| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08923924B2 |
Embedded element electronically steerable antenna for improved operating bandwidth
A system and method for processing antenna signals are provided. For example, the method includes, in a receive mode, weighting and combining signals from at least one low-band antenna radiator element operable over a first bandwidth, at least one high-band antenna radiator element operable over a second bandwidth at least partially overlapping the first bandwidth, and, in some examples, at least one antenna radiator element operable over one or more intermediate bandwidths. The method also includes, in a transmit mode, separating and weighting a full-band input port signal into at least one low-band sub-system output port signal, at least one high-band sub-system port output signal, and, in some examples, at least one intermediate sub-system output port signal operable over one or more overlapping intermediate bandwidths. The weighted combination and weighted separation cover an uninterrupted continuous full-band frequency whose extent covers the full frequency range of all subbands. |
| US08923919B2 |
Method and system for interactive home monitoring
A method and system for interactive home monitoring includes detecting a visitor arriving at a premises of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) client by an intercom unit installed at the premises. The intercom unit may be coupled to the MCDN client, which may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a user of the MCDN client. A captured image of the visitor may be used to determine if an identity of the visitor is known or unknown. Based on the identity, a communication channel between the visitor and the user may be established at the intercom unit. The intercom unit may further be configured to provide further information to the visitor based on the visitor identity. |
| US08923917B2 |
Anti-crack method and device for network-locked mobile terminal, and network-locked mobile terminal
An anti-crack method for a network-locked mobile terminal is provided. The method includes the following steps: when a mobile terminal starts up, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card reports first network lock information to the mobile terminal; when the mobile terminal is in an activated network-locked state, it judges whether the first network lock information is legal; if the first network lock information is illegal, the mobile terminal locks the SIM card; and if the first network lock information is legal, the mobile terminal initiatively read the second network lock information and judge whether the second network lock information is legal; if the second network lock information is legal, the mobile terminal begins to search the network; and if the second network lock information is illegal, the mobile terminal locks the SIM card. Accordingly, a network-locked mobile terminal is provided, which includes: a SIM card, an activation judging module, a network locking module, a network searching module, a card locking module, and an anti-crack device. An anti-crack device for the network-locked mobile terminal is also provided, which includes: an initialization judging unit, a reading unit, and a judgment unit. Thus, the present method is able to prevent the network-locked mobile terminal from being cracked. |
| US08923915B2 |
Radio subsystem for emitting/receiving software defined radio with opportunistic secondary use
Software defined radio equipment is provided. The equipment includes a software defined radio emission/reception radio sub-system, a primary software defined radio application and a secondary software defined radio application capable of interfacing with the radio emission/reception sub-system. The primary software defined radio application is a telecommunications application and the secondary software defined radio application is a cognitive radio application. A software defined radio emission/reception radio sub-system is also provided. |
| US08923912B2 |
Base station apparatus, method, and radio communication system
A mobile communications terminal divides a plurality of multipath signals associated with radio signals transmitted from a plurality of base stations using an S-CCPCH into groups by base station, i.e., by transmit source, maximum-ratio-combines a plurality of multipath signals associated with each same base station which is a transmit source into a composite signal, decodes the composite signal, and selects a composite signal having a good decoded result from among decoded composite signals. |
| US08923910B2 |
Methods and apparatus for communicating information using various transmission power levels
A wireless communications device supports a constant transmission power mode of operation and a time varying transmission power mode of operation for transmitting data, e.g., peer discovery data. The device determines an amount of network congestion and switches between the two modes of operation as a function of the determined amount of network congestion. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited for use in a peer to peer ad hoc wireless communications system in which a limited amount of air link resources are available for peer discovery signaling and the same peer discovery resources are, at times, used concurrently by multiple devices. When network congestion is low, the device operates in the constant transmission power mode. When network congestion is high, the device operates in the time varying power mode. Devices sharing a common peer discovery resource in a local area intentionally select different time varying transmission patterns. |
| US08923908B2 |
Distributed antenna system
A distributed antenna system includes a first antenna disposed covering a predetermined communication range, the first antenna carrying out a communication at least at a low-frequency band, and a plurality of second antennas disposed covering the predetermined communication range, the plurality of second antennas carrying out a communication at a high-frequency band. The distributed antenna system is operable to carry out a communication between the first antenna and the second antennas, and a mobile terminal located within the predetermined communication range by means of carrier aggregation using the low-frequency band and the high-frequency band. The distributed antenna system further includes a BB module equipped in a base station for carrying out a communication within the predetermined communication range, the first antenna and the second antennas being each connected to the one BB module via an RF module. |
| US08923907B2 |
Scalable network MIMO for wireless networks
Systems and methods for system for channel access adaptation are disclosed. One system includes a plurality of remote antennas and a plurality of access points. The remote antennas transmit data to receivers and obtain channel state information. Additionally, each access point controls a different cluster of the remote antennas and receives the respective channel state information from the remote antennas of the cluster. Further, each access point is configured to, independently from other access points, adapt channel allocations to the remote antennas of the respective cluster based on a tracking of sums of collision loss probabilities. Each given sum is determined by the access point for a different given set of a plurality of sets of cooperating remote antennas in the respective cluster, where each constituent collision loss probability in the given sum is determined by the access point from a different interference clique to which the given set belongs. |
| US08923906B2 |
Method, user terminal and network side equipment for improving network resource occupancy
A method, a user terminal and a network side equipment for improving network resource occupation are disclosed. A dormancy timer is set for the user terminal and a time threshold of the dormancy timer is adjusted dynamically by monitoring a resource occupation rate of the communication system, where time threshold of the dormancy timer is inversely proportional to the resource occupation rate. In this way, relatively longer time threshold of the dormancy timer may be set when a system occupation rate is low, so as to improve user experience; and relatively shorter time threshold of the dormancy timer may be set when the system occupation rate is high, so as to provide a higher capacity and provide services for more user terminals. |
| US08923905B2 |
Scrambling sequence initialization for coordinated multi-point transmissions
Methods, systems, apparatus and computer program products are provided for generating a shared initialization code for physical channel data scrambling in an LTE Advanced coordinated multipoint transmission network. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the disclosed subject matter. Therefore, it is to be understood that it should not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. |
| US08923903B2 |
Syncing history information
To enable syncing communication-specific history information on apparatuses of a user, one of which may be a legacy apparatus, in a multi-apparatus environment, to correspond to each other, communication-specific history information is also maintained in a network, and in response to an event changing the communication-specific history information, it is also updated in the network, and by means of the information in the network, corresponding communication-specific history information in the user's other apparatuses can be updated. |
| US08923902B2 |
Mobile messaging short code translation and routing system and method
Provided herein is a system, method and product for performing address translation and routing of short codes. The embodiment described herein primarily supports the wireless and standardized SMS; however, one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the present invention can also be applied to any mobile messaging technology, e.g., Multimedia Messaging Service (“MMS”), etc. |
| US08923900B2 |
Short message service protocol gateway
A system for communicating short message service messages from a SMS application to a wireless communication device. The system includes a protocol gateway for converting messages from a simple object access protocol (SOAP) to a short message peer-to-peer (SMPP) protocol. By using a SOAP protocol for a portion of communications between the SMS application and the wireless communication device, the system provides communications path in which SMS application is not required to maintain knowledge of the complex SMPP protocol. The system may also include a billing mechanism for charging subscribers for content received by the wireless communication device. |
| US08923889B2 |
Customized content delivery based on geographic area
Methods and systems are disclosed for obtaining information defining a plurality of geographic shapes, each geographic shape corresponding to an approximate geographic outline of a respective geographic area and being assigned an importance level. A request is received from a requestor. One or more of geographic shapes in which the requestor is located is determined. One or more content items are selected based on the importance level assigned to the one or more geographic shapes in which the requestor is located. When a requestor is located in two or more geographic shapes, the one or more content items are selected based on a comparison of importance levels for the geographic shapes. Delivery of the one or more content items to the requestor is effected. |
| US08923884B2 |
Method for measuring home cell in mobile communication system
Disclosed is method for measuring a home cell in a mobile telecommunications system, comprising acquiring, at a network, position data indicative of the position of a first user equipment, determining whether the first user equipment is close to the home cell by using the acquired position data, sending a cell measurement control message from the network to the first user equipment via a base station specifying measurements of said home cell, performing a fine position measurement at the first user equipment, determining at the first user equipment whether the first user equipment is close to the home cell, based on said fine position measurement; and taking measurements of said home cell at the first user equipment when the first user equipment is close to the home cell. |
| US08923882B2 |
Determining a deployment of a wireless network
Methods, systems, and devices for determining a deployment of a wireless network are described herein. One method includes receiving, via a computing device, radio frequency data associated with a structure, wherein the structure includes a number of sensor nodes, receiving physical parameters associated with the structure, determining a number of relay nodes to deploy in the structure based, at least in part, on the radio frequency data and the physical parameters, and determining a location to deploy each of the number of relay nodes in the structure based, at least in part, on the radio frequency data and the physical parameters. |
| US08923877B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing carrier adjustment to mitigate interference
An approach is provided for mitigating interference from Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE) terminals to adjacent frequency bands. A platform determines whether a region associated with transmission of one or more resource blocks are an interfering region according to predetermined criteria, where one or more resource blocks are assigned a primary carrier as a default carrier for the transmission. The platform selects a secondary carrier for the one or more resource blocks instead of the primary carrier if the region is determined to be interfering. |
| US08923875B2 |
Cell configuration for self-organized networks with flexible spectrum usage
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for controlling cell configuration in a cellular network, wherein a cell identity and a local cell spectrum resource entity or profile are assigned to an access device in response to a result of sensing a local radio environment at said access device to detect possible neighbor cells. The assigned local cell spectrum resource entity or profile is used to allocate cell spectrum resource from a shared multi-operator spectrum to said access device. |
| US08923874B2 |
Method for operating a WiMAX femtocell base station and femtocell base station
A method for operating a WiMAX femtocell base station, wherein the femtocell base station has an active operational mode, in which the radio interface subsystem of the femtocell base station is fully power supplied, is characterized in that a power saving mode with reduced radio interface activity is provided, wherein the femtocell base station is enabled to transit between the active operation mode and the power saving mode. Furthermore, a corresponding femtocell base station for deployment in a WiMAX network is disclosed. |
| US08923870B2 |
Apparatus, computer programs and methods for enabling filtering of neighbor cells or frequencies
A serving cell sends to user equipments (UEs) indications of frequency bands supported by neighbor cells/frequencies, at least one individual neighbor cell/frequency supporting a plurality of frequency bands. The neighbor cells/frequencies are filtered by the UE to retain only those that are indicated to support a frequency band or frequency bands which are also supported by the UE. The sent indications comprise, for each respective neighbor cell/frequency, one absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN) associated with the respective neighbor cell/frequency and the frequency band or bands associated with the respective neighbor cell/frequency. Examples are given of various system information blocks for sending the frequency band indications to the UE. In one embodiment they are arranged in an information element IE having an entry for each of the neighbor cells/frequencies and a list of frequency bands for each entry. |
| US08923868B2 |
Hybrid access mode dynamic traffic offloading in an H(e)NB cell associated with a closed subscriber group
A method of hybrid access mode dynamic traffic offloading in a H(e)NB cell associated with a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) includes determining that traffic load in the H(e)NB cell operating in hybrid access mode exceeds a threshold, and, based on this determination, transmitting a signal indicating to at least one non-CSG terminal that a second cell associated with the H(e)NB cell, other than a (e)NB cell, is available for connection to the at least one non-CSG terminal. |
| US08923867B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station apparatus and mobile station apparatus
The time spent in handover is shortened when a mobile station apparatus performs random access for handover. In a mobile communication system where a mobile station apparatus 200 uses any signature of a beforehand determined signature group between the mobile station apparatus 200 and a base station apparatus 100 in random access, the base station apparatus 100 selects a signature used by the mobile station apparatus 200 in random access performed at the time of handover, and the mobile station apparatus 200 performs handover using the signature selected in the base station apparatus 100 and judges the presence or absence of transmission and reception of a handover complete message and contention resolution corresponding to the type of signature selected in the base station apparatus 100. |
| US08923865B2 |
Apparatus and method of inter-radio access technology measurement scheduling
Apparatus and method for wireless communication in a wireless communication network includes operating a wireless device on a first wireless communication technology. Aspects also include detecting a cell of a second wireless communication technology and determining the detected cell of the second wireless communication technology satisfies a first reselection criterion based on a first measurement. Still further the aspects includes expediting a determination of whether to perform cell reselection to the second wireless communication technology based on the detected cell of the second wireless communication technology satisfying the first reselection criterion. Additionally, aspects include determining to reselect to the detected cell of the second wireless communication technology when the at least one new measurement satisfies a second reselection criterion for the reselection time period. |
| US08923863B2 |
Maintaining signaling reduction mode in communication networks
In one embodiment, a method comprises activating a signaling reduction mode on a wireless access node for a mobile device in an idle state where the signaling reduction mode permits the mobile device to switch radio access technologies while maintaining registration with both the wireless access node and a peer wireless access node, exchanging with the peer wireless access node a first control tunnel identifier of the wireless access node and a second control tunnel identifier of the peer wireless access node, selecting at the wireless access node a second gateway to replace a first gateway, establishing a control connection with the second gateway, transmitting to the second gateway the second control tunnel identifier of the peer wireless access node so that the second gateway may establish a control connection with the peer wireless access node, and continuing the signaling reduction mode. |
| US08923862B2 |
Method and appratus for avoiding inteference in terminal with plural heterogeneous communication modules in wireless communication system
A method for avoiding mutual interference when heterogeneous communication modules such as LTE, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, and GPS coexist in a terminal in a wireless communication system is provided. The terminal may reduce mutual interference when a plurality of communication modules simultaneously operate to efficiently communicate therewith. |
| US08923860B2 |
Method of configuring modules for identifying users of a telecommunication network
A method of configuring modules for identifying users of a telecommunication network able to cover a service area cut into a plurality of geographical sub areas, each identification module including an identification code stored in the module, the identification code including:—an operator identifier;—a user identification number; the method including assigning a part of the user identification number to the operator, the part being used for purposes other than identification of the user. |
| US08923856B2 |
Radio communication device, radio communication method, and storage medium
A radio communication device includes a profile management unit configured to manage radio station profiles including identification information of radio stations and type information indicating whether the respective radio stations support voice communications; a receiving unit configured to receive a signal including the identification information from one of the radio stations; a first scanning unit configured to perform a scanning process on the radio stations supporting the voice communications to find a radio station to be connected; a second scanning unit configured to perform a scanning process on the radio stations not supporting the voice communications to find a radio station to be connected; and a scanning management unit configured to cause one or both of the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit to perform the scanning process according to the type information of the one of the radio stations that corresponds to the identification information in the received signal. |
| US08923851B2 |
System and method for roaming band preference
A system and method determines a roaming access point (AP) using a band preference. The method includes generating a list including APs communicating in a communication network. A mobile unit is configured to connect to the communication network. The method includes determining an initial AP rating value for each of the APs as a function of a predetermined network parameter. The method includes generating a further AP rating value as a function of the initial AP rating value and a predetermined preference list of operating bands. The predetermined preference list is indicative of at least one operating bandwidth in which the MU prefers to connect. The method includes selecting one of the APs as a function of the further AP rating values. The method includes connecting the MU to the selected AP. |
| US08923850B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling base station sectors to reduce potential interference with low elevation satellites
Interference between satellite radioterminal communications systems may be reduced by transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode by a wireless base station in a first sector thereof, while simultaneously refraining from transmitting and receiving satellite uplink frequencies in the TDD mode by the wireless base station in a second sector thereof that points to a low elevation angle satellite. Satellite uplink frequencies may be transmitted and received in the TDD mode by a satellite that communicates with radioterminals in the second sector. |
| US08923848B2 |
Telephone switch, call pick-up method therefor, call pick-up program therefor, and telephone system
Provided is a telephone switch such that an incoming call to an extension within the telephone switch can be picked up from a mobile terminal. The telephone switch includes: a receiving dial table which registers dial data that a mobile terminal uses to pick up an incoming call to a fixed-line telephone connected to the telephone switch; a conversion dial table which registers a call pick-up number used within the telephone switch for carrying out call pick-up of an incoming call to the fixed-line telephone; and a dial conversion unit configured such that when dial data sent by the mobile terminal is received when there is an incoming call to a fixed-line telephone, the dial conversion unit determines whether or not the received dial data sent from the mobile terminal matches the dial data in the receiving dial table, and if the dial data match, converts the received dial data to a call pick-up number in the conversion dial table such that the incoming call to the fixed-line telephone is picked up from the mobile terminal. |
| US08923846B2 |
Recovery techniques in mobile networks
A technique for protecting location information of a subscriber in a mobile network is disclosed. A User Mobility Server (UMS) receives a first query from a first call state control function (CSCF). The UMS transmits a call setup and a subscriber identity to a servicing-call state control function (S-CSCF). The S-CSCF may have no record of the subscriber identity due to a restart are some other event. The UMS receives a second query from the S-CSCF based in part of the subscriber identity. The UMS transmits a home address of a mobile station to the S-CSCF. The UMS may also transmit a profile download to the S-CSCF. |
| US08923845B2 |
Mobile station
In a mobile station (UE) according to the present invention, an AS function is configured to notify, when detecting a failure in a radio link established with the radio base station is detected or when discovering a cell subject to a location registration by a cell selection process, a NAS function of the detection or the discovery; and the NAS function is configured to transmit, in response to the notification, a location registration request signal to a mobile switching center (MME). |
| US08923842B2 |
Femtocell arrangements
A femtocell arrangement comprises a plurality of femtocells Femto 1 to Femto 13 having coverage distributed over a region, such as, for example, an office. A border femtocell, Femto 3 or Femto 10, of said plurality has coverage at an entrance to the region and is arranged to operate at a higher transmit power level to provide a larger coverage area than that provided by neighboring femtocells. In addition, the border femtocell may be allocated a specific Primary Scrambling Code (PSC) to show its designation as a border femtocell. An approaching user equipment UE 1 or UE 2 tends to attach to the higher transmit power border femtocells. The Femto Gateway managing the connection is aware of the likelihood that an approaching UE will tend to attach to a border femtocell, and this is further confirmed by the use of a specific PSC. Hence, handover is expedited as the most suitable femtocells may be chosen as targets for handover. |
| US08923832B2 |
Multiplexing VoIP streams for conferencing and selective playback of audio streams
The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems that provide the ability to playback multiple VoIP audio streams simultaneously with a single RTP session and further provides the ability to conference all streams together prior to transmission. More specifically, the present invention focuses on the transport layer and sample-based multiplexing employed to provide this capability. |
| US08923826B2 |
Mobility call management
A mobility call management service is disclosed that provides enhanced call management functionality for a wireless mobile terminal (MT). Incoming and/or outgoing calls are managed based on an assessment of the degree of motion of the MT, or other available data pertinent to the MT's physical situation, such as but not limited to its location, movement, or rate of movement. The degree of motion or other assessment may be used to determine whether a communication can safely terminate on, originate from, or continue safely on the MT, so as to reduce or remove driver distraction. |
| US08923824B1 |
Mobile notifications based upon location
Disclosed are various embodiments employed to generate device notifications based upon location data associated with a mobile device. To this end, a request to generate a device notification is obtained from a user application. Notification content is extracted from the request and an escalated or de-escalated notification level is applied that is based at least in part upon the location of the mobile device and properties about the location that can be identified. |
| US08923823B1 |
System for delivering and confirming receipt of notification messages across different notification media
The system for delivering and confirming receipt of notification messages across different notification media comprises a processor. The processor is configured to: receive an indication of a new notification handle on a new notification channel from a content provider; use a mapping and the universal notification channel to provide the new notification handle to one or more platform notification services, wherein the new notification handle is sent to each of the one or more platform notification services through a communication module specific to that notification service; and for each user registered to the notification channel: in the event that a notification handle acknowledgement is received: add an indication that the user acknowledged the message to an acknowledgement database; and in the event that a notification handle acknowledgement is not received: provide the notification handle to the user again. A memory is coupled to the processor and configured to store instructions. |
| US08923822B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing interruptions from different modes of communication
Methods and apparatus for managing interruptions in a multiple communication mode environment are provided herein. For example, a method may include receiving at least first and second instances of communication data associated with first and second communication modes; obtaining first and attribute data related to the first and second instances of communication data; classifying the first and second instances of communication data into first and second categories based on the first and second attribute data using the interruption management device; and determining whether to interrupt a user by delivering the first instance of communication data or the second instance of communication data based on the first and second categories, respectively. The first category and the second category may be selected from a plurality of predetermined categories using a classification algorithm. The first communication mode may be different than the second communication mode. |
| US08923819B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating routing of data in a radio communication system having a mobile node capable of roaming movement
Apparatus, and an associated method, for providing routing information to a mobile node operable in a radio communication system. The routing information is used by the mobile node to address data messages that are to be communicated to a relay host, or other, device. The routing information that is provided to the mobile node includes a plurality of separate routing sequences. Different ones of the routing sequences are used by the mobile node, depending upon at what location that the mobile node is positioned when the data message is sent. A registration server is used by which to create the routing information, responsive to indications of a home network associated with the mobile node and a current location of the mobile node. |
| US08923818B2 |
Customer LTE router hub
The instant application describes a method for enabling a mobile station to receive high quality mobile voice and multimedia services over the LTE network across the world, regardless of the operating frequency band of the LTE network. The method includes steps of receiving, over the WiFi network, a connection request at a router from the mobile station; upon determining the mobile station is authorized to use the router for connecting to the LTE network, establishing a WiFi connection with the mobile station; receiving, at the router and from the mobile station, registration information for receiving an IMS voice service on the LTE network; and upon successful authentication of the registration information, providing the mobile station with the voice grade quality of service using the router regardless of a difference in operating frequency between the LTE network and the mobile station. |
| US08923812B1 |
Phone number verification method and system
A method, apparatus and computer program product is provided for verifying an association between a phone number provisioned by a voice network and a phone device. The verification is useful on a synthetic communication network that reuses the phone number to transmit text and other media types over a data network such as the Internet between phone devices registered on the synthesized network. One implementation receives a request to add a phone device previously registered with a voice network to the synthesized communication network. With respect to the synthesized network, the phone number is presumed to be unconfirmed even though it may have been previously provisioned from the voice network. Implementations of the invention attempt to transmit a verification message addressed to the phone device through a data channel within the voice network. If the phone number is in fact associated with the phone device then the verification message returns back to the phone device over the data channel on the voice network. If the verification message is received by the phone device, the phone number is confirmed as associated with the phone device. Once the phone number is confirmed, the synthetic network authorizes communication between the phone device and other phone devices registered on the synthetic communication network. |
| US08923809B2 |
Data rate throttling
The throttling of mobile device data rates is provided at events, e.g., sporting events, and other venues with large, dense crowds. The system can monitor the loading of the mobile radio antennas at the venue, and when the loading reaches a threshold loading point, the system can selectively throttle the data rates of mobile devices at the venue. In some embodiments, the system can throttle the data rates of certain applications on the mobile devices, or can select mobile devices that are placing a large strain on the network infrastructure to throttle. In other embodiments, the system can set maximum upload and download speeds for all the mobile devices at the venue. |
| US08923806B2 |
System and method for presenting application data by data processing system(s) in a vicinity
Provided is a distributed system and method for enabling new and useful location dependent features and functionality to mobile data processing systems. Mobile data processing Systems (MSs) interact with each other as peers in communications and interoperability. Data is shared between mobile data processing systems to carry out novel Location Based eXchanges (LBX) of data for new mobile applications. Information transmitted inbound to, transmitted outbound from, is in process at, or is application modified at a mobile data processing system triggers processing of actions in accordance with user configured permissions, charters, and other configurations. In a preferred embodiment, a user configurable platform is provided for quickly building well behaving LBX applications at MSs and across a plurality of interoperating MSs. Tools, triggered interfaces and integrated applications are disclosed for a breadth of MS LBX configurations and functionality. |
| US08923804B1 |
Notification device for cellular telephone
A notification device for a cellular telephone provides remote notification to a user of activity or events occurring on a paired cellular telephone. In an exemplary embodiment, the notification device includes a communications link operable to couple the notification device to a cellular telephone, an alert mechanism operable to provide at least one alert to a user of the notification device, a controller in communication with the communications link and alert mechanism, and a memory device coupled to the processor for storing configurable parameters of the notification device. The controller is programmed to receive configuration parameters from the cellular telephone and to receive an alert signal from the telephone and activate an alert in response to the received signal. The activated alert may be a sound alert, a light alert, an alphanumeric alert, a vibration alert, or combinations thereof. |
| US08923802B2 |
Home network roaming management for eCall-only subscribers
A Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) or home network immediately accepts a registration requests from “eCall-only” subscribers attempting to register with any Visitor Public Land Mobile Networks (VPLMNs) or roaming network. This avoids unnecessary delays in the establishment of an eCall (emergency call) that might be otherwise introduced by the home network's roaming registration management policy (RRMP) that otherwise would only permit registrations (and subsequent call servicing) by preferred roaming VPLMN partners and automatically reject registrations from non-preferred roaming networks (which may hinder or prevent timely completion of an eCall). |
