Document Document Title
US08908820B1 Stirling radioisotope generator and thermal management system
A Stirling radioisotope generator is provided. The generator includes a first and second heat source assembly, each heat source assembly comprising two General Purpose Heat Source modules, each General Purpose Heat Source module configured to generate thermal energy. The generator also includes a first and second Stirling convertor in thermal communication with the first and second heat source assembly, respectively, each Stirling convertor configured to convert the thermal energy into electrical power. The generator has a housing enclosing the first and second heat source assembly and the first and second Stirling convertor, the housing configured to dissipate excess thermal energy.
US08908818B2 Channel estimation method, apparatus and system
A channel estimation method, comprising when it is determined that in-band SRSs are required to be transmitted, acquiring the number of transmitting antenna ports and the number of layers of the currently transmitted DMRSs; calculating the difference of the number of the transmitting antenna ports and the number of layers of the currently transmitted DMRSs, and using the difference as the number of in-band SRSs that are required to be transmitted; transmitting in-band SRSs to a receiving-end device according to the number of in-band SRSs that are required to be transmitted, to enable the receiving-end device to perform channel estimation according to the currently transmitted DMRSs and the received in-band SRSs.
US08908815B2 Demapper for a multiple-input, multiple-output symbol receiver
A method, implementable on a multiple-input, multiple-output symbol receiver, includes selecting a hypothesis for a second symbol value U2 from among the set of fixed constellation points, calculating a hypothesis for a first symbol value U1 from the resultant selected U2 value, and generating a first half of counter-hypotheses from interim results of calculating the hypotheses values.
US08908806B2 Method and system for communicating data wirelessly using probabilistic data association
A signal received via a fading channel is decoded in radio frequency receiver by first demodulating the signal to a baseband signal, and serial to parallel converting the baseband signal to a precoded signal. Then, a channel matrix is estimated from the precoded signal, and symbols are detected in the precoded signal using the channel matrix. The decoding uses probabilistic data association. The detecting initializes a probability distribution for each symbol, and selects an ordering in which to update the probability distributions. The probability distribution for each symbol are updated according to the ordering, until a termination condition is reached, and then demapped and parallel to serial converted to estimate a sequence of bits used to generate the signal.
US08908803B2 Near field communications transmitter
The present application relates to a near field communications (NFC) transmitter (10) that is configured to modulate a carrier signal with a data signal using a quadrature modulator (12). A delay is introduced into the data signal, and this delayed version of the data signal is input to the input ports of the quadrature modulator (12). The resulting I and Q signals are combined to generate an output signal that is modulated in both amplitude and phase. An NFC receiver receiving the signal transmitted by the transmitter (10) is able to recover the data signal even when the amplitude of the received signal is greatly compressed, as the phase modulation of the transmitted signal is unaffected by the compression associated with power harvesting.
US08908802B2 Transmit diversity method, related device, and system
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a transmit diversity method, a related device, and a system, which mainly includes: configuring two different antenna ports separately for different antennas in a network, so that the antennas can use transmit diversity based on the configured antenna ports. In one aspect, because two antenna ports are used in the network to perform transmit diversity, a diversity gain of multiple antennas is obtained. In another aspect, a cavity position caused by a completely identical precoding codebook used in the network is avoided, and therefore network communication performance is improved. The technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present invention efficiently use the transmit diversity of the multiple antennas to acquire diversity gain so as to improve network communication performance.
US08908801B2 Array system for segmenting signals and generating a complex waveform at a focal point using recombination of segmented signals
An apparatus and methods are provided to realize an input waveform using wavelet processing and reconstruction via separated antenna array systems having different beam paths and different frequency components which can include phased array transmitters to recreate the input waveform. One aspect of the invention can include a wavelet function used for the examples shown herein which includes a first and second moments of a statistical function, i.e. the mean and variance used with an inverse wavelet to create rectangular pulses that lend themselves to use in the invention herein. Other embodiments of the invention can use other input waveform separation functions paired with signal separation and recombination at a focus point. A selected function can be matched to its application associated with avoidance of sending the input waveform along a single beam path, a desired a focus point, and separation of an input signal.
US08908798B2 Hybrid digital/analog power amplifier
The invention may be embodied in radio frequency power amplifier (RF-PA) predriver circuits employing a hybrid analog/digital RF architecture including a resynchronizing digital-to-analog convertor to drive an efficient high-power output stage suitable for driving standard high power amplifier (HPA) output devices. The hybrid analog/digital RF architecture retains the advantages of high digital content integration found in conventional Class-S architecture, while relaxing the performance requirements on the output transistors and on the bitstream generator. The resulting predriver circuit combines the VLSI integration benefits of digital designs with the extensibility to arbitrary output power levels characteristic of analog designs. The hybrid analog/digital driving circuit is well suited for use with analog and Class-S HPAs used in wireless communication systems, such as the Doherty type HPA.
US08908797B2 Apparatus and method for time alignment of an envelope tracking power amplifier
An apparatus and method for a Time Alignment (TA) operation used by an Envelope Tracking (ET) Radio Frequency (RF) Power Amplifier (PA) that amplifies RF signals are provided. The ET RF PA has an input signal including complex, reference, and feedback signals. The apparatus includes a fast convolution unit for receiving the reference signal and the feedback signal, fore extracting respective envelopes of the reference signal and the feedback signal, for generating a cross-covariance vector for the reference signal envelope and the feedback signal envelope, a delay estimation unit for receiving the cross-covariance vector from the fast convolution unit, for determining peak values of the cross-covariance vector, for performing a fine time delay estimation, and for generating time delay settings according to the fine time delay estimation, and delay filters respectively delaying a timing of the reference signal and the feedback signal according to the generated time delay settings.
US08908795B2 Apparatus and method for calibration of supply modulation in transmitter
A transmit apparatus having a supply modulator is provided. The apparatus includes a detector and the supply modulator. In the method, the detector detects an output signal of the supply modulator. Also, the supply modulator receives the detected output signal of the supply modulator from the detector and calibrates a modulation characteristic of the supply modulator. The transmit apparatus having a supply modulator includes a modulator/demodulator (modem) and the supply modulator. The modem provides a calibration signal for calibrating a modulation characteristic of the supply modulator, to the supply modulator. The supply modulator outputs a modulated signal in accordance with the calibrated modulation characteristic of the supply modulator based on the calibration signal from the modem.
US08908793B2 Method and apparatus for signal transmission in wireless communication system
Provided are a method and an apparatus for signal transmission in a wireless communication system. The apparatus comprises: an information processor for generating a first information sequence based on a first transmission symbol and a first resource index, and a second information sequence based on a second transmission symbol and a second resource index; a reference signal generator for generating a different reference signal depending upon whether a first resource block indicated by the first resource index and a second resource block indicated by the second resource index are the same; and an antenna for transmitting a signal generated based on the first information sequence, the second information sequence, and the reference signal sequence.
US08908791B2 Method and system for precoding data
The present disclosure relates to channel state feedback in a communication system. The method includes obtaining a reference signal from an access point; deriving a rank indication, a codebook subset selection indication and a precoding matrix index based on the obtained reference signal; sending a first feedback message conveying the rank indication and the codebook subset selection indication, and sending a second feedback message conveying the precoding matrix index, to the access point; and receiving, from the access point, data precoded by a matrix derived based on the rank indication, the codebook subset selection indication and the precoding matrix index.
US08908789B2 Method and apparatus for channel estimation and detection in MIMO system
The prevent invention provides a method for performing channel estimation and detection in a Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) system, including: generating a demodulation reference signal, DM-RS, pattern for an extended cyclic prefix (CP); and estimating and detecting channel performance based on the generated DM-RS signal pattern. The DM-RS pattern supports from rank 1 to rank 8 patterns for 8 layer transmission. A transmitter, a receiver and a system thereof are also provided. The solution of the present invention improves channel estimation accuracy, saves channel estimation implementation and implementation complexity at terminals.
US08908785B2 Receiving apparatus and communication apparatus, and communication system
To improve a quality of a combined signal obtained by maximum ratio combining performed when a transmission signal of OFDM system is diversity-received with a small computation amount or a small circuit size. In a receiving apparatus, a combining unit corrects, when combining a sub-carrier signal of each branch obtained by performing Fourier transform on a reception signal of each branch at a maximum ratio for each sub-carrier, a weighting coefficient of each branch according to a magnitude relation of an intensity of the reception signal of each branch before Fourier transform. Specifically, the combining unit corrects the weighting coefficient of each branch so as to weaken an influence of a transmission path response estimated for a sub-carrier signal of the branch in branches with smaller reception signal intensities.
US08908783B2 Scheduling collaborative uplink transmissions in OFDMA systems using multipath direction of arrival analysis
Techniques are provided for receiving uplink transmissions at a plurality of antennas at a base station from a plurality of client stations. Uplink spatial transmissions are analyzed to produce a plurality of direction of arrival (DOA) components associated with the plurality of client stations. The DOA components associated with the plurality of client stations are compared with each other and two or more client stations are selected to participate in an uplink collaborative spatial multiplexing transmission session based on dissimilarities of their DOA components.
US08908782B2 Method and apparatus for checking asynchronous transmission of control signals
In a method for asynchronously transmitting control signals from a transmitter end to at least one receiver via a plurality of control lines, control signals received via the individual control lines are logically combined with one another at the receiver end and the result of the logic combination is transmitted to the transmitter end.
US08908781B2 Receiver and method for processing radio signals using soft pilot symbols
A receiver and method for receiving and processing a sequence of transmitted symbols in a digital communication system utilizing soft pilot symbols. A set of soft pilot symbols are transmitted with higher reliability than the remaining symbols in the sequence by modulating the soft pilot symbols with a lower order modulation such as BPSK or QPSK while modulating the remaining symbols with a higher order modulation such as 16 QAM or 64 QAM. The receiver knows the modulation type and location (time/frequency/code) of the soft pilot symbols, and demodulates them first. The receiver uses the demodulated soft pilot symbols as known symbols to estimate parameters of the received radio signal. Unlike traditional fixed pilots, the soft pilots still carry some data. Additionally, the soft pilots are particularly helpful in establishing the amplitude reference essential in demodulating the higher order modulation symbols.
US08908778B2 Rail-to-rail comparator, pulse amplitude modulation receiver, and communication system using the same
A rail-to-rail comparator including a first comparison unit connected to a first terminal and configured to compare differential input signals to differential reference voltages; a second comparison unit connected to a second terminal and configured to compare the differential input signals to the differential reference voltages; and an output unit configured to be driven in response to a clock signal and to generate a complementary output signal according to comparison results of the first and second comparison units.
US08908777B2 Memory request ordering for a motion compensation process, implemented by a picture processing apparatus, a picture processing method, and a picture processing program
A picture processing apparatus is disclosed which includes: a memory; and a decoding circuit configured to decode encoded picture data; wherein the memory holds first and second fields of the decoded picture in different areas while holding field planes of a plurality of reference planes in different areas; the decoding circuit includes a motion compensation circuit configured to effect motion-compensating prediction by dividing into a plurality of divisions each of macro blocks making up the picture data in order to perform motion compensation in accordance with the motion-compensating prediction; and, upon transferring the decoded picture held in the memory during a motion compensation process, the compensation circuit rearranges transfer requests to at least either the same reference plane or the same field plane within a divided macro block on the basis of macro block division information and reference picture information, before transferring the rearranged transfer requests consecutively to the memory.
US08908773B2 Apparatus and method for encoding and decoding signals
New capabilities will allow conventional broadcast transmission to be available to mobile devices. The present embodiments describe an apparatus and method for encoding and decoding signals. A method includes the steps of generating data blocks, encoding a first set of data blocks using a first encoding rate, encoding a second set of data blocks using a second encoding rate, and generating a control packet, the control packet identifying the first set of data blocks and the first encoding rate, and identifying the second set of data blocks and the second encoding rate. An apparatus includes a first decoder receiving data and decoding a first subset of the data, including a control packet, at a first decoding rate and a controller controlling the operation of the first decoder based on the decoded control packet.
US08908771B2 Image decoding method, image coding method, image decoding apparatus, and image coding apparatus
To provide an image decoding method allowing decoding of a multiview video even when no prefix NAL units are used. The image decoding method includes: parsing NAL units of a base view; decoding an image of the base view; parsing MVC extension parameters of a non-base view; searching whether or not prefix NAL units for a base view are present; either computing MVC extension parameters for the base view when no prefix NAL units are present or parsing the MVC extension parameters of the base view when prefix NAL units for the base view are present; and decoding the non-base view using the MVC extension parameters of the base view and the MVC extension parameters of the non-base view.
US08908770B2 Carriage of SEI messages in RTP payload format
A system and method of modifying error resiliency features by conveying temporal level 0 picture indices, such as t10_pic_idx, within an SEI message instead of optionally including them in the NAL unit header is provided. In addition, a mechanism is provided for enabling repetition of any SEI messages in Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets. Enabling such repetition of any SEI messages facilitates detection of lost temporal level 0 pictures on the basis of any received packet.
US08908766B2 Computer method and apparatus for processing image data
A method and apparatus for image data compression includes detecting a portion of an image signal that uses a disproportionate amount of bandwidth compared to other portions of the image signal. The detected portion of the image signal result in determined components of interest. Relative to certain variance, the method and apparatus normalize the determined components of interest to generate an intermediate form of the components of interest. The intermediate form represents the components of interest reduced in complexity by the certain variance and enables a compressed form of the image signal where the determined components of interest maintain saliency. In one embodiment, the video signal is a sequence of video frames. The step of detecting includes any of: (i) analyzing image gradients across one or more frames where image gradient is a first derivative model and gradient flow is a second derivative, (ii) integrating finite differences of pels temporally or spatially to form a derivative model, (iii) analyzing an illumination field across one or more frames, and (iv) predictive analysis, to determine bandwidth consumption. The determined bandwidth consumption is then used to determine the components of interest.
US08908763B2 Fragmented reference in temporal compression for video coding
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for encoding and decoding sequences of video frames using fragmentary reference pictures. The disclosure presents video encoding and decoding techniques for modified temporal compression based on fragmented references rather than complete reference pictures. In a typical sequence of video frames, only a portion (i.e., a tile) of each frame includes moving objects. Moreover, in each frame, the moving objects tend to be confined to specific areas that are common among each frame in the sequence of video frames. As described herein, such common areas of motion are identified. Pictures are then extracted from the identified areas of the video frames. Because these pictures may represent only portions of the frames, this disclosure refers to these pictures as “fragments.” It is then these fragments that are used as reference pictures for generating predicted frames during a motion compensation process, rather than the entire frame.
US08908761B2 Video coding
A method comprising: encoding a video image at each of a plurality of frames, including by using inter frame encoding to encode at least portions of some of the frames, thereby generating an encoded video stream; transmitting the encoded video stream over a lossy channel to be decoded at a receiver to produce decoded video; and performing a recovery operation to refresh the encoding of the video image, cutting off error propagation that has occurred in the decoded video due to an effect of inter prediction in presence of loss over said channel; wherein the recovery operation is triggered by a report fed back from the receiver indicative of loss; and wherein the recovery operation is performed over a plural number of frames, refreshing the encoding of different partial frame regions at different respective frames.
US08908752B2 Line testing
Embodiments related to line testing are described and depicted. A digital subscriber line testing apparatus comprises a plurality of resistors and a switching device. The switching device comprises first and second signal inputs to couple the switching device to a signal generator output, and a plurality of wire terminals. The switching device is configured to switch the plurality of resistors into a first switching state and a second switching state.
US08908749B2 Method and apparatus for controlling DSL line transmission power
A method for controlling DSL transmission power includes: determining a group to which a line belongs, and selecting a representative line from each group to form a line model; obtaining a crosstalk model of the line model; obtaining Transmit Power Spectrum Density (TxPSD) of each representative line in the line model according to the crosstalk model, and converting the TxPSD into a spectrum control parameter; and enhancing the line rate according to the spectrum control parameter. An apparatus for controlling DSL transmission power is also disclosed. Through the method, the transmission power of the band that incurs serious line crosstalk is restricted, and the line that incurs serious crosstalk can achieve higher transmission rates. Therefore, the adverse impact from the crosstalk between xDSL lines is reduced, and the line works in the optimum state.
US08908747B2 Method and apparatus for controlling adaptive rank multi antenna communication
A mobile terminal can receive N or less different data streams transmitted in parallel over N antennas. The number of different data streams actually transmitted in parallel to the mobile terminal corresponds to transmission rank. If the speed of the mobile terminal does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the mobile terminal utilizes a full-size codebook containing precoder elements for all N transmission ranks to determine a recommended transmission rank and precoder matrix for use in transmitting data to the mobile terminal. Otherwise, the mobile terminal utilizes a reduced-size codebook which excludes the precoder elements for at least transmission rank-N to determine the recommended transmission rank and precoder matrix where transmission rank-N corresponds to N different data streams being transmitted in parallel over the N antennas. The mobile terminal transmits an indication of the recommended transmission rank and precoder matrix to the network.
US08908746B2 Method and apparatus to use auxiliary receiver to compensate multiple transmitters based upon one of the transmitters
A communications device includes a plurality of wireless transmitters operable at different respective frequencies and each configured to generate respective IQ signals having an initial IQ imbalance. An auxiliary receiver is coupled to a given wireless transmitter. In addition, a controller is configured to apply predistortion to the each wireless transmitter of the plurality thereof based upon the initial IQ imbalance generated by the given wireless transmitter to reduce the initial IQ imbalance in each wireless transmitter.
US08908743B2 Receiver with multi layer interference cancellation
A multi user receiver configured to receive a signal including multiple symbol streams assigned to various users is described. The multiple symbol streams include at least one first symbol stream assigned to a user of the multi user receiver and at least one second symbol stream assigned to another user, wherein a modulation alphabet applied for the at least one second symbol stream is unknown at the multi user receiver. The multi user receiver includes a symbol stream election unit configured to elect a symbol stream of the multiple symbol streams, an equalizer configured to provide an equalized symbol of the elected symbol stream, and a detector configured to generate a detected symbol from the equalized symbol on the basis of a constellation, wherein, if the second symbol stream is elected, the constellation is a mixed constellation including constellation points of at least two of multiple predefined modulation alphabets.
US08908741B2 Clear-channel system and related applications
A wireless spread-spectrum communication system for transmitting data includes a plurality of end point transmitters and at least one receiver. The end point transmitters transmit data via a frequency-hopped spread-spectrum signal where the transmitting signal is sent without the benefit of frequency stabilization. The receiver is responsive to the frequency-hopping spread-spectrum signals and includes a correlator and a signal processor. The correlator samples at least a first portion of a preamble of the signal and correlates the portion of the preamble with a known preamble pattern to determine a probability of correlation. The signal processor applies a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm to the signal in response to the probability of correlation to track a narrowband frequency of the signal based on at least a second portion of the preamble and to decode data encoded within the signal subsequent to the preamble.
US08908740B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device, comprises: a light source that emits excitation light; a light guide that propagates the excitation light, and in which the refractive index of the center part (core) of a cross section is higher than the refractive index of the peripheral part (cladding); a wavelength conversion member that absorbs the excitation light propagated by the light guide and converts the wavelength thereof, and releases light of a predetermined wavelength band; and a shielding member that blocks the wavelength of at least part of the excitation light and the light emitted from the wavelength conversion member.
US08908737B2 Transition-metal-doped thin-disk laser
A laser includes a Ti:sapphire gain-medium in the form of a thin-disk. The thin-disk gain-medium is optically pumped by pump-radiation pulses having a wavelength in the green region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The pump-radiation pulses have a duration less than twice the excited-state lifetime of the gain-medium.
US08908734B2 Directly modulated laser for PON applications
In an embodiment, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser includes a gain section and a passive section. The gain section includes an active region, an upper separate confinement heterostructure (SCH), and a lower SCH. The upper SCH is above the active region and has a thickness of at least 60 nanometers (nm). The lower SCH is below the active region and has a thickness of at least 60 nm. The passive section is coupled to the gain section, the passive section having a DBR in optical communication with the active region.
US08908733B2 Optoelectronic semiconductor chip
In at least one embodiment of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip (1), the latter is based on a nitride material system and comprises at least one active quantum well (2). The at least one active quantum well (2) is designed to generate electromagnetic radiation when in operation. Furthermore, the at least one active quantum well (2) comprises N successive zones (A) in a direction parallel to a growth direction z of the semiconductor chip (1), N being a natural number greater than or equal to 2. At least two of the zones (A) of the active quantum well (2) have mutually different average indium contents c. Furthermore the at least one active quantum well (2) fulfills the condition: 40≦∫c(z)dz−2.5N−1.5∫dz≦80.
US08908727B2 Laser assembly and method for manufacturing the same
A laser assembly and a method for manufacturing the same are provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The laser assembly (900) may comprise a first plate (903) having first projections (918, 928); a printed circuit board assembly (902) including a printed circuit board (912) having first openings (913, 915) and a laser module (100) thereon, and a second plate (901) having second projections (917, 927). The printed circuit board assembly (902) can be retained between the first plate (903) and the second plate (901) by the first projections (918, 928) and the second projections (917, 927). The laser assembly may further comprises a first pad (930) provided between the laser module (100) and the first plate (903) and/or a second pad (920) provided between the laser module (100) and the second plate (901). Any of the first pad (930) and the second pad (920) may be adaptable to be compressed, and adaptable to hold the laser module (100) or to hold the laser module (100) and to dissipate the heat from the laser module (100).
US08908723B2 External cavity widely tunable laser using a silicon resonator and micromechanically adjustable coupling
A widely tunable laser is described where a compound semiconductor gain chip is coupled to a waveguide filter fabricated on silicon. The filter has two resonators with different free-spectral-ranges, such that Vernier tuning between the filters can be used to provide a single wavelength of light feedback into the gain chip, where the wavelength is adjustable over a wide range. The coupling between the gain chip and the filter is realized through a microlens whose position can be adjusted using micromechanics and locked in place.
US08908721B2 Environmentally stable optical fiber mode-locked laser generating device having an achromatic quarter wave plate
An Environmentally stable optical fiber mode-locked laser generating device having an achromatic quarter wave plate is disclosed. An optical fiber unit is formed of a polarization maintaining (PM) optical fiber, and a Bragg grating is formed on a first region from one end in direction to the other end, a gain material is doped on a core of a remaining second region. An optical coupling unit provides a pump laser input to one end of the optical fiber unit, and outputs a laser input from the optical fiber unit. A lens unit converts a laser output from the other end of the optical fiber unit and focuses the laser on a certain regime. A polarization control unit includes an achromatic quarter wave plate (AQWP) which is disposed between the lenses constituting the lens unit and made by laminating two quarter wave plates (QWPs) such that fast-axes of the QWPs are orthogonal to each other, and controls mode-locking of the laser and spectral bandwidth by adjusting an angle of the AQWP with respect to a fast-axis or a slow-axis of the optical fiber unit. A saturable absorbing unit saturably absorbs and reflects the laser passed through the second lens, resulting in mode-locking.
US08908716B2 Upstream channel bonding in a cable communications system
A method for increasing upstream bandwidth per cable modem user in a cable communications system that includes a cable modem termination system (CMTS) and a plurality of cable modems is provided. The method permits a cable modem to transmit data to the CMTS on multiple upstream channels simultaneously using a technique called “channel bonding.” Channel bonding allows smaller bandwidth upstream channels to be bonded together to create a larger bandwidth pipe.
US08908710B2 Routing packets through external memory
The disclosed embodiments provide a way to reduce dropped packets by conditionally routing data packets through the external memory prior to classification. By utilizing the external memory (or off-chip memory) to temporarily store the incoming data packets when the data rate is extremely high, the disclosed embodiments largely eliminate overloading of the on-chip memory, thereby reducing dropped data packets.
US08908704B2 Switch with dual-function management port
Communication apparatus includes a switch, which includes switching logic, multiple ports for connection to a network, and a management port, and which is configured to assign both a first link-layer address and a second link-layer address to the management port. A host processor includes a memory and a central processing unit (CPU), which is configured to run software implementing a management agent for managing functions of the switch. A network interface controller (NIC) is connected to the management port and is configured to convey incoming management packets, which are directed by the switch to the first link-layer address, to the CPU for processing by the management agent, and to write directly to the memory data contained in incoming remote direct memory access (RDMA) packets, which are directed by the switch to the second link-layer address.
US08908696B2 Systems and methods for optimized route caching
A method for optimized route caching includes comparing a destination address of a network packet to a first set of prefixes in a routing cache, and comparing the destination address to a second set of prefixes in a full routing table when a longest matching prefix for the destination address is not found in the routing cache. The method further includes copying the longest matching prefix and a set of sub-prefixes of the longest matching prefix from the full routing table to the routing cache, and forwarding the network packet.
US08908691B2 Virtual ethernet port aggregation (VEPA)-enabled multi-tenant overlay network
In accordance with one embodiment, a system that may be used for enabling Virtual Ethernet Port Aggregation (VEPA) in an overlay network includes a host server providing a virtual switch, the virtual switch including logic adapted for receiving a packet from a first virtual machine (VM) on the host server, logic adapted for determining that a destination of the packet is a second VM common to the host server, logic adapted for encapsulating the packet with a tunnel header to form an overlay packet, logic adapted for sending the overlay packet via a tunnel to a physical networking element to have inspection services performed thereon, logic adapted for receiving the overlay packet from the physical networking element, logic adapted for de-encapsulating the overlay packet to retrieve a serviced packet, and logic adapted for forwarding the serviced packet to the second VM, wherein the tunnel header includes tenant specific information.
US08908690B2 Addressing a workload partition
A method for addressing a workload partition is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A packet of data directed to the WPAR and including a combined address is received at a software stack. A determination is made whether the combined address includes an identifier that is reserved. If the identifier is not reserved, the identifier is used to identify the WPAR in the data processing system and the packet is sent to the WPAR. The software stack is an application configured to enable data communication using a protocol of the packet, and is modified to detect, recognize, and process the combined address for routing the packet to the WPAR. The combined address may be logically formed using an identifier associated with the data processing system and an identifier associated with the WPAR, which may be located in different portions of the packet.
US08908687B2 Method for transmitting policy information between network equipment
A method for transmitting policy information between network equipment, extending protocol types of messages in layer-2, layer-3 or a higher application layer between an IP-uplink broadband user access equipment and a BRAS so as to construct a PITP to bear policy information; a PITP message includes a policy information transmission type field, an operation type field and a policy information content field, and different types of policy information are distinguished by the policy information transmission type field; transmission of the policy information is implemented through a point-to-point means or a broadcast means in layer-2, a unicast or a multicast in layer-3 or a higher application layer. The present invention implements policy information transmission, prevents account intrusions and hacker attacks, makes it convenient for the broadband user access equipment to implement dynamic QoS policy adjustment in terms of different users and makes it easy for integrated managing the online equipment.
US08908682B2 Switch discovery protocol for a distributed fabric system
A distributed fabric system comprises a plurality of independent network elements interconnected by inter-switch links and assigned to a same group. Each network element includes one or more switching chips, a processor, and memory storing program code that is executed by the processor. The program code of each network element includes a switch discovery protocol (SDP) module. The SDP module of each network element, when executed, periodically multicasts SDP data units (SDPDUs) using one of a plurality of transmission rates. The plurality of transmission rates includes a fast transmission rate and a slow transmission rate. The transmission rate used by the SDP module of each network element is the fast transmission rate until the SDP module of that network element determines a criterion is met, in response to which the transmission rate used by the SDP module of that network element changes to the slow transmission rate.
US08908681B1 Facilitating call continuity when transferring calls between a mobile access network to a VoIP network
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for facilitating call continuity when transferring calls between mobile access networks to voice over internet protocol networks. The method includes recognizing availability of a voice over internet protocol network during a voice call established via a wireless access network. Thereafter, a data connection between a user device and the voice over internet protocol network is established. A transfer of the voice call from the wireless access network to the voice over internet protocol network is initiated by initiating a three-way call. Such a three-way call includes a first portion routed to a destination device via a public switch telephone network and a second portion routed to the user device via the voice over internet protocol network.
US08908676B2 Automatically detecting best paths from shadow route reflectors
In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving a path advertisement comprising information about an available path and a well-known community value associated with the available path. A modified best path calculation is performed in response to receiving the available path either from a higher-ranked device or from a device that is not participating in diverse path calculation, resulting in creating a particular best path. The particular best path is advertised to other routers with or without a restriction indicator based on whether it is a client learned path or non-client iBGP peer learned path and based on whether the advertisement is directed to a client or a non-client iBGP peer.
US08908674B2 Method for configuring an optical network
A network model for the planning and/or the provisioning of traffic flows in a communication network includes nodes interconnected with each other by links according to a given network topology. The network model uses a graph defined by arc objects storing information related to both the links and adjacent nodes thereof.
US08908671B2 Semiconductor device, portable communication terminal, IC card, and microcomputer
The present invention provides a noncontact interface technique capable of performing communication operation without stopping an internal operation even when a clock signal cannot be extracted from a carrier wave. In a semiconductor device that receives a modulated carrier wave from an antenna, generates an internal clock signal on the basis of a clock signal extracted from the received carrier wave, and performs operation synchronously with the internal clock signal, a PLL circuit that receives the extracted clock signal and generates the internal clock signal is provided with a voltage control oscillation function. In the case where the clock signal extracted from the carrier wave is discretely interrupted, the function makes the internal clock signal maintained at a frequency immediately before the interruption. With the configuration, even when the clock signal extracted from the carrier wave is interrupted, internal data processes such as decoding and bus interfacing can be continued.
US08908666B2 Communicating data frames across communication networks that use incompatible network routing protocols
A communication method operates to seamlessly transmit internet protocol (IP) data frames, such as IPv6 data frames, over a communication network that uses a non-IP network routing protocol, i.e., a communication network that implements a network routing protocol other than, or that is incompatible with an IP network routing protocol, such as the WirelessHART protocol. This communication method enables, for example, field devices or other intelligent devices within a process plant network that uses a non-IP communication network to perform messaging of IP data frames generated at or to be received by internet protocol enabled devices either within the process plant network or outside of the process plant network.
US08908659B2 Method and apparatus for coexistence of different bandwidth systems in TV white space
Methods and apparatus of slot time synchronization for coexistence of 5 MHz, 10 MHz, and 20 MHz systems in TV white space are provided. The methods and apparatus extend concepts used in traditional 802.11 applications in the MAC layer so that networks that overlap in frequency and space can have access opportunities to TV white space channels. Several passive mechanisms are described which use bits of traditional 802.11 MAC Management Protocol Data Units to receive information related to the slot time of other overlapped networks. An active approach is described that uses measurements from a radio resource measurement service to adjust the slot time of stations in a network to that of the lowest bandwidth overlapped network in frequency and space.
US08908658B1 Systems and methods for controlling the transmission and reception of packets over a common antenna
A system including i) first wireless communication circuitry to receive and transmit packets of a first type via an antenna, and ii) second wireless communication circuitry to receive and transmit packets of a second type via the antenna. The packets of the second type are transmitted and received during time slots having a predefined length, and the time slots are separated by time intervals during which no packets of the second type are transmitted or received by the second wireless communication circuitry. The system further includes an arbiter to control access of the first wireless communication circuitry and the second wireless communication circuitry to the antenna, wherein the arbiter causes the packets of the first type to be transmitted and received by the first wireless communication circuitry during the time intervals during which no packets of the second type are transmitted or received by the second wireless communication circuitry.
US08908657B2 Transmission device and transmission method
Provided are a transmission device and transmission method that are capable of allowing leeway in data reception processing on the receiving side regardless of the position in time of a resource region to which control information, which is contained in resource allocation information for transmission data, is mapped. A setting unit (101) sets a mapping region, which maps a DCI in accordance with the downlink data size that the DCI indicates, from among a PDCCH region, an R-PDCCH region in slot 0, and an R-PDCCH region in slot 1 that are provided in order in the time direction within a subframe. In a setting rule table used in setting the mapping region, PDCCH region, R-PDCCH region in slot 0, and R-PDCCSH region in slot 1 are associated with maximum size value of a downlink data size that the DCI indicates and that can be set in each resource region.
US08908655B2 Radio communication system, mobile station apparatus, and RACH transmission method
Provided is a mobile station device capable of performing RACH transmission with a small amount of resources. In this device, a RACH generating unit (111) is formed by a signature selection unit (112) and a modulation unit (113). A RACH signal is generated as follows. That is, according to inputted RACH re-transmission quantity information, the signature selection unit (112) selects one code sequence as a signature from a plurality of different code sequences. The modulation unit (113) modulates the signature (code sequence) and generates a RACH signal. A multiplexing unit (116) time-multiplexes the RACH signal inputted from the modulation unit (113) and user data inputted from the modulation unit (115). A radio transmission unit (117) subjects the multiplexed signal to radio processing and transmits it via an antenna (121).
US08908654B2 Dynamic bandwidth allocation for multiple access communications using buffer urgency factor
A code division multiple access (CDMA) user device configured to dynamically allocating at least one wireless communication channel to permit a more efficient allocation of wireless communication channels when providing high speed data service. The CDMA user device is configured to receive data traffic from at least one data buffer in a base station. The CDMA user device is dynamically allocated at least one wireless communication channel based on an urgency factor. The urgency factor indicates the urgency of traffic data to be transmitted from the at least one data buffer in the base station to the CDMA user device.
US08908652B2 Maintenance of channel usage in a wireless communication system
Data is accessed from a network via a wireless communication link. A determination is made as to whether payload data has been received from a subscriber's terminal. If so, then a request is sent for a first set of traffic channels, and the payload data is transmitted over the first set of traffic channels.
US08908648B2 TDD-LTE measurement gap for performing TD-SCDMA measurement
Certain aspects of the present disclosure propose techniques for enhancing a measurement gap for TD-SCDMA measurement. Certain aspects provide a method that generally includes receiving, from a base station (BS) of a first radio access technology (RAT), a message indicating a measurement gap in which a user equipment (UE) is to take a measurement in a second RAT, the message comprising an indication of a start position of the measurement gap and a duration of the measurement gap; and taking a measurement during the measurement gap.
