| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08918314B2 |
Encoding apparatus, decoding apparatus, encoding method and decoding method
An encoding apparatus includes a first layer encoder that encodes an input signal, a first layer decoder that decodes the first layer encoded data, a weighting filter that filters a first layer error signal to acquire a weighted first layer error signal, a first layer error transform coefficient calculator that transforms the weighted first layer error signal into a frequency domain, and a second layer encoder that encodes the first layer error transform coefficient. The second layer encoder includes a first shape vector encoder that refers the first layer error transform coefficient to generate a first shape vector and first shape encoded information. A target gain calculator calculates a target gain using the first layer error transform coefficient and the first shape vector, a gain vector generator generates a gain vector, and a gain vector encoder encodes the gain vector to acquire gain encoded information. |
| US08918313B2 |
Replay apparatus, signal processing apparatus, and signal processing method
A method of selectively performing signal processing in a first mode and in a second mode. In the first mode, a noise cancel signal having a signal characteristic to cancel an external noise component is generated based on a voice signal supplied from a microphone, and an input digital audio signal and the noise cancel signal are combined into a voice signal to be output through a speaker. In the second mode, a sound process for vocal voice is performed on a voice signal supplied from a microphone, a vocal voice component is canceled from a digital audio signal of input music to generate a karaoke signal, and the karaoke signal and the vocal signal are combined into a voice signal to be output through a speaker. The first mode corresponds to an audio replay operation accompanied by noise cancel, and the second mode corresponds to a karaoke operation. |
| US08918312B1 |
Assigning sentiment to themes
Assigning sentiment to themes is disclosed. Reputation data extracted from at least one data source is received. The reputation data includes user-authored reviews. The user-authored reviews include text and at least one rating. For a first review included in the reputation data, at least one keyword is determined using the first review's text. A sentiment is assigned for a theme associated with the keyword based at least in part on the first review's rating. |
| US08918310B2 |
Method, system, and computer readable medium for creating clusters of text in an electronic document
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for navigating electronic texts. According to an aspect, a method may include determining text subgroups within an electronic text. The method may also include selecting a text seed within one of the text subgroups. Further, the method may include determining a similarity relationship between the text seed and one or more adjacent text subgroups that do not include the selected text seed. The method may also include associating the text seed with the one or more adjacent text subgroups based on the similarity relationship to create a text cluster. |
| US08918308B2 |
Providing multi-lingual searching of mono-lingual content
Approaches for translating a transliterated search query are provided. An approach includes receiving a search query containing a transliterated word. The approach also includes determining a source language corresponding to the transliterated word. The approach further includes converting the transliterated word to a word in the source language. The approach additionally includes translating the word in the source language to a word in a target language. The approach also includes performing a search using the word in the target language. |
| US08918307B2 |
Automated system latency detection for fabric simulation
A configuration manager identifies a first device and a second device within a simulated system. Each device within the simulated system includes an inbound port and an outbound port. Next, the configuration manager injects a simulation only packet, at an “outbound time,” on the first device's outbound port and detects that the second device's inbound port receives the simulation only packet at an “inbound time.” As such, the configuration manager identifies a direct connection between the first device and the second device and computes a latency time for the connection. In turn, the configuration manager configures one or more first device configuration registers and one or more second device configuration registers based upon the computed latency time. |
| US08918306B2 |
System and method for providing dynamic insurance portal transaction authentication and authorization
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for managing electronic access to a plurality of computerized insurance services. A network interface is configured to receive a user identity provided by a user remote to the system and an access request from the user to access a selected computerized insurance service from the plurality of computerized insurance services. A memory stores computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the system to determine a set of access rights for the user based on the user identity and an insurance-related role associated with the user identity and allow the user to access the selected computerized insurance service according to the access request only if the access requested is included in the determined set of access rights. At least two of the computerized insurance services are implemented on substantially different information platforms. |
| US08918296B2 |
Method for detecting single phase grounding fault based on harmonic component of residual current
The method for detecting single-phase grounding fault based on the harmonic component of residual current is provided, in which collecting and calculating the phase differences of third harmonic waves relative to the fundamental wave of the residual current in the feeder line, and judging if the phase differences of the residual current in the feeder line is into a threshold range, and judging if there is a suspected grounding fault, and confirming the fault event by judging the duration and the generated times of the suspected grounding fault. Another method for detecting single-phase grounding fault based on the harmonic component of residual current is provided, in which the residual current of neutral point is used. |
| US08918294B2 |
Monitoring water consumption
A method for monitoring water consumption. A set of locations in a fluid transport system in a structure is monitored for sounds generated by a fluid flowing at an endpoint of the fluid transport system. Current acoustic data is generated for the sounds detected from monitoring the set of locations. The current acoustic data is compared with historical acoustic data to form a difference. A determination is made as to whether the difference exceeds a threshold. An action is performed in response to determining that the difference exceeds the threshold. |
| US08918293B2 |
Flow meter
A flow meter for monitoring fluid flow through a pipeline, the flow meter comprising a conduit having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for communication with respective sections of the pipeline; a target element positioned inside the conduit between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the target element being mounted for resilient axial displacement under a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet; an arm secured at an anchor point on one side of the conduit and extending radially across the conduit, the target element being coupled to the arm for applying a load to the arm, upon said axial displacement of the target element, so as to deflect the arm relative to the anchor point; a sensor arrangement for measuring deflection of the arm at a point on the opposite side of the applied load to the anchor point; and a processor configured for providing a signal representative of the steam flow through the conduit in response to said measured deflection. |
| US08918290B2 |
Method and system to identify metal alloys
A method and system to identify an unknown metal alloy based on its chemical composition is provided in the present application. The chemical elements contained in the alloy are separated into key elements and trap elements. Then a similarity factor between a relative amount of each key element and a threshold value of said key elements is determined and a correlation factor is formed based on the similarity factors. |
| US08918289B2 |
Combustible gas detection apparatus and combustible gas sensor control method
There is provided a combustible gas detection apparatus with a gas sensor and a control device. The gas sensor includes first and second heating resistors each having a resistance that changes depending on a combustible gas concentration of gas under measurement. The control device includes an energization control section that alternately energizes the first and second heating resistors, a first calculation section that calculates a first calculation value responsive to the combustible gas concentration based on a voltage across the first heating resistor during energization of the first heating resistor, a second calculation section that calculates a second calculation value responsive to the combustible gas concentration based on a voltage across the second heating resistor during energization of the second heating resistor, and an anomaly judgment section that judges the occurrence of an anomaly in the first heating resistor by comparison of the first and second calculation values. |
| US08918288B2 |
Clustering process for analyzing pressure gradient data
Clustering analysis is used to partition data into similarity groups based on mathematical relationships between the measured variables. These relationships (or prototypes) are derived from the specific correlation required between the measured variables (data) and an environmental property of interest. The data points are partitioned into the prototype-driven groups (i.e., clusters) based on error minimization. Once the data is grouped, quantitative predictions and sensitivity analysis of the property of interest can be derived based on the computed prototypes. Additionally, the process inherently minimizes prediction errors due to the rigorous error minimization during data clustering while avoiding overfitting via algorithm parameterization. The application used to demonstrate the power of the method is pressure gradient analysis. |
| US08918286B2 |
Environmental measurement system and environmental measurement method
An optical fiber is provided with a first measurement portion and a second measurement portion. The first measurement portion is provided with a heater and a hygroscopic layer made of a resin in which a material having a deliquescent property is dispersed. Meanwhile, the second measurement portion is provided with the heater and a non-hygroscopic layer having a lower moisture absorption capacity than the capacity of the hygroscopic layer. The heater is brought into heat generation by being supplied with electric power, and temperatures at the second measurement portion and temperatures at the first measurement portion are measured with a temperature measurement device. Then, an analyzer calculates a humidity based on an integrated value of differences between the temperatures at the first measurement portion and the temperatures at the second measurement portion. |
| US08918284B2 |
Information processing apparatus, behavior prediction display method, and computer program therefor
A method, system, device, and computer readable medium for a displaying a predicted route of a user. It can be determined whether a predicted route is within a displayed range of the map. If the predicted route is not within the displayed range of the map, the displayed range of the map can be automatically changed such that the predicted route is within the displayed range of the map. |
| US08918283B2 |
Navigation apparatus
A navigation apparatus includes: a map data storage unit 11a for storing map data in which a guide map location pointer 20 is included in data showing each guide point; a guide map data storage unit 11b for, for each guide point, storing guide map data which are used for drawing different views as guide maps; a processing unit 17 for, when a detected current position reaches a guide point shown by map data acquired from the map data storage unit, acquiring guide map data corresponding to a current situation from a location of the guide map data storage unit which is shown by a guide map location pointer included in data showing the guide point, and combining the guide map data with the map data to generate display data; and a display output unit 15 for displaying a map and a guide map according to the display data. |
| US08918275B2 |
Action history recording apparatus, action history recording method, and program
With use of GPS, an action-history recording apparatus obtains latitudes and longitudes representing places of user's action where a user is acting, and stores action-history data containing place names indicating the places of user's action at a predetermined processing timing. In the case where, the place of user's action is a specific place unique to the user, where the user visits customarily or frequently, the user is allowed to enter an arbitrary name independent of the latitude and longitude. The name entered by the user is used as a pace name to be contained in action-history data. In this way, the apparatus obtains a place name appropriate for the user and the user can use the name conveniently as the place name of the user's action. |
| US08918272B2 |
Method and apparatus for finding a lost vehicle
When a driver leaves a vehicle as indicated by a separation event such as the driver's portable wireless communication device (WCD) losing Bluetooth connectivity with the vehicle, the WCD uploads to a cloud server its GPS location before the driver has been able to walk away from the vehicle an appreciable distance. The location is recorded and the driver subsequently can use its WCD to communicate with the server to obtain map information showing the current location of the WCD and the location recorded at the separation event, so that the driver knows the location of her vehicle relative to her current location. |
| US08918270B2 |
Wireless traffic sensor system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless traffic sensor system. The system includes a plurality of wireless traffic sensors collecting traffic information from one or more vehicles that pass by; and at least one wireless communication device that receives the traffic information from at least one of the wireless traffic sensors and relays the traffic information to a wireless communication tower in vicinity. At least one of the wireless traffic sensors is placed inside a container and has a mounting flange that lays over edge of the container and is affixed to the container by one or more spring clips. The spring clips are not physically accessible once the wireless traffic sensor is affixed to the container, and are released only upon receiving a coded wireless electromagnetic signal or by a special tool that matches to a key inside the wireless traffic sensor. |
| US08918268B2 |
Malfunction detecting device for internal combustion engine
A malfunction detecting device for an internal combustion engine is mounted on a vehicle and includes an engine and a control unit. The engine is a multi-cylinder engine and is a bi fuel-enabled engine which is capable of switching plural kinds of fuels including a gas fuel and which can use bifuel. The control unit detects, in case of detecting a malfunction with respect to an imbalance of an air fuel ratio among the cylinders at a time of an operation based on the gas fuel, the malfunction based on variation of pressure pulsations of the gas fuel due to a fuel injection. |
| US08918265B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine operating in HCCI combustion mode
A method for operating the internal combustion engine includes determining a first integrated thermal state parameter corresponding to engine environment factors affecting a combustion parameter during engine operation in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode. A difference in the first integrated thermal state parameter is determined corresponding to a difference between a monitored state for the combustion parameter and an estimated state for the combustion parameter. The first integrated thermal state parameter is corrected in response to the difference in the integrated thermal state parameter. Operation of the internal combustion engine is controlled in response to the corrected first integrated thermal state parameter. |
| US08918257B2 |
Transmission control apparatus and adjustment method for output characteristic thereof
In a linear solenoid 107n, an electromagnetic coil 71n, a pressure sensor 72n, and label resistors 73n and 74n for correcting an inherent variation in a pressure detection characteristic are integrated; the standard characteristic of the pressure sensor 72n is stored in a control module 120M; when driving is started, the resistance values of the label resistors 73n and 74n are read, the pressure detection characteristic of the utilized pressure sensor 72n is corrected, and an excitation current for the electromagnetic coil 71n is controlled in such a way that a target adjusted hydraulic pressure is obtained. Even when due to a change in the oil temperature, the valve opening characteristic of the linear solenoid 107n changes, the adjusted hydraulic pressure is controlled to be constant. |
| US08918255B2 |
Method for preventing a collision of a vehicle and driver assistance system for a vehicle
A method for preventing a collision of a vehicle involves continuously detecting an operation of a brake pedal of the vehicle and concluding a risk of collision if the brake pedal is operated quickly. A position and a movement of objects in the vehicle surroundings relative to the vehicle are detected and evaluated regarding the risk of collision. When a risk of collision has been detected, an evasion maneuver of the vehicle is automatically carried out, if the evaluation of the risk of collision reveals that a collision can be prevented by an evasion maneuver but not by a braking manoeuvre. |
| US08918254B2 |
Control device for assisting a parking maneuver
A control device may assist in parking maneuvers of a vehicle. The control device may include an interface to a sensor unit for detecting a boundary of a parking space in the surroundings of the vehicle. An arithmetic unit may determine a trajectory into a parking position in the parking space. In some embodiments the arithmetic unit is configured to calculate a trajectory into the parking position, taking into account a potential extension of parts of the body of the vehicle beyond the boundary of the parking space. Devices and methods are provided. |
| US08918247B2 |
Control device for vehicle
A vehicle is provided with an air conditioning device that heats a passenger compartment, using cooling water passing through an internal combustion engine as a heat source, and a seat heater, which heats a seat in the passenger compartment by using an electric power from a battery as a heat source. An electronic control device performs EV travel of the vehicle by driving a motor generator while setting the internal combustion engine to a stop state and restarts the internal combustion engine when a cooling water temperature becomes equal to or less than a predetermined temperature during the EV travel. When a heating request is output to make the air conditioning device heat the passenger compartment during vehicle travel, the electronic control device reduces the heating degree of the air conditioning device and increases the heating degree by the seat heater during EV travel in comparison with non-EV travel. |
| US08918245B2 |
Methods and systems for providing open access to vehicle data
A method for providing open access to vehicle data is disclosed. From a vehicle under service, the method receives vehicle-diagnostic data in a manufacturer-specified format at a vehicle-service tool, and converts the vehicle data in the manufacturer-specified format into vehicle data in an open format. |
| US08918243B2 |
System and method for tracking and alerting for vehicle speeds
A computer system and method for storing and processing GPS data for a plurality of vehicles to provide speed reports and alerts for fleets of vehicles, including alerts for speed data. The system and method can provide, for a graphic user interface, an alert when an operational metric for a vehicle meets or exceeds at least one predetermined criterion established for the operational metric, wherein the operational metric includes a speed metric. |
| US08918241B2 |
Autonomous mobile device and operating method for the same
An autonomous mobile device is configured to move on a surface provided with a base station thereon, and is operated in one of a work state and return state. In the work state, the autonomous mobile device is operable to plot a movement route along which the autonomous mobile device moves, and is operable to adjust the movement route upon presence of an obstacle. In the return state, the autonomous mobile device is operable to plot a returning route on the surface from the current position to the base station, and to move along the returning route to the base station. |
| US08918239B2 |
Electrical system for gyroscopic stabilized vehicle
Embodiments of the invention may transfer energy from a flywheel motor-generator to a capacitor bank in response to detecting an input to increase the speed of a vehicle, and transfer energy from a drive wheel motor-generator to a capacitor bank in response to detecting an input to decrease the speed of the vehicle. The flywheel motor-generator may function to transfer energy to and from a flywheel included in a gyroscope-stabilizer of the vehicle, while the capacitor bank, which includes a battery, may function to transfer energy to and from a drive wheel of the vehicle. |
| US08918238B2 |
Mackay cold-expansion engine system
The present invention provides an integrated engine system; said integrated engine system includes an air-compressor, an air-buffer-system, a power-management-unit, and a cold-expansion-chamber for operating a Mackay Cold-Expansion cycle, which includes a first-intake-process, a hot-combustion-process, a fuel-cooling-process, a second-intake-process, a cold-expansion-process, and an exhaust-process; said air-buffer-system supplies a cooled compressed air to be injected during said first-intake-process, and a heated compressed air to be injected during said second-intake-process; an air-fuel mixture is ignited to produce a hot-expansion-medium during said hot-combustion process, and the hot-expansion-medium is cooled by a fuel vaporization and an injection of heated compressed air to produce a cold expansion medium at an optimal expansion temperature, thereby accelerating the conversion of carbon-monoxide to carbon dioxide in the cold-expansion-medium and reducing heat loss. |
| US08918237B2 |
Train integrity and end of train location via RF ranging
Systems and methods that can be used in a Positive Train Control system to continuously monitor train integrity and end of train location using radio frequency (RF) ranging techniques to determine the line of sight distance between the head end and the end of the train. The systems and methods allow PTC controlled trains to maintain positive length of train awareness and to determine if a portion of the train separates unintentionally. The systems and methods can be implemented on existing RF infrastructure used on trains, without impacting existing messaging traffic, adding bandwidth or power requirements. The systems and methods work on stretched trains running on tangent or straight track, as well as on foreshortened trains running on curved track. |
| US08918232B2 |
Short range wireless communication between a vehicle and a handheld communications device
A method and system for establishing short range wireless communication (SRWC) between a handheld communications device (HCD) and a vehicle telematics unit. In some instances, the communication may be established following a disconnection event between the telematics unit and a wireless carrier network. The SRWC may include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct as well as other suitable protocols or technologies. Once SRWC is established, the telematics unit may receive a vehicle command from the HCD and perform the command. |
| US08918230B2 |
Teleoperation of unmanned ground vehicle
Described are systems and methods, including computer program products for controlling an unmanned vehicle. A user controls one or more unmanned vehicles with a smart phone. The smart phone receives video stream from the unmanned vehicles, and the smart phone displays the controls from the unmanned vehicle over the video. The smart phone and the unmanned vehicle communicate wirelessly. |
| US08918229B2 |
Method and apparatus for 3-D accelerometer based slope determination, real-time vehicle mass determination, and vehicle efficiency analysis
Three dimensional accelerometer data is used to determine a slope the vehicle is traveling over at a specific point in time. The slope data can then be combined with other metrics to provide an accurate, slope corrected vehicle mass. The vehicle mass can then be used along with other vehicle data to determine an amount of work performed by a vehicle, enabling s detailed efficiency analysis of the vehicle to be performed. To calculate slope, horizontal ground speed (VHGS) can be calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem. One can take the Z/Up magnitude and divide it by the horizontal ground speed. Replacing Z, x and y with directional vectors enables one to calculate slope. The slope data is then used to determine the mass of the vehicle at that time. Pervious techniques to calculate mass did not factor in slope, and thus are not accurate. |
| US08918218B2 |
Demand control ventilation system with remote monitoring
Methods and systems for remotely monitoring and/or controlling a demand control ventilation system are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a demand control ventilation device having a damper and a controller are provided. The damper may have a range of damper positions for controlling a flow of outside air into the building. The controller controls the damper positions such that a desired flow of outside air is drawn through the damper and into the building. A remote monitoring device may also be provided. The remote monitoring device may be located remotely from the demand control ventilation device, but in communication with or part of the controller. In some instances, the remote monitoring device may have a user interface for remotely monitoring and/or controlling at least certain aspects of the demand control ventilation system from the remote location. |
| US08918216B2 |
Robot system
A robot system includes a robot, a robot controller, and a portable remote operating device. The portable remote operating device includes a display unit, an acquiring unit, and a display switching unit, and is connected to the robot controller. The acquiring unit acquires a reception/transmission process and a customized screen, which are created by a user. The display switching unit switches between the customized screen and a previously-prepared standard screen at a predetermined time during the operation of the robot. |
| US08918199B2 |
Method and section for cooling a moving metal belt by spraying liquid
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the cooling of a moving metal belt (B) in a cooling section of a continuous processing line by spraying a liquid or a mixture consisting of a gas and a liquid onto the belt, the cooling depending on parameters including the temperature, speed, and current characteristics of a cooling liquid, wherein according to said method: one or more areas are determined in which cooling parameters are such that the local removal of a vapor film on the surface of the hot belt is carried out or capable being carried out, leading to the redampening of the belt; and at least the temperature of the cooling liquid is adjusted as a cooling parameter in the thus-determined area(s) so as to maintain, or return to, a cooling into a vapor film on the surface of the belt. |
| US08918192B2 |
Lead for implantable cardiac prosthesis, including protection against the thermal effects of MRI fields
A lead for an implantable cardiac prosthesis, with protection against the thermal effects of MRI fields by terminating the lead head (10) with an electrically insulating tubular outer housing (28) and an anchoring mechanism. The tubular housing (28) carries an electrically isolated thermally conductive solid part in the outer region of its distal end forming a heat sink. The heat sink thermally conductive material is for example titanium, associated with an electrically insulating coating such as a diamond deposition. The anchor may be a projecting helical anchoring screw (20), axially extending the tubular housing, which is an electrically conductive active screw on at least one end portion. |
| US08918191B2 |
Implantable device for providing electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction with bounded titration
An implantable device for providing electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction with bounded titration is provided. A stimulation therapy lead includes helical electrodes configured to conform to an outer diameter of a cervical vagus nerve sheath, and a set of connector pins electrically connected to the helical electrodes. A neurostimulator includes an electrical receptacle into which the connector pins are securely and electrically coupled. The neurostimulator includes a pulse generator configured to therapeutically stimulate the vagus nerve through the helical electrodes in alternating cycles of stimuli application and stimuli inhibition that are tuned to both efferently activate the heart's intrinsic nervous system and afferently activate the patient's central reflexes by triggering bi-directional action potentials. The neurostimulator includes an integrated leadless heart rate sensor configured to sense heart rate and alter the triggering in response to the sensed heart rate falling outside a predetermined range. |
| US08918182B2 |
Methods and systems for automatically determining an implant side associated with a cochlear implant
An exemplary method includes a fitting subsystem detecting a communicative coupling of a cochlear implant associated with a patient to a sound processor connected to the fitting subsystem and automatically determining, in response to the communicative coupling, an implant side associated with the cochlear implant in accordance with one or more implant side selection factors. Corresponding methods and systems are also described. |
| US08918181B2 |
Systems and methods for treatment of dry eye
A stimulation system stimulates anatomical targets in a patient for treatment of dry eye. The system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The controller may be implemented externally to or internally within the microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a controller signal and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. The microstimulator may not have any intelligence or logic to shape or modify a signal. The microstimulator may be a passive device configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller. The microstimulator may shape or modify a signal. Waveforms having different frequency, amplitude and period characteristics may stimulate different anatomical targets in a patient. |
| US08918179B2 |
System and method for increasing relative intensity between cathodes and anodes of neurostimulation system
A method and neurostimulation system for providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes is placed adjacent to tissue of the patient. The electrodes include first and second electrodes, with the first electrode having a first tissue contacting surface area and the second electrode having a second tissue contact surface area greater than the first tissue contacting surface area. Anodic electrical current is simultaneously sourced from one of the first and second electrodes to the tissue and while cathodic electrical current is sunk from the tissue to another of the first and second electrodes to provide the therapy to the patient. |
| US08918177B2 |
Method and system to facilitate neurostimulator programming based on pre-existing therapy profiles
A method and system are provided to assist in programming of a neurostimulator based on a collection of pre-existing therapy profiles. The method and system access a collection of pre-existing therapy profiles derived from prior actual patients or patient models. The pre-existing therapy profiles include stimulation programs mapped to pre-existing patient profiles. The pre-existing patient profiles have at least one of i) prior lead attribute, ii) prior pain maps, and iii) prior stimulation maps for prior patients or models of patients. The method and system further compare the new patient profile with at least a portion of the collection of pre-existing patient profiles to generate profile matching scores indicating an amount of similarity between the pre-existing patient and the new therapy profile. |
| US08918174B2 |
Patient programmer for implantable devices
An implantable medical device system, external programmer, and method of indicating the status of a power source in a medical device implanted within a patient. An actual status of the power source is maintained at the medical device. A status indicator of an external programmer indicates an estimated status of the power source, which can be reconciled with the actual status of the power source when the external programmer is placed in telecommunicative contact with the implantable medical device. |
| US08918173B2 |
System and method for graphically configuring leads
Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector. |
| US08918171B2 |
Method and apparatus for post-shock evaluation using tissue oxygenation measurements
A method and device for delivering therapy that includes an electrode to sense cardiac signals and to deliver a therapy, a monitoring module detecting a cardiac event in response to the sensed cardiac signals using first detection criteria, a sensor emitting light and detecting emitted light scattered by a tissue volume adjacent the sensor to generate a corresponding detected light intensity output signal, a control module coupled to the sensor to control light emission of the sensor in response to delivering the therapy, and a controller coupled to the monitoring module, the therapy delivery module and the sensor, the controller configured to determine tissue oxygenation measurements in response to the output signal, determine a tissue oxygenation trend in response to the tissue oxygenation measurements, determine a recovery index in response to the determined tissue oxygenation trend, and control one or both of detecting a cardiac event by the monitoring module and delivery of therapy by the therapy delivery module in response to the determined recovery index. |
| US08918170B2 |
Electrophysiological analysis system
The invention provides an electrophysiological analysis system, in particular for detecting pathological states. This system comprises: electrodes intended to be placed in different regions of the body that are well away from each other; an adjustable DC voltage source for generating successive DC voltage pulses varying in magnitude from one pulse to another, the duration of the pulses being equal to or greater than about 0.2 seconds; a switching circuit for selectively connecting a pair of active electrodes to the voltage source and for connecting at least one other high-impedance electrode; and a measurement circuit for recording data representative of the current in the active electrodes and potentials on at least certain high-impedance connected electrodes in response to the application of said pulses. The range of voltages covered causes, from one pulse to another, the appearance or disappearance of electrochemical phenomena in the vicinity of the active electrodes. |
| US08918169B2 |
Devices and systems to measure luminal organ parameters using impedance
Devices and systems to measure luminal organ parameters using impedance. In at least one embodiment of an impedance device of the present disclosure, the impedance device comprises an elongated body having a distal body end and a pair of detection electrodes positioned in between a pair of excitation electrodes located at or near the distal body end, the pair of detection electrodes configured to obtain one or more conductance values within a mammalian luminal organ within a field generated by the pair of excitation electrodes, wherein a measured parameter of the mammalian luminal organ can be calculated based in part upon the one or more conductance values obtained by the device and a known distance between the pair of detection electrodes. |
| US08918165B2 |
Medical device for positioning of a lead
The present invention relates generally to medical devices for electrode positioning during implantation procedures. A cardiac signal measuring device measures cardiac signals sensitive to inherent differences between cardiac tissue and blood using at least one electrode of a medical lead arranged at a distal tip of the medical lead and at least a second electrode arranged at a distance from the distal electrode and being connectable to the measuring unit. An analyzing module acquires cardiac signals measured during predetermined measurement sessions. The analyzing module determines at least one cardiac signal value based on the cardiac signals for each measurement session and analyzes changes of the cardiac signal values between different measurement sessions to determine a position of the electrode relative a tissue border. A maximum of the change of the cardiac signal values between two successive measurement sessions indicates that the electrode has reached the tissue border. |
| US08918161B2 |
Methods of use for surface enhanced spectroscopy-active composite nanoparticles
Various methods of use for surface enhanced spectroscopy-active composite nanoparticles (SACN's) are provided. SACN's are submicron-sized particles or labels can be covalently or non-covalently affixed to entities of interest for the purpose of quantification, location, identification, tracking, and diagnosis. The various methods include administering a SACN nanoparticle imaging agent to a patient, scanning the patient using a system that can perform spectral imaging; and generating a spectrum or image of an internal region of the patient. A method, for diagnosing an abnormal pathology as well as a method for labeling an animal with a SACN are also provided. |
| US08918157B2 |
Crimp terminations for conductors in implantable medical lead and method of making same
A method of manufacturing an implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The method may include: providing a lead body including a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode near the distal end; provide a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends; providing a crimp including a ribbon-like member and extending the ribbon-like member around the conductor; and mechanically and electrically connecting the ribbon-like member to the electrode. |
| US08918156B2 |
Crimp terminations for conductors in implantable medical lead and method of making same
A method of manufacturing an implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The method may include: providing a lead body including a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode near the distal end; provide a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends; providing a crimp including a ribbon-like member and extending the ribbon-like member around the conductor; and mechanically and electrically connecting the ribbon-like member to the electrode. |
| US08918150B2 |
Electromagnetic shielding and an acoustic chamber for a microphone in a mobile electronic device
A circuit board in a mobile electronic device has a microphone and related amplifier and signal conditioning circuitry mounted thereon. A radio frequency (RF) shield surrounds and isolates the microphone from electromagnetic interference (EMI). The RF shield together with the circuit board forms an acoustic chamber surrounding the microphone. A hole in the RF shield permits acoustic energy to enter the acoustic chamber and reach the microphone. |
| US08918144B2 |
Personal computer with detachable wireless telephone
A Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card enclosure is formed with an internal cavity adapted to receive a SIM card and a cellular transceiver. A wireless telephone is adapted for docking with the SIM card enclosure. A personal computer includes a docking receptacle for holding the SIM card enclosure and wireless telephone. The personal computer may communicate over a cellular telephone network when the SIM card enclosure is docked to the personal computer. The wireless telephone may conduct voice calls over a wireless link with the personal computer when the wireless telephone is undocked from both the personal computer and SIM card enclosure. The wireless telephone may communicate over a cellular telephone network when the SIM card enclosure is docked to the wireless telephone. Voice communications between the wireless telephone and personal computer may be conducted concurrently with data communications between the personal computer and the cellular telephone network. |
| US08918143B2 |
Change of the subscription in an identification module
The subject innovation relates to a method for changing from the active subscription data of a first service provider to the active subscription data of a second service provider in an identification module for use in a mobile radio device that can be connected to a mobile radio network. The change is initiated in the identification module in response to a receipt of a first message from the second service provider, and, after the initiation of the change, the identification module controls the activation of the subscription data of the second service provider based on a receipt of a message from the first service provider confirming the change. The subject innovation also relates to an identification module that is suitable for carrying out the method. |
| US08918140B2 |
Portable audio/video playback apparatus
A portable audio/video playback apparatus of the present invention comprises an apparatus main body 1 and a broadcast receiver unit 4 removably attached to the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body 1 includes interfaces 32, 33 for connecting thereto the broadcast receiver unit; an audio processing circuit 22 connected to one interface 32 for processing and feeding an external audio signal to a speaker 24; and a video processing circuit 27 connected to the other interface 33 for processing and feeding an external video signal to a display 13. The broadcast receiver unit 4 includes interfaces 55, 56 connected to the foregoing interfaces 32, 33 and decoders 47, 48 for feeding an audio signal and a video signal included in a received television broadcast signal to the interfaces 55, 56. |
| US08918138B2 |
Receive band selection and electrostatic discharge protection in a transceiver
According to one embodiment, an input control unit to provide isolation and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for a circuit in an RF transceiver comprises a switching device coupled between an input of the circuit and ground. The switching device is configured to provide ESD protection while the circuit is activated. The switching device is further configured to ground the input while the circuit is non-activated, thereby concurrently isolating the input and providing ESD protection. A method for providing isolation and ESD protection for a circuit in an RF transceiver comprises activating the circuit, providing ESD protection while the circuit is activated, deactivating the circuit, and coupling an input of the circuit to ground, thereby concurrently isolating the input and providing ESD protection while the circuit is non-activated. The method and switching device can be used to provide isolation and ESD protection to receive bands in the RF transceiver. |
| US08918137B2 |
Power loading in MU-MIMO
Embodiments of a system and method for transmitting data from an access point in a multiple user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) system are provided. A first indication of signal quality (ISQ) is received at the access point from a first station and a second ISQ is received from a second station. The access point sets a first power level and a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for transmission of a first aggregated media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (A-MPDU) to the first station as a function of the first ISQ and an amount of payload data corresponding to the first A-MPDU. The access point also sets a second power level and a second MCS for transmission of a second A-MPDU as a function of the second ISQ and an amount of payload data corresponding to the second A-MPDU. |
| US08918132B2 |
Apparatus and method for preventing excessive signaling overhead while a group communication is performed in a broadband wireless access system
An apparatus and a method for setting a group communication session using a wireless access system are provided. The method includes transmitting, at a transmission side client, a message requesting start/end of group communication to a control Push To Talk (PTT) server, transmitting, at the control PTT server, a session set/end message including a sequence number to a participating PTT server, multicasting, at the participating PTT server, a connect/disconnect request message N times for at least one reception side client, and setting/releasing, at the at least one reception side client, a session for the group communication. |
| US08918126B2 |
Method and a system for enabling multimedia ring-back-within the context of a voice-call
A system for providing multimedia ring back for a voice-call is disclosed. The system may include an MMRB for VC control module and a network access module operatively connected to the MMRB. The network access module is adapted to interface the MMRB with external network components. The MMRB is responsive to indication that a caller is inviting a callee to join a voice-call wherein the caller and/or the callee is subscribed to an MMRB for VC service. The MMRB is responsive to indication that the callee received an invitation message and is now pending acceptance of the voice-call, for causing the caller to adapt its media-specification for the ongoing voice-call establishment process to a media-specification that is compatible with multimedia-content communication, thereby enabling a multimedia-content communication with the caller during at least a portion of the ongoing voice-call establishment process. |
| US08918125B2 |
Method for short message signaling intercommunication and short message service center
The present disclosure discloses a method for short message signaling intercommunication and a short message service center (SMSC), relating to the field of mobile number portability (MNP) service in mobile communications technology, and applying to solve the problem in the prior art that the process of the short message signaling intercommunication cannot be applied to the MNP service. The method includes: step 1, the SMSC of a sending network receives a mobile original (MO) message from a mobile switching center (MSC) of the sending network, wherein the MO message includes the mobile directory number (MDN) of a receiving terminal (21); step 2, according to the MDN of the receiving terminal, the SMSC of the sending network inquires of the number portability data base (NPDB) about the current home network of the receiving terminal, and acquires the information of the current home network of the receiving terminal (22); and step 3, according to the information of the current home network of the receiving terminal, the SMSC of the sending network transmits the mobile terminal (MT) message (23) generated according to the MO message to the MSC of the current home network of the receiving terminal. The present disclosure is applied to the short message signaling intercommunication in the mobile number portability service. |
| US08918121B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for automatically monitoring for voice input based on context
