivity from a previous attachment point. |
| US08891444B2 |
Distributed geospatial communications system
A method on a first mobile node for facilitating exchange of pertinent data between mobile nodes over a wireless communications network can be provided. The method can include establishing, by the first mobile node, a wireless network connection with at least one other mobile node inside a predefined geospatial area, wherein the wireless network connection is established over the wireless communications network. The method can further include determining that a future position of the first mobile node is outside the predefined geospatial area and transmitting pertinent data residing on the first mobile node over the wireless communications network exclusively to the at least one other mobile node inside the predefined geo spatial area, wherein the pertinent data is associated with the predefined geospatial area. |
| US08891443B2 |
Method and system for implementing data routing of roaming user
A method and system for implementing data routing of a roaming user are disclosed. The method comprises: configuring a roaming protocol between the home network and the roaming network; during the registering process of the user in the roaming network, performing an interactive negotiation between the home network and the roaming network, so as to determine one of the home network and the roaming network to allocate IP address according to the roaming protocol between the home network and the roaming network; and establishing the IP access bearer based on the IP address. A corresponding system is also provided. The routing of the roaming user data plane could be optimized under the control of the home network operator, and the IP address of the default IP bearer for the roaming user could be allocated by the roaming network as much as possible, while guaranteeing of the home network operator's interest and dominant position, so as to optimize the routing of the data plane for the roaming user, improve the performance of the data service and bring a better service experience to the roaming user. |
| US08891439B2 |
Method for operating multi-domain provider ethernet networks
A method of enabling extension of a network service of a first domain to a remote customer site hosted by an Access Gateway (AG) in a Provider Ethernet domain. In the first domain, the remote customer site is represented as being hosted by a border gateway (BG) connected to the Provider Ethernet domain, such that subscriber packets associated with the network service are forwarded to or from the remote customer site via the BG. In the Provider Ethernet domain, a trunk connection is instantiated through the Provider Ethernet domain between the host AG and the BG. A trunk cross-connection function is installed in the host AG, for transferring subscriber packets associated with the network service between a respective attachment virtual circuit (AVC) through which the remote customer site is connected to the host AG and an extended AVC tunnelled through the trunk connection. A common service instance identifier (I-SID) is used to identify both the AVC between the host AG and the remote customer site and the extended AVC between the host AG and the BG. |
| US08891437B2 |
Method for processing a frequency band by a wireless communication device and corresponding device
A method and apparatus for processing a frequency band by a wireless communication device to locate communication channels comprises detecting potential communication channels of the band; selecting of a sample of these detected potential channels; performing a synchronization test on the channels of the sample; and rejecting the frequency band if all of the synchronization tests fail. The frequency band may be subdivided into a plurality of ranges and a sample of detected potential channels selected for each range. The strongest detected potential channels may be selected for the sample for each range. |
| US08891436B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating effective scheduling grants
A method and apparatus for effectively facilitating grant scheduling is provided. The method may comprise transmitting, by a user equipment (UE), a grant request, wherein the grant request includes a UE power headroom (UPH) value, and receiving, from a Node B, a scheduling grant, wherein the scheduling grant is derived from the transmitted UPH. |
| US08891430B1 |
Edge windowing of OFDM based systems
Various methods and systems are provided for edge windowing of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. In one example, among others, a method includes obtaining an edge windowing portion by reducing a cyclic prefix size for a quantity of edge subcarriers in an OFDM symbol and reducing side lobes by applying a windowing function to the edge subcarriers. In another example, a device includes a separator capable of dividing subcarriers of an OFDM symbol into first and second subcarrier groups, a first CP adder capable of obtaining a windowing portion by adjusting a cyclic prefix size of the first subcarrier group, and a first windower capable of reducing side lobes by applying a windowing function to the first subcarrier group. In another example, a method includes determining a RMS delay spread of a mobile station and scheduling a subcarrier based at least in part upon the RMS delay spread. |
| US08891425B2 |
Paging access terminals in a wireless communications system
An embodiment is directed to an access network that configures set of paging indicator (PI) bits within a quick paging channel (QPCH) cycle to page a group of access terminals. An access terminal within the group receives the QPCH cycle, and evaluates the PI bits to determine whether a unicast page and/or group page is present. Another embodiment is directed to selecting less than all timeslots in one or more control channel cycles of a downlink control channel, and configuring a page message to convey the selected timeslots to an access terminal. The access terminal receives the configured page message and decodes information only within the selected timeslots. Another embodiment is directed to generating a transport-layer message for transmission to at least one access terminal, and configuring the transport-layer message by modifying an application-layer portion of the transport-layer message. An access terminal receives the message and extracts the application-layer portion. |
| US08891424B2 |
Method and device for monitoring paging message
A method and device for monitoring a paging message in Machine To Machine (M2M) communication are provided. A M2M device receives a segment of the paging message that includes an extension flag and a M2M extension flag. The extension flag indicates that the M2M device checks the M2M extension flag and the M2M extension flag indicates whether a remaining segment of the paging message exists. |
| US08891421B2 |
System and method for multicast/broadcast reliability enhancements over wireless LANs
A system comprises a communication engine for transmitting at least one groupcast packet to wireless stations on a wireless network; an ACK leader selection engine for identifying at least one of the wireless stations as a current ACK leader responsible for generating any ACK in response to the at least one groupcast packet, and for shifting the current ACK leader among a group of the wireless stations; and an ACK management engine for managing any ACK received from the current ACK leader. |
| US08891416B2 |
Method and device for ACK/NACK transmission in TDD-based wireless communication system
Provided are a method and a device for ACK/NACK transmission in a TDD (Time Division Duplex)-based wireless communication system. The terminal receives a SPS downlink transmission block on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) without a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and receives a downlink transmission block on the PDSCH that is indicated by the PDCCH having a downlink assignment index (DAI). The terminal transmits a 2-bit ACK/NACK regarding the SPS downlink transmission block and the downlink transmission block on an uplink control channel. |
| US08891414B2 |
Multi-carrier communications with adaptive cluster configuration and switching
A method and apparatus for allocating subcarriers in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises allocating at least one diversity cluster of subcarriers to a first subscriber and allocating at least one coherence cluster to a second subscriber. |
| US08891409B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium for implementing Intelligent Network service functionality in a network
A system, method and computer-readable medium for simulating intelligent network triggers in a network system are provided. A mobile terminal is configured with an intelligent network Simulator adapted to detect call events and originate simulated intelligent network triggers in response to the call events. Call progressions implemented according to the simulated intelligent network triggers may be managed or coordinated by at least one of a carrier-gateway server and an Enterprise-gateway server. Call progressions implemented by simulated intelligent network triggers may be specified according to Enterprise member policies or general Enterprise behaviors. Advantageously, if a carrier network does not support a trigger infrastructure that has capabilities of originating triggers and terminating triggers, or if a roaming agreement is not in place that allows transfer of triggers between carriers, the use of an intelligent network Simulator provides an alternative mechanism for providing IN service functionality without network support for intelligent network triggers. |
| US08891406B1 |
Methods and apparatus for tunnel management within a data center
A system includes multiple edge devices configured to be operatively coupled to a switch fabric. The switch fabric and the multiple edge devices collectively define at least a portion of a core portion of a data center. An edge device from the multiple edge devices is configured to receive a physical address value included in a request from a source peripheral processing device disposed outside of the core portion of the data center. The physical address value represents a destination of a packet queued at the source peripheral processing device. The edge device is configured to send, in response to the request, a tunnel value representing a physical address space including the physical address value to the source peripheral processing device. |
| US08891404B2 |
Method and system for managing network devices of generic vendors and manufactures
A method of remote management in a network having a plurality of nodes to be managed by a remote controller has an agent device that makes initial contact with the remote controller in order to establish a connection with the remote controller. After the connection is established, the remote controller executes a discovery procedure through intermediation of the agent device for discovering the plurality of nodes. After executing the discovery procedure, the remote controller executes an identification procedure through intermediation of the agent device for identifying the discovered nodes, including identification of at least one characterizing parameter such as model, vendor, manufacturer, software version, hardware version, firmware version, serial number and MAC address. The remote controller manages the discovered and identified nodes through intermediation of the agent device, by using managing procedures specific for the identified nodes. |
| US08891403B2 |
Inter-cluster communications technique for event and health status communications
Communication between clusters of processing nodes is initiated by designating a link layer address and a target node name in a remote cluster. The link layer address is transmitted to the target node via a regular network transmission. The link layer address is stored locally in each cluster and the nodes in each cluster are signaled that a configuration change has been made, so that gateway nodes in the clusters can obtain the link layer address to use for subsequent communications with the other cluster, such as event notifications of node status changes. |
| US08891402B2 |
Devices for reporting uplink information
A user equipment (UE) for reporting information is described. The UE includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The UE selects a reference cell having a reference uplink-downlink (UL-DL) configuration. The UE also selects a first uplink subframe from the reference cell. The UE further selects a first subframe set from a first cell having a first UL-DL configuration. The first UL-DL configuration is different than the reference UL-DL configuration. The UE additionally determines a first set of associations between the first subframe set and the first uplink subframe. The UE further aggregates information corresponding to the reference cell and information corresponding to the first cell based on the first set of associations to produce aggregated information. The UE also reports the aggregated information on an uplink reporting cell. |
| US08891401B1 |
Systems, methods, and devices for electronic spectrum management for identifying open space
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for automated identification of open space in a wireless communications spectrum, by identifying sources of signal emission in the spectrum by automatically detecting signals, analyzing signals, comparing signal data to historical and reference data, creating corresponding signal profiles, and determining information about the open space based upon the measured and analyzed data in near real-time. |
| US08891398B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving information through fast feedback channel in broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for transmitting information through a fast feedback channel in a wireless communications system are provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of mappers for mapping a sequence, corresponding to an index to be fed back, to a first set of resource blocks in a fast feedback channel by using a first mapping pattern and to a second set of resource blocks in the fast feedback channel by using a second mapping pattern, and a transmitter for transmitting the sequence mapped to a plurality of sets of resource blocks, wherein the sequence is mapped to each of the plurality of sets of resource blocks, and wherein each element of the sequence is mapped to each resource block. |
| US08891396B2 |
Communication device, mobile terminal, method for requesting information and method for providing information
A communication device is provided comprising a message generator configured to generate a message indicating that a mobile terminal is to determine a list of locations at which the mobile terminal has detected a need for a data communication with a mobile communication network and to transmit the determined list of locations to the mobile communication network and a transmitter configured to transmit the message. |
| US08891395B2 |
Method and system for reducing transceiver power via a variable number of channels
Aspects of a method and system for reducing transceiver power via a variable number of channels are provided. In this regard, utilization and/or availability of network and/or device resources may be determined and a configuration of channels utilized for transmitting data may be determined based on the determined utilization and/or availability of resources. Accordingly, the number of channels over which data is communicated may be altered based on determined thresholds for the utilization and/or availability of resources. Moreover, the configuration of channels utilized for communicating data may be dynamically altered by monitoring changes to the utilization and/or availability of resources. For example, the number of channels may be altered based on available bandwidth on one or more channels, based on capacity and/or available space of one or more buffers, and/or based on available power or desired power consumption of a transmitter. |
| US08891389B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for detecting transmission collision and/or alleviating transmission collision
A method for detecting a transmission collision between a first wireless communication terminal and a second wireless communication terminal includes the following steps: when one retry packet transmitted from the first wireless communication terminal is received by the second wireless communication terminal, checking if at least one transmission collision condition is met and accordingly generating a checking result; deriving statistic data from a plurality of checking results generated in response to a plurality of retry packets transmitted from the first wireless communication terminal; and detecting the transmission collision between the first wireless communication terminal and the second wireless communication terminal according to the statistic data. |
| US08891383B2 |
High-speed ethernet transceiver calibration with echo canceller reuse
A method of operating a transceiver integrated circuit is disclosed. The method comprises generating test signals directed to testing one or more transceiver parameters. The test signals are transmitted from a digital domain to an analog domain along a transmit path, and looped-back from the transmit path to a receive path. Echo canceller circuitry coupled between the transmit path and the receive path is trained and generates a filtered output representing a metric indicative of the one or more transceiver parameters. |
| US08891380B2 |
Systems and methods for synchronizing filter records
Systems and methods for synchronizing filter records between a mobile device and a network node are described herein. Upon detection of a precedence contention when installing filters at the network node, a synchronization command can be initiated to synchronize the filter records between the mobile device and the network node. |
| US08891375B2 |
System and method for virtual Ethernet interface binding
A method and network device (e.g., a switch) is described for assigning virtual Ethernet bindings. The method may comprise accessing the network device to obtain information related to hardware (e.g., switching hardware) of the network device. Thereafter, an uplink binding from a plurality of physical uplinks is selected based on the information. A virtual network interface of a virtual machine is then mapped to the selected uplink binding. |
| US08891374B2 |
Wireless communication device and wireless communication device control method
A wireless communication device, including a radio transceiver data configured to transmit and to receive data packets to and from a base station, and a processor configured to compute a proportional hidden standby time being computed on the basis of at least two of from among a proportional exposed communication time, a proportional exposed collision time, and a proportional exposed standby time, to compute a predicted PER from the proportional hidden standby time computed; to compute a threshold value for the number of retransmission attempts on the basis of the predicted PER computed, and to cause the radio transceiver to repeat transmission of a data packet to the base station until the number of transmissions exceeds the threshold value computed in the case of failed transmission of a data packet to the base station by the radio transceiver. |
| US08891364B2 |
Systems and methods for distributing traffic across cluster nodes
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for distributing traffic across nodes of a cluster of intermediary devices through distributed flow distribution (DFD). Upon receipt of network traffic, a cluster node, such as an intermediary computing device or appliance, may internally steer a portion of the traffic via an inter-node communications backplane to one or more other nodes in the cluster so that the load is equally handled by all of the nodes in the cluster. A cluster node may determine whether to process the traffic steered via the backplane by computing a hash of packet parameters of the network traffic. Hash keys may be selected such that uniformity is assured, and the key used in hash computation may be synchronized across all of the nodes so that only one node determines that it should process the particular packets or traffic flow. |
| US08891363B2 |
Systems and methods for flow control and quality of service
Various embodiments of methods and systems for pausing and shaping data flow while supporting both parameterized and prioritized Quality of Service are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system for pausing and shaping data flow comprises an input buffer, a first pause controller coupled to the input buffer and an output buffer for flow control messages. Various embodiments also include a hop-1 buffer coupled to the input buffer and a hop-2 buffer comprising a plurality of queues coupled to the hop-1 buffer. Additionally, in some embodiments, a second pause controller is coupled to the queues. The second pause controller selects a queue or queues that will cause a pause to be generated based on a predetermined condition. A two-hop process controller controls the data packet flow from the input buffer to the hop-1 buffer and from the hop-1 buffer to the hop-2 queues based on packet classification. |
| US08891362B2 |
Scheduling for access division multiplexing
Scheduling map(s) are generated and updated for employment in an access division multiplexing (ADM) environment for allocating resource utilization (e.g., use of transmission time intervals) to or between differing radio access technology networks, and particularly to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network and a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) network. In some example embodiments the scheduling map(s), apparatus, and methods hereof are implemented in a wireless terminal which participates in access division multiplexing between the differing radio access technologies, in other example embodiments the scheduling map(s), apparatus, and methods hereof are implemented in a network node (e.g., eNodeB) of one of the radio access technology networks, e.g., the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. |
| US08891354B2 |
Method for multiplexing data and control information
A method for multiplexing a data information stream, including a systematic symbol and a non-systematic symbol, and a control information stream of at least three types in a wireless mobile communication system is disclosed. The method includes mapping the data information stream to a resource area so that the systematic symbol is not mapped to a specific resource area to which the control information stream is mapped, and mapping the control information stream to the specific resource area. |
| US08891347B2 |
User-focusing technique for wireless communication systems
Systems and methods for wireless communication in a system including a transmitter, a receiver, and a plurality of propagation paths formed between the transmitter and the receiver which are capable of carrying a signal transmitted by the transmitter to the receiver. The method includes transmitting a first signal from the transmitter to the receiver via a propagation path of the plurality of propagation paths, receiving the first signal at the receiver, performing a channel estimation of the first signal to obtain path parameter information of the propagation path, sending the channel estimation from the receiver to the transmitter via the propagation path, predistorting a second signal at the transmitter according to the channel estimation, transmitting the predistorted signal from the transmitter to the receiver via the propagation path, and receiving the predistorted signal at the receiver. |
| US08891346B2 |
Data transmission circuit and data transmission/reception system with reduced jitter
A data transmission/reception system includes a data transmission circuit and a data reception circuit. The data transmission circuit includes a pattern detection unit configured to detect a pattern of data to be loaded on inner lines among a plurality of transmission lines and generate an inversion signal, and a transmission unit configured to transmit data to the plurality of transmission lines and the inversion signal to an inversion line, and invert some of the data to be loaded on the inner lines in response to the inversion signal. The data reception circuit is configured to invert the data inverted by the transmission unit among the data transferred to the plurality of transmission lines, in response to the inversion signal. |
| US08891344B1 |
Wave-based optical data storage
The invention combines several techniques applying high-resolution photosensitive emulsions for the long-term, archival storage of data, images and text. Data is stored as vertical interference patterns of multiple frequencies in a photographic emulsion. Read-out of the stored data uses a precision mechanism to locate and decode stored data. |
| US08891341B1 |
Energy assisted magnetic recording disk drive using modulated laser light
A method and system provide a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk drive including a media. The HAMR disk drive also includes a slider, at least one laser, at least one HAMR head on the slider and at least one electro-optical modulator (EOM) optically coupled with the laser(s) and coupled with the slider. The at least one laser and the at least one EOM are coupled to provide a modulated energy output. The at least one EOM controls the modulated energy output to have a characteristic waveform shape. The at least one HAMR head includes at least one waveguide, a write pole, and at least one coil for energizing the write pole. The at least one waveguide receives the modulated energy output and directs the modulated energy output toward the media. |
| US08891332B2 |
Steerable source systems and method
A marine acoustic source system for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The marine acoustic source system includes a first marine acoustic source array having first and second external source sub-arrays, each sub-array including one or more individual source elements; a first actuator device connected to the first external source sub-array; and a first rope connecting the first actuator device to a first lead-in that is configured to connect to a head of a streamer. The first actuator device is configured to control a length of the first rope in order to control a position of the first source array relative to the streamer. |
| US08891330B2 |
Method and apparatus for simultaneously accessing a plurality of memory cells in a memory array to perform a read operation and/or a write operation
A memory system includes a memory array and a read/write module. The memory array includes bit lines, word lines, and memory cells. Each of the memory cells is located at an intersection of a respective one of the bit lines and a respective one of the word lines. The memory cells include a first memory cell and a second memory cell. The first memory cell is located at the intersection of a first bit line of the bit lines and a first word line of the word lines. The second memory cell is located at the intersection of a second bit line of the bit lines and a second word line of the word lines. The read/write module is configured to concurrently activate the first memory cell and the second memory cell to simultaneously access both the first memory cell and the second memory cell. |
| US08891323B2 |
Semiconductor memory device capable of measuring write current and method for measuring write current
A method for measuring a write current of a semiconductor memory device includes the steps of: programming initial data into memory cells which are to be programmed substantially at the same time; determining whether the memory cells are programmed into the same state or not; inputting test data when the memory cells are programmed into the same state; setting write current paths of the memory cells by comparing the initial data and the test data; and measuring a write current consumed when the test data are programmed into the memory cells. |
| US08891315B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and erase method thereof
A method of erasing a nonvolatile memory device, which includes a plurality of memory blocks each formed of a plurality of strings, includes applying an erase voltage to a well of a selected memory block of the memory blocks, each memory block including at least two dummy cells located between a string or ground selection transistor and memory cells; and applying or inducing different levels of voltages to respective gates of the at least two dummy cells. |
| US08891311B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of programming the same
A program method of a semiconductor memory device includes performing a least significant bit (LSB) program operation for target LSB program cells of a selected page, increasing the threshold voltages of target most significant bit (MSB) program cells of the selected page before performing an MSB operation for the target MSB program cells, and performing the MSB program operation for the target MSB program cells after the increasing of the threshold voltages of the target MSB program cells. |
| US08891309B2 |
Reducing read failure in a memory device
Read failure is reduced by increasing the drain current through a serial string of memory cells during the read operation. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by using a higher read pass voltage for unselected word lines when the selected word line is within a predetermined distance of the drain side of the memory block array. If the selected word line is closer to the source side, a lower read pass voltage is used. In another embodiment, the cells on the word lines closer to the drain side of the memory block array are erased to a lower threshold voltage than the memory cells on the remaining word lines. |
| US08891306B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes stacked memory strings in which at least some adjacent memory strings share a common source line. During a read operation for a selected memory string, a first current path is formed from a bit line of the selected memory string to the common source line through the selected memory string. A second current path is formed from the bit line of the selected memory string, through the common source line, to a bit line of an adjacent unselected memory string. This reduced path resistance enhances device reliability in read mode. |
| US08891304B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and memory system
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array includes blocks, each of the blocks includes NAND strings that each comprise memory cells serially connected in a first direction, word lines respectively connected to memory cell groups arranged in a second direction in the block, and a controller configured to perform a process (A) of verifying one of states in which all of the memory cells included in the block are turned on (pass) and at least one memory cell is turned off (fail) by use of a first read voltage applied to unselected word lines in a data read time, and to perform a process (B) of reading data from the fail block by use of a second read voltage that is higher than the first read voltage and applied to the unselected word lines. |
| US08891302B2 |
Electronic equipment
Electronic equipment according to the present disclosure includes a writable non-volatile memory, a plurality of volatile memories, and a sequencer. The writable non-volatile memory stores an operation parameter group required to operate the electronic equipment. Respective addresses are assigned to the plurality of volatile memories. The plurality of volatile memories includes a specified volatile memory. The specified volatile memory stores a part of the operation parameters among the operation parameter group. The specified volatile memory is accessible by inputting an Enable signal. The sequencer can read and write the non-volatile memory when the Enable signal allows an operation parameter stored in the volatile memory to be written to the non-volatile memory. |
| US08891299B2 |
MOSFET having memory characteristics
A method for performing a programming operation to a first memory bit and a second memory bit of a device is described. The method includes applying a pulse train voltage to a metal gate of the device and grounding a substrate of the device. By floating/grounding a drain of the device and/or by floating/grounding the source of the device, the first memory and the second memory bit are programmed. The pulse train voltage includes 10 to 1000 pulses. One pulse includes a peak voltage and a base voltage. The peak voltage ranges from 0.5 V to 10 V. A duration of the peak voltage ranges from 1 nanosecond to 1 millisecond. The base voltage is 0 V. A duration of the base voltage ranges from 1 nanosecond to 1 millisecond. |
| US08891296B2 |
Linear Programming based decoding for memory devices
Technologies are generally described herein for linear programming based decoding for memory devices. In some examples, a cell threshold voltage level of a memory cell is detected. An interference voltage level of an interference cell that interferes with the memory cell can be determined. The cell threshold voltage level can be decoded in accordance with a set of beliefs to determine the value of the memory cell. The set of beliefs can include a minimization of an objective function of a linear program representing inter-cell interference between the memory cell and the interference cell. |
| US08891295B2 |
Semiconductor device
A method for sensing data in a resistive memory device including a sense amplifier with an input coupled to a bitline through a capacitor includes activating a word line to form a current path through a resistive memory cell to the bitline, precharging the bitline to a first precharge voltage and precharging the input of the sense amplifier to a second precharge voltage between the first precharge voltage and the decision threshold of the sense amplifier, disabling, after a first predetermined period of time, precharge of the bit line and precharge of the input of the sense amplifier, and latching data at an output of the sense amplifier after a second predetermined period of time. |
| US08891293B2 |
High-endurance phase change memory devices and methods for operating the same
Phase change based memory devices and methods for operating such devices described herein overcome the set or reset failure mode and result in improved endurance, reliability and data storage performance. A high current repair operation is carried out in response to a set or reset failure of a phase change memory cell. The higher current repair operation can provide a sufficient amount of energy to reverse compositional changes in the phase change material which can occur after repeated set and reset operations. By reversing these compositional changes, the techniques described herein can recover a memory cell which experienced a set or reset failure, thereby extending the endurance of the memory cell. In doing so, phase change based memory devices and methods for operating such devices are provided which have high cycle endurance. |
| US08891285B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
An object is to increase the retention characteristics of a memory device formed using a semiconductor with a wide bandgap, such as an oxide semiconductor. A transistor including a back gate (a back gate transistor) is inserted in series at one end of a bit line so that the back gate is constantly at a sufficiently negative potential. The minimum potential of the bit line is set higher than that of a word line. When power is turned off, the bit line is cut off by the back gate transistor, ensuring prevention of outflow of charge accumulated in the bit line. At this time, the potential of a source or a drain (bit line) of a cell transistor is sufficiently higher than that of a gate of the cell transistor (0 V), so that the cell transistor is put in a sufficiently off state; thus, data can be retained. |
| US08891284B2 |
Memristors based on mixed-metal-valence compounds
A memristor based on mixed-metal-valence compounds comprises: a first electrode; a second electrode; a layer of a mixed-metal-valence phase in physical contact with at least one layer of a fully oxidized phase. The mixed-metal-valence phase is essentially a condensed phase of dopants for the fully oxidized phase that drift into and out of the fully oxidized phase in response to an applied electric field. One of the first and second electrodes is in electrical contact with either the layer of the mixed-metal-valence phase or a layer of a fully oxidized phase and the other is in electrical contact with the layer (or other layer) of the fully oxidized phase. The memristor is prepared by forming in either order the layer of the mixed-metal-valence phase and the layer of the fully oxidized phase, one on the other. A reversible diode and an ON-switched diode are also provided. A method of operating the memristor is further provided. |
| US08891282B2 |
Photon echo quantum memory and method
A quantum memory and method are proposed. The quantum memory includes an ensemble of atoms embedded in a storage medium and at least one light source for emitting towards the storage medium first, second and third light pulses, the first light pulse carrying information to be stored. The at least one light source is adapted for emitting second and third light pulses which are such that a photon echo substantially carrying information stored by the first light pulse is emitted by the ensemble of atoms after emission of the third light pulse. |
| US08891279B2 |
Enhanced wiring structure for a cache supporting auxiliary data output
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for enhancing wiring structure for a cache supporting an auxiliary data output. The mechanism splits the data cache into a first data portion and a second data portion. The first data portion provides a first set of data elements and the second data portion provides a second set of data elements. The mechanism connects a first data path to provide the first set of data elements to a primary output and connects a second data path to provide the second set of data elements to the primary output. The mechanism feeds the first data path back into the second data path and feeds the second data path back into the first data path. The mechanism connects a secondary output to the second data path. |
| US08891278B1 |
Stack position determination in memory devices configured for stacked arrangements
Disclosed are various embodiments related to stacked memory devices, such as DRAMs, SRAMs, EEPROMs, and CAMs. For example, stack position identifiers (SPIDs) are assigned or otherwise determined, and are used by each memory device to make a number of adjustments. In one embodiment, a self-refresh rate of a DRAM is adjusted based on the SPID of that device. In another embodiment, a latency of a DRAM or SRAM is adjusted based on the SPID. In another embodiment, internal regulation signals are shared with other devices via TSVs. In another embodiment, adjustments to internally regulated signals are made based on the SPID of a particular device. In another embodiment, serially connected signals can be controlled based on a chip SPID (e.g., an even or odd stack position), and whether the signal is an upstream or a downstream type of signal. |
| US08891277B2 |
Memory device
According to one embodiment, a memory device includes first to third interconnects, memory cells, and selectors. The first to third interconnects are provided along first to third directions, respectively. The memory cells includes variable resistance layers formed on two side surfaces, facing each other in the first direction, of the third interconnects. The selectors couple the third interconnects with the first interconnects. One of the selectors includes a semiconductor layer provided between associated one of the third interconnects and associated one of the first interconnects, and gates formed on two side surfaces of the semiconductor layer facing each other in the first direction with gate insulating films interposed therebetween. |
| US08891273B2 |
Pseudo-NOR cell for ternary content addressable memory
A method within a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) includes receiving a match line output from a previous TCAM stage at a gate of a pull-up transistor of a current TCAM stage and at a gate of a pull-down transistor of the current TCAM stage. The method sets a match line bar at the current TCAM stage to a low value, via the pull-down transistor, when the match line output from the previous TCAM stage indicates a mismatch. The method also sets the match line bar at the current TCAM stage to a high value, via the pull-up transistor, when the match line output from the previous TCAM stage indicates a match. |
| US08891272B2 |
Content addressable memory system
There is a need to highly integrate a circuit area of content addressable memory (CAM) and ensure faster operation thereof.A priority encoder and row decoder portion shares a row address register including more than one row. Each row of the row address register corresponds to each entry of a TCAM array mat and retains each address. Each row of the row address register corresponds to each word line and match line of the TCAM array mat. Writing data to the TCAM array mat activates word line for a row retained in the row address register corresponding to a specified address. Searching for the TCAM array mat activates a match line for the TCAM array mat. The row address register for the corresponding row stores the address of an entry for the TCAM array mat matching search data. |
| US08891265B2 |
Overvoltage limitation in a switch-mode converter
A switch-mode converter including an inductive transformer having a secondary winding associated with at least one first switch, including, in parallel with the first switch, at least one first diode in series with a capacitive element; and in parallel with the capacitive element, an active circuit for limiting the voltage thereacross. |
| US08891261B2 |
Three-phase three-level soft-switched PFC rectifiers
A low input-current-harmonic three-phase three-level boost rectifier includes an input stage for receiving a three-phase input voltage in relation to a neutral node and an output stage adapted to couple to at least one load. The rectifier further includes one or more switching converter stages, each having a plurality of serially-connected switches coupled to the neutral node, one of the serially-connected switches operating with a fixed duty cycle while the other of the serially-connected switches operating with a variable duty cycle, the fixed duty cycle being a substantially 50% duty cycle and the variable duty cycle being less than or equal to a substantially 50% duty cycle. The serially-connected switches are coupled to clamping diodes and clamping capacitors. The rectifier further includes one or more controllers adapted to vary the switching frequency and/or duty cycle of the plurality of switches based on at least one of a condition of the at least one load or the input voltage and includes one or more decoupling stages, each including one or more inductive elements adapted to inductively decouple the output stage from at least one of the one or more switching converter stages. |