US08908643B2 Handover of priority calls from a circuit switched access network with single radio voice call continuity
A method is provided of handing over a priority call with Single Radio Voice Call Continuity, SRVCC. The priority call is handed over from a User Equipment, UE, accessing an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, network via a Circuit Switched, CS, access network to a target Packet Switched, PS, access network thereby establishing a priority IMS session. The priority call has a specified CS priority level. The method includes sending a handover request from the CS access network towards the PS access network and the IMS network to transfer the priority call. A PS priority level for the session in the PS network is determined based on the specified CS priority level. Bearer resources for the IMS session are allocated. The bearer resources are based, at least in part, on the PS priority level. The call is transferred to the IMS session over the PS access network.
US08908641B2 Method, system, network element, and gateway for processing access point name restriction information
A method, a system, a network element, and a gateway for processing access point name restriction information are disclosed. The method includes: a second mobility management element receives first access point name restriction information from a first mobility management element; the second mobility management element obtains maximum access point name restriction information according to the first access point name restriction information, so that a packet data network gateway determines to or refuses to establish a new packet data network gateway connection. With the present invention, the second mobility management element may obtain the maximum access point name restriction information according to the received access point name restriction information. In this way, the packet data network gateway can determine to or refuse to establish a new packet data network gateway connection, therefore improving the security of private packet data network gateways.
US08908635B2 Method and a network node for controlling output uplink and downlink power levels in a mobile communications system
The present inventions relates to a method and a network node for controlling an output uplink power level of a mobile station and for controlling an output downlink power level of a target base station in a target cell of a mobile communications system. The method comprises receiving at the network node a message indicating that a handover of the mobile station from an originating cell to the target cell is completed; and commanding the target base station to use an initial output downlink power level and the mobile station to use an initial output uplink power level, wherein the initial output downlink power level and the initial output uplink power level are based on at least previous power control levels used a time after previous handovers were completed between the originating cell and the target cell.
US08908632B2 Methods and apparatus for channel interleaving in OFDM systems
A method and apparatus for channel interleaving in a wireless communication system. In one aspect of the present invention, the data resource elements are assigned to multiple code blocks, and the numbers of data resource elements assigned to each code block are substantially equal. In another aspect of the present invention, a time-domain-multiplexing-first (TDM-first) approach and a frequency-domain-multiplexing-first (FDM-first) approach are proposed. In the TDM-first approach, at least one of a plurality of code blocks are assigned with a number of consecutive data carrying OFDM symbols. In the FDM-first approach, at least one of the plurality of code blocks are assigned with all of the data carrying OFDM symbols. Either one of the TDM first approach and the FDM-first approach may be selected in dependence upon the number of the code blocks, or the transport block size, or the data rate.
US08908631B2 Quality of service traffic recognition and packet classification for home mesh network
An embodiment is a technique to perform network-based traffic recognition and packet classification. A port identifier in a transport layer header of a packet having a packet type associated with a priority level is extracted. The packet is transmitted from or to an application according to a network protocol in a multi-hop mesh network having a local node and a remote node. The port identifier includes a port number. The packet is classified into the packet type using the port identifier and one of a pre-defined port list, a dynamic port table, and an application header of the application.
US08908630B2 Method and arrangement in a telecommunication system
The present invention relates to a method in a cellular communication system, for avoiding errors in a HARQ process, wherein an NDI flag is used both for indicating either semi-persistent scheduling, SPS activation or SPS retransmissions, and also for indicating, by toggling of the flag, a new transmission in dynamic scheduling mode. The method comprises the steps of receiving, in a scheduling message, an indication that dynamically scheduled transmission will take place; if a semi persistent resource has occurred for the same HARQ process since a previously received indication for dynamically scheduled transmission, then considering the NDI flag to be toggled regardless of the value of the NDI flag. Thus, if the condition is fulfilled, a UE will always regard the NDI flag as indicating or requesting a new data transmission.
US08908627B2 Data processing method and system
A data processing method when the handover or change appears between systems includes: a Mobility Management network element sends a data forwarding tunnel identifier of a target side processing network element to a user plane anchor network element, obtains a data forwarding tunnel identifier of the user plane anchor network element, and sends the data forwarding tunnel identifier of the user plane anchor network element to a source data forwarding network element.
US08908624B2 Method and apparatus for a two-way relaying scheme with physical layer network coding
A two-way relay wireless communication method and device may combine multiple bit steams, for one source node and two target nodes, and broadcasting a network coded combined bit sequence to reduce the number of time slots for transmission. A first device may receive a signal from the source node and a target node simultaneously in a time slot. The first device may receive subsequent signals from the source node and multiple target nodes simultaneously in successive time slots. Hierarchical modulation may be applied to the received signals. The first device may decode the received signals and generate a plurality of intermediate bit sequences (IBS)s for a broadcast transmission. The generated IBSs may be grouped according to a channel condition. A second device may be configured to receive the broadcast transmission and decode a portion of the broadcast transmission that is intended for the second device.
US08908623B2 Persistent resource allocation
Methods and apparatus for communicating and utilizing persistent allocation of uplink resources are described herein. A base station can allocate persistent uplink resources to a client station, such that the resource allocation remains active for future uplink frames without the client station repeating a request for uplink resources or the base station expressly communicating the uplink resource allocation. A client station can request a persistent uplink resource allocation when wireless channel conditions are fairly consistent and not varying and the required uplink resources are predictably periodic and fixed in size. The base station can verify that the uplink resource request meets the criteria for persistent allocation and can allocate persistent uplink resources in a dedicated information element of an uplink resource map that is transmitted to the user. The resources allocated remain allocated to the client station in each frame satisfying a predetermined periodicity until deallocated.
US08908619B2 MAC PDU signaling and operating methods for access class barring and back-off control for large-scale radio access network
A scheme for Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) signaling includes the steps of receiving, from a Machine-Type Communication (MTC) device, a random access preamble; sending, to the MTC device, a random access response that includes a MAC PDU having a MAC header that includes information for MTC support; receiving, from the MTC device, a scheduled transmission; and performing contention resolution with the MTC device. The information for MTC support can be achieved by: (1) the MAC PDU structure being modified to include a new section used for MTC devices to identify the congestion status of MTC family; (2) providing the backoff control (BOC) with a new sequence of a large-scale backoff interval (BI); (3) changing the random access (RA) procedure for MTC devices; or (4) performing toggling or switching between access class barring (ACB) and backoff control (BOC).
US08908618B2 Wireless communication device and communication method thereof
According to one embodiment, a wireless communication device includes a first transmitting/receiving unit, a first physical processor, and a first MAC processor. The first transmitting/receiving unit transmits one first wireless signal and receives a second wireless signal by a first wireless communication method using a frequency band with a certain bandwidth. The first physical processor decodes the second wireless signal to obtain a frame and encodes a frame of the first wireless signal to be transmitted. The first MAC processor supplies a control frame generated by embedding a first frame to a MAC header of a second frame to the physical processor as the frame. The first frame is recognizable by the first wireless communication method and a second wireless communication method. The second frame is recognizable by the first wireless communication method but is not recognizable by the second wireless communication method.
US08908615B2 Base station, relay station, computing apparatus, and reference signal transmission, allocation, and receiving methods thereof
A base station, relay station, computing apparatus, and reference signal transmission, allocation, and receiving methods thereof are provided. For each the antennas, the BS perform the following operations: (i) generating a BS superframe comprising a first kind frame and a second kind frame, each of the first and second kind frames comprising a plurality of subframes and defining a downlink access zone and a downlink relay zone, (ii) allocating allocates a reference signal of the antenna in a first OFDM symbol in only one of the subframes in the first kind frame, the first OFDM symbol belonging to the downlink access zone of the first kind frame, and (iii) allocating the reference signal in a second OFDM symbol in only one of the subframes, the second OFDM symbol belonging to the downlink access zone or the downlink relay zone.
US08908613B2 Progressive information beacon symbols
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate transmitting beacon symbols comprising static and dynamic information about the beacon and/or a transmitter thereof (or substantially any information a beacon transmitter desires to send). In this regard, the beacon symbol transmitter can select a subcarrier of bandwidth for transmitting the beacon symbol where the subcarrier is indicative of data and is in one of a plurality of subcarrier groups related to the total available subcarriers. Thus, the groups can have common virtual subcarriers such that a subcarrier index can be found in each group. In this way, the selected group can indicate additional information that can change based on what group is selected for transmitting a given beacon symbol.
US08908607B2 Digital baseband transport in telecommunications distribution systems
A telecommunications system is provided that includes a unit for communicating channelized digital baseband signals with remotely located units. The channelized digital baseband signals include call information for wireless communication. The unit includes a channelizer section and a transport section. The channelizer section can extract, per channel, the channelized digital baseband signals using channel filters and digital down-converters. The transport section can format the channelized digital baseband signals for transport together using a transport schedule unit for packetizing and packet scheduling the channelized digital baseband signals. A signal processing subsystem can control a gain of uplink digital baseband signals, independently, that are received from the remotely located units prior to summing the uplink digital baseband signals.
US08908606B2 Opportunistic interference alignment for multi-cell multi-user uplink
A UE receives information indicating a receive direction vector for a serving BS and a set of receive direction vectors for at least one interfering BS. The UE determines a channel between the UE and the serving BS and a set of channels between the UE and each of the at least one interfering BS. The UE determines a transmit direction vector to apply to modulated symbols for mapping to a set of resource blocks for an uplink transmission based on the channel, the set of channels, the receive direction vector, and the set of receive direction vectors. The UE determines an interference caused to the at least one interfering BS by the uplink transmission based on the transmit direction vector, the set of channels, and the set of receive direction vectors. The UE transmits information indicating the interference to the serving BS.
US08908603B2 MME restoration
A method for a mobility management entity (MME) is disclosed. In some embodiments the method includes: establishing a UE context for a UE; selecting a back-up MME for holding a duplicate context of the user entity; informing a SGW of the selected back-up MME; and transmitting a the duplicate context to the selected back-up MME.
US08908600B2 Channel state information feedback frame format and feedback rules for very high throughput wireless systems
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for generating a unified format of channel state information (CSI) feedback for Very High Throughput (VHT) wireless systems. One example method generally includes generating, at a first apparatus, a frame comprising information relating to SNR if a second apparatus is communicating with the first apparatus using single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) or multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) and transmitting a signal based on the generated frame to the second apparatus. Another example method generally includes generating, at an apparatus, a structure comprising CSI, wherein the CSI includes one of a first matrix with estimates of a channel associated with the apparatus or a second matrix obtained based on singular value decomposition (SVD) of the first matrix and wherein the structure further comprises an indication of which of the first and second matrices is included in the CSI; and transmitting the structure over the channel.
US08908598B1 Switch-level page settings based on a combination of device performance and coverage area performance
Exemplary methods and systems may help to adjust switch-level page settings based on both the performance of the wireless communication device (WCD) that is being paged, and the sector in which the WCD is likely to be located. An exemplary method involves a switch determining that a WCD should be paged and responsive to determining that the WCD should be paged: (a) determining a coverage-area performance indicator for a last-known coverage area of the WCD; (b) determining a WCD performance indicator for the WCD; (c) using both (i) the WCD performance indicator and (ii) the coverage-area performance indicator as a basis for adjusting at least one paging-scheme setting affecting attempts to page the WCD; and (d) paging the WCD according to the at least one adjusted paging-scheme setting.
US08908593B2 Transmission of scheduling assignments in multiple operating bandwidths
Methods and apparatuses are described for the transmission of Scheduling Assignments (SAs) from a base station to User Equipments (UEs) for data reception in the downlink or data transmission in the uplink of a communication system consisting of multiple Component Carriers (CCs). The SAs are separately coded and transmitted using elementary units (Control Channel Elements or CCEs). Locations of CCEs determine whether an SA is intended for a first CC or for a second CC. Further, the location of CCEs for an SA intended for a first CC is used to determine locations of CCEs for an SA intended for a second CC.
US08908590B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting signal via relay backhaul link
A method and apparatus for transmitting a signal to a relay at a Base Station (BS) in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The method includes mapping a Reference Signal (RS) to a subframe having two slots, and transmitting the subframe to the relay. Each of the slots includes a plurality of consecutive resource elements over which the RS can be spread and the plurality of consecutive resource elements are overlapped with a last Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the slot. If a last OFDM symbol of the subframe is not available to the relay, the RS is transmitted only in a first slot of the subframe.
US08908587B2 Channel feedback in OFDM systems
Methods and apparatus of channel feedback are disclosed. In OFDM systems, the channel is acquired in the frequency domain. A generic multipath model for wireless channels, however, reveals that the time-domain parameters of the channel require much smaller data than the frequency-domain representation of the channel. Means to extracting the time-domain parameters from the frequency-domain channel samples are described for both the continuous time domain and the discrete time domain. Refinements of the time-domain parameters via minimizing a frequency-domain matching error are also described, which further improve the quality of the channel feedback and reduce the feedback overhead. Channel feedback with the time-domain parameters requires only a small fraction of the feedback overhead that is needed by existing channel feedback schemes, and maintains consistently superior performances over wireless channels of various delay spreads, short or long.
US08908583B2 Method and device for allocating resources in wireless communication system
A method of allocating resources in a wireless communication system is provided. A wireless device which makes a transition between Low Power Consumption (LPC) mode and active mode receives, from a base station, an allocation message for allocating persistent scheduling resources used in persistent scheduling. The wireless device communicates with the base station using the persistent scheduling resources, for active duration in which the wireless device operates in the active mode. The wireless device deallocates the persistent scheduling resources automatically when the active duration is finished.
US08908578B2 Method for requesting and allocating uplink resource in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method for requesting an uplink resource in a wireless communication system. In the method according to one aspect of the invention, a terminal transmits a quick access message to a base station and receives a resource from the base station. The quick access message includes a first field that shows the attributes of the data that is supposed to be transmitted by the terminal, and a field that is determined by the first field.
US08908577B2 Solving IP buffering delays in mobile multimedia applications with translayer optimization
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate relocating an IP buffer from a conventional location in a user device handset to a radio-access network (RAN) interface in order to reduce acquisition delay in the user device. By performing IP buffering at the transmission side of a forward link transmission, acquisition time can be reduced by approximately 5-7 seconds. Additionally, a physical layer aware encoder can be employed, which has knowledge of transmission constraints associated with, for example, a conventional DVB-H transmission protocol, and can parse streaming media into 1-second segments that can be pre-packaged in a current superframe for display at a subsequent time.
US08908572B2 Method and apparatus for obtaining information from target base station
A method and an apparatus for obtaining information from a target base station are disclosed. The method includes: when a source base station needs to obtain information from a target base station, receiving, through an air interface, a system message in a certain format broadcast by the target base station; and parsing the system message, and obtaining required information. Through the present invention, an LTE base station can communicate with another LTE base station or with a heterogeneous base station directly through an air interface, thereby increasing the efficiency of communication between base stations.
US08908555B2 Technique for channel estimation in the presence of a signal phase discontinuity
A technique for performing channel estimation based on a received signal comprising a first signal part and a second signal part in the presence of an unknown phase discontinuity between the first signal part and the second signal part is presented. A method implementation of this technique comprises providing a first channel parameter that is based on the first signal part, determining a second channel parameter based on the second signal part, estimating the phase discontinuity from the first channel parameter and the second channel parameter, updating the first channel parameter based on the estimated phase discontinuity, and determining a channel estimate based on the second signal part including performing channel estimation filtering using the updated first channel parameter as filter state information.
US08908554B2 Computing time-decayed aggregates in data streams
Aggregates are calculated from a data stream in which data is sent in a sequence of tuples, in which each tuple comprises an item identifier and a timestamp indicating when the tuple was transmitted. The tuples may arrive out-of-order, that is, the sequence in which the tuples arrive are not necessarily in the sequence of their corresponding timestamps. In calculating aggregates, more recent data may be given more weight by multiplying each tuple by a decay function which is a function of the timestamp associated with the tuple and the current time. The tuples are recorded in a quantile-digest data structure. Aggregates are calculated from the data stored in the quantile-digest data structure.
US08908552B2 Locating sensors of a network of wireless sensors
A method and apparatus are provided for locating the positions of sensors of a network of sensors suitable for communicating with one another by radio connection. The method is suitable for receiving, from sensors of the network of sensors, measurements of relative distances between sensors of the network; for calculating a topology for the network of sensors from the received distance measurements, the topology comprising nodes representative of sensors of the network of sensors; and for determining absolute positions for the sensors by anchoring the calculated topology in an absolute frame of reference on the basis of constraints associated with an environment plan of the network of sensors. The invention also provides a locating device implementing the management method.
US08908550B2 Communication method among a source device, a destination device and a relay device
A communication method of a source device according to an embodiment includes detecting a status of a first link directly connected from the source device to a destination device or a status of a second link connected from the source device to the destination device via a relay device, selecting any one of the first link and the second link based on a result of the detection, and transmitting data using the selected link.
US08908548B2 Method and apparatus for feedback of channel state information in a distributed antenna system (DAS)— based wireless communication system
Feedback methods and apparatuses are provided for efficiently feeding back downlink Channel State Information (CSI) using limited information in a DAS-based wireless communication system. A method includes determining, by a receiver, a candidate Antenna Port (AP) set from among a plurality of APs; selecting an active AP set from the candidate AP set; and transmitting the candidate AP set, the active AP set, and the downlink CSI of active APs included in the active AP set.
US08908547B2 Method for controlling codec mode in all-IP network and terminal using the same
A method of controlling the codec mode of a convergence internet protocol (IP) network and a terminal using the method are provided. The terminal may include a variable bit-rate/mode codec controller including a channel status measurement and management (CSMM) unit which measures the status of a wireless channel and provides the results of the measuring of the wireless channel status as channel quality information, and which measures the transfer performance of a received packet and provides the results of the measuring of the packet transfer performance as packet measurement parameter information, and a service quality control (SQC) unit which measures the quality of a multimedia service based on the channel quality information and the packet measurement parameter information, provides the results of the measuring of the multimedia service quality as service quality information and determines a codec mode of the terminal or a counterpart terminal communicating with the all-IP terminal based on the service quality information. Therefore, it is possible to improve the quality of multimedia services.
US08908545B1 System and method for handling TCP performance in network access with driver initiated application tunnel
A system and method for improving TCP performance in a L2 tunneling environment by snooping TCP/IP packets from the tunnel interface, terminating TCP locally and proxying TCP data in separate TCP connections. In particular, the system and method detects an encapsulated outgoing packet utilizing a Layer 2 tunneling protocol, processes a Point to Point Protocol layer in the outgoing packet to establishing Layer 2 tunneling protocol for a connection. The system and method also removes the Point to Point Protocol layer from the outgoing packet and inspects the outgoing packet for TCP information in the packet. The system and method forwards the outgoing packet to a locally driven application protocol path if TCP information is present, wherein the outgoing packet is encapsulated in association with the application protocol path.
US08908543B2 Apparatus and method for semi distributed resource allocation in a cognitive radio wireless communication system
An apparatus and operation method of a Base Station (BS) for allocating a radio resource in a Cognitive Radio (CR) wireless communication system includes, when a licensed system is activated, determining whether each of User Terminals (UTs) located in a cell satisfies Quality of Service (QoS). If all of the UTs satisfy the QoS, a binary message indicating ‘on’ is broadcasted to neighbor BSs. If at least one of the UTs does not satisfy the QoS, a binary message indicating ‘off’ is broadcasted to the neighbor BSs, and when the binary message indicating ‘off’ is received from at least one of the neighbor BSs, the binary message indicating ‘off’ is broadcasted to the UTs.
US08908542B2 Voice quality analysis device and method thereof
A portion of a voice call is forked by copying packets associated with voice call at a device providing an interface between two networks. The packets to be copied are identified based on address and port information associated with the voice call. The portion of the voice call is analyzed to determine the source of any voice quality issues associated with the call.
US08908538B1 Impairment discovery using automatic geographical clustering
Systems and methods can provide for improved impairment discovery for broadband communication systems. In some implementations, such systems and methods can provide cluster outage detection and/or time-stamped outage data and visualization. Improved outage discovery can help operators plan repair and thereby reduce truck rolls and decrease network down-time.
US08908536B2 Density-based power outage notification transmission scheduling in frequency-hopping networks
In one embodiment, a node may discover the density of neighboring nodes in a frequency-hopping communication network. In response to identifying a power outage condition, the node may also dynamically determine an initial power outage notification (PON) transmission protocol based on the density of neighboring nodes. The node may then communicate a first PON to a plurality of neighboring nodes according to the initial PON transmission protocol.
US08908535B2 Methods, traffic simulators, and computer readable media for validating long term evolution (LTE) code blocks and transport blocks
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for validating a long term evolution (LTE) transport data block and code blocks within the data block. The method includes steps occurring at an LTE traffic simulator configured to simulate plural user equipment (UE) devices. The steps include receiving, from an evolved nodeB under test, an LTE transport block including a plurality of code blocks. The steps also include decoding the code blocks and verifying a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code for each of the code blocks. The steps further include while decoding the code blocks and verifying the CRC codes for the code blocks, verifying a CRC code for the transport block.
US08908534B2 Method for performing lifebeat monitoring
A method of lifeboat monitoring between a first and a second communication device, wherein a first monitoring request is received by the second communication device from the first communication device, where the first monitoring request to has a first monitoring time. In addition, a first reception time is determined by the second communication device based on the first monitoring time, lifeboat signals are received by the second communication device from the first communication device, and an interruption in the communication connection to the first communication device is triggered by the second communication device if, during the first reception time following receipt by the second communication device of the last lifeboat signal, a new lifeboat signal from the first communication device is unreceived by the second communication device.
US08908533B2 Supporting OAM on protecting connections in shared mesh protection environment
A method for detecting the liveliness and synchronizing the control-plane and data-plane on protecting connections in a shared mesh network environment through methods for probing the protecting connection conditions by sending in-band messages; and synchronization of control plane and data plane by using LSP-ping messages on the protecting connections.
US08908529B2 Method of data delivery across a network
The present invention relates to a method of managing congestion in a multi-path network, the network having a plurality of network elements arranged in a plurality of switch stages and a plurality of network links interconnecting the network elements, the method comprising the steps of detecting congestion on a network link, the congested network link interconnecting the output port of a first network element with a first input port of a second network element in a subsequent switch stage; identifying an uncongested network link connected to a second input port of said second network element; and directing future data packets on a route across the multi-path network which includes the identified uncongested network link. Also provided is a multi-path network and an Ethernet bridge or router incorporating such a multi-path network.
US08908528B2 System and method for session resiliancy at geo-redundant gateways
A method, system and apparatus for managing a backup service gateway (SGW) associated with a primary SGW, the backup SGW periodically receiving from the primary SGW at least a portion of corresponding UE session state information and in response to a failure of the primary SGW, assuming management of IP addresses and paths associated with the primary SGW, and in response to receiving control or data plane traffic associated with a UE, generating a Downlink Data Notification (DDN) message adapted to inform an MME that the UE is in a live state.
US08908527B2 Using context labels to scale MAC tables on computer network edge devices
In one embodiment, an access component of a local network edge device receives traffic, and generates a frame for the traffic that includes a remote context label that identifies an access component of the remote network edge device to which the traffic is to be forwarded upon arrival at the remote network edge device, and a virtual circuit label corresponding to a particular virtual service of the traffic. The local network edge device forwards the frame towards the remote network edge device. In another embodiment, the frame may be received at a core component of the remote network edge device, an in response to the remote context label identifying an access component of the remote network edge device, forwarded to the access component, which determines the particular virtual service, and forwards the traffic from the frame out the access component towards an endpoint for the traffic.
US08908525B2 Manageability tools for lossless networks
Manageability tools are provided for allowing an administrator to have better control over switches in a lossless network of switches. These tools provide the ability to detect slow drain and congestion bottlenecks, detect stuck virtual channels and loss of credits, while hold times on edge ASICs to be different from hold times on core ASICs, and mitigate severe latency bottlenecks.
US08908521B2 Load balancing for stateful scale-out network services
A load balancer in a communication network tracks active network flows using a Bloom filter and takes a snapshot of the Bloom filter at the time of a scaling event. The load balancer uses the Bloom filter snapshot to differentiate packets belonging to pre-existing network flows from packets belonging to new network flows. Packets belonging to pre-existing network flows continue to be distributed according to a mapping function in use prior to the scaling event. Packets belonging to new network flows are distributed according to a new mapping function.
US08908520B2 Method and system for service-based regulation of traffic flow to customer premises devices
A method of regulating traffic flow to customer premises devices (CPDs) reachable via outside plant units (OPUs). The method comprises receiving first packets in a first traffic category via a first interface, the first packets being destined for respective CPDs; receiving second packets in a second traffic category via a second interface, the second packets being destined for respective CPDs; determining a destination OPU for each of the first and second packets. For each particular OPU that is the destination OPU for one or more packets, the packets are buffered and transmitted via an OPU interface for the particular OPU. The destination OPU for a particular packet is determined by identifying the OPU via which the CPD for which the particular packet is destined is reachable. Packet flow via the OPU interface is regulated by prioritizing transmission of first packets over transmission of second packets.
US08908518B1 Service class ID for multimedia streams over IP networks
Systems and methods can operable to provide a service class identifier field for packets transmitted over a network. Systems can include an interface, a control device and a transmitter. The interface can receive a data packet comprising a packet header and payload, and the packet header can include a differentiated services code point field. The control device can identify one or more network traffic parameters of a data stream associated with the received data packet and modify the data packet to include one or more service class identifier codes associated with the data packet. The transmitter can forward the modified data packet to a network device suited to interpret the service class identifier codes through one or more intermediate routers.
US08908516B2 Maintaining stability of a wireless network by adjusting transmitting period
An enhanced mobile communication device communicates directly with other enhanced mobile communication devices in an ad-hoc mode over a wireless medium. The device transmits and receives packets of digital data. The packets of digital data are such that when transmitted, the probability that they will be received by the other mobile communication devices is increased. The probability is further increased by transmitting the packets a multiple and variable number of times according activity in the wireless medium. Attempts to transmit are made periodically and the period of transmission is adjusted according to activity in the wireless medium. In a transportation application, the packets comprise vehicle traffic congestion update information. The device maintains a traffic database and a map database. Traffic congestion update information is exchanged with other devices. Routes through the map from a source or current position of the device to a destination are computed according to an analysis of the traffic database.
US08908515B1 Managing congestion in a wireless communication network
A packet is marked to indicate congestion in the wireless communication network when the packet does not indicate congestion in the wireless communication network, the utilization of RF resources meets a utilization criteria, and a network congestion metric meets the congestion criteria.
US08908513B2 Method for communicating in a network comprising a batteryless zigbee device, network and device therefor
The present invention relates to a method for wireless communication in a network comprising a resource-restricted end device (ZBLD), and at least one router device (R5), wherein the method comprises the following steps: the end device (ZBLD) transmitting a data frame to be forwarded to a destination device in the network,—the router device (R5) receiving the data frame, the router device associating a delay to the data frame and scheduling transmission of the frame after this delay, in case the router device listening that the data frame has been forwarded by another router device, cancelling the scheduled transmission of the data frame. The invention also relates to a router device and a network therefor.
US08908504B2 Pre-agreed radio link failure recovery channel sequence
A method of wireless communication is provided. The method includes transmitting a message to notify a base station of a radio link failure on a current channel, retuning to a pre-agreed channel, and setting a time period to synchronize with the base station on the pre-agreed channel.
US08908501B2 Procedures for finding a backup ingress of a point-to-multipoint label switched path
A method comprising receiving a request from a network component to find a backup ingress node for an ingress node of a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) label switched path (LSP), determining a plurality of candidate backup ingress nodes that satisfy a plurality of constraints, including being an edge node in the ingress node's domain and having a direct link to the ingress node, a path to each next hop node of the ingress node of the P2MP LSP, and a path from a source node that communicates with the ingress node, wherein the determination is in response to receiving the request, selecting the backup ingress node from the candidate backup ingress nodes that has a minimum cost of paths from the source node to the next hop nodes via the backup ingress node; and sending a reply to the network component that indicates the selected backup ingress node.
US08908496B2 Incremental redundancy transmission in a MIMO communication system
For an incremental redundancy (IR) transmission in a MIMO system, a transmitter processes (e.g., encodes, partitions, interleaves, and modulates) a data packet based on a selected rate to obtain multiple data symbol blocks. The transmitter transmits one data symbol block at a time until a receiver correctly recovers the data packet or all blocks are transmitted. Whenever a data symbol block is received from the transmitter, the receiver detects a received symbol block to obtain a detected symbol block, processes (e.g., demodulates, deinterleaves, re-assembles, and decodes) all detected symbol blocks obtained for the data packet, and provides a decoded packet. If the decoded packet is in error, then the receiver repeats the processing when another data symbol block is received for the data packet. The receiver may also perform iterative detection and decoding on the received symbol blocks for the data packet multiple times to obtain the decoded packet.
US08908495B2 Wireless communication apparatus and frequency hopping method
Disclosed are a wireless communication apparatus and frequency hopping method which minimize the change in the instantaneous power distribution characteristics of the time waveform of transmission signals when a plurality of channels are multiplexed by frequency division. At a terminal (200), a mapping unit (212) maps the PUCCH to frequency resources of a first slot, maps the PUSCH to frequency resources, among the frequency resources of the first slot, separated exactly by predetermined frequency spacing (B) from the frequency resources to which the PUCCH is mapped, and cyclically shifts the frequencies so as to map the PUCCH and PUSCH to frequency resources, within an IDFT or IFFT bandwidth, of a second slot while maintaining the predetermined frequency spacing (B), thereby allowing frequency hopping of the PUCCH and PUSCH between the first slot and the second slot.
US08908491B2 Method for evaluating the usability of a sub-carrier of a power-line signal
The invention relates to a method for evaluating the usability of a sub-carrier of a BPL (broadband power-line) signal, in particular in order to avoid mutual influencing of the BPL signal and a further signal, wherein the BPL signal has a plurality of sub-carriers and one symbol can be transmitted in each of the sub-carriers. The method comprises the following steps: extracting a received value y[k] from a sub-carrier of a received BPL signal, rectifying the received value y[k] using an estimated transfer function Ĥ of the transmission channel, deciding on a symbol d[k] that is coded in the received value y[k], distorting the symbol d[k] using the estimated transfer function Ĥ of the transmission channel, calculating a difference between the received value y[k] and the processed signal d[k]·Ĥ and deciding on the usability of the sub-carrier on the basis of the difference y[k]−d[k]·Ĥ.
US08908490B2 Channel state information feedback device, method thereof, and base station
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a wireless communication system, wherein said wireless communication system uses multiple input and multiple output antenna (MIMO) on both transmission and receiving ends.
US08908487B2 Optical information reproducing apparatus and optical information reproducing method
In reproduction of a two-dimensional page data from an optical information recording medium utilizing holography, a reproduced two-dimensional page data is divided into a plurality of areas each of which has a predetermined size, the divided two-dimensional areas are individually subjected to adaptive equalizing, and then are coupled to restore the condition of the original two-dimensional page data.
US08908486B2 Method for extended diagnostic overlay control for tape storage devices
According to one embodiment, a method includes monitoring a plurality of parameters relating to operation of a tape drive to collect data from the operation of the tape drive, receiving a specification of one or more user-specified parameters to log during one or more collection windows, wherein the one or more user-specified parameters are specified from the plurality of parameters, logging at least some of the data collected from the operation of the tape drive to a memory during the one or more collection windows, wherein the at least some of the data collected is stored in a tape map comprising a plurality of fields, the plurality of fields including at least one histogram field, at least one per-channel field, and at least one per-channel indicator field, and dynamically overlaying one or more fields from the plurality of fields with data collected from the one or more user-specified parameters.
US08908485B2 Extended diagnostic overlay control for tape storage devices
According to one embodiment, a system includes a tape drive for reading from and/or writing to magnetic tape media, the tape drive having a memory and logic adapted for: monitoring parameters relating to operation of the tape drive to collect data from the operation of the tape drive, receiving a specification of an owner interface comprising a source of specifiable parameters, receiving one or more user-specified parameters from the owner interface to log during a collection window, logging at least some of the data collected from the operation of the tape drive to the memory during the collection window, wherein the at least some of the data collected is stored in a tape map including a plurality of fields, and dynamically overlaying one or more fields from the plurality of fields with data collected from the one or more user-specified parameters. The plurality of fields includes at least one histogram field, at least one per-channel field, and at least one per-channel indicator field.
US08908482B1 Sacrificial protection layer for preventing ion mill damage to HAMR optical components
The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a HAMR head in which the SSC is fabricated adjacent the NFT where the SSC is formed on a substrate that has been protected from NFT fabrication processing conditions. As such, the substrate remains smooth so that the SSC formed thereover, is not negatively impacted by the NFT process conditions.
US08908481B1 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head that suppresses effects of mode hopping
In one embodiment, a device includes a laser unit configured to produce laser light, the laser unit having a laser resonator with a length in a direction parallel to laser light emission and a slider having a length in a direction perpendicular to a media-facing surface of the slider, the slider including a main magnetic pole configured to write data to a magnetic medium, a near-field light-generating element configured to produce near-field light when laser light is provided thereto to assist the main magnetic pole in writing data to the magnetic medium by heating a local region of the magnetic medium, and a waveguide configured for guiding the laser light to the element, the waveguide including a cladding surrounding a core, wherein an interval of a longitudinal mode of the laser resonator is equal to within about 5% of an integer multiplier of an optical interference period of the waveguide.
US08908480B1 Method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording disk drive using a pulsed laser light
A method and system provide an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drive. The EAMR disk drive includes a media, at least one laser coupled with the slider, at least one EAMR head on the slider, and at least one electro-optical modulator (EAM) The EAM(s) are optically coupled with the laser(s) and coupled with the slider. The combination of the laser(s) and EAM(s) provide a pulsed energy output. The EAMR head(s) include at least one waveguide, a write pole, and at least one coil for energizing the write pole. The waveguide(s) receive the pulsed energy output and direct the pulsed energy output toward the media.
US08908473B2 Method of subsurface imaging using microseismic data
A method of subsurface imaging is disclosed, the method involving using input data relating to the geometry of a fracture in a subsurface medium, mechanical properties of the medium and in-situ stress states in the medium, to model the behavior of the fracture and obtain predicted information relating to deformation of the fracture. The predicted information is then used to constrain the interpretation of measured microseismic data caused by movement of the fracture to determine characteristics of the movement and/or failure of the fracture.
