| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08897316B2 |
On-chip packet cut-through
Embodiments of the invention include a method for avoiding memory bandwidth utilization during packet processing. The packet processing core receives a plurality of packets. The packet processing core identifies the packet's quality of service (QoS) descriptor. The packet processing core determines that at least one packet should be moved to an off-chip packet stored prior to the packet being transmitted to the egress port. The packet processing core bases that determination, at least in part, on the packet's QoS descriptor. The packet processing core moves the determined packets to the off-chip packet store. The packet processing core determines that at least one packet should not be moved to the off-chip packet store prior to the packet being transmitted to the egress port. This determination is also made, at least in part, based on the packet's QoS descriptor. |
| US08897314B1 |
Method and apparatus for power reduction in network
Aspects of the disclosure can provide a network switch having reduced power consumption. The network switch can include a plurality of ports that are configured to receive and transmit network traffic. The plurality of ports can be configured in a power-on mode and a power-off mode. Further, at least a first port among the plurality of ports can be configured to remain in the power-on mode and to receive power control instructions. In addition, the network switch can include a power controller. The power controller can change the power modes of selected ports among the plurality of ports in response to the power control instructions received through the first port. |
| US08897312B2 |
Radio system co-existence improvement by data throttling
The coexistence of multiple radio systems may depend on the ability of a terminal device to limit interference among competing systems. In a method, a system may detect a potential for interference between a transmitting subsystem of a terminal and a receiving subsystem of a terminal. The method may also include buffering transmission by the transmitting subsystem of the terminal so as to lower a duty cycle of the transmitting subsystem. |
| US08897310B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing domain
A method and an apparatus for managing domains are provided. The method of managing one or more domains performed by a domain manager located in a home network includes determining whether to register a first device located in the home network to a domain, and providing data required to share content between the first device and a second device registered to the domain according to the determination. In the method and apparatus, content can be shared by connecting the devices with one another including a user, and the burden of content providers for management can be reduced. |
| US08897309B2 |
Telecommunication system for controlling media gateways
A telecommunication system and method for controlling the establishment of payload connections through media gateways. The system receives and aggregates control orders from a plurality of telecommunication nodes such as media gateway controllers. The system uses knowledge of resources in the network to optimize the path of the payload connection. The system also sends control orders to a given media gateway in order to establish the payload connection. The system may be connected to a plurality of other instances of the same type of system in a hierarchical manner. |
| US08897304B2 |
Packet generating method in wireless HDMI CEC
A packet generating method in a wireless High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) environment includes generating a packet which includes either AV data or control data in a payload and a field indicative of a packet type in a header according to a HDMI environment; and transmitting the generated packet. Accordingly, the AV data and the control data can be transceived over the single channel in the HDMI. |
| US08897303B2 |
Delegate gateways and proxy for target hosts in large layer 2 and address resolution with duplicated internet protocol addresses
An apparatus comprising a plurality of district boundary bridges (DBBs) in a plurality of second network districts configured to couple to a plurality of core bridges in a core network district and to a plurality of end-stations in the second network districts via a plurality of intermediate switches in the second network districts; wherein the core bridges and the DBBs are aware of a plurality of Media Access Control (MAC) addresses of the DBBs but are not aware of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and MAC addresses of the end-stations, and wherein the IP addresses of the end-stations are mapped in a directory service (DS) in the core network district to the MAC addresses of the corresponding DBBs in the corresponding second network districts of the end-stations. |
| US08897300B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, transmitting method, receiving apparatus, and receiving method
The present invention relates to a transmitting apparatus and transmitting method as well as a receiving apparatus and receiving method configured to be able to recognize only channel selection information for viewable digital broadcasting at the receiving end.A community broadcasting station 32 transmits community broadcasting which includes an additional information descriptor and the content of the community broadcasting. The additional information descriptor is for identifying channel selection information, which is information related to channel selection of community broadcasting that is reception-restricted, and which includes tuning information, a service ID, a service name, and a service type, etc. The present invention may be applied to a server that communicates with a receiving terminal which receives digital broadcasting, for example. |
| US08897295B2 |
Method and system for providing traffic engineering interworking
An approach is provided for interworking traffic onto a composite transport group (CTG). An attribute associated with a composite transport group is determined based on a characteristic of a traffic flow associated with a label-switched network. The traffic flow is mapped to one or more component connections of the composite transport group based on the attribute. |
| US08897292B2 |
Low pass filter for hierarchical pipelined distributed scheduling traffic manager
A method is implemented by a network element to provide scalable hierarchical traffic management (HTM) over a plurality of network layers for a network and eliminate priority leaking caused by quick loopback batch scheduling that analyzes a subset of network layers to shorten processing time and resource requirements when the scalable HTM selects data packets to be forwarded. The method and system function as a low pass filter over the selected data packets to prevent low priority data packets being forwarded where higher priority data packets are available to be forwarded. |
| US08897288B2 |
Mobile station apparatus, reception method and integrated circuit
A base station apparatus is provided, which includes a generator configured to generate a synchronization signal and a transmitter configured to transmit the generated synchronization signal. The generator is configured to generate a synchronization signal to be mapped on a subcarrier included in one of a plurality of frequency resource candidates that are separated by an interval, which is a common multiple of a determined frequency spacing and a subcarrier spacing between contiguous subcarriers, wherein the subcarrier spacing does not have a value that is a divisor of the determined frequency spacing. |
| US08897284B2 |
Radio base station
A radio base station (eNB) according to the present invention includes: an RI acquisition unit (11) configured to acquire, from a mobile station (UE), an “RI” indicating number of streams determined by the mobile station (UE); an adjustment unit (12) configured to adjust the “RI” acquired by the RI acquisition unit (11), by using an offset value “RI offset” unique to the mobile station (UE); and a stream-number determination unit (13) configured to determine the number of streams to be simultaneously transmitted to the mobile station (UE), based on the “RI” adjusted by the adjustment unit (12). |
| US08897283B2 |
Method and device for allocating resources in multiple frequency band system
A method and device for allocating resources in a multiple frequency band system are disclosed. In a method for detecting a resource indication value (RIV) indicating not only a start index (S) of consecutive virtual resource blocks (VRBs) allocated to a first UE capable of simultaneously receiving information from a plurality of frequency bands, but also a length (L) of the consecutive VRBs, in a wireless mobile communication system capable of using the plurality of frequency bands, the method includes receiving, by the first UE, the RIV, and detecting the RIV, wherein the detected is greater than a maximum value usable as an RIV allocated to a second UE capable of receiving information from only one frequency band. |
| US08897276B2 |
Collision detection for random access procedure
A method, an apparatus and a communication system for collision detection for a random access procedure for an uplink data channel. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a module configured to transmit a data transmission on the uplink data channel, and an uplink scheduling and signal generating module configured to select random access parameters for a random access procedure and schedule the data transmission using the random access parameters for the random access procedure. The uplink scheduling and signal generating module is also configured to interrupt the data transmission after a predetermined time interval if the apparatus does not receive a permission signal from a network element during the predetermined time interval. |
| US08897273B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving periodic channel information in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus in which a terminal transmits channel information for at least one serving cell to a base station in a wireless communication system is provided. The method for receiving periodic channel information by a base station in a wireless communication system includes determining whether to set a Physical Uplink Shared CHannel (PUSCH) mode for allowing a terminal to periodically transmit a plurality of channel information to the base station in one sub-frame, transmitting PUSCH mode information including a result of the determination to the terminal, and receiving the plurality of channel information from the terminal using a PUSCH in the one sub-frame, according to the result of the determination. |
| US08897270B2 |
Medium time allocation and scheduling using ISO-zone structured superframe for QoS provisioning in wireless networks
Allocation of contiguous blocks of airtime for data or airtime transmission can lead to large maximum service intervals for an application stream. This may result in a large delay bound where large blocks of contiguous MAS blocks other applications from meeting their low-latency requirements. A method and network that overcomes at least the shortcomings of known methods includes transmitting information over a wireless network. This includes the steps of: organizing the superframe into allocation zones; organizing the allocation zones into iso-zones; generating an allocation map; determining a periodic service interval and medium time based on a TSPEC, a delay requirement, and local resource of an application stream; searching for transmission opportunity that accommodates the periodic service interval and the medium time required based on the allocation map; transmitting information in the superframe upon finding transmission opportunity in the searching step. |
| US08897269B2 |
Method and apparatus for mitigating pilot pollution in a wireless network
Techniques for mitigating pilot pollution in a wireless network are described. In an aspect, pilot pollution may be mitigated by reducing density and/or transmit power of common pilots whenever possible. A cell may send a common pilot at a first density and a first transmit power level during a first time period and may send the common pilot at a second density and a second transmit power level during a second time period. The second density may be lower than the first density and/or the second transmit power level may be lower than the first transmit power level. Lower density may be achieved by sending the common pilot less frequently, on fewer subcarriers, and/or from fewer antennas. The cell may determine whether to reduce the density and/or transmit power of the common pilot based on network loading, SINRs of terminals, etc. In another aspect, pilot pollution may be mitigated by performing pilot cancellation at a terminal. |
| US08897265B2 |
Call handoff between different networks for hybrid mobile device
Disclosed are techniques for hosting a communication session in a call server between communication devices. The call server functions as a bridge service between the communication devices joining an original communication link between the first communication device and the call server with a second communication link between the second communication device and the call server. The first communication device includes at least two RF transceivers each capable of communicating with the call server over a separate network using separate telephone numbers. The call server establishes an alternate communication link with the first communication device on an alternate network and joins it with the second communication link before disabling the original communication link to maintain the communication session between the communication devices. |
| US08897264B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing relay node configuration re-configuration in relay enhanced networks
A method for performing relay node configuration and re-configuration in relay enhanced networks, in particular in a 3GPP LTE-Advanced architecture, wherein the network includes a plurality of eNBs that function as donor eNBs providing wireless access to associated relay nodes, wherein the relay nodes function as eNBs from a UE perspective, is characterized in that the network is divided into clusters such that each cluster includes exactly one donor eNB and that each relay node is associated to at least one donor eNB any point in time, wherein the load of donor eNBs and the handover rates among relay nodes as well as between donor eNBs and relay nodes are monitored and/or estimated, wherein the association of relay nodes to donor eNBs is performed on the basis of the results of the monitoring and/or estimation. Furthermore, an apparatus for performing centralized relay node configuration in relay enhanced networks is disclosed. |
| US08897263B2 |
Interactions among mobile devices in a wireless network
One embodiment of the disclosure sets for a method for synchronizing multiple mobile devices in a wireless network, which includes the steps of calculating a time interval for a first mobile device to respond to a request, receiving timing information of the first mobile device, determining a first offset associated with the first mobile device based on the time interval and the timing information, receiving a first data stream including the timing information of the first mobile device, and inserting a first dataset into the first data stream based on the first offset before transmitting the first data stream. |
| US08897262B2 |
Relaying in a communication system
A method and apparatus for relaying communications between a mobile device and a network access node is disclosed. In the method a connection is established between a first relay node of a group of relay nodes and the network access node to serve the mobile device. The mobile device is served by the first relay node and at least one second relay node of the group in wireless connection with the mobile device such that the mobile device remains connected to the network access node via at least one of the first and second relay nodes when one of the first and second relay nodes changes. To maintain the relayed communications for the mobile device after the change in the relay nodes control information is communicated by at least one of said relay nodes on an interface between relevant relay nodes in the group. |
| US08897258B2 |
Method of transmitting data for reducing interference in hierarchical cell structure
A method of transmitting data for reducing interference in a hierarchical cell structure including a macro base station (BS) providing multi carriers and a femto BS providing a single carrier includes performing a channel scan within an interfered carrier to acquire channel state information and neighbor femto BS information if interference with the femto BS occurs; transmitting a channel measurement report including the channel state information and the neighbor femto BS information to the macro BS; and transmitting data through a carrier changed by receiving carrier change information from the macro BS. |
| US08897257B2 |
Context transfer in a communication network comprising plural heterogeneous access networks
The present invention relates to a method for a context transfer in a communication network including a plurality of heterogeneous access networks, wherein a mobile terminal is attached to one of the access networks. Further, the present invention relates to a context transfer manager performing the method. Moreover, the present invention relates to a mobile terminal specially adapted to perform the provided method for a context transfer. To facilitate a context transfer between heterogeneous access networks, the present invention introduces a context transfer manager generating at least one context based on capabilities and parameters associated to the mobile terminal and capabilities and parameters of the neighboring access networks taking into account the respective access technology. Further the context transfer manager is common to the heterogeneous access networks in the communication network and performs the context transfers related to a particular mobile terminal. |
| US08897256B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing broadcast content over a unicast channel
A method and apparatus providing broadcast content over a unicast channel. The method and apparatus may be configured to determine whether content received using a broadcast type format is to be transmitted using a unicast type format, and to map the content to a unicast reservation upon a determination that the content is to be transmitted using the unicast type format. |
| US08897252B2 |
Method for transmitting data in a wireless communication system and system thereof
A method for transmitting data in a wireless communication system including a User Equipment (UE) and a radio access network (RAN) includes the following steps. Firstly, the RAN transmits a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) to the UE. Afterwards, the UE returns an acknowledgement signal in response to the MAC PDU. When the RAN receives the acknowledgement signal, it allocates an uplink resource for the UE to transmit data. |
| US08897248B2 |
Multicarrier signal transmission in wireless communications
A wireless device receives a control command for transmission of a random access preamble on a first cell in the plurality of cells. A fourth packet is scheduled for parallel uplink transmission with the random access preamble transmission. The fourth packet is one of a first control packet, a second packet and a third packet. The wireless device transmits the random access preamble. The wireless device transmits the fourth packet in parallel with the random access preamble, unless the random access preamble and the fourth packet are scheduled for transmission in the same cell group. |
| US08897246B2 |
Terminal apparatus and response signal transmitting method
This invention is related to a terminal apparatus that can normally transmit an upstream response signal. A response signal generating unit (212); generates response signals on the basis of a setting rule in which pattern candidates of success or failure in the reception of downstream allocation control information and downstream data are associated with the phase points of response signals and further in which the phase point of one response signal associated with an arbitrary pattern of success or failure in the reception during the second communication has been set to be identical with the phase points of two response signals associated with pattern candidates for which the pattern of success or failure in the reception at PCC during the first communication is identical with the arbitrary pattern and for which all of the receptions of downstream allocation control information have been failed at SCC. |
| US08897245B2 |
Method for efficiently performing initial access in a multi-carrier broadband wireless access system
A method for efficiently performing an initial access in an MS in a multi-carrier broadband wireless access system is disclosed. The method includes scanning a plurality of carriers supported by a BS, and selecting one of the scanned carriers as a first carrier and receiving an SFH of the first carrier. The SFH of the first carrier includes at least one of a field indicating load status of the first carrier and recommended network entry carrier information including information about a second carrier in good load status. |
| US08897244B2 |
Viral quality of service upgrade
Methods, devices, and/or systems related to viral quality of service upgrade are disclosed. Viral quality of service upgrade allows upgrade of communications that are responsive to a priority communication, using an architecture in which the priority communication “infects” devices forwarding the priority communication, so that the forwarding devices may subsequently upgrade priority levels of communications responsive to the priority communication. |
| US08897243B2 |
Method for scheduling user equipment in a radio communications system and apparatus thereof
Method and Apparatus for scheduling transmissions of a plurality of user equipments in a radio communications system including the steps of: transmitting by at least two user equipments of said plurality, of channel information to an access node, said access node serving said at least two user equipments, wherein said channel information includes of a channel matrix; said access node upon reception of said channel information, determining a correlation between said at least two user equipments; said access node comparing said determined correlation to a threshold, and said access node scheduling radio resources for said at least two user equipments based on said comparison. |
| US08897237B2 |
Granting scheduling requests in a wireless communication system
Embodiments include methods and apparatus for granting scheduling requests in a wireless communications system that includes an eNB, a plurality of UEs, and a public safety system. The eNB receives multiple scheduling requests from multiple UEs, where each of the scheduling requests indicates that a corresponding UE is requesting uplink data transmission resources. The eNB determines a priority value for each of the scheduling requests based on multiple scoring criteria, resulting in a plurality of priority values associated with the scheduling requests. The eNB transmits one or more scheduling request grants to a subset of the UEs, where the subset includes one or more UEs that are associated with one or more scheduling requests having relatively high priority values. In an embodiment, the multiple scoring criteria include information associated with a public safety activity (e.g., a user role, a jurisdictional coverage area, an incident type, and/or an application type). |
| US08897235B2 |
Protection of broadcast signals in heterogeneous networks
Certain aspects of the disclosure provide for the protection of broadcast signals in heterogeneous networks. As described herein, a first set of resources used for downlink transmission in a first cell may overlap with a second set of resources used for broadcast signals in a second cell. The broadcast signals may be protected by allocating a third set of resources for the downlink transmission in the first cell, wherein the third set of resources is based, at least in part, on the overlapping set of resources. |
| US08897232B2 |
Apparatus and method for supporting frequency overlay in broadband wireless communication system
A broadband wireless communication system is provided. A sending apparatus in the broadband wireless communication system includes a controller for distributing packets to a plurality of processors to transmit the packets in a multi-Frequency Allocation (FA) access mode; the plurality of the processors for processing the packet provided from the controller in a Media Access Control (MAC) layer; and a plurality of senders for encoding the packets provided from the corresponding processors in a physical layer and transmitting a signal generated through the physical layer encoding. |
| US08897227B2 |
Method and system for managing terminal states or terminal events in machine-to-machine or machine-to-man or man-to-machine (M2M) service
The disclosure discloses a method for managing terminal states or terminal events in a Machine-to-Machine, Machine-to-Man or Man-to-Machine (M2M) service, including: a terminal or a terminal gateway transmits state or event information of itself to a state or event management unit through a gateway device; an M2M service platform determines a service interaction operation with the terminal or the terminal gateway according to the state or event information of the terminal or the terminal gateway in the state or event management unit. The disclosure also discloses a system for managing terminal states or terminal events in an M2M service. With the method and the system, a network side can know the state or event of a terminal in time, and process services according to the state or event of the terminal, thus the success rate of the service is improved. |
| US08897226B2 |
Method and device for reporting maximum power of carrier in carrier aggregation scenario
A method and apparatus for reporting a maximum carrier power in a carrier aggregation scenario are disclosed. The method includes: a user equipment (UE) encapsulating a particular power headroom (PH) of an activated uplink component carrier (UL CC) and a particular maximum output power of a physical channel of the activated UL CC into a same power headroom report (PHR) and reporting the PHR to a base station (eNB). The method enables the eNB to acquire the power situation of the UE in time so as to perform scheduling more accurately. |
| US08897225B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling communication path between multiple digital units and multiple radio frequency units in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a communication path control apparatus for controlling a communication path between a plurality of DUs and a plurality of RFUs, and a plurality of antennas included in the plurality of RFUs and a wireless communication system including the communication path control apparatus. Each of the plurality of DUs, the plurality of RFUs, and the plurality of antennas has a unique identifier, and the path control apparatus controls paths between the plurality of DUs and the plurality of RFUs based on identifiers. Accordingly, the wireless communication system can transmit and receive a signal through a specific RFU and a specific antenna included in a specific RFU and performs the next-generation wireless BS operation method, such as CoMP and multi-BS MIMO. |
| US08897218B2 |
Femtocell location encoding
A device associated with a Voice over IP (VoIP) network receives a call from a mobile device. The device determines whether a sector identifier (ID) associated with the call includes a femtocell identifier. The device further determines a location identifier included in the sector ID when the sector ID includes the femtocell identifier. The device also identifies a recipient of the call based on the location identifier and forwards the call to the recipient. |
| US08897211B2 |
System and methods for providing service-specific support for multimedia traffic in wireless networks
A system for providing service-specific support for multimedia traffic in a telecommunications system comprises a subscriber terminal, a base station operatively coupled to the subscriber terminal, a mobile switching center (MSC) operatively coupled to the base station, a media gateway control function (MGCF) and a media gateway (MGW), each coupled to the MSC. The subscriber terminal is adapted to generate multimedia traffic of at least one service category, wherein the multimedia traffic may be any of several distinct types defined within the service category. The subscriber terminal is further adapted to identify, when establishing a connection to the MSC to carry multimedia traffic, the type of that traffic in a connection request message. The MSC is adapted to further identify, when establishing a connection between the MSC and the MGCF/MGW to carry multimedia traffic, the type of that traffic in a message, responsive to the identification of the traffic type in the connection request message. The MGCF/MGW are adapted to identify, when converting, reformatting, or encapsulating multimedia traffic into a form to be carried over a packet network (for example, in TCP segments), the type of traffic being carried. The MGCF, MGW, or MSC may optionally perform service-specific processing on the multimedia traffic responsive to the traffic type indicator. When multimedia traffic is delivered to a destination network for ultimate delivery to a destination endpoint, an MGCF/MGW may reverse the effects of prior service-specific processing. |
| US08897209B2 |
Systems and methods for parallel communication with legacy WLAN receivers
A method for parallel communication with wireless local area network (WLAN) receivers is described. A parallel transmission is started. A first MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) is sent to a first WLAN receiver. An acknowledgment (ACK) request is sent to the first WLAN receiver. An ACK is received from the first WLAN receiver. |
| US08897206B2 |
Frame timing synchronization in a geostationary satellite system
Aspects of the invention provide a system and method to allow inroute frame timing synchronization without the aid of hub signal loopback or satellite ephemeris data. Furthermore, it allows tracking and compensating of the satellite motion to allow multiple remotes to use TDMA on the inroute frequencies, while minimizing the aperture. Two main techniques proposed are CLT and polling based approaches, which are used in combination for an optimum solution. In CLT based approach, hub transmits remote specific timing correction feedback messages on the outroute on as needed basis. In polling based approach, the remotes derive their timing based on a per-beam average delay estimate broadcast by the hub and a measured local delay specific to each outroute stream from a remote. An aspect of the invention uses triangulation method to determine satellite position. Furthermore, an aspect of the invention uses hub burst arrival method instead of polling approach. |
| US08897202B2 |
Relay node for transmitting data by using scheduling information of multiple subframes scheduling and method for the relay node transmitting data by scheduling information of multiple subframes scheduling
A relay node and a method thereof for transmitting data are provided in the present invention, which relates to the field of wireless communication technology. The method in the present invention includes: the relay node receiving data on multiple corresponding continuous or discontinuous downlink backhaul subframes according to the obtained scheduling information of downlink multiple subframes scheduling, and sending data on multiple corresponding continuous or discontinuous uplink backhaul subframes according to the obtained scheduling information of uplink multiple subframes scheduling. The technical solution of the present invention solves a problem of scheduling resources of multiple subframes for the relay node. Compared to a dynamic scheduling and semi-persistent scheduling method in the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention can more flexibly configure and use resources to ensure transmission of the backhaul link between a base station and the relay node. |
| US08897200B2 |
Relay system, relay device and synchronization method
When no synchronization signal is transmitted over a system bus (115), a master repeater is arbitrarily selected from a plurality of repeaters (1112 to 111n), starts transmitting a synchronization signal over the system bus (115), and transmits information to the system bus (115) in synchronization with the synchronization signal. Other slave repeaters transmit information to the system bus (115) in synchronization with the synchronization signal transmitted by the master repeater. |
| US08897199B2 |
Relay transmission method and network node
A relay transmission method and a network node are disclosed. The method includes: receiving configuration information about a relay link subframe, the relay link subframe is configured in subframes in a period equivalent to an integer multiple of one frame, where the relay link subframe takes on a specific HARQ timeline; and performing relay link transmission according to the relay link subframe. The relay transmission method put forward herein meets various constraint conditions of the LTE FDD system in the relay transmission performed according to the selected relay link subframe, and is backward-compatible with the UE in the existing LTE system. |
| US08897196B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information in a wireless communication system are provided. In a method for receiving control information of a plurality of multiplexed channels by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the UE receives first control information including a first field indicating a specific identifier from a base station, wherein the plurality of multiplexed channels are not transmitted during a specific time interval based on the specific identifier. |
| US08897195B2 |
Multicast data communication method and communication system
An MBMS-GW delivers multicast data from a contents management server respectively to base stations, partitions and codes the multicast data into a plurality of pieces of multiple description code data, and delivers the plurality of pieces of MD-code data respectively to the base stations. Each of the base stations arbitrarily sets a plurality of transmission carrier frequencies for respectively transmitting the plurality of pieces of MD code data, and concurrently transmits the plurality of pieces of MD code data delivered from the MBMS-GW by respectively using the plurality of transmission carrier frequencies set by the transmission frequency setting unit. An LTE terminal or an LTE-A terminal receives, from a corresponding base station, any one or more of the plurality of pieces of MD code data transmitted by using the plurality of transmission carrier frequencies, and decodes and reproduces the multicast data from the received MD-code data. |
| US08897194B2 |
Method and device for determining single frequency network area
A method for determining a single frequency network area, applied to a broadcasting and multicasting technology field, includes: determining a cell or a cell cluster with a terminal subscribing to the broadcast multicast service; determining a cell or a cell cluster without a terminal subscribing to the broadcast and multicast service that is neighboring to the cell or the cell cluster with a terminal subscribing to the broadcast multicast service, as an auxiliary cell or an auxiliary cell cluster; selecting the auxiliary cell or the auxiliary cell cluster that satisfies the predetermined conditions, and determining both the selected auxiliary cell or the auxiliary cell cluster and the cell or the cell cluster with a terminal subscribing to the broadcast and multicast service as a single frequency network area. Also, a device for determining the single frequency network area is provided. |
| US08897192B2 |
System and method for discontinuous reception control start time
Methods of combining semi-persistent resource allocation and dynamic resource allocation are provided. Packets, such as VoIP packets, are transmitted on the uplink and downlink using respective semi-persistent resources. For each mobile device, awake periods and sleep periods are defined. The semi-persistent resources are aligned with the awake periods so that most of the time the mobile device can turn off its wireless access radio during the sleep periods. In addition, signalling to request, and to allocate, resources for additional packets are transmitted during the awake periods, and the resources allocated for the additional packets are within the awake periods. Methods of extending the awake periods in various embodiments are also provided. Methods of determining the first on period are also provided. |
| US08897191B2 |
Updating method and apparatus of sleep mode operation
Disclosed herein relates to a sleep mode operation method, and the method of updating a sleep mode operation according to the present invention may include receiving a service flow configuration request (DSx-REQ) message including a service flow parameter for service flow configuration and a sleep cycle ID (SCID) for changing a sleep mode according to the service flow configuration from a base station during a sleep mode listening window; transmitting a service flow configuration response (DSx-RSP) message including the SCID; configuring the service flow according to the service flow identifier; and changing an SCID to the SCID for updating the sleep mode operation. |
| US08897186B2 |
RLAN wireless telecommunications with radio access network (RAN) gateway and methods
Methods and apparatus for communicating with the Internet via a gateway are disclosed. The gateway may be a Radio Access Network (RAN) gateway. The gateway may communicate data with at least one user equipment (UE). The gateway may route the data via one or more interfaces. The data may be routed by bypassing a core network. |
| US08897182B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting muting information, and apparatus and method for acquiring channel state using same
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for transmitting muting information in a wireless communication system, and to an apparatus and a method for acquiring channel state using same. In an exemplary embodiment, muting information includes: a first data field, having a serving cell for receiving from peripheral cells in a multi-cell environment, at least one of a CSI-RS pattern, the number of CSI-RS antenna ports, a CSI-RS duty cycle, and CSI-RS transmission subframe offset information, and using same for expressing the cycle and the offset of muting subframes, which pertain to information on a resource block that can generate interference between the peripheral cells and CSI-RS; and a second data field for expressing a specific muting pattern, which must be muted within the muting subframes, having either 12 bits or 28 bits that display muting application in a bitmap format. |
| US08897178B2 |
Asymmetric full duplex communication including device power communication
An active transceiver circuit for transmission of a low bitrate data signal over and reception of a high bitrate data signal from a single ended transmission medium is provided. The active transceiver circuit includes an input port for receiving a low bitrate input data signal, an output port for delivering a high bitrate output data signal, a differential input/output port for launching a low bitrate data signal into the single ended transmission medium and for receiving a high bitrate data signal from the single ended transmission medium, a first and second single ended output driver adapted for each delivering, on their respective output nodes, the shaped low bitrate input data signal, and a high bitrate receiver for receiving the signals at output nodes of the first and second single ended output drivers, and for generating a high bitrate output data signal on the output port. |
| US08897177B2 |
Systems and methods of conducting conference calls
Systems and methods performed by an IP telephony system allow a user to request that his IP telephony device be set into a conference calling mode for an indefinite period of time. When the user's IP telephony device is in the conference calling mode, all parties that attempt to call the user's IP telephony device are added to a conference bridge tied to the user's IP telephony device. All incoming calls are treated in this fashion until the user cancels the conference calling mode and returns to a normal calling mode. |
| US08897173B2 |
Microwave backhaul arrangements
Described herein are techniques related to wireless communication systems that may implement microwave backhaul for connectivity between network elements deployed by the wireless communication systems. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08897172B1 |
IP telephony network using a configuration map for organizing sites in a tree-like hierarchy
A system and method for managing an IP telephony network that uses a configuration map for organizing sites in a tree-like hierarchy. The system is capable of managing the addition, removal and movement of IP telephony elements within an IP telephony network and locating services and IP telephony elements within the IP telephony network in an efficient manner. |
| US08897171B2 |
IPv4 addressing over non-IPv4 systems
A system includes an access node having an associated identifier. The access node is configured to insert the identifier into a network connection request. The system includes an IP edge service node connected to the access node and configured to receive the network connection request. The IP edge service node is further configured to store the inserted identifier and to insert the identifier into an Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) address request transmitted according to dynamic host configuration protocol version 6 (DHCPv6) through an established network connection based on the network connection request. The system further includes a server configured to receive the IPv6 address request and assign an IPv6 address based on the IPv6 address request. |
| US08897167B2 |
Diversity monitoring for communication network circuits
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for monitoring circuit diversity within a communications network. Information is gathered regarding circuits within the communications network. Diversity rules for the circuits are received. The diversity rules may limit the sharing of network resource between primary and secondary circuit pairs. The information regarding the circuits is analyzed to identify violations of the diversity rules. A report on the violations of the diversity rules is generated. |
| US08897155B2 |
Information providing apparatus, information providing method, and communication system
An information providing apparatus includes: a map information storage unit which maintains map information with which at least one of position information, address information, and names of buildings or shops is associated; a communication parameter obtaining unit which obtains communication parameters associated with the position information; an image information creating unit which creates image information in which the communication parameters associated with the position information are described on the map information; and a display unit which displays the image information created by the image information creating unit. |
| US08897154B2 |
Combining stateless and stateful server load balancing
Exemplary embodiments for processing, by a service gateway, data packets sent over a communication session between a host and a server are disclosed. The service gateway processes data packets using a hybrid-stateful or hybrid-stateless processing method, depending on whether a hybrid-stateless or hybrid-stateful condition is satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, the service gateway allows for the changing from a hybrid-stateful to a hybrid-stateless processing method, or vice versa, for a subsequently received data packet. Otherwise, the service gateway continues processing the subsequently received data packets using the current hybrid processing method. |
| US08897153B2 |
Method and base station for combined adjusting downlink AMC and MIMO mode
A method and base station for jointly adjusting downlink AMC and MIMO modes. The base station comprises an AMC module, a fast feedback module and a joint adjustment module. The method comprises: a base station determining the current maximum available Downlink Interval Usage Code (DIUC) using a downlink Carrier to Interference plus Noise ratio (CINR) fed back by a terminal, using a MIMO mode fed back by the terminal to determine the current channel condition, and jointly adjusting the current MIMO mode and the DIUC of the terminal within the maximum available DIUC range according to the current channel condition. The method and base station overcome the shortcoming of adjusting MIMO modes or DIUCs separately, and provide more combinations of the MIMO modes and DIUCs to maximize spectral utilization and data transmission rate, thereby achieving ultimately the purpose of improving link reliability and system throughput. |
| US08897147B2 |
Spectrum analysis capability in network and/or system communication devices
Spectrum analysis (SA) capability is included in various communication devices within a communication network. One or more of the devices use the SA information from other devices in the system to determine status of various communication links were devices in the system. One or more processors within one or more devices can identify any actual/existing or expected failure or degradation of the various components within the system. Such components may include communication devices, communication channels or links, interfaces, interconnections, etc. When an actual/existing or expected failure or degradation is identified, the affected components may be serviced or devices within the system may operate to mitigate any reduction in performance caused by such problems. Such SA functionality/capability may be implemented in one communication device or in a distributed manner across a number of devices in a communication system. |
| US08897140B1 |
Congestion managed traffic engineering services in multiprotocol label switching and generalized multiprotocol label switching networks
Methods and apparatus for mitigating congestion by using advanced traffic engineering services in a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network and/or a generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) network are provided. In an example, provided is a method for mitigating congestion in an MPLS network. The method includes monitoring, at a network element, a traffic drop count due to traffic queue overflow on at least one of a traffic queue coupled to a link and a network interface coupled to the link. Then the traffic drop count is converted to a normalized congestion indicator for the at least one of the traffic queue and the network interface. Further, based on the normalized congestion indicator, optimize a route of a label switched path in the MPLS network so the route avoids the link. The provided methods and apparatus advantageously improve throughput, reliability, and availability of traffic engineered MPLS and GMPLS transport services. |
| US08897139B2 |
Packet processing indication
A network, network devices, and methods are described for packet processing indication. A method includes tunneling a packet from a first network device to a second network device associated with a first checking functionality. The second network device has an address different than an original destination address of the packet. The method also includes return-tunneling the packet from the second network device to the first network device with an indication of whether the packet was processed by the first checking functionality. The method includes tunneling the packet from the first network device to a third network device associated with a second checking functionality in response to the indication being that the packet was not processed by the first checking functionality. The third network device has an address different from the original destination address of the packet. |
| US08897130B2 |
Network traffic management