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a current context associated with a mobile computing device and determining, based on the current context, whether to switch the mobile computing device from a current mode of operation to a second mode of operation during which the mobile computing device monitors ambient sounds for voice input that indicates a request to perform an operation. The method can further include, in response to determining whether to switch to the second mode of operation, activating one or more microphones and a speech analysis subsystem associated with the mobile computing device so that the mobile computing device receives a stream of audio data. The method can also include providing output on the mobile computing device that is responsive to voice input that is detected in the stream of audio data and that indicates a request to perform an operation. |
| US08918119B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing map service using global positioning service in a mobile terminal
An apparatus and method for providing a map service using a global positioning service in a mobile terminal includes determining a current position of the mobile terminal. A moving path of the mobile terminal is recorded. If content for key point marking are generated, a tag icon corresponding to the content is inserted into a point representing the current position of the mobile terminal. A map message includes the moving path, the tag icon, and the content. |
| US08918118B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for addressing operating devices for luminaires
Method for allocating an operating address to a bus-enabled operating device for luminaires, including determining an absolute position or a relative position of the operating device by a position detection device, converting the position into an operating address, and storing the operating address for the operating device. |
| US08918115B2 |
Method and location server for determining a postion of a target device
A method and location server (120) enable determining a position of a target device (105). The method includes receiving at the location server (120), from the target device (105), a distance message identifying a relative distance between the target device (105) and one or more base stations (115). Next, it is determined at the location server (120) that a primary positioning method is unavailable. In response to the primary positioning method being unavailable, a position of the target device (105) is determined using both a) an alternative positioning method and b) the relative distance between the target device (105) and the one or more base stations (115) that was identified in the distance message. |
| US08918114B2 |
Using resource utilization messages in a multi-carrier MAC to achieve fairness
Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate dynamically adjusting a number of resources, such as channels, frequencies, tones, etc., occupied by a node (e.g., an access point, and access terminal, etc.) in accordance with various aspects. A level of service experienced at the node may be determined, and a resource utilization message (RUM) may be generated if the level of service is at or below a predetermined threshold level (e.g., an acceptable level of service). The RUM may indicate a number of resources selected by the node for subsequent use, and may be transmitted to one or more other nodes. |
| US08918113B2 |
Wireless communication network with noise metric based optimization for cellular capacity improvement
A radio resource management, RRM, apparatus for at least one wireless communication network macrocell is provided. The macrocell includes at least a first coverage region and second coverage region. The RRM apparatus includes a processor that is configured to determine at least one scheduling block, SB, for use by at least one user device. The determination of the at least one SB is based at least in part on a first noise metric when the at least one user device is located within the first coverage region. The determination of the at least one SB is based at least in part on a second noise metric different from the first noise metric when the at least one user device is located within the second coverage region. |
| US08918105B2 |
Mobile communication method, mobile station, and radio base station operable on multiple cells
A mobile communication method involves the steps of a mobile station transmitting indication information to a radio base station managing the cell of entry of a predetermined area corresponding to a cell of a second frequency, a step of transmitting by the radio base station a measurement confirmation instructing the mobile station to start measuring a radio quality in the cell of the second frequency, a step of transmitting by the mobile station a measurement report including cell identification information used in a scrambling process for a synchronization signal broadcasted in the cell of the second frequency, a step of transmitting by the radio base station a report request to start transmitting predetermined information broadcasted in the cell of the second frequency when the radio base station has received the measurement report, and a step of reporting by the mobile station the predetermined information in response to the report request. |
| US08918104B2 |
Systems and methods for enhancing base station performance through the use of a relay station
A method used in a radio communication system including a first radio base station, a second radio base station that communicates with the first radio base station, a relay station which communicates with the second radio base station via the first radio base station, and a mobile station, the method transmits a request, by the second radio base station, for requesting the first radio base station to communicate with the relay station for the second radio base station and communicating, by the requested first radio base station, with the relay station for the second radio base station and transmits a communication result to the second radio base station. |
| US08918103B2 |
Location data regression
A server can receive, from a mobile device, a reference location and one or more measurements of signal from signal sources. Each signal source is associated with a signal source location in a location database. The server can use the measurements and the signal source locations to validate the reference location. The server can use the validated reference location to validate the signal source locations, including detecting moved signal sources. |
| US08918102B2 |
Method and system for selecting from a set of candidate frequency bands associated with a wireless access point
A particular method includes identifying, at a wireless access point, a client device in communication with the wireless access point. The client device is identified based on a signal quality indicator associated with the client device. The wireless access point is operable to communicate with the client device by transmitting a signal over a channel within at least one of a plurality of frequency bands. The method further includes selecting a set of candidate frequency bands from the plurality of frequency bands, where the set of candidate frequency bands is associated with the client device. Each candidate frequency band in the set of candidate frequency bands supports a power level of the signal that satisfies a signal quality threshold associated with the client device. |
| US08918100B2 |
Providing user interface data on a mobile computing device
A system and a method are provided for managing network activation with a carrier and registration with a service provider. In one example, the method determines a network activation status. If the network is not activated, a utility is used to perform the activation. Further, the status of registration with a provider is determined. If not registered, a request is sent to a server of the service provider for a registration file configured to gather user registration information. The registration file is then received from the server. The registration file is executed on the personal computer. Data gathered by the registration file is then returned to the service provider's server to complete the registration procedures. |
| US08918093B2 |
User initiated virtual mobile management
A virtual device management system for wireless handheld devices such as tablets, smart phones, M2M, etc., based upon user initiated session, upon which a dedicated communication channel is established with the wireless device. The system includes processes and protocols employed in user initiation methods such as SMS, or data channel, queuing user sessions, routing user requests and establishment of dedicated communication channels for effective troubleshooting by authorized users and to compare device parameters against pre-defined set to generate a standards deviation report. A device client is resident on the mobile device non-volatile memory and is operable by the end user to invoke the application and initiate a request. |
| US08918091B1 |
Wireless communication service using shared service credentials
A method of provisioning a wireless device. The method comprises provisioning by a computer a first shared service credential of a first wireless device and a unique hardware identifier of the first wireless device in a wireless service provider network, wherein the first shared service credential is programmed into a plurality of different wireless devices including the first wireless device; sending by a computer a wireless access protocol message to the first wireless device directed to the first shared service credential; in response to an open mobile alliance device management rendezvous message sent by the first wireless device, transmitting by a computer a service credential to the first wireless device, where the service credential is different from the first shared service credential; and provisioning the service credential and the unique hardware identifier of the first wireless device in the wireless service provider network. |
| US08918087B1 |
Methods and systems for accessing crowd sourced landscape images
A method. The method comprises maintaining a regional data store of landscape models for each of a plurality of base stations, wherein each regional data store is proximate to its corresponding base station and wherein each landscape model is derived from a plurality of images of a landscape located proximate to the base station. The method further comprises receiving a request for a landscape image from a mobile access terminal in the serving area of a first base station, wherein the first base station is one of the plurality of base stations and wherein the request for the landscape image identifies a landscape model maintained by the first base station. The method further comprises transmitting the landscape image to the mobile access terminal by the first base station, wherein the landscape image is created based on the landscape model identified in the request. |
| US08918086B2 |
Telecommunications addressing system and method
A telecommunications addressing system/method allowing selection of a telephone instrument device (TID) using arbitrary identifiers is disclosed. The system/method allows a source TID (STD) to select a target TID (TTD) by the use of a Target Telephone Identifier (TTI) data string rather than a traditional numeric telephone identification (NTI). This TTI is then indexed within a TTI/NTI mapping server (TMS) that functions as a hierarchical repository of TTI/NTI mappings. STD/TTD communication is established by first performing a lookup of the STD-selected TTI within the TMS to identify the NTI of the TTD. Once the NTI of the STD has been identified by the TMS, communication between the STD and TTD is established using the NTI via the normal public switched telephone network (PSTN). TMS TTI lookup may be performed via STD TID web application and/or via PSTN infrastructure interface. |
| US08918085B2 |
Social messaging hub
A social messaging hub provides communication services for a data enabled device having Internet network access capabilities such as a portable media player, personal digital assistant, a Wi-Fi mobile platform, a tablet computer, portable e-Reader, a personal computer, a laptop and a netbook computer. The social messaging hub communicates with the data enabled device over the Internet or cellular data networks, and interfaces with a message infrastructure including mobile carriers, message aggregators, message exchanges and various specialized social messaging services, such as Microsoft Windows Live Messenger, AIM, Yahoo, GoogleTalk, Facebook and Twitter to enable bi-directional messaging communication. The user is given a registered phone number and unique IP addressable identification which serve as a source and destination identifier of the associated data enabled device. Messages may originate in or be delivered to other users' mobile telephones or in similarly equipped and provisioned IP data enabled devices. |
| US08918081B2 |
Secure remote control of notification operations of communication devices
A network service provider computer remotely overrides and controls user notification settings of a mobile communications device by establishing one or more authentication keys by a server computer for a specific mobile communication device; transmitting the one or more authentication keys to the specific mobile communication device to establish a trusted relationship; responsive to an event or signal requiring overriding of user notification settings, preparing a notification control message including at least one notification control parameter; and transmitting to the specific mobile communications device the notification control message to cause it to implement and override one or more user notification settings according to the at least one notification control parameter. |
| US08918079B2 |
Determining authentication challenge timing and type
An apparatus and methods are disclosed for authenticating users of wireless telecommunications terminals. In particular, the present invention enables the timing and type of authentication challenges to vary based on one or more of: the user's current geo-location, the current day and time, the presence or absence of other nearby users, and the identity of any nearby users. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the re-authentication time period (i.e., the length of time between authenticating and re-authenticating a user) and the authentication challenge type (e.g., username/password, fingerprint recognition, etc.) can be determined based on these factors. The present invention is advantageous in that it enables the shortening of the re-authentication time and the selection of a more secure type of authentication challenge when it is more likely that a user's wireless telecommunications terminal might be accidentally left behind or stolen. |
| US08918077B2 |
Methods for providing overdraft protection for post-paid communication service plans
Methods for adding minutes to a calling plan having a calling plan period. The methods including determining whether a threshold number of minutes have been reached during the calling plan period; and incrementally adding minutes to the calling plan when the threshold number of minutes has been reached. The cost per minute of the added minutes is less than the high-cost per minute rate normally associated with exceeding the threshold number of minutes during the calling plan period. |
| US08918075B2 |
Method and system for an emergency location information service (E-LIS) from wearable devices
A method and system for determining and verifying a location of wearable mobile devices (e.g., digital glasses, watches, etc.) in emergency situations with emergency messages including legacy 911, E911 and text-to-911 messages. The method and system provide a current physical geographic location for wearable mobile devices (e.g., spot, chair, desk on in a room on a building floor, campus, enterprise, city, state, region, country, continent, etc.), in an emergency situation such as an accident, fire, terrorist attack, military incident, weather, flood event, etc. and forward the current physical geographic location to a legacy 911 network, a Emergency Services IP networks (ESInet) or text-to-911 Short Message Services (SMS) networks. |
| US08918071B2 |
System and method for communicating using an in-vehicle system
A system and method to be used with first and second devices where the first and second devices are capable of communicating using a subset of different modulation schemes wherein the subset includes at least first and second different modulation schemes, the method for optimizing transmission of data from the first device to the second device, the method comprising the acts of at the first device, when data is to be transmitted from the first device to the second device, receiving at least a portion of a trigger signal from the second device wherein the transmitted trigger signal includes data transmitted using a sequence of at least two of the modulation schemes from the subset, the portion of the trigger signal received being a received trigger signal, analyzing the received trigger signal to identify one of the modulation schemes from the subset as a function of the received trigger signal as an initial modulation scheme to be used to transmit data to the second device and transmitting the data from the first device to the second device using the initial modulation scheme. |
| US08918065B2 |
Wireless communication system for high-speed vehicle travelling over fixed path
The present invention discloses a method for transmitting a same pilot sequence from a transmitting end to a receiving end in a multi-antenna wireless communication system. In particular, the method comprises the steps of: setting an identical pilot pattern in a plurality of transmitting antennas, allocating respectively different pilot sequences to the set pilot patterns, and transmitting the allocated pilot sequences to the receiving end, wherein at least one of the transmitting antennas forms a valid communication link with one of the receiving antennas. Here, when there is a plurality of valid communication links, the plurality of communication links are mutually independent. |
| US08918064B2 |
On-chip distributed power amplifier and on-chip or in-package antenna for performing chip-to-chip and other communications
A transmitter front-end for wireless chip-to-chip communication, and potentially for other, longer range (e.g., several meters or several tens of meters) device-to-device communication, is disclosed. The transmitter front-end includes a distributed power amplifier capable of providing an output signal with sufficient power for wireless transmission by an on-chip or on-package antenna to another nearby IC chip or device located several meters or several tens of meters away. The distributed power amplifier can be fully integrated (i.e., without using external components, such as bond wire inductors) on a monolithic silicon substrate using, for example, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. |
| US08918063B2 |
System for transmitting/receiving multi-band radio frequency signal using dual input, dual output filter
A system for transmitting/receiving a multi-band Radio Frequency (RF) signal using a Dual Input, Dual Output filter is provided. The system may include a Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) filter and the Dual Input, Dual Output filter. The system for transmitting/receiving a multi-band Radio Frequency (RF) may be implemented in a Radio Frequency (RF) region, which includes an area from an end of an antenna to an end of a mixer in a mobile communication. |
| US08918059B2 |
Base station, terminal station, radio system, radio control method and storage medium
[Problem] Provided are a base station, a terminal station, a radio system, a radio control method and a storage medium capable of estimating with high accuracy a utilization status of a frequency band which is assigned to or of which a preferential use is permitted to another radio system.[Solution] A base station of a radio system, which estimates a utilization status of a frequency band which is assigned to or of which a preferential use is permitted to another radio system, wherein the base station comprises an estimation means which estimates a utilization status of said frequency band, on the basis of a received signal power ratio between a received signal power value of the other radio systems and a received signal power value of the own radio system, which is obtained at least one sensing apparatus. |
| US08918057B2 |
Intelligent transmission antenna selection method and communications apparatus utilizing the same
A communications apparatus. Multiple antennas are arranged to receive downlink signals and transmit uplink signals. A transceiver module is arranged to receive the downlink signals from the antennas and pass the uplink signals to an antenna selection device. The antenna selection device is coupled between the antennas and the transceiver module and arranged to receive the uplink signals to be transmitted from the transceiver module and dynamically pass the uplink signals to one of the antennas according to an antenna selection signal. A processor is arranged to receive the downlink signals from the transceiver module, calculate short-term signal qualities of the downlink signals and generate the antenna selection signal according to the short-term signal qualities. |
| US08918054B2 |
Interference elimination method, interference elimination device, and communication system
Embodiments of the present invention provide an interference elimination method, an interference elimination device and a communication system, which are used to implement the effective elimination of signal interference of a receiving end. The method includes: according to a received signal, reconstructing a main cell signal, obtaining the reconstructed main cell signal, and subtracting the reconstructed main cell signal from the received signal, so as to obtain a first residual signal; according to the first residual signal, reconstructing an interference cell signal, and obtaining the reconstructed interference cell signal; and according to the received signal and the reconstructed interference cell signal, obtaining an interference-eliminated main cell signal. According to the interference elimination method, the interference elimination device and the communication system in the embodiments of the present invention, the interference elimination may be performed on the received signal effectively. |
| US08918050B2 |
Data exchange initiated by tapping devices
A user can initiate the transmission of data on a mobile device by making physical contact with another device. The physical contact can be any type of physical touch that is referred to as a “tap” or “tapping.” When a tap is detected by a device, the device may initiate near field communication (NFC) with the other tapping device. NFC may be used to communicate data between the two devices, or NFC may be used to exchange sufficient information to allow the devices to establish a communication channel via another communication link. In some embodiments, an NFC-enabled mobile device can be used to gather group data relating to users having mobile devices that are within NFC range of one another and which initiate the aggregation of group data by the tapping of three or more devices. |
| US08918048B2 |
Partial relaying of message based on interference in wireless network
In the context of a wireless communication network, relay-based communication is provided. In particular, a relay node (100) comprises a receiver (110) configured to receive a signal representative of a message transmitted from an originating node and intended for a destination node, wherein a transmission from an interference source causes interference in the received first signal. The relay node (100) also comprises an interference detector (130) configured to detect interference from the interference source in the received signal and which part of the message that is affected by the interference, called the interfered part of the message, and a forwarding unit (120) configured to perform a partial retransmission based on the interfered part of the message to the destination node. |
| US08918047B1 |
Use of satellite-based routing processes with a balloon network
This disclosure relates to the use of satellite-based routing processes in connection with a balloon network. A disclosed method includes receiving a communication at a balloon in a balloon network by way of a transmission from a ground-based station. The method includes selecting a routing process for the communication based on at least one parameter associated with the communication. The routing process is selected from a plurality of routing processes including a first routing process and a second routing process. The first routing process includes a satellite network when determining how to route the communication. The satellite network includes one or more satellites. The second routing process includes the balloon network when determining how to route the communication. The method further includes using the selected routing process to determine a target path for the communication. |
| US08918044B2 |
Image heating apparatus and recording material feeding apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes a hollow image heating roller having a through hole at one axial end portion side thereof; a bearing fitted around the roller; a heat insulating bush fitted around the roller between the roller and the bearing; a retaining ring for preventing the heat insulating bush from moving relative to the roller; an annular spacer provided between the heat insulating bush and the retaining ring, the annular spacer being provided with an inwardly protruded key portion engageable with the through hole. |
| US08918043B2 |
Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes; an endless belt; a plate-like heater slidable on an inner surface of the belt; a driving roller, opposed to the heater through the belt, for rotating the belt and for forming a nip for heating an image on a sheet; an energy supply member including an electrical contact for supplying electrical energy to the heater; a flange provided with a guide for guiding rotation of the belt and a stopper for limiting movement of the belt in an axial direction; and a pressure applying member for applying pressure between the flange and the driving roller. The flange includes a fixing portion for fixing the energy supply member with a predetermined play in a pressing direction of the pressure applying member so that the flange is disengageable in the axial direction relative to the belt integrally with the energy supply member. |
| US08918041B2 |
Fixing device including a belt holder configured to maintain a shape of a fixing belt and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a flexible fuser belt, a stationary, tubular belt holder, a heater, a stationary fuser pad, and a rotatable pressure member. The flexible fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration for rotation in a circumferential, rotational direction thereof. The tubular belt holder is inside the loop of the fuser belt to retain the belt in shape during rotation. The heater is inside the belt holder to emit infrared radiation for heating the belt. The fuser pad is inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is opposite the fuser pad with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The pressure member presses against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The belt holder has an infrared-transmissive portion at least where the belt holder faces the heater. |
| US08918040B2 |
Fuser unit
A fuser unit includes: a cylindrical member having flexibility; a heat generator, which is arranged at the inside of the cylindrical member; a plate-shaped nip member, which is arranged to slidingly contact an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and receives radiation heat from the heat generator; a backup member, which is configured to configure a nip part between the cylindrical member and the backup member with the cylindrical member, by nipping between the backup member and the nip member; a temperature detection unit, which is arranged to face an opposite surface that is opposite to the surface of the nip member slidingly contacting the cylindrical member at the inside of the cylindrical member and detects a temperature of the nip member, and an urging member that urges the temperature detection unit toward the nip member. |
| US08918034B2 |
Powder accommodation container, image forming apparatus and manufacturing method of the image forming apparatus
A powder accommodation container includes an accommodation container body, a regulation member, and a transport member. The accommodation container body has a hole portion to outside and accommodates powder. The regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate a passage of the powder accommodated in the accommodation container body. The transport member is arranged in an inside of the accommodation container body to rotate about a rotating shaft and to transport the powder in the inside of the accommodation container body. The transport member has one end side in a short direction that is arranged on the rotating shaft and the other end side that is a free end, the free end includes a flexible member that is in contact with the accommodation container body to be flexed. The flexible member is locatable to face the hole portion. |
| US08918030B2 |
Powder supplying device and image forming apparatus
A powder supplying device includes a powder container frame, a powder container detachably installable in the powder container frame horizontally and including a container body in which a discharge port through which powder is discharged from the container body is formed, a shutter member attached to the container body to open and close the discharge port by moving along the container body in a direction in which the powder container is installed, and at least one shutter control member movably attached to the powder container frame. The shutter control member opens and closes the shutter member by moving together with the powder container as the powder container is fitted into and pulled out from the powder container frame. |
| US08918029B2 |
Developer container and image-forming apparatus
A developer container includes a container body having an inner space capable of containing a developer and an opening communicating with the inner space; an opening and closing portion that is disposed on the container body and that opens and closes the opening; and a pair of restraining portions that are disposed on the opening and closing portion and that each restrain the opening and closing portion from being moved from a closed position to an open position. The opening and closing portion is permitted to be moved to the open position if the restraint on the movement of the opening and closing portion by each of the pair of restraining portions is independently removed. |
| US08918026B2 |
Developer holding apparatus, developing unit that incorporates the developer holding apparatus, and image forming apparatus that employs the developer holding apparatus
A developer holding apparatus holds a developer material therein. A rotatable member is disposed within the developer holding apparatus. The rotatable member includes a rotational shaft and an agitating portion. The agitator is offset relative to the rotational shaft and extends in a first direction parallel to the rotational shaft. The agitating portion includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first dimension in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second portion includes a second dimension in a third direction substantially parallel to the second direction. The second dimension is smaller in width than first dimension. |
| US08918025B2 |
Image forming method and image forming apparatus
To provide an image forming method, containing: a charging step, a latent electrostatic image forming step, a developing step, a transferring step, and a fixing step, wherein the developing step is developing the latent electrostatic image formed on the latent electrostatic image bearing member with a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier by a developing element to form a visible image, where the developing contains: stirring the toner and the carrier to prepare the two-component developer to have a flow energy amount of 30 mJ to 70 mJ; and periodically discharging and transporting the stirred two-component to the developer unit by air pressure to thereby supply the two-component developer for the developing. |
| US08918016B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus including same
A process cartridge detachably installable in an image forming apparatus including a first sub-unit to hold an image carrier, a second sub-unit to hold a developer bearing member, a first positioning member to position first ends of the image carrier and the developer bearing member in a longitudinal direction, respectively, and a second positioning member to position second ends of the image carrier and the developer bearing member opposite the first ends in the longitudinal direction, respectively. The second sub-unit has a protruding portion protruding outward to a first end of the second sub-unit beyond the first positioning member in the longitudinal direction. An opposing surface of the protruding portion provided to face the first positioning member is dimensioned to conform to a cross-section of the first positioning member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. |
| US08918015B2 |
Main cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A main cartridge attachable and detachable to and from an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium is provided. The main cartridge include a process device configured to act on a photosensitive member, a grip portion configured to be held by a user, and an attachment unit to attach a sub cartridge containing developer along the longitudinal direction of the main cartridge. In the longitudinal direction, the center position of the grip portion is disposed at the upstream side in the attachment direction of the sub cartridge from the center position of the main cartridge. |
| US08918014B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a main assembly and a cartridge including a process device actable on an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The process cartridge is detachably mountable relative to the main assembly, with the cartridge including a first unit and a second unit pivotably connected with the first unit. An opening is provided in the main assembly of the apparatus for permitting mounting and demounting of the cartridge. An openable member is provided in the main assembly of the apparatus for openably closing the opening. An exposure device is provided on the openable member for exposing the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A first positioning portion is provided in the main assembly. The exposure device is provided with a second positioning portion for positioning between the exposure device and the second unit of the cartridge by engagement with the cartridge by closing the openable member. |
| US08918013B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided including a housing having a first opening and a second opening which are directed in a same direction; a plurality of developing units which are disposed in parallel with each other in the housing along an oblique direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the developing units which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing along the oblique direction through the first opening; and a plurality of developer cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units, each of the developer cartridges being disposed in parallel with each other in the housing to be opposite to an end of a respective one of the developing units along a substantially horizontal direction in a longitudinal direction of the developing units, the developer cartridges which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing through the second opening. |
| US08918008B2 |
Connector, charging device incorporating same, and image forming apparatus incorporating the connector
A connector to electrically connect a rotary body having a shaft, the connector includes a connecting terminal, electrically connected to either a power supply or ground, to contact the shaft of the rotary body either at least two points or along a line; and a posture adjuster to hold the connecting terminal to adjust the posture of one of the connecting terminal and the rotary body to maintain contact between the connecting terminal and the shaft of the rotary body. |
| US08918005B2 |
Reflection sensor and image forming apparatus
A reflection sensor includes the following elements. A light emitting unit emits light to an area of an image forming apparatus where first detection images of plural colors used for detecting amounts of their misregistration are formed. A first light restricting member/configuration restricts light emitted from the light emitting unit. A light receiver is disposed in an optical path of regular reflection light, and receives reflected light and outputs a signal representing an amount of received light. A second light restricting member/configuration is disposed in the optical path of the regular reflection light and restricts light to be received by the light receiver. The value obtained by dividing a diameter of the first light restricting member/configuration by that of the second light restricting member/configuration ranges from substantially 0.5 to 1.9, and the diameters of the first and second light restricting members/configurations are each 1.5 mm or smaller. |
| US08918003B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes: a rotatable fixing member configured to fix at a nip a toner image formed on recording paper; a rotatable pressing member configured to form the nip between itself and the rotatable fixing member; and a controller configured to control a temperature of the rotatable pressing member depending on smoothness of the recording paper. |
| US08918002B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus, which includes fixing and decolorizing section
An image forming apparatus includes a count section configured to count time during which no image forming is performed and a control section configured to allow heating of a heat generating section at temperature for decolorizing after the time counted by the count section reaches the a predetermined threshold time. |
| US08917999B2 |
Image heating apparatus executing a rubbing operation of a rotatable rubbing member on a rotatable heating member
An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable heating member for heating an image on a recording material in a nip; a nip-forming member for forming the nip together with the heating member; a rotatable rubbing member for rubbing the heating member; a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the heating member; a moving mechanism for moving the rubbing member from a position where it is spaced from the heating member to a position where it rubs a surface of the heating member; and a controller for executing, by moving the rubbing member to the position where it rubs the surface of the heating member, a rubbing operation such that the rubbing member rubs the surface of the heating member. The controller executes the rubbing operation depending on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor when the recording material passes through the nip. |
| US08917998B2 |
Polarization switching for optical fiber communications
A method implemented in a transmission apparatus used in an optical fiber communications system for a polarization switched differential quaternary phase-shift keying (DQPSK) signal is disclosed. The method comprises splitting data into two or more data streams, inputting said two or more data streams to 1-bit DQPSK precoders to perform 1-bit DQPSK precoding, and multiplexing inphase outputs of the 1-bit DQPSK precoders to generate a first output; and multiplexing quadrature outputs of the 1-bit DQPSK precoders to generate a second output. Other methods, apparatuses, and systems also are disclosed. |
| US08917997B2 |
Collimated beam channel with four lens optical surfaces
An optical system and method disclosed include a first lens component and a second lens component within the receive path or the transmit path. The first lens component includes at least two aspheric surfaces that oppose one another and generate a collimated beam channel. The second lens component generates a converging beam and magnifies the converging beam with a magnification factor that is different from a magnification factor in the other path, either the receive path or the transmit path. The receive path and the transmit path include symmetrical lengths and asymmetrical magnification factors. |
| US08917992B1 |
Optical network remote node for WDM-PON and TDM-PON
An optical network remote node includes first and second node inputs, each receiving a multiplexed optical signal, and node outputs, each outputting a separate demultiplexed optical signal. The node includes first and second optical power splitters, each having a splitter input connected to one of the node inputs and splitter outputs connected to corresponding node outputs. The node includes an arrayed waveguide grating having first and second grating inputs connected to the first and second node inputs, respectively, and grating outputs connected to the corresponding node outputs. If the received signal at one of the node inputs is time division multiplexed, the corresponding connected optical power splitter broadcasts the received optical signal at the node outputs. If the received signal at one of the node inputs is wavelength division multiplexed, the arrayed waveguide grating demultiplexes the received optical signals in wavelength and outputs the demultiplexed signals at the node outputs. |
| US08917989B2 |
Dynamic communication splitter
Methods and systems for splitting an initiated signal are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a transmitter configured to selectively transmit an initiated signal, and a signal splitter in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively split the initiated signal into a plurality of recipient signals for a plurality of recipient lines in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively modify a number of recipient signals, e.g., by adjusting a spot size of the initiated signal on the signal splitter. |
| US08917986B2 |
Extended range for CWDM optical transport
A optical transmission system includes light sources generating light of at least two wavelengths, where any two adjacent wavelengths are separated by less than 10 nm. The wavelengths fall within the zero dispersion zone of an optical fiber, and may be shifted by 1 nm or less to reduce crosstalk effects. |
| US08917984B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus, focus detection apparatus, and image pickup system
A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a first line sensor unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a first direction, a second line sensor unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a second direction, and a third line sensor unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a third direction. Each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion portion and a transistor. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction is not perpendicular to the first and the second directions. A channel of the transistor is provided in the first direction or the second direction. |
| US08917978B2 |
System and methods for automatic time-warped playback in rendering a recorded computer session
Methods and systems for generating playback instructions for time-warped playback of presentation layer protocol data. The method includes a protocol engine executing on a computing device recording a protocol data stream comprising a plurality of packets representing a user session. The protocol engine determines a complexity factor for a first portion of the protocol data stream and for a second portion of the protocol data stream based on content of the packets of the protocol data stream. The protocol engine determines a first playback rate for the first portion of the protocol data stream and a second playback rate for the second portion of the protocol data stream using the complexity factor of each portion of the protocol data stream, wherein the first playback rate differs from the second playback rate. The protocol engine renders the protocol data stream according to the determined playback rates. |
| US08917975B2 |
Moving picture/still picture processing system, server, moving picture/still picture processing method, and program
A moving picture/still picture processing system includes a server and communication terminal communicating by network with the server. The communication terminal sends the server a request causing the server to decorate the picture according to a designated decoration method. When the server receives the request, the server generates request identification information (RII) identifying the request, stores the decoration method designated in the request and correlated with the RII, and transmits the RII to the communication terminal. When the communication terminal receives the RII, the communication terminal adds the RII to the picture and transmits it to the server. When the server receives the picture from the communication terminal, the server decorates the picture according to the decoration method corresponding to the RII that added to the picture, stores the decorated picture, and delivers the decorated picture that corresponds to a delivery request. |
| US08917974B2 |
Digital broadcasting receiver for programming recording of broadcasting program and method thereof
A digital broadcasting receiver, programming a recording a broadcast program, and a method thereof are disclosed. The digital broadcasting receiver can register a programmed channel including one or more channels, stores broadcast data received from the programmed channel as a programmed-recording program in accordance with a predetermined criterion, and stores a next programmed-recording program to replace the stored programmed-recording program if the programmed-recording program is completely stored and broadcast data corresponding to the next programmed-recording program is received. With the present invention, it becomes possible to program a recording although no information on a broadcast program is available, to view a currently-broadcast program from the beginning regardless of when the TV is turned on, and program a recording to exclude commercial programs. |
| US08917972B2 |
Modifying audio in an interactive video using RFID tags
Video and audio of a capture area is recorded. The capture area includes a sound-producing element that is to appear within a video. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag is attached to the sound-producing element. The RFID tag is scanned to automatically track the sound producing element relative to a position in the capture area. Configurable audio associated with the sound-producing element is embedded within the video. |
| US08917970B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus includes: a communication unit which performs communication with a management server; and a data processing unit which performs copy processing for recording recorded data of a first medium in a second medium, wherein the data processing unit performs processing for displaying a content list having a data entry compatible with a copy unit included in recorded data of the first medium on a display unit on the basis of the received information from the management server, and the data processing unit displays a data entry in which the data form of each copy unit is identifiable in accordance with selection information included in the received information from the management server. |
| US08917968B2 |
Furcation plugs having segregated channels to guide epoxy into passageways for optical fiber furcation, and related assemblies and methods
Embodiments disclosed herein include furcation plugs having segregated channels to guide epoxy into passageways for optical fiber furcation, and related assemblies and methods. The furcation plugs secure furcated fiber optic cables to fiber optic equipment to prevent the furcated fiber optic cables from being damaged. The furcation plugs, as part of fiber optic furcation assemblies, are typically installed on fiber optic equipment that provides fiber optic components to which the optical fibers are connected. The fiber optic cables may be inserted into fiber passageways of the furcation plugs and secured to the furcation plugs with epoxy. The epoxy may be guided into the fiber passageways through segregated epoxy channels of the furcation plug. In this manner, epoxy may be more uniformly distributed within the fiber passageway to improve the epoxy bonds by reducing the occurrence of air pockets known as voids, which can weaken the epoxy bonds and cause attenuation. |
| US08917965B2 |
Laser optical fiber storage