US08908472B2 Heads-up navigation for seismic data acquisition
A method and system for acquiring seismic data from a seismic survey plan is provided. A survey area is selected in which the seismic data will be acquired. A coordinate for at least one point of interest within the survey area is determined and input into a portable navigation device. A navigation solution is determined between a GPS-determined location of the portable navigation device and the determined coordinate and thereupon presented in a human cognizable media. A seismic device may be positioned at the determined coordinate to insonify a subterranean formation with seismic energy or for detecting reflected seismic energy. Data may be periodically entered into and retrieved from the portable navigation device by an in-field operator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08908469B2 Acquiring azimuth rich seismic data in the marine environment using a regular sparse pattern of continuously curved sail lines
A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern.
US08908468B2 Wireless remote sensing system using surface acoustic wave sensor
In an ON state, a first switch generates a transmission signal by pulse modulating a carrier. A SAW sensor outputs a reception signal after a delay from receipt of the transmission signal. In an input state, a second switch receives and transmits the transmission signal to the SAW sensor. In an output state, the second switch receives and outputs the reception signal. A SAW delay element outputs a local signal after the delay from receipt of the transmission signal. A mixer generates a synchronous detection signal by mixing the reception and local signals. During the input state of the second switch, the first switch switches from the OFF state, to the ON state, and back to the OFF state. The second switch switches from the input state to the output state before the delay after the first switch switches back to the OFF state.
US08908466B2 Multi-column addressing mode memory system including an integrated circuit memory device
A memory system includes a master device, such as a graphics controller or processor, and an integrated circuit memory device operable in a dual column addressing mode. The integrated circuit memory device includes an interface and column decoder to access a row of storage cells or a page in a memory bank. During a first mode of operation, a first row of storage cells in a first memory bank is accessible in response to a first column address. During a second mode of operation, a first plurality of storage cells in the first row of storage cells is accessible in response to a second column address during a column cycle time interval. A second plurality of storage cells in the first row of storage cells is accessible in response to a third column address during the column cycle time interval. The first and second pluralities of storage cells are concurrently accessible from the interface.
US08908465B2 Using storage cells to perform computation
A content addressable memory (CAM) unit does not have any in-cell comparator circuitry. The CAM unit includes a memory array, a multiple row decoder, a controller and an output unit. The memory array has storage cells arranged as data rows and complement rows. The multiple row decoder activates more than one row of the memory array at a time and the controller indicates to the multiple row decoder to activate data rows or complement rows as a function of an input pattern to be matched. The output unit indicates which columns generated a signal, the columns matching the pattern.
US08908464B2 Protection for system configuration information
Systems and methods for detecting power attacks related to subnormal read voltage on an integrated circuit. Upon initiating power up of the integrated circuit and prior to reading configuration information from non-volatile memory (NVM), test cells associated with the NVM are read first. The test cells share a common power supply with the NVM and output read values from the test cells are configured to deviate from values pre-programmed in the test cells when a subnormal read voltage is applied on the common power supply. Thus, by comparing the output read values with the pre-programmed values, it can be determined whether voltage of the common power supply is subnormal, wherein configuration information will be read incorrectly at a subnormal read voltage. If the voltage is subnormal, power up is aborted. Otherwise, power up is allowed to proceed by reading the configuration information from the NVM.
US08908461B2 Refresh circuit in semiconductor memory device
A refresh circuit in a semiconductor memory device performs a multi-enable skew refresh operation during each periodic refresh operation. The refresh circuit includes a signal generation unit configured to generate a plurality of refresh signals having different timings during a refresh operation period, a first refresh circuit configured to enable refresh target lines associated with a first memory group in a memory cell array through operation periods of at least two time periods by using some of the refresh signals, and a second refresh circuit configured to enable refresh target lines associated with a second memory group differing from the first memory group through operation periods of at least two time periods by using some or all of the rest of the refresh signals. Enable timings of the first and second refresh circuits do not coincide each other.
US08908459B2 Circuit and method for reducing leakage current
A circuit includes an input/output (IO) circuit, a first node configured to have a first voltage level, a second node configured to have a second voltage level, a third node, and a switching circuit. The IO circuit has a set of transistors, and the third node is coupled to bulks of the set of transistors. The switching circuit is configured to couple the first node to the third node when the IO circuit is operated in an active mode; and couple the second node to the third node when the IO circuit is operated in an inactive mode. The first voltage level causes the set of transistors to have a first threshold voltage, the second voltage level causes the set of transistors to have a second threshold voltage, and an absolute value of the second threshold voltage is greater than that of the first threshold voltage.
US08908454B2 Memory architecture with redundant resources
A hierarchical memory architecture includes an array of memory sub-arrays, each of which includes an array of memory cells. Each sub-array is supported by local wordlines, local column-select lines, and bitlines. The local wordlines are controlled using main wordlines that extend past multiple sub-arrays in a direction parallel to a first axis, whereas the local column-select lines are controlled using main column-select lines that extend between sub-arrays in a direction perpendicular to the first axis. At the direction of signals presented on the local wordlines and column-select lines, subsets of the bitlines in each sub-array are connected to main data lines that extend over a plurality of the sub-arrays in parallel with the second axis. Some embodiments include redundant data resources that are selected based on a decoding of row addresses.
US08908453B2 Data retention kill function
Various data protection techniques are provided. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided. The memory device may initiate a security measure upon occurrence of one or more triggering events. The one or more triggering events may include receipt of a command signal. Various additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
US08908448B2 Semiconductor memory apparatus and method of controlling external voltage using the same
A semiconductor memory apparatus according to the embodiment includes: an external connection terminal configured to supply an external voltage; a fuse unit configured to perform a fuse rupture operation; and an interruption circuit unit configured to respond to a test signal to determine whether the external connection terminal is connected to the fuse unit.
US08908445B2 Non-volatile memory (NVM) with block-size-aware program/erase
A memory includes a plurality of blocks in which each block includes a plurality of memory cells. The memory includes a set of charge pumps which apply voltages to the plurality of blocks. A method includes selecting a block of the plurality of memory blocks; determining an array size of the selected block; determining a set of program/erase voltages based on the array size and temperature from a temperature sensor; and programming/erasing the selected block, wherein the set of program/erase voltages are applied by the set of charge pumps during the programming/erasing of the selected block.
US08908435B2 Erase operation with controlled select gate voltage for 3D non-volatile memory
An erase process for a 3D stacked memory device controls a drain-side select gate (SGD) and a source-side select gate (SGS) of a NAND string. In one approach, SGD and SGS are driven to provide a predictable drain-to-gate voltage across the select gates while an erase voltage is applied to a bit line or source line. A more consistent gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) at the select gates can be generated to charge up the body of the NAND string. Further, the select gate voltage can be stepped up with the erase voltage to avoid an excessive drain-to-gate voltage across the select gates which causes degradation. The step up in the select gate voltage can begin with the first erase-verify iteration of an erase operation, or at a predetermined or adaptively determined erase-verify iteration, such as based on a number of program-erase cycles.
US08908431B2 Control method of nonvolatile memory device
According to example embodiments, a control method of a nonvolatile memory device, which includes a plurality of memory blocks on a substrate, each memory block including a plurality of sub blocks stacked in a direction perpendicular to the substrate and being configured to be erased independently and each sub block including a plurality of memory cells stacked in the direction perpendicular to the substrate. The control method includes comparing a count value of a first memory block with a reference value, the count value determined according to the number of program, read, or erase operations executed at the first memory block after data is programmed in the first memory block; and if the count value is greater than or equal to the reference value, performing a reprogram operation in which data programmed in first the memory block is read and the read data is programmed in a second memory block.
US08908425B2 Thermally-assisted MRAM with ferromagnetic layers with temperature dependent magnetization
A technique is provided for a thermally assisted magnetoresistive random access memory device. The device has a synthetic antiferromagnetic layer disposed on an antiferromagnetic layer. The synthetic antiferromagnetic layer has a first ferromagnetic storage layer, a non-magnetic coupling layer disposed on the first ferromagnetic storage layer, and a second ferromagnetic storage layer disposed on the non-magnetic coupling layer. A non-magnetic tunnel barrier is disposed on the second ferromagnetic storage layer, and a ferromagnetic sense layer is disposed on the non-magnetic tunnel barrier. A first ferromagnetic critical temperature of the first ferromagnetic storage layer is higher than an antiferromagnetic critical temperature of the antiferromagnetic layer, is higher than a second ferromagnetic critical temperature of the second ferromagnetic storage layer, and is higher than a third ferromagnetic critical temperature of the ferromagnetic sense layer.
US08908422B2 Magnetoelectric memory
A magnetoelectric memory element includes a magnetic element having an easy magnetization axis aligned along a first axis, means for applying to the magnetic element a magnetic polarization field aligned along a second axis not parallel to the first axis, a piezoelectric or electrostrictive substrate mechanically coupled with the magnetic element, and first and second electrodes arranged to apply an electrical field to the substrate so that the substrate exerts, on said magnetic element, a non-isotropic mechanical stress of a main direction generally oriented along a distinct third axis coplanar with the first and second axes. The magnetic element exhibits, by a combined effect of the magnetic polarization field and the easy magnetization axis, two distinct states of stable equilibrium of magnetization, corresponding to two not mutually opposed magnetization directions. The non-isotropic mechanical stress is sufficiently intense to induce a switchover between the two distinct states.
US08908421B2 Methods and apparatus for FinFET SRAM arrays in integrated circuits
Methods and apparatus for providing single finFET and multiple finFET SRAM arrays on a single integrated circuit are provided. A first single port SRAM array of a plurality of first bit cells is described, each first bit cell having a y pitch Y1 and an X pitch X1, the ratio of X1 to Y1 being greater than or equal to 2, each bit cell further having single fin finFET transistors to form a 6T SRAM cell and a first voltage control circuit; and a second single port SRAM array of a plurality of second bit cells, each second bit cell having a y pitch Y2 and an X pitch X2, the ratio of X2 to Y2 being greater than or equal to 3, each of the plurality of second bit cells comprising a 6T SRAM cell wherein the ratio of X2 to X1 is greater than about 1.1.
US08908420B2 Semiconductor device
A well voltage supply cell includes third gate electrode group (including a third gate electrode corresponding to a first gate electrode) located symmetrically to first gate electrode group (including the first gate electrode constituting an access transistor) of a first SRAM cell, fourth gate electrode group (including a fourth gate electrode corresponding to a second gate electrode) located symmetrically to second gate electrode group (including the second gate electrode constituting an access transistor) of a second SRAM cell. a P-type impurity diffusion region located on a P well between the third gate electrode and the fourth gate electrode located opposite to each other, a first N-type impurity diffusion region located on the side of the third gate electrode closer to the first SRAM cell, and a second N-type impurity diffusion region located on the side of the fourth gate electrode closer to the second SRAM cell.
US08908417B2 Systems, methods, and devices with write optimization in phase change memory
Methods and systems for phase change memories and arrays with improved write characteristics. If a data word can be more efficiently written by e.g. exchanging SETs and RESETs, it is written as such on the fly, and e.g. a bit of overhead is written to indicate the transformation. This has a surprising synergy with phase change memory as SET operations usually take longer and consume more power than do RESET operations. In one sample embodiment of multilevel phase change memory, states intermediate between SET and RESET can be even less desirable to write than SETs, as they take more precision than do the extreme states of SET and RESET, so that a desirable transformation can be to exchange intermediate states for extreme states.
US08908413B2 Programmable resistance memory
A memory includes a programmable resistance array with high ratio of dynamic range to drift coefficient phase change memory devices.
US08908410B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
This nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell array configured having a plurality of memory mats arranged therein, each of the memory mats having a memory cell disposed therein at an intersection of a first line and a second line, the memory cell including a first variable resistance element. A third line extends through a plurality of the memory mats. A second variable resistance element is connected between the third line and the second line of each of the plurality of memory mats.
US08908407B1 Content addressable memory (“CAM”)
A content addressable memory device based on an extremely compact design, potentially as small as 16F2 per memory cell. One embodiment is based on cells having two memory storage elements, such as RRAM elements. Each RRAM element and a respective FET are connected in series between a common matchline and a respective bitline. Cell content for each cell is matched against a bit of a search word by applying voltages to the respective bitlines dependent upon bit value and causing one of the two RRAM elements for each cell to discharge the matchline over a low resistance path in event of mismatch between the cell content and the bit. If no “quick” discharge occurs for multiple cells of a row, then a match is detected. In addition, a matchline recharge path to a high voltage bitline is substantially eliminated by controlling the FETs with specific wordline voltages.
US08908405B2 Snubber circuit and inverter with the same
An inverter may include an inversion unit for converting a direct current bus voltage into an alternating current voltage, a first snubber unit, and a second snubber unit. The inversion unit may include a first external switch, a first internal switch, a second internal switch, and a second external switch which are connected in series in order between a direct current bus positive voltage terminal and a direct current bus negative voltage terminal. The first snubber unit may be connected between the direct current bus negative voltage terminal and the first internal switch for suppressing voltage stress of the first internal switch. The second snubber unit may be connected between the direct current bus positive voltage terminal and the second internal switch for suppressing voltage stress of the second internal switch.
US08908403B2 Light emitting diode luminaire for connection in series
The present disclosure relates generally to a light emitting diode (LED) luminaire. In one embodiment, the LED luminaire includes a base, a heat sink coupled to the base, a power supply coupled to an interior volume of the heat sink, one or more LEDs coupled to the power supply, wherein the one or more LEDs are coupled to a circuit configured to provide a constant input impedance and a lens coupled to the heat sink and enclosing the one or more LEDs.
US08908400B2 Voltage multiplication in a wireless receiver
A wireless energy transfer receiver includes an input configured to receive alternating current (AC) electric energy and an output configured to make available direct current (DC) electric energy. The receiver further includes a rectification component configured to convert the AC energy received at the input into DC energy available at the output, the DC energy made available as DC voltage; and a multiplication component configured to amplify a peak voltage of the AC energy received at the input, the DC voltage made available at the output correspondingly being higher than the peak voltage of the AC energy received at the input.
US08908398B2 Method for operating a converter circuit
A method for operating a converter circuit is provided. The converter circuit includes a converter unit and a transformer. The transformer includes at least one winding set with a primary winding and a secondary winding. The converter unit is connected, on the AC voltage side, to the primary winding of the respective winding set. In order to compensate for undesirable saturation of the transformer, the converter unit is used to deliberately apply a DC voltage to the primary winding of the respective winding set of the transformer.
US08908397B2 Power module and power conversion apparatus
A power module, which is connected to a power source, includes a rectifying unit, a filtering unit and an inverter. The rectifying unit has three legs. The filtering unit is connected to the rectifying unit, and the inverter is connected to the filtering unit. One of the three legs has two switching elements connected in series, and another one of the three legs has two rectifying elements connected in series. In addition, a power conversion apparatus including the power module is also disclosed.
US08908395B2 Method and apparatus for implementing an unregulated dormant mode with an event counter in a power converter
An example power converter includes an energy transfer element, a switch, and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a drive signal generator and an unregulated dormant mode control circuit. The unregulated dormant mode control circuit renders dormant the drive signal generator thereby ceasing the regulation of the output by the drive signal generator when the energy requirement of the one or more loads falls below a threshold for more than a first period of time. The drive signal generator is unresponsive to changes in the energy requirements of the one or more loads when dormant. The unregulated dormant mode control circuit powers up the drive signal generator after a second period of time has elapsed, such that the drive signal generator is again responsive to changes in the energy requirement of the one or more loads after the second period of time has elapsed.
US08908388B2 Motherboard sliding mechanism
A motherboard sliding mechanism adapted for removing a motherboard out from a housing of an electronic device includes a bracket, a connecting member, and a sliding assembly. The bracket includes a supporting board and a sidewall perpendicularly extending from an edge of the supporting board, the supporting board defines a guiding groove. The connecting member slidably passes through the guiding groove, and is capable of detachably fixing the bracket to the housing of the electronic device. The sliding assembly is rotatably assembled on the bracket and detachably connected to the connecting member. The sliding assembly is capable of being rotated to lock or unlock the connecting member to drive the connecting member lock or unlock with the bracket, and the motherboard sliding mechanism with the motherboard can be conveniently slid out of the housing of the electronic device or firmly fixed in the housing of the electronic device.
US08908387B2 Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A wiring board includes a substrate having an opening portion, electronic components positioned in the opening portion of the substrate and including first and second electronic components, and an insulation layer formed over the substrate and the first and second components. The first component has first and second electrodes having side portions on side surfaces of the first component, the second component has first and second electrodes having side portions on side surfaces of the second component, the first electrode of the first component and the first electrode of the second component are set to have substantially the same electric potential, and the first component and the second component are positioned in the opening portion of the substrate such that the side portion of the first electrode of the first component is beside the side portion of the first electrode of the second component.
US08908386B2 Printed circuit board assembly chip package component and soldering component
A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) chip package component includes: a module board and an interface board. A first soldering pad is set on the bottom of the module board, a second soldering pad is set on top of the interface board, and the second soldering pad is of a castle-type structure. The first soldering pad includes a first soldering area, a second soldering area, and a connection bridge that connects the first soldering area and the second soldering area. The first soldering area corresponds to a top surface of the second soldering pad, and when the first soldering area is soldered to second soldering pad, the second soldering area is located outside the second soldering pad.
US08908384B2 Motherboard substrate having no memory interconnects
A computing device has a motherboard circuit substrate having at least one layer of electrical interconnects and a socket arranged to receive a main processor for the computing device, the socket electrically coupled to at least a portion of the layer of electrical interconnects, wherein the circuit substrate has no memory interconnects.
US08908381B2 Housing for electronic device unit
A housing for an electronic device unit includes a first case and a second case that are formed in a shape of a box with one of respective surfaces thereof being opened and are formed to be a box body. The housing includes an insulating plate that extends from the opening part of the first case to a side of the second case and overlaps with a wall surface of the second case. An engaging convex part is formed on a surface where the insulating plate is overlapped and an engaging hole that engages with the engaging convex part to regulate separation of the first case and the second case is formed. The insulating plate is in a shape in which an edge of the insulating plate spreads with a predetermined width from an opening edge where the first case and the second case are butted and the engaging hole.
US08908380B2 Electrical control unit
An electrical control unit comprises a case having a groove on a first contact surface thereof, a cover having a protrusion on a second contact surface thereof, a printed wiring board received in a board receiving space defined between the case and the cover, and an adhesive received in the groove, wherein when the cover is put on the case having the protrusion inserted into the groove, the adhesive in a still soft condition is forced to move toward a space between the first and second contact surfaces for bonding the same, and wherein when the printed wiring board is properly put in the board receiving space, a peripheral outer surface of the board serves as an extra part of an inside wall of the groove.
US08908377B2 Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A wiring board has a first rigid wiring board having an accommodation portion, a second rigid wiring board accommodated in the accommodation portion, an insulation layer formed over the first rigid wiring board and the second rigid wiring board, and a joint conductor extending in a direction from a first surface of the first rigid wiring board to a second surface of the first rigid wiring board on the opposite side of the first surface of the first rigid wiring board such that the joint conductor is penetrating through the boundary between the first rigid wiring board and the second rigid wiring board and joining the first rigid wiring board and the second rigid wiring board.
US08908371B2 Television and electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus is configured to receive a first connector. The first connector includes an insulator and a metal portion protruding from the insulator. The apparatus includes a housing and a second connector in the housing. The second connector is configured to engage with the metal portion of the first connector. The housing includes a portion configured to face a part of the insulator in a direction intersecting an insertion direction of the first connector.
US08908370B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes a body, a cover coupled to the body, and a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism includes a rotating component, a first locking component, and a second locking component. When the second locking component moves to a locked position, the second locking component engages with the first locking component to lock the cover to the body. When the second locking component moves to an unlocked position, the first locking component disengages from the second locking component, to allow the rotating component to rotatably drive the cover to be opened.
US08908369B2 Memory combination and computer system using the same
A memory combination includes a first riser board, a second riser board, and a pivotal plate. The first riser hoard includes a plurality of first memory sockets of which long axis directions are parallel to each other. The second riser board includes a plurality of second memory sockets of which long axis directions are parallel to each other. Two end of the pivotal plate are pivotally connected to the first riser board and the second riser board based on an axial direction respectively. When the first and second riser boards rotate to be perpendicular to the pivotal plate, the first memory sockets face the second riser board, and the second memory sockets face the first riser board. The axial direction is perpendicular to the long axis directions of the first memory sockets and the long axis directions of the second memory sockets.
US08908365B2 Display system having a continuous flexible display with display supports
A display system comprises a continuous flexible display and two main display supports being hingeably connected with respect to each other between a closed storage position and a planar open position for fixing the flexible display in an open position. Each of the supports is structurally configured to support respectively a first and a second portion of the flexible display, a segment of the flexible display is located between the said respective portions of the flexible display in the open position. The display system comprises a spring force biased mechanism operative in either the open or closed position or both the open and closed positions of the flexible display, biasing said segment of the flexible display in the respective position.
US08908361B2 Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes: a casing that is formed by press molding and that has positioning holes; a first assembly having positioning projections that are inserted into the positioning holes and at whose distal ends are provided buffer portions that project-out from the positioning holes, the first assembly being assembled to an inner side of the casing in a positioned state due to the positioning projections being inserted into the positioning holes; and a second assembly having engaging portions, and being assembled to the inner side of the casing in a state of being positioned at the first assembly, due to the engaging portions being engaged with engaged portions that are formed at the first assembly.
US08908360B2 Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes an electronic device, a column that supports the electronic device, a plate member connected to a lower end of the column, a support member that includes a lower plate segment disposed under the plate member and an upper plate segment disposed above the plate member and supports the plate member such that the plate member is allowed to swing between the lower plate segment and the upper plate segment, and a wall member that faces a side surface of the plate member to restrict a range of turning of the plate member.
US08908359B2 Power inverter casing having an illuminating element
In an embodiment, a power inverter casing, comprises: a body having a first component removably attached to a second component, wherein, when joined, a recess is formed therebetween; a member removably attached to the first component and the second component opposite the recess; and a handle located in the recess and removably attached to the first component and the second component; wherein the member contains a first member illuminating element, and/or the recess contains a recess illuminating element, and/or the handle contains a handle illuminating element.
US08908357B2 Self-aligning actuator for door-operated switch
An actuator system for operating a switch is described herein. The actuator system can include a shaft of a handle assembly. The shaft couples to a handle and a male coupling element and has a number of positions. Further, a coupling body of a switch assembly can be positioned in the number of positions. The coupling body engages the switch and has a female coupling element, which has a slotted portion that receives the male coupling element and an angled terminus that aligns the shaft to a first position as the shaft couples to the coupling body. The slotted portion receives and engages the male coupling element when the shaft is coupled to the coupling body. The slotted portion prevents the male coupling element from disengaging when the coupling body is in a second position, and disengages the male coupling element when the coupling body is in the first position.
US08908356B2 Electrical cabinet
An electrical cabinet for housing and interconnecting photovoltaic BOS components can include a plurality of busbars and adjustable fuse mounts to allow for integration of BOS components in a compact space. The cabinet may comprises a base, a busbar mounted on the base, a plurality of standoff devices, and a cover containing the base, the busbar, and the standoff devices. The standoff devices are spaced apart from the busbar. Each standoff device includes a standoff member slideably mounted on the base.
US08908355B2 Emergency lighting control panel
A combination emergency panelboard includes a relay section and a circuit-breaker section. The relay section includes automatic load control relays and the circuit-breaker section includes emergency circuit breakers. A dielectric barrier is positioned between the relay and circuit-breaker sections to separate them. A busbar is positioned in the circuit-breaker section for distributing a phase of emergency current to a plurality of emergency circuit breakers coupled thereto. A plurality of automatic load control relays is positioned in the relay section. Each of the relays is electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of emergency circuit breakers for distributing the phase of emergency current to a respective load.
US08908353B2 Laminated ceramic capacitor
A laminated ceramic capacitor has multiple layered dielectric ceramic layers of a dielectric ceramic constituted by primary phase grains whose primary component is BaTiO3, secondary phase grains containing at least Re (Re represents at least one of Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Y), Ba, and Ti, and grain boundary phase containing at least one of B and Li or both; and internal electrodes which are made of Cu or Cu alloy. When a thickness of the dielectric ceramic layer is given by t, and when grain sizes at cumulative 20%, cumulative 50%, and cumulative 95% points of a cumulative count distribution of the primary phase grains are given by D20, D50, and D95, respectively, D20≦D50×70%, D50≦t/4, D95≦t/2, and CV value ((standard deviation between D20 and D95)/D50)<40% are satisfied.
US08908349B2 Member for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
An electrostatic chuck is provided with a ceramic substrate 12 in which an electrode 14 is embedded, an electrode terminal 14a exposed at the bottom of a concave portion 16 disposed on the back surface of the ceramic substrate 12, a power feed member 20 to supply an electric power to the electrode 14, and a joining layer 22 to connect this power feed member 20 to the ceramic substrate 12. The joining layer 22 is formed by using a AuGe based alloy, a AuSn based alloy, or a AuSi based alloy. The ceramic substrate 12 and the power feed member 20 are selected in such a way that the thermal expansion coefficient difference D calculated by subtracting the thermal expansion coefficient of the ceramic substrate 12 from the thermal expansion coefficient of the power feed member 20 satisfies −2.2≦D≦6 (unit: ppm/K).
US08908348B2 Wafer grounding and biasing method, apparatus, and application
A wafer grounding apparatus and method adaptable to a charged particle beam apparatus is disclosed. A wafer substrate is supported by a wafer mount. A grounding pin is arranged to be in contact with a backside film formed on a backside of the wafer substrate. A grounding pulse generator provides at least one pulse to drive the grounding pin such that dielectric breakdown occurring at the backside film leads to establishment of a current path through the backside films. Accordingly, a current flows in the wafer substrate through this current path and then flows out of the wafer substrate via at least one current return path formed from capacitive coupling between the wafer substrate and the wafer mount.
US08908345B2 Semiconductor device
In a stacked chip system, an IO circuit connected to a TSV pad for IO and a switch circuit constitute an IO channel in each chip, the IO channels as many as the maximum scheduled number of stacks are coupled together and connected to constitute an IO group, and the chip has one or more such IO groups. Each TSV pad for IO is connected with a through via to an IO terminal at the same position in a chip of another layer. On an interposer, if the actual number of stacks is less than the maximum scheduled number of stacks, connection pads for IO in adjacent IO groups on the interposer are connected via a conductor.
US08908340B2 Switched transient voltage suppression circuit
A transient voltage suppression circuit includes a voltage suppression circuit, a switch activation circuit, and a solid-state switch. The switch activation circuit is configured to selectively supply a switch activation signal. The solid-state switch is electrically connected in series with the voltage suppression circuit, is coupled to receive the switch activation signal selectively supplied by the switch activation circuit, and is configured, in response to the switch activation signal, to switch from an OFF state to an ON state.
US08908339B2 Methods and appratus for ground fault circuit interrupt detection using a single transformer
A device is provided for use with an AC power system having a line conductor, a neutral conductor and a transformer, the line conductor and the neutral conductor are coupled between a source and a load, and the transformer includes a first primary winding coupled in series with the line conductor, a second primary winding coupled in series with the neutral conductor, and a secondary winding. The device includes a first circuit coupled to the secondary winding, providing a first detection signal if a current from the line conductor to ground exceeds a first predetermined threshold, and a second circuit coupled to the secondary winding, having a source that provides an AC signal at a specified amplitude and a specified frequency to the secondary winding. The second circuit provides a second detection signal if an impedance between the neutral conductor and ground is less than a second predetermined threshold.
US08908338B2 Methods and apparatus for multi-frequency ground fault circuit interrupt grounded neutral fault detection
In a first aspect, a ground fault circuit interrupt (“GFCI”) device is provided for use with an AC power system that includes a line conductor, a neutral conductor and a transformer. The line conductor and the neutral conductor are each coupled between a source and a load, and the neutral conductor is coupled to ground at the source. The transformer includes a first primary winding coupled in series with the line conductor, a second primary winding coupled in series with the neutral conductor, and a secondary winding. The device includes a grounded neutral fault detector circuit coupled to the secondary winding. The grounded neutral fault detector circuit: (a) drives the secondary winding with a multi-frequency AC signal, (b) monitors a multi-frequency load signal in the secondary winding, and (c) provides a first detection signal if the monitored load signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Numerous other aspects are also provided.
US08908337B2 Current transformer arrangement
A current transformer configuration includes a primary part and a secondary part. The primary part is surrounded by a housing. The housing has a first conductive housing part and a second conductive housing part. An electrically insulating gap lies between the two conductive housing parts. The housing passes through the secondary part. The electrically insulating gap is bridged by a surge protection configuration.
US08908330B1 Spin torque oscillator for microwave assisted magnetic recording with optimal geometries
A microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) write head includes a write pole tip, a trailing shield, and a spin torque oscillator between the write pole tip and the trailing shield. The spin torque oscillator may have a substantially cylindrical member and a non-cylindrical member extending from the substantially cylindrical member toward an air bearing surface (ABS). The non-cylindrical member may have a substantially rectangular and/or flat surface facing the ABS. Alternatively, the spin torque oscillator may include a substantially cylindrical member with a rectangular and/or flat surface facing the ABS that is lapped into the substantially cylindrical member.
US08908329B2 Magnetic head with beveled main pole and spin torque oscillator, method of manufacturing the same, and magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus
According to one embodiment, a magnetic head manufacturing method includes forming a protective layer on the surfaces of a main magnetic pole layer, a processed spin torque oscillator, and a mask formed on the spin torque oscillator, and further performing ion beam etching on the main magnetic pole layer and the protective layer on the surface of the main magnetic pole layer through the mask such that the protective layer is left behind on the side surfaces of the spin torque oscillator and removed from the surface of the main magnetic pole layer, thereby processing the main magnetic pole layer such that its side surfaces have a shape tapered toward the substrate.
US08908325B1 Threaded disk clamping element with step on disk contact surface
A disk drive assembly having a disk hub comprising a substantially cylindrical portion having a side wall, a disk clamping element having a body portion having an inner wall configured to engage the side wall of the disk hub, and an undercut portion extending radially outward from a radially inner diameter of the body portion for a portion of a radius of the disk clamping element to form a step; and a disk media disposed between the disk hub and the disk clamping element, wherein the disk clamping element is oriented such that the undercut portion is positioned proximate to the disk media.
US08908322B1 Spindle motor having base member with fitting protrusions and hard disk drive including the same
There are provided a spindle motor and a hard disk drive including the same. The spindle motor includes: a shaft; a sleeve rotatably supporting the shaft by fluid dynamic pressure; a stator core installed on an outer surface of the sleeve; a base member fixed to the sleeve, wherein at least a portion of an inner edge of the base member in a radial direction is inserted into a fixing portion formed in a circumferential direction in an outer surface of the sleeve in the radial direction, and the sleeve includes a first sleeve supporting the shaft and a second sleeve provided outwardly of the sleeve and having the stator core installed on an outer surface thereof.
US08908310B1 Adaptive shingle guard band
Adaptively determining shingle guard band widths on at least one disk of a data storage device (DSD). The at least one disk includes a plurality of zones of shingle tracks for storing data. At least one of a magnetic erase width (MEW) and a magnetic read width (MRW) are measured and a shingle track pitch (STP) is determined. The shingle guard band width is determined based at least partly on the STP and at least one of the MEW or the MRW.
US08908308B1 Adaptive passive data track erasure healing
A data storage system may be configured with at least a data storage device that has a controller connected to at least a first data writing transducer and a second data writing transducer. The controller may be adapted to set different first and second healing thresholds for the respective data writing transducers in response to passive data track testing.
US08908304B2 Systems and methods for channel target based CBD estimation
Various approaches, methods, systems, circuits and devices for channel bit density estimation.
US08908299B2 Molded optical component with inspection features
A method of tuning a mold for an optical component, the method comprising: (a) molding an optical component comprising at least: (i) a body portion defining a first face; (ii) at least one optical element on the first face, the optical element having a certain geometry; (iii) at least one alignment element on the first face selected from one of an alignment hole or an alignment pin; and (iv) at least one inspection element in a position fixed relative to the at least one alignment element on the first face; (b) measuring the location of the inspection element on the front face relative to the optical element; (c) comparing the location to a standard to determine a difference; and (d) if the difference is significant, adjusting a component of the mold to change the location of the alignment element relative to the optical element and reiterating steps (a)-(c).
US08908298B2 Zoom lens system and electronic imaging apparatus using the same
A zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, and a positive rearward-remaining lens group. Upon zooming from the short to long focal length extremities, the distance between the first and second lens groups increases, the distance between the second and rearward-remaining lens groups decreases, and at least the first lens group and at least part of the rearward-remaining lens group moves. The second lens group includes a negative first sub-lens group which does not move during a focusing operation, and a negative second sub-lens group which moves in the optical axis direction during a focusing operation. The positive rearward-remaining lens group includes at least two lens groups, the distance therebetween mutually changing during zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity.
US08908293B2 Dispersion composition, photosensitive resin composition, and solid-state image pick-up element
A photosensitive resin composition which can form a pattern attaining high resolution and having a high refractive index and a high transmittance is provided. The photosensitive resin composition includes a dispersion composition including (A) titanium dioxide particles having an average primary particle diameter of from 1 nm to 100 nm, (B) a graft copolymer that has a graft chain having a number of atoms other than hydrogen atoms in a range of from 40 to 10,000 and (C) a solvent, and (D) a polymerizable compound, and (E) a polymerization initiator.
US08908292B2 Fixed focal length lens
A fixed focal length lens includes a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group is disposed between a magnified side and a minified side and has a negative refractive power. The second lens group is disposed between the first lens group and the minified side and has a positive refractive power. The fixed focal length lens satisfies F/H>0.52, where F is an effective focal length of the fixed focal length, and H is an image height.
US08908291B1 Optical lens system
An optical lens system, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, includes: a stop, a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with negative refractive power, a third lens element with positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, and a fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface with both being aspheric. Furthermore, the optical lens system satisfies conditions related to increase the field of view and reduce the total length as well as the sensitivity of assembly tolerance of the optical lens system.
US08908290B1 Optical imaging lens system, image capturing device and mobile terminal
An optical imaging lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has refractive power. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, wherein both of the surfaces thereof are aspheric. The sixth lens element with refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein both of the surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one of the surfaces thereof has at least one inflection point. The optical imaging lens system has a total of six lens elements with refractive power.