| US08923801B2 |
Method by which PSAPs can identify and request information from cellular devices that are near emergent events
When a PSAP receives a call from a cellular telephone in reference to an emergent event, the speed and quality of the response may be improved by the cellular service provider's provision to the PSAP of information that includes the geographic location of the caller's phone. In a typical scenario, in which the call is from a GPS-equipped phone, the GPS coordinates of the phone may be echoed back to the PSAP in response to a specialized open “ping” request from the service provider. Of particular advantage to this approach is that GPS ping requests typically work regardless of whether a call is in progress, as long as the phone is turned on. |
| US08923795B2 |
System, methods and apparatus for waking an autonomous active implantable medical device communicating by pulses transmitted through the interstitial tissues of the body
Systems, methods, and devices for activating an implantable medical device from a low-power sleep state are provided. One method includes receiving a wake-up signal at a receiver device from a transmitter device. The wake-up signal includes a series of pulses having a pulse pattern encoding a predetermined wake-up code. The wake-up signal is transmitted via intracorporeal communication of electrical pulses conducted by interstitial tissues of a patient's body. The method further includes extracting the wake-up code from the wake-up signal and determining whether the wake-up code corresponds to a stored wake-up value. The method further includes, in response to determining that the predetermined wake-up code corresponds to the stored wake-up value, switching at least one active circuit element of the receiver device from a lower-power sleep state into a higher-power operational state. |
| US08923794B2 |
Temperature compensation of acoustic resonators in the electrical domain
Embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods relating to temperature compensation of acoustic resonators in the electrical domain are disclosed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08923793B2 |
Wireless communication device, wireless communication method, and wireless communication program
A wireless communication device includes a demodulation unit which demodulates a predetermined reception frequency, an S/N improvement processing unit which performs an S/N improvement process on a demodulated signal output from the demodulation unit, a first filter which performs an adaptive operation with respect to a frequency having a largest amplitude in a signal output from the S/N improvement processing unit, and outputs a filter coefficient updated by the adaptive operation, a controller which calculates the frequency of the largest amplitude defined by the filter coefficient output from the first filter, and controls the demodulation unit to update the reception frequency so as to reduce a difference between the frequency having the largest amplitude and a predetermined frequency, and a second filter which limits a range of a frequency bandwidth of the demodulated signal based on the frequency having the largest amplitude. |
| US08923792B2 |
Method for receiving radio signal and device therefor
A method for receiving a radio signal by a receiver including a 2-dimensional antenna array which consists of a plurality of antenna elements in a wireless communication system includes: dividing the plurality of antenna elements into a plurality of groups; determining a group-specific reception beam for each of the plurality of groups; applying the group-specific reception beam to a channel corresponding to each of the plurality of groups to acquire virtual channels respectively corresponding to the plurality of groups; and estimating channels respectively corresponding to the plurality of groups based on reference signals received through the virtual channels. |
| US08923784B2 |
Semiconductor switch and wireless device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor switch includes a power supply, a driver, a switch section, and a first potential controller. The power supply includes a first potential generator and a second potential generator. The first potential generator is configured to generate a negative first potential. The second potential generator is configured to generate a positive second potential that a power supply potential is stepped down. The driver is supplied with the first potential and a third potential and configured to output at least one of the first potential and the third potential based on a terminal switching signal. The switch section is configured to connect a common terminal to any one of a plurality of radio frequency terminals according to an output of the driver. The first potential controller includes a divider and an amplifier. |
| US08923780B2 |
Method and system for sharing low noise amplifier circuitry in a single chip bluetooth and wireless local area network
Aspects of a method and system for sharing low noise amplifier (LNA) circuitry in a single chip Bluetooth and wireless local area network (WLAN) system are disclosed. Aspects of the system may comprise a chip with integrated WLAN and Bluetooth radios. RF signals may be received via a single antenna coupled to a shared LNA integrated in chip. When WLAN signals are received they are communicated from the shared LNA to a subsequent amplification stage integrated within the WLAN radio. When Bluetooth signals are received they are communicated from the shared LNA to a subsequent amplification stage that comprises a transconductance amplifier integrated within the WLAN radio and an LNA load integrated within the Bluetooth radio. Gains in the LNAs, the transconductance amplifier, and/or the subsequent WLAN amplification stage may be dynamically adjusted. Outputs from the subsequent amplification stages may be communicated to mixers for further processing. |
| US08923779B2 |
Systems and methods for tuning an antenna for a frequency modulation transceiver
Systems and methods for tuning an antenna for a frequency modulation (FM) transceiver are provided. A representative system includes: a network of electrical adjustable passive components that receives and sends radio frequency (RF) signals to a receiver circuitry via the network of electrical adjustable passive components. The receiver circuitry determines the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the RF signal. The system further includes a transmitter circuitry that transmits RF signals via the network of electrical adjustable passive components, and a peak detector circuitry that receives and determines a voltage output of the RF signals from the variable capacitors. An auto-tune circuitry receives the RSSI and output value from the receiver circuitry and the peak detector circuitry, respectively. The auto-tune circuitry is configured to adjust capacitance values of at least one of the serial variable capacitor and the parallel variable capacitor based on the RSSI and the voltage output during the reception and transmission of the RF signals, respectively. |
| US08923769B2 |
System for near field communication data conversion with an event-field
In one embodiment, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a near field communication circuit designed to update at least one event field, associated with a number of occurrences of at least one event, which converted from a first data coding format to a second data coding format and provided in an external communication message that is communicated automatically or in response to receiving an access command. Also included in the instant specification are communication systems, and methods of communicating. |
| US08923768B2 |
Reliable communications for wireless devices
A method and apparatus for connectivity management of a wireless device is provided, such as a wireless medical device. The method comprises providing a wireless connection between at least two medical devices, the at least two medical devices comprising a primary medical device and a secondary medical device, causing the primary medical device to transmit and the secondary medical device to receive state signals wirelessly across a plurality of communication data channels, and reporting a non-active state for one of the plurality of data channels from the primary medical device to the secondary medical device using the plurality of communication data channels. |
| US08923766B2 |
Wireless electronic couponing technique
An electronic couponing technique includes transferring coupon information, which may include a coupon ID (identification) to a first portable terminal and storing same therein. The portable terminal displays a representation of the transferred coupon information on a display thereof. The stored coupon information may be transferred from the portable terminal to another terminal for redemption. The stored coupon information may also be transferred from the portable terminal to another portable terminal. Various schemes may be used to transfer the coupon information including a Bluetooth low-range radio link or an optical bar code scanner scanning an optical bar code or an infrared link or a wireless link from the portable terminal. The Internet or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) may also be used in transferring the coupon information to and from the various terminals. |
| US08923763B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for reducing the nonvolatile memory used to support application identifier routing in an NFC controller
The present application presents example data routing methods and apparatuses for reducing the amount of nonvolatile memory required to store secure element application locations associated with a near-field communications device. For example, the present disclosure presents a method of communication routing in a near-field communication device, which can include receiving, at a near-field communications controller (NFCC), a routing request message (e.g. from a requesting device), wherein the routing request message includes an original application identifier (AID) associated with an application. The example method may also include generating a compressed AID by applying a hash function to the original AID, reading an entry corresponding to the compressed AID in a routing data structure, wherein the entry contains one or more secure element pointers associated with one or more secure elements, and querying at least one of the secure elements to determine whether each contains the application. |
| US08923762B2 |
Communication device with simultaneous wireless LAN and blue-tooth communication capability
A communication device is disclosed, having a wireless LAN transceiver, a wireless LAN demodulation circuit, a Bluetooth transceiver, a Bluetooth demodulation circuit, an oscillator, and a mixer. The wireless LAN transceiver conducts communication in a first frequency band and the wireless LAN demodulation circuit demodulates the wireless LAN signals. The Bluetooth transceiver conducts communication in a second band and a third frequency band, which are higher and lower than the first frequency band, respectively. The oscillator generates oscillating signals. The mixer mixes the signals in the second frequency band with an oscillating signal, which is higher than the second frequency band, and mixes the signals in the third frequency band with another oscillating signal, which is lower than the third frequency band to generate mixed signals. The Bluetooth demodulation circuit demodulates the mixed signals of the mixer. |
| US08923760B2 |
Orientational collaboration of data between multiple devices
The disclosure provides for collaborating user data maintained in separate mobile devices by tangibly manipulating the distance and orientation between the mobile devices. The placement of one device with respect to one or more other devices triggers an action when the proximity and orientation between the devices is detected. The data on each proximal device is temporarily shared among the devices, allowing the users of the devices to see the aggregated data. |
| US08923758B2 |
Transmitting device, receiving device, communication system, and method for operating a transmitting device and a receiving device
A transmitting device is provided for a communication system, which has at least one transmitting antenna, the at least one transmitting antenna being implemented to generate an emission field by emitting electromagnetic waves in an emission region. In addition, the transmitting device has a first ascertainment device, which is implemented to ascertain whether at least one receiving device for receiving the emitted electromagnetic waves, which forms a non-trustworthy receiver, is situated inside the emission region. In addition, the transmitting device has a first adaptation device, which is implemented to adapt an emission field of the at least one transmitting antenna, if at least one receiving device, which forms a non-trustworthy receiver, is ascertained inside the emission region, in such a manner that a field strength of the electromagnetic waves is reduced at the location of the at least one receiving device. |
| US08923755B2 |
Radio repeater system
A system and/or method for facilitating wireless communication in an area where it is difficult to transmit and receive signals may use a preexisting wired emergency communication infrastructure to transmit signals between elements of a radio repeater system. Optionally, the system may include synchronization of retransmissions. Analogue and/or digital signals and/or data may optionally be transferred over the preexisting network. Data and/or signals may optionally include audio and/or video signals, digital data, telemetry data, and/or synchronization data. The system may optionally include multiple wireless receivers and/or a voter to select a version of a signal from at least one of the receivers. A network for concurrent repeating of a direct mode simplex wireless signal may optionally include multiple receivers and/or a voter. The simplex network may optionally include a coloring circuit. The power of retransmission and/or the insulation between a receiver and a transmitter may optionally be adjusted. |
| US08923754B2 |
Intelligent broadband relay for wireless networks
An ultrawideband radio transceiver/repeater provides a low cost infrastructure solution that merges wireless and wired network devices while providing connection to the plant, flexible repeater capabilities, network security, traffic monitoring and provisioning, and traffic flow control for wired and wireless connectivity of devices or networks. The ultrawideband radio transceiver/repeater can be implemented in discrete, integrated, distributed or embedded forms. |
| US08923744B2 |
Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device includes: a cleaning rotating body 160; a scraping member 130; a toner restriction face 141; and a downstream side restriction portion 140. The cleaning rotating body 160 is arranged in sliding contact with the surface of the image carrying body 2. A front end portion 131 of the scraping member 130 is arranged in contact with or in proximity to a surface of the cleaning rotating body 160. The scraping member 130 is a plate-like member and includes a toner receiving face 133 to which the toner is carried from the front end portion 131. The toner restriction face 141 is arranged to be orthogonal to the toner receiving face 133. The downstream side restriction portion 140 restricts movement of the toner to a downstream side in a rotational direction of the cleaning rotating body 166. |
| US08923742B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a transport member that transports a recording medium in a first direction, the recording medium having on one side thereof an image formed of an image forming material that is to be fixed by absorbing light; a first chip that has a first light-emitting area in which a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light toward the one side of the recording medium are arranged two-dimensionally; and a second chip that has a second light-emitting area in which a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light toward the one side of the recording medium are arranged two-dimensionally. A gap between the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area extends at an angle with respect to the first direction, and a portion of the first light-emitting area and a portion of the second light-emitting area overlap each other in the first direction. |
| US08923737B2 |
Fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a light irradiation portion that irradiates a recording medium transported to a predefined position with light, a power supply member that is disposed at a position which is irradiated with light with a first intensity of light emitted from the light irradiation portion in a state in which the recording medium is disposed at the predefined position and which is irradiated with light with a second intensity larger than the first intensity of light in a state in which the recording medium is not disposed at the predefined position, and that changes a physical property thereof so as to reduce the supply of power when the power supply member is continuously irradiated with the light with the second intensity for a predefined time or more, and a power supply portion that supplies power to the light irradiation portion via the power supply member. |
| US08923733B2 |
Developer supplying device and image forming apparatus
A developer supplying device includes an inflow path; a guide path having an inlet to which a lower end of the inflow path is connected, the guide path extending diagonally downward from the inlet, the guide path guiding the developer to a developing unit; and a transport unit disposed in the guide path, the transport unit including a helical screw blade and a holder that holds the helical screw blade, the transport unit transporting the developer to the developing unit by rotating. In at least a part of a region in the guide path facing the inlet, a pitch of the helical screw blade in a horizontal direction is greater than or equal to a width of the inlet, and the holder is located at a position displaced from the rotation axis of the transport unit. |
| US08923729B2 |
Image-forming device having drawer to which cartridges are detachably attachable
In an image forming device, a drawer moves between an accommodated position in which the drawer is accommodated in an accommodation space of a main casing of the image forming device and a pull-out position in which at least part of the drawer is outside the accommodation space. Cartridges are detachably attachable to the drawer. A moving member is provided at the drawer, and moves between a first position and a second position. A stop member provided in the main casing prevents the drawer from moving to the accommodated position when the drawer is on its way to the accommodated position from the pull-out position while the moving member is at the first position, and permits the drawer to move to the accommodated position when the drawer is on its way to the accommodated position from the pull-out position while the moving member is at the second position. |
| US08923728B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In one embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes an opening/closing cover that is supported so as to be capable of moving relative to an image forming apparatus main body and opens/closes an opening portion of the image forming apparatus main body; and a unit installed so as to be capable of swinging on an image forming apparatus main body side of the opening/closing cover, in which when the opening/closing cover is opened/closed, the unit moves in a track that moves around a guide shaft of the unit, and in a track that moves so as to follow opening/closing of the opening/closing cover. |
| US08923724B2 |
Driving device, cleaning device, charging device, assembly, and image forming apparatus
A driving device includes a drive source that generates a force for moving a cleaning member that cleans an elongated member while moving in a longitudinal direction of the elongated member; an overload limiter disposed between an input side and an output side of a transmission unit that transmits the force from the drive source to the cleaning member, the overload limiter interrupting transmission of the force if a magnitude of the force reaches a predetermined magnitude; and a rotation detector disposed in the transmission unit on an output side of the overload limiter, the rotation detector detecting rotation caused by the force. |
| US08923719B2 |
Fixing device and image forming device
Provided is a fixing device comprising: a fixing rotating body; a magnetizing coil; a pressing member forming a fixing nip through which a recording sheet passes; a demagnetizing coil unit set including a pile of demagnetizing coil units each including demagnetizing coils of different sizes, and canceling out part of magnetic flux generated by the magnetizing coil in a non-sheet-passing region; a sheet information acquisition unit acquiring sheet information including information relating to a width of the recording sheet; and an operation control unit controlling each demagnetizing coil according to the width, wherein in each demagnetizing coil unit, the demagnetizing coils are arranged such that a smaller demagnetizing coil is surrounded by a larger demagnetizing coil and the demagnetizing coils are in a same plane extending along a surface of the magnetizing coil, and a combination of sizes of the demagnetizing coils differs among the demagnetizing coil units. |
| US08923718B2 |
Image forming apparatus which performs cleaning of a transfer material conveyance member
Supply distribution of toner bands is varied in accordance with an image rate. Provided is image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; a movable image bearing member; a movable conveying belt; a transfer member; a power supply; a first blade member; a second blade member; and an execution unit. |
| US08923717B2 |
Transfer device having a plurality of primary transfer rollers
A transfer device includes a plurality of primary transfer rollers, a second link member and a regulatory member. The regulatory member restrains the second link member from moving further than a predetermined position toward the second direction. The second link member causes the primary transfer rollers to be displaced as it moves. The second link member is split into a plurality of link arms of which overall length is variable within a predetermined range; and its joint portion includes an elastic member urging the plurality of link arms toward a direction to which the overall length gets longer in a state where the second link member is most separate from a cam shaft, and a first locking section and a second locking section engaging the plurality of link arms with one another for the overall length not to get longer beyond a maximum value. |
| US08923716B2 |
Transfer device, image forming apparatus, and transfer method
A transfer device includes an image carrier that carries a toner image; a nip forming member that forms a transfer nip between the nip forming member and the image carrier by contacting with a front surface of the image carrier; and a transfer bias applying unit that applies a transfer bias, thereby transferring the toner image carried on the image carrier to a recording material at a position of the transfer nip. The transfer bias applying unit applies the transfer bias in which an AC component and a DC component are superimposed and in which a peak-to-peak voltage of the AC component is larger than 6 times an absolute value of a voltage of the DC component. |
| US08923715B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes: a developing device having a developing vessel, a developing roller and a toner supply port; a toner supply device; a toner supply detecting sensor for detecting the toner concentration inside the developing vessel; a toner concentration controller for directing toner supply; a toner empty detector; and a sheet conveyance detecting sensor. The toner concentration controller has a toner supply device control function; and a toner supply stopping function of stopping toner supply when the last sheet of image printout being executed has passed by the predetermined position in the sheet conveyance path. |
| US08923714B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method with reduced color material usage
This invention provides an apparatus and method capable of strictly keeping to a preset toner consumption amount and maintaining an image quality the user wants. A target toner save value used in toner save processing is set. In accordance with the set target toner save value, toner save processing is performed for data of the first page of image data formed from a plurality of pages. A toner save amount before and after toner save processing is calculated, and the difference value between the calculated toner save amount and the set target toner save value is calculated. Target toner save values for data of Nth and subsequent pages (N is an integer of 2 or more) of the image data formed from a plurality of pages are decided based on the calculated difference value of the target toner save value. |
| US08923712B1 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a toner image holding member, a transfer unit, and a supply unit. The toner image holding member holds a toner image. The transfer unit transfers the toner image held by the toner image holding member to a recording medium. The supply unit supplies powder such that the powder is interposed between an end portion of the recording medium and the toner image holding member and/or the transfer unit if the recording medium includes an intermediate adhesive layer. |
| US08923711B2 |
Image forming apparatus configured to control a transfer bias
An image forming apparatus including: a photosensitive member; a charging member; a developer carrier; a transfer member; a charging control unit that applies a charging bias having the same polarity as a charged polarity of the developers to the charging member; and a transfer control unit that applies a transfer bias having a reverse polarity to the charged polarity of the developers to the transfer member, wherein when the transfer control unit sets the absolute value of the transfer bias to a first value, the charging control unit sets an absolute value of the charging bias to a third value, and wherein when the transfer control unit sets the absolute value of the transfer bias to a second value, the charging control unit sets the absolute value of the charging bias to a fourth value smaller than the third value. |
| US08923710B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing a printing system having one or more printers
An approach is provided for managing a printing system. The approach involves determining at least one printer of the printing system is capable of at least five-color printing. The approach also involves determining a print job to be processed by the printing system includes using a custom colorant. The approach further involves determining if the custom colorant is ready for use, if an alternative colorant is ready for use, or if any custom colorants or alternative colorants are within a predetermined proximity of the printer. The approach additionally involves causing a preview of an output of the print job to be rendered and displayed, causing the print job to be processed or held, and causing one or more colorants to be ordered or made ready for use if the print job is held. |
| US08923709B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of determining a condition of cartridge assembled therein
An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a cartridge, and a CPU. The main casing includes a detection electrode. The cartridge which accommodates toner therein, is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the detection electrode, and a moving member supported to the cartridge electrode. The moving member is movable from a first position where an electrical connection between the cartridge electrode and the detection electrode is interrupted to a third position where the electrical connection is interrupted via a second position where the electrical connection is established. The CPU is configured to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is new when the electrical connection is first interrupted, and established, and then interrupted in accordance with the movement of the moving member. |
| US08923706B2 |
Frequency equalization for an optical transmitter
An optical transmitter configured to perform digital signal equalization directed at mitigating the detrimental effects of a frequency roll-off in the transmitter's optical I-Q modulator. In various embodiments, a frequency-dependent spectral-correction function used for the digital signal equalization can be constructed to cause the spectrum of the modulated optical signal generated by the transmitter to have a desired degree of flatness in the vicinity of an optical carrier frequency and/or to at least partially mirror the frequency roll-off in the optical I-Q modulator. |
| US08923701B2 |
Wireless communications links
A wireless communications link comprising an RF link and a free space optics (FSO) link, a switch, an RF signal monitoring apparatus, an optical signal monitoring apparatus, alarm apparatus and a controller. The switch operates in a normal mode to aggregate the links to form a link aggregation group and to route traffic on the link aggregation group, a first protection mode to route traffic on the FSO link, or a second protection mode to route traffic on the RF link. The controller is arranged to receive an alarm signal and to generate and transmit a control signal to cause the switch to operate in the first protection mode when a first alarm signal is received, the second protection mode when a second alarm signal is received, and the normal mode when an indicator is received indicating that both signal quality parameters are above their threshold values. |
| US08923699B2 |
Optical switching architectures for nodes in WDM mesh and ring networks
Switching architectures for WDM mesh and ring network nodes are presented. In mesh networks, the switching architectures have multiple levels—a network level having wavelength routers for add, drop and pass-through functions, an intermediate level having device units which handle add and drop signals, and a local level having port units for receiving signals dropped from the network and transmitting signals to be added to the network. The intermediate level device units are selected and arranged for performance and cost considerations. The multilevel architecture also permits the design of reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers for ring network nodes, the easy expansion of ring networks into mesh networks, and the accommodation of protection mechanisms in ring networks. |
| US08923698B2 |
Spectrum efficient optical transport system with superchannels
A method, performed by a computer device, may include determining that an available spectrum, associated with an optically switched light path, has been allocated for one or more superchannels and identifying a leftover spectrum, associated with the one or more superchannels allocated for the optically switched light path. The method may further include selecting a use for the leftover spectrum; selecting one or more devices to configure based on the selected use; configuring the selected one or more devices to use the leftover spectrum; and sending data via the leftover spectrum using the configured one or more devices. |
| US08923694B2 |
Optical receiving device
An optical receiving device includes: an optical amplifier configured to amplify a wavelength multiplexed optical signal; a demultiplexer configured to demultiplex the amplified wavelength multiplexed signal into optical signals of a plurality of wavelengths; optical receivers configured to regenerate the demultiplexed optical signals; error correction units configured to correct a bit error in the regenerated optical signals; and main control unit. The control unit adjusts RXDTV of the optical receiver for receiving optical signals of a given wavelength to the optimal value in the state where the gain of the optical amplifier is lowered from that of a normal operation such that the occurrence of bit errors in the optical signals of the other wavelengths does not exceed the correction capability of the error correction unit. |
| US08923693B2 |
Electronic device having selectively strengthened cover glass
Embodiments disclosed therein generally pertain to selectively strengthening glass. More particularly, techniques are described for selectively strengthening cover glass, which tends to be thin, for electronic devices, namely, portable electronic devices. In certain embodiments, selectively strengthening glass, such as cover glass, can be used to provide optical barriers (or channels) internal to the glass. The electronic devices can also provide for camera integration behind the cover glass. |
| US08923686B2 |
Dynamically configurable 3D display
Methods, systems and computer program products provide a dynamically configurable 3D display utilizing a content receiver. The content receiver generates the 3D content with an offset that enables the images to be viewable in a plurality of 3D regions, where each 3D region and images therein are perceived as having a different degree of depth relative to other images within 3D regions. The user viewing the 3D content may interact with the 3D content through a sensor device communicatively coupled to the content receiver that senses user movements and transmits signals to the content receiver for taking some action in response to the user's movements, including moving the 3D content between various 3D regions. 3D content in a foreground 3D region may be partially transparent to enable viewing of underlying 3D content in a background 3D region. 3D content may include a 3D user interface enabling the user to enter selections. |
| US08923685B2 |
Methods and systems for dynamically balancing storage of recorded media content data between a local storage device and a network storage device
An exemplary method includes receiving a command input by a user to record media content, recording media content data representative of the media content in response to the command, automatically selecting at least one storage device from a local storage device and a network storage device for storage of the recorded media content data in accordance with at least one of a plurality of storage balancing factors, and storing the recorded media content data in the at least one selected storage device. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08923679B2 |
Method and phase-change gain-fiber holder that control temperature rise and uniformity with minimal stress
A thermal-management optical-fiber packaging system that includes an optical fiber and a temperature-management device configured to remove excess heat from the optical fiber. In some embodiments, the temperature-management device includes a first housing having a first outer-perimeter surface and an inner volume facing a first inner surface (wherein the inner volume has a length), a plurality of fiber-support members coupled to, and/or integral with, the first inner surface of the first housing, wherein each of the fiber-support members has one or more small-area-of-contact supports arranged along the length of the inner volume, and wherein each small-area-of-contact support is configured to provide a small area (e.g., a point) of contact with the optical fiber, and wherein the optical fiber follows a coiled path around the inner volume. A thermal-management material surrounds the optical fiber except at those locations where the optical fiber contacts the fiber-support members. |
| US08923676B2 |
Methods of controlling jacket bonding with cable armor and water blocking at strength members
An armored cable having a polymer covering where the bond between the armor and the covering is controlled by introducing particulate matter at the interface of the armor and covering. A filler material is applied to the exterior surfaces of the cable strength elements in order to inhibit the formation of voids in the polymer covering that would otherwise promote water migration along the cable. |
| US08923675B1 |