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include a switch fabric. The switch fabric may be configured to assign packets to either a first flow set or a second flow set based on fields included in the packets. The switch fabric may also be configured to send a first packet from the first flow set to a first flow set destination via a first path. The switch fabric may also be configured to determine, based at least in part on delays of the first path and a second path, whether sending a second packet from the first flow set to the first flow set destination via a second path will result in the second packet reaching the first flow set destination after the first packet reaches the first flow set destination, the second packet having been received by the router after the first packet. The switch fabric may also be configured to send the second packet to the first flow set destination via the second path based at least in part on the determining that sending the second packet from the first flow set to the first flow set destination via a second path will result in the second packet reaching the first flow set destination after the first packet reaches the first flow set destination. |
| US08897129B1 |
Method and apparatus for implementing flow control in a network via a physical layer (PHY)
Various embodiments provide a way to adjust transmission rates of a medium access controller (MAC) to a physical layer (PHY) to accommodate for packet expansions due to encryption that takes place in the PHY. In at least some embodiments, a communication interface between different MACs in a system is re-purposed to allow the PHY to communicate to a system MAC to notify the system MAC to pause and then resume, at an appropriate time, its packet transmissions. |
| US08897126B2 |
Communication apparatus, apparatus activation control method, communication control method, and communication control program
Apparatus, method and program for restoring path information to its original status when a trouble occurs on a network. An apparatus control part generates, based on a switch information list and an I/F information list stored in a nonvolatile storing part, link information that is prior to the reactivation and used for determining adjacent communication apparatuses. The apparatus control part acquires, via a control network from the adjacent communication apparatuses described in the generated link information, held path information. Thereafter, the apparatus control part (11) decides, based on a stored definition information list, a path sequence such that the path of a lower order layer is placed before the path of an upper order layer. Thereafter, the apparatus control part generates the path information based on the path sequence and further based on the previously acquired held path information. |
| US08897122B2 |
Communication system, transmitter and receiver
Disclosed is a transmission device including a plurality of antennas for transmitting signals in the same channel at the same time point to a plurality of reception devices, characterized by including: a DRS generator configured to generate DRSs (dedicated reference signals) for the respective reception devices; a nonlinear spatial multiplexer configured to generate a nonorthogonal DRS by use of a first group of DRSs including at least one of the DRSs; and a transmitter configured to transmit a signal containing at least the nonorthogonal DRS. |
| US08897120B2 |
Frame and training pattern structure for multi-carrier systems
A transmitting apparatus for transmitting signals in a multi carrier system on the basis of a frame structure, each frame comprising at least two preamble patterns adjacent to each other in the frequency direction and at least two data patterns, said transmitting apparatus comprising a pilot mapper configured to map the same sequence of pilot signals on frequency carriers of each of said at least two preamble patterns in a frame, each preamble pattern having the same length, a data mapper configured to map data on frequency carriers of said at least two data patterns in a frame a transformer configured to transform said preamble patterns and said data patterns from the frequency domain into the time domain in order to generate a time domain transmission signal, and a transmitter configured transmit said transmission signal. |
| US08897117B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing resources in OFDMA cellular system
A resource management method and apparatus in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) cellular system supporting a first system communication mode and a second system communication mode in an uplink using Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) are provided. A resource management apparatus provided in a Base Station (BS) or a Mobile Station (MS) subchannelizes physical resource units constituting a system bandwidth into a plurality of subchannels according a scheme defined in the first system communication mode, and renumbers the plurality of subchannels with indexes in reverse order to be used for an MS operating in the second system communication mode. The plurality of subchannels having the renumbered indexes are used for resource allocation and data exchange between the BS and the MS operating in the second system communication mode. |
| US08897115B2 |
Topographic feedforward system
A control mechanism may control the height and/or position of a read/write head configured to interact with a rotating information storage surface. A computation unit may compute a detected topography from gap measurements using a dynamic filter including a model of read/write head dynamics. A sensor may detect gap measurements of a side read/write track while the read/write head is interacting with a current read/write track. A memory may store the detected topography. The control mechanism may adjust the height of the read/write head based on the detected and/or stored topography. The control mechanism may be a reactionless control mechanism configured to apply a counterforce to offset movements of the read/write head and/or a slider. |
| US08897114B2 |
Topographic feedforward system
A topography detection mechanism may measure surface height of a side read/write track while the read/write head is interacting with a current read/write track. A memory may store the measured surface height. |
| US08897113B2 |
Rotary head data storage and retrieval system and method for data verification
A data storage and retrieval system includes a head carriage unit adapted for rotational motion and having multiple heads disposed at a working surface. The system also includes a tape drive unit configured to move a tape media past the working surface of the head carriage unit, the tape media having a width approximately equal to a width of the working surface. As the head carriage unit rotates and the tape moves past the working surface, a first head is configured to write a data track to the tape and a second head is configured to thereafter read the data track, where data read by the second head is for use in verifying data integrity and performing error correction. |
| US08897107B2 |
Playback device and playback method
There is provided a playback device including a light source, an objective lens that radiates light emitted onto an optical recording medium, and onto which is incident reflected light obtained from a recording surface of the optical recording medium, a condenser lens that condenses the reflected light, a photodetecting section configured to, provided that a confocal position is a focal position of the condenser lens, λ is a wavelength of light radiated onto the optical recording medium, and NA is a numerical aperture of the objective lens, extract and detect light within a range of a diameter less than 1.5λ/NA centered on an optical axis at the confocal position, and a phase difference imparting section that imparts a designated phase difference between a reflected light component from a readout track and a reflected light component from a track neighboring the readout track. |
| US08897103B2 |
Disk drive calibrating a laser write power for heat assisted magnetic recording
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a laser for heating the disk while writing data to the disk. The disk drive receives write commands, and increases a power of the laser to a write power for heating the disk while writing data to the disk. A calibration interval is adjusted based on the power applied to the laser over time, and the write power is calibrated at the calibration interval. |
| US08897102B1 |
Method and system for measuring light delivery offsets in a heat assisted magnetic recording head
A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer resides on a slider, has an air-bearing surface (ABS) and has a back side. The HAMR transducer includes a target waveguide, a plurality of assistant cores and a plurality of output devices. The target waveguide has an entrance at the back side and directs energy provided by a laser from the entrance at the back side toward the ABS. The assistant cores have a plurality of assistant core entrances at the back side. The assistant cores direct energy from the assistant core entrances to the output devices. In some aspects, the assistant cores and output devices may be used in aligning the laser and the target waveguide or checking the alignment of the laser and the target waveguide. |
| US08897100B2 |
Electronic timer/sensor to protect skin from overexposure to UV radiation
A portable device that alerts a user when she should reapply her sunscreen product. The device is activated by a start/stop button and a count down timer counts down from a fixed amount of time to zero. Once the timer has counted down to zero, an indicator such as an alarm is activated to notify the user it is time for her to reapply her sunscreen product. Preferably the fixed amount of time can range from about one to about four hours and, most preferably, the fixed amount of time is about two hours. |
| US08897097B2 |
Satellite signal receiving device, satellite signal receiving method, and electronic device
A satellite signal reception device that can desirably receive satellite signals has a charge state detection circuit 43 and a voltage detection circuit 44 that detect if the satellite signal reception device is outdoors, and a control circuit 40. If the satellite signal reception device is determined to be outdoors based on the detection result from the charge state detection circuit 43 and voltage detection circuit 44, the control circuit 40 operates a GPS reception circuit 30. If an indoor state in which the satellite signal reception device is determined to not be outdoors continues for at least a predetermined specific time, the control circuit 40 operates the GPS reception circuit 30 at a preset scheduled reception time. |
| US08897095B2 |
Object probing device, object probing program, and object probing method
An object probing device includes: a sound source which projects a sound pulse within a propagation environment; a transducer array disposed in a region for receiving the forward scattered wave scattered forward from the object existing in the propagation environment; an addition processing unit which extracts only a signal of the forward scattered wave by applying vector addition processing on a reference signal in a reference sound field received by the transducer array when the object does not exist in the propagation environment and a mixed signal in a probe sound field received when the object exists; a time reversal processing unit which generates a time-reversed sound pulse by applying time reversal processing on the extracted forward scattered wave; and a phase conjugation determination unit which checks whether or not a phase conjugacy is established in the propagation environment by employing a passive phase conjugation to the time-reversed sound pulse. |
| US08897093B2 |
Controlling method of connector, connector, and memory storage device
A controlling method of a connector, the connector, and a memory storage device are provided. The controlling method includes following steps. A first clock signal generated by a first oscillator in the connector is obtained. A second clock signal generated by a second oscillator in the connector is obtained. A frequency shift of the first oscillator is smaller than a frequency shift of the second oscillator. A detection window information corresponding to the second clock signal is corrected according to the first clock signal and the second clock signal. The first oscillator is turned off. A signal stream including a first signal is received. A detection window is generated according to the corrected detection window information and the second clock signal, and whether the first signal is a burst signal is determined according to the detection window. Thereby, the power consumption of the connector is reduced. |
| US08897091B1 |
High speed digital signal termination circuit
A clock driver integrated circuit device and method is provided. The device can include a VTT regulator provided on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip. A first termination at an internal VDD/2 can be coupled to the VTT regulator. A VTT bus can be coupled to the first termination. A plurality of command control inputs can be coupled to the VTT bus. The plurality of command inputs can include A, BA, RAS, CAS, WE, CS, CKE, ODT, PARIN, and the like. A VDD termination can be coupled to a first end of the VTT bus and a ground can be coupled to a second end of the VTT bus. The method can include regulating or removing signal noise from a host controller via the clock driver IC device. |
| US08897086B2 |
Method and apparatus for memory fault tolerance
One or more circuits may comprise an array of memory cells corresponding to a particular memory address, and a memory fault mitigation module. The one or more circuits may be operable to write a data block to the array of memory cells. The write operation may comprises a swap of a first portion of the data block with a second portion of the data block in response to a detection that one or more memory cells of the array is faulty, and storing the data block to the array of memory cells after the swap. |
| US08897085B2 |
Immunity against temporary and short power drops in non-volatile memory: pausing techniques
A mechanism is presented memory circuits, such a NAND-type flash memories, to autonomously protect themselves from temporary and short power drops. A detection mechanism looks for the supply voltage to drop below a function voltage for a period of time. When such an event occurs, a suspend mechanism is activated, and after completing the last micro-operation (such as a program pulse) the memory freezes. When power is again stable at an operational level, the suspended operation is resumed. The memory controller can then be notified upon occurrence of such voltage drop by polling a special status bit. Examples of how the pausing can be implemented include altering of clock signals and suspending sub-phases of larger operations. |
| US08897084B2 |
Dynamic data strobe detection
Techniques are disclosed relating to determining when a data strobe signal is valid for capturing data. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a memory interface circuit configured to determine an initial time value for capturing data from a memory based on a data strobe signal. In some embodiments, the memory interface circuit may determine this initial time value by reading a known value from memory. In one embodiment, the memory interface circuit further configured to determine an adjusted time value for capturing the data, where the memory interface circuit is configured to determine the adjusted time value by using the initial time value to sample the data strobe signal. |
| US08897080B2 |
Variable rate serial to parallel shift register
A shift register structure is presented that can be used in fixed or variable rate serial to parallel data conversions. In an 1 to N conversion, data is received off an m-bit serial data bus and loaded into a N by m wide latch, before being transfer out onto an (N×m)-wide parallel data bus. Based on information on how of the N m-bit wide data units are to be ignored, the data will be clocked out at a variable rate. When loading data off the serial bus into the latch, upon refresh the current data is loaded into all N units of the latch, with one less latch being loaded at each subsequent clock. When the content of a unit of latch is to be ignored on the parallel bus, that unit is closed at the same time as the preceding unit so that it is left with redundant data. |
| US08897074B2 |
Writing data to a thermally sensitive memory device
Writing data to a thermally sensitive memory device, including: receiving a physical layout of the thermally sensitive memory device; receiving the direction of airflow across the thermally sensitive memory device; selecting an address for writing data to the thermally sensitive memory device in dependence upon the physical layout of the thermally sensitive memory device and the direction of airflow across the thermally sensitive memory device; and writing data to the selected address of the thermally sensitive memory device. |
| US08897070B2 |
Selective word line erase in 3D non-volatile memory
An erase process for a 3D stacked memory device allows a portion of a block of memory cells to be erased. In one approach, in a U-shaped NAND string configuration, memory cells in the drain- or source-side columns are erased. In another approach, such as in a U-shaped or a straight NAND string configuration, memory cells in a portion of a column of memory cells are erased, and a dummy memory cell is provided between the erased and non-erased memory cells. A dummy memory cell can be on either side (e.g., above and below) of an erase memory cell, or on either side of a non-erased memory cell. A dummy memory cell is ineligible to store user data, but prevents a downshift in the threshold voltage of an erased memory cell from changing the threshold voltage of a non-erased memory cell, due to capacitive coupling. |
| US08897069B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and operating method thereof
A semiconductor memory device of the present invention includes a memory cell array configured to include a sensing circuit configured to perform program verifying of the page buffer group selected by the select signal, and configured to output a pass/fail signal corresponding to the page buffer group, a verifying result signal generation section configured to output one or more of a first verifying signal and a second verifying signal in accordance with pass or fail of the program for total page buffer groups by using the pass/fail signal, and a control circuit configured to output the select signals to verify the program after the program is performed, and control operation of the program in response to an output signal of the verifying result signal generation section. |
| US08897068B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array configured to include a plurality of memory blocks, a voltage generator configured to output operating voltages for data input and output to global lines, and a row decoder configured to transfer the operating voltages to local lines of a memory block, selected from among the plurality of memory blocks, and supply a ground voltage to local lines of unselected memory blocks in response to address signals. |
| US08897063B2 |
Multilevel differential sensing in phase change memory
Methods and systems for multi-bit phase change memories. Using differential sensing for memory reads provides advantages including improved temperature and drift resilience, improved state discrimination and increased storage density. |
| US08897057B2 |
Quantum memory
A quantum memory component including a quantum dot molecule having first and second quantum dots provided in respective first and second layers separated by a barrier layer; an exciton comprising an electron and hole bound state in said quantum dot molecule, the spin state of said exciton forming a qubit; first and second electrical contacts respectively provided below the first quantum dot and above the second quantum dot; a voltage source to apply an electric field across said quantum dot molecule; a controller to modulate the electric field across the quantum dot molecule, including an information acquiring circuit to acquire information concerning the relationship between fine structure splitting of the exciton and the applied electric field and a timing circuit to allow switching of the exciton from an indirect configuration to a direct configuration at predetermined times derived from the fine structure splitting. |
| US08897055B2 |
Memory device, method of operating the same, and electronic device having the memory device
A memory device includes a memory cell array and a fuse device. The fuse device includes a fuse cell array and a fuse control circuit. The fuse cell array includes a first fuse cell sub-array which stores first data associated with operation of the fuse control circuit, and a second fuse cell sub-array which stores second data associated with operation of the memory device. The fuse control circuit is electrically coupled to the first and second fuse cell sub-arrays, and is configured to read the first and second data from the first and second fuse cell sub-arrays, respectively. |
| US08897047B2 |
Associative memory oscillator array
An analog associative memory, which includes an array of coupled voltage or current controlled oscillators, matches patterns based on shifting frequencies away from a center frequency of the oscillators. Test and memorized patterns are programmed into the oscillators by varying the voltage or current that controls the oscillators. Matching patterns result in smaller shifts of frequencies and enable synchronization of oscillators. Non-matching patterns result in larger shifts and preclude synchronization of oscillators. The patterns may each include binary data and the pattern matching may be based on discrete shifts. The patterns may each include grayscale data and the pattern matching may be based on continuously-varied shifts. Other embodiments are described herein. |
| US08897043B2 |
Power conversion apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, power conversion apparatus includes a converter and a controller. A converter receives an AC power as an input, and outputs a DC voltage by turning on and off a first switching element which operates when the AC power is positive, and a second switching element which operates when the AC power is negative. A controller receives an AC input voltage and alternating input current to the converter, and a DC output voltage from the converter, as an input, determines a pulse width of a first pulse signal to turn on the first switching element and a pulse width of a second pulse signal to turn on the second switching element, and outputs the first pulse signal and second pulse signal to the converter. |
| US08897041B2 |
Universal power conversion methods and systems
Universal electrical power conversion methods and systems which may provide the combined capabilities of symmetrical and asymmetrical conversion, bidirectionality, and simplicity are provided. In some cases, the converter charges an inductor connected in parallel between a regulated port and an unregulated port using energy stored by a capacitor positioned in parallel between the inductor and one of the ports until the inductor has a level of current stored that corresponds to the change in voltage desired at the regulated port, then discharges stored energy into the other port until a current cutoff threshold level is reached in the inductor. Creating an LC tank circuit during conversion allows conversion processes to traverse sinusoidal discharge patterns. In some embodiments, the inductor is precharged with current to affect the discharge of the inductor. Multiple ports can be connected and disconnected from the same inductor with these methods and systems. |
| US08897037B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing standby power consumption of switch-mode power converters
Power conversion system and method. The system includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a plurality of diodes including a first diode, a second diode, a third diode, and a fourth diode. Additionally, the system includes a fifth diode including a first anode and a first cathode and a sixth diode including a second anode and a second cathode. Moreover, the system includes a primary winding, and a secondary winding coupled to the primary winding. The first anode is connected to a first input terminal, and the second anode is connected to a second input terminal. The first input terminal and the second input terminal are configured to receive an input voltage. The secondary winding is configured to generate an output voltage based on at least information associated with the input voltage. |
| US08897036B2 |
Switching regulator, including dead time adjusting circuit, and control device thereof
A switching regulator related to aspects of the invention can include an auxiliary winding for monitoring the voltage across the primary winding of a transformer, a differentiation detecting circuit that detects the timing of reversal start or reversal end of the signal detected by the auxiliary winding and a dead time adjusting circuit that receives a signal to trigger turn OFF of a first switch or a second switch and, after passing a predetermined delay time from the detection of the signal, generates a signal to trigger turn ON of the first switch or the second switch. The differentiation detecting circuit can confirm current transfer between body diodes. The dead time adjusting circuit can adjust a dead time to deliver the signal after a predetermined time from the confirmation of the current transfer. In some aspects of the invention, occurrence of hard switching and short-circuit current can be suppressed. |
| US08897034B2 |
Splitter plate and electronic apparatus
The present invention discloses a splitter plate and an electronic apparatus. The splitter plate includes a splitter plate main body, and further includes a turnover positioning apparatus, and the turnover positioning apparatus is hinged on a side of the splitter plate main body; the turnover positioning apparatus is configured to, after a half-height board is assembled to a subrack, abut against the half-height board and connect to the subrack to fasten the half-height board to the subrack. |
| US08897032B2 |
Surface mount antenna contacts
A method and system for connecting a vertical printed circuit board with a horizontal printed circuit board where a contact device is biased in a first position when not contacting a vertical printed circuit board and is biased in a second position when the vertical printed circuit is coupled to the horizontal printed circuit board. |
| US08897029B2 |
Compact isolated switching power converters
An isolated switching power converter includes a power isolation transformer having at least one primary winding, at least one secondary winding and a plurality of sides, a first power board mechanically coupled to a first side of the transformer, and a second power board mechanically coupled to a second side of the transformer. The first power board includes a primary side circuit electrically coupled to the at least one primary winding, and the second power board includes a secondary side circuit electrically coupled to the at least one secondary winding. |
| US08897027B2 |
Bonding pad structure
A bonding pad structure is disclosed, which is composed of two bonding pad units that are symmetrically disposed with respect to an axial line. Each bonding pad units is further composed of at least two bonding pads, i.e. each bonding pad unit is composed of at least one first bonding pad and at least one second bonding pad. In an embodiment, the first bonding pad is arranged next to the axial line and the second bonding pad is arranged at a side of the corresponding first bonding pad away from the axial line while enabling the first bonding pad and the corresponding second bonding pad to be interconnected to each other by a first neck portion. Thereby, a plurality of solder areas of different sizes can be formed by the interconnecting of the at least two bonding pad units that can be used for soldering electronic components of different sizes. |
| US08897024B2 |
Method for manufacturing a suspension board assembly sheet with circuits
An assembly sheet includes a plurality of suspension boards and a frame member that integrally supports the suspension boards. On a surface of the frame member, a plurality of identification marks for identifying respective positions of the suspension boards in automatic optical inspection are provided corresponding to the suspension boards. |
| US08897018B2 |
Display device and television receiver
Provided is a display device in which a panel module can be fixed to a front cabinet without using screws, and when performing maintenance, the panel module can be easily removed from the front cabinet.The display device including a panel module having a display surface on the front side thereof, a front cabinet surrounding a peripheral edge part of the panel module, and a back cabinet covering a back side of the panel module includes a flexible hook part protruded toward the back cabinet from the inner surface of the front cabinet, and an L-shaped fixing member which has an L shape and includes a latch plate having a hole part in which the flexible hook part is latched and a contact plate which contacts with a back surface of the panel module so as to fix the front cabinet to the panel module. |
| US08897017B2 |
Serviceable hard disk drive trays for a server rack
A sliding mechanism and a swivel mechanism allow a user to quickly and safely access components of a computing system, such as hard disk drives, included in a chassis. A housing affixed to the chassis includes a tray, which is coupled to the housing by the sliding mechanism. The swivel mechanism also couples the tray to the housing and allows the tray to be pivoted about the swivel mechanism. For example, the tray may be extended out of the housing via the sliding mechanism, and the portion of the tray extending from the housing may be pivoted using the swivel mechanism to simplify access to components coupled to the tray. |
| US08897011B2 |
Heat dissipation system for power module
Disclosed herein is a heat dissipation system for a power module, the heat dissipation system including: first and second heat dissipation plates spaced apart from each other while facing each other, to form a cooling medium flow passage; first and second inflow lines extended to the cooling medium flow passage of the first and second heat dissipation plates, to transfer cooling media flowing therein at different flow rates or different fluxes to the cooling medium flow passage; and first and second inlets respectively connected with the first and second inflow lines to allow the cooling media to flow therein. |
| US08897007B2 |
Grounding features of a portable computing device
A portable computing device can include one or more clutch assemblies that can include a conductive elastomer configured to contact at least a portion of the clutch assembly of the portable computing device. The conductive elastomer can be configured to also contact at least one region of the base portion of the portable computing device and can include highly conductive regions. A USB grounding plate can be attached to a portion of a case for the portable computing device and can be configured to provide a ground pathway between the case and a ground sheath of a USB connector inserted into an opening in a side wall of the case. |
| US08897003B2 |
Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus 10 connected to a peripheral device through a cable includes a main body unit 20 having a connector on a bottom portion 20a of the main body unit 20, a base unit 40 that is set on the main body unit 20 in a tiltable manner, a tilting unit 60 that turns the main body unit about a vicinity of the bottom portion of the main body unit with respect to the base unit when tilting is performed, and a cable holder 80 that defines a position of the cable in a vicinity of the connector and suppresses movement of the cable accompanying the tilting operation between the defined position and the connector, wherein the cable holder is attached to the tilting unit. |
| US08896995B2 |
Shock mounting cover glass in consumer electronic devices
Apparatus, systems and methods for shock mounting glass for an electronic device are disclosed. The glass for the electronic device can provide an outer surface for at least a portion of a housing for the electronic device. In one embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a compliant interface between the glass and the electronic device housing. In another embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a mechanically actuated retractable. For example, an outer glass member for an electronic device housing can be referred to as cover glass, which is often provided at a front surface of the electronic device housing. |
| US08896994B2 |
Electronic device with securing mechanism for securing a display of the electronic device
An electronic device includes: a chassis; an input device and a display panel that are arranged within the chassis; an elastic member that is arranged between the chassis and the display panel; and a holding member that holds the input device, that is secured to the chassis, and that pushes the display panel toward the elastic member to deform the elastic member. |
| US08896992B2 |
Wearable computer system
A wearable computer system that provides for convenient and efficient use of all fingers while the user is standing, reclining or using hands intermittently for other tasks. The central unit hangs from a neck strap and communicates with a head mounted display. The central unit's front surface has keys, accessible from opposite edges by each hand. Typing is similar to the traditional, but rotated 90 degrees on each side. Keys are individually assignable to any letter, symbol, musical note, color, action, or macro. Back panels have thumb keys and controls, and can be modified to accept alternate thumb controls and additional hardware, such as sensors, circuits, cameras, and auxiliary connectors for specific tasks such as musical instrument performance or augmented reality game play. Smartphones, can be incorporated within or connected to the central unit. Desktop use can be accomplished by unfolding the panels of one embodiment. |
| US08896990B2 |
Electronic device cover
An electronic device cover includes a protection member and a support. The protection member includes a protection plate. The support member is rotatably mounted to the protection member and includes a support plate. The support member is rotatable between a protection position and a support position relative to the protection member; when the support member is in the support position, the support member supports the protection plate in a stand position, and the protection plate and the support plate define a corner therebetween; when the support member is in the protection position, the protection plate and the support plate are unfolded and define a receiving space. |
| US08896986B2 |
Method of improving electromechanical integrity of cathode coating to cathode termination interfaces in solid electrolytic capacitors
A solid electrolytic capacitor with an anode and a dielectric on the anode. A cathode is on the dielectric and a conductive coating on the dielectric. A cathode lead is electrically connected to the conductive coating by an adhesive selected from the group consisting of a transient liquid phase sinterable material and polymer solder. |
| US08896982B2 |
Electrodes for electronic weaponry and methods of manufacture
A deployment unit for an electronic control device (ECD) used as a weapon provides a current from a signal generator of the ECD through tissue of a human or animal target. The deployment unit includes a housing, an interface, a filament, and an electrode. The interface couples the housing to the signal generator. The filament includes a first end coupled to the interface for receiving the current and comprises a second end. The filament conducts the current for inhibiting voluntary movement by the target. The electrode, stored in the housing prior to deployment, mechanically couples the filament to the target when deployed. The electrode includes an assembly of a first part and a second part that after assembly cooperate to bind the second end of the filament to the electrode. |
| US08896981B2 |
Relay drive unit
A relay drive unit drives a relay by supplying a power source voltage from a battery. The relay drive unit includes a power source voltage detector, a drive signal generator, and a relay drive circuit. The power source voltage detector detects the power source voltage. The drive signal generator generates a PWM signal as a drive signal for maintaining the relay in an ON state. The PWM signal has a preset duty ratio according to a magnitude of the power source voltage detected by the power source voltage detector. The relay drive circuit turns a supply of the power source voltage from the battery on/off based on a duty ratio of the drive signal generated by the drive signal generator. |
| US08896977B2 |
Method for operating an electrical power supply network
A method for operating an electrical power supply network is described. The power supply network has several levels of different voltages. The levels are interconnected by switches. A first switch is made so that the maximum interruptible short-circuit current of the first switch is smaller than the maximum flowing short-circuit current. In the event of failure, a test is made as to whether the short-circuit current presently flowing through the first switch is smaller than the maximum interruptible short-circuit current. The first switch will remain closed if this is not the case, and the first switch will be opened if this is the case. |
| US08896975B2 |
Voltage regulator over-voltage detection system, method and apparatus
Monitoring of a core logic internal voltage regulator output is performed to detect, alarm and put an integrated circuit device into a safe mode when the voltage on the core logic exceeds a safe operating voltage value. This allows putting the integrated circuit devise into a predictable, detectable and safe mode, and to alarm the over-voltage condition to a system monitor to alert on a fault and subsequent fault disposition. |
| US08896973B2 |
Magnetic head with a spin torque oscillator, magnetic sensor, and magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus
A magnetic head according to an embodiment includes: a spin-torque oscillator comprising a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, a third ferromagnetic layer provided on the opposite side of the second ferromagnetic layer from the first ferromagnetic layer, a first nonmagnetic layer provided between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer, a second nonmagnetic layer provided between the second ferromagnetic layer and the third ferromagnetic layer, a first electrode provided on a surface on the opposite side of the first ferromagnetic layer from the first nonmagnetic layer, and a second electrode provided on a surface on the opposite side of the third ferromagnetic layer from the second nonmagnetic layer. Magnetization precession is induced in each of the first through third ferromagnetic layers when current is applied between the first and second electrodes. |
| US08896967B2 |
Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a main pole and a shield
A magnetic head includes a coil, a main pole, a write shield, and first and second yoke layers. The first and second yoke layers are magnetically connected to the write shield and aligned along the direction of travel of a recording medium such that the main pole is interposed therebetween. The coil includes a winding portion of planar spiral shape that is formed in one or more layers. The magnetic head further includes: a first coupling part located away from the medium facing surface and magnetically coupling the main pole and the second yoke layer to each other; and a second coupling part located away from the medium facing surface and magnetically coupling the first yoke layer and the second yoke layer to each other without touching the main pole. The winding portion is wound around the first coupling part, and a part of the winding portion passes between the first and second coupling parts. |
| US08896966B2 |
Magnetic write head having a coil adjacent to the main pole
Approaches for a magnetic write head having an adjacent coil architecture, wherein a coil turn is fabricated immediately adjacent to the writer main pole. The adjacent coil portion essentially lies on the main pole, except for a very thin layer of insulation atomically layered in between. The adjacent coil portion is also substantially closer to the wrap-around shield in comparison with conventional coil configurations. Further, the other upper coil portions may be fabricated to essentially lie on the stitch pole, again except for a very thin atomic layer deposited layer of insulation layered between. This adjacent coil configuration provides a writer coil configuration that concentrates the coil structure significantly closer to the main pole surface, as well as concentrates more of the coil structure closer to the main pole tip, providing for a more efficient and faster write head. |
| US08896965B2 |
Non-uniform write gap perpendicular writer for shingle writing
A PMR writer is disclosed that includes at least one of a recessed center section in the write pole trailing edge and a center recessed trailing shield to improve the field gradient at track edge. In all embodiments, there is a non-uniform write gap between the trailing edge and the trailing shield. The recessed portion of the write pole trailing edge and/or center recess of the trailing shield has a thickness from 10 to 40 nm in a down-track direction and a width in a cross-track direction of 20 to 200 nm. The distance between the center recess and a corner of the trailing edge is from 20 to 80 nm. A sequence of steps is provided to fabricate the two embodiments of the present invention. |
| US08896961B1 |
Reader positioning in shingled magnetic recording
Systems and methods are disclosed for positioning of a reader element in a data storage device employing shingled recording. In an embodiment, a system may comprise a data storage medium configured to store data in a shingled manner where at least one track is partially overlapped by an adjacent track, a read element to read data from the data storage medium, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive a read command to retrieve data from the data storage medium, and when the data is stored to a shingled portion of the data storage medium, adjust a position of the read element according to a squeeze offset value based on an amount of overwrite of a shingled data track by an adjacent data track. |
| US08896960B2 |
Timing-based servo for determining lateral head velocity
A servo track has servo pattern frames including two pairs of parallel transitions, the transitions of each pair spaced apart an equal distance, the first pair at an azimuth angle, the second pair at the opposite azimuth angle. A servo channel receives signals at first times corresponding to a servo read head detecting the transitions of the first pair of parallel transitions of a servo pattern frame, and second times corresponding to the servo read head detecting the transitions of the second pair of parallel transitions. The servo channel determines a relative lateral movement and velocity between the tape and the tape head based on respective functions of the ratio (TD−TC)/(TB−TA), distance d, and constants proportional to the azimuth angle and the trajectory angle. |
| US08896959B1 |
Magnetic disk apparatus and data recording method
According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk apparatus includes a magnetic disk having a plurality of tracks, each of the plurality of tracks having a plurality of servo areas and a plurality of data areas, the plurality of servo areas and the plurality of data areas being alternately arranged respectively, a magnetic head, and a processor. When a plurality of positioning errors related to one servo area are present in the first track, the processor updates the positioning error of the one servo area with a positioning error closest to a second track that is next to the first track. The processor writes data in the second track by a shingled write recording system by using the updated positioning error. |
| US08896957B1 |
Disk drive performing spiral scan of disk surface to detect residual data
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk surface comprising a radius, a head operable to generate a read signal, and a voice coil motor (VCM) operable to actuate the head over the disk surface. A back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage generated by the VCM is measured. The VCM is controlled to move the head over substantially the entire radius of the disk surface in response to the BEMF voltage, and while moving the head the read signal from the head is processed to detect residual data recorded on the disk surface after erasing the disk surface. |
| US08896956B1 |
Method and system for reading closely-spaced data tracks
A method for reading a track of data may include positioning a read head at an initial position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial track signals, filtering the initial track signals, positioning the read head at an initial subsequent position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial subsequent track signals, and filtering the initial subsequent track signals. In an initial equalization, the filtered initial track signals and the filtered initial subsequent track signals are equalized to obtain equalized track signals. The read head is positioned at a further subsequent position relative to the track of data and further subsequent track signals are obtained The further subsequent track signals are filtered. In a subsequent equalization, previously obtained equalized track signals and the filtered further subsequent track signals are equalized. A storage device operating according to the method may have an equalizer in hardware or firmware. |
| US08896955B1 |
Adaptive track follow control
A disk drive comprises a track follow control system having a plurality of selectable frequency modes, the track follow control system configured to receive a position error signal and to output a control signal based on the position error signal, wherein the control signal is used by a head assembly to position a head over a disk. The disk drive also comprises a state estimator configured to receive the control signal and a position signal indicating a position of the head, to estimate a disturbance based on the control signal and the position signal, and to output an estimated disturbance signal based on the estimated disturbance. The disk drive further comprises a disturbance evaluator configured to receive the estimated disturbance signal, and to select one of the frequency modes of the track follow control system based on the estimated disturbance signal. |
| US08896945B2 |
Barrel driving mechanism and image pickup device thereof
A barrel driving mechanism and an image pickup device thereof. The barrel driving mechanism comprises a fixing-barrel, a driving-barrel and a moving-barrel. The fixing-barrel has a first groove with a first stop-position and a first position. The driving-barrel disposed in the fixing-barrel has a second groove with a second stop-position and a second position. The driving-barrel has a first guiding protrusion inserted into the first groove. The moving-barrel disposed in the driving-barrel having a second guiding protrusion is inserted into the second groove. Wherein, the first stop-position to the first position and the second stop-position to the second position are slanted grooves. When the driving-barrel is rotated, the driving-barrel shifts a first axial distance and the moving-barrel shifts a second axial distance. The sum of the first axial distance and the second axial distance equals the total displacement of the moving barrel. |
| US08896944B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes: a lens frame including at least one lens; a lens adjusting frame to which the lens frame is attached; and a fixed frame to which the lens adjusting frame is attached. The lens adjusting frame is attached to the fixed frame such that a position or a tilt angle of the lens adjusting frame is adjustable. The lens frame is attached to the lens adjusting frame such that the lens frame is detachable from the lens adjusting frame. |
| US08896943B2 |
Lens assembly and method for assembling the same
A lens assembly is disclosed, which includes a base and a lens barrel. The base has a front edge, a back edge opposite to the front edge and a passage penetrating the front edge and the back edge. The lens barrel is disposed in the passage and includes a lens and a lens holding member holding the lens, wherein an outer surface of the lens holding member is in contact with an inner wall of the passage, and at least one of the inner wall of the passage and the outer surface of the lens holding member includes a smooth surface, arranged such that a thrust force applied on the lens barrel while assembling the lens assembly causes a sliding movement between the base and the lens barrel on the smooth surface. |