| US08891259B2 |
Control circuit and method for audible noise suppression in a power converter
A control circuit is configured for controlling a power switch to regulate an output of a power converter. The control circuit is configured to increase a switching frequency of the power switch when a first signal representing a magnitude of the power converter is below a first output level. In some embodiment, the first output level is selected such that when the first signal is below the first output level, the power converter may generate audible noise. In an embodiment, when the first signal is above the first output level, the control circuit is configured to turn off the power switch when a second signal representing a current in the power switch is above a first reference level. On the other hand, when the first signal is below the first output level, the control circuit is configured to turn off the power switch if the second signal reaches a lower reference level. |
| US08891257B2 |
Drive circuit for a synchronous rectifier and a method for controlling it
A pulsed drive signal without a dead band can be achieved by a drive circuit arranged to receive opposite pulsed input signals, having a dead band between them, a transformer arranged to receive the input signals and output intermediary signals, time delay circuitry arranged to receive the intermediary signals, and to provide buffer input signals, corresponding to the intermediary signals, but with a ramped up transition from a low to a high signal, a first and a second buffer stage arranged to receive the first and second buffer input signals, respectively, and produce the first and the second drive output signal corresponding to the first and second pulsed input signal but with the transition from a high to a low signal delayed to reduce the dead band. |
| US08891248B2 |
Angle-adjustable support with pivot mechanism
An angle-adjustable support includes a base, a carrier and a pivot mechanism. The base includes a sidewall and a bottom. The sidewall has a first pivot and a second pivot. The pivot mechanism pivotally connects the carrier with the base. The pivot mechanism has three working states. The carrier is locked when the pivot mechanism works in a first working state. The carrier is capable of pivoting relative to the base in a clockwise or anticlockwise when the pivot mechanism works in a second working state. The carrier is free to rotate when the pivot mechanism works in a third working state. |
| US08891247B2 |
Conductive circuit containing a polymer composition containing thermally exfoliated graphite oxide and method of making the same
A conductive circuit containing a polymer composite, which contains at least one polymer and a modified graphite oxide material, containing thermally exfoliated graphite oxide having a surface area of from about 300 m2/g to 2600 m2/g, and a method of making the same. |
| US08891244B2 |
Hinge assembly
A hinge assembly is provided for a signal cable to pass through. The hinge assembly includes a first bearing block, a second bearing block, and a spindle. The first bearing block includes a first fixing plate and a first sleeve, the first sleeve is connected to a side edge of the first fixing plate, and the first sleeve has a first sectioned groove linked to its two ends. One end of the spindle is inserted in the first sleeve, and the other end is fixed on the second bearing block. The spindle has a second sectioned groove, and the second sectioned groove has at least one end linked to the first sectioned groove of the first sleeve, so that one end of the first sleeve, the first sectioned groove, and the second sectioned groove are linked to form an accommodating space for signal cables to pass through. |
| US08891242B2 |
Heat sinking device, notably for vertical components and/or components of complex form
A heat sinking device for a component mounted on an electronic circuit board, including: a hollow body, of straight cylindrical or prismatic form, including a first material, arranged vertically on top of the electronic circuit board, the useful volume of the body including at least the component, a resin including a second material, at least partially filling the internal volume of the body so as to contain the component. The heat sinking device can be arranged on an insulating separator element, the resin can be introduced in the liquid state. |
| US08891241B2 |
Electronic assembly
An electronic assembly includes a heat generating element, a heat dissipation fin set and a filter circuit board. The filter circuit board is disposed between the heat generating element and the heat dissipation fin set. The filter circuit board includes a metal layer, an electromagnetic band gap structure layer, an insulation layer disposed between the metal layer and the electromagnetic band gap structure layer and plural first thermal vias. The heat dissipation fin set is disposed on the heat generating element and directly contacts the metal layer. The electromagnetic band gap structure layer has plural conductive patterns arranged in the same pitches. The heat generating element directly contacts at least one of the conductive patterns. The first thermal vias pass through the insulation layer, the metal layer and the conductive patterns. Two ends of each first thermal via respectively connect the metal layer and the corresponding conductive pattern. |
| US08891239B2 |
Slide-cover electronic device
A slide-cover electronic device includes a main body, a moveable body and a supporting assembly. The moveable body is combined with the main body to move linearly and rotate with respect to the main body. The supporting assembly is configured as a supporting structure protruding out of a back side of the main body with an included angle formed between the main body and the moveable body. The supporting assembly includes a rotating member, a first sliding member and a second sliding member. The rotating member is rotatably connected with the back side to lean on the back side or form an included angle in between. The first sliding member is movably connected with the rotating member to move linearly with respect to the rotating member. The second sliding member is movably connected with the moveable body for being clasped with the first sliding member in a second status. |
| US08891235B2 |
Thermal interface for multi-chip packages
A thermal interface unit includes a pedestal, a first contact surface below the pedestal to interface with a first die and a flat spring to enable the first contact surface to adapt to a variable height of a first die of a multi-chip package (MCP). |
| US08891234B2 |
Electronic apparatus with heat dissipation module
An electronic apparatus includes a chassis and a heat dissipation module. The chassis includes a first panel, a second panel substantially parallel to the first panel, and a motherboard attached on the first panel and located between the first panel and the second panel. The heat dissipation module is attached on the motherboard and includes a fan with a cover, a first fin assembly attached to a first side of the fan, and a second fin assembly attached to a second side of the fan. The cover includes a main plate with an opening and a resisting flange extending slantwise from an edge of the opening. A portion of the first fin assembly is exposed by the opening. The resisting flange resists against the second panel to keep the main plate away from the second panel. |
| US08891229B2 |
Locking structure for a truck of a switchgear drawout circuit breaker
A truck (12′) for mounting a circuit breaker (13) in a switchgear frame (14′) includes wheels (16), a racking screw (20), a nut (22) threaded with the racking screw. The nut floats linearly with respect to the truck. A spring (23) is provided between a portion of the truck and the nut such that during movement of the truck into the frame, rotation of the racking screw causes linear movement of the nut, with the nut pushing against the spring, with the spring pushing the truck to move the truck linearly. Locking structure is coupled with the such that when the truck is stopped and the racking screw continues to rotate, the nut will move to compress the spring, causing the locking structure to move from an unlocked position, disengaged with the frame, to a locked position, engaged with the frame. |
| US08891227B2 |
Process of forming dielectric thin film and thin film capacitor having said dielectric thin film
In this process of forming a dielectric thin film, when a dielectric thin film represented by Ba1−xSrxTiyO3 (0.2 |
| US08891226B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component, including: a ceramic sintered body having a plurality of dielectric layers laminated therein; first and second capacitance portions being formed on surfaces of the dielectric layers; first and second lead-out portions being respectively extended from both sides of the first and second capacitance portions to be respectively exposed through both side surfaces of the ceramic sintered body and spaced apart from each other; sealing parts enclosing both end portions and corner portions of the ceramic sintered body; and first and second external electrodes enclosing the sealing parts and formed on both end portions of the ceramic sintered body to be electrically connected to the first and second lead-out portions, respectively. |
| US08891223B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) variable capacitors and actuation components and related methods
Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) variable capacitors and actuation components and related methods are provided. A MEMS variable capacitor can include first and second feed lines extending substantially parallel to one another. Further, MEMS variable capacitors can include first and second capacitive plates being spaced apart from the first and second feed lines. The first and second capacitive plates can be separately movable with respect to at least one of the first and second feed lines for varying the capacitance between the first and second feed lines over a predetermined capacitance range. |
| US08891218B2 |
Fault tolerant fail-safe link
The present disclosure is generally directed to a plurality of solid state switches of varying periphery sizes connected in series between a power source and a load. A built-in test circuit senses an overvoltage condition across one or more of the varying periphery sizes and opens or closes the one or more of the varying periphery sizes in accordance with a measured voltage across at least one solid state switch of the plurality of solid state switches. |
| US08891212B2 |
RC-triggered semiconductor controlled rectifier for ESD protection of signal pads
RC-trigger circuits for a semiconductor controlled rectifier (SCR), methods of providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and design structures for a RC-trigger circuit. The RC-trigger circuit is coupled to an input/output (I/O) signal pad by an isolation diode and is coupled to a power supply voltage by a power supply diode. Under normal operating conditions, the isolation diode is reverse biased, isolating the RC-trigger circuit from the input/output (I/O) pad, and the power supply diode is forward biased so that the RC-trigger circuit is supplied with power. The isolation diode may become forward biased during ESD events while the chip is unpowered, causing the RC-trigger circuit to trigger an SCR configured protect the signal pad from ESD into a conductive state. The power supply diode may become reverse biased during the ESD event, which isolates the power supply rail from the ESD voltage pulse. |
| US08891211B2 |
Potential arc fault detection and suppression
A wiring fault detector adapted specifically to address the requirement for arc fault protection specified in National Electrical Code (2011) article 690.11 comprises running at least one additional wire in parallel with the power conductors to be protected, thereby allowing evaluation at the location of a fault detector of an electrical parameter indicative of conductor integrity along its whole length.In one implementation, the additional conductor allows the voltage drop across the power conductor to be measured and verified to be small and/or noise-free. In another implementation, the additional conductor is a redundant power conductor connected in parallel with the main power conductor, allowing verification that the current flow in both the main and the additional power conductors is partitioned in an expected ratio indicative of wiring integrity. |
| US08891208B2 |
CPP-type magnetoresistive element including a rear bias structure and lower shields with inclined magnetizations
An MR element suppressing a false writing into a medium with an MR part has a CPP structure. The MR part includes a nonmagnetic intermediate layer and first and second ferromagnetic layers so as to interpose the nonmagnetic intermediate layer. First and second shield layers respectively have an inclining magnetization structure of which a magnetization is inclined with regard to a track width direction. The first and second ferromagnetic layers are respectively, magnetically coupled with the first and second shield layers. A magnetization direction adjustment layer for adjusting at least a magnetization direction of the first ferromagnetic layer is positioned at a rear end surface side of the first ferromagnetic layer, which is opposite to a front end surface receiving a magnetic field detected in the MR part. |
| US08891206B2 |
Co-located gimbal-based dual stage actuation disk drive suspensions with motor stiffener
Various embodiments concern a gimbaled flexure having a dual stage actuation structure. The flexure comprises a gimbal which includes a pair of spring arms, a pair of struts, and a tongue between the spring arms. A motor is mounted on the gimbal. The motor comprises a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side. The bottom side of the motor faces the flexure. A stiffener is mounted on the top side of the motor. At least one layer of adhesive is located between the stiffener and the motor and bonded to the stiffener and the motor. The gimbaled flexure includes a slider mounting for attaching a slider, such as to the tongue. The motor bends the struts to move the slider mounting about a tracking axis while the stiffener limits the degree of bending of the motor. |
| US08891205B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for controlling near-field transducer to write pole spacing
An apparatus is provided that includes a waveguide adjacent an air bearing surface, a near-field transducer comprising a peg having a side orthogonal to the air bearing surface and a write pole adjacent to the waveguide. The write pole includes a first portion extending towards the air bearing surface at a non-orthogonal angle with respect to the air bearing surface, and a second portion in contact with the first portion comprising a side that extends towards and orthogonally contacts the air bearing surface. The second portion or the write pole defines a gap between the side of the peg orthogonal to the air bearing surface and the side of the second portion of the write pole that extends towards and orthogonally contacts the air bearing surface. A method of making a magnetic recording head that includes the provided apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08891202B2 |
Notched disk clamp
Provided herein is an apparatus, including a plurality of disk clamp notches spaced about an outer lip of an annular disk clamp; an annular groove in an outer perimeter of a hub; and a mounting point on the hub for at least one disk, wherein the annular disk clamp occupies the annular groove of the hub, clamping the at least one disk onto the hub at the mounting point for the at least one disk. |
| US08891194B1 |
Disk drive iteratively adapting correction value that compensates for non-linearity of head
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk. A position y of the head is measured based on servo sectors, and the measured position y of the head is adjusted based on: z1=y+c1(y) where z1 represents a first adjusted position and c1(y) represents first correction values. The first adjusted position z1 is adjusted based on: z2=z1+c2(z1) where z2 represents a second adjusted position and c2(z1) represents second correction values. The first and second correction values are combined based on: c3(y)=c1(y)+c2(y+c1(y)). The measured position y of the head is adjusted based on: z3=y+c3(y) where z3 represents a third adjusted position comprising the adjustment based on c1(y) and the adjustment based on c2(y), and c3(y) represents third correction values. |
| US08891191B1 |
Data storage device initializing read signal gain to detect servo seed pattern
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk comprising at least one servo seed pattern, and a head actuated over the disk. An amplitude measurement is generated based on a read signal emanating from the head while reading the disk. A number of times the amplitude measurement exceeds a first threshold is first counted during a first revolution of the disk, and a number of times the amplitude measurement exceeds the first threshold is second counted during a second revolution of the disk. The servo seed pattern is detected based on the first count and the second count. |
| US08891190B1 |
Electric field writing magnetic storage device
An electric field writing magnetic storage device including: a rotatable disk including a substrate and a magnetic recording film provided on a surface of the substrate, the magnetic recording film including at least one ferromagnetic and ferroelectric layer; a writing device writing information into the magnetic recording film by means of an electric field, the writing device including a writing electrode generating a dielectric flux between the writing electrode and the substrate by having electric potential to the substrate; and a writing circuit choosing one electric potential among plurality of electric potential level and applying the chosen one electric potential to the writing electrode in every operation of writing information, wherein the dielectric flux generated according to the electric potential applied to the writing electrode by the writing circuit magnetizes the ferromagnetic and ferroelectric layer in a specific direction. |
| US08891188B2 |
Breakdown prediction device, breakdown prediction method, and breakdown prediction program
A breakdown prediction device of the present invention includes: a vibration measurement unit that measures vibrations generated from a device being monitored; and a signal processing unit that performs breakdown prediction when a specific vibration is measured at the vibration measurement unit, a maximum vibration amplitude value of the vibration exceeding an upper limit vibration amplitude threshold, and a vibration amplitude value thereof being below a lower limit vibration amplitude threshold at a point in time when a specified time is reached from a point in time when the vibration exceeds the upper limit vibration amplitude threshold. |
| US08891182B2 |
Wide angle lens and photographing apparatus including the same
Exemplary embodiments may disclose a wide angle lenses including: a first lens which has a negative refractive power; a second lens which has a positive refractive power; a third lens which has the positive refractive power; a fourth lens which has the negative refractive power; and a fifth lens which has the positive refractive power, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, and the fifth lens are in an order from an object to an image, wherein the wide angle lenses satisfy a condition of 0.2 |
| US08891181B2 |
Fixed-focus projection lens
A fixed-focus projection lens has a first lens group and a second lens group in sequence along an optical axis from a screen side to a light modulator side. The first lens group has a positive refractive power, and the second lens group has a positive refractive power. The first lens group has two lenses, and the refractive powers of the lenses are negative and positive. The second lens group has five lenses, and the refractive powers of the lenses respectively are negative, negative, positive, positive, and positive. The fixed-focus projection lens has the features of small size and high optical performance. |
| US08891180B2 |
Optical system, and image pickup apparatus having the same
An optical system includes an aperture diaphragm having such a curved surface shape that an aperture part moves in an optical axis direction as an aperture diameter changes. The aperture diaphragm has a convex shape on an object side when an optical system on the object side of the aperture diaphragm has a negative refractive power, and the aperture diaphragm has a convex shape on an image side when the optical system on the object side of the aperture diaphragm has a positive refractive power. |
| US08891179B2 |
Lens and applications thereof
The present invention, in some embodiments, provides a low distortion singlet lens and optical imaging apparatus including the same. |
| US08891178B2 |
Optical lens system
This invention provides an optical lens system in order from an object side to an image side comprising: a first lens element having a convex object-side surface; a negative second lens element having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; a positive third lens element having a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; a plastic negative fourth lens element having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, with both the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric. By such arrangement, the incident angle of off-axis light projected onto the sensor can be suppressed for improving the sensitivity of the sensor effectively. Also, a sufficient back focal length can be retained for disposing other optical elements (e.g., an IR-pass filter), and thereby the system can be more suitable for the infrared aspect of optical imaging systems. |
| US08891177B2 |
Optical imaging system for pickup
An optical imaging system for pickup, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, comprising: the first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, the second lens element with refractive power, the third lens element with refractive power, the fourth lens element with refractive power, the fifth lens element with refractive power; the sixth lens element made of plastic, the sixth lens with refractive power having a concave image-side surface with both being aspheric, and the image-side surface having at least one inflection point. By such arrangements, the optical imaging system for pickup satisfies conditions related to shorten the total length and to reduce the sensitivity for using in compact cameras and mobile phones with camera functionalities. |
| US08891176B2 |
Lens barrel and image capturing device
A lens barrel including a subject-side lens guided by guide bars. The lens barrel has a first guide shaft disposed within a cylindrical fixed cylinder and oriented axially along the fixed cylinder; a second guide shaft disposed outside the fixed cylinder and oriented axially; a first holding member that holds a first lens and moves along the first guide shaft; and a second holding member that holds a second lens positioned on a subject side of the first lens and moves along the second guide shaft. |
| US08891172B2 |
Optical element and method
The disclosure relates to an optical element configure to at least partial spatially resolve correction of a wavefront aberration of an optical system (e.g., a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography) to which optical radiation can be applied, as well as related systems and methods. |
| US08891171B2 |
High sag thick lens for use in an illumination apparatus
The high sag thick lens is for use in an illumination apparatus, such as a solid state light source. The lens is made of a first lens part having an optical active surface and a series of elongated baffles, the baffles having a top portion, the top portions defining a line that follows the curvature of the optical active surface to create a second lens part of uniform thickness. A second lens part is fused to the first lens part to create the lens. The second lens part has an optical active surface and a series of elongated baffles, the baffles having a thickness comparable to the thickness of the corresponding optical active surfaces. The first and the second baffles are intertwined along the entire length of their lateral surfaces. |
| US08891167B2 |
Polarization independent optical isolator
Provided is a polarization independent optical isolator including: wedge-shaped birefringent crystal plates each made of a LiNbO3 single crystal; a Faraday rotator 3 made of a magnetic garnet single crystal; and sapphire single crystal plates 2 and 4 bonded to light transmitting surfaces of the Faraday rotator, respectively. A light transmitting surface of each of the sapphire single crystal plates is formed in such a manner as to be offset from the c-plane of the sapphire single crystal plate. An incident angle θa of imaginary light 300 on each of the sapphire single crystal plates, and an offset angles θoff of the light transmitting surface from the c-plane of each sapphire single crystal plates are set within predetermined ranges, the imaginary light 300 being represented by a bisector of an angle formed by optical axes of the ordinary ray and the extraordinary ray. |
| US08891160B2 |
Broadly and fast tunable optical parametric oscillator
A coherent light source is provided for producing narrow-linewidth output, continuously tunable within a broad (at least one-octave-wide) range of optical wavelengths. The source is based on type-I or type-0 near-degenerate optical parametric oscillator (OPO), which uses a nonlinear optical crystal with either birefringent phase matching or quasi phase matching. The pump wavelength is chosen such that the OPO degeneracy wavelength (at twice the pump wavelength), is close to the point of zero group-velocity dispersion. That results in an extremely broad OPO bandwidth. Fast OPO wavelength tuning is achieved by rotating an intracavity diffraction grating. In accordance with the invention, the choice of a nonlinear crystal and a pump source determines the overall tuning range. For example, the use of lithium niobate provides tuning over the range of 1.3 to 3 microns, ZGP—3.8 to 8 microns, gallium arsenide—4 to 12 microns, CGA—6 to 13 microns. |
| US08891159B2 |
Optical semiconductor element, semiconductor laser, and method of manufacturing optical semiconductor element
An optical semiconductor element includes: a grating base layer including a projection-recess structure disposed over a substrate; and a grating cover layer including a group III-V semiconductor having three or more elements, wherein the grating cover layer includes a first region which is disposed over recessed portions of the grating base layer and which has a compositional ratio of a group III-V semiconductor having a first refractive index, and a second region which is disposed over projecting portions of the grating base layer and which has a compositional ratio of a group III-V semiconductor having a second refractive index that is smaller than the first refractive index, wherein the grating base layer includes a group III-V semiconductor having a third refractive index that is smaller than the first refractive index. |
| US08891157B2 |
Acousto-optic deflectors over one octave
The technology described applies an extended frequency range of over one octave to drive an acousto-optic deflector, thereby defying a design rule of thumb that limited bandwidth to just under one octave. A combination of extended frequency range and well-timed beam blanking reduces the proportion of a so-called chirp signal that is consumed by beam blanking. This increases the working, effective portion of the sweep signal. |
| US08891156B2 |
Microcup designs for electrophoretic display
The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic display film comprising: a) microcups each having a first shape, and b) remaining microcups which take up at least 10% of the total number of microcups and have shapes different from the first shape. The microcup designs of the present invention not only may reduce the Moiré pattern, but it may also make the defects of the microcup walls much less noticeable, and therefore increase the cutting yield. |
| US08891152B2 |
Methods for manufacturing cold seal fluid-filled display apparatus
This methods and devices described herein relate to displays and methods of manufacturing cold seal fluid-filled displays, including MEMS. The fluid substantially surrounds the moving components of the MEMS display to reduce the effects of stiction and to improve the optical and electromechanical performance of the display. The invention relates to a method for sealing a MEMS display at a lower temperature such that a vapor bubble does not form only at temperatures about 15° C. to about 20° C. below the seal temperature. In some embodiments, the MEMS display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate separated from the first substrate by a gap and supporting an array of light modulators, a fluid substantially filling the gap, a plurality of spacers within the gap, and a sealing material joining the first substrate to the second substrate. |
| US08891151B2 |
Electro-wetting color display
A display panel that includes a first electro-wetting member having a first colored liquid of a first color and a second electro-wetting member having a second colored liquid of a second color is presented. The second electro-wetting member is disposed on the first electro-wetting member such that the first colored liquid overlaps the second colored liquid. The shapes of the liquid of the first color and the liquid of the second color are independently controllable. A method of manufacturing such display panel is also presented. |
| US08891149B2 |
Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices with dielectric microstructure motion stopper
Disclosed herein is a dielectric microstructure with a substantially unit dielectric constant K for use in microelectromechanical systems. |
| US08891147B2 |
Optical beam scanning device and image display device using the same
In a scanning image display device including a function to project and display a two-dimensional image on a projection screen using a deflecting unit that repeatedly operates a predetermined reflecting mirror surface to two-dimensionally scan a light beam, a large image distortion inevitably occurs, which is caused by the reflecting mirror surface that repeatedly and two-dimensionally operates for deflection. In order to solve the problem, a free-form surface lens or a wedge or trapezoid prism with a predetermined refractive index and a predetermined vertical angle is disposed in an optical path between the deflecting unit and the projection screen, thereby excellently correcting image distortion that occurs when scanning a light beam. |
| US08891146B2 |
Holographic imaging
Technologies are generally described for generating an image in a holographic imaging device by causing multiple reflections of a hologram reconstruction light on one side of a display panel in the holographic imaging device. An example device may include a display panel, a semi-transparent mirror layer on the display panel, a mirror layer at a side of the semi-transparent mirror layer opposite to the display panel, and a light irradiation unit opposite to the semi-transparent mirror layer. The light irradiation unit may irradiate a hologram reconstruction light on the semi-transparent mirror layer at a predetermined incident angle. The semi-transparent mirror layer may reflect a portion of the hologram reconstruction light such that the reflected portion of the hologram reconstruction light may be incident on the mirror layer. The semi-transparent mirror layer may transmit the other portion of the hologram reconstruction light to cause interference in the hologram. |
| US08891145B2 |
System and method for digitizing documents and encoding information relating to same for display by handheld computing devices
A system and method are provided for processing scanned documents by digitizing the scanned documents, converting the digitized documents to a JPEG2000 file, encoding content information corresponding to the digitized documents using spatial capabilities of JPEG2000's Region of Interest feature, and creating an image file having the digitized documents and the region of interest information for forwarding to a computing device, such as a handheld computing device, for display. The system and method are especially useful in Digital Mail applications which entail digitizing and delivering mail documents to recipients. |
| US08891142B2 |
Image reading lens, image reader, and image-forming apparatus
An image reading lens which reads an original image includes a front group lens system on an object side, and a back group lens system on an image side, the front group lens system including three lenses having two positive lenses and a negative lens, and the back group lens system including a plastic negative lens. |
| US08891138B2 |
Adaptive fax timers which adjust current time value based on predicted response time
Timers involved in facsimile transmissions under the T.30 specification are permitted to adapt to a given situation to improve the chances for successful facsimile transmission over high latency communication networks. The specified T1 through T5 timers for facsimile transmission may be modified in value based on call control related parameters or facsimile transport related parameters. The timers may be set to have a particular range, with a nominal base value and a maximum value, which may exceed the T.30 timer specification. The adaptive timers can be modified based on a number of different criteria related to facsimile transmissions to avoid overlapping command-response situations and stalemates that may result from communications in relatively highly latency networks. The timers may also be adapted to minimize or optimize call length while achieving successful facsimile transmissions. |
| US08891135B2 |
Detection of image quality defects in gloss
A method for detecting gloss non-uniformities on printed documents is provided. The method includes printing a test pattern using a print engine, the test pattern having gloss; directing one or more light beams, using an illuminator, onto the test pattern to produce at least generally specular reflectance; scanning the test pattern, using a linear array sensor, to obtain image data, the image data corresponding to the generally specular reflectance from the test pattern; and enhancing contrast of the image data to facilitate detection of image quality non-uniformities in the gloss in the test pattern. |
| US08891134B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads image data, a drawing data storage unit that stores object data comprising the read image data so as to allow the stored object data to be distinguished between a vector object and a raster object, a vector gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored vector objects is formed of an achromatic color, a raster gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored raster objects is formed of an achromatic color, and an output data creation unit that converts the stored object data into multicolor when the stored object data includes a chromatic color and converts the stored object data into monochrome when the stored object data is formed only of achromatic colors. |
| US08891133B2 |
Image processing device and method of processing image
An image processing device for arranging and printing images of a plurality of documents on a single recording sheet includes a memory part configured to memorize: image information and sizes of documents, a size of the single recording sheet, and a number of the documents; an input part configured to input image information, a document size detecting part configured to detect sizes of the documents; and an editing part configured to compare the sizes of the documents with a divided area of the single recording sheet. The editing part is further configured to arrange and print the image information of one of the documents on the single recording sheet without reducing the image of the one of the documents when the size of the document is equal to or less than the size of the divided area of the single recording sheet. |
| US08891132B2 |
Image processing apparatus for printing a copy forgery inhibited pattern using different values when in a color saving mode
By addition of a copy forgery inhibited pattern image having a lower density to an image in a saving mode, there is provided an image processing apparatus which can reduce consumption amounts of toner and ink while keeping effectiveness of the copy forgery inhibited pattern image. The present invention is an image processing apparatus having a copy forgery inhibited pattern image addition mode and a saving mode, and includes a unit configured to determine whether the copy forgery inhibited pattern image addition mode is set and a unit configured to determine whether the saving mode is set, wherein a density of the copy forgery inhibited pattern image to be added to the image in the case where the saving mode is set is lower than a density of the copy forgery inhibited pattern image to be added to the image in the case where the saving mode isn't set. |
| US08891128B2 |
Defective recording element detecting apparatus and method, and image forming apparatus and method
A defective recording element detecting apparatus includes: a read image data acquiring device which acquires read image data of a test pattern recorded on a recording medium by a recording head having recording elements; a reference area setting device which sets a reference area including a part of the test pattern on a read image representing image contents of the read image data; a comparison area setting device which sets a comparison area on the read image; a correlation operation device which performs a correlation operation between the comparison area and the reference area; a distortion correction value determining device which determines a distortion correction value, from a result of the correlation operation; an image distortion correcting device which corrects image distortion of the read image using the distortion correction value; and a defective recording element determining device which identifies a defective recording element according to the corrected read image. |
| US08891127B2 |
Print channel identification mechanism
A printer includes a print head having a first print channel to print data on each page of a print medium according to a first color plane and a second print channel to print data on each page of the print medium according to the first color plane. The printer also includes a verification unit to generate a first channel identifier to identify data printed by the first print channel and a second print channel identifier to identify data printed by the second print channel. |
| US08891123B2 |
Communication terminal, storage medium for storing communication terminal control program, server, and server control method
The advantage of the invention is to improve the convenience when a preview image of processing target data is displayed in a communication terminal that does not have a preview generating function. A communication terminal has a processing target transmitting section that transmits processing target data to a server, a preview receiving section that receives preview image data of a page in which generation of preview image data is completed before generation of preview image data of all pages is completed with respect to preview image data of the processing target data generated by the server, and a preview displaying section that displays a preview image based on the received preview image data. |
| US08891122B2 |
Electronic apparatus, connector-connection-state detection method, and computer program product
An electronic apparatus includes a connection-state detection circuit. The circuit includes a first circuit board; a plurality of second circuit boards that each exchange a signal with the first circuit board; a plurality of connectors that connect the first circuit board and each of the second circuit boards, respectively; a transmitting unit that transmits a connection-state detection signal from the first circuit board to each of the second circuit boards via the connectors; a control unit that causes the second circuit boards to return response signals to the first circuit board in response to the received connection-state detection signal via the connectors at different times that are shifted from each other and are respectively allocated to the second circuit boards; and a detecting unit that detects whether the response signal returned from each of the second circuit boards is received to detect a connection state of each of the connectors. |
| US08891115B2 |
Configuration of print data for print jobs based on document-processing capabilities of printers
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the execution of a print job. During operation, the system obtains a set of document-processing capabilities from a printer associated with the print job and obtains print data for the print job. Next, the system selects a set of document attributes for the print job based on the document-processing capabilities and the print data, wherein the set of document attributes comprises a document format and a document size. Finally, the system configures the print data to conform to the document attributes to enable processing of the print job by the printer. |
| US08891114B2 |
Image forming apparatus, device cooperation system, and device cooperation method
An image forming apparatus includes an input unit that inputs print conditions; a search unit that searches for image forming apparatuses that can execute the print conditions; a display unit that displays icons of the found image forming apparatuses; a generating unit that generates a print job when an icon corresponding to one of the image forming apparatuses is operated; a sending unit that sends the print job to the one of the image forming apparatuses; and a management unit configured to manage progress situation information of print jobs. When an icon of a second image forming apparatus is operated after a print job is sent to a first image forming apparatus and before the first image forming apparatus completes the print job, print jobs are regenerated to distribute a remaining number of sheets between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. |