US08908287B2 Six-piece optical lens system
A six-piece optical lens system includes, in order from the object side to the image side: a stop; a first lens element with a positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens element with a negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; a third lens element with a negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a fourth lens element with a positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface; a fifth lens element with a negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; a sixth lens element with a negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface, each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth lens elements has at least one aspheric surface. Thereby, such a system can be applied to a high resolution mobile phone, and has a wide field of view, big stop, high pixel, high resolution and low height.
US08908286B2 Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first, a second, and a third lens groups. The first lens group includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first and a second lenses. The second lens group is capable of floating to realize an image stabilizating function and includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a third to sixth lenses. The zoom lens system satisfies various formulas, including 0.3
US08908275B2 Optical product and spectacle plastic lens
An optical product includes an optical multilayer film on an optical product base. A color of reflected light of the optical multilayer film satisfies both of the following conditions in a chromaticity diagram (x,y,Y) of a CIE color system: [1] 0.27≦x≦0.30 and [2] 0.30≦y≦0.36. The optical product base is a spectacle plastic lens base.
US08908273B2 Imaging lens, optical apparatus equipped therewith and method for manufacturing imaging lens
An imaging lens, an optical apparatus equipped therewith, and a method for manufacturing the imaging lens are provided. The imaging lens includes a front lens group having negative refractive power disposed to the most object side and a rear lens group having negative refractive power, disposed to an image side of the front lens group and moving at least a portion thereof in a direction including a component substantially perpendicular to an optical axis. The rear lens group includes G3a having negative refractive power, G3b having negative refractive power, and G3c having positive refractive power. G3b is disposed between G3a and G3c. G3b side lens surface of G3a is a concave surface facing G3b. G3b is a negative meniscus lens shape having a concave surface facing G3a. At least one lens surface among optical surfaces of G3a, G3b and G3c is an aspherical surface.
US08908270B2 Microscope apparatus
Illuminating light is two-dimensionally scanned without changing the ability to focus the illuminating light on a specimen. Provided is a microscope apparatus including a spatial light modulator that modulates the wavefront of illuminating light; a scanner that two-dimensionally scans the illuminating light by pivoting two mirrors; a relay optical system that relays an image in the scanner to a pupil position of an objective optical system; and a beam-shift mechanism that moves rays of the illuminating light between the modulator and the objective optical system in response to pivoting of the mirrors. The beam-shift mechanism moves the rays such that the image at the pupil position, when assuming that the mirrors are stationary, is moved in the direction opposite to the direction in which the image relayed to the pupil position by the relay optical system, when assuming that the mirrors are pivoted with the rays fixed, is moved.
US08908269B2 Immersion catadioptric projection objective having two intermediate images
A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective has a first, refractive objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part including at least one concave mirror for imaging the first Intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; and a third, refractive objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging onto the image plane; wherein the projection objective has a maximum lens diameter Dmax, a maximum image field height Y′, and an image side numerical aperture NA; wherein COMP1=Dmax/(Y′·NA2) and wherein the condition COMP1<10 holds.
US08908268B2 Infrared optical lens system
An infrared optical lens system including: a first lens which comprises a crystalline material; and a second lens which comprises an amorphous material and is formed by using molding processing, wherein a refractive index of the first lens is greater than that of the second lens, and the first lens and the second lens are disposed in the order from an object to an image.
US08908266B2 Source spectrum control of nonlinearities in optical waveguides
A method of delivering a desired relatively high optical power to a well tool in a subterranean well can include coupling to an optical waveguide an optical source which combines multiple optical frequency ranges, respective centers of the frequency ranges being separated by at least a peak shift frequency in a Raman gain spectrum for a corresponding pump wavelength generated by the optical source, and transmitting the desired optical power to the well tool via the optical waveguide positioned in the well. Another method of delivering optical power to a well tool in a subterranean well can include coupling to an optical waveguide an optical source, the optical source comprising a sufficient number of lasing elements to transmit the optical power, with the optical power being greater than a critical power for stimulated Brillouin scattering in the waveguide.
US08908262B2 Method and device for amplifying an optical signal
According to the invention, the optical signal (SE) is spatially divided into N elementary optical signals (SE.1, SE.2, . . . , SE.N), the spectral ranges thereof being adjacent in pairs and forming, substantially by juxtaposition, the spectral range of the optical signal; these N elementary signals are amplified respectively by means of N elementary amplifiers (4.1, 4.2, . . . , 4.N), the spectral ranges thereof respectively comprising the spectral ranges of said N elementary signals; the N amplified elementary signals (Ss.1, Ss.2, . . . , Ss.N) are assembled to form an amplified optical signal (Ss), the spectral range thereof substantially coinciding with a predetermined spectral range, and finally the spectral phases of the N initial elementary signals (Ss.1, Ss.2, . . . , Ss.N) are adjusted before amplification on the basis of the spectral phase of said amplified signal (Ss).
US08908255B2 Fabrication of a high fill ratio silicon spatial light modulator
A method for forming an optical deflection device includes providing a semiconductor substrate comprising an upper surface region and a plurality of drive devices within one or more portions of the semiconductor substrate. The upper surface region includes one or more patterned structure regions and at least one open region to expose a portion of the upper surface region to form a resulting surface region. The method also includes forming a planarizing material overlying the resulting surface region to fill the at least one open region and cause formation of an upper planarized layer using the fill material. The method further includes forming a thickness of silicon material at a temperature of less than 300° C. to maintain a state of the planarizing material.
US08908252B2 Flexible electrochromic devices, electrodes therefor, and methods of manufacture
An electrochromic fiber or fabric is disclosed. The fiber or fabric includes a flexible, electrically conductive fiber, wherein the fiber comprises a non-electrically conductive organic polymer coated with an electrically conductive polymer; and; a layer comprising an electrochromic material disposed on and surrounding the flexible, electrically conductive fiber; wherein the electrically conductive polymer is PEDOT-PSS, poly(vinylpyridine), a poly(thiophene), a poly(pyrrole), a poly(aniline), a poly(acetylene), a poly(p-phenylenevinylene), a sulfonated polythieno[3,4-b]thiophene, polystyrenesulfonate, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the fiber or fabric is both flexible and elastic. The fibers and fabrics are of particular utility in electrochromic devices, particularly those which form or are a part of garments.
US08908250B2 MEMS mirror device and method for manufacturing the same
A MEMS mirror device includes a semiconductor substrate, a mirror provided on the semiconductor substrate, a first cavity, a second cavity, and a frame portion to define the first cavity and the second cavity. The semiconductor substrate further includes a swing portion formed just above the first cavity to support the mirror, a straight beam provided just above the first cavity to extend between the frame portion and the swing portion, a comb-teeth-like fixed electrode, and a comb-teeth-like movable electrode, the movable electrode meshing with the fixed electrode with a gap left therebetween, the swing portion configured to swing about the beam as a swing axis in response to movement of the movable electrode.
US08908246B2 Image reading device and method for reading an image with dummy interval
An image reading device has a light source and an image sensor configured to transfer an electric charge accumulated on an opto-electric conversion element to a shift register through a shift gate. A reading controller configured to control image reading inserts a dummy interval into a shift period for which the electric charge is transferred from the opto-electric conversion element so as to shift timing to start sensor reading on every line and to arrange peak positions of noise included in a read image differ from one another on every line.
US08908245B2 Image scanning device and image forming apparatus
According to an embodiment, an image scanning device includes: a light source unit that emits light onto an original to be scanned; a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light from the original to an electric signal; a converting unit that converts the electric signal from the photoelectric conversion unit into digital image data; and a black correcting unit that performs black correction by correcting pixel-by-pixel black levels of pixels contained in pre-scanning digital image data obtained before the original is scanned based on a ratio of a dark-current black level of a pixel contained in ongoing-scanning digital image data obtained during scanning of the original to a dark-current black level of the pixel contained in the pre-scanning digital image data, and subtracting the corrected pixel-by-pixel black levels from the ongoing-scanning digital image data.
US08908244B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an achromatization determination portion, an achromatization processing portion, and a line designation portion. If a black pixel is present within a predetermined peripheral range from a target pixel in a sub-scanning direction, the achromatization determination portion determines whether to achromatize the target pixel, on the basis of an attribute of a background determination pixel present in an opposite direction from the target pixel with respect to the black pixel and within a range of a predetermined number of pixels from the black pixel. If no black pixel is present within the predetermined peripheral range from the target pixel in the sub-scanning direction, the achromatization determination portion determines not to achromatize the target pixel. The achromatization processing portion achromatizes the target pixel determined to achromatize by the achromatization determination portion, and does not achromatize the target pixel determined not to achromatize by the achromatization determination portion.
US08908241B2 Document reading device and image forming apparatus
A document reading device includes: a document reading device main body; and an opening/closing body with one end supported rotatably with respect to the document reading device main body while another end openably/closably provided, the other end of the opening/closing body being provided with a handgrip having a depression sloped toward inside of the opening/closing body in accordance with approach of the opening/closing body to the document reading device main body in a closed status with respect to the document reading device main body.
US08908238B2 Illumination device, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus
In an illumination device that radiates light to an object to be irradiated placed on a predetermined placement surface, a first light guide body has a first incident surface located at an end thereof in a first direction, which receives light along the first direction, and a first exit surface extending along the first direction, which emits the light in a second direction crossing the first direction, thereby radiating light to the object to be irradiated, from the second direction, and a second light guide body has a second incident surface located at an end thereof in the first direction, which receives light along the first direction, and a second exit surface extending along the first direction, which emits the light in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, thereby radiating light to the object to be irradiated, from the third direction.
US08908234B2 Image capture apparatus, image capture system, and image capture method
An image capture apparatus includes: a light irradiation unit that irradiates an object with light; a reading unit that reads an image in accordance with reflected light of the light irradiated to the object; and an enhancement unit that enhances a predetermined spatial-frequency component of the image.
US08908233B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a cover configured to be movable between a first position, in which the top of the main body is covered, and a second position, in which the top of the main body is exposed; a supporting member configured to vertically move with respect to the main body so that the rotation center of the cover is moved between an ascent position and a descent position; a cam configured to rotate together with the cover such that a cam surface abuts on the main body, thereby vertically moving the supporting member, wherein the cam has a shape to displace the rotation center to the descent position when then the cover rotates to the first position and to displace the rotation center to the ascent position when the cover rotates to the second position so that interference of the cover is suppressed.
US08908231B2 Image forming apparatus and image processing method that selectively emphasize a specific color when converting a multicolored image to monochrome
An image forming apparatus of an embodiment includes an acquisition unit and a controller. The acquisition unit scans a sheet to acquire the color image of the sheet. The controller converts, using parameters stored in a storage unit, the color image acquired by the acquisition unit to a monochrome image with at least one specific color being darker than the other colors.
US08908227B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image data processing method, program, and storage medium
The purpose of this invention is to avoid unnecessary print out and cut wasteful consumption of resources and electricity. A printer receives a command indicating whether or not a user does not need to print out images such as advertisements on web pages. If a drawing command acquired by analyzing received print data is image, the printer determines whether or not the command is to draw images based on the user's choice and execute a drawing process along with the command from the user. Consequently, the printer can print out text information with eliminating image information which is noise for the user and can eliminate print out for unnecessary image information.
US08908223B2 Print control apparatus, image forming system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
A print control apparatus includes a print management unit, a storage unit, a print control unit, and a checking unit. The print management unit accepts print instructions for output data, and records an order in which the print instructions have been accepted. The storage unit temporarily stores the output data related to the print instructions accepted by the print management unit. The print control unit sequentially acquires the output data from the storage unit, transmits the output data to an image forming apparatus, and records an order in which the output data have been transmitted. The checking unit compares and checks the order in which the print instructions have been accepted, which has been recorded by the print management unit, and the order in which the output data have been transmitted, which has been recorded by the print control unit.
US08908221B2 Tape printing apparatus
A tape printing apparatus, comprising a port for connecting to external apparatus; a first memory for storing label data defining at least one label; and a second memory comprising program information.
US08908218B2 Image forming apparatus capable of efficiently and effectively using USB connector
It is determined whether or not a USB display button is pressed, and if so determined, a USB device status management table in a USB device status management part is referenced. Ranking determination is made based on information on the USB device status management table. After the ranking determination, priority is set based on the ranking determination result. Then, a USB device priority screen is displayed on a manipulation display of a manipulation panel part.
US08908215B2 Image forming system, paper sheet processing apparatus and method for controlling paper sheet processing
When implementing a purge processing for collecting a retention paper sheet remaining within an image forming system so as to eject the collected retention paper sheet to a plurality of paper sheet ejecting trays of a paper sheet ejecting section, based on paper sheet information regarding a paper sheet feeding tray from which each of the retention paper sheets is fed, a control section controls the paper sheet ejecting section so as to eject the retention paper sheets onto the plurality of paper sheet ejecting trays, in such a manner that a first retention paper sheet fed from a specific paper-sheet feeding tray is ejected separately from a second retention paper sheet fed from a paper sheet feeding tray other than the specific paper-sheet feeding tray.
US08908209B2 Altering a PDF print job based upon criteria stored in memory of a printing system
Systems and methods are provided for altering the content of a PDF print job. The printing system includes a memory, an interface, and a markup engine. The memory includes criteria for identifying Portable Document Format (PDF) content stored in print jobs, and also includes a mark-up instruction for altering printable PDF content stored in print jobs, where the mark-up instruction references one or more of the criteria. The interface is operable to receive a PDF print job for processing. The markup engine is operable to access the mark-up instruction, to review the PDF print job to identify multiple segments of the print job that each include PDF content that matches the one or more criteria referenced by the mark-up instruction, and to alter the identified segments based on the mark-up instruction.
US08908208B2 Image processing apparatus, unauthorized use preventing method, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes a storing unit configured to store comparison data; an analysis unit configured to analyze a print job sent by a requesting user from an information processing apparatus to obtain user information of the requesting user; a comparison unit configured to compare the obtained user information with the comparison data to determine whether registered user information corresponding to the obtained user information is present in the comparison data; and a registration unit configured to register the obtained user information as the comparison data of an authorized user if the registered user information corresponding to the obtained user information is not present in the comparison data. The comparison unit is configured to control execution of a printing process and/or an error process if the registered user information corresponding to the obtained user information is present in the comparison data.
US08908206B2 Automated print job modification for reduced total and color page counts
Systems and methods for reducing total and/or color page counts are provided. The systems include a memory, including a print queue, and one or more processors. The processors are programmed to receive a print job. The print job includes a document formatted according to a page description language (PDL). The processors are further programmed to apply one or more formatting fixes to the document and transfer the print job to the print queue. The formatting fixes include at least one of image fitting, text fitting and table fitting.
US08908204B2 Method for transferring package of files and recording medium storing the method
A method for transferring a package of files that is executed by a personal computer, the package of files being made up of plural compressed files that are separately present therein. For transferring the package of files, the personal computer creates, with respect to each printer, a dedicated file that is exclusively acceptable to similar-dedicated-file-compatible models of the printer; the personal computer treats the respective dedicated files as the plural files and creates the package of files by packaging the respective dedicated files in the package of files; and with respect to the respective dedicated files in the package of files, in transferring the package of files, when it is detected by the personal computer, that the personal computer is connected to the printer that is compatible with the dedicated file, the personal computer transfers the dedicated file in the package of files to the detected printer.
US08908201B2 System and method for filtering non-actionable alerts in a managed print service
Methods and systems of filtering non-actionable alerts are disclosed. A processing device receives an alert from a printing device and determines a page count for the printing device. The processing device compares the page count with at least one threshold value associated with the alert and the printing device. In response to the page count satisfying the at least one threshold value, the processing device identifies the alert as a valid alert.
US08908200B2 Method and apparatus to generate XHTML-print contents
A method and apparatus to generate XHTML data in a terminal, the method and apparatus including setting printing-related parameters to determine contents to be printed from among the contents of one or more standard data items desired to be printed, generating XHTML extension data that can be inserted into XHTML basic data prepared in advance, corresponding to the set contents, and generating the XHTML data by inserting the generated XHTML extension data into the XHTML basic data.
US08908195B2 Method for measuring cracks remotely and device thereof
The present invention relates to a method for measuring cracks remotely and the device thereof. First, multiple laser spots with known a shape are projected onto a remote wall and beside a crack. Then, by using geometric calculations, the relative coordinates of the laser spots on the wall and the real distance can be given and used as the reference length of the crack. Next, a camera is used for taking a picture of the remote crack along with the laser spots; the image identification technology is used for calculating the relevant parameters of the crack. Thereby, to acquire the parameters of the crack, a user needs not to be present at the site for measuring at a short distance or placing a reference object, and thus providing safety and convenience.
US08908192B2 Method and apparatus for qualifying optics of a projection exposure tool for microlithography
A method for qualifying optics (16; 14, 16) of a projection exposure tool (10) for microlithography. The optics include (16; 14, 16) at least one mirror element (14-1 to 14-7, 16-1 to 16-6) with a reflective coating (52) disposed on the latter. The method includes: irradiating electromagnetic radiation (13, 42) of at least two different wavelengths onto the optics (16; 14, 16), a penetration depth of the radiation into the coating (52) of the mirror element varying between the individual wavelengths, taking an optical measurement on the optics (16; 14, 16) for each of the wavelengths, and evaluating the measurement results for the different wavelengths taking into consideration a respective penetration depth of the radiation into the coating (52) of the mirror element for each of the different wavelengths.
US08908189B2 Systems and methods for swept-source optical coherence tomography
Systems and methods for increasing the duty cycle and/or producing interleaved pulses of alternating polarization states in swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems are considered. Embodiments including improved buffering, frequency selecting filter sharing among multiple SOAs, intracavity switching, and multiple wavelength bands are described. The unique polarization properties of the source configurations have advantages in speckle reduction, polarization-sensitive measurements, polarization state dependent phase shifts, spatial shifts, and temporal shifts in OCT measurements.
US08908188B2 Optical coherence imaging systems having a mechanism for shifting focus and scanning modality
Some embodiments of the present invention provide adapters for use in posterior imaging systems. The adapters include lens set configured to adapt the posterior imaging system to operate as an anterior imaging system. Related optical coherence tomography systems and anterior imaging systems are also provided herein.
US08908186B2 Apparatus for the absolute measurement of two dimensional optical path distributions using interferometry
An apparatus for the absolute measurement of a two dimensional optical path distribution comprising: a light source (4) for illuminating an object (26) with light having a plurality of wavelengths: an interferometer (12) for forming an image of at least part of the object, which image comprises a broad band interferogram; a hyperspectral imager (30) in optical communication with the interferometer for spectrally separating the broad band interferogram into a plurality of narrow band two dimensional interferograms (72, 74, 76); a register (38) for spatially registering the narrow band interferograms; an extractor for extracting one dimensional intensity signals from corresponding pixels in each narrow band interferogram; and a calculator (100) for calculating the frequency for each point on the object from a one dimensional intensity signal associated with that point.
US08908182B2 Check-tile for colour measurement instruments
The invention relates to a check-tile for validating instrument scales of color measurement instruments, in particular goniospectrophotometers, said check-tile comprising a non-transparent (opaque) substrate coated with a multi-layer coating, said multi-layer coating comprising: A) a pigmented ground coat, wherein said pigmented ground coat is opaque and made of a base coat coating composition I comprising at least one opaque solid colored pigment, and B) a pigmented mid-coat, wherein said pigmented mid-coat is translucent and made of a base coat coating composition II comprising at least one transparent interference pigment.
US08908180B2 Device and method for polarimetric measurement with microscopic resolution, polarimetry accessory for a microscope, ellipsomicroscope and ellipsometric contrast microscope
A polarimetric measurement device and method with microscopic resolution include a polarization conversion device to modify the polarization of a beam so as to switch from a spatially uniform distribution to a distribution that is cylindrically symmetric about the optical axis, and vice versa. The conversion device is positioned on the axis of a focusing objective for focusing the cylindrically symmetric polarized beam onto the surface of a sample to be measured. The device may be incorporated into a microellipsometer, or an interference contrast microscope, or used as a polarimetric accessory for a microscope.
US08908177B2 Correction of second-order diffraction effects in fiber-optic-based spectrometers
Embodiments described herein correct errors in spectrometer outputs due to the presence of second-order light. Embodiments determine a relationship between first-order light and second-order light of the spectrometer output. The relationship is a function of wavelength and an output of the spectrometer due to the first-order light. The relationship is used to determine an estimated contribution of the second-order light to the output. Spectrometer errors introduced by the second-order light are corrected by adjusting the spectrometer output according to the estimated contribution of the second-order light.
US08908176B2 Apparatus and method for obtaining spectral characteristics
A spectral characteristic obtaining apparatus includes a detection unit detecting light quantities in plural wavelength bands from a measurement target, a storage unit storing pre-obtained spectral characteristics of the measurement target, a calculation unit calculating a primary transformation matrix from the light quantities and the pre-obtained spectral characteristics of at least one reference sample and a secondary transformation matrix from one of the pre-obtained spectral characteristics corresponding to a primary wavelength band and another one of the pre-obtained spectral characteristics corresponding to a secondary wavelength band, an estimation unit estimating the spectral characteristics of the measurement target by performing a primary estimation on the light quantities in the plural wavelength bands by using the primary transformation matrix, performing a secondary estimation on a result of the primary estimation by using the secondary transformation matrix, and compositing a result of the secondary estimation with the result of the primary estimation.
US08908174B2 Apparatus, especially microscope, for the analysis of samples
A microscope device which has a diffraction-limited resolution volume, with multiple dye molecules that can be switched between different states, at least one of which is fluorescent. The fluorescence is focused using an objective lens and is imaged onto a spatially resolving detector. In at least one portion of the sample, the dye molecules have a distribution density that is greater than the inverse of the diffraction-limited resolution volume. One or more light sources are provided for emitting a switching radiation in order to switch a first subset of the dye molecules in the sample, and for emitting an excitation radiation in order to excite the first subset of dye molecules. A phase mask which generates a light distribution having an at least partially limited local minimum radiation on the detector plane is provided in the beam path, preferably in the detection beam path.
US08908173B2 High-frequency power supply for plasma and ICP optical emission spectrometer using the same
In a high-frequency power supply for plasma having a housing and a high-frequency circuit substrate placed inside the housing, elements for supplying a high-frequency current to a high-frequency inductive coil are mounted on the high-frequency circuit substrate, a cooling block for cooling the high-frequency circuit substrate is provided, and a coolant path a for allowing a coolant to flow through is formed inside the cooling block so that the coolant is allowed to flow through the coolant path when a high-frequency current is supplied and the coolant is not allowed to flow through the coolant path when a high-frequency current is not supplied.
US08908172B2 Defect inspection device and method of inspecting defect
Disclosed is a defect inspection device comprising: an illumination optical portion which illuminates an object to be inspected with illuminating light; a detection optical portion system illuminated by the illumination optical portion and provided with a plurality of detectors which respectively detects components of scattering light which scatter from the inspected object each in a different direction of azimuthal angle or in a different direction of angle of elevation with respect to a surface of the inspected object; and a signal processing portion which makes gain adjustments and defect decisions in parallel on plural signals based on the components of the scattering light from the inspected object detected by the detectors, respectively, the defect decisions being based on a threshold value decision, and which extracts defects based on results of the gain adjustments and of the defect decisions.
US08908167B2 Fiber optic connector inspection microscope with integral optical power measurement
A fiber optic inspection microscope including an objective lens, an optical detector, an image detector, an illumination source, and first and second beamsplitters, wherein the first beamsplitter is in a first optical path between the objective lens, the image detector and the optical detector, wherein the first beamsplitter allows passage of an optical image to the image detector, wherein the first beamsplitter directs optical energy to the optical detector, wherein the second beamsplitter is in a second optical path between the illumination source and the objective lens, and wherein the second beamsplitter directs light from the illumination source to the objective lens.
US08908165B2 Systems and methods for monitoring oil/gas separation processes
Disclosed are systems and methods for analyzing an oil/gas separation process. One method includes conveying a fluid to a fluid separator coupled to a flow path, the fluid separator having an inlet and a discharge conduit, generating a first output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the fluid adjacent the inlet with a first optical computing device, generating a second output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the fluid adjacent the discharge conduit with a second optical computing device, receiving the first and second output signals with a signal processor communicably, and generating a resulting output signal with the signal processor indicative of how the characteristic of the fluid changed between the inlet and the discharge conduit.
US08908159B2 Multiple-field-of-view scannerless optical rangefinder in high ambient background light
A multiple-field-of-view scannerless optical rangefinder operating in pulsed Time-Of-Flight operation for use in high ambient background light is described. The rangefinder comprises an optical emitter having a LED light source and driver electronics, emitting a train of light pulses having a broad field-of-illumination (FOI); a multi-channel optical receiver (MCOR) for detecting optical return signals, an overall field-of-view (FOV) encompassing each channel instantaneous FOV, the FOI encompassing the overall FOV, the multi-channel optical receiver having analog front-end electronics; an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for receiving and converting the waveforms into digital format; a control and processing unit (CPU) for generating a pulse trigger signal, sending a synchronization trigger signal to the MCOR for starting the detection of the optical return signals, and for processing the waveforms in digital format; a data interface; wherein a peak present in any of waveforms is a signature of an object located within the instantaneous FOV.
US08908157B2 Optical distance measuring device
A measuring device for optically measuring a distance to a target object includes an emitter device for emitting an optical measuring beam to the target object, a capturing device including a detection surface for detecting an optical beam returned by the target object, and an evaluation device. The detection surface has a plurality of pixels, each pixel having at least one SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) and each of the plurality of pixels is connected to the evaluation device. The emitting device and the capturing device are configured in such a manner that the optical measurement beam returned by the target object simultaneously illuminates a plurality of pixels. The evaluation device is configured in order to determine the distance between the measuring device and the target object based on the evaluation of detection signals of several pixels.
US08908155B2 Remote positioning
A method for determining a distance to a target point located approximately at ground level includes aiming a measurement device at the target point, determining a tilt of the measurement device using tilt sensors, and determining a height of the measurement device above the ground. A position of the target point may be determined using the tilt and height of the measurement device, a position of the measurement device, and a bearing to the target point.
US08908153B2 Method to calculate transmission cross coefficient in an exposure apparatus
A computer-implemented calculation method of calculating a transmission cross coefficient in an apparatus which projects an image of an object onto an image plane via a projection optical system includes: a division step of dividing an effective light source formed on a pupil plane of the projection optical system into a plurality of point sources, a defining step of defining a matrix by arranging each of the plurality of pupil functions generated in the generation step in each row or each column of the matrix, and a calculation step of calculating the transmission cross coefficient based on the matrix defined in the defining step.
US08908150B2 Substrate processing method, manufacturing method of EUV mask, and EUV mask
According to the substrate processing method in the embodiments, as a mask substrate used for forming an EUV mask, a mask substrate in which a first film having a first hydrophilicity is formed on one main surface and a resist is applied to another main surface is exposed from a side of the resist. Then, a hydrophilic treatment is performed on a surface of the first film to make the surface of the first film have a second hydrophilicity larger than the first hydrophilicity. Then, a development treatment of the resist is performed with respect to the mask substrate in which the hydrophilic treatment is performed on the surface of the first film to have the second hydrophilicity.
US08908149B2 Projection exposure system and use thereof
A lithography method is proposed employing a projection exposure system having a catoptric imaging optics comprising a mirror formed as phase mask in the imaging beam path, wherein the mirror formed as phase mask exhibits continuous regions having dielectric layers provided thereon. Optionally, the regions of the mirror formed as phase mask are configured such that an axial extension of an image of a point (DOF) of the imaging is increased or/and a lateral extension of an image of a point of the imaging is decreased. Preferably multiple exposures of a same radiation sensitive substrate are performed in order to achieve an increase in resolution and scaling down of the manufacturing trace structures (61, 61′), respectively.
US08908147B2 Method and apparatus for determining an overlay error
A method of determining an overlay error. Measuring an overlay target having process-induced asymmetry. Constructing a model of the target. Modifying the model, e.g., by moving one of the structures to compensate for the asymmetry. Calculating an asymmetry-induced overlay error using the modified model. Determining an overlay error in a production target by subtracting the asymmetry-induced overlay error from a measured overlay error. In one example, the model is modified by varying asymmetry p(n′), p(n″) and the calculating an asymmetry-induced overlay error is repeated for a plurality of scatterometer measurement recipes and the step of determining an overlay error in a production target uses the calculated asymmetry-induced overlay errors to select an optimum scatterometer measurement recipe used to measure the production target.
US08908146B2 Actuator system, lithographic apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An actuator system is disclosed having a first actuator (XP1) and a second actuator (XP2) configured to control a relative position of optical components of a lithographic apparatus. The first actuator (XP1) is configured to provide a displacement, parallel to an actuation direction, between a mounting point of a first component of the lithographic apparatus and a second component of the lithographic apparatus. The second actuator (XP2) is configured to provide a displacement parallel to the actuation direction between a reference mass (M1) associated with the second actuator (XP2) and the mounting point of the first component of the lithographic apparatus. The second actuator (XP2) may be driven such that the displacement between the second actuator (XP2) and the reference mass (M1) increases the apparent stiffness of the first actuator (XP1).
US08908145B2 Pattern forming apparatus and pattern forming method, movable body drive system and movable body drive method, exposure apparatus and exposure method, and device manufacturing method
A partial section of an aerial image measuring unit is arranged at a wafer stage and part of the remaining section is arranged at a measurement stage, and the aerial image measuring unit measures an aerial image of a mark formed by a projection optical system. Therefore, for example, when the aerial image measuring unit measures a best focus position of the projection optical system, the measurement can be performed using the position of the wafer stage, at which a partial section of the aerial image measuring unit is arranged, in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the projection optical system as a datum for the best focus position. Accordingly, when exposing an object with illumination light, the position of the wafer stage in the direction parallel to the optical axis is adjusted with high accuracy based on the measurement result of the best focus position.
US08908137B2 Backlight module having positioning hook
A positioning hook of an optical film of a backlight module, wherein the backlight module has a frame, and the optical film is disposed on an inner side of the frame. The positioning hook includes a first hook portion and a second hook portion corresponding with each other. The first hook portion is disposed at a first end of the positioning hook for penetrating through and hooking on an edge of the optical film. The second hook portion is disposed at a second end of the positioning hook opposite to the first end for hooking on an edge of the frame, so that the optical film is disposed and fixed in the frame.
US08908134B2 Liquid crystal display device
In the step of curing a resin for bonding a TFT substrate and a counter substrate each having an alignment film that has been optically aligned by using UV-light, damage to the alignment film due to the UV-light can be prevented without using a light shielding mask. A UV-light absorption layer is formed between each black matrix on the counter substrate. The TFT and counter substrates are sealed at their periphery by a resin that is cured by UV-light radiated from the counter substrate side. Since the absorption layer has a high absorbability to UV-light at a wavelength of 300 nm or less that degrades the alignment film, damage to the alignment film due to the UV-light for curing the resin can be prevented. Thus, provision of a light shielding mask for shielding the UV-light for the display region can be saved.
US08908131B2 Cholesteric reflector
A cholesteric reflector comprising a substrate and a first cholesteric layer that is disposed over the substrate and reflects a first polarization of light within a design waveband. A second cholesteric layer is disposed over the first cholesteric layer and reflects a second polarization of light within the design waveband.
US08908130B2 Optical elements, backlight modules, and liquid crystal display employing the same
Optical elements and backlight modules employing the same are provided. The optical element can be a brightness enhancement diffusion complex film, comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal film and a transparent optical film directly disposed on the cholesteric liquid crystal film. Particularly, the whole transparent optical film directly contacts to the cholesteric liquid crystal film, in the absence of an intermediate located between the transparent optical film and the cholesteric liquid crystal film.
US08908127B2 Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A display apparatus includes a backlight unit generating light and a display substrate displaying an image using the light. The display substrate includes a substrate, a first electrode, a light blocking layer, a thin film transistor, a second electrode, a liquid crystal and a color filter. The substrate includes a pixel area and a non-pixel area, the first electrode is in the pixel area, and the light blocking layer is in the non-pixel area to block the light. The thin film transistor is on the light blocking layer and electrically connected to the first electrode. The second electrode faces the first electrode, and a cavity is defined therebetween. The liquid crystal is in the cavity, the color filter is on the second electrode, and the color filter is closer to the backlight unit than the substrate.
US08908123B2 Direct-light type backlight module and liquid crystal display
A direct-light type backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD) are proposed. The direct-light type backlight module includes a base frame, a light source, a diffuser plate, and a plurality of support pins. The light source is disposed on the base frame. The diffuser plate is disposed on the light source. The plurality of support pins are disposed on the base frame and support the diffuser plate. At least one of the plurality of support pins is made of first transparent materials, or is made of is made of top and bottom connected second transparent materials and opaque materials. Through the abovementioned method, support pin shadow mura could be successfully prevented, and a backlight effect and a display effect could be effectively enhanced when light emitted by the light source shines on the at least one of the plurality of support pins.
US08908115B2 Display device and electronic device
An object of the invention is to provide a circuit technique which enables reduction in power consumption and high definition of a display device. A switch controlled by a start signal is provided to a gate electrode of a transistor, which is connected to a gate electrode of a bootstrap transistor. When the start signal is input, a potential is supplied to the gate electrode of the transistor through the switch, and the transistor is turned off. The transistor is turned off, so that leakage of a charge from the gate electrode of the bootstrap transistor can be prevented. Accordingly, time for storing a charge in the gate electrode of the bootstrap transistor can be shortened, and high-speed operation can be performed.
US08908112B2 Display panel, display device, and electronic unit
There are provided a display panel being both anti-static and resistant to corrosion, a display device provided with the display panel, and an electronic unit provided with the display device. The display panel includes a panel section including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix; a barrier layer provided at an upper or lower part of the panel section, and the barrier layer including light-shielding regions and transmissive regions that are arranged systematically; and a transparent conductive layer provided at the upper part of the panel section.
US08908111B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention is for a liquid crystal display device having a patterned retarder enabling stereoscopic image display and a light reflector capable of improving luminous efficiency provided on a panel of the display device, and a manufacturing method thereof, the liquid crystal display device includes; first and second substrates arranged opposite each other, a light reflector on the first substrate, a first black stripe on the second substrate facing to the light reflector corresponding to the light reflector, a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates, a retarder provided on top of the second substrate, a reflector placed below the first substrate, and a light source positioned below the reflector.
US08908109B2 Remote control with content management
A remote control unit includes stored user profiles to facilitate and possibly limit access to media content. In some embodiments, a biometric sensor or smart card reader provides user authentication to access stored user profiles. User profiles are associated with content sets that include content selected for potential viewing by the user. The remote control unit is enabled for bidirectional communication with a set-top box or modem that permits access to media content from a bidirectional service provider network.