| US08896941B2 |
Image capturing lens, optical apparatus having same, and method for manufacturing image-capturing lens
An image-capturing lens has, in order from an object, an object side lens group G1 and an image side lens group G2 which is disposed next to the object side lens group G1 with an air space, and focusing is performed from a distant object to a close object by moving at least a part of the image side lens group G2 along an optical axis as a focusing lens group, and image stabilization is performed by moving at least a part of the image side lens group G2 as a shift lens group so as to have components roughly orthogonal to the optical axis. |
| US08896940B2 |
Objective optical system and endoscope using same
The angle of view of an objective optical system is widened, while suppressing generation of lateral chromatic aberration. An objective optical system includes: a first lens group having a negative power; an aperture stop; and a second lens group having a positive power, in this order from an object side. The first lens group includes a negative single first lens, and a cemented lens formed by cementing a positive lens and a negative lens together, provided in this order from the object side. The second lens group includes a positive single fourth lens, and a cemented lens formed by cementing a positive lens and a negative lens together, provided in this order from the object side. The objective optical system satisfies Conditional Formula (1): 15.0<νd(RN)<18.6, wherein νd(RN) is the Abbe's number of the negative lens in the cemented lens within the second lens group with respect to the d line. |
| US08896938B2 |
Catadioptric lens system and imaging apparatus
A catadioptric lens system includes, in order of light travel: a first lens group that includes a concave mirror and a convex mirror and has a positive refractive power; a second lens group that is positioned on the image side of the concave mirror and has a negative refractive power; and a third lens group that has a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens group has a plurality of lenses on the image side of the concave mirror, and some lenses of the plurality of lenses are formed as a vibration-proof group so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. |
| US08896937B1 |
Image capturing lens assembly and image capturing device
An image capturing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface in a paraxial region thereof and a convex image-side surface in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface in a paraxial region thereof and a convex image-side surface in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element with positive refractive power has a concave object-side surface in a paraxial region thereof and a convex image-side surface in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element with refractive power has a concave image-side surface in a paraxial region thereof. The image capturing lens assembly has a total of four lens elements with refractive power. |
| US08896936B2 |
Image capturing lens assembly
An image capturing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has negative refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power, wherein both of an object-side surface and an image-side surface thereof are aspheric. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, wherein both of the object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof are aspheric. Each of the first through fifth lens elements with refractive power is single and non-cemented. The image capturing lens assembly has a total of five lens elements with refractive power. |
| US08896933B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame includes a plurality of cam grooves. The second frame includes a plurality of cam followers that engage with each of the plurality of cam grooves, and a gear portion. In this case, if rotational force is transmitted to the gear portion, the second frame moves in the optical axis direction while rotating with respect to the first frame. At least one of the plurality of cam followers is disposed on the image plane side of the gear portion. |
| US08896932B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens comprises, in order from the object side: a first lens group that has a positive refractive power; a second lens group that has a negative refractive power; and a third lens group that has a positive refractive power. Zooming is performed by changing spaces between the first to third lens groups during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. The third lens group includes, in order from the object side, a positive lens group, having a positive refractive power, and a negative lens group, disposed to be close to the image side thereof and having a negative refractive power, with an air gap, which is widest in the third lens group, interposed therebetween. The third lens group satisfies the condition −0.45 |
| US08896930B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with zoom lens
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit of a positive refractive power, a second lens unit of a negative refractive power, a third lens unit of a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit of a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens unit, the second and fourth lens units being moved during zooming, a distance between the first and second lens units increasing at a telephoto end in comparison with a wide-angle end, wherein the fifth lens unit includes a first lens subunit of a negative refractive power, and a second lens subunit of a positive refractive power, the first lens subunit is moved to have a component perpendicular to an optical axis to change an image-forming position, and a condition 0.5<|(1−β5n)×β5p|<2.0 is satisfied. |
| US08896928B2 |
Electrowetting display
Provided is an electrowetting device capable of performing bright and high-contrast color display. In addition, provided is an electrowetting device capable of performing high-quality display without unevenness.The electrowetting device is an electrowetting display in which each of a pair of substrate constituting one cell has a driving unit. A first substrate that stores a first hydrophobic liquid material in regions surrounded by a first pixel wall, and a second substrate that stores a second hydrophobic liquid material in regions surrounded by a second pixel wall are adhered to each other through a hydrophilic material. |
| US08896924B2 |
Tubular daylighting system
An improved tubular daylighting system comprises a plurality of tubular shaft sections connected to a skylight lens for transmitting light through the shaft sections to the interior of a building. Adjoining top and bottom shaft sections have different diameters to enable one to be inserted into the other, the top shaft section having a plurality of tabs, the bottom section having a plurality of slots which register with the tabs of the top shaft section, such that selectively bending the tabs outwardly or inwardly from the shaft wall of the top shaft section through the slots of the bottom shaft section interconnects the top and bottom shaft sections in coaxial alignment. In one embodiment an inverted dome diffuser is mounted below the skylight lens atop the shaft sections to diffuse light entering the shaft sections. |
| US08896920B2 |
Reflective polarizer including grids with nanoparticles and resin material
A reflective polarizer, a method of manufacturing a reflective polarizer, an optical element, and a display device are provided. The reflective polarizer may have excellent thermal and physical durability even when exposed to a light source and external friction. In addition, the method for manufacturing a reflective polarizer may provide a large-sized reflective polarizer without using expensive equipment. |
| US08896907B2 |
Plasmonic reflective display fabricated using anodized aluminum oxide
A method is provided for forming a reflective plasmonic display. The method provides a substrate and deposits a bottom dielectric layer. A conductive film is deposited overlying the bottom dielectric layer. A hard mask is formed with nano-size openings overlying the conductive film. The conductive film is plasma etched via nano-size openings in the hard mask, stopping at the dielectric layer. After removing the hard mask, a conductive film is left with nano-size openings to the dielectric layer. Metal is deposited in the nano-size openings, creating a pattern of metallic nanoparticles overlying the dielectric layer. Then, the conductive film is removed. The hard mask may be formed by conformally depositing an Al film overlying the conductive film and anodizing the Al film, creating a hard mask of porous anodized Al oxide (AAO) film. The porous AAO film may form a short-range hexagonal, and long-range random order hole patterns. |
| US08896899B1 |
Laser marker
A laser marker/pointer for projecting circular or elliptical laser beam patterns onto a target surface such as a portion of a presentation screen or to assist in the aiming of a firearm, comprises a handheld shell body in which is mounted a laser light source, a rotating optical mirror driven by a motor, and an electronic drive circuit, whereby the aspect ratio of the marking pattern is determined by the geometric relationship of the motor shaft axis, the laser beam, and the mirror surface. The motor drive circuit when initially powered (along with the laser diode), applies full power (a continuous DC voltage to the motor to overcome inertia), followed by a pulsed voltage to lower the duty cycle of the motor, increase battery life, and reduce rotational noise. |
| US08896895B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes: a light amount adjustment portion which performs light amount adjustment on a light source such that the maximum value of the analog output of an image sensor does not exceed the upper limit value of an input voltage range of an A/D conversion portion but approaches the upper limit value; a temperature sensor which measures a temperature; and a storage portion which stores a temperature at the time of the light amount adjustment. When an absolute value of a temperature difference between a temperature stored in the storage portion and the current temperature is less than a threshold value, the light amount adjustment portion does not perform the light amount adjustment whereas when the absolute value is equal to or more than the threshold value, the light amount adjustment portion performs the light amount adjustment. |
| US08896893B2 |
Light scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus using the same
The object of the present invention is to provide a light scanning apparatus of a simple arrangement which can reduce print misregistration of respective beams in a main scanning direction in an image region even when an inexpensive imaging optical unit which forms a spot image on the image region of a surface to be scanned, and can form a high-resolution image, and an image forming apparatus using the same. |
| US08896890B2 |
Image capture system having a folded optical path
An image capture system including a platen for receiving a media sheet bearing an image to be captured; an illumination system for illuminating the media sheet; a mirror disposed in optical communication with the platen, for reflecting light from the illumination system reflected from the media sheet; and an optical sensor for receiving the light reflected by the mirror. The interrelationship between the platen, mirror and optical sensor is such that a location of a top edge of the mirror's primary reflection projected onto the platen is lower than a location of a bottom edge of the image's secondary reflection projected onto the platen. In this way, the image captured by the optical sensor is free of secondary reflections. |
| US08896888B2 |
Serviceable sensor assembly and method
A sensor assembly for a printer arranged to displace printed material along a path, including a sensor housing and a platen assembly. The sensor housing includes top surfaces and resilient elements fixed to the top surfaces, and houses light emitting elements. The platen assembly includes transparent material and a platen housing with a plurality of steps, and is arranged to engage the sensor housing and displace in a first direction along the sensor housing toward an end of the sensor housing such that the transparent material is aligned with the light emitting elements in a direction orthogonal to the axis. As the platen assembly displaces in the first direction, the plurality of resilient elements is arranged to engage the plurality of steps to urge the piece of transparent material into contact with the sensor housing with progressively greater force such that the transparent material is sealed against the sensor housing. |
| US08896885B2 |
Creating authenticatable printed articles and subsequently verifying them based on scattered light caused by surface structure
A printer with integral scanner for obtaining a digital signature from a sheet of paper or other article as it is printed. The integral scanner has a coherent source which directs a light beam to illuminate the article and a detector arrangement to collect data points from light scattered from many different parts of the article to collect a large number of independent data points, typically 500 or more. The digital signature derived from the data points is stored in a database with an image of what was printed on the article. At a later time, the authenticity of an article purported to be the originally printed article can be verified by scanning the purported genuine article to obtain its digital signature. The database is then searched, to establish whether there is a match. If a match is found, the image stored in the database with the matched digital signature is displayed to the user to allow a further visual check that the article is genuine. The image is displayed together with other relevant bibliographic data relevant to the article. |
| US08896884B2 |
Image processing apparatus, printing apparatus, and image processing method
As viewed for each processing unit in head shading (HS) processing, a processing unit width is more than one pixel, so that a threshold arrangement corresponding to a target quality of an image intended by a dither matrix is kept while a possibility of avoiding zero dots from being generated can be enhanced. Moreover, the threshold arrangement is kept while a possibility of generating the same number of dots in processing units can be enhanced. Consequently, the threshold arrangement corresponding to a predetermined target quality of an image intended by a dither matrix is kept while it is possible to reduce occurrence of uneven density caused by the HS processing. Thus, it is possible to prevent the threshold arrangement from being limited by the HS processing according to the degree of the reduction. |
| US08896881B2 |
Imaging forming system comprised of image forming apparatuses arranged in series, and which prevents an excessive rise in either of an inside temperature or a fixing section temperature of a downstream image forming apparatus
An image forming system includes a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus, the first image forming apparatus including: a first image forming section which performs image formation on a sheet; a first fixing section which performs image fixation on the sheet on which the first image forming section performs the image formation; and a first control section which makes, when the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus perform the image formation and the image fixation on different sides of a sheet to perform double-sided printing, thereby performing tandem outputting, a tandem-outputting target fixing temperature of the first fixing section lower than a first fiducial temperature which is a non-tandem-outputting target fixing temperature of the first fixing section for when the first image forming performs the image formation and the image fixation alone. |
| US08896877B2 |
Print data generating apparatus, print data generating method, and computer readable storage medium storing print data generating program
The print data generating apparatus capable of generating print data for VDP in a plurality of formats, classifies an object layout of the print data (steps from S107 to S109, or steps from S112 to S114), selects a predetermined format for the classification result in the steps from S107 to S109 or in the steps from S112 to S114, from the plurality of formats (S111, S116, or S117), and generates the print data in the selected format in S111, S116, or S117 (S118). |
| US08896876B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method
In the case of disposing regions of various sizes within a page, many blank areas appear and a layout result that is visually attractive could not be obtained. Therefore the present invention determines the starting position of a new row or column, using the difference in sizes of the multiple regions disposed in each row or column. |
| US08896872B2 |
Print control apparatus, printing system, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A print control apparatus includes a determination unit and a controller. The determination unit determines, from among plural virtual print controllers each of which controls printing at a printing apparatus associated with the virtual print controller, whether or not any of the virtual print controllers has started operating in the print control apparatus. The controller performs control, in a case where it is determined that none of the virtual print controllers have started operating, such that a state of reception of print command information is set to be a state in which the print command information is not received, and thereafter performs control, in a case where it is determined that any of the virtual print controllers has started operating, such that the state of reception is set to be a state in which print command information is received. |
| US08896871B2 |
Batch confirmation of distributed scan job submission in a business processing system
Methods and systems execute a first scan job using a scanner device to produce a first electronic scan item, and automatically transmit the first electronic scan item from the scanner device to a computerized device over a network. Exemplary methods herein start execution of a second scan job immediately after executing the first scan job (without waiting for confirmation that the computerized device received the first scan job) using the scanner device to produce a second electronic scan item. Further, such methods automatically generate a first scan receipt confirmation using the computerized device and automatically transmit the first scan receipt confirmation from the computerized device to at least one receiving device (e.g., the scanner device) over the network. Such exemplary methods can therefore automatically display the first scan receipt confirmation (on a graphic user interface of the at least one receiving device) after starting execution of the second scan job. |
| US08896869B2 |
Systems and methods for communicating documents
A system includes telephone and packet-switched network interfaces and a translator. The translator receives messages. Outgoing messages originate from a multiple-function peripheral (MFP) and are received via a transfer agent (TA). Outgoing e-mail messages include an attached file in an image file format. The translator removes and delivers the attachment in facsimile format. Incoming fax messages are attached to an e-mail message. The TA receives and relays the e-mail message to an identified MFP, which discards the e-mail message and prints the attachment. A method for processing fax messages includes associating an identifier with a MFP, receiving a fax intended for the MFP, generating an e-mail message with an attachment representing the fax and communicating the e-mail message to a transfer agent that relays the e-mail to the MFP, which discards the e-mail body and prints the attachment. |
| US08896868B2 |
Mobile device implementing near field communication to print with multifunction peripheral device
There is disclosed a method of, mobile device for and apparatus for using a mobile device to actuate a multifunction peripheral device using near field communication. The mobile device includes a user interface for receiving a selection of an electronic document and instructions regarding a selected document processing operation to be performed by the multifunction peripheral and for receiving a selection of an electronic address to which the electronic document is to be directed by the multifunction peripheral. The mobile device also includes a first near field communications transceiver for receiving input indicating that the mobile device is within range of a second near field communication transceiver, for receiving communication, at the first near field transceiver from the second near field communication transceiver, indicating that the first near field communication transceiver is ready to accept the electronic document, instructions pertaining to the selected document processing operation, and the electronic address. |
| US08896867B2 |
Methods and systems for assigning jobs to production devices
A method of assigning a job to a production device may include identifying a queue comprising a plurality of print jobs, identifying a plurality of print production devices capable of processing the plurality of print jobs, determining that one of the identified print production devices is an idle print production device, identifying a top priority print job from the queue, determining a completion time associated with processing the top priority print job by each of the identified print production devices, identifying a fastest print production device, assigning the top priority print job to the fastest print production device, determining whether the fastest print production device is the idle print production device, and in response to determining that the fastest print production device is the idle print production device, sending the top priority print job to the fastest print production device and removing the top priority print job from the queue. |
| US08896862B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium for print control using metadata
An information processing apparatus includes a specification unit configured to specify a layer of a record level from print data of a hierarchical structure having metadata, a display control unit configured to display the metadata contained in the layer specified by the specification unit, a receiving unit configured to receive selection of specific metadata for filter printing from the metadata displayed by the display control unit, and a determination unit configured to determine a record in which the specific metadata received by the receiving unit is set to be a print target. |
| US08896859B2 |
Printer and scanner utilizing a file sharing protocol
A printer includes a print setting folder storage area, a data sending device, a data receiving device, and a print device. The print setting folder storage area may store print setting folders. Each print setting folder may associate print setting data and a print setting folder address. The data sending device may send the print setting folder address of each print setting folder to an information processing device. The data receiving device may receive combination data from the information processing device. The combination data may include a data file and a data file storage command that may include a print setting folder address. Where the data receiving device receives the combination data, the print device may print the data file included in the combination data in accordance with the print setting data associated with the print setting folder address. A scanner may have a similar configuration to the printer. |
| US08896858B2 |
Method for enforcing document privacy through third party systems
The application discloses systems and methods for securing a document while routing through native or third party infrastructure. A process resident on the user's platform generates a three-part secure document from the user's original document. The first part is public and contains document metadata such as a public key. The public key is used to encrypt the second part of the document's metadata which includes a user supplied password. The third part contains the original document that has been symmetrically encrypted using the user supplied password. The result is that only the first part of the new document is visible to unsecured transmission channels or third party infrastructure. |
| US08896855B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method of controlling the same and storage medium storing program to perform processing of the same
An image processing apparatus having an operation panel and capable of accessing a network by operation of the operation panel, comprises a determination unit that determines whether or not an operation performed on the operation panel is a control operation relating to the image processing apparatus; a print job receiving unit that receives a print job from the network; and a job control unit that executes the print job received by the print job receiving unit if the determination unit determines, when the print job is received by the print job receiving unit, that the operation panel is being operated and that the operation performed on the operation panel is a control operation relating to the image processing apparatus. |
| US08896853B2 |
Image forming apparatus, accelerator and image forming method
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that makes it possible to suppress the scale enlargement of the electric circuit, so as to make the apparatus highly flexible. The apparatus forms an image based on image data acquired by applying a rendering operation to depiction commands and includes: a converting section to convert input data to the depiction commands; a first rendering section to apply the rendering operation to a first depiction command; a second rendering section to apply the rendering operation to a second depiction command; a reading section to read out first information from the storage section; a determining section to determine whether the first rendering section or the second rendering section should apply the rendering operation to each of the depiction commands; and a control, section to make either the first rendering section or the second rendering section apply the rendering operation to each of the depiction commands. |
| US08896852B2 |
Document creating apparatus, output apparatus, printed material, document output system, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A document creating apparatus includes a partial region setting unit, an output control information generating unit, and a printing unit. The partial region setting unit sets partial regions for document data. The output control information generating unit generates output control information regarding the partial regions set by the partial region setting unit. The printing unit prints, onto a printing medium, the document data, position information regarding the partial regions set by the partial region setting unit, and the output control information generated by the output control information generating unit. |
| US08896851B2 |
Apparatus for dealing with a code and a control method of the apparatus
One aspect of the present invention relates to copying a paper document including no information in the original user information area and also no information in the latest user information area. Another aspect of the present invention relates to copying document including no information in the original user information area but some information in the latest user information area. |
| US08896846B2 |
Reflective optical sensor and image forming apparatus
A reflective optical sensor includes at least three light-emitting elements; a lighting optical system that guides light emitted from the light-emitting elements to a toner pattern; and at least three light-receiving elements that receive the beams of light reflected by the toner pattern. The lighting optical system has a lateral magnification m that satisfies m≦P/S, where S is the size of the light-emitting elements and P is the arrangement pitch of the light-emitting elements. |
| US08896844B2 |
High-speed, 3-D method and system for optically measuring a geometric dimension of manufactured parts
A high-speed, 3-D method and system for optically measuring a geometric dimension of manufactured parts such as cartridge cases are provided. The method includes consecutively transferring the parts so that the parts travel along a path which extends to a vision station at which each part has a predetermined position and orientation for optical measuring. A line of radiation having a predetermined orientation is projected onto spaced apart end surfaces of the part to obtain reflected line segments of radiation from the end surfaces of the part. The reflected line segments of radiation are detected at one or more image planes to obtain electrical signals and the electrical signals are processed to determine the geometric dimension such as primer pocket depth. |
| US08896841B2 |
Optical imaging method and optical imaging apparatus using optical coherence tomography
An optical imaging method in an embodiment includes: a scanning step to scan each of a plurality of A-lines of an object with a signal light while alternately changing the phase difference between the signal light and a reference light to two preset phase differences; a detection step to detect the interference light of the signal light passing through the A-line and the reference light; and an imaging step to generate a complex interference spectrum based on the detection results of the interference lights corresponding to the plurality of A-lines sequentially obtained in the detection step according to the scanning, and form, based on the complex interference spectrum, the tomographic image along the arrangement of the plurality of A-lines in which a complex conjugate artifact is substantially removed. |
| US08896836B1 |
Fluid properties measurements using wavelength modulation spectroscopy with first harmonic detection
An apparatus and method for monitoring gas velocity, temperature, and pressure in combustion systems and flow devices, in particular at inlets and isolators of scramjet engines. The invention employs wavelength modulation spectroscopy with first harmonic detection and without the need to scan the full absorption spectra. |
| US08896832B2 |
Discrete polarization scatterometry
Systems and methods for discrete polarization scatterometry are provided. |
| US08896827B2 |
Diode laser based broad band light sources for wafer inspection tools
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for performing inspection or metrology of a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a plurality of laser diode arrays that are configurable to provide an incident beam having different wavelength ranges. The apparatus also includes optics for directing the incident beam towards the sample, a detector for generating an output signal or image based on an output beam emanating from the sample in response to the incident beam, and optics for directing the output beam towards the detector. The apparatus further includes a controller for configuring the laser diode arrays to provide the incident beam at the different wavelength ranges and detecting defects or characterizing a feature of the sample based on the output signal or image. |
| US08896821B2 |
Encoder
To realize an encoder having highly reliable detection accuracy and capable of reducing a device cost. A light detection unit of an encoder receives light irradiated by a light source and transmitted through light-transmitting portions of Gray code optical patterns of a rotating disk and a light-transmitting/shielding member, and detects the light as digital data. A magnetic detection unit detects a magnetic pattern of a magnet provided on a rotation center portion of the rotating disk as digital data. A processing unit compares the digital data of the magnetic detection unit and the digital data of the light detection unit, and corrects a detection error. |
| US08896817B2 |
Lithographic projection apparatus, device manufacturing methods and mask with sensor and diffuser for use in a device manufacturing method
During an alignment calibration process in a lithographic apparatus using a sensor to detect a property of a projected image at substrate level, a diffuser is inserted into the illumination beam to increase the range of angles of radiation incident on the substrate. Thereby it can be ensured that sufficient radiation enters the sensor even when there is a mismatch between the illumination mode used and the acceptance NA of the sensor. |
| US08896816B2 |
Projection exposure method, projection exposure apparatus, laser radiation source and bandwidth narrowing module for a laser radiation source
In a projection exposure method for the exposure of a radiation-sensitive substrate arranged in the region of an image surface of a projection objective with at least one image of a pattern of a mask arranged in the region of an object surface of the projection objective, laser radiation having a spectral intensity distribution I(ω) dependent on the angular frequency ω is used. The laser radiation is characterized by an aberration parameter α in accordance with: α := ∫ I ( ω ) ω 2 ⅆ ω ∫ I ( ω ) ⅆ ω and a coherence time τ in accordance with: τ = ∫ I ( ω ) 2 ⅆ ω [ ∫ I ( ω ) ⅆ ω ] 2 The laser radiation is introduced into an illumination system for generating an illumination radiation directed onto the mask, and the pattern is imaged onto the substrate with the aid of a projection objective. The spectral intensity distribution is set so that ατ2≦0.3. The influence of temporally varying speckles on image generation can be reduced by comparison with conventional methods, without simultaneously increasing the influence of chromatic aberrations on image generation. |
| US08896815B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A apparatus having a projection system to project a plurality of radiation beams onto a substrate, wherein the plurality of radiation beams includes a first group of one or more radiation beams formed from radiation within a first wavelength range and a second group of one or more radiation beams formed from radiation within a second wavelength range, different from the first wavelength range. The apparatus also has a dispersion element configured such that one or more radiation beams of the first group are incident on the dispersion element at a different angle from the one or more radiation beams of the second group and such that the one or more radiation beams of the first and second group output from the dispersion element are substantially parallel. |
| US08896807B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing fluid for immersion lithography
A liquid immersion lithography apparatus includes a projection system having a final optical element via which a substrate is exposed to an exposure beam through an immersion liquid located between the final optical element and the substrate, and a nozzle member. The nozzle member has a first opening on one side of the final optical element and from which the immersion liquid is supplied, a second opening on a second side of the final optical element and from which the immersion liquid is collected, and a liquid recovery portion that surrounds a path of the exposure beam and from which the immersion liquid is collected. During exposure, an upper surface of the substrate faces the liquid recovery portion, and the immersion liquid is supplied from the first opening while the immersion liquid supplied from the first opening is recovered from the second opening and the liquid recovery portion. |
| US08896806B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus that exposes a substrate includes: an optical system that includes an emission surface from which an exposure light is emitted; a first surface that is disposed in at least a part of a surrounding of an optical path of the exposure light emitted from the emission surface; a second surface that is disposed in at least a part of a surrounding of the first surface and at a position lower than the first surface; a space portion into which a liquid can flow via a first aperture between the first surface and the second surface and which is opened to the atmosphere via a second aperture different from the first aperture; and a first recovery portion that recovers at least a part of the liquid flowing into the space portion. Here, the emission surface, the first surface, and the second surface are opposed to the surface of the substrate in at least a part of the exposure of the substrate, and the substrate is exposed with the exposure light from the emission surface via the liquid between the emission surface and the surface of the substrate. |
| US08896805B2 |
Repairing line system and repair method thereof
The present invention discloses a repairing line system, which includes a plurality of packages, a substrate having a plurality of data lines awaiting for repair, two repairing lines, and two connecting lines. The repairing line includes outgoing lines led from the packages and a wire disposed on three sides of the substrate without the packages disposed and coupled to the outgoing lines. The wires insulatively intersect second terminals of the data lines awaiting for repair. The connecting line insulatively intersects the outgoing lines and first terminals of the data lines. The present invention further discloses a repair method of the repairing line system. The repairing line system and the repair method of the present invention utilize the same repairing lines led from different packages to connect with each other for forming whole connected wires, thereby increasing flexibility of the repairing line system in repairing data lines. |
| US08896800B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device using the same
A liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display device using the same are disclosed, in which among common lines formed to overlap a seal formed between a non-display area and a display area, a common line formed between a light-transmitting portion where a through hole is formed and the display area is formed in a plate structure. The liquid crystal panel comprises a first common line formed between a light-transmitting portion of a non-display area of a driving device array substrate and a display area of the driving device array substrate, a second common line formed between a first non-display area of the non-display area and the display area, a seal formed on the second common line to overlap the second common line without overlapping the first common line, and a liquid crystal injected into the display area and the light-transmitting portion. |
| US08896799B2 |
Liquid crystal display including circuitry between sealants
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first sealant, a second sealant, and a gate driving circuit portion. The second substrate faces the first substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate have a display area and a peripheral area peripherally about the display area. The second sealant is spaced apart from the first sealant. The second sealant is disposed in the peripheral area. The gate driving circuit portion is disposed on the first substrate and between the first sealant and the second sealant. |
| US08896797B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel comprising first and second sub-pixel electrodes and including a contact electrode and a connection electrode that couples the second sub-pixel and contact electrodes
A liquid crystal display panel having improved lateral visibility. The liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate including a pixel electrode formed on a pixel area including a first sub-pixel area and a second sub-pixel area; and a second substrate coupled to the first substrate with a liquid crystal layer accommodated between the first substrate and the second substrate, and including a common electrode formed on an area corresponding to the pixel area, wherein the pixel electrode includes a first sub-pixel electrode formed on the first sub-pixel area; a second sub-pixel electrode formed on the second sub-pixel area; and a contact electrode formed between the first sub-pixel area and the second sub-pixel area, and wherein the first sub-pixel electrode and the contact electrode are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. |
| US08896795B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a first gate line and a second gate line respectively extending in a first direction. A main pixel electrode is arranged between the first gate line and the second gate line and extending in a second direction orthogonally crossing the first direction. A pair of sub-common electrodes respectively faces the first gate line and the second gate line through an insulating layer and extends in the first direction. The second substrate includes a main common electrode electrically connected with the sub-common electrode and arranged on both sides sandwiching the main pixel electrode. A liquid crystal layer is held between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US08896794B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device and a fabrication method thereof, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the liquid crystal display device includes gate lines on a substrate; data lines on the substrate; common lines disposed substantially in parallel to the gate lines; TFTs formed at intersections between the gate and data lines, each of the TFTs including a gate electrode extending from the corresponding gate line, a gate insulation layer, an active layer, an ohmic contact layer, a source electrode extending from the corresponding data line and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode; passivation layers, each formed on the TFT and having a contact hole for exposing a part of the corresponding drain electrode; and pixel electrodes, each composed of a conductive layer and an insulation layer formed on the corresponding passivation layer and electrically connected to the corresponding drain electrode via the corresponding contact hole. |
| US08896793B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic equipment
In a display region, pixel electrodes are arranged with a predetermined pitch in a matrix. Dummy pixel electrodes provided in a dummy display region surrounding the display region are formed from the same layer as the pixel electrodes, and are arranged in an island shape so as to have the same size and pitch as the pixel electrodes. The dummy pixel electrodes are connected to each other via a wire positioned under the pixel electrodes. |
| US08896791B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate; a pixel electrode on the first substrate; a second substrate which faces the first substrate; a common electrode on the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a cross-shaped organic layer protrusion on the first substrate or the second substrate and overlapping the pixel electrode. The edge of the organic layer protrusion is protruded from the edge of the pixel electrode. |
| US08896790B2 |
Liquid crystal display with opposing protrusions in a pixel
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate; a partition formed on the substrate and defining a pixel; a plurality of protrusion members formed with the same material as the partition on the substrate, and disposed with a linear plane shape inside the pixel defined by the partition; and a color filter filled inside the pixel defined by the partition. Accordingly, in the liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of transparent protrusion members are formed in the pixel defined by the partition such that movement of color filter ink dripped through an Inkjet method is controlled such that a color filter may be planarized on the whole surface of the pixel. |
| US08896787B2 |
Light-emitting assembly and interactive display device having the same
A light-emitting assembly includes a light guide plate (LGP), a first infrared light-emitting part, a second infrared light-emitting part and a visible light-emitting part. The LGP has printed circuit patterns formed on a lower surface thereof. The first infrared light-emitting part includes a plurality of first infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed at a first side of the LGP and spaced apart by intervals having different sizes. The second infrared light-emitting part includes a plurality of second infrared LEDs disposed at a second side of the LGP and spaced apart by intervals having different sizes. The visible light-emitting part includes a plurality of visible LEDs disposed at a third side of the LGP and spaced apart by intervals having different sizes, so that infrared light and visible light that is emitted from the two different kinds of light sources may be uniformly provided to a touch screen panel. |
| US08896786B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having uniform brightness
A liquid crystal display device has brightness uniformity at its front and lateral sides. The liquid crystal display device includes a reflection sheet reflecting light; an optical plate including a substrate for guiding light, a height-varying portion formed on one surface of the substrate, not facing the reflection sheet, and a prism pattern formed on the height-varying portion; and a plurality of light sources arranged on one lateral surface of the optical plate in a first direction so as to correspond to a position of the height-varying portion having a height not greater than an average height from the one surface of the substrate to the height-varying portion. The prism pattern extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The average height is in a range of about 0.1% to about 10% of the thickness of the substrate. |
| US08896785B2 |
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 primary assembling pieces are connected through joining and use different thermally conductive materials. Further, a circuit board is mountable and position adjustable through a bracing piece. The present invention also provides a stereoscopic display device and a plasma display device. The back frame and the backlight system of the present invention have a back frame of simple structure, reduce the expenditure of a back frame mold, facilitate heat dissipation, facility fixing of circuit board, and save the material used for back frame so as to lower down the cost of flat panel display device. |
| US08896775B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device includes a pixel electrode provided on a substrate, a transistor provided between the substrate and the pixel electrode, a first capacitor electrode provided between the pixel electrode and the transistor, and be electrically connected to the pixel electrode and the transistor, a second capacitor electrode provided between the pixel electrode and the first capacitor electrode, be located so as to be opposite the first capacitor electrode via a capacitor insulating film, and be supplied with a predetermined electric potential, and a light-shielding film provided between the pixel electrode and the second capacitor electrode, be located so as to be at least partially overlapped by the transistor, and be electrically connected to the second capacitor electrode via a contact hole formed in an insulating film disposed between the second capacitor electrode and the light-shielding film. |
| US08896771B2 |
Touching display panel and display device using the same
A touching display panel and a display device using the same are provided. The touching display panel includes a liquid crystal layer, a first substrate having a hard surface structure, a second substrate, a touch sensor layer, a thin-film transistor layer, and a color filter layer. The first and second substrates are respectively disposed at two sides of the liquid crystal layer. The touch sensor layer is disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and is formed on the first substrate. The thin-film transistor layer and the color filter layer are both disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. At least one of the thin-film transistor layer and the color filter layer is formed on the first substrate. |
| US08896770B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal has a main body with a window; a display area having a first substrate configured to couple the window on a first face and couple a touch detection unit on a second face, a second substrate configured to face the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer arranged between the second substrate and the touch detection unit; an exposed area configured to have at least one end extend in a lateral direction beyond the display area and electrically connect to a circuit board; and a first contact point and a second contact point each arranged between the display area and the exposed area. |