A laser optical fiber storage device (10,100) for temporarily storing a free end (12a) of an elongated flexible laser optical fiber (12). A storage housing (14,114) with an open end (116) has an elongated flexible tube (28,128) disposed therein to receive the elongated flexible laser optical fiber so as to prevent laser light from escaping the storage housing. A restrictor (32, 117a, 117b) within the storage housing reduces the inner diameter of the elongated flexible tube. Further, a laser optical fiber storage device (40,100) for temporarily storing a free end (12a) of an elongated flexible laser optical fiber (12) is provided with a clamp (42,123). The storage housing (41,114) has an open end (41a, 116) and an elongated flexible tube (28,128) disposed within the storage housing to receive the elongated flexible laser optical fiber so as to prevent laser light from escaping the storage housing. A laser fiber clamp (42,123) is mounted to the open end to secure the laser optical fiber. |
| US08917954B2 |
Method and apparatus for converting 2D video image into 3D video image
A method of converting a two-dimensional video to a three-dimensional video, the method comprising: comparing an image of an nth frame with an accumulated image until an n−1th frame in the two-dimensional video to calculate a difference in a color value for each pixel; generating a difference image including information on a change in a color value for each pixel of the nth frame; storing an accumulated image until the nth frame by accumulating the information on the change in the color value for each pixel until the nth frame; performing an operation for a pixel in which a change in a color value is equal to or larger than a predetermined level by using the difference image to generate a division image and a depth map image; and converting the image of the nth frame to a three-dimensional image by using the depth map image. |
| US08917953B2 |
Method and system to perform dynamic layout of photographs
Disclosed is a layout software routine which automatically creates complex and aesthetically pleasing layouts without any user interaction, though user interaction is possible. |
| US08917952B2 |
Parallel image convolution processing with SVD kernel data
A method of image processing includes receiving camera data representative of an object, implementing, with a processor, a convolution operation on the camera data to generate filtered data representative of the object, the convolution operation being configured with singular value decomposition (SVD) kernel data, and storing the filtered data in a memory. Implementing the convolution operation includes applying the SVD kernel data in parallel to a plurality of subsets of the camera data. |
| US08917949B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus comprising: an acquiring unit configured to acquire a correction target image and user information indicating characteristics of a user requesting a correction; an image accumulating unit configured to accumulate images therein; an extracting unit configured to extract an image from the image accumulating unit based on the user information acquired by the acquiring unit, the image matching the characteristics of the user requesting the correction; a setting unit configured to set a correction target value based on the image extracted by the extracting unit; and a correcting unit configured to correct the correction target image based on the correction target value. |
| US08917945B2 |
Encoding and decoding an image or image sequence divided into pixel blocks
A method and apparatus are provided for coding an image or a sequence of images, generating a data stream including data representative of pixel groups, referred to as blocks, in one of the images. The method includes: grouping blocks in a cluster of blocks according to the proximity of their respective values corresponding to at least one block parameter to be coded; determining a value of the parameter, the value being characteristic of said group of blocks; coding blocks of the cluster, where the values of the blocks for the parameter are coded implicitly by inheritance of the characteristic value or are coded as refinements relative to the characteristic value, and coding a data structure associated with the cluster of blocks, the data structure including data associated with the characteristic value. |
| US08917943B2 |
Determining image-based product from digital image collection
A method of making an image-based product includes providing an image collection having a plurality of digital images, each digital image having an image type; providing one or more image-type distributions, each image-type distribution corresponding to a theme and including a distribution of image types related to the theme; using a processor to automatically compare the image types of the digital images in the image collection to the image types in the image-type distribution; using the processor to automatically determine a match between the image types in the image collection and the image types in the image-type distribution; and selecting a group of digital images from the image collection having a distribution of image types specified by the determined matching image-type distribution. The method further includes assembling the digital images in the selected group of images into an image-based product and causing the construction of the image-based product. |
| US08917939B2 |
Verifying vendor identification and organization affiliation of an individual arriving at a threshold location
A client captures at least one identification indicator of an individual arriving at a threshold representing themself as a vendor of an organization. The client extracts vendor indicia and organization indicia from the captured identification. The client sends a query comprising the organization indicia to an identification service. Responsive to the client receiving a response from the identification service with a network address of a particular identity verification service associated with the at least one organization indicia, the client sends a query comprising the vendor indicia and the current location of the threshold to the particular identity verification service. Responsive to the verification client receiving a response from the particular identity verification service indicating that the user is validated, the client notifies the user that the individual is validated as the vendor of the organization. |
| US08917936B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and method for controlling the same for associating captured image with stored preceding recognition result
An image pickup element capture an image of an object, and detailed unique information relating to the captured image is automatically associated with the image through pattern recognition so that the image is easily managed. A pattern detector performs the pattern recognition on an image obtained through a pre-photographing operation, and a result of the recognition is stored in a memory. A code comparator compares stored a preceding recognition result with the latest recognition result obtained through the pattern recognition performed using the pattern detector. In accordance with a result of the comparison, the stored recognition result is updated. When it is determined that a predetermined pattern is not included in the image obtained using the image pickup element, the recognition result stored in the memory is associated with the captured image. |
| US08917935B2 |
Detecting text using stroke width based text detection
Detecting text using stroke width based text detection. As a part of the text detection, a representation of an image is generated that includes pixels that are associated with the stroke widths of components of the image. Connected components of the image are identified by filtering out portions of the pixels using metrics related to stroke width. Text is detected in the image based on the identified connected components. |
| US08917931B2 |
Color conversion based on an HVS model
An encoder for encoding a video stream or an image is described herein. The encoder receives an input video stream and outputs an encoded video stream that can be decoded at a decoder to recover, at least approximately, an instance of the input video stream. The encoder includes an encoding logic reducing a color spectral resolution of the input video stream to a range of colors or color differentials similar to that recognizable by a human eye, whereby an encoding efficiency is increased by the color spectral resolution reducing. |
| US08917924B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a correlating unit configured to acquire correlation information that correlates a first three-dimensional image of a target object with a second three-dimensional image of the target object, and a corresponding cross-sectional image generation unit configured to generate a corresponding cross-sectional image of one of the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, if a cross section is set on the other of the first three-dimensional image and the second three-dimensional image, based on the correlation information. |
| US08917923B2 |
Method and CT system for recording and distributing whole-body CT data of a polytraumatized patient
A method and CT system are disclosed for recording and distributing whole-body CT data of a polytraumatized patient. In at least one embodiment the method includes producing a whole-body topogram including division and assignment of z-coordinate regions of the whole-body topogram to different body regions; performing a whole-body CT scan with the recording of CT raw data; assigning the CT raw data to the different body regions; reconstructing CT image datasets on a computer of the CT system; and sending only body region-specific CT image datasets to a number of remote workstations operated by technical specialists. |
| US08917922B2 |
Concurrent update iterative reconstruction (IR) method and system
The CT imaging system optimizes its image generation by updating an image with the current application of a data fidelity update and a regularization update together in a single step in an iterative reconstruction algorithm. The iterative reconstruction algorithm includes the ordered subsets simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (OSSART) and the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART). The data fidelity update and the regularization update are independently obtained using some predetermined statistical information such as noise and or error in matching the real data. |
| US08917921B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method with control of image transfer priority
An image processing apparatus which uses a tomogram group formed from a plurality of object tomograms or measurement data for generating the plurality of object tomograms, wherein the tomograms parallel to a plane containing first and second directions and aligned in a third direction different from the first and second directions, are provided. The image processing apparatus includes a storage unit which stores the tomogram group. The image processing apparatus specifies a plurality of tomograms from the tomogram group, and sets higher priorities for the specified tomograms or a predetermined number of tomograms adjacent to the specified tomograms than for other tomograms. The image processing apparatus reads out the tomogram group from the storage unit in descending order of the set priorities, and provides it to subsequent processing. |
| US08917919B2 |
Ultrasonic observation apparatus, operation method of the same, and computer readable recording medium
An ultrasonic observation apparatus includes: a frequency analysis unit that calculates a frequency spectrum for each of a plurality of locations in a predetermined region of a subject by analyzing frequency of the ultrasonic wave at the plurality of locations; a frequency spectrum approximate equation calculation unit that calculates an approximate equation of the frequency spectrum at the each location calculated by the frequency analysis unit; a deviation calculation unit that calculates deviation between the frequency spectrum at the each location calculated by the frequency analysis unit and the approximate equation of the frequency spectrum calculated correspondingly with the frequency spectrum by the frequency spectrum approximate equation calculation unit; and a deviation display image data generation unit that generates information related to the deviation. |
| US08917918B2 |
Method to generate magnetic resonance slice exposures
In a method processor and magnetic resonance (MR) system to generate MR slice exposures of an examination subject, measurement data for a stack of measurement slices through the examination subject are initially acquired using a series of slice measurement sequences. The series of slice measurement sequences is designed to allow a separation of a first material from a second material that has a defined chemical shift relative to said first material, and the position of a measurement slice with measurement data for the first material is spatially shifted relative to the position of a measurement slice with measurement data for the second material. Combination slice exposures are then formed by combining measurement data of the first material from at least a first slice measurement sequence with measurement data of the second material from at least one second slice measurement sequence, such that the image data of the first and second materials are spatially arranged with precise positioning relative to one another, at least within a predetermined degree of tolerance in the combination slice exposures. |
| US08917917B2 |
Cardiac view recognition and disease recognition
A method for recognizing heart diseases in a cardiac echo video of a heart with an unknown disease using a spatio-temporal disease model derived from a training echo video, comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of training models for heart diseases, wherein the cardiac echo videos are each derived from a known viewpoint and the disease of the heart is known; analyzing the video of the heart with the unknown disease by fitting a model of shape and motion for each frame and combining the results across the frames; and, reporting the disease using a classification method for choosing among the diseases of interest. |
| US08917916B2 |
Medical training method and apparatus
There is disclosed a method of simulating the output of a medical imaging device, the medical imaging device being operable to image an anatomical structure, and the method including: accessing model data representing a model of the anatomical structure; accessing selection data representing a selected region of the anatomical structure to be imaged; and processing the selection data and the model data to generate output data representing a simulation of the output of the medical imaging device when imaging the selected region. |
| US08917915B2 |
Head detecting method, head detecting apparatus, attribute determining method, attribute determining apparatus, program, recording medium, and attribute determining system
The present invention is to provide a head detecting method for detecting the head in an image correctly at high speed.The head detecting method of the present invention using: a preliminary head detection model acquired with images each containing at least a part of a head in a defined image region defined preliminarily as positive examples and with images each not containing a head in the defined image region as negative examples; and a definitive head detection model acquired with images each containing a head in a state where it matches preliminarily defined position and size as positive examples and with images each containing a head in a state where it does not match at least one of the preliminarily defined position and size as negative examples, the method includes: an image acquiring step of acquiring an image to be detected; a preliminary head detecting step of cutting out the defined image region as an image patch and detecting head images by referring to the preliminary head detection model; and a definitive head detecting step of detecting a definitive head image from acquired plural head images by referring to the definitive head detection model. |
| US08917913B2 |
Searching with face recognition and social networking profiles
Systems for performing on-line searching, and particularly, to searching with face recognition and social networking profiles. In one example, one or more systems may be provided with regard to searching with face recognition and social networking profiles. |
| US08917910B2 |
Image segmentation based on approximation of segmentation similarity
A system and a method for image segmentation use segmentation maps of one or more similar images as a basis for the segmentation. The method includes generating an image signature for an input image to be segmented and identifying at least one similar image from a set of images, based on the image signature of the input image and image signatures of images in the set of images. The similarity may be computed after first projecting the image signatures into a feature space where similarity is more likely to agree with segmentation map similarity. The input image is segmented, based on the segmentation map of one or more of the at least one identified similar images. |
| US08917909B2 |
Surveillance including a modified video data stream
Methods provide surveillance, including a modified video data stream, with computer readable program code, when read by a processor, that is configured for receiving at an image processor a first video data stream and a second video data stream. Each of the first and second video data streams may include a target object having an assigned tracking position tag. The methods may further include extracting a first facial image of the target object from the first video data stream, determining a target object location in the second video data stream based at least in part on the tracking position tag and generating a modified video data stream including the first facial image superimposed on or adjacent to the target object location in the second video data stream. |
| US08917904B2 |
Vehicle clear path detection
A method for vehicle clear path detection using a camera includes imaging a ground area in front of the vehicle with the camera to produce a ground image and analyzing the ground image to formulate a clear path free of objects limiting travel of the vehicle. |
| US08917902B2 |
Image overlaying and comparison for inventory display auditing
Image overlaying and comparison for inventory display auditing is disclosed herein. An example method to perform inventory display auditing disclosed herein comprises overlaying a reference image over a current image displayed on a camera display, the reference image corresponding to an inventory display to be audited, comparing the reference image and the current image to determine whether the current image and the reference image correspond to a same scene and when the reference image and the current image are determined to correspond to the same scene, indicating a difference region in the current image displayed on the camera display, the difference region being a first region of the current image that differs from a corresponding first region of the reference image. |
| US08917900B2 |
Measurement apparatus
In a measurement apparatus, higher-quality measurement is realized in measurement of measurement object displacement or imaging of a two-dimensional image. In a controller, a light receiving signal of a photodiode is supplied to a displacement measuring unit of a sensor head in order to measure a height of a measurement object, and the height of a surface of the measurement object is measured based on the light receiving signal. Then, in the controller, image obtaining timing is determined based on the height of the measurement object. Specifically, a focus adjustment value corresponding to the computed height of the measurement object is obtained from the table, and an image obtaining signal is transmitted to an imaging device at the timing the focus adjustment value is realized. Therefore, a length between two points on the measurement object is computed from the thus obtained image based on the height of the measurement object. |
| US08917896B2 |
Automated customization of loudspeakers
A loudspeaker includes a horn including a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. Edges of at least the first and second side panels define a diffraction slot opening. The first and second side panels are each fabricated from a sheet of flexible material held in a stressed, curved shape by at least a rigid support member. The panels are designed by an automated process based on a number of electro-acoustic transducers to be used in a loudspeaker, horizontal and vertical coverage angles for the loudspeaker, and a wall length for a horn of the loudspeaker. |
| US08917893B2 |
Hearing aid
A hearing aid includes a device housing (2) in which a programmable sound processing device is received on a carrier. The carrier is provided on a main surface with a conductor track which lies exposed in an opening (8) in an outer casing of the device housing (2). A coupling connector (20) of an external programming device can be received in the opening in order to place the conductor track on the main surface of the carrier into direct and operative contact with a corresponding conductor track on the coupling connector. A separate connector for the purpose of programming and tuning the sound processing device to the individual hearing characteristics and/or wishes of a user can thus be omitted from the hearing aid. |
| US08917888B2 |
Control terminal apparatus and control method
A control terminal apparatus includes a transmission unit transmitting a control signal to audio output apparatuses, a display unit, an operation detector detecting an operation associated with display content, and a controller displaying individual volume setting sections which correspond to the audio output apparatuses and which include operation members performing variable operations of volume settings while volume setting states are displayed, displaying a master volume setting section including an operation member performing collective variable operation while the volume balance of the audio output apparatuses is maintained, executing clear display of a setting changeable range in which the volume balance is maintained in the master volume setting section, generating, when the operation detector detects an operation performed on one of the individual volume setting sections or the master volume setting section, a control signal corresponding to content of the operation, and causing the transmission unit to transmit the control signal. |
| US08917882B2 |
Headset switches with crosstalk reduction
Techniques for utilizing a plurality of switches to reduce crosstalk in a headset jack for accommodating both European and North American type headset plugs. In an aspect, a six-switch solution is provided to selectively couple first and second terminals of the jack to a ground and a microphone terminal, and further to selectively couple a ground sensing input to the first or second terminal of the jack. The ground sensing input is provided to left and right audio channel amplifiers for driving the corresponding left and right terminals of the headset, to provide a common-mode reference level to the left and right audio channel amplifiers. In another aspect, at least four physical pins are provided to couple the switches to the ground and microphone terminals of the jack, and the connections between the ground sensing inputs and the jack may be provided adjacent to the jack for better isolation. |
| US08917877B2 |
Distance-based rendering of media files
A rendering device is configured to dynamically vary how audio and visual information is rendered by a rendering device responsive to changes in distance between the rendering device and a mobile device carried by a user. As the user moves about, the distance between the rendering device and the mobile device carried by the user will vary. As the distance between the mobile device and the rendering device changes, the rendering system can dynamically adapt how the audio and visual information is rendered. For example, the rendering device can increase or decrease the volume of an audio output, depending on changes in the distance. Also, the rendering device can change how visual information is rendered on a display responsive to changes in distance. In some embodiments, when the distance between the mobile device and rendering device exceeds a predetermined distance, the audio and/or visual information may be sent to the mobile device. |
| US08917869B2 |
Creation and monitoring of “fair play” online gaming
A “fair play” online gaming system comprises a deal server for generating an encrypted set of gaming elements (such as cards) and a play server for controlling a set of operations within a game. The play server is coupled to the deal server and receives encrypted gaming elements from the deal server in response to commands. The gaming system also includes an audit server that is coupled to the play server, where the audit server is used to send and receive information between the play server and one or more online players communicating via the internet. Importantly, the deal server and the play server cannot communicate with the internet and cannot be accessed by untoward individuals, thus providing fair play conditions for an online game. |
| US08917866B2 |
Telephone with locking mechanism
A telephone uses a locking mechanism for a handset where the handset includes a receiver part and a microphone part. The receiver part defines a receiving groove facing the microphone part. The telephone set includes a holding part to hold the handset. The holding part includes a first portion. The first portion defines a recess to receive the receiver part, and an accommodating space to receive the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is rotatably received in the accommodating space and is switchable between a first state and a second state. The locking mechanism has a locking block. In the second state, the locking block is locked in the receiving groove of the receiver part to prevent release of the handset from the telephone set. |
| US08917864B2 |
Full-duplex audio communication terminal
A full duplex audio communication terminal (100) comprises a noise attenuation module (4) arranged on a transmission path of the terminal. The noise attenuation module comprises two activation thresholds, which are respectively intended to be adjusted above a noise level and above an echo level of transmission signals (TC) produced by the terminal. The first or the second activation threshold is selected as a function of the detection of signals (R) received by said terminal. An improvement to the suppression in the transmission signals of echoes from received signals is thus obtained which is compatible with the principle of full duplex communication. Preferably, the noise attenuation module processes transmission signals which are produced by an echo compensator (2). Residual echo still present in the transmission signals already processed by the echo compensator is thus further reduced. |
| US08917863B2 |
Method and device for data processing in a digital subscriber line environment
A method and a device for data processing in a digital subscriber line environment, wherein a flat noise margin is determined based on an actual noise determined and based on a maximum noise expected. A device is initialized using the flat noise margin. Also, a communication system is described that includes such a device. |
| US08917859B1 |
Outbound dialing solutions for MPS IVR
A system and method for automated communication to at least one end user. In one example, a system includes an interactive voice response (IVR) platform and a decision engine for creating a campaign that configures the IVR platform to perform outbound calls to the at least one end user to execute a task. The IVR based system calls the at least one end user based on the created campaign, records results of the call which indicate execution status of the task, and controls the future calls made by the campaign based on the results of the at least one call. |
| US08917858B2 |
Method and apparatus for network based fixed mobile convergence
A method and apparatus for providing a network based Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) service are disclosed. For example, the method receives a NB-FMC call request originating from a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) NB-FMC endpoint device or a non-SIP NB-FMC endpoint device, and processes the NB-FMC call request using a single hosted NB-FMC Application Server (AS). |
| US08917855B1 |
Systems, methods, devices and arrangements for unified messaging
A system or device can be configured with a first interface that is configured and arranged to provide content to a remote web-browser. This first interface can be provided by a computer server designed to implement a website. A second interface is configured and arranged to communicate content of an audio telephone calls with a remote audio-enabled device. This second interface can also communicate video content, text content, document sharing content and/or desktop sharing content. A processing circuit is configured and arranged to establish an audio telephone call between the remote web-browser and the remote audio-enabled device. The processing circuit can also facilitate communications with social networks by passing a general status message to a plurality of interface modules, each interface module designed to interface with a corresponding and respective social network. |
| US08917847B2 |
Monitoring and notification mechanism for participants in a breakout session in an online meeting
In an example embodiment, a method for monitoring a conference call and notifying members of a breakout session to return to the conference call. The method comprises mixing input streams received from participants of a conference call and distributing mixed streams to the participants, a first stream is provided to participants attending the breakout session and a second stream is provided to remaining participants of the conference call. Speech from the second stream is converted to text and the text is searched for predefined keywords. An alert is sent to at least one participant in the breakout session responsive to detecting one of the predefined keywords. |
| US08917840B2 |
Enhanced privacy caller identification system
A first telephone number assigned to the first telephone is cryptographically hashed to generate a first message digest, and the first telephone sends a signal to a second telephone over a communication network, wherein the signal includes the first message digest. The second telephone receives the first signal and searches its contact records to determine whether a telephone number in one of the contact records generates a message digest that matches the message digest received. Then, in response to the second telephone determining that a telephone number in one of the contact records generates a message digest that matches the first message digest, the second telephone identifies the contact record that generates the matching message digest and provides audible or visual output of content from the identified contact record. |
| US08917837B2 |
Consumer contact portal
A method is provided for the sharing of information in which a request for information is transmitted along with an indication of a reason for which the information is sought and, in response to the request, a subset of the information available is provided on the basis of a characteristic of the event. |
| US08917835B2 |
Visual voicemail privacy protection
Visual voicemail privacy protection is implemented by requiring a credential from a user or a user device before providing voicemail data to the user. The credential may be a user name and password combination, a digital certificate, or the like. The user may enable or disable this privacy protection feature at will. A first device being used for visual voicemail services may detect a second device within a defined area around the first device and either enable or disable privacy protection features based on whether the second device is determined to be an authorized or unauthorized device. Privacy protection features may be implemented locally or remotely. |
| US08917831B2 |
Method and system for directing a call to a matching service
An approach for directing a call to a matching service of a call destination is described. A call matching manager determines that a call is to be redirected from a first voice response unit based on service data about a service and caller data about a caller. The call matching manager also queries, during the call, one or more databases corresponding to a plurality of other services to identify a matching service based on the caller data. Still further, the call matching manager initiates transfer of the call for processing by a second voice response unit via out-of-band telephony signaling using a generated reference value. |
| US08917828B2 |
Multi-channel delivery platform
A request to execute an interaction site for enabling communications to be exchanged between a multi-channel communications system and a user device is received by an interaction flow processor. The interaction site is identified based on the request. An interaction flow document is accessed for the identified interaction site, the interaction flow document including code for initiating the interaction site between a user device and the multi-channel communications system using any one of multiple different communications channels including an interactive voice response channel. A communications channel used by the user device to contact the multi-channel communications system is determined. Based on the determined communications channel, the code of the interaction flow document is translated to code executable by the multi-channel communications system to enable the multi-channel communications system and the user device to exchange communications over the determined communications channel. A response is transmitted to the multi-channel communications system. |
| US08917827B2 |
Voice-operated interface for DTMF-controlled systems
An arrangement for allowing “hands-free” access to DTMF-controlled systems, such as one's voice mail messaging systems, utilizes a speech-to-DTMF tone application that monitors the communication between the user and the DTMF-controlled system. A speech recognition unit is utilized to retrieve certain voice commands (e.g., “next”, “skip”, “repeat”, “forward”, etc.) when uttered by the user. The application then translates the received commands into the proper DTMF tone sequence used by the DTMF-controlled system and transmits the DTMF tones to the system. The application is particularly useful in the cell phone environment and avoids the necessity of the user to constantly switch between using the keypad and listening to messages/commands from the system. |
| US08917826B2 |
Detecting man-in-the-middle attacks in electronic transactions using prompts
Aspects of the invention provide a solution for detecting man-in-the-middle attacks in electronic transactions using prompts. One embodiment includes a method for authenticating an electronic transaction. The method includes: receiving an electronic transaction request from a user, determining an IP address associated with a client system from which the electronic transaction request originates, providing the user with a password associated with the electronic transaction request, receiving a telephonic communication from a telephonic device associated with the user, prompting the user, via a voice response unit, to input the password using the telephonic device, authenticating the user by comparing the inputted password and the provided password, determining a probable location of the user based on the determined IP address of the client system, communicating to the user the probable location of the user based on the determined IP address, and prompting the user to confirm the probable location of the user. |
| US08917821B2 |
Device independent text captioned telephone service
A system and method for presenting caller ID information related to a caption assisted telephone call incorporating a first party Network appliance, a first party telephone service/terminal, and a relay linkable to the first party Network appliance via the Internet. |
| US08917815B2 |
Adjustable dynamic filter
A grid employs dynamic and adjustable grid lines that communicates with a transmitting object and/or a receiving object. The grid lines may be but not limited to liner, crosshatched or pinwheel shaped. The grid may switch between opaque and translucent and the grid lines may target, calibrate to and track an object either transmitting or receiving. The grid may be employed as a filter or a privacy screen on a computer screen for instance. The grid lines are angled to match an angle of a user's position with respect to the grid. |
| US08917813B2 |
Gantry image guided radiotherapy system and related treatment delivery methods
Systems, methods, and related computer program products for image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT) are described. Provided according to one preferred embodiment is an IGRT apparatus including a barrel-style rotatable gantry structure that provides high mechanical stability, versatility in radiation delivery, and versatility in target tracking. Methods for treatment radiation delivery using the IGRT apparatus include conical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy and cono-helical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy. A radiation treatment head (MV source) and a treatment guidance imaging system including a kV imaging source are mounted to and rotatable with a common barrel-style rotatable gantry structure, or alternatively the MV and kV sources are mounted to separate barrel-style rotatable gantry structures independently rotatable around a common axis of rotation. Methods for intra-fraction target tracking in a gantry-style IGRT system based on comparisons between a pre-acquired planning image and intrafraction x-ray tomosynthesis images and/or intrafraction cone beam CT (CBCT) images are also described. |
| US08917811B2 |
Apparatus and method for dynamic calibration of spectral CT with rotating X-ray source and stationary energy discriminating detectors
An apparatus and method for dynamically calibrating a computed-tomography (CT) scanner that includes a rotating X-ray source and a plurality of stationary energy-discriminating detectors configured to capture incident X-ray photons emitted from the X-ray source. A bowtie filter with a unique geometry and material composition is used to generate reference beams of a desired intensity. The apparatus includes a processor that is configured to remove a scattering background based on data obtained from the reference beams and compute a change in a predetermined calibration function. |
| US08917810B2 |
Devices and methods for managing noncombustible gasses in nuclear power plants
Systems passively eliminate noncondensable gasses from facilities susceptible to damage from combustion of built-up noncondensable gasses, such as H2 and O2 in nuclear power plants, without the need for external power and/or moving parts. Systems include catalyst plates installed in a lower header of the Passive Containment Cooling System (PCCS) condenser, a catalyst packing member, and/or a catalyst coating on an interior surface of a condensation tube of the PCCS condenser or an annular outlet of the PCCS condenser. Structures may have surfaces or hydrophobic elements that inhibit water formation and promote contact with the noncondensable gas. Noncondensable gasses in a nuclear power plant are eliminated by installing and using the systems individually or in combination. An operating pressure of the PCCS condenser may be increased to facilitate recombination of noncondensable gasses therein. |
| US08917808B2 |
Device for handling a fuel assembly
The invention refers to a device and a method for handling a fuel assembly (3), which comprises a number of fuel rods extending between a lower part and an upper part of the fuel assembly, a debris filter located in the lower part of the fuel assembly and a casing surrounding the fuel rods. The device comprises a lifting device (15) for engaging, during a lifting operation, a fuel assembly located in a reactor vessel (1) and lifting the fuel assembly upwards and out from the reactor vessel. A conduit member is connected to the upper part of the fuel assembly. A pump (32) creates a flow of water through the conduit member and the fuel assembly during the lifting operation. The flow has such a size that possible debris particles contained in and/or immediately beneath the debris filter at least are retained in and/or immediately beneath the debris filter during the lifting operation. |
| US08917801B2 |
Method of demodulating MDCM signal using hard decision and method of demodulating MDCM signal using soft decision
A method of demodulating a modified dual carrier modulation (MDCM) signal using hard decision includes generating real symbol vector candidates and imaginary symbol vector candidates which correspond to an MDCM signal pair; calculating a first norm between a real part of the MDCM signal pair and each of the real symbol vector candidates and determining as a real symbol vector a real symbol vector candidate that has the minimum first norm among the real symbol vector candidates; and calculating a second norm between an imaginary part of the MDCM signal pair and each of the imaginary symbol vector candidates and determining as an imaginary symbol vector an imaginary symbol vector candidate that has the minimum second norm among the imaginary symbol vector candidates. |
| US08917800B2 |
DC balance offset adjustable circuit and semiconductor device including the same
A mechanism is provided for dynamically adjusting DC offset at the time of deviation from DC balance ½ (DC level) in a data pattern including long-period consecutive bits generating DC offset in a section of data. A receiver circuit unit of an LSI having a serializer/deserializer arrangement for performing high-speed serial transmission includes an offset adjusting circuit. The offset adjusting circuit calculates DC balance in an arbitrary section of data by averaging received serial data. Based on comparison between a DC level and the DC balance obtained by averaging the received data, offset is shifted toward the H side when the DC balance exists on the H side from the DC level, and shifted toward the L side when the DC balance exists on the L side. |
| US08917799B2 |
Edge equalizer
To compensate for roll-off while estimating a communication channel, an estimate of the channel is provided using a signal transmitted via the communication channel. The pilot tones positioned along the edges of the estimated channel are divided by the corresponding pilot tones of the received signal to generate a first number of ratios. An algorithm is thereafter applied to the first number of ratios to generate a second number of ratios associated with the non-pilot tones positioned along the edges of the estimated channel. Next, numbers that are inverse of the first and second number of ratios are applied to the pilot and non-pilot tones positioned along the edges of the estimated channel to compensate for the roll-offs in the estimated channel. |
| US08917796B1 |
Transmission-mode-aware rate matching in MIMO signal generation
A method in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) transmitter includes selecting a transmission mode from a group of modes including a spatial multiplexing mode and a transmit diversity mode. A rate matching parameter is set depending on at least the selected transmission mode. Data for transmission is formatted in one or more transport blocks, each transport block including multiple code blocks having respective lengths, in symbols, that are respective integer multiples of the rate matching parameter. The code blocks of a given transport block are mapped onto time-frequency resource elements in accordance with the selected transmission mode, such that each resource element contains data originating from only a respective one of the code blocks of the given transport block. The code blocks of the given transport block are transmitted over the time-frequency resource elements to a receiver. |
| US08917793B2 |
Communication circuit, communication network, and connecting apparatus
The present invention provides a communication circuit, a communication network, and a connecting apparatus that can realize communication with very high reliability using a simple wiring system, that includes a communication line 2 comprising three or more signal lines 2a,2b,2c, a signal distributing section 4, that is connected to one end of the communication line 2, for distributing and transmitting a signal input into an input terminal 3i to respective signal lines 2a,2b,2c, and a majority selection receiving circuit 5, that is connected to the other end of the communication line 2, for comparing a plurality of reception signals received via the signal lines 2a,2b,2c and selecting reception signals which are most matched with one another as true so as to output them to an output terminal 30. |
| US08917792B2 |
Method and apparatus for the cancellation of intermodulation and harmonic distortion in a baseband receiver
A method (600) and apparatus (200) cancel odd-order distortion signals. Desensitization can be determined (610) in a received signal caused by odd-order harmonic distortion occurring from at least one transmit signal. A baseband replica harmonic distortion signal can be generated (620) using the transmit signal. The baseband replica harmonic distortion signal can be converted (630) to a low frequency harmonic distortion signal. The low frequency harmonic distortion signal can be subtracted (640) from the received signal to cancel the odd-order distortion from the received signal to create a corrected signal. |
| US08917791B2 |
Method for transmitting and receiving downlink control information
A method for efficiently transmitting and receiving downlink control information is disclosed. The method includes, at a base station, receiving feedback information including a precoding matrix index (PMI) from a user equipment (UE) and transmitting precoding information having a predetermined bit number according to the number of antenna ports and a transmission mode of the base station. The precoding information of a predetermined transmission mode in the precoding information includes confirmation information indicating that the base station uses a PMI which is recently received from the UE. |
| US08917788B2 |
Wireless communication system, base station apparatus, and mobile station apparatus
By taking into account the power consumption and PH of a mobile station apparatus on an uplink, while communication quality is maintained, the efficiency of power consumption is improved. There are provided a PUSCH reception section 14 for receiving a PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared CHannel) signal from the mobile station apparatus; a PH detection section 15 for detecting the PH (Power Headroom) from the received PUSCH signal; a transmission antenna number determination section 16 for determining, from the detected PH, the number of transmission antennas that the mobile station apparatus uses; a DCI generation section 10 for generating DCI (Downlink Control Information) based on frequency assignment information of the mobile station apparatus on the uplink; and a PDCCH transmission section 11 for converting the generated DCI and the determined transmission antenna number information into a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control CHannel) signal to transmit the PDCCH signal to the mobile station apparatus. |
| US08917786B1 |
QLM communications faster than Shannon rate
This invention discloses a method for communications faster than the Nyquist rate (FTN) and faster than the Shannon rate which method is Quadrature Layered Modulation (QLM). QLM properties include scaling the data symbol pulses to maintain the same error rate performance for all rates. QLM alternatively considers the increase in the data symbol rate to be a layering of additional communications over the same link. The Shannon bound is a limit on the capacity of a communication link when transmitting data symbols at the Nyquist rate. QLM observes one can communicate at FTN to transmit more information than the Shannon rate since the Nyquist rate captures the information in a frequency band and does not constraint the information. These properties describe QLM and a separate math proof-of-concept is disclosed. Implementation and performance data demonstrate QLM can support communications data rates which are at least double the Shannon rate. |
| US08917785B2 |
Constructing very high throughput long training field sequences