US08908108B2 User interface to control video content play
In at least one example embodiment, a remote controller includes a pairing unit configured to communicatively pair the remote controller with a television device; a receiver configured to receive, from a content provider, at least one thumbnail image corresponding to video content that is played on the television device; and a display unit configured to display, on a first area, a progress dial and the at least one thumbnail image associated with at least one point in time represented on the progress dial, wherein the at least one thumbnail image is also provided to the television device by the content provider.
US08908106B2 Mobile terminal
A mobile device stores a TV application for serving as a remote control capable of controlling a TV receiver. The mobile device starts the process of starting the TV application and transmits, to the TV receiver, control signals to turn on the TV receiver before the TV application has been started. More particularly, the mobile device transmits the control signals to turn on the TV receiver while performing the process of starting the TV application. When the mobile device has started the TV application and then the TV receiver has been turned on in normal mode, a user can control the TV receiver by using the mobile device.
US08908100B2 Arrangement and approach for motion-based image data processing
Image data is processed to present a pleasing display. According to an example embodiment, each pixel of an input video frame is filtered using a variable frequency response filter that is responsive to the motion velocity of the pixel being filtered (e.g., filters data above or below a threshold based upon the motion velocity). A peaked video frame and a blurred video frame are generated for each input video frame using the filtered pixels.
US08908099B2 Audio processing apparatus and audio processing method
An audio processing apparatus includes a compositional pattern determining module and an audio processor. The compositional pattern determining module is configured to estimate a compositional pattern of an input video signal. The audio processor is configured to perform audio processing according to the estimation.
US08908097B2 Next generation user interface for audio video display device such as TV
A viewer of an audio video display device (AVDD) and transition from a nine panel graphical user interface (GUI) showing a summary degree of metadata to a six panel GUI showing a higher degree of metadata using a horizontal motion.
US08908096B2 Image output method and device, and image display for displays with different aspect ratios
First and second division patterns are defined so that main areas A and A′ are similar to each other in shape, having the same horizontal-to-vertical ratio. Even if an image output apparatus is connected to a display unit having both first and second display screens, the image output apparatus generates an identical image for the main area A or A′ regardless of the aspect ratio of the display screen. The main areas A and A′ display important information and the like. Sub areas B and B′ display auxiliary information. The first and second division patterns may be determined so that the sub areas B and B′ are similar to each other in shape like the main areas.
US08908093B2 Determining aspect ratio for display of video
The intended display aspect-ratio for video is determined automatically by analyzing an image to identify image blocks resulting from prior block-based processing of the video; comparing horizontal and vertical dimensions of those image blocks with horizontal and vertical dimensions of the image, with black border regions excluded as necessary; and determining from that comparison a display aspect ratio for the video.
US08908091B2 Alignment of lens and image sensor
Embodiments related to the alignment of a lens with an image sensor in an optical device are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment comprises an optical device including a printed circuit board, and an image sensor package mounted on the printed circuit board, wherein the image sensor package includes an image sensor. The optical system further comprises a lens holder including a lens, and one or more alignment features arranged on the lens holder. The one or more alignment features are configured to contact the image sensor package to mechanically align the lens holder with the image sensor package.
US08908089B1 Implantable imaging device
An imaging device for in vivo medical applications that enables minimally invasive surgical procedures. The imaging device includes an elongated frame having a base, a module housing, and an optional helical member interposed between the base and module housing. The imaging device further includes an actuation unit positioned within the frame that engages the module housing causing the frame to bend at the optional helical member. The module housing includes an imaging module and may include other modules including tools used for laparoscopic surgery.
US08908088B2 Image pick-up apparatus capable of correcting shading due to a closing travel operation of a shutter to pick up static image
An image pick-up apparatus that is capable of correcting shading due to a closing travel operation of a shutter by a simple process. An image pick-up device picks up the image formed. A shutter unit opens and closes a substantially rectangular aperture corresponding to image pick-up area of the image pick-up device by means of a plurality of rotating shutter blades. The shutter blades travel in mutually opposite directions perpendicular to a long side of the aperture while keeping edges of the shutter blades facing the aperture are parallel to the long side so that edge portions that cover a center area of the aperture start shading the aperture before edge portions that cover four corner areas of the aperture start shading the aperture.
US08908087B2 Multiband camera, and multiband image capturing method
A multiband camera comprises: a band-pass filter having four or more optical filters; a microlens array having arrayed microlenses; a photoelectric conversion element including a plurality of pixels; and a measurement unit for measuring spectral intensity. The multiband camera satisfies the expression below, where Pl is a pitch between the microlenses, Ps is a pitch between the pixels, n is a number of pixels corresponding to one microlens, u is an effective dimension in a prescribed direction of the pixels, t is a dimension in the prescribed direction of a real image that the band-pass filter forms on a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels, Na is a number of microlenses arrayed in the prescribed direction, L is a distance from an exit pupil to the microlens, and f is a focal length of the microlens. ( 1 - f L ) ⁢ n ⁢ ⁢ Ps - 3 ⁢ Ps - u - t Na ≤ Pl ≤ ( 1 - f L ) ⁢ nPs + 3 ⁢ Ps - u - t Na [ Expression ⁢ ⁢ 14 ]
US08908082B2 Imaging device and mobile information terminal
An imaging device with a short length and small aberration is provided. A total length D of an image-forming optical system is less than 3.6 mm. A maximum incidence angle of a principle ray on an image forming plane exceeds 33°. Conditions f/fL<−1.50 or f/fL<−0.9, and D/f<1.10 are satisfied where f denotes a focal length of the entire image-forming optical system and fL denotes a focal length of a last lens.
US08908075B2 Image capture and processing integrated circuit for a camera
An image capture and processing (ICP) integrated circuit (IC) is provided for a camera. The ICP IC includes an imaging array which, in turn, includes image pixel capture sensors arranged in rows and columns. A row decoder extends along a first edge of the imaging array and is configured to enable sensor rows in the imaging array. An analog signal processor (ASP) system extends along a second edge of the imaging array and is configured to amplify signals from enabled sensors in columns of the imaging array. A control circuit is configured to sequentially enable the rows so that the ASP can amplify signals from all of the sensors in the imaging array, one row at a time.
US08908067B2 Imaging systems with digitally controlled analog offset compensation
An image sensor may be provided that includes an image pixel array, analog column circuitry and digital column circuitry. The digital column circuitry may extract a systematic analog signal offset from data received from the analog column circuitry. The digital column circuitry may generate analog signal offset correction values based on the systematic analog signal offsets and provide the analog signal offset correction values to the analog column circuitry. The analog column circuitry may remove signal offsets from subsequently read out image data from the image pixel array using the analog signal offset correction values provided by the digital column circuitry. The image pixel array may include image pixels having color filters of various colors. The digital column circuitry may generate analog signal offset correction values corresponding to each of the various colors.
US08908054B1 Optics apparatus for hands-free focus
The present invention is directed to an electronic vision system. The system implements at least 3 apertures. A first aperture is set at near focus, while second and third apertures (positioned to the left and right of the first aperture respectively) are set at far focus. The fields of view of the left and right apertures may be spaced apart relative to each other, thereby forming a blind spot in the overall field of view of the system. However, the field of vision of the center aperture overlaps the blind spot, thereby reducing the blind spot for the system. The system includes a computer configured for receiving electronic image data from the apertures and rendering display data derived from the received image data. The system includes a display mounted to a mounting structure (ex.—helmet) for receiving the display data and displaying visual images of the display data.
US08908049B2 Monitoring device and method for monitoring a video session in a data network
The invention relates to a monitoring device for monitoring a video session in a data network between a video server providing a video file and a video client playing the video file, comprising: a data interface configured to connect to an end-to-end communication path between the video server and the video client and configured to capture video resolution information and to retrieve client screen resolution information; and a determination unit configured to determine a quality measure for the video session based on the video resolution information, based on the client screen resolution information and based on a buffer model, the buffer model modeling a fill level of a receive buffer in the video client, the receive buffer being configured to buffer the video file before playing the video file.
US08908048B2 Digital video pixel tester
Presented is a system and method for testing a digital video distribution environment. A digital video signal generator transmits a reference video bit stream to a distribution path. A digital video signal analyzer receives a test video bit stream from the distribution path. The digital video signal analyzer generates a diagnostic video bit stream as a function of the reference video bit stream and the test video bit stream.
US08908046B1 Reliability determination of camera fault detection tests
There is provided a method for determining the reliability of a fault detection of a camera in a camera system. According to the method data relating to environmental conditions are received (204) and compared to accessed (202) criteria relating to environmental conditions external to the camera and affecting the reliability of the fault detection test. If the received data complies with the criteria it is determined (206) that the fault detection test gives a reliable result. This is advantageous in that false fault detection tests may be identified.
US08908044B2 Electronic device capable of detecting ultraviolent radiation and method thereof
An electronic device capable of detecting ultraviolent radiation and a method thereof are provided. The device includes a camera, a voltage-sensitive optical medium, a control switch, and a processor. When the electronic device enters an ultraviolent radiation detecting mode, the camera captures a first image. The processor controls the control switch to create an electrical potential across the optical medium and cause it to become darker after the camera captures the first image. The camera captures a second image after the control switch has allowed an electrical potential for a first preset time interval. The processor acquires reads the respective brightness of the first image and the second image, determines any difference, and determines and outputs the level of intensity of the ultraviolent radiation intensity by reference to a table of differences.
US08908042B2 Monitoring camera system, video recording apparatus and video recording method
A video recording method includes: detecting an intrusion of a person into a predetermined monitoring area based on the video information from the monitoring camera; recording the intrusion time when the intrusion of the person into the monitoring area is detected; detecting a left-behind object after the person has passed through the monitoring area based on the video information from the monitoring camera; generating alarm information in response to the detection of the left-behind object; overwriting so as to record the video information by every given amount of information until the alarm information is received. The method further includes receiving and recording, of the video information recorded in the first video recording step, video information from the intrusion time of the person to a time corresponding to the alarm information in accordance with the intrusion time of the person in a case in which the alarm information is generated.
US08908040B2 Imaging system for vehicle
An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor having four photosensing pixels of a sub-array, with one of (a) a red-light transmitting spectral filter disposed at a first photosensing pixel whereby the first pixel of each sub-array primarily senses red visible light and with an IR transmitting spectral filter disposed at the fourth photosensing pixel whereby the fourth pixel of each sub-array primarily senses infrared radiation, and (b) a red-light transmitting spectral filter disposed at a first photosensing pixel whereby the first pixel of each sub-array primarily senses red visible light and with an IR transmitting spectral filter disposed at a third photosensing pixel whereby the third pixel of each sub-array primarily senses infrared radiation. An image processor processes the output of each sub-array to determine at least one of an infrared component of the imaged scene and a visible light component of the imaged scene.
US08908034B2 Surveillance systems and methods to monitor, recognize, track objects and unusual activities in real time within user defined boundaries in an area
A surveillance system and method that utilize computer vision technology and background subtraction to monitor, recognize, and track objects or unusual activities within user specified boundaries. The system and method comprises at least one camera and at least one computer with a software program showing one or multiple windows of camera's field of views in real time. The program allows users to define one or multiple boundaries within any window. The program further utilizes background subtraction technique to establish normal “home-position” of objects within defined boundaries. The program compares current image of the objects against the normal “home-position” to determine/calculate the difference of pixel intensity values. If the difference is beyond the predetermine threshold, the program will flag the movement of the object and give off alert.
US08908032B2 Surveillance camera
Surveillance camera comprising a camera housing and a transparent view port cover, the camera housing including a top surface and a side surface, the side surface is extending along the periphery of the top surface is connected to the top surface, the transparent view port cover is asymmetrically arranged on the camera housing, is arranged to cover an opening in the camera housing, is curved, and is protruding over the top surface of the camera housing.
US08908031B2 Apparatus and method for measuring moisture content in steam flow
An apparatus and method for estimating moisture content in a steam flow through a steam turbine is disclosed. At least a portion of a steam flow path through a turbine is illuminated using at least one laser assembly, and a plurality of digital images of the illuminated portion of the steam flow are obtained. The digital images are analyzed to measure an amount of light scattered in each digital image, and this analysis of each digital image is compared to estimate moisture content of the steam flow.
US08908028B2 Calibration method for a measuring system
According to the invention, the calibration measuring cycle is divided into several, particularly a plurality of partial cycles, with which one or more of the calibration measurements are associated. While maintaining the cycle, the partial cycles are now carried out in one of the positioning pauses such that the calibration measuring cycle is distributed over several, in particular a plurality of, positioning pauses and is integrated into the flow of the industrial process without interfering with the same.
US08908025B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
Provided is an image processing apparatus, including: a receiver to receive an all-in-focus image, which is generated through selecting, from focus face images, representative divided images being best-focused images among images in divided regions forming the focus face images, for each of the focus face images correspondingly to the divided regions, the focus face images being obtained through imaging an object at focus positions, and information about the focus positions of the focus face images including the representative divided images; and a predicted-image generator to generate a blur-compensation predicted image corresponding to each of the focus face images through performing a blur-compensation prediction using a blur function with respect to each of the representative divided images based on the information about the focus positions of the focus face images including the representative divided images, the information being received by the receiving means.
US08908024B2 System for detecting an item within a specified zone
The disclosure reveals a system for detecting one or more persons in a specified zone. A determination is whether there is a person in the zone. A presence determination module may indicate from a current image of the zone compared with a reference image of the zone, whether there is a person in or not in the zone. An illumination controller may assure that the zone is sufficiently illuminated for a current image sufficient for comparison with the reference image to determine a possible presence of a person in the zone. The illumination may be infrared. The system may be used to assure appropriate and adequate face velocity at a fume hood having the presence of a person and having minimal face velocity in the absence of a person at the fume hood.
US08908023B2 Method and device for the recording of body movements
The invention relates to a method for recording the position, location or movement of a body part of a patient and a device for recording the position, location or movement of a body part or a medical instrument. According to the invention, a graphic marker is connected with the body part or the instrument and an image of the body comprising the graphic marker is generated by an image recording camera. The image is processed by a processor device as an image file. The invention is characterized in that at least one geometric size characteristic of the graphic marker is known, wherein the processor device determines the position, location and/or movement of the graphic marker in the three-dimensional space and in quantitative manner relative to the image recording camera by means of the known size characteristic. The invention offers, without the need of manual calibration of the measuring system, a substantial automatization and a high measuring precision during the determination of position and movement in the three-dimensional space. Simultaneously, the expenditure on equipment can be reduced and the reaction to the object or body part to be measured or to the patient can be minimized.
US08908022B2 Imaging apparatus
An endoscope system according to the present invention includes: a CMOS imaging element; a timing generator and an AFE unit that are provided on a board connected to a light receiving unit and reads pixel information by causing the pixel information to be output from a pixel designated as a target to be read in the CMOS imaging element; a control circuit that is provided on the board and controls a pixel information output process by a light receiving unit and a pixel information reading process by the timing generator and the AFE unit; and an abnormality determining unit that determines whether there is an abnormality in the pixel information read by the timing generator and the AFE unit and outputs, to the control circuit, a notification signal for causing the control circuit to execute control on an occurrence of the abnormality.
US08908020B2 Dynamic anaglyph design apparatus
A printed dynamic anaglyph design apparatus is provided having a source of left eye information and right eye information, a memory data regarding colorant characteristics and a processor. The processor determines a colorant type map. At least one mutable colorant and at least one non-mutable colorant are selected for a colorant type map so that the printed dynamic anaglyph image has a first appearance state in which the at least one mutable colorant is in the first colorant state and is color matched to at least one of a left eye information and a right eye information and so that when the image is exposed to an external stimulus the mutable colorant changes color to provide a second appearance state having a color in a difference region that spectrally overlaps a spectral filter in one eye of a pair of stereo color glasses.
US08908011B2 Three-dimensional video creating device and three-dimensional video creating method
A three-dimensional video creating device (100) includes: a selection unit (123) which selects, from among frames constituting the 2D video, frames each of which has a common area whose proportion to the frame is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, as candidate three-dimensional partner frames that are candidate frames each constituting a three-dimensional image together with a target frame included in the frames constituting the 2D video; a determination unit (124) which determines, from among the candidate three-dimensional partner frames, a three-dimensional partner frame, based on the first criteria; and a three-dimensional pair creation unit (125) which creates a three-dimensional pair constituting the three-dimensional image corresponding to the target frame, using the target frame and the three-dimensional partner frame.
US08908010B2 Method for processing video input by detecting if picture of one view is correctly paired with another picture of another view for specific presentation time and related processing apparatus thereof
A method of processing a video input, having a first video bitstream transmitting pictures of a first view and a second video bitstream transmitting pictures of a second view, includes: checking the video input to detect if a first picture of one of the first and second views is correctly paired with a second picture of the other of the first and second views for specific presentation time; and referring to a detecting result for selectively performing a predetermined processing operation upon the video input. The video input transmits the second picture while transmitting the first picture. When the detecting result indicates that the first picture is not correctly paired with the second picture for the specific presentation time, both of the first picture and the second picture are skipped, and previous pictures that are correctly paired with each other for the specific presentation time is repeated.
US08908007B2 Transmission device and transmission method
A transmission device includes an image capturing part that captures a subject and generates a plurality of temporally successive frame images, an analyzer that analyzes a size of a motion of the subject by use of at least two or more of the frame images, a viewing condition receiver that receives viewing conditions from a reception device, and a network bandwidth measurement part that measures a congestion degree of a network. The transmission device further includes a controller that controls a data volume of the plurality of frame images based on the size of the motion of the subject, the viewing conditions, and the congestion degree of the network, to determine a predetermined parameter for encoding, an encoder that encodes the plurality of frame images based on the predetermined parameter, and a transmitter that transmits the plurality of encoded frame images.
US08908006B2 Method, terminal and system for caption transmission in telepresence
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, terminal and system for caption transmission for telepresence, relating to the field of telepresence technologies and solving the problem that caption display on each display terminal cannot be coordinated in the prior art. Some embodiments include acquiring entire caption content and attribute information corresponding to the caption content; determining, according to the entire caption content and the attribute information corresponding to the caption content, caption content to be displayed on each display terminal and a display timing; and transmitting the determined caption content to each corresponding display terminal according to the display timing so that each display terminal superposes the determined caption content to an image.
US08908004B2 Flattened light reflection for telepresence
Embodiments include a telepresence system operative to carry out a teleconference, a lighting arrangement for a telepresence system operative to carry out a teleconference, and a planar panel having a reflective front surface that includes indentations having variable depth operative such that that when the reflective surface is illuminated by a light source, light is directed towards one or more participants in a telepresence system that is operative to carry out a teleconference.
US08908002B1 Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus therewith
An optical scanning device has a light deflector deflecting a light beam from a light source, a synchronization detection sensor determining timing of starting scanning in main scanning direction based on timing of detecting the light beam scanned in main scanning direction by the light deflector, and a pre-sensor imaging optical system imaging the light beam reflected from the light deflector on the synchronization detection sensor. The pre-sensor imaging optical system moves the imaging position of the light beam on the synchronization detection sensor in a direction making the timing of detecting the light beam earlier or later according to whether variation in temperature causes the magnification of the scanning optical system in main scanning direction to increase or decrease respectively.
US08907998B2 Apparatus and methods for ink-based digital printing using imaging plate having regular textured surface for reduced pullback
An ink-based digital printing apparatus includes an imaging member having a surface layer with regular texture. The regular texture includes an array of microstructures such as cavities. Methods include forming the imaging member textured surface using photolithography and molding processes.
US08907997B1 Tape printer
A tape printer includes a cassette mounting portion, a cutting mechanism, a discharge outlet, a guide surface, a first projecting portion, and a second projecting portion. The cutting mechanism is a hinged type of cutting mechanism, and the hinge of the cutting mechanism is positioned in a side of the tape in a width direction. The guide surface guides the label toward the discharge outlet. The first projecting portion is provided in an area covered by a first projected image that is an image of a minimum width tape projected onto the guide surface, being projected in a position to which the minimum width tape has been conveyed toward the discharge outlet by a minimum length of the label. The second projecting portion is provided within the guide surface to the outside of the first projected image and on the opposite side of the first projected image from the hinge.
US08907995B2 Duplex thermal printing system with turning mechanism
A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system, comprising a supply roll of receiver media, a printing path, a turning mechanism, a diverter and a cutter positioned between the printing path and the turning mechanism. When the diverter is in the first position thermal imaging receiver is directed from the supply roll into the printing path, and when the diverter is in the second position the thermal imaging receiver is directed from the printing path into the turning mechanism. During a printing operation, the diverter is positioned in the first position and the receiver media is fed into the printing path where a first side image is printed. The diverter is then repositioned the receiver media is fed into the turning mechanism after being cut. The receiver media is fed back into the printing path where a second side image is printed.
US08907993B2 Display device including a data selector circuit
A display device includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a gate circuit, a driver, and a data selector circuit that includes a plurality of switch groups each of which has a time division switch and a timing adjustment switch that are connected in parallel. The data selector circuit outputs output signals from the driver, which have different polarities every one or more data lines of the plurality of data lines, to the respective data lines. Each of the time division switches and the timing adjustment switches is an NMOS transistor. The driver turns on the timing adjustment switches connected to the data lines to which positive output signals are output from the driver, earlier than the time division switches connected to the data lines to which negative output signals are output from the driver, by a predetermined period.
US08907992B2 Overdriving value generating method
An overdriving value generating method adapted to a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The overdriving value generating method includes the following steps. A current gray value and a previous gray value are received. A first gray reference value and a second gray reference value closed to the current gray value, and a first previous gray reference value and a second previous gray reference value closed to the previous gray value, and four first overdriving values are obtained according a look-up table (LUT). A target overdriving value corresponding to the current gray value and the previous gray value is obtained through a four dots interpolation operation or a parallelogram interpolation operation according to the current gray value, the previous gray value, the first gray reference value, the second gray reference value, the first previous gray reference value, the second previous gray reference value, and the first overdriving values.
US08907990B2 Display system, display method, program, and recording medium
The multi-window system includes: a main storage unit storing display data including a display frame and a display element, a standard display frame size, and a standard text size; a display area size obtaining unit obtaining a display area size; a text size setting unit determining a text size for correcting the standard text size, based on the display area size with reference to the standard display frame size, and setting the text size to the display data as the actual text size of the text to be added to the display element; and a drawing unit generating, using the display data, the image data of the display frame and the display element added with the text having the text size, and displaying the image data in the display area by storing the image data in a display data storage unit different from the main storage unit.
US08907987B2 System and method for downsizing video data for memory bandwidth optimization
The video output system in a computer system reads pixel information from a frame buffer to generate a video output signal. In addition, full-motion video may also be displayed in a window defined in the frame buffer. If the native resolution of the full-motion video is larger than the window defined in said frame buffer then valuable memory space and memory bandwidth is being wasted by writing said larger full-motion video in a memory system (and later reading it back) when some data from the full-motion video will be discarded. Thus, a video pre-processor is disclosed to reduce the size of the full-motion video before that full-motion video is written into a memory system. The video pre-processor will scale the full-motion video down to a size no larger than the window defined in the frame buffer.
US08907986B2 System and method of switching between multiple viewing modes in multi-head computer system
The present technique provides a system and method for automatically switching a computer system between multiple display profiles in response to a system event, such as a hardware event. The present technique detects the system event, identifies the hardware configuration of the computer system, and automatically reconfigures the computer system to accommodate the hardware configuration in real-time. The system event may be a physical rotation of a display between landscape and portrait orientations or between viewing and writing orientations. The system event also may be a physical docking or undocking of a first computing device with a second device in a variety of mounting positions. Any suitable sensor, switch, or hardware/software detection mechanism may be used for the foregoing event detection.
US08907983B2 System and method for transitioning between interface modes in virtual and augmented reality applications
One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a method for transitioning a user interface between viewing modes. The method of the preferred embodiment can include detecting an orientation of a mobile terminal including a user interface disposed on a first side of the mobile terminal, wherein the orientation of the mobile terminal includes an imaginary vector originating at a second side of the mobile terminal and projecting in a direction substantially opposite the first side of the mobile terminal. The method of the preferred embodiment can also include transitioning between at least two viewing modes in response to the imaginary vector intersecting an imaginary sphere disposed about the mobile terminal at a first latitudinal point having a predetermined relationship to a critical latitude of the sphere.
US08907982B2 Mobile device for augmented reality applications
The mobile device includes a visual input device, for capturing external visual information having real visual background information, and a processing device. The processing device is for associating a selected application with the external visual information, and for executing the selected application based on the external visual information and on user-related input information. The processing device for generating a visual output signal related to at least one virtual visual object in response to the application is further configured to provide the visual output signal to a projector device included within the mobile device such that the projector device will be configured to project said visual output signal related to the at least one virtual visual object onto the visual background, thereby modifying said external visual information.
US08907981B2 Method and system for dynamic composing and creating 3D virtual devices
The present invention describes a method and system for governing a physical device or application service in a real world through a virtual device in a virtual world. The physical device or application service registers at least one virtual adaptor of the physical device or application service to a virtual device broker. A user creates or composes the virtual device with the at least one virtual adaptor in the virtual device broker. The user commands to the virtual device through a user interface of the virtual device. The at least one virtual adaptor in the virtual device translates the command to a controlling signal to the physical device or application service. The controlling signal operates the physical device or application service according to the command to the virtual device.
US08907980B2 Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations
Manual, semi-automated or automated image-based electronic manifests of locate operations. Image layers may be selectively enabled or disabled for display to facilitate viewing of base images and/or categories of information overlaid on the base image(s) relating to the locate operation. Accuracy indicators and/or calibration factors may be employed to ensure geographic integrity and appropriate registration of displayed information. Revision layers may be employed so that “raw” data, modified data, and/or annotated images may be maintained and locked to prevent unauthorized modifications. Limited access files may be employed to prevent unauthorized edits or use. Base images may be sketched manually with a drawing tool, and/or edge-detection and other image processing algorithms may be employed to improve feature recognition and/or remove undesirable features. Safeguards are employed to ensure that manifests are created at or near the work site, and information in the manifests may be analyzed to assess labor/material costs.
US08907978B2 Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations
A bare grid is displayed on a display device. At least one digital representation of at least one physical locate mark is added to the displayed grid to generate a marked-up grid. The physical locate mark(s) include(s) non-white paint and/or a non-white flag, and is/are applied during a locate operation performed after generation of and pursuant to a locate request ticket relating to a dig area that is planned to be excavated or disturbed during prospective excavation activities. The locate operation comprises providing at least one visible warning to an excavator performing the prospective excavation activities, using the physical locate mark(s), of a presence or an affirmative absence of at least one underground facility at the dig area specified in the locate request ticket. Information relating to the marked-up grid is electronically stored and/or transmitted so as to generate a searchable electronic record of the locate operation.
US08907975B1 Sampled digital video communication system and method
Digital video communication system and method facilitate conservation of communication bandwidth are presented. A present invention method forwards sampled chrominance data to other components in the system. Pixel chrominance values are sampled in accordance with the sampling scheme. The sampled chrominance values (e.g., 422, 420, 411, etc.) are forwarded to another component. For example, a graphics processing unit performs sampling operations and forwards the chrominance sampled information to another component (e.g., a board, a display, etc.). The graphics processing unit can also perform color space conversion before forwarding the chrominance sampled information to the other component. The other component performs up-sampling. For example, a display can perform the up-sampling to generate synthesized full RGB values. The sampled chrominance data can be further compressed (e.g., MPEG, WMV, etc.) before forwarding the sampled chrominance data and before performing the up-sampling.
US08907973B2 Content adaptive image restoration, scaling and enhancement for high definition display
An image processor includes generates a content adaptive kernel from an image block with noise of a luminance component signal with a low resolution. The content adaptive kernel is convolved with the luminance component signal. A noise signal and an extracted texture which excludes noise are generated. The luminance component signal is filtered as function of the noise signal to generate an enhanced luminance component signal. Horizontal and vertical scaling is performed on the enhanced luminance component signal, the extracted texture, and the luminance component signal, with the luminance component signal adaptively scaled as a function of the extracted texture. The horizontally and vertically scaled enhanced luminance component signal, extracted texture and luminance component signal are then combined to generate an output luminance component signal with a high resolution.
US08907969B2 Partially resident textures
A method, computer program product, and system are provided for processing a graphics operation. For instance, the method can include partitioning a texture and associated mipmaps into memory tiles, where the memory tiles are associated with a virtual memory system. The method can also include mapping a first subset of the memory tiles to respective address spaces in a physical memory system. Further, the method can include accessing the physical memory system during a rendering process of a graphics scene associated with the first subset of memory tiles. In the instance when the graphics scene requires one or more memory tiles outside of the first subset of memory tiles, the method can also include mapping a second subset of memory tiles to respective address spaces in the physical memory system.
US08907965B2 Clipping a known range of integer values using desired ceiling and floor values
An aspect of the present invention clips a sequence of data values within a known range (defined by a set of integer values) by a ceiling value and a floor value. In an embodiment, such a feature is obtained by first storing in each of a sequence of memory locations a respective value corresponding to each integer value, with a stored value in a memory location equaling the floor value if the memory location corresponds to an integer having a value less than the floor value, equaling the ceiling value if the memory location corresponds to an integer having a value greater than the ceiling value, and equaling the value of the corresponding integer otherwise. When a sequence of data values are thereafter received for clipping, the clipped value for each data value is obtained by merely retrieving a corresponding stored value from the corresponding location.
US08907964B2 System and method for dynamically reconfiguring a vertex cache
A system to process a plurality of vertices to model an object. An embodiment of the system includes a processor, a front end unit coupled to the processor, and cache configuration logic coupled to the front end unit and the processor. The processor is configured to process the plurality of vertices. The front end unit is configured to communicate vertex data to the processor. The cache configuration logic is configured to establish a cache line size of a vertex cache based on a vertex size of a drawing command.
US08907960B2 Computer, monitor and computer display method
A computer, monitor and a display method of the computer are provided. The computer includes a display card with a graphics processing unit (GPU) and a display memory used to receive the data to be displayed, process the data to be displayed and output the processed data to be displayed on the monitor; a power management module is used to manage the power supply status of the GPU and the display memory; a central processing unit (CPU) used to control the display card to enter power saving mode through the power management module when the predetermined conditions are met, make the GPU in a non-power-supply status and the display memory in a power-supply status.
US08907959B2 Method for performing video display control within a video display system, and associated video processing circuit and video display system
A method for performing video processing within a video display system includes: detecting whether dropping at least one frame is required; and when it is detected that dropping the at least one frame is required, removing at least one flip command from a command queue and selectively removing at least one video processing command from the command queue. An associated video processing circuit and an associated video display system are also provided. In particular, the video processing circuit is positioned within the video display system, where the video processing circuit includes a hardware module and a controller, and the controller operates according to the method.
US08907956B2 Line stroking method and system
A method for generating an outline for a stroked line of specified width from an input line (601) defined by a vector having two input points (P0, P1) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: determining an offset vector based on the vector, the offset vector having components [Xoff, Yoff]; determining a first set of two pairs of points (L1, L2 and R1, R2) based on the offset vector applied to the two input points (P0, P1); and determining a second set of two pairs of points (L0, L3 and R0, R3) based on the first set of points (L1, L2 and R1, R2). The second set of two pairs of points (L0, L3 and R0, R3) defines at least a portion of the outline and one of the components of the offset vector [Xoff, Yoff] is independent of the inclination of the vector and the specified width.
US08907952B2 Reparametrized bull's eye plots
The invention relates to a system for visualizing, in a first bull's eye plot, results of a first quantitative analysis of an object represented in first image data, in particular for cardiac analysis. The first image data comprises a first plurality of data slices, and the system comprises a slice unit for associating a data slice of the first plurality of data slices with a concentric ring of the first bull's eye plot, a radius unit for computing the length of a radius of the concentric ring of the first bull's eye plot, and a value unit for computing at least one value for displaying in the concentric ring of the first bull's eye plot, on the basis of the data slice associated with the concentric ring of the first bull's eye plot, and wherein the length of the radius of the concentric ring of the first bull's eye plot is defined on the basis of the position of the data slice, of the first plurality of data slices, associated with the concentric ring of the first bull's eye plot, with respect to the object. The dependence of the first bull's eye plot concentric ring radius on the position of the data slice associated with said concentric ring of the first bull's eye plot, with respect to the object, defines an objective framework for the first bull's eye plot, based on the geometry of the object. Thus, the results of the first quantitative analysis of the object visualized in the first bull's eye plot can be more easily compared with results of a second quantitative analysis of the same object represented in second image data visualized in a second bull's eye plot, when the length of the radiuses of the concentric rings of the second bull's eye plot are also defined on the basis of the positions of the data slices associated with said concentric rings of a second first bull's eye plot, with respect to the object. In an embodiment, the corresponding locations in each bull's eye plot may be indicated by couples pointers. In addition, further pointers, each pointer coupled to the respective pointer in one of the bull's eye plots, may be adapted for pointing at corresponding locations in the corresponding data slices of the first and second image data.
US08907951B2 Method, system and computer-readable medium for providing a user interface for predicting the physical attributes of a proposed well
A user interface for predicting the physical attributes of a proposed well by displaying an offset formation top graph for at least one offset well and a proposed formation top graph for the proposed well; mapping one or more portions of the offset formation top graph to one or more portions of the proposed formation top graph; normalizing physical attribute data associated with each mapped portion of the offset formation top graph to the associated mapped portion of the proposed formation top graph; displaying a normalized physical attribute graph of the normalized physical attribute data associated with each mapped portion of the offset formation top graph; selecting one or more portions of the normalized physical attribute graph; and determining the physical attribute data for the proposed well as the selected portions of the normalized physical attribute graph.
US08907949B2 Image display apparatus, method and program
A projection image is generated from a three-dimensional image by projecting an observation target in a predetermined projection direction. The generated projection image is displayed at a center of a display screen of a display device. A region extending in the predetermined projection direction from a central part of the display screen is set as set region, and at least a part of an overlapped region between the set region, which has been set, and the observation target is determined, as rotation center candidate region. Center of rotation is determined in the determined rotation center candidate region or in the vicinity thereof.