| US08896764B2 |
System and method for effectively performing a remote control configuration procedure
A system and method for effectively performing a remote control configuration procedure includes a settop box that receives electronic programming from a program source and a television that is configured to reproduce the electronic programming. A remote control device controls various functionalities of the television over an RC-TV communications link. The remote control configuration procedure is coordinated by the television and a configuration server to allow the remote control device to also control various functionalities of the settop box over an RC-STB communication link. The television and the configuration server support a user-friendly interactive procedure to automatically determine and provide certain settop-box control information for adding appropriate settop-box control functions to the remote control device during the remote control configuration procedure. |
| US08896762B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing multimedia resource of smart television and smart television
A method for accessing a multimedia resource of a smart television, includes: receiving a channel selection signal to determine a target channel index number; querying pre-bound correspondence between a channel index number and a multimedia resource; when one multimedia resource corresponding to the target channel index number exists, starting the multimedia resource; and when multiple multimedia resources corresponding to the target channel index number exist, presenting all identifiers of the multimedia resources corresponding to the target index number, and determining a target multimedia resource according to a selection instruction of a user and starting the target multimedia resource, where the multimedia resource is a television channel or an application program. |
| US08896760B2 |
Signal processing device and signal processing method
A signal processing device and signal processing method. A plurality of tuner circuits includes at least one that selectively provides a signal from among a plurality of signal bands potentially in an input signal in response to a control signal having a transition between a first state and a second state. A correction circuit corresponds to at least one of the plurality of tuner circuits, and is configured to receive the control signal and provide a corrected control signal for the tuner circuit. The corrected control signal has a gradual transition between the first state and the second state as compared to the transition between the first state and the second state in the control signal. |
| US08896754B2 |
Information handling system integrated camera lens cover
Inadvertent or malicious viewing of an information handling system end user by an integrated camera is prevented with a mechanical shutter that actuates to selectively impede transmission of light to the camera. Mechanical blocking of the camera lens prevents malicious code from hijacking the operation of the camera and provides a visual indicator that capturing images is impeded with the lens physically blocked. In one embodiment, actuating the mechanical shutter also powers down the camera. |
| US08896749B2 |
Lens holder driving device capable of preventing deformation due to heat
A lens holder driving device includes a lens holder in which a lens assembly is mounted, a driving coil fixed to the lens holder at outside circumference thereof, a magnet opposite to the driving coil, a yoke including the magnet, an elastic member supporting the lens holder in a direction of an optical axis shiftably, and a base disposed at a lower side of the lens holder. The elastic member includes a lower elastic member which is disposed at a lower side of the lens holder and which includes first and second leaf spring pieces. The first and the second leaf spring pieces have first and second side portions which are electrically connected to first and second end portions of the driving coil by soldering, respectively. Each of the first and the second side portions has a side edge forming portion having a surface in which edges are formed. |
| US08896748B1 |
Automated focus adjustment using a varying light pattern
Systems and methods for automatically focusing an image capture device on a page of a document object. A predetermined light pattern is projected onto the page being imaged. The light pattern varies as a function of the separation of the page being imaged from the end page. The light pattern projected onto the page being imaged is sensed. Based on the sensed light pattern, the image capture device is focused on the page being imaged. |
| US08896747B2 |
Depth estimation based on interpolation of inverse focus statistics
Embodiments are directed towards performing depth estimation within a digital camera system based on interpolation of inverse focus statistics. After an image is captured, various statistics or focus measure may be calculated using, for example, a high pass filter. Depth is estimated by interpolating the inverse of the statistics for three positions of focus for the image. The inverse of the statistics, St(n), may be 1/St(n), or 1/St2(n), or even 1/StZ(n), where Z≧1. Several approaches to interpolating the inverse values of the statistics to obtain a depth estimate are disclosed, including a general parabolic minimum approach, using a parabolic minimum within a progressive scheme, or within a continuous AF scheme. The depth estimate may then be used for a variety of applications, including automatic focusing, as well as converting 2D images to 3D images. |
| US08896746B2 |
Driving circuit and method for voice coil motor with spring return
A driving circuit drives a voice coil motor having a spring return mechanism. A driving current generating unit supplies, to a coil of the voice coil motor, a driving current that corresponds to an analog control signal. Waveform memory stores digital waveform data which indicates the time waveform of a driving current to be supplied to the voice coil motor. A predetermined frequency component is removed from the frequency components of the waveform data. A control unit reads out the waveform data from the waveform memory at a rate that corresponds to the resonance frequency of the voice coil motor, and outputs the waveform data thus read out as a digital code. A D/A converter converts a digital code into an analog control signal, and outputs the analog control signal to the driving current generating unit. |
| US08896744B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and camera module with IR filter having wavelength characteristics to block both IR and selected visible light band depending on detection target of pixel cells
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array and an infrared light eliminating portion. The pixel array has a plurality of pixel cells arranged as being array-shaped. The pixel array detects a signal level of each color light as being shared for each pixel cell. The infrared light eliminating portion eliminates infrared light from light proceeding toward a photoelectric conversion element. The infrared light eliminating portion is arranged for each pixel cell. The infrared light eliminating portion has selection wavelength being set in accordance with color light to be a detection target of the pixel cell. |
| US08896738B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device and signal processing method therefor
The device includes an pixel array part having a plurality of unit pixels, a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, and an A/D converter. A pixel signal read from a pixel array part via a signal line is subjected to CDS processing (noise elimination processing) in the CDS circuit, and then this pixel signal is inputted into the A/D converter which performs A/D conversion on the pixel signal. The A/D converter includes a ΔΣ modulator and a digital filter to perform highly accurate A/D conversion. The invention can also be applied to a construction in which an A/D converter is provided at the front stage of the CDS circuit. |
| US08896733B2 |
Imaging system with automatic conversion gain selection
An image sensor may include an image pixel array. The image sensor may be provided with automatic conversion gain selection on a pixel-by-pixel basis to produce a high-dynamic-range image. Each image pixel may include a capacitor and a conversion gain transistor coupled in series between a power supply line and a floating diffusion node. The conversion gain transistor may be coupled to a control line through a gating transistor. The gating transistor may have a gate connected to a row select line. The image pixel may have an output line that is coupled to a column amplifier and a comparator. The column amplifier may generate a difference voltage based on reset and image signals. The comparator may compare the difference voltage with a predetermined threshold to determine whether to place the selected pixel in a high or low conversion gain mode. |
| US08896728B2 |
Image capturing device and image capturing method including setting shutter speed based on blur and noise
An image capturing device which continuously captures images having high sensitivity and high resolution and synthesizes the continuously-captures images when lighting is very dark or when a luminance value of an object is small, the image capturing device including: an image capturing unit which receives light from the object and generates an image in which the object is captured; a continuously-captured-image synthesizing unit which generates a synthesized continuously-captured image in which the object is captured, by synthesizing two or more images temporally continuously captured by the image capturing unit; and a parameter setting unit which sets a shutter speed at which each of the two or more images is captured, according to the luminance value of the object and a speed of the object. |
| US08896726B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method for generating electronic image data and performing special effect operations
An imaging apparatus including an imaging unit that captures images of a photographic subject and continuously generates electronic image data; a display unit that displays, at a predetermined display frame rate, images corresponding to the image data generated by the imaging unit; an image processing unit that either performs a first-type special effect operation that can be displayed at the predetermined display frame rate or performs a second-type special effect operation that can be displayed at a faster display frame rate than the predetermined display frame rate; an operation input unit that receives input of a change instruction signal that provides an instruction for changing a combination of image processing operations during a special effect operation performed by the image processing unit; and a control unit that instructs the image processing unit to switch the special effect operation from the first-type special effect operation to the second-type special effect operation. |
| US08896723B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and program to calculate a pixel value of each pixel in a binning area
Provided is an image processing apparatus including a binning unit configured to calculate, based on, as a binning area, an area including two or more adjacent pixels in a unit area including m pixels in a lateral direction and n pixels in a perpendicular direction on an image sensor, a sum of output values of the pixels in the binning area as an addition output value for each of m×n binning areas that are different to each other; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a pixel value of each pixel in the binning area based on m×n addition output values obtained for the unit area. |
| US08896720B2 |
Hand held image capture device with multi-core processor for facial detection
A hand held image capture device that has a camera with an image sensor to capture a scene viewed by the camera and, a central processor having multiple processing units and an image sensor interface integrated onto a single chip. The image sensor interface is configured to receive data from the image sensor and the multiple processing units being configured for processing in the data. The processing of the data includes detecting faces within the scene. |
| US08896719B1 |
Systems and methods for parallax measurement using camera arrays incorporating 3 x 3 camera configurations
A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology. |
| US08896718B2 |
Advanced video camera privacy lock
A video camera privacy lock is set forth. The video camera privacy lock includes a low level filter driver that install and maintains a first position in a filter graph. The filter driver provides a locked media signal to the next sequential item rather than to a media stream until and unless the filter is unlocked. The locked media signal may be a blank screen, a text message, an icon, a static image (such as an avatar, a photograph, etc., pixilated video, or some other predetermined output). Also, in various embodiments, the driver is locked by default, thereby increasing user trust that the video camera only transmits a media signal when desired. |
| US08896716B2 |
Blur correction apparatus and image capturing apparatus
Upon detecting the start of a panning operation, an adder-subtracter applies an offset from an offset change circuit to the output of an HPF (High-Pass Filter) representing the shake amount of an image capturing apparatus to decrease the shake amount. The offset value is set to be larger as the value of shake correction data output from a focal length calculation circuit is closer to the correction limit of a blur correction circuit. Upon detecting the end of the panning operation, the offset value is returned to zero. This invention provides a blur correction apparatus capable of suppressing degradation of a blur correction effect even when in a panning state. |
| US08896710B2 |
Zoom lens barrel and image pickup apparatus having the same
A zoom lens barrel capable, even if it has an image shake correction mechanism and a diaphragm mechanism, of decreasing a distance between lens groups of a photographing optical system of the lens barrel, whereby the lens barrel size can be reduced and the magnification can be increased, and capable of preventing a collision between diaphragm blades of the diaphragm mechanism and the lens groups from occurring when vibration, impact, or the like is applied to the lens barrel. When apart of an image shake correction lens intrudes into an aperture of diaphragm blades, a restricted portion of a lens holding member and a restricting portion of a diaphragm restrict a maximum movement of the lens holding member in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, thereby restricting a maximum amount of movement of the image shake correction lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. |
| US08896706B2 |
Colour calibration method for an image capture device
A method for providing a mapping from apparent color to actual color for an image capture device including capturing an image of a reference color chart having a plurality of color patches using the image capture device, wherein each color patch has an associated reference color, measuring the apparent color of the plurality of color patches in the captured image, selecting a plurality of control points representing different hue values within a circular hue space, determining an angular offset for each control point such that the distance between a transformed apparent color and the reference color for each color patch is minimized, the angular offset representing a hue correction, wherein interpolation of the angular offsets for the control points provides a mapping from apparent color to actual color for the image capture device. |
| US08896705B2 |
Measuring device and associated method for measuring response speed of display panel
A measuring device for measuring a response speed of a display panel is provided. The measuring device includes a microcontroller and at least one photo sensor. The microcontroller provides a control command, according to which a display controller of the display panel provides test pattern to the display panel. The photo sensor senses a test frame displayed corresponding to the test pattern by the display panel, and provides a corresponding sensing signal associated with brightness and a response signal. According to the response signal, the response speed of the display panel is calculated. |
| US08896702B2 |
System and method for processing digital signals of an infrared image
A system and method are provided for processing digital signals of an infrared image. In a frame's backward-stroke, performing a differential weight accumulation process on an original column diagram data representing an original column diagram curve distribution of a current frame image, so as to filter overbright or overdark pixels, and output grayscale value data of a last frame image after being processed in a last frame's backward-stroke. In a frame's forward stroke, receiving the grayscale value data of the last frame image and performing a grayscale shift process in way of multi-meandering lines on the received grayscale value data, so as to perform different levels of brightness grayscale shift for the grayscale value data on bright or dark side, and output the processed grayscale value data of the last frame image. The present application can provide better scene adaptability for the infrared image. |
| US08896701B2 |
Infrared concealed object detection enhanced with closed-loop control of illumination by.mmw energy
An active infrared sensor may include an imaging infrared sensor to provide an output signal conveying time-sequential infrared images of a scene which includes a subject, a beam generator to generate a millimeter wave energy beam, and a processor. An initial infrared image of the scene may be stored in a memory. After storing the initial infrared image, the beam generator may illuminate the subject with the millimeter wave energy beam. A temperature change across the subject due to the millimeter wave energy beam may be estimated based on the output signal and the stored initial infrared image. The beam generator may stop illuminating the subject when a highest temperature change across the subject is at least equal to a predetermined temperature change limit. |
| US08896700B2 |
Rear vision system for a vehicle
A camera vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup video camera operable to capture video images rearward of the vehicle during a rear backup maneuver of the vehicle. The rearward field of view of the rear backup video camera encompasses a vehicle hitch of the vehicle, which is configured to connect to a trailer tongue of a trailer to connect the trailer to the vehicle. A display device includes a video screen operable to display video images captured by the rear backup video camera for viewing by a driver of the vehicle, such as when a transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted into reverse gear by the driver. The control continues to display video images captured by the rear backup video camera during a short term forward movement of the vehicle after the shifting of the transmission of the equipped vehicle into reverse gear. |
| US08896698B2 |
Front end mounted video camera for vehicle
A vehicle camera mount has a bracket, a support arm, and a camera housing. The bracket is used to fasten the support arm to a vehicle. The camera housing is connected to the support arm, the camera housing contains a camera, and the camera housing has a wind resistance reducing aerodynamic profile configured to reduce wind resistance by the camera housing as the vehicle is moving. The support arm is configured to support the camera housing to the vehicle so that the camera housing is above a front fender of the vehicle and alongside a hood of the vehicle. |
| US08896695B2 |
Retinal concave array compound camera system
The present invention provides a camera system having a compound array of imaging sensors disposed in a retinal configuration. The system preferably comprises a concave housing. A first imaging sensor is centrally disposed along the housing. At least one secondary imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor. The focal axis of the second imaging sensor, in the preferred embodiment, intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within an intersection area. |
| US08896693B2 |
System and method for monitoring multiple targets using a single camera
Techniques to monitor multiple targets with a single camera are disclosed. In one embodiment, an image sensor is provided with two or more readout circuits, each operating independently and is designed to read out charges from a designated area of the image sensor. When two or more designated sensing areas in the image sensor are being focused onto different objects and read out respectively, such an image sensor is capable of monitoring multiple targets. When placed in traffic surveillance, a camera equipped with such an image sensor is able to monitor multiple forward and backward lanes in near or far field. Further with the control of the designated areas, different resolutions of the images may be produced. |
| US08896692B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method of image processing, and recording medium storing image processing control program
An image processing apparatus at one site obtains a currently captured image that includes a drawing image of a drawing area of a drawing object and an image of a peripheral area of the drawing object, determines whether the drawing image changes from a time when a previously captured image is obtained, and transmits a differential image that reflects the drawing image to a counterpart site. |
| US08896689B2 |
Environment recognition apparatus
An apparatus capable of improving the estimation accuracy of information on a subject including a distance up to the subject is provided. According to an environment recognition apparatus 1 of the present invention, a first cost function is defined as a decreasing function of an object point distance Z. Thus, the longer the object point distance Z is, the lower the first cost of a pixel concerned is evaluated. This reduces the contribution of the first cost of a pixel highly probable to have a large measurement or estimation error of the object point distance Z to the total cost C. Thereby, the estimation accuracy of a plane parameter ^q representing the surface position and posture of the subject is improved. |
| US08896687B2 |
Lane departure prevention support apparatus, method of displaying a lane boundary line and program
A lane departure prevention support apparatus comprises: imaging means for capturing an image of a lane boundary line which defines a traveling lane; vehicle position detecting means for recognizing the lane boundary line in a recognition area of captured image data to detect a host vehicle position within the traveling lane in a width direction; assisting means for performing driver assist using the recognition result of the lane boundary line; displaying means for displaying the recognition result of the lane boundary line; and recognition result display controlling means for displaying an unrecognized lane boundary line according to the host vehicle position, if one of left and right white lines is not recognized, wherein a display of the unrecognized lane boundary line is not such a display which indicates that the lane boundary line is not recognized. |
| US08896685B2 |
Method and system for determining information relating to vacant spaces of a parking lot
An information processing apparatus and method are disclosed. The method includes obtaining vacant space information of a parking lot, and obtaining a position and a direction of a car in the parking lot. The method further includes determining one or more vacant spaces existing in a traveling direction of the car, and determining one or more routes from the car location to a vacant space. Moreover, the method includes generating one or more virtual space images at least indicating a position of the vacant space in the parking lot, and transmitting the generated one or more virtual space images to the car. |
| US08896684B2 |
Vehicle display enhancements
A system and method for enhancing display content includes receiving a video signal made up of video frames from at least one image sensor and identifying a driving path based at least in part on steering wheel data. The system and method also includes performing a first segmentation on the at least one video frame to divide the at least one video frame into a plurality of segments containing input pixel data, altering input pixel data based on a segment associated with the input pixel data to create output pixel data and providing the at least one video frame comprising the output pixel data to a display. |
| US08896681B2 |
Image pickup unit for endoscope
According to this invention, there is provided an image pickup unit for an endoscope, including a lens barrel portion includes a movable lens holding barrel that holds the movable lens and is movable to advance and retract and a drive mechanism portion which is disposed at a side surface portion of the lens barrel portion and drives the movable lens holding barrel. The unit has a holding portion which is disposed at the side surface portion of the lens barrel portion and is configured to position and hold the drive mechanism portion, a gap between the lens barrel portion and the drive mechanism portion is filled with an adhesive which is made to have a difference in hardness such that hardness is lower on a proximal end side than on a distal end side. |
| US08896680B2 |
Endoscope with first and second voltage comparing portions
An endoscope includes: an image pickup device mounted in a distal end portion of an insertion portion; wiring that transmits a power supply having a plurality of different power supply voltages for driving the image pickup device, a drive signal that drives the image pickup device, an image pickup signal that is outputted from the image pickup device, and a ground level; a substrate on which a connector that relays the wiring is provided; a first voltage comparing portion that compares the plurality of different power supply voltages; a power supply generation portion that generates a plurality of second power supply voltages; a second voltage comparing portion that compares the plurality of second power supply voltages; and a power supply control portion that controls a supply of power to the image pickup device based on comparison results of the first and second voltage comparing portions. |
| US08896677B2 |
Imaging device and transmission/reception system
There are provided an inexpensive imaging device that may perform data transmission promptly and easily, and a transmission/reception system using the imaging device. The imaging device includes, an imaging section, a recording section storing data of images shot by the imaging section, a transmission section transmitting the data stored in the recording section to the outside by radio, and a controller controlling the transmission section to start data transmission after the imaging section finishes image-shooting. |
| US08896675B2 |
Display system for stereoscopic viewing implementing software for optimization of the system
The present invention relates to a display system for stereoscopic viewing, the system comprising a binocular viewing device, information content, and a display source. The display system is remarkable in that it further comprises electronic components for implementing pieces of software for optimizing the binocular viewing device, the information content, and the display source, said pieces of optimization software together forming a loop for managing various parameters. The wearer of said device can thus view the information content via the binocular viewing device under conditions that are best adapted to the wearer's physiology. |
| US08896673B2 |
Method, TV set for displaying 3D image and glasses
A method for displaying 3D image is provided in the present invention. The method includes: 3D image signals, which comprise consecutive one frame of left-eye signal and one frame of right-eye signal, are received; the 3D image signals are processed by frequency multiplication, and n consecutive frames of left-eye signals and n consecutive frames of right-eye signals are obtained, n being the times number of the frequency multiplication and equal to or greater than 2; light-emitting diode (LED) driving signals drive the LED to display the n consecutive frames of left-eye signals and the n consecutive frames of right-eye signals; in the n consecutive frames of left-eye signals, the first frame of left-eye signal corresponds to an LED driving signal which is off, the nth frame of left-eye signal corresponds to an LED driving signal which is on, and in the n consecutive frames of right-eye signals, the first frame of right-eye signal corresponds to an LED driving signal which is off, the nth frame of right-eye signal corresponds to an LED driving signal which is on. The present invention also provides a TV set for displaying 3D image and a pair of glasses for viewing 3D image. By the present invention, the problem of crosstalk between leftimage and rightimage is solved, and backlight sources energy consumption and complete apparatus cost are reduced. |
| US08896672B2 |
Image display device capable of three-dimensionally displaying an item or user interface and a method for operating the same
An image display device for displaying a 3-Dimensional (3D) image and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The image display device includes a user input unit configured to receive an item selection signal for some of one or more items included in a User Interface (UI) image, a control unit configured to generate a detailed image of a selection item selected by the item selection signal as a 3D image, and a display unit configured to display the detailed image. A user can select and receives an UI image or items included therein as a 3D image, and select a 2D/3D mode of the displayed UI image so as to control a sense of depth thereof. If a plurality of UI images is displayed, the image display device can display UI images on multiple layers with senses of depth. |
| US08896669B2 |
Image adjustment
An image adjustment apparatus for processing images output by two image capturing devices arranged with respect to one another so as to capture images representing different respective views of a scene comprises a noise combiner for combining a noise signal with one or both of a pair of corresponding images captured by the two image capturing devices; a difference detector for detecting differences in color properties between the pair of corresponding images output by the noise combiner; and a color property adjuster for adjusting color properties of images from at least one of the image capturing devices on the basis of the differences detected by the difference detector, so as to reduce the differences in color properties between corresponding images captured by the two image capturing devices. |
| US08896665B2 |
Camera calibration method and medium and 3D object reconstruction method and medium using the same
A camera calibration method and medium and a 3-dimensional (3D) object reconstruction method and medium using the camera calibration method are provided. The camera calibration method includes setting a feature track by tracking and matching features in an input image sequence; estimating 3-dimensional (3D) points in relation to the features by initializing a structure and motion of the camera; estimating a pose of the camera by using the 3D points and refining the structure of the camera based on the estimated pose; and refining the pose of the camera. |
| US08896664B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing a broadcast signal for 3D broadcast service
The disclosed method for processing a broadcast signal for 3D (3-Dimensional) broadcast service comprises encoding 2D (2-Dimensional) video stream including a 2D video frame, encoding depth information including depth of a 3D image relative to a plane of a display, encoding signaling information for signaling the encoded 2D video stream and the depth information, wherein the signaling information includes a 3D service location descriptor including codec type information specifying encoding type of the encoded depth information, generating the broadcast signal including the encoded 2D video stream, depth information and signaling information, and transmitting the generated broadcast signal. |
| US08896663B2 |
Transmitting device, receiving device, communication system and program
A transmitting device of present invention includes a framing portion that outputs a video image signal which is acquired per frame after extracting data of the video image signal at every predetermined number of lines in a vertical direction within a frame and positioning the data in a different area within the same frame, and an encoder that encodes an output from the framing portion such that the video image signal is transmitted to a receiving device, when the framing portion is compatible with a progressive image, the framing portion produces the output after swapping the data positioned in the different area between two consecutive frames, and when the framing portion is compatible with an interlaced image, the framing portion produces the output without performing the swapping. |
| US08896656B2 |
Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace
A method and apparatus for selecting information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method comprising the steps of providing a selectable control interface that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first and second different states, associating a video source with the switching device so that video information from the video source is presented to the switching device, when the video source is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator to indicate a first state and when the selectable control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the second state and providing the video information from the video source to the common display screen via the switching device. |
| US08896650B1 |
Scanning optical apparatus and image forming apparatus
The calculation unit calculates the time interval between the time at detecting the light beam reflected by the reflective surface of the rotatory polyhedron incident on the BD sensor by the light beam detecting unit and the time at detecting the light beam reflected by the reflective surface incident on the optical sensor in the light source by the return light beam detecting unit. The scan adjusting unit adjusts the luminescence time of the light source for scanning the light beam on the surface to be scanned based on the time interval calculated by the calculation unit. |
| US08896649B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device includes: a light source unit; a light deflecting unit that deflects a light beam emitted from the light source unit; a scanning optical device that focuses the light beam deflected by the light deflecting unit on a scanned surface; and a light shielding member. The scanning optical device is provided in a direction in which a sound pressure level of a noise caused by rotation of a rotating polygon mirror included in the light deflecting unit is highest. |
| US08896643B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including: a photoreceptor; a charger configured to charge a photoreceptor surface; an optical scanning device configured to expose the photoreceptor surface to form an electrostatic latent image thereon; a developing device configured to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image thereon; a transfer member configured to transfer the toner image to a sheet; a fixing device configured to fix the toner image thereon; and a control unit configured to carry out exposure amount control for formation of an image having a pattern with a spatial frequency from 0.1 c/mm to 3.0 c/mm so that after the exposure, there will be an electric potential difference V1 between an edge portion and a non-edge portion of the pattern and so that there will be an electric potential difference V2 larger than V1 between an edge-surrounding portion and the other portions of a non-image area. |
| US08896642B2 |
Display apparatus and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including: a plurality of subpixels disposed adjacent each other and forming one pixel which forms a unit for formation of a color image; the plurality of subpixels including a first subpixel which emits light of the shortest wavelength and a second subpixel disposed adjacent the first subpixel; the second subpixel having a light blocking member disposed between the second subpixel and the first subpixel and having a width greater than a channel length or a channel width of a transistor which forms the second subpixel. |
| US08896640B2 |
Dislplay panel, flat-panel display device and driving method thereof
The display panel includes data driven chip and at least two scanning driven chips. The second scanning signal input terminal of each of the scanning driven chip is connected to a first scanning signal output terminal of the data driven chip by corresponding transmission circuits. At least one transmission circuit includes a serially connected resistor so that sum of impedance of the transmission circuits are equal, or the difference of the impedance of the transmission circuit is less than a predetermined value. In addition, a flat-panel display device with uniform brightness and a driving method thereof are also provided. |
| US08896636B2 |
Test device for display panel and method of testing the same
A test device for a display panel and a method of testing the same are provided. The test device for a display panel includes a luminance measurement unit that measures a luminance value of a display panel including a plurality of pixels, and a controller that determines a voltage value of a data signal corresponding to a target luminance value, receives a measured luminance value of a pixel to which the data signal is supplied from the luminance measurement unit from among the plurality of pixels, compares the measured luminance value and the target luminance value, and outputs a control signal that changes a first power source voltage value supplied from a power source voltage supply unit to the pixel until the measured luminance value does not coincide with the target luminance value. |
| US08896634B2 |
Information-processing device and program
An information-processing device comprises: a reception means for receiving an instruction to display an object image(s) on a display means for displaying an image, via an operation means for receiving an operation; a determination means for determining a number of the object image(s) when the object image(s) is displayed on the display means in response to the instruction; and a display control means for, in a case where the number determined by the determination means is equal to or larger than three and equal to or smaller than a threshold value, arranging and displaying the object images at positions such that, when points respectively determined in adjacent object images are connected by line segments, a figure formed by the line segments represents a polygon having a number of vertices corresponding to the determined number, and, in a case where the number determined by the determination means exceeds the threshold value, arranging and displaying the object images in rows extending in a predetermined direction in a display area of the display means. |
| US08896633B2 |
Adjusting a display size of text
This is directed to adjusting the size of displayed text in response to receiving user instructions. An electronic device can display text or other content using one or more default sizes. A user can direct the device to increase a display size of text by providing a corresponding input. In response to receiving the instruction, the electronic device can increase the display size of the text and display the beginning of the text (e.g., the beginning of a sentence), even though an input may be detected in a region near the end of the text. In some cases, when the user instructs the device to increase the display size of text beyond a maximum level, the electronic device can provide an audio output corresponding to the text instead of or in addition to increasing the display size of the text. |
| US08896632B2 |
Orienting displayed elements relative to a user
One or more elements are initially displayed on a display component of an electronic device. After the one or more elements have been displayed on the display component of the electronic device, an image of a user of the electronic device is captured, and an orientation of the electronic device relative to the user is determined based on the captured image of the user of the electronic device. Thereafter, an orientation of at least one of the displayed elements is adjusted relative to the display component of the electronic device based on the determined orientation of the electronic device relative to the user. |
| US08896627B2 |
Information display device, information display system, and computer program product
An information display device of an embodiment includes: a storage unit that stores the image data in association with information of the image data; a retrieval condition receiving unit that receives an input of a retrieval condition; a retrieval unit that retrieves the image data from the storage unit according to the received retrieval condition; a display control unit that displays an entire image representing an entire range in which the retrieved image data is distributed on a client terminal; and an operation receiving unit that receives an operation of an input unit by a user on a screen on which the entire image is displayed. The display control unit extracts the image data included in a range represented by a locus formed by an operation of the input unit, and displays the extracted image data on the client terminal together with the entire image. |
| US08896624B2 |
Image display device and image processing method
In order to make visible the image in a region which is hidden by an image sensor provided on a display unit when performing color calibration,an image display device of the present invention includesa sensor position detecting unit that detects a position on a screen where the image sensor is provided, and an image processing unit that displays, at another region on the screen,an image at the position on the screen that is detected by the sensor position detecting unit. |
| US08896621B1 |
User-manipulable stencils for drawing application
A drawing application provides functionality for assisting the user in performing freehand drawing. The user can place virtual stencils on the screen, and can manipulate the stencils in various ways. The stencils can be used as guides for freehand drawing and/or to transform freehand drawings into more precise shapes. In general, the stencils do not form part of the final graphical document being created (or edited), but are used to assist the creation (or editing) of the document, in a manner that is analogous to the use of physical stencils in when drawing on paper or other physical medium. The stencils can be used for straightening lines, for constraining the effect of drawing or painting, and/or as a visual guide for performing any drawing operations. The user can cause the stencils to be dismissed and/or hidden at any time, so that the graphical document can be viewed without the overlaying stencils. |
| US08896620B2 |
Computer input device
Computer input devices are described herein for use in manipulating digital images on a display apparatus. |
| US08896617B2 |
Multi-resolution texture aggregation
Systems and methods for aggregation of textures at multiple resolution levels are described herein. An embodiment includes a preprocessing system that aggregates textures associated with objects of interest at multiple resolution levels. Individual textures may have a “pyramid” of resolution levels, and aggregated textures may be combined into a “tree” or a “forest”. Additionally, a texture forest may also be organized spatially and in resolution using the nodes of a quadtree, based on the 3D coordinates of the geometric primitives using each texture. A client identifies a resolution level for each object of interest in an image frame, groups objects based on resolution levels. The client may then test one texture coordinate per object at the beginning of a texture tree, recursively towards each child node of the tree, accumulating texture replacement transforms as a texture matrix. The client may then draw all the textures with the appropriate transform. |
| US08896613B2 |
Stored value digital picture frame
The present invention is a stored value digital picture (or digital image) frame, and a method for sensing a stored value digital picture frame. It integrates the functionality of a stored value card, or a gift card, into a digital picture frame. The stored value digital picture frame may include an attachment device for attaching the frame to a keychain or keyring. The method includes sensing an account identifier from an account identifying device included in the frame, associating the identifier with an account, and taking some action involving the account. The action might be reading the account balance, initializing the balance with an amount, increasing the balance, or decreasing the balance. |
| US08896612B2 |
System and method for on-the-fly key color generation
The video output system in a computer system reads pixel information from a frame buffer to generate a video output signal. In addition, a full-motion video may also be displayed. Reading from both the frame buffer and the full-motion video buffer when displaying the full-motion video window wastes valuable memory bandwidth. Thus, the disclosed system provides a system and methods for identifying where the video output system must read from the frame buffer and where it must read from the full-motion video buffer while minimizing the amount of area it reads from both the frame buffer and the full-motion video buffer. |
| US08896609B2 |
Video content generation system, video content generation device, and storage media
A video content generation device generates video data synchronized with music data based on motion data, representing a motion graph including nodes, edges, and weights, and metadata indicating a synchronization probability per each node between the motion graph and a musical tune. A music data storage unit stores the predetermined amount of music data and their musical characteristics in connection with the predetermined number of beats, in a reproduction order, retrieved from the musical tune. An optimum path search unit searches an optimum path connecting between nodes, each of which is selected per each beat with a high synchronization probability, on the motion graph with motion characteristics matching with musical characteristics based on the predetermined amount of music data. Video data synchronized with music data is generated based on synchronization information for correlating motion data to music data along with the optimum path. |
| US08896604B2 |
Producing optimization graphs in online advertising systems
A computer implemented system produces an optimization graph in an online advertising system. The system presents at a computer, a supply of advertising inventory and advertising demand contracts, where each advertising inventory is presented as a supply node and each advertising demand contract is presented as a demand node. The system processes the supply of advertising inventory and the advertising demand contracts. For example, the system partitions the supply nodes into supply partitions and determines whether each supply node is eligible for each demand node. In addition, the system determines the number of eligible supply nodes to be drawn from each supply partition for each demand node. |
| US08896602B2 |
Apparatus and method for finding visible points in a point cloud
A method for determining an optimal location for positioning an image capturing device within a volume, the method including, obtaining a plurality of points to be visible from the image capturing device, performing inversion on points located in the vicinity of the plurality of points thus creating a computerized inversed object, each point in the vicinity of the plurality of point is translated to a corresponding point in the computerized inversed object, defining a convex hull of the inversed object, determining if a point of the plurality of points is visible from the viewpoint according to the position of its corresponding point on the convex hull relative to its neighbor points, repeating said determining for multiple locations within the volume, determining whether a predetermined set of points is visible from each location, selecting the optimal location of the image capturing device based on the results of said repeated determining. |