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for constructing a long training field (LTF) sequence in a preamble to reduce a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) at a transmitter. |
| US08917784B2 |
Method and apparatus for constructing very high throughput long training field sequences
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for constructing a training sequence as a part of transmission preamble in an effort to minimize (or at least reduce) a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) at a transmitting node. |
| US08917776B2 |
Rate-distortion control in DVC with no feedback channel
A method of determining bit rates for use in encoding video data for joint decoding, is disclosed. An approximation of the video data is generated for later use as side information during a process of joint decoding. Bit error probabilities are determined for each bit plane and for each coefficient band of the approximation. The bit rates are determined for encoding the bit planes depending on the bit error probabilities, bit planes, and coefficient bands. |
| US08917775B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding multi-view video data
Provided are a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding multi-view video data. The method of encoding multi-view video data includes determining whether a current picture is an anchor picture; and encoding blocks of the current picture by selectively applying a skip block mode to the blocks if the current picture is the anchor picture. According to the present invention, image quality and coding efficiency may be improved. |
| US08917774B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating encoded content using dynamically optimized conversion
An initial content is encoded a first time to obtain a first encoded content. One or more parameters obtained from the first encoding are used to generate an encoding coefficient. The initial content is encoded a second time to obtain a second encoded content. The second encoding is performed using encoding coefficients, at least one of which is derived from the parameter associated with the first encoding. The two encodings can be implemented using a single encoder or two separate encoders. |
| US08917770B2 |
Motion estimation apparatus and motion estimation method
A motion estimation apparatus used in a video encoding system is provided. The motion estimation apparatus includes a first calculation module and a second calculation module. When a search position moves from a first candidate search position to a second candidate search position along a search path, the first calculation module estimates a first differential motion vector cost according to a search path information corresponding to the search path. The second calculation module selectively adds the first differential motion vector cost to an initial motion vector cost or subtracts the first differential motion vector cost from the initial motion vector cost according to a predetermined rule, so that a first motion vector cost corresponding to the second candidate search position is obtained. |
| US08917762B2 |
Receiver with four-slice decision feedback equalizer
A decision feedback equalizer (DFE) slice for a receiver includes a plurality of non-speculative DFE taps; and 3 speculative DFE taps, wherein the 3 speculative DFE taps comprise first and second multiplexer stages, each of the first and second multiplexer stages including 4 comparator latches, each of the 4 comparator latches having a programmable offset; and a multiplexer that receives 4 comparator latch outputs from the 4 comparator latches and outputs a multiplexer stage output, wherein the multiplexer is controlled by previous symbol decisions dn-2 and dn-3; and wherein the 3 speculative taps further comprise a 2:1 decision multiplexer stage that receives the multiplexer stage outputs of the first and second multiplexer stages and is controlled by a previous symbol decision dn-1 to output a slice output signal dn. |
| US08917761B2 |
System and method for testing radio frequency wireless signal transceivers using wireless test signals
A method of facilitating wireless testing of multiple radio frequency (RF) signal transceiver devices under test (DUTs). Using multiple antennas within a shielded enclosure containing the DUTs, multiple wireless RF test signals radiated to the DUTs can have their respective signal phases controlled to maximize the direct-coupled signals to their respective intended DUTs while minimizing the cross-coupled signals. Additionally, the wireless RF test signals radiated to the DUTs can have their respective signal magnitudes controlled to normalize the direct-coupled signals to their respective intended DUTs while still sufficiently reducing the cross-coupled signals. As a result, compensation is provided for the multipath signal environment within the shielded enclosure, thereby simulating wired test signal paths during wireless testing of the DUTs. |
| US08917760B2 |
Manufacturing process
The invention provides a method of manufacturing a user equipment comprising a wireless modem, a method of activating a user equipment as a wireless modem, and a corresponding server and user equipment. A processor is produced for executing wireless modem code to operate the processor as a wireless modem, the processor having a writeable, non-volatile memory for storing the wireless modem code but being produced with at least a substantive portion of said wireless modem code not installed on said memory or otherwise, thus rendering the processor inoperative as a wireless modem. The processor is assembled into a user equipment and supplied to an end-user still without the substantive portion of wireless modem code installed. In response to an indication from the end-user requesting activation of the user equipment as a wireless modem, at least said substantive portion of wireless modem code is then distributed to the end-user for installation on the memory the user equipment's processor. |
| US08917759B2 |
Transceiver architecture and methods for demodulating and transmitting phase shift keying signals
A transceiver is described. The transceiver includes a first injection-locked oscillator and a second injection-locked oscillator. The transceiver also includes a first phase-locked loop coupled with the first injection-locked oscillator. The first phase-locked loop is configured to generate a first frequency reference. Further, the transceiver includes a second phase-locked loop coupled the second injection-locked oscillator. The second phase-locked loop is configured to generate a second frequency reference. The transceiver includes a mixer configured to receive the first phase-locked loop output and configured to receive said second injection-locked oscillator output. The mixer is also configured to generate a carrier frequency signal based on the first injection-locked oscillator output and the second injection-locked oscillator output. And, the transceiver includes a modulator configured to receive said carrier frequency signal. |
| US08917755B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating broadcast positioning signal, and positioning method
The present invention, pertaining to the field of mobile broadcast television technologies, discloses a method and apparatus for generating a broadcast positioning signal, and a positioning method. According to the present invention, a broadcast positioning signal is generated by inserting a spread spectrum signal and a first spread spectrum signal in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signal, and a receiver is positioned according to broadcast positioning signals from at least three different senders. |
| US08917752B2 |
Reflectivity-modulated grating mirror
The invention relates to vertical cavity lasers (VCL) incorporating a reflectivity-modulated grating mirror (1) for modulating the laser output. A cavity is formed by a bottom mirror (4), an active region (3), and an outcoupling top grating mirror (1) formed by a periodic refractive index grating region in a layer structure comprising a p- and a n-doped semiconductor layer with an electrooptic material layer (12) arranged there between. The grating region comprises a grating structure formed by periodic perforations to change the refractive index periodically in directions normal to the oscillation axis. A modulated voltage (91) is applied in reverse bias between the n- and p-doped layers to modulate the refractive index of the electrooptic material layer (12) and thereby the reflectivity spectrum of the grating mirror (1). The reflectivity of the grating mirror (1) can be modulated between a reflectivity with little or no out coupling and a reflectivity with normal out coupling, wherein lasing in the VCL is supported at both the first and the second reflectivity. As the out coupling mirror modulates the output, the lasing does not need to be modulated, and the invention provides the advantage of lower power consumption at high modulation speeds. |
| US08917746B2 |
Passive optical network processor with a programmable data path
A method and apparatus embodying some aspects of a packet processing communication system. The packet processing communication apparatus comprises a packet processor and a microprocessor. The packet processor is configured to process packets belonging to a certain flow through a plurality of processing stages of a programmable data-path. The microprocessor is in communication with the packet processor and is configured to process a user-defined function in the programmable data-path on designated packets belonging to the certain flow. The packets of respective flows to be processed by the microprocessor are designated in a mapping. The designated packets processed by the microprocessor are returned to one of the processing stages of the packet processor for further processing. |
| US08917742B2 |
Mechanism to save system power using packet filtering by network interface
A network interface that connects a computing device to a network may be configured to process incoming packets and determine an action to take with respect to each packet, thus decreasing processing demands on a processor of the computing device. The action may be indicating the packet to an operating system of the computing device immediately, storing the packet in a queue of one or more queues or discarding the packet. When the processor is interrupted, multiple packets aggregated on the network interface may be indicated to the operating system all at once to increase the device's power efficiency. Hardware of the network interface may be programmed to process the packets using filter criteria specified by the operating system based on information gathered by the operating system, such as firewall rules. |
| US08917739B2 |
Method and apparatus to dynamically sample NRT using a double-ended queue that allows for seamless transition from full NRT analysis to sampled NRT analysis
A network round trip time measurement apparatus and method employ an allocated storage in the form of a double ended queue, to store data received while awaiting a corresponding receipt of data to allow the network round trip time to be determined. When the allocated size of the storage is exceeded, storage stops until such time as data is received to allow network round trip time to be determined on at least some of the already stored data, whereupon storage can resume. This allows use in high and low volume traffic situations to automatically scale back the amount of data processed, so as to not overtax available resources. |
| US08917738B2 |
Multicasting traffic manager in a network communications processor architecture
Described embodiments provide a method of processing packets of a network processor. One or more tasks are generated corresponding to received packets associated with one or more data flows. A traffic manager receives a task corresponding to a data flow, the task provided by a processing module of the network processor. The traffic manager determines whether the received task corresponds to a unicast data flow or a multicast data flow. If the received task corresponds to a multicast data flow, the traffic manager determines, based on identifiers corresponding to the task, an address of launch data stored in launch data tables in a shared memory, and reads the launch data. Based on the identifiers and the read launch data, two or more output tasks are generated corresponding to the multicast data flow, and the two or more output tasks are added at the tail end of a scheduling queue. |
| US08917732B2 |
Method of selectively and seamlessly segregating san traffic in I/O consolidated networks
Methods and apparatus for segregating traffic are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a traffic splitter identifies a set of links coupled to the traffic splitter, where the set of links includes two or more uplinks, wherein each of the two or more uplinks are implemented in a common physical media. The two or more uplinks include a LAN uplink coupled to a LAN and a SAN uplink coupled to a SAN. The traffic splitter prevents SAN traffic from reaching the LAN via the LAN uplink. In addition, the traffic splitter prevents LAN traffic from reaching the SAN via the SAN uplink. |
| US08917730B2 |
Decoding method and apparatus
Method and apparatus for decoding is provided. A decoding channel IDentity (ID) of a Dedicated Physical Control Channel (DPCCH) and a decoding channel ID of an Enhanced DPCCH (E-DPCCH) of a user are acquired according to a user ID of the user; Transport Format Combination Indicator (TFCI) symbols in the DPCCH and Enhanced TFCI (E-TFCI) symbols in the E-DPCCH are de-mapped, and the de-mapped symbols are stored according to the decoding channel ID; and a symbol queue to be decoded is selected according to priorities of symbol queues of the DPCCH and the E-DPCCH, symbols corresponding to the selected symbol queue from the de-mapped symbols, and decoding the read symbols are read out. |
| US08917728B2 |
Retransmission request transmitting method and receiving-side apparatus
In a retransmission request transmitting method, an RLC sublayer of a receiving-side apparatus determines whether or not an RLC-PDU-data (or an RLC-data-Sub-PDU) not received yet is under retransmission control processing in a MAC sublayer; and generates and transmits a STATUS-PDU (NACK) including only a RLC-data-PDU which has neither been received yet nor is under the retransmission control processing in the MAC sublayer, on the basis of the determination result, at a timing when the STATUS-PDU is generated. |
| US08917725B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting and preventing flooding attacks in a network environment
A method for processing network traffic data includes receiving a packet, and determining whether the packet is a previously dropped packet that is being retransmitted. A method for processing network traffic content includes receiving a plurality of headers, the plurality of headers having respective first field values, and determining whether the first field values of the respective headers form a first prescribed pattern. A method for processing network traffic content includes receiving a plurality of packets, and determining an existence of a flooding attack without tracking each of the plurality of packets with a SYN bit. |
| US08917720B2 |
System and method for integrating conventional enterprise communication systems into an IP multimedia subsystem-based services environment
A system and method for integrating conventional enterprise communication systems into an IMS-based services environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, when a call request is received for a call between first and second local users of a PBX, the PBX determines whether a class of service for either the first or second local user is for Exposed Local Call (ELC) processing. If so, then call information is routed through a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) core network that is coupled to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server to provide IMS services to the call. |
| US08917714B2 |
Cooperative routing between traffic control device and multi-server application
A method, apparatus and programmed storage device for routing data through a communications network. More specifically, a programmable traffic manager is programmed with at least one application level directive and the data is routed through the network to one of the network nodes using the programmable traffic manager, which is programmed in accordance with the application level directive. In a particular example of this invention, a request from a client is routed by the programmable traffic manager to at least one a plurality of servers hosting an application, where the programmable traffic manager is routed in accordance with the application level directive. |
| US08917710B2 |
Process method about the service connection between the wireless local area network and user terminal
A method for processing a service connection between a user terminal and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is provided. A WLAN interactive network includes at least a WLAN user terminal, a WLAN access unit, a service control unit and a user information storage unit. The method includes setting flags that represent the attached or detached status of the service connection between the user terminal and the WLAN in the WLAN user terminal and the service control unit respectively; and establishing or canceling the connection between the user terminal and the network through the interaction between the WLAN user terminal and the WLAN, meanwhile modifying the corresponding flags. |
| US08917706B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving access information of broadcast service in a broadcasting system, and system thereof
A broadcasting system for providing access information of a broadcast service, wherein a transmission apparatus generates the access information for at least one of a broadcast network and an interaction network, from which the broadcast service is transmitted, and transmits the access information to a terminal via a specific communication network. A reception apparatus receives the access information of the broadcast service via the communication network, analyzes the received access information to determine a network from which the broadcast service is provided, among the broadcast network and the interaction network, and sets an access address for reception of the broadcast service. |
| US08917703B2 |
Efficient location updates, paging and short bursts
A mobile terminal in a wireless communication network may be one of several modes of operation. When in an idle mode, the mobile terminal may avoid a lengthy random access procedure normally associated with responding to a page from a base station, if the base station includes in the page an indication of a resource that the mobile terminal may utilize when responding to the page. Additionally, the mobile terminal may transmit an efficient location update MAC header to a base station, whether prompted to by a page from the base station or not. Furthermore, without leaving the idle mode or a sleep mode, the mobile terminal may exchange short data burst messages with a base station. |
| US08917699B2 |
User network and method for using multiple access system to connect to remote communication network(s)
A user network (e.g., mobile phone) is described herein that uses one or more access systems to establish a communications session with a remote communications network. In one embodiment, the user network has a processor and a memory with instructions stored therein which are accessible and processable by the processor to facilitate the following steps: (a) maintaining a detected set which contains access resource (s) that are associated with possible access connection (s) which could be used to access the remote communications network; (b) maintaining a candidate set which contains access resource (s) and logical connection (s) that are associated with the possible access connection (s) which could be used as communication bearer (s) to the remote communications network; and (c) maintaining an active set which contains a particular logical connection which is associated with one of the access connections that is currently being used as a communication bearer in an established communication session with the remote communications network. |
| US08917695B2 |
Methods and systems for parallel acquisition of system information from multiple base stations
A method for parallel acquisition of system information from multiple base stations may be implemented by a mobile station. The method may include determining scheduled times for transmission of the system information from the multiple base stations based on parameters included in messages from the multiple base stations. The method may also include creating a schedule list that comprises the scheduled times. The method may further include tuning to the base stations at the scheduled times that are specified in the schedule list in order to receive the system information from the base stations. |
| US08917689B2 |
Method, base station, and user equipment for feeding back ACK/NACK information for carrier aggregation
The present invention provides a method, a base station, and a user equipment for feeding back ACK/NACK information for carrier aggregation. The method includes configuring a common field preset in DCI as at least one type of command field related to ACK/NACK feedback of at least two types of command fields related to ACK/NACK feedback, where the common field can be configured as the command fields related to ACK/NACK feedback; and sending the DCI to a user equipment, so that the user equipment feeds back ACK/NACK information according to the DCI. |
| US08917688B2 |
Efficient user detection and channel estimation for UL CoMP
A channel estimation system disclosed herein jointly estimates the channels for users transmitting signals allocated overlapping frequency resources in a received composite wideband signal. The channel estimation system may further limit the joint channel estimation process to only locally scheduled UEs and those desired users transmitting detectable desired signals using frequency resources at least partially overlapping the locally scheduled UE's frequency resources. More particularly, a local base station processes the received composite wideband signal to determine which of the potential desired user(s) have transmitted user signals allocated frequency resources that at least partially overlap the frequency resources allocated to locally scheduled users and having a sufficient signal strength and quality to be detectable as present in the received signal. The local base station processes the local and detected desired user signals in the received signal to jointly calculate channel estimates for the corresponding users based on the corresponding reference sequences. |
| US08917687B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for sending and receiving sounding reference signal
A method, an apparatus and a system for sending Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) and a method, an apparatus and a system for receiving SRS are disclosed in the present invention, which are used to reduce the requirement for Time Frequency Code (TFC) resource during the process of sending the SRS, and meanwhile to ensure the precision of channel information estimation. The method includes the steps of: determining a first frequency band required by sending the SRS, and determining a second frequency band whose width is smaller than the width of the first frequency band; according to the mode that the average interval for sending the SRS on the first frequency band is larger than the average interval for sending the SRS on the second frequency band, respectively sending the SRS on the first frequency band and the second frequency band. |
| US08917685B2 |
Wireless communication system, cluster head equipment (CHE) installed in wireless communication system, and wireless communication method
Disclosed is a wireless communication system and the like that can avoid interference even if a plurality of networks coexist. The wireless communication system includes a primary user, cluster head equipment, and a secondary user. The cluster head equipment is for providing a local area network to a cluster region containing the abovementioned primary user. Also, the cluster head equipment contains: an acquisition means that acquires one or both—of information regarding the primary user and information regarding a primary signal—and the like; and a transmission means that transmits information to the secondary user. Then, using this wireless communication system, the secondary user performs cognitive wireless communication or the like on the basis of the information received from the transmission means of the cluster head equipment. |
| US08917684B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting multiple frequency bands efficiently in mobile communication system
A method and an apparatus for transmitting a small size data packet efficiently while reducing signaling overhead in a mobile communication system are provided. The method includes determining to apply a low security transfer procedure, transmitting, to a base station, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection request message including a temporary Data Radio Bearer (DRB) request to which Access Stratum (AS) security is not applied, receiving an RRC connection setup message, including a temporary DRB configuration, from the base station, and transmitting an Internet Protocol (IP) packet over the temporary DRB. |
| US08917683B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. The present invention relates to a method for transmitting ACK/NACK in a wireless communication system in which carrier aggregation is set, and an apparatus therefor. Specifically, the present invention relates to an ACK/NACK transmission method and an apparatus therefor, the method comprising the steps of: receiving information on a plurality of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources via upper layer signaling; receiving a transmit power control (TPC) field on a secondary carrier through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); receiving data indicated by the PDCCH; and transmitting ACK/NACK for the data, wherein the ACK/NACK is transmitted using a PUCCH resource which is indicated by the value of the TPC field among the plurality of PUCCH resources. |
| US08917679B2 |
Method for signaling the overlap of downlink control and data channels
A network signals an allocation (PDCCH) for a downlink shared channel (PDSCH); and also signals an indication (reference signal RS) whether a resource block (PRB) comprising the allocated downlink shared channel is used for a control channel transmission (E-PDCCH). Examples include the E-PDCCH being time or frequency multiplexed with the PDSCH; and the indication being a different RS sequence (at least one element being phase shifted) than an original RS sequence used if the PRB were not used for the E-PDCCH. The UE tests for the phase shift by blind decoding. If the phase shift is present the UE a) decodes a portion of the PRB for data if the network is using TDM for its E-PDCCH/PDSCH multiplexing, orb) decodes the full PRB only for the E-PDCCH if the network is using FDM for its E-PDCCH/PDSCH multiplexing. |
| US08917677B2 |
Systems and methods for bundling resource blocks in a wireless communication system
A base station for use in a wireless network operable to communicate with a plurality of mobile stations. The base station transmits a downlink frame to a first mobile station. The downlink frame comprises time-frequency resource elements allocated in a plurality of physical resource blocks. The base station transmits the plurality of physical resource blocks in bundles having a bundle size that is a function of the system bandwidth configuration and the base station uses the same precoder for all physical resource blocks in the same bundle. The bundle size is from one physical resource block to three physical resource blocks. |
| US08917672B2 |
MIMO reception device and MIMO reception method
Provided are a MIMO transmission device and a MIMO transmission method which can improve reception quality of a response signal. A terminal (100) as the MIMO transmission device maps a first and a second element of the ACK/NACK signal vector formed from ACK/NACK signals onto a first and a second stream, respectively, and transmits the elements contained in a 2SC-FDMA symbol in a single slot. In the terminal (100), a response signal vector formation unit (140) forms [a·Sack, 0] as the ACK/NACK signal vector in a first SC-FDMA symbol and [0, a·Sack] as an ACK/NACK signal vector in a second SC-FDMA symbol. A precoding unit (165) uses a unitary matrix to precode the ACK/NACK signal vector formed in the response signal vector formation unit (140). |
| US08917669B2 |
Method of downlink HARQ operation at an expiry of time alignment timer
According to one embodiment, a method of processing data for a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) operation in a wireless communication system includes: receiving control signaling from a network; receiving data based on the received control signaling; generating a positive response message (ACK) if the received data is successfully decoded or a negative response message (NACK) if the received data is not successfully decoded, wherein the generated ACK or the generated NACK is not transmitted to the network when a timer is expired or not running; and combining the received data with data currently in a buffer after the timer is stopped or expired. |
| US08917664B2 |
Method and apparatus for deactivating secondary carriers in mobile communication system using carrier aggregation
A method and an apparatus for deactivating secondary carriers in a mobile communication system using carrier aggregation are provided. A communication method, for a User Equipment (UE), includes activating a secondary carrier, starting a first timer upon activation of the secondary carrier, starting a second timer when the first timer expires, and deactivating the activated secondary carrier when the second timer expires. |
| US08917663B2 |
Method and apparatus for timing and/or frequency offset monitoring and handling
Methods and apparatuses are provided for obtaining downlink or uplink signal characteristics of at least one access point in a network. The signal characteristics may be obtained through user equipment receiving the signal characteristics, through the at least one access point, or through another access point. Frequency or timing offset between two or more access points may be determined based on the obtained signal characteristics, where the frequency or timing offset may be handled through post processing. For example, a clock servo may be controlled or adjusted in response to the determined offset, the absolute frequency of a master network oscillator may be calibrated, traffic anomalies within the network may be detected and corrected, and/or respective clocks of the two or more access points may be synchronized. |
| US08917658B2 |
Matching used and allowed radio access technology types
The present invention provides methods, an application node (104, 26, 300), a policy node (108, 24, 400), a system for service delivery control related to access technology types and in particular for service delivery control based on allowed access technology types. Based on radio access technology types as defined by an application node related to a service provider as communicated to the policy node over the inter node interface Rx (106), and an radio access technology type with which a mobile phone (102, 22) communicates on at the moment, a determination is made as to whether the radio access technology type with which the mobile phone communicate son is among the allowed radio access technology types or not. If it is not, the current access technology type may be updated such that there is a match between the allowed radio access technology type and the current radio access rate. |
| US08917654B2 |
Frequency hopping design for single carrier FDMA systems
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate frequency hopping in a single carrier FDMA wireless environment by dynamically altering user offsets with time to obtain interference diversity. A channel tree can be utilized with nodes that are assigned values. User devices can be assigned to such nodes, a path between an assigned node and a root node in the channel tree can be evaluated, and a table lookup can be performed to determine an identity of a subcarrier set to assign to the user device assigned to a given node, as well as a number of subcarriers to be assigned to the user device. Additionally, node values can be dynamically varied during a communication event to alter path values and thus alter subcarrier set assignments. |
| US08917649B2 |
Method and apparatus for cooperative wireless communications
A method and apparatus for cooperation in wireless communications. Cooperation is considered among a number of network elements, including at least one wireless transmit-receive unit, at least one relay station, and at least one base station. |
| US08917646B2 |
Detecting and processing corrupted video recordings
Embodiments of the invention include a method that comprises recording broadcasted television content and determining if one or more segments of the content is corrupted. The method can also present a notification if the content is corrupted, where the notification can include indicia such as a pop-up window, an icon or symbol in a program guide screen or program recorded content screen, and/or an indicator on the DVR unit. The method can also acquire uncorrupted content to replace one or more segments of the corrupted content. |
| US08917637B2 |
Apparatus and methods for conducting full-duplex wireless communication with a communication partner
A wireless communication apparatus that conducts full-duplex wireless communication with a communication partner using a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna is provided. The apparatus includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit a signal via the transmitting antenna using a first frequency channel, a receiving unit configured to receive a signal via the receiving antenna using a second frequency channel different from the first frequency channel, and a control unit configured to control beam angle of directionality of at least one of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, so that a direction of a communication path of a signal which the transmitting unit transmits and the communication partner receives, and a direction of a communication path of a signal which the communication partner transmits and the receiving unit receives, differ from each other. |
| US08917634B1 |
Enterprise conferencing with dual mixing
A method and computer readable medium for providing Enterprise conferencing is provided. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a first SIP INVITE message is exchanged between a Media Gateway of the Enterprise and a first Media Server of a Conferencing Service Provider. Then, an Application Server of the Conferencing Service Provider establishes conference call resources at the Conferencing Service Provider. A first RTP session is established between the Media Gateway and the first Media Server, and then a PROMPT AND COLLECT message is sent from the Application Server to the first Media Server to gather data from the caller for establishing the Enterprise conferencing. After receipt of the data by the Application Server, an SIP INFO message is sent from the Application Server to a second Media Server of the Conferencing Service Provider, selecting the second Media Server to host the call. |
| US08917633B2 |
System and process for mass telephony conference call
A method of providing conference call connections includes initiating a conference call between multiple conferees using a conferencing controller, placing each of the multiple conferees in a half-duplex listen only mode using the conferencing controller, and receiving a signal at the conferencing controller from at least one of the multiple conferees to actively participate in the conference call. Active participation can be in the form of asking questions, giving comments, or providing a keypress to vote or provide other information. The conference call can also be broadcast to increase participants. Also, after the conference call is initiated, additional potential conferees can be added. |
| US08917629B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting devices on a local area network
A method, apparatus, and system for discovering devices on a local area network. The method comprises sending a DNS request from a host networking element, receiving the DNS request at one or more devices, and responding to the host networking element with one or more DNS responses. The DNS request comprises one or more particular domain names. The one or more DNS responses comprise local network address information for the one or more VoIP devices. The apparatus comprises means for filtering a set of network traffic for a DNS request, means for responding to a DNS request with a local network address, and means for forwarding the DNS request to another device. The system comprises a computer for generating a DNS request for a particular domain, and one or more VoIP devices for receiving the DNS request and sending a DNS response to the computer with a local network address for the VoIP device. |
| US08917627B2 |
Synchronizing routing tables in a distributed network switch
Techniques are provided for routing table synchronization for a distributed network switch. In one embodiment, a first frame having a source address and a destination address is received. If no routing entry for the source address is found in a routing table of a first switch module, routing information is determined for the source address and a routing entry is generated. An indication is sent to a second switch module, to request a routing entry for the source address to be generated in the second switch module, based on the routing information. |
| US08917625B2 |
Mapping quality of service (QOS) from a wireless network to a wired network
A system and method to map a Quality of Service (QoS) of a traffic flow from a wireless network to a wired network is described herein. The method comprises the steps of receiving a packet of the traffic flow over the wireless network and determining a first Quality of Service associated with the traffic flow over the wireless network based on a first set of parameters associated with the packet. The method further comprises the step of determining a second parameter that identifies a second Quality of Service over the wired network, wherein the second Quality of Service is substantially equivalent to the first Quality of Service. The method also comprises inserting the second parameter in a field of the packet based on the determined second Quality of Service and transmitting the packet over the wired network. |
| US08917619B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling in-device coexistence interference in wireless communication system
Method and apparatus for controlling in-device coexistence (IDC) interference in a wireless communication system are described in the present invention. The present invention includes transmitting UE capability information whether the UE has a capability to measure IDC, to a base station (BS); receiving measurement configuration information whether the UE is allowed to send IDC indication, from the BS; and transmitting the IDC indication and at least one of measurements which are a measurement in consideration of IDC and a measurement without consideration of IDC to the BS. It is possible to control reducing occurrence of in-device coexistence interference. |
| US08917617B2 |
Internet protocol version 6 network connectivity in a virtual computer system
A method for sharing a network connection between a host system and a virtual machine includes receiving an incoming data frame. The host system is enabled to use the network connection using a first layer 2 address and a first layer 3 address. The first layer 2 and the first layer 3 addresses are associated with the network connection. The virtual machine is enabled to attempt to use the network connection using a second layer 2 address and a second layer 3 address. The first layer 3 and the second layer 3 addresses are compliant with IPv6. |
| US08917612B2 |
Transmitting device and information acquisition control method
An apparatus includes a first counter circuit that counts a value of first statistical information divided in the time-direction from a first period; a second counter circuit that counts a value of second statistical information divided in the time-direction from a second period following the first period; a control circuit that divides by a specific time period unit and acquires the value of the first statistical information and the value of the second statistical information, and causes a first memory to store the value of the first statistical information, and causes a second memory to store the value of the second statistical information; and a switching circuit that switches the value of the statistical information acquired by the control circuit from the value of the first statistical information to the value of the second statistical information upon a start of the second period. |
| US08917610B2 |
Detecting intermittent network link failures
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting intermittent network link failures. A tracking module tracks link failures of a network link of a network over a specified time interval. A failure module determines the network link is failing in response to a number of link failures exceeding a specified failure threshold. A mitigation module mitigates communications over the network link. |
| US08917609B2 |
Line monitoring apparatus and line monitoring method
A line monitoring apparatus includes a state change detection number counter configured to count a state change detection number that is a number of a state change in a line being detected by a first type detecting process; and a state change frequency determiner configured to determine whether or not the state change detection number counted per a predetermined unit time exceeds a predetermined threshold value, wherein when the state change detection number counted per the unit time exceeds the threshold value, the detecting process of detecting a state change in the line is changed from the first type detecting process to a second type detecting process. |
| US08917608B2 |
Low latency WiFi display using intelligent aggregation
Certain embodiments relate to systems and methods for coordinating MAC Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU) frame boundaries within Video frame/slice boundaries for 802.11 MAC implementations. These embodiments facilitate higher throughput and MAC efficiency by utilizing MAC aggregation without generating undue latency penalty. Certain embodiments ensure that Block-ACK windows are aligned with video frame boundaries so that no Block-ACK windows straddle successive video frames. |
| US08917607B2 |
Optimized layer-2 network switching systems and methods
An exemplary method includes monitoring a performance of at least one of a plurality of layer-2 network paths connecting a layer-2 network switch device to another layer-2 network switch device and selecting an optimal one of the plurality of layer-2 network paths over which to forward data traffic based on a path selection heuristic and the monitored performance of the at least one of the plurality of layer-2 network paths. At least a portion of the exemplary method may be performed by a layer-2 network switching system. In certain embodiments, the selecting of the optimal one of the plurality of layer-2 network paths over which to forward the data traffic is based on at least one of a latency parameter, a congestion parameter, and a cost parameter associated with the at least one of the plurality of layer-2 network paths. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08917606B2 |
Method of flow control for data transported using isochronous packets over an IEEE 1394-2000 serial bus network
An isochronous back channel is configured between a transmitting device and a receiving device. The isochronous back channel provides retransmission and flow control information from the receiving device to the transmitting device related to a stream of isochronous data packets transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device. An isochronous back channel packet for indicating a retransmission or flow control function to perform is configured and transmitted from the receiving device to the transmitting device over the isochronous back channel. A transmitting plug is configured on the receiving device and a receiving plug is configured on the transmitting device for implementing the isochronous back channel. The isochronous back channel packet includes a control instruction that instructs the transmitting device to either reset, stop or resume transmission of the stream of isochronous data packets being transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device. |
| US08917605B2 |
Component carrier activation/deactivation in multi-carrier systems
Methods and apparatus for addressing wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) behavior in response to configuration, configuration parameters and access issues related to the activation/deactivation process when the WTRU may be configured with multiple serving cells or carrier aggregation. |
| US08917604B2 |
Performing rate limiting within a network
Methods and systems for performing rate limiting are provided. According to one embodiment, information is maintained regarding a set of virtual networks into which a network has been logically divided. Each virtual network comprises a loop-free switching path, reverse path learning network and provides a path through the network between a first and second network device thereby collectively providing multiple paths between the first and second network devices. Packets are received by the first device that are associated with a flow sent by a source network device. The packets are forwarded by the first device to the second device via a particular path of the multiple paths. A congestion metric is determined for the particular path and based thereon it is determined whether a congestion threshold has been reached. Responsive to an affirmative determination, the source device is instructed to reduce the rate at which the packets are sent. |
| US08917603B2 |
Method for transmitting control information and apparatus therefor
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. In more detail, the present invention relates to a method and device for transmitting uplink control information in a wireless communication system that supports carrier merging and operates in TDD, and the method comprises the following steps: receiving at least one or more than one PDCCH and more than one PDSCH from a plurality of downlink sub frames according to a UL-DL configuration: determining a bit number of reception response information on the at least one of more than one PDCCH and more than one PDSCH by using a value indicated by a predetermined 2-bit field in a DCI format for UL scheduling; and transmitting the reception response information through PUSCH corresponding to the DIC format. |
| US08917598B2 |
Downlink flow control
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate providing flow control feedback for controlling downlink data transmission rates. Various schemes can be utilized to send the flow control feedback from an access terminal to a base station. For example, a control PDU (e.g., MAC control PDU, PDCP control PDU) can be generated based upon a level of resource utilization of the access terminal, and sent to the base station for controlling the downlink data transmission rate. Following this example, a type of control PDU, a value included within the control PDU, etc. can be selected as a function of the level of resource utilization. By way of another illustration, a CQI report that includes a value selected as a function of the level of resource utilization associated with the access terminal can be generated and transmitted to the base station for controlling the downlink data transmission rate. |
| US08917597B2 |
Providing a quality of service for various classes of service for transfer of electronic data packets
A quality of service for various classes of services for the transfer of electronic data packets is provided by establishing classes of packets for a customer and for assigning bandwidths to the classes for the customer. Accordingly, the amount of bandwidth for one type of service may vary from the bandwidth for another type of service over the same data connection. A device, such as an edge router of a network, may police the data packets being transferred by a customer to maintain the bandwidth being utilized by a given class of packets of the customer to within the assigned bandwidth for that class of the customer. The data packets may further be policed by core routers of the network may also to maintain the bandwidth being utilized by a given class of packets to within the assigned bandwidth for that class as specified by the service provider. |