| US08891111B2 |
Adaptable printer driver
Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a printer driver may be modified and supplemented over time. For example, a framework may be provided which enables a printer driver's functionality to be supplemented over time to include new and/or enhanced features, such as features relating to the manner in which the capabilities of a printer are configured, print settings are manipulated, information is presented to users, print-related system events are handled, etc. In some embodiments, one or more components (which may be included in a print subsystem provided by an operating system of a computing device, in a printer driver, and/or some other system element) may be configured to automatically seek and acquire configuration data from any of various sources, including the printer device, one or more online sources, and/or other sources. |
| US08891103B2 |
Image forming apparatus which controls the number of jobs that can be executed simultaneously
An image forming apparatus includes: a job control unit configured to impose an execution restriction on a job if the number of simultaneously-executed jobs on a function-to-function basis reaches an upper limit value; a guaranteed job count setting unit configured to set a guaranteed job count, wherein the guaranteed job count provides a guaranteed number of simultaneously-executable jobs on a function-to-function basis; and a shared job count setting unit configured to set a shared job count that can be allocated in common to respective functions, which provides the number of simultaneously-executable jobs. |
| US08891101B2 |
Printing device and method for secure printing
A printer is communicatively connected to a terminal and a slave. The printer creates a secure printing group, and allows the terminal and slave to join the secure printing group. The terminal generates a print job, and sends the print job to the printer. The printer generates a first inspection message according to the print job, and sends the first inspection message to the terminal. The terminal selects the slave as a printing delegate, and sends a message that is derived at least in part from the first inspection message to the slave. The slave sends a second inspection message to the printer, wherein the second inspection message is derived at least in part from the message sent from to the terminal to the slave, and requests the printer to execute the print job. The printer executes the print job when the second inspection message matches the first inspection message. |
| US08891100B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A clearing section includes a counter for measuring a period up to the reset of contents set by means of an operation panel to initial values. If a position discriminating section discriminates that the operation panel is at a first position, the clearing section starts measuring the period by means of the counter from the first entry made to the operation panel. When a count value reaches a predetermined value, the clearing section executes an automatic clear processing to reset the contents set by means of the operation panel to the initial values. On the other hand, the clearing section cancels the execution of the automatic clear processing if the position discriminating section discriminates that the operation panel is at a second position. |
| US08891099B2 |
Information processing device, printing condition setting method, and computer product
The CPU of a personal computer displays a list of one-click icons, each representing one or a plurality of printing functions, in the icon display area, and selects one one-click icon from the list of the one-click icons displayed in the icon display area, to automatically set a plurality of printing functions corresponding to the selected one-click icons. |
| US08891096B2 |
Image processing apparatus and non-transitory storage medium storing program to be executed by the same
An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing device; a display portion capable of detecting a touch of an input object; a storage storing preset-setting groups; a preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller displays icons corresponding to the preset-setting groups; and an image-processing-device controller for controlling the image processing device. When at least two icons are displayed on the display portion such that one icon is displayed in a selected state manner, and a specific icon is displayed in a non-selected state manner, and when the specific icon is touched, the preset-setting-group-selection-screen display controller moves the specific icon located on a second area to a first area and moves the one icon located on the first area to the second area in a direction in which the specific icon is moved, and displays the specific icon in the selected state manner and display the one icon in the non-selected state manner. |
| US08891089B2 |
Phase object identification device and method
An object of the invention is to provide a phase object identification device and method which can identify a phase object in a completely different manner from conventional methods for observing or measuring a phase object.A phase object identification device 1 for identifying a phase object for changing the phase of light includes a light source 2, a sample holding means 3 for holding a phase object 31 to be identified, a holographic recording medium 4 on which a hologram 41 formed by interference between reference light 25 and object light 24 that is phase-modulated by a known phase object 32 is recorded, and a light detector 5, a phase of light 21 emitted from the light source is modulated by the phase object to be identified to generate sample light 22, the hologram of the holographic recording medium is irradiated with the sample light, reproduced light 23 reproduced from the hologram of the holographic recording medium is detected by the light detector. |
| US08891087B2 |
System and method for hyperspectral imaging
A system and method for visualizing a biological sample. One or more spectra are selected for illuminating the biological sample to indicate one or more chemicals in the biological sample. The biological sample is illuminated with the one or more spectra. Reflected light is analyzed to determine characteristics of the biological sample. |
| US08891084B2 |
Microfluidic device
The present disclosure relates to microfluidic devices adapted for facilitating cytometry analysis of particles flowing therethrough. In certain embodiments, the microfluidic devices allow light collection from multiple directions. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices use spatial intensity modulation. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have magnetic field separators. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have the ability to stack. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have 3-D hydrodynamic focusing to align sperm cells. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have acoustic energy couplers. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have phase variation producing lenses. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have transmissive and reflective lenses. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have integrally-formed optics. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have non-integral geographically selective reagent delivery structures. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have optical waveguides incorporated into their flow channels. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have optical waveguides with reflective surfaces incorporated into their flow channels. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices have virus detecting and sorting capabilities. In certain other embodiments, the microfluidic devices display a color change to indicate use or a result. |
| US08891082B2 |
Temperature-compensated spectrometer
The invention relates to a spectrometer comprising a hollow main optical body having at least one light channel, a light source, a diffraction grating having a grating central point, a light inlet opening, and a detector unit, which are arranged in such a way that the focal curve of the spectrometer satisfies the back focus equation. In order to create a spectrometer having sufficient spectral resolution from a low-price, light, and easy-to-process material, which spectrometer is able to operate in a large temperature interval even without thermostatic control, according to the invention the light inlet opening is arranged on a compensation body, the compensation body is arranged in the light channel and fastened to the main optical body between the light source and the diffraction grating, and the compensation body is dimensioned in such a way that the compensation body changes the distance between the light inlet opening and the grating central point when the main optical body thermally expands. |
| US08891079B2 |
Wafer inspection
Systems and methods for inspecting a wafer are provided. One system includes an illumination subsystem configured to illuminate the wafer; a collection subsystem configured to collect light scattered from the wafer and to preserve the polarization of the scattered light; an optical element configured to separate the scattered light collected in different segments of the collection numerical aperture of the collection subsystem, where the optical element is positioned at a Fourier plane or a conjugate of the Fourier plane of the collection subsystem; a polarizing element configured to separate the scattered light in one of the different segments into different portions of the scattered light based on polarization; and a detector configured to detect one of the different portions of the scattered light and to generate output responsive to the detected light, which is used to detect defects on the wafer. |
| US08891078B2 |
Solar simulator
A solar simulator includes a light source having an optical axis linearly elongated, a feed means for feeding a long continuous film-shaped irradiation object, and a position regulating means for regulating the long continuous film-shaped irradiation object in position to surround the light source so that a center of the long continuous film-shaped irradiation object is coaxial with the optical axis. The long continuous film-shaped irradiation object regulated in position is irradiated with light from the light source. |
| US08891076B2 |
Fiber optic measurement of parameters for downhole pump diffuser section
A system for monitoring operating parameters for the pump section of an electrical submersible pump. The system includes an optic fiber associated with the pump section of an electrical submersible pump and having a sensor to detect at least one operating parameter within the pump section. The system also includes a signal analyzer operably associated with the optic fiber to receive an optical signal representative of the detected operating parameter. |
| US08891067B2 |
Multiple synchronized optical sources for time-of-flight range finding systems
TOF system optical power is augmented using auxiliary optical emitter unit(s) that may be a wireless (WOE), or a plug-wired (PWOE). WOE units sense emitted TOF system optical energy Sout and emit optical energy Sout-n preferably dynamically synchronized in frequency and in phase to Sout as received by the WOE. Each WOE includes at least one optical sensor to detect Sout, and internal feedback ensuring that frequency and phase of the WOE emitted Sout-n optical energy are dynamically synchronized with frequency and phase of the TOF emitted Sout optical energy. PWOE units need no internal feedback but are calibrated by the TOF system to cause a close match between frequency and phase of the PWOE-emitted optical energy with what would be emitted by the TOF system primary optical source. If PWOE(s) are used in isolation, delay difference between PWOE and the TOF primary optical energy source can be software-compensated. |
| US08891064B2 |
Moving body apparatus and exposure apparatus
When a wafer stage WST accelerates and decelerates on a base, a torque that acts on a wafer drive system including the base and the like is cancelled out by a torque that acts on the wafer drive system by driving a counter of a coutermass device along a linear guide in the Z-axis direction at a predetermined acceleration. Thereby, the torque that acts upon the wafer drive system is cancelled and the exposure apparatus can expose the wafer with good accuracy. |
| US08891056B2 |
Stage apparatus and exposure apparatus
A wafer stage system moves a wafer stage that retains a wafer via a wafer holder along a wafer base. For example, the wafer holder is formed from a material whose density is not uniform, such that the portion that includes the reflecting surface that reflects a measuring beam for position measurement is a high-density portion, and the other portions are low-density portions. Or, the wafer stage is formed from a material whose density is not uniform, such that the portion that includes the surface that constitutes a gas bearing is a high-density portion, and the other portions are low-density portions. |
| US08891048B2 |
Liquid crystal display with integrated touch screen panel and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) with an integrated touch screen panel includes a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines, the gate lines being divided into a plurality of groups, a plurality of sensing electrodes, a plurality of common electrodes divided into a plurality of groups, a common electrode driver configured to simultaneously supply a driving signal to common electrodes within each group of the plurality of groups of the common electrodes, and to sequentially supply the driving signal to the plurality of groups of the common electrodes, and a gate driver configured to sequentially supply a gate signal to gate lines within each of the plurality of group of the gate lines. |
| US08891046B2 |
Liquid droplet ejection apparatus, method for manufacturing electro-optical apparatus, electro-optical apparatus, and electronic apparatus
A liquid droplet ejection apparatus includes a writing device, a weight measuring device disposed adjacent to the writing device, and a controlling device. The writing device performs writing on a workpiece by ejecting functional liquid from at least one ink jet functional liquid droplet ejection head while moving the functional liquid droplet ejection head relative to the workpiece. The weight measuring device measures an amount of ejected droplets from a weight of the functional liquid ejected from the functional liquid droplet ejection head. The controlling device controls a driving power for the functional liquid droplet ejection head on the basis of a measurement result input from the weight measuring device. |
| US08891045B2 |
Display substrate, method of manufacturing the display substrate and display panel having the display substrate
A method of manufacturing a display substrate includes forming a first color filter on a base substrate in a first region, forming a second color filter on the base substrate in a second region, forming an organic layer on the base substrate, the first color filter and the second color filter, forming a third color filter on the organic layer in a third region and forming an overcoat layer on the organic layer and the third color filter. |
| US08891044B2 |
Color display, liquid crystal display, and semi-transmissive liquid crystal display
In a color display device, when using white (W) sub-pixels in addition to subpixels of red (R) and green (G) plus blue (B) without increasing a wiring line number, the per-color pixel number in a unit area decreases so that the image resolution is deteriorated. The area and number of subpixels are adjusted in accordance with the visual sensitivity or luminosity required. Practically, the area of red (R) and blue (B) subpixels which are relatively low in luminosity is set to be about two times greater than the area of green (G) and white (W) subpixels that are relatively high in luminosity while letting the number of green (G) and white (W) subpixels be twice the number of red (R) and blue (B) subpixels. A larger subpixel is configured from a plurality of unit subpixels. A smaller subpixel is formed of a one unit subpixel. |
| US08891041B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device includes one or more light emitting devices emitting a plurality of monochromatic light to a liquid crystal display panel, and first and second reflectors respectively attached on first and second surfaces of the light emitting devices to reflect the light emitted from the light emitting device to a lateral surface of the light emitting devices, the first surface facing the liquid crystal display panel and the second surface facing a direction opposite to the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08891037B2 |
Flat panel display device, stereoscopic display device, and plasma display device
The present invention provides a flat panel display device, which includes a backlight system and a display panel. The backlight system includes a light source, a light homogenization mechanism, and a back frame. The back frame carries the light source and the light homogenization mechanism, and the light homogenization mechanism guides light from the light source into the display panel. The back frame includes primary assembling pieces, secondary assembling pieces, and a bracing piece for fixing a circuit board. The bracing piece includes a bracing body, a first suspension section, a first bearing section, and a first resilient bent section. The bracing body is selectively mounted to different positions of the back frame so that a single bracing piece meets different requirements for mounting. The bracing piece fixes a circuit board so as to overcome the problem that a circuit board cannot be easily fixed. The present invention also provides a stereoscopic display device and a plasma display device. The present invention has a back frame mold having a simple structure, reduces the expenditure of the back frame mold, and also saves the material used for back frame so as to lower down the cost of flat panel display device. |
| US08891036B2 |
Fixing structure for fixing a display panel and display device therewith
A fixing structure for fixing a display panel is disclosed. The fixing structure includes a bezel and a cover. The bezel includes a frame, a first bending portion bent from a side of the frame, and a first hooking portion connected to an end of the first bending portion. The cover and the bezel cover the display panel together. The cover includes a board, a first curved portion bent from a side of the board, and a first hook component connected to an end of the first curved portion and installed inside the frame and the first bending portion. The first hook component engages with the first hooking portion and fixes a side of the display panel on the side of the first curved portion as the bezel combines with the cover. |
| US08891032B2 |
Multi-view display
A multi-view display is arranged to display views directed to respective viewing zones, comprising pluralities of imaging units and color filters, each of said color filters is associated with one of said imaging units, the color filters being arranged according to a first pitch and in a first sequence of colors, and a barrier including a plurality of color portions comprising color filter material, the color portions being arranged according to a second pitch that is substantially equal to twice the first pitch and in a second sequence of colors that corresponds to the first sequence of colors when reversed in order, the barrier is positioned so that light exits the display panel after passing through one color portion and one color filter and the color portions of the barrier are configured to cooperate with the color filters to selectively direct said light to the first and second viewing zones. |
| US08891029B2 |
Display device and television receiver
The display device includes a display unit, a front cabinet 3, and a back cabinet 4. The front cabinet 3 includes a front surface part 31, a peripheral surface part 32, and a protruding plate part 322. The back cabinet 4 includes a screw insert hole 42 and an extension part 41. The front cabinet 3 and the back cabinet 4 are coupled by fastening of a tapping screw 5 which is inserted into a screw insertion hole 42 from the rear side and tapped and screwed to the peripheral surface part 32 and the protruding plate part 322 or a tip surface of the protruding plate part 322, and by fitting of the extension part 41 to a gap 324 between the peripheral surface part 32 and the protruding plate part 322. |
| US08891027B2 |
Remote flip ceiling display
A remote flip ceiling display, including a machine body, a display module, a first action side, a second action side, a remote control key and a control module, wherein a control module is increased in the display module of the ceiling display fixed by the original mechanical tab. The driver may press the remote control key of the front audio, to control the control module to push the tab, and the display module is flipped with it for the rear seat passengers to watch. |
| US08891026B2 |
Projection video display device
Provided is a projection video display device with which a sliding load is minimized while maintaining an adjustment precision in a lens shift mechanism. A lens shift mechanism (32) which moves a projection lens in a direction which is orthogonal to the optical axis of projected light has a configuration in which mobile bases (50, 60), which retain the projection lens, slide using a shaft (52), which is attached on a fixed member (4) side, as a guide member. A further aspect of the configuration is that a correction screw is inserted from the rear face side of the fixed member (4) to make contact with the shaft (52), and optical axis tilt and misalignment of the projection lens are corrected by adjusting the degree of insertion of the correction screw. |
| US08891024B2 |
Remote control with TV listing display
A device includes a keypad that further includes first keys related to selecting television channels associated with a set top box and a second key related to requesting a television listing. The device further includes an infra-red transceiver that transmits a request for television listing information to a set top box based on user selection of the second key, and receives television listing data, from the set top box, that includes program information related to a plurality of channels over a period of time. The device also includes a color display unit that displays the television listing data. |
| US08891022B2 |
Fast-booting broadcast television receiver
Boot-up delay within a television receiver IC is substantially reduced by loading a portion of an operating program into the television receiver IC to enable execution of time-consuming receiver initialization operations, and then executing the receiver initialization operations concurrently with loading the remainder of the operating program into the television receiver IC. By this operation, the time required to execute the receiver initialization operations may be at least partly hidden under the time required to load the operating program, thereby substantially reducing the boot-up delay. |
| US08891012B2 |
De-interlacing of video data
A method for converting an interlaced video signal to a non-interlaced video signal, comprising, for each pixel in each missing line of a video field in the interlaced video signal: deriving a correlation data set comprising correlation data for each of a plurality of possible interpolation schemes to be used in reconstructing the pixel; dividing each correlation data set into a plurality of correlation data zones; selecting an interpolation scheme from each correlation data zone; reconstructing the pixel using a blend of the selected interpolation schemes, wherein the blend for each pixel subsequent to a first pixel is determined based on the result of a comparison between the selected interpolation schemes and based on the blend used for a preceding pixel. |
| US08891010B1 |
Encoding for super resolution playback
A method of displaying video data includes receiving, at a timing controller, a frame of pixel data at a resolution lower than the display resolution from an application processor, generating new frames of video data at the timing controller by applying a filter with a different set of coefficients to at least one neighboring frame at the lower resolution to generate a display frame of video data at a higher resolution. A video processing device has an application processor to execute instructions causing the application process to transmit frames of image data at a resolution lower than an original resolution, and a timing controller to execute instructions causing the timing controller to reconstruct frames of image data at the original resolution from the frames of lower resolution. |
| US08891006B2 |
Wafer level camera module with active optical element
A wafer level camera module can be easily connected to a host device via mounting surface contacts. The module includes an electrically controllable active optical element and a flexible printed circuit that provides electrical connection between the optical element and surface conductors on a mounting surface of the module. The surface conductors can be a group of solder balls, and the module can have another group of solder balls that make connection to another electrical component of the module, such as an image sensor. All of the solder balls can be coplanar in a predetermined grid pattern, and all of the components of the device can be surrounded by a housing such that the camera module is an easily mounted ball grid array type package. |
| US08891004B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving camera
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for enabling a mobile terminal to drive a camera with low power. The mobile terminal applies power to an image sensor in response to a camera function execution request, initializes the image sensor, maintains the image sensor in a software standby state in which a streaming output of sensed data is interrupted, when a low power standby mode is set, and displays a null image on a display unit. |
| US08891002B2 |
Flash system for camera module
A camera module having a flash that is provided therein. The flash may be an LED light source. The LED may come in a package that is generally rectangular, with the exception that one corner is flattened. The camera module includes a housing that receives the light source, an image sensor, and a lens. The housing includes mating features that receive the LED package, those features including a flattened corner so that the LED package can only be received within the housing when it is properly oriented. The housing also includes electrical terminals for connection to the LED that include springs. When the LED package is properly oriented and received within the housing, contact pads on the LED package and the electrical terminals on the housing are pressed together against the resilient force of the spring. |
| US08891001B2 |
Automated camera assembly with infrared detector curtain
An automated camera assembly comprising a camera and a detector for triggering the camera, wherein the detector includes an adjustable field of view. The detector can include a sensor and a curtain for reducing a maximum field of view to an adjusted field of view. The curtain can include an opaque member movable relative to the sensor. The curtain can instead include a processor programmed to trigger the camera when the subject is within the adjusted field of view. The invention is also embodied in a method of adjusting a field of view of a detector. The method comprises detecting a first subject within a maximum field of view, triggering the camera after detecting the first subject within the maximum field of view, adjusting to an adjusted field of view, detecting a second subject within the adjusted field of view, and triggering the camera after detecting the second subject. |
| US08890999B2 |
Method and system for controlling external lens
A method and a system for controlling an external lens, applicable to a main device to control a lens module connected thereto, are provided. The main device provides power and storage medium for the lens module to use. In the present method, the lens module is connected to the main device, and a control program is downloaded from a memory unit of the lens module and installed in the main device. The control program is used to allow the main device to receive a control operation, accordingly control the lens module to execute a camera function, and finally display an execution result of the lens module executing the camera function. |
| US08890998B2 |
Focusing apparatus, focusing method and medium for recording the focusing method
Provided are a focusing apparatus for generating an image signal by converting image light incident through a focus lens to an electrical signal by an image pickup device, storing the image signal un a memory, calculating an AF evaluation value for an image signal read from the memory in a direction different from a reading direction of the image pickup device, and driving the focus lens by deriving a focus lens position corresponding to the calculated AF evaluation value, a focusing method thereof, and a recording medium for recording the focusing method. Accordingly, a focus can be correctly adjusted for various subject images, and a focus can be effectively adjusted for the images even in a high speed capturing mode. |
| US08890996B2 |
Imaging device, semiconductor integrated circuit and imaging method
An image capture device according to the present disclosure includes: an image sensor; a lens optical system condensing light onto the image sensor and including a focus lens; a driving section driving one of the image sensor and the focus lens to change a distance between the image sensor and the focus lens; a displacement control section configured to control the displacement of the one being driven according to a predetermined displacement pattern by outputting an instruction to the driving section; and a synchronizing section configured to control the displacement control section by reference to timing of exposure of the image sensor. The displacement range of the image sensor or focus lens includes a first range, a second range separated from the first range, and a third range interposed between the first and second ranges. The predetermined displacement pattern includes first, second and third types of displacement patterns according to which one of the image sensor and the focus lens is displaced at least once in each of the entire first, second and third ranges. And one of the first and second types of displacement patterns and the third type of displacement pattern repeated alternately. |
| US08890993B2 |
Imaging device and AF control method
An imaging device of the present invention comprises a facial organ detection section for detecting facial organs within a face from an image that has been taken by an imaging section, an eye selection section for comparing sizes of eyes and selecting the largest eye, an eye size comparative determination section for comparatively determining the size of the eye with respect to a specified value, and an AF region setting section for setting an AF region in accordance with size and position of the selected eye when it has been determined that the size of the eye is larger than a specified value, and setting an AF region in accordance with position and size of a face to which the selected eye belongs when it has been determined that the size of the eye is smaller than a specified value. |
| US08890991B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device and system having photodiodes of varying sizes and sensitivities in each unity cell to detect movement of a subject
Certain embodiments provide a solid-state image pickup device including a first pixel, a second pixel, and an output circuit. The first pixel has a first photodiode and a first microlens that is formed above the first photodiode. The second pixel has a second photodiode and a second microlens which is formed above the second photodiode and is smaller than the first microlens. Further, the second pixel has a sensitivity of 1/n times of the first pixel and has a photoelectric conversion period of n times of the first pixel. The output circuit outputs a differential signal of a difference between a first detection signal based on a charge amount of the first signal charge and a second detection signal based on a charge amount of the second signal charge. |
| US08890988B2 |
Image pickup device, including gain-setting of pixel arrays, image pickup apparatus, control method, and program
An image pickup device which makes it possible to expand the dynamic range of photometry. The image pickup device comprises a pixel array, a pixel reader, a row selector, a column selector, a gain circuit, a gain selector. The pixel array comprises a plurality of pixels including photoelectric conversion elements and arranged in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. The pixel reader reads out selected pixel signals from the pixel array. The gain circuit is capable of having at least two gains set therein, and amplifies and outputs the pixel signals read out from the pixel array by the pixel reader. The gain selector sets different gains in the gain circuit such that pixel signals amplified by the different gains can be obtained for one-time read-out from the pixel array by the pixel reader. |
| US08890983B2 |
Tone mapping for low-light video frame enhancement
A technique is provided for generating sharp, well-exposed, color images from low-light images. A series of under-exposed images is acquired. A mean image is computed and a sum image is generated each based on the series of under-exposed images. Chrominance variables of pixels of the mean image are mapped to chrominance variables of pixels of the sum image. Chrominance values of pixels within the series of under-exposed images are replaced with chrominance values of the sum image. A set of sharp, well-exposed, color images is generated based on the series of under-exposed images with replaced chrominance values. |
| US08890981B2 |
Method and apparatus for eliminating crosstalk amount included in an output signal
An image processing device includes: a crosstalk amount calculating unit for calculating an evaluation value of crosstalk amount included in an output signal from a pixel to be corrected in an imaging device; a crosstalk correction coefficient calculating unit for calculating a crosstalk correction coefficient based on the evaluation value output from said crosstalk amount calculating unit; and a crosstalk correcting unit for eliminating crosstalk amount included in an output signal of said pixel to be corrected, using said crosstalk correction coefficient, wherein the crosstalk correcting unit subtracts, from an output signal of a pixel to be corrected, a value obtained by multiplying the output signal of a pixel adjacent to said pixel to be corrected by said crosstalk correction coefficient, thereby eliminating amount of crosstalk. |
| US08890979B2 |
Methods for processing a composite video image with feature indication
There is provided a first and second method for processing a composite video image. The methods generally include obtaining a first image of a scene through a first image capturing device with the composite image including a visual representation for directing a receiver's attention to at least one portion of the first image. Preferably, the visual representation may be an arm, a hand, a finger, or an object used for pointing. |
| US08890977B2 |
Systems and methods for concurrently playing multiple images from a storage medium
Methods for storing on a storage or memory medium, and retrieving, and displaying of multiple images in a registered manner, the images have been recorded concurrently. The images may comprise at least 2 video programs. A camera system for recording multiple concurrent images is also disclosed. Lenses and corresponding image sensors are calibrated to have calibrated and associated settings for recording multiple images that are substantially registered images. A registered image may be displayed on a single display. It may also be displayed on multiple displays. A camera for recording and displaying registered multiple images may be part of a mobile phone. |
| US08890975B2 |
Image processing apparatus, signal processing method and computer-readable medium for image flicker correction
An apparatus and a method which enable effective removal of flicker are provided. Under an illumination environment such as a fluorescent lamp with luminance variation, flicker that occurs in images shot with an X-Y address scanning type imaging device such as a CMOS is effectively removed or reduced. The integral value of the row-by-row signal intensity of an image to be corrected from which to remove flicker is calculated, and this integral value is used to detect flicker components contained in individual rows of an image frame. The detected flicker components represent data according to the actual flicker waveform of the illumination, and a correction process is executed using flicker correction coefficients formed by an anti-phase pattern of the flicker components. Effective flicker removal becomes possible through this process. |
| US08890974B2 |
Methods and systems for automatic white balance
A method for calibrating automatic white balance (AWB) in a digital system is provided that includes capturing an image of a test target under a natural lighting condition, generating a first color temperature reference from the captured image, and outputting AWB configuration data for the digital system, wherein the AWB configuration data comprises the first color temperature reference and a second color temperature reference generated using the test target under simulated lighting conditions. A method for calibrating automatic white balance (AWB) in a digital system comprising a first imaging sensor is provided that includes receiving a reference for AWB that was generated using an image captured using a second imaging sensor, and compensating a histogram reference into a histogram reference for AWB for the first imaging sensor in the digital system based on R, G, B adjustment values from the second imaging sensor to the first imaging sensor. |
| US08890972B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and image processing method
An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor comprising an imaging pixel for receiving light through an opening with a center position coincident with the optical axis of a microlens, first and second focus detection pixels for receiving pupil-divided light through a first and second opening offset in first and second directions from the optical axis of a microlens, respectively; ROM for storing shading correction data; correction coefficient generation unit for generating shading correction coefficients respectively for the imaging pixel, and the first and second focus detection pixels from the shading correction data; and correction unit for subjecting a signal for the imaging pixel to shading correction with the use of the shading correction coefficient for the imaging pixel, and subjecting signals for the first and second focus detection pixels to shading correction with the use of the shading correction coefficients for the first and second focus detection pixels. |
| US08890966B2 |
Automatic image-capturing apparatus, automatic image-capturing control method, image display system, image display method, display control apparatus, and display control method
An automatic image-capturing apparatus including an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of a subject so as to obtain captured image data; an automatic captured-image obtaining unit configured to automatically obtain the captured image data obtained by the image-capturing unit without being based on an operation of a user; an inclination detection unit configured to detect an inclination in at least one of a pan direction and a tilt direction; and a control unit configured to control the obtaining operation performed by the automatic captured-image obtaining unit on the basis of information on the inclination in the pan direction or in the tilt direction, the inclination being detected by the inclination detection unit. |
| US08890961B2 |
Image pickup apparatus with inclination guide display
An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter. |
| US08890958B2 |
Video output supervisor
A video output supervisor includes a test region indicator for verifying that the commanded output to specific areas of a display is valid. Areas reserved displaying safety-critical data in the data frame to be displayed can be supervised for the presence and status of display indicators of the safety-critical data. The confidence of the supervision can be increased by measuring other display and frame parameters in conjunction with supervising the indicators of the safety-critical data. |
| US08890957B2 |
Method, system, computer program product and computer-readable recording medium for object tracking
A method for object tracking is provided, which is suitable for retrieving and analyzing distributed surveillance data. The method for object tracking includes the following steps: determining a set of surveillance data corresponding to at least one initial object spot in a set of initial object spots according to a location and a time of the initial object spot; retrieving segments of surveillance data in the set of surveillance data; finding at least one discovered object spot matching a target object qualification in the set of surveillance data and adding the discovered object spot into a set of discovered object spots; setting the set of initial object spots to be the set of discovered object spots and repeating the aforementioned steps when the set of discovered object spots is not empty; and outputting the discovered object spot when the set of discovered object spots is empty. |
| US08890954B2 |
Portable digital video camera configured for remote image acquisition control and viewing
A wearable digital video camera (10) is equipped with wireless connection protocol and global navigation and location positioning system technology to provide remote image acquisition control and viewing. The Bluetooth® packet-based open wireless technology standard protocol (400) is preferred for use in providing control signals or streaming data to the digital video camera and for accessing image content stored on or streaming from the digital video camera. The GPS technology (402) is preferred for use in tracking of the location of the digital video camera as it records image information. A rotating mount (300) with a locking member (330) on the camera housing (22) allows adjustment of the pointing angle of the wearable digital video camera when it is attached to a mounting surface. |
| US08890953B1 |