| US08896592B2 |
Digital dental modeling
Embodiments are provided for digital dental modeling. One method embodiment includes receiving a three-dimensional data set including a first jaw and a second jaw of a three-dimensional digital dental model and receiving a two-dimensional data set corresponding to at least a portion of the first jaw and the second jaw. The method includes mapping two-dimensional data of the two-dimensional data set to the three-dimensional digital dental model by transforming a coordinate system of the two-dimensional data to a coordinate system of the three-dimensional data set. The method includes positioning the first jaw with respect to the second jaw based on the two-dimensional data mapped to the three-dimensional data set. The method includes using at least a portion of the two-dimensional data mapped to the three-dimensional data set as a target of movement of the first jaw with respect to the second jaw in the three-dimensional digital dental model. |
| US08896591B2 |
Pixel circuit
A pixel circuit includes a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel is coupled to a scan line and a data line, so as to determine whether to be enabled according to a first scan signal transmitted on the scan line, and whether to be driven according to a data signal transmitted on the data line. The second sub-pixel is coupled to the scan line, so as to determine whether to be enabled according to the first scan signal. The data signal is in a first state when the first scan signal is in a pre-charged period. The data signal is in a second state during a time interval after the pre-charged period is over and before the first scan signal enters a turn-on period. Voltage polarities of the first state and the second state are opposite. The pixel design can improve color shift and frame flicker. |
| US08896589B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and display driving method
A liquid crystal display panel and a display driving method are disclosed. The liquid crystal display panel includes several pixel units, several scan lines, several common electrode lines coupled with the pixel units and several common electrode control units. The common electrode control units are configured for controlling the voltage levels of the common electrode lines. Each one of the common electrode control units generates a first output signal and a second output signal opposite to the first output signal according to the former common electrode controlling unit and two adjacent scan lines. The common electrode controlling unit controls a voltage level on one of the common electrode lines according to the first output signal, and outputs the first output signal and the opposite second output signal to the next common electrode control unit. |
| US08896588B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention cancels the fluctuation in the potential of the common voltage so that the image quality of the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel can be prevented from deteriorating, and thus, a high quality image can be provided, and adopts a common symmetric method, such as a dot inverting method, as the method for driving the liquid crystal display device. |
| US08896576B2 |
Touch panel, liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display device, and touch panel-integrated liquid crystal display device
A touch panel includes: an infrared light transmitting material through which infrared light is transmitted and which has a surface as a touch surface (20) touched by a detection subject; area sensors (3) including photo sensor elements (4) below a touch region, which is touched by the detection subject, of the infrared light transmitting material; and infrared light sources (1) provided outside the touch region, the infrared light sources (1) emitting infrared light along said surface of the infrared light transmitting material such that an entire circumference of the detection subject touching the touch surface (20) is irradiated with the infrared light, the touch panel detecting a position touched by the detection subject so that the photo sensor element (4) receives, among infrared light emitted by the infrared light sources (1) along said surface, infrared light reflected by the detection subject and transmitted through the infrared light transmitting material. |
| US08896572B2 |
Display device and method of driving the same for alternately applying a reset voltage to row and column sensor data lines
In a touch sensible display device, a first sensing unit is connected to a row sensor data line and outputs a first sensing signal according to a touch, and a second sensing unit is connected to a column sensor data line and outputs a second sensing signal according to the touch. A sensing signal processor alternately applies a reset voltage to the row sensor data line and the column sensor data line and generates a sensing data signal according to the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and a touch determiner processes a sensing data signal to generate touch information. |
| US08896571B2 |
Touch panel
Disclosed herein is a capacitive touch panel having a single layer electrode structure capable of securing uniformity of capacitance distribution by decreasing capacitive coupling which may be caused by a generation of undesirable parasitic capacitance between short-range electric field lines by a sensing electrode and a ground electrode adjacent to the sensing electrode employing a mutually inclined concave and convex part toward the sensing electrode and by the sensing electrode and an adjacent driving electrode having a interdigit structure formed in the same method, in a mutual capacitive type touch panel that configures together the driving electrode and the sensing electrode on a single electrode layer having a matrix structure in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged to be intersected with each other on a base substrate. |
| US08896570B2 |
Detecting method for a touch device
A detecting method for a touch device, the method includes the steps of reading all sensed values of a frame associated with the touch device, computing a difference between a maximum sensed value and a minimum sensed value of all the sensed values of the frame, comparing the difference with a base value to generate a comparison result and executing a corresponding operation based on the comparison result. |
| US08896566B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus and method for controlling interference includes a signal receiving unit which receives a signal in an effective frequency band from an input device; a signal processing unit which processes a signal on the effective frequency band to output a user input signal; a display unit which displays an image based on the user input signal; and a diminishing signal generating unit which generates a diminishing signal having a waveform diminishing a noise outside the effective frequency band. |
| US08896565B2 |
In-cell touch sensing panel
The present invention in one aspect relates to an in-cell touch panel. In one embodiment, the in-cell touch panel includes at least one touch sensing device configured such that when a touch occurs, it responsively generates a first sensing signal and a second sensing signal that is different from the first sensing signal, and at least one reverse amplification circuit electrically coupled to the at least one touch sensing device for amplifying the difference between the first and second sensing signals. |
| US08896564B2 |
Acoustic touch apparatus
An improved acoustic touch apparatus that has a logo or application icon applied on the back surface of a propagating substrate which can be viewed through the substrate and an acoustic element situated adjacent the logo or application icon that can compensate for phase velocity shifts of surface acoustic waves in propagating over the logo or application icon. |
| US08896562B2 |
Portable terminal, key operation control method thereof, and program
To prevent a user from erroneously touching a key part arranged outside a display unit on a touch panel while operating the display unit via the touch panel, causing an erroneous operation.A portable terminal includes a display unit, a touch panel which is arranged on the display unit and a part other than the display unit extended from the display unit and is directed for detecting a position touched by a user on the display unit and outside the display unit, a key part which is arranged outside the display unit on the touch panel and is capable of detecting key pressing via the touch panel, and a control unit which, when detecting that the user touches a detection area set near the key part of the display unit via the touch panel, even if detecting that the user touches the key part, does not process the touch on the key part as key pressing. |
| US08896560B2 |
Offloading touch processing to a graphics processor
In an embodiment, a processor includes a graphics domain including a graphics engines each having at least one execution unit. The graphics domain is to schedule a touch application offloaded from a core domain to at least one of the plurality of graphics engines. The touch application is to execute responsive to an update to a doorbell location in a system memory coupled to the processor, where the doorbell location is written responsive to a user input to the touch input device. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08896559B2 |
Wire-array pressure and movement sensor
A multilayer wire array having an upper layer having a series wires arranged in an equally spaced, parallel relationship and a series of internal layers located in a spatial arrangement below the upper layer. Each internal layer is similar to the upper layer, wherein each internal layer is oriented preferably perpendicularly to the adjacent layers. The upper layer is provided in electrical connectivity with a power source. Each subsequent layer is provided in electrical communication with a sensing device. Pressure is applied to the wire array, wherein the pressure distorts the layers causing electrical communication between contacting wires. The connectivity provides an output that is sensed by the sensing device and subsequently analyzed to determine the location and any respective movement of the pressure applied to the array. The output data can be used as a pointing device for a computer, a user identity device, and a security device. |
| US08896557B2 |
Touch pad
A touch pad includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate. The first transparent substrate has a plurality of first axial electrodes and at least one hollow channel. The second transparent substrate has a plurality of second axial electrodes. Each of the second axial electrodes has a plurality of first sensing electrode regions and at least one second sensing electrode region. The first sensing electrode regions are provided on both sides of the second sensing electrode region and arranged to extend along a second direction. The central portion of the second sensing electrode regions is formed with a hollow region. By means of the first axial electrode and the second axial electrode, the touch pad of the present invention has an increased signal-to-noise ratio and an enhanced anti-jamming capability. |
| US08896555B2 |
Touch alphabet and communication system
A touch alphabet and communication system is provided. The communication system uses a predetermined set of touch gestures, such as fingertip touch patterns performable on keyless touch-sensitive surfaces, to express the user's desired communication. The touch-sensitive surface may be the touch screen display of a computer, tablet device, cell phone, or a touch-sensitive pad, for example. The finger touch patterns are based on a limited set of unique and ergonomically pleasing finger positions that may be performed in a limited area. The touch alphabet allows the user to comprehensively communicate without looking at the communication device, and with just one hand, or in another implementation, with two hands. Thus, a user can comfortably tap an entire alphabet and related functions, with one hand, without having to visualize the user interface surface or hunt for individual keys. |
| US08896552B2 |
Gestures for selecting text
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for selecting text using a touchscreen display of a computing device. A computing device identifies physical contact between multiple fingers and the touchscreen display at a starting location, wherein the identifying is in distinction to identifying physical contact between a single finger and the touchscreen display. The computing device determines that the physical contact persists during movement of the physical contact from the starting location to an ending location. The computing device determines that the physical contact was interrupted at the ending location. The computing device identifies that text displayed between the starting location and the ending location is text that has been selected by a user of the computing device. |
| US08896550B2 |
Navigation system
A navigation system is provided. A medium insertion port is disposed on the front surface of a main unit and a portable recording medium is loaded into or unloaded from the main unit through the medium insertion port. A display unit is disposed on the front surface of the main unit and can move between a closed position where the medium insertion port is covered and an opened position where the medium insertion port is exposed. A limitation section limits the movement of the display unit to the opened position. A limitation removing section removes the limitation by the limitation section. An operation section receives an operation on the navigation system. The operation section can receive an operation other than an operation to be intrinsically received by the operation section. The limitation removing section removes the limitation by the limitation section when the operation section receives the operation other than the operation to be intrinsically received. |
| US08896549B2 |
Method and system for duplicating an object using a touch-sensitive display
The invention is directed to a computer-implemented method and system for duplicating an object using a touch-sensitive display. The method comprises: (i) displaying a selected first object on the touch-sensitive display; (ii) detecting a first user interaction and a second user interaction on the selected first object; (iii) detecting a movement of the first user interaction outside the selected first object; (iv) displaying a second object which tracks the movement of the first user interaction on the touch-sensitive display, the second object being a duplication of the first object; and (v) positioning the second object according to a last detected location of the first user interaction on the touch-sensitive display. |
| US08896548B2 |
Capacitive touch screen with method and device for converting sensing information including zero cross point
The method and device for converting sensing information are disclosed. Each first touch related sensing information of a first sensing information is detected. At least one of the first touch related sensing information is converted. Each converted first touch related sensing information is replaced by a corresponding second touch related sensing information, whereby the first sensing information is converted into a second sensing information. |
| US08896547B2 |
Pointer detection apparatus and pointer detection method
Disclosed herein is a pointer detection apparatus, including: a conductor pattern including a plurality of first conductors disposed in a first direction and a plurality of second conductors disposed in a second direction; a multi-frequency signal production circuit configured to produce a plurality of signals of different frequencies; a first conductor selection circuit configured to selectively supply the signals of different frequencies to those first conductors, between which N ones of the first conductors are interposed, N being a predetermined integer equal to or greater than 0; a second conductor selection circuit configured to selectively receive detection signals from the second conductors; and a signal detection circuit configured to obtain signals of individual frequencies, corresponding to the signals of different frequencies produced by the multi-frequency signal production circuit, which are representative of coupling states at cross points between the first conductors and the second conductors and are received from said second conductor selection circuit. |
| US08896545B2 |
Angularly-selective sensor-in-pixel image detection
A display system configured for multi-touch input is provided. The display system comprises a display surface, a local light source to illuminate the display surface with infrared light, and an image-producing display panel. The image-producing display panel comprises a plurality of image sensor pixels positioned within a sensor layer of the image-producing display panel. The image-producing display panel further comprises an angularly-selective layer positioned between the display surface and the sensor layer, wherein the angularly-selective layer is configured to transmit light having a first range of incidence angles with the surface normal of the angularly-selective layer to a first sensor pixel of sensor layer, and to reflect light having a second range of incidence angles from a second sensor pixel of the sensor layer, where the second range is greater than the first range of incidence angles with respect to a surface normal of the sensor layer. |
| US08896544B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and information processing system
An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a read unit for reading pattern information formed by conductive material and an execution unit for executing a predetermined processing based on the pattern information read by the read unit. |
| US08896543B2 |
Virtual symbols-based keyboard
A system for allowing a user to input text related data using a mobile device having an input and presentation unit. The system includes a virtual symbols keyboard, which includes virtual keys, each indicative of a graphical symbol, each graphically represents at least a part of a character, where the virtual symbols keyboard is configured to allow a user to input each character by touching a designated intermediate area between adjacent keys or by directly touching a virtual key using a single touch for inputting each character; and a processing module, which enables identifying a touch event over the virtual symbols keyboard, occurring over each virtual key and/or over each intermediate area and associating each touch event with a respective associated character according to the identified touch area. The processing module further allows presenting each identified associated character over the input and presentation unit. |
| US08896539B2 |
Touch-type keyboard with character selection through finger location on multifunction keys
A touch-type keyboard with multiple functions associated with each key which functions are uniquely selected based on finger position. Each of a plurality of mechanical keys are associated with at least three functions. Each key has a surface area for actuation by a user's finger. The surface area is mapped to zones associated with each function. Function actuation is determined by detection of the finger position when the key is actuated. In the event of a finger overlapping multiple zones during actuation, unique function selection is determined at least in part from the pattern of finger overlap with the plural zones. |
| US08896537B2 |
Optical navigation chip used in an optical mouse
An optical navigation system cooperated with a light source for being used in a mouse is provided. The mouse transmits a mouse signal to a computer for navigation control. The optical navigation system includes an optical sensing array and a circuitry. The optical sensing array is utilized for receiving a reflected light from a surface indicating features of the surface for generating a digital frame corresponding to intensity variation caused by the reflected light. The circuitry is coupled to the optical sensing array, and utilized for generating a digital displacement signal by monitoring the intensity variation of two different digital frames, wherein the two digital frames are captured by the optical sensing array at two different time. Additionally, the mouse suspends the mouse signal to the computer if the intensity variation is flat. |
| US08896532B2 |
Interactive display device and control method thereof
An interactive display device which senses an external device and operates according to the sensed result and a control method thereof are disclosed. A method for controlling an interactive display device includes detecting an external device on a surface of the interactive display device, wherein the external device includes a plurality of identification markers sensed by the interactive display device, scanning a shape of the external device, sensing signals of the identification markers, determining coordinate information and contact information of the external device on the surface of the interactive display device based on a result of scanning the shape and sensing the signals, wherein the contact information indicates which side of the external device is in contact with the interactive display device, and displaying data around the external device according to the determined coordinate information and contact information. |
| US08896531B2 |
Fast fingertip detection for initializing a vision-based hand tracker
Systems and methods for initializing real-time, vision-based hand tracking systems are described. The systems and methods for initializing the vision-based hand tracking systems image a body and receive gesture data that is absolute three-space data of an instantaneous state of the body at a point in time and space, and at least one of determine an orientation of the body using an appendage of the body and track the body using at least one of the orientation and the gesture data. |
| US08896527B2 |
Multi-resolution pointing system
A user control input system for a host with a display. A controller establishes a communication link with the host and includes a first motion sensor. At least a second motion sensor is also in communication with the host. First user movement induces the first motion sensor to generate a first signal that is communicated to the host such that the host induces movement of a cursor on the display to move with respect to control objects at a first resolution. Second user movement induces the second motion sensor to generate a signal that is communicated to the host such that the host processing unit induces movement of the cursor at a second coarser resolution. The cursor can include first and second indicia such that the second indicium is moved proportional to the second motion at a finer resolution than movement of the first indicia. |
| US08896525B2 |
Portable terminal and display control method thereof
A portable terminal includes two display element provided respectively on two housings; and detection element provided on one of the two housings and that detects the posture of the housing that is provided with the detection element. The portable terminal places first and second reference point on respective display screens of the two display element such that the spatial distance of the first and second reference point in a free space is constant, and calculates the open angle between the two housings based on the length of a perpendicular line drawn from the first reference point to the open axis, the length of a perpendicular line drawn from the second reference point to the open axis, and the length of the spatial distance; and corrects the detected detection value based on the calculated open angle and notifies an application executed on other housing of the corrected value. |
| US08896523B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and input apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes a calculation unit and a determination unit. The calculation unit has a two-dimensional calculation mode configured to perform, when an operation device is placed on an operation surface and a user operates the operation device, calculation based on a detection value of a motion sensor corresponding to two-dimensional motion of the operation device, and has a three-dimensional calculation mode configured to perform, when the user operates the operation device in a three-dimensional space, calculation based on a detection value of the motion sensor corresponding to three-dimensional motion of the operation device. The determination unit is configured to determine which of the two-dimensional calculation mode and the three-dimensional calculation mode is used to perform the calculation with the calculation unit, based on the detection value of the motion sensor and at least one of information other than the detection value of the motion sensor. |
| US08896519B2 |
Electrophoretic display and driving method thereof
An electrophoretic display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a first substrate, a first electrode formed on the first substrate, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a plurality of charged particles arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, pairs of the charged particles having different polarities. Each charged particle has at least two threshold voltages, where the threshold voltages are voltage magnitudes below which a voltage applied across the first and second electrodes does not move the associated charged particle. The pixels may represent any one of colors such as red, green, blue, white, and black by including two charged particles of different colors in one pixel and changing the attractive and repulsive force threshold voltages of each of two charged particles of different colors contained in the pixel. |
| US08896518B2 |
Display module, display device, and liquid crystal television set
This display module includes a display portion, a light-emitting portion to apply light to the display portion, a light guide plate made of resin to guide the light from the light-emitting portion to the display portion, including a first positioning portion, a frame made of metal in which the light guide plate is arranged inside, including a hole, and a positioning member made of resin, including a second positioning portion so formed as to be capable of positioning the first positioning portion of the light guide plate in a state where the positioning member is so arranged as to cover the hole of the frame. |
| US08896516B2 |
Light emission control circuit, light emission control method, flat illuminating device, and liquid crystal display device having the same device
There is provided a light emission control circuit being capable of simplifying a power source circuit reducing costs and power consumption. A constant current circuit is serially connected to a specified light emitting device group out of a plurality of light emitting device groups and a power source circuit supplies power to each light emitting device group and a current detecting unit detects a current flowing through a specified light emitting device group and a power control unit controls a power source circuit based on a pre-set current value and on a detected value. |
| US08896511B2 |
Display apparatus and display apparatus driving method
In an active matrix display apparatus including: pixels provided in a matrix pattern, the pixels each including a memory circuit which retains data while refreshing the data, a data signal electric potential which is supplied from a source line in a period t1 and written to a node which is connected to a liquid capacitor is higher than a data electric potential of the node, the data electric potential being obtained in a period t14 after a refresh operation of the memory circuit. |
| US08896507B2 |
Liquid crystal device
A liquid crystal device comprises an active matrix substrate (6) and a counter-substrate (7) provided with homeotropic alignment surfaces (11). A layer of nematic liquid crystal material is provided between the alignment surfaces (11) so as to form a vertically aligned nematic device. The substrates (6, 7) carry a pixel electrode arrangement and a counter-electrode arrangement which define a plurality of pixel regions. Each of least some of these regions has a pixel electrode (13), which may be split into two halves, and a counter-electrode (8) which are arranged to apply an electric field for controlling the liquid crystal director (12) out-of-plane tilt angle. A further electrode (14), for example in the form of a plurality of parallel fingers, cooperates with at least one of the other electrodes (8, 13) to apply a second electric field for controlling the director in-plane azimuth angle. Such a device may be used, for example, as a switchable public/private display. |
| US08896502B2 |
Display device and method for driving the same
A display device includes a display unit, a horizontal drive circuit, and a vertical drive circuit, the display unit including pixels in a matrix formation, as well as respective signal lines and scan lines via which the drive circuits drive the pixels. Each pixel includes a light-emitting element, a hold capacitor, a write transistor, and a drive transistor. Mobility fluctuations in the drive transistor are compensated for by successively setting the voltage of the signal line to an intermediate voltage and to a tone voltage. In addition, the intermediate voltage is varied in accordance with the tone voltage as well as with the distance from the input terminal of a write signal to a respective pixel. The device thereby compensates for mobility fluctuations in the drive transistor and prevents shading due to irregularities in the waveform of the write signal. |
| US08896499B2 |
Stereoscopic image display
A a stereoscopic image display includes: a liquid crystal display panel including a 3D control line to which a 3D control voltage is applied, and a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels being divided into a main pixel portion and an active black stripe; and a 3D control voltage generation circuit that supplies a 3D control voltage to the 3D control line and discharges a voltage of the active black stripe down to a black gray voltage. |
| US08896498B2 |
Display and display assembly
A display includes a frame component, a display module, a first outer frame and a second outer frame. The frame component includes a first side and a second side. The display module is configured on the frame component. The first outer frame is configured at the second side, while the second outer frame is configured at the first side. The length of the second outer frame is shorter than or equal to the length of the first side, so that the two sides of the second outer frame are adapted without exceeding the two ends of the first side. By means of such a design structure, two displays may be connected into a display assembly with a larger display area. When connecting two displays, the first outer frames are able to be removed and the second sides of the two displays are inclined close to each other. |
| US08896497B1 |
Communications-tower antenna mount
An antenna mount for mounting radio antennas on a communications tower is described. The antenna mount includes a ring structure that encircles the tower and includes a channel disposed about its outer perimeter. The channel is configured to receive a plurality of antenna carriages upon which antennas are mounted on a first end. A second end of the antenna carriage is disposed in the channel and is slideably movable along the length of the channel about the perimeter of the ring structure. The antenna is thus aimable in any desired azimuthal direction by moving the antenna along the ring structure. Bands for communication of data, power, control signaling, and propulsion of the antenna carriages about the ring structure are disposed in the channel. The ring structure may include a junction that allows reorientation of antennas with respect to one another. |
| US08896493B2 |
Interlaced multiband antenna arrays
Antenna arrays which can work simultaneously in various frequency bands thanks to the physical disposition of the elements which constitute them, and also the multiband behavior of some elements situated strategically in the array. The configuration of the array is described based on the juxtaposition or interleaving of various conventional mono-band arrays working in the different bands of interest. In those positions in which elements of different multiband arrays come together, a multiband antenna is employed which covers the different working frequency bands. The advantages with respect to the classic configuration of using one array for each frequency band are: saving in cost of the global radiating system and its installation (one array replaces several), and its size and visual and environmental impact are reduced in the case of base stations and repeater stations for communication systems. |
| US08896492B2 |
Deformed folded dipole antenna, method of controlling impedance of the same, and antenna device including the same
In a U-shaped deformed folded dipole antenna, a first parallel section having a feeding point includes first and second L-shape sections, and a second parallel section without a feeding point includes first and second opposing side portions and a connecting side portion coupling ends of the first and second opposing side portions. Portions of the first and second L-shape sections arranged in parallel with the first and second opposing side portions have a width W1. Portions of the first and second L-shape sections arranged in parallel with the connecting side portion have a width W2. The first and second opposing side portions have a width W3. The connecting side portion has a width W4. An impedance of the deformed folded dipole antenna is controlled by setting the width W2 to be larger than the widths W1, W3, and W4. |
| US08896491B1 |
Cross-type transmission module
A cross-type transmission module is provided, including a first circuit board, a second circuit board, a first positioning structure, a second positioning structure and a base. The first circuit board includes a first antenna. The second circuit board includes a second antenna. The second circuit board intersects the first circuit board. The first V-shaped groove and a second V-shaped groove are formed between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. The first V-shaped groove is opposite to the second V-shaped groove. The first positioning structure is disposed in the first V-shaped groove, and is connected to the first circuit board and the second circuit board. The second positioning structure is disposed in the second V-shaped groove, and is connected to the first circuit board and the second circuit board. The first positioning structure and the second positioning structure are secured to the base. |
| US08896487B2 |
Cavity antennas for electronic devices
Antennas are provided for electronic devices such as portable computers. An electronic device may have a housing in which an antenna is mounted. The housing may have an antenna window for the antenna. The antenna window may be formed from dielectric or from antenna window slots in a conductive member such as a conductive wall of the electronic device housing. An antenna may have an antenna resonating element that is backed by a conductive antenna cavity. The antenna resonating element may have antenna resonating element slots or may be formed using other antenna configurations such as inverted-F configurations. The antenna cavity may have conductive vertical sidewalls and a conductive rear wall. The antenna cavity walls may be formed from conductive layers on a dielectric antenna support structure. |
| US08896482B2 |
Object detection method
A dummy target is set in a direction which is the same direction as that of a detected target and at the position whose distance is double that of the detected target; a second-order wave target detection area is set in the predetermined area including the position of the dummy target; the target detected in the second-order wave target detection area is judged as being a second-order wave target; a interpolated target is set in the direction which is the same as that of the second-order wave target, and at the position whose distance is half that of the second-order wave target; a fundamental wave target detection region is set in the predetermined area including the position of the interpolated target; and the interpolated target is outputted as a fundamental wave target in the case where no fundamental wave target is detected in the fundamental wave target detection region. Even if the fundamental wave target to be detected is undetected within a close range, data on the fundamental wave target is estimated and outputted on the basis of the interpolated target calculated from the second-order wave target which continues being detected, as described above. This makes it possible to continue detecting the fundamental wave target without interruption. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an object detection method which enables an object in a close range to be detected securely by a radar device. |
| US08896481B2 |
Monitoring a production or conveyor environment by means of radar
A method using an antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement includes a switched transmission antenna array with a number of transmission antennas, which radiate a radar transmission signal one after the other corresponding to a predetermined switching sequence. A first receiving antenna and a second receiving antenna receive the transmitted radar signals and reflected by at least one radar target. A first set of received signals by the first receiving antenna during the switching sequence of the transmission antenna array; receiving a second set of received signals by the second receiving antenna simultaneously with receiving the first set of received signals by the first receiving antenna during the switching sequence of the transmission antenna array; and from these signals the angular position of the at least one radar target based on the first set and the second set of received signals using an ESPRIT method is determined. |
| US08896478B2 |
Successive approximation analog-to-digital converter using capacitor array with sub-capacitors configured by capacitor disassembling and related method thereof
A successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) includes a capacitor array and a comparator. The capacitor array has M capacitors which are arranged to perform capacitor switching operations sequentially, wherein a sum of capacitance values of the M capacitors is equal to (2N−1) unit capacitors, M>N, and M and N are both positive integers. The comparator is arranged for comparing an output of the capacitor array and an analog input sequentially. |
| US08896474B2 |
Two-stage phase digitizer
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is described. This ADC converts an analog signal into a digital value using a two-pass digitization process. In a first operation, coarse digitization is performed by an averaging converter based on a set of references. Then, in a second operation, fine digitization is performed by either another averaging converter or the same averaging converter based on a subset of the set of references that is progressively closer to an instantaneous value of the analog signal. For example, the coarse digitization may be performed by a low-resolution ADC stage and the fine digitization may be performed by a sigma-delta ADC, such as a single-bit sigma-delta ADC. Moreover, the other averaging converter may use dynamic element matching to shuffle reference elements used to generate the subset. In this way, the ADC may provide high resolution with reduced nonlinearity and quantization noise. |
| US08896473B2 |
Digital-to-analog-converter with resistor ladder
A digital-to analog-converter (DAC) has a MSB resistor ladder with a plurality of series connected resistors, wherein the MSB resistor ladder is coupled between a first and second reference potential, a LSB resistor ladder with a plurality of series connected resistors, and a plurality of switching units for connecting one of the series connected resistors of the MSB resistor ladder with the LSB resistor ladder, wherein each switching unit has a first switch for connecting a first terminal of an associated MSB resistor with a first terminal of the LSB resistor ladder and a second switch for connecting a second terminal of the associated MSB resistor with a second terminal of the LSB resistor ladder and wherein each switch is configured form a resistor of similar value of the resistors of the LSB resistor ladder when switched on. |
| US08896472B2 |
Low glitch-noise DAC
An N-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes N input stages each of which generates the same amount of current and includes a pair of similarly sized transistor switches responsive to differential bits. The 2M−1 input stages associated with the M most significant bits of the DAC are connected in parallel and deliver their currents differentially to the DAC's current summing nodes. Each of the remaining (N−M) stages includes a resistive network that supplies a current defined by a binary weight of the stage's bit position within the DAC. The (N−M) stages deliver their currents to the current summing nodes differentially. The DAC further includes an impedance attenuator adapted to maintain the impedance of the current summing nodes and the voltage difference between the current summing nodes within a range defined by a gain of a differential amplifier disposed in the impedance attenuator. |
| US08896471B1 |
Conversion of a discrete-time quantized signal into a continuous-time, continuously variable signal
Provided are, among other things, systems, apparatuses, methods and techniques for converting a discrete-time quantized signal into a continuous-time, continuously variable signal. An exemplary converter preferably includes: (1) multiple oversampling converters, each processing a different frequency band, operated in parallel; (2) multirate (i.e., polyphase) delta-sigma modulators (preferably second-order or higher); (3) multi-bit quantizers; (4) multi-bit-to-variable-level signal converters, such as resistor ladder networks or current source networks; (5) adaptive nonlinear, bit-mapping to compensate for mismatches in the multi-bit-to-variable-level signal converters (e.g., by mimicking such mismatches and then shifting the resulting noise to a frequently range where it will be filtered out by a corresponding bandpass (reconstruction) filter); (6) multi-band (e.g., programmable noise-transfer-function response) bandpass delta-sigma modulators; and/or (7) a digital pre-distortion linearizer (DPL) for canceling noise and distortion introduced by an analog signal bandpass (reconstruction) filter bank. |
| US08896470B2 |
System and method for disambiguation of stroke input
An electronic device for disambiguation of stroke input, the device comprising: an input device coupled to the microprocessor for accepting a stroke input; and a stroke disambiguation module resident in the memory for execution by the microprocessor. The device is configured to: receive a signal representing a stroke input sequence at the stroke disambiguation module; apply one or more stroke disambiguation rules to the stroke input sequence to generate an updated input sequence; and transmit a signal representing the updated input sequence. |
| US08896469B2 |
Reduced keyboard character selection system and method
A system and method of selecting a letter for display in a communication device having a display and a reduced-key keyboard is provided. One of the plurality of keys on the reduced-key keyboard is selected and a default letter associated with the selected key is displayed. A backspace key is selected to display a cursor in the position of the default letter on the display. The key associated with the default letter is selected again and an alternate letter associated with the selected key is displayed in place of the default letter. |
| US08896464B2 |
Navigation device and method for providing warnings for a speed trap
At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a navigation device for providing warnings when a detection point of a speed trap is approached, including a processor unit arranged to communicate with memory unit and to receive positional information from a positioning device. The memory unit may include a speed trap database, including at least one detection point of a location of a speed trap. The navigation device of at least one embodiment is arranged to provide a warning when one of the at least one detection point is approached. The memory unit is further arranged to include at least a further detection point associated with at least one of the stored detection points, both relating to a same point to point speed trap. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device is arranged to provide a warning when the further detection point is approached or has been passed. |
| US08896460B2 |
Lighting control
The present invention provides a lighting fixture including a light source, a light source controller, and an external controller plug. The light source controller controls power to the light source. The external controller plug allows an external controller to selectively engage a power source to the light source controller. |
| US08896457B2 |
Method, system and wireless device with event detection for monitoring protective headgear
A wireless device includes a sensor module that generates sensor data in response to an impact to the protective headgear. A device processing module generates event data in response to the sensor data, wherein the device processing module includes an event detection module that analyzes the sensor data and triggers the generating of the event data in response to detection of an event in the sensor data. A short-range wireless transmitter transmits a wireless signal that includes the event data. |
| US08896455B2 |
Intrusion detection and communication
An intrusion detection system disclosed herein includes a detector circuit that measures a change in value of impedance of an interconnection circuitry. A decoder coupled to the detector decodes the measured value of the change in the impedance of the interconnection circuitry to determine existence of an abnormal condition. In an example implementation of the intrusion detection system, the change in the value of the impedance of the interconnection circuitry is represented by a change in the phase delay on the interconnection circuitry. An implementation of the intrusion detection circuit terminates communication using the interconnection circuitry upon detection of the abnormal condition. The intrusion detection system is further configured to interpret the abnormal condition as a communication signal to the interconnection circuitry. |
| US08896453B2 |
Sleep evaluation device and display method for sleep evaluation device
A measurement device is provided with a sensor for detecting body motion of a subject and a CPU for executing processing for generating display data. The CPU includes a first discrimination unit for discriminating a sleeping state of the subject for each unit period, based on a sensor signal output from the sensor, a second discrimination unit for discriminating a level of the sleeping state of a predetermined period consisting of a predetermined number of continuous unit periods, based on the sleeping state for each unit period, a decision unit for deciding a display mode for each predetermined period, according to the level of the sleeping state of the predetermined period, and a generation unit for generating display data for displaying the level of the sleeping state of the subject in the predetermined period on a display device with a graph along the time axis. |
| US08896450B1 |
Fish strike alarm
An automatic alarm system that indicates the presence of a fish strike at an unattended fishing pole comprises a small transmitter located at an upper tip of the fishing pole activated by a motion sensor that energizes a transmitter and a light whenever a fish moves the rod. The sensitivity of the movement is adjustable via a switch, which allows the user to ignore small movement caused by breezes or other effects. A receiver is carried by the fisherman, comprising a small enclosure which is provided with both a vibrating and audible alarm. The receiver is capable of receiving pages up to hundreds of feet away. Both components are powered by user replaceable batteries. |
| US08896447B2 |
Programmable security system and method for protecting merchandise
A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations. |
| US08896446B2 |
Device and system for electronic access control and surveillance