| US08917595B2 |
Method and system for a distributed platform solution for supporting CIM over web services based management
A portion of management traffic, carried via network traffic, and received and/or transmitted via a network controller, may be processed externally to the network controller. A pass-through driver may be utilized, in the network controller, to enable transparent routing of management traffic that may be processed externally. The externally processed management traffic may comprise WS-Management based messaging, while management traffic that may comprise ASF based messaging may be processed internally in the network controller. An application processor may be utilized to perform external processing of received and/or transmitted management traffic. A management bus may be utilized to enable routing of management traffic processed external to the network controller. The management bus may also be utilized to enable platform operations during processing of management traffic. The application processor may invoke, via the management bus and/or the pass-through driver, platform based functionality maintained via the network controller. |
| US08917592B2 |
Communication apparatus, system, and method
A communication apparatus used as a first communication apparatus in a communication system having a ring network, the communication apparatus including: a storage unit configured to store information indicating a correspondence between a state of a path provided on the ring network, a state of a first link established between the first and third communication apparatuses, a state of a second link established between the second and third communication apparatuses, and a direction of forwarding the data; and a control unit configured to monitor links that are included in the ring network, and presence or absence of a failure occurring in each of the first and second links, and determine a direction of forwarding data to which path identification information corresponding to the third communication apparatus is added based on a result of the monitoring and the information stored in the storage unit. |
| US08917589B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for packet data protocol context handling for emergency bearer services
A Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context handling method for a Mobile Station (MS) with a PDP context for an emergency bearer service is provided, wherein a radio access bearer (RAB) associated with the PDP context is released by a network. The method comprises the steps of: downgrading the maximum uplink bit rate and the maximum downlink bit rate associated with the PDP context from original non-zero positive values to a zero value; sending a request signal associated with a modification of the maximum uplink bit rate and the maximum downlink bit rate; and re-establishing the RAB for the PDP context with the maximum uplink bit rate and the maximum downlink bit rate reconfigured as the original non-zero values after the request signal has been sent. |
| US08917585B2 |
Method for estimating a received signal and corresponding device
A method and apparatus for estimating a transmission channel in a receiver of an OFDMA signal formed by a plurality of carriers modulated by data elements and distributed in the time-frequency domain in successive symbols, the plurality of carriers including pilot carriers, modulated by reference data elements known by receivers. The method includes: receiving a signal comprising a series of n symbols covering at least one resource block; making an initial channel estimation by identifying the pilot carriers included in the series of n symbols; determining diagonal entries of p frequency domain channel matrices G(x) for estimating the channel for at least x symbols among the n symbols, the x symbols being pilot symbols; determining, in the frequency domain, at least some non diagonal entries for each frequency domain channel matrix G of the n symbols from the determined diagonal entries of the x frequency domain channel matrices G(x). |
| US08917577B2 |
Microphone proximity detection
A mobile communications device contains at least two microphones. One microphone is located away from the handset receiver and serves to pick up voice of a near end user of the device for transmission to the other party during a call. Another microphone is located near the handset receiver and serves to pick up acoustic output of the handset receiver (a far end signal). A signal processor measures the frequency response of the receiver. The signal processor performs spectral analysis of the receiver frequency response to determine whether or not the device is being held at the ear of the user. On that basis, the device automatically changes its operating mode, e.g., turns on or off a touch sensitive display screen during the call. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08917573B2 |
Measuring far field signature of a seismic source
To estimate a far-field signature of a seismic source having plural source elements, seismic receivers are provided to receive signals from the seismic source elements of the seismic source. Seismic receivers are dynamically associated with different seismic source elements over time, and the far-field signature of the seismic source is computed according to the measurement data taken by the seismic receivers. |
| US08917572B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of testing the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a write controller configured to transmit a first input data that is supplied through a first pad, to a first global I/O line and a second global I/O line when a write operation is executed in a test mode. The semiconductor memory device further includes a first write driver configured to store the first input data via the first global I/O line in a first cell block when the write operation is executed in the test mode. The semiconductor memory device further includes a first I/O line driver configured to supply signals to the first global I/O line and a first test I/O line in response to a first output data supplied from the first cell block when a read operation is executed in the test mode. |
| US08917570B2 |
Memory device and method for operating the same
A memory device includes a plurality of banks, a plurality of address buffers configured to receive addresses, and a buffer control unit configured to deactivate one or more of the plurality of address buffers when the number of activated banks among the plurality of banks is a prescribed number. |
| US08917569B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus transmitting fuse information and repair method thereof
A semiconductor apparatus includes a signal transmission block and signal reception blocks. The signal transmission block is disposed in a first chip and configured to transmit fuse information in synchronization with transmission control signals. The signal reception blocks are respectively disposed in the first chip and a second chip and configured to receive the fuse information in synchronization with reception control signals. |
| US08917565B2 |
Solid state disk controller apparatus
A solid state disk controller apparatus comprises a first port; a second port having a plurality of channels; a central processing unit connected to a CPU bus; a buffer memory configured to store data to be transferred from the second port to the first port and from the first port to the second port; a buffer controller/arbiter block connected to the CPU bus and configured to control read and write operations of the buffer memory based on a control of the central processing unit; a first data transfer block connected between the first port and the buffer controller/arbiter block and configured to transfer data to be stored/read in/from the buffer memory bypassing the CPU bus; and a second data transfer block connected between the second port and the buffer controller/arbiter block and configured to transfer data to be stored/read in/from the buffer memory bypassing the CPU bus. |
| US08917564B2 |
Three-dimensional semiconductor memory device having compensating data skewing according to interlayer timing delay and method of de-skewing data therein
A semiconductor memory device having a 3D stacked structure includes: a first semiconductor area with a stacked structure of a first layer having first data and a second layer having second data; a first line for delivering an access signal for accessing the first semiconductor area; and a second line for outputting the first and/or second data from the first semiconductor area, wherein access timings of accessing the first and second layers are controlled so that a first time delay from the delivery of the access signal to the first layer to the output of the first data is substantially identical to a second time delay from the delivery of the access signal to the second layer to the output of the second data, thereby compensating for skew according to an inter-layer timing delay and thus performing a normal operation. Accordingly, the advantage of high-integration according to a stacked structure can be maximized by satisfying data input/output within a predetermined standard. |
| US08917563B2 |
Semiconductor device and information processing system including an input circuit with a delay
A semiconductor device includes: an input node supplied with an input signal; an output node provided correspondingly to the input node; first and second input circuits coupled in parallel to each other between the input and output nodes; and a control circuit configured to control the first and second input circuits such that one of the first and second input circuits is switched over from an active state to an inactive state and the other of the first and second input circuits is switched over from an inactive state to an active state during the one of the first and second input circuits being still in the active state. |
| US08917562B2 |
Body voltage sensing based short pulse reading circuit
As memory geometries continue to scale down, current density of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) make conventional low current reading scheme problematic with regard to performance and reliability. A body-voltage sense circuit (BVSC) short pulse reading (SPR) circuit is described using body connected load transistors and a novel sensing circuit with second stage amplifier which allows for very short read pulses providing much higher read margins, less sensing time, and shorter sensing current pulses. Simulation results (using 65-nm CMOS model SPICE simulations) show that our technique can achieve 550 mV of read margin at 1 ns performance under a 1 V supply voltage, which is greater than reference designs achieve at 5 ns performance. |
| US08917561B2 |
Canary based SRAM adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) architecture and canary cells for the same
A memory bank includes memory cells and an additional cell to determine an operating voltage of the memory bank. The additional cell has an operating margin that is less than a corresponding operating margin of the other memory cells in the memory bank. |
| US08917556B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device having 3D memory cell array and read method
Disclosed is a method reading memory device information from a nonvolatile memory device having a three-dimensional (3D) memory cell array including an original plane storing data associated with the information in a first group of memory cells and a replica plane storing the data in replica in a second group of memory cells. The method applies a selection read voltage to a selected word line connected to first and second groups of memory cells while applying a non-selection read voltage to other word lines, and simultaneously reading first data from the first group of memory cells and second data from the second group of memory cells. |
| US08917555B2 |
Semiconductor device and operating method thereof
There is disclosed an operating method of a semiconductor device including programming a memory cell by supplying a program voltage to a control gate of the memory cell and a detrap voltage to a well which is formed in a semiconductor substrate, and subsequently removing electrons trapped in a tunnel insulating layer of the memory cell by supplying a voltage lower than the detrap voltage to the control gate while also supplying the detrap voltage to the well before the programmed memory cell is verified. |
| US08917554B2 |
Back-biasing word line switch transistors
Word line switch transistors in a well in a substrate may be back biased. A memory array having non-volatile storage devices may be in a separate well in the substrate. The well of the word line switch transistors may be biased separately from the well of the non-volatile storage devices. Word line switch transistors may be back-biased during an erase operation. A first voltage may be applied to a first terminal of word line switch transistors that are coupled to blocks selected for erase. The first voltage may be applied to a first terminal of word line switch transistors that are coupled to blocks that are not selected for erase. The first voltage is passed to word lines in selected blocks, but is not passed to word lines in unselected blocks. |
| US08917549B2 |
NOR flash memory array structure, mixed nonvolatile flash memory and memory system comprising the same
A NOR flash memory array structure is provided, comprising: a substrate (100); and a two dimensional memory array structure formed on the substrate (100) and comprising: a plurality of memory cell columns arranged in a first direction, and each memory cell column including a plurality of memory cells (300), in which each memory cell (300) comprises: a channel region (308) located on the substrate (100), a gate structure located on the channel region (308) and formed by a tunneling oxide layer (304), a silicon nitride layer (303), a barrier oxide layer (302) and a polysilicon gate layer (301) stacked sequentially, a source region (306) and a drain region (305) located at a first edge and a second edge of the gate structure respectively; a plurality of word lines WL; a source line SL for connecting the source regions of all the memory cells; and a plurality of bit lines BL. |
| US08917548B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to embodiments has a memory cell array and a reading circuit, and, in a reading sequence, the reading circuit executes a prereading operation of supplying a first reading voltage to an adjacent word line and supplying a first reading pass voltage to a selected word line, and after executing the prereading operation, executes a main reading operation of supplying a fixed second reading voltage to the selected word line and supplying a fixed second reading pass voltage to the adjacent word line while sensing a plurality of electrical physical amounts of a target memory cell with different reading conditions. |
| US08917546B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing the reliability of an access transitor coupled to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)
A method of writing to a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) of a magnetic memory array includes an access transistor coupled to the MTJ for reading of and writing to the MTJ, where when the MTJ is written to, at times, by switching its magnetic orientation from an anti-parallel to a parallel magnetic orientation, a bit line that is coupled to one end of the MTJ is raised to Vcc and a voltage that is the sum of Vcc and Vx is applied to the gate of the access transistor, with Vx being approximately the voltage at an opposite end of the MTJ. Further, the voltage of a Source Line (SL), which is coupled to the MTJ using a first transistor of a write driver that is also coupled to the SL, is regulated such that SL remains sufficiently above 0 volts to avoid violation of Vgs exceeding Vcc where Vgs is the gate to source voltage of the access transistor. |
| US08917544B2 |
Phase change memory device, operation method thereof, and data storage device having the same
A phase change memory device includes: a memory cell arranged at a region where a word line and a bit line cross each other; and a control logic including: a program control logic configured to control a program operation of the memory cell; a read control logic configured to control a read operation of the memory cell; and an operation complete signal transfer unit configured to adjust a transfer time point of an operation complete signal transferred between the program control logic and the read control logic. |
| US08917542B2 |
Unidirectional spin torque transfer magnetic memory cell structure
Spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory devices configured to be programmed unidirectionally and methods of programming such devices. The devices include memory cells having two pinned layers and a free layer therebetween. By utilizing two pinned layers, the spin torque effect on the free layer from each of the two pinned layers, respectively, allows the memory cells to be programmed with unidirectional currents. |
| US08917538B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells having a variable resistance element provided at intersections of crossing first and second lines, the memory cell array including third lines, fourth and fifth lines, and first and second diodes; and a control circuit which, when the memory cells include a selected memory cell, a selected first line connected to the selected memory cell and an unselected first line, and a selected second line connected to the selected memory cell and an unselected second line, supplies a first voltage to the selected first line, and supplies a second voltage to the unselected first line, and when the third lines include a selected third line electrically connected to the selected second line via one of the fourth line and a first diode, supplies a third voltage to the selected fourth line. |
| US08917537B2 |
Inline fuses in programmable crossbar arrays
A programmable crossbar array with inline fuses includes a layer of row lines and a layer of column lines with the row lines crossing over the column lines to form junctions and resistive memory elements sandwiched between row lines and a column lines at the junctions. Inline fuses are located in either the row lines, column lines or both. The inline fuses are interposed between the support circuitry and the resistive memory elements. A method for mitigating shorts in a crossbar array is also provided. |
| US08917534B2 |
Path isolation in a memory device
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for word-line path isolation in a phase change memory (PCM) device. In one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory cell of a memory device, a bit-line coupled to the memory cell, a word-line coupled to the memory cell, a bit-line electrode coupled to the bit-line, a word-line electrode coupled to the word-line, current-limiting circuitry of a selection module coupled to one of the word-line electrode and the bit-line electrode having a lower potential, the current-limiting circuitry to facilitate a selection operation of the memory cell by the selection module, sensing circuitry coupled to the one of the word-line electrode and the bit-line electrode having the lower potential, the sensing circuitry to perform a read operation of the memory cell, and write circuitry coupled to the one of the word-line electrode and the bit-line electrode having the lower potential, the write circuitry to perform a write operation of the memory cell. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US08917528B2 |
Constant voltage constant current controller and control method thereof
The present invention relates to a constant voltage constant current (CVCC) controller, and associated control methods. In one embodiment, a CVCC controller for a flyback converter can include: (i) a current controller configured to generate an error signal by comparing an output current feedback signal against a reference current; (ii) a voltage controller configured to receive an output voltage feedback signal and a reference voltage, and to generate a control signal; (iii) a selector configured to control the flyback converter to operate in a first or a second operation mode based on the control signal, and to further generate a constant voltage or a constant current control signal based on the error signal; and (iv) a pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller configured to generate a PWM control signal to control a main switch, and to maintain the output voltage and/or current of the flyback converter as substantially constant. |
| US08917526B2 |
Flat cable and cable harness using the same
A flat cable includes a plurality of wires arranged in parallel, and a fibrous member woven into the plurality of wires in the arrangement direction of the plurality of wires. The fibrous member includes a polyurethane elastic fiber, and has an elongation of not less than 500% and not more than 900%, an elongation recovery rate of not less than 90% at a 300% elongation and an initial modulus of 5 to 30 cN/dtex for the 300% elongation. |
| US08917524B2 |
Multi-function inductor and manufacture thereof
An inductor assembly comprising a first magnetic core and an electrically conductive material configured to wind around at least a portion of the first magnetic core. The electrical conductive material has one or more support structures that extend beyond an outside boundary of the first magnetic core. |
| US08917522B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device that can suppress variation of GND potential of a control board and prevent malfunction of IC without restricting a mounting direction of the IC of the control board is provided. In a power module 10 as a semiconductor device in which an insulating board 31 having a power switching element 24 and a control board 22 having IC 50 for controlling the power switching element 24 are vertically provided in a case body 19, GND pins 61 are provided at both the sides of the IC 50, a GND pattern 51 to which the GND pins 61 of the IC 50 are connected is provided in the control board 22, and a GND loop breaking slit 70 as a breaking portion for breaking a GND loop formed by electrical connection of the IC 50, the GND pins 61 at both the sides of the IC 50 and the GND pattern 51 is provided to the GND pattern 51. |
| US08917520B2 |
Circuit substrate
A circuit substrate includes: a laminate substrate in which a conductive layer and an insulating layer are laminated; a filter chip that has an acoustic wave filter and is provided inside of the laminate substrate; and a chip component that is provided on a surface of the laminate substrate and is connected to the filter chip, at least a part of the chip component overlapping with a projected region that is a region of the filter chip projected in a thickness direction of the laminate substrate. |
| US08917514B2 |
Frame module and computer having the same
A frame module is adapted to be disposed in a housing of a computer for fixing first and second electronic devices. The computer includes a motherboard unit with a socket connector. The frame module includes a frame body having top and bottom surfaces adapted to be connected respectively to the first and electronic devices. An adaptor board includes a board body connected transversely to a rear edge of the frame body and having an edge connector adapted to be inserted into the socket connector, and first and second electrical connectors for electrical connection with the first and second electronic devices, respectively. |
| US08917512B2 |
Data center equipment cabinet information center
The cabinet information center integrates an array of electronic sensors and controls to both standard and purpose built data center equipment cabinets to improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs and protect assets typically installed within standard equipment cabinets utilized in data centers by providing a common point of information display and cabinet interaction without the need to physically access assets and vital sensory components internal to the equipment cabinet itself. Equipment can include any standard rack mount devices such as servers, storage arrays and networking devices. |
| US08917510B2 |
Reversibly adhesive thermal interface material
The present invention is directed to a reversibly adhesive thermal interface material for electronic components and methods of making and using the same. More particularly, embodiments of the invention provide thermal interface materials that include a thermally-reversible adhesive, and a thermally conductive and electrically non-conductive filler, where the thermal interface material is characterized by a thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/m-K or more and an electrical resistivity of 9×1011 ohm-cm or more. |
| US08917499B1 |
Foldable keyboard
A foldable keyboard comprises a pair of keyboard panels with a proximal panel pivotal over a distal panel about a keyboard hinge oriented laterally with respect to and located between two adjacent rows of keys of the keyboard. A stand panel is pivotally coupled to the distal panel at a stand hinge oriented laterally with respect to the keyboard, and pivotal over the proximal panel of the keyboard. A kickstand can be pivotally coupled to a back of the stand panel. A shelf can be pivotally coupled to a front of the stand panel at a shelf hinge located proximate to the stand hinge to receive the tablet computer thereon. |
| US08917497B2 |
Jobsite storage cabinet for housing electronic equipment
A storage cabinet configured to accommodate electronic equipment is disclosed. The storage cabinet has front, rear, and side walls extending upwardly from a bottom to define a storage space. The storage cabinet also includes a compartment located within the storage space configured to accommodate electronic equipment. The compartment includes an electronic cooling device for each piece of equipment, a ventilation system, and-one or more components for receiving and transmitting wireless signals into and out of the cabinet. |
| US08917493B2 |
Power distribution device and server rack system using the same
A power distribution device and a server rack system are provided. The server rack system includes a rack and at least one apparatus disposed therein. The power distribution device distributes electrical power to the apparatus. The power supply device includes a first conducting plate, an insulation layer and a second conducting plate that are sequentially superimposed, and a first and a second power columns inserted in the first and the second plates. The insulation layer is disposed between the first and the second conducting plates. The first and the second power columns are connected to a power supply unit in the rack to obtain electric power therefrom. Each output pin pair includes a first and a second output pins inserted in the first and the second conducting plates. The output pin pairs are connected to the apparatus in the rack to transfer electric power to the apparatus. |
| US08917491B2 |
Porous capacitor
One object is to provide a porous capacitor having increased insulation reliability. In accordance with one aspect, the porous capacitor includes: a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer opposed to each other at a predetermined distance; a dielectric layer made of an oxidized valve metal and disposed between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer; a large number of holes formed through the dielectric layer and oriented substantially orthogonal to the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer; and first electrodes and second electrodes formed of a conductive material filled in the holes; and insulation parts insulating the first electrodes from the second conductor layer and insulating the second electrodes from the first conductor layer. The thicknesses of the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer are equal to or greater than half of the inner diameter of the holes. |
| US08917487B2 |
Method and circuit for detecting and providing protection against an overvoltage condition
A method and circuit are described for detecting an overvoltage condition and using the detection of the overvoltage condition to protect a circuit or component from the overvoltage condition. In one embodiment, an overvoltage protection circuit is used to detect an overvoltage condition on pin driver electronics, the detection of which is powered by the overvoltage condition itself, thus eliminating the need to provide overvoltage protection circuitry that requires power supplies with voltages greater than the pin electronics the overvoltage protection circuit is meant to protect. |
| US08917479B2 |
Harmonic shaping of a motor
A device includes a magnet and a magnetizer. The magnetizer is operable to rotate with respect to the magnet. The rotation generates an acoustic pure tone at a particular frequency. A combination of the magnet and the magnetizer has a magnetic profile. The combination is altered to superimpose a particular harmonic shape on the magnetic profile to reduce the acoustic pure tone at the particular frequency. |
| US08917477B1 |
Disk device
According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a disk recording medium, a drive motor configured to support and rotate a recording medium, a suspension assembly which supports a head, a housing containing the recording medium, the drive motor and the suspension assembly, a filter in the housing, opposite to part of an outer peripheral edge of the recording medium, and through which an airflow generated by rotation of the recording medium flows, an exhaust hole formed at the housing and located opposite to an upstream side of the filter with respect to the airflow, and an air-intake formed at the housing and located opposite to a region of the housing, whose pressure is lower than the pressure of the upstream side of the filter. |
| US08917476B2 |
Operation of tape drives
Tape heads are described herein including (i) a first module including a read transducer array with at least one transducer element to read data from a tape, and (ii) a second module including a read transducer array with at least one transducer element to read data from the tape. In examples herein, a lifting member is provided to cause tape lifting the module at a leading position with respect to tape travel direction. |
| US08917468B1 |
Systems and methods for media defect detection with pattern qualification
An apparatus for detecting media flaws includes an envelope based media defect detector operable to identify a media defect based on an envelope of an input signal, a periodic pattern detector operable to determine whether the input signal comprises a data pattern, and a media flaw signal generation circuit operable to indicate a media defect when the envelope based media defect detector identifies the media defect and the periodic pattern detector determines that the input signal does not comprise the data pattern. |
| US08917460B2 |
Fixed focus lens system
A fixed focus lens system includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power; and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens group and the second lens group are sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, and the second lens group includes two lenses having an Abbe's number of 80 or greater. |
| US08917453B2 |
Reflective array waveguide
In embodiments of reflective array waveguide, a reflective array waveguide includes clear waveguide panels for see-through viewing of an environment viewed through the reflective array waveguide. The reflective array waveguide also includes reflecting waveguide panels to reflect a virtual image that is generated to appear as part of the environment. Each of the reflecting waveguide panels have a partially reflective mirror coating deposited on opposing sides, and the reflecting waveguide panels are alternated in the reflective array waveguide with the clear waveguide panels. The alternating clear and reflecting waveguide panels are angled for augmented reality imaging of the reflected virtual image as part of the environment that is viewed through the reflective array waveguide. |
| US08917449B2 |
Optical filter including a step section, and analytical instrument and optical apparatus using the optical filter
An optical filter includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first reflecting film disposed on a first opposed surface of the first substrate, a second reflecting film disposed on a second opposed surface of the second substrate, a first electrode provided to the first substrate at a peripheral position of the first reflecting film in a plan view, and a second electrode provided to the second substrate and opposed to the first electrode. At least one of the first opposed surface and the second opposed surface is provided with a step section, and an initial gap between the first reflecting film and the second reflecting film is smaller than an initial gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, to thereby allow control of the gap between the reflecting films with good accuracy. |
| US08917441B2 |
Observe tracking autostereoscopic display
A spatially multiplexed autostereoscopic display is arranged to provide landscape and portrait operation. Multiple optical windows may be provided by spatial and temporal multiplexing techniques. A fast response lens array pair is aligned with a fast response spatial light modulator, and synchronized to provide first and second sets of images with first and second respective directionalities to provide first and second sets of respective optical windows. The first and second sets of optical windows may each comprise two or more optical windows in each viewing lobe. The optical windows may be arranged with an inclination to the vertical of 25 degrees to 65 degrees. An observer tracking system may be arranged to direct left and right eye image data to the left and right eyes of an observer, respectively, for landscape and portrait orientations of the display. |
| US08917439B2 |
Shutter mode for color display devices
The present invention is directed to a color display comprising an electrophoretic fluid which comprises one or two types of pigment particles dispersed in a clear and colorless or clear and colored solvent, wherein said electrophoretic fluid is sandwiched between a common electrode and a plurality of driving electrodes. The driving electrodes are kept at a certain distance in order to expose a background layer. |
| US08917438B2 |
Electronic color display using an electrowetting principle wherein the display comprises black matrix patterns that are aligned with a control means
A color display, and an electronic apparatus comprising the color display, are described herein. The display comprises an illumination unit overlaid with a color filter arranged with a plurality of color filter elements, wherein respective transmissions of the color filter elements are adjustable to allow either transmission for a selected wavelength in said range of wavelengths, or transmission for a number of wavelengths from said range of wavelengths. Such adjustable transmission may be implemented using actuatable fluids which may be controlled by means of electrowetting. |
| US08917428B2 |
Image reading controller and image reading apparatus
Disclosed is an image reading controller including an output unit that outputs plural control signals for controlling turning on and off of a light emitting unit of an image reading unit including the light emitting unit and a light receiving unit on respective transmission paths, the plural control signals satisfying at least one of a first condition that respective transmission paths are separated from each other by a predetermined distance or more and a second condition that types of the respective transmission paths are different from each other; and a controller that controls turning on and off of the light emitting unit on the basis of the plural control signals output from the output unit and input through the respective transmission paths. |
| US08917427B2 |
Receiving apparatus, image-forming apparatus, receiving method and recording medium
When receiving data in a unit of frame, each frame including a plurality of bits, based on a spread clock signal, a receiving time per bit of receiving data is calculated based on a receiving rate, and the change cycle of the spread clock signal is adjusted according to the receiving time per bit. |
| US08917426B2 |
Image processing method
A technology that enables accurate position specification on an image displayed on a screen to perform processing and correction of the image data is provided. When the image is printed on a sheet on which a dot pattern is printed, a reference point of the image on the display device is set and the reference point is printed in a visible mark together with the image. This mark is imaged with an imaging means, and calibration is performed in which position coordinates of the marks on the sheet and the reference points of the image are matched, thereby preventing variation in coordinates between designation made on the sheet with the imaging means and processing on the image. |
| US08917419B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method thereof
An image processing apparatus that converts input image data into printable image data is provided. The apparatus performs screen processing on the input image data, and determines whether moiré occurs in screen image data generated by the screen processing unit for a target pixel in the input image data. Depending on the determination result made by the determination unit, the apparatus outputs one of a screen pixel value in the screen image data for the target pixel and a value obtained by converting an input pixel value into a printable pixel value based on intermediate data, as a value of the target pixel in the printable image data, the intermediate data being generated by replacing a screen pixel in the screen image data that is determined to have moiré by the determination unit with the input pixel value in the input image data. |
| US08917415B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically scaling print jobs in an image production device
A method for automatically scaling print jobs in an image production device network may include receiving a request to print a print job using a particular media sheet size a particular image production device, determining a size of media in one or more media trays in the particular image production device, determining if the size of the media in the requested print job matches the determined media size in one of the one or more media trays, wherein if it is determined that the size of the media in the requested print job does not match the determined media size in one of the one or more media trays, determining the media size in the one or more media trays closest to the print job media sheet size, scaling the requested print job to the determined closest media size, and printing the requested print job on the determined closest media sheet size from one of the one or more media trays. |
| US08917413B2 |
Image forming system capable of switching among a plurality of power states
An image forming apparatus includes a power-state switching unit, a proxy-process executing unit, a proxy-generation-information transmission unit, and a printing-process take-over unit. The power-state switching unit switches among a plurality of power states including an ordinary state and a power-saving state. The proxy-process executing unit executes a proxy process, which is a proxy process to halfway through a printing process, to be executed by an external target unit. The proxy-generation-information transmission unit transmits proxy generation information to the target unit when the power of the target unit is in the ordinary state. The printing-process take-over unit takes over printing from halfway based on the received proxy generation information. |
| US08917411B2 |
Computer connectable with a printer, computer-readable storage medium, and printing method with data generation time reduction capability
A computer connectable with a printer includes an application unit that outputs first data, an interface that generates second data based on the first data, and a driver unit. The driver unit includes a generating unit, a determining unit, and a reducing unit. The generating unit generates third data based on the second data. The printer prints an image corresponding to the third data. The determining unit determines whether or not the image corresponding to the third data should be printed by the printer. The reducing unit reduces at least one of a first time period required to generate the second data and a second time period required to generate the third data, if the determining unit determines that the image corresponding to the third data should not be printed by the printer. |
| US08917410B2 |
Image forming system, image forming apparatus and print server
An image forming apparatus has: pluralities of sheet storage units; a printing unit; a sheet driving unit that feeds a sheet of paper from the sheet storage units to the printing unit; a group setting maintaining unit that forms a group of the sheet storage units; a residual sheet amount detecting unit that detects sheet empty on any of the sheet storage units in the group; a sheet storage switching control unit that controls the sheet driving unit to select another one of the sheet storage units in the same group for feeding a sheet, if the residual sheet amount detecting unit detects the sheet empty; and a sheet empty warning unit that warns a user of the sheet empty detected by the residual sheet amount detecting unit. |
| US08917408B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing a supplies fulfillment opportunity for non-managed devices
A system and method are provided to implement an automated scheme by which a vendor can advantageously employ remotely-monitored information on a status of non-managed office devices, gathered as part of the vendor's customer support effort regarding the office devices that the vendor manages for a customer organization under a managed service agreement or the like, to the benefit of the customer organization and the vendor. The vendor remotely monitors a status of non-managed office devices, including a status of consumables in the non-managed devices, at a customer organization's site, and upon being made aware of a change in status on one of the non-managed devices, including pending exhaustion of one or more consumables on a non-managed device, immediately offers assistance in correcting a problem with the non-managed device to include replenishment service of the nearly-exhausted consumable in the non-managed device. |
| US08917407B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image forming method that cause a job execution screen to be displayed on a display of a terminal apparatus
An image forming apparatus that is connected to a network includes a web server, a setting item management unit, and a web server management unit. The setting item management unit is configured to select, when the web server receives a request for job execution screen data from a terminal apparatus that is connected to the network, a job setting item in association with at least one of the terminal apparatus and a user at the terminal apparatus from among all job setting items. The web server management unit is configured to generate the job execution screen data that includes the job setting item selected by the setting item management unit and transmit the job execution screen data to the terminal apparatus via the web server. |
| US08917404B2 |
Image forming system, image forming method, and image forming apparatus that transfers a setting values set
An image forming apparatus stores a setting values set including core data independent of a model of the image forming apparatus and non-core data not included in the core data; writes the core data on another image forming apparatus without change, and if the model of the image forming apparatus is the same as the model of the another image forming apparatus, writes the non-core data on the another image forming apparatus without change, while if the model of the image forming apparatus is not the same as the model of the another image forming apparatus, writes the non-core data including a setting value of a function setting in the non core-data that is the same as the function setting in the another image forming apparatus on the another image forming apparatus. |
| US08917393B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing image data
A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing image data for generating an image of a region of a target object. The method includes the steps of providing incident radiation, focusing the radiation downstream or upstream of a target object and via at least one detector located downstream of a focusing element, detecting an intensity of radiation scattered by the target object at an observation plane offset from a back focal plane associated with the focusing element. |
| US08917390B2 |
Spectrograph with anamorphic beam expansion
A spectrograph including light beam reformatting element(s), beam expander(s), dispersive element(s) and light receiving element(s). The light beam reformatting element(s) reformat a received light beam into a reformatted light beam having a first dimension along a first axis that is larger than a dimension of the received light beam along the first axis and a second dimension along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis that is smaller than a dimension of the received light beam along the second axis. The beam expander(s) anamorphically expand the reformatted light beam along the second axis into an expanded light beam. The dispersive element(s) disperse the expanded light beam along the second axis, resulting in a dispersed light beam. The light receiving element(s) receive the dispersed light beam. The light receiving element(s) may include one or more detectors to measure spectral intensity of the dispersed light beam. |
| US08917383B2 |
Wind turbine blade provided with optical wind velocity measurement system
A wind turbine includes a number of blades and an optical measurement system comprising a light source, such as a laser, an optical transmitter part, an optical receiver part, and a signal processor. The light source is optically coupled to the optical transmitter part, which includes an emission point for emitting light in a probing direction. The optical receiver part comprises a receiving point and a detector. The optical receiver part is adapted for receiving a reflected part of light from a probing region along the probing direction and directing the reflected part of light to the detector to generate a signal used to determine a first velocity component of the inflow. The emission point is located in a first blade at a first radial distance from a center axis, and the receiving point is located in the first blade at a second radial distance from the center axis. |
| US08917380B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and method
A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system that includes a plurality of reflective optics. One of the reflective optics is provided with an opening which passes through the reflective optic. The opening is closed by a covering layer that is substantially transparent to EUV radiation. The covering layer prevents contamination from entering the projection system, while allowing patterned EUV radiation to pass from the projection system onto a substrate. |
| US08917373B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic device
An electro-optical device may include a first substrate, a second substrate, a photo-curable seal member between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first light-shielding layer between the first substrate and the photo-curable seal member, and a second light-shielding layer between the first substrate and the first light-shielding layer. The first substrate may include a pixel area in which pixels are aligned, and a seal region around the pixel area and in which the photo-curable seal member is provided. Within the seal region, the second light-shielding layer may be larger in an outer shape or pattern than the shape or pattern of first light-shielding layer. The pixel area may include an interconnect layer made of the same layer as the one of the light-shielding layers, and the interconnect layer may be narrower than one of the light-shielding layers. |
| US08917371B2 |
Liquid crystal display comprising two pixel regions juxtaposed along a signal line and separated by a gap wherein a pixel electrode is formed in one pixel region and a common electrode is formed in the other pixel region