Optical fiber cable with core element having surface-deposited color layer
An optical communication cable is provided. The cable includes a core element located in a cable jacket. The core element includes a buffer tube having an outer surface, an inner surface and a channel defined by the inner surface of the first tube. The core element includes an optical fiber located within the channel of the buffer tube and a color layer formed from a surface-deposited colorant material applied to the outer surface of the buffer tube. |
| US08923674B1 |
Optical fiber and optical cable
The present invention relates to an optical fiber and an optical cable which can be used for a long term even under environments in which an oil content migrates into them, and the optical fiber has a glass fiber extending along a predetermined axis, and a coating. The coating is composed of a plurality of layers each of which is comprised of an ultraviolet curable resin or a thermosetting resin, and swelling rates of the respective coating layers are set so that they increase from an outer peripheral surface of the glass fiber to an outer peripheral surface of the cable jacket. |
| US08923671B2 |
Optical coupling lens and optical communication apparatus with same
An optical coupling lens includes an incident surface, a first total reflection surface, a second total reflection surface and an emergent surface orderly connected to each other end to end. The incident surface includes a first lens portion and a second lens portion thereon. The emergent surface includes a third lens portion thereon. The third lens portion is positioned adjacent to the second total reflection surface. The first lens portion converges incident light into a parallel light beam. The first total reflection surface reflects the light beam to an intersection between the second total reflection surface and the emergent surface. The third lens portion directs the portion of the light beam to an optical fiber. The second total reflection surface reflects the other portion of the light beam to the second lens portion. The second lens portion directs the other portion of the light beam to an optical detector. |
| US08923670B2 |
Molded optical structure for optical transceiver
A device comprising a molded optical structure (MOS) connected to optical fibers. The device includes optical paths through the MOS. Each optical path comprises a first section and a second section. The first section is adjacent the optical fibers. The device comprises a first lens positioned at a first end of the first section, and a second lens positioned at a second end of the second section. The device comprises a reflector positioned in the optical path. The reflector reflects light in a direction approximately orthogonal to a direction from which the light is received. |
| US08923668B2 |
Receiving method and separating apparatus for light outputted from multi-core optical fiber
According to the present invention, as a result of using a depressed or trench-assisted light-receiving waveguide in which the core is surrounded by a layer having a refractive index lower than that of a cladding as light-receiving means for receiving light outputted from a multi-core optical fiber, the layer of a low refractive index can inhibit the propagation of noise, etc. from the cladding to the core. Consequently, even in cases where the inter-core crosstalk is small, it is possible to accurately measure the inter-core crosstalk since components different from crosstalk-derived components in optical power are reduced. |
| US08923667B2 |
Wavelength selective switch with multiple input/output ports
A multi-port wavelength selective switch includes a one dimensional array of input and output ports. The multi-port wavelength selective switch further includes a wavelength dispersive element configured to receive input optical signals from the input ports, and to disperse wavelength components thereof. Additionally, the multi-port wavelength selective switch includes an array of beam steering devices. Each beam steering device is controllable to a position at which the beam steering device directs a wavelength component of an input optical signal received through a first input port to an output port and directs the same wavelength component of an input optical signal received through a second input port away from all of the output ports. |
| US08923663B2 |
Distributed fibre optic sensing
The invention relates to a distributed fiber optic sensor (104, 106) having a first spatial resolution (301, 303) and a second, different, spatial resolution (302, 304). The sensor, which may be a distributed acoustic sensor, has an optical source (112) configured to interrogate an optical fiber (104) with optical radiation and a detector (116) configured to detected optical radiation back-scattered from within the fiber. A processor (108) is configured to process the detected back-scatter radiation to provide a plurality of longitudinal sensing portions of fiber. The optical source and processor are adapted to provide the first and second spatial resolutions, for instance by changing the duration and/or separation of the optical pulses and analysis bins. The first and second spatial resolutions may be provided sequentially or simultaneously and the spatial resolution used may be varied as part of a default pattern or in response to a detection event. |
| US08923659B2 |
Optical switching apparatus and method
An optical switching apparatus includes an optical switch element which includes an input port and an output port, and to which a switch control signal is supplied to modulate and output signal light which enters the input port depending on a level of the switch control signal; and an optical gate element which is connected to the output port of the optical switch element and to which a gate control signal is supplied to switch an output of the signal light depending on a level of the gate control signal, wherein the optical switch element varies intensity of the signal light which is output from the output port depending on the switch control signal controlled based on magnitude of a light intensity signal of the optical gate element. |
| US08923656B1 |
Correction of acquired images for cutting pattern creation
The production of a cutting pattern of a graphic placed upon a cutting mat is disclosed. A source image of the graphic overlaid on a cutting mat is received, and includes a plurality of registration marks as well as one or more distortions introduced during acquisition. The registration marks are identified from the source image by matching candidate sets of a plurality of center points of regions of adjacent groupings of pixels within the source image against predetermined positional relationships thereof corresponding to an actual arrangement of the registration marks on the cutting mat. An inverse transformation of the source image with values derived from the registration marks is applied. A corrected image aligned to physical coordinates of the cutting mat and referenced to the cutting machine is generated. A cut path is defined from vectors of the corrected image, and transmitted to the cutting machine for execution thereon. |
| US08923655B1 |
Using senses of a query to rank images associated with the query
A server device determines a plurality of images for a query. One or more images, of the plurality of images, are associated with one or more senses of the query. The server device maps the plurality of images into a space by representing the plurality of images with corresponding points in the space; determines one or more hyperplanes in the space based on the corresponding points in the space; calculates one or more scores for the plurality of images based on the corresponding points and the one or more hyperplanes; and ranks the one or more images based on the one or more scores. |
| US08923649B2 |
System and method for calibrating display overscan using a mobile device
A method is provided in one example and includes displaying a calibration area surrounded by a background on a display; analyzing an image of the calibration area to determine if the background is detectable in the image; adjusting the calibration area until at least a portion of the background is not detectable; and storing the adjustment for the calibration area. In more particular examples, the method may include determining a percentage of the background that is detectable; and adjusting the calibration area based on the percentage. In yet other instances, the method may include decreasing a size of the calibration area if the size of the calibration area is bigger than the display. |
| US08923645B2 |
Auto-focus image system
An auto-focus image system that includes a pixel array coupled to a focus signal generator. The pixel array captures an image that has a plurality of edges. The generator generates a focus signal that is a function of a plurality of edge-sharpness measures, each being measured from a different one of the plurality of edges. The edge-sharpness measure is a quantity that has a unit that is a power of a unit of length. It may be a distance in the edge. It may be an area. It may be a central moment. The generator may reduce a relative extent to which an edge contributes to the focus signal on basis of detecting that the edge does not have sufficient reflection symmetry in a sequence of gradients of an image signal across the edge according to a predefined criterion. The edge may be prevented from contributing altogether. |
| US08923644B2 |
Image processing apparatus and systems using estimated point spread function
An image processing apparatus includes a point spread function (PSF) pattern generation unit for generating a PSF pattern in which a plurality of PSFs are located in a plurality of lines of the PSF pattern; a PSF estimation unit for estimating PSFs of an out-of-focus input image from step responses of the plurality of lines of the PSF pattern with respect to an edge of the out-of-focus input image; and an image restoration unit for restoring the out-of-focus input image to a focused restored image using the estimated PSF. |
| US08923640B1 |
Coherence groups: region descriptors for low bit rate encoding
The invention is directed to an efficient way for encoding and decoding video. Embodiments include identifying different coding units that share a similar characteristic. The characteristic can be, for example: quantization values, modes, block sizes, color space, motion vectors, depth, facial and non-facial regions, and filter values. An encoder may then group the units together as a coherence group. An encoder may similarly create a table or other data structure of the coding units. An encoder may then extract the commonly repeating characteristic or attribute from the coding units. The encoder may transmit the coherence groups along with the data structure, and other coding units which were not part of a coherence group. The decoder may receive the data, and utilize the shared characteristic by storing locally in cache, for faster repeated decoding, and decode the coherence group together. |
| US08923639B2 |
Image processing system, image processing method, and program
It is an object to reduce a computation related to a detection of a corresponding point intended for a compressed dynamic image. In order to attain the object, there are acquired first and second compressed dynamic images including a reference frame and a prediction frame with each pixel indicated by motion information based on the other frame respectively. Moreover, there is executed a detection processing for detecting a corresponding point which corresponds to each reference point of one frame contained in the first compressed dynamic image from one frame contained in the second compressed dynamic image by causing each set of frames between said first compressed dynamic image and said second compressed dynamic image to be a target. The detection processing intended for a set of prediction frames is executed by using the motion information indicative of the set of prediction frames. |
| US08923638B2 |
Algorithm selection for structure from motion
A technique for selecting a particular reconstruction technique to be applied to an image sequence. The technique may analyze an input image sequence and, based on one or more characteristics of the image sequence, select a reconstruction technique as the appropriate technique for the image sequence from among a set of reconstruction techniques. For example, the set may include two or more of a rotation-based reconstruction technique, a plane-based reconstruction technique, and a general 3D reconstruction technique. The selection technique may be combined with the reconstruction techniques to produce a system that takes as input an image sequence or a set of point trajectories, selects an appropriate reconstruction technique, and applies the selected reconstruction technique to generate an estimate of camera motion and camera intrinsic parameters for the image sequence. The technique may be adapted to select among other types of techniques that may be applied to image sequences. |
| US08923636B2 |
Image processing circuit, and display panel driver and display device mounting the circuit
A circuit includes an image decompression circuit configured to receive compressed image data which are generated by compressing image data of a set of pixels of a target block by using a selected compression method selected from a plurality of compression methods based on a correlation among said image data of said set of pixels of said target block, and to generate decompressed image data by decompressing said compressed image data by using a decompression method corresponding to said selected compression method. |
| US08923634B2 |
Image coding method, image coding apparatus, image decoding method and image decoding apparatus
A decoding method decodes last position information indicating horizontal and vertical positions of a last non-zero coefficient in a predetermined order within a current block to be decoded, the current block including plural coefficients. The decoding includes obtaining a bitstream including first, second, third and fourth partial signals, in this order, performing first arithmetic decoding on the first and the third partial signals respectively to obtain decoded first and decoded third partial signals, performing second arithmetic decoding on the second and the fourth partial signals respectively to obtain decoded second and decoded fourth partial signals, the second arithmetic decoding being different from the first arithmetic decoding, deriving a horizontal component of the last position information from the decoded first and decoded third partial signals, and deriving a vertical component of the last position information from the decoded second and decoded fourth partial signals. |
| US08923631B2 |
Method and device for classifying vascular objects using classification trees evaluated on a graphics processing unit
Methods and devices for optimizing classification tree evaluation for online and real-time characterization of tissue by using GPUs are disclosed that give a significant improvement in run time compared to data decomposition. The methods and devices use a parallel algorithm designed for single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) architectures commonly found in GPUs. Various optimizations and their effects are also disclosed. |
| US08923630B2 |
Enhanced max margin learning on multimodal data mining in a multimedia database
Multimodal data mining in a multimedia database is addressed as a structured prediction problem, wherein mapping from input to the structured and interdependent output variables is learned. A system and method for multimodal data mining is provided, comprising defining a multimodal data set comprising image information; representing image information of a data object as a set of feature vectors in a feature space; clustering in the feature space to group similar features; associating a non-image representation with a respective image data object based on the clustering; determining a joint feature representation of a respective data object as a mathematical weighted combination of a set of components of the joint feature representation; optimizing a weighting for a plurality of components of the mathematical weighted combination with respect to a prediction error between a predicted classification and a training classification; and employing the mathematical weighted combination for automatically classifying a new data object. |
| US08923629B2 |
System and method for determining co-occurrence groups of images
A system and a method are disclosed that determine images with co-occurrence groups of individuals from an image collection. A value of a similarity metric is computed for each pair of images of the image collection, the value of the similarity metric being computed based on a comparison of the number of individuals in common between the images of the pair and the total number of individuals identified in both images of the pair. The collection of images is clustered based on the computed values of the similarity metric. At least one co-occurrence group is determined based on the results of the clustering, where a co-occurrence group is determined as a cluster of images that have a similar combination of individuals. |
| US08923621B2 |
Finding engaging media with initialized explore-exploit
Software for initialized explore-exploit creates a plurality of probability distributions. Each of these probability distributions is generated by inputting a quantitative description of one or more features associated with an image into a regression model that outputs a probability distribution for a measure of engagingness for the image. Each of the images is conceptually related to the other images. The software uses the plurality of probability distributions to initialize a multi-armed bandit model that outputs a serving scheme for each of the images. Then the software serves a plurality of the images on a web page displaying search results, based at least in part on the serving scheme. |
| US08923617B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing program
An image processing device includes an image acquiring section for acquiring images; a mount number setting section for setting a mount number for mounts; an image dividing section for dividing the acquired images into a predetermined number of groups based on accessory information of the images, with the number of groups being equal to the mount number; and an image arranging section for arranging images included in each group after division on each corresponding mount. The image dividing section divides the images into the groups so that the number of images included in each group is not more than the upper limit number of images capable of being arranged on the corresponding mount. |
| US08923615B2 |
Method and device for segmenting medical image data
The present invention relates to a method and device for automatical segmentation of medical images of a non-planar surface of an object, in particular of a heart valve, including detecting a surface boundary which delimits the non-planar surface of the object, creating a model surface, which is spanned between the surface boundary, correcting the model surface by means of distance information containing information about the distance between the model surface and the non-planar surface of the object, until a corrected model surface is generated, and depicting the corrected model surface, where the correction of the model surface is preferably carried out by means of three- or four-dimensional image data sets, by orienting the three-dimensional volume-rendering of the object essentially perpendicular to the model surface, so that the information about the distance between the model surface and the non-planar surface of the object can be evaluated, until the corrected model surface has been produced. |
| US08923612B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method, and program
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and a program that are capable of displaying images more easily and effectively.A degree-of-blur detecting unit 21 detects the degree of blur of an input image. The selecting unit 22 selects an image processing operation to be performed on the input image on the basis of a detection result of the degree of blur, and supplies the input image to a block that performs the selected image processing operation among a comic-style conversion unit 23 to a sharpness processing unit 28. The block supplied with the input image among the comic-style conversion unit 23 to the sharpness processing unit 28 performs the image processing operation on the input image and outputs it to an output unit 29. The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus. |
| US08923611B2 |
Automatic background identification in video images
Methods and systems are provided allowing for background identification in video images. A computer-implemented image processing method includes: receiving, using at least one processing circuit, a plurality of image frames of a video; constructing, using at least one processing circuit, a plurality of statistical models of the plurality of image frames at a plurality of pixel granularity levels; constructing, using at least one processing circuit, a plurality of probabilistic models of an input image frame at a plurality of channel granularity levels based on the plurality of statistical models; merging at least some of the plurality of probabilistic models based on a weighted average to form a single probability image; and determining background pixels, based on a probability threshold value, from the single probability image. |
| US08923610B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes a calculating unit, an edge-position detecting unit, an identifying unit, and a subject-region detecting unit. For each color separation image, the calculating unit calculates a gradient direction of an edge gradient and an edge intensity at each position on the basis of a color captured image. The edge-position detecting unit detects edge positions in each color separation image on the basis of the gradient directions of the edge gradients and the edge intensities. For each position, the identifying unit identifies the gradient direction of the edge gradient and the edge intensity at the position in one of the plural color separation images that includes the largest edge intensity at the position. The subject-region detecting unit detects a subject region on the basis of the detected edge positions, the identified gradient directions of the edge gradients, and the identified edge intensities. |
| US08923607B1 |
Learning sports highlights using event detection
A highlight learning technique is provided to detect and identify highlights in sports videos. A set of event models are calculated from low-level frame information of the sports videos to identify recurring events within the videos. The event models are used to characterize videos by detecting events within the videos and using the detected events to generate an event vector. The event vector is used to train a classifier to identify the videos as highlight or non-highlight. |
| US08923606B2 |
System and method for identifying an aperture in a representation of an object
An iterative process for determining an aperture in a representation of an object is disclosed. The object is received and a bounding box corresponding thereto is determined. The bounding box includes a plurality of initial voxels and the object is embedded therein. An intersecting set of initial voxels is determined, as well as an internal set and an external set of initial voxels. The resolution of the voxels is iteratively decreased until the ratio of internal voxels to external voxels exceeds a predetermined threshold. The voxels corresponding to the final iteration are the final voxels. An internal set of final voxels is determined. A union set of initial voxels is determined indicating an intersection between the external set of initial voxels and the internal set of final voxels. From the union set of initial voxels and the external set of initial voxels, a location of an aperture is determined. |
| US08923604B2 |
Apparatus and method for adjusting depth of a three-dimensional image
A depth adjusting method and apparatus is described. The depth adjusting method and apparatus may calculate an average depth value of objects based on a spatial feature of an image, may adjust a depth of the image based on the calculated average value, and may adjust a depth of the image according to a difference in depth between a current frame and a previous frame, based on a temporal feature of the image. |
| US08923601B2 |
Method for inspecting overlay shift defect during semiconductor manufacturing and apparatus thereof
A method for inspecting overlay shift defect during semiconductor manufacturing is disclosed herein and includes a step for providing a charged particle microscopic image of a sample, a step for identifying an inspection pattern measure in the charged particle microscopic image, a step for averaging the charged particle microscopic image by using the inspection pattern measure to form an averaged inspection pattern measure, a step for estimating an average width from the averaged inspection pattern measure, and a step for comparing the average width with a predefined threshold value to determine the presence of the overlay shift defect. |
| US08923600B2 |
Methods and systems for utilizing design data in combination with inspection data
Various methods and systems for utilizing design data in combination with inspection data are provided. One computer-implemented method for binning defects detected on a wafer includes comparing portions of design data proximate positions of the defects in design data space. The method also includes determining if the design data in the portions is at least similar based on results of the comparing step. In addition, the method includes binning the defects in groups such that the portions of the design data proximate the positions of the defects in each of the groups are at least similar. The method further includes storing results of the binning step in a storage medium. |
| US08923598B2 |
Methods and apparatus for diagnosis and/or prognosis of cancer
The subject invention concerns methods for the detection, diagnosis, and/or prognosis of cancer by analyzing centrosomal features. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an image of one or more cells; selecting a region of interest in one cell; segmenting the region of interest to delineate at least one centrosomal; extracting one or more features from the segmented image; and analyzing the extracted features to diagnose cancer. In another embodiment, the progression of cancer can be predicted through analysis and classification of the extracted features. In one embodiment, the method can be performed by a quantitative cancer analysis system including a diagnosis module and/or a prognosis module. In one embodiment, the method can be performed using an image processing system. |
| US08923595B2 |
Method of identification of cancerous and normal cells
A method is described for distinguishing between cancerous and normal human cells. The method includes collecting cells; preparing cells for scanning; scanning of the prepared cells by means of atomic force microscopy; processing of the obtained images through specific algorithms; wherein the algorithms allowing one to identify whether the cell is cancerous or normal. |
| US08923594B2 |
Spiculated malignant mass detection and classification in radiographic image
An image analysis embodiment comprises generating a bulge mask from a digital image, the bulge mask comprising potential convergence hubs for spiculated anomalies, detecting ridges in the digital image to generate a detected ridges map, projecting the detected ridges map onto a set of direction maps having different directional vectors to generate a set of ridge direction) projection maps, determining wedge features for the potential convergence hubs from the set of ridge direction projection maps, selecting ridge convergence hubs from the potential convergence hubs having strongest wedge features, extracting classification features for each of the selected ridge convergence hubs, and classifying the selected ridge convergence hubs based on the extracted classification features. |
| US08923593B2 |
System and method for producing an image of a physical object
The invention relates to a system and a method for producing an image of a physical object and to a computer program element and a computer readable medium. In order to provide improved stent boost subtract also showing wire state information, a system and a method are provided, the method comprising the following steps: a) tracking a predetermined first feature (126) and a predetermined second feature (128) in a first plurality (114) of first images (116), which images reveal a first criterion (118); and determining a first feature transform; and determining second feature distortion vector fields relative to the first feature transform; b) associating and recording second feature distortion vector fields corresponding to at least two phase attributes (120); c) tracking the predetermined first feature (126) in at least one secondary image (142) which image reveals a second criterion; d) determining a first-feature-based inter-criterion the first-feature-based inter-phase transform and the second feature distortion vector fields corresponding to a matching phase attribute (120); and f) generating a combined inter-criterion image (162) based on the restored physical distortion. |
| US08923590B2 |
Method and system for 3D cardiac motion estimation from single scan of C-arm angiography
A method and system for estimating 3D cardiac motion from a single C-arm angiography scan is disclosed. An initial 3D volume is reconstructed from a plurality of 2D projection images acquired in a single C-arm scan. A static mesh is extracted by segmenting an object in the initial 3D volume. The static mesh is projected to each of the 2D projection images. A cardiac phase is determined for each of the 2D projection images. A deformed mesh is generated for each of a plurality of cardiac phases based on a 2D contour of the object and the projected mesh in each of the 2D projection images of that cardiac phase. |
| US08923584B2 |
Method and system of automatic determination of geometric elements characterizing a bone deformation from 3D image
The invention relates to a method for automatically determining, on a bone comprising a head portion contiguous to a neck portion, parameters for characterizing a bump deformation on the head-neck junction of the bone from acquired 3D medical image, the method comprising the following steps: i) constructing a 3D surface model of the bone; ii) fitting a sphere on the spherical portion of the head of the bone; iii) determining a neck axis characterizing the neck portion of the bone; iv) determining from the fitted sphere and the neck axis, a clock face referential on the head of the bone rotating around the neck axis; v) determining a 3D curve on the 3D surface model characterizing the head-neck junction of the bone; vi) determining, from the 3D curve, the summit of the bump deformation of the head-neck junction of the bone; vii) determining, from said summit of the bump deformation, first and a second parameters (α3D, iMax) characterizing the maximum bump deformation of the head-neck junction of the bone. |
| US08923582B2 |
Systems and methods for computer aided detection using pixel intensity values
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for computer aided detection. An example method includes determining a pixel threshold value for an analysis of an image selected by a user. The image includes a plurality of pixels. The example method includes determining a segmentation setting for the analysis. The segmentation setting specifies a size of a portion of the image to be used during the analysis. The example method includes analyzing the image by performing a comparison between a first and second segment of the image based on the pixel threshold value and the segmentation setting. The example method includes identifying potential abnormalities in the image based on the analysis. |
| US08923578B2 |
Devices and methods for assessing changes in corneal health
A computer-implemented method for use in assessing a cornea which includes selecting a principal image from among a series of layered images of the cornea. The computer-implemented method further includes detecting a plurality of corneal structures in the principal image and providing a quantitative analysis of the plurality of corneal structures. |
| US08923577B2 |
Method and system for identifying regions in an image
A method and system for visualizing regions in an image is provided. The method comprises computing a regional response around a region in the image, deriving a region score based on from the regional response for the region and labeling the region in the image by comparing the region score to a plurality of probabilistic models. |
| US08923575B2 |
Color image processing method, color image processing device, and color image processing program
An object area detection means detects an object area which is an area to be subjected to image processing from an input image. A reflection component reconstruction means calculates color information of the object area and a perfect diffusion component, which is a low-frequency component of the object area, and reconstructs a surface reflection component based on the color information and the low-frequency component. An albedo calculation means calculates an albedo, which is color information obtained by removing shading information, which is information that represents luminance of the perfect diffusion component, from the perfect diffusion component. An albedo correction processing means reconstructs a surface reflectance of the object area based on the albedo and the color information in the object area, and then calculates the corrected albedo, which is color information obtained by correcting the albedo based on the surface reflectance. |
| US08923573B2 |
Vein image capture apparatus
A vein image capture device includes an illumination device, an image capture device, and a support device. The image capture device captures an image of a vein pattern of a body part by receiving light reflected by the body part. The support device is arranged between the body part and the image capture device to transmit at least apart of the reflected light and support the illumination device at the body part side. The image capture device is separated from the support device by the distance at which the image capture device may receive the reflected light. |
| US08923570B2 |
Automated memory book creation
Embodiments of a system and method for automatic creation of a multimedia presentation or highlight collection from a collection of candidate contents are generally described herein. In some embodiments, each one of a plurality of videos or images in the candidate contents are automatically evaluated for quality, content, metadata, and desirability based on user specified inclusion factors. Inclusion factors may be utilized to generate one or more scores for the candidate contents, which provide for automatic ranking of the candidate contents. Based on scores generated from the selected inclusion factor criteria a highlight collection of images is automatically generated. The highlight collection can be included in a multimedia presentation, in the form of a memory book, slideshow, or digital narrative, and can be automatically generated from the plurality of videos or images. |
| US08923568B2 |
Standardizing fluorescence microscopy systems
Systems and methods for standardizing one or more fluorescence scanning instruments to a reference system by separating the effects of drift and normalization. In an embodiment, a drift image comprising an image of a drift reference slide is captured by a system to be standardized. A drift measurement is calculated using the drift image. A first normalization image comprising an image of a normalization slide is also captured by the system to be standardized. A reference normalization image, also comprising an image of the normalization slide, is captured by a reference system. The first normalization image is compared to the reference normalization image to determine a gamma value and offset value for the system to be standardized. |
| US08923565B1 |
Parked vehicle detection based on edge detection