Described is a device for electronic access control (EAC) and surveillance. The device includes an EAC module and an imager integrated in a single unit. The EAC module controls physical access through a secure portal and the imager maintains surveillance of an observation area near the portal. A data signal is provided at a data port proximate to the EAC module and imager. The data signal includes EAC data for the portal, image or video data of the observation area and optional audio data. The device can be configured to communicate with a remote server and database over an IP data network. The device can also include one or more analytical modules for real-time computation and processing of data and generation of metadata for transmission over the data network. Correlating and combining current and historical data from multiple devices results in powerful real time threat detection and forensic search capability. |
| US08896442B1 |
System and method for collaborative resource tracking
A system and method for locating, tracking, and monitoring resource in large-scale facilities is disclosed herein. The system is based on a sensor network and is efficient, scalable, and requires only short-range communication. The system allows for sensor-to-sensor communication as well as the traditional sensor-to-anchor communication to effectively eliminate long-range communications. In order to perform resource localization and tracking, the present invention pairs each resource with an inexpensive, low-powered sensor possessing minimal communication and computation capabilities. The sensors communicate with only nearby resources or anchors and those resources communicate with their nearby resources or anchors until a wireless, linked network of resources and anchors is formed. |
| US08896441B2 |
System and method for tracking people
The system and method for tracking people provides for the tracking of individuals in large crowds, such as the tracking of individual pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. A polling request is initially transmitted from a tracking station to a mobile device associated with a particular person of interest. Upon receipt of the polling request, a location signal is transmitted back to the tracking station. The location signal includes positional and time data representative of the location of the mobile device at the time of transmission. Additionally, a supplemental location signal is also transmitted to the tracking station, the supplemental location signal being representative of the location of the mobile device when the mobile device is detected within proximity of a fixed sensor. A visual display image of the path of the person of interest is then displayed at the tracking station overlaid on a geographic map. |
| US08896439B2 |
Remote maintenance of medical imaging devices
A medical imaging device that uses electromagnetic or acoustic information to generate a patient image is remotely maintained. A set of operational characteristics for the device is maintained by a maintenance system disposed remotely from the device. Data from sensors disposed local to the device are received over a network at the maintenance system. A set of parameter measures is derived from the received data and analyzed in comparison with the set of operational characteristics to identify a predicted malfunction of a component of the device. The maintenance system is thus able to initiate a repair of the medical imaging device by generating an alert in response to identification of the predicted malfunction. |
| US08896434B2 |
Indication system for vehicle and vehicle having the same
A charging port includes an inlet, a charging-in-progress lamp, and a communication-in-progress lamp. The inlet is configured to be connectable with a charging cable. During external charging by a charger, the charging-in-progress lamp indicates that external charging is being performed. Specifically, while the charging-in-progress lamp receives from a charging ECU a signal which indicates that external charging is being performed, the charging-in-progress lamp is lit. The communication-in-progress lamp is provided adjacently to the charging-in-progress lamp for indicating, while PLC-based communication by means of the charging cable is in progress, that PLC is being performed. Specifically, the communication-in-progress lamp is lit while the communication-in-progress lamp receives from the charging ECU a signal indicating that PLC is being performed. |
| US08896433B2 |
Driver assistance system and method for supporting the driver of a vehicle in maintaining a traffic lane limited by traffic lane markings
In a method and apparatus for assisting the driver of a vehicle in maintaining a traffic lane limited by traffic lane markings, the traffic lane markings and the position of the vehicle in the traffic lane are detected. Upon an actual or impending change of traffic lanes a lane change warning is output to the driver of the vehicle in a first step, and a course correcting actuating intervention counteracting the lane change is carried out in a second step. The actuating intervention is carried out only if the change of traffic lanes is impermissible due to the type of traffic lane marking to be crossed during the traffic lane change, or if the lane change is not possible without danger due to collision-endangering objects present on the side of the traffic lane. |
| US08896431B2 |
Apparatus and method for compromised vehicle tracking
Before a vehicle is parked, a signal is received from at least one of a base station and a location determination system. It is determined when the signal fails to meet at least one predetermined criteria. When the signal fails to meet the at least one predetermined criteria, a warning message is formed and presented to an operator of the vehicle. |
| US08896428B2 |
Medicine dispensing record system
A dosage cap records and displays dosage information about a medicine, including, the projected time that the next dosage of medicine is needed, the time interval between numerous administrations of the medicine, the time and/or date that the last dose was administered, the current daily intake amount, the date the dose was administered, or scheduled administration of the medicine. The time and date of the last dosage of medicine administered can be reset and updated when a subsequent dose of medicine is administered. The cap secures over a medicine container lid to provide easy visibility of the dosage information to a user. A shaft extends downwardly from the cap to secure the cap to the medicine container lid by penetrating the lid with a sharp point. A fastener attaches to the end of the shaft for securing the cap to the medicine bottle lid. |
| US08896427B1 |
Portable thermal image emergency exit marking device for firefighters
A portable thermal image emergency exit marking device for use by firefighters and rescue personnel includes a polygonal housing having electrical heating elements on side panels that are shaped to form infrared heat generating words or symbols indicating an escape exit which are clearly visible by a thermal imaging camera, a flashing strobe light, and an audible alarm, to guide firefighters to the exit of a burning smoke-filled building. The configuration of the infrared heating elements avoids confusion and clearly distinguishes the words or symbols from other hot spots, heat emitting objects, and burning objects in the environment of the burning structure. An accessory adjustably supports the marking device at various heights above the floor surface when desired. The housing may have a ring for connecting a rope that can be extended from the housing to an exit of the burning structure and followed to exit the burning structure. |
| US08896425B1 |
Apparatus and method for serialized continuous encoding of RFID tags
A Method for rapidly encoding RFID Tags on a moving web, using well established encoding techniques supplemented by an elegant but unobvious mechanism for enforcing the order of data encoded to said RFID Tags. |
| US08896418B2 |
Method to increase accuracy of locating unit in wireless vehicle system
A wireless unit for a wireless vehicle system includes a receiver for receiving a vehicle-originating signal, a transmitter for transmitting a reply signal, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for determining a received signal strength of the vehicle-originating signal, a memory for storing sensitivity data, and a control unit in electrical communication with the receiver, the transmitter, the RSSI and the memory. The receiver has a sensitivity, and the memory is for storing sensitivity data corresponding to the sensitivity of the receiver. The control unit is configured to communicate with the transmitter to direct the transmitter to transmit the reply signal. The reply signal includes received signal strength data used for determining a distance between the wireless unit and an associated vehicle-side transmitter on an associated vehicle. The received signal strength data is based on the received signal strength and the sensitivity data. |
| US08896417B2 |
System and method for operating gate
A system for operating a gate of a vehicle may include a laser diode unit that shows step positions for operating the gate by radiating a plurality of laser points onto the ground, an ultrasonic wave sensor unit that measures the distance between the bottom of the rear bumper and the step positions and senses step input from a change in the distance due to the user stepping on the step positions, a gate driving unit that opens/closes the gate, using a driving part, and a control unit that controls the opening/closing operation of the gate driving unit on the basis of information on a step-on status kept for a predetermined time by the user which may be found by the ultrasonic wave sensor unit. |
| US08896411B2 |
Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus has a short-distance wireless communication unit which communicates with external equipment, an input unit, a timer, and a control unit. The input unit generates a press event in response to depression of the input unit and a release event in response to release the input unit from the depression. The timer measures an elapsed time. The control unit starts the timer in response to reception of the press event, transmits a press command or a release command to the external equipment in response to the reception of the press event or the release event, and transmits the release command to the external equipment when the control unit detects that the elapsed time reaches a specific time and no event is received from the input unit. |
| US08896409B2 |
Non-linear resistive element and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a technique to secure compositional or microstructural uniformity of a ceramic sintered body while increasing the area of the ceramic sintered boy, thus improving basic performance including non-linearity, maximum withstand energy and aging characteristics. A plurality of small varistor pieces 11 and insulating resin are kneaded and extruded for shaping, whereby a sheet-form varistor layer 13 can be formed where a plurality of small varistor pieces 11 are spaced from one another and are aligned on the same plane, and the adjacent small varistor pieces 11 are bonded via insulating resin. |
| US08896403B2 |
Inductive electronic module and use thereof
An inductive electronic module, comprising a core element having an inner limb (12; 29a) and at least two lateral limbs (14, 16; 33a, 35a; 37a, 39a) associated the inner limb on both sides, the core element being provided with windings (N1, N2, N3, N4) for forming a transformer. A first winding (N1, N2: 47, 49; 51, 53) is implemented as a series connection composed of two partial windings. A first partial winding is formed on a first lateral limb, and a second partial winding is formed on a second lateral limb. |
| US08896400B1 |
Ultrathin waveguide beamformer
An ultrathin, low cost, beamformer with excellent RF performance and robust coaxial connections is disclosed. The beamformer includes a dielectric substrate sheet with a beamformer circuit, a preform sheet adjacent to the substrate sheet, and a conductive backing plate sandwiching the preform as well as an RF absorber. The beamformer also includes robust input and output coaxial connections in which the heads of the coaxial input and output pins are captured between the conductive backing plate and the substrate sheet and ground shrouds are attached to the dielectric substrate sheet. |
| US08896396B2 |
Low pass filter using bulk acoustic wave resonator (BAWR)
Provided are low pass filters using a bulk acoustic wave resonator (BAWR). A low pass filter may include an input terminal configured to be connected with a first radio frequency (RF) device, an output terminal configured to be connected with a second RF device, a parallel segment including a first BAWR, a third BAWR, and a fifth BAWR that may be connected in parallel with each other to a reference potential, a first series segment having a second BAWR and a first inductor, and a second series segment having a fourth BAWR and a second inductor, and connected in series with the first series segment. |
| US08896393B2 |
Coupling interfaces for communication transceivers over power lines
A coupling interface couples a transceiver to one or more capacitive voltage dividers of a power transmission system. The coupling interface includes a first signal path including an adjustable inductance configured to form a resonance circuit with a capacitance associated with the one or more capacitive voltage dividers. The coupling interface may include a second signal path including an adjustable inductance configured to form a resonance circuit with the capacitance associated with the one or more capacitive voltage dividers. |
| US08896391B2 |
Tunable microwave devices with auto-adjusting matching circuit
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an impedance matching circuit including a matching network. The matching network includes a first port and a second port, and one or more variable reactance components. The one or more variable reactance components are operable to receive one or more variable voltage signals to cause the one or more variable reactance components to change an impedance of the matching network. At least one of the one or more variable reactance components includes a first conductor coupled to one of the first port or the second port of the matching network, a second conductor, and a tunable material positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor. Additionally, at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor are adapted to receive the one or more variable voltage signals to cause the change in the impedance of the matching network. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08896385B2 |
Oscillators having arbitrary frequencies and related systems and methods
Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal. |
| US08896382B2 |
Amplification device and amplification method
In an amplification device, an amplification unit has a transistor and amplifies a signal that is input. A control unit applies, when a power source is turned on, a pinch-off voltage to a gate of the transistor before applying a drain bias voltage to a drain of the transistor and then applies a gate bias voltage to the gate of the transistor. |
| US08896376B2 |
Digital amplifier
The disclosed digital amplifier (200) is provided with a voltage value conversion block (220) for converting a digital value of a digital pulse width of a digital modulation block (210) to a voltage value; and an integration circuit block (230) for generating a triangular wave by way of a master clock and modulating the generated triangular wave on the basis of a signal corresponding to the value of the modulation width of digital pulse width modulation. The disclosed digital amplifier (200) is provided with a low-pass filter (260) for demodulating pulse power that has been power-amplified by way of a drive circuit (250) to analog power of an audio band, and an error amplifier (290) for computing the voltage difference between the voltage of a low-pass filter (280) and the low-pass filter (260) and amplifying thereof. |
| US08896369B2 |
Switching device
The present invention provides a switching device capable of further minimizing the ON resistance of a switching element. Switching element has hole injecting unit that includes injecting electrode which is directly connected to semiconductor substrate. Injection driving unit of driving unit is connected to injecting electrode and source electrode of switching element, and applies an injection voltage Vin between injecting electrode and source electrode. Injection driving unit injects holes from hole injecting unit to a hetero-junction interface of semiconductor substrate, by applying the injection voltage Vin exceeding a threshold value to switching element. Because the injected holes pull the equivalent amount of electrons to the hetero-junction interface, concentration of the 2-dimensional electron gas as the channel region becomes high, and the ON resistance of switching element 10 becomes small. |
| US08896367B1 |
Charge pump system
The charge pump system includes a clock generator, a boosting unit determination device, a charge pump circuit, and a voltage regulator. The clock generator is used for generating a clock group. The boosting unit determination device is used for generating a number control signal. The charge pump circuit is used for receiving an operating voltage, the number control signal and the clock group, and generating an output voltage. The charge pump circuit includes plural boosting units. A first portion of the plural boosting units are controlled by the clock group according to the number control signal. The operating voltage is converted into an output voltage by the first portion of the plural boosting units. The voltage regulator is used for receiving the output voltage and converting the output voltage into a specified regulated voltage. |
| US08896362B2 |
Control circuit for controlling a push-pull circuit and method thereof
A control circuit for generating a first control signal and a second control signal includes: an inverter, used for generating an inverted clock according to an input clock; a first delay circuit, used for generating a first delay control signal; a second delay circuit, used for generating a second delay control signal; a first mask circuit, used for generating a first mask signal according to the input clock; a second mask circuit, used for generating a second mask signal according to the inverted input clock; a first logic determining circuit, used for generating the first control signal to the first delay circuit according to the second mask signal and the input clock; and a second logic determining circuit, used for generating the second control signal to the second delay circuit according to the first mask signal and the inverted clock. |
| US08896361B2 |
Pseudo-differential receiving circuit
The invention relates to a receiving circuit for transmission through interconnections used for sending a plurality of electrical signals.Each of the output signals of the receiving circuit produced by the receiving circuit of the invention is delivered by an output of a combining circuit having 4 inputs and 4 outputs. Each signal terminal of the receiving circuit is connected to a first input terminal of a differential circuit, the differential circuit also having a second input terminal and a single output terminal. The common terminal of the receiving circuit is connected to the second input terminal of each of the differential circuits. Each input of the combining circuit is coupled to the output terminal of one of the differential circuits. Each of the output signals of the receiving circuit is a linear combination of the voltages between one of the signal terminals and the common terminal. |
| US08896359B1 |
Temperature compensated timing signal generator
The temperature compensated timing signal generator comprises a crystal oscillator that generates a reference time signal, and a divider circuit that receives the reference time signal as input and outputs a coarse time unit signal, the coarse time unit signal having an actual frequency deviating from a desired frequency as a function of temperature of the crystal oscillator. The signal generator also includes a high frequency oscillator that generates an interpolation signal having a frequency greater than the frequency of the crystal oscillator. A finite state machine computes a deviation compensating signal as a function of the temperature signal, the signal comprises an integer part representative of an integer number of pulses to be inhibited or injected in the divider circuit and a fractional part representative of how much the output of a new time unit signal pulse should further be delayed to compensate for any remaining deviation. |
| US08896351B2 |
Line driver method and apparatus
According to one embodiment, a line driver circuit comprises a plurality of output stages each operable to produce an output signal and one or more pre-output stages operable to perform one or more common functions. The line driver circuit also comprises circuitry operable to selectively couple one or more of the output stages to the one or more pre-output stages based on a wireline communication technology implemented by the line driver circuit. |
| US08896348B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
In a semiconductor device, there are provided first to third pairs of nMOS transistors between a GND and two sense nodes and first to third pairs of pMOS transistors between the two sense nodes and the power supply. A first internal clock signal and its inverted signal are supplied to gates of the first pair of nMOS transistors and the second pair of nMOS transistors, respectively. Complementary external clock signals are supplied to the gates of the third pairs of nMOS transistors and the third pairs of pMOS transistors. An inverted version of a second internal clock signal and the second internal clock signal are supplied to gates of the first and second pairs of pMOS transistors. The two sense nodes are connected to inputs of a differential amplifier. The output of the differential amplifier is latched by a latch circuit. An equalizing circuit precharges/equalizes the two sense nodes. |
| US08896345B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including a PLD which can increase the execution speed of an application with low power consumption is provided. The semiconductor device includes a programmable logic device and a processor which is not dynamically reconfigured. A memory element of the programmable logic device stores a plurality of pieces of configuration data determined to have high frequency of use by a memory module among configuration data corresponding to a thread. The memory element includes a storage element and a switch in each of a plurality of memory cells. The switch is used for supplying charge whose amount is determined by the plurality of pieces of stored configuration data to the storage element, retaining the charge in the storage element, and discharging the charge from the storage element. |
| US08896344B1 |
Heterogeneous programmable device and configuration software adapted therefor
A method of configuring a programmable integrated circuit device with a user logic design includes analyzing the user logic design to identify unidirectional logic paths within the user logic design and cyclic logic paths within the user logic design, assigning the cyclic logic paths to logic in a first portion of the programmable integrated circuit device that operates at a first data rate, assigning the unidirectional logic paths to logic in a second portion of the programmable integrated circuit device that operates at a second data rate lower than the first data rate, and pipelining the unidirectional data paths in the second portion of the programmable integrated circuit device to compensate for the lower second data rate. A programmable integrated circuit device adapted to carry out such method may have logic regions operating at different rates, including logic regions with programmably selectable data rates. |
| US08896343B2 |
Adjustable impedance circuit and impedance setting method for providing differential-mode impedance matching and common-mode impedance matching
An adjustable impedance circuit includes a calibration module, an impedance module, a first switch module and a second switch module. The calibration module is arranged to generate a calibration signal. The impedance module has a plurality of impedance elements. The first switch module is coupled to the calibration module, and is arranged to receive the calibration signal and make a first portion of the impedance elements be selectively coupled between a differential input port and at least one reference voltage according to the calibration signal. The second switch module is coupled to a common-mode voltage output node, and is arranged to receive a control signal and make a second portion of the impedance elements be selectively coupled between the common-mode voltage output node and the differential input port according to the control signal. |
| US08896342B2 |
Integrated circuit and operation method thereof
An integrated circuit of a multiple die package structure having a plurality of semiconductor devices, each of the plurality of semiconductor devices may include an active termination circuit configured to perform an active termination operation to the semiconductor device, and to be turned off in a disable state of an active termination setting code, a multiple die package information transfer unit configured to transfer a multiple die package information signal, and a compulsory termination unit configured to selectively convert the active termination setting code into the disable state in response to the multiple die package information signal. |
| US08896340B2 |
Semiconductor modules
Semiconductor modules are provided. The semiconductor module includes semiconductor chips with one or more ranks. The semiconductor module includes a mode register configured for storing a first information signal whose logic level is set or determined according to a number of the ranks and an on-die termination (ODT) controller configured for generating an internal control signal for activating an ODT circuit in response to the first information signal. The internal control signal is enabled during a read operation or disabled during a write operation. |
| US08896338B2 |
Electrical characterization of semiconductor materials
A method for characterizing the electronic properties of a semiconductor sample by exploiting transients in measured photoconductance, the transients being induced by illuminating the semiconductor sample with a small probing illumination that is superimposed over a larger background illumination. In one embodiment, a pulse-type probing illumination is utilized, with either the intensity of the probing illumination being gradually reduced or the intensity of the background illumination being gradually increased until the measured photoconductance rise and decay in the sample are substantially exponential. In another embodiment, a continuous probing illumination with a sinusoidally-modulated intensity is utilized, the modulated intensity of the probing illumination being gradually adjusted until the measured photoconductance is linearly dependent thereupon. |
| US08896332B2 |
Test apparatus with voltage margin test
A pattern generator generates a pattern signal which represents a test signal to be supplied to a DUT. A driver generates a test signal having a level that corresponds to the pattern signal, and outputs the test signal thus generated to the DUT. A voltage modulator changes, in a predetermined voltage range, the voltage level of the test signal output from the driver DR. |
| US08896331B2 |
Impedance measuring instrument
A measurement instrument for measuring the impedance of a device under test (DUT) includes a first source of either a voltage or a current and a second source of either a voltage or a current, wherein the first source is connectable in a first feedback relationship with the DUT and the second source is connectable in a second feedback relationship with both the DUT and the first source. The first and second sources are operated respectively as a current source responsive to the current through the DUT and a voltage source responsive to the voltage across the DUT or operated respectively as a voltage source responsive to the voltage across the DUT and a current source responsive to the current through the DUT. The second feedback relationship has a narrower bandwidth than the first feedback relationship. The resulting voltage across the DUT and the current through the DUT establish the measured impedance of the DUT. |
| US08896330B2 |
Method and apparatus for grid impedance detection
A method and apparatus for monitoring an AC line for impedance change. In one embodiment, the method, comprises superimposing a tone on an AC current coupled to the AC line, wherein the tone is a higher frequency than an AC voltage waveform on the AC line; applying a correlation over a sampled AC voltage waveform, obtained by sampling the AC voltage waveform, to generate a correlated signal; and determining whether at least one change in characteristic of the correlated signal occurs. |
| US08896328B2 |
Capacitive sensor device
A processing system for a capacitive sensor device comprises circuitry and logic; and the capacitive sensor device comprises a first plurality of sensor electrodes and a second plurality of sensor electrodes. The processing system is configured to acquire a first plurality of capacitive measurements by emitting and receiving first electrical signals with the first plurality of sensor electrodes of the capacitive sensor device. The processing system is also configured to select a first set of the first plurality of sensor electrodes based on the first plurality of capacitive measurements. The processing system is further configured to acquire a second plurality of capacitive measurements by emitting second electrical signals with the first set of the first plurality of sensor electrodes and receiving the second electrical signals with the second plurality of sensor electrodes. |
| US08896324B2 |
System, apparatus, and method for in-vivo assessment of relative position of an implant
A method for providing an in-vivo assessment of relative movement of an implant that is positioned in a living being is provided wherein a first assembly and a second assembly are positioned within the living being. The first assembly includes a passive electrical resonant circuit that is configured to be selectively electromagnetically coupled to an ex-vivo source of RF energy and, in response to the electromagnetic coupling, generates an output signal characterized by a frequency that is dependent upon a distance between the first assembly and the second assembly at the time of the electromagnetic coupling. |
| US08896322B2 |
Apparatus for dispensing and detecting solid pharmaceutical articles and related methods of operation
A method for dispensing and detecting solid pharmaceutical articles includes: forcing an article through a dispensing channel and past a sensor configured and positioned to detect the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the article includes one of the solid pharmaceutical articles; generating a detection signal using the sensor responsive to the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the detection signal indicates a time that the article takes to traverse the sensor; and determining whether the article is a complete article or an article fragment responsive to a comparison of the time indicated by the detection signal and an article fragment travel time representing an expected travel time for a complete article to traverse the sensor that is determined independent of physical attributes of the solid pharmaceutical articles. |
| US08896314B2 |
Multiple component electromagnetic survey signal acquisition method
A method for marine electromagnetic surveying includes transmitting a first electromagnetic field oriented in a first direction into a body of water. A second electromagnetic field oriented in a second direction is transmitted into the body of water, wherein the second direction is substantially transverse to the first direction. A parameter related to electromagnetic field amplitude is detected at a plurality of longitudinally and laterally spaced apart positions behind a vessel. The components of the detected electromagnetic field parameter are resolved into components along the first and second directions by using the geometrical symmetries and asymmetries of the transmitting source. Systems for implementing such methods are also provided. |
| US08896307B2 |
Method for determining magnetic resonance data
According to an embodiment of a method, a first readout gradient field is determined in such a way that a distortion caused by a non-linearity of the first readout gradient field and a distortion caused by a B0 field inhomogeneity are essentially cancelled at a first location of a field of view of the magnetic resonance facility. Moreover, a second readout gradient field is determined in such a way that a distortion caused by a non-linearity of the second readout gradient field and a distortion caused by a B0 field inhomogeneity are essentially cancelled at a different second location of the field of view. Finally, a multiecho sequence is performed, wherein first magnetic resonance data is captured using the first readout gradient field after a 180° pulse and second magnetic resonance data is captured using the second readout gradient field after a further 180° pulse. |
| US08896306B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a magnetic characteristic variable in a core
A technique is provided for detecting a magnetic characteristic variable in particular the magnetic field strength in a section of a core permeated by a magnetic flux. A portion of the magnetic flux is branched off from the core and passed via a magnetic shunt branch, in which at least one non-ferromagnetic gap is formed. A shunt part is disposed in the shunt branch, wherein the magnetic material of the shunt part is not saturated. At least one section of the shunt part is wound with at least one sensor coil in which the branched-off portion of the magnetic flux generates a sensor signal by induction. The magnetic characteristic variable is determined from the branched-off portion of the magnetic flux or a variable derived therefrom using a sensor and evaluation device to which the sensor signal is fed. |
| US08896297B2 |
Rotating angle detecting sensor
An angle detection error is prevented by using a columnar permanent magnet that is radially double-pole-magnetized as a rotating angle detecting sensor while preventing a gap between a plurality of magnetic sensors and an end face of the permanent magnet from being narrowed. The permanent magnet is a ferrite magnet or an alnico magnet having a diameter of 4 mm to 20 mm, and an axial length of 3 mm to 5 mm. The plurality of magnetic sensors detects radial magnetic flux densities at positions axially spaced 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm apart from a central portion of the permanent magnet, the central portion having a diameter equal to or smaller than 20% of the magnet diameter to make it possible to perform detection in a range in which a distribution curve of a radial magnetic flux density has a moderate inclination. |
| US08896286B2 |
Cable identification using a unique signal carried on an unused conductor
A cable identification system is provided. The cable identification system includes a multiconductor cable with an electrical connector secured to at least one end. The electrical connector is adapted to connect a plurality of conductors in the cable to a mating connector. The cable identification system further includes a signal generator adapted to connect the electrical connector to the mating connector. The signal generator is configured to select an unused conductor from the plurality of conductors and generate and transmit a unique signal over the selected conductor in the cable. The cable identification system further includes a portable device configured to detect the unique signal when positioned adjacent the cable at any point along the cable. |
| US08896281B2 |
Method for generating an internal compensation network of a pole and two zeros to compensate high frequency voltage mode switching regulators
A method for controlling a switching voltage regulator that includes generating a feedback voltage that is proportional to the output voltage of the voltage regulator; generating a voltage proportional to the duty-cycle of the inductor charging and discharging phases as a function of the difference between the feedback voltage and a reference voltage; and adding a dominate pole and two zeros to the function used to generate the voltage proportional to the duty-cycle of the inductor charging and discharging phases. |
| US08896278B2 |
Multi-phase switching converter with overlap mode and control method thereof
A multi-phase switching converter and control method thereof. The multi-phase switching converter includes a plurality of switching circuits and a controller. The output terminals of the plurality of switching circuits are coupled together to provide an output voltage to a load. The controller is configured to generate a plurality of control signals to turn on the plurality of switching circuits successively. When a load current increase is detected, the controller operates in an overlap mode and at least two switching circuits subsequent to the current switching circuit are turned on simultaneously. After the overlap mode, the controller resumes to the interleave mode and turns on the plurality of switching circuits successively from the switching circuit subsequent to the at least two switching circuits. |
| US08896275B2 |
Vehicle rotary electric machine capable of safely starting synchronous rectification
A rotary electric machine for a vehicle that is capable of starting synchronous rectification through switching elements after having ensured absence of a short circuit fault. The rotary electric machine includes a multi-phase armature winding, a switching element set that includes a plurality of pairs of upper-arm and lower-arm switching elements to form a bridge rectification circuit together with the armature winding, an on/off-timing setter that sets on/off-timing of each switching element, a switching element driver that drives each switching element at the on/off-timing set by the on/off-timing setter; and a synchronous control start determiner that determines timing when an energization period for the upper-arm switching element and an energization period for the lower-arm switching element occur alternately as start timing of the synchronous rectification. |
| US08896274B2 |
Charger calibrating device and calibrating method thereof
A charger calibrating device and a calibrating method thereof. The device comprises a control module and a processing module. The control module controls a charger to be calibrated to perform a first stage charging and a second stage charging on an electronic device. The processing module performs an adjusting process according to the second stage charging time for adjusting the high level period of the PWM signal in the charging circuit of the charger. In the adjusting process, generating an updated high level period by adding or decreasing a preset adjusting amplitude, and decrease the preset adjusting amplitude by half to generate an updated adjusting amplitude. The processing module terminates the calibrating process after repeating the aforementioned calibrating loop a preset number of times. |
| US08896272B2 |
Systems and methods of battery charging with dynamic float voltage
Embodiments of the present invention include electronic circuits, systems, and methods for charging a battery. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method, which may be implemented by an integrated circuit, comprising charging the battery using a constant current until the voltage on the battery increases to a first voltage level, and charging the battery using a constant voltage, wherein the constant voltage is set to a second voltage level. The constant current charging transitions to constant voltage charging when the voltage on the battery reaches the first voltage level, where the first voltage level is greater than the second voltage level. |
| US08896271B2 |
Battery pack capable of preventing battery cell from high-temperature swelling and method thereof
A method for protecting a battery cell from high-temperature swelling, the method includes: sensing a temperature and a voltage of the battery cell; determining whether the sensed temperature of the battery cell exceeds a reference temperature; determining whether the sensed voltage of the battery cell exceeds a reference voltage, when the sensed temperature of the battery cell exceeds the reference temperature; and self-discharging the battery cell in a charge/discharge/standby mode when the sensed voltage of the battery cell exceeds the reference voltage. |
| US08896270B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit, protection circuit, and battery pack
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a regulator including an output terminal; a switch connected to the output terminal of the regulator; a pull-down resistor connected to the switch; and a leak detection circuit configured to detect a leak current generated in the semiconductor integrated circuit, and turn on the switch when the leak current is detected so that the pull-down resistor is connected via the switch to the output terminal of the regulator and a voltage output from the output terminal of the regulator is pulled down by the pull-down resistor. |
| US08896269B2 |
Battery management device and portable computer
The present invention provides a battery management device and a portable computer, the battery management device is for managing the rechargeable battery provided in a portable computer, the portable computer is provided with a charge circuit for charging a battery, the battery management device comprises: a discharge circuit for discharge the battery; a acquiring module for acquire the mode determining parameter; a first determining module for judging whether the battery storage mode is entered according to the mode determining parameter; a first control module for controlling the charge circuit or the discharge circuit to control the amount of electrical charge of the battery so that the amount of electrical charge of the battery is lower than the second amount of electrical charge threshold in the battery storage mode; the performance of the battery when deposited with the amount of electrical charge lower than the second amount of electrical charge threshold is better than the performance when deposited with the amount of electrical charge higher than the second amount of electrical charge threshold. The present invention alleviates the attenuation of the amount of electrical charge capacity of the rechargeable battery of the portable computer. |
| US08896266B2 |
Electric charging system and electric vehicle
An electric vehicle includes a power receiving connector that is connected to a battery via a relay, and an electric charger includes a power supply connector that is connected to the power receiving connector. When a high voltage is applied to the power receiving connector due to a weld failure of the relay, a warning lamp flashes to notify an operator of the risk. Then the connection state is detected between the connectors. When the connectors are not connected to each other, a warning buzzer issues a warning sound. When the connectors are connected to each other, the warning buzzer is turned off. The power receiving connector is covered by the power supply connector in this manner, the operator is unlikely come in contact with the power receiving connector, and thus the output of a warning sound from the warning buzzer is stopped. |
| US08896264B2 |
Inductive charging with support for multiple charging protocols
A system and method for inductive charging with support for multiple charging protocols. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a base unit having one or more charger coils, for use in inductive charging; and one or more components within the base unit and/or a mobile device for supporting multiple different charging protocols, for use with the mobile device. When a mobile device having one or more receiver coils or receivers associated with, is placed in proximity to the base unit, the system determines a charging protocol for use with the charger coil to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. |
| US08896261B2 |
Doubly-fed generator and doubly-fed electric machine
The excitation overcurrent detection unit for the doubly-fed electric machine is provided with a function to determine an excitation current magnitude relationship among three phases. The firing pulse is held to on-state or off-state to cause the largest-current phase and the second-largest-current phase to charge the DC capacitor by the operation of diodes. The conduction ratio of the third-largest-current phase or minimum current phase is controlled according to the detected current value to protect against a possible short-circuit across the DC capacitor. When the voltage of the DC capacitor exceeds a preset value, the voltage is suppressed by operating active or passive power devices. |
| US08896256B2 |
Reflection encoder, servo motor, and servo unit
Reflected light can be effectively utilized by increasing a light receiving area. Incremental light receiving element groups are separated and arranged in the circumferential direction of a rotating unit while placing a light source therebetween. First and second absolute light receiving element groups are arranged at both sides of the outside and inside of the light source in the radial direction of the rotating unit. As a result, first and second absolute light receiving elements are continuously arranged, and also the incremental light receiving element groups and the absolute light receiving element groups can be arranged to surround the periphery of the light source from four directions. |
| US08896255B2 |
Servo controller having function for correcting amount of expansion/contraction of ball screw
A servo controller, capable of controlling the motion of a movable body with high accuracy, without depending on the position of the movable body which is moved on a ball screw. The servo controller has a position command generating part which generates a position command value; a velocity command generating part which generates a velocity command value based on the position command value and a position detection value; a torque command generating part which generates a torque command value based on the velocity command value and a velocity detection value; and a position compensation calculating part which calculates an amount of expansion/contraction of the ball screw based on a distance from the servomotor to a nut threadably engaged with the ball screw and the torque command value, and calculates a position compensation based on the amount of expansion/contraction. |
| US08896252B2 |
Electric motor driving device and vehicle equipped with the same
An electric motor driving device that drives an electric motor including a field winding, a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor and the stator each form a field pole by passing a field current through the field winding, includes: a power supply device; a converter including a reactor that at least partially serves as the field winding shared with the electric motor, and configured to receive a voltage from the power supply device to carry out voltage conversion between first and second power lines and to pass the field current through the field winding during voltage conversion operation; an inverter configured to convert a direct-current power received from the converter to an alternating-current power for driving the electric motor; and a controller controlling the converter so that a current flows through the field winding in the same direction both during power running and regeneration of the electric motor. |
| US08896246B2 |
Method for aligning and starting a BLDC three phase motor
A motor includes a rotor and a plurality of pairs of electromagnets. The energy needed for alignment of the rotor is used to generate the first movement in forced commutation and may be combined with the initial energy to start the motor. The logic is configured to align the rotor by energizing the three coils of the motor. PWM is applied to the first coil to control current on the coils; when a maximum PWM duty cycle is reached, the coil not required to rotate the correct direction are released, thereby initiating motion in a rotor. A rotation period is determined. One or more pairs of electromagnets are excited at a first excitation level which may be increased, over a second period, to a second level. The second level may be a higher level than the first level. The rotation period may be decreased over the first and second periods. |