A TFT-LCD assembly substrate comprises an array structure layer, comprising a plurality of first signal lines and a plurality of second signal lines. Adjacent first signal lines and adjacent second signal lines cross each other to define a plurality of combination pixel regions, and each of the combination pixel regions comprises two pixel regions juxtaposed along a direction of the first signal line, and there are a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode formed in one pixel region of the two pixel regions and there is a common electrode formed in the other pixel region. |
| US08917368B2 |
Light diffusing film, polarizing plate, image display device and production method of light diffusing film
A light diffusing film contains a thermoplastic resin as the main component and containing, in the thermoplastic resin, (A) a light-transmitting particle having an average primary particle diameter of 1 to 10 μm, wherein there is substantially no refractive index difference between the thermoplastic resin and the light-transmitting particle, wherein one surface has concavoconvex shape, the total haze value is from 5 to 40%, and the average film thickness is from 20 to 200 μm. |
| US08917357B2 |
Object-based audio-visual terminal and bitstream structure
As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. The system includes a de-multiplexer, a controller which controls the operation of the AV terminal, input buffers, AV objects decoders, buffers for decoded data, a composer, a display, and an object cache. |
| US08917356B2 |
Play control system and method
Disclosed are a play control system and method. The system includes: a display control module for dividing the display screen of electrical equipment, wherein the display control module can divide the display screen into a plurality of display area layouts; a control module for determining the current display area layout and the video signal corresponding to the picture to be displayed in each display area in the current display area layout according to an instruction; and a processing module for according to determination result of the control module, processing each video signal to be displayed according to the display requirement of the display area which needs to display the video signal and providing the processed video signal meeting the display requirement of the corresponding display area to the electrical equipment. |
| US08917355B1 |
Video stitching system and method
A method and computing system for receiving a first video file containing a first plurality of video frames. A second video file containing a second plurality of video frames is received. The video files are processed to identify at least one non-graphical temporal alignment object included in each of the video files. The video files are temporally aligned using the at least one non-graphical temporal alignment object to produce temporally-aligned video files. |
| US08917353B2 |
Shutter control system and image apparatus including the same
An image apparatus with reduced three-dimensional (3D) crosstalk includes a shutter control system including an infrared (IR) signal transmitter configured to receive from a display device for displaying two or more light-off sections and two or more light-on sections arranged alternately in one image frame, information corresponding to the light-off sections and the light-on sections, and to output an IR signal corresponding to the information, the IR signal corresponding to a start of a first light-off section of the light-off sections in the image frame, and a shutter controller configured to receive the IR signal, and to control opening or closing of a left shutter and a right shutter in accordance with the IR signal. |
| US08917352B2 |
Lens frame drive apparatus for image pickup apparatus
A lens frame drive apparatus for an image pickup apparatus includes: a first lens frame that moves along a plurality of guide shafts; a second lens frame that moves along the plurality of guide shafts; and a drive shaft with a cam portion for driving the first lens frame, a nut for driving the second lens frame, a feed screw portion threadably connected to the nut, and a driven portion that upon receipt of a driving force from a motor, simultaneously rotates the cam portion and the feed screw portion, formed thereon, wherein the cam portion and the feed screw portion are driven by the nut so that a total amount of movement of the second lens frame is extremely smaller than a total amount of movement of the first lens frame and the second lens frame corrects the amount of movement of the first lens frame. |
| US08917340B2 |
Circuit board assembly and camera module using same
A circuit board assembly includes a flexible circuit board, a conductive adhesive, and a number of reinforcing plates. The flexible circuit board includes a first surface and a second surface. A number of board pads are mounted on the first surface. The conductive adhesive is coated on the first surface and entirely covers all of the board pads. The reinforcing plates are positioned on the second surface. Each of the reinforcing plates spatially corresponds to a respective one of the board pads. The reinforcing plates provide both physical grounding and stiffening of the circuit board assembly. |
| US08917339B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system providing an imager with pixels having extended dynamic range
The dynamic range of a pixel is increased by using selective photosensor resets during a frame time of image capture at a timing depending on the light intensity that the pixel will be exposed to during the frame time. Pixels that will be exposed to high light intensity are reset later in the frame than pixels that will be exposed to lower light intensity. |
| US08917336B2 |
Image signal processing involving geometric distortion correction
Systems and methods for correcting geometric distortion are provided. In one example, an electronic device may include an imaging device, which may obtain image data of a first resolution, and geometric distortion and scaling logic. The imaging device may include a sensor and a lens that causes some geometric distortion in the image data. The geometric distortion correction and scaling logic may scale and correct for geometric distortion in the image data by determining first pixel coordinates in uncorrected or partially corrected image data that, when resampled, would produce corrected output image data at second pixel coordinates. The geometric distortion correction and scaling logic may resample pixels around the image data at the first pixel coordinates to obtain the corrected output image data at the second pixel coordinates. The corrected output image data may be of a second resolution. |
| US08917334B2 |
Image detection device, focusing device, image-capturing device, image detection method, and focusing method
An image detection device includes: a subject detector that acquires image information in an image field of an imaging optics with an image sensor, and detects a position of a subject in the image field based upon reference information related to an image of the subject and the image information; and a magnification detector that detects a magnification of the imaging optics. And the subject detector starts operation to detect the position of the subject, when the magnification has become greater than or equal to a predetermined value. |
| US08917333B2 |
Digital image processing apparatus, digital image processing method, and recording medium storing the digital image processing method
Provided are an image processing method, a digital image processing apparatus, and a recording medium storing the image processing method. The method includes capturing a first image, a second image, and a third image, which are captured with different focuses for the same subject and background; setting a subject portion and a background portion by using the first and second images; and combining the first image for the subject portion and the third image for the background portion with each other to obtain an out-of-focus image. |
| US08917330B1 |
Cinematic image blur in digital cameras based on exposure timing manipulation
Cinematic motion blur and other cinematic effects are enabled during image capture through exposure timing manipulation. The resulting captured images and videos include one or more cinematic effects without the need for a user to impose the cinematic effects post-capture. |
| US08917328B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes: a casing; a posture detection unit detecting whether a posture of the casing is a vertical posture; an imaging unit capturing an image of a subject and outputting the captured image; an image transform unit transforming the captured image into a horizontally and vertically transformed image with the same size as that of the captured image by rotating the captured image so as to reverse its horizontal and vertical sides and further reducing the captured image; a recording reproduction unit recording image data generated from the captured image; and a control unit controlling the image transform unit and the recording reproduction unit to generate the image data from the horizontally and vertically transformed image instead of the captured image, when the posture of the casing is the vertical posture. |
| US08917322B2 |
Method and apparatus for digital video latency reduction by real-time warping
In one aspect, video latency reduction by real-time warping is described. In one aspect, an original geometric image model of a digital video frame is adjusted according to a video frame latency, to form an adjusted geometric image model. A geometric image model may represent a field of view from a remote camera used to capture the digital video frame. The adjusted geometric image model may be overlaid onto the original geometric image model to capture a warped image. In one aspect the warped image is re-projected according to the adjusted geometric image model to form a re-projected image. The re-projected image may then be displayed to approximate a real-time field of view from a camera used to capture the digital video frame. In one aspect, an attitude and runway alignment of an unmanned aerial vehicle may be controlled using a displayed, re-projected image. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US08917319B2 |
Image processing apparatus and endoscope system
An endoscope system includes a light source device, a CCD, a video processor, and an observation monitor, wherein the video processor includes: a band decomposition processing section that performs a decomposition processing for decomposing into a plurality of spatial frequency bands on a signal of an image picked up by the CCD, to generate a plurality of band images; an enhancement processing section that performs an enhancement processing on selected band images based on an enhancement amount set for a region where an observation target in a subject is distributed in a feature space formed with wavelength bands or spatial frequency bands of the band images selected among the plurality of band images as axes; and an image generation section that integrates the plurality of band images subjected to the color conversion processing, for each wavelength image, to generate an image. |
| US08917317B1 |
System and method for camera calibration
A method for calibrating a plurality of cameras. The method includes: for each camera, detecting a projection of a proxy object included in an image captured by the camera; for each camera, detecting surface features associated with the proxy object included in the image captured by the camera; for each combination of two different cameras, determining a correspondence set that maps the detected surface features associated with the proxy object included in the image captured by one camera to the detected surface features associated with the proxy object included in the image captured by the other camera; and generating correspondences between features based on relationships between the different correspondence sets, wherein the correspondences between features can be processed by a camera calibration toolbox to generate camera calibration parameters for each camera in the plurality of cameras. |
| US08917313B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and image capturing method
An image capturing apparatus includes a driving unit for displacing one of a lens unit and an imaging device with respect to an optical axis, and a controller for causing the driving unit to displace one of the lens unit and the imaging device, in response to the motion of the image capturing apparatus. When, with a shooting direction being moved, captured images are generated so that a panoramic image is generated from the captured images, the controller displaces the position of the lens unit or the imaging device at the start of exposure of each image to be captured in a direction based on a direction in which the shooting direction is moved. In addition, a displacement amount at the start of the exposure is set in response to the length of an exposure time period so that the displacement during the exposure time period becomes small and the quality of an image is improved. |
| US08917312B1 |
System and method for detecting optical defects in transparencies
An optical defect detection system is provided for recording an image of a transparency for detecting optical defects therein. The transparency may be formed with a contour. The defect detection system may comprise a light source, a diffuser and an image recording device for recording images of the transparency. The light source is configured to emit light and may be positioned adjacent one of the sides of the transparency. The image recording device may be positioned on a side of the transparency opposite the diffuser. The diffuser may be contoured complementary to the contour of the transparency and may be positioned between the light source and the transparency. |
| US08917309B1 |
Key frame distribution in video conferencing
A system, apparatus, and method for relaying video information that is part of a multi-party video communication session having multiple endpoints. The server can receive multiple video information streams from multiple endpoints and re-transmit some or all of the video information streams to the endpoints with one or more of the video information steams identified as having active status and being decoded at high resolution at the endpoints, while transmitting key frames from video information streams not having active status. Upon switching active speaker status to a new video information stream, the endpoints, already having a key frame from the switched-to video information, can switch to decoding the new video information stream having active status at high resolution without delay. |
| US08917308B2 |
Video alarm security system with 3-party 9-1-1 calling
Disclosed is a Video Alarm Security System (VASS) adapted to transmit image information showing detected alarm events to a communication device of a remote person allowing said person to verify the alarm event before initiating a 3-party call to a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) with jurisdiction over the location of said VASS. In one embodiment the 3-party conference call is established using two co-joined and bridged transceivers, A and B, wherein transceiver A is a Wi-Fi transceiver connected to an internet router to establishes an internet video call connection between the VASS and person and B is a cellular telephone transceiver adapted to establishes a bridged call connection between the VASS and PSAP. In another embodiment transceivers A and B are both cellular telephone transceivers. Methods for establishing 3-party PSAP call connections using ISP (Internet service provider) or cellular telephone company provided conference calling services are also disclosed. |
| US08917307B2 |
Video calling
In a method and system for performing a video call between a first terminal and a second terminal, video data for the video call is captured with a camera of the first terminal. The captured video data is transmitted in real-time to the second terminal for use in the video call. The captured video data is output in real-time at a display of the second terminal in the video call. A video hold input is received from a user at the first terminal to initiate a video hold state. Holding video data is determined for output at the display of the second terminal in the video hold state. In the video hold state, the determined holding video data is output at the display of the second terminal, instead of outputting video data captured by said camera of the first terminal in real-time at the display of the second terminal. |
| US08917305B2 |
Light scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus including light scanning apparatus
A resin BD lens having a property of refracting a light beam in a direction corresponding to a main scanning direction may cause a variation in generation timing difference among a plurality of horizontal synchronization signals and accordingly degrade accuracy to correct the starting position of an electrostatic latent image. The present invention uses a glass BD lens having a property of refracting a light beam in a direction corresponding to the main scanning direction. |
| US08917304B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
In accordance with an embodiment, an optical scanning apparatus for exposing a photoconductor includes a light source, a deflecting device, an imaging optical system and a light-guiding optical system. The light source configured to emit a light beam. The deflecting device configured to deflect and scan the light beam from the light source. The imaging optical system configured to form an image by using the deflected and scanned light beam on the photoconductor. The light-guiding optical system configured to guide the light beam passing through the imaging optical system to a photodetector. |
| US08917302B2 |
Apparatus and method to display information using an information layer laminate
A method to display information using an information layer laminate comprising at least three color layers each comprising a different color by selectively removing one or more portions of a first color layer to display portions of a second color layer, and selectively removing one or more portions of a first color layer and one or more portions of a second color layer to display portions of a third color layer. |
| US08917300B2 |
Image erasing apparatus
According to an embodiment, an image erasing apparatus that erases an image formed on a recording medium is provided. The image erasing apparatus includes an erasing unit that erases an image, a reading unit that reads a size of the recording medium, a classification device that classifies the erasing-processed recording medium, and a control unit. The control unit recognizes the size of the erasing-processed recording medium based on data about the size, and controls the classification device to classify each recording medium from which the image has been erased for each different size. |
| US08917297B2 |
Pen-barrel heat transferring device
A heat transferring device for a workpiece such as a pen barrel includes a pneumatic mechanism, a roller mechanism, a heating mechanism, and a rolling mechanism. The pneumatic mechanism is connected with the roller mechanism. The rolling mechanism rotates the pen barrel, and the roller mechanism includes an elastic force applying mechanism that applies an elastic force on the pen barrel during rotation. As the rolling mechanism rotates the pen barrel, the elastic force applying mechanism applies an elastic force to the pen barrel that keeps a roller wheel in contact with respective faces of the pen barrel during rotation. Thus, the force that the elastic force applying mechanism applies to the pen barrel is uniform and the respective faces of the pen barrel receive a uniform force. Therefore, the device can heat transfer designs on pen barrels having non-circular as well as circular shapes. |
| US08917294B2 |
Color space matching of video signals
A system for color space matching a plurality of signals is provided. The system can include a first and second sources operably connected to a first and second inputs, respectively. The first and second inputs can be operably connected to a switch (140). An external device identification (EDID) module (155) can be operably connected to the switch. A controller (150), having a plurality of display modes, can also be operably connected to the switch. Each of the plurality of display modes can have a corresponding unique EDID data structure stored in the EDID module, thereby providing a plurality of unique EDID data structures within the EDID module. The EDID module can select a single unique EDID data structure based upon the color space format of the second signal (125), and in response to the selection, the first source (190) can convert the first color space of the first signal (110) to the second color space format. |
| US08917291B2 |
Projector and control method
A projector includes: an image-taking section; an updating section; a storing section storing taken-image information, position data and image data; a projecting section projecting a whole image including an individual image and having a function of adjusting the size of the whole image; and a control section performing control so as to make the projecting section adjust the size of the whole image according to the movement of the individual image in a state in which the whole image includes the whole of the individual image. |
| US08917287B2 |
Image display method for digital manipulator
A digital manipulator for an inverter and an image display method for the digital manipulator are disclosed. The digital manipulator is connected to and an external computer. The images used by the digital manipulator are edited by editing software in an external computer and are downloaded to LCM of the digital manipulator to display. The digital manipulator has a plurality of function buttons. Corresponding functions of the function buttons are assigned via editing software by a user. As a result, the digital manipulator is more flexible to use, and users are allowed to configure a digital manipulator based on own individual requests and operating habits. |
| US08917285B2 |
Display methods for high dynamic range images and user interfaces for the same
Display methods and interfaces for high dynamic range images. High dynamic range images and corresponding histograms are displayed on a display device. The histogram panel displays low dynamic range and high dynamic range data of the images simultaneously. The low dynamic range and high dynamic range data is brightness level of the image pixels. |
| US08917280B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling display devices
An exemplary apparatus for controlling display devices writes pixel data in a buffer in synchronous with an input clock signal. A differential value that represents a change of timing difference between input and output sides is calculated in each of a plurality of frames, and a timing correction based on the differential value calculated during the previous frame is performed within the vertical blanking period. Thereafter, the pixel data is read and output from the buffer to the display device in synchronous with an output clock signal. |
| US08917277B2 |
Animation control device, animation control method, program, and integrated circuit
An animation control device includes a priority identifying unit that identifies priorities of a plurality of animation parts with reference to part priority information; an animation executing unit; a determining unit that determines whether the amount of operation needed for the animation is greater than a first appropriate value; and a part control unit that changes the content of control of the animation of the change target part, which is an animation part having a low priority, from a first content of control to a second content of control when it is determined that the amount of operation needed for the animation is greater than the first appropriate value. The animation executing unit performs the animation of the change target part according to the second content of control, and performs the animation of a non-change-target part according to the first content of control. |
| US08917276B2 |
Rendering a text image following a line
A graphics or image rendering system, such as a map image rendering system, receives image data from an image database in the form of vector data that defines various image objects, such as roads, geographical boundaries, etc., and textures defining text strings to be displayed on the image to provide, for example, labels for the image objects. The imaging rendering system renders the images such that the individual characters of the text strings are placed on the image following a multi-segmented or curved line. This rendering system enables text strings to be placed on a map image so that the text follows the center line of a curved or angled road or other image feature without knowing the specifics of the curvature of the line along which the text will be placed when creating the texture that stores the text string information. This feature provides enhanced visual properties within a map image as it allows, for example, road names to be placed anywhere inside a road following the curvature of the road, thus providing a pleasing visual effect within the map image. |
| US08917274B2 |
Event matrix based on integrated data
An event matrix may comprise labels and indicators corresponding to objects and links of an ontology. The objects and links may be determined from a plurality of data sources by a data integration system. Some of the labels may correspond to event objects, and may be arranged in a first spatial dimension at least in part on the basis of dates associated with said event objects. Other labels may correspond to non-event objects, and may be arranged in a second spatial dimension. Indicators may correspond to links between the event and non-event objects. An indicator for a particular link may be positioned with respect to the first and second spatial dimensions in accordance with the locations of the labels that correspond to the objects connected by the link. |
| US08917271B2 |
Redistribution of generated geometric primitives
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for redistributing geometric primitives generated by tessellation and geometry shaders for per-vertex by multiple graphics pipelines. Geometric primitives that are generated in a first processing stage are collected and redistributed more evenly and in smaller batches to the multiple graphics pipelines for vertex processing in a second processing stage. The smaller batches do not exceed the resource limits of a graphics pipeline and the per-vertex processing workloads of the graphics pipelines in the second stage are balanced. Therefore, the performance of the tessellation and geometry shaders is improved. |
| US08917265B2 |
Semiconductor device, display device and electronic device including a current source and a diode electrically connected at an output of the current source
When writing a signal current from a current source to a current source circuit, noise occurs in some cases in a wiring through which a current flows, which may cause a potential of the wiring to be outside the normal range. As the potential does not turn back within the normal range easily at this time, writing to the current source circuit is delayed. According to the invention, when the potential becomes outside the normal range due to noise occurring in a wiring through which a current flows when writing a signal current from a current source to a current source circuit, a current is supplied from other than the current source, thereby the potential of the wiring can turn back within the normal range rapidly. |
| US08917264B2 |
Pixel circuit, display device, electronic device, and pixel circuit driving method
Disclosed herein is a pixel circuit including: a light emitting element; a storage capacitor; a writing transistor for writing a driving voltage corresponding to a video signal to the storage capacitor; and a driving transistor for driving the light emitting element on a basis of the driving voltage written to the storage capacitor, wherein a characteristic of the writing transistor is controllable in such a manner as to be operatively associated with a process of writing the driving voltage corresponding to the video signal to the storage capacitor. |
| US08917262B2 |
Stylus and touch input system
A touch input system including a stylus and a display device is provided. The stylus includes a battery module, a touch portion, a transducer module and a RF transmitting module. When a contact pressure is acted on the touch portion, the touch portion is electrically connected to the battery module by the contact pressure and emits a light signal. The display region receives and reacts to the light signal, and the contact pressure is transformed into an electrical signal by the transducer module. The RF transmitting module is electrically connected to the transducer module and transmitting the electrical signal. The display device includes a display region and a RF receiving module. |
| US08917259B2 |
Muti-touch interfaces for user authentication, partitioning, and external device control
Multi-touch interfaces allow user interaction with multiple points of contact to control external devices such as game consoles, authenticate users, partition the interface for multiple users, and so forth. The multi-touch interface may provide graphical representations that are manipulated by users through multiple points of contact to participate in games running on an external game console. Additionally, user authentication may occur through multiple points of contact with the multi-touch interface where each user has a unique contact pattern that includes points of contact, location of points of contact, rhythm of points of contact, and so forth. The graphical representations may be customized based on the authentication of a user, and the multi-touch surface may be partitioned based on the number of users present. |
| US08917258B2 |
Touch screen apparatus
A touch screen apparatus including: a touch sensing unit; a memory configured to store sensing information transmitted from the touch sensing unit; and a display unit associated with the memory, the display unit configured to receive and display the sensing information stored in the memory. |
| US08917255B2 |
Deformable touch screen
The present disclosure provides a deformable touch screen including a display unit for displaying a user interface; a touch panel including a dielectric material, a first electrode coated on one end of the dielectric material, a second electrode coated on the other end of the dielectric material, a non-conductive material coated on the second electrode, and a conductive metal coated on the coated non-conductive material; a voltage controller for controlling a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a signal generator for applying a signal to the voltage controller, wherein the signal generator generates a signal for making a user interface button of the display unit into a 3D form according to a measured result of an increase or a decrease in mutual capacitance of a user's hand and a conductive metal. |
| US08917253B2 |
Method and apparatus pertaining to the interlacing of finger-based and active-stylus-based input detection
A control circuit controls detection of both finger-based input and active-stylus-based input as input via a display. In particular, during a single scan period, the control circuit interleaves use of the finger-detection resources with use of the active-stylus-detection resources. |
| US08917252B2 |
Conductive sheet, method for using conductive sheet, and touch panel
A conductive sheet, method for using conductive sheet and touch panel, having a base substance and conductive parts formed on one of the principal surfaces of the base substance. The conductive parts respectively extend in primary directions, and have two or more conductive patterns made from metal wires arranged in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The conductive pattern is constituted by serially connecting two or more large gratings in the first direction, and each of the large gratings is constituted by combining two or more small gratings. Around the edges of the large grating, non-connective patterns are formed from metal wires which are not connected with the large gratings. |
| US08917251B2 |
Mobile electronic device
A mobile electronic device and method for operating a mobile electronic device are disclosed. A first detected input is detected on the first display module. A second detected input is detected on the second display module. The first detected input is set to an invalid input, when the second detected input is detected during a device configuration of the mobile electronic device, the device configuration comprising at least a portion of a first display module being exposed, and at least a portion of a second display module being exposed. The second detected input is set to an invalid input, when the first detected input is detected in the device configuration. |
| US08917248B2 |
Character recognition and character input apparatus using touch screen and method thereof
A character input method using a touch screen, in which one or more areas requiring user input is defined in the touch screen, pre-recognized information is defined for each of the defined areas, character information is received by a user in one or more user desired areas among the defined areas, the character information is recognized using a character recognizer, and the recognized character information is updated in the user desired areas. |
| US08917246B2 |
Input terminal apparatus
A layout function unit 4 controls a display unit 2 to display a shortcut key layout at activation of the display unit 2 and, after a predetermined period of time from the activation of the display unit 2, to change a display to a normal key layout. In addition, the layout function unit 4 inserts a blank template as a changeover screen when changing the display from the shortcut key layout to the normal key layout and, when detecting input to a touch panel 1 during a display of the changeover screen, cancels the changeover of the display to the normal key layout and displays the shortcut key layout. |
| US08917241B2 |
Pointing device, operating method thereof and relative multimedia interactive system
An operating method of a display device includes controlling a shift of a cursor of a user interface reference frame according to a shift of the pointing device with reference to an initial point in a 3D spatial reference frame; and updating a position of the initial point in the 3D spatial reference frame according to an updating signal. An advantage of the present invention is when the operating range is changed, reference coordinates utilized by the pointing device are appropriately adjusted, so as to lower the affect of offset, allowing the pointing device to be applied in different areas/directions without having the cursor displayed on the display device to incorrectly reflect shift of the pointing device. |
| US08917240B2 |
Virtual desktop coordinate transformation
A computing system includes a depth image analysis module to track a world-space pose of a human in a fixed, world-space coordinate system. The computing system further includes an interaction module to establish a virtual interaction zone with an interface-space coordinate system that tracks the human. The computing system also includes a transformation module to transform a position defined in the fixed, world-space coordinate system to a position defined in the interface-space coordinate system. |
| US08917235B2 |
User control input device
An optical input card is shaped and sized for removable slidable insertion within a slot of a portable computer. The optical input card comprises an optical navigation sensor, a control panel and a wireless communication module. The optical navigation sensor is disposed on the first side of the card for exposure to a navigation surface and is configured to capture a first user control input. The control panel on a second side of the card is configured to capture at least one second user control input. The wireless communication module is configured to wirelessly communicate the first user control input and the at least one second user control input to the portable computer. |
| US08917234B2 |
Products and processes for providing force sensations in a user interface
Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in a user interface device are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a process comprises defining a first cell, mapping a first location of a matrix with the defined first cell, and mapping a second location of the matrix with the defined first cell. The first cell comprises a first parameter representing a first haptic effect. |
| US08917231B2 |
Regulation of gamma characteristic in a display
System(s) and method(s) are provided for regulation of gamma characteristic of a display having solid-state-based backlight illumination. Regulation of the gamma characteristic can be accomplished at least in part through synchronization of data writing to a set of pixels in a display within a video frame with backlight illumination of a region of the display during a predetermined period, wherein the region is spanned by the set of pixels. Collection of data indicative of illumination intensity of light to be emitted in a region of a backlight source of the display during the predetermined period enables determination of at least one gamma value and at least one gamma reference voltage related to the at least one gamma value. Application of the at least one gamma reference voltage to the set of pixels adjusts the gamma characteristic thereof within the video frame. |
| US08917230B2 |
Backlight assembly having current detection circuit and display apparatus having the same
A backlight assembly includes; a plurality of light source strings which receive a driving voltage to generate a light, a driving circuit including a channel terminal commonly connected to output terminals of the plurality of light source strings and which receives a feedback voltage through the channel terminal to control the driving voltage according to the feedback voltage, and a current detection circuit connected to the output terminals of the plurality of light source strings to receive currents from the plurality of light source strings and which turns off the driving circuit when at least one of the received currents is larger than a predetermined reference current. |
| US08917216B2 |
Antenna device with U-shaped slit
An antenna device includes a feeding line having a first conductor and a second conductor and an antenna element having a conductive flat plate in which a slit is formed. The conductive flat plate has first and second sides opposite to each other and a third side. The antenna element is divided into an antenna pattern portion and a ground pattern portion via the slit. The slit is configured with a first slit portion apart from a center line towards the first side, a second slit portion apart from the center line towards the second side, a third slit portion coupling the first slit portion with the second slip portion, and a cutting portion coupling the third slit portion with the third side. |
| US08917215B2 |
Dielectric antenna with an electromagnetic feed element and with an ellipsoidal lens made of a dielectric material
A dielectric antenna with an electromagnetic feed element (2) and with a lens (3) made of a dielectric material, the feed element (2) emitting electromagnetic radiation (4) and the lens (3) being supplied with electromagnetic radiation (4) in the feed region (5), the lens (3) relaying the electromagnetic radiation (4) and radiating it with the transmission region (6). To configure these dielectric antennas such that the disadvantages of the dielectric antennas known from the prior art are at least partially avoided, first of all, the lens (3) is shaped essentially ellipsoidally at least in the transmission region (6) and the lens (3) is arranged relative to the feed element (2) such that the electromagnetic radiation (4) emitted by the lens (3) in the direction of maximum radiation (7) of the antenna has an essentially planar phase front. |
| US08917214B2 |
Dual band RFID device and method of formulation
A dual band antenna device and method of formation is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a planar conductive sheet; forming a slot antenna in the conductive sheet; the slot antenna configured to communicate at a first frequency; forming a multi-turn antenna in the conductive sheet; the multi-turn antenna configured to communicate in a second frequency that is different from the first frequency; and connecting at least one integrated circuit to said first antenna and said second antenna; enclosing said first antenna, said second antenna, and said at least one integrated circuit in a wearable enclosure. |
| US08917213B2 |
Antenna device and electronic timepiece
An antenna device which is provided in an electronic timepiece, and receives positioning signals from satellites includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a dielectric layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein one electrode of the first electrode and the second electrode constitutes at least a part of a character plate of the electronic timepiece. |
| US08917212B2 |
Antenna verification via transmitter
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to verifying an antenna via a transmitter. A logical interface coupled to a transmitter reads antenna specifications from a memory integrated with an antenna, and refuses transmission when the antenna attributes conflict with the requirements of the transmitter. |
| US08917199B2 |
Subterranean image generating device and associated method
In certain embodiments, a subterranean imaging apparatus comprises at least two receive channels configured on a land-based vehicle and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system. The at least two receive channels are operable to generate electrical signals according to electromagnetic radiation reflected from a subterranean target below a ground surface. The SAR system is operable to receive the electrical signals from the at least two receive channels, generate raw images from the received electrical signals, generate a weighting according to phase statistics of pixels in the raw images, and combine the raw images using the weighting to generate a refined image of the subterranean target. |
| US08917198B2 |
Multi-mode sampling/quantization converters
Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for converting a continuous-time, continuously variable signal into a sampled and quantized signal. According to one implementation, an apparatus includes multiple processing branches, each including: a continuous-time quantization-noise-shaping circuit, a sampling/quantization circuit, and a digital bandpass filter. A combining circuit then combines signals at the processing branch outputs into a final output signal. The continuous-time quantization-noise-shaping circuits include adjustable circuit components for changing their quantization-noise frequency-response minimum, and the digital bandpass filters include adjustable parameters for changing their frequency passbands. |
| US08917197B2 |
System and method for improving performance of photonic samplers
An interferometer used for modulating an optical signal with an electrical signal is described, where the optical signal can be subsequently detected so as to sample and digitize the electrical signal. Nonlinear optical elements can be located inside the interferometer to reduce the minimum detectable electrical input signal size. The interferometer can contain more than two arms to improve the tolerable dynamic range of the electrical signal. In some cases some outputs of the interferometer are dependent on the electrical input frequency while others have minimal frequency dependence, thereby allowing the frequency of the input electrical signal to be measured more easily. Ideally the modulator operates in a push-pull mode with a single electrode for the input electrical signal. Such a modulator can be constructed by using appropriate optical delay elements. |
| US08917196B2 |
Sampling circuit, A/D converter, D/A converter, and CODEC
An A/D converter comprising: a sampling circuit including a continuous section, a sampling and holding section for intermittently sampling an input signal based on an analog signal input from the continuous section to hold and transfer the sampled signal, and a digital section for outputting a signal transferred from the sampling and holding section as a digital signal; and a control circuit for supplying a clock signal in which jitter is not added to the continuous section and supplying a clock signal in which the jitter is added to the sampling and holding section. |
| US08917195B2 |
System including feedback circuit with digital chopping circuit
A system including a first circuit, a second circuit, and a feedback circuit. The first circuit is configured to provide input signals. The second circuit is configured to receive the input signals and provide digital output signals that correspond to the input signals. The feedback circuit includes a chopping circuit, an integrator circuit, and a digital to analog converter circuit. The digital to analog converter circuit is configured to convert an error signal into an analog signal that is received by the second circuit to reduce ripple error. |
| US08917192B2 |
Portable terminal having keypad
A portable terminal has a keypad. The portable terminal includes the keypad including a plurality of key buttons in a predetermined pattern and forming an antenna pattern by using devices connected to both ends of predetermined key buttons among the plurality of key buttons, a Radio Frequency (RF) communicator connected to signal lines of the predetermined key buttons of the keypad, a digital circuit for recognizing a signal input to the keypad, and a controller for controlling the keypad to be selectively switched to one of the digital circuit and the RF communicator according to a signal generated in a resonance frequency region of a particular service band. |
| US08917191B1 |
Dual threaded system for low visibility operations
A system for controlling an image displayed on a display unit of an aircraft is shown and described. The system includes an enhanced vision system that detects elements of an approach lighting system for display on the display unit. The system also includes a synthetic vision system that uses a database of navigation information and a determined aircraft location to generate synthetic display elements representing the approach lighting system. Display electronics of the system cause the detected elements from the enhanced vision system to be simultaneously displayed on the display unit within a same scene as the generated synthetic display elements from the synthetic vision system. Advantageously, the simultaneous display allows a pilot viewing the display unit to check for whether information provided by the enhanced vision system matches information provided by the synthetic vision system. |
| US08917190B1 |
Method of restricting turns at vehicle intersections
A method of restricting turns at vehicle intersections imposes a policy that is dynamic and congestion based. Vehicle turns are allowed only to the extent that such a maneuver does not cause a hindrance to other vehicles traveling the same direction that are not turning. A hindrance may be defined in a variety of ways based on whether other vehicles are substantially impeded in their progress. In this way, such a “no hinder” turn restriction is dependent on actual driving conditions and allows for more efficient movement of traffic in both heavily congested and light driving conditions. A no hinder turn restriction may be combined with or may replace other types of turn restrictions and may be utilized for both left and right turns and for streets with single or multiple lanes. |
| US08917189B2 |
Driving assistance Device
Provided is a driving assistance device capable of assisting safer driving of a vehicle. A driving assistance device 1 assists the driving in a case where a subject-vehicle C is advancing in the right-turn direction at an intersection where a traffic light S is installed which has a right arrow-indicating green lamplight signal BA and a green lamplight signal B. The driving assistance device includes a road-to-vehicle communicator 10 which acquires the traffic light information on lighting of the traffic light S, a course change determination section 33 which determines whether or not the subject-vehicle C is advancing in the right-turn direction when the traffic light information indicates that the green lamplight signal B is lit, a signal schedule determination section 34 which determines whether or not the required time until the lighting of the right arrow-indicating green lamplight signal BA is equal to or more than a predetermined time when it is determined that the subject-vehicle C is advancing in the right-turn direction, and an HMI control section 35 which assists driving such that the subject-vehicle advances in the right-turn direction during the lighting of the right arrow-indicating green lamplight signal BA when it is determined that the required time is less than a predetermined time. |