Optical-based scene detection and audio extraction
In analyzing a scene, a projection device may project an image onto surfaces or objects within the scene. The image may include user interface elements as well as structured light patterns for analyzing shapes of the surfaces and objects. The intensity of the reflection of the projected light may be monitored and used to derive an audio signal representing sound that occurs within the scene. The audio signal may be analyzed to detect and recognize user utterances and speech, which may be interpreted as commands. |
| US08890952B2 |
Imaging system
An imaging system comprising: a light source for illuminating a scene with a known intensity light; a camera having an optic axis and center that images the scene responsive to light reflected by the scene from the illuminating, known intensity light; a range finder controllable to determine distances to surface elements of the scene imaged by the camera; a controller configured to determine reflectivity of a surface element of the scene imaged by the camera responsive to a distance of the surface element from the camera, the known intensity of illuminating light and light from the surface element imaged by the camera. |
| US08890947B2 |
Microscope apparatus and method for image acquisition of specimen slides having scattered specimens
Provided is a microscope apparatus including a macro-image, acquisition section that acquires a macro image of a glass slide having a specimen mounted thereon; an extraction section that extracts the specimen in the acquired macro image; a block setting section that sets, when the extracted specimen is scattered to form a plurality of lumps, a plurality of blocks that include the lumps of the specimen; an area dividing section that divides an area that includes the specimen in each of the blocks into a plurality of small regions; and a micro-image acquisition section that acquires, for each of the small regions, a micro image while performing an automatic focusing operation for the specimen in the small region, in which the micro-image acquisition section searches for an autofocusing in-focus position in each of the blocks set by the block setting section. |
| US08890937B2 |
Anonymized video analysis methods and systems
Methods and systems for anonymized video analysis are described. In one embodiment, a first silhouette image of a person in a living unit may be accessed. The first silhouette image may be based on a first video signal recorded by a first video camera. A second silhouette image of the person in the living unit may be accessed. The second silhouette image may be of a different view of the person than the first silhouette image. The second silhouette image may be based on a second video signal recorded by a second video camera. A three-dimensional model of the person in voxel space may be generated based on the first silhouette image, the second silhouette image, and viewing conditions of the first video camera and the second video camera. In some embodiments, information on falls, gait parameters, and other movements of the person living unit are determined. Additional methods and systems are disclosed. |
| US08890932B2 |
Holographic projection real-time 3D display system and method
A real-time color holographic three-dimensional (3D) display system and method realized by using principles of digital holographic display and a common photographing/projection device array system are provided. For an object O to be displayed, an array of M×N cameras which are anchored to a certain reference point R in a space corresponding to the object O is used to perform spatial spectrum sampling and capturing on any spatial spectrum surface S of the object O with a sampling density being a spatial sampling angle ωmn. Each acquired spatial spectrum view image Imn is projected by a corresponding array of M×N projectors in each spatial spectrum capturing direction to a reference surface PR necessary for restoring 3D information of the original object O. Output of full spatial spectrums of the object O is realized through a spatial spectrum limited stretching function of a holographic functional screen placed on the reference surface PR which is used on discrete spatial spectrum input image information, thereby achieving digital holographic display intended to restore complex wavefronts. |
| US08890931B2 |
Fast generation of holograms
Systems, methods, and devices that generate and display a holographic image(s) of a 3-D real or synthetic object scene are presented. A holographic generator component (HGC) partitions a 3-D object scene into a horizontal stack of regularly spaced vertical sub-planes that are each contributed to a respective sub-line. The HGC converts the sequence of sub-lines into a collection of diffraction patterns, which are summed up and interfered with a reference beam to generate the complete hologram, which can be or can approximate a Fresnel hologram. A multi-rate filter is employed to facilitate converting sub-lines to diffraction patterns more quickly. The multi-rate filtering can be realized using convolution in the spatial domain, realized in the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform, and/or realized in the frequency domain using a graphic processing unit. |
| US08890921B2 |
Supporting continuation of a data session after performance of a circuit switched fallback procedure
A method of supporting continuation of a data session at a wireless communication device after performance of a circuit switched fallback (CSFB) procedure is provided. The method can include establishing a data session while connected to a first network and determining an initiation of a voice call while the data session is ongoing over the first network. The method can further include participating in a CSFB procedure to transition from the first network to a second network in response to initiation of the voice call. After termination of the voice call, the method can additionally include determining that sufficient resources are not available to the wireless communication device on the second network to support a minimum threshold throughput for the data session. The method can also include reverting to the first network in response to determining that sufficient resources are not available to support the minimum threshold throughput. |
| US08890919B2 |
Video conferencing display and method to facilitate enhanced eye contact
A display apparatus includes an illumination source that provides light across a surface area of a front panel of the display apparatus. A control system is configured to control the illumination source to increase an intensity of the light for a local region of a front panel of the display apparatus relative to an intensity of the light from the illumination source for at least an adjacent region of the front panel that is adjacent to the local region. The local region of the front panel corresponds to a location for a partial mirror at the front panel. |
| US08890917B2 |
Printing quality evaluation system, laser marking apparatus, printing condition setting device, printing quality evaluation apparatus, printing condition setting program, printing quality evaluation program, and computer-readable recording medium
In order to improve read stability, a printing condition is set based on not visual read of a user, but read with an optical information reading apparatus. A printing quality evaluation apparatus includes: an image acquiring section that acquires an image; a symbol extracting section that extracts the symbol in which the printing quality can be evaluated from the captured images acquired by the image acquiring section; a printing quality evaluation section that evaluates the printing quality of the symbol extracted by the symbol extracting section; an identification information recognition section that recognizes the identification information identifying each printing condition of the symbol; and an evaluation output section that outputs the identification information, which is recognized by the identification information recognition section, and an evaluation result of the printing quality of the printing quality evaluation section according to the symbol extracted by the symbol extracting section. |
| US08890916B2 |
Electronic device
The disclosure discloses an electronic device comprising a battery accommodating portion. The battery accommodating portion is configured to alternatively accommodate a plural of cylindrical dry batteries or a cuboid rechargeable battery. The battery accommodating portion, when a plurality of the dry batteries are arranged by being stacked in two tiers or more into a heaped bale structure when the dry batteries are accommodated, comprises a plurality of support recess portions configured to support a plurality of the dry batteries in a bottom tier, respectively. An interval between axes of the support recess portions adjacent to each other is larger than an outer diameter of each of the dry batteries and is smaller than twice of the outer diameter of each of the dry batteries. |
| US08890913B2 |
Color erasing apparatus
According to one embodiment, a color erasing apparatus includes a color erasing section which erases a color of an image formed with an erasable color material on a sheet conveyed at first speed, a reading section which reads an image on the surface of the sheet conveyed at second speed higher than the first speed, a first conveying section, and a second conveying section. The first conveying section includes a first conveying roller arranged downstream in a sheet conveying direction of the color erasing section and conveys the sheet at the first speed. The second conveying section includes a second conveying roller arranged upstream in the sheet conveying direction of the reading section and in a position where the second conveying roller nips the conveyed sheet simultaneously with the first conveying roller. The second conveying section conveys the sheet to the reading section at the second speed. |
| US08890911B2 |
Flexible display device and method of controlling flexible display device
A display device includes a flexible substrate, a display unit including multiple light-emitting elements arranged at the substrate and configured to display an image according to an image signal, a displacement sensor provided to at least one of a front surface and a back surface of the substrate and configured to detect a curved state of the substrate, and a control unit configured to execute a control by which the image is split and displayed in the display unit when a curve of the substrate is detected by the displacement sensor. |
| US08890906B2 |
Method and system for remotely calibrating display of image data
A method for remotely calibrating display of image data is provided. Using a processor of the client computer display data are determined. The display data are indicative of a luminance dynamic range of the display and of an ambient lighting environment of the display. The display data are then transmitted to a server computer. Using a processor of the server computer display adjustment data are determined in dependence upon the display data. The display adjustment data are then transmitted to the client computer. Alternatively, image data for displaying on the display are received. Adjusted image data are then determined in dependence upon the received image data and the display adjustment data and transmitted to the client computer. |
| US08890903B2 |
Spatial light modulator with storage reducer
Described are devices and methods for reducing the need for storage on a display panel, for reducing the required bandwidth to a display panel, for increasing the light-on time for a display panel. |
| US08890901B2 |
Color management circuit and related method
A color management circuit and a related color management method are provided. The color management circuit is disposed in a display device which has a panel provided with a panel conversion characteristic. The color management circuit includes: a first nonlinear conversion circuit, a color matrix conversion circuit and a second nonlinear conversion circuit. The first nonlinear conversion circuit is utilized for performing a first nonlinear conversion upon a color data to generate a first conversion data. The color matrix conversion circuit is utilized for performing a liner matrix calculation upon the first conversion data to generate a matrix calculation data. The second nonlinear conversion circuit is utilized for performing a second nonlinear conversion upon the matrix calculation data to generate a second conversion data to the panel, wherein a combined conversion characteristic of the second conversion characteristic with the panel conversion characteristic is substantially linear. |
| US08890897B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and computer program
An information processing device is disclosed. The information processing device includes an inclination detection unit configured to generate a first signal regarding inclination of the device. The information processing device also includes a display processing unit configured to, based on the first signal, generate a second signal to initiate a change in orientation of a display of content, and generate a third signal to cancel the change in orientation in response to receipt of a CANCEL command after initiation of the change. |
| US08890896B1 |
Image recognition in an augmented reality application
A computer-implemented augmented reality method includes obtaining an image acquired by a computing device running an augmented reality application, identifying image characterizing data in the obtained image, the data identifying characteristic points in the image, comparing the image characterizing data with image characterizing data for a plurality of geo-coded images stored by a computer server system, identifying locations of items in the obtained image using the comparison, and providing, for display on the computing device at the identified locations, data for textual or graphical annotations that correspond to each of the items in the obtained image, and formatted to be displayed with the obtained image or a subsequently acquired image. |
| US08890893B2 |
Data processing and display system
A data processing and display system includes processing and display means adapted for displaying, from a more secured domain and on a same screen of a display processing device, information data from one or more less secured domains and active data from the more secured domain as a superimposition. |
| US08890889B1 |
System and method for generating a pose of an object
A computer-implemented method for generating a pose of an object in an interactive application executing on processor. The method includes receiving a posing template that defines a posing path for one or more objects, receiving a graphics object to be posed, and receiving user input that positions the graphics object to conform to at least a portion of the posing path defined by the posing template. |
| US08890876B1 |
Microprocessor including a display interface in the microprocessor
A processing system is disclosed. The processing system comprises a first integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit includes a processor core, a display interface and memory controller coupled to a first bus interface. The display interface is adapted to display graphical information generated by a graphics engine. A graphics engine is not on the first integrated circuit. The processing system includes a second bus interface for allowing communication with the first integrated circuit via the first bus interface. The second bus interface is adapted to allow for communication to a graphics engine. |
| US08890875B2 |
Processing method for capturing movement of an articulated structure
A method of obtaining simulated parameters ( pos(t), vit(t), acc(t), par(t)) able to characterize the movement of an articulated structure provided with sensors, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: calculating, from estimated movement state parameters of the structure, estimated measurement data ( H(t), γ(t)), each estimated measurement data item corresponding to a measurement delivered by a sensor, difference between the measurements delivered by the sensors and the estimated measurement data that correspond to them, global mathematical processing of the observer type of the data issuing from the difference in order to obtain at least one estimated difference for an estimated movement state parameter, and adding the estimated difference for the estimated movement state parameter and the estimated movement state parameter that corresponds to it in order to form a simulated parameter. |
| US08890873B2 |
Interactive electronic book
The interactive electronic book can be displayed on a dual-screen electronic device, with a first screen that displays the text of the book, and a second screen that displays the contextual references. Links to the contextual references can be displayed on the first screen alongside the text or embedded in the text. The contextual references can be historical descriptions, pictures, videos, contemporaneous writings and so on that help to put the text of the book in context. The contextual references can relate to the portion of the text that is displayed on the first screen. Different modes allow for the displayed text to be shown in marked mode, or unmarked mode. The interactive electronic book can also include testing software which tests the reader on their understanding of the text. The interactive electronic book can also be updated with new texts and contextual references. |
| US08890871B2 |
Method and arrangement for monitoring the path of an animal or a human in the home
A monitoring method of a path of an animal can be realized via a data transfer network, a monitoring arrangement used in the method, a server and a computer program to be used in the monitoring arrangement, which are included in the monitoring arrangement. With the method and monitoring arrangement, the path of a monitored living target can be visualized on a data processing device for a selected time period. The data processing device can be situated in a different location than the animal being monitored. The recent 3D acceleration measurement data of the living target is compared to the long-term average data. The measurement data used in determining the path are obtained from the wireless monitoring device, which the animal carries with it. |
| US08890863B1 |
Automatic method for photo texturing geolocated 3-D models from geolocated imagery
A method and system for applying photo texture to geolocated 3D models operates within a 3D modeling system. The modeling system includes a modeling application operating on a workstation and a database of geotagged imagery. A 3D model created or edited within the 3D modeling system is geolocated such that every point in the 3D modeling space corresponds to a real world location. For a selected surface, the method and system search the database of imagery to identify in the database one or more images depicting the selected surface of the 3D model. The method and system identify the boundaries of the selected surface within the image by transforming two or more sets of coordinates from the 3D modeling space to a coordinate space corresponding to the image. The portion of the image corresponding to the selected surface is copied and mapped to the selected surface of the 3D model. |
| US08890862B2 |
Method and device for efficient parallel message computation for map inference
A message passing scheme for MAP inference on Markov Random Fields based on a message computation using an intermediate input vector I, an output message vector M, an auxiliary seed vector S, all of equal length N, and a pairwise function r=d(x,y), where r, x, y are real numbers, includes: for each element j of vector S, do S(j)=j consider an index distance Δ=2^floor(log 2(N)); repeat while Δ>0 for each index of vector I, namely i, do in parallel: consider the set of all indices within distance Δ from a given i, augmented by i; for every k belonging to this set, calculate its distance from i using the function: d(i,k)+I(S(k)); find the minimum distance and call n the index corresponding to this minimum distance do S(i)=S(n) Δ=floor (Δ/2) for each j of vector M, do M(j)=I(S(j))+d(j,S(j)). |
| US08890861B2 |
Electrophoretic display aparatus and method of driving the same
In an electrophoretic display apparatus, a first substrate includes a plurality of pixels each including at least two sub-pixels which display colors different from each other, and a second substrate which faces the first substrate and includes a reference electrode corresponding to a boundary between adjacent sub-pixels in each pixel. An electrophoretic material is between the first substrate and the second substrate. A barrier wall is between the first substrate and the second substrate, and defines the pixels. |
| US08890858B2 |
Display apparatus and driving controlling method with temporary lowering of power supply potential during mobility correction
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including, a pixel array section including a plurality of pixels disposed in rows and columns, and a number of power supply lines and scanning lines equal to the number of the rows of the pixels, each of the power supply lines being wired commonly to those of the pixels which are juxtaposed in a direction of a row. |
| US08890857B2 |
Active matrix display device
A driving circuit for driving a display panel includes a dynamic ratioless shift register which is operated in a stable manner and can expand the degree of freedom of design. In the dynamic ratioless shift register which is provided with thin film transistors having semiconductor layers made of p-Si on a substrate surface, a node which becomes the floating state is connected to a fixed potential through a capacitance element. |
| US08890856B2 |
Display driving circuit, display device and display driving method
A display driving circuit that carries out CC driving is configured such that retaining circuits are provided in such a way as to correspond one-by-one to their respective stages of a shift register, that a polarity signal CMI is inputted to each of the latch circuits, that when an internal signal Mn generated by a shift register at the nth stage becomes active, a latch circuit corresponding to the nth stage loads and retains the polarity signal CMI, that an output signal SRBOn from the shift register at the nth stage is supplied as a scanning signal to a gate line connected to pixels corresponding to the (n+1)th stage, and that an output from latch circuit corresponding to the nth stage is supplied as CSOUTn to a CS bus line forming capacitors with pixel electrodes of pixels corresponding to the nth stage. |
| US08890855B1 |
Portable device and controlling method therefor
A portable device including a stylus unit; a display unit configured to display an image and to sense an input of the stylus unit; a housing unit configured to accommodate the stylus unit; and a processor configured to provide a first menu interface corresponding to a first length when the stylus unit is pulled out from the housing unit and the pulled out length is less than a first length, navigate first menus provided by the first menu interface according to a rotation of the stylus unit when the rotation is sensed while the first menu interface is provided, and select or execute a menu of the first menus according to the navigating of the first menus when the stylus unit is pulled out from the housing unit and the pulled out length is more than the first length. |
| US08890854B2 |
Touch sensor panel calibration
A method for calibrating a touch sensor panel including a plurality of touch electrodes is provided. The method includes determining, for each of the plurality of touch electrodes, a contribution in terms of capacitance to a total capacitance of the touch sensor panel; and allocating a fraction of a fixed period of time for measuring a capacitance of each of the plurality of electrodes based on the electrode's contribution to the total capacitance. |
| US08890852B2 |
Acoustic touch signal dispersion response and minimization
A touch input system includes a substrate configured to support propagation of acoustic signals, a transducer in communication with the substrate and configured to transmit or receive the acoustic signals before or after the propagation, and an array of reflectors disposed on the substrate. Each reflector is oriented on an angle to redirect the acoustic signals along a path toward or away from the transducer. The transducer includes a stepped interface for the redirected acoustic signals. The stepped interface includes a set of interface elements distributed across a width of the acoustic signals and offset from one another along the path to compensate for the angle of the reflectors. |
| US08890850B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode panel and touch-screen system including the same
A display device includes a waveguide with a light propagating therein, and a panel including a first organic light-emitting device in a sub-pixel region and a second organic light-emitting device in a sensing region adjacent to the sub-pixel region, the first organic light-emitting device for displaying a data on the panel, and the second light-emitting device responsive to a scattering of the light from the waveguide for outputting a signal indicative of a contact on the waveguide. |
| US08890843B2 |
Detecting the location of an object on a touch surface
An apparatus is operated to determine the location of at least one object on a touch surface of a light transmissive panel. In the apparatus, an illumination arrangement introduces radiation into the panel for propagation by internal reflection between the touch surface and the opposite surface, so as to generate a grid of intersecting radiation paths in a sensing area, and a detection arrangement measures the transmitted energy in the radiation paths. A data processor then determines, based on the transmitted energy, the location based on an attenuation of two or more radiation paths caused by the object touching the touch surface within the sensing area. In the apparatus, the illumination arrangement generates at least a subset of the radiation paths by sweeping at least one beam of radiation along the touch surface. The detection arrangement comprises a fixed re-directing device which receives and re-directs the beam onto a common detection point while the beam is swept along the touch surface, and a radiation detector which is located at the common detection point to measure the energy of the beam(s). |
| US08890838B2 |
Display device with touch panel
A touch panel includes X electrodes which extend in a same direction, and Y electrodes which extend in a direction different from the direction of the X electrodes. The X electrodes and the Y electrodes respectively include intersection portions each formed where the X electrodes and the Y electrodes overlap each other, and electrode portions each formed between the intersection portions, wherein the electrode portions of one of the X electrodes is smaller in area than the electrode portions of one of the Y electrodes, and wherein dummy electrodes are formed close to the electrode portion of one of the X electrode or the Y electrodes. |
| US08890833B2 |
Touch screen display device and method for controlling the same
A display device includes a first insulating substrate, a plurality of sensing lines extending in a first direction on the first insulating substrate and disposed at predetermined intervals thereon, a second insulating substrate facing the first insulating substrate, a plurality of sensing spacers disposed on the second insulating substrate and operable to make electrical contact with corresponding sensing lines in response to an external pressure applied thereto, and a sensing controller that detects the resistance of a contact closed loop formed by at least two sensor contacts making contact with a pair of corresponding sensing lines and determines the position of the contacted sensing lines in the first direction from the resistance detected. |
| US08890832B2 |
Display device
An embodiment of this document provides a display device comprising a panel, a touch screen panel, and a sense unit. The panel comprises subpixels placed in a display region defined in one face of a first substrate and a second substrate bonded with the first substrate. The touch screen panel is placed on the panel and configured to comprise electrode units. The sense unit is coupled to the electrode units and configured to sense a position through the electrode units. At least some of the electrode units are formed of a multi-layer with heterogeneous metals. |
| US08890826B2 |
Position detection sensor unit and position detection apparatus
A position detection sensor unit is provided, including: a sensor substrate on which conductors for detecting a position pointed to by a pointer are disposed; and a position pointing operation member having a first face, on which a position is to be pointed to by the pointer, and a second face on the opposite side of the first face on which the sensor substrate is fixed. A flexible cable is extended from the sensor substrate so as to be connected to a signal processing circuit for determining a position pointed to by the pointer. A portion of the flexible cable, corresponding to a predetermined length extending from an end edge of the position pointing operation member toward the interior of the position pointing operation member along the direction in which the flexible cable extends, is arranged to be movable away from the second face of the position pointing operation member. |
| US08890824B2 |
Connecting conductive layers using in-mould lamination and decoration
In one embodiment, a method for forming a touch sensor is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of electrodes on a first substrate. The plurality of electrodes are configured to form a plurality of capacitive nodes. Each capacitive node is configured to sense touch of an object proximate a touch sensing area of the substrate. The method further includes compressing together a plurality of conductive pads at least in part by applying a resin in liquid form to a first substrate, the resin being applied under pressure. A first one of the plurality of conductive pads had been formed on the first substrate. A second one of the plurality of conductive pads had been formed on a second substrate. |
| US08890821B2 |
Method and device for dual-differential sensing
A method and device for dual-differential sensing is disclosed. The sensing information can be generated from signals provided by a sensing device with a plurality of sensors. Each value of the sensing information corresponds to signals of three sensors, respectively. The sensing device is flexible and configured on a display. The noise effect of the display on the signal of each sensor corresponds to the distance between the display and the sensor. Besides, the noise effect of the display on each value of the sensing information corresponds to the distances between the display and the three sensors, respectively. |
| US08890820B2 |
Touch panel apparatus, control apparatus and control method
According to an embodiment, a control apparatus controls a touch panel includes a first resistive film includes a first terminal and a second terminal and a second resistive film includes a third terminal and a fourth terminal, the first and second resistive films being laid on top of each other with a gap between the resistive films. The control apparatus comprises an application unit, a measurement unit and a calculation unit. The application unit is configured to apply a voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal at a first timing. The measurement unit is configured to measure a voltage of each of the third and fourth terminals at the first timing. The calculation unit is configured to derive a positional relationship between two points at which the touch panel has been touched based on the voltages of the third and fourth terminals measured at the first timing. |
| US08890819B2 |
Display input device and vehicle-mounted information equipment
A display input device includes a control unit for correcting horizontal coordinates of an object to be detected on an xy coordinate plane extending on a touch panel 1, which are acquired by a proximity sensor 12, according to an angle of elevation φ, an angle of deviation θ and a vertical distance z between the object to be detected and a surface of the touch panel, φ being the angle of a straight line OC with respect to the surface of the touch panel, the straight line OC extending between a predetermined point O positioned on the touch panel and a predetermined point C positioned outside the touch panel, and θ being the angle between a straight line which is an orthogonal projection of the line OC onto the xy coordinate plane, and an x axis on the xy coordinate plane. |
| US08890807B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling object
An object controlling apparatus and method are provided. An object of a virtual world may be more intuitively and readily manipulated by controlling an operation, a state, a shape, and the like of the object based on transform information associated with the object and a pointing signal for manipulating the virtual that is received from an input device. In addition, by manipulating the object based on information matching the input pointing signal between internal transform information and total transform information, a unique transform operation may be assigned to each object and thus, the user may be provided with a variety of functions. Here, the internal transform information is uniquely set for each object and the total transform information is set to be commonly applied to all the objects of the virtual world. |
| US08890806B2 |
Handheld electronic device and method for performing spell checking during text entry and for integrating the output from such spell checking into the output from disambiguation
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with a disambiguation routine that is operable to disambiguate text input. In addition to identifying and outputting representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input, the device is able to perform a spell check routine during input of a text entry, with the output from the spell check routine being visually integrated into the output from the disambiguation routine. |
| US08890805B2 |
Mobile terminal and mode controlling method therein
A mobile terminal including a communication unit; a memory configured to store at least first and second operating systems including at least first and second modes, respectively; and a controller configured to display, in a first display region of a display unit of the mobile terminal, a first application indicator corresponding to a first application executable in the first mode using the first operating system and that can be activated by selecting the first application indicator, to display, in a second display region, a second application indicator corresponding to a second application executable in the second mode using the second operating system and that can be activated by selecting the second application indicator. Further, the first and second application indicators indicate whether the applications are executable in the first mode or the second mode, or executable in both the first and second modes. |
| US08890801B2 |
Electrophoresis display device and driving method
Discussed is an electrophoresis display device. The electrophoresis display device includes a plurality of gate lines and data lines formed to intersect each other, a gate driving circuit supplying a scan pulse to the gate lines, a data driving circuit respectively supplying a plurality of data voltages to the data lines, a plurality of first ESD circuits respectively connected to one sides of the gate lines, a plurality of second ESD circuits respectively connected to the other sides of the gate lines, and a plurality of third ESD circuits respectively connected to the data lines. First terminals of the first ESD circuits are respectively connected to the gate lines, and second terminals of the first ESD circuits are connected to a gate low voltage (VGL) terminal of the gate driving circuit. |
| US08890795B2 |
Field sequential display of color images with color selection
A color display has a monochrome modulator. An active area of the modulator is illuminated by an array of light sources. The light sources include light sources of three or more colors. The intensities of the light sources may be adjusted to project desired luminance patterns on an active area of the modulator. In a fast field sequential method different colors are projected sequentially. The modulator is set to modulate the projected luminance patterns to display a desired image. In a slow field sequential method, colors are projected simultaneously and the modulator is set to modulate most important colors in the image. |
| US08890794B2 |
Method of compensating for pixel data and liquid crystal display
A method of compensating for pixel data includes extending a side portion and a corner portion of a real screen to set an virtual screen, setting dimming values of the virtual screen using dimming values of the real screen, calculating an amount of light of each of pixels on the real screen using the dimming values of the virtual screen mapped to a predetermined analysis area, and multiplying the amount of light of each pixel by a gain of each pixel to modulate pixel data. |
| US08890792B2 |
Display control apparatus and method, and program
A display control apparatus may include a necessary light emission level calculation unit that calculates a necessary attention block light emission level of a back light in an attention block which satisfies a necessary luminance based on an image signal. A first neighborhood block light emission level calculation unit may calculate a light emission level of first neighborhood blocks which satisfies a deficient luminance by a light emission contribution amount to the attention block through light emission in first neighborhood blocks of the attention block which satisfies the deficient luminance by the back light in the attention block. The back light in the attention block emits the light at the largest light emission level at which the light can be emitted and back lights in the first neighborhood blocks emit the light at the first neighborhood block light emission level. |
| US08890790B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with a reduced fabrication area
A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixel driving circuits and a pixel array. Each pixel driving circuit of the plurality of pixel driving circuits includes four thin film transistors and has four output terminals, where each thin film transistor is used for driving an output terminal of the four output terminals, and the four output terminals are coupled to two gate lines and two sharing lines respectively for outputting two main output signals and two sharing output signals. The phases and timings of the two main output signals and the two sharing output signals are all the same. A pixel of the pixel array is charged/discharged to a specific voltage level according to a main output signal of the two main output signals, a sharing output signal, and a signal of a data line. |
| US08890789B2 |
Level shift circuit with automatic timing control of charging transistors, and driver circuit having the same
A level shift circuit includes first and second NMOS transistors that are coupled between a first supply terminal, and first and second output nodes, respectively, and have respective control terminals receiving input signals of a low amplitude, third and fourth PMOS transistors which are coupled between a second supply terminal, and the first and second output nodes outputting signals of high amplitude, respectively, a fifth PMOS transistor which is coupled between a gate of the third PMOS transistor and the second output node, and has a gate coupled to the first output node, a sixth PMOS transistor which is coupled between a gate of the fourth PMOS transistor and the first output node, and has a gate coupled to the second output node, and first and second load elements which are coupled between the second supply terminal and the gates of the third and fourth PMOS transistors, respectively. |
| US08890786B2 |
Method of driving a display panel and display device
In a method of driving a display panel, a voltage of a first polarity with respect to a reference voltage is outputted to an n-th data line and an (n+1)-th data line (‘n’ is a natural number), respectively, and a voltage of a second polarity with respect to the reference voltage is outputted to an (n+2)-th data line and an (n+3)-th data line, respectively, during an N-th frame (‘N’ is a natural number). Then, a voltage of the first polarity is outputted to the n-th data line, a voltage of the second polarity is outputted to the (n+1)-th data line and the (n+2)-th data line, respectively, and a voltage of the first polarity is outputted to the (n+3)-th data line, during an (N+1)-th frame. |
| US08890784B2 |
Method for speeding up rotation of liquid crystal molecule and liquid crystal panel drive circuit used in the method
The present invention provides a method for speeding up rotation of liquid crystal molecule and a liquid crystal panel drive circuit used in the method. The method includes providing a liquid crystal display device, which includes a glass substrate having a liquid crystal panel drive circuit formed thereon and including a timing controller and pixel units each including a thin-film transistor, a common electrode, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin-film transistor, a compensation unit, and a storage capacitor, the compensation unit including a compensation capacitor, the timing controller being electrically connected to the compensation unit and the pixel electrode; calculating discharging/charging time of the compensation capacitor; activating the liquid crystal display device, where the source driver applies a drive voltage via the thin-film transistor to the pixel electrode; and the timing controller controlling the compensation unit to conduct on or cut off according to the drive voltage. |
| US08890782B2 |
Display apparatus and drive method therefor, and electronic equipment
A drive section sequentially supplies respective scanning lines with a control signal and supplies respective signal lines with a video signal to carry out a correction operation for holding a voltage equivalent to a threshold voltage of a drive transistor in a holding capacitance, and subsequently performs a write operation for writing the video signal in the holding capacitance, and before the correction operation, the drive section switches potentials at the bias line and adds a coupling voltage to one current terminal of the drive transistor via an auxiliary capacitance to carry out a preparation operation for an initialization to set a potential difference between a control terminal and the one current terminal of the drive transistor larger than the threshold voltage. |