| US08896245B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatus for generating voltage command signals for controlling operation of an electric machine
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for generating voltage command signals for controlling operation of an electric machine. The disclosed embodiments can reduce current and torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source. |
| US08896242B2 |
Robotically controlled entertainment elements
A robotic mount is configured to move an entertainment element such as a video display, a video projector or a staircase. The robotic mount is movable in three-dimensions, whereby the associated entertainment element is moveable in three-dimensional space. In one embodiment, a unitary display comprises a plurality of closely spaced individual displays which are mounted to robotic mounts, whereby the configuration of the unitary display may be altered by changing the position of one or more of the displays relative to the others. |
| US08896237B2 |
Method and device for driving a gas discharge lamp
A method for operating a fluorescent lamp (5) having a nominal power (WLa) and stabilized with an EM ballast (B) comprises the steps of during normal operation, short-circuiting the lamp during a closing time interval (CTI) during each current period in order to operate the lamp at a reduced power. The method comprises the step of detecting whether the lamp is stabilized by means of an inductive ballast or by means of a capacitive ballast. If it is found that the ballast is capacitive, the timing of the closing time interval (CTI) is set such that the closing time interval (CTI) has a first closing time segment (CTS1) immediately before a zero-crossing of the current, having a first duration (Δ1) higher than zero, and a second closing time segment (CTS2) immediately after said zero-crossing of the current, having a second duration (Δ2) higher than zero. |
| US08896235B1 |
High temperature LED system using an AC power source
An LED lighting system powered by an AC power source comprising a rectifier module configured to provide a rectified output to a first group of LED devices and a second group of LED devices electrically coupled to the first group of LED devices. A current monitor module electrically coupled to the first group and to the second group of LED devices is configured to determine a first current level using a drawn current level signal associated with the first group of LED devices and a second current level using a reference current level signal associated with the second group of LED devices. The current monitor module is electrically coupled to a temperature sensing module that is configured to generate at least one compensation factor based at least in part on a temperature. The compensation factor is used to control (directly or indirectly) current through the LED devices. |
| US08896234B2 |
Power supply apparatus and display apparatus including the same
A power supply apparatus and a display apparatus including the same are provided. The power supply apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a power factor correction circuit unit which corrects a power factor of input power and outputs the corrected power factor and a controller which controls whether to operate the power factor correction circuit unit according to an input status of a first signal indicating a status of power supplied to the display apparatus and an input status of a second signal indicating an operation status of a display unit included in the display apparatus. |
| US08896230B1 |
Backlight drive circuit with dual boost circuits
The present invention provides an LED backlight drive circuit, which includes a first power supply module, an electrical inductor, a rectifier diode, a MOS transistor, an electrolytic capacitor, an LED light string, a voltage division module, a voltage comparator, a second power supply module, and an LED constant-current drive chip. The LED backlight drive circuit is arranged to include a voltage comparator in an external circuit of the LED constant-current drive chip to detect output voltage of the drive circuit so that high voltage, the voltage comparator is caused to supply a low voltage level to forcibly pull down a PWM dimming signal or an ENA enabling signal of the LED constant-current drive chip to achieve an over-voltage protection function and also enable removal of over-voltage protection module from a conventional LED constant-current drive chip. |
| US08896225B2 |
Power supply device and lighting equipment provided with power supply device
A power supply device according to one embodiment is configured to control a lighting of semiconductor light-emitting elements, wherein a dimming signal is canceled during a predetermined time period (T) from a timing immediately after power-ON, so as to light on light-emitting diodes to have a predetermined light amount, for example, a minimum light amount. After an elapse of the predetermined time period (T), cancellation of the dimming signal is released to light on the light-emitting diodes to have a light amount instructed by the dimming signal. |
| US08896224B2 |
Driver circuit for electroluminescent element
A driver circuit for an EL element is proposed. The driver circuit for the EL element includes a first TFT, a second TFT, a third TFT, a storage capacitor, and an EL element. The EL element includes an anode connected to a first supply voltage and a cathode connected to a source of the first TFT. A source of the second TFT is connected to a drain of the first TFT. A source of the third TFT is connected to a drain of the second TFT. A drain of the third TFT is connected to the ground. Brightness of the EL element can be prevented from being lowered due to EL element degradation by adopting the method of such connections. |
| US08896220B2 |
High efficiency, low energy storage driver circuit for solid state light sources
A device, system and method to drive light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a string of LEDs coupled across a voltage source configured to provide an input voltage. The string of LEDs may include a plurality of separate groups of LEDs and a plurality of switch circuits. Each of the switch circuits may include a switch coupled in parallel with an associated one of the groups of LEDs to control current flow through the associated group of LEDs in response to a control signal from a controller circuit. A switch protection circuit may be associated with at least one of the switches. A steering circuit may also be coupled in series and associated with each of the groups of LEDs. |
| US08896219B1 |
Dimming circuit and method
A Light Emitting Diode (LED) driver circuit for driving an LED string has a switch-mode power supply coupled to the LED string. A control circuit is provided and has a first terminal coupled to a pulse width modulated input and a second terminal coupled to the switch mode power supply. A disconnect switch is coupled to a third terminal of the control circuit and the LED string. |
| US08896215B2 |
Apparatus and method for schedule based operation of a luminaire
An illumination system verifies controls the operation of a luminaire without the use of any photometric data. The illumination system uses data indicative of a current time, date or latitude to determine one or more aspects of a solar event. Such aspects can include a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event. Responsive to the determination of a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event, a control subsystem can adjust the luminous output of a light source. |
| US08896210B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and method
A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber; a lower electrode serving as a mounting table for mounting thereon a target object; and an upper electrode or an antenna electrode provided to be opposite to the lower electrode. The apparatus further includes a gas supply source for introducing a gas including a halogen-containing gas and an oxygen gas into the processing chamber and a high frequency power supply for applying a high frequency power for generating plasma to at least one of the upper electrode, the antenna electrode, or the lower electrode. Among inner surfaces of the processing chamber which are exposed to the plasma, at least a part of or all of the surfaces between a mounting position of the target object and the upper electrode, or the antenna electrode; or at least a part of or all of the surfaces of the upper electrode or the antenna electrode are coated with a fluorinated compound. |
| US08896207B2 |
Fluorescent light fixture assembly with LED lighting element and converter modules
The present invention is directed to a fluorescent light fixture assembly including a ballast and a novel lighting element that includes an array of LEDs and at least one converter module that enables the existing ballast providing an AC power input to supply DC power to the LED array. The lighting element includes a body that contains the LED array and the converter modules and shares the configuration of the lighting element that is to be retrofitted. The lighting element receives power from the pre-existing ballast, wherein the converter module provides a constant current source to power the LED array. Thus, the lighting element, including the converter module, replaces the conventional fluorescent light tube in a cost-effective retrofit manner with the existing ballast. |
| US08896201B2 |
Organic light emitting device
An organic light emitting device including a plurality of organic layers between a first electrode and an emitting layer, wherein the organic layer includes an electron blocking layer. In one embodiment, a first organic layer, an electron blocking layer, a second organic layer and an emitting layer are formed on the first electrode. The electron blocking layer has a Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) level which is lower than that of the first organic layer. Thus, the electron blocking layer traps excess electrons injected from the emitting layer, thereby improving lifetime characteristics of the OLED. |
| US08896200B2 |
Pixel structure of organic light emitting display device
A pixel structure of an organic light emitting display device includes a substrate and a plurality of display pixel units disposed on the substrate. Each of the display pixel units includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel and a third sub-pixel disposed adjacently to one another. The first sub-pixel in each of the display pixel units is disposed adjacently to three first sub-pixels respectively disposed in three adjacent display pixel units to form a first pixel unit. The second sub-pixel in each of the display pixel units is disposed adjacently to three second sub-pixels respectively disposed in three adjacent display pixel units to form a second pixel unit. The third sub-pixel in each of the display pixel units is disposed adjacently to three third sub-pixels respectively disposed in three adjacent display pixel units to form a third pixel unit. |
| US08896196B2 |
Field emitting flat light source and method for making the same
A field emission flat light source and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The field emission flat light source includes an anode (110), a cathode (120), a light guide plate (130) and a separation body (140). The anode (110) and the light guide plate (130) are separated by the separation body (140). The cathode (120) is provided in the contained space (150) formed by the anode (110), the light guide plate (130) and the separation body (140). The anode (110) includes an anode substrate (112), a metal reflective layer (114) provided on the anode substrate (112) and a light emitting layer (116) provided on the metal reflective layer (114). The cathode (120) includes a cathode substrate (122) and an electron emitter (124) provided on the surface of the cathode substrate (122). The thermal conductivity of the field emission flat light source is improved. The field emission flat light source is applied to the field of the liquid crystal display or the illumination light. |
| US08896195B2 |
Filament for electron source
This invention relates to a filament for electron emission cathode which is employed in an electron microscope, a critical dimension examine tool, an electron beam lithograph machine, an electron beam tester and other electron beam related systems as an electron source. Embodiments of the present invention discloses method with which a Re (Rhenium) is used as heat source such that vibration issue of prior tungsten filament can be depressed. |
| US08896194B2 |
Spark ignition device and ground electrode therefor and methods of construction thereof
A spark ignition device has a ceramic insulator surrounded by a metal shell. The metal shell extends along a longitudinal axis to a distal end. A center electrode is received in the ceramic insulator and extends along the longitudinal axis. A ground electrode has an attachment end fixed by a weld joint to the distal end of the shell and a free end extending from the distal end to provide a spark gap. The weld joint includes a capacitive pulse discharge weld joint and a laser weld joint, which in combination inhibit material expulsion; provide a reliable, strong attachment of the ground electrode to the shell; provide an improved heat transfer path between the ground electrode and the shell, and facilitate repeatable and accurate positioning of the ground electrode to the shell. The weld joint includes a homogeneous mixture of the metal shell and the ground electrode. |
| US08896191B2 |
Mercury-free discharge lamp
The present invention provides a low pressure metal halide fluorescent lamp. The metal halide fluorescent lamp may have an oblate spheroid cavity discharge vessel filled with an ionizable metal halide surrounding an exciter housing. An exciter within the exciter housing may drive the ionizable metal halide in an inductively coupled electrode-less manner. One or more embodiments may include one or more heat spreaders and/or thermal transfer pipes for transferring heat from the exciter to a surface of the oblate discharge vessel. |
| US08896182B2 |
System for driving a piezoelectric load and method of making same
A driver system comprises a direct current (DC) voltage source and a first bi-directional DC-to-DC converter having a primary side coupled to the DC voltage source and a secondary side and configured to convert a first voltage on the primary side to a second voltage on the secondary. The driver system also comprises a second bi-directional DC-to-DC converter having a primary side coupled to the DC voltage source and a secondary side coupled to the secondary side of the first bi-directional DC-to-DC converter and configured to convert the first voltage on the primary side to a third voltage on the secondary. The first and second bi-directional DC-to-DC converters are capable of boosting the first voltage, and the second control signal is a complement of the first control signal. A voltage difference between the second and third voltages comprises an output voltage that comprises an amplification of the first control signal. |
| US08896180B2 |
Switched reluctance motor having a vertical moving commutator
Disclosed herein is a switched reluctance motor including: a shaft rotatably supporting the switched reluctance motor in an axial direction; a cylindrical part provided at a central portion of the shaft and movable vertically; an elastic member formed to enclose the shaft, formed from an upper portion of the shaft to an upper portion of the cylindrical part to thereby support a rise of the cylindrical part, and having elasticity; commutator segments attached to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part and having a cylindrical shape; brushes contacting or not contacting the commutator segments according to vertical movement of the cylindrical part; and a propeller provided on a lower portion of the cylindrical part and pushing air at the time of rotation to thereby move the cylindrical part upwardly. |
| US08896179B2 |
Motor and electronic device comprising the same
A motor comprising a stator having a plurality of magnetic poles disposed in a circumferential direction along an outer periphery thereof, a rotor disposed rotatably around the outer periphery of the stator, and a magnet disposed in a circumferential direction along an inner periphery of the rotor. The stator is formed by laminating sheet-like plates. A plurality of the sheet-like plates including an outermost layer of this laminated body comprises a flat portion substantially perpendicular to the magnet, and an extended portion bent to a direction substantially parallel to the magnet. A part of the sheet-like plate having the extended portion disposed to the outermost side is formed into a thickness smaller than thicknesses of the other parts. |
| US08896170B2 |
Electric machine and method for manufacturing it
A method for making a rotary electric machine comprises the steps of: preparing a core (18) having a plurality of pole expansions and a plurality of windings (100, 200, 300) made of electrically conductive material on the pole expansions, where at least a part of the windings (100, 200, 300) is made from a conductor wire having a free end (14) that can be connected electrically to a mains power supply; stably coupling to each other at least two free ends (14) of different windings (100, 200, 300) so as to connect them to a single power supply terminal; twisting the coupled ends (14) together to form a single electrical termination (5, 6, 7) twisted along a principal line of extension of the electrical termination (5, 6, 7). |
| US08896168B2 |
Electric machine having a heat dissipating construction
An electric machine comprises an outer casing (2), a rotor and a stator (3) having at least one polar expansion (5) and at least one winding (8) having an annular shape and placed around the polar expansion (5). The casing (2) has a plurality of protrusions (13) each of which holds, by supporting, a corresponding portion (12) of a stator winding (8) to enable heat exchange between the winding (8) and the protrusion (13). Each portion (12) of the winding (8) is electrically insulated from the respective protrusion (13). |
| US08896162B1 |
Device for installing and/or removing components from electrical equipment
A robot for operating isolation switches while allowing an operator to remain outside of an arc flash zone can include a motor, bidirectional rotatable shaft, gear box, and magnet housings with magnets for engaging with metal. A first arm can be connected to the bidirectional rotatable shaft and can have a gripper. A second arm can connect to the bidirectional rotatable shaft, and can have a threadable member for depressing an interlock on the isolation switches. Stops can prevent the first arm from over-rotating. A magnetically securable controller portion can be in communication with a motor portion and remote switch operator. A remote control device can operate the remote switch operator to control and power the controller portion to operate the motor outside of the arc flash zone. |
| US08896154B2 |
Power conversion device
With a power conversion device, it is possible to lengthen the lifespan of a mechanical switch by preventing an absorption by the mechanical switch of induction energy accumulated in a reactor when there is a problem. When a mechanical switch is turned off when there is a problem, an absorption by the mechanical switch of induction energy accumulated in a reactor is prevented by the energy accumulated in the reactor being released to a capacitor via a diode, thus enabling a lengthening of the lifespan of the mechanical switch. |
| US08896149B2 |
Electric power converting system
An electric power converting system includes a common DC power supply, and a plurality of inverter sets operated mutually independently to one another, and supplied with electric power from the common DC power supply. Each inverter set has an inverter circuit and a main circuit capacitor. The system further includes a plurality of first and second switching circuits. Each first switching circuit is provided between the common DC power supply and each inverter set, and each second switching circuit is provided in each inverter set for discharging charges in the main circuit capacitor. |
| US08896147B2 |
Low power implementation to allow for high potential rails to come up in any order
A low power biasing circuit for powering up split-rail electronic circuits includes an intermediate voltage generator at each pad which is supplied by a temporary supply voltage to generate a temporary intermediate voltage only when a power signal indicates that all external voltage rails are not safe, thereby reducing power consumption. |
| US08896146B2 |
Automotive power system
A power system for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of power storage units, a multiplexer electrically connected with the power storage units, and a switching converter electrically connected with the multiplexer. The switching converter is configured to selectively act as a flyback switchmode power converter or a forward switchmode power converter. |
| US08896145B2 |
Power generator utilizing intermittent fluid flow
The invention is a power generator using intermittent fluid flow. The invention facilitates the harnessing of electric power from intermittent wind sources. The apparatus includes panels that are pivotally attached to a frame at a substantially vertical orientation and pivot towards an acute angle to the horizontal. As wind blows, the panels lift outward relative to the vertical. The motion may be transferred by actuating a hydraulic cylinder. This motion pressurizes the cylinder and the pressurized hydraulic fluid may later be transferred into electric power via a hydraulic generator. The panels may also include one or more photovoltaic cells which collect and convert sun light into electric power. |
| US08896144B2 |
Wind turbine energy storage system and method
A wind turbine energy storage system includes a hollow wind turbine tower shaft having a top end and a bottom end covered by top and bottom end caps respectively to form a tank. A compressor is coupled to the wind turbine for compressing air into the tank through a high pressure pipe and valve assembly. The compressed air stored in the tank can be released on demand or on a fixed schedule. A method of storing energy in a wind turbine is also disclosed. |
| US08896143B2 |
Rotation sensor arrangement within a wind turbine generator
Disclosed is a direct drive wind turbine including a plurality of blades connected to a hub, a generator including a stator and a rotor, the stator being fixed on a nacelle of the wind turbine and a rotation sensor having a static element and a moving element. The hub is directly connected to the rotor of the generator. The static element of the rotation sensor is mounted on a stationary element of the wind turbine, in particular the stator, at a distance from the rotation axis of the hub, and the moving element of the rotation sensor is mounted on the rotor of the generator at a distance from the rotation axis of the hub. |
| US08896140B2 |
Circuit configuration for a starting device
A circuit configuration for an electric machine, e.g., a starter motor for starting an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, includes a current limiting device for limiting a starting current of the electric machine. The circuit configuration includes a bridging device for bridging the current limiting device. |
| US08896138B2 |
Chip identification for organic laminate packaging and methods of manufacture
A chip identification for organic laminate packaging and methods of manufacture is provided. The method includes forming a material on a wafer which comprises a plurality of chips. The method further includes modifying the material to provide a unique identification for each of the plurality of chips on the wafer. The organic laminate structure includes a chip with a device and a material placed on the chip which is modified to have a unique identification mark for the chip. |
| US08896137B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device and a method of manufacturing the same
A solid-state image pickup device includes: a silicon layer; a pixel portion formed in the silicon layer for processing and outputting signal charges obtained by carrying out photoelectric conversion for incident lights; an alignment mark formed in a periphery of the pixel portion and in the silicon layer; and a contact portion through which a first electrode within a wiring layer formed on a first surface of the silicon layer, and a second electrode formed on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the silicon layer through an insulating film are connected, wherein the alignment mark and the contact portion are formed from conductive layers made of the same conductive material and formed within respective holes each extending completely through the silicon layer through respective insulating layers made of the same material. |
| US08896136B2 |
Alignment mark and method of formation
In accordance with an embodiment, a structure comprises a substrate having a first area and a second area; a through substrate via (TSV) in the substrate penetrating the first area of the substrate; an isolation layer over the second area of the substrate, the isolation layer having a recess; and a conductive material in the recess of the isolation layer, the isolation layer being disposed between the conductive material and the substrate in the recess. |
| US08896133B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming vertically offset conductive pillars over first substrate aligned to vertically offset BOT interconnect sites formed over second substrate
A semiconductor device has a first substrate and first conductive pillars formed over the first substrate. Second conductive pillars are formed over the first substrate alternating with the first conductive pillars. The second conductive pillars are vertically offset with respect to the first conductive pillars. First BOT interconnect sites are formed over a second substrate. Second BOT interconnect sites are formed over the second substrate alternating with the first interconnect sites. The second interconnect sites are vertically offset with respect to the first interconnect sites. The first substrate is mounted to the second substrate such that the first conductive pillars are aligned with and electrically connected to the first interconnect sites and the second conductive pillars are aligned with and electrically connected to the second interconnect sites. An underfill material is deposited between the first and second substrates. The first substrate can be a flipchip type semiconductor device. |
| US08896132B2 |
Electronic device and fabrication method thereof
An electronic device 1 has a first semiconductor substrate 2 on which a bonding projection section 42 is projected via an insulation film 41, a second semiconductor substrate 3 that is bonded by welding the bonding projection section 42 of the first semiconductor substrate 2 via conductive bonding material, a through hole 54 that is formed to penetrate the bonding projection section 42 and the insulation film 41 in a bonding direction, and a conduction wiring section 44 that is formed by the conductive bonding material filled in the through hole 54 at a time of bonding by welding and conducts the first semiconductor substrate 2 with the second semiconductor substrate 3 to have same electric potential. |
| US08896129B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method for the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a circuit region where a circuit element is formed, a multilayer wiring layer that is formed on the substrate and composed of a plurality of wiring layers and a plurality of via layers that are laminated, and an electrode pad that is formed on the multilayer wiring layer. An interlayer insulating film is formed in a region of a first wiring layer that is a top layer of the plurality of wiring layers, in the region the electrode pad and the first circuit region overlapping each other in a planar view of the electrode pad. |
| US08896128B2 |
Integrated circuit, a semiconductor die arrangement and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit is provided, the integrated circuit including: a chip having a first chip side and a second chip side opposite to the first chip side, the chip having at least one contact area on the second chip side; encapsulation material at least partially covering the chip; and at least one contact via comprising electrical conductive material contacting the at least one contact area and extending through the encapsulation material and through the chip between the first chip side and the second chip side. |
| US08896125B2 |
Semiconductor device, fabrication method for a semiconductor device and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device, including: a first substrate including a first electrode, and a first insulating film configured from a diffusion preventing material for the first electrode and covering a periphery of the first electrode, the first electrode and the first insulating film cooperating with each other to configure a bonding face; and a second substrate bonded to and provided on the first substrate and including a second electrode joined to the first electrode, and a second insulating film configured from a diffusion preventing material for the second electrode and covering a periphery of the second electrode, the second electrode and the second insulating film cooperating with each other to configure a bonding face to the first substrate. |
| US08896124B2 |
Via network structures and method therefor
A circuit device is configured with robust circuit connectors. In connection with various example embodiments, an integrated circuit device includes one or more via network layers below a bond pad contact, connecting the bond pad contact with one or more underlying metal layers. Each via network layer includes a plurality of via strips extending about parallel to the bond pad contact and in different directions to structurally support the bond pad contact. |
| US08896123B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices having a three dimensional structure
Provided is a nonvolatile memory device having a three dimensional structure. The nonvolatile memory device may include cell arrays having a plurality of conductive patterns having a line shape three dimensionally arranged on a semiconductor substrate, the cell arrays being separated from one another; semiconductor patterns extending from the semiconductor substrate to cross sidewalls of the conductive patterns; common source regions provided in the semiconductor substrate under a lower portion of the semiconductor patterns in a direction in which the conductive patterns extend; a first impurity region provided in the semiconductor substrate so that the first impurity region extends in a direction crossing the conductive patterns to electrically connect the common source regions; and a first contact hole exposing a portion of the first impurity region between the separated cell arrays. |
| US08896120B2 |
Structures and methods for air gap integration
Methods for producing air gap-containing metal-insulator interconnect structures for VLSI and ULSI devices using a photo-patternable low k material as well as the air gap-containing interconnect structure that is formed are disclosed. More particularly, the methods described herein provide interconnect structures built in a photo-patternable low k material in which air gaps of different depths are defined by photolithography in the photo-patternable low k material. In the methods of the present invention, no etch step is required to form the air gaps. Since no etch step is required in forming the air gaps within the photo-patternable low k material, the methods disclosed in this invention provide highly reliable interconnect structures. |
| US08896119B2 |
Bonding material for semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device is provided which has internal bonds which do not melt at the time of mounting on a substrate. A bonding material is used for internal bonding of the semiconductor device. The bonding material is obtained by filling the pores of a porous metal body having a mesh-like structure and covering the surface thereof with Sn or an Sn-based solder alloy. |
| US08896112B2 |
Multi-chip module with self-populating positive features
A multi-chip module (MCM) is described. This MCM includes at least two substrates that are mechanically coupled and aligned by positive and negative features on facing surfaces of the substrates. These positive and negative features may mate and self-lock with each other. The positive features may be self-populated into the negative features on at least one of the substrates using a hydrophilic layer in the negative feature. This hydrophilic layer may be used in conjunction with a hydrophobic layer surrounding the negative features on a top surface of at least one of the substrates. |
| US08896107B2 |
High power semiconductor package with conductive clip
One exemplary disclosed embodiment comprises a high power semiconductor package configured as a buck converter having a control transistor, a sync transistor, a driver integrated circuit (IC) for driving the control and sync transistors, and a conductive clip electrically coupling a sync drain of the sync transistor to a first leadframe pad of the package, wherein the first leadframe pad of the package is electrically coupled to a control source of the control transistor using a wirebond. The conductive clip provides an efficient connection between the control source and the sync drain by direct mechanical connection and large surface area conduction. A sync source is electrically and mechanically coupled to a second leadframe pad providing a high current carrying capability, and high reliability. The resulting package has significantly reduced electrical resistance, form factor, complexity, and cost when compared to conventional packaging methods using wirebonds for transistor interconnections. |
| US08896104B2 |
Semiconductor device, manufacturing method for semiconductor device, electronic component, circuit substrate, and electronic apparatus
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate including a first face and a second face on a side opposite to the first face; an external connection terminal formed on the first face of the semiconductor substrate; a first electrode formed on the first face of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the external connection terminal; an electronic element formed on or above the second face of the semiconductor substrate; a second electrode electrically connected to the electronic element and having a top face and a rear face; a groove portion formed on the second face of the semiconductor substrate and having a bottom face including at least part of the rear face of the second electrode; and a conductive portion formed in the groove portion and electrically connected to the rear face of the second electrode. |
| US08896101B2 |
Nonplanar III-N transistors with compositionally graded semiconductor channels
A III-N semiconductor channel is compositionally graded between a transition layer and a III-N polarization layer. In embodiments, a gate stack is deposited over sidewalls of a fin including the graded III-N semiconductor channel allowing for formation of a transport channel in the III-N semiconductor channel adjacent to at least both sidewall surfaces in response to a gate bias voltage. In embodiments, a gate stack is deposited completely around a nanowire including a III-N semiconductor channel compositionally graded to enable formation of a transport channel in the III-N semiconductor channel adjacent to both the polarization layer and the transition layer in response to a gate bias voltage. |
| US08896100B2 |
III nitride structure and method for manufacturing III nitride semiconductor fine columnar crystal
A III nitride structure includes a film 108 having a surface composed of a metal formed in a predetermined region on the surface of a substrate 102, and a fine columnar crystal 110 composed of at least a III nitride semiconductor formed on the surface of the substrate 102, wherein the spatial occupancy ratio of the fine columnar crystal 110 is higher on the surface of the substrate 102 where the film 108 is not formed than that on the film. |
| US08896099B2 |
Carbon material and method of manufacturing the same
By inhibiting generation of particles, a carbon material and a method of manufacturing the carbon material are provided that can be used in the field of semiconductor manufacturing or the like, in which low dust emission is considered important.A carbon material having a chromium carbide layer formed on a surface of a carbon substrate. The chromium carbide layer is composed of Cr3C2. The carbon material can be manufactured through a first step of forming a chromium carbide layer containing a chromium carbide other than Cr3C2 on a surface of a carbon substrate, and a second step of heat-treating the carbon substrate under a reducing atmosphere to convert the chromium carbide other than Cr3C2 into Cr3C2. |
| US08896094B2 |
Methods and apparatus for inductors and transformers in packages
Methods and apparatus for forming a semiconductor device package with inductors and transformers using a micro-bump layer are disclosed. The micro-bump layer may comprise micro-bumps and micro-bump lines, formed between a top die and a bottom die, or between a die and an interposer. An inductor can be formed by a redistribution layer within a bottom device and a micro-bump line above the bottom device connected to the RDL. The inductor may be a symmetric inductor, a spiral inductor, a helical inductor which is a vertical structure, or a meander inductor. A pair of inductors with micro-bump lines can form a transformer. |
| US08896091B2 |
Apparatus and methods for reducing impact of high RF loss plating
To reduce the radio frequency (RF) losses associated with high RF loss plating, such as, for example, Nickel/Palladium/Gold (Ni/Pd/Au) plating, an on-die passive device, such as a capacitor, resistor, or inductor, associated with a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) is placed in an RF upper signal path with respect to the RF signal output of the RFIC. By placing the on-die passive device in the RF upper signal path, the RF current does not directly pass through the high RF loss plating material of the passive device bonding pad. |
| US08896089B2 |
Interposers for semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof
Interposers for semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interposer includes a substrate, a contact pad disposed on the substrate, and a first through-via in the substrate coupled to the contact pad. A first fuse is coupled to the first through-via. A second through-via in the substrate is coupled to the contact pad, and a second fuse is coupled to the second through-via. |
| US08896086B1 |
System for preventing tampering with integrated circuit
A system for generating a tamper detection signal indicating tampering with one or more circuits of an integrated circuit (IC) includes a tamper detection module, and wire-pairs connected to the tamper detection module and arranged in a winding configuration to form a wire-mesh. The wire-mesh is placed a predefined distance from the circuits. The tamper detection module generates and provides serial bit-streams to the wire-pairs for detecting a breach in the wire-mesh by an external probe. |
| US08896084B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type and formed of a material having a band gap wider than that of silicon; a first layer selectively disposed on a surface of and forming a first junction with the first semiconductor region; a second layer selectively disposed on the first semiconductor region and forming a second junction with the first semiconductor region; a first diode formed by a region including the first junction; a second diode formed by a region including the second junction; and a fourth semiconductor region of a second conductivity type and disposed in the first semiconductor region, between and contacting the first and second junctions. A recess and elevated portion are disposed on the first semiconductor region. The first and the second junctions are formed at different depths. The second diode has a lower built-in potential than the first diode. |
| US08896083B2 |
Depletion-mode field-effect transistor-based phototransitor
A depletion-mode phototransitor is disclosed. The phototransistor having a substrate, a gate, a source, a drain and a channel. The source, drain and channel are doped to be the same type of semiconductor. The substrate can be made of silicon and/or germanium. The gate can be made of either aluminum or polysilicon. |
| US08896079B2 |
Camera module having a light shieldable layer
A camera module has a sensor chip including a sensor unit formed on a main surface around which sides are disposed. A lens chip is fixed to the sensor chip with a spacer unit and includes a lens unit corresponding to the sensor unit. A light shieldable layer covers a first side of the sensor chip and a side of the spacer unit. A first cutting surface includes a second side of the sensor chip and a side of the light shieldable layer on a same plane. |
| US08896078B2 |
Light emitting apparatus
There is provided a light emitting apparatus including: at least one pair of lead frames; a light emitting device electrically connected to the lead frames to emit ultraviolet rays; a body including a side wall surrounding the light emitting device, and a groove portion formed in an upper surface of the side wall to receive an adhesive; and a lens part disposed above the light emitting device and fixed to the upper surface of the side wall of the body by the adhesive. |
| US08896072B2 |
Channel surface technique for fabrication of FinFET devices
A FinFET (p-channel) device is formed having a fin structure with sloped or angled sidewalls (e.g., a pyramidal or trapezoidal shaped cross-section shape). When using conventional semiconductor substrates having a (100) surface orientation, the fin structure is formed in a way (groove etching) which results in sloped or angled sidewalls having a (111) surface orientation. This characteristic substantially increases hole mobility as compared to conventional fin structures having vertical sidewalls. |
| US08896071B2 |
Reducing defects in electronic switching devices
A technique for isolating electrodes on different layers of a multilayer electronic device across an array containing more than 100000 devices on a plastic substrate. The technique comprises depositing a bilayer of a first dielectric layer (6) of a solution-processible polymer dielectric and a layer of parylene (9) to isolate layers of conductor or semiconductor on different levels of the device. The density of defects located in the active area of one of the multilayer electronic devices is typically more than 1 in 100000. |
| US08896070B2 |
Patterning embedded control lines for vertically stacked semiconductor elements
The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus with embedded (bottom side) control lines for vertically stacked semiconductor elements. In accordance with various embodiments, a first semiconductor wafer is provided with a first facing surface on which a first conductive layer is formed. The first semiconductor wafer is attached to a second semiconductor wafer to form a multi-wafer structure, the second semiconductor wafer having a second facing surface on which a second conductive wafer is formed. The first conductive layer is contactingly bonded to the second conductive layer to form an embedded combined conductive layer within said structure. Portions of the combined conductive layer are removed to form a plurality of spaced apart control lines that extend in a selected length or width dimension through said structure. |
| US08896067B2 |
Method of forming finFET of variable channel width
Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a first and a second group of fins on a substrate; covering a top first portion of the first and second groups of fins with a first dielectric material; covering a bottom second portion of the first and second groups of fins with a second dielectric material, the bottom second portion of the first group and the second group of fins having a same height; exposing a middle third portion of the first and second groups of fins to an oxidizing environment to create an oxide section that separates the top first portion from the bottom second portion of the first and second groups of fins; and forming one or more fin-type field-effect-transistors (FinFETs) using the top first portion of the first and second groups of fins as fins under gates of the one or more FinFETs. |
| US08896061B2 |
Field device and method of operating high voltage semiconductor device applied with the same
A field device and method of operating high voltage semiconductor device applied with the same are provided. The field device includes a first well having a second conductive type and second well having a first conductive type both formed in the substrate (having the first conductive type) and extending down from a surface of the substrate, the second well adjacent to one side of the first well and the substrate is at the other side of the first well; a first doping region having the first conductive type and formed in the second well, the first doping region spaced apart from the first well; a conductive line electrically connected to the first doping region and across the first well region; and a conductive body insulatively positioned between the conductive line and the first well, and the conductive body correspondingly across the first well region. |
| US08896056B2 |
Surrounding gate transistor semiconductor device
It is intended to solve a problem of increase in power consumption and reduction in operating speed due to an increase in parasitic capacitance of a surrounding gate transistor (SGT) as a three-dimensional semiconductor device, to provide an SGT achieving an increase in speed and power consumption reduction in a semiconductor circuit. The semiconductor device comprises a second-conductive type impurity region (510) formed in a part of a first-conductive type semiconductor substrate (100), a first silicon pillar (810) of an arbitrary cross-sectional shape formed on the second-conductive type impurity region, a first insulating body (310) surrounding a part of a surface of the first silicon pillar, a gate (210) surrounding the first insulating body, and a second silicon pillar (820) which is formed on the first silicon pillar and which includes a second-conductive type impurity region (540). The gate is disposed to be separated from the semiconductor substrate by a second insulating body and is disposed to be separated from the second silicon pillar by the second insulating body. The capacitance between the gate and the semiconductor substrate is less than a gate capacitance, and the capacitance between the gate and the second silicon pillar is less than the gate capacitance. |
| US08896055B2 |
Accumulation type FinFET, circuits and fabrication method thereof
This description relates to a fin field-effect-transistor (FinFET) including a substrate and a fin structure on the substrate. The fin structure includes a channel between a source and a drain, wherein the source, the drain, and the channel have a first type dopant, and the channel comprises at least one of a Ge, SiGe, or III-V semiconductor. The FinFET further includes a gate dielectric layer over the channel and a gate over the gate dielectric layer. The FinFET further includes a nitride spacer on the substrate adjacent the gate and an oxide layer between the nitride spacer and the gate and between the nitride spacer and the substrate. |
| US08896054B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a memory device includes first and second fin type stacked structures each includes first to i-th memory strings (i is a natural number except 1) that are stacked in a first direction, the first and second fin type stacked structures which extend in a second direction and which are adjacent in a third direction, a first portion connected to one end in the second direction of the first fin type stacked structure, a width in the third direction of the first portion being greater than a width in the third direction of the first fin type stacked structure, and a second portion connected to one end in the second direction of the second fin type stacked structure, a width in the third direction of the second portion being greater than a width in the third direction of the second fin type stacked structure. |
| US08896052B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of an embodiment includes: a semiconductor layer; a tunnel insulating film that is formed on the semiconductor layer and includes a first organic molecular film including first organic molecules each having an alkyl molecular chain as the main chain; a charge storage layer formed on the tunnel insulating film, the charge storage layer being made of an inorganic material; a block insulating film formed on the charge storage layer; and a control gate electrode formed on the block insulating film. |