| US08917187B2 |
Multi-function flare device for populated areas
The invention disclosed herein is a securely attached portable, wearable device to enhance safety, visibility and communication capability of safety personnel when such personal leave their vehicles. The device provided is configured to be securely attached to the wearer, and is capable of emitting variable visual and audio signals actuated by a control panel component which is designed so that the user can activate various options of visual and audio signals while in flight. The device may further include GPS capability for tracking, activation and deactivation functions. |
| US08917186B1 |
Audio monitoring and sound identification process for remote alarms
In a computer-implemented method for remote monitoring of one or more alarms, an audio signal is received. The received audio signal is processed using an audio recognition technique to identify an alarm that generated the audio signal. A user is caused to be notified that the identified alarm has been triggered. |
| US08917185B1 |
Appliance alarm assembly
An appliance alarm assembly indicates unauthorized use of an appliance. The assembly includes a cover having a first wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending from the first wall defining an enclosed interior space. An attachment member is coupled to the cover for coupling the cover to an appliance such that the cover is positioned over a control panel of the appliance. A pressure switch is coupled to the cover and includes a sensor arm extending outwardly from the cover. The pressure switch is tripped by movement of the sensor arm. The pressure switch activates an alarm coupled to the cover upon the pressure switch being tripped by movement of the sensor arm. |
| US08917183B2 |
Methane and water vapor gas sensors integrated into a personal miner's alarm
A miner's personal gas alarm can be mounted in a helmet powered by a rechargeable battery for a light or be self-contained. A visual indicator will generate an alarm when the concentration of gas detected by the gas sensor triggers an alarm condition. An audio alarm can also be generated by the alarm condition. The gas sensor is a non-dispersive infrared (“NDIR”) gas sensor. When the gas sensor detects methane, the alarm condition is triggered by either an abnormally high rate of increase of methane concentration level or by an elevated concentration of methane that is above approximately 500 ppm and substantially below a lower explosion limit of methane (e.g., approximately 10,000 ppm), and the gas sensor is recalibrated whenever the sample concentration of methane falls below an ambient threshold level of methane. |
| US08917182B2 |
System and method for detecting and preventing drowsiness
A system for preventing drowsiness in a driver by employing a thermal grill. The system includes a detection module and an intervention module. The detection module monitors a driver's parameters to determine whether the driver is drowsy. If the driver is determined to be drowsy, the intervention module activates a thermal grill with interlaced hot and cold regions. This activation causes the hot regions to approach one temperature and the cold regions to approach another. Additionally, this activation leads to an uncomfortable sensation for the driver, alerts the driver, and prevents the driver from getting drowsy. |
| US08917181B2 |
Method for monitoring an individual
An individual is monitored by providing a monitoring system having a control device in communication with appliances. A routine usage of the appliance by an individual is determined. A deviation from the routine usage of the appliance is detected. An alarm signal is sent to a remote communication device of a third party. The third party remotely manipulates the appliance via the control device to remove the deviation from the routine usage, such as turning off an iron or closing a refrigerator door, without involving the individual. |
| US08917180B2 |
Theft deterrent tag
The present invention discloses an EAS based theft-deterrent tag, comprising a main member coupled with an article by a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is configured to allow comfortable trial of the article prior to purchasing, without detachment and removal of the theft deterrent tag from the article. |
| US08917175B2 |
Method and tracking device for tracking movement in a marine environment with tactical adjustments to an emergency response
The present invention relates to devices and methods for tracking movement in a marine environment. At least one tracking device that is adapted to be deployed on a surface of the water, wherein the tracking device is capable of moving along the same trajectory of a desired object. Data from the tracking devices are received by at least one satellite, transmitted to a database, and used to determine the forecasted trajectory of the desired object. All data collected from deployed tracking devices may be integrated into a spatial data repository for analysis and reporting using GIS and associated information technologies, thereby allowing for more accurate decision-making and asset deployment during a fluid spill or similar marine contamination event. The present invention also allows for the collection and modeling of accurate localized sea current data, which may assist with marine and coastal engineering works such as shoreline protection and port dredging. |
| US08917173B2 |
Method and system for detecting location of fixed wireless asset in a hospital environment
A system is disclosed for determining the location of fixed wireless assets (FWAs). The system includes at least one FWA having an asset tracking number, at least one mobile device wirelessly coupled to the FWA via a first communication link, and a database having information that associates people with locations. The mobile device is assigned to one of these people. The system also includes a computer that is coupled to the FWA via a second communication link and to the database. The FWA is configured to forward the data received from the mobile device to the computer along with the FWA's asset tracking number. The computer is configured to determine the location of the FWA based at least in part on the data received from the FWA and the information retrieved from the database. |
| US08917172B2 |
Wireless pet barrier using RFID
A method of using radio frequency identification (RFID), in particular ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID, is described, which keeps pets from accessing forbidden areas. The pet wears a device which is preferably powered by the animal's own activity, converted to electrical power by a motion harvesting system to recharge a battery. The device uses an RFID reader to detect and identify RFID tags placed at boundaries of areas to which the pet is forbidden to enter, and sets off an alarm to warn the pet if it is approaching such an area. Because the RFID tags are individually identifiable, the forbidden area alarm can be configured to the pet, allowing use in a multiple-pet household. |
| US08917169B2 |
Vehicular vision system
A vehicular vision system includes a camera having a lens and a CMOS photosensor array having a plurality of photosensor elements. The camera is disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular vision system. The camera one of (i) views exterior of the equipped vehicle through the windshield of the equipped vehicle and forward of the equipped vehicle and (ii) views from the windshield of the equipped vehicle into the interior cabin of the equipped vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the photosensor array. The image processor processes captured image data to detect an object viewed by the camera. The photosensor array is operable at a plurality of exposure periods and at least one exposure period of the plurality of exposure periods is dynamically variable. |
| US08917167B1 |
Haptic device
System, method and device to generate user tactile feedback using working fluid inside a sealed vessel, which is vaporized causing a rapid pressure/volume change, then the fluid condenses, restoring original pressure/volume. In one embodiment this sequence is repeated to create a vibration. The sealed vessel is mechanically coupled to a touch surface so the user feels the vibration, typically with a fingertip. In some embodiments a portion of the sealed vessel is also the touch surface. In some embodiments multiple vessels are arranged in an array behind or integral to the touch surfaces. |
| US08917166B2 |
Hospital bed networking system and method
A hospital bed has a bed frame and communication circuitry operable to transmit bed status data to a network of a healthcare facility and to receive messages from the network. The messages include information indicating whether bed status conditions are being monitored by a remote computer of the network for generation of alert messages to at least one caregiver in response to alert conditions being indicated by the bed status data. The bed has at least one user input that is used locally at the bed to enable and suspend monitoring of the bed status conditions by the remote computer. |
| US08917164B2 |
Method for identification of components in an electrical low-voltage switchgear assembly
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for identification of components in an electrical low-voltage switchgear assembly is disclosed. The electrical low-voltage switchgear assembly according to one embodiment of the invention includes at least one truck module, which can be positioned in a truck slot. In at least one embodiment, both the truck slot and the truck module include associated devices for wire-free communication, wherein the communication devices are designed to transmit and/or receive data which is relevant for an automatic identification of the truck slot and/or the truck module, and allow automatic association of these components with one another. |
| US08917156B2 |
Transformer construction
The invention relates to a transformer construction comprising a plurality of transformer cores configured to share magnetic flux paths and, as a result, at least one of the cores comprises a post and an associated sidewall having an effective cross-sectional area which is less than that of the post. Such a construction may be employed in a power conditioning unit, for example, for a photovoltaic module, which is configured to operate the cores out of phase from each other. Also described is a transformer winding comprising a longitudinal spine having a first turn emanating from a first portion of the spine in a first transverse direction and a second turn emanating from a second portion of the spine in a second transverse direction, wherein the second transverse direction is opposite to the first transverse direction. |
| US08917155B2 |
Magnetic component
A magnetic component includes a plurality of coils, a magnetic core, and a shield. The coils form at least one of a primary coil and a secondary coil to which a voltage corresponding to a voltage induced to the primary coil is induced. The magnetic core penetrates through the coils. The shield is disposed at least one of between different coils in the coils and between one or more of the coils and the magnetic core. Each of the coils and the shield are respectively pattern-formed on substrates. Each of the coils and the shield have a stacking structure. |
| US08917154B2 |
System for concentrating magnetic flux
An improved system for concentrating magnetic flux of a multi-pole magnetic structure at the surface of a ferromagnetic target uses pole pieces having a magnet-to-pole piece interface with a first area and a pole piece-to-target interface with a second area substantially smaller than the first area, where the target can be a ferromagnetic material or a complementary pole pieces. The multi-pole magnetic structure can be a coded magnetic structure or an alternating polarity structure comprising two polarity directions, or can be a hybrid structure comprising more than two polarity directions. A magnetic structure can be made up of discrete magnets or can be a printed magnetic structure. |
| US08917153B2 |
Supported pot magnet for magnetic resonance system
A supported pot magnet has a magnet coil and a coil former, with the coil former being made of a non-metallic material having a thermal contraction coefficient the same as that of the magnet coil. The supported pot magnet also has a cooling circulator composed of two identical separate components with a semi-cylindrical shape, each having multiple cooling tubes, a refrigerant inlet tube, a refrigerant outlet tube, and multiple clamps. The cooling tubes have a semicircular shape and mate with the slots, and are provided thereon with heat conducting members that are vertically disposed at an inner side of the cooling tubes. The refrigerant inlet tube and outlet tube are vertically mounted at two ends of the cooling tubes, in communication with the cooling tubes. The clamps are disposed on the refrigerant inlet tube and outlet tube. |
| US08917152B2 |
Spin wave device
A spin wave device according to an embodiment includes: an input interconnect transmitting an input impulse signal; a multilayer film including a foundation layer; a first magnetic layer formed on the multilayer film and generating spin waves when receiving the input impulse signal, the spin waves propagating through the first magnetic layer; a plurality of input electrodes arranged in a straight line on the first magnetic layer, being connected to the input interconnect, and transmitting the input impulse signal to the first magnetic layer; and a plurality of sensing electrodes sensing the spin waves, being arranged on the first magnetic layer, and being located at different distances from one another from the straight line having the input electrodes arranged therein, and the following equation is satisfied: d=Vg×t0. |
| US08917148B2 |
Transmission unit with reduced crosstalk signal
A transmission unit with reduced crosstalk signal includes a first conductor group having at least one first conductor surrounded by a first sheath and at least one second conductor surrounded by a second sheath. The first and the second conductor are axially arranged corresponding to one another. The first sheath has a dielectric coefficient higher than that of the second sheath, so that a difference in dielectric property exists between the first and the second conductor to enable reduction of crosstalk occurred during high-speed signal transmission over the transmission unit. |
| US08917143B2 |
Method and apparatus for filter-less analog input class D audio amplifier clipping
An integrated circuit (IC) chip has a class D PWM (pulse width modulation) amplifier configured for generating first and second PWM signals. The class-D PWM modulator includes a differential output driver configured for driving a first and a second output signals in response to the first and the second PWM signals. A clipping detection circuit is configured to turn on a clipping indication signal when one or both of the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal maintain the same state between two consecutive edges of the oscillator clock signal. The clipping detection circuit is also configured to turn off the clipping indication signal when both the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal change states between two consecutive edges of the oscillator clock signal. |
| US08917141B2 |
Radio frequency power amplifier circuit and method
An amplifier circuit is disclosed for providing a radio frequency output signal having a variable signal envelope, comprising a main amplifier device and an auxiliary amplifier and a combiner network for combining an output signal from said first amplifier device and a second output signal from said second amplifier device to provide a combined output signal of variable signal envelope to a load, and a signal processing circuit comprising an input and a non-linear processing section to provide at least said second radio frequency output signal with a signal envelope that has a non-linear dependency from an amplitude characteristic of the input signal such that the degree of non-linearity of the non-linear dependency varies dependent on the amount of change per time unit of the amplitude characteristic of the input signal. Further, a method of power amplifying a radio frequency signal having a variable signal envelope is disclosed. |
| US08917139B2 |
Digital amplifier
A digital amplifier comprises: a switching unit that amplifies a signal input to the digital amplifier by performing a switching operation; a driving unit that turns the switching unit on and off; an input signal detection unit that detects an input signal to the digital amplifier; and a first control unit that performs control such that the switching unit starts a switching operation by starting driving of the driving unit, when the digital amplifier is changed to a signal input state and the input signal detection unit detects an input signal, and performs control such that the switching unit stops the switching operation by stopping the driving of the driving unit, when the digital amplifier is changed to a no signal input state and the input signal detection unit does not detect an input signal. This configuration enables to reduce power consumption when no signal is input. |
| US08917136B1 |
Charge pump system and method of operation
A charge pump system includes a charge pump, a switchable impedance, a comparator, and a capacitor. The switchable impedance has an input coupled to the output of the charge pump. The comparator has a first input coupled to the output of the switchable impedance, a second input coupled to a reference, and an output coupled to the input of the charge pump. The capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the output of the charge pump and a second terminal coupled to the first input of the comparator. The switchable impedance causes a first impedance between the first and second terminals of the capacitor during a start-up operation of the charge pump system and a second impedance between the first and second terminals of the capacitor during a steady-state operation of the charge pump system, wherein the first impedance is lower than the second impedance. |
| US08917132B2 |
Apparatuses, methods, and circuits including a delay circuit
Apparatuses, methods, and delay circuits for delaying signals are described. An example apparatus includes a fine delay circuit configured to provide an output signal based on a ratio of a first input signal and a second input signal. The fine delay circuit including a phase mixer circuit including first signal drivers configured to receive the first input signal. The fine delay circuit further including second signal drivers configured to receive the second input signal, where at least two of the first signal drivers have different drive strengths and at least two of the second signal drivers have different drive strengths. |
| US08917129B1 |
Generating signals with accurate quarter-cycle intervals using digital delay locked loop
An apparatus comprising a delay circuit and a control circuit. The delay circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of intermediate signals in response to (i) a clock signal and (ii) an adjustment signal. The control circuit may be configured to generate the adjustment signal and a plurality of output signals having a quarter-cycle interval in response to (i) the plurality of intermediate signals and (ii) the clock signal. |
| US08917122B1 |
Frequency dividers
Various embodiments relate to frequency dividers. A current of a current source of the frequency divider is controlled based on a property of an output signal of the frequency divider. |
| US08917121B2 |
Output stage circuit
An output stage circuit includes: a first transistor, including a first terminal coupled to a first node, a second terminal coupled to an output terminal, a third terminal coupled to an input terminal for receiving an input voltage, and a fourth terminal coupled to a first power terminal for receiving a first voltage; a second transistor, including a first terminal coupled to a second node, a second terminal coupled to the output terminal, a third terminal coupled to the input terminal for receiving the input voltage, and a fourth terminal coupled to ground; and a current source, coupled to the output terminal for providing a constant current. |
| US08917120B2 |
Semiconductor device having a switchable element
A semiconductor device arrangement and a method. One embodiment includes at least one power transistor and at least one gate resistor located between a gate of the power transistor and a connecting point in the drive circuit of the power transistor. The semiconductor device arrangement includes a switchable element between the connecting point and a source of the power transistor. |
| US08917119B2 |
Output driving circuit capable of decreasing noise, and semiconductor memory device including the same
An output driving circuit includes a first pull-up transistor, a first pull-down transistor and a second pull-down transistor. The first pull-up transistor is configured to generate a first output signal at the output node in response to a first control signal. The first pull-down transistor is configured to generate a second output signal at the output node in response to a second control signal. The second pull-down transistor is configured to connect the output node to the first ground voltage in response to a third control signal. The memory device including the output driving circuit may be insensitive to noise and may have little data transmission error. |
| US08917107B2 |
Circuit board having bypass pad
An electronic device having a printed circuit board is provided. In one embodiment, the printed circuit board includes a plurality of external pads to be coupled with an external device and a plurality of bypass pads for testing an electric circuit. The external pads are exposed and at least one of the plurality of bypass pads are not exposed from an outer surface of the PCB. A system using the electronic device and a method of testing an electronic device are also provided. |
| US08917103B2 |
Device and method for testing semiconductor device
A testing method for testing a semiconductor device includes heating the semiconductor device until the temperature of the semiconductor device reaches a predetermined temperature; conducting other functional tests other than testing of the overheat protection function in a second step after the temperature of the semiconductor device has reached the predetermined temperature; allowing the semiconductor device to generate heat by itself such that the overheat protection function of the semiconductor device is activated, detecting a first diode forward voltage of a desired diode contained in the semiconductor device when the overheat protection function of the semiconductor device is activated and computing a first computational temperature of the semiconductor device based on the detected first diode forward voltage of the desired diode contained in the semiconductor device; and determining whether the computed first computational temperature of the semiconductor device resides in the overheat protection function activating temperature range. |
| US08917098B2 |
Converter circuit and method of driving the same
Provided are a converter circuit and a method of driving the same. The converter circuit includes: an input unit receiving a conversion target signal; a detection unit receiving a conversion target signal for each interval from the input unit, sampling the conversion target signal for each interval according to a plurality of timings to calculate an average value for each interval, and outputting a comparison unit input signal by using the average value for each interval; and a comparison unit comparing the comparison unit input signal with a predetermined reference signal to output a comparison result value. |
| US08917091B2 |
Method of calibrating an atomic-functioning apparatus
This method makes it possible to carry out the auto-calibration of the electromagnetic coils of an apparatus such as an atomic clock, a magnetometer or a gyroscope by injecting successive currents into the coils and measuring the magnetic fields induced in order to calculate the transfer coefficients (field/current) of each of the coils and the real angles that they form with very great precision. |
| US08917090B2 |
Nondestructive test of a sealing member
A device for inspecting an annular sealing wiper extending at the surface of a bladed-wheel drum of a rotor. The device includes a carriage including at least two guide wheels and carrying a probe situated in a location such that, when the carriage is in position, the probe is positioned facing an edge of the wiper for inspection and at a determined distance therefrom. |
| US08917088B2 |
Method and device for diagnosis of sensor faults for determination of angular position of polyphase rotary electrical machine
Disclosed is a method and device for diagnosis of functioning faults caused by the angular position measurement sensors of the rotor of a polyphase rotary electrical machine comprising a stator, in particular of the alternator-starter type. The diagnosis is obtained by carrying out direct measurements of pairs of sine and cosine signals determined on the basis of linear combinations of the polyphase signals provided by these sensors. This measurement therefore does not make it necessary to know the exact value of the speed of the machine. The diagnosis of functioning faults caused by the angular position measurement sensors requires only the execution of elementary logic operations, i.e. the determination of the “true” or “false” logic states of two inequality equations. |
| US08917081B2 |
Current detection device and method for producing same
A current detection device includes a bus bar for current detection. The bus bar for current detection is constituted by a conductor provided with a first portion penetrating through a hollow portion of a magnetic material core in a first direction in which a current passes and plate-shaped second portions each linked to both sides in the first direction with respect to the first portion, the bus bar for current detection formed such that a width of the second portion is greater than a maximum width of the hollow portion of the magnetic material core and a minimum width of a contour of a section in the first portion is greater than a thickness of the second portion. |
| US08917077B2 |
Multi-phase switching regulator and droop circuit therefor
The present invention provides a multi-phase switching regulator and a droop circuit for use in the multi-phase switching regulator. The multi-phase switching regulator generates pulse width modulation (PWM) signals according to an output voltage and a droop signal, to drive a plurality of switching sets to convert an input voltage to the output voltage. The droop circuit detects the sum of the currents generated by the plurality of switching sets and provides the droop signal which is related to the sum of the currents to the multi-phase switching regulator. The droop signal can be used for over current protection (OCP) or for the droop control. |
| US08917076B2 |
Off-line regulator with pass device and associated method
An off-line regulator has a rectification circuit configured to rectify an AC line voltage into a rectified line voltage, a pass device coupled between the rectified line voltage and a first capacitor, and a converter. The pass device is configured to be turned ON or OFF according to a comparison signal indicating whether the rectified line voltage is over a threshold voltage. The first capacitor delivers an interim voltage into the converter which supplies power to a load. Wherein a second capacitor coupled across a driver which driving the pass device is charged by the first capacitor when the comparison signal is at a first state, and the driver is boosted when the comparison signal is at a second state. |
| US08917071B2 |
Regulator circuit
There is provided a regulator circuit capable of increasing the capacity of the output transistor for supplying current, stably generating an internal power supply voltage and adapting to the reduction of a power supply voltage. The regulator circuit includes an output transistor which is supplied with an external power supply voltage and supplies dropped voltage to an internal circuit, a differential amplifier for outputting a gate potential applied to the gate of the output transistor, a reference voltage generating circuit for supplying a reference voltage to the differential amplifier, and a cut-off transistor for turning off the output transistor to stop supplying power to the internal circuit. The output transistor is comprised of a depression NMOS transistor whose threshold voltage is a negative voltage. The regulator circuit further includes substrate potential control means for controlling the substrate potential of the depression NMOS transistor. |
| US08917070B2 |
LDO and load switch supporting a wide range of load capacitance
A method to maintain stability of a low drop-out (LDO)/load switch linear voltage regulator (LVR). The method includes determining, during a power-up phase and by a capacitance sensing circuit, an estimated output capacitance value at an output node of the LDO/load switch LVR, and adjusting, based on the estimated output capacitance value, an adaptive RC network in the LDO/load switch LVR, wherein the adaptive RC network produces an adaptive zero in a feedback network transfer function of the LDO/load switch LVR, wherein the adaptive zero reduces an effect of a non-dominant pole in the open loop transfer function of the LDO/load switch LVR, and wherein a frequency of the adaptive zero is inversely proportional to the estimated output capacitance value. |
| US08917069B2 |
Low drop-out voltage regulator with dynamic voltage control
A low dropout voltage regulator circuit that dynamically adjusts its output voltage has a voltage adjustment circuit in communication with a dynamic voltage controlling circuit for modifying the output voltage of the low dropout voltage regulator. A first amplification circuit is connected to receive an adjusted reference voltage from the voltage adjustment circuit and compare it with a feedback signal from the output voltage to provide a drive signal to a signal input terminal of a follower output transistor. An output terminal of the follower output transistor provides the output voltage of the regulation circuit. An adjustable internal load circuit applies a load current to the output terminal of the follower output transistor to increase the bandwidth of the output of the voltage regulation circuit that is sensed by a dynamic biasing sensing circuit to generate a dynamic biasing signal that modifies the bandwidth of the first amplification circuit. |
| US08917064B2 |
Control circuit for power distribution switch
A control circuit is provided which includes a pre-charge circuit connected in parallel with a solid state switching device of, for example, a power distribution network. The pre-charge circuit pre-charges a load capacitance at a load side of the switching device prior to activation of the switching device. The pre-charge circuit includes a threshold waveform generation circuit and an over-current detect circuit. The threshold waveform generation circuit synthesizes a maximum acceptable charging waveform for the pre-charge circuit in charging the load capacitance, and the over-current detect circuit signals an over-current fault condition upon a charging current through the pre-charge circuit exceeding the synthesized, maximum acceptable charging waveform. The pre-charge circuit includes a sense resistor coupled to a power input side of the solid state switching device, with charging current through the pre-charge circuit being monitored via the sense resistor. |
| US08917061B2 |
System and method for battery cell balancing
Without battery cell balancing, voltages of multiple series-connected battery cells may quickly become out of balance, which causes some cells of the battery to deteriorate faster than others, and reduces the life cycle of the battery. Embodiments of the present invention address this problem by providing a system for balanced charging of multiple series-connected battery cells. The system includes resistors that are selectably and electrically coupled in parallel with respective battery cells via activation and deactivation of respective switches. The system also includes a control unit that is configured to determine a battery cell having a lowest voltage among the battery cells, and to activate and deactivate the switches as a function of differences in voltages between the voltage of the lowest battery cell and voltages of each of the other battery cells, thus, providing balanced charging of the multiple series-connected battery cells. |
| US08917054B2 |
Charger system with safety guardian
A safety guardian operable to facilitate notifying an Electronic Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) system whether a vehicle charging system is ready to accept energy. The safety guardian may be configured to facilitate control of a vehicle interface used to provide a reference voltage to the EVSE reflective of whether the charging system is ready to accept energy. The guardian may control the vehicle interface in the absence of a suitable control signal from the vehicle charging system in order to ensure the EVSE is notified when the vehicle charging system is not ready to accept energy. |
| US08917050B2 |
Power inverter and electric power steering controller
A power inverter is provided that can apply to an AC rotary machine three-phase voltages of high amplitudes and low distortion while suppressing ohmic loss attributed to current detection resisters. The power inverter includes a superimposed voltage command computing device which is configured to compute and output a superimposed voltage command depending on the difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of three-phase voltage commands; a voltage command modification device which is configured to add the superimposed voltage command to each of the three-phase voltage commands and outputting modified three-phase voltage commands; and a power output device which is configure to output the three-phase voltages based on the modified three-phase voltage commands. |
| US08917043B2 |
Electronic circuit and method for automatically adjusting a phase of a drive signal applied to an electric motor in accordance with a zero current detected in a winding of the electric motor
A motor control circuit and associated techniques can adjust a phase of a motor drive to keep a rotational reference position of an electric motor at the same relative phase as a zero current in a motor winding at different motor speeds and as the motor accelerates and decelerates. In some embodiments, a particular circuit and technique can be used to detect the zero current in the motor winding. |
| US08917042B2 |
Methods and systems for reducing conducted electromagnetic interference
A drive circuit is provided for reducing conducted electromagnetic interference provided by a power line to a motor controller. The power line includes a first alternating current (AC) line output and a second AC line output. The drive circuit includes an EMI filter having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal. The first input terminal is configured to be coupled to the first AC line output and the second input terminal is configured to be coupled to the second AC line output. The drive circuit further includes at least two series-coupled filter capacitors positioned after the EMI filter and a power factor correction (PFC) choke. The PFC choke is coupled at a first end to the second output terminal and at a second end between the series-coupled filter capacitors. |
| US08917041B2 |
Phase-shift detection device, motor drive device, brushless motor, and phase-shift detection method
A phase-shift detection circuit detects a phase shift in motor driving, using pulse-shaped position detection signal Rd and measurement signal Ms. The position detection signal is based on sensor signal Hs from a position sensor disposed in a motor. The measurement signal is based on the induced voltage from windings. The phase-shift detection circuit includes a level difference calculator and a phase-shift calculator. The level difference calculator calculates a level difference between the level of measurement signal Ms at a rising timing of position detection signal Rd and the level of measurement signal Ms at a falling timing thereof. The phase-shift calculator calculates the amount of phase shifts based on the level difference. |
| US08917039B2 |
Car power source apparatus and vehicle equipped with the power source apparatus
The car power source apparatus is provided with a driving battery having a plurality of connected batteries, battery-switches that connect the driving battery to the vehicle-side load, a control circuit that controls the battery-switches, and an auxiliary battery that supplies operating power to the control circuit power supply line. The power source apparatus is provided with a supplementary power supply circuit that supplies operating power to the control circuit power supply line from batteries in the driving battery to maintain control circuit operation in the event of an auxiliary battery voltage drop condition. In an auxiliary battery voltage drop condition, the supplementary power supply circuit supplies operating power to the control circuit power supply line and maintains control circuit operation to maintain control of the battery-switches. |
| US08917038B2 |
Motor control device
A motor control device has a drive circuit that drives an electric motor with a battery as a power supply, a switch element that is provided between the battery and the drive circuit, the switch element supplying a current from the battery to the drive circuit when being turned on, the switch element cutting off the current from the battery to the drive circuit when being turned off, a rotation speed detector that detects a rotation speed of the electric motor, and a controller that operates the drive circuit to control the electric motor. The controller turns on the switch element when the rotation speed of the electric motor, which is detected by the rotation speed detector, is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value during stopping of the control of the electric motor. |
| US08917035B2 |
Voltage regulation circuit and light emitting didoe driving apparatus having the same
A voltage regulation circuit includes a voltage conversion module, an LED driving module and a control module. The voltage conversion module is operable to receive and convert the first voltage to a second voltage. Each LED driving loop of the LED driving module has a current regulator and an LED string. The control module is operable to output a control signal according to the received input signal which reflects the current flowing through the LED driving module. The voltage conversion module regulates the second voltage according to the control signal, such that the regulated second voltage still keeps the brightness of the LED string of each LED driving loop unchanged. |
| US08917034B2 |
Current overshoot limiting circuit
This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus, system, and method to limit a current overshoot in an electronic component using a switched feedback circuit to precondition a gate of a transistor coupled to the electronic component. |
| US08917032B2 |
Method and apparatus for active ripple cancelation
Various embodiments of the invention allow for active AC ripple noise cancellation. In certain embodiments, noise cancellation is accomplished by modulating an LED driver output in a polarity opposite to the ripple, thereby, preventing interference with ripple-sensitive loads. Certain embodiments take advantage of a filter network to prevent the LED driver from modulating LED current in response to ripple that falls within a visible frequency range so as to prevent flicker in an LED backlight display. In addition to protecting ripple-sensitive loads from large ripple currents, efficiency is increased by reducing both I2·R losses and peak currents, thereby, extending the useful battery life time in mobile devices. |
| US08917030B2 |
Electronic ballast for lighting unit and lighting apparatus
An electronic ballast for a lighting unit may include a Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuit, an inverter, and a control circuit for controlling startup of the inverter, wherein the control circuit is coupled between the PFC circuit and the inverter and includes a switching device coupled in a startup loop for the inverter; a unidirectional conductive device coupled between a PFC power supply circuit for providing an operation current to a PFC controller of the PFC circuit and an input of the PFC controller for preventing a startup current flowing through the PFC circuit from triggering the switching device; and a triggering device coupled to the switching device and a connection point between the unidirectional conductive device and the PFC power supply circuit for controlling switch-on and switch-off of the switching device. |
| US08917029B2 |
LED driver
A light-emitting diode (LED) driver is provided. The LED driver, providing a drive voltage for driving an LED circuit according to an input voltage, includes a current regulator, a dimming signal generator, and a boost converter. In response to a pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming signal, the current regulator enables the LED circuit in a first PWM period and disables the LED circuit outside the first PWM period. The dimming generator generates a prolonged PWM dimming signal according to the PWM dimming signal. The prolonged PWM dimming signal has a prolonged period, a length of which is associated with a level of an input voltage. In response to the prolonged PWM dimming signal, the boost converter is enabled in a second PWM period and maintains a level of the drive voltage according to the input voltage. |
| US08917028B2 |
Driving circuit
A driving circuit includes a plurality of light-emitting units, a plurality of switches, and a voltage generating module. The light-emitting units are coupled with each other in series and are driven with an input voltage varying according to a frequency. Each switch has a preset voltage and an activation voltage and includes a light-emitting end, a control end, and a setting end. The light-emitting ends are coupled with the light-emitting units, and the setting ends of the switches are coupled with each other. The voltage generating module includes a plurality of control units and provides a plurality of control voltages to the switches, and each switch is driven to be activated or to be deactivated according to a relation of the preset voltage and a difference between the control voltage and the activation voltage when the input voltage drives the light-emitting units, the switches, and the control units. |
| US08917027B2 |
Driving device and method for driving a load, in particular an LED assembly
Driver device and a corresponding driving method for driving a load, in particular an LED assembly comprising one or more LEDs. To provide a better performance, better cost-efficiency, improved power factor and reduced losses, a driver device (1,1′, 2, 2′) is provided comprising a rectifier unit (10) for rectifying a received AC supply voltage (VS), load terminals (20) for providing a drive voltage (VL) and/or a drive current (IL) for driving said load, a capacitive storage unit (30) coupled between said rectifier unit and said load terminals for storing electrical energy provided by said rectifier unit and providing electrical energy to said load, and a bridge switching unit (40) coupled between said rectifier unit and said load for switching said capacitive storage unit into a load current path from said rectifier unit to said load terminals with a desired polarity and for switching said capacitive storage unit out of said load current path. |
| US08917023B2 |
Illumination system and method
This invention relates to an illumination system (100) comprising a plurality of luminaires (101a-d). The luminaires are each arranged to transmit in the light emitted an identification code ID. To ensure sufficient detection of the identification codes during selection with a selection device (120), the system further comprises a control unit (130) which is arranged for identification of any luminaire which has a nominal drive value equal to or below a minimum preset value, or equal to or above a maximum preset value. The control unit sets (or instructs a driver to set) the nominal drive value of such identified luminaire to a predetermined value to achieve a corresponding predetermined light output from the luminaire ensuring a sufficient signal for the transmission of the identification code ID. |
| US08917019B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display, manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment thereof
A method for manufacturing an OLED display according to an exemplary embodiment comprises: forming a thermosetting adhesive layer having a getter receiving portion on a metal sheet; forming a display unit including a plurality of pixels on a substrate; forming a getter layer at an external side of the display unit on the substrate; adhering the thermosetting adhesive layer and the metal sheet to the substrate so as to locate the getter layer in the getter receiving unit; and hardening the thermosetting adhesive layer. The forming of the thermosetting adhesive layer includes layering a solid thermosetting adhesive sheet which has been patterned so as to have the getter receiving portion on the metal sheet. |
| US08917013B2 |
Carbon nanotube field emitter
A carbon nanotube field emitter is disclosed. The carbon nanotube field emitter includes an emission portion and a supporting portion. The emission portion and the supporting portion are configured as one piece to form a roll structure. The emission portion includes a first rolled carbon nanotube layer, which includes a number of carbon nanotubes. The supporting portion includes a rolled composite layer, which includes at least one second rolled carbon nanotube layer and a rolled metal layer stacked with each other. Another carbon nanotube field emitter with a number of separated emission tips on the emission portion is also disclosed. |
| US08917012B2 |
Porous heat sink LED lamps
The present invention relates to a heat sink (1), which is in thermal connection with at least one electronic component (4). The heat sink (1) has at least one chamber (2), which has at least one wall with at least one porous element (3a). Pressure producing means (7) are connected to the chamber (2), in order to cyclically modulate the air pressure P1 in the chamber (2). Thus, a “breathing” of air through the at least one porous element (3a) can be achieved and a cooling effect is obtained. Additionally, holes (8) can be provided to the chamber (2), which produce cyclic air jets (9) due to the fluctuating chamber air pressure P1. By providing an interaction of the air jets (9) with the air volume surrounding the at least one porous element (3a), the cooling of the at least one electronic component (4) can be optimized |
| US08917011B2 |
LED heat dissipation structure
An LED heat dissipation structure including: a heat sink, with a lug axially extended from an end of the heat sink, a hollow portion disposed inside the heat sink and axially extended to the lug, and a plurality of fins integrally extended from a peripheral side of the heat sink; and a support base, having an axial through hole sheathed on the lug of the heat sink, and an end of the support base abutting the support surface of the heat sink. A semiconductor light emitting module is tightly coupled onto a distal surface at an end of the lug for conducting generated heat to the heat sink, and a mirror mount is pressed against the semiconductor light emitting module and coupled to the support base. |
| US08917007B2 |
Axial gap motor with magnetically securely coupled stator cores and pump device
Disclosed are a single rotor-type axial gap motor with low magnetic loss and high output, and a pump device using the axial gap motor. A first contact surface (231) is provided on the lateral surface in one circumferential direction of a yoke strip (23), and a second contact surface (232) is provided on the lateral surface in the other circumferential direction of the yoke strip (23), wherein the first contact surface (231) and the second contact surface (232) are aligned with each other. Defining As1 and As2 as the surface areas (As) of the first and second contact surfaces (231, 232), and Ap1 and Ap2 as the projected surface areas (Ap) of the lateral surfaces of the aforementioned yoke strip seen from the circumferential direction, it holds that As>Ap. |