| US08890778B2 |
Display device and method for controlling the same
A display device includes an organic EL element and a capacitor. A driving transistor is connected to an anode of the organic EL element and passes a current to the organic EL element. The current corresponds to a voltage held in the capacitor. A first switch is between the capacitor and a data line, and the data line supplies the voltage to the capacitor. A voltage detector is connected to the data line for detecting an anode voltage applied to the organic EL element. A second switch is between the anode and the data line. A controller turns on the first switch, causes the organic EL element to emit light, and causes the voltage detector to detect the anode voltage by turning off the first switch and turning on the second switch while the organic EL element is emitting light. |
| US08890770B2 |
Multi-channel LED sign module
An electronic display includes a controller transmitting display data from a data communication port. Modules are electrically connected to each other in a series connection. Each of a first module and a last module in the series connection receives the display data directly from the controller and transmits the display data to intermediate modules in the series connection. The intermediate modules pass the display data along the series connection in a first direction until the display data is received for a second time by the last module, and in a second direction until the display data is received for a second time by the first module. Each of the modules controls activation of a respective plurality of lighting elements based on the received display data. |
| US08890765B1 |
Antenna having an active radome
An antenna having an active radome for beam steering and/or nulling in accordance with several embodiments can include at least one omni-directional radiating element, a radome surrounding the radiating element, and a network of conductive segments that can be placed between the radome and radiating element. A plurality of switches can interconnect the conductive segments to form the network. The switches can be FET, MOSFET and optical switches, and can be selectively closed when the element radiates or receives RF energy to selectively establish connectivity between the conductive segments, which can achieve a selective Yagi-like effect for the antenna. The conductive segments network can have any geometric profile when viewed in top plan, such as octagonal, square and the like, provided the segments surround the radiating element. A processor can be used to provide a control algorithm, which can contain non-transitory written directions that selectively activate and deactivate the switches. |
| US08890762B2 |
Communication electronic device and antenna structure thereof
A communication electronic device includes a grounding element and an antenna element. There is a first notch, a second notch and a first protruded portion disposed at an edge of the grounding element, and the first notch and the second notch are not located at corners of the edge of the grounding element. The first protruded portion is located between the first notch and the second notch. The antenna element and the grounding element are disposed on different planes. The antenna element has a projection on the grounding element, and the projection covers a portion of the first protruded portion, a portion of the first notch and a portion of the second notch. |
| US08890760B2 |
Dual wideband dipole antenna
A dual wideband dipole antenna used for wireless communication and receiving electromagnetic signals is revealed. The antenna mainly includes a dielectric substrate, two radiating metal portions and a feed line. Each radiating metal portion consists of a metal plate, an L-shaped metal piece and a rectangular metal sheet. An initial end of the metal plate has a feeding point. The metal plate has a regulatory segment and a projecting segment. The L-shaped metal piece is between a terminal end of the metal plate and the regulatory segment. The L-shaped metal piece has a turning portion. The rectangular metal sheet is between the terminal end of the metal plate and a rear end of the regulatory segment of the other metal plate. The feed line connects the feeding points. Thus the antenna is excited to produce resonance frequencies at 0.85, 1.13, 1.68, 1.93 and 2.29 GHz and cover GSM850/900/1800/1900 bands. |
| US08890759B2 |
Horn antenna for a radar device
A horn antenna for a radar device including a dielectric filling body arranged in a hollow horn section of a metal body and a dielectric cover attached to the filling body and sealingly closing the open end of the metal body. The filling body includes a first conical portion that is fittingly received in the hollow horn section, and a second conical portion that is situated away from the open end and dimensioned to leave a gap between itself and the wall of the hollow horn section. The dielectric filling body has a third portion between the first and second portions, where the third portion and the opposite portion of the wall of the hollow horn section are provided with circumferential grooves arranged in pairs opposite each other to provide a wear and maintenance-free attachment of the dielectric filling body in the horn antenna. |
| US08890757B1 |
Antenna system for satellite communication
An antenna system for satellite communication, mounted on a moving platform, includes an antenna assembly, a control and display unit, and an antenna steering unit. The antenna assembly includes mounted on an antenna mast. The antenna steering unit includes a support housing, a rotary joint comprising a BNC connector, an electronic magnetic compass. an angular velocity-sensing gyroscope, a global positioning system receiver, a signal processor and a motor. The direction of the antenna's azimuth axis is determined based on the heading of the moving platform determined by the signal processor. In one embodiment, the director elements, the antenna mast and the azimuth mast are all articulated on flexible joints comprising a cable and spring mechanism allowing the director elements to fold toward the antenna mast and allowing the antenna assembly to fold toward the azimuth mast for stowing. |
| US08890756B2 |
Multi-point driving device for general purpose base station antenna
A multi-point driving device is provided for a general-purpose base station antenna and includes a fixed member, at least three direction-changeable connectors, a rigid base station antenna, and at least one linear actuator. The fixed member is coupled to an end of at least one direction-changeable connector, which provides a function of direction change. Each direction-changeable connector has an opposite end coupled to a surface of the base station antenna. The linear actuator has an end coupled to the fixed member and an opposite end carrying an operation rod coupled to an end of the direction-changeable connectors that is not mounted to the fixed member and the base station antenna, whereby a direction-changeable structure of at least three points is formed between the base station antenna and the fixed member for changing direction in at least one orientation. |
| US08890754B2 |
Antenna apparatus integrating metal shell
An antenna apparatus includes a metal shell, a circuit board parallel to the metal shell which forms a space between the circuit board and the shell, a tunable matching circuit mounted in the space with an terminal electrically connected to the shell, and an capacitive feed coupling antenna mounted on the circuit board. The capacitive feed coupling antenna includes a coupling ground strip mounted on the circuit board and a feed strip. The feed strip includes a first portion and a second portion mounted on the circuit board with a portion extending along an edge of the circuit board. The first portion is electrically interconnected between the other terminal of the tunable matching circuit and the second portion. |
| US08890750B2 |
Symmetrical partially coupled microstrip slot feed patch antenna element
Systems and methods which utilize a symmetrical partially coupled microstrip slot feed patch antenna element configuration to provide highly decoupled dual-polarized wideband patch antenna elements are shown. Embodiments provide a microstrip slot feed configuration in which a slot of a first signal feed is centered with respect to the patch and further provide a microstrip slot feed configuration in which slots of a second signal feed are symmetrically disposed with respect to the center of the patch and at positions near the edges of the patch. The microstrip feed utilized in communicating signals with respect to the slots of the second signal feed is adapted to provide signals of substantially equal amplitude and 180° out of phase with respect to each other according to embodiments. The second signal feed configuration utilized according to embodiments provides partial coupling between the patch and the second signal feed. |
| US08890744B1 |
Method and apparatus for the detection of objects using electromagnetic wave attenuation patterns
A method for detecting an object, comprising the steps of defining expected characteristics of scattered electromagnetic radiation to be received at a receiver; attenuating at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation received at the receiver by a presence of an object within a path of electromagnetic information; and detecting the attenuation to indicate a presence of the object. The object may be a low radar profile object, such as a stealth aircraft. The electromagnetic radiation is preferably microwave, but may also be radio frequency or infrared. By using triangulation and other geometric techniques, distance and position of the object may be computed. |
| US08890742B2 |
Column analog-to-digital converter for CMOS sensor
A system and method is disclosed for an imaging device and/or an analog to digital converter which converts an analog input signal to a digital data signal using a comparator which compares the analog input signal to a first ramped reference signal to determine an operating point and then uses the same comparator to compare the analog input signal to a second ramped reference signal multiple times about the determined operating point. |
| US08890739B2 |
Time interleaving analog-to-digital converter
A time interleaving Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) comprises a plurality of ADCs; a timing generator that generates a clock signal for each of the ADCs such that edges of said clock signals trigger sampling of an input signal by the ADCs; and a timing adjustment circuit to receive and adjust the clock signals before the clock signals are received by the ADCs such that samplings of said input signal are spaced in time and occur at a rate of 1/N times a desired sampling rate; and circuit for adjusting the bandwidth of the plurality of ADCs. |
| US08890738B2 |
Time-to-digital converter and conversion method
The present disclosure provides a time-to-digital (TDC) converter, comprising: a coarse TDC receiving a start signal and a stop signal, delaying the first start signal in a first time unit to generate n first delayed start signals (where n is an integer equal to or larger than 2), measuring a time difference between the first delayed start signal and the stop signal in the first time unit, and generating second delayed start signals that are obtained by delaying the first delayed start signals in a time unit shorter than the first time unit; and a fine TDC receiving and delaying the second delayed start signal generated from the coarse TDC and receiving the stop signal, and measuring a time difference between the second delayed start signal and the stop signal in a second time unit. |
| US08890731B2 |
Conversion circuit and chip
The present invention provides a conversion circuit including: an inputting unit, a DAC connected to the inputting unit, an ADC connected to an output end of the DAC, and a comparing unit connected to an output end of the ADC. The comparing unit compares a test code set output by the ADC with a second standard test code set, and if the comparison result is in a preset error range, notify a test data collecting unit; otherwise, output the comparison result to a correcting unit. The correcting unit obtains a complementary code set according to the comparison result, and output the complementary code set to the inputting unit, so that the inputting unit updates the standard test code set according to the complementary code set and obtains the updated first standard test code set. The test data collecting unit obtains a voltage value of an input end of the ADC. |
| US08890730B2 |
Calibration of a switching instant of a switch
An apparatus for calibration of a signal converter is disclosed. This apparatus includes a first digital-to-analog converter (“DAC”) and a calibration system coupled to an output port of the first DAC. The calibration system includes a second DAC. The calibration system is configured to provide an adjustment signal responsive to a spurious spectral performance parameter in an output of the first DAC. The spurious spectral performance parameter is sensitive to a timing error associated with the first DAC. The calibration system is coupled to provide the adjustment signal to the first DAC to correct the timing error of the first DAC. |
| US08890728B2 |
Method and device for use with analog to digital converter
According to one mode of implementation, a method includes an estimation including on the one hand a correlation processing involving at least one part of the sampled signal, at least one part of at least one first signal gleaned from a derived signal representative of a temporal derivative of the sampled signal and at least one part of N partial filtered signals respectively representative of N weighted differences between N pairs of bracketing versions flanking the sampled signal, N being greater than or equal to 1. On the other hand, the estimation includes a matrix processing on the results of this correlation processing. Correction processing of the M−1 trains involves respectively M−1 second signals gleaned from the derived signal and the suite of M−1 shift coefficients. |
| US08890724B2 |
Method and device for identifying or converting data—coding and method and system for processing data—coding
The present disclosure discloses a method and device for identifying or converting data_coding, and a method and system for processing data_coding. By finding out a source data_coding adopted by information sent by a source account in communication protocols specified in the area to which it belongs and a target data_coding accepted and adopted by a target account based on preset data_coding information of a first account group and code conversion information of a second account group, the data_coding adopted by the sent information and the data_coding desired by the target account can be accurately determined, and a code conversion error is avoided. In addition, by pre-configuring code conversion information of each account and subsequently finding out the actually adopted data_coding based on finding mechanism, not only is the finding result accurate, but also the system is convenient to be extended and flexible to be configured. |
| US08890722B2 |
Method and apparatus for soft symbol determination
A method for wireless communication is disclosed that includes selecting a plurality of probabilities for a symbol based on a bit-to-symbol mapping; calculating a conditional mean of the symbol based on the plurality of probabilities; and, generating a signal representative of the symbol based on the conditional mean of the symbol. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. |
| US08890719B2 |
Reduced keypad for multi-tap input
An apparatus (625) with a first plurality of input keys (635). Some of the first input keys may be associated with both a numeric value and a first set of alphabetic values and arranged in a first alphabetic keypad layout. The apparatus (625) is further provided with a second plurality of input keys (645), positioned adjacent to the first plurality of input keys (635), and being associated with at least one alphabetic value. Some of the input keys of the second plurality of input keys (645) may be arranged in a second alphabetic keypad layout different from the first alphabetic keypad layout. Further, in various embodiments, at least some input keys of the first plurality of input keys (635) have a second set of alphabetic values that is used as part of the second alphabetic keypad layout. Additionally, in various embodiments, at least some of the alphabetic values of the second keyboard layout are arranged at least partially based on a frequency of use of such alphabetic values. |
| US08890718B2 |
TAWS with alert suppression
An aircraft terrain awareness warning system is disclosed that includes an interface for entering flight plan details of an aircraft including at least one waypoint. The terrain awareness warning system is configured such that potential-terrain-collision alerts are suppressed in the aircraft during landing operations performed at waypoints associated with landing zones. |
| US08890716B2 |
Parking assist apparatus and method
In order to provide parking assist even in a situation where an end portion of a vehicle is predicted to come into contact with an obstacle, an available parking space is set, and a target parking position is set within the available parking space. When it is determined that the end portion of the vehicle will come into contact with an end portion of the available parking space if the vehicle travels to be parked in the target parking position, an entering angle of the vehicle with respect to the available parking space is changed so that the vehicle may travel toward a target parking space with the end portion of the vehicle spaced away from a front end point P of the available parking space, and a parking path for the vehicle to travel to a non-final target parking position is calculated. |
| US08890714B2 |
Radio apparatus that receives signals containing predetermined information
An RF unit and a modem unit receive packet signals. A processing unit processes the received packet signals. A measurement unit measures the received power of the packet signals received. A monitoring unit monitors the variation in the received power of the packet signals measured by the measurement unit. When the received power increases in such a manner that the variation monitored by the monitoring unit is larger than a threshold value, a notification unit starts to convey information reflecting the content of the packet signals processed by the processing unit. |
| US08890705B2 |
Location determination using radio wave measurements and pressure measurements
A method and apparatus for determining a location of a wireless device using radio waves and pressure measurements is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of Radio Signal Strength (RSS) measurements are used to trilaterate an approximate location of the wireless device. The wireless device also takes pressure measurements that are compared with a second pressure measurement made by at least one other pressure sensor at a known elevation and in a local area near the wireless device. This comparison is used to generate an accurate estimate of the elevation of the wireless device. The accurate estimate of elevation may be combined with the RSS measurements to yield an accurate estimate of the location of the wireless device. |
| US08890698B2 |
Drainage circuit for draining liquid coming from a power plant of a rotorcraft, the circuit incorporating an appliance for monitoring an excessive flow of the liquid
The invention relates to a drainage circuit (4) for a flow of a liquid (5), the circuit being fitted with a monitoring appliance (13) for monitoring an excess flow rate of the liquid (5). The monitoring appliance (13) comprises a monitoring duct (14) interposed between an upstream duct (7) for collecting the liquid (5) and a downstream duct (9) for discharging the liquid (5). The monitoring duct (14) has retaining means (15) for retaining part of the liquid (5) inside a chamber (16) arranged to receive a spillway (22) of the captured liquid (19) in a reserve (20) fitted with indicator means (23) with a visual scale for providing warning information relating to the quantity of liquid (24) contained in the reserve (20). |
| US08890697B2 |
Pocket alert function for use with radio and microwave broadcast telephone and smart phone devices
Mobile devices may minimize the radiation exposure to users by controlling the distance between the user, specifically the groin area, and the mobile device to a minimum distance. The reduction in exposure is realized due to the operation of the Inverse Square Rule on electromagnetic signal from the mobile device recognizing there is a steep fall off of signal strength resultant from increased distance between the head of the user and the source of the signal. Embodiments alert the user to a mobile device in the users pocket is in a transmission mode and thus should be removed from the users pocket to maintain operational distance between the user and the device to reduce signal absorption of the users reproductive organs. Enabled mobile devices detect the transmission mode and the acceleration of the device in determining whether to alert the user. Embodiments influence the user to maintain a minimum distance via alerts, interruptions and warnings. Thus maintaining a minimum distance between the user and the transmitter may have a dramatic practical effect. |
| US08890696B2 |
Fire detector
A fire detector includes a sensor (4) for, in use, detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by a flame and generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected electromagnetic radiation. The detector further includes a processing device (2) configured to select a portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a first time period and compare the selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine an initial presence or absence of a flame, the processing device being further configured, upon determining the initial presence of the flame, to select a further portion of the electronic signal corresponding to a further time period and comparing the further selected signal portion with at least one parameter to determine a definite presence or absence of the flame. |
| US08890687B2 |
Method of detecting an abnormal environmental operating condition of an element embedded in an apparatus and corresponding element
A method of detecting an abnormal environmental operating condition of an element embedded in an apparatus. The element is able to communicate with a telecommunications network. The method includes cyclically measuring at least one environmental operating parameter of the element, detecting that the element is operating for an excessive duration in at least one reference operating span and transmitting an alert message to the telecommunications network if the element has operated for an excessive duration in the reference operating span. |
| US08890686B2 |
Monitoring device for use in a system for monitoring protective headgear
A monitoring device includes a device interface for communication with a bridge device, wherein the device interface, when coupled to the protective headgear via the bridge device, receives event data in response to an impact to the protective headgear. A processing device executes an event simulation module that processes the event data to generate simulation display data that animates the impact to the protective headgear. A user interface includes a display device that displays the simulation display data. |
| US08890680B2 |
Alternative billing modes for security and automation applications
A method and system facilitate the one or more operating modes for monitoring of an intelligent home system. The method and system facilitate the detection of an adverse condition in a building, the generation of an alert based on the detection of adverse condition, sending a notification to a user about the alert, asking the user how to respond to the alert via a message sent to a mobile device, and determining whether to send the alert to a central monitoring system to facilitate notification of an appropriate responder for the adverse condition. Determining whether to send the alert to the central monitoring system may be based on an affirmative command from the user or a failure to receive any command from the user. The user may be notified via at least one of a telephone call, text message, email, or application notification. The user may provide instructions to the method and system via at least one of a telephone call, text message, email, application command, or web script. The user may be billed for the service of notifying an appropriate responder provided by central monitoring system regularly, intermittently when the user is away from the building, or on a per-alert basis. |
| US08890670B2 |
Smart trailer
A trailer is provided with various parametric sensors. Trailer operating characteristics obtained from the sensors are conveyed to an attached tow vehicle. The tow vehicle is configured to respond to trailer operating conditions or characteristics and/or warn the tow vehicle operator of trailer conditions. The tow vehicle's operation can also be changed responsive to an attached trailer. |
| US08890669B2 |
Method for monitoring by collaborating between MTC devices, related device and system
The present invention provides a method for collaboratively monitoring by means of MTC devices in a wireless communication network and related MTC devices and system. Each of the MTC devices is connected to a MTC server via said wireless communication network and includes a transceiver having a unique ID and security code, and said transceiver periodically broadcasts its normal or abnormal status information to other MTC devices within a certain range in the vicinity of that MTC device and detects and identifies other MTC devices within said range. Said method comprises that, in case that the MTC device is operated illegally: if its transceiver is not destroyed, then the MTC device will send an alarm message to the MTC server and report information about its current location; if its transceiver is destroyed, then the MTC device will send once to the MTC server an alarm message, and said other MTC device(s) will send to the MTC server an alarm message and report information about their current location since it does not detect a legal broadcast signal sent by the MTC device. |
| US08890668B2 |
Method and apparatus for localization of haptic feedback
In an embodiment, a haptic feedback system includes a plurality of actuators to provide tactile feedback associated with an input surface. Each actuator is adapted to be activated independently of the other actuators. The system further includes a controller to activate a first actuator of the plurality of actuators to induce a first vibration at a selected input location of the input surface and to activate one or more additional actuators to induce at least a second vibration to localize the first vibration at the selected input location. |
| US08890666B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator for haptic device
A haptic device includes a flexible holder; an elongated piezo bender supported at one end thereof by the holder; a mass supported by the elongated piezo bender and positioned at an end of the elongated piezo bender opposite the end supported by the holder; and an electrical driving signal generator configured to generate a signal to create a vibration in the elongated piezo bender. |
| US08890660B2 |
Power saving method
The invention relates to a method for saving power especially for tag talks first data transmission in radio frequency identification (RFID) systems including a tag containing a non-volatile memory, a digital block and an analogue block and a static random access, wherein the data of the non-volatile memory are prefetched from the non-volatile memory into the digital block and the tag talks first data will be stored in the static random access memory embedded in the digital block. |
| US08890657B2 |
System and method for operating an RFID system with head tracking
A method of transmitting radiofrequency identification (RFID) interrogation signals is disclosed. The method comprises detecting a first movement of a user in a first direction, determining a command from the first movement, and transmitting a RFID interrogation signal in response to the command. |
| US08890651B2 |
Interchangeable lock core and opening method thereof
One embodiment of the present invention provides a lock-and-key system for an electrical power plant. The system includes a plurality of locks and a smart key. A respective lock is installed with a standardized lock core, and the lock is associated with a lock identifier (ID). The smart key includes a key head that matches the standardized lock core; a lock-ID detector configured to detect the lock ID; a rotation stopper which, when enabled, is configured to prevent rotation of the key head while the key head is inserted into the standardized lock core; and a control module configured to disable the rotation stopper based on the detected lock ID, thereby facilitating the smart key to unlock the lock by rotating the key head. |
| US08890649B2 |
Bending sensor and deformed shape measurement method
Provided are a bending sensor that is less dependent on an input speed of a strain and in which a response delay is unlikely to occur, and a deformed shape measurement method using the bending sensor. The bending sensor is configured to include a base material; a sensor body arranged on a surface of the base material and containing a matrix resin and conductive filler particles filled in the matrix resin at a filling rate of 30% by volume or more, and in which three-dimensional conductive paths are formed by contact among the conductive filler particles, and electrical resistance increases as an deformation amount increases; an elastically deformable cover film arranged so as to cover the sensor body; and a plurality of electrodes connected to the sensor body and capable of outputting electrical resistances. In the sensor body, cracks are formed in advance in such a direction that the conductive paths are cut off during a bending deformation. |
| US08890648B2 |
Connecting element for secondary battery, and battery module and battery pack including the same
A connecting element for a secondary battery is installed along a path of current flowing through a secondary battery to electrically connect components and includes a first metal plate having a first protrusion formed to protrude at one side end thereof from the center portion with respect to a direction along the thickness of the first metal plate, a second metal plate located spaced apart from the first metal plate with a gap being formed therebetween and having a second protrusion formed to protrude at one side end thereof from the center portion with respect to a direction along the thickness of the second metal plate and configured to face the first protrusion, and an alloy bridge made of alloy material having a melting point lower than those of the first metal plate and the second metal plate and formed to fill the gap. |
| US08890644B2 |
Two-phase coupled inductors which promote improved printed circuit board layout
Two-phase coupled inductors including a magnetic core, at least a first winding, and at least three solder tabs. Power supplies including a printed circuit board, a two-phase coupled inductor affixed to the printed circuit board, and first and second switching circuits affixed to the printed circuit board. Each of the first and second switching circuits are electrically coupled to a respective solder tab of the two-phase coupled inductor affixed to the printed circuit board. |
| US08890643B2 |
Heat exchange type cooling apparatus for a transformer
Disclosed herein is a heat exchange type cooling apparatus for a transformer, including: an insulating oil circulation pipe configured in a closed circuit form so that an insulating oil filled in the transformer is discharged to the outside and then returns again to the transformer; an insulating oil pump configured to transfer the insulating oil; and an insulating oil cooling system configured to cool the insulating oil, wherein the insulating oil cooling system includes: a liquid refrigerant maintained in a liquid state during the entire circulation cycle; a refrigerant circulation pipe configured to circulate the liquid refrigerant; a refrigerant pump configured to transfer the liquid refrigerant; and a heat exchanging part configured to heat-exchange the liquid refrigerant and the insulating oil with each other to cool the insulating oil. |
| US08890642B2 |
Integrated magnetic device for low harmonics three-phase front-end
An integrated magnetic for a low harmonics three-phase bidirectional front-end and also for AC/DC and DC/AC power converters. Its use enables reduction of the harmonics of the currents absorbed or injected to three-phase power line by using only one device which integrates a splitter and an inductor function. Compared to known solutions, cost, material and dimensions of the integrated magnetic device are reduced thanks to the magnetic core comprising three closed sub-assemblies and one or more jokes, separated by air-gaps from the sub-assemblies. |
| US08890640B2 |
Drive for a switch disconnector with C O switching capacity
Exemplary embodiments relate to a drive for a switch disconnector having C or O switching capacity and a switching pin acting as switching contact. A spindle drive is driven by an electric motor and has a spindle nut. An actuating element, which is loaded by a compression spring and is capable of pivoting about a fixed pivot point, is acted upon by the spindle nut. The actuating element for its part interacts with an actuating apparatus which actuates the switching pin. |
| US08890639B2 |
Auxiliary contact mechanism for magnetic contactor
An auxiliary contact mechanism of a magnetic contactor includes: a contact support member having an axial recess portion formed in the center in a vertical direction; a stationary contact; a movable contact; a permanent magnet position-fixed to the contact support member and applying magnetic attractive force to restrain the movable contact so that the circuit closing position that the movable contact is in contact with the stationary contact is maintained; and a slide movable supporter having a pressing projection portion formed at a position separated apart by a predetermined distance from the movable contact when in the circuit closing position and pushing the movable contact to release the movable contact from a restrained state after a predetermined delay time has passed, when the slide movable supporter is moved downwardly upon receiving downward pressing force by the main contact slide support member. |
| US08890638B2 |
Stub-tuned wirebond package
An apparatus, system and method are described for impedance matching between a semiconductor package and a load on a board. In one embodiment of the present invention, a package trace is provided with an array of stubs that is designed to provide capacitance to the trace in order to more effectively match a wirebond. This improved match results in improvements in return loss, especially in higher speed applications such as broadband. Design parameters such as the width and length of each stub, and the spacing between the stubs may be varied depending on the impedance requirements of the trace. |
| US08890637B2 |
Automatic termination circuit and method
An electronic circuit arranged to terminate automatically a plurality of conductors at or near a node of a network comprising: a first input terminal electrically coupled to a first output terminal; a second input terminal electrically coupled to a second output terminal; selectable current limiting means (SCLM) arranged to limit an amount of current that may flow between the second output terminal and the second input terminal; and detecting means arranged to control switching means operable to switch the circuit between a first and a second condition responsive to the electrical potential Vx of the second output terminal, wherein in the first condition the circuit is a terminating circuit and the SCLM is selected to have a first current limit, and in the second condition the circuit is a continuing circuit and the SCLM is selected to have a second current limit. |
| US08890634B2 |
Multiplexed configurable sigma delta modulators for noise shaping in a 25-percent duty cycle digital transmitter
A modulator generates a baseband digital signal from an information-bearing digital signal. The baseband signal has time-varying phase and amplitude defined by a sequence of complex data words, each having an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component. A noise-shaping modulator generates a noise-shaped digital signal from the baseband digital signal such that quantization noise in the noise-shaping modulator is attenuated by a spectral null of its noise transfer function. The spectral null is selected by a noise-shaping parameter corresponding to a selected one of a plurality of output frequencies. A signal converter generates an analog signal conveying the information of the information-bearing digital signal on an analog carrier signal having the selected output frequency. |
| US08890632B2 |
Oscillator circuit
This invention is directed to achieve the oscillator circuit with a shorter oscillation stabilizing period and a lower consumption of the electric current. The oscillator circuit 10 has the amplifier circuit (inverter circuit 11), and the clock signal CLK is outputted from the output terminal of the inverter circuit 11. The inverter circuit 11 is configured from the first inverter 12 and the second inverter 13. The inverter circuit 11 is connected to the control circuit 30 and the control signal Ctrl controls the driving capacity of the inverter circuit 11. For example, high level control signals Ctrl 1 (H) and Ctrl 2 (H) are supplied to the first and the second inverters 12, 13 for a certain period of time right after the oscillator circuit 10 starts its operation until the oscillation is stabilized, operating both inverters. Then, either the first inverter 12 or the second inverter 13 continues its operation and the other inverter stops the operation. |
| US08890628B2 |
Ultra slim RF package for ultrabooks and smart phones
A semiconductor device package having reduced form factor and a method for forming said semiconductor device are disclosed. In an embodiment, an active die is embedded within a cavity in the core layer of the package substrate, wherein an in-situ electromagnetic shield is formed on the sidewalls of the cavity. In another embodiment, a crystal oscillator is at least partially embedded within the core layer of the package substrate. In another embodiment, a package having a component embedded in the core layer is mounted on a PCB, and a crystal oscillator generating a clock frequency for the package is mounted on the PCB. By embedding components within the core or removing components from the package to be mounted directly on the PCB, the x, y, and z dimensions of a package may be reduced. In addition, in-situ electromagnetic shield may reduce EM noise emitted from the active die. |
| US08890627B2 |
Voltage controlled oscillator
A voltage controlled oscillator generating an oscillation signal according to a first control signal without a silent region. The voltage controlled oscillator includes a control signal adjuster and a plurality of delay cells. The control signal adjuster receives the first control signal and generates a second and a third control signal according to the first control signal. The voltage level of the third control signal is higher than that of the second control signal and the voltage level of the second control signal is higher than that of the first control signal. The plurality of delay cells are ring-connected and controlled by the first, the second, and the third control signals to generate the oscillation signal. Each delay cell includes three sets of current generation transistors. The three sets of current generation transistors are separately controlled by the three different control signals. |
| US08890625B2 |
Systems and methods for frequency synthesis to improve coexistence
A frequency synthesizer for a WLAN transceiver is disclosed that may be used to generate 5.4 GHz and 2.4 GHz signals. The frequency synthesizer may be configured to minimize VCO pulling by using VCO operating frequencies that are not integer multiples of the RF bands. Further, the frequency synthesizer may be configured to minimize interference with other frequency bands used by existing wireless systems. |
| US08890624B2 |
Fractional and integer PLL architectures
A digital fractional PLL introduces an accumulated phase offset before the digital VCO to achieve the fractional part of the division ratio. To provide this phase offset, the digital accumulator can integrate a fractional component Δn. By forcing Δn to zero, the PLL becomes an integer-N PLL. A de-skew timing configuration can be used to remove any time mismatch between integer and fractional counters of the PLL. A digital PLL can merge the function of frequency generation (DVCO) and that of fractional frequency counting into the same circuit block by reusing various phases of the frequency output to generate a fractional frequency count. A digital integer PLL can include a comparator, wherein the feedback loop of this PLL forces the phase difference between the reference clock and feedback signals to approach zero. By changing the duty cycle of feedback signal, the frequency tracking behavior of the loop can be varied. |
| US08890621B2 |
Amplifier circuit and light receiving circuit
An amplifier circuit includes: an input pad to receive a current signal; a conversion section to convert the current signal into a voltage signal; an inductor electrically connected in series between the input pad and the conversion section; and a storage element, one end of the storage element electrically coupled between the inductor and the conversion section, the other end of the storage element electrically coupled to a ground. |
| US08890619B2 |
PIM compensation in a receiver
The present disclosure relates to compensation for Passive Intermodulation (PIM) distortion in a receiver. In one embodiment, a main receiver receives a radio frequency receive signal and outputs a main receiver output signal. In order to compensate for PIM distortion, a tunable non-linear circuit generates an Intermodulation Products (IMP) signal that includes a number of IMPs as a function of a signal that is indicative of the radio frequency transmit signal. An auxiliary receiver receives the IMP signal and outputs an auxiliary receiver output signal that includes only a subset of the IMPs that fall within a passband of the main receiver. The auxiliary receiver output signal is adaptively filtered to provide a PIM estimate signal, which is then subtracted from the main receiver output signal to provide a compensated output signal. |