The present invention discloses a method for detecting parked vehicles based on edge detection. For each parking space, its boundary comprises an exposed edge, which is not occluded by any parked vehicle. Its primary detected edges are the detected edges that are substantially parallel to the exposed edge. A parking space is detected as occupied if its primary detected edges satisfy at least one of these conditions: (1) their total number is more than a pre-determined minimum number; and/or, (2) their total length is more than a pre-determined minimum length. |
| US08923560B2 |
Exterior environment recognition device
Provided is an exterior environment recognition device including: a parallax deriving unit for obtaining parallax by means of the pattern matching; a position information deriving unit for deriving a relative distance from the parallax; a grouping unit for grouping a block of which difference of the relative distance is included within a predetermined range, and specifying specified objects; a specified object selection unit for selecting a specified object; an offset amount deriving unit for, when the relative distance of the selected specified object becomes less than a threshold value determined in advance, deriving an amount of offset in accordance with the relative distance; and an offset execution unit for offsetting the image by the amount of offset. When the amount of offset is not zero, the position information deriving unit limits deriving of the relative distance in an image other than an image range corresponding to the selected specified object. |
| US08923558B2 |
Moving object detection using stereo rectified images acquired from a moving aircraft
A motion detecting engine is provided. Given a pair of stereo rectified images in which the stereo rectified images are taken at different times from one or more sensors that are oriented perpendicular to a stereo baseline and parallel to each other, for each feature in one of the stereo rectified images, the motion detecting engine associates a subject feature with the same feature in the other stereo rectified image to form a feature association. For each feature association, the motion detecting engine forms a feature motion track following a subject feature association from one of the stereo rectified images to the other stereo rectified image. The motion detecting engine then differentiates feature motion tracks from other feature motion tracks that are parallel to the stereo baseline. The feature motion tracks being differentiated by the motion detecting engine represent detected objects that are moving with respect to the ground. |
| US08923553B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes a region setting unit configured to set a specific region where a reflection may occur in an image, a size setting unit configured to set a size of an object to be detected in association with a position in the image, and a changed region detection unit configured to detect a changed region by comparing a background model and an input image, wherein the changed region detection unit outputs the changed region in the specific region based on the size of the object associated with a position of the changed region, in a case where the changed region extends beyond a boundary of the specific region. |
| US08923552B2 |
Object detection apparatus and object detection method
An object detection apparatus includes an image acquisition unit that acquires image data, a reading unit that reads the acquired image data in a predetermined image area at predetermined resolution, an object area detection unit that detects an object area from first image data read by the reading unit, an object discrimination unit that discriminates a predetermined object from the object area detected by the object area detection unit, and a determination unit that determines an image area and resolution used to read second image data which is captured later than the first image data from the object area detected by the object area detection unit, wherein the reading unit reads the second image data from the image area at the resolution determined by the determination unit. |
| US08923551B1 |
Systems and methods for automatically creating a photo-based project based on photo analysis and image metadata
In some embodiments, a server, system, and method for automatically creating a photo-based project based on photo analysis and image metadata is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: receiving a plurality of images from a user-device, reading embedded metadata from the plurality of images, and storing said plurality of images in a data repository; performing photo analysis on the plurality of images in the data repository to determine a visual content and relevant metadata in the images; customizing the photo-based project automatically by performing one or more automatic customization actions based on the visual content in and the relevant metadata in the plurality of images; placing the plurality of images automatically in one or more particular page layouts of the photo-based project based on the customization performed; and generating a printed product comprising the plurality of images based on the customization performed. |
| US08923549B2 |
Watermark generating method, broadcast content generating method including the same and watermarking system
Disclosed are a method of generating a watermark, a method of generating a broadcast content including the same, and a watermarking system. The method of generating a watermark according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: determining a size of a target image to which a broadcast content is provided; determining the number of watermarks to be inserted into one frame of the target image; generating a watermark insert pattern by using the size of the target image and the number of watermarks; and scaling up the watermark insert pattern to a predetermined pattern for inserting the watermark insert pattern into an original image of the broadcast content. |
| US08923548B2 |
Extraction of embedded watermarks from a host content using a plurality of tentative watermarks
Methods, devices and computer program products facilitate the extraction of embedded watermarks in the presence of content distortions. Distortion of the content is estimated using two or more detected watermarks with an associated probability of false detection that is above a desired level. The estimated content distortion is used to obtain pre-distorted synchronization templates and to reevaluate the detected watermarks. The use of pre-distorted synchronization templates results in obtaining better estimations of content distortion, and improved reliability of watermark detections. |
| US08923543B2 |
Hearing assistance device vent valve
Techniques are disclosed for actuating a valve of a hearing assistance device. In one example, a hearing assistance device comprises a device housing defining a vent structure, a vent valve positioned within the vent, the vent valve having first and second states. The vent valve comprises a magnet, a disk configured to move about an axis, and a magnetic catch. The hearing assistance device further comprises an actuator, and a processor configured to provide at least one signal to the actuator to cause the disk to move to controllably adjust the vent structure. |
| US08923542B2 |
Two part hearing aid with databus and method of communicating between the parts
A hearing aid comprises a power supply, a microphone and a base part to be arranged outside the ear canal of a hearing aid user, and an ear plug part to be arranged in the ear canal of a hearing aid user. The ear plug part comprises a receiver for transmitting sound into the ear canal, and a transducer generating a signal to be transferred to said base part. A databus connects the ear plug part with the base part. The databus comprises two electrical wires adapted for transmission of signal to the receiver, and for transmission of signal from the transducer to the base part. The databus provides power supply either from the base part to the ear plug part, or, from the ear plug part to the base part. The invention further provides a method for communicating between two parts of a hearing aid. |
| US08923539B2 |
Integrated automatic telephone switch
Methods and apparatus for a hearing aid include a mechanism to detect the presence of a magnetic field using a magnetic sensing device disposed in a hearing aid, to digitally modify a frequency response of the hearing aid in response to the detection of the presence, and to modify the frequency response of the hearing aid in response to the magnetic sensing device determining removal of the magnetic field. |
| US08923538B2 |
Method and device for frequency compression
Artifacts are reduced during a frequency compression of an audio signal in a hearing device, in particular in a hearing aid. An amplitude information of a source channel is obtained, for example a spectral envelope, from several frequency channels of the audio signal. An amplitude corresponding to the amplitude information is then applied on a signal in a target channel of the several frequency channels, on which the source channel is represented during frequency compression. |
| US08923529B2 |
Microphone array system and method for sound acquisition
A microphone array system (16) for sound acquisition from multiple sound sources in a reception space surrounding a microphone array (18) that is interfaced with a beamformer module (28) is disclosed. The microphone array (18) includes microphone transducers (22) that are arranged relative to each other in N-fold rotationally symmetry, and the beamformer includes beamformer weights that are associated with one of a plurality of spatial reception sectors corresponding to the N-fold rotational symmetry of the microphone array (18). Microphone indexes of the microphone transducers (18) are arithmetically displaceable angularly about the vertical axis during a process cycle, so that a same set of beamformer weights is used selectively for calculating a beamformer output signal associated with any one of the spatial reception sectors. A sound source location module (30) is also disclosed that includes a modified steered power response sound source location method. A post filter module (32) for a microphone array system is also disclosed. |
| US08923518B2 |
Key distribution system, key distribution method, and recording medium
A key distribution system includes a server and terminal devices constructing an ad-hoc network and communicating with each other with information being encrypted by a key distributed from the server. The server obtains a predetermined attribute value desired as a communication counterparty by the terminal device from the terminal device, and obtains a plurality of keys corresponding to the obtained attribute values from a key managing information. The server obtains, among the plurality of obtained keys, m number of keys that maximize the posterior probability that the keys are stored in the terminal device having the same attribute value as the attribute value obtained from the terminal device and having the number of communications larger than a predetermined value, and transmits the m number of keys to the terminal device. |
| US08923513B2 |
Secure wiegand communications
The present invention is directed toward secure access systems. Specifically, a method, system, and device are described that employ a synchronized pseudo-random number generator to secure communications between endpoints involved in a communication. If synchronization is lost between two devices, the two devices can regain synchronization by switching to use of a different pseudo-random number generator that is used for resynchronization instead of communications. |
| US08923508B2 |
Half-duplex speakerphone echo canceler
A speakerphone having transmit path with a microphone and a first amplifier having a gain determined by a controller and an input coupled to the microphone, a receive path with a second amplifier having a gain determined by the controller and a speaker coupled to an output of the second amplifier, and operable in a half-duplex mode using an adaptive echo canceller to at least partially remove from the transmit path acoustically-coupled signals from the receive path. The controller increases the gain of the first amplifier and decreases the gain of the second amplifier when a level of signals in the transmit path exceed a level of signals in the receive path, and decreases the gain of the first amplifier and increases the gain of the second amplifier when the level of signals in the receive path exceed the level of signals in the transmit path. |
| US08923507B2 |
Alpha character support and translation in dialer
The innovation supports the ability to map alpha characters entered directly into the dialer application of a smartphone. These alpha characters can be entered via a smartphone keyboard (e.g., QWERTY keyboard) and converted to the appropriate digits as mapped to a conventional telephone keypad. The resultant numerical digits can be used to prompt a network call. Additionally, the innovation can be used during an active call to respond to prompts that traditionally require 12-key mappings. This innovation allows a user to both dial a number directly via a smartphone keyboard, and filter contacts by name, in a non-modal manner. |
| US08923505B2 |
Call center with resilient context
An automated call center that stores state information for callers. When a caller contacts the call center, an identification is determined for that caller. The caller's number may be used as the identification. A database if checked to determine whether a data record exists for that caller. If so, data record is pulled and a caller asset receives the call along with information in the data record. If this is the caller's first call, or first call after a predetermined time period, the a new data record may be created in the database. The caller may be prompted with a series of menu choices that enable the caller to select a caller asset. The call center may record all entries and inputs by the caller and caller asset in the data record. |
| US08923504B1 |
Systems and methods for requesting a communication
Embodiments disclose systems and methods for requesting a communication. A method may include receiving, at a computing device, a first input that corresponds to a request for one or more phone numbers, wherein the request is associated with an account. In response to receiving the first input, the method may include the computing device selecting a phone number that is pre-associated with the account. The method may also include transmitting a call request from the computing device, wherein the call request indicates the selected phone number is to be called. |
| US08923501B2 |
Method and system for managing contacts in a contact center
A computer-implemented method of handling contacts at a contact center. The method includes the steps of identifying a characteristic associated with a contact received at the contact center, and labeling a contact entity representing the contact with a label identifying the characteristic. In response to receipt of a request from an agent of the contact center to handle the contact based on the label of the contact entity, the contact is assigned to the agent and in response to the agent successfully handling the contact, an agent record associated with the agent, is updated to indicate a proficiency in handling contacts associated with the characteristic. |
| US08923500B2 |
Communication networks in which an application server and multiple directory numbers are used to provide internet protocol like features to time division multiplexed phone lines
A communication network includes a switching system, an application server, and a softswitch that communicatively couples the application server to the switching system. The switching system is configured to detect a first call to a primary directory number associated with a phone line and to forward the first call to the application server. The application server is configured to instruct the softswitch to generate a second call to a RingMaster directory number associated with the phone line. And the softswitch is configured to bridge the first and second calls responsive to detection of a communication path completion to the phone line. |
| US08923494B2 |
Network connection method and apparatus of a mobile station
A network connection method and apparatus for improving network connection performance of a mobile station in a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) system is provided. The method includes determining whether a cell change from a first cell to a second cell is detected while waiting for a network connection request message, after an acquisition of a synchronization with a first base station associated with the first cell, determining, if the cell change is detected, whether a synchronization is acquired with a second base station associated with the second cell and whether the network connection request message is detected, initiating, if the network connection request message is detected after the synchronization is acquired with the second base station, a network entry procedure, and saving, if the network connection request message is detected before the synchronization is acquired with the second base station, the network connection request message in a buffer. |
| US08923481B2 |
Methods to perform backscatter inspection of complex targets in confined spaces
Embodiments of backscatter inspection systems include features to enable inspection of irregular surfaces, tight spacer, and other hard-to-reach places. Some embodiments include arms that maneuver a scan head with at least three degrees of freedom, and some embodiments include arms that maneuver a scan head with at least seven degrees of freedom. Some embodiments include proximity detectors on a scan head or base, detect contact with an object being inspected, and to slow or stop the motion of the system accordingly. Some compact embodiments scan the interior of an object from within, and include a rotating, low-energy source of penetrating radiation, and at least one backscatter detector, which may be stationary, or may rotate with the source. |
| US08923480B2 |
X-ray diffraction instrument
There is provided an X-ray diffraction instrument including: a two-dimensional plate-like X-ray detector; an X-ray emitter integrated with the X-ray detector so as to penetrate the plate of the X-ray detector; a cylinder-like shield to define an orientation of the X-ray emitter and to prevent X-ray leakage, the X-ray detector being attached to one open end of the cylinder-like shield; and a standard powder attachment device to attach a standard powder for X-ray diffraction measurement to a surface of an object to be measured. The X-ray diffraction instrument can perform an X-ray diffraction measurement to an object larger than the X-ray detector thereof. The invented X-ray diffraction instrument is small in size, and can perform accurate X-ray diffraction measurement of stationary immovable objects without limitation on an orientation of the measurement surface. In addition, X-ray leakage is prevented for operator safety. |
| US08923471B2 |
Pulse signal output circuit and shift register
A pulse signal output circuit capable of operating stably and a shift register including the pulse signal output circuit are provided. A clock signal is supplied to one of transistors connected to a first output terminal. A power supply potential is applied to one of transistors connected to a second output terminal. Thus, power consumed by discharge and charge of the transistor included in the second output terminal can be reduced. Further, since a potential is supplied from a power source to the second output terminal, sufficient charge capability can be obtained. |
| US08923467B2 |
Clock and data recovery using receiver clock spread spectrum modulation and offset compensation
A system and method for performing clock and data recovery. The system sets the phase of a recovered clock signal according to at least three estimates of the rate of change of an offset between the frequency of the data transmitter clock and the frequency of a receiver clock. |
| US08923462B2 |
Device and method for correcting duty cycle, and receiver including the same
A duty cycle correcting device is provided which includes a pulse width adjusting unit which adjusts a pulse width of an input signal according to a pulse width control code; a comparison unit which compares an output signal of the pulse width control unit with a plurality of reference voltages; and a control unit which selects one of a plurality of pulse width control codes based on comparison data from the comparison unit and provides the selected pulse width control code to the pulse width adjusting unit. |
| US08923460B1 |
Methods and apparatus for signal equalization in dual polarization multiplexed optical communication systems
Methods and systems are provided for processing electrical signals derived from coherent dual polarization optical signals. A method comprises receiving first and second input signals, filtering the input signals by first and second complex SISO FIR to generate filtered input signals, filtering the filtered input signals and the input signals by first and second two-by-two matrix filters each having four branches to respectively generate equalized filtered signals and equalized signals, and, adapting the first and second complex SISO FIR filters based on the equalized signals and the equalized filtered signals. Another method comprises filtering two random polarization input signals in a frequency-domain by overlapped FFT/IFFT blocks to generate partially equalized signals, delaying the partially equalized signals to generate delayed partially equalized signals, filtering the delayed partially equalized signals by a two-by-two matrix filter having four branches to generate equalized signals, and, adapting the FFT/IFFT blocks based on the equalized signals. |
| US08923453B2 |
System and method for iteration scheduling in joint equalization and turbo decoding
A system and method for iteration scheduling in joint equalization and turbo decoding are provided. A method for processing received information includes cancelling interference in a received signal bearing received information, decoding the interference cancelled received signal to produce information, and processing the received information. The cancelling comprises an iterative processing of the received signal based on soft information produced by a decoding the received signal. |
| US08923452B2 |
Noise-based gain adjustment and amplitude estimation system
Methods and systems for amplitude estimation and gain adjustment using noise as a reference are described. An example receiver can include an antenna and a front end amplifier coupled to the antenna. The receiver can also include a detector circuit coupled to the front end amplifier. The receiver can be configured to determine a power of a received signal at the antenna based on a gain of the receiver. The gain of the receiver can be determined based on a noise figure of the front end amplifier and a noise amplitude. |
| US08923450B2 |
Bank of correlators for sets of GCL sequences
A method for correlation of an input signal in a receiver is disclosed as well as a receiver and a communication system for implementing the method. The input signal is correlated with Generalized Chirp-Like (GCL) sequences being derived from a single Zadoff-Chu sequence modulated with at least two modulation sequences. The method includes at least the steps of processing samples of the input signal in a first delay line, in a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) circuit and in a second delay line. According to the invention, a multiplication of samples of the input signal with elements of modulation sequences corresponding to the at least two modulation sequences being used for deriving the GCL sequences is performed in a step after the processing in the first delay line. Then a DFT processing is performed using a DFT circuit. |
| US08923442B2 |
Reference voltage generation in a single-ended receiver
As single-ended signaling is implemented in higher-speed communications, accurate and consistent reading of the data signal becomes increasingly challenging. In particular, single-ended links can be limited by insufficient timing margins for sampling a received input signal. A single ended receiver provides for improved timing margins by adjusting a reference voltage used to sample the input signal. A calibration pattern is provided to the receiver as the input signal, and the reference voltage is adjusted toward a median value of the signal. |
| US08923438B1 |
Dual rate communication
A dual rate transmitter may include a modulator circuit configured to modulate orthogonal signals to generate a quadrature modulated signal. An amplifier may be configured to amplify the quadrature modulated signal to produce an amplified signal. A quadrature partial response (QPR) filter may be configured to process the amplified signal to generate an output signal. The QPR filter may allow for full rate QPR and half rate QPSK operation of the transmitter device. The output signal may be transmitted via an antenna. This transmitter approach provides a bandwidth efficiency improvement, as the QPR signal may be operated at twice the rate within the same bandwidth as the quadrature modulated signal using a common saturated transmitter implementation, reducing quantity of components and the resulting mass and cost reduction for a space transmitter solution. Additionally, this approach of using QPR signaling provides greater power efficiency. |
| US08923436B2 |
Transmitter and method for controlling same
An RF signal generator divides an input radio signal into an amplitude signal and a phase signal and outputs the amplitude signal and the phase signal. A switching amplifier amplifies the radio signal with the amplitude signal and the phase signal. The switching amplifier includes at least one variable current source that is controlled by the amplitude signal and supplies a current to the switching amplifier. The switching amplifier includes at least one switching elements that connects the variable current source to one of a terminal connected a ground potential and an output terminal of the switching amplifier according to the phase signal. |
| US08923434B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying a complex-valued signal, and mobile communication device
A method and an apparatus for modifying a complex-valued signal are described, the complex-valued signal representing a first symbol and a second symbol. A signal trajectory of the complex-valued signal between the first and second symbols is determined, and, if the signal trajectory passes nearby the constellation origin, the signal trajectory is altered to run closer to the constellation origin. |
| US08923427B2 |
Codebook sub-sampling for frequency-selective precoding feedback
A method includes, in a mobile communication terminal, holding a definition of a sub-sampled codebook identifying precoding matrices, which are selected from a master codebook that is made-up of a wideband codebook and a frequency-selective codebook. The definition defines a first subset of the wideband codebook and a second subset of the frequency-selective codebook. The second subset of the frequency-selective codebook is represented using no more than two bits. A Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) signal is received in the terminal. Based on the received MIMO signal, one or more precoding matrices are selected from the sub-sampled codebook for precoding subsequent MIMO signals transmitted to the terminal, and precoding feedback indicating the selected precoding matrices is calculated. The precoding feedback is transmitted from the terminal. |
| US08923425B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication system and channel feedback method thereof for use in multi-input multi-output network
A communication apparatus, a communication system and a channel feedback method thereof for use in multi-input multi-output network are provided. The communication apparatus and the communication system communicate with each other via first antenna and second antenna respectively. The communication apparatus and the communication system transmit sounding signals via two high-related sounding channels and determine phase information of the signal transmitted in the channel between the communication apparatus and the communication system accordingly. |
| US08923419B2 |
Method and system for communication in a wireless network
Methods and apparatus are described for processing data in a wireless communication network. Iterative estimation techniques are used to enable tracking of time-varying communication channels. A signal is transmitted over a channel in the network, the signal comprising a sequence of symbols carried on a plurality of sub-carriers. Boot-up estimator (304) estimates, in a time domain, parameters of a model of the channel based on the received signal. A domain converter (206) transforms at least one of the estimated parameters from the time domain to provide at least one transformed parameter in a second domain. An equalizer (210) and decoder (212) determine estimates of symbols from the received signal using the at least one transformed parameter, and tracking estimator (314) updates the estimated model parameters during reception of the signal using at least one estimated symbol. |
| US08923415B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method
A transmitted digital signal from a digital signal processor is converted into an analog signal at an analog circuit, and then transmitted from transmission lines via a communication transformer. A communication apparatus has a plurality of communication modes that perform communication in different communication ranges. A controller in the digital signal processor changes an output level of the transmitted signal according to the communication modes. More specifically, the controller detects communication quality of the transmitted signal and lowers the output level of the transmitted signal within a range where the detected communication quality does not fall below predetermined quality. |
| US08923406B2 |
Video encoding and decoding using transforms
Video encoding or decoding utilizing a spatial transform operating on rows and columns of a block, with a set of transform skip modes including: transform on rows and columns; transform on rows only; transform on columns only; no transform. An indication of the selected mode is provided to the decoder. Coefficients are scaled by a factor dependent upon the norm of the transform vector of the skipped transform to bring the untransformed image values to the same level as transformed coefficients. |
| US08923401B2 |
Hybrid motion image compression
A system and method for processing images of a scene captured by an imaging platform include a correction processor configured to determine a plurality of coefficients associated with transformations that substantially correct expected inter-frame changes in the images caused by relative motion between the scene and the imaging platform; a transformation processor configured to transform the captured images using the plurality of coefficients and transformations so as to substantially correct said expected inter-frame changes; and a module configured to store the plurality of coefficients in image metadata associated with the images. |
| US08923400B1 |
Method and/or apparatus for multiple pass digital image stabilization
An apparatus including a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate (i) a first series of sequential frames, (ii) a plurality of local motion vectors for each of the frames, (iii) one or more global motion vectors for each of the frames, (iv) a second series of stabilized sequential frames, (v) a plurality of rough motion vectors and (vi) a digital bitstream in response to (i) a video input signal. The second circuit may be configured to generate a single motion vector in response to a plurality of motion vectors. The second circuit may be further configured to eliminate outlier vectors from the plurality of motion vectors. |
| US08923395B2 |
Video coding using intra-prediction
In general, techniques of this disclosure are related to determining a prediction characteristic associated with a coding unit of video data, wherein determining the prediction characteristic includes determining a prediction type that defines a number of prediction units associated with the coding unit. Techniques of this disclosure may also be related to generating a set of available intra-prediction modes for the coding unit based on the prediction characteristic, selecting an intra-prediction mode from the available intra-prediction modes, and applying one of the available intra-prediction modes to code the coding unit. |
| US08923390B2 |
Scalar quantization using bit-stealing for video processing
Systems, methods, and apparatus for adaptively zeroing out transform coefficients utilizing a bit-stealing parameter are presented herein. A partitioning component can be configured to separate an image into blocks of video data. Further, a frequency transform component can be configured to transform pixels of a block of the blocks into transform coefficients. Furthermore, a bit-stealing quantization component configured to predefine quantization intervals. Moreover, the bit-stealing quantization component can modify a size of a quantization interval of the quantization intervals based on a variable bit-stealing parameter. Further, the bit-stealing component can quantize a transform coefficient of the transform coefficients, based on the quantization interval, to a quantized coefficient value of quantized coefficient values. |
| US08923389B1 |
Unified scaling with differential coding for internal bit depth extension and reference frame compression
A disclosed system, method and computer readable storage medium is provided to receive an input video comprising a plurality of video frames, each of which has a plurality of input pixels. Each input pixel is of n-bit depth (e.g., 8-bit depth). The method optionally increases the bitdepth of each input pixel by a predetermined factor (e.g., 4-bit factor). The method further compresses and reconstructs each pixels of the input video. The method further compresses and reconstructs each pixel of intermediate frame buffers stored in a decoder frame buffer. The method calculates an adaptive offset for each block (e.g., of size of 4×4) of reconstructed pixel values of the intermediate frame buffers. Furthermore, the method can compute two-sub-block offset values and uses them to compute an optimized adaptive offset to be applied to each pixel within the corresponding sub-block. |
| US08923388B2 |
Early stage slice cap decision in video coding
A method for making a slice cap decision during encoding of a video sequence in a video encoding pipe is provided that includes determining a prediction mode for a macroblock, computing an estimated encoded size of the macroblock based on an adaptive macroblock size estimation model, and making a slice cap decision for a current slice based on the estimated encoded macroblock size, wherein the slice cap decision is made prior to entropy coding the macroblock. |
| US08923378B2 |
Equalizer for AM in-band on-channel radio receivers that does not require analog signal bandwidth information
A method is provided for equalizing OFDM symbol vectors received on AM in-band on-channel radio signal including a main carrier and first and second BPSK modulated subcarriers. The method comprises: computing a BPSK magnitude signal; filtering the BPSK magnitude signal; filtering complex samples received on the main carrier; using the filtered BPSK magnitude signal and the filtered complex samples received on the main carrier to compute a plurality of flat fade equalization coefficients; and multiplying the OFDM symbol vectors by the flat fade equalization coefficients. A receiver that includes an equalizer, which operates in accordance with the method is also provided. |
| US08923370B2 |
Radio communication apparatus method
A digital radio module comprises a modular architecture for use in a multi-band multi-standard radio communication apparatus. The digital radio module comprises one or more digital transmitter sub modules, each digital transmitter sub module comprising a plurality of digital transmitter chains, and one or more digital receiver sub modules, each digital receiver sub module comprising a plurality of digital receiver chains. Each of the digital transmitter sub modules and digital receiver sub modules comprises a respective control unit for individually configuring each digital transmitter sub module and digital receiver sub module such that the digital radio module is operable to transmit and/or receive multiple different carrier frequency signals in one or more different modes of operation. |
| US08923366B2 |
Adaptive precoder cycling