| US08896048B1 |
Apparatus and method for source side implantation after spacer formation to reduce short channel effects in metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) fabricated to reduce short channel effects. The MOSFET includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate stack formed above the semiconductor substrate, a drain side sidewall spacer formed on a drain side of the gate stack, a source side sidewall spacer formed on a source side of the gate stack, and source and drain regions. The source region is formed in the semiconductor substrate on the source side, and is aligned by the source side sidewall spacer to extend an effective channel length between the source region and drain region. The drain region is formed on the drain side in the semiconductor substrate, and is aligned by drain side sidewall spacer to further extend the effective channel length. |
| US08896041B2 |
Spin hall effect assisted spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory
Embodiments are directed to providing a spin hall effect (SHE) assisted spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) device by coupling a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) to a SHE material, and coupling the SHE material to a transistor. Embodiments are directed to a spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) device comprising: a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) coupled to a spin hall effect (SHE) material, and a transistor coupled to the SHE material. |
| US08896034B1 |
Radio frequency and microwave devices and methods of use
Radio frequency and microwave devices and methods of use are provided herein. According to some embodiments, the present technology may comprise an ohmic layer for use in a field effect transistor that includes a plurality of strips disposed on a substrate, the plurality of strips comprising alternating source strips and drain strips, with adjacent strips being spaced apart from one another to form a series of channels, a gate finger segment disposed in each of the series of channels, and a plurality of gate finger pads disposed in an alternating pattern around a periphery of the plurality of strips such that each gate finger segment is associated with two gate finger pads. |
| US08896031B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a substrate where a plurality of pixels are formed, a first pixel defining layer on the substrate, the first pixel defining layer dividing the plurality of pixels, a connection wire on the first pixel defining layer, the connection wire electrically connecting two adjacent pixels, and a second pixel defining layer on the first pixel defining layer, the second pixel defining layer covering the connection wire. |
| US08896028B2 |
Semiconductor device, manufacturing method thereof, protective element, and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes: an epitaxial substrate formed by stacking a plurality of kinds of semiconductors over one semiconductor substrate by epitaxial growth; a field effect transistor of a first conductivity type formed in a first region; a field effect transistor of a second conductivity type formed in a second region; and a protective element formed in a third region. The protective element includes: a first stacking structure formed by etching the epitaxial substrate by vertical etching that proceeds in a stacking thickness direction; and a second stacking structure formed by etching the epitaxial substrate by vertical etching that proceeds in a stacking thickness direction. The protective element has two PN junctions on a current path formed between an upper end of the first stacking structure and an upper end of the second stacking structure via a base part of the first stacking structure and the second stacking structure. |
| US08896026B2 |
Semicondutor device
Provided is a nitride semiconductor device including: a nitride semiconductor layer over a substrate wherein the nitride semiconductor has a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel inside; a drain electrode in ohmic contact with the nitride semiconductor layer; a source electrode in Schottky contact with the nitride semiconductor layer wherein the source electrode is spaced apart from the drain electrode; a dielectric layer formed on the nitride semiconductor layer between the drain electrode and the source electrode and on at least a portion of the source electrode; and a gate electrode disposed on the dielectric layer to be spaced apart from the drain electrode, wherein a portion of the gate electrode is formed over a drain-side edge portion of the source electrode with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, and a manufacturing method thereof. |
| US08896025B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a recess to an AlGaN layer by etching, the AlGaN layer having an Al composition ratio of 0.2 or greater, the recess having a bottom having an RMS roughness less than 0.3 nm, forming a first Ta layer having a thickness of 4 nm to 8 nm on the bottom of the recess, and annealing the first Ta layer to make an ohmic contact in the AlGaN layer. |
| US08896023B2 |
Silicon devices/heatsinks stack assembly and a method to pull apart a faulty silicon device in said stack assembly
The invention concerns a silicon devices/heatsinks stack assembly and a method to pull apart a faulty silicon device in said stack assembly. Said silicon devices/heatsinks stack assembly comprises an arrangement of many silicon devices disks, two adjacent silicon devices disks being separated by a flat heatsink device, each silicon device disk and each heatsink comprising a centering hole on its both faces, a centering pin placed between the adjacent centering holes of a silicon device disk and an adjacent heatsink device. Each heatsink device is pierced with two guide holes, at two opposite ends of this one. |
| US08896021B2 |
Integrated circuit device
An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate and a first transistor and a second transistor constructed in the semiconductor substrate. The first transistor has a first operating voltage higher than a second operating voltage of a second transistor. The first transistor includes a first drain structure, a first source structure, an isolation structure and a first gate structure. The first source structure includes a high voltage first-polarity well region, a first-polarity body region, a heavily doped first-polarity region, a second-polarity grade region and a heavily doped second-polarity region. The heavily doped second-polarity region is surrounded by the second-polarity grade region. The second-polarity grade region is surrounded by the first-polarity body region. The second transistor includes a second drain structure, a second source structure, a second gate structure and a first-polarity drift region. The first-polarity drift region and the first-polarity body region have the same dopant concentration. |
| US08896013B2 |
High density multi-chip LED devices
High density multi-chip LED devices are described. Embodiments of the present invention provide high-density, multi-chip LED devices with relatively high efficiency and light output in a compact size. An LED device includes a plurality of interconnected LED chips and an optical element such as a lens. The LED chips may be arranged in two groups, wherein the LED chips within each group are connected in parallel and the groups are connected in series. In some embodiments, the LED device includes a submount, which may be made of ceramic. The submount may include a connection bus and semicircular areas to which chips are bonded. Wire bonds can be connected to the LED chips so that all the wire bonds are disposed on the outside of a group of LED chips to minimize light absorption. |
| US08896007B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and fabricating method thereof
A semiconductor light-emitting device comprises a light-emitting epitaxial structure, a first electrode structure, a light reflective layer and an resistivity-enhancing structure. The light-emitting epitaxial structure has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first electrode structure is electrically connected to the first surface. The light reflective layer is disposed adjacent to the second surface. The resistivity-enhancing structure is disposed adjacent to the light reflective layer and away from the second surface corresponding to a position of the first electrode structure. |
| US08896000B2 |
Light-emitting element package and display device
A light-emitting element package includes plural substrates and plural light-emitting elements disposed on each of the substrates. The light-emitting elements are arranged on each substrate so that an arrangement of the light-emitting elements on each substrate becomes same in an arrangement state in which the substrates are arranged with a regular pitch along a first direction and a second direction which are directions perpendicular to the substrate. The light-emitting elements are arranged on each substrate so that a pitch of the light-emitting elements on each substrate is equal to a pitch of the light-emitting elements between the neighboring substrates in the arrangement state of the substrates. |
| US08895994B2 |
Electronic device including silicon carbide diode dies
An electronic device may include an elongated dielectric substrate having opposing first and second ends, a plurality of conductive pads longitudinally spaced apart along the elongated dielectric substrate, and a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) (e.g., PiN) diode dies. Each SiC die may have bottom and top diode terminals and may be mounted on a respective conductive pad with the bottom diode terminal in contact therewith. The electronic device may further include at least one internal wirebond between the corresponding conductive pad of one SiC diode die and the top diode terminal of a next SiC diode die, a first external lead electrically coupled to the top diode terminal of a first SiC die and extending longitudinally outwardly from the first end, and a second external lead electrically coupled to the corresponding contact pad of a last SiC diode die and extending longitudinally outwardly from the second end. |
| US08895992B2 |
High electron mobility transistor and method of forming the same
A semiconductor structure includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is disposed on the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A carrier channel is located between the first III-V compound layer and the second III-V compound layer. A source feature and a drain feature are disposed on the second III-V compound layer. A gate electrode is disposed over the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature. A fluorine region is embedded in the second III-V compound layer under the gate electrode. A diffusion barrier layer is disposed on top of the second III-V compound layer. A gate dielectric layer is disposed over the second III-V compound layer. The gate dielectric layer has a fluorine segment on the fluorine region and under at least a portion of the gate electrode. |
| US08895991B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display and method of manufacturing the same
An organic electroluminescent display and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the organic electroluminescent display includes a substrate and a first electrode disposed on the substrate. It also includes a pixel definition layer disposed on the first electrode, wherein the pixel definition layer has an opening portion formed in an area overlapped with the first electrode. It further includes a lyophilic layer disposed on the first electrode and the pixel definition layer, an organic light emitting layer disposed on the lyophilic layer, and a second electrode disposed on the organic light emitting layer. The lyophilic layer includes a center portion and an edge portion. The center portion is disposed on the first electrode through the opening portion and includes at least one recess portion formed therein. The edge portion is extended from the center portion and disposed on the pixel definition layer. |
| US08895987B2 |
Array substrate for fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate for an FFS mode LCD device includes a gate line and a gate pad electrode on a substrate; a common line parallel to the gate line; a data line extending along a second direction in a display area and a data pad electrode disposing in a non-display area; a thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate and data lines; a first passivation layer covering the thin film transistor and the data line; a second passivation layer on the first passivation layer and having a first thickness in the display area and a second thickness in the non-display area; a common electrode on the second passivation layer and connected to the common line; a third passivation layer on the common electrode; and a pixel electrode, a gate auxiliary pad electrode and a data auxiliary pad electrode on the third passivation layer. |
| US08895986B2 |
TFT flat sensor and manufacturing method therefor
A TFT flat sensor comprises pixel units each comprising: a common electrode and a common electrode insulating layer on a substrate, wherein a first via hole is provided in the common electrode insulating layer at a location corresponding to the common electrode; a gate electrode on the common electrode insulating layer; a first conductive film layer on the common electrode and the gate electrode wherein the first conductive film layer contacts the common electrode through a first via hole; a gate insulating layer, an active layer, a drain electrode and a source electrode, a second conductive film layer, a protection layer and a third conductive film layer on the first conductive film layer; a second via hole is provided in the protection layer at a location corresponding to the source electrode through which the third conductive film layer contacts the source electrode. |
| US08895982B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light-emitting display apparatus in which electrical communication between an opposing electrode and an electrode power supply line can be more easily checked without adding an additional process in a manufacturing process, and a method of manufacturing the organic light-emitting display apparatus, is provided. The organic light-emitting display apparatus includes thin film transistors and pixel electrodes electrically connected to the thin film transistors in an active area of a substrate, an opposing electrode in the active area and a dead area of the substrate, an electrode power supply line in the dead area of the substrate and having a surface contacting the opposing electrode and configured to supply power to the opposing electrode, and a test line in the dead area of the substrate separated from the electrode power supply line and contacting the opposing electrode. |
| US08895981B2 |
Multichip module with reroutable inter-die communication
A multichip module (MCM) has redundant I/O connections between its dice. That is, the number of inter-die I/O connections used is larger than the number of connections ordinarily used to provide connectivity between the dice. Defective connections are discovered through testing after MCM assembly and avoided, with signals being rerouted through good (e.g., not defective) redundant connections. The testing can be done at assembly time and the results stored in nonvolatile memory. Alternatively, the MCM can perform the testing itself dynamically, e.g., at power up, and use the test results to configure the inter-die I/O connections. |
| US08895977B2 |
Thin film transistor and method of forming the same
A thin film transistor includes a substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer that is disposed on the substrate, a gate electrode that overlaps with the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer that is disposed between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode that at least partially overlap with the oxide semiconductor layer and are spaced from each other. The gate insulating layer includes an oxide including a first material. The oxide semiconductor layer includes an oxide which includes a same material as the first material and a second material, and the source electrode and the drain electrode include an oxide that includes a same material as the second material and a third material, and a grain boundary is not formed on an interface between at least one of the gate insulating layer and the oxide semiconductor layer or between the oxide semiconductor layer, and the source electrode and the drain electrode. |
| US08895976B2 |
Transistor and semiconductor device
Manufactured is a transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer overlapping with part of the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer, the source electrode layer, and the drain electrode layer, and a gate electrode overlapping with part of the oxide semiconductor layer with the gate insulating layer provided therebetween, wherein, after the oxide semiconductor layer which is to be a channel formation region is irradiated with light and the light irradiation is stopped, a relaxation time of carriers in photoresponse characteristics of the oxide semiconductor layer has at least two kinds of modes: τ1 and τ2, τ1<τ2 is satisfied, and τ2 is 300 seconds or less. In addition, a semiconductor device including the transistor is manufactured. |
| US08895975B2 |
Photoelectric element
Provided is a photoelectric element that includes an electron transport layer having excellent electron transport properties and a sufficiently large reaction interface and has low resistance loss and excellent conversion efficiency between light and electricity. The photoelectric element includes a first electrode 3, a second electrode 4, an electron transport layer 1 and a hole transport layer 5 interposed between the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4, an electrolyte solution, and a sensitizing dye. The electron transport layer 1 includes an organic compound having an oxidation-reduction site capable of repeated oxidation-reduction. The electrolyte solution serves to stabilize a reduction state of the oxidation-reduction site. The organic compound and the electrolyte solution form a gel layer 2. The sensitizing dye is provided in contact with the electron transport layer 1. The hole transport layer 5 contains a charge transporter serving to reduce an oxidized form of the sensitizing dye and having a number average molecular weight of 2,000 or more and 100,000 or less. |
| US08895972B2 |
Display device and organic light emitting display device having auxiliary electrode
A display device including a substrate; an organic light emission unit, which is arranged on the substrate, wherein light emission regions arranged in a first direction emit light of a same color and light emission regions adjacent to one another from among light emission regions arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction emit light of different colors; a counter electrode, which is arranged to cover at least the light emission regions; and an auxiliary electrode, which is formed on the auxiliary electrode, does not overlap the light emission regions, and extends in the second direction. |
| US08895971B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method for fabricating the same
The organic light emitting display device includes a substrate, a thin film transistor formed on the substrate, a protective film formed to cover the thin film transistor, a color filter layer formed on the substrate exposed by removing a gate insulating layer of the thin film transistor and the protective film, an overcoat layer formed over the entire surface of the substrate to cover the color filter layer and the protective film, a drain contact hole exposing the thin film transistor by selectively removing the protective film and the overcoat layer, and a first electrode connected to the thin film transistor through the drain contact hole on the overcoat layer, a white organic light emitting layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed to cover the white organic light emitting layer. |
| US08895963B2 |
Organic semiconductor material, organic semiconductor thin film, and organic thin-film transistor
An organic semiconductor material is represented by the following formula (F):wherein A represents a cyclic conjugated skeleton structure formed of one or more aromatic rings, and R1 and R2 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group. The organic semiconductor material has high electron mobility and high on/off ratio, and can form an organic semiconductor thin film by a solution process making use of its solution. |
| US08895962B2 |
Silicon/germanium nanoparticle inks, laser pyrolysis reactors for the synthesis of nanoparticles and associated methods
Laser pyrolysis reactor designs and corresponding reactant inlet nozzles are described to provide desirable particle quenching that is particularly suitable for the synthesis of elemental silicon particles. In particular, the nozzles can have a design to encourage nucleation and quenching with inert gas based on a significant flow of inert gas surrounding the reactant precursor flow and with a large inert entrainment flow effectively surrounding the reactant precursor and quench gas flows. Improved silicon nanoparticle inks are described that has silicon nanoparticles without any surface modification with organic compounds. The silicon ink properties can be engineered for particular printing applications, such as inkjet printing, gravure printing or screen printing. Appropriate processing methods are described to provide flexibility for ink designs without surface modifying the silicon nanoparticles. |
| US08895958B2 |
Light emitting element and method for manufacturing same
Disclosed is a light emitting element, which emits light with small power consumption and high luminance. The light emitting element has: a IV semiconductor substrate; two or more core multi-shell nanowires disposed on the IV semiconductor substrate; a first electrode connected to the IV semiconductor substrate; and a second electrode, which covers the side surfaces of the core multi-shell nanowires, and which is connected to the side surfaces of the core multi-shell nanowires. Each of the core multi-shell nanowires has: a center nanowire composed of a first conductivity type III-V compound semiconductor; a first barrier layer composed of the first conductivity type III-V compound semiconductor; a quantum well layer composed of a III-V compound semiconductor; a second barrier layer composed of a second conductivity type III-V compound semiconductor; and a capping layer composed of a second conductivity type III-V compound semiconductor. |
| US08895954B2 |
Light emitting diode package
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode package which can reduce a wire length, and can improve heat and light resistance. The light emitting diode package includes a molded portion having a housing, a plurality of light emitting chips housed in the housing, a plurality of main lead portions having the plurality of light emitting chips mounted thereto respectively, at least one sub-lead portion formed spaced from the main lead portions and electrically connected to at least any one of the plurality of main lead portions and the plurality of light emitting chips with a wire for electrically connecting the plurality of light emitting chips each other. |
| US08895952B2 |
Nonvolatile storage device
A nonvolatile storage device is formed by laminating a plurality of memory cell arrays, the memory cell array including a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, and memory cells. The memory cell includes a current rectifying device and a variable resistance device, the variable resistance device includes a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a resistance change layer including a conductive nano material formed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, one of the variable resistance devices provided adjacent to each other in the laminating direction has titanium oxide (TiOx) between the resistance change layer and the lower electrode serving as a cathode, the other of the variable resistance devices provided adjacent to each other in the laminating direction has titanium oxide (TiOx) between the resistance change layer and the upper electrode serving as a cathode. |
| US08895951B2 |
Closed loop sputtering controlled to enhance electrical characteristics in deposited layer
This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device layer and an associated memory cell. Empirical data may be used to generate a hysteresis curve associated with deposition for a metal-insulator-metal structure, with curve measurements reflecting variance of an electrical property as a function of cathode voltage used during a sputtering process. By generating at least one voltage level to be used during the sputtering process, where the voltage reflects a suitable value for the electrical property from among the values obtainable in mixed-mode deposition, a semiconductor device layer may be produced with improved characteristics and durability. A multistable memory cell or array of such cells manufactured according to this process can, for a set of given materials, be fabricated to have minimal leakage or “off” current characteristics (Ileak or Ioff, respectively) or a maximum ratio of “on” current to “off” current (Ion/Ioff). |
| US08895947B2 |
Ultraviolet light generating target, electron-beam-excited ultraviolet light source, and method for producing ultraviolet light generating target
An ultraviolet light generating target 20 includes a substrate 21 made of sapphire, quartz or rock crystal; and a Pr:LuAG polycrystalline film 22, provided on the substrate 21, that generates ultraviolet light upon receiving an electron beam. By using a Pr:LuAG polycrystal as the target, the ultraviolet light generating efficiency can be increased more remarkably than when a Pr:LuAG single crystal film is used. |
| US08895946B2 |
Source-collector modules for EUV lithography employing a GIC mirror and a LPP source
Source-collector modules for use with EUV lithography systems are disclosed, wherein the source-collector modules employ a laser-produced plasma EUV radiation source and a grazing-incidence collector. The EUV radiation source is generated by first forming an under-dense plasma, and then irradiating the under-dense plasma with infrared radiation of sufficient intensity to create a final EUV-emitting plasma. The grazing incidence collector can include a grating configured to prevent infrared radiation from reaching the intermediate focus. Use of debris mitigation devices preserves the longevity of operation of the source-collector modules. |
| US08895945B2 |
Dose measurement device for plasma-immersion ion implantation
The present invention relates to a dose-measurement device for ion implantation, the device comprising a module CUR for estimating implantation current, a secondary electron detector DSE, and a control circuit CC for estimating the ion current by taking the difference between said implantation current and the current from said secondary electron detector. Furthermore, said high-energy secondary electron detector comprises a collector COL, P supporting exactly three mutually insulated electrodes: a first repulsion electrode G1, A1, T1 for repelling charges of a predetermined sign that are to be repelled, said electrode being provided with at least one orifice for passing electrons; a second repulsion electrode G2, A2, T2 for repelling charges of the opposite sign that are to be repelled, said electrode also being provided with at least one orifice for passing electrons; and a selection electrode G3, A3, T3, this electrode also being provided with at least one orifice for passing electrons. |
| US08895942B2 |
Dielectric treatment module using scanning IR radiation source
A system for curing a low dielectric constant (low-k) dielectric film on a substrate is described, wherein the dielectric constant of the low-k dielectric film is less than a value of approximately 4. The system comprises one or more process modules configured for exposing the low-k dielectric film to electromagnetic (EM) radiation, such as infrared (IR) radiation and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. |
| US08895937B2 |
Convertor for X-ray radiography and its manufacturing method and an X-ray detector
The present disclosure provides a convertor for X-ray radiography and its manufacturing method and an X-ray detector, wherein the surface of the scintillator facing the X-ray is covered with photonic crystals of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional spatial structure capable of reflecting the visible light facing the photonic crystals generated by the scintillator to increase the intensity of the output light of the scintillator by more than 100%, thus enhancing the image brightness and improving the image resolution, in addition to reducing to a certain extent the interference between pixels due to the ability of the photonic crystals to control the direction of the light being reflected, for example, by controlling the reflecting direction so as to be vertical to the surface of the scintillator, and the manufacturing method and material for the photonic crystals are low in cost without toxicity, enabling it to be used more widely. |
| US08895934B2 |
Microstructure manufacturing method
A microstructure manufacturing method includes forming a first insulating film on an Si substrate, exposing an Si surface by removing a part of the first insulating film, forming a recessed portion by etching the Si substrate from the exposed Si surface, forming a second insulating film on a sidewall and a bottom of the recessed portion, forming an Si exposed surface by removing at least a part of the second insulating film formed on the bottom of the recessed portion, and filling the recessed portion with a metal from the Si exposed surface by electrolytic plating. |
| US08895932B2 |
Scintillator plate and radiation detection panel
The scintillator plate has an undercoat layer and a phosphor layer. The phosphor layer has phosphor columnar crystals using the undercoat layer side as a base. When the phosphor layer is halved in terms of thickness in the lamination direction and the respective halves constitute a tip side portion and a base side portion of the phosphor columnar crystals, a ratio (B/A) of an optical transmittance (B) of the base side portion to an optical transmittance (A) of the tip side portion is not less than 70% and not more than 99%. |
| US08895930B2 |
Bolometric detector of an electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz range and detector array device comprising said detectors
A bolometric detector of a terahertz radiation, including an assembly reflective for said electromagnetic radiation; at least one bolometric microbridge suspended above the reflective assembly and including a first bowtie antenna, a resistive load coupled with said antenna, and a thermometric element coupled with the resistive load. The reflective assembly includes a reflective layer; an insulating layer on the reflective layer; a periodic array of metallic patterns on the insulating layer, the thickness and the dielectric permittivity of the insulating layer, and the pitch and the filling factor of the array being selected to obtain a constructive interference at the level of said microbridge. |
| US08895928B2 |
Compensated optical detection apparatus, systems, and methods
In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to receive radiation at an active detector of a pair of radiation detectors to provide a first signal proportional to an intensity of the radiation, to receive none of the radiation at a blind detector of the pair of radiation detectors to provide a second signal proportional to the reception of no radiation, and to combine the first signal and the second signal to provide an output signal representing the difference between the first signal and the second signal. The pair of radiation detectors may comprise thermopile detectors. Combination may occur via differential amplification. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08895924B2 |
Infrared detector based on suspended bolometric micro-plates
This bolometric array detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined range of infrared or terahertz wavelengths comprises a substrate and an array of bolometric micro-plates for detecting said radiation that are suspended above the substrate by support arms. It comprises a metallic membrane located above and around each micro-plate and in which openings are formed; said openings in metallic membrane are periodically located in it along at least one predetermined axis with a period equal to or less than λ n , where λ is a wavelength in the wavelength range that is to be detected and n is the average refraction index of the medium that separates the micro-plate from metallic membrane. |
| US08895922B2 |
Electron beam apparatus
A method suitable for preparing a specimen for inspection, the method comprising the steps of: irradiating a photocathode so that the photocathode emits electrons from a surface of the photocathode, wherein the emitted electrons each follow a trajectory, and the trajectories of the electrons are such that they can be extrapolated to intersect at a region within the photocathode, the region defining a virtual source, and wherein the photocathode comprises a rounded tip which has a radius of curvature; configuring the emitted electrons so that they form an electron beam; focusing the electron beam onto a specimen to form an image of the virtual source on the specimen. There is further provided a corresponding electron beam apparatus. |
| US08895920B2 |
Mass spectrometer with beam expander
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF confinement device, a beam expander and a Time of Flight mass analyzer. The beam expander is arranged to expand an ion beam emerging from the RF confinement device so that the ion beam is expanded to a diameter of at least 3 mm in the orthogonal acceleration extraction region of the Time of Flight mass analyzer. |
| US08895917B2 |
Method of mass spectrometry and a mass spectrometer
The present invention relates to a method of mass spectrometry, an apparatus adapted to perform the method and a mass spectrometer. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method of mass spectrometry comprising the step of associating parent and fragmentation ions from a sample by measuring the parent and fragmentation ions from two or more different areas of the sample and identifying changes in the number of parent ions between the areas in the sample, and corresponding changes in the number of fragmentation ions between the two areas. |
| US08895909B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition, light-shielding color filter, method of producing the same and solid-state image sensor
The invention provides a photosensitive resin composition that includes titanium black, a photopolymerizable compound, a resin A having an acid value of from 70 mgKOH/g to 250 mgKOH/g, a resin B having an acid value of from 26 mgKOH/g to 65 mgKOH/g, a photopolymerization initiator, and a solvent, the photopolymerization initiator including an oxime photopolymerization compound. |
| US08895908B2 |
Wing slot seal
A low cost, lightweight frangible wing slot seal can be applied to a guidance wing slot of a folding fin aerial rocket or missile, providing a barrier against exposure of internal missile components to external contaminants, while allowing unhindered deployment of missile guidance wings simply by bursting through the seals. The simple design is nearly foolproof, and has no impact the likelihood of weapon failure. The seal is a flexible sheet which is sufficiently thin so as not to exceed the required volume envelope of the missile. The sheet includes a burst seam, which is breached when impacted by the leading edge of a deploying wing. No additional wing deployment force is required, and after deployment the seal has minimal impact on the aerodynamic performance of the wing. |
| US08895904B1 |
Emergency shutoff system for a cooking appliance and method of use thereof
An emergency shutoff system for a cooking appliance deactivates a cooking appliance upon the detection of smoke or rapidly rising heat. Three (3) embodiments are provided, depending on the presence of a gas or an electric model, each further comprises a combination heat and smoke detector located on the ceiling immediately above the appliance. The detector is connected to a control panel at the rear of the stove by a section of low voltage wiring. The control panel activates a shunt trip mechanism in the case of an electrically-powered stove or closes a low voltage solenoid valve in the case of gas-powered stove. Such features greatly reduce the affects of a fire at the cooking appliance should one occur. |
| US08895899B2 |
Glazing comprising a network of conducting wires
The invention relates to glazing units provided with conducting wires.The glazing units according to the invention comprise enameled conducting wires applied by screen-printing. When subjected to a “zebra” test (DIN 52305), in which the conducting wires are oriented parallel to those of the image of the test and the glazing receives the incident light beam at an angle of 30° C. in relation to the normal to the glazing, the increase in distortion in relation to that of the glazing without conducting wires is at most 70% and preferably at most 50%. |
| US08895898B2 |
Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) rod assembly and PTC heater using the same
A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) rod assembly is provided for a PTC heater. PTC elements and an electrode terminal to which an insulator is attached may be retained in a channel-shaped rod cover having an open side so as to be exposed to the outside, and a heat-radiating fin is in direct contact with one surface of the rod cover so as to conduct heat, and another heat-radiating fin may be in direct contact with one surface of the insulator attached to an outer surface of the electrode terminal so as to conduct heat, so that the PTC rod assembly minimizes empty space in an inner space of the rod cover, increases heat transfer efficiency, and is easily manufactured due to a simple structure and reduction in the number of parts. |
| US08895897B2 |
Heatable glazing
A heatable glazing is disclosed in which electrical heating elements such as fine wires are connected to a busbar. The resistance of the busbar is chosen such that, at the supply voltage of the installation, the busbar provides heating of a portion of the glazing in which it is located. |
| US08895896B2 |
Modified series arc welding and improved control of one sided series arc welding
An electric arc welding system for depositing weld metal along a groove between two edges of a metal workpiece where the system contains a first power supply and a second power supply, each providing a welding waveform to respective welding electrodes. The positive output terminals of both power supplies are coupled to the same contact tip and the negative output terminal of one of the power supplies is not coupled to the workpiece. |
| US08895888B2 |
Anti-smudging, better gripping, better shelf-life of products and surfaces
A device to provide improved anti-smudging, better gripping and longer shelf-life to products and surfaces includes an electric superheated steam generator and an electric low-ion plasma generator to provide superheated steam and low-ion plasma to the surfaces of products including plastics. One embodiment envisions the superheated steam generator and the low-ion plasma generator being contained in a housing while another embodiment anticipates a conveyor means positioned in front of the superheated steam generator and the low-ion plasma generator. A method for the improving of anti-smudging, gripping and shelf-life for properties includes the application of superheated steam and low-ion plasma by means of a superheated steam generator and a low-ion plasma generator to products for specific periods of time and at specific distances to attain desired surface and bulk properties. The superheated steam and low-ion plasma may be applied individually, simultaneously or sequentially. |
| US08895887B2 |
Resistance weld repairing of casing flange holes
A method for repairing a degraded bolt hole in a casing flange by reaming and removing at least some corrosion on an inside and around the hole to form a reamed hole, mounting the flange to float relative to upper and lower electrodes of a welding machine, radially and axially clamping an area of the flange surrounding the reamed hole, placing upper and lower filler slugs in the reamed hole, placing the electrodes against upper and lower filler slugs and applying a welding current through the electrodes while applying pressure to the filler slugs with the electrodes and resistively heating and melting the filler slugs to form a weldment, and pulsing the welding current on and off. Pulsing may be performed with progressively increasing amounts of current. In situ tempering under the pressure of the electrodes may be performed on a substantially liquid pool formed by the welding current. |
| US08895886B2 |
Cladding application method and apparatus using hybrid laser process
Disclosed is a method for affixing a metal cladding to a metal base. The method includes: heating the metal cladding and a surface of the metal base with a heating device to create a molten metal pool having molten metal cladding layered upon molten metal base material in the metal base; stabilizing a temperature gradient of the molten metal pool with a laser beam directed into the molten metal pool; and cooling the molten metal pool to affix solidified cladding to the metal base. |
| US08895883B2 |
Dual current path for high rated currents
A circuit breaker is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a first current path section and a second current path section. At least one of the first and second current path section includes a first current path section member and at least one second current path section member. The at least one second current path section member is arranged in spaced relation to a surface of the first current path section member. The at least one second current path section member is electrically coupled with the first current path section member via at least a first coupling surface portion of the surface of the first current path section member. |
| US08895882B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel includes a substrate and sensing units. Each sensing unit includes an electrode line, first electrode patterns, second electrode patterns and connecting lines. The electrode line extends along a second direction and has first openings arranged along the second direction and first breaches corresponding to the first openings. Each first breach connects the corresponding first opening and the exterior of the electrode line. The first electrode patterns are respectively disposed in the first openings. Each first electrode pattern has a second opening and a second breach connecting the second opening and the exterior of first electrode pattern. The second electrode patterns are respectively disposed in the second openings and respectively connected with the electrode line through the second breaches. The connecting lines are disposed on at least one side of the electrode line and connected with the corresponding first electrode pattern through the first breach. |
| US08895880B2 |
Electric power tool
A reciprocating tool includes a toggle switch that is turned on or off by tilting a lever, and a switch lever in a motor housing. The switch lever includes an engagement frame into which the lever is inserted, and can slide in a tilting direction. The switch lever is slid to tilt the lever to an ON position or an OFF position through a sliding operation of the switch lever from the outside. An engagement portion of the switch lever on a side closer to the ON position of the lever is provided with a slanted guide surface that guides the lever in the ON position to the OFF position when the toggle switch is attached into an upper housing having the switch lever attached thereto. |
| US08895879B2 |
In-vehicle lever switch device
In a lever switch device, a holder is assembled in and fixed to a cylindrical lever body formed by combining halved lever bodies and the holder supports two rotating knobs so as to allow the rotating knobs to rotate. Further, a circuit board is mounted on the holder, and both main surfaces of the circuit board face the rotating knobs, respectively. The rotating knob is exposed to the outside at the end of the cylindrical lever body in the axial direction, and the rotating knob is exposed to the outside through window portions formed at the cylindrical lever body. Sliders are mounted on the rotating knobs, respectively, one slider can come into contact with and be separated from contact patterns formed on the main surface, and the other slider can come into contact with and be separated from contact patterns formed on the main surface. |
| US08895878B2 |
Cable feedthrough
In order, in the case of a cable feedthrough comprising a cable fixing unit with a fixing housing which is provided with a cable fixing member and a holding section as well as a shield contact element making contact with a cable shield of a cable guided through the cable feedthrough, to configure the cable fixing unit as simply and inexpensively as possible, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, to provide an electrically conductive connection between the cable shield and a wall section bearing the cable feedthrough which is as good as possible it is suggested that the cable feedthrough have a mounting unit which can be connected to a wall section of an appliance, that the mounting unit be connectable or connected to the cable fixing unit in a form locking manner and that the mounting unit be designed such that it provides an electrically conductive connection between the shield contact element and the wall section. |
| US08895876B2 |
Terminal protection cover and electrical junction box
A terminal holding part of a terminal protection cover includes a pair of lateral shaking-preventing wall parts which stands from a terminal-attachment surface of the terminal protection cover, and has surfaces facing lateral end edge surfaces, respectively, of the bent plate-type terminal which is held therein. The terminal holding part further includes a first vertical shaking-preventing wall part and a second vertical shaking-preventing wall part provided at a position upwards from the first vertical shaking-preventing wall part. The second vertical shaking-preventing wall part has a surface which is on the same side as the tip end edge surface of the lateral shaking-preventing wall part, and which is formed to be recessed relative to the tip end edge surface at a certain position at least upwards from an end edge surface of the second vertical shaking-preventing wall part. |
| US08895873B2 |
Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes a core insulation layer including a resin and having a via conductor through the core insulation layer, a first conductive layer formed on the core layer and including a copper foil and a plated film, an interlayer insulation layer formed on the first layer and including a resin, the interlayer layer having a via conductor through the interlayer layer, and a second conductive layer formed on the interlayer layer and including a copper foil and a plated film. The first layer includes a conductive circuit, the core and interlayer layers have dielectric constants of 4.0 or lower for signal transmission at frequency of 1 GHz and thermal expansion coefficient of 85 ppm/° C. or lower at or below Tg, and the foil of the first layer has thickness greater than thickness of the foil of the second layer. |
| US08895872B2 |
Printed circuit board
The printed circuit board comprises two first signal traces, a first grounding layer, two first signal traces, a second grounding layer, two signal conductive pillars and two grounding conductive pillars. The first signal traces are formed on a first surface of a substrate. The first grounding layer is formed on the first surface. The second signal traces are formed on a second surface of the substrate. The second grounding layer is formed on the second surface. The signal conductive pillars are extended to the second surface from the first surface and each signal conductive pillar connects the corresponding first signal trace and second signal trace. The grounding conductive pillars are extended to the second surface from the first surface and each grounding conductive pillar connects the first grounding layer and the second grounding layer. Each grounding conductive pillar and the corresponding signal conductive pillar are disposed in pairs. |