| US08890617B2 |
Bias current monitor and control mechanism for amplifiers
Techniques for monitoring and controlling bias current of amplifiers are described. In an exemplary design, an apparatus may include an amplifier and a bias circuit. The amplifier may include at least one transistor coupled to an inductor. The bias circuit may generate at least one bias voltage for the at least one transistor in the amplifier to obtain a target bias current for the amplifier. The bias circuit may generate the at least one bias voltage based on a voltage across the inductor in the amplifier, or a current through a current mirror formed with one of the at least one transistor in the amplifier, or a gate-to-source voltage of one of the at least one transistor in the amplifier, or a voltage in a replica circuit replicating the amplifier, or a current applied to the amplifier with a switched mode power supply disabled. |
| US08890616B2 |
Power amplifier system with a current bias signal path
Power amplifier (PA) systems are typically comprised of a signal path integrated circuit (IC) and a power control IC. Advanced CMOS technologies may allow smart integration of such ICs into a single IC and provide an opportunity to improve performance and cost. Specifically, the radio frequency (RF) signal path is designed to enable local biasing of the gain stages that comprise the RF signal path. By using current-mode biasing instead of the prior art voltage-mode biasing significant area reduction is achieved as well as better isolation between the stages which reduces noise, and improves stability. |
| US08890615B2 |
Buffering apparatus and method
The output impedance of an amplifier is substantially matched to an input impedance of a receiver using a buffer circuit. The buffer circuit includes a primary transistor and a secondary transistor. A first back gate terminal of the primary transistor is coupled to a second back gate terminal of the secondary transistor and the primary transistor is configured to have an output for the buffer circuit. An input signal is received from the amplifier at a gate terminal of the secondary transistor. The first back gate terminal of the primary transistor is responsively driven independently from the output of the buffer circuit to effectively adjust a transconductance of the primary transistor and substantially match an output impedance of the amplifier with an input impedance of the receiver. |
| US08890614B2 |
Operational amplifier module and method for increasing slew rate of operational amplifier circuit
An operational amplifier module including an operational amplifier circuit, a rate-increasing circuit and an overdriving circuit is provided. The operational amplifier switches an input voltage to an output voltage and outputs the switched output voltage. The rate-increasing circuit receives the input voltage and the output voltage and increases the rate of switching the input voltage to the output voltage according to the difference between the input voltage and the output voltage. The overdriving circuit provides an overdriving voltage to the rate-increasing circuit and the operational amplifier circuit during an overdriving period according to a selection signal. The level of the overdriving voltage is higher or lower than the levels of the input voltage and the output voltage. Furthermore, a method for increasing the slew rate of the operational amplifier circuit is provided. |
| US08890613B2 |
Signal amplification circuit
A signal amplification circuit includes a differential amplifier configured to receive a first signal and a second signal and generate an output signal, a differential amplifier configured to receive first and second signals and generate an output signal; and a controller configured to control an amount of current flowing in the differential amplifier using the output signal. |
| US08890612B2 |
Dynamically biased output structure
A transconductance amplification stage (301) includes a differential pair (306) wherein a bias current flows through each transistor (302, 304) of the pair when input voltages are equal. Tail current boosting circuitry (320), which includes a tail transistor, provides a translinear expansion of tail current of the differential pair. A feedback loop (307) dynamically biases the differential pair to maintain current through one transistor (302) of the pair at the bias current value in spite of a difference between input voltages. Another transistor (304) of the pair provides an output current responsive to a difference between input voltages. The output current is not affected by a region of operation of the tail transistor. An output structure (300, 500) includes the transconductance amplification stage and a circuit (303) for mirroring the output current. An amplifier (800) includes the output structure as a buffer between other structures (801) and an output terminal. |
| US08890608B2 |
Digital input class-D audio amplifier
An audio amplifier receiving a digital input audio signal and generating an output audio signal for driving a speaker includes a digital input class D amplifier configured to receive the digital input audio signal and to generate the output audio signal. The digital input class D amplifier includes a first modulator configured to receive the digital input audio signal and to generate a quasi-digital signal in n-bit, and a class D modulator configured to receive the n-bit quasi-digital signal and to generate the output audio signal, the class D modulator implementing an analog feedback loop. In some embodiments, the class D modulator is implemented using a PWM modulator. In other embodiments, the PWM modulator incorporates enhanced features to improve the output noise characteristics. |
| US08890606B2 |
Voltage switching circuitry, integrated device and integrated circuit, and method of voltage switching
A voltage switching circuitry comprises a switching arrangement with a given number N of switches in series between a first terminal receiving a first voltage and a second terminal receiving a second voltage. The first voltage level is higher than the second voltage level, and N is at least equal to 2. A voltage-by-N divider, having N−1 output taps, is arranged to divide the first voltage by N to a scaled down version of the first voltage having a voltage level below voltage max ratings of the switches. The N−1 output taps of the divider are arranged to respectively output N−1 third voltages having respective levels staged below the first voltage level. N−1 max voltage generators generate N−1 fourth voltages, respectively equal to the maximum of the second voltage and of each of the N−1 third voltages. A switch control unit generates N control signals using the N−1 fourth voltages. These N control signals have respective voltage levels staged between the first voltage level and the second voltage level. In addition, each of the N control signals controls one of the switches of the switching arrangement, respectively. |
| US08890604B2 |
Charge pump circuit
A bipolar output charge pump circuit 100 having a network of switching paths 110 for selectively connecting an input node (VV) and a reference node (VG) for connection to an input voltage, a first pair of output nodes (VP, VN) and a second pair of output nodes (VQ, VM), and two pairs of flying capacitor nodes (CF1A, CF1 B; CF2A, CF2B), and a controller for controlling the switching of the network of switching paths. The controller is operable to control the network of switching paths when in use with two flying capacitors (CF1, CF2) connected to the two pairs of flying capacitor nodes, to provide a first bipolar output voltage at the first pair of output nodes (VP, VN) and a second bipolar output voltage at the second pair of bipolar output nodes (VQ, VM). |
| US08890600B1 |
Bus sharing scheme
A programmable device, having an analog component coupled with an analog bus and a digital component coupled with a digital bus together with a set of IO pads, each of which capable of being coupled to a bus line of one segment of the analog bus as well as to at least one digital bus line, and where the analog bus is capable of being used to connect a pair of the IO pads to each other. |
| US08890598B2 |
Multiple ramp variable attenuator
The present disclosure provides an attenuator and associated methods of operations. An exemplary attenuator includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a voltage reference terminal, a first attenuation segment coupled with the input terminal and the output terminal, and a second attenuation segment coupled with the first attenuation segment and the voltage reference terminal. The attenuator further includes at least two switches coupled with the input terminal and the output terminal in parallel with the first attenuation segment, where at least some of the at least two switches have an associated voltage control terminal. For example, the attenuator includes a first switch and a second switch coupled with the input terminal and the output terminal in parallel with the first attenuation segment, wherein a first voltage control terminal is coupled with the first switch and a second voltage control terminal is coupled with the second switch. |
| US08890592B2 |
Multi-output phase detector
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a multi-bit binary representation of a phase difference between two signals. The multi-bit binary representation may include information regarding a sign of the phase difference and a magnitude of the phase difference. |
| US08890591B1 |
Circuit and method of using time-average-frequency direct period syntheszier for improving crystal-less frequency generator frequency stability
A Time-Average-Frequency direct period synthesizer is used to improve crystal-less frequency generator's frequency stability. It includes (a) a temperature sensor circuit to compensate temperature-induced frequency instability; (b) a voltage sensor circuit to compensate voltage-induced frequency instability; (c) a calibration circuit to correct manufacture-related frequency error; (d) a frequency control word update circuit to receive the temperature- and voltage-related frequency adjustments, and the calibration-related adjustment, to generate the corresponding frequency control word in a predetermined schedule; (f) a Time-Average-Frequency direct period synthesizer to receive said frequency control word in the predetermined schedule and produce a clock signal with a frequency that is stable and accurate by counteracting the frequency variation caused by crystal-less oscillators' temperature and voltage dependence and correcting the frequency error introduced in manufacture process. Methods of correcting crystal-less oscillators' frequency error and compensating its frequency variation are also disclosed. |
| US08890588B2 |
Circuits and methods for asymmetric aging prevention
In an embodiment, a circuit configured for asymmetric ageing prevention in an integrated circuit (IC) comprises a primary clock configured to generate a primary clock signal, a secondary clock configured to generate a secondary clock signal, a state determination circuit, and a control circuit. The state determination circuit is configured to determine a current operating state associated with at least one of a primary clock condition and a power-on-reset condition in the IC. The control circuit is configured to generate a control signal in response to a determination of an first operating state. The control signal is configured to facilitate a transition from the primary clock to the secondary clock upon determination of the first operating state, and a transition from a safe operating mode to a normal operating mode upon determination of a second operating state. The secondary clock is associated with a safe operating mode of the IC. |
| US08890586B2 |
Sawtooth wave generating circuit and switch mode power supply device having the same
A sawtooth wave generating circuit that outputs a sawtooth wave signal after calibration and a switch mode power supply device including the sawtooth wave generating circuit is disclosed. The sawtooth wave generating circuit includes a capacitor, a calibration circuit, a charging circuit, discharging circuit and a control unit. The calibration circuit feedbacks a sawtooth wave signal, generates a plurality of voltage signals based on the sawtooth wave signal, and selects one of the voltage signals to generate a calibration output signal. Therefore, the sawtooth wave generating circuit generates a stable sawtooth wave signal regardless of operating conditions. |
| US08890577B1 |
Bipolar isolated high voltage sampling network
A method and a circuit achieve fully isolated sampling of bipolar differential voltage signals. The isolated sampling network is suitable for applications in which sampling signals far outside of the supply voltages are desired. A sampling network of the present invention may sample a differential signal between voltages −VDSMAX and VDSMAX, even with common mode voltages that exceed the supply voltage (e.g., an input stage of an ADC). The bipolar isolated input sampling network may include a polarity comparator and sampling switches that operate as rectifiers. Rectification ensures that a unipolar sampling network needs only to sample signals of predetermined voltage levels. |
| US08890576B2 |
Input/output sense amplifier
An input/output sense amplifier includes: a data input unit configured to amplify data using a driving voltage and to output the amplified data, and a latch unit configured to latch and output an output signal of the data input unit to an output terminal. |
| US08890571B1 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically aligning high-speed signals in an integrated circuit
A method and apparatus for aligning an input signal to a clock signal in an integrated circuit are disclosed. The method includes receiving an input signal; determining whether the input signal is arriving too early or too late via a plurality of delay lines; and adjusting a delay of the plurality of delay lines in accordance with a result of the determining. |
| US08890570B2 |
Switch block circuit in field programmable gate array
A switch block circuit in a field programmable gate array is provided. The switch block circuit includes a configuration memory unit including first group memories and second group memories and a switching unit including first group switching transistors and second group switching transistors. The switch block circuit further includes a selection unit for correspondingly connecting the second group memories with the second group switching transistors depending on an operation mode. The switch block is efficiently reconfigurable depending on the intended use, and configuration memories unused in a specific operation mode may be applied to other purposes. |
| US08890566B2 |
Low-voltage, high-speed, current-mode latch with inductor tail and common-mode feedback for amplitude and current control
Described herein is a low-voltage circuit with an inductor tail and a common mode feedback loop for amplitude and current control. A first transistor pair can receive clock inputs, and a second transistor pair can receive data inputs and output the data to a logic gate. A tail inductor can be coupled to the first transistor pair to suppress high frequency common mode bounce induced by clock transitions in independent common emitter branches. A common mode feedback loop can be provided to maintain a constant average current. The common mode feedback loop and the tail inductor can together function in the same way as a tail current source at low frequencies and high frequencies respectively. |
| US08890564B2 |
System and method for decreasing signal integrity noise by using varying drive strengths based on likelihood of signals becoming victims
A method of designing an integrated circuit, integrated circuits using different drive strengths and a signal integrity monitor are provide herein. In one embodiment, the signal integrity monitor includes: (1) a signal interface configured to receive a signal from a parallel data bus for transmission over a plurality of signal paths and (2) a victim signal identifier configured to dynamically determine a potential victim signal path of the plurality of signal paths. |
| US08890563B2 |
Scan cell use with reduced power consumption
Selective blocking is applied to discrete segments of scan chains in the integrated circuit device. In some implementations, locking components associated with the scan segments are selectively activated according to blocking data incorporated in test pattern data. In other implementations, selective blocking is applied to the scan cells identified as causing the highest power consumption. Selective incorporation of blocking components in an integrated circuit device is based on statistical estimation of scan cell transition rates. When the blocking components are enabled, pre-selected signal values are presented to the functional logic of the integrated circuit device. At the same time, propagation of output value transitions that may take place in the scan cells is prevented. |
| US08890556B2 |
Real-time on-chip EM performance monitoring
An integrated circuit, testing structure, and method for monitoring electro-migration (EM) performance. A method is described that includes method for measuring on-chip electro-migration (EM) performance, including: providing a first on-chip sensor continuously powered with a stress current; providing a second on-chip sensor that is powered only during measurement cycles with a nominal current; obtaining a first resistance measurement from the first on-chip sensor and a second resistance measurement from the second on-chip sensor during each of a series of measurement cycles; and processing the first and second resistance measurements. |
| US08890553B2 |
Method of and apparatus for detecting cracks in piezoelectric element
A method detects one or more cracks in a piezoelectric element interposed between a pair of electrodes and deforms according to a voltage applied thereto through the pair of electrodes. The method includes steps of applying a voltage at least at a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric element to the piezoelectric element through the pair of electrodes, measuring a dielectric tangent between the pair of electrodes under the applied voltage, and detecting if there are cracks in the piezoelectric element according to the measured dielectric tangent. The dielectric tangent of the piezoelectric element at the resonance frequency has a large peak or no peak depending on whether or not the piezoelectric element has cracks. Accordingly, the method easily and surely detects if the piezoelectric element has cracks according to the dielectric tangent of the piezoelectric element measured at the resonance frequency. |
| US08890552B2 |
Sensing circuit and method for a flyback converter
A flyback converter includes a transformer to convert an input voltage into an output voltage, a control circuit senses a primary current of the transformer to generate a current sense signal, and a sensing circuit is configured to sense a variation of the current sense signal between two time points for extracting the input voltage information therefrom. |
| US08890543B2 |
Tunable MEMS capacitor
A MEMS tunable capacitor comprises first and second opposing capacitor electrodes, wherein the second capacitor electrode is movable by a MEMS switch to vary the capacitor dielectric spacing, and thereby tune the capacitance. A tunable dielectric material and a non-tunable dielectric material are in series between the first and second electrodes. The tunable dielectric material occupies a dimension gd of the electrode spacing, and the non-tunable dielectric material occupies a dimension g of the electrode spacing. A third electrode faces the movable second electrode for electrically controlling tunable dielectric material. A controller is adapted to vary the capacitor dielectric spacing for a first continuous range of adjustment of the capacitance of the MEMS capacitor, and to tune the dielectric material for a second continuous range of adjustment of the capacitance of the MEMS capacitor, thereby to provide a continuous analogue range of adjustment including the first and second ranges. This arrangement provides independent control of the MEMS function and the dielectric tuning function, and enables a continuous adjustability. |
| US08890540B2 |
Partial discharge experiment power supply system for extra-high voltage transformer and method thereof
A partial discharge test power supply system for an extra high voltage transformer comprises: an electric motor (1); an intermediate frequency generator (2) driven by the electric motor and outputting an intermediate frequency voltage; a middle transformer (9) receiving the intermediate frequency voltage and outputting a test voltage to be applied to a test sample (11) by a generator outlet (5); a low-voltage compensating reactor (8) connected between the intermediate frequency generator and the middle transformer; a high-voltage compensating reactor (10) connected between the middle transformer and the sample; wherein the electric motor and the intermediate frequency generator are arranged in a metal housing (100). The system also includes the following filters: a filter (a) arranged in the excitation circuit of the intermediate frequency generator, a filter (b) arranged between the high-voltage compensating reactor and the sample and a filter (c) arranged between the generator outlet and the low-voltage compensating reactor. The system provides a simple and reliable power source system with little background interference for the extra high voltage partial discharge tests. |
| US08890539B2 |
Method for testing mask articles
A method for testing a mask article includes steps of electrically connecting the mask article to an electrical sensor, applying a bias voltage to a plurality of testing sites of the mask article with a conductor, measuring at least one current distribution of the testing sites with the electrical sensor, and determining the quality of the mask article by taking the at least one current distribution into consideration. |
| US08890536B2 |
Secondary battery with apparatus for checking the state of a service plug
A secondary battery capable of ensuring operator safety by checking whether a service plug is opened or closed. The secondary battery includes a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells, a service plug coupled between each of the plurality of battery cells through a pair of plug terminals for controlling interconnection of the plurality of battery cells according to whether the pair of plug terminals contact the battery cells, and a battery management system connected to the battery pack and the service plug for determining whether the service plug is opened or closed by measuring at least one selected from the group consisting of a voltage and a current of the battery pack and voltages of the plurality of battery cells connected to the service plug. |
| US08890531B2 |
Systems and methods having pot core antennas for electromagnetic resistivity logging
Disclosed herein are electromagnetic resistivity logging systems and methods that employ magnetic dipole antennas embedded in wall-contacting surfaces. In some embodiments, the antennas are pot-core or ferrite-rod antennas. Prototypes of electromagnetic resistivity logging tools having such antennas exhibit good resistivity logging performance in both water-based and oil-based borehole fluids, indicating that this architecture may yield a logging tool that is suitable for use with borehole fluids of all types. Moreover, the tool offers good spatial resolution, enabling the creation of formation resistivity images for the borehole walls. |
| US08890525B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
An MRI apparatus produces a plurality of echo signals by performing an EPI echo signal acquisition sequence including gradient magnetic fields in a phase encoding direction, and acquires a plurality of echo signals as first and second template data, respectively. The second template data is acquired using a sequence in which start timing of a gradient magnetic field in a readout direction is shifted from the case where acquisition of the first template data is performed. The phase error included in the echo signals is corrected by using the first and second template data. |
| US08890524B2 |
SAR reduction in parallel transmission by K-space dependent RF pulse selection
When generating an MR image using a multi-channel transmit coil arrangement, SAR is reduced by employing a number of different RF pulses in a single scan. Each RF pulse exhibits a different performance and/or accuracy, resulting in different RF pulse-specific SAR values. As a result, the RF pulses differ slightly in actual excitation pattern, B1 waveform and/or k-space trajectory, etc. The average SAR over a single scan is thus reduced compared to a fixed RF pulse, without compromising image quality. |
| US08890522B2 |
Accelerated pseudo-random data magnetic resonance imaging system and method
The present disclosure is intended to describe embodiments for improving image data acquisition and processing in accelerated dynamic magnetic resonance imaging sequences. One embodiment is described where a method includes an acquisition sequence configured to acquire an undersampled set of magnetic resonance data. The undersampled set of magnetic resonance data has a pseudo-random sampling pattern within a data space acquired at a first time, the pseudo-random sampling pattern being influenced by other pseudo-random sampling patterns within the data space arising from the acquisition of additional undersampled sets of magnetic resonance data at respective times. In some embodiments, the pseudo-random sampling patterns of the undersampled sets of magnetic resonance data interleave to yield a desired sampling pattern. |
| US08890512B2 |
Visual indicator device for proximity sensor
A device for visually indicating a change in the operational state of a proximity sensor. The device includes a transparent housing having a cavity and a magnet device for generating a magnetic field. In addition, a sleeve is attached to the housing. The magnet device is concealed within the sleeve in a first position to indicate a first operational state. When a target is positioned adjacent the sensor end, magnetic attraction occurs between the target and the magnet device due to the magnetic field to cause movement of the magnet device to a second position within the cavity wherein the magnetic field does not act on the proximity sensor to change the operational state from the first operational state to a second operational state. Further, the magnet device is visible in the second position to indicate the second operational state. The target is attached to a moving element of the valve such as a valve stem such that a change in operational state of the proximity sensor corresponds to a change in operational state of the valve. |
| US08890511B2 |
Targeting operation sites
A system for targeting an operation site includes an identifier having an electromagnetic field generator configured to produce electromagnetic fields. The system includes an implement that includes a handle, a blade portion, and an electromagnetic field sensor coupled to the blade portion. The electromagnetic field sensor is configured to produce a signal responsive to electromagnetic fields produced by the electromagnetic field generator. The system includes a control unit configured to access information indicating a position of the electromagnetic field sensor relative to the operation site, receive a signal from the electromagnetic field sensor that is indicative of a position of a tool relative to the electromagnetic field sensor, and determine a position of the tool relative to an operation site based on the received signal and the position of the electromagnetic field sensor relative to the operation site. |
| US08890504B2 |
Power adapter
A power adapter includes a processing circuit converting mains power to another alternating current (AC) power or a direct current (DC) power, a first output outputting the converted AC or DC power, a sense resistor connected between the processing circuit and the first output for sampling current flowing through the first output and converting the sampled current to a sampled voltage, an amplifying circuit connected to the sense resistor for amplifying the sampled voltage, and a metallic oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). A gate of the MOSFET is connected to the amplifying circuit. A drain of the MOSFET is connected to the first output through a first resistor and grounded through a second resistor. A source of the MOSFET is grounded. A node between the first and second resistors is connected to the processing circuit. The amplifying circuit makes the MOSFET work in a variable resistance region. |
| US08890500B2 |
Power regulator and controlling method thereof
Methods and circuits related to power regulation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power regulator for converting an input electrical signal to an output electrical signal to supply power to a load, can include: (i) a power stage having switching devices and a filter; (ii) a regulation signal generator for the switching devices that includes a feedback circuit and a PWM, the feedback circuit receiving an output signal from the power stage, the PWM receiving an output from the feedback circuit, and generating a PWM control signal; (iii) a constant time generator receiving the PWM control signal and generating a constant time signal based on the PWM control signal duty cycle; and (iv) a logic/driving circuit receiving the PWM control signal and the constant time signal, and controlling operation of the switching devices to modulate the output signal from the power stage, and maintaining a pseudo constant operation frequency. |
| US08890499B2 |
Buck DC-DC converter with improved accuracy
A buck switching regulator includes a feedback control circuit including a feedback network including first and second gain circuits configured to generate first and second feedback signals, respectively, indicative of the regulated output voltage; a ripple generation circuit configured to inject a ripple signal to the first gain circuit; an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) configured to receive the second feedback signal and a reference signal and to generate an output signal being coupled to the first gain circuit to adjust the first feedback signal; and a comparator configured to receive the first feedback signal and the reference signal and to generate a comparator output signal. The output signal of the OTA is applied to the first feedback signal to cancel a voltage offset in the regulated output voltage due to the injected ripple signal to the first gain circuit. |
| US08890498B2 |
Driving circuit to turn off switching element by voltage from voltage storage unit and converter including driving circuit
A driving circuit in which, during an on-period of a switching element, a voltage applied to the switching element is stored, and during an off-period of the switching element, the stored voltage is supplied to turn off the switching element. |
| US08890495B2 |
Power supply for integrated circuit
A power supply that provides a supply voltage to an integrated circuit (IC) includes high and low power regulators and a power management circuit. The high power regulator regulates the supply voltage at a first voltage level and the low power regulator is set to an inactive mode when the IC is in a RUN mode. When the IC transitions from the RUN mode to a STOP mode, the high power regulator stops regulating and the supply voltage is maintained at a second voltage level, while the lower power regulator is set to an active mode for regulating the supply voltage at a third voltage level. A fallback signal is generated when the supply voltage drops below a first threshold value after which the low power regulator is set in the inactive mode and the high power regulator is configured to regulate the supply voltage at a fourth voltage level. |
| US08890493B2 |
Highly simplified switching regulator which allows very high switching frequencies
A voltage regulator circuit includes a linear voltage regulator having a pass transistor and a first feedback from an output load, and a switching regulator having a second feedback from a voltage drop across the pass transistor. The voltage regulator further includes an efficiency monitor configured to detect the voltage drop and control predetermined steps of a duty cycle of the switching regulator based on the voltage drop. |
| US08890492B2 |
Automatic start/stop device for engine-driven power generator
Starting and stopping an engine is automatically controlled based on a load without using a relay. An inverter engine-driven power generator has an alternator, a rectifying circuit, a DC/DC converter, and an inverter circuit. A load detection circuit is connected to an output of the inverter circuit in parallel. A load detection line of the load detection circuit is connected to an output line of the inverter circuit in parallel via resistors. A power supply formed of a battery is connected to the load detection line. A decision circuit outputs a load detection signal when a current having a preset value or more flows through the load detection line. A drive/stop CPU starts the engine in response to the load detection. The resistors are set at a resistance value which does not influence a load to which a generator output is supplied. |
| US08890491B2 |
High voltage DC power source and a power apparatus for a high voltage electrical power system
A high voltage dc power source for providing a charging current to an electronic device, including one or more strings connected in parallel, each string being subdivided into dc power source units connected in series and each string being provided with a solid-state switch configured to connect and disconnect the string, and a control unit adapted to turn on and turn off the solid-state switch, and the control unit is configured, upon receiving an order to connect the string, to control the switch of the string to be alternately turned on and off so that a soft charging of the electronic device is achieved. |
| US08890490B2 |
Power distributor and semiconductor device having the same
A power distributor includes a large reservoir capacitor, a switch coupled between at least one power supply line and the large reservoir capacitor, and a controller configured to turn on or off the switch based on whether a circuit block connected to the power supply line is in operation or not. |
| US08890479B2 |
Holding platform for mobile information terminals, desktop telephone, and fixing method connector for mobile information terminals
Provided is a portable information terminal holding base, including: a holding base main body having a main mounting surface inclined with respect to a horizontal surface, the holding base main body being configured to hold, on the main mounting surface, one of a plurality of types of portable information terminals including a first portable information terminal and a second portable information terminal that is different from the first portable information terminal in length and width size and position of a battery-charging slot; and a battery-charging cover removably mounted to the holding base main body, the battery-charging cover being configured to house a plurality of types of battery-charging plug connectors, which are formed compatible with battery-charging slots of the plurality of types of portable information terminals, respectively, the battery-charging cover being configured to: house, at a first fixing position, a battery-charging plug connector, which is formed compatible with specifications of a battery-charging slot of the first portable information terminal; and fix, when the second portable information terminal is to be held on the holding base main body, at a second fixing position different from the first fixing position in accordance with the length and width size of the second portable information terminal and the position of the battery-charging slot of the second portable information terminal, a battery-charging plug connector, which is formed compatible with the battery-charging slot of the second portable information terminal. |
| US08890475B1 |
Automobile charging and communications station
An apparatus for charging batteries of an electric or hybrid vehicle includes a station. The station is located at a parking lot of a business. The station is preferably connected to a telephone line, CAT 5 or other cable, Internet or Wi-Fi to accommodate communication. A computer is connected to a remote server to receive updated vehicle charging parameters. A pivoting docking boom on the station cooperatively engages with a vehicle-charging boom located on the vehicle. Electrical contact pins on the vehicle-charging boom mate with sockets on the docking boom. A centerline pin grounds the vehicle to the station. The electrical contact pins permit up to three-phase charging capability and transmission of desired data. The station monitors the charging of the batteries and reports any problems. The station performs vehicle and payment confirmation without the driver exiting the vehicle. An alternate embodiment includes the station at a residence or garage. |
| US08890472B2 |
Self-charging electric vehicles and aircraft, and wireless energy distribution system
A method and system for efficient distribution of power using wireless means, and a system and method for wireless power distribution to provide electric devices, such as vehicles with a way to continuously and wirelessly collect, use and charge their power systems and thereby use the transmitted power for operation. The system and method allows a hybrid, simplified and less costly way to charge devices, such as vehicles so that the devices continuously operate while charging/recharging. |
| US08890463B2 |
Direct current bus management controller
A direct current bus management system can include a power management and distribution unit, having a source management section, a bus management section coupled to the source management section, a load management section coupled to the bus management section, a DC bus coupled to the power management and distribution unit, a plurality of DC sources coupled to the source management section and a plurality of loads coupled to the load management section, wherein the bus management section is configured to reconfigure excess DC power on the DC bus from the DC inputs from the plurality of DC sources based on a plurality of priorities, a plurality of feedback signals and a plurality of system parameters. |
| US08890462B2 |
Stepper motor with common solenoid current driver
A stepper motor assembly includes a unipolar winding stepper motor, four drivers, and a transmission control module. The stepper motor has four coil parts. Each driver has a transistor connected to one of the coil parts. Each driver is operable to drive a phase of the stepper motor, where first and second phases are opposites of each other and third and fourth phases are opposites of each other. The transmission control module houses the four transistors. A transmission is also disclosed that includes the disclosed stepper motor assembly. |
| US08890461B2 |
Actuator assembly with preloaded ball screws
An actuator assembly includes a first motor having a first transmission mechanism, a second motor having a second transmission mechanism, and a drive shaft operatively coupled to the first transmission mechanism of the first motor and the second transmission mechanism of the second motor. The actuator assembly includes a torque application system disposed in operative communication with the first motor and the second motor, the torque application system configured to direct an application of a translation torque and a preload torque between the first motor and the first transmission mechanism and between the second motor and the second transmission mechanism. |
| US08890459B2 |
Motor control device and electric power steering system
A motor control device with which both high-accuracy current detection and improvement in voltage utilization factor are achieved is provided. When an ON time of any one of low potential side switching elements corresponding to respective phases in a driving circuit is shorter than a detection time of a current value, a microcomputer estimates a phase current value of a current undetectable phase based on current values of two phases other than the current undetectable phase corresponding to the said FET. Then, at the time of current detection using the blind correction, during current detection for two phases, other than the current undetectable phase, based on which the blind correction is performed, motor control signals for maintaining switching states of a switching arm corresponding to the current undetectable phase are output. |
| US08890456B2 |
Automated shade control system utilizing brightness modeling
Automated shade systems comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis. Modeled brightness information may be utilized to control shades. |
| US08890454B2 |
Phase locked loop based torsional mode damping system and method
A torsional mode damping controller system is connected to a converter or placed inside the converter. The converter is driving a drive train including an electrical machine and a non-electrical machine. The controller system includes a first input interface configured to receive a first digital signal from a first phase lock device or a first dynamic observer, a second input interface configured to receive a second digital signal from a second phase lock device or a second dynamic observer, and a controller connected to the first and second input interfaces. The controller is configured to receive the first and second digital signals, compare the first digital signal with the second digital signal, generate control data for a rectifier and/or an inverter of the converter, and send the control data to the rectifier and/or to the inverter. |
| US08890453B2 |
Power conversion apparatus
In a power conversion apparatus, a main switching element in one main circuit is controlled to repeat an on-off state, and a diode in the other main circuit is used as a freewheeling diode. Multiple snubber circuits each having a resistor, a capacitor, and a second switching element which are serially coupled are coupled in parallel to the main circuit. The second switching elements are turned-on sequentially before the turn-on or turn-off of the main switching element that repeats the on-off state. |
| US08890449B2 |
Electric power tool, lock state occurrence determination apparatus, and program