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving a precoder selection process in a wireless communications system. In a normal precoder selection process, a precoder is selected from a codebook based on channel state information estimated from received reference signals. In between two received reference signals, a subset of precoders is cycled through and each precoder in the subset is iteratively selected for use by a transmitter to precode transmit signals. The subset of precoders may be adaptively modified based on predefined criteria. |
| US08923363B2 |
System and method for communicating reference signals
A method for communicating DM-RS symbols to support MIMO transmissions having five or more layers of spatial multiplexing. A first subframe is communicated carrying two leading symbols of a first length-4 OCC sequence and two leading symbols of a second length-4 OCC sequence, and a second subframe is communicated carrying two trailing symbols of the first length-4 OCC and two trailing symbols of the second length-4 OCC sequence. Optionally four length-2 OCCs can be carried in a similar manner or, alternatively, in different frequency bands or resource block pairs of a common subframe. |
| US08923357B2 |
Semiconductor laser with cathode metal layer disposed in trench region
A laser diode includes a substrate and a junction layer disposed on the substrate. The junction layer forms a quantum well of the laser diode. The laser diode includes a junction surface having at least one channel that extends through the junction layer to the substrate. The at least one channel defines an anode region and a cathode region. A cathode electrical junction is disposed on the junction surface at the cathode region, and an anode electrical junction is disposed on the junction surface and coupled to the junction layer at the anode region. A cathode metal layer is disposed in at least a trench region of the channel. The cathode metal layer couples the substrate to the cathode electrical junction. |
| US08923354B2 |
Nitride semiconductor laser, epitaxial substrate
A nitride semiconductor laser comprises a conductive support base having a primary surface of gallium nitride based semiconductor, an active layer on the primary surface, and a p-type cladding region on the primary surface. The primary surface is tilted to a reference plane perpendicular to a reference axis extending in the c-axis direction of the gallium nitride based semiconductor. The p-type cladding region comprises a first p-type group III nitride semiconductor layer of an AlGaN layer anisotropically-strained, and a second p-type group III nitride semiconductor layer of material different from the AlGaN layer. The first p-type group III nitride semiconductor layer is provided between the second p-type group III nitride semiconductor layer and the active layer. The AlGaN layer has the largest bandgap in the p-type cladding region. The second p-type group III nitride semiconductor layer has a resistivity lower than the first p-type group III nitride semiconductor layer. |
| US08923350B2 |
Flexible and stable supercontinuum source
Optical pulse source comprising optical pump laser for generating optical pump pulses at repetition rate Rf; a nonlinear optical element comprising an optical fiber for generating supercontinuum pulses; a gating device provided operable to selectively control the launch of pump pulses into the optical fiber at a reduced, lower repetition rate Rr=Rf/N in order to generate supercontinuum pulses at different user selectable repetition rates lower than the pump pulse repetition rate; first and second optical amplifiers; wavelength tunable optical bandpass filter; wherein the optical fiber can generate supercontinuum pulses having a supercontinuum spanning from below 450 nm to greater than 2000 nm; and wherein said optical pulse source comprises an all-fiber source wherein said optical pump laser comprises a fiber oscillator, said gating device comprises a fiber coupled optical modulator, and the optical pump pulses are launched into the optical fiber without the use of free space optics. |
| US08923349B2 |
Fourier domain mode locking: method and apparatus for control and improved performance
A control system for improving and stabilizing Fourier domain mode locking (FDML) operation. The control system may also provide regulation of FDML operational parameters such as filter tuning, laser gain, polarization, polarization chromaticity, elliptical polarization retardance, and/or dispersion. The control system may be located internal to or external from the FDML laser cavity. |
| US08923343B2 |
Synchronizing wireless local area network access points
In a wireless local area network, a first and second access point in which the RF coverage areas overlap are synchronized by positioning a monitor station within the overlap area. The monitor station receives beacon frames from both access points and records the arrival times. A manager in communication with both access points and the monitor station calculates a retardation interval and issues a control command to the second access point to retard transmission of its beacon frame. The retardation interval is calculated such that the contention-free period of the second access point does not overlap the contention-free period of the first access point. The manager may also issue control commands to the first and second access points to adjust their contention-free periods. |
| US08923324B2 |
Method for operating a wireless network
A radio system employing at least one dual protocol equipped radio device is described. The system and devices form a piconet in which message transaction parameters such as amount of data or requests to join the piconet, are monitored (60). A dual protocol device is then selected (62) (or selects itself) according to the monitored parameters, and the selected device then switches (64) the protocol it is using from a first protocol (such as Bluetooth), to a second protocol (such as ZigBee). Hence a flexible piconet is achieved in which various requirements concerning data connection and data-rates are accommodated. |
| US08923322B2 |
Stateless fibre channel sequence acceleration for fibre channel traffic over Ethernet
A method for offloading Fiber Channel transmit data in an I/O operation. The transmit data includes Fiber Channel sequences, each Fiber Channel sequence includes multiple frames. The method includes generating a single transmit sequence request descriptor for transmitting all of the plurality of frames; creating an Ethernet header, a FCoE encapsulation header, and a Fiber Channel header for each frame in response to information in the transmit sequence request descriptor; creating start of frame and end of frame delimiters; inserting data into each frame; computing Fiber Channel CRC and Ethernet FCS for each frame; and transmitting the plurality of frames over a network. In each of the plurality of frames, the Ethernet header precedes the FCoE encapsulation header, which precedes the Fiber Channel header, which precedes the data. The data is followed by the Fiber Channel CRC, which is followed by the Ethernet FCS. |
| US08923321B2 |
Apparatus and method for handling control channel reception/decoding failure in a wireless VoIP communication system
A base station (103) assigns a set of mobile stations (101) to a group wherein the group will share a set of radio resources (710). A shared control channel information element (501) is sent to the group of mobile stations (101) and provides a bitmap having fields for group ordering (511), resource allocations (530), failure handling resources (540), and an ordering pattern (513). If a mobile station fails to decode the shared control channel information element (501) it will access the failure handling resources in order to receive data. The failure handling channel may be persistent in some embodiments, or may be released after the mobile station is once again able to decode the shared control channel information element (501) and thereby share in the shared resource pool allocated to its mobile station group. |
| US08923320B2 |
Systems and methods for automating virtual network interface controller configuration during workload provisioning
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a network interface and a processor. The network interface may include a plurality of physical ports, each physical port configured to be coupled to a corresponding switch interfacing between the physical port and a switching fabric comprising one or more virtual local area networks. The processor may be configured to receive workload requirements defining operational parameters for one or more virtual network interface controllers and automatically assign each of the one or more virtual network interface controllers to a partition of one of the plurality of physical ports based on the operational parameters. |
| US08923318B2 |
Wireless communication system and method for assigning a channel in said wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system comprises an antenna unit comprising a plurality of antenna elements, selecting means arranged to select at least one of the antenna elements as serving antenna for communication with user equipment, means for code allocation arranged to allocate a code for channel estimation support for the communication between the serving antenna and the user equipment, and a control unit arranged to control the communication based on the selected serving antenna and the allocated code. The means for code allocation are arranged to assign the code to said user equipment. The control unit is arranged to control the serving antenna so as to transmit the code assigned to the user equipment. |
| US08923316B2 |
System and method for routing internet traffic over internet links
An apparatus and method for routing IP traffic in real time from at least one network user to a plurality of internet links. Embodiments include assigning different ranks to different internet links based on network monitoring. In one embodiment, a system for routing traffic includes an route optimizer to generate routing instructions using financial costs of routing data packets on the internet links, traffic condition information associated with the internet links, types of data of the incoming data packets, and levels of service assigned to the types of data of incoming data packets. In another embodiment, a method to generate a routing instruction uses delay data for each of the internet links, the type of data of the incoming data packet, and a level of service assigned to the type of data of the incoming data packet. |
| US08923315B2 |
Packet router having a hierarchical buffer structure
A packet-router architecture in which buffer modules are interconnected by one or more interconnect fabrics and arranged to form a plurality of hierarchical buffer levels, with each higher buffer level having more buffer modules than a corresponding lower buffer level. An interconnect fabric is configured to connect three or more respective buffer modules, with one of these buffer modules belonging to one buffer level and the other two or more buffer modules belonging to a next higher buffer level. A buffer module is configured to implement a packet queue that (i) enqueues received packets at the end of the queue in the order of their arrival to the buffer module, (ii) dequeues packets from the head of the queue, and (iii) advances packets toward the head of the queue when the buffer module transmits one or more packets to the higher buffer level or to a respective set of output ports connected to the buffer module. |
| US08923314B2 |
System and method to route data in an anycast environment
A method of routing data in a network includes sending an instruction to a router to statically route outbound traffic to a firewall farm having an anycast address, identifying prefixes of endpoints that communicate with router, instructing a firewall router to send a route advertisement to the network announcing that the firewall router is the subsequent best hop for data bound for the endpoints, detecting a change in network condition, and sending another instruction to the router to route outbound traffic to another firewall farm having the anycast address after detecting the change. |
| US08923313B2 |
Efficient transmission of data to multiple network nodes
An improved method, system, and computer program product for efficient transmission of data to multiple network nodes is disclosed. A method for transmitting a data block over a network from a first sending node to a first set of recipient nodes, comprises, in the first sending node, a) dividing the first set of recipient nodes into a subset of selected nodes, selected according to scoring criteria associated with each recipient node, and a subset of unselected nodes, b) assigning at least one of the unselected nodes to at least one selected node according to scoring criteria associated with the respective selected nodes, c) transmitting to each selected node a packet including the data block and a list of the nodes assigned to the selected node. |
| US08923308B2 |
Network access control
The invention provides for telecommunications user equipment including network access control means operative responsive to control parameters and further including a subscriber module accessible remote from the user equipment and arranged to store the said control parameters for use by the said access control means, and wherein the subscriber module can comprise a mobile equipment offering gateway functionality such as between a public access network and a local IP link. |
| US08923303B2 |
Method, system and installation for forwarding data transmission frames
In a system, the functionality is decentralized in a data transmission network so that the need of communications produced by and addressed to data terminals to pass by way of a single point in the data transmission network is diminished. A first data transmission installation is adapted to signal second data transmission installations, each of which is part of a ring-shaped data transmission topology, to be capable of building logical data transmission tunnels directed to the data terminals. Thereby, all the logical data transmission tunnels need not commence or, depending on the direction, terminate at the same point of a data transmission network. In addition, the data transmission installations present in a ring-shaped data transmission topology need not necessarily be taught routing information in order to enable each of these data transmission installations to send data transmission frames to be transmitted to another one of these data transmission installations. |
| US08923298B2 |
Optimized trie-based address lookup
One embodiment of the present invention provides a router. The router includes a storage, a forwarding table management mechanism, and a longest prefix matching mechanism. The storage stores, in a data structure corresponding to a rich prefix node associated with a trie, a plurality of network address prefixes represented by the trie. The forwarding table management mechanism expresses a respective network address prefix using one or more of: 1) a traversal path on the trie from a root node to a subtrie of the trie; and 2) an encoded representation of a node in the subtrie. The longest prefix matching mechanism matches a network address with a longest prefix from the network address prefixes stored in the data structure corresponding to the prefix node. |
| US08923292B2 |
Differential forwarding in address-based carrier networks
The invention relates to enabling differential forwarding in address-based carrier networks such as Ethernet networks. There is described a method of and connection controller for establishing connections (76, 77) in a frame-based communications network comprising nodes (71-75 and 78) such as Ethernet switches. The connections are established by configuring, in various of the nodes, mappings for forwarding data frames, such as Ethernet frames. The mappings are from a combination of a) a destination (or source) address corresponding to a destination (or source) node (73) of the connection and b) an identifier, such as a VLAN tag. The mappings are to selected output ports of the various nodes. By using the combination of destination (or source) address AND identifier, the mappings enable data frames belonging to different connections (76, 77) to be forwarded differentially (ie forwarded on different output ports) at a node (75) despite the different connections having the same destination node. This enables flexibility in routing connections and the ability to perform traffic engineering. |
| US08923289B2 |
Communicating tone information in a network
A method and apparatus to communicate tones is described. |
| US08923284B2 |
Method and system of providing multi-user access to a packet switched network
An approach for providing multi-user access to a packet switched network via a shared Ethernet-based local area network (LAN) is disclosed. Multiple end user stations are connected to the LAN, in which each of end user stations executes a communication software that is based upon a communication protocol (e.g., Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)), which establishes a point-to-point communication session. In addition, each of the end user stations selectively encapsulates the communication protocol packets using the Ethernet-based based LAN protocol. Further, attached to the LAN is a customer premise equipment (CPE), which transmits the encapsulated packets to a line terminating equipment, which according to one embodiment is a digital subscriber line (DSL) access multiplexer that is located in a central office. The line terminating equipment transports the multiple PPP sessions to a multiplexer/demultiplexer, which is located within a regional carrier's network. The multiple PPP sessions are terminated at a remote access server, which recovers and forwards the packets to a backbone router. Thereafter, the backbone router forwards the packets to the packet switched network. |
| US08923282B2 |
Systems and methods for wireless communication of long data units
Systems, methods, and devices for communicating long packets are described herein. In some aspects, one or more training fields are interposed between data symbols of a data unit. The training fields may comprise a short training field (STF) and/or a long training field (LTF). The training fields may be used by a receiving device to adjust settings or parameters used for decoding the data symbols. |
| US08923279B2 |
Prevention of voice over IP spam
In one embodiment, a system is provided to prevent VoIP spam. The system may store call data that is associated with a call to a phone number made over a Public Switched Telephone Network. Subsequently, the system may accept an Internet Protocol telephony connection in response to verification of a demonstrated knowledge of the call. The demonstrated knowledge of the call may be verified based on the call data. |
| US08923272B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiplexing a host identity protocol security channel
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of security channel multiplexing, and disclose a method and an apparatus for multiplexing a HIP security channel. A method includes: receiving a message for requesting to transmit data; detecting whether a HIP security channel is established with the HIP host; if true, transmitting control signaling to the HIP host, where the control signaling is used to request to multiplex the HIP security channel to transmit data of the traditional host; if a response message returned from the HIP host is received, transmitting the data of the traditional host to the HIP host through the HIP security channel. With embodiments of the present invention, the quantity of HIP security channels established between the HIP proxy and the HIP host and the loads of maintaining the security channel can be reduced, and the utilization of the HIP security channel is increased. |
| US08923271B2 |
Methods and arrangements in a wireless communication system
Method and arrangement in a base station for allocating resources to a user equipment. The method and arrangement comprises analyzing a period of time comprising a subset of the predetermined scheduling request opportunities, detecting a scheduling request from the user equipment, establishing priority level information from the detected scheduling request and the subset of the predetermined scheduling request opportunities, and allocating resources to the user equipment, according to the established priority level information. In addition, a method and arrangement in a user equipment for assisting the base station in allocating resources to the user equipment are described. |
| US08923267B2 |
System and method for high speed peer-to-peer connectivity between wireless devices
A device and method is provided to facilitate direct high speed data transfer between at least two wireless devices in order to support high speed local connectivity while mitigating the need for multimedia servers. A short range high speed link is established between wireless devices using an uplink band of a licensed spectrum in the case of Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems and the same band in the case of Time Division duplex (TDD) systems, hence enhancing the spectrum efficiency. |
| US08923265B2 |
On-demand services by wireless base station virtualization
Initiating a virtual presence at a physical access point in response to a request for a service from a wireless access device is provided. A particular wireless service may be provided to a subscriber on an on-demand basis according to location and/or type of service requested. The service may be terminated when demand for the service comes to an end whereby a common wireless service infrastructure may be shared amongst service providers thus eliminating the need for radio channel coordination and otherwise enhancing service quality for those service providers. |
| US08923264B2 |
Intelligent delivery agent for short message distribution center
A message distribution center (MDC) and Intelligent Delivery Agent in a wireless Internet gateway interposed between content providers and a wireless carrier to subjectively examine and direct messages via simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) based on desired rules using standard SMTP Gateway and other known protocols. The MDC includes an individual queue for each subscriber, and the provider is informed through conventional SMTP messages that the short message has been accepted. If the carrier has specifically disallowed service for a particular mobile identification number (MIN), then the content provider is informed that the recipient is invalid. An MDC provides a single mechanism for interacting with subscribers of multiple carriers, regardless of each carrier's underlying infrastructure. An MDC protects networks by intelligently throttling messages and configuring message delivery parameters. An MDC receives presence information. A content provider communicates with the MDC using SMTP messages, and the MDC communicates with wireless carriers. |
| US08923263B2 |
Method and apparatus for scanning existing networks in TVWS
A method and an apparatus for scanning existing networks in TV White Space are disclosed. For scanning existing networks at a station to operate as an unlicensed device in a regulatory domain where a licensed device and the unlicensed device are permitted to operate, the method comprises: receiving a white space map (WSM) comprising information for available channels to be used for the unlicensed device to operate a wireless local area network (WLAN) operation and maximum transmission powers allowed for each of the available channels from an enabling station, wherein the enabling station is a station determining the available channels at its location using its own geographic location identification and a regulatory database access capability; and scanning the existing networks on the available channels identified within the received WSM. |
| US08923260B2 |
Mobility in multi-device multi-homed deployments
Systems and methods for providing identity management and mobility management are disclosed. The management scheme provides mobility in multi-device and multi-homed deployments. A collection of three identities, a device identity, a link layer identity, and a user identity, can be used to provide mobility for a number of devices under different use scenarios. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for receiving messages from a mobile device at a mobility gateway, the messages including identifiers such as a user identifier, a link layer identifier, and a device identifier where identifiers are stored or retained at the mobility gateway. When a subsequent network attach request is received including one or more identifiers, a reconnection can occur, based on a result of comparing the stored identifiers with the received one or more identifiers. |
| US08923257B2 |
Methods and apparatus to discover network capabilities available via wireless networks
Example methods and apparatus to discover network capabilities available via wireless networks are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves discovering first network capabilities by performing an exchange between a wireless terminal and an access point of a wireless local area network. The method also involves comparing the first network capabilities with cached network capabilities and joining the wireless terminal with the access point based on at least a portion of the first network capabilities matching at least a portion of the cached network capabilities. |
| US08923256B2 |
Transfer of packet data in system comprising mobile terminal, wireless local network and mobile network
A method of arranging the transmission of packet data in a system comprising a mobile terminal, a wireless local network and a mobile network that includes end-to-end service related parameters that are signalled via a separate signalling element. A resource authorization identifier is transmitted to the mobile network via the local network. Authorization is requested from the signalling element on the basis of the resource authorization identifier. A tunnel between the mobile terminal and the mobile network is bound to the end-to-end data flow of the mobile terminal on the basis of an authorization from the signalling element and tunnel identification information identifying the tunnel. |
| US08923247B2 |
Handover from circuit switched to packet switched
The invention relates to a method for handing over a call of a mobile entity that is circuit switched attached via a Mobile Switching Center MSC (120) to an IP Multimedia Subsystem IMS, wherein the mobile entity (100) is registered at the IMS. According to the invention, either the MSC or a media gateway act as application function towards a PCRF with the correct IP address of the media gateway. |
| US08923246B2 |
Optimization of data handover to wireless wide area networks
A method, system, and computer program product for managing a radio resource control state of a user equipment. A triggering module may be configured to determine whether a number of triggering conditions are satisfied. Also, responsive to satisfying the number of triggering conditions, a sustain module may be configured to initiate a sustain message. The sustain message may prevent the radio resource control state of the user equipment from changing states. |
| US08923244B2 |
Systems and methods of advertising handoff
A heterogeneous communication system enables femto Access Points (APs) to advertise handoff related information on a first Radio Access Technology (RAT), such as for receipt by a multi mode mobile device (e.g., a mobile device capable of operation on a plurality of RATs), wherein the handoff related information permits the multi mode mobile device to identify the femto access point on a second RAT. The multi mode mobile device can be connected to a macro node (e.g., a macro base station, an evolved Base Node, etc.) using the first RAT via a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) air-interface (e.g., 1×, HRPD, eHRPD), while independently reading/decoding overhead messages on the second RAT for connection thereto (e.g., connection to the femto access point on the second RAT.) The second RAT can be another WWAN, a Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) or a Personal Access Network. |
| US08923242B2 |
Wireless transmission system having reduced interference
In the present invention, a wireless transmission system includes a plurality of mobile stations in a cell area, and a base station. The base station divides each of an uplink frame and a downlink frame into a plurality of blocks, assigns a specific one of the plurality of blocks to each of the plurality of the mobile stations, assigns a specific frequency channel to the mobile station, and notifies the specific block and the specific frequency channel to the mobile station. The length of each of the plurality of blocks is optional, and a sum of the lengths of the plurality of blocks is equal to the length of the frame. |
| US08923241B2 |
Resource allocation method and a method for transmitting/receiving resource allocation information in mobile communication system
According to one embodiment, a user equipment for use in a mobile communication system is configured to: receive control information including a first field and a second field via a control channel, the first field indicating one of N (N≧2) resource block group (RBG) sets and the second field including a bitmap, wherein each bit of the bitmap is used to indicate whether a corresponding resource block (RB) in the indicated one of the N RBG sets is allocated; interpret the first field and the second field for resource allocation in the control information; and receive data using the control information. An RBG set n (0≦n |
| US08923238B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station apparatus and mobile station apparatus
A mobile station (MS) transmits, to a base station (BS), uplink data on a PUSCH, the PUSCH is assigned by using a PDCCH. The MS receives, from the BS, a radio resource control signal including first information instructing the MS to periodically transmit first reception quality information (RQI), the radio resource control signal including second information for determining an amount of resources for second RQI transmitted on the PUSCH, and third information instructing the MS to transmit the second RQI on the PUSCH; and transmits, to the BS, only the second RQI on the PUSCH in a case that the transmission of the first RQI which is instructed by using the first information and the transmission of the second RQI which is instructed by using the third information would occur at the same time, wherein the amount of resources for the second RQI is determined based on the second information. |
| US08923237B2 |
Method of processing control information in a mobile communication system
A method of processing control information in a mobile communication system is disclosed, by which an RRC connection setup can be quickly completed and by which control information can be processed without an unnecessary standby of a mobile terminal. The present invention includes the steps of receiving a plurality of protocol data units transmitted plural time from a transmitting side via one common logical channel by an RLC (radio link control) entity operating in a UM (unacknowledged mode) and having a receiving window and a timer, re-ordering a plurality of the received protocol data units using sequence numbers of a plurality of the received protocol data units, the receiving window and the timer, reassembling at least one service data unit by processing a plurality of the re-ordered protocol data units, and delivering the at least one service data unit. |
| US08923236B2 |
Method of transmitting and receiving paging messages in a wireless communication system
A method of transmitting and receiving paging messages in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method of transmitting paging messages in a wireless communication system comprises transmitting paging messages to a plurality of user equipments from a network of the wireless communication system, wherein the network transmits the paging messages to different user equipments, which are in different connection states, through different channels. |
| US08923234B2 |
Method for measuring a neighboring cell and an apparatus thereof
A method of performing intra-frequency cell measurement by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes determining a measurement gap for the intra-frequency cell measurement based on downlink control information received from an eNB, and performing the intra-frequency cell measurement for a neighboring cell during the measurement gap. The measurement gap corresponds to one or more downlink subframes other than a downlink subframe having downlink data for the UE indicated by the downlink control information. |
| US08923230B2 |
Signal sequence allocating device and signal sequence allocating method
To efficiently and appropriately allocate signal sequences, a signal sequence allocation device includes a cell radius calculation module that calculates an area radius of an area in communication areas to which a signal sequence is to be allocated, a signal number calculation module that calculates the number of signals in a signal sequence to be allocated to a communication area based on the area radius, and a signal sequence allocation module that allocates a signal sequence to a communication area based on the number of signals. |
| US08923218B2 |
Apparatus and method for random access signaling in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for providing random access signaling in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus and method determine a random access transmission scheme for the MIMO communication system based at least in part on a number of transmit antennas in the system. The random access signals are transmitted in a random access channel using the random access transmission scheme. Power control for the random access channel is performed based at least in part on the random access transmission scheme. |
| US08923216B2 |
Robust decoding of CoMP transmissions
Techniques for transmitting data and resource signals (RS) are provided. According to certain aspects, an access point may determine RS resource locations related to one or more access points in a CoMP set transmitting a common reference signal (CRS), map data transmissions initially over resources other than those related to the RS resource locations, and map remaining data transmissions over resources related to the RS resource locations. According to certain aspects, a wireless device may receive a signal from access points in a coordinated multiple point (CoMP) communication set comprising a common reference signal (CRS) superimposed over data, determine CRS locations in the signal that correspond to the CRS, and decode data from the signal based at least in part on the determined CRS locations. |
| US08923212B2 |
Method and apparatus for interference management
In some aspect restricted access nodes are assigned to a designated common channel while access terminals that are in active communication with a macro access node may selectively be assigned to the designated channel. In some aspect an access terminal associated with macro access node may perform a handoff to a different carrier when the access terminal is in the vicinity of a coverage area of a restricted access node. In some aspect an access terminal associated with a macro access node may perform a handoff to a different carrier based on location information. In some aspect access to a restricted access node is controlled based on policy and/or based on operation of an access terminal associated with the restricted access node. |
| US08923211B2 |
Method and apparatus of processing an access grant block in wireless communication systems
A method and apparatus for processing an AccessGrant block in a wireless communication system is provided, comprising placing the AccessGrant in a public data, adjusting timing of the sector that transmitted the AccessGrant, instructing a RCC MAC to initialize transmit power and transmitting an AccessGrantReceived indication for a sector. |
| US08923207B2 |
Method for initializing sequence of reference signal and base station using the same