US08907947B2 Method and system for navigating in a product structure of a product
The invention is directed to a method for navigating in a product structure of a product, the product comprising a set of three-dimensional modeled objects. The method comprises: (a) displaying a three-dimensional graphical representation of the product; (b) selecting a three-dimensional modeled object of the product; and (c) displaying a graphical representation of a number of levels of a hierarchy of the product structure of the product. The number of levels is determined according to levels identified in a simple path in the hierarchy of the product structure between the selected three-dimensional modeled object and a highest level of the hierarchy. The method selects a level among levels identified in the simple path in the hierarchy of the product structure of the product; and finds, in the set of three-dimensional modeled objects, a second set of three-dimensional modeled objects according to the selected level of the hierarchy. Display of the found second set of three-dimensional modeled objects is then emphasized in the screen view (i.e., user interface).
US08907938B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device which can suppress generation of a locally luminous part where a dark line disappears. The display device includes: a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, wherein one of the pair of substrates includes a pair of electrodes in pixel. At least one of the electrodes may include a comb-tooth portion. A first comb-tooth portion of one of the pair of electrodes and a second comb-tooth portion of the other one of the pair of electrodes may be disposed to face each other. The distance between the pair of electrodes in a transverse direction of the comb-tooth portions of the pair of electrodes is at most 10 μm in example embodiments, and a rotational viscosity of the p-type nematic liquid crystals may be at least 130 mPa·s.
US08907937B2 Display apparatus and method for notifying user of state of external device
A display apparatus for displaying the state of an external device and a method thereof are provided. According to the present invention, messages indicating the connection state, the power state and the sleep mode of the external device are displayed on a screen of the display apparatus to which a USB is applied. Therefore, the state of an external device which inputs a video signal to the display apparatus, may be shown on the screen, and thus a user can easily know the state of the external device.
US08907932B2 Systems and methods for assessing the authenticity of dynamic handwritten signature
A system includes an electronic pen, functionally integrated with a personal computer for the acquisition and processing of signals associated with signatures, which can be network connected together with other personal computers. Each personal computer has connected as peripherals an electronic pen that includes two groups of inertial accelerometers that capture kinetic data and data about contact microvibrations with the writing support. The electronic pen also includes one self-referential optical navigation sensor that captures a series of data pairs, as momentary movements necessary in the reconstruction of the trajectory of the electronic pen and which, together with the kinetic data captured by the set of inertial accelerometers, represents personal computer input data for sensorial fusion processing and for creating the conditions to extract the information from the sensorial and psychomotric representation of a user's perspective.
US08907931B2 Electronic terminal, input correction method, and program
An information processing apparatus that includes a first sensor that receives a first type of signal; second and third sensors that receive a second type of signal; a control unit that calculates a position of a source from which a signal of the first type and a signal of the second type are transmitted based on a first time at which the signal of the first type is received at the first sensor, a second time at which the signal of the second type is received at the second sensor and a third time at which the signal of the second type is received at the third sensor; and a display that displays an image corresponding to a path obtained based on changes in position of the source calculated by the control unit.
US08907929B2 Touchless sensing and gesture recognition using continuous wave ultrasound signals
The embodiments provide systems and methods for touchless sensing and gesture recognition using continuous wave sound signals. Continuous wave sound, such as ultrasound, emitted by a transmitter may reflect from an object, and be received by one or more sound receivers. Sound signals may be temporally encoded. Received sound signals may be processed to determine a channel impulse response or calculate time of flight. Determined channel impulse responses may be processed to extract recognizable features or angles. Extracted features may be compared to a database of features to identify a user input gesture associated with the matched feature. Angles of channel impulse response curves may be associated with an input gesture. Time of flight values from each receiver may be used to determine coordinates of the reflecting object. Embodiments may be implemented as part of a graphical user interface. Embodiments may be used to determine a location of an emitter.
US08907924B2 Information detection display
An information detection device includes: a plurality of light sensing units each configured to detect light; a plurality of sensor scanning drivers each configured to apply sensor scanning signals to the light sensing units; a sensing signal processor configured to receive position information detected by the light sensing units; a plurality of bias applying units each configured to apply bias voltages to the light sensing units; wherein each bias applying unit applies a different polarity of bias voltage.
US08907920B2 Complex sensing electrode structure applied to a touch panel
A complex sensing electrode structure applied to a touch panel includes a first conductive unit and a second conductive unit. The first conductive unit includes a plurality of first stripped conductive layers disposed on the transparent substrate and separated from each other by a predetermined distance. The second conductive unit includes a plurality of second stripped conductive layers disposed on the transparent substrate to respectively cover the first stripped conductive layers, and the conductive material used by the first stripped conductive layer and the conductive material used by the second stripped conductive layer are different. Hence, the manufacturing cost and the conductibility of the complex sensing electrode structure can be decreased effectively.
US08907919B2 Sensing structure of touch panel
The present invention relates to a sensing structure of touch panel, which comprises a plurality of first electrode groups are located on a first side of a substrate. The bottom of each first electrode is located on the first side and extends towards a second side. A plurality of extended electrode groups are connected to the plurality of first electrode groups, respectively. The bottom of each extended electrode is located on the second side and extends towards the first side. The plurality of second electrode groups are located on the substrate. A first sub-electrode of each second electrode is interleaved with and insulated electrically from each extended electrode. The plurality of third electrode groups are located on the substrate and have a plurality of third electrodes. A first sub-electrode of the third electrode is interleaved with and insulated electrically from the second sub-electrode of the second electrode.
US08907913B2 Backscatter stylus for use with touchscreen
A stylus touch sensor and an inexpensive, battery free, wireless backscatter stylus, the stylus touch sensor including a host radio frequency (RF) antenna for generating a magnetic field, an electrode grid for detecting finger touches, and a stylus reader circuit for detecting a signal from a backscatter stylus, and the backscatter stylus having a first circuit for using the magnetic field to generate an electrical current for powering the backscatter stylus, and a second circuit for generating a backscatter signal that is detectable by the stylus reader circuit.
US08907911B2 Capacitive touch control sensor
The present disclosure provides a capacitive touch control sensor, comprising a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of first electrode wires, a plurality of second electrodes and a plurality of second electrode wires. The first and second electrodes are aligned at predetermined gaps. Each of the first electrode wires connects to one of the first electrode. Each of the second electrode wires connects to more than one of the second electrodes in a same column. Each of the plurality of second electrodes encloses one of the first electrodes by preset separation.
US08907909B2 Dynamic modular control system
A modular control system including a plurality of individual touch screen devices, each touch screen device including a display unit, a touch input, a computing device, a network connection, and a programming logic for controlling a remote system and displaying a status of the remote system on the touch screen device, the remote system having network connectivity to enable the remote system to exchange information with and respond to instructions from the touch screen devices, the touch screen devices configured for automatic self-synchronization based on a status of the remote system or a status of at least one of the touch screen devices.
US08907907B2 Display device with touch panel, event switching control method, and computer-readable storage medium
A display device includes a touch panel; a coordinate detecting unit configured to detect coordinates on a display surface of the touch panel; a special pen detecting unit configured to detect that a special pen comes into physical contact with the display surface; a timer unit configured to measure time having elapsed from when the coordinate detecting unit detects the coordinates; and an event issuing unit configured to issue a first event when the special pen detecting unit detects the special pen coming into contact with the display surface, and issue a second event when the time having elapsed measured by the timer unit exceeds a predetermined time Δt while the special pen detecting unit is not detecting the special pen coming into contact with the display surface.
US08907903B2 Handing control of an object from one touch input to another touch input
A method for switching control of object is provided including displaying an object on a screen, controlling movement of the object in response to a first touch input, detecting a request for switching control of the object from the first touch input to a second touch input, determining whether a location of the first touch input and a location of the second touch input are within a merge area and switching control of the object from the first touch input to the second touch input in response to the location of the first touch input and the location of the second touch input being within the merge area.
US08907902B2 Electronic device capable of controlling LED backlight modules and method thereof
A method for controlling light-emitting diode (LED) backlight modules applied in an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first display and a second display. The second display includes at least two display areas. Each display area corresponds to one LED backlight module, and each display area displays option icons of an option type. The method includes: determining the file type of a file currently displayed on the first display and determining which of the option types the determined file type corresponds to; determining which of the at least two LED backlight modules the at least one determine option type corresponds to; and outputting control signals to turn on at least one of the determined LED backlight modules. A related electronic device is also provided.
US08907894B2 Touchless pointing device
A touchless input device for a computer replaces a computer mouse and does not require physical contact between the user-operator and any part of the input device. The touchless input device uses multiple, linear near infrared, optical sensors and multiple near infrared light emitters working in a plane in space, all held inside a frame with an opening that defines the detection region. The device images the plane and processes the images to determine the presence, location and velocity of objects in the plane. The operator introduces an object, such as a finger, into the plane and moves the object in the plane to emulate the motion of a computer mouse across a desktop. Mouse buttons and other functions are emulated by unique motions in the plane. The device communicates these motions and events to the computer typically using a Universal Serial Bus.
US08907889B2 Handheld vision based absolute pointing system
A method is described that involves identifying one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. Each marker is positioned on or proximate to a display. The images appear on a pixilated sensor within a handheld device. The method also involves determining a location on, or proximate to, the display where the handheld device was pointed during the identifying. The method also involves sending from the handheld device information derived from the identifying of the one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. The method also involves triggering action taken by electronic equipment circuitry in response to the handheld device's sending of a signal to indicate the action is desired.
US08907886B2 Advanced navigation techniques for portable devices
The present invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates navigating smoothly and gracefully through any type of content viewable on portable devices such as cell-phones, PDAs, and/or any other hybrids thereof. In addition, such navigation can be performed while preserving perspective and context with respect to a larger amount of content. Pointing devices can also be used to navigate through content—the amount or detail of the content being dependant on the speed of the pointing device. Additionally, a semi-transparent overview of content can be overlaid a zoomed-in portion of content to provide perspective to the zoomed in portion. Content shown in the semi-transparent overview can depend on the location of the pointing device with respect to the content.
US08907885B2 Backlight control apparatus and associated method
A backlight control apparatus is provided. The apparatus controls a backlight module of a liquid crystal display for displaying three-dimensional stereo images. The apparatus includes an image update progress detector and a backlight control signal generator. The image update progress detector detects an update progress of an image signal to generate an update progress signal. The backlight control signal generator generates a plurality of backlight control signals according to the update progress signal to respectively control backlight turn on/off time points of a plurality of backlight areas of the backlight module.
US08907881B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
In the liquid crystal display device, image signals are concurrently supplied to pixels provided in a plurality of rows among pixels arranged in matrix in a pixel portion where input of image signals is controlled by transistors including polycrystalline semiconductors or single crystal semiconductors in channel formation regions. Thus, the image quality of the liquid crystal display device can be improved.
US08907879B2 Method for driving liquid crystal display device
In a period Tin, p-th input image data (p is a positive integer) and (p+1)th input image data are input to a liquid crystal display device. In a period T, i-th original image data (i is a positive integer) and (i+1)th original image data are generated based on the input image data. J number of sub-images (J is an integer equal to or more than 3) are generated based on the i-th original image data. In the period T, the J number of sub-images are sequentially displayed. At least one of the i-th original image data and the (i+1)th original image data is in an intermediate state between the p-th input image data and the (p+1)th input image data. Each of the sub-images exhibits one of first brightness and second brightness. At least one sub-image among the J number of sub-images is different from the other sub-images.
US08907878B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for displaying fonts on liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device has pixels containing first to fourth subpixels (“SPs”) having four different colors, respectively, arranged in a two-by-two matrix. In displaying a font on a pixel composed of three SPs having three different colors, respectively, arranged in three columns of stripes, the SP in the first column of stripes takes on a tone Tx, the SP in the second column of stripes takes on a tone Ty, and the SP in the third column of stripes takes on a tone Tz. Each of the first and fourth SPs takes on a tone which is obtained by performing rounding on (Tx×⅔)+(Ty×⅓)=p and that each of the second and third SPs takes on a tone which is obtained by performing rounding on (Ty×⅓)+(Tz×⅔)=v.
US08907874B2 Display apparatus
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus has a pixel array section including: pixel circuits which are each provided with a driving transistor and an electro-optical device and are laid out to form a matrix; and a draw wire provided in each of the pixel circuits to serve as a wire connecting the driving transistor to a power-supply providing line, wherein the resistance of the draw wire is relatively large in the pixel circuit close to a source applying a power-supply voltage to the power-supply providing line.
US08907872B2 Data driver and method of driving organic light emitting display using the same
A data driver includes a holding latch unit including a plurality of holding latches that store data, a signal generator including a plurality of digital-analog converters (DAC) for receiving the data to generate data signals, and a switching unit coupled between the signal generator and data lines to couple the plurality of DACs to the data lines or to commonly couple one of the plurality of DACs to the data lines.
US08907870B2 Pixel and organic light emitting display device using the pixel
A pixel includes an organic light emitting diode; a first transistor; a second transistor coupled to a data line and turned on when a scan signal is supplied to an ith scan line; a third transistor between the second transistor and a gate electrode of the first transistor and turned on when a scan signal is supplied to an i+1th scan line; a fourth transistor between the gate electrode of the first transistor and a reference power supply and turned on when the scan signal is supplied to the ith scan line; a fifth transistor between the organic light emitting diode and an initial power supply and turned on when a control signal is supplied; a first capacitor between the organic light emitting diode and a node between the second transistor and the third transistor; and a second capacitor between the node and the gate electrode of the first transistor.
US08907869B2 Organic light emitting display
An organic light emitting display is provided. In each circuit of pixels constituting a pixel unit, a transistor for providing an initialization voltage is arranged so that leakage current is reduced when the transistor is turned off. When the transistor is implemented as a dual gate transistor with a similar transistor from an adjacent pixel, layout space may be conserved.
US08907864B2 Folding multimedia display device
An apparatus comprising a processor having an electronic output. The apparatus also comprises a display that is configurable into a plurality of configurations and is electronically coupled to receive information from the processor. The display comprises a plurality of portions adapted to display an electronic image. At least two of the portions share a first axis and are movable about the first axis. The apparatus also comprises a memory. The memory stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to receive a first indication that the display has been configured into a first configuration. The instructions also direct the processor to determine that the first configuration corresponds to a first device. The instructions also direct the processor to display, on at least one of the plurality of portions of the display, an electronic image relating to the first device. The act of displaying is in response to the processor determining that the display has been configured into the first device.
US08907862B2 Apparatus and systems for mounting an electrical switching device
Described herein are mounting plates which facilitate securing of the electrical switching device to an object. The plate mounts to an object and is configured to secure one or more electrical switching devices. The mounting plate includes a planar surface having a plurality of first through holes configured to secure an electrical switching device to a first side of the planar surface. The mounting plate further includes a bracket attached to a second side of the planar surface configured to secure the mounting plate to another object.
US08907857B2 Compact multi-antenna and multi-antenna system
A compact multi-antenna, multi-antenna system, and wireless device comprising same are provided. The multi-antenna comprises first, second and third antennas. The second antenna contains the first antenna, and the third antenna contains at least part of the second antenna. The first antenna may be a slot-in-slot or other antenna, the second antenna may be a dipole, and the third antenna may be a dipole or monopole. The multi-antenna system comprises the multi-antenna plus first, second and third transmission systems operatively coupled thereto. The antennas of the multi-antenna and system may be concurrently operated, substantially independently, and may have mutually orthogonal polarizations. Particular antenna and system configurations are also disclosed.
US08907856B2 Antenna unit for wireless audio transmission
There is provided an antenna unit comprising a first metallic main surface (100, 500) for placement of the antenna unit on a substantially planar surface, a second main surface (200, 600), a first end and a second end. The first end has a first and a second metallic side surface (610, 620) and a connection (710) for a feed line of the antenna unit. The second end has a third side surface (630). The second main surface is smaller than the first main surface. The first, second and third side surfaces extend between the first and second main surfaces.
US08907855B2 Metal frame antenna for a display
A metal frame antenna includes a grounding part, a first antenna, and a second antenna. The metal frame antenna is assembled in a side of a display panel. The display panel is assembled with a metal backplane through the metal frame antenna. The assembly of a display having the metal frame antenna is easier. The volume of the display having the metal frame antenna is reduced. Moreover, the metal frame antenna having the first antenna and the second antenna is used as a multi-frequency antenna. The metal backplane is used for grounding. Therefore, the transmission efficiency of the metal frame antenna is better.
US08907852B2 Antennas for handheld electronic devices with conductive bezels
A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains wireless communications circuitry. The handheld electronic device may have a housing and a display. The display may be attached to the housing using a conductive bezel. The handheld electronic device may have one or more antennas for supporting wireless communications. A ground plane in the handheld electronic device may serve as ground for one or more of the antennas. The ground plane and bezel may define an opening. A rectangular slot antenna or other suitable slot antenna may be formed from or within the opening. One or more antenna resonating elements may be formed above the slot. An electrical switch that bridges the slot may be used to modify the perimeter of the slot so as to tune the communications bands of the handheld electronic device.
US08907848B2 Microstrip antenna and radar module
In a microstrip antenna in which a ground conductor is provided to be opposed to patch conductors, wedge shapes angled to intersect with an antenna polarization plane are provided at edges of the ground conductor in a repeated manner.
US08907843B2 Processing of satellite positioning system signals
A method of processing signals from a satellite positioning system, comprises receiving (50) recorded blocks of data samples of satellite broadcast, each block including one or more timestamps generated within a receiver at which the samples were recorded, and processing (52) the recorded blocks of data samples using a first set of processing parameters to identify satellite transmissions contained within the blocks. Based on the results of the processing (52), one of the blocks is selected (56,58). The selected block is processed (60) using a second set of processing parameters to derive at least position and satellite broadcast timing information. The timestamp of the selected block and the timing information obtained from the processing (60) of the selected block is used to assist in the processing (60) of the other blocks. The method associates timestamps with satellite data to improve the offline processing of the positioning data (for example by providing accurate relative timing information between data samples), and this can reduce the processing power and/or time to process the data.
US08907842B1 Method and apparatus for attenuating a transmitted feedthrough signal
A radar system includes a receiver that is capable of attenuating transmitter feedthrough in a receive signal. In some embodiments, a fixed frequency notch filter is used to attenuate feedthrough at an intermediate frequency (IF). In other embodiments, an electronically tunable notch filter is used. Phase compensation may be provided to correct for a phase shift of the notch filter.
US08907837B1 Device for controlling the display of a weather radar image on board an aircraft
The device for controlling the display of a radar image on board an aircraft, in particular a weather radar image, is suitable for performing at least one predetermined test on a radar echo in order to decide on a representation corresponding to the echo in a radar image display.
US08907834B2 Apparatus and methods for converting analog signal to N-bit digital data
An apparatus includes a sample holding circuit, a comparator, a digital-to-analog converter, a clock generator, a successive approximation logic circuit, and a background calibration circuit. The apparatus converts an analog signal into digital data based on an asynchronous clock signal. The clock signal follows the number of clocks in a converting operation section through a background calibration scheme.
US08907833B1 Low power high speed pipeline ADC
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for a time-interleaved pipeline analog to digital converter. An example pipeline analog to digital converter may include passive sampling circuits and a multiplying digital to analog converter circuit. A first passive sampling circuit includes an input terminal coupled to an analog input signal, and outputs a first sample voltage that is responsive to the analog input signal. A second passive sampling circuit includes an input terminal coupled to the analog input signal, and outputs a second sample voltage that is responsive to the analog input signal. The first and second passive sampling circuits are clocked such that the first sample voltage and the second sample voltage are time-interleaved. A multiplying analog to digital converter (MDAC) circuit receives the time-interleaved first and second sample voltages from the first and second passive sampling circuits and processes the time-interleaved first and second sample voltages to generate a residue output voltage.
US08907832B2 Polarity compensating dual-string digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and related circuits, systems, and methods
Polarity compensating dual-string digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and related circuits, systems, and methods are disclosed. In embodiments disclosed herein, a secondary voltage divider of a dual-string DAC includes a switch logic unit. The switch logic unit is configured to compensate for polarity changes in the dual-string DAC to maintain monotonicity. Monotonicity means an output voltage of a DAC either increases or stays constant for monotonically increasing functions or either decreases or stays constant for monotonically decreasing functions given an incremental change in a DAC input code. The switch logic unit is configured to compensate for polarity changes in the input voltage from the primary voltage divider to the secondary resistor string. The switch logic unit is configured to select a secondary switch among the plurality of secondary switches in a secondary voltage divider, to divide an input voltage based on a polarity indicator and a DAC input code, to maintain monotonicity.
US08907830B2 Digital-to-analog converter comprising slow converter section and fast converter section
A digital-to-analog converter for converting digital values to an analog output signal includes a first converter section and a second converter section operating at different conversion rates. A first analog signal provided by the first converter section and a second analog signal provided by the second converter section are combined to obtain the analog output signal. The concept may be used in fields of DAC applications where the sample rate is much higher than the signal bandwidth. The limited signal bandwidth means that the maximum change between two neighboring samples is a small fraction of the whole DAC range. The first converter section may cover a large range of values, whereas for the second converter section a relatively small range of values may be sufficient.
US08907826B2 Method for estimating capacitance weight errors and successive approximation analog to digital converter using the same
A successive approximation (SA) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) capable of estimating its own capacitance weight errors includes a comparator, a capacitor set, a switch set and a controller. The capacitor set includes a primary capacitor array including a plurality of binary-weighted capacitors, and a secondary capacitor array including a plurality of binary-weighted capacitors with known capacitance weights. The controller controls the switch set and repeats the steps of pre-charging the primary capacitor array, redistributing electric charges to the primary capacitor array and the secondary capacitor array, and performing a successive approximation binary searching on the primary capacitor array and the secondary capacitor array to calculate the capacitance weight error of each capacitor in the primary capacitor array. The calculated capacitance weight errors are used for calibrating the output of the successive approximation ADC.
US08907823B2 Entropy coding
An encoder for encoding a sequence of symbols is described which includes an assigner configured to assign a number of parameters to each symbol of the sequence of symbols based on information contained within previous symbols of the sequence of symbols; a plurality of entropy encoders each of which is configured to convert the symbols forwarded to the respective entropy encoder into a respective bitstream; and a selector configured to forward each symbol to a selected one of the plurality of entropy encoders, the selection depending on the number of parameters assigned to the respective symbol.
US08907822B2 Signal processor, window provider, encoded media signal, method for processing a signal and method for providing a window
A signal processor for providing a processed version of an input signal in dependence on the input signal includes a windower configured to window a portion of the input signal, or of a pre-processed version thereof, in dependence on a signal processing window described by signal processing window values for a plurality of window value index values, in order to obtain the processed version of the input signal. The signal processor also includes a window provider for providing the signal processing window values for a plurality of window value index values in dependence on one or more window shape parameters.
US08907821B1 Apparatus and method for decoding data
A computer-implemented method and apparatus are disclosed for decoding an encoded data signal. In one embodiment, the method includes accessing, in a memory, a set of signal elements. The encoded data signal is received at a computing device. The signal includes signal fragments each having a projection value and an index value. The projection value has been calculated as a function of at least one signal element of the set of signal elements and at least a portion of the data signal. The index value associates its respective signal fragment with the at least one signal element used to calculate the projection value. The computing device determines amplitude values based on the projection values in the signal fragments. The decoded signal is determined using the amplitude values and the signal elements associated with the at least some of the signal fragments.
US08907818B2 Bus stop and system providing travel information in relation to buses
A bus stop includes a storage unit, a communicating unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The communicating unit communicates with a server which is in communication with a plurality of buses, a plurality of stops which the buses will pass, and current locations of the buses. The display unit displays at least one route consisting of a plurality of bus stops including the bus stop. The control unit generates a request signal carrying the location of the bus stop to the server. The server determines current locations of the buses on a route which includes the bus stop, compares the real-time locations with the location of the bus stop to select a nearest bus travelling towards the bus stop. The display unit display a mark marking the bus stop. A related system is also provided.
US08907812B2 Uplink routing without routing table
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to apparatus (both network and device related) and methodology subject matters relating to uplink routing without requiring a routing table.
US08907810B2 Water usage monitoring system
An example water usage monitoring system includes at least one sensor communicating at least one parameter relating to water usage. At least one microcontroller represents a location with each microcontroller in communication with at least one of the sensors and having at least one input for selectively receiving said parameters, a counter, an accumulator that utilizes said counter and said parameters received from the at least one input for a discrete count to create a data packet in response to a change in at least one of said parameters, and a transmitter for wirelessly sending said data packet. The system also includes a data collection device configured to receive and combine at least one data packet from the at least one microcontroller into an information set. The data collection device is configured to transmit the information set. A storage device is configured receive the information set from the data collection device.
US08907809B2 Visual perception and acuity disruption techniques and systems
Exemplary security lighting routines are tailored to disrupt visual perception and/or acuity so as to significantly reduce the ability of a person or persons, who has breached security, to function within a secured space. A routine triggered in response to a security breach includes a flash at a relatively high intensity, some number of times brighter than normal illumination for the space. Some exemplary routines include a warning light and/or a pre-flash light emission such as dim lighting or a flicker, to effectively prepare the person in the space for maximum effectiveness of the flash. Exemplary routines may also include a post-flash sequence of multiple color light emissions, such as alternating emissions in sequence of pulses of different colors of light using emission and/or off time parameters that vary in an irregular manner.
US08907808B2 Lighting operation sequence system and method(s) for visually identifying, distinguishing, and tracking disaster victims
A method of locating, tracking, distinguishing and identifying people and pets as survivors or non survivors in the aftermath of a natural or manmade disaster, the method includes the use of illuminated displays such as flashlights, illuminated beacons, smart phone screens and/or computer screens. In one exemplary method, the illuminated displays are set to a particular color and flash pattern to distinguish between men, women, children, pets and whether they survived or not. When an alert is issued people prepare as they normally do but add one step: Tag or equip themselves and others with the illuminated displays set to the appropriate setting so that responders can utilize the night to locate the illuminate displays now recognized as indicators of people so they can better plan first light rescue operations.
US08907801B2 Danger detector for operation in nuclear field, having heating system for heating typically non-radiation hardened semiconductor components to increase functional service life
A smoke detector or, more generally, a danger detector, operates in an area with increased radioactive radiation disposition danger detector has at least one detector unit for detecting at least one danger characteristic, a semiconductor component and other electrical components, at least for outputting an alarm signal. The danger detector also has a temperature control circuit. The temperature control circuit is configured to control the temperature of the at least one semiconductor component. The danger detector may be embodied as a linear smoke detector.
US08907799B2 Fire detection
A sensor unit comprising a heat resistant shell, the shell having a plurality of viewing windows spaced around the shell exterior to define a 360° view around the unit, each viewing window being optically coupled to an infrared pyroelectric sensor and an infrared thermopile sensor, the interior of the shell defining a chamber containing at least two different smoke detectors, the shell having ventilation holes communicating with the chamber and temperature sensors mounted on the unit, the shell housing at least one printed circuit board coupled to the sensors and detectors and supporting a computer and radio transmitter, and a rechargeable power source powering the printed circuit board.
US08907797B2 Driver monitoring apparatus
A driver monitoring apparatus includes a detection section, a warning section and a changing operation section. The detection section detects at least one of a face direction and an eye direction of the driver, and generates a detection information regarding the at least one of the face direction and the eye direction detected. The warning section determines whether the driver has an inattentive drive by comparing the detection information to a reference information, and generates a warning when it is determined that the driver has the inattentive drive. The changing operation section receives an operation for changing the reference information, and changes a current reference information set before receiving the operation to a new reference information according to the operation received.
US08907796B2 Valve and cap system for a beverage container
A valve and cap system for a beverage container including a button with at least one arm, a base element coupled with a beverage container and moveably coupled with the button, a top element, and a flexible seal valve with a slit. The flexible seal valve is coupled with the base element, and the at least one arm is coupled with the flexible seal valve to operatively open and close the slit in the flexible seal valve when the button is moved inwardly and outwardly respectively. The valve and cap system includes at least one electronic element situated in at least one compartment in the top element, and at least one sensor that senses one or more signals, to determine an amount of fluid a user of the beverage container should consume.
US08907794B2 Cryptographic lock, method of operation thereof and secure container employing the same
Various cryptographic locks for securing assets, secure containers and methods of operating a cryptographic lock. One embodiment of a cryptographic lock includes: (1) a shape memory alloy (SMA) having a first and second phase, wherein the first phase inhibits access to an asset and the second phase allows access to the asset and (2) an RFID transponder, coupled to the SMA, configured to receive an authentication signal from an RFID transceiver and, based thereon, energize the SMA to temporarily change the SMA from the first phase to the second phase.
US08907790B2 System and method for performing chemical analysis of fingerprints for providing at least one response
A fingerprint analysis system is presented including a chemical analysis module configured to perform chemical analysis of received fingerprints to create a chemical profile and provide at least one response and a comparison module configured to compare the chemical profile and/or the at least one response. The chemical analysis involves at least identification of a select number of molecules and/or organic compounds for deriving distinguishing characteristics from the received fingerprints. The fingerprint analysis system may be in operative communication with at least one electronic device.
US08907789B2 Pump control unit
A pump control system includes a controller coupled to first and second pressure sensors. The sensors couple serial pressure related information to the controller. The controller can evaluate respective liquid levels, in response to received pressure related information from the sensors. A current sensor coupled to the controller can provide signals indicative of operation of one or more pumps coupled to the controller. The controller includes circuits to detect the presence of predetermined faults and to emit an audible fault indicator in response thereto.
US08907786B2 Method of alerting owners to theft of property
The present invention is directed to an anti-theft system for protecting portable personal items attached to the system and remotely signaling their removal. The system includes a base secured in place on the edge of a table or a wall. A pressure detecting mechanism is disposed to hang from the base so it can be used to hold the personal item, and so that the presence or absence of the item from the pressure detecting mechanism can be detected. Once the device is activated and a valuable personal item is placed on the pressure detecting mechanism, the removal of the item without first deactivating the device will cause an alarm to be activated. The alarm may be a sound or flashing light on the base of the device or generate a signal that may be received remotely by the owner.
US08907784B2 Method and system for managing geographically distributed resources
A system for managing geographically distributed resources, comprising a plurality of shoes associated with said resources; each pair of said plurality of shoes comprising an electronic circuit; said electronic circuit comprising a control circuit for said electronic circuit; a locator module which provides the geographical coordinates to said control circuit; a radio communication system; said control system providing a plurality of information items to said communication system; said communication system comprising a first receiver-transmitter for sending said plurality of information items to a local concentrator; said local concentrator comprising a second receiver-transmitter for sending said plurality of information items to an operations center; said first receiver-transmitter sending said plurality of information items to a local concentrator periodically; said control circuit comprising an input connected to at least one sensor; said operations center displaying the location of each of said resources and the information items received from said at least one sensor.
US08907783B2 Multiple-application attachment mechanism for health monitoring electronic devices
A portable computing device may include a set of magnetic elements and a set of electrical contacts. An electronic device may include a sensor may also include a set of magnetic elements and a set of electrical contacts. The portable computing device may attach to the electronic device using the set of magnetic elements and may exchange data with the electronic device using the set of electrical contacts. A power source may also include a set of magnetic elements and a set of electrical contacts. The power source may couple with the portable computing device using the set of magnetic elements and may provide power to the portable computing device using the electrical contacts.
US08907782B2 Medical devices with proximity detection
A wireless medical device is disclosed. The wireless medical device comprises a processor, a memory, a sensor for detecting a physiological signal, a radio and a proximity detector to measure a distance of the wireless medical device relative to a second wireless medical device. The proximity detector includes a ranging functionality. A wireless communication channel is created when a distance between the wireless medical device and the second wireless medical device is within a first predetermined threshold. The distance is greater than zero.
US08907781B2 Intrusion detection device
To provide an intrusion detecting device of a type in which a battery for supplying an electric power to both of the main unit and the transmitter is provided in a unit holder for holding the main unit, including the detecting element, to thereby increase the overall electric power capacity needed in the intrusion detecting device as a whole and, also, replacement of those batteries can be accomplished easily, the intrusion detecting device includes a main unit (1) including a detecting element (30), a battery (Ba) detachably mounted on the main unit (1) for supplying an electric power to the main unit (1), and a power supply line (18) fitted to the main unit (1) for supplying an electric power to a wireless transmitter (11) for transmitting wireless an output signal of the main unit (1).
US08907778B2 Multi-function display and operating system and method for controlling such a system having optimized graphical operating display
A multi-function display and operating system are provided in a motor vehicle and a method for operating such a system is provided. The multi-function display and operating system includes at least one display device for displaying information, a control unit controlling the representation of information on a display surface of the display device, at least two operating units for capturing user inputs, wherein the control unit is designed to control the representation of the information displayed to support the user inputs on the display surface of the display device by different operating displays which are each adapted to one of the at least two operating units via which a user input is captured or for which an operating intention for a user input is captured.
US08907777B2 Tailgate down indicator
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a tailgate down indicator is provided. The indicator displays the position of the tailgate of a truck to the driver based upon a signal received from a sensor device. The sensor device determines whether the tailgate is in the up or down position.
US08907772B1 System and method for automatic unsafe driving determination and notification
A computer program product is provided for automatically detecting unsafe driving practices and providing real time driver feedback upon execution by either of a local device which may be embodied in for example a cigarette lighter adapter, or a mobile cellular device such as for example an iPhone. The device upon which the program is embodied is thus configured to receive and store program parameters including predetermined speed limit settings, receive sensor output signals representative of vehicle position and vehicle movement, determine a location of the vehicle based on the position sensor output signals, and determine a safe- or unsafe-driving condition based on the movement sensor output signals and at least a predetermined speed limit setting associated with the vehicle location. A driver alert signal is further generated in response to determining an unsafe driving condition, and notification of unsafe driving conditions may be accordingly transmitted to third parties.
US08907769B2 Maximally flat frequency coded (MFFC) passive wireless saw RFID tags and sensors
A surface acoustic wave device responsive to an interrogation signal for producing a return signal. The surface acoustic wave device comprises an antenna for receiving the interrogation signal, a piezoelectric substrate, one or more frequency-selective reflective arrays disposed on the piezoelectric substrate, an interdigital transducer for launching an incident surface acoustic wave on the substrate in response to the interrogation signal, the incident surface acoustic wave propagating to the one or more frequency-selective reflective arrays, a reflected surface acoustic wave reflected from each one of the reflective arrays, the interdigital transducer receiving the reflected surface acoustic waves, and the return signal, responsive to each reflected surface acoustic waves.