A lock state occurrence determination apparatus includes a counter, a reset device, a reference time changing device, a lock state determination device, and an invalidation device. The invalidation device performs, in a case where a false determination of occurrence of a lock state of a motor is caused by the lock state determination device due to an operation input to operate a rotation speed of the motor, at least one of a first invalidation operation to invalidate the lock state determination device and a second invalidation operation to invalidate continuation of a counting operation by the counter. |
| US08890448B2 |
Braking apparatus, electric drive, and elevator system
The invention relates to a braking apparatus, an electric drive and an elevator system. The braking apparatus comprises an apparatus for dynamic braking, for braking an electric machine with dynamic braking, an input for the control signal of the braking apparatus, and also a controller, for controlling the apparatus for dynamic braking as a response to the aforementioned control signal of the braking apparatus. |
| US08890446B2 |
Amplitude control for vibrating resonant sensors
A system is provided for controlling the amplitude of a vibrating resonant sensor through a drive signal applied to the resonator. The system comprises a controller that provides the drive signal to a forcer coupled to the resonator to excite the resonator into vibration at its resonant frequency. The system further comprises a buffer having an input node that receives charge of a pickoff capacitor of the resonator that is a measure of the resonator vibration and a current reference waveform. The buffer provides an output that is a difference signal that represents an error of the resonator vibration that corresponds to a difference between the measured resonator vibration and the current reference waveform, wherein the controller adjusts the drive signal in order to null the difference signal. |
| US08890444B2 |
Electron gun used in particle beam device
An electron gun used in a particle beam device, for example in an electron microscope, has a relatively good brightness and may be operated under vacuum conditions which can be easily achieved (i.e., for example, at a residual pressure of about 10−6 or 10−7 mbar). The electron gun comprises an electron source having an electron emission surface. Furthermore, the electron gun comprises a first electrode configured to control a path of electrons emitted from the electron emission surface, a second electrode which is configured to suppress emissions of electrons from a side surface of the electron source and a third electrode configured to accelerate electrons emitted from the electron source to a final energy. A first voltage, a second voltage and a third voltage are adjusted to avoid any crossover of electrons emitted from the electron emission surface. |
| US08890443B2 |
Backlight unit and method for controlling LED
A backlight unit is provided, which includes a light-emitting diode LED, an LED driving unit which drives the LED, a control unit which measures a temperature of the LED driving unit, and, if the temperature exceeds a preset threshold temperature, interrupts an operation of the LED driving unit, and a threshold temperature adjustment unit which changes the preset threshold temperature based on a limit temperature of a circuit element included in the LED driving unit. |
| US08890441B2 |
Load driving device and LED lighting appliance therewith
A load driving device has a switch N1, a driver that performs on/off control of the switch in accordance with SWON, a comparator that compares Vdet1 with Vth, and based on a result of the comparison, generates IPEAKDET, an ADC that converts Vdet1 into ADCOUT, a DAC that converts IPEAKSET into Vth, and a logic portion that, upon receiving inputs of IPEAKDET and ADCOUT, outputs SWON and IPEAKSET. The logic portion includes a computation circuit that calculates Y1 by using a computation equation expressed by Y1=AVE×α+Δ×Ton/2 (where Y1: a signal value of IPEAKSET; AVE: an average current set value of an output current; α: an adjustment coefficient for AVE; Ton: an on period; Δ: a change rate of AVCOUT). The computation circuit determines α in accordance with computation mode setting signals ISO and PFC. |
| US08890433B2 |
Two-terminal current controller and related LED lighting device
A two-terminal current controller controls a first current flowing through a parallel-coupled load. During a rising period of a rectified AC voltage, when a load voltage does not exceed a first voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a first mode. When the load voltage exceeds the first voltage but does not exceed a second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a second mode. When the load voltage exceeds the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in a third mode. When the load voltage drops to a third voltage smaller than the second voltage after exceeding the second voltage, the two-terminal current controller operates in the second mode when a difference between the second and third voltages exceeds a hysteresis band and operates in the third mode when a difference between the second and third voltages does not exceed the hysteresis band. |
| US08890429B2 |
Solid-state light-emitting element drive device, lighting system and lighting fixture
A solid-state light-emitting element drive device includes a switching regulator and a control circuit. The switching regulator includes a series circuit of a switching element and an inductor, a regenerative element configured to allow a regenerative current to flow therethrough from the inductor when the switching element is turned off, and output terminals configured so that a solid-state light-emitting element is connected therebetween. The control circuit is configured to control a switching operation of the switching element of the switching regulator. The control circuit is configured to suppress an output power of the switching regulator if a parameter obtained from at least one of an ON-period and an OFF-period of the switching element is out of a prescribed range. |
| US08890427B2 |
Apparatus and method of operation of a low-current LED lighting circuit
An apparatus and method of operation of a low-current LED lighting circuit are disclosed. The invention utilizes high AC voltage input and unreduced voltage ripple component of the rectified DC power signal, which provides the ability to drive an LED load at high power factor at low current. The invention discloses both active and passive circuits to limit the peak current flowing to the LED and create a current source for the LED load. The proposed circuit increases reliability by optionally eliminating capacitor, inductor, and heatsink components while minimizing luminous flux fluctuations. |
| US08890420B2 |
Temperature curve compensation offset
A lighting device includes a first array of LEDs, a temperature sensor, memory, and a system controller. The memory may include a first duty cycle offset and first curve information that defines a relationship between temperature and a duty cycle for driving at least one LED of the first array of LEDs. The system controller will determine a temperature based on information from the temperature sensor. Based on the temperature, the system controller will determine a first pre-calibrated duty cycle that corresponds to the temperature from the first curve information and then adjust the first pre-calibrated duty cycle with the first duty cycle offset to generate a first calibrated duty cycle. The LED is then driven with a first pulse width modulated signal having the first calibrated duty cycle. |
| US08890417B2 |
LED backlight driving circuit, backlight module, and LCD device
A light emitting diode (LED) backlight driving circuit includes an LED lightbar, and a constant current chip that controls current flowing through the LED lightbar. The LED backlight driving circuit further includes a comparison module that receives an output voltage of the LED lightbar. When the output voltage of the LED lightbar is greater than the preset reference voltage, the comparison module controls the constant current chip to switch off the current of the LED lightbar. |
| US08890411B2 |
Computer controlled configurable lighting system for modular vehicle lights
A vehicle lighting control system and method are provided. The vehicle lighting control system includes a light module with light carrier positions for receipt of individual light sources. A lighting controller coupled with the light module is configured to identify a light source type associated with the individual light sources occupying light carrier positions of the light module. A power source coupled with the lighting controller provides power to the individual light sources in accordance with the type of light source identified. The individual light sources are removable from the light module and may be replaced by other light sources of a different type. The lighting controller is adapted to be reconfigured such that the different type of light source associated with the other light sources is identified and power is provided to the other light sources in accordance with the different light source type identified. |
| US08890402B2 |
Organic electroluminescence display device
The present invention provides an organic electroluminescence display device including an organic electroluminescence element which includes a transparent electrode, a counter electrode, and an organic compound layer provided between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, the organic compound layer including a light emitting layer, and a fine particle-containing layer positioned in the optical path of light emitted from the light emitting layer and adjacent to the transparent electrode, wherein the fine particle-containing layer contain an organic resin material having a refractive index equal to or lower than the refractive index of the transparent electrode, and fine particles having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the organic resin material and a weight average particle diameter of 0.5 μm to 5 μm, and the fine particle-containing layer has a thickness of 2 μm to 10 μm. |
| US08890401B2 |
Solid-state luminescent filament lamps
Traditional incandescent and halogen lamps produce a high CRI warm white light with indirect emission patterns at the cost of poor energy efficiency. This new advancement in solid-state lighting enables the production of a new solid-state filament wherein the tungsten filament is replaced with an array of high efficiency LED emitters which combine through an equiangular spiral, or t-spline/TNURCC lightpipe network to produce a single homogeneous blue light source which then pumps a luminescent filament comprised of a phosphor loaded silicone, phosphor loaded polymer, a lanthanide doped fluoro-phosphate glass, glass ceramic tape, quantum dot filled composite, or super-continuum spectrum producing photonic crystalline structure. |
| US08890396B2 |
Spark plug for a gas-operated internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a spark plug for a gas-fired internal combustion engine, and Includes a metallic body, with an insulator fastened in the body. A central electrode, leads through the insulator and includes a protruding end of a precious metal alloy. An annular ground electrode is fastened to the body and surrounds the end of the central electrode which, at the inside thereof facing the central electrode is provided with a precious metal or with a precious metal alloy. The mutually facing surfaces of the central electrode and ground electrode formed by the precious metal or the precious metal alloy are coaxially disposed cylinder surfaces. A cap is provided and attached to the body and which, after installation of the spark plug into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, shields the central electrode and the ground electrode from the combustion chamber. Together with the body of the spark plug, the central electrode forms an ante-chamber, in which the central electrode and the ground electrode are disposed. The cap having at least one opening, which enables a gas exchange between the ante-chamber and the space outside of the ante-chamber. According to the invention, a deviation of the cylinder surfaces from the ideal cylinder geometry is less than +−20 μm, and a deviation of the positions of the axes of the cylinder surfaces from their ideal coaxial position is less than +−50 μm. |
| US08890395B2 |
Beamshaping optical stack, a light source and a luminaire
A beamshaping optical stack (108), a light source and a luminaire is provided. The beamshaping optical stack (108) is to be optically coupled to a light emitting surface of a light emitter. The beamshaping optical stack (108) comprises a first light transmitting layer (120) and a second light transmitting layer (118). The second light transmitting layer (118) comprises a first side (110) which is optically coupled to the first light transmitting layer (120) to receive light from the first light transmitting layer (120). The second light transmitting layer (118) further comprises a second side (106) which is substantially opposite the first side (110) to emit the received light into another optical medium. The second light transmitting layer (118) further comprises a geometrical structure (116) at the second side (106) to obtain a decreasing light emission with increasing light emission angles (9a) with respect to a normal (112) to the first side (110). The first light transmitting layer (120) is of a first material having a first refractive index. The second light transmitting layer (118) is of a second material having a second refractive index. The first refractive index is lower than the second refractive index. |
| US08890394B2 |
Light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
It is an object of the present invention to provide a light-emitting device having a composition capable of reducing a film thickness of a heat conducting member. The present invention provides a light-emitting device including: a supporting substrate; an organic electroluminescent element disposed on the supporting substrate; a sealing substrate for sealing the organic electroluminescent element, having a convex portion protruding toward the organic electroluminescent element; and a heat conducting member that is provided between the organic electroluminescent element and the convex portion, in which the organic electroluminescent element and the convex portion are attached through the heat conducting member, and in which a part or whole of the convex portion is overlapped with the organic electroluminescent element, and an area of an overlapped region of the convex portion and the organic electroluminescent element is smaller than an area of the organic electroluminescent element, as viewed from a thickness direction of the supporting substrate. |
| US08890392B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator having a moveable electrode portion
A piezoelectric actuator that includes a fixed electrode in a base substrate, a dielectric layer on the surface of the base substrate, a lower electrode that is at least partially separated from the base substrate, a piezoelectric layer on the surface of the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the side of the surface of the piezoelectric layer. At least a portion of the upper electrode or the lower electrode serves as a movable electrode, which can be moved by distortion of the piezoelectric layer caused by application of a piezoelectric drive voltage. |
| US08890391B2 |
External force detection apparatus and external force detection sensor
In an external force detection apparatus, a crystal plate is cantilevered within a container. Excitation electrodes are formed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the crystal plate. A movable electrode is formed on a distal end on the bottom surface of the crystal plate and is connected to the excitation electrode on the bottom surface via an extraction electrode. A fixed electrode is provided on the bottom of the container to oppose the movable electrode. The excitation electrode on the top surface and the fixed electrode are connected to an oscillating circuit. When an external force acts on the crystal plate to bend it, the capacitance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode changes, and this capacitance change is captured as a change in the oscillating frequency of the crystal plate. |
| US08890386B2 |
Rotor and motor
A rotor includes first and second rotor cores and a field magnet placed between the first and second rotor cores. Each of the rotor cores has a main body portion and a plurality of extensions, which extend radially outward from the main body portion at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The field magnet causes the individual extensions to function as magnetic poles. A magnetic pole constituting section including at least part of each of the extensions and the first main body portion of each rotor core are made of different materials, made of the same material but formed as separate elements, or includes regions having different properties. |
| US08890384B2 |
Capless mounting for motor
A motor is provided for use in a machine. The motor includes a frame having a catch and a mounting ring retained on the frame by the catch. The motor is supported in the machine by the mounting ring. |
| US08890383B2 |
Bearing having a power generation unit
A bearing, which has a first bearing ring, a second bearing ring, a rolling element interposed between the two bearing rings and a claw pole generator-type power generation unit. The bearing has a substantially space-neutral power generation unit which has a high filling factor for the induction coil. The first claw of the claw ring is connected to a magnetically conducting section of the body of the first bearing ring in a magnetically conducting fashion. The magnetic poles of the pole pairs are mounted so as to be connected to a magnetically conducting section of the body of the second bearing ring in a magnetically conducting fashion and the magnetic circuit is substantially closed via the two magnetic sections and the rolling element. |
| US08890381B2 |
Spindle motor
There is provided a spindle motor including: a sleeve rotatably supporting a shaft; a base member including a protrusion part having the sleeve fixed thereto; and a rotor hub coupled to the shaft and including an extension wall part allowing an interface between a lubricating fluid and air to be formed, together with an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the extension wall part is inclined in order to prevent a scattering of leaked lubricating fluid, together with one end portion of the protrusion part of the base member. |
| US08890380B2 |
Electrical connector assembly for a brushless motor
The invention relates to an electrical connector assembly for a brushless electromagnetic motor, comprising a 3-phase electrical stator winding and X windings per phase, connected in series or in parallel, characterized in comprising a circular wire guide with slots designed to hold the ends of the wires of the windings and a connector support comprising at least three circular connector tracks, three of said tracks being each terminated with a thimble and which are axially extended by wire grips to ensure the electrical contact for the 3 phases of the motor through the slots of the wire guides and wherein the thimbles exit the motor via a connector. |
| US08890378B2 |
Electrical power supply device for electrically powering at least one item of equipment on a rotary rotor of an aircraft, and an aircraft
An electrical power supply device (10) for electrically powering equipment on a rotary rotor (2) of an aircraft (1), which rotor is driven by a shaft (5), said device (10) comprising a removable stick (11). The stick (11) includes an upper alternator (20) and an upper tube (12) secured to said shaft (5) so as to be constrained in rotation therewith, said upper alternator (20) having a plurality of upper coils (21) fastened to an upper inside peripheral surface (12′) of said upper tube (12), said stick (11) having a rod (13) carrying an upper permanent magnet (22), said device (10) having a mechanism (30) so that said rod (13) and said upper tube (12) move with distinct rotary movements, said mechanism (30) having connection means (31) so as to be connectable to a reference member (8, 9) of an aircraft (1). |
| US08890376B2 |
Energy harvesting methods and devices, and applications thereof
An apparatus harvests electrical power from mechanical energy. The apparatus includes first and second load-bearing structures, a plurality of magnetostrictive elements, and an electrical circuit or coil. The load-bearing structures experience a force from an external source. The magnetostrictive elements are arranged between the load-bearing structures. The load-bearing structures transfer at least a portion of the force to at least one of the magnetostrictive elements. In this way, at least one of the magnetostrictive elements experiences the force transferred from the load-bearing structures. The force on the magnetostrictive element causes a change in magnetic flux of the magnetostrictive element. The electrical circuit or coil is disposed within a vicinity of the magnetostrictive element which experiences the force. The electrical circuit or coil generates electric power in response to the change in the magnetic flux of the magnetostrictive element. |
| US08890371B2 |
Alternating current/direct current two-way switch
There is provided an AC/DC two-way switch connected between an AC power source or a DC power source and a load to control a power supply to the load. The AC/DC two-way switch includes: a bi-directional semiconductor switch element having a transistor structure connected in series between a power source and the load; a rectifying unit connected in parallel between the first input terminal and a second input terminal; a power source unit for converting an output voltage from the rectifying unit into a stable voltage; and a controller for controlling an entire operation of the AC/DC two-way switch. The AC/DC two-way switch further includes a driving unit for turning on the bi-directional semiconductor switch element in response to a control signal. |
| US08890370B2 |
Systems and methods for an intelligent energy-saving power supply
The systems and methods described herein include an intelligent energy-saving power supply system which conserves energy by recognizing when a chargeable electronic device, such as a cellular telephone, has been detached from its battery charger and by then cutting off power to the battery charger to prevent energy from being consumed while not serving the useful function of charging the chargeable electronic device. In addition, these systems may optionally include a device which turns off the receiver circuit of an electronic device to additionally save power and an interface which displays the amount of energy conserved by using the energy-saving power supply system. |
| US08890368B2 |
Systems and methods for power transfer based on resonance coupling of inductors
An integrated circuit (IC) includes first and second resonator circuits and an isolation barrier. The first resonator circuit includes first and second inductors, wherein the first resonator circuit is connected to a supply voltage. The second resonator circuit includes third and fourth inductors, wherein the second resonator circuit is matched to the first resonator circuit. The isolation barrier separates the first and second resonator circuits. The first and second inductors are inductively coupled to the third and fourth inductors, respectively, thereby providing for transfer of power from the first resonator circuit across the isolation barrier to the second resonator circuit. |
| US08890366B2 |
Wireless energy transfer using array of resonant objects
A system for exchanging energy wirelessly comprises an array of at least three objects having a resonant frequency, each object is electromagnetic (EM) and non-radiative, and generates an EM near-field in response to receiving the energy, wherein each object in the array is arranged at a distance from all other objects in the array, such that upon receiving the energy the object is strongly coupled to at least one other object in the array via a resonant coupling of evanescent waves; and an energy driver for providing the energy at the resonant frequency to at least one object in the array, such that, during an operation of the system, the energy is distributed from the object to all other objects in the array. |
| US08890356B2 |
Power conversion installment kit for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
A power conversion system for HEV, which comprising: a battery pack and inverter power conversion module for generating DC voltage; the inverter power conversion module is used to convert DC voltage into DC high voltage required for driving the motor of HEV; while the power conversion effect is guaranteed, the present invention could reduce markedly the amount of batteries for the battery pack, minimize the cost and weight, while the connections of batteries and possible unreliable factors are cut down for more reliable connection and simpler processing. |
| US08890350B2 |
Turbomachine drive arrangement
An arrangement and method for driving a turbomachine having a rotor is provided. The arrangement includes an input shaft rotationally coupled to the rotor. A motor generator device has a motor mode of operation and a generator mode of operation. A differential gear device having a first portion rotationally coupled to the input shaft and a second portion rotationally coupled to the motor generator device. A hydraulic assembly is rotationally coupled between the differential gear and the input shaft. The hydraulic assembly has a plurality of pistons and a pair of wobbler plates. A controller is operably coupled to the input shaft, the motor generator device and the hydraulic assembly, wherein the controller includes a processor that is responsive to executable instructions when executed on the processor for moving the pair of wobbler plates to a first position during a motor mode of operation. |
| US08890349B1 |
Load reduction system and method for a wind power unit
A wind power unit control system that dynamically corrects for yaw angle error based on sensed conditions and switches operation of the wind power unit to a correct operating mode based on its current operational state and the sensed conditions. |
| US08890338B2 |
Method of identifying and/or programming an integrated circuit
A chip and a method of fabricating the chip for low cost chip identification circuitry. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit includes formation of a multi-level metallization structure including a pad level comprising programming pads. A plurality of active devices are formed on a substrate, and multiple levels of metallization are formed over the active devices, connecting some of the active devices to form programmable circuitry. The programmable circuitry is connected to pairs of programming pads on the bond pad level. Programming pads in some of the pairs are selectively connected to one another by using conductive ink deposited with maskless inkjet printing techniques. The pads are then covered with a non-conductive protective layer. |
| US08890331B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device, image pickup system and method of manufacturing photoelectric conversion device
A photoelectric conversion device includes a first semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric conversion unit for generating a signal charge in accordance with an incident light, and a second semiconductor substrate including a signal processing unit for processing an electrical signal on the basis of the signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit. The signal processing unit is situated in an orthogonal projection area from the photoelectric conversion unit to the second semiconductor substrate. A multilayer film including a plurality of insulator layers is provided between the first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate. The thickness of the second semiconductor substrate is smaller than 500 micrometers. The thickness of the second semiconductor substrate is greater than the distance from the second semiconductor substrate and a light-receiving surface of the first semiconductor substrate. |
| US08890329B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device entirely having a small height, which performs a fan-out operation for input/output signals and forms a short electrical path is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor die having a first surface, a second surface opposed to the first surface, a third surface connecting the first and second surfaces to each other, a first bond pad disposed on the first surface, and a first through electrode passing between the first surface and second surface and electrically connected to the first bond pad. A first redistribution part is disposed under the second surface and includes a first redistribution layer electrically connected to the first through electrode. A second redistribution part is disposed over the first surface and includes a second redistribution layer electrically connected to the first bond pad. |
| US08890326B2 |
Easily assembled chip assembly and chip assembling method
A chip assembly includes a PCB, a connecting pad fixed on the PCB, and a chip. The connecting pad defines a through hole. The chip is received in the through hole and fixed on the PCB by an adhesive distributed in the through hole. A thickness of the adhesive is less than that of the connecting pad. |
| US08890314B2 |
Package configurations for low EMI circuits
An electronic component includes a high voltage switching transistor encased in a package. The high voltage switching transistor comprises a source electrode, a gate electrode, and a drain electrode all on a first side of the high voltage switching transistor. The source electrode is electrically connected to a conducting structural portion of the package. Assemblies using the abovementioned transistor with another transistor can be formed, where the source of one transistor can be electrically connected to a conducting structural portion of a package containing the transistor and a drain of the second transistor is electrically connected to the second conductive structural portion of a package that houses the second transistor. Alternatively, the source of the second transistor is electrically isolated from its conductive structural portion, and the drain of the second transistor is electrically isolated from its conductive structural portion. |
| US08890312B2 |
Heat dissipation structure with aligned carbon nanotube arrays and methods for manufacturing and use
A heat dissipation structure with aligned carbon nanotube arrays formed on both sides. The carbon nanotube arrays in between a heat source and a cooler are used as thermal interface material extending and dissipating heat directly from a heat source surface to a cooler surface. In some embodiments, an adhesive material can be used to dispense around carbon nanotube arrays and assemble the heat dissipation structure in between a heat source and a cooler. In some other embodiments, carbon nanotube arrays are formed on at least one of a heat source surface and a cooler surface and connect them together by further growing. The carbon nanotube arrays can be exposed to the environment instead of being in between a heat source and a solid cooler, and can serve as fins to enlarge heat dissipation area and improve thermal convection. |
| US08890311B2 |
Power conversion device
A power conversion device is provided with a plurality of semiconductor modules. Each semiconductor module includes a heat dissipation member, an insulating substrate, a semiconductor element, an external connection terminal, and a resin portion. The insulating substrate is fixed to the heat dissipation member. The semiconductor element is mounted on the insulating substrate. The external connection terminal includes a first end, which is electrically connected to the semiconductor element, and an opposite second end. The resin portion is molded to the insulating substrate, the semiconductor element, the first end, and at least part of the heat dissipation member. The semiconductor modules each form a unit. |
| US08890310B2 |
Power module package having excellent heat sink emission capability and method for manufacturing the same
A power module package includes a power circuit element, a control circuit element, a lead frame, an aluminum oxide substrate having a heat sink and an insulation layer, and a sealing resin. The control circuit element is electrically connected with the power circuit element to control chips within the power circuit element. The lead frame has external connection terminal leads in its edge and has a first surface to which the power circuit element and the control circuit element are attached and a second surface which is used as a heat transmission path. The heat sink is a plate made of metal such as aluminum and the electrical insulation layer is formed at least on an upper surface of the heat sink and made of aluminum oxide. The electrical insulation layer may be formed over an entire surface of the heat sink. Here, the insulation layer is attached to the second surface by an adhesive, on a region below where the power circuit element is attached, to the first surface of the lead frame. In addition, the sealing resin encloses the power circuit element and the control circuit element, the lead frame, and the metal oxide substrate and exposes the external connection terminals of the lead frame. |
| US08890306B2 |
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode includes a carrier with a mounting face and includes a metallic basic body and at least two light-emitting diode chips affixed to the carrier at least indirectly at the mounting face, wherein an outer face of the metallic basic body includes the mounting face, the at least two light-emitting diode chips connect in parallel with one another, the at least two light-emitting diode chips are embedded in a reflective coating, the reflective coating covering the mounting face and side faces of the light-emitting diode chips, and the light-emitting diode chips protrude with their radiation exit surfaces out of the reflective coating, and the radiation exit surfaces face away from the carrier. |
| US08890304B2 |
Fan-out microelectronic unit WLP having interconnects comprising a matrix of a high melting point, a low melting point and a polymer material
A microelectronic package includes a microelectronic unit and a substrate. The microelectronic unit includes a microelectronic element having contacts on a front face. A dielectric material has a first surface substantially flush with the front face of the microelectronic element. Conductive traces have at least portions extending along the front face away from the contacts, at least some of which also extend along the first surface of the dielectric material. Contacts are connected with the traces, at least some of which are disposed at the first surface of the dielectric material. The substrate has first and second opposed surfaces and an edge extending therebetween, the first surface facing the front face of the microelectronic unit, and the second surface having a plurality of terminals thereon configured for electrical connection with at least one external component. Masses of conductive matrix material join the terminals with the redistribution contacts. |
| US08890299B2 |
Bonded semiconductor structures and methods of forming same
Embodiments of the invention include methods and structures for fabricating a semiconductor structure and, particularly, for improving the planarity of a bonded semiconductor structure comprising a processed semiconductor structure and a semiconductor structure. |
| US08890296B2 |
Wafer level chip scale package
A semiconductor device, a method of manufacturing semiconductor devices and a circuit package assembly are described. A semiconductor device can have a semiconductor substrate with first and second surfaces and a sidewall between them. First and second conductive pads on the first and second surfaces are in electrical contact with corresponding first and second semiconductor device structures in the substrate. An insulator layer on the first surface and sidewall covers a portion of the first conductive pad on the first surface. An electrically conductive layer on part of the insulator layer on the first conductive pad and sidewall is in electrical contact with the second conductive pad. The insulator layer prevents the conductive layer from making electrical contact between the first and second conductive pads. |
| US08890285B2 |
Vertically integrated systems
Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit system including a first active layer fabricated on a front side of a semiconductor die and a second pre-fabricated layer on a back side of the semiconductor die and having electrical components embodied therein, wherein the electrical components include at least one discrete passive component. The integrated circuit system also includes at least one electrical path coupling the first active layer and the second pre-fabricated layer. |
| US08890282B2 |
Integrated circuit devices including through-silicon via (TSV) contact pads electronically insulated from a substrate
An integrated circuit device includes a substrate having a plurality of device patterns thereon. A device isolation layer is provided on the substrate, an interlayer dielectric layer is provided on the device isolation layer and the substrate, and a conductive via extends through the interlayer dielectric layer and the device isolation layer and into the substrate. A conductive via contact pad is provided on the interlayer dielectric layer in electrical contact with the conductive via. In plan view, the conductive via contact pad is confined within an area of the interlayer dielectric layer and/or an area of the device isolation layer that electrically insulates the conductive via contact pad from the substrate. Related methods and devices are also discussed. |
| US08890273B2 |
Methods and apparatus for an improved reflectivity optical grid for image sensors
An improved reflectivity optical grid for image sensors. In an embodiment, a backside illuminated CIS device includes a semiconductor substrate having a pixel array area comprising a plurality of photosensors formed on a front side surface of the semiconductor substrate, each of the photosensors forming a pixel in the pixel array area; an optical grid material disposed over a backside surface of the semiconductor substrate, the optical grid material patterned to form an optical grid that bounds each of the pixels in the pixel array area and extending above the semiconductor substrate, the optical grid having sidewalls and a top portion; and a highly reflective coating formed over the optical grid, comprising a pure metal coating of a metal that is at least 99% pure, and a high-k dielectric coating over the pure metal coating that has a refractive index of greater than about 2.0. Methods are also disclosed. |
| US08890269B2 |
Optical sensor package with through vias
A wafer-level camera sensor package includes a semiconductor substrate with an optical sensor on a front surface. Through-silicon-vias (TSV) extend through the substrate and provide I/O contact with the sensor from the back side of the substrate. A glass cover is positioned over the front surface, and the cover and substrate are embedded in a molding compound layer (MCL), the front surface of the MCL lying coplanar with the front of the cover, and the back surface lying coplanar with the back of the substrate. Surface-mount devices, electromagnetic shielding, and through-wafer-connectors can be embedded in the MCL. A redistribution layer on the back surface of the MCL includes bottom contact pads for mounting the package, and conductive traces interconnecting the contact pads, TSVs, surface-mount devices, shielding, and through-wafer-connectors. Anisotropic conductive adhesive is positioned on the front of the MCL for physically and electrically attaching a lens array. |
| US08890266B2 |
Fabrication process and layout for magnetic sensor arrays
A magnetic sensor includes a plurality of groups, each group comprising a plurality of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices having a plurality of conductors configured to couple the MTJ devices within one group in parallel and the groups in series enabling independent optimization of the material resistance area (RA) of the MTJ and setting total device resistance so that the total bridge resistance is not so high that Johnson noise becomes a signal limiting concern, and yet not so low that CMOS elements may diminish the read signal. Alternatively, the magnetic tunnel junction devices within each of at least two groups in series and the at least two groups in parallel resulting in the individual configuration of the electrical connection path and the magnetic reference direction of the reference layer, leading to independent optimization of both functions, and more freedom in device design and layout. The X and Y pitch of the sense elements are arranged such that the line segment that stabilizes, for example, the right side of one sense element; also stabilizes the left side of the adjacent sense element. |
| US08890264B2 |
Non-planar III-V field effect transistors with conformal metal gate electrode and nitrogen doping of gate dielectric interface
A high-k gate dielectric interface with a group III-V semiconductor surface of a non-planar transistor channel region is non-directionally doped with nitrogen. In nanowire embodiments, a non-directional nitrogen doping of a high-k gate dielectric interface is performed before or concurrently with a conformal gate electrode deposition through exposure of the gate dielectric to liquid, vapor, gaseous, plasma, or solid state sources of nitrogen. In embodiments, a gate electrode metal is conformally deposited over the gate dielectric and an anneal is performed to uniformly accumulate nitrogen within the gate dielectric along the non-planar III-V semiconductor interface. |
| US08890262B2 |
Semiconductor device having a metal gate recess
Provided is a semiconductor device (e.g., transistor such as a FinFET or planar device) having a a liner layer and a metal layer (e.g., Tungsten (W)) in a trench (e.g., via CVD and/or ALD). A single chamber (e.g., an extreme fill chamber) will be utilized to separately etch back the liner layer and the metal layer. In general, the liner layer may be etched back further than the metal layer to provide for larger contact and lower resistance. After etching is complete, a bottom-up fill/growth of metal (e.g., W) will be performed (e.g., via CVD in a W chamber or the like) to increase the presence of gate metal in the trench. |
| US08890256B2 |
Structure for heavy ion tolerant device, method of manufacturing the same and structure thereof