A method and an apparatus are provided for scrambling sequence initialization for downlink demodulation reference signal (DL DMRS) applied to the multi-user (MU) multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO) in a coordinated multiple point (CoMP) scenario. The value of virtual slot index in the sequence initialization of the DL DMRS can be dynamically selected from two candidates and tied to the virtual cell ID and/or the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scrambling ID. The two candidate values can be configured by a user equipment (UE) specific semi-statistical higher layer signaling if a subframe shifting is considered for enhanced inter-cell interference cancellation (eICIC) in HeNets. Possible values of virtual slot index used for generating the DL DMRS sequence initialization of the cell can then be derived so that access procedure information, which may include synchronization signal, physical broadcast channel, paging message, can be reliably received at the remote radio header (RRH) or pico cell. |
| US08923206B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
A wireless communication apparatus of the invention has a determination section that determines which one of a plurality of formats is used for determining transmission symbols to be transmitted to another communication apparatus; a control section that determines a type a sequence length of an orthogonal code and used for assigning ACK/NACK symbols to identical symbols in an identical slot on basis of the format determined by the determination section, without depending on a number of transmission symbols capable of being transmitted to the other communication apparatus; a spreading section that spreads the ACK/NACK symbols by an identical type of orthogonal code in the plurality of formats set based on the type and the sequence length of the orthogonal code determined by the control section; and a transmission section that transmits the spread ACK/NACK symbols using the determined format. |
| US08923204B2 |
Message handling extension using context artifacts
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: identifying a context artifact, wherein the context artifact defines a context object type for use by the DRA; receiving a Diameter message at the DRA from an origin device; establishing a context object of the context object type defined by the context artifact; evaluating a rule that includes a context object reference, wherein the evaluation includes accessing the context object based on the context object reference; and transmitting a message based on the evaluation of the rule. |
| US08923203B2 |
Reference signal for a coordinated multi-point network implementation
A system and method for broadcasting a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) is disclosed. A CSI-RS that is orthogonal to CSI-RSs transmitted by each of a first network cell and each of a set of neighbor cells that interfere with the first network cell is identified. In one implementation, the first network cell has a coverage containing a coverage of a second network cell. The method includes transmitting, from the second network cell, the CSI-RS that is orthogonal to CSI-RSs transmitted by each of the first network cell and each of a set of interfering neighbor cells. |
| US08923199B2 |
Method and arrangement for network nodes of a wireless communication network
A method of operating a wireless network node of a wireless communication network is disclosed. The wireless network nodes have at least first and second downlink transmission modes, the first downlink transmission mode comprising normal operation of a particular network node and being applicable when a number of active terminals in a cell associated with the particular network node is greater than a first mode threshold value, and the second downlink transmission mode comprising restricted downlink transmission of the particular network node and being applicable when the number of active terminals in the cell associated with the particular network node is less than or equal to a second mode threshold value. The method comprises transmitting a signal indicative of a current downlink transmission mode of the wireless network node. Corresponding computer program product and arrangement are also disclosed. |
| US08923197B2 |
Methods and apparatus to transmit and receive synchronization signal and system information in a wireless communication system
A base station transmits a plurality of primary synchronization channel (PSC) symbols to a mobile station in a slot of a subframe of a frame-based wireless communication system. The base station also transmits a plurality of secondary synchronization channel (SSC) symbols to the mobile station in the slot of the subframe. The mobile station determines a preferred receiver beam based on the plurality of received consecutive PSC symbols. |
| US08923195B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient content delivery in radio access networks
Various methods and communications devices to improve bandwidth utilization in a wireless communication network are provided. By way of example, efficient content delivery in a radio access network is achieved by using an accelerator module configured to implement a stack having, among others, a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) layer, a transmission control protocol (TCP) layer, and a de-duplication, Lempel-Ziv (LZ) compression/decompression, and caching layer. |
| US08923194B2 |
Communication method, mobile network system and device
A mobile terminal (UE) used in a mobile communication network that includes a mobility management entity (MME) and a serving gateway (S-GW), receives paging from the mobile communication network, upon arrival of an incoming call destined for the mobile terminal at the mobile communication network, in which if the mobility management entity has restarted, the serving gateway maintains a specific S5/S8 bearer and deletes other bearers, and in response to the paging, re-attaches to the mobile communication network. |
| US08923192B2 |
Method for service data transmission, a receiver, a mobile terminal, a transmitter and a base station
The present invention discloses a method for service data transmission, a receiver, a mobile terminal, a transmitter and a base station. In the above method, a receiver of a mobile terminal receives a control signal sent by a base station, wherein the control signal is used for indicating more than one subcarriers allocated to the mobile terminal and the more than one subcarriers are used for service data transmission; it is judged whether the difference between the highest frequency FREHigh and the lowest frequency FRELow in the more than one subcarriers exceeds a threshold value THB; if not exceed, then the receiver receives service data using a narrowband mode, otherwise receives the service data using a broadband mode. By way of the technical solution of the present invention, the signal bandwidth processed by the receiver can become narrow, the digital sampling rate becomes lower, the calculation amount of the FFT module and relevant storage are reduced, thus achieving the effect of reducing the power consumption overhead of the mobile terminal. |
| US08923191B2 |
Internet protocol collaborative mobility
Systems and methods are provided for maintaining communications with mobile users within organizational logical network groups when transitioning between logical groups. A client mobility agent resides as part of a mobile communication unit and monitors link metrics to determine if a transition to another logical network group is desired. The client mobility agents and a server mobility agent collaborate to reassign or re-home a mobile communication unit to a new home logical network group, and provide the mobile communication unit with a new group address upon entering a new logical network. The server mobility agent collaborates with a server mobility agent of the previous logical group that the mobile communication unit was a member to transfer sessions and services associated with the mobile communication unit to the new logical network. |
| US08923188B2 |
System and method for data forwarding
A method for operating a first station includes broadcasting identifying information during a contention period after obtaining access to a communications medium used to transmit messages. The method also includes receiving a transmission intended for an access point from a second station over the communications medium, and forwarding the transmission to the access point over the communications medium. |
| US08923182B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing IPv6 link-layer adaptation over a wireless channel
A method and apparatus for providing IPv6 link-layer adaptation over a wireless channel are provided. The apparatus is configured to transmit and receive 6LoWPAN frames over a signaling channel of a wireless telecommunication system to provide IPv6 link-layer adaptation over the channel. |
| US08923180B2 |
Power saving in wireless network entities
Power saving in wireless networks is disclosed. A wireless network entity that includes a module to enable a reduction in power consumption in that wireless network entity is also disclosed. The module is configured to determine that a selected wireless station of one or more wireless stations associated with the wireless network entity in a same wireless network will transmit system control information (including synchronization information and service identification information) that is normally transmitted by the wireless network entity. |
| US08923174B2 |
Wireless apparatus capable of reducing receiver power
A wireless apparatus that periodically sends notification signals, including: a determining module that determines, before sending the notification signal, whether a wireless channel is being used by a wireless device; a sending module that sends the notification signal if the wireless channel is not used throughout a first period; a receiving module; a controller that controls the receiving module to be able to receive a signal until a lapse of a second period after transmission of the notification signal; and a suspending module that suspends supply of power to the receiving module if a signal is not received in the second period and the number of wireless devices that can communicate with the apparatus is zero. If the receiving module receives a signal in the second period, the controller controls the receiving module to be able to receive a signal after a lapse of the second period. |
| US08923172B2 |
Deterministic backoff channel access
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for determining timing of transmit opportunities for wireless stations. According to certain aspects, an access point transmits a downlink transmission containing a deterministic slot count. A station receiving the downlink transmission may determining timing of a transmit opportunity for transmitting a return frame based, at least in part, on the deterministic slot count. |
| US08923170B2 |
Full-duplex single-ended serial link communication system
A system for full duplex communication using a single-ended communications link is described. The system includes a first link interface configured to generate a signal for transmission via the single-ended communications link. The signal includes data encoded in a forward channel. The system also includes a second link interface configured to receive the signal from the first link interface via the single-ended communications link and modulate the signal to encode data in a reverse channel so that the signal includes the forward channel data and the reverse channel data simultaneously. |
| US08923166B2 |
Data signal transceiver circuitry for providing simultaneous bi-directional communication via a common conductor pair
Interface circuitry and method for transmitting and receiving downstream and upstream data signals simultaneously via a common conductor pair. The composite signal containing the downstream and upstream data signal components being conveyed by the common conductor pair is isolated, e.g., via signal filtering or buffering, and combined with an appropriately scaled inverse replica of the outgoing upstream data signal to subtract out upstream data signal components and thereby provide the downstream data signal substantially free of any upstream data signal components. |
| US08923164B2 |
Node and method for computing forwarding trees to distribute traffic in a network
A node and a method are described herein for computing forwarding trees to distribute traffic in a network. In addition, a network is described herein that has a plurality of nodes interconnected to one another by a plurality of network links, and each node is configured to perform multiple rounds of forwarding tree computations to distribute traffic load on one or more of the network links to the other nodes. |
| US08923162B2 |
Management of private virtual networks
A transmission system including a plurality of edge routers. The system manages a plurality of virtual networks, each network linking a plurality of remote networks therebetween. An edge router manages a topology table that indicates one or more adjacent edge routers for a given virtual network and at least one remote network identifier for an adjacent edge router. A route change made in relation to a remote network of a given virtual network is detected on the edge router. On the basis of the topology table, one or more adjacent edge routers and the corresponding remote network identifiers are determined for the virtual network. The route change is transmitted to said adjacent edge routers by indicating the corresponding remote network identifiers. |
| US08923159B2 |
Processing network traffic
A system adapted to process network traffic includes at least one processing engine configured to receive network data being transferred over a network and generate metadata relating to the data. The system includes at least one rule engine configured to receive and process the metadata to generate an output, and at least one selection engine configured to receive and process the rule engine output to determine whether the network data is to be processed by a further component and/or whether the network data is to continue to be transferred over the network. The processing engine, rule engine and selection engine can be implemented in system hardware or firmware, and the further component can be software for execution on another processor. |
| US08923153B2 |
Techniques to update a wireless communication channel estimation
Examples are disclosed for updating a wireless communication channel estimation. In some examples, a packet may be transmitted or received via a communication channel, the packet having one or more pilot signals that may shift between subcarrier frequencies based on a predetermined first variable associated with a first time duration. A second variable associated with a second time duration may be determined by the receiver of the data packet. The second variable may enable a receiver of the data packet to decide how many pilot signals may be used to update an initial channel estimation for the communication channel. Other examples are described and claimed. |
| US08923152B2 |
Random data stream sampling
A method is disclosed for sampling data elements from a data stream that comprises a plurality of data elements, each data element having a respective unique quasi-random identifier determined from a set of identifiers. Data elements are selected from the data stream whose identifiers are within a first element selection range to obtain a set including a predefined number of selected data elements, the first element selection range being a subset of the set of identifiers. A second element selection range is determined as a proper subset of the first element selection range. Data elements are discarded from the set of selected data elements whose identifiers are not within the second element selection range. At least one further data element is selected from the data stream whose identifier is within the second element selection range for the set of selected data elements. |
| US08923151B2 |
Quality control apparatus, moving image transmission system, quality control method, and recording medium
A moving image transmission system determines adequate number of packets, which are corresponding to redundant portion, in accordance with a network state.The moving image transmission system estimates a correlation between a transmission bit rate and a packet loss rate based on both of information which indicates the packet loss rate and bit rate information, and determines the packet loss rate, which makes an encode bit rate of moving image data maximum, based on the correlation, and determines redundancy, which is applied to the moving image data, based on the determined packet loss. |
| US08923149B2 |
L3 gateway for VXLAN
In an embodiment, the disclosure includes an apparatus comprising a host component which comprises a virtual switch associated with a virtual machine (VM). The host component is in communication with a routing component which is connected to a network and comprises a network address. The VM sends a communication packet to the virtual switch. The communications packet comprises address information comprising a virtual destination address. The virtual switch replaces the virtual destination address of the communications packet with the network address of the routing component. The disclosure also includes a network comprising a plurality of host components each comprising a virtual switch. The host components are connected to a common routing component. A first virtual switch is designated to respond to address requests and all non-designated virtual switches are configured not to respond to address requests. |
| US08923147B2 |
Method and apparatus for filtering and processing received vehicle peer transmissions based on reliability information
Methods and devices for processing and retransmitting highway communication system transmissions include determining a reliability of a received message and including an indication of the reliability in retransmitted transmissions. Reliability of received messages may be based on a signal strength of the received peer transmission, comparison of the signal strength to a distance to the transmitter based on message contents, the age of the received message, the signal quality of the received message, and other parameters. An indication of the determined reliability may be included in retransmissions of the message to enable other vehicles and receiver units in the highway communication system to benefit from the reliability determination. Message reliability may be used as part of prioritizing messages for processing. Messages may be processed according to priority so that high priority messages are processed before lower priority messages. |
| US08923142B2 |
Passive monitoring of network performance
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements to measure network performance. The method comprises the following steps: —Transmitting via a communication network (IP) payload packets (21-24) from a sending node (GGSN/A) to a receiving node (GGSN/B). —Generating at the sending node (GGSN/A) a send specification (s21-s24, sid21-sid24) for each of at least one selected packet (21-24) of the transmitted payload packets (21-24). —Generating at the receiving node (GGSN/B), a receive specification (r21-r22, rid21-rid22, siz21-siz22) for each of at least one selected packet (21-22) of the transmitted payload packets (21-24). —Bringing together generated send specifications (s21-s24, sid21-sid24) and generated receive specifications (r21-r22, rid21-rid22, siz21-siz22). —Estimating network performance by utilizing corresponding specifications (s11-s12, r11-r12, siz21-siz22) of the brought together specifications. |
| US08923138B2 |
Packet relay device, packet relay system, and fault detection method
A fault that cannot be autonomously detected by all or a specific software module and all or a specific hardware device which realize the packet transmitting/receiving function is detected, and also a fault part is specified. A packet relay device realizes the packet transmitting and receiving functions through plural software modules and plural hardware devices. The packet relay device includes a memory space 105, reception statistics 131, 133, 135, and transmission statistics 132, 134, 136, and collects pass information of fault monitoring packets in all or the specific software module and all of the hardware devices whose operation is to be confirmed by the fault monitoring packets for detecting the faults within the device. A fault part specifying unit 118 is provided for specifying the fault part according to the pass information of the fault monitoring packet when abnormality is detected. |
| US08923137B2 |
System and method for information verification based on channel awareness
This disclosure describes techniques for operating a client device to communicate with a wireless access point to validate data within a frame by comparing channel quality metrics and duration metrics to thresholds. Information received within a validity window may be treated as correctly received even if the frame fails a subsequent verification process or if reception of the frame is terminated prior to the end of the frame. |
| US08923136B2 |
Method and apparatus in a telecommunications network for controlling uplink control channel
The present invention provides a method and a radio base station (4) which actively monitor the error rate for messages transmitted over an uplink control channel between the radio base station (4) and one or more mobile terminals (6). The distribution of messages transmitted on the uplink control channel is then adapted in dependence on the measured error rate. |
| US08923135B2 |
System and method to detect a fault in transmission of a stream of media data corresponding to a media channel
A particular method may include detecting at a first network device of a video distribution network a fault in transmission of a stream of media data with a media channel. The method also includes, in response to detecting the fault, transmitting a notification that includes fault information corresponding to the detected fault and the stream of media data corresponding to the media channel from the first network device to a second network device of the video distribution network. |
| US08923133B2 |
Detection of unauthorized changes to an address resolution protocol cache in a communication network
A method and apparatus for detecting an unauthorized change in an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache in a communication network includes a step of establishing an authorized ARP cache. Another step includes examining packets from a terminal for a destination address. Another step includes determining if the destination address is incorrect by using the authorized ARP cache. |
| US08923131B2 |
Traffic management in a multi-channel system
A method, system and computer program product in a downstream line card of a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) for managing downstream traffic for channels and bonded channel groups is provided herein. The method comprises the step of receiving packets for transmission to cable modems and classifying each packet to a flow based on class of service associated with the packet. The method further includes the step of storing the packets in flow queues based, wherein a flow queue is selected based on a flow a packet is associated with and wherein each flow corresponds to a single flow queue. The method also includes transmitting the packets from the flow queues to channel queues or bonded channel queues using corresponding channel nodes or bonded channel nodes at a rate that is determined based on feedback data and scheduling downstream transmission of packets on a single downstream channel if the packet is stored in a channel queue and on multiple downstream channels that are bonded together to form a bonded channel group if the packet is stored in a bonded channel queue. The feedback data is adjusted for each channel node or bonded channel node based on a queue depth for a corresponding channel queue or bonded channel queue. |
| US08923126B2 |
Method for coordinating transmissions between different communications apparatuses and communications apparatuses utilizing the same
A communications apparatus is provided. A controller module generates a suggested sub-frame pattern describing suggested arrangement of one or more almost blank sub-frame(s) in one or more frame(s) and schedules control signal and/or data transmissions according to the suggested sub-frame pattern. A transceiver module transmits at least a first signal carrying information regarding the suggested sub-frame pattern to a peer communications apparatus. The peer communications apparatus does not schedule data transmissions in the almost blank sub-frame(s). |
| US08923125B2 |
Wireless network resource adaptation
A method of regulating data flow in a wireless communication network includes: collecting data regarding dynamic loading of sector-carrier pairs (pilots) in communication sectors of the wireless communication network; obtaining data rates for data flows of the pilots to access terminals within the wireless communication network; determining one or more pilots to use for conveying data in the wireless communication network based on the data rates and the dynamic loading; and altering data flow over the pilots by at least one of changing a data rate over at least one of the pilots or changing a combination of pilots used by the wireless communication network for conveying data to increase total data flow. |
| US08923123B2 |
ECN-enabled multicast protocol for wireless communication systems under blockage
A system and method are provided for implementing performance improvements in a multicast protocol for networks that support incipient congestion indications via packet marking in instances of packet loss in the network during time-correlated blockages by providing indications in the physical (PHY) layer. A receiver rate calculation is adjusted so that a loss due to blockage is ignored completely and only packets marked using an Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) packet marking protocol are treated as losses. Receiver rates are modified based on ECN principles to ignore losses. A NORM receiver rate equation may remain substantially unchanged while a sender is enabled to keep sending at a higher data rate, even in instances of blockage in support of higher system throughputs without defining a completely new receiver rate equation. Time-correlated blockages are not treated as losses. |
| US08923120B2 |
Adaptive queue-management
In one embodiment, a method includes storing in a QoS-enabled communication system a data structure that has a multi-level hierarchy including a physical level, a logical level, and a class level; receiving a first request for M number of services provided by the QoS-enabled communication system; in response to the first request, modifying an allocation of the logical-level nodes by mapping M class-level nodes to a first one of the logical-level nodes according to a first mapping mode of the data structure; receiving a second request for P services provided by the QoS-enabled communication system, with P being greater than M; and, in response to the second request, modifying an allocation of the logical-level nodes by mapping P class-level nodes to a second one of the logical-level nodes according to a second mapping mode of the data structure. |
| US08923119B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication control method
A communication apparatus and a communication control method are provided that can transmit a high-priority stream and interrupt a transmission of a low-priority stream when a network is busy, and control the transmissions of streams for each stream. The communication apparatus determines whether or not a congestion degree of communication with a communication destination apparatus has exceeded a predetermined determination value, transmits a plurality of streams to the communication destination apparatus in parallel under a situation in which the congestion degree does not exceed the determination value, and thereafter interrupts at least a transmission of a stream having priority lower than other streams among the plurality of streams transmitted in parallel if the congestion degree exceeds the determination value, the priority of each stream being indicated by priority information. |
| US08923113B2 |
Optimizations in multi-destination tree calculations for layer 2 link state protocols
Techniques to optimize root network node selection for network tree paths are provided. A network disruption event is detected. Network nodes in the network are configured with root priorities. Network nodes in a first set of the network nodes operate as root nodes for ordered network tree paths. Root priority information is retrieved from a database for each of the network nodes. Based on the root priority information, network nodes are selected for a new set of network nodes to operate as new root nodes for new ordered network tree paths upon occurrence of the network disruption event. The new set of network nodes comprises common network nodes present in the first set. An order of the network nodes in the new set is determined such that at least one common network node in the new set is maintained in the same order as that in the first set. |
| US08923111B2 |
Wireless transmission method and wireless transmission device
An external signal is received by the first wireless transmission device of one wireless transmission device group, and then is divided. One divided signal is transmitted to the first wireless transmission device of the other wireless transmission device group opposite to the one wireless transmission device group, and the other divided signal is transmitted to the second wireless transmission device of the one wireless transmission device group. In the same manner, in the second, third, . . . , wireless transmission devices of the one wireless transmission device group, an input signal is divided into two signals, and the divided signals are each transmitted to the opposing wireless transmission device of the other wireless transmission device group and to the adjacent wireless transmission device of the one wireless transmission device group. The wireless transmission devices of the other wireless transmission device group each extracts a signal from the wireless signal transmitted from the opposing wireless transmission device of the one wireless transmission device group, and transmits the signal to the preceding adjacent wireless transmission device of the other wireless transmission device group. The first wireless transmission devices of the other wireless transmission device group combines a signal extracted from the wireless signal transmitted from the first wireless transmission device of the one wireless transmission device group and a signal transmitted from the second wireless transmission device of the other wireless transmission device group together, and outputs the combined signal to the outside. |
| US08923109B2 |
Unitary precoding based on randomized FFT matrices
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate constructing unitary matrices that may be utilized in linear precoding for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems. Each unitary matrix may be generated by combining (e.g., multiplying) a diagonal matrix with a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) matrix. The unitary matrices may be utilized to provide feedback related to a channel and/or control transmission over a channel based upon obtained feedback. |
| US08923106B2 |
Media detection during disc insertion
An optical disc drive (ODD) includes one or more sensors which detect a user placing a disc in the loading path. In response, a process is triggered for sensing the thickness of a protective layer of the disc even while the disc is moving toward a turntable. An initial determination of the type of the disc (e.g. CD, DVD or Blu-ray®) can be determined based on the thickness and reported to a host computing device. The host, in turn, determines an application to load based on the disc type. The loading of the application can begin sooner than if the ODD waited until the disc was seated on the turntable to detect the disc type. A final determination of the disc type can be made while the disc is seated as well. The host is informed if there is a disagreement between the initial determination and the final determination. |
| US08923105B2 |
Optical information device, cross-talk reduction method, computer, player, and recorder
A ratio Xm of an information item recorded on an adjacent track relative to an information item recorded on a main track included in a first signal obtained from a first light flux having passed through a center region (6c) is different from ratios Xs1 and Xs2 of the information items recorded on the adjacent track relative to the information items recorded on the main track included in second and third signals obtained from second and third light fluxes having passed through first and second end regions (6r, 6l), and a ratio of respective gains of a first waveform equalizer (80c), a second waveform equalizer (80r), and a third waveform equalizer (80l) is determined so as to cancel the information item recorded on the adjacent track in each of frequency components of the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal. |
| US08923104B1 |
Fast ADC for optical tape wobble signal
An analog-to-digital converter includes a feedback loop that receives a wobble signal having a wobble signal frequency. The feedback loop includes a comparator that receives the wobble signal through a first resistive component at a first comparator input and outputs a first output signal having either a high output or a low output. The feedback loop also includes a sampling component that samples the first output signal at a sampling frequency and outputs a second output signal and a first integrator component that receives the second output signal and outputs a third output signal. The third output signal tracks the wobble signal due to feedback action in the feedback loop. Finally, the analog-to-digital converter further includes a final discrete integrator component that integrates the second output signal to provide a digital representation of the wobble signal. |
| US08923101B1 |
Monolithically integrated laser diode and power monitor
An apparatus includes a slider body, a write element, and a laser chip. The write element is disposed on the slider body and is configured to apply a magnetic field to write data on a portion of a heat-assisted magnetic recording media in response to an energizing current. The laser chip has a laser diode with an active region configured to produce light. The laser diode adapted to inject the light to the proximate the read/write element. The laser chip additionally has a photodetector The photodetector is adapted to monitor light from the laser diode. The photodetector shares a same active region as the laser diode and the laser diode and photodetector are integrated together on the same laser chip. |
| US08923100B1 |
Multi-portion heat sink for use with write pole and near-field transducer
An apparatus (e.g., a heat assisted magnetic recording write heat) includes a magnetic write pole having a tip portion proximate a media-facing surface. A near-field transducer is proximate the tip portion of the magnetic write pole. A first heat sink portion is provided along a first side of the tip portion that faces away from the near field transducer. The first heat sink portion includes a highly reflective, thermally conductive metal and is spaced away from the media facing surface. A second heat sink portion is provided along the first side of the tip portion between the media facing surface and the first heat sink portion. The second heat sink portion includes a relatively hard material. |
| US08923097B2 |
Backlash take-up wheel
Backlash take-up timepiece wheel (10), for meshing with a second toothing (21) formed of second teeth (23) of given width (24) arranged consecutively with a second constant pitch (P2) on a second pitch diameter (22) of an opposing mobile component. This backlash take-up wheel (10) comprises, arranged to mesh with this second toothing (21), a first toothing (11) on a first pitch circle (12) comprising a series of identical pairs (2) of teeth arranged consecutively with a first constant pitch (P1) on the first pitch circle (12). Each such pair (2) comprises, on either side of a radial axis (3), a first flexible tooth (4) and a second tooth (5).Each second tooth (5) is a flexible tooth, and the distances (91, 92) measured on the first pitch circle (12) between a successive first tooth (4) and second tooth (5) are different in pairs. |
| US08923091B2 |
Dual-sensor noise-reduction system for an underwater cable