US08907764B1 Methods and systems for synchronized ultrasonic real time location
Methods and systems for determining a location and an identity of a portable device are provided. The system includes apparatus for transmitting timing synchronization information, a plurality of stationary ultrasonic base stations and a plurality of portable devices. Each ultrasonic base station is configured to receive the timing synchronization information and to transmit a corresponding ultrasonic location code in a time period based on the received timing synchronization information. Each portable device is configured to: 1) receive the timing synchronization information, 2) detect the ultrasonic location codes from the ultrasonic base stations and 3) transmit an output signal including a portable device ID representative of the portable device and the detected ultrasonic location code. Each portable device is synchronized to detect the ultrasonic location code in the time period based on the received timing synchronization information.
US08907763B2 System, station and method for mustering
Mustering of persons from a building in an emergency situation is made possible by tagging mustering stations with unpowered, unique tokens which can be read by a user's personal mobile electronic device. The user's device transmits both mustering station identity and user identification to a remote server, where, upon successful validation, the user is removed from a list of persons to be mustered. The system may be part of a physical access security system for the building, in which single-use digital tokens as well as traditional cards may be used to open the doors. The permissions relating to doors or other physical assets may also be used to grant access to logical assets within the building.
US08907762B2 Electronic key system and electronic key for measuring radio wave signal strength during a vacant time
An electronic key system that performs ID verification communication to verify an ID of an electronic key. The ID verification communication is started by transmission of a wireless signal from a vehicle and performed between the vehicle and the electronic key. The electronic key system determines the location of the electronic key in accordance with the received signal strength of a radio wave used for the ID verification communication. A signal strength measurement circuit measures a first signal strength, which is the received signal strength when a signal from the electronic key is received, and a second signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the radio wave during a vacant time when the electronic key is performing the ID verification communication. A control unit controls operation of the electronic key in accordance with a measurement result of the first and second signal strengths.
US08907759B2 Magnetic core and induction device
A magnetic core includes a first core and a second core, which is formed of material having a lower magnetic permeability and a higher saturation magnetic flux density than those of the first core. The second core forms a closed magnetic path together with the first core. The second core has a distal surface held in contact with the first core. The area of the distal surface is larger than the smallest cross-sectional area of the second core in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of magnetic flux in the closed magnetic path.
US08907758B2 Reactor, converter, and electric power converter
A small reactor with high heat-release performance is provided. A reactor 1 includes an assembly (10) and a case (4), the assembly (10) having a coil (2) and a magnetic core (3) at which the coil (2) is arranged, the case (4) housing the assembly (10). The case (4) includes a bottom plate (40) that contacts a fixing object when the reactor (1) is installed on the fixing object, a side wall (41) that is mounted on the bottom plate (40) with an adhesive and surrounds the assembly (10), and a junction layer (42) that fixes the coil (2) to an inner surface of the bottom plate (40). The bottom plate (40) is formed of a material with higher thermal conductivity than that of the side wall (41). The reactor (1) easily transfers heat of the coil (2) to the bottom plate (40) and hence has high heat-release performance because the reactor (1) includes the bottom plate (40) with the high thermal conductivity and the coil (2) is joined to the bottom plate (40) through the junction layer (42). Since the bottom plate (40) and the side wall (41) are integrated using the adhesive, the thicknesses of both the members (40, 41) can be decreased. Accordingly, the reactor (1) is small.
US08907756B2 Semiconductor package with air core inductor (ACI) having a metal-density layer unit of fractal geometry
Semiconductor packages with air core inductors (ACIs) having metal-density layer units of fractal geometry are described. In an example, an inductor structure includes a stack of metal loops. One or more input terminals is coupled to the stack of metal loops. One or more output terminals is coupled to the stack of metal loops. One or more metal-density layer units is disposed above and over the stack of metal loops. At least one of the metal-density layer units has a fractal geometry.
US08907755B2 R-T-B-based rare earth magnet particles, process for producing the R-T-B- based rare earth magnet particles, and bonded magnet
R-T-B-based rare earth magnet particles are produced by an HDDR treatment which comprises a first stage HD step of heating particles of a raw material alloy having a composition of R, B and Co in an inert atmosphere or in a vacuum atmosphere and then replacing the atmosphere with a hydrogen-containing gas atmosphere in which the raw material alloy particles are held in the same temperature range and a second stage HD step of heating a material obtained in the first stage HD step in which the material is held in the hydrogen-containing gas atmosphere.
US08907754B2 Variable field magnetic holding system
A magnetic holding device uses an array of switchable magnets. A carrier holds the array of switchable magnets to form a working surface. Each switchable magnet has a coil of wire surrounding a magnetizable core element. The array is arranged in groups of magnets. A circuit is coupled to the coils to selectively magnetize and demagnetize each group of switchable magnets to selectively independently place each group into one of these states: an ON state that configures the selected group to have a first magnetic polarity at the working surface, an ON state that configures the selected group to have an opposite magnetic polarity at the working surface, and an OFF state that configures the magnets in the selected group to have no magnetism at the working surface. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08907750B2 Systems and methods for impedance tuner initialization
An exemplary embodiment of a multiple carriage tuner employs a carriage initialization technique, in which at least two of the carriages are initialized at fixed positions. This has the advantage of faster initialization, since multiple carriages can be moving simultaneously, if desired. In another embodiment, a method is described for initializing a mechanical impedance tuner with at least two probe carriages and a center conductor, each of the at least two probe carriages moveable independently along an axis parallel to the center conductor by commanding respective carriage drive motors to move in opposite directions along the axis, recording as a first carriage zero or home position of the first motor a first fixed initialization location indicated by a first sensor signal generated by proximity of the first carriage to the first fixed initialization location so that future positioning of the first carriage is determined from this first zero or home position, and recording as a second carriage zero or home position of the second motor a second fixed initialization location indicated by a second sensor signal generated by proximity of the second carriage to the second fixed initialization location so that future positioning of the second carriage is determined from this second zero or home position.
US08907749B2 Gigahertz common-mode filter for multi-layer planar structure
An apparatus includes a filter that includes a multi-layer planar structure having a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes an electronic band-gap structure that is configured to suppress a first frequency component of signals passing through the filter. The second layer includes a quarter-wavelength stub that is configured to suppress a second frequency component of the signals passing through the filter.
US08907741B2 Acoustic wave power device
A power device comprises an output port and at least one first acoustic pathway and one second acoustic pathway, each acoustic pathway comprising at least one first input acoustic wave transducer connected to an input port, and an output acoustic wave transducer connected to the output port. Each acoustic pathway further comprises a floating acoustic wave transducer connected to a floating port; the input transducer and the output transducer being separated by a distance equal to (2m+1)λ/4 with m an integer and λ the propagation wavelength; the input transducer and the floating transducer being separated by a distance equal to (2n+1) λ/2 with n an integer; each output transducer being connected to the output port, said power device being a combiner.
US08907740B2 Duplexer
A duplexer includes: an insulation substrate having an upper surface on which a transmission filter and a reception filter are mounted, and a lower surface on which a foot pad layer electrically connected to the transmission filter and the reception filter is formed; a transmission pad provided on the upper surface and electrically connected to the transmission filter; a reception pad provided on the upper surface and electrically connected to the reception filter, a ring-shaped electrode provided on the upper surface and configured to surround the transmission pad and the reception pad; a ground foot pad included in the foot pad layer, and a via interconnection configured to electrically interconnect the ring-shaped electrode and the ground foot pad and to be provided in the ring-shaped electrode in a section along a shorter one of routes that connect the transmission pad and the reception pad to each other along the ring-shaped electrode.
US08907738B1 Suppressed carrier harmonic amplitude modulator
A circuit includes a switched modulator stage combining an information signal with a square wave carrier to produce a first modulated signal; and a second modulation stage forming additional steps in the first modulated signal to produce a second modulated signal.
US08907734B2 Passive and active suppression of vibration induced phase noise in oscillators
An oscillator system having: an UHF oscillator, such as a SAW oscillator, for producing a signal having a controllable frequency; a passive vibration, suppressor mechanically coupled to the UHF oscillator for suppressing vibrations above a predetermined bandwidth BW1 on the UHF oscillator; and an active vibration suppressor. The active vibration suppressor includes an accelerometer for sensing vibrations within a predetermined bandwidth BW2 on the UHF oscillator; and an HF or VHF oscillator, such as a crystal oscillator, producing a signal having a frequency controlled by the accelerometer. A control loop having a bandwidth changeable with sensed vibration level is fed the oscillator and the UHF oscillator for controlling the frequency of the signal produced by the SAW oscillator in accordance with a difference between the signal produced the HF or VHF oscillator and the signal produced by the UHF oscillator, the control loop having a bandwidth BW3; where BW1
US08907732B2 Oscillation frequency regulating circuit and method
There is provided an oscillation frequency regulating circuit including: a measuring section that performs measurement based on an oscillation frequency of an oscillation circuit; a comparator section that compares a measurement value measured by the measuring section against a set comparison value over a set comparison duration; a setting section that sets a comparison value selected from a plurality of comparison values of different magnitudes and that sets in the comparator section the comparison duration according to the magnitude of the selected comparison value; and a regulation section that, based on the comparison result of the comparator section, regulates the oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit such that the oscillation frequency that is measured by the measuring section becomes a target oscillation frequency.
US08907729B2 Trans-impedance amplifier for high speed optical-electrical interfaces
The differential trans-impedance amplifier uses trans-resistance(s) connected between the input nodes of a first differential amplifier, to implement a trans-impedance differential amplifier in a differential fashion and has two identical resistances, each connected between the photodiode and a respective DC voltage rail of a common bias network of the photodiode adapted to reverse bias the photodiode. The biasing resistances may be much larger than the trans-resistance(s) to prevent drawing any significant signal current from the photodiode. The amplifier may retain the advantages of a classical differential topology while effectively overcoming drawbacks that arise in high data rate applications.
US08907724B2 Variable gain amplifier
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a variable gain amplifier and relate to the field of electronic circuits. The linear-in-dB relationship between an output current and a control voltage of the variable gain amplifier is relatively ideal. The variable gain amplifier includes a fitted differential module group and an offset voltage output module, where the fitted differential module group is configured to output, under the control of a driving voltage and offset voltages, an output current of the variable gain amplifier according to a reference current; and the fitted differential module group includes n fitted differential modules, the n fitted differential modules are cascaded in turn, and n is any positive integer larger than 1.
US08907723B2 Power amplifier and power transmission apparatus
According to an embodiment, a power amplifier includes a variable passive element and a comparator. The variable passive element is connected directly or indirectly to a first terminal of a switch element and serves to increase or reduce a resonant frequency of the amplifier. The comparator compares a voltage of interest with a reference voltage and outputs a control voltage for the variable passive element based on a difference between the voltage of interest and the reference voltage.
US08907719B2 IC circuit
The present invention relates to an IC circuit. In an embodiment, an IC circuit includes: an RT terminal connected to an external; a current mirroring unit conducting a channel current between internal voltage power and the RT terminal and generating an internal reference current mirrored with the channel current; a negative feedback unit receiving the internal reference current, equalizing voltages of an RT terminal connection terminal and an internal reference current output terminal of the current mirroring unit to make the internal reference current constant, and providing the internal reference current inside the IC circuit; and an IC state indicating unit having a transistor, which operates complementarily with the current mirroring unit, connected between the RT terminal and a ground and providing the state of an IC or a system to the RT terminal by being linked with the complementary operation of the current mirroring unit.
US08907717B2 Light receiving circuit
The light receiving circuit includes: a photoelectric conversion element for causing a current corresponding to an amount of incident light to flow; a MOS transistor including a source connected to the photoelectric conversion element and a drain connected to a node, for causing the current of the photoelectric conversion element to flow to the node while maintaining a voltage of the source to a first voltage; a reset circuit for causing a current to flow from the node to a GND terminal so that a voltage of the node becomes a second voltage lower than the first voltage; a control circuit for outputting a reset signal to the reset circuit; and a voltage increase detection circuit for detecting a fluctuation in the voltage of the node and outputting a detection result.
US08907715B2 Sampling
There is disclosed current-mode time-interleaved sampling circuitry configured to be driven by substantially sinusoidal clock signals. Such circuitry may be incorporated in ADC circuitry, for example as integrated circuitry on an IC chip. The disclosed circuitry is capable of calibrating itself without being taken off-line.
US08907714B2 Switched capacitor circuit with switching loss compensation mechanism and compensation method thereof
A switched capacitor circuit with switching loss compensation mechanism includes a resonant unit and a loss compensation unit. The resonant unit generates a resonant frequency and includes a capacitor switching unit for switching an output capacitor. The loss compensation unit is coupled to the resonant unit for providing loss compensation when the capacitor switching unit outputs different capacitance values.
US08907709B1 Delay difference detection and adjustment device and method
The present invention discloses a delay difference detection and adjustment device comprising: a first delay circuit including first delay units to receive and transmit a first clock; a second delay circuit including second delay units to receive and transmit a second clock; a storage circuit including storage units, each of which includes a data input end to receive the first clock and an operation clock reception end to receive the second clock, so that the storage circuit is operable to save a plurality of levels of the first clock according to the second clock; a delay control circuit to adjust the delay amount of the second delay circuit; and an analyzing circuit to generate an analysis result according to the cycle and levels of the first clock in which the analysis result indicates or is used to derive a unit delay difference between the first and second delay units.
US08907708B2 Digitally controlled oscillator with thermometer sigma delta encoded frequency control word
Systems and methods for generating a thermometer sigma delta encoded frequency control word for controlling a digitally controlled oscillator in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, an all digital phase locked loop for generating an output clock signal includes a thermometer pulse coder configured to generate a frequency control word (FCW) that includes thermometer coded signals and a pulse modulated dither signal, and transmit the pulse modulated dither signal over a selected FCW signal line and transmit the thermometer coded signals over other FCW signal lines, and a digitally controlled oscillator to receive a FCW comprising a combined thermometer and pulse modulated signal and generate an output clock signal.
US08907701B2 CMOS differential logic circuit using voltage boosting technique
The present invention discloses a CMOS differential logic circuit. The CMOS differential logic circuit includes a precharge differential logic unit, which is precharged to a source voltage in response to a clock signal and is configured to output voltage having an increased load-driving ability using a boosting voltage; a voltage-boosting unit, which is pulled down by a ground voltage in response to the clock signal and is configured to boost the pulled-down voltage using capacitive coupling and output the boosting voltage; and a switching unit, which is configured to couple the precharge differential logic unit and the voltage-boosting unit in response to the clock signal. The propagation delay of a signal from the input terminal to the output terminal of a circuit in a low-source-voltage environment can be reduced, and the operating speed of the circuit and energy efficiency of the operation thereof can be improved.
US08907699B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention including a data transmitting circuit that transmits data in parallel through a plurality of signal lines and a data receiving circuit that receives the data. The data transmitting circuit includes a plurality of data output circuits that output the data in a data transmission mode or set an output to a high impedance state in a HiZ mode, a plurality of data selection circuits that select one of the data and fixed data and output the selected data to the data output circuits, and a control circuit that controls the data output circuits to output the fixed data during a period between a time when a mode is switched from the HiZ mode to the data transmission mode and a time when the data output circuits start to output the data.
US08907696B2 Test apparatus having optical interface and test method
There is provided a test apparatus for testing a device under test, including a test signal generator that generates a test signal to test the device under test, an electric-photo converter that converts the test signal into an optical test signal, an optical interface that (i) transmits the optical test signal generated by the electric-photo converter to an optical receiver of the device under test and (ii) receives and outputs an optical response signal output from the device under test, a photo-electric converter that converts the optical response signal output from the optical interface into an electrical response signal and transmits the electrical response signal, and a signal receiver that receives the response signal transmitted from the photo-electric converter and a test method.
US08907694B2 Wiring board for testing loaded printed circuit board
A wiring board for transmission of test signals between test point locations on a circuit board under test and an external analyzer having compliant contacts making electrical contact with a pad positioned on a conductive surface circuit layer having a trace extending to a second pad having a hole for receipt of an interface pin electrically connected to the external analyzer.
US08907691B2 Integrated circuit thermally induced noise analysis
A system and method are provided for testing an integrated circuit (IC) using thermally induced noise analysis. The method provides an IC die and supplies electrical power to the IC die. The IC die surface is scanned with a laser, and the laser beam irradiated locations on the IC die surface are tracked. The laser scanning heats active electrical elements underlying the scanned IC die surface. A frequency response of an IC die electrical interface is measured and correlated to irradiated locations. IC die defect regions are determined in response to identifying location-correlated frequency measurements exceeding a noise threshold. For example, a frequency measurement may be correlated to a die surface location, and if frequency measurement exceeds the noise threshold, then circuitry underlying that surface area may be identified as defective. Typically, die defect regions are associated with measurements in the frequency range between about 1 Hertz and 10 kilohertz.
US08907686B2 Method and apparatus for accelerating device degradation and diagnosing the physical changes of the device during the degradation process
Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and apparatus for testing devices. In some embodiments, a method for testing a device includes operating the device in a stress inducing mode using a first set of conditions for a first period of time; determining a first value for a plurality of device parameters after the first period of time; operating the device in the stress inducing mode using the first set of conditions for a second period of time; determining a second value for the plurality of device parameters after the second period of time; and determining if one or more components of the device has at least one of failed or physically changed by comparing the first and second values for the plurality of device parameters.
US08907685B2 Determining the dead time in driving a half-bridge
Disclosed is a circuit arrangement for determining a temporal change of an output voltage of a half-bridge circuit during a dead time. In one embodiment, the circuit arrangement includes a first input for applying the output voltage. A capacitive network includes a first and a second circuit node capacitively coupled to the input, and having a terminal for a reference potential. A recharging circuit during the switched-on phase of one of a first and second switching elements, adjusts electrical potentials of the first and second nodes, the electrical potentials each being different from the reference potential. A comparator arrangement, during the dead time, determines a time difference between such times at which the electrical potentials at the first and second node each assume a given potential value, the time difference being a measure for the change with time of the output voltage.
US08907677B2 Electrochemical sensor and method for the production thereof
An electrochemical sensor allows even extremely small quantities or concentrations of a target chemical substance to be detected or quantified with a high precision in a particularly reliable manner. The novel sensor has a detector zone formed by nanoparticles which are embedded in a matrix and have a higher electric conductivity than the matrix material. The electric conductivity of the zone is determined by electron tunneling, ionization or hopping processes among the nanoparticles and by the electrochemical interaction thereof with a target substance to be detected.
US08907675B2 Method for determining a state of health for an electrochemical device
The invention relates to a method for determining a state of health of an electrochemical device in particular having improved reliability. Said method in particular consists of: applying (10) to said electrochemical device an input signal comprising electrical excitations of different categories, and measuring an output signal (20) including the response signals to each electrical excitation; estimating (41) at least one first parameter from an electrical excitation belonging to a first category and the corresponding response signal; estimating (43) said at least one physicochemical parameter representative of the physicochemical behavior of the device from an electrical excitation of a different category, of the corresponding response signal and said first estimated parameter; estimating (50) said state of health of the electrochemical device as deviation between the previously estimated value of the physicochemical parameter and a reference value.
US08907672B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and control device of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A control device of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a condition setting unit and a judging unit. The condition setting unit sets an imaging sequence to be performed by the MRI apparatus based on set conditions of the set imaging sequence. The judging unit then (a) calculates a value of electric current that would need to be supplied to a gradient magnetic field coil of the MRI apparatus to perform that set imaging sequence based on the set conditions of the set imaging sequence, (b) calculates a value of voltage that would need to be applied to the gradient magnetic field coil based on a mutual inductance of the gradient magnetic field to cause electric current flowing to the gradient magnetic field coil to equal to the value of the calculated electric current, and (c) judges whether the set imaging sequence is practicable or not based on the calculated value of voltage.
US08907669B2 Circuits and techniques for adjusting a sensitivity of a closed-loop current sensor
A closed loop current sensor has a primary conductor and a plurality of secondary conductors. Selected ones of the plurality of secondary conductors are selected and driven in a feedback loop.
US08907667B2 Generator of a homogenous magnetic field
A generator having at least four coils wound around each of the winding axes, these four coils being spaced out from one another to cancel at least the first derivative up to the seventh derivative of the magnetic field generated by these coils, in parallel to the winding axis, at a central point when they are powered by the same current, and the circumference of each coil is a circle, the diameter of this circle being equal within 2% of the diameter of a circle defined by the intersection between a sphere centered on the central point and a plane, perpendicular to the winding axis of this coil, passing through this coil, the sphere being the same for all the coils wound around the same winding axis.
US08907666B2 Magnetic bias structure for magnetoresistive sensor having a scissor structure
A scissor style magnetic sensor having a novel hard bias structure for improved magnetic biasing robustness. The sensor includes a sensor stack that includes first and second magnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic layer such as an electrically insulating barrier layer or an electrically conductive spacer layer. The first and second magnetic layers have magnetizations that are antiparallel coupled, but that are canted in a direction that is neither parallel with nor perpendicular to the air bearing surface by a magnetic bias structure. The magnetic bias structure includes a neck portion extending from the back edge of the sensor stack and having first and second sides that are aligned with first and second sides of the sensor stack. The bias structure also includes a tapered or wedged portion extending backward from the neck portion.
US08907665B2 Magnetostrictive sensor array for active or synthetic phased-array focusing of guided waves
A system includes at least one strip of ferromagnetic material and a plurality of pulsing/receiving coil circuits. The at least one strip of ferromagnetic material is induced with a bias magnetic field and is coupled to a surface of a structure under test. The plurality of pulsing/receiving coil circuits are aligned with a surface of the at least one strip of the ferromagnetic material. The plurality of pulsing/receiving coil circuits are individually controllable by a number of channels to excite guided waves in the structure under test using at least one of active phased-array focusing or synthetic phased-array focusing of the guided waves.
US08907664B2 Non-intrusive monitoring of power and other parameters
Methods and apparatus for non-intrusive power monitoring and current measurement in a circuit breaker without modification of the breaker panel or the circuit breaker itself. In one example, an inductive pickup sensor senses current from the breaker face, an inductive link transmits power through a steel breaker panel door, and a passive balanced JFET modulator circuit modulates a carrier signal on the inductive link with information regarding the sensed current. A demodulated breaker current signal is available outside of the breaker panel door. The JFET modulator circuit does not require DC power to modulate the carrier signal with the information regarding the sensed current from the breaker. Such methods and apparatus may be interfaced with a spectral envelope load detection system that can monitor multiple loads from a central location.
US08907663B2 Height sensor module for a vehicle with sealing structure
A height sensor module is disclosed, the module including a sensor housing formed at an upper side with an opening; a shaft rotatably formed at the sensor housing; a magnet arranged at an upper side of the shaft; a PCB mounted at a surface opposite to the magnet with at least one magnetic element, and accommodated at an upper end of a plurality of support lugs protrusively formed at an interior of the sensor housing; a sensor cover closing the opening; a sealing member interposed between the sensor housing and the sensor cover to inhibit moisture and contaminant materials from entering the sensor housing; a plurality of elastic members interposed between the sensor cover and the PCB to push the PCB to a support lug side; and a support unit supporting both ends of the plurality of elastic members.
US08907661B2 Input apparatus with haptic feedback
The input device has a printed circuit board (5) to which a plurality of coils (L1-L8) has been fitted which, together with a capacitor (C2), each form a frequency-determining element of an oscillator (1). The coils (L1-L8) are arranged so as to be distributed along a path (K), which may also be a circular path. A movable magnet portion (M) can be displaced relative to the printed circuit board (5). At least one further stationary magnet portion (M1-M8) is mounted on the printed circuit board (5), which is opposite the movable magnet portion (M).
US08907655B2 System and method for detecting a fundamental frequency of an electric power system
A system and method to detect the fundamental frequency of an electric input signal using a feedback control loop including a phase error detector, a loop controller, and a digitally controlled oscillator. The frequency detector may detect the fundamental frequency of an electric input signal and produce an output signal representing the fundamental frequency of the electric input signal. The frequency detector may further include a filter that may be coupled to the frequency detector output signal in order to remove spurious tones or noise from the output signal.
US08907652B2 Band-gap voltage generator
A generator of a voltage logarithmically variable with temperature may include a differential amplifier having a pair of transistors, each coupled with a respective bias network adapted to bias in a conduction state the transistors first and second respectively with a constant current and with a current proportional to the working absolute temperature. The pair of transistors may generate between their control nodes the voltage logarithmically variable with temperature. The differential amplifier may have a common bias current generator coupled between the common terminal of the differential pair of transistors and a node at a reference potential, and a feedback line to provide a path for the current difference between the sum of currents flowing through the transistors of the differential pair and the common bias current.
US08907649B2 Voltage converter having an adjustable output
A voltage converter includes a voltage converting circuit, a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, a feedback circuit, an adjusting circuit, and a measuring circuit. The voltage converting circuit converts an input voltage to a low output voltage for a load. The PWM controller includes a comparator and a triangular-wave oscillator. The comparator is connected to the voltage converting circuit and outputs a PWM voltage to the voltage converting circuit. The triangular-wave oscillator is connected to an inverting terminal of the comparator, and outputs a sawtooth-wave voltage to the comparator. The feedback circuit is connected to a non-inverting terminal of the comparator and outputs a feedback voltage to the comparator. The measuring circuit measures current output from the voltage converting circuit and controls the adjusting circuit to provide a pull-up voltage to the triangular-wave oscillator when the measured current decreases, thereby increasing the duty ratio of the PWM voltage.
US08907641B2 Circuit and method for short circuit protection
A boost converter includes an input terminal and an output terminal. A first switch is connected between a first intermediate node and a reference potential node. An inductive component is connected between the input terminal and the first intermediate node. A rectifying component is connected between the first intermediate node and a second intermediate node. A multi-state module is connected between the second intermediate node and the output terminal, and has at least a low resistance state and a high resistance state. A control module is coupled to the output terminal, the first switch and the multi-state module, and is operable in response to an output voltage to control the first switch and the multi-state module so that the first switch is open and the multi-state module is in the high resistance state if the output voltage is lower than a threshold value.
US08907640B2 Method for regulation of power converters and arrangement for carrying out the method
A method for the closed-loop control of current converters for adjusting the counter-voltage in a multi-phase electric energy transmission network having a multi-phase connection line. In order to be parameterize in various operating states, phase currents are registered on the connection line and transformed into system current components by way of transformation, voltages are registered on the phases of the connection line, and counter-system voltage components are formed therefrom by way of transformation, which are supplied to a voltage controller. Counter-system current components serving to reduce the counter-system are formed in the voltage controller, which are supplied to a target value input of a current controller. System current components are connected to an actual value input of the current controller, the output parameters thereof serving after retransformation as switching currents for switching units of the current converter.
US08907636B2 Method and device for primary frequency regulation based on bang-bang control
The present invention provides a method and a device for primary frequency regulation based on bang-bang control, the method comprises: obtaining in real-time a power grid frequency of a steam turbine generator set; performing a subtraction operation on a rated power grid frequency and said power grid frequency to generate a power grid frequency difference; performing a dead zone process on the power grid frequency difference according to a dead zone fixed value to generate a frequency difference; performing a frequency difference compensation operation on the frequency difference to generate a frequency difference compensation instruction; and combining an original primary frequency regulation output instruction with the frequency difference compensation instruction and outputting the result to a steam turbine speed regulation system when a selecting switch is 1.
US08907632B2 Charge control device and method for secondary battery module
A battery charger 2 equipped with an AC/DC converter charges a secondary battery module 1 constituted with a plurality of unit cells 10. The unit cells 10 are each connected in parallel with a constant voltage circuit 33 constituted with a Zener diode 332 and a resistor 331 connected in series, and the unit cell 10 achieving a state of full charge is detected based upon the difference between the potentials at the two sides of the resistor 331. As a battery controller 32 lowers the charging power used by the battery charger 2 in response to the full charge state being achieved, it is ensured that the secondary battery module 1 is charged thoroughly while preventing individual unit cells 10 from becoming overcharged.
US08907629B2 Electric vehicle battery lifetime optimization operational mode
A multi-mode operating system for an electric vehicle is provided, the system including means for a user to select a preferred mode of operation from a plurality of operational modes that include at least a Battery Life mode and a Standard mode, wherein the Battery Life mode is configured to select operating and charging parameters that emphasize battery health and battery life over vehicle range and/or vehicle performance. The system includes a thermal management system for maintaining the vehicle's battery pack to within any of a plurality of temperature ranges, and a charging system for charging the vehicle's battery pack to any of a plurality of minimum and maximum SOC levels and at any of a plurality of charging rates.
US08907627B2 Balancer circuit for rechargeable batteries
A balancer circuit for a cell in a rechargeable battery, having connecting terminals for connection of the balancer circuit to the cell. A first resistor is electrically connected to one of the connecting terminals and a voltage switch is arranged in series with the first resistor and electrically connected to the other one of the connecting terminals. The voltage switch, e.g., an adjustable voltage reference circuit, is operable to shunt a balancing current through the first resistor when a load voltage sensed over the connecting terminals is higher than a threshold voltage.
US08907621B2 Charging apparatus
A charging apparatus for charging electric power supplied from a power source to a charging target includes a station section configured to supply the electric power to the charging target. The station section includes a base extending in a vertical direction and a protrusion fixed to a part of the base and protruding frontward than the base. Space for disposing at least one article is formed on at least one of the upper side and the lower side of the protrusion.
US08907620B2 Providing a charging event for a vehicle battery
A method for providing a battery charging event comprises a plurality of operations. An operation is performed for inhibiting a first battery load from drawing electrical current from a battery charging system of a vehicle. An operation is performed for activating ignition circuitry of the vehicle after said inhibiting of the first battery load. An operation is performed for starting the engine after said ignition circuitry activation. An operation is performed for inhibiting a second battery load from drawing electrical current from the battery charging system after said starting of the engine. An operation is performed for causing an output of an alternator of the vehicle to be adjusted dependent upon a present location of the vehicle.
US08907618B2 Contactless cell apparatus
A cell apparatus that emits and receives AC power via magnetic field resonance includes a cell interface and a circuit to generate a magnetic field when emitting the AC power and to generate an AC current when exposed to a magnetic field from an external device. The cell apparatus also includes a switch or sensor to determine whether a charging mode or a discharging mode is active. Because the cell apparatus emits and receives AC power via magnetic field resonance, it can be charged and discharge without electrical contact with another device.
US08907616B2 Hybrid power supply system
A hybrid power supply system includes a number of power modules electrically connected with each other in series. Each power module includes a fuel cell unit and a lithium-ion battery unit. Each fuel cell unit includes at least two fuel cell monomers electrically connected with each other in series. Each lithium-ion battery unit includes one or more lithium ion battery monomers electrically connected with each other in parallel. Each fuel cell unit is electrically connected with each lithium-ion battery unit in parallel to directly charge the lithium-ion battery unit.
US08907605B2 Circuit structure enabling upgraded MOS transistor heat dissipation ability
A circuit structure applied to a motor and enabling upgraded MOS transistor heat dissipation ability is disclosed. The circuit structure includes a motor driving unit and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit is connected to the motor driving unit for maintaining a first and a third switch of the motor driving unit at a constant turn-on voltage and boosting turn-on voltages of a second and a fourth switch of the motor driving unit, so as to effectively upgrade the heat dissipation ability of the first, second, third and fourth switches.
US08907599B2 Simplified electric brake device
An electric brake device is provided for electronically controlled synchronous motors which are supplied with voltage by way of a converter. The synchronous motor contains a winding center point and that the winding center point is connected by way of an electric resistor and a switch to a ground point of the converter and that the phases of the converter that are connected to the ground point contain in each case a free-wheeling diode.
US08907593B2 Driving circuit for LED backlight, LCD device, and method for manufacturing driving circuit for LED backlight
The driving circuit for a light emitting diode (LED) backlight includes at least two lightbars arranged in parallel connection. An output end of each of the LED lightbars is coupled with a converter module, and the converter module is configured with a digital potentiometer balancing a voltage difference between the LED lightbars and adjusting a resistance by an electric signal. In the present disclosure, the digital potentiometer adjusting the resistance by the electric signal is arranged in the converter module connected with the LED lightbar in series, and the resistance of the digital potentiometer is dynamically adjusted according to the resistance of different LED lightbars during use. Thus, the total voltage of each LED lightbar and the digital potentiometer connected with the LED lightbar in series is constant.
US08907591B2 Method and system for driving light emitting elements
Strings of light-emitting elements are driven by providing a fixed voltage reference to a plurality of parallel-connected current sources, each of the current sources being connected in series with a string, supplying current from each current source to the string to which it is connected, whereby the fixed voltage reference is independent of the current supplied to each string, and taking up excess voltage not required by any one of the strings of light-emitting elements.
US08907589B2 Method and apparatus for operating a group of lighting fixture nodes
Methods and apparatus for operating a group of lighting fixture nodes (10A-D) at a reduced power level are disclosed. In some versions of the methods a plurality of lighting fixture nodes in a group of electrically connected lighting fixture nodes may each be operated at a nominal fixture power level; a current draw across at least a test lighting fixture node of the lighting fixture nodes may be identified; and the extent to which to reduce power of each lighting fixture node may be determined as a function of the current draw across the test lighting fixture node.
US08907584B2 Apparatus for controlling constant current for multi-channel LEDS and liquid crystal display using the same
An apparatus for controlling the constant current for multi-channel LEDs includes: a plurality of LED channels each comprising an LED array, a transistor, and a variable emitter resistor; a feedback sensing circuit for sensing the collector or drain voltage of a transistor of each of the LED channels; and a controller for increasing the variable emitter resistance of an LED channel in which the collector voltage of the transistor is higher than those of the other LED channels, in response to a feedback sensing result input from the feedback sensing circuit.
US08907583B1 LED driving device
An LED driving device includes: a rectifying circuit for outputting a DC voltage to a string of M LED units; (M−1) first switching circuits each coupled between a corresponding one of first to (M−1)th LED units and ground; and a second switching circuit coupled between an Mth LED unit and ground. When the DC voltage is sufficient to turn on first to kth LED units, where 1≦k≦M, the kth LED unit is coupled to ground through first and second conductive paths provided by a resistor unit, and a corresponding first switching circuit or the second switching circuit, and each of the first to (k−1)th LED units is coupled to ground through a third conductive path provided by a corresponding first switching circuit and the resistor unit.