The invention relates to a design structure, and more particularly, to a design structure for a heavy ion tolerant device, method of manufacturing the same and a structure thereof. The structure includes a first device having a diffusion comprising a drain region and source region and a second device having a diffusion comprising a drain region and source region. The first and second device are aligned in an end-to-end layout along a width of the diffusion of the first device and the second device. A first isolation region separating the diffusion of the first device and the second device. |
| US08890254B2 |
Airgap structure and method of manufacturing thereof
A process for fabricating a gate structure, the gate structure having a plurality of gates defined by a network of spaces. The word line (WL) spaces within a dense WL region having airgaps and those spaces outside of the dense WL being substantially free of airgaps. A gate structure having a silicide layer dispose across the plurality of gates is also provided. |
| US08890250B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection structure
An electrostatic discharge protection structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a first well region, a gate structure, a second well region, a second well region, a second conductive region, and a deep well region. The first well region contains first type conducting carriers. The second well region is disposed within the first well region, and contains second type conducting carriers. The first conductive region is disposed on the surface of the first well region, and contains the second type conducting carriers. The deep well region is disposed under the second well region and the first conductive region, and contacted with the second well region. The deep well region contains the second type conducting carriers. |
| US08890247B2 |
Extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator with back gate contact
A structure is provided in which the back gate regions are physically separated from one another as opposed to using reversed biased pn junction diodes. In the present disclosure, the back gate regions can be formed first through a buried dielectric material of an extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator (ETSOI) substrate. After dopant activation, standard device fabrication processes can be performed. A semiconductor base layer portion of the ETSOI substrate can then be removed from the original ETSOI to expose a surface of the back gates. |
| US08890243B2 |
Semiconductor device
In the interior of a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, a first p− epitaxial region is formed, a second p− epitaxial region is formed on the main surface side, and an n-type drift region and a p-type body region are formed on the main surface side. An n+ buried region is formed between the first p− epitaxial region and the second p− epitaxial region in order to electrically isolate the regions. A p+ buried region having a p-type impurity concentration higher than that of the second p− epitaxial region is formed between the n+ buried region and the second p− epitaxial region. The p+ buried region is located at least immediately under the junction between the n-type drift region and the p-type body region so as to avoid a site immediately under a drain region which is in contact with the n-type drift region. |
| US08890241B2 |
Semiconductor device
Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate including first, second and third surfaces, the second surface being placed above the first surface, the third surface having first and second edges connecting to the first and second surfaces, respectively; an isolation region including an insulator and formed on the first and third surfaces; an active region including the second surface and fenced with the insulator of the isolation region; and first and second semiconductor pillars each protruding upwardly from the second surface in the active region, wherein the first semiconductor pillar is thinner than the second semiconductor pillar. |
| US08890239B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for producing the same
In a vertical semiconductor device including a channel in an opening, a semiconductor device whose high-frequency characteristics can be improved and a method for producing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes n-type GaN-based drift layer 4/p-type GaN-based barrier layer 6/n-type GaN-based contact layer 7. An opening 28 extends from a top layer and reaches the n-type GaN-based drift layer. The semiconductor device includes a regrown layer 27 located so as to cover the opening, the regrown layer 27 including an electron drift layer 22 and an electron supply layer 26, a source electrode S, a drain electrode D, and a gate electrode G located on the regrown layer. Assuming that the source electrode serving as one electrode and the drain electrode serving as the other electrode constitute a capacitor, the semiconductor device includes a capacitance-decreasing structure that decreases the capacitance of the capacitor. |
| US08890238B2 |
Power semiconductor devices, structures, and related methods
Power semiconductor devices, and related methods, where majority carrier flow is divided into paralleled flows through two drift regions of opposite conductivity types. |
| US08890234B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of an embodiment includes: a semiconductor layer; a tunnel insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer; an organic molecular layer that is formed on the tunnel insulating film, and includes first organic molecules and second organic molecules having a smaller molecular weight than the first organic molecules, the first organic molecules each including a first alkyl chain or a first alkyl halide chain having one end bound to the tunnel insulating film, the first organic molecules each including a charge storage portion bound to the other end of the first alkyl chain or the first alkyl halide chain, the second organic molecules each including a second alkyl chain or a second alkyl halide chain having one end bound to the tunnel insulating film; a block insulating film formed on the organic molecular layer; and a control gate electrode formed on the block insulating film. |
| US08890227B1 |
Memory cell
Implementations disclosed herein may relate to a memory cell, such as a DRAM memory cell, for example. |
| US08890225B2 |
Structure and method for single gate non-volatile memory device having a capacitor well doping design with improved coupling efficiency
The NVM device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region. The NVM device includes a data-storing structure formed in the first region and designed operable to retain charges. The NVM device includes a capacitor formed in the second region and coupled with the data-storing structure for data operations. The data-storing structure includes a first doped well of a first-type in the semiconductor substrate. The data-storing structure includes a first gate dielectric feature on the first doped well. The data-storing structure includes a first gate electrode disposed on the first gate dielectric feature and configured to be floating. The capacitor includes a second doped well of the first-type. The capacitor includes a second gate dielectric feature on the second doped well. The capacitor also includes a second gate electrode disposed on the second gate dielectric feature and connected to the first gate electrode. |
| US08890222B2 |
Meander line resistor structure
A meander line resistor structure comprises a first resistor formed on a first active region, wherein the first resistor is formed by a plurality of first vias connected in series, a second resistor formed on a second active region, wherein the second resistor is formed by a plurality of second vias connected in series and a third resistor formed on the second active region, wherein the third resistor is formed by a plurality of third vias connected in series. The meander line resistor further comprises a first connector coupled between the first resistor and the second resistor. |
| US08890221B2 |
Backside illuminated image sensor pixels with dark field microlenses
A backside illuminated image sensor with an array of image sensor pixels is provided. Each image pixel may include a photodiode and associated pixel circuits formed in a front surface of a semiconductor substrate. Silicon inner microlenses may be formed on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate. In particular, positive inner microlenses may be formed over the photodiodes, whereas negative inner microlenses may be formed over the associated pixel circuits. Buried light shielding structures may be formed over the negative inner microlenses to prevent pixel circuitry that is formed in the substrate between two neighboring photodiodes from being exposed to incoming light. The buried light shielding structures may be lined with absorptive antireflective coating material to prevent light from being reflected off the surface of the buried light shielding structures. Forming buried light shielding structures with antireflective coating material can reduce optical pixel crosstalk and enhance global shutter efficiency. |
| US08890219B2 |
UTBB CMOS imager having a diode junction in a photosensitive area thereof
An image sensor device is provided, including at least one transistor lying on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate that includes a semi-conducting layer, in which a channel area of the transistor is disposed in a portion thereof, and an insulating layer separating the semi-conducting layer from a semi-conducting support layer, wherein the semi-conducting layer and the insulating layer extend beyond the channel area, and extend under at least a portion of source/drain regions of the transistor, wherein the semi-conducting support layer includes at least one photosensitive area including at least one P-doped region and at least one N-doped region forming a junction, the photosensitive area being disposed facing the transistor on a side of the channel area thereof and opposite a side of a gate electrode thereof, and wherein the insulating layer is configured to provide a capacitive coupling between the photosensitive area and the semi-conducting layer. |
| US08890218B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a gate structure disposed on the substrate; a first spacer disposed on a sidewall of the gate structure; a second spacer disposed around the first spacer, wherein the second spacer comprises a L-shaped cap layer and a cap layer on the L-shaped cap layer; a source/drain disposed in the substrate adjacent to two sides of the second spacer; and a CESL disposed on the substrate to cover the gate structure, wherein at least part of the second spacer and the CESL comprise same chemical composition and/or physical property. |
| US08890217B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device including an insulating substrate, a chip and a patterned conductive layer is provided. The insulating substrate has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to each other. The chip is disposed above the upper surface of the insulating substrate. The patterned conductive layer is disposed between the upper surface of the insulating substrate and the chip. The chip is electrically connected to an external circuit via the patterned conductive layer. Heat generated by the chip is transferred to external surroundings via the patterned conductive layer and the insulating substrate. |
| US08890216B2 |
Methods and apparatus for measuring analytes using large scale FET arrays
Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis. |
| US08890208B2 |
Group III nitride epitaxial substrate for semiconductor device, semiconductor device, and process for producing group III nitride epitaxial substrate for semiconductor device
Provided is an epitaxial substrate capable of manufacturing a HEMT device that has excellent two-dimensional electron gas characteristics and is capable of performing normally-off operation. A channel layer is formed of a first group III nitride represented by Inx1Aly1Gaz1N (x1+y1+z1=1) so as to have a composition in a range determined by x1=0 and 0≦y1≦0.3. A barrier layer is formed of a second group III nitride represented by Inx2Aly2Gaz2N (x2+y2+z2=1) so as to have a composition, in a ternary phase diagram with InN, AlN and GaN being vertices, in a range surrounded by four straight lines determined in accordance with the composition (AlN molar fraction) of the first group III nitride and to have a thickness of 5 nm or less. |
| US08890207B2 |
FinFET design controlling channel thickness
System and method for controlling the channel thickness and preventing variations due to formation of small features. An embodiment comprises a fin raised above the substrate and a capping layer is formed over the fin. The channel carriers are repelled from the heavily doped fin and confined within the capping layer. This forms a thin-channel that allows greater electrostatic control of the gate. |
| US08890204B2 |
Light emitting device
To provide a light emitting device in which generation of cross talk between adjacent light emitting elements is suppressed, even when the light emitting device uses a light emitting element having high current efficiency. Also, to provide a light emitting device having high display quality even when the light emitting device uses a light emitting element having high current efficiency. The light emitting device has a pixel portion including a plurality of light emitting elements, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting elements includes a plurality of light emitting bodies provided between a first electrode and a second electrode and a conductive layer formed between the plurality of light emitting bodies, wherein the conductive layer is provided for each light emitting element, and wherein an edge portion of the conductive layer is covered with the plurality of light emitting bodies. |
| US08890203B2 |
LED module
A lead 1 includes a die-bonding portion 11 with an opening 11a penetrating in a thickness direction. Another lead 2 is spaced from the lead 1. An LED unit 3 includes an LED chip 30 with a electrode terminal 31 connected to the lead 1 and another electrode terminal 32 connected to the lead 2. The LED unit 3, mounted on a surface of the die-bonding portion 11 on a first side in z direction, overlaps the opening 11a. A wire 52 connects the lead 2 and the electrode terminal 32. A support member 4 supporting the leads 1-2 is held in contact with another surface of the die-bonding portion 11 on a second side in z direction. These arrangements ensure efficient heat dissipation from the LED chip 30 and efficient use of light emitted from the LED chip 3. |
| US08890200B2 |
Light emitting device and lighting apparatus having the same
A light emitting device includes a substrate including a plurality of convex portions, and a first semiconductor layer over the substrate. A plurality of first pits is provided in a top surface of the first semiconductor layer, and a plurality of second pits is provided in the top surface of the first semiconductor layer. A first metallic compound is provided in the first pits, and a second metallic compound is provided in the second pits. A second semiconductor layer is provided over the first semiconductor layer, and a light emitting structure is provided over the second semiconductor layer. The light emitting structure includes a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer. |
| US08890198B2 |
Conversion structure, image sensor assembly and method for fabricating conversion structure
An electromagnetic wave conversion structure consists of a substrate, a plurality of electromagnetic wave conversion units forming a two-dimensional array, a reflective film and a plurality of reflective layers. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface. The second surface consists of a plurality of trenches formed in the body of the substrate. Each electromagnetic wave conversion units is disposed in each trench, is used to absorb first electromagnetic waves with a first wavelength and is used to emit second electromagnetic waves with a second wavelength. The first wavelength is shorter than the second wavelength. The reflective film covers the first surface of the substrate and is used to reflect the second electromagnetic wave. Each of the reflective layers is disposed on the sidewall of each trench of the corresponding electromagnetic wave conversion unit. |
| US08890196B2 |
Lightweight self-cooling light sources
A solid-state light source has light emitting diodes embedded in a thermally conductive translucent luminescent element. The thermally conductive translucent luminescent element has optically translucent thermal filler and at least one luminescent element in a matrix material. A leadframe is electrically connected to the light emitting diodes. The leadframe distributes heat from the light emitting diodes to the thermally conductive translucent luminescent element. The thermally conductive translucent luminescent element distributes heat from light emitting diodes and the thermally conductive translucent luminescent element. |
| US08890190B2 |
Light-emitting diode element in which an optical semiconductor element is encapsulated by an encapsulating resin layer containing a light reflection component
A light-emitting diode element includes an optical semiconductor layer, an electrode unit to be connected to the optical semiconductor layer, and an encapsulating resin layer that encapsulates the optical semiconductor layer and the electrode unit, the encapsulating resin layer containing a light reflection component. |
| US08890189B2 |
Wafer for LED mounting, method for manufacturing same, and LED-mounted structure using the wafer
Provided is a wafer for LED mounting having a small difference in thermal expansion coefficient from an LED and having excellent heat conductivity, a method for manufacturing the wafer for LED mounting, and an LED-mounted structure manufactured by using the wafer for LED mounting. The wafer for LED mounting (6) is constituted of a metal infiltrated ceramic composite (61) and a protective layer (62) that is formed therearound. The metal infiltrated ceramic composite (61) preferably has a thin metal layer (63) on a surface thereof. The method for manufacturing the wafer is characterized by comprising filling at least one selected from the group consisted of porous ceramic bodies, ceramic powder compacts and ceramic powders into a tubular body made of metal or ceramic, then impregnating a metal into the void of at least one selected from the group consisted of porous ceramic bodies, ceramic powder compacts and ceramic powders, and thereafter performing a process. |
| US08890186B2 |
Molded resin product, semiconductor light-emitting source, lighting device, and method for manufacturing molded resin product
A molded resin product or the like that is provided with a phosphor layer made of gel-like or rubber-like resin that can maintain its shape for a long period and that can be implemented easily. The molded resin product (phosphor layer 7) includes a resin member 17 made of a gel-like or rubber-like translucent resin including a phosphor material. The resin member 17 includes a shape maintaining member 19 that is formed in a lattice shape by line-like members 20 that are made of a material having a higher elasticity modulus than the resin member 17. The molded resin product (phosphor layer 7) is in the shape of a dome. The translucent resin is made of, for example, silicon resin, and the resin member 17 is gel-like. |
| US08890181B2 |
Display panel and display device
A display panel includes an array substrate, an opposite substrate, and at least one closed sealing element. The array substrate has a first through hole, and the array substrate includes a plurality of pixel units, a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of data lines. The scan lines are electrically connected to the pixel units. The data lines intersect with the scan lines, and the data lines are electrically connected to the corresponding pixel units. The opposite substrate is disposed opposite to the array substrate, and the opposite substrate has a second through hole. The closed sealing element is disposed between the array substrate and the opposite substrate, and the closed sealing element has a third through hole. The first through hole, the second through hole, and the third through hole form an opening. |
| US08890178B2 |
Light-emitting element
A light-emitting element includes a monolithic understructure including a first surface and a second surface different from the first surface; a plurality of light-emitting structure units disposed on the second surface; and a trench formed on a portion of the first surface and between the plurality of light-emitting structure units, wherein a height of the portion of the first surface is greater than a height of the second surface measured from a bottom of the monolithic understructure, and the portion of the first surface is exposed by the trench. |
| US08890170B2 |
Silicon carbide substrate, semiconductor device and method for manufacturing silicon carbide substrate
There is provided a silicon carbide substrate composed of silicon carbide, including encapsulated regions inside, which form incoherent boundaries between the silicon carbide and the encapsulated regions, wherein propagation of stacking faults in the silicon carbide is blocked. |
| US08890167B2 |
Array substrate for display device including signal lines with reduced resistance
An array substrate for a display device and manufacturing method thereof is disclosed. The device comprises: a substrate; a gate line formed on the substrate along a first direction; a data line formed over the substrate along a second direction, wherein the data line and the gate line cross each other to define a pixel region; a thin film transistor formed in the pixel region, and having a gate electrode connected to the gate line, a source electrode connected to the data line, and a drain electrode; a pixel electrode formed in the pixel region and connected to the drain electrode; a first auxiliary gate pattern formed over the gate line and contacting the gate line; and a first auxiliary data pattern formed over the data line and contacting the data line. |
| US08890165B2 |
Method of forming polycrystalline silicon layer, thin film transistor, organic light emitting diode display device having the same, and methods of fabricating the same
A method of forming a polycrystalline silicon layer, a thin film transistor (TFT), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device having the same, and methods of fabricating the same. The method of forming a polycrystalline silicon layer includes providing a substrate, forming a buffer layer on the substrate, forming an amorphous silicon layer on the buffer layer, forming a groove in the amorphous silicon layer, forming a capping layer on the amorphous silicon layer, forming a metal catalyst layer on the capping layer, and annealing the substrate and crystallizing the amorphous silicon layer into a polycrystalline silicon layer. |
| US08890159B2 |
Oxide semiconductor stacked film and semiconductor device
An oxide semiconductor stacked film which does not easily cause a variation in electrical characteristics of a transistor and has high stability is provided. Further, a transistor which includes the oxide semiconductor stacked film in its channel formation region and has stable electrical characteristics is provided. An oxide semiconductor stacked film includes a first oxide semiconductor layer, a second oxide semiconductor layer, and a third oxide semiconductor layer which are sequentially stacked and each of which contains indium, gallium, and zinc. The content percentage of indium in the second oxide semiconductor layer is higher than that in the first oxide semiconductor layer and the third oxide semiconductor layer, and the absorption coefficient of the oxide semiconductor stacked film, which is measured by the CPM, is lower than or equal to 3×10−3/cm in an energy range of 1.5 eV to 2.3 eV. |
| US08890158B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a highly reliable transistor and a semiconductor device including the transistor. A semiconductor device including a gate electrode; a gate insulating film over the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film over the gate insulating film; and a source electrode and a drain electrode over the oxide semiconductor film, in which activation energy of the oxide semiconductor film obtained from temperature dependence of a current (on-state current) flowing between the source electrode and the drain electrode when a voltage greater than or equal to a threshold voltage is applied to the gate electrode is greater than or equal to 0 meV and less than or equal to 25 meV, is provided. |
| US08890150B2 |
Semiconductor device
A highly reliable semiconductor device is manufactured by giving stable electric characteristics to a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film is used. A p-type oxide semiconductor material is contained in an n-type oxide semiconductor film, whereby carriers which are generated in the oxide semiconductor film without intention can be reduced. This is because electrons generated in the n-type oxide semiconductor film without intention are recombined with holes generated in the p-type oxide semiconductor material to disappear. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce carriers which are generated in the oxide semiconductor film without intention. |
| US08890146B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic device
An object is to improve the drive capability of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor and a second transistor. A first terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to a first wiring. A second terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to a second wiring. A gate of the second transistor is electrically connected to a third wiring. A first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the third wiring. A second terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to a gate of the first transistor. A channel region is formed using an oxide semiconductor layer in each of the first transistor and the second transistor. The off-state current of each of the first transistor and the second transistor per channel width of 1 μm is 1 aA or less. |
| US08890144B2 |
High voltage semiconductor device
A high voltage semiconductor device includes a substrate, an insulating layer positioned on the substrate, and a silicon layer positioned on the insulating layer. The silicon layer further includes at least a first doped strip, two terminal doped regions formed respectively at two opposite ends of the silicon layer and electrically connected to the first doped strip, and a plurality of second doped strips. The first doped strip and the terminal doped regions include a first conductivity type, the second doped strips include a second conductivity type, and the first conductivity type and the second conductivity type are complementary. The first doped strip and the second doped strips are alternately arranged. |
| US08890138B2 |
Optical touch panel and method of fabricating the same
An optical touch panel may be used remotely to control a large-sized display device. According to a method of fabricating the optical touch panel, an optical sensor transistor for sensing light and a switch transistor for drawing data can be formed together on the same substrate by using a relatively simple process. The optical touch panel may include an optical sensor transistor and a switch transistor. The optical sensor transistor may be configured to sense light and the switch transistor may be configured to draw data from the optical sensor transistor. The optical sensor transistor may include a light sensitive oxide semiconductor material as a channel layer. The switch transistor may include a non-light sensitive oxide semiconductor material as a channel layer. |
| US08890135B2 |
Organic light emitting display device with insulating layer formed as multi-layered structure
Provided is an organic light emitting display device, including a substrate, an insulating layer on the substrate, and a display element layer on the insulating layer, in which the insulating layer includes one or more low refractive layers and one or more high refractive layers. |
| US08890131B2 |
Deuterated compounds for electronic applications
This invention relates to deuterated aryl-anthracene compounds that are useful in electronic applications. It also relates to electronic devices in which the active layer includes such a deuterated compound. |
| US08890129B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting apparatus provided with a light emitting device, and method of manufacturing a light emitting device
The present disclosure aims to provide a light-emitter having a favorable luminescence property, a light-emitting device having the light-emitter, and a method of manufacturing the light-emitter. Specifically, the light-emitter has the following structure. A hole injection layer and a light-emitting layer are layered between a first electrode and a second electrode which are transparent, and a light-emitting layer exists in an area defined by a bank. Thus, organic EL elements are formed. The hole injection layer has a recess in an upper surface of the area defined by the bank. An upper peripheral edge of the recess in the hole-injection layer is covered with a portion of the bank. |
| US08890126B2 |
Compound for optoelectronic device, organic light emitting diode including the same, and display including the organic light emitting diode
A compound for an optoelectronic device, an organic light emitting diode, and a display device, the compound for an optoelectronic device being represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: |
| US08890125B2 |
Display apparatus and organic light emitting display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a plurality of first wirings extending in a first direction and a plurality of second wirings extending in a second direction crossing the first direction. Differing first identification patterns are present on the plurality of corresponding first wirings to identify the plurality of first wirings, and differing second identification patterns are present on the plurality of corresponding second wirings to identify the plurality of second wirings. |
| US08890124B2 |
Organic EL device and electronic apparatus
An organic EL device includes a reflecting layer which has at least light reflectivity, a first electrode which is arranged on the reflecting layer through a first insulating layer, an organic functional layer which is arranged on the first electrode and includes at least a light emitting layer, a second electrode which is arranged on the organic functional layer and has at least light reflectivity, and a holding capacitance. In the organic EL device, an optical resonator which resonates light from the organic functional layer is formed by the reflecting layer and the second electrode, and the holding capacitance is formed using the reflecting layer, the first insulating layer, and the first electrode. |
| US08890118B2 |
Tunnel field effect transistor
The present disclosure relates to the field of microelectronic transistor fabrication and, more particularly, to the fabrication of a tunnel field effect transistor having an improved on-current level without a corresponding increasing the off-current level, achieved by the addition of a transition layer between a source and an intrinsic channel of the tunnel field effect transistor. |
| US08890116B2 |
Vertical stacking of carbon nanotube arrays for current enhancement and control
Transistor devices having vertically stacked carbon nanotube channels and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a transistor device is provided. The transistor device includes a substrate; a bottom gate embedded in the substrate with a top surface of the bottom gate being substantially coplanar with a surface of the substrate; a stack of device layers on the substrate over the bottom gate, wherein each of the device layers in the stack includes a first dielectric, a carbon nanotube channel on the first dielectric, a second dielectric on the carbon nanotube channel and a top gate on the second dielectric; and source and drain contacts that interconnect the carbon nanotube channels in parallel. A method of fabricating a transistor device is also provided. |
| US08890114B2 |
Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device comprises a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer; an active layer formed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; a first electron blocking layer formed between the first semiconductor layer and the active layer; and a second electron blocking layer formed between the second semiconductor layer and the active layer, wherein the thickness of the second electron blocking layer is not equal to that of the first electron blocking layer, and/or the band gap energy of the second electron blocking layer is not equal to that of the first electron blocking layer. |
| US08890113B2 |
Optoelectronic device with a wide bandgap and method of making same
A light-emitting device epitaxially-grown on a GaAs substrate which contains an active region composed of AlxGa1-xAs alloy or of related superlattices of this materials system is disclosed. This active region either includes tensile-strained GaP-rich insertions aimed to increase the forbidden gap of the active region targeting the bright red, orange, yellow, or green spectral ranges, or is confined by regions with GaP-rich insertions aimed to increase the barrier height for electrons in the conduction band preventing the leakage of the nonequilibrium carriers outside of the light-generation region. |
| US08890112B2 |
Controlling ferroelectricity in dielectric films by process induced uniaxial strain
A method of controlling ferroelectric characteristics of integrated circuit device components includes forming a ferroelectrically controllable dielectric layer over a substrate; and forming a stress exerting structure proximate the ferroelectrically controllable dielectric layer such that a substantially uniaxial strain is induced in the ferroelectrically controllable dielectric layer by the stress exerting structure; wherein the ferroelectrically controllable dielectric layer comprises one or more of: a ferroelectric oxide layer and a normally non-ferroelectric material layer that does not exhibit ferroelectric properties in the absence of an applied stress. |
| US08890111B2 |
Method for manufacturing a very-high-resolution screen using a nanowire-based emitting anisotropic conductive film
A method for producing an emissive pixel screen includes forming an active pixel matrix along which an electrode forming layer runs and having pixels arranged according to a distribution, forming an anisotropic substrate that includes a set of light emitting diodes constituted by parallel nanowires and arranged in an insulating matrix transversely with respect to a substrate thickness and having a density higher than a density of the pixels irrespective of the pixel distribution, connecting the substrate to the active pixel matrix by connecting only sub-groups of the parallel nanowires by a first end to separate pixel electrodes defined in the electrode forming layer according to the distribution of the pixels in the matrix, and connecting the sub-groups, by another end, to a common electrode, and delimiting the sub-groups by rendering the nanowires of the substrate that are arranged between the sub-groups emissively inactive. |
| US08890109B2 |
Resistive random access memory access cells having thermally isolating structures
Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells including resistive switching layers and thermally isolating structures for limiting heat dissipation from the switching layers during operation. Thermally isolating structures may be positioned within a stack or adjacent to the stack. For example, a stack may include one or two thermally isolating structures. A thermally isolating structure may directly interface with a switching layer or may be separated by, for example, an electrode. Thermally isolating structures may be formed from materials having a thermal conductivity of less than 1 W/m*K, such as porous silica and mesoporous titanium oxide. A thermally isolating structure positioned in series with a switching layer generally has a resistance less than the low resistance state of the switching layer. A thermally isolating structure positioned adjacent to a switching layer may have a resistance greater than the high resistance state of the switching layer. |
| US08890108B2 |
Memory device having vertical selection transistors with shared channel structure and method for making the same
The present invention relates to resistive memory devices incorporating therein vertical selection transistors and methods for making the same. A memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate having a first type conductivity and a plurality of parallel trenches therein; a plurality of parallel common source lines having a second type conductivity opposite to the first type conductivity formed in the trench bottoms; a plurality of parallel gate electrodes formed on the trench sidewalls with a gate dielectric layer interposed therebetween, the gate electrodes being lower in height than the trench sidewalls; and a plurality of drain regions having the second type conductivity formed in top regions of the trench sidewalls, at least two of the drain regions being formed in each of the trench sidewalls and sharing a respective common channel formed in the each of the trench sidewalls and a respective one of the source lines. |
| US08890105B2 |
Nonvolatile memory
A nonvolatile memory according to an embodiment includes a first wiring line; a second wiring line arranged above the first wiring line and extending in a direction crossing the first wiring line; and a resistance change layer arranged in an intersection region of the first wiring line the second wiring line, the second wiring line including a first member extending in the direction in which the second wiring line extends, and an electrode layer containing a metal element arranged on a side surface of the first member along the direction in which the second wiring line extends, a lower surface of the electrode layer being in contact with an upper surface of the resistance change layer. |
| US08890103B2 |
Semiconductor substrate suitable for the realisation of electronic and/or optoelectronic devices and relative manufacturing process
A semiconductive substrate that is suitable for realising electronic and/or optoelectronic devices that include at least one substrate, in particular of single crystal silicon, and an overlying layer of single crystal silicon. Advantageously, the semiconductive substrate comprises at least one functional coupling layer suitable for reducing the defects linked to the differences in the materials used. The functional coupling layer can comprise a corrugated portion made in the layer of single crystal silicon and suitable for reducing the defects linked to the differences in lattice constant of such materials used. Alternatively, the functional coupling layer can comprise a porous layer arranged between the substrate of single crystal silicon and the layer of single crystal silicon, and suitable for reducing the stress caused by the differences between the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials used. A manufacturing process of such a semiconductive substrate is also described. |
| US08890100B2 |
Internally mounted collimators for stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy
A beam filter positioning device includes a first and a second axes operable to move a body supporting one or more collimators, one or more photon flattening filters, one or more electron foils, and field light mirror etc. The collimators may be configured to collimate radiation to define a treatment beam suitable for radiosurgery. A controller is programmed to control the servo motor of the first and second axes to accurately position the beam filters. Radiation apparatuses and systems incorporating the beam filter positioning device or assembly are also provided. |
| US08890096B2 |
Measuring/inspecting apparatus and measuring/inspecting method enabling blanking control of electron beam
Technique capable of achieving shortening of settling time, which is caused by ringing, etc. of a blanking control signal is provided. A measuring/inspecting apparatus is configured to have a main blanking unit and a correction blanking control unit as a high-speed switching control unit of an electron beam. During the period of switching of a main blanking control signal from ON to OFF, a correction blanking control signal is applied in real time in synchronization with the switching. The ringing caused by the main blanking are corrected so as to be cancelled out by that, the settling time is shortened as a result. |
| US08890093B2 |
Charged particle beam apparatus and method for forming observation image
A focused ion beam apparatus includes a lens interferometer configured to detect a relative position of an ion beam column and a sample. An image forming section includes an irradiation position specifying section configured to specify an irradiation position of an ion beam based on the detected relative position of the ion beam column and the sample, and a luminance setting section configured to set luminance of a pixel of an observation image based on the specified irradiation position of the ion beam and a detected amount of secondary particles. |
| US08890089B2 |
Faecal markers
Described are methods for analyzing an animal carcass, meat obtained therefrom, or product produced by or obtained from an animal for the presence or absence of faecal matter. The methods comprise analyzing an animal carcass, meat obtained therefrom, or product produced by or obtained from the animal for the presence or absence of a detectable marker, the presence of the detectable marker being indicative of the presence of faecal matter and the absence of the detectable marker being indicative of the absence of faecal matter, wherein the animal carcass, meat obtained therefrom, or product produced by or obtained from the animal has been obtained from an animal fed a composition comprising a supplement of the detectable marker and/or a precursor thereof. Also described are compositions for feeding to an animal and for use in the methods. |
| US08890087B2 |
Water purification apparatus comprising an UV source
Water purification apparatus, comprising an elongate UV source and a conduit for water to be purified formed of a UV transmissive material, wherein the conduit has an inlet and an outlet and positioned so that part of it is wrapped around at least part of the UV source thereby to sterilize water within the conduit, further comprising reflective means for UV radiation to be reflected onto one or more parts of the conduit which extends beyond the part which is wrapped around the UV source. |