A system and a method for rejecting noise in an underwater sensor cable, such as a towed streamer or an ocean-bottom cable. An adaptive hydrodynamic model of the cable produces an estimated sensor signal from a raw sensor signal from a particle-motion sensor, such as an accelerometer. The estimated sensor signal represents an estimate of the response of the underwater cable to cable motion absent seismic events. A noise-reduced response to particle motion alone is produced by subtracting the estimated sensor signal from the raw sensor signal to reject cable motion and other noise effects in the raw sensor signal. A seismic event detector uses a hydrophone signal from an acceleration-canceling hydrophone to disable the adapting of the hydrodynamic model during seismic events. The hydrophone signal is combined with the response to particle motion by PZ summation to produce a deghosted seismic response signal. |
| US08923089B2 |
Single-port read multiple-port write storage device using single-port memory cells
A storage device provides single-port read multiple-port write functionality and includes first and second memory arrays and a controller. The first memory array includes first and second single-port memory cells. The second single-port memory cell stores data in response to a memory access conflict associated with the first single-port memory cell. The second memory array stores location information associated with data stored in the first and second single-port memory cells. The controller is operatively coupled to the first and second memory arrays, and resolves the memory access conflict by determining locations to store data in the first and second single-port memory cells to thereby avoid a collision between concurrent memory accesses to the first single-port memory cell in response to the memory access conflict. The controller determines locations to store data in the first and second single-port memory cells based on the location information. |
| US08923088B2 |
Solid state storage device with sleep control circuit
A solid state storage device receives a device sleep signal and a power signal from a host. The solid state storage device includes a control chip, a sleep control circuit, and a regulator. If the device sleep signal is activated, the control chip temporarily stores a system parameter into a flash memory module and then generates an acknowledge signal. The sleep control circuit receives the power signal, the device sleep signal and the acknowledge signal. If both of the device sleep signal and the acknowledge signal are activated, the sleep control circuit generates a disable state and a wake-up state. Moreover, if the power signal is received by the regulator and the sleep control circuit generates the disable state, the regulator stops providing a supply voltage to the control chip, so that the solid state storage device enters a sleep mode. |
| US08923085B2 |
Low-pin-count non-volatile memory embedded in a integrated circuit without any additional pins for access
A low-pin-count non-volatile memory (NVM) embedded an integrated circuit can be accessed without any additional pins. The NVM has one or more memory cells and at least one of the NVM cells can have at least one NVM element coupled to at least one selector and to a first supply voltage line. The selector can be coupled to a second supply voltage line and has a selecting signal. The integrated circuit can include at least one test mode detection circuit to activate a test mode upon detecting an abnormal (or out of normal) operation condition(s). Once a test mode is activated, at least one I/O or supply voltage of the integrated circuit can be used as the I/O or supply voltage of the NVM to select at least one NVM cell for read, program into nonvolatile, or volatile state. At least one NVM cell can be read during ramping of at least one supply voltage line. |
| US08923084B1 |
Memory and memory system including the same
A memory includes a plurality of word lines each coupled with at least one memory cell, an address storing unit that may store at least one target address corresponding to at least one of the word lines, and a control unit that may sequentially activate the plurality of word lines in response to a refresh command that is inputted at a set interval, and may activate the word line selected based on the target address whenever the refresh command is inputted a set number of times that is equal to or more than two times. |
| US08923075B2 |
Memory control device
A memory control device that can reduce a power consumption at the time of writing a memory. The memory control device includes a data output buffer circuit that burst-transfers data to a memory device through a data bus, and a mask signal output buffer circuit that outputs, to the memory device, a mask signal indicative of data that prohibits write into a memory cell within the memory device among the data. The data output buffer circuit puts an output node into a high impedance state when the mask signal is indicative of write prohibition. |
| US08923074B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A sense amplifier circuit is connected to a bit-line and senses and amplifies a signal read from a memory cell. A first data latch is connected to a sense amplifier via a first bus. A second data latch is connected to a second bus. A plurality of circuit groups are repeatedly provided in a first direction, each circuit group including one sense amplifier circuit and one first data latch. The second data latch is provided between the circuit groups and an input/output buffer. |
| US08923072B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and method of fabricating the same
Disclosed are a non-volatile memory device and a method of fabricating the same. The non-volatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate including a plurality of active regions and a pair of first pillars protruding from each active region. A pair of drain selection lines surround each pillar of the pair of first pillars. A pair of second pillars, wherein each second pillar is disposed over a corresponding first pillar, of the pair of the first pillars, and is formed of a semiconductor material. A plurality of word lines and a source selection line form a stack that surrounds the pair of second pillars. A source line is formed over and connected with the pair of second pillars. Drain contacts are formed at both sides of each active region except between pairs of the drain selection lines. A bit line is formed over and connected with the drain contacts. |
| US08923067B2 |
Memory system and method of operating memory system using soft read voltages
A method is provided for operating a memory system. The method includes reading nonvolatile memory cells using a first soft read voltage, a voltage level difference between the first soft read voltage and a first hard read voltage being indicated by a first voltage value; and reading the nonvolatile memory cells using a second soft read voltage paired with the first soft read voltage, a voltage level difference between the second soft read voltage and the first hard read voltage being indicated by a second voltage value. The second voltage value is different than the first voltage value. Also, a difference between the first voltage value and the second voltage value corresponds to the degree of asymmetry of adjacent threshold voltage distributions among multiple threshold voltage distributions set for the nonvolatile memory cells of the memory system. |
| US08923066B1 |
Storage of read thresholds for NAND flash storage using linear approximation
A first read threshold associated with a first page in a block and a second read threshold associated with a second page in the block are received, where the first page has a first page number and the second page has a second page number. A slope and a y intercept are determined based at least in part on the first read threshold, the second read threshold, the first page number, and the second page number. The slope and the y intercept are stored with a block identifier associated with the block. |
| US08923061B2 |
Programming method of nonvolatile memory device
Provided is a programming method of a nonvolatile memory device which includes a plurality of strings each including a source select transistor, a plurality of memory cells, and a drain select transistor which are connected in series between a common source line and a bit line. The programming method includes: applying a first voltage to the common source line during a first period in which a channel of a plurality of memory cells of an unselected string is floated; and applying a second voltage increased more than the first in voltage to the common source line during a second period in which a selected memory cell is programmed, when a selected word line belongs to a word line group adjacent to the common source line. |
| US08923060B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices and operating methods thereof
According to example embodiments of inventive concepts, a nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells; a word line driver configured to at least one of select and unselect a plurality of word lines connected with the plurality of memory cells, respectively, and to supply voltages to the plurality of word lines; and a read/write circuit configured to apply bias voltages to a plurality of bit lines connected with the plurality of memory cells. The read/write circuit may be configured to adjust levels of the bias voltages applied to the plurality of bit lines according to location of a selected word line among the plurality of word lines. |
| US08923052B2 |
Semiconductor memory having volatile and multi-bit, non-volatile functionality and methods of operating
A semiconductor memory cell, semiconductor memory devices comprising a plurality of the semiconductor memory cells, and methods of using the semiconductor memory cell and devices are described. A semiconductor memory cell includes a substrate having a first conductivity type; a first region embedded in the substrate at a first location of the substrate and having a second conductivity type; a second region embedded in the substrate at a second location of the substrate and have the second conductivity type, such that at least a portion of the substrate having the first conductivity type is located between the first and second locations and functions as a floating body to store data in volatile memory; a trapping layer positioned in between the first and second locations and above a surface of the substrate; the trapping layer comprising first and second storage locations being configured to store data as nonvolatile memory independently of one another, and a control gate positioned above the trapping layer. |
| US08923050B2 |
3D memory with vertical bit lines and staircase word lines and vertical switches and methods thereof
A 3D memory with vertical local bit lines global bit lines has an in-line vertical switch in the form of a thin film transistor (TFT) formed as a vertical structure, to switch a local bit line to a global bit line. The TFT is implemented to switch a maximum of current carried by the local bit line by a strongly coupled select gate which must be fitted within the space around the local bit line. Maximum thickness of the select gate is implemented with the select gate exclusively occupying the space along the x-direction from both sides of the local bit line. The switches for odd and even bit lines of the row are staggered and offset in the z-direction so that the select gates of even and odd local bit lines are not coincident along the x-direction. The switching is further enhanced with a wrap-around select gate. |
| US08923047B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes memory strings each of which includes a drain select transistor, memory cells, and a source select transistor, a first bit line coupled to drain select transistors of first group memory strings among the memory strings, a second bit line coupled to drain select transistors of second group memory strings among the memory strings, and source lines coupled to source select transistors of the memory strings; and peripheral circuits configured to turn on source select transistors of non-selected memory strings coupled to source lines to which a precharge voltage is supplied or turn on drain select transistors of non-selected memory strings coupled to bit lines to which a program inhibition voltage is supplied in order to precharge channel regions of non-selected memory strings before a program voltage is supplied to a memory cell included in a selected memory string among the memory strings. |
| US08923041B2 |
Self-referenced sense amplifier for spin torque MRAM
Circuitry and a method provide a plurality of timed control and bias voltages to sense amplifiers and write drivers of a spin-torque magnetoresistive random access memory array for improved power supply noise rejection, increased sensing speed with immunity for bank-to-bank noise coupling, and reduced leakage from off word line select devices in an active column. |
| US08923039B2 |
Multiple bit nonvolatile memory based on current induced domain wall motion in a nanowire magnetic tunnel junction
A mechanism is provided for storing multiple bits in a domain wall nanowire magnetic junction device. The multiple bits are encoded based on a resistance of the domain wall nanowire magnetic junction device using a single domain wall. The single domain wall is shifted to change the resistance of the domain wall nanowire magnetic junction device to encode a selected bit. The resistance is checked to ensure that it corresponds to a preselected resistance for the selected bit. Responsive to the resistance corresponding to the preselected resistance for the selected bit, the selected bit is stored. Responsive to the resistance not being the preselected resistance for the selected bit, the single domain wall is shifted until the resistance corresponds to the preselected resistance. |
| US08923037B2 |
Memory element and memory device
A memory element including a memory layer to hold the information by the magnetization state of a magnetic substance, a magnetization pinned layer having magnetization serving as a reference of the information stored in the memory layer, an intermediate layer formed from a nonmagnetic substance disposed between the memory layer and the magnetization pinned layer, a magnetic coupling layer disposed adjoining the magnetization pinned layer and opposing to the intermediate layer, and a high coercive force layer disposed adjoining the magnetic coupling layer, wherein the information is stored by reversing magnetization of the memory layer, making use of spin torque magnetization reversal generated along with a current passing in the lamination direction of the layered structure including the memory layer, the intermediate layer, and the magnetization pinned layer, and the magnetic coupling layer has a two-layer laminate structure. |
| US08923031B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of first lines, a plurality of second lines, and memory cells disposed at each of intersections of the first lines and the second lines; and a control circuit configured to apply a first voltage to a selected first line, apply a second voltage having a voltage value which is smaller than that of the first voltage to a selected second line, and apply a third voltage and a fourth voltage to a non-selected first line and a non-selected second line, respectively. The control circuit is configured to apply a fifth voltage to one of the non-selected first lines that is adjacent to the selected first line, and apply a sixth voltage to one of the non-selected second lines that is adjacent to the selected second line. |
| US08923030B2 |
On-die programmable fuses
In one embodiment described herein, on-die programmable fuses may be used. On-die programmable fuses may be programmed by entities other than the chip manufacturer after the fuse array chip has been manufactured and shipped out. However, other non-volatile memories may also be used. |
| US08923027B2 |
Five-level DC-AC converter
A five-level DC-AC converter includes a capacitor set and a full-bridge circuit. The capacitor set contains two DC capacitors, a power electronic switch and two diodes. When the power electronic switch is turned on/off, the two DC capacitors are connected in series/parallel to provide a two-level DC voltage to the full-bridge circuit. The full-bridge circuit further converts the two-level DC voltage to output a voltage with three voltage levels in the positive half cycle and three voltage levels in the negative half cycle. This achieves the goal of using five power electronic switches to convert DC power into AC power with five voltage levels. |
| US08923024B2 |
Series connected multi-level power conversion device
A series-connected multi-level power conversion device according to an aspect of embodiments includes a multi-winding transformer and a power conversion unit. The multi-winding transformer has a relationship that n secondary windings respectively connected to n single-phase power converters in the same output phase have a voltage phase difference of 60/n degrees and a relationship that the m secondary windings respectively connected to the m single-phase power converters corresponding to the m output phases have a voltage phase difference of 60/m degrees. |
| US08923023B2 |
Converter control system for a wind turbine with a modular converter
Converter control system coupled between a wind turbine generator and the electric power distribution grid, comprising at least two converter modules connected in parallel which are enabled/disabled by out-of-phase pulse-width modulation (PWM) patterns.The control device guarantees dynamic switching of the converter modules irrespective of the enabling or disabling of at least one converter module, constantly delivering electric power to the distribution grid. |
| US08923016B2 |
Solar module for generating a D.C. voltage and method for its operation
A solar module has a solar cell which generates a DC voltage. The module has a converter for converting a DC voltage fed into its input. The module contains a semiconductor switch and a controller which drives a switching input of the semiconductor switch. The controller drives the semiconductor switch variably so that the semiconductor switch switches more slowly during the transition operation than during normal operation, thereby reducing a dynamic overvoltage on the switch such that the voltage present on the switch does not exceed the blocking voltage of the switch. |
| US08923011B2 |
Interconnect board
A combination of an interconnect board and a module board for connecting a plurality of electronic modules to a processing unit is described. The interconnect board comprises a plurality of interconnect data lines connected between a plurality of interconnect board input terminals and interconnect board output terminals. The module board comprises at least one electronic module connected to a module connection input terminal, a plurality of module board data lines connected between a plurality of module board input terminals and a plurality of module board output terminals, and an unconnected module board output terminal. A first one of the interconnect board output terminals is connectable to the module connection input terminal, and the unconnected module board output terminal is connectable to one of the interconnect board input terminals. |
| US08923008B2 |
Circuit board and method for manufacturing circuit board
A circuit board includes an insulation layer having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, an electronic component positioned in the insulation layer and having a terminal, a conductive pattern formed on the second surface of the insulation layer and electrically connected to the terminal, and an insulative film formed on the second surface of the insulation layer and on the conductive pattern. The terminal of the electronic component has a protruding portion which protrudes from the second surface of the insulation layer. |
| US08923004B2 |
Microelectronic packages with small footprints and associated methods of manufacturing
Several embodiments of stacked-die microelectronic packages with small footprints and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the package includes a substrate, a first die carried by the substrate, and a second die between the first die and the substrate. The first die has a first footprint, and the second die has a second footprint that is smaller than the first footprint of the first die. The package further includes an adhesive having a first portion adjacent to a second portion. The first portion is between the first die and the second die, and the second portion being between the first die and the substrate. |
| US08923001B2 |
Chip card protecting cover assembly and electronic device using same
An electronic device includes a housing, a chip card received in the housing, and a chip card protecting cover assembly. The chip card protecting cover assembly includes a housing, a first magnet and a second magnet. The magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet drives the protecting cover to rotate relative to the housing, thereby covering or exposing the chip card. |
| US08922998B2 |
Coolant manifold with separately rotatable manifold section(s)
A cooling apparatus is provided which includes one or more coolant-cooled structures attached to one or more electronic components, one or more coolant conduits, and one or more coolant manifolds. The coolant-cooled structure(s) includes one or more coolant-carrying channels, and the coolant manifolds includes one or more rotatable manifold sections. One coolant conduit couples in fluid communication a respective rotatable manifold section and the coolant-carrying channel(s) of a respective coolant-cooled structure. The respective rotatable manifold section is rotatable relative to another portion of the coolant manifold to facilitate detaching of the coolant-cooled structure from its associated electronic component while maintaining the coolant-cooled structure in fluid communication with the respective rotatable manifold section through the one coolant conduit, which in one embodiment, is a substantially rigid coolant conduit. |
| US08922997B2 |
Electric power conversion device
Semiconductor element groups constituting a unit are mounted on a cooler heat receiving part 1 on the same plane and are adapted to radiate heat by self-cooling or cooling by wind. First and fourth semiconductor elements Q1, Q4 are arranged on the lower side of the cooler heat receiving part, second and third semiconductor elements Q2, Q3 are arranged in the middle, a first diode D5 and a second diode D6 are arranged on the upper side, the first and second semiconductor elements Q1, Q2, as well as the third and fourth semiconductor elements Q3, Q4 are each arranged in positions opposite to each other in a horizontal direction with respect to a centerline of a cooler in a vertical direction. |
| US08922995B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a body, a support, and a first elastic unit. The support is rotatably disposed on a back side of the body and has a first slip stopper. The first elastic unit is pivotally connected to the body and the support. The display device is supported on the a working surface by a bottom of the body and the first slip stopper. The first elastic unit generates an elastic force to pull the support toward the body when the first slip stopper moves away from the working surface. |
| US08922994B2 |
Locking mechanism
An assembly can include a first component; a second component; and an interconnection mechanism for pivotable interconnection of the first component and the second component about a pivot axis where the interconnection mechanism includes a latch mechanism to latch the second component to the interconnection mechanism, an actuator to unlatch the latch mechanism, an obstruction to obstruct actuation of the actuator, and a sliding bar slidable in a first direction to move the obstruction to an obstructing position that obstructs actuation of the actuator and slidable in a second direction to move the obstruction to an unobstructing position that permits actuation of the actuator. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08922990B1 |
Active cooling fin pack
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to active cooling or removing heat generated by a processor in a computing device. More specifically, a cooling system in a computing device may include a heatpipe which moves the heat through a fin pack and out an exhaust vent. The fin packs described herein may include a blade at the exit end of the fin pack. The blade is oriented between the end wall of a computing device and the exit of the fin pack. The blade both keeps the air creating hot spots at the surface of the computing device and provides additional surface area for moving heat away from the heat pipe. The blade may have different configurations, for example, a generally rectangular shape or an arced-shape. |
| US08922989B2 |
Input/output port systems and methods
Input/output (“I/O”) port systems and methods are provided. An I/O port system can include a housing having at least one exterior surface and a cover member. The cover member can obstruct at least a portion of an input/output port on the housing and not extend beyond the exterior surface of the housing when in a first cover position. The cover member can expose the I/O port and extend beyond the exterior surface of the housing, when translated away from the first cover position. The system can further include a support member operably connected to the cover member and the housing. When the cover member is disposed in the first cover position, the support member can be maintained in a first position proximate the housing. When the cover member is translated away from the first cover position, the support member can translate to a second support position extending from the housing. |
| US08922985B2 |
Protective enclosure for electronic device
A protective enclosure for an electronic device is provided. The protective enclosure includes a first case member, a second case member, a rigid plunger, and an electrical conductor. The second case member is hingeably attached to the first case member to form a shell that includes a watertight enclosure for the electronic device. The rigid plunger is adapted to transmit a mechanical motion from outside the shell to the electronic device inside the shell. The electrical conductor includes an electrical plug to mate to an electrical jack of the electronic device in the watertight enclosure to electrically connect the electronic device to a device outside the shell. |
| US08922984B2 |
Portable computer
A portable computer includes a base, a display module, and a support element. The base includes a first area, a second area, and a sliding assembly disposed at a substantially central position of the second area. The sliding assembly includes a sliding element and a guiding structure, and the sliding element can move along the guiding structure to slide at least in the second area. The display module includes a connecting end combined with the sliding element and a support plane. The support element includes a first area pivotally connected to the support plane and a second end pivotally connected to a rear end of the base. When the display module is opened, the display module further rotates around the first fixed end and moves the connecting end simultaneously. Then, the display module is supported by the support element to keep a suitable tilted angle. |
| US08922982B1 |
Detachable pivoting chassis for electronic devices
A detachable pivoting chassis includes an accommodating base, a seat, a keyboard, a pivot module and a movable stand, and the accommodating base has an accommodating part for accommodating an electronic device, and the seat has an accommodating part for accommodating a keyboard, and the pivot module has at least two connecting elements and a pivoting element, and the connecting element is disposed on a side of the accommodating base and detachably coupled to the pivoting element, such that the accommodating base can be pivoted by the pivot module, and an end of the movable stand is pivotally coupled to an external side of the accommodating base, so that the electronic device can change its using status according to user requirements, and the detachable pivoting chassis can be combined with other electronic devices to provide the convenience of use. |
| US08922979B2 |
Operating unit for an electrical device
An operator control device for an electrical appliance, such as an extractor hood, has an operator control panel, an illuminated display and a contact switch together with a planar, pressure-sensitive piezo sensor element. The operator control panel has at least one opening covered by a transparent window. A flat component support is arranged on the rear face of the operator control panel, the component support having LEDs on a front face, which faces the operator control panel. The component support is fitted with the sensor element together with the sensor support on the other rear face in the region of the opening. |
| US08922976B2 |
Decoupling device and fabricating method thereof
A decoupling device including a lead frame, multiple capacitor units, a protective layer and a packaging element is provided. The lead frame includes a cathode terminal portion and at least two opposite anode terminal portions disposed at two ends of the cathode terminal portion. The two anode terminal portions are electrically connected with each other through a conductive line. The capacitor units are connected in parallel and disposed on the lead frame. Each capacitor unit has a cathode portion and an opposite anode portion. The cathode portion is electrically connected with the cathode terminal portion. The anode portion is electrically connected with the anode terminal portion. The protective layer wraps at least one of the anode portion and the cathode portion of the capacitor unit. The packaging element covers the lead frame, the capacitor units and the protective layer. The packaging element exposes a bottom surface of the lead frame. |
| US08922974B2 |
MEMS varactors
Tunable MEMS resonators having adjustable resonance frequency and capable of handling large signals are described. In one exemplary design, a tunable MEMS resonator includes (i) a first part having a cavity and a post and (ii) a second part mated to the first part and including a movable layer located under the post. Each part may be covered with a metal layer on the surface facing the other part. The movable plate may be mechanically moved by a DC voltage to vary the resonance frequency of the MEMS resonator. The cavity may have a rectangular or circular shape and may be empty or filled with a dielectric material. The post may be positioned in the middle of the cavity. The movable plate may be attached to the second part (i) via an anchor and operated as a cantilever or (ii) via two anchors and operated as a bridge. |
| US08922973B1 |
Detonator comprising a nonlinear transmission line
Detonators are described herein. In a general embodiment, the detonator includes a nonlinear transmission line that has a variable capacitance. Capacitance of the nonlinear transmission line is a function of voltage on the nonlinear transmission line. The nonlinear transmission line receives a voltage pulse from a voltage source and compresses the voltage pulse to generate a trigger signal. Compressing the voltage pulse includes increasing amplitude of the voltage pulse and decreasing length of the voltage pulse in time. An igniter receives the trigger signal and detonates an explosive responsive to receipt of the trigger signal. |
| US08922970B2 |
Lightning protection sheet with patterned conductor
A lightning protection system is provided, typically for use on an outer surface of an aircraft, which includes the use of a lightning protection sheet that includes an electrically conductive film patterned into a plurality of hill features. The lightning protection sheet may additionally include an electrically non-conductive discriminator layer over the electrically conductive film. |
| US08922969B2 |
Ferrite-induced spatial modification of EM field patterns
An apparatus for exciting a rotating field pattern in a cavity containing an object, the apparatus comprising a radiating element configured to excite an electromagnetic (EM) field pattern in the cavity, wherein the EM field pattern is excited with EM energy at a frequency in the radio-frequency (RF) range, a field rotating element configured to rotate the EM field pattern, wherein the field rotating element has an anisotropy, the anisotropy selected from magnetic anisotropy, electric anisotropy, and a combination of magnetic and electric anisotropies, and a controller configured to determine the EM field pattern according to value indicative of energy absorbable by the object and to control the anisotropy of the field rotating element in order to rotate the EM field pattern. |
| US08922965B2 |
Controller circuit including a switch mode power converter and automatic recloser using the same
An autorecloser circuit including a relay circuit with an electromagnetic relay configured to be coupled between an AC power source and a customer location to deliver current from the AC power source to the customer location. A controller coupled to the relay circuit is configured to control the electromagnetic. A current sense circuit coupled to the controller is configured to detect an amount of the current that is delivered to the customer location and a reference voltage circuit coupled to the controller is configured to establish a reference level for the amount of the current that is delivered to the customer location. A power circuit coupled to the controller and to the relay circuit is configured to provide a DC power source to the controller and to the relay circuit from the AC power source. The controller is configured to disconnect or reconnect the AC power source from the customer location based on the detected amount of current. |
| US08922962B2 |
Method and apparatus to improve ESD robustness of power clamps
A power clamp circuit having improved robustness to electrostatic discharge (ESD) events includes a voltage regulation circuit and a current controlled switch. The voltage regulation circuit and the current controlled switch may be used to modify a snapback voltage of the power clamp in a manner that enhances the power clamp's ability to handle ESD events. |
| US08922961B2 |
Two-level lightning protection circuit
A lightning protection circuit includes a transistor array, a transistor array gate drive, and a second stage protection element which forces a voltage at the gate node of the transistor array to be higher than the voltage at the source node of the transistor array when a threshold is exceeded. |
| US08922957B2 |
Dynamic switch contact protection
A dynamic switch contact protection circuit and technique to protect a channel switch within an electrical system by limiting transients when the switch is turned on or turned off. The protection circuit comprises switching between a high resistance path and a low resistance path. The high resistance path comprises a resistor. A bypass switch is connected in parallel to the resistor to affect the low resistance path. The protection circuit can connect or disconnect switch cards to the electrical system enabling the creation of a larger switching structure. Disconnected switch cards within a switching structure preserves system bandwidth by limiting capacitive loading. Electing which switch to close last or open first can prolong the length of usage of the switches. |
| US08922956B2 |
Tunneling magneto-resistive sensors with buffer layers
In certain embodiments, a tunneling magneto-resistive (TMR) sensor includes a sensor stack positioned between a seed layer and a cap layer. The seed layer includes a first buffer layer that includes a non-magnetic nickel alloy.In certain embodiments, a sensor stack includes a top and bottom shield and a seed layer positioned adjacent to the bottom shield. The seed layer has a first buffer layer that includes a nickel alloy. |
| US08922953B1 |
Dual current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive (MR) sensor with antiparallel-free (APF) structure and integrated reference layers/shields
A dual current-perpendicular-to-the-plane magnetoresistive (CPP-MR) sensor has an antiparallel-free (APF) structure as the free layer and uses the top and bottom shields as reference layers. The free layer is an APF structure that has the two free layers (FL1 and FL2) biased into a “spin-flop” state. In this state, the magnetic bias field from side biasing layers is great enough to stabilize the magnetizations of FL1 and FL2 to have a relative orientation preferably about 90 degrees and symmetrically positioned on either side of the magnetic bias field. The side biasing layers may be formed of soft magnetic material to also function as side shields and the top shield may be ferromagnetically coupled to the side shields, with the magnetization of the top shield being opposite that of the magnetization of the bottom shield. |