| US08917006B2 |
Stator for motor
The present invention relates to a stator for a motor including: a stator core having an annular back yoke and a plurality of teeth; an upper insulator having an annular body portion formed correspondingly to the back yoke of the stator core and a plurality of teeth insulation portions formed correspondingly to the teeth of the stator core so as to cover the upper sides of the teeth of the stator core; a lower insulator having an annular body portion formed correspondingly to the back yoke of the stator core and a plurality of teeth insulation portions formed correspondingly to the teeth of the stator core so as to cover the upper sides of the teeth of the stator core; a plurality of insulation films each adapted to be inserted into the slot to cover the side of the stator core exposed to the inside of the slot between the upper insulator and the lower insulator; and coils adapted to be wound on the teeth of the stator core enclosed by the upper insulator, the lower insulator and the insulation films. |
| US08917005B2 |
Rotor barrier shaping for demagnetization mitigation in an internal permanent magnet machine
A rotor core for an Internal Permanent Magnet (IPM) machine includes a cavity having a magnet disposed therein. The cavity defines an air slot adjacent a radially outermost edge of the magnet disposed therein. A leakage flux path extends across the air slot and connects opposing sides of the cavity. The leakage flux path is oriented in an approximate tangential relationship relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor core, and is angled relative to the radially outermost edge of the magnet disposed within the cavity to direct flux away from the magnet. The cavity further includes an air pocket disposed along a radial inner surface of the magnet relative to the axis of rotation, adjacent the air slot of the cavity. |
| US08917002B2 |
Electric machine having a plurality of torque-support elements
An electric machine for installation to a retaining device includes a stator having an axis, and a torque-support device for supporting the stator against the retaining device to prevent a turning movement around the axis. The torque-support device has an intermediate element, at least two holding support elements for providing support against the retaining device, and at least two stator support elements for providing support against the stator. The holding support elements and the stator support elements possess each a greater rigidity in a circumferential direction in relation to the axis than in any other spatial direction. |
| US08917000B2 |
Arrangement structure of connecting conductor connecting inside and outside conductors of motor
An arrangement structure includes: a motor including: a motor main body including a stator and a rotor, the rotor being disposed to be rotatable relative to the stator; a case member configured to store the motor main body; and a connecting conductor configured to electrically connect an inside conductor disposed inside the case member and an outside conductor disposed outside the case member; and a support device fixed to the case member and a frame member of a vehicle, the support device being configured to support the motor on the frame member, wherein the connecting conductor is arranged directly below a fixing portion where the support device is fixed to the case member. |
| US08916999B2 |
Motors containing segment conductor coils
A motor includes a motor case, and a rotor and a stator, which are disposed in the case. The case has a tubular portion, a front cover mounted to an axial end of the portion, and a rear cover mounted to the other axial end of the portion. The rotor has a rotary shaft and the stator includes a plurality of teeth, which extend toward a central axis of the shaft and are circumferentially disposed at equal intervals. Between each circumferentially adjacent pair of the teeth, a slot extending toward the axis is formed. In each slot, a U-shaped segment is inserted in parallel with the axis. The distal ends of the segments projecting out from the slots are electrically interconnected, thereby forming an SC coil including the segments disposed circumferentially. The SC coil includes a receiving terminal, and the terminal includes leads extending in parallel to the axis. |
| US08916997B2 |
Electric motor assemblies including stator and/or rotor cooling
An electric motor assembly including a stator having a stator core and windings around the stator core is disclosed. The stator core has opposing ends and an outer surface extending between the opposing ends. The electric motor assembly also includes a housing having an inner surface enclosing at least a portion of the stator, and at least one fluid passage between the outer surface of the stator core and the inner surface of the housing. The fluid passage permits a coolant in the fluid passage to contact one or more portions of the outer surface of the stator core to remove heat from the stator core during operation of the electric motor assembly. Additional motor assemblies including stator and/or rotor cooling features are disclosed. |
| US08916993B2 |
System for multiple energy storage and management and method of making same
A propulsion system includes an electric drive, a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric drive through a DC link, and a second energy storage system electrically coupled to the first energy storage system in a series connection. The first energy storage system comprises a high specific-energy storage device and the second energy storage system comprises a low specific-power storage device. The propulsion system also includes a third energy storage system comprising a high specific-energy storage device electrically coupled to the second energy storage system. A bi-directional boost converter is electrically coupled to the second and third energy storage systems such that a terminal of the third energy storage system is electrically coupled to a low voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter and a terminal of the second energy storage system is coupled to a high voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter. |
| US08916992B2 |
Power generating system
A power generating system includes a control device, a first current detection device detecting a load alternating electric current, and a second current detection device detecting a direct current of the direct current power converted by a first converter. The control device obtains a first integrated value by integrating a direct current component corresponding to a positive electric current positioned at a positive side relative to a zero-crossing of the load alternating electric current among the direct current of the direct current power converted by the first converter and detected by the second current detection device by time, obtains a second integrated value by integrating a direct current component corresponding to a negative electric current by time, and detects a direct current component included in the load alternating electric current on the basis of a degree of a difference between the first integrated value and the second integrated value. |
| US08916987B2 |
Hydrokinetic electrical generating device
A hydrokinetic electrical generating device includes first and second wing assemblies each having axis vertical wings. First and second beam assemblies support the first or second wing assemblies. A first sliding member is slidably connected to the first beam assembly and a second sliding member is slidably connected to the second beam assembly. The axis vertical wings are rotatably connected to one of the first or second sliding members. A first sliding connector is connected to the first sliding member and a second sliding connector connected to the second sliding member. A mechanical-electrical section has first and second flywheels connected by a first or second drive belt to a generator. First and second flywheel connecting rods connect the first or second sliding connector to the first or second flywheel. A water force rotating the wings displaces the connecting rods causing flywheel and drive belt rotation thereby operating the generator. |
| US08916986B2 |
Impulse air turbine arrangement for use with a reversing bi-directional air flow in a wave power plant
An impulse air turbine arrangement for use with a reversing bi-directional air flow in a wave power plant comprises an axial flow turbine rotor with volutes mounted one each side of the turbine rotor to direct the reversing air flow to and from the turbine rotor. Each volute extends circumferentially with respect to the turbine axis between a radially outer opening and a radially inner opening. The radially outer opening is oriented for input/output of the air in a tangential direction and the radially inner opening is oriented axially to impinge/receive swirling air flow onto/from the turbine rotor. |
| US08916983B2 |
Electromagnetic harvesting of fluid oscillations for downhole power sources
A downhole tool for generating power is provided that includes a conductive fluid disposed downhole within a tubular member, an energy harvesting apparatus, and a pressure changing apparatus. The energy harvesting apparatus includes a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and an electrical conductor configured to move with respect to the magnet. The pressure changing apparatus is configured to supply a differential pressure across the energy harvesting apparatus, such that the electrical conductor moves with respect to the magnet. |
| US08916981B2 |
Epoxy-amine underfill materials for semiconductor packages
Epoxy-amine underfill materials for semiconductor packages and semiconductor packages having an epoxy-amine underfill material are described. In an example, a semiconductor apparatus includes a semiconductor die having a surface with an integrated circuit thereon. A semiconductor package substrate has a surface with a plurality of contact pads thereon. A plurality of conductive contacts couples the surface of the semiconductor die to the surface of the semiconductor package substrate. An epoxy-amine underfill material is disposed between the surface of the semiconductor die and the surface of the semiconductor package substrate and surrounds the plurality of conductive contacts. The epoxy-amine underfill has high adhesion and is based on a low volatility multi-functional amine species. |
| US08916977B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a plurality of active regions that are stretched in parallel to each other, a plurality of first contact plugs and the plurality of active regions, wherein each active region is coupled with a corresponding first contact plug, and a contact pad configured to couple with a given number of first contact plugs among the plurality of first contact plugs. Misalignment occurring at the ends of a series of drain contacts may be prevented, and the size of well-pickup contacts may be decreased by forming contact plugs that are coupled with drain regions with the same distance to a well-pickup contact region without additionally forming well-pickup contact plugs and using the contact plugs as well-pickup contact plugs. Therefore, loss of a substrate may be minimized, and burden of Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) is relieved, reducing Turn-Around Time (TAT). |
| US08916976B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
First semiconductor element 1 being buried in first insulating material 2; second semiconductor element 5 being covered by second insulating material 6; connection electrode 4 being buried in first insulating material 2 arranged between circuit surface of first semiconductor element 1 and circuit surface of second semiconductor element 5; external connection terminal 8 being arranged on lower surface of first insulating material 2 facing in the same direction as lower surface of first semiconductor element 1 opposite to circuit surface thereof; connection electrode 4 forming a part of path for electrically connecting circuit surface of first semiconductor element 1 and circuit surface of second semiconductor element 5 to each other; first semiconductor element 1 and external connection terminal 8 being electrically connected to each other by way of wire 3 and via 7 passing through region of insulating layer other than region thereof burying connection electrode 4. |
| US08916975B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having pads
A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor circuit substrate having a chip pad forming region. A pair of data lines are formed on the semiconductor circuit substrate at one side of the chip pad region. The pair of data lines extend along a direction that the chip pad region of the semiconductor circuit substrate extends. The pair of data lines are arranged to be adjacent to each other and receive a pair of differential data signals. A power supply line is formed on the semiconductor circuit substrate at the other side of the chip pad region. The power supply line extends along the direction that the chip pad region of the semiconductor circuit substrate extends, and the power supply line receives power. |
| US08916971B2 |
Multi-direction design for bump pad structures
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor chip having a first region and a second region; a dielectric layer formed on the first region and the second region of the semiconductor chip; a first elongated under-bump metallization (UBM) connector formed in the dielectric layer and on the first region of the semiconductor chip and having a first longer axis extending in a first direction; and a second elongated UBM connector formed in the dielectric layer on the second region of the semiconductor chip and having a second longer axis extending in a second direction. The first direction is different from the second direction. |
| US08916969B2 |
Semiconductor devices, packaging methods and structures
Semiconductor devices, packaging methods and structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an integrated circuit die with a surface having a peripheral region and a central region. A plurality of bumps is disposed on the surface of the integrated circuit die in the peripheral region. A spacer is disposed on the surface of the integrated circuit die in the central region. |
| US08916965B2 |
Semiconductor package containing silicon-on-insulator die mounted in bump-on-leadframe manner to provide low thermal resistance
Thermal transfer from a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) die is improved by mounting the die in a bump-on-leadframe manner in a semiconductor package, with solder or other metal bumps connecting the active layer of the SOI die to metal leads used to mount the package on a printed circuit board or other support structure. |
| US08916963B2 |
Power module for an automobile
The invention relates to a power module (10), preferably for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, characterized in that said module includes two vertically adjacent semiconducting chips (12, 14), each chip having a first surface (20, 22) to be connected to a heat sink substrate (24, 26), and a second surface (28, 30) separate from the first and on which at least one electronic component (38a-44b) is arranged, the module being arranged such that the second surfaces of the chips are arranged opposite one another. |
| US08916962B2 |
III-nitride transistor with source-connected heat spreading plate
Disclosed are semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing them. An example device may include a III-nitride stack having a front side surface and a back side surface. The III-nitride stack may be formed of at least a first layer and a second layer, between which a heterojunction may be formed, such that a two-dimensional electron gas layer is formed in the second layer. A source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode positioned between the source and drain electrodes may be formed on the front side surface, and an insulation layer may be formed over the electrodes on the front side surface. A carrier substrate may be attached to the insulation layer. An electrically conductive back plate may be formed on the back side surface. The back plate may directly face the source electrode and the gate electrode, but not the drain electrode. |
| US08916961B2 |
Insulation sheet made from silicon nitride, and semiconductor module structure using the same
An insulation sheet made from silicon nitride comprising: a sheet-shaped silicon-nitride substrate which contains β-silicon-nitride crystal grains as a main phase; and a surface layer which is formed on one face or both front and back faces of surfaces of the silicon-nitride substrate and is formed from a resin or a metal which includes at least one element selected from among In, Sn, Al, Ag, Au, Cu, Ni, Pb, Pd, Sr, Ce, Fe, Nb, Ta, V and Ti. A semiconductor module structure using the insulation sheet made from silicon nitride. |
| US08916960B2 |
Semiconductor unit
A semiconductor unit includes a base having a surface where a first insulation layer is disposed, a second insulation layer spaced apart from the first insulation layer to form a region therebetween and disposed parallel to the surface of the base where the first insulation layer is disposed, a single conductive layer disposed across the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer, and a semiconductor device bonded to the conductive layer. |
| US08916953B2 |
Method for manufacturing silicon single crystal wafer and annealed wafer
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal wafer, in which a heat treatment is performed with respect to a silicon single crystal wafer having oxygen concentration of less than 7 ppma and nitrogen concentration of 1×1013 to 1×1014 atoms/cm3, which is obtained from a V-region silicon single crystal ingot grown by the Czochralski method, in a non-nitriding atmosphere at 1150 to 1300° C. for 1 to 120 minutes. As a result, a method for manufacturing a low-cost silicon single crystal wafer which is applicable to an IGBT by using a V-region wafer that is manufactured by the CZ method which can cope with an increase in diameter, by making a bulk have no defects and by providing a radial resistivity distribution, which is substantially equal to that when the neutron irradiation is effected, without performing the neutron irradiation is provided. |
| US08916944B2 |
Stress-sensitive micro-electromechanical device and use thereof
The micro-electromechanical device has a substrate. Integrated into the substrate is a micromechanical component that has a bending element which can be bent reversibly and which has a first end connected to the substrate and extends from the first end over a free space. The bending element has at least one web having two side edges, the course of which is defined by depressions introduced into the bending element and adjacent to the side edges. In order to form a homogenization region located within the web, in which mechanical stresses occurring during bending of the bending element are substantially equal, the mutual spacing of the side edges of the web decreases, as viewed from the first end of the bending element. The device further comprises at least one microelectronic component that is sensitive to mechanical stresses and embedded in the web in the homogenization region of the latter. |
| US08916942B2 |
Microelectromechanical resonator and a method for producing the same
The invention relates to temperature compensated micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) resonators (300) preferably made of silicon. Prior art MEMS resonators have a significant temperature coefficient of resonance frequency, whereby it is difficult to achieve a sufficiently good frequency stability. The inventive MEMS resonator has a resonance plate (310) which resonates in Lamé mode. The resonance plate is p+ doped material, such as silicon doped with boron, and the concentration of the p+ doping is such that the plate has a temperature coefficient of resonance frequency near to zero. The tensile stress and the second order temperature coefficient can further be reduced by doping the plate with germanium. |
| US08916941B2 |
Semiconductor device having silicide on gate sidewalls in isolation regions
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. According to the semiconductor device, a silicide layer is formed on at least a part of both sidewalls of a gate pattern on a device isolation layer, thereby reducing resistance of the gate pattern. This makes an operation speed of the device rapid. According to the method of the semiconductor device, a sidewall spacer pattern is formed on at least a part of both sidewalls of the gate pattern in following salicide process by entirely or partially removing remaining portions of the sidewall spacer except for portions which are used as an ion implantation mask to form source/drain regions. This can reduce resistance of the gate pattern, thereby fabricating a semiconductor device with a rapid operation speed. |
| US08916940B2 |
Method of forming a nanocluster-comprising dielectric layer and device comprising such a layer
A method of forming a dielectric layer on a further layer of a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method comprises depositing a dielectric precursor compound and a further precursor compound over the further layer, the dielectric precursor compound comprising a metal ion from the group consisting of Yttrium and the Lanthanide series elements, and the further precursor compound comprising a metal ion from the group consisting of group IV and group V metals; and chemically converting the dielectric precursor compound and the further precursor compound into a dielectric compound and a further compound respectively, the further compound self-assembling during said conversion into a plurality of nanocluster nuclei within the dielectric layer formed from the first dielectric precursor compound. The nanoclusters may be dielectric or metallic in nature. Consequently, a dielectric layer is formed that has excellent charge trapping capabilities. |
| US08916935B2 |
ESD clamp in integrated circuits
A device includes a High-Voltage N-Well (HVNW) region have a first edge, and a High-Voltage P-Well (HVPW) region having a second edge adjoining the first edge. A first Shallow N-well (SHN) region is disposed over a lower portion of the HVNW region, wherein the first SHN region is spaced apart from the first edge by an upper part of the HVNW region. A second SHN region is disposed over a lower portion of the HVPW region, wherein the second SHN region is laterally spaced apart from the second edge. A Shallow P-well (SHP) region is disposed over the lower portion of the HVPW region, and is between the first SHN region and the second SHN region. The SHP region has a p-type impurity concentration higher than a p-type impurity concentration of the HVPW region. An isolation region is disposed over and contacting the SHP region. |
| US08916928B2 |
Threshold voltage adjustment in a fin transistor by corner implantation
When forming sophisticated multiple gate transistors and planar transistors in a common manufacturing sequence, the threshold voltage characteristics of the multiple gate transistors may be intentionally “degraded” by selectively incorporating a dopant species into corner areas of the semiconductor fins, thereby obtaining a superior adaptation of the threshold voltage characteristics of multiple gate transistors and planar transistors. In advantageous embodiments, the incorporation of the dopant species may be accomplished by using the hard mask, which is also used for patterning the self-aligned semiconductor fins. |
| US08916924B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device using thin hard mask and structure manufactured by the same
A method for manufacturing semiconductor device is disclosed. A substrate with a plurality of protruding strips formed vertically thereon is provided. A charging trapping layer is formed conformally on the protruding strips. A conductive layer is formed conformally on the charging trapping layer. A thin hard mask is conformally deposited on the conductive layer, wherein a plurality of trenches are formed between the thin hard mask on the protruding strips. A patterned photo resist is formed on the thin hard mask, wherein the patterned photo resist fills into the trenches. The thin hard mask is patterned according to the patterned photo resist to form a patterned hard mask layer and expose a portion of the conductive layer. The conductive layer is patterned for removing the exposed portion of the conductive layer to form a patterned conductive layer and expose a portion of the charging trapping layer. |
| US08916923B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory
According to one embodiment, in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory in which a charge store layer is formed on a tunnel insulating film formed on a channel region of a semiconductor substrate, a first nanoparticle layer containing first conductive nanoparticles is formed on the channel side, and a second nanoparticle layer containing a plurality of second conductive nanoparticles having an average particle size larger than the first conductive nanoparticles is formed on the charge store layer side. An average energy value ΔE1 required for charging one electron in the first conductive nanoparticle is smaller than an average energy value ΔE required for charging one electron in the second conductive nanoparticle, and a difference between ΔE1 and ΔE is larger than a heat fluctuation energy (kBT). |
| US08916922B2 |
Vertical memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of insulating layers vertically stacked on the substrate, a plurality of channels arranged in vertical openings formed through at least some of the plurality of insulating layers, and a plurality of portions alternatingly positioned with the plurality of insulating layers in the vertical direction. At least some of the portions are adjacent corresponding channels of the plurality of channels. Each of the portions includes a conductive barrier pattern formed on an inner wall of the portion, a filling layer pattern positioned in the portion on the conductive barrier pattern, and a gate electrode positioned in a remaining area of the portion not occupied by the conductive barrier or filling layer pattern. |
| US08916921B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor storage device including a dielectric with low permittivity in memory cells arranged in a three dimensional manner
A plurality of a first conductive layers are provided at a certain interval L in a vertical direction, with a dielectric sandwiched therebetween. The certain interval L is set so that the first dielectric has an equivalent oxide thickness DEOT that satisfies the following relation (1). Dsio2 |
| US08916918B2 |
Semiconductor device having fin-shaped field effect transistor and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is a semiconductor device including: an active region defined by an element isolation region; a gate trench going across the active region to define source/drain regions on both sides thereof, respectively, and to define, between the source/drain regions, the channel region having a first, second, and third protruding portions which are arranged in a gate width direction; and a gate electrode formed in the gate trench so as to cover the channel region through a gate insulating film. |
| US08916915B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate and method for manufacturing the same and organic light emitting device using the same
Disclosed is a thin film transistor substrate which facilitates to improve output and transfer characteristics of thin film transistor, wherein the thin film transistor substrate comprises a thin film transistor comprising a lower gate electrode on a substrate, an active layer on the lower gate electrode, source and drain electrodes on the active layer, and an upper gate electrode on the source electrode, drain electrode and active layer, the upper gate electrode for covering a channel region defined by the source and drain electrodes; and a contact portion for electrically connecting the lower gate electrode with the upper gate electrode. |
| US08916911B2 |
Semiconductor devices having backside illuminated image sensors
A semiconductor substrate includes a photodiode on a support substrate. An insulating layer is provided between the support substrate and the semiconductor substrate. A first conductive pattern is provided in the insulating layer. A first through electrode penetrates the support substrate to be in contact with the first conductive pattern. |
| US08916910B2 |
Reconfigurable RF/digital hybrid 3D interconnect
Reconfigurable 3D interconnect is provided that can be used for digital and RF signals. The reconfigurable 3D interconnect can include an array of vertical interconnect vias (or TSVs) providing a signal path between a first core element of a 3D IC and a second core element of the 3D IC stacked above the first core element. A routing circuit can be used to route a signal from the first core element to the second core element through selected TSVs of the array of TSVs providing the signal path between the first core element and the second core element. The routing circuit allows re-routing of the signal through different selected TSVs during operation, which can provide real time adjustments and capacity optimization of the TSVs passing the particular signal between the elements. |
| US08916906B2 |
Boron-containing buffer layer for growing gallium nitride on silicon
A silicon wafer used in manufacturing GaN for LEDs includes a silicon substrate, a buffer layer of boron aluminum nitride (BxAl1-xN) and an upper layer of GaN, for which 0.35≦x≦0.45. The BAlN forms a wurtzite-type crystal with a cell unit length about two-thirds of a silicon cell unit length on a Si(111) surface. The C-plane of the BAlN crystal has approximately one atom of boron for each two atoms of aluminum. Across the entire wafer substantially only nitrogen atoms of BAlN form bonds to the Si(111) surface, and substantially no aluminum or boron atoms of the BAlN are present in a bottom-most plane of atoms of the BAlN. A method of making the BAlN buffer layer includes preflowing a first amount of ammonia equaling less than 0.01% by volume of hydrogen flowing through a chamber before flowing trimethylaluminum and triethylboron and then a subsequent amount of ammonia through the chamber. |
| US08916899B2 |
Light emitting apparatus and lighting system
Disclosed are a light emitting apparatus and a lighting system. The light emitting apparatus includes a body, a first electrode having a protrusion pattern on the body, a second electrode electrically separated from the first electrode on the body, an adhesive layer on the first electrode including the protrusion pattern, and a light emitting device on the adhesive layer. |
| US08916897B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, display device, electronic device, and lighting device
An object is to provide a light-emitting element which uses a plurality of kinds of light-emitting dopants and has high emission efficiency. In one embodiment of the present invention, a light-emitting device, a light-emitting module, a light-emitting display device, an electronic device, and a lighting device each having reduced power consumption are provided by using the above light-emitting element. Focus is placed on Förster mechanism, which is one of mechanisms of intermolecular energy transfer. Efficient energy transfer by Förster mechanism is achieved by employing a combination of molecules which makes it possible to obtain an overlap between an emission spectrum band of the molecule which donates energy and the longest-wavelength-side peak of a characteristic curve obtained by multiplying an absorption spectrum of the molecule which receives energy by a wavelength raised to the fourth power. |
| US08916893B2 |
Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device includes a circuit board to which external electric power is supplied, a light emitting diode that is electrically connected onto the circuit board and emits light based on electric power from the circuit board, a housing provided on the circuit board so as to surround the light emitting diode and so that the upper end portion of the housing is positioned above the upper end portion of the light emitting diode, and a fluorescent laminate provided on the housing. The fluorescent laminate includes a first fluorescent layer that emits fluorescent light and a second fluorescent layer that emits fluorescent light having a wavelength that is longer than that of the first fluorescent layer. The second fluorescent layer is disposed on the housing and the first fluorescent layer is laminated on the second fluorescent layer. |
| US08916891B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting device package, method of manufacturing light emitting device, and lighting system
A light emitting device includes a first light extraction structure including a reflective layer and a pattern; an ohmic layer on the first light extraction structure; a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the ohmic layer; an active layer on the second conductive type semiconductor layer; and a first conductive type semiconductor layer on the active layer, wherein the pattern has a refractive index that is higher than that of air and lower than that of the second conductive type semiconductor layer. |
| US08916889B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a substrate, light emitting units, an insulation layer, a current distribution layer and a reflective layer. The substrate has an upper surface. The light emitting units are disposed on the upper surface and include at least one first light emitting diode (LED) and at least one second LED. A first side wall of the first LED is adjacent to a second side wall of the second LED so as to define a concave portion exposing a portion of the upper surface. The insulation layer at least covers the first side wall and the second side wall. The current distribution layer covers the concave portion and at least covers a portion of the second LED. The reflective layer covers the current distribution layer and is electrically connected to the first LED and the second LED. |
| US08916882B2 |
Switching circuit and semiconductor module
A switching circuit includes: a first switching element (Q1); a resistor (11) inserted between a control electrode (G) of the first switching element (Q1) and a control circuit (13) switching the first switching element (Q1); and a first capacitor (15) and a second switching element (14) connected in series between the control electrode (G) of the first switching element (Q1) and a low potential-side electrode (S) of the first switching element (Q1). A high potential-side electrode of the second switching element (14) is connected to the control electrode (G) of the first switching element (Q1). An electrode of the first capacitor (15) is connected to the low potential-side electrode (S) of the first switching element (Q1). A control electrode of the second switching element (14) is connected to an electrode of the resistor (11) connected to the control circuit (13). |
| US08916879B2 |
Pixel unit and pixel array
A pixel array and a pixel unit thereof adapted in a display panel are provided. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixel units, and each pixel unit includes a first gate line, a second gate line, a data line, a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel and a third sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel is electrically connected to the second gate line and electrically connected to the data line through the third sub-pixel. The second sub-pixel is electrically connected to the second gate line and the data line. The third sub-pixel is electrically connected to the first gate line and the data line. |
| US08916878B2 |
Thin film transistor and organic light-emitting display apparatus
A thin film transistor includes a substrate, a gate electrode on the substrate, an active layer spaced from the gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced from the gate electrode and coupled to the active layer, a gate wiring at a same layer as the gate electrode and coupled to the gate electrode, and first conductive members electrically coupled to, and overlapping, the gate wiring. |
| US08916877B2 |
Thin film transistor, fabrication method thereof, and organic light emitting diode display having the same
A thin film transistor (TFT) comprises: an active layer formed on a substrate; a gate insulating layer formed on the active layer; a gate electrode including a first gate region and a second gate region formed on portions of the gate insulating layer and spaced apart with a separation region interposed therebetween; an interlayer insulating layer formed on the gate insulating layer and the gate electrode, and having an opening formed to expose portions of the gate insulating layer and the gate electrode around the separation region; a gate connection electrode formed on the interlayer insulating layer and connected to the first gate region and the second gate region through the opening; and source and drain electrodes formed on the interlayer insulating layer. The TFT and the OLED display device have excellent driving margin without a spatial loss. |
| US08916876B2 |
White organic light emitting diode display device and method of fabricating the same
According to the present invention, there is provided a white organic light emitting diode (W-OLED) display device for effectively blocking outgas generated from a color filter using silicon nitride having a low water vapor transmission rate as a passivation layer instead of a planarization layer which is an organic insulating layer, and a method of fabricating the same. |
| US08916872B1 |
Method of forming a stacked low temperature diode and related devices
A method of forming a stacked low temperature diode and related devices. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising forming a metal interconnect disposed within an inter-layer dielectric. The metal interconnect is electrically coupled to at least one underlying integrated circuit device. A barrier layer is deposited on the metal interconnect and the inter-layer dielectric. A semiconductor layer is deposited on the barrier layer. A metal layer is deposited on the semiconductor layer. The barrier layer, the semiconductor layer, and the metal layer are patterned. A low-temperature anneal is performed to induce a reaction between the patterned metal layer and the patterned semiconductor layer. The reaction forms a silicided layer within the patterned semiconductor layer. Moreover, the reaction forms a P-N junction diode. |
| US08916871B2 |
Bondable top metal contacts for gallium nitride power devices
An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a gallium nitride (GaN) substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is substantially opposite the first surface, at least one device layer is coupled to the first surface, and a backside metal is coupled to the second surface. A top metal stack is coupled to the at least one device layer. The top metal stack includes a contact metal coupled to a surface of the at least one device layer, a protection layer coupled to the contact metal, a diffusion barrier coupled to the protection layer, and a pad metal coupled to the diffusion barrier. The semiconductor device is configured to conduct electricity between the top metal stack and the backside metal. |
| US08916869B2 |
Semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor layer
A solid-state image sensor which holds a potential for a long time and includes a thin film transistor with stable electrical characteristics is provided. When the off-state current of a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer is set to 1×10−13 A or less and the thin film transistor is used as a reset transistor and a transfer transistor of the solid-state image sensor, the potential of the signal charge storage portion is kept constant, so that a dynamic range can be improved. When a silicon semiconductor which can be used for a complementary metal oxide semiconductor is used for a peripheral circuit, a high-speed semiconductor device with low power consumption can be manufactured. |
| US08916868B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film is disclosed. In the semiconductor device, the oxide semiconductor film is provided along a trench formed in an insulating layer. The trench includes a lower end corner portion and an upper end corner portion having a curved shape with a curvature radius of longer than or equal to 20 nm and shorter than or equal to 60 nm, and the oxide semiconductor film is provided in contact with a bottom surface, the lower end corner portion, the upper end corner portion, and an inner wall surface of the trench. The oxide semiconductor film includes a crystal having a c-axis substantially perpendicular to a surface at least over the upper end corner portion. |
| US08916858B2 |
Display device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a substrate, a thin film transistor, a pixel electrode, an organic light emitting layer, a common electrode, and a sealing unit. The thin film transistor is provided on the substrate. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, a semiconductor film, a first conducting portion, and a second conducting portion. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to one of the first conducting portion and the second conducting portion. The organic light emitting layer is provided on the pixel electrode. The common electrode is provided on the organic light emitting layer. The sealing unit is provided on the common electrode. The sealing unit includes a first sealing film and a second sealing film. A refractive index of the second sealing film is different from a refractive index of the first sealing film. |
| US08916855B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a thin film transistor having an active layer, a gate electrode, and source and drain electrodes, an organic light-emitting device having a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, an intermediate layer including an emissive layer, and an opposite electrode, and an opposite electrode contact portion having a joining region and an insulating region. The opposite electrode and a power interconnection line contact each other in the joining region. An insulating layer is interposed between the opposite electrode and the power interconnection line in the insulating region, and a portion of the insulating layer penetrates into the power interconnection line in the insulating region. |
| US08916853B2 |
Transition metal complexes comprising carbene ligands serving as emitters for organic light-emitting diodes (OLED's)
Use of transition metal complexes of the formula (I) in organic light-emitting diodes where: M1 is a metal atom; carbene is a carbene ligand; L is a monoanionic or dianionic ligand; K is an uncharged monodentate or bidentate ligand selected from the group consisting of phosphines; CO; pyridines; nitriles and conjugated dienes which form a π complex with M1; n is the number of carbene ligands and is at least 1; m is the number of ligands L, where m can be 0 or ≧1; o is the number of ligands K, where o can be 0 or ≧1; where the sum n+m+o is dependent on the oxidation state and coordination number of the metal atom and on the denticity of the ligands carbene, L and K and also on the charge on the ligands carbene and L, with the proviso that n is at least 1, and also an OLED comprising these transition metal complexes, a light-emitting layer comprising these transition metal complexes, OLEDs comprising this light-emitting layer, devices comprising an OLED according to the present invention, and specific transition metal complexes comprising at least two carbene ligands. |
| US08916849B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor chip
An optoelectronic semiconductor chip, the latter includes a carrier and a semiconductor layer sequence grown on the carrier. The semiconductor layer sequence is based on a nitride-compound semiconductor material and contains at least one active zone for generating electromagnetic radiation and at least one waveguide layer, which indirectly or directly adjoins the active zone. A waveguide being formed. In addition, the semiconductor layer sequence includes a p-cladding layer adjoining the waveguide layer on a p-doped side and/or an n-cladding layer on an n-doped side of the active zone. The waveguide layer indirectly or directly adjoins the cladding layer. An effective refractive index of a mode guided in the waveguide is in this case greater than a refractive index of the carrier. |
| US08916844B2 |
Container apparatus
A container apparatus that is able to contain a radiographic imaging apparatus having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The container apparatus includes a container portion into which the radiographic imaging apparatus is insertable in a direction perpendicular to a radiation detecting surface of the radiographic imaging apparatus and a protecting member that covers side surfaces of the radiographic imaging apparatus contained in the container portion, the side surfaces of the radiographic imaging apparatus being adjacent to the radiation detecting surface. The container apparatus also includes a holding portion that engages with the radiographic imaging apparatus contained in the container portion in order to hold the radiographic imaging apparatus in the container portion. |
| US08916843B2 |
Inner gantry
A system includes a patient support and an outer gantry on which an accelerator is mounted to enable the accelerator to move through a range of positions around a patient on the patient support. The accelerator is configured to produce a proton or ion beam having an energy level sufficient to reach a target in the patient. An inner gantry includes an aperture for directing the proton or ion beam towards the target. |
| US08916842B2 |
Hadron treatment planning with adequate biological weighting
Treatment planning methods are provided that determine the variability of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) along a beam line and calculate, among other things, what intensity of hadron beam such as a proton or a carbon ion beam should be applied to achieve a desired biological dose at treatment site of a patient afflicted with a medical condition. Typically, three or four RBE values at three or four corresponding spacially-dispersed intervals along the beam line are calculated. In one embodiment, two RBE values for the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) region of the treatment site; one for the proximal section and one for the declining distal section is calculated. A third and different RBE value may be determined for the distal edge region of the SOBP. A fourth value may also be calculated for a pre-SOBP region. |
| US08916838B2 |
Device and method for particle beam delivery
The present invention relates to a particle therapy system that comprises a spot scanning system to irradiate with a particle beam a plurality of spots in a layer of a target with prescribed spot doses for each spot of the layer. The therapy system is further adapted to perform multiple paintings of the layer and to deliver partial spot doses to selected spots of the layer during each painting time so that each spot of the layer will have received its prescribed dose after completion of the multiple paintings. The therapy system further comprises means for setting the partial spot doses and the number of times that a spot will be selected for irradiation in the course of the multiple paintings to such values that any spot of the layer will never have to be irradiated with a partial dose which would fall below a minimum dose deliverable by the system, and this whatever the number chosen for the number of layer paintings.The invention also relates to a corresponding irradiation method. |
| US08916832B1 |
Method and device for detecting moving radiation sources
The invention provides a method for detecting a moving radiation source, the method comprising placing a plurality of radiation detectors at one or more locations; collecting information of counting rate as a function of time for each detector, computing the Fourier transform of the counting rate function for each detector and extracting from the computed Fourier transform the dynamic component of the detector response for each detector, and computing the convolution of the counting rate functions for combinations of detectors at different locations, then extracting therefrom information concerning the presence of radiation sources moving with respect to the radiation detectors. |