US08907574B2 LED light string with open circuit protection
An LED light string with open circuit protection has a first end for receiving a first voltage, a second end for receiving a second voltage, and multiple LED units connected in series between the first end and the second end. Each of the LED units has multiple LEDs and at least one by-pass resistor connected in parallel. Even when the LEDs of the same LED unit all fail, a current from the first end to the second end can still flow through all the LED units via the by-pass resistors to drive the remaining normal LED units.
US08907570B2 System and method for controlling lighting
Disclosed herein are a system and a method for controlling lighting. In the lighting control system, one or more lighting devices are installed in a separate area within a building and a remote controller generates a scheduling data by setting lighting scenes at each time and controls the lighting of the corresponding lighting device via a short range wireless communication. In addition, the remote controller transmits the scheduling data to a remote server through a gateway and when the remote controller is not normally operated, the remote server controls the lighting device according to the scheduling data through the gateway.
US08907565B2 Power supply device, lamp fitting, and vehicle
Provided is a power supply device, which is capable of coping with semiconductor light source loads to be set in various ways, and has high efficiency, in which a current to be supplied to each of the loads has a small ripple. The power supply device supplies power to a semiconductor light source load and lights the semiconductor light source load, and includes: a DC-DC converter; and a controller. The DC-DC converter includes an inductance element and a switching element, and performs voltage conversion by storing energy in the inductance element from an input power source when the switching element is on, and discharging the energy, the energy being stored in the inductance element, to a load side when the switching element is off. The controller controls ON/OFF operations of the switching element so that an output current of the DC-DC converter can be the same as a target value. In the power supply device, means for regulating timing of turning on the switching element so that a current flowing through the inductance element can flow in a continuous mode operation is provided at least in the controller.
US08907561B2 Display device and organic light emitting diode display device
An embodiment provides an organic light emitting diode display device that includes a substrate; a display unit formed on the substrate and including a common power supply line and a common electrode; a sealing substrate attached to the substrate by a bonding layer which surrounds the display unit, the sealing substrate including a resin base and a carbon fiber, and the sealing substrate including a first through-hole and a second through-hole; a first conductive unit formed on an inner surface and an outer surface of the sealing substrate through the first through-hole, and the first conductive unit supplying a first signal to the common power supply line; and a second conductive unit formed on both the inner surface and the outer surface of the sealing substrate through the second through-hole, and the second conductive unit supplying a second signal to the common electrode.
US08907556B2 LED lamp
A light-emitting diode (LED) fluorescent lamp which can replace a typical fluorescent lamp is provided. The LED fluorescent lamp includes an LED array including a plurality of LEDs connected in series; first through fourth connection pins; first through fourth capacitors connected to the first through fourth connection pins, respectively; a first diode having an commonly connected to second ends of the first and third capacitors and a cathode connected to a first end of the LED array; a second diode having an anode connected to a second end of the LED array and a cathode commonly connected to second ends of the second and fourth capacitors. The LED fluorescent lamp can replace a typical fluorescent lamp without a requirement of the installation of additional equipment or the change of wiring.
US08907554B2 Assembly and method for reducing foil wrinkles
An assembly of a support plate and an exit window foil for use in an electron beam generating device. The support plate is designed to reduce wrinkles in the foil. The foil is bonded to the support plate along a closed bonding line bounding an area in which the support plate is provided with a pattern of apertures and foil support portions alternately. When vacuum is created in the housing the pattern is adapted to form a topographical profile of the foil substantially absorbing any surplus foil. Another aspect involves a method in a filling machine for sterilizing a packaging material web.
US08907550B2 Light module
An LED array is mounted on a base that is thermally coupled to a heat spreader. At least one aperture is provided between the support area and an edge of the heat spreader. The heat spreader may be coupled to a thermal pad which has sufficient thermal conductivity and is sufficiently thin to allow the thermal resistivity between the heat spreader and a corresponding heat sink to be below a predetermined value.
US08907548B2 Resonator element having a mass portion
A resonator element includes: a base portion provided on a plane including a first axis and a second axis orthogonal to the first axis; a vibrating arm extending from the base portion in the first axis direction; an excitation electrode provided on the vibrating arm so as to excite the vibrating arm; and a first mass portion provided on the vibrating arm so as to adjust the frequency of the vibrating arm, wherein the vibrating arm performs flexural vibration in a direction perpendicular to the plane and wherein the first mass portion is provided in a region exceeding ½ of the entire length in the first axis direction of the vibrating arm from the end of the vibrating arm close to the base portion and is formed from a material whose density D (in units of 103 kg/m3) is in the range of 2.20≦D≦8.92.
US08907546B2 Temperature and field stable relaxor-PT piezoelectric single crystals
The application is directed to piezoelectric single crystals having shear piezoelectric coefficients with enhanced temperature and/or electric field stability. These piezoelectric single crystal may be used, among other things, for vibration sensors as well as low frequency, compact sonar transducers with improved and/or enhanced performance.
US08907539B2 Retaining ring configuration system
A retaining ring configuration system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a set of adjustment apparatuses configured to contact a portion of a generator rotor, each of the set of adjustment apparatuses including: a base member for contacting the portion of the generator rotor; an adjustment member for adjusting a position of the generator retaining ring relative to the generator rotor; and an actuation member coupled to the base member and operably attached to the adjustment member, the actuation member for actuating movement of the adjustment member to adjust the position of the generator retaining ring relative to the generator rotor.
US08907537B2 Electrical machine with protective cap
The invention relates to an electrical machine, particularly an alternating current generator, that can be designed as a three-phase alternator, for example, having—preferably electrical—components that are protected from access, wherein to this end there is a protective cap (47) fastened by means of at least one snap region (103), wherein the snap region (103) has a snap-in hook (92) having a snap-in hook root (106), wherein there is a bending region (109) between the snap-in hook (92) and the snap-in hook root (106), wherein the bending region (109) has a cambered surface (112, 115).
US08907536B2 Device for actuating an item of equipment that can be controlled automatically or manually, with detection of take-up of manual control
An actuator device for actuating equipment has an electric motor arranged to be connected to an autopilot device and connected by a drivetrain to an outlet shaft, itself designed to be connected to a control instrument, the drivetrain incorporating stepdown gearing dividing the drivetrain into a high-speed segment beside the motor and a low-speed segment beside the outlet shaft. The high-speed segment comprising a deactivator member for deactivating the autopilot device. The deactivator member having a first element secured to a first portion of the high-speed segment; a second element secured to a second portion of the high-speed segment and connected to the first element to allow the first element to be angularly offset relative to the second element when a torque for transmission reaches a predetermined threshold; and a detector member for detecting the angular offset.
US08907533B2 Device for producing electrical energy with oscillating magnet and coil
A device for generating electrical energy has at least one pair of permanent magnets and at least one coil. They are moved about a pivot axis relative to one another by agitating or shaking. Each coil is disposed between the pole surfaces of the at least one pair of permanent magnets which are disposed opposite each other.
US08907531B2 Wireless energy transfer with variable size resonators for medical applications
A medical device-powering wireless receiver for use with a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to a power supply. The wireless receiver includes a load configured to power an implantable medical device using electrical power, and a second electromagnetic resonator adapted to be housed within the medical device and configured to be coupled to the load, wherein the second electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the first electromagnetic resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator from the first electromagnetic resonator, the area circumscribed by the inductive element of at least one of the electromagnetic resonators can be varied to improve performance.
US08907523B2 Intuitive electronic circuit
An apparatus according to various embodiments may detect the state of an external switch (14). An apparatus (1000) according to various embodiments may activate or deactivate an appliance based on the state of the external switch (14). An apparatus according to various embodiments may activate or deactivate an appliance based on the state of the external switch (14), even in the absence of grid power (3).
US08907522B2 Grid-connected power storage system and method for controlling grid-connected power storage system
A grid-connected power storage system for coupling a power generation system to a grid, including: a main battery for discharging stored power to the load system; at least one additional battery coupled to the main battery for discharging stored power to the load system; a bidirectional converter coupled to the main and additional batteries, and including a plurality of switches for performing a conversion between a DC link voltage, between the power generation system and the grid, and a battery voltage, a first switch of the plurality of switches corresponding to the main battery and a second switch of the plurality of switches corresponding to the additional battery, wherein the first and second switches are connected to each other in parallel; and an integrated controller for selectively controlling operations of the first switch and the second switch based on an amount of power used by the load system.
US08907519B2 Data transmission system based on a power line
A data transmission system includes a sender, at least one receiver, a sender controller, and a receiver controller. The sender controller receives an AC signal from an AC power source via a first AC input port, receives data from the sender via a first data port, and processes the received AC signal according to the received data, and outputs a processed AC signal via a first AC output port. The receiver controller receives the processed AC signal from the sender controller via the second AC input port, powers the at least one receiver using the processed AC signal via the second AC output port, and converts the processed AC signal to corresponding data and transmits the data to the at least one receiver via a second data port.
US08907516B2 Tether handling for airborne electricity generators
A power generation system including an airborne electricity generator, a tether assembly configured to carry electricity from the generator to land, the tether assembly having a first end portion coupled to the generator, and a winch assembly configured to reel the tether assembly onto a drum, wherein the winch assembly is configured to apply a reel tension to the tether assembly reeled onto the drum that is lower than a tension in the first end portion of the tether assembly.
US08907514B2 Wave-driven power generation system
A wave-driven power generation system that uses a motor reducer to turn a rocker bar in moving wave-making barrels alternatively up and down, causing creation of water waves in a water reservoir so that a float board in the water reservoir is moved by created water waves to rotate transmission mechanisms that are coupled to respective power generators through inertia wheel sets, and thus, the power generators are driven to generate electricity.
US08907511B2 Method and apparatus for protecting wind turbines from damage
A wind turbine has a Lidar device to sense wind conditions upstream of the wind turbine. Signals from the wind turbine are processed to detect an extreme event. On detection the system controller takes the necessary evasive action depending on the nature and severity of the extreme condition detected. This may include a significant reduction in power generated, complete shutdown of the generator and yawing of the nacelle and rotor to reduce loading on the rotor blades.
US08907510B2 Method and systems for operating a wind turbine
A method and system for reducing a disturbance of an electric grid signal in a wind turbine is provided. The method includes providing a generator for the wind turbine system, and, coupling a power converter to the generator, the power converter. The power converter is configured to monitor at least one of a negative sequence component and a positive sequence component of a signal transmitted from an electric grid, determine if a disturbance exists based on the monitored signal, determine at least a portion of a magnitude of the negative sequence component of the signal, and, orient a voltage of the signal based on the determined magnitude negative sequence component to modify the instantaneous power flow through the power converter.
US08907506B2 Multimodal vibration harvester combining inductive and magnetostrictive mechanisms
Multi-Mechanism Energy Harvesters (MMEHs) combining magnetostrictive and inductive mechanisms with a shape and size similar to an AA battery. Included are MMEHs with (a) an inductive mode: a cylindrical tube, a rod lengthwise within the tube, permanent magnets with opposing polarities at opposing ends of the tube, an annular oscillatory magnet in the tube and between the magnets and around the rod; and a primary coil around the tube and oscillatory magnet, such that relative movement between the magnet and coil induces electrical current in the coil; and (b) a magnetostrictive mode comprising: piezoelectric cymbal transducers on opposing ends of the tube and comprising a magnetostrictive material surrounded by a secondary coil, such that movement of the magnetostrictive material induces voltage in the secondary coil. During use, electrical energy can be harvested from the relative motion between the magnet and coil and from the magnetostrictive material.
US08907505B2 Method and apparatus for generating electrical energy
An apparatus and a method are provided for obtaining electrical power from activities, e.g., walking and running, of a user. In one example, the apparatus includes first and second compressible bladders; a fluid containing column coupled between the first and second compressible bladders; a magnetic piston disposed in the fluid containing column, the magnetic piston being shaped to conform with an internal cross section of the cylinder and movable in the cylinder along a longitudinal direction of the cylinder, wherein the magnetic piston comprises a plurality of magnets with similar poles facing each other and separated by one or more pole pieces, the magnets being axially magnetized along the longitudinal direction; one or more wire windings disposed proximate the magnetic piston; and an electric charge storage electrically coupled to said one or more wire windings.
US08907502B2 Encapsulating layer-covered semiconductor element, producing method thereof, and semiconductor device
A method for producing an encapsulating layer-covered semiconductor element includes the steps of preparing a support sheet including a hard support board formed with a through hole passing through in a thickness direction and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated on a surface at one side in the thickness direction of the support board so as to cover the through hole; disposing a semiconductor element on a surface at one side in the thickness direction of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer in opposed to the through hole in the thickness direction; covering the semiconductor element with an encapsulating layer to produce an encapsulating layer-covered semiconductor element; and inserting a pressing member into the through hole from the other side in the thickness direction to peel the encapsulating layer-covered semiconductor element from the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.
US08907500B2 Multi-die wirebond packages with elongated windows
A microelectronic package can include a substrate having first and second opposed surfaces extending in first and second transverse directions and an opening extending between the first and second surfaces and defining first and second distinct parts each elongated along a common axis extending in the first direction, first and second microelectronic elements each having a front surface facing the first surface of the substrate and a column of contacts at the respective front surface, a plurality of terminals exposed at the second surface, and first and second electrical connections aligned with the respective first and second parts of the opening and extending from at least some of the contacts of the respective first and second microelectronic elements to at least some of the terminals. The column of contacts of the first and second microelectronic elements can be aligned with the respective first and second parts of the opening.
US08907498B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming a shielding layer between stacked semiconductor die
A semiconductor device has a first semiconductor die with a shielding layer formed over its back surface. The first semiconductor die is mounted to a carrier. A first insulating layer is formed over the shielding layer. A second semiconductor die is mounted over the first semiconductor die separated by the shielding layer and first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is deposited over the first and second semiconductor die. A first interconnect structure is formed over the second semiconductor die and second insulating layer. A second interconnect structure is formed over the first semiconductor die and second insulating layer. The shielding layer is electrically connected to a low-impedance ground point through a bond wire, RDL, or TSV. The second semiconductor die may also have a shielding layer formed on its back surface. The semiconductor die are bonded through the metal-to-metal shielding layers.
US08907491B2 Pitch quartering to create pitch halved trenches and pitch halved air gaps
A silicon structure is fabricated determining a pattern for wire trenches and air gaps. The wire trenches are created, and certain trenches are used as air gaps. The remaining wire trenches are used for metallization of inter connecting wires.
US08907488B2 Microbump and sacrificial pad pattern
Embodiments described herein generally relate to connections for integrated circuit (IC) dies. For example, in an embodiment an integrated circuit (IC) die is provided. The IC die includes a plurality of clusters of pads formed on a surface of the IC die, each cluster being associated with a respective circuit formed in the IC die. Each cluster includes a plurality of micropads each electrically coupled to the circuit associated with the cluster through a respective via and a sacrificial pad coupled to the circuit through the plurality of micropads, the sacrificial pad being larger than each of the micropads.
US08907485B2 Copper ball bond features and structure
An integrated circuit wire bond connection is provided having an aluminum bond pad (51) that is directly bonded to a copper ball (52) to form an aluminum splash structure (53) and associated crevice opening (55) at a peripheral bond edge of the copper ball (54), where the aluminum splash structure (53) is characterized by a plurality of geometric properties indicative of a reliable copper ball bond, such as lateral splash size, splash shape, relative position of splash-ball crevice to the aluminum pad, crevice width, crevice length, crevice angle, and/or crevice-pad splash index.
US08907484B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device, includes a substrate, an inter-layer insulating layer provided above the substrate, a first interconnect provided in a first trench, and a second interconnect provided in a second trench. The first interconnect is made of a first metal, and the first trench is provided in the inter-layer insulating layer on a side opposite to the substrate. The second interconnect is made of a second metal, and the second trench is provided in the inter-layer insulating layer toward the substrate. A width of the second trench is wider than a width of the first trench. A mean free path of electrons in the first metal is shorter than a mean free path of electrons in the second metal, and the first metal is a metal, an alloy or a metal compound, including at least one nonmagnetic element as a constituent element.
US08907483B2 Semiconductor device having a self-forming barrier layer at via bottom
An approach for forming a semiconductor device is provided. In general, the device is formed by providing a metal layer, a cap layer over the metal layer, and an ultra low k layer over the cap layer. A via is then formed through the ultra low k layer and the cap layer. Once the via is formed, a barrier layer (e.g., cobalt (Co), tantalum (Ta), cobalt-tungsten-phosphide (CoWP), or other metal capable of acting as a copper (CU) diffusion barrier) is selectively applied to a bottom surface of the via. A liner layer (e.g., manganese (MN) or aluminum (AL)) is then applied to a set of sidewalls of the via. The via may then be filled with a subsequent metal layer (with or without a seed layer), and the device may the then be further processed (e.g., annealed).
US08907478B2 Bump pad structure
An embodiment is a bump bond pad structure that comprises a substrate comprising a top layer, a reinforcement pad disposed on the top layer, an intermediate layer above the top layer, an intermediate connection pad disposed on the intermediate layer, an outer layer above the intermediate layer, and an under bump metal (UBM) connected to the intermediate connection pad through an opening in the outer layer. Further embodiments may comprise a via mechanically coupling the intermediate connection pad to the reinforcement pad. The via may comprise a feature selected from the group consisting of a solid via, a substantially ring-shaped via, or a five by five array of vias. Yet, a further embodiment may comprise a secondary reinforcement pad, and a second via mechanically coupling the reinforcement pad to the secondary reinforcement pad.
US08907475B2 Pb-free solder-connected structure
Provided are a bonded structure by a lead-free solder and an electronic article comprising the bonded structure. The bonded structure has a stable bonding interface with respect to a change in process of time, an enough strength and resistance to occurrence of whiskers while keeping good wettability of the solder. In the bonded structure, a lead-free Sn—Ag—Bi alloy solder is applied to an electrode through an Sn—Bi alloy layer. The Sn—Bi alloy, preferably, comprises 1 to 20 wt % Bi in order to obtain good wettability of the solder. In order to obtain desirable bonding characteristics having higher reliability in the invention, a copper layer is provided under the Sn—Bi alloy layer thereby obtaining an enough bonding strength.
US08907472B2 3DIC package comprising perforated foil sheet
A structure includes a thermal interface material, and a Perforated Foil Sheet (PFS) including through-openings therein, with a first portion of the PFS embedded in the thermal interface material. An upper layer of the thermal interface material is overlying the PFS, and a lower layer of thermal interface material is underlying the PFS. The thermal interface material fills through-openings in the PFS.
US08907471B2 Window interposed die packaging
A semiconductor device is described advantageously making use of the interposer principle. The semiconductor device comprises at least one semiconductor die, a window substrate being an inorganic substrate comprising at least one window-shaped cavity for mounting the at least one semiconductor die, the window substrate having interconnect structures. Furthermore, the at least one semiconductor die is positioned inside the at least one cavity and is connected to the interconnect structures, providing connections to another level of assembly or packaging of the semiconductor device. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device.
US08907470B2 Millimeter wave wafer level chip scale packaging (WLCSP) device and related method
Various embodiments include wafer level chip scale package (WLCSP) structures and methods of tuning such structures. In some embodiments, the WLCSP structure includes: a printed circuit board (PCB) trace connection including at least one PCB ground connection connected with a PCB ground plane; a set of ground solder balls each contacting the printed circuit board trace connection; a set of chip pads contacting each of the ground solder balls in the set of ground solder balls; a chip ground plane connecting the set of chip pads; and a signal interconnect interposed between two of the set of ground solder balls, the signal interconnect including: a signal trace connection electrically isolated from the PCB ground plane; a signal ball contacting the signal PCB trace connection; a chip pad contacting the signal ball, and a signal trace connection on a chip contacting the chip pad.
US08907466B2 Stackable molded microelectronic packages
A microelectronic package has a microelectronic element and conductive posts or masses projecting above a surface of the substrate. Conductive elements at a surface of the substrate opposite therefrom are electrically interconnected with the microelectronic element. An encapsulant overlies at least a portion of the microelectronic element and may be in contact with the conductive posts or masses. The encapsulant may have openings permitting electrical connections with the conductive posts or masses. The openings may partially expose conductive masses joined to posts, fully expose top surfaces of posts and partially expose edge surfaces of posts, or may partially expose top surfaces of posts.
US08907465B2 Methods and devices for packaging integrated circuits
Methods and devices for packaging integrated circuits. A packaged device may include an integrated circuit, a first packaging component including a patterned surface, and a second packaging component. The patterned surface of the first packaging component may be adhesively coupled to a surface of the second packaging component or a surface of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit may be at least partially enclosed between the first and second packaging components. A packaging method may include patterning a surface of a packaging component of an integrated circuit package. The surface of the packaging component may be for adhesively coupling to a second component to at least partially enclose an integrated circuit in the integrated circuit package.
US08907457B2 Microelectronic devices with through-substrate interconnects and associated methods of manufacturing
Microelectronic devices with through-substrate interconnects and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate carrying first and second metallization layers. The second metallization layer is spaced apart from the semiconductor substrate with the first metallization layer therebetween. The semiconductor device also includes a conductive interconnect extending at least partially through the semiconductor substrate. The first metallization layer is in electrical contact with the conductive interconnect via the second metallization layer.
US08907455B2 Voltage-controlled switches
A voltage-controlled switch comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a switching junction situated between the first electrode and the second electrode, a conducting channel extending from adjacent to the origin through the switching junction and having a channel end situated near the second electrode, and a layer of dopants situated adjacent to an interface between the switching junction and the second electrode, wherein the dopants are capable of being activated to form switching centers.
US08907454B2 Transistor with heat sink joined to only part of one electrode
A transistor includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first electrode on the semiconductor substrate and having first and second portions; a second electrode on the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from the first electrode; a control electrode on the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a first heat sink plate joined to the second portion of the first electrode without being joined to the first portion of the first electrode.
US08907453B2 Parasitic lateral PNP transistor and manufacturing method thereof
A parasitic lateral PNP transistor is disclosed, in which, an N-type implanted region formed in each of two adjacent active regions forms a base region; a P-type doped polysilicon pseudo buried layer located under a shallow trench field oxide region between the two active regions serves as an emitter; and a P-type doped polysilicon pseudo buried layer located under each of the shallow trench field oxide regions on the outer side of the active regions serves as a collector region. The transistor has a C-B-E-B-C structure which alters the current path in the base region to a straight line, which can improve the current amplification capacity of the transistor and thus leads to a significant improvement of its current gain and frequency characteristics, and is further capable of reducing the area and increasing current intensity of the transistor. A manufacturing method of the parasitic lateral PNP transistor is also disclosed.
US08907450B2 Metal-semiconductor wafer bonding for high-Q devices
Methods and apparatus for metal semiconductor wafer bonding for high-Q devices are provided. An exemplary capacitor includes a first plate formed on a glass substrate, a second plate, and a dielectric layer. No organic bonding agent is used between the first plate and the glass substrate, and the dielectric layer can be an intrinsic semiconductor. A extrinsic semiconductor layer that is heavily doped contacts the dielectric layer. The dielectric and extrinsic semiconductor layers are sandwiched between the first and second plates. An intermetallic layer is formed between the first plate and the dielectric layer. The intermetallic layer is thermo compression bonded to the first plate and the dielectric layer. The capacitor can be coupled in a circuit as a high-Q capacitor and/or a varactor, and can be integrated with a mobile device.
US08907447B2 Power inductors in silicon
Various methods and systems are provided for power inductors in silicon (PIiS) In one embodiment, a PIiS includes a magnetic core of magnetic material embedded in a silicon substrate, and a conductive winding having a plurality of turns, where adjacent turns of the conductive winding have a space therebetween, and where at least a portion of the magnetic core is encircled by the conductive winding In another embodiment, a DC to DC converter includes a PIiS, which includes a magnetic core of magnetic material embedded in a silicon substrate, a conductive winding having a plurality of turns, where at least a portion of the magnetic core is encircled by the conductive winding, and a cap layer of magnetic material disposed on at least one side of the silicon substrate The DC to DC converter also includes an integrated circuit mounted on the cap layer of the power inductor in silicon.
US08907446B2 Integrated circuit structure with capacitor and resistor and method for forming
An integrated circuit structure with a metal-to-metal capacitor and a metallic device such as a resistor, effuse, or local interconnect where the bottom plate of the capacitor and the metallic device are formed with the same material layers. A process for forming a metallic device along with a metal-to-metal capacitor with no additional manufacturing steps.
US08907445B2 Substrate to which film is formed, organic EL display device, and vapor deposition method
A film formation substrate (200) is a film formation substrate having a plurality of vapor deposition regions (24R and 24G) (i) which are arranged along a predetermined direction and (ii) in which respective vapor-deposited films (23R and 23G) are provided. The vapor-deposited film (24R) has inclined side surfaces 23s which are inclined with respect to a direction normal to the film formation substrate (200). A width, in the predetermined direction, of the vapor-deposited film (23R) is larger than the sum of (i) a width, in the predetermined direction, of the vapor deposition region (24R) and (ii) a width, in the predetermined direction, of a region (29) between the vapor deposition region (24R) and the vapor deposition region (24G).
US08907444B2 Stress-inducing structures, methods, and materials
Stress-inducing structures, methods, and materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, an isolation region includes an insulating material in a lower portion of a trench formed in a workpiece and a stress-inducing material disposed in a top portion of the trench over the insulating material.
US08907441B2 Methods for double-patterning-compliant standard cell design
A semiconductor chip includes a row of cells, with each of the cells including a VDD line and a VSS line. All VDD lines of the cells are connected as a single VDD line, and all VSS lines of the cells are connected as a single VSS line. No double-patterning full trace having an even number of G0 paths exists in the row of cells, or no double-patterning full trace having an odd number of G0 paths exists in the row of cells.
US08907437B2 Reinforced isolation for current sensor with magnetic field transducer
A current sensor packaged in an integrated circuit package to include a magnetic field sensing circuit, a current conductor and an insulator that meets the safety isolation requirements for reinforced insulation under the UL 60950-1 Standard is presented. The insulator is provided as an insulation structure having at least two layers of thin sheet material. The insulation structure is dimensioned so that plastic material forming a molded plastic body of the package provides a reinforced insulation. According to one embodiment, the insulation structure has two layers of insulating tape. Each insulating tape layer includes a polyimide film and adhesive. The insulation structure and the molded plastic body can be constructed to achieve at least a 500 VRMS working voltage rating.
US08907433B2 Thin film with improved temperature range
A device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The device comprises a substrate and a thin film. The substrate is characterized by a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The thin film is attached to a surface of the substrate, and is characterized by a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The thin film includes first and second layers in states of compression, and a third layer in a state of tension, the third layer being positioned between the first and second layers. The thin film is in a net state of tension within a temperature range.
US08907426B2 Semiconductor device having embedded strain-inducing pattern and method of forming the same
In a semiconductor device, a first active region has a first Σ-shape, and the second active region has a second Σ-shape. When a line that is perpendicular to the substrate and passes a side surface of a first gate electrode in the first region is defined as a first vertical line, when a line that is perpendicular to the substrate and passes a side surface of a second gate electrode in the second region is defined as a second vertical line, when a shortest distance between the first vertical line and the first trench is defined as a first horizontal distance, and when a shortest distance between the second vertical line and the second trench is defined as a second horizontal distance, a difference between the first horizontal distance and the second horizontal distance is equal to or less than 1 nm.
US08907419B2 LDMOS with enhanced safe operating area (SOA) and method therefor
A laterally double diffused metal oxide semiconductor device includes a well region having a first conductivity, a first carrier redistribution region having the first conductivity type, wherein the second well region is under the well region, and a highly doped buried layer under the second well region. The highly doped buried layer has the first conductivity type and has a dopant concentration less than that of the well region and less than that of the first carrier redistribution region, and the buried layer is tied to the first well region. In addition, a method for forming the laterally double diffused metal oxide semiconductor device, which may use epitaxial growth, is disclosed.
US08907415B2 High switching trench MOSFET
A shielded gate trench metal oxide semiconductor filed effect transistor (MOSFET) having high switching speed is disclosed. The inventive shielded gate trench MOSFET includes a shielded electrode spreading resistance placed between a shielded gate electrode and a source metal to enhance the performance of the shielded gate trench MOSFET by adjusting doping concentration of poly-silicon in gate trenches to a target value. Furthermore, high cell density is achieved by employing the inventive shielded gate trench MOSFET without requirement of additional cost.
US08907412B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed thereon. The semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type is characterized by a first thickness. The semiconductor device includes a set of trenches having a predetermined depth and extending into the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, thereby defining interfacial regions disposed between the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type and each of the trenches. The trenches comprises a distal portion consisting essentially of a dielectric material disposed therein and a proximal portion comprising the dielectric material and a gate material disposed interior to the dielectric material in the proximal portion of the trench. The semiconductor device further includes a source region coupled to the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type.
US08907410B2 TSV structure with a built-in U-shaped FET transistor for improved characterization
A through-the silicon via (TSV) structure providing a built-in TSV U-shaped FET that includes an annular gate shaped as a TSV partially embedded in a substrate, the annular gate having an inner and an outer surface bound by an oxide layer; a drain formed on an isolated epitaxial layer on top of the substrate conformally connecting the gate oxide layer surrounding the inner annular surface of the TSV; a source partially contacting said gate oxide layer conformally contacting gate oxide layer surrounding the outer surface of the TSV.
US08907406B2 Transistor having impurity distribution controlled substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device according to embodiments includes a semiconductor substrate, a buried insulating layer which is formed on the semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor layer which is formed on the buried insulating layer and includes a narrow portion and two wide portions which are larger than the narrow portion in width and are respectively connected to one end and the other end of the narrow portion, a gate insulating film which is formed on a side surface of the narrow portion, and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film. The impurity concentration of the semiconductor substrate directly below the narrow portion is higher than the impurity concentration of the narrow portion, and the impurity concentration of the semiconductor substrate directly below the narrow portion is higher than the impurity concentration of the semiconductor substrate directly below the wide portion.
US08907402B2 Method for manufacturing nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing is a method for manufacturing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a memory string having series-connected memory cells. The method includes forming a first semiconductor layer; forming a first sacrificial layer and the bottom surface and the side surface being surrounded with the first semiconductor layer; forming a first insulating layer on the first semiconductor layer and the first sacrificial layer; forming a stacked body on the first insulating layer, the body including electrode layers and second sacrificial layers alternately stacked; forming a first trench extending from an upper surface of the body to the first insulating layer on the first sacrificial layer; forming a second insulating layer in the first trench; forming a second trench extending from the upper surface of the body to the first semiconductor layer; and forming a third insulating layer in the second trench.
US08907397B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device containing a material having an oxygen dissociation catalytic action
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is provided. In the method, a conductive film serving as a control gate is formed above a substrate. A hole extending through the conductive film from its upper surface to its lower surface is formed. A block insulating film, a charge storage layer, a tunnel insulating film, and a semiconductor layer are formed on the inner surface of the hole. A film containing a material having an oxygen dissociation catalytic action is formed on the semiconductor layer not to fill the hole. The interface between the tunnel insulating film and the semiconductor layer is oxidized through the film from the inside of the hole.
US08907395B2 Semiconductor structure
A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. A substrate having a cell area and a periphery area is provided. A stacked structure including a gate oxide layer, a floating gate and a first spacer is formed on the substrate in the cell area and a resistor is formed on the substrate in the periphery area. At least two doped regions are formed in the substrate beside the stacked structure. A dielectric material layer and a conductive material layer are sequentially formed on the substrate. A patterned photoresist layer is formed on the substrate to cover the stacked structure and a portion of the resistor. The dielectric material layer and the conductive material layer not covered by the patterned photoresist layer are removed, so as to form an inter-gate dielectric layer and a control gate on the stacked structure, and simultaneously form a salicide block layer on the resistor.
US08907394B2 Insulated gate semiconductor device having shield electrode structure
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a multi-portion shield electrode structure formed in a drift region. The shield electrode includes a wide portion formed in proximity to a channel side of the drift region, and a narrow portion formed deeper in the drift region. The narrow portion is separated from the drift region by a thicker dielectric region, and the wide portion is separated from the drift region by a thinner dielectric region. That portion of the drift region in proximity to the wide portion can have a higher dopant concentration than other portions of the drift region.
US08907392B2 Semiconductor memory device including stacked sub memory cells
A semiconductor memory device which includes a memory cell including two or more sub memory cells is provided. The sub memory cells each including a word line, a bit line, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a transistor. In the semiconductor device, the sub memory cells are stacked in the memory cell; a first gate and a second gate are formed with a semiconductor film provided therebetween in the transistor; the first gate and the second gate are connected to the word line; one of a source and a drain of the transistor is connected to the bit line; the other of the source and the drain of the transistor is connected to the first capacitor and the second capacitor; and the first gate and the second gate of the transistor in each sub memory cell overlap with each other and are connected to each other.
US08907388B2 Optical-information acquiring element, optical information acquiring element array, and hybrid solid-state imaging device
A optical-information acquisition element encompasses a semiconductor layer (31) of a p-type, a surface-buried region (33) of a n-type buried in the semiconductor layer (31) so as to implement a photodiode with the semiconductor layer (31), a charge-accumulation region (36) of the n-type buried in the surface-buried region (33), configured to accumulate charges generated by the photodiode, a barrier-creating region of the p-type buried in the surface-buried region (33) so as to sandwich the surface-buried region (33) with the semiconductor layer (31), configured to create a potential barrier, and a charge-exhaust region (34) of the n-type buried in the semiconductor layer (31), configured to store and to extract excess charges which surmount the potential barrier and flow out from the charge-accumulation region (36). The changes of potential level of the charge-accumulation region (36) are extracted as signals, after receiving optical-communication signals. An optical-information-acquisition element array and a hybrid solid-state imaging device are also provided.
US08907385B2 Surface treatment for BSI image sensors
A backside illumination image sensor structure comprises an image sensor formed adjacent to a first side of a semiconductor substrate, wherein a first dielectric layer formed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate and an interconnect layer formed over the first dielectric layer. The image sensor structure further comprises a backside illumination film formed over a second side of the semiconductor substrate and a first silicon halogen compound layer formed between the second side of the semiconductor substrate and the backside illumination film.
US08907384B2 CNT-based sensors: devices, processes and uses thereof
Disclosed herein are methods of preparing and using doped MWNT electrodes, sensors and field-effect transistors. Devices incorporating doped MWNT electrodes, sensors and field-effect transistors are also disclosed.