| US08922952B2 |
Shaped data sensor shield contacts
A data sensor may be configured in accordance with some embodiments to have a magnetically responsive stack that contacts at least one shield. The at least one shield may be constructed with a non-rectangular shaped electrical contact, such as a triangular and trapezoidal shape, respectively positioned on top and bottom shields on opposite sides of the magnetically responsive stack. |
| US08922950B2 |
Multi-layer magnetoresistive shield with transition metal layer
A magnetic shield that is capable of enhancing magnetic reading. In accordance with various embodiments, a magnetic element has a magnetically responsive stack shielded from magnetic flux and biased to a predetermined default magnetization by at least one lateral side shield that has a transition metal layer disposed between first and second ferromagnetic layers. |
| US08922948B2 |
Thin-film magnetic head, method of manufacturing the same, head gimbal assembly, and hard disk drive
A thin-film magnetic head is constructed such that a main magnetic pole layer having a magnetic pole end face on a side of a medium-opposing surface opposing a recording medium, a write shield layer opposing the main magnetic pole layer on the medium-opposing surface side, a gap layer formed between the main magnetic pole layer and write shield layer, and a thin-film coil wound about the write shield layer or main magnetic pole layer are laminated on a substrate. This thin-film coil has a plurality of turn parts arranged at respective positions having different distances from the medium-opposing surface, while a non-expandable part made of an insulating material having a coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than that of a photosensitive resin is formed between the turn parts. |
| US08922944B2 |
Rotating device
A rotating device includes: a hub that is rotatably supported by a base, on which a recording disk is to be mounted; a stator core fixed to the base, the core having a ring portion and multiple salient poles that radially extend from the ring portion; and a magnet fixed to the hub, the magnet having multiple magnetic poles arranged along its circumference on its side surface on the salient pole side. The magnet is arranged such that its side surface on the salient pole side faces a side surface of each salient pole and a side surface of a portion of the hub that faces the stator core along a rotational axis direction. |
| US08922933B2 |
Systems and methods for loop processing with variance adaptation
Systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly systems and methods for loop processing with variance adaptation. |
| US08922932B2 |
Power supply circuit
Each of unit blocks (UB1, UB2) is provided with an output circuit (20) including a serial circuit of FETs (21) and (22). A power supply circuit (1b) can operate in a first mode for generating an output voltage (Vo) using only one of the output circuits (20) or in a second mode for generating the output voltage (Vo) using two output circuits (20) by synchronous/parallel driving. When switching from the first mode to the second mode, start of the synchronous/parallel driving from a state where the FET (22) on the low voltage side is turned on is inhibited (start of the synchronous/parallel driving is waited until the FET (21) on the high voltage side is turned on). |
| US08922931B1 |
Disk drive releasing variable amount of buffered write data based on sliding window of predicted servo quality
A disk drive is disclosed wherein N data wedges of write data are buffered in a buffer. After writing at least two of the data wedges to the disk including a first data wedge and a second data wedge, a first servo metric value is measured when reading a first servo sector, and a second servo metric value is predicted based on the first servo metric value, wherein the second servo metric value corresponds to a second servo sector following the first servo sector. When the first servo metric value indicates a safe write condition and the second servo metric value indicates an unsafe write condition, the first data wedge is released from the buffer, and when the first servo metric value indicates a safe write condition and the second servo metric value indicates a safe write condition, the first and second data wedges are released from the buffer. |
| US08922930B1 |
Limit disc nodes by band usage
The present disclosure generally relates to shingled recording systems, such as shingled magnetic recording (SMR). In some embodiments, systems having a data storage device containing a write cache and shingled bands may store new data from a host in the write cache before writing it to shingled track main storage. The system may determine when to throttle completion of commands based on a number of unique bands associated with data stored in the write cache. |
| US08922929B1 |
Disk drive calibrating fly height actuator and laser power for heat assisted magnetic recording
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head comprising a laser operable to heat the disk while writing data to the disk, and a fly height actuator (FHA) operable to actuate the head vertically over the disk. A laser power applied to the laser during a write operation is calibrated, and a FHA write setting is generated for the FHA as a function of the calibrated laser power. |
| US08922927B1 |
System and method for detecting and inhibiting cycle slip for multi-channel media drive
A method for inhibiting cycle slip in a tape drive having at least three channels that each utilizes a corresponding numerically controlled oscillator includes establishing a reference clock that is based on an output of the numerically controlled oscillators for at least two of the channels, comparing the output of the numerically controlled oscillator for one of the three channels with the reference clock to determine a first channel phase delta value for the one channel, and generating an error signal for the one channel if the channel phase delta value exceeds a threshold phase delta value for the one channel. The method may also include applying an inhibition loop filter to the error signal for the one channel if the first channel phase delta value exceeds the threshold phase delta value, adjusting a gain of the inhibition loop filter based at least partially upon one of the first channel phase delta value and the threshold phase delta value, and/or feeding back the error signal to the numerically controlled oscillator of the one channel. |
| US08922925B1 |
Actively written guard bands in a cold storage or mixed mode drive
A disk drive having at least one disk with a major disk surface that includes a first region including a plurality of tracks and a second region including a plurality of tracks. The first and second region are separated by a guard band. The track or tracks near the guard band have a track width that is greater than the track widths of the tracks more distant from the guard band, such as those in the middle of the first and second regions as this reduces the occurrence of far track interference. |
| US08922921B1 |
Magnetic disk servo wedges with partial track identifiers
A first portion of a track identifier is read from a first servo wedge of a track of a magnetic disk. A second portion of the track identifier is read from a second servo wedge of the track. The second portion includes least-significant bits of the track identifier that are also stored in the first portion. The first and second portions are combined to determine the track identifier for the first and second servo wedges, and the track is identified using the track identifier. |
| US08922912B2 |
Fresnel lens
A Fresnel lens comprises a first surface, and a second surface being the reverse side surface of the first surface and having a plurality of lens surfaces. Each lens surface is configured from a part of a side surface of an elliptical cone, which has an apex located on the second surface side and a bottom surface located on the first surface side. Here, in the Fresnel lens, any normal line intersecting with the lens surface configured from the part of the side surface of the elliptical cone among normal lines of respective points on the first surface is non-parallel to a central axis of the elliptical cone corresponding to the lens surface with which the any normal line intersects. |
| US08922904B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens substantially consists of, in order from the object side, a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, a positive fourth lens group, and a negative fifth lens group. When varying magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group is always increased, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group is always decreased, a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group is always decreased, and a distance between the fourth lens group and the fifth lens group is changed, while all of the lens groups are moved with respect to an image formation position. Formulas (Ca): −5.00≦1−(β5T)2<−2.5 and (D): 0.10 |
| US08922900B2 |
Optical element structure and optical element fabricating process for the same
An optical element structure and a fabricating process for the same are provided. The optical element fabricating process includes providing a substrate forming thereon a protrusion; and forming an over coating layer over the protrusion and the substrate by a deposition scheme to form an optical element. |
| US08922898B2 |
Molded lens with nanofilaments and related methods
A method includes molding a lens, the lens including a front portion and a rear portion and an intermediate portion therebetween, the rear portion adapted to be disposed in the direction of the back of the eye, the front portion adapted to be disposed in the direction of the front of an eye, wherein molding the lens includes disposing conductive parallel nanofilaments on or within the lens. A molded contact lens includes a rear portion adapted to be disposed in the direction of the back of the eye, and a front portion that is adapted to be disposed in the direction of the front of the eye. The molded lens includes conductive parallel nanofilaments located on or within a central region of the molded lens. |
| US08922896B2 |
Optical imaging device
There is provided an optical imaging device for splitting an initial image into images with different optical characteristics, wherein the device comprises a plurality of beamsplitters and at least first and second reflectors arranged to create multiple images adjustably separable in two orthogonal directions, characterised in that the first reflector is rotatable about a first axis and the second reflector is rotatable about a second axis, the second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The beamsplitters are located in a first optical layer to create multiple optical pathways directed substantially orthogonally from the first optical layer to a second spaced apart optical layer. Each reflector can be moved translationally relative to its rotational axis. |
| US08922887B2 |
Imaging distal end of multimode fiber
Where a multimode fiber is used for light delivery in a microscope system and a transverse distribution of light exiting a distal end of the fiber is substantially uniform, the distal end is imaged onto a plane of a sample to be probed by the microscope system, or at a conjugate plane. Alternatively, the distal end is imaged onto a plane sufficiently close to the sample plane or the conjugate plane such that a radiant intensity of light at the sample plane or the conjugate plane is substantially uniform. In the case of a multi-focal confocal microscope system, the distal end of the multimode fiber is imaged onto a plane of a segmented focusing array. Alternatively the distal end is imaged onto a plane sufficiently close to the segmented focusing array plane such that a radiant intensity of the light at the segmented focusing array plane is substantially uniform. |
| US08922884B2 |
Flexible objective lens assembly and microscope
An objective lens assembly 316 to be attached to a surgical microscope includes an objective lens 328, a roll section 318, a pitch section 320, and an attachment mechanism 330. The roll section 318 allows the objective lens 328 to be rotated sideways without causing a pair of eyepieces 324 to move. The pitch section 320 allows the objective lens 328 to be rotated towards and away from the pair of eyepieces 324 without causing the pair of eyepieces to move. A surgical microscope 300 including the objective lens assembly 316 also includes a microscope body 308 and support structure 302, 304, 306, and 310. |
| US08922883B2 |
Magnification optical system
A magnification optical system forms an enlarged image of an object. It includes a refractive optical system including a plurality of lens groups; and a mirror train including a curved mirror, arranged in this order from an object side, a first focus structure configured to move the respective lens groups of the refractive optical system by different amounts along a normal line of a conjugate surface on the object side, and a second focus structure configured to move the respective lens groups along the normal line of the conjugate surface on the object side by different amounts from those of the first focus structure. |
| US08922882B2 |
Imaging system
Imaging systems are provided allowing examination of different object regions spaced apart in a depth direction by visual microscopy and by optical coherence tomography. An axial field of view and a lateral resolution is varied depending on which object region is examined by the imaging system. The proposed imaging systems are in particular applicable for thorough examination of the human eye. |
| US08922881B2 |
Fiber amplifier system including tapered fiber bundle and polarization control
A fiber laser amplifier system including a beam splitter that splits a feedback beam into a plurality of fiber beams where a separate fiber beam is sent to a fiber amplifier for amplifying the fiber beam. A tapered fiber bundle couples all of the output ends of all of the fiber amplifiers into a combined fiber providing a combined output beam. A beam sampler samples a portion of the output beam from the tapered fiber bundle and provides a sample beam. A single mode fiber receives the sample beam from the beam sampler and provides the feedback beam. |
| US08922875B2 |
Method for optical phase modulation, optical phase modulator and optical network using the same
An optical phase modulator based on the principles of stimulated Brillouin scattering is disclosed. The optical phase modulator uses a pump wave and a probe wave counte-propagating in an optical fiber, whose frequencies are chosen such that a difference thereof differs from a resonant Brillouin frequency of the optical fiber. The pump wave is amplitude modulated prior to injecting into the optical fiber, causing phase modulation of the probe wave inside and at the exit from the optical fiber. Alternatively, the probe wave can be amplitude modulated, thereby causing a phase modulation of the pump wave. In the embodiments of the invention, the pump wave is a continuous wave, and the probe wave is a pulse Stokes wave or an anti-Stokes wave. A corresponding optical network using the phase modulator is also disclosed. |
| US08922872B2 |
SPD films with darker off-state transmittances and lighter on-state transmittances
A light valve film forming a light-modulating element of a light valve, the film comprised of a cross-linked polymer matrix with a plurality of droplets of a liquid light valve suspension distributed therein. The film has a phase ratio: % particle number value calculated by the formula: Matrix / capsule ratio % particles in the capsule = Phase ratio : % particle number In one embodiment the light valve film has a relatively low visible transmittance in the unpowered Off state such that the film has a % T of <0.05 and a ΔT of >42%. In another embodiment the light valve film has a relatively high visible transmittance in the On state such that the film has a % T of >70% and a ΔT of >57%. |
| US08922869B2 |
Electrowetting display device and manufacturing method thereof
The present disclosure relates to an electrowetting display device and a manufacturing method for the same, using a UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer. The UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can include a UV-cured fluorine based material positioned above a cured UV reactive material. In an embodiment, the electrowetting display device can also include a substrate with a layer of pixel electrodes formed over the substrate, and partition walls formed over at least a portion of the layer of pixel electrodes. In one embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above an inter-layer insulation film. In another embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above the layer of pixel electrodes. The electrowetting display can also include a water repellent layer formed over the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer. |
| US08922868B2 |
Responsivity enhancement of solar light compositions and devices for thermochromic windows
The present invention relates to an optical window-filter including a thermochromic material and a light absorbing material. An absorption of light by the light absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material. The present invention further relates to a filter for an infrared imaging system having detectors sensitive to radiation in an infrared transmission spectrum. The filter includes a thermochromic material and a light-absorbing material. An absorption of high-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum by the light-absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material to attenuate the high-power radiation while transmitting substantially unaffected low-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum. |
| US08922861B2 |
Two-dimensional optical deflector apparatus using curved-type saw-tooth drive voltages
In a two-dimensional optical deflector apparatus comprising an optical deflector and a driver for driving the optical deflector, the optical deflector includes a mirror, a first piezoelectric actuator for rocking the mirror with respect to a first axis of the mirror, and a second piezoelectric actuator of a meander type for rocking the mirror with respect to a second axis of the mirror perpendicular to the first axis. The driver generates a curved-type saw-tooth drive voltage and applies the curved-type saw-tooth drive voltage to the second piezoelectric actuator. |
| US08922859B2 |
Light source device, method of assembling light source device, optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus
A method of assembling a light source comprises the steps of inserting multiple lead wires of a light emitting element into an insertion hole formed in a circuit board from one side of the circuit board at once, striking tips of the multiple lead wires with corresponding multiple guides formed on a circumference of a pressing device serving as a jig from the other side of the circuit board, moving the pressing device toward the one side from the other side of the circuit board, and in a first stage guiding the multiple lead wires to corresponding terminals formed in an inner wall of the insertion hole of the circuit board, respectively. |
| US08922858B2 |
Motion axis control and method for biosensor scanning
A motion control system and a method for biosensor scanning which scans a light beam spot over one or more of the biosensors supported by a microplate with an optical scanner system, the method including: defining a scan path for an optical scanner including selecting axes representing properties of the scan path and selecting a time series, calculating a piecewise polynomial function of time between each point in the time series; and scanning the light beam spot over one or more biosensors according to the defined scan path, as described herein. |
| US08922855B2 |
Printing apparatus
In a printing apparatus which performs printing by using special ink for generating special glossiness on a printed material and color inks, the apparatus includes a controller that, when an image in which an index value indicating a degree of the special glossiness is low and an image in which the index value is high are to be printed adjacently, controls to print the image in which the index value is low by substituting other inks for the special ink. |
| US08922852B2 |
Device for driving recording head and recording apparatus
A device for driving a recording head comprises select data input elements, a waveform signal selector, and a drive signal supplier. To the select data input elements, select data sets corresponding to recording elements included in the recording head are inputted in a serial manner. Each one of the select data sets indicates which one among waveform signals is to be employed for a corresponding recording element in a single printing cycle. The waveform signal selector selects, for each of the recording elements, one among the waveform signals on the basis of a corresponding one among the select data sets inputted to the select data input. The drive signal supplier supplies, based on the selected waveform signal, a drive signal to each of the recording elements. The number of the select data input elements is greater than the number of bits included in each of the select data sets. The number of signal lines through which the select data sets are inputted to the select data input elements in a serial manner is the same as the number of the select data input elements. |
| US08922849B2 |
Document scanner
A document scanner comprises a first image sensor unit (32) and a second image sensor unit (30) and a scanning mechanism (70, 72, 76, 80) for causing relative movement between a document and the units so that the units scan the document in a scanning direction. The first unit (32) is situated ahead of the second unit (30) in the scanning direction and partially overlaps the second unit. Each sensor unit has a respective linear array (44) of electromagnetic radiation detectors and one or more light guides (48, 49) for directing light from a respective one of two imaging lines (63) on to the detectors, wherein, in use, the imaging lines scan the document to capture data representative of two respective sets of scan line portions for combination to obtain a succession of scan lines for the document, the one or more light guides of the first unit (32) are angled rearwardly with respect to the scanning direction, whilst the one or more light guides of the second unit (30) are angled forwardly with respect to the scanning direction, so as to reduce the distance with respect to the scanning direction, between the imaging lines (63). |
| US08922845B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an exposing section, a pulse generating section, a frequency storing section, an emission control section, a smoothing section, and a driving-current generating section. The pulse generating section generates a periodic pulse signal indicating light amount of light beam emitted by a light source of the exposing section. The frequency storing section stores in advance a plurality of frequencies of the pulse signal. The emission control section selects, in the rendering of each main scanning line, any one of the plurality of frequencies and instructs the pulse generating section to generate the pulse signal having the selected frequency. The smoothing section smoothes the pulse signal generated by the pulse generating section according to the instruction of the emission control section and generates analog signal. The driving-current generating section generates driving current for the light source of the exposing section on the basis of the analog signal. |
| US08922842B2 |
Controlling device for controlling scan performing unit
A controlling device may cause a scan performing unit to perform either a first type of scan or a second type of scan. In the first type of scan, a document may be moved with respect to optical elements while the optical elements are not moved, and in a second type of scan, the optical elements are moved with respect to the document while the document is not moved. The controlling device may judge that a first type of analysis is to be performed on scan data in a case where one type of scan is performed, and judge that the first type of analysis is not to be performed in a case where the other type of scan is performed. The controlling device may determine an output resolution by utilizing a result of the first type of analysis, and create a file including image data indicating the output resolution. |
| US08922839B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
A array including array elements in a number smaller than the minimum number of pixels, having values larger than Th_c, and a plurality of array elements having values smaller than Th_c is generated. A formation array having the same size as that of a latent image is generated from the generated array. An image obtained by replacing the pixel value at a pixel position within the first region in the latent image with the value at the pixel position in the formation array is generated as a configuration image. The pixel value at each pixel position in the configuration image, that corresponds to each pixel position in the input image, is output as the amount of a highly infrared absorbent color material used to print a pixel at this pixel position in the input image. |
| US08922837B2 |
Print control device, image forming system, and computer-readable storage medium
A print control device includes a generating unit configured to generate image data, based on gloss control plane data for specifying a type of a surface effect to be given to a recording medium and specifying a region to which the surface effect is to be given in the recording medium; and an output unit configured to output the image data. The generating unit includes a tone correcting unit configured to perform a tone correction on a region in which the surface effect is designated in the gloss control plane data, the tone correction varying with each type of surface effect. |
| US08922834B2 |
Hybrid halftone generation mechanism using change in pixel error
A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a Continuous Tone Image (CTI) with all pixel values same as a first gray level, generating an initial Half Tone Image (HTI) with all pixel values equal to minimum absorptance level and computing a change in pixel error for a first pixel. The change in pixel error is computed by identifying a first pixel indicated in a valid pixel map, toggling the first pixel with all the possible output states and swapping the first pixel with all neighbor pixels only if the stacking constraint is satisfied, updating the HTI with the maximum error decrease operation and continue to next pixel location till the end criteria is met. |
| US08922833B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing a weighted monochrome image
A method to configure an apparatus to obtain a color image for printing. The apparatus presents the printing option of converting the color image into a standard monochrome image or a color-highlighted monochrome image. Black colored portions of the original color image are shown to be predominantly darker in the standard monochrome image. Colored portions, of a predetermined color of the original color image, are shown to be predominantly darker in the color-highlighted monochrome image, and black colored portions, of the original color image, are less prominent. The apparatus applies filters to the color image to produce the standard or color-high-lighted monochrome image, and outputs whichever option is selected by the user. |
| US08922832B2 |
Print processing method and information processing apparatus implementing the method
A printer driver for generating print job data to be transferred to a printer in response to a drawing instruction determines, based on combining condition, whether the received drawing instruction can be combined with another drawing instruction. If the printer driver determines that the received drawing instruction can be combined, the printer driver stores the received drawing instruction as intermediate data. If the printer driver determines that the received drawing instruction cannot be combined, the printer driver combines intermediate data of already stored drawing instructions into a single item of print job data and outputs the print job data to the printer. The combining condition is that the received drawing instruction meets all of three conditions. |
| US08922828B2 |
Determining scan priority of documents
When a group of documents are received, the scan priority of the documents may be determined, according to one embodiment, by acquiring contexts about each of the documents and calculating a scan priority of each of the documents according to a combination of the contexts of the document. Then, each of the documents may be stored to a queue corresponding to the scan priority of the document, such that documents stored in a higher priority queue are processed before documents stored to a lower priority queue. Also, a confidentiality label may be assigned to each of the documents, starting with the documents in the highest priority queue first, based on content acquired from each of the individual documents. |
| US08922827B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit and a converting unit. The storage unit stores a dither matrix including a plurality of sub-matrices. Each sub-matrix has a group of dot regions and each dot region has a threshold value. The dot regions are arranged in N rows and N columns in which N is an integer greater than or equal to 4 and the dot regions define a first diagonal line and a second diagonal line. Each sub-matrix has a plurality of first orthogonal lines extending in a direction parallel to the first diagonal line and a plurality of second orthogonal lines extending in a direction parallel to the second diagonal line. N dot regions whose threshold value is smaller than a prescribed value are contained in the group of dot regions. Only one of N dot regions is contained in each row and each column. At most one of N dot regions is contained in each first orthogonal line and each second orthogonal line. The converting unit is configured to convert print data into binary data by using the dither matrix. |
| US08922826B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus (printing server) of one aspect of the present invention generates print data from the print target file attached to the electronic mail received from a mobile terminal via a network, and causes the printer designated in the electronic mail to execute printing based on the print data. Upon receiving such electronic mail, the print server saves the electronic mail address of the transmission source of the electronic mail. In addition, when the installation state of a print driver changes, the print server notifies a mobile terminal corresponding to the saved electronic mail address of information indicating the change by using the saved electronic mail address. |
| US08922823B2 |
Information processing apparatus and storage medium with the function of adding a cover letter to a print job
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores programs for a computer to execute a method of controlling a print job of a document from an application. The programs includes a controlling program to control the print job with a job ID, a setting receiving program to receive a setting condition, an image processing program to convert the document into print data, and a print data processing program to store the job ID with image data. The method includes the steps of obtaining the job ID, generating the image data, and storing the job ID with the image data into the print data processing program, executed by the setting receiving program, and the steps of obtaining the document and the job ID, receiving the image data, and converting the image data and the document into the print data, executed by the image processing program. |
| US08922822B2 |
Image transform signature generation mechanism
A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first data component of an image data stream at a cache within a control unit, appending a first signature value to the first data component to obtain a first modified image data and generating a second signature value based on the first modified image data. |
| US08922821B2 |
Image forming apparatus connectable to a portable storage medium, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus that is capable of accessing a removable storage medium and automatically starting an operation of calibration thereof without waiting for a user to input a job, on an as-needed basis, when a storage medium is mounted therein. A printer engine performs an image forming operation according to data read from the medium, and a controller executes calibration of the printer engine. The controller detects whether or not the medium is inserted, and determines attributes of data stored in the medium. Based on a result of determination, the controller causes the calibration to be selectively started. |
| US08922816B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium storing program
When a notification, indicating that a read-start instruction is inputted in a reading apparatus that supports event push scanning, is received through a network, read-setting of read operation corresponding to the read-start instruction is acquired from the reading apparatus through a network, in response to the received notification. An instruction is given to the reading apparatus through the network to read an image in accordance with the acquired read-setting and transmit read image data generated by the reading, using a predetermined scanner driver. |
| US08922814B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, print system, and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes a determining unit and a processor. The determining unit determines, upon detecting that a specific printing device is not checking whether print instruction information indicating an instruction to print a document in the specific printing device is retained in a service which generates print instruction information indicating an instruction to print a document in a specified printing device, that the specific printing device is not in a checking state in which it is intermittently checked whether print instruction information is retained in the service. The processor performs processing for allowing the specific printing device to shift to the checking state if the determining unit has determined that the specific printing device is not in the checking state. |
| US08922811B2 |
Method, system and processor-readable medium for automatically selecting a job tracking source
A method and system for automatically selecting an accurate job tracking source with respect to each rendering device. An output management solution in association with a device manager can be configured to include a device-based accounting source, a job tracking agent source, and a file import source. The job tracking data sources can be configured by an administrator and can be ranked within the device manager based on an accuracy setting. The device-based accounting source can be selected as the most accurate source upon detection of a built-in job tracking capability with respect to the multi-function device. The job tracking agent source and/or the file import source can be selected as the most accurate source if the built-in job tracking capability is not available. A historical job tracking database can be searched by the device manager in order to detect the job tracking agent source. |
| US08922810B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for displaying status information of a job present in a print queue
An information processing apparatus provided with a display unit includes a status information display unit configured to display status information of a job present in a print queue via the display unit, an acquisition unit configured to acquire setting information of the job present in the print queue, and a job determination unit configured to determine, based on the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, whether the job is a job to be output to a printing apparatus. The status information display unit displays, without displaying status information of a job determined not to be output to the printing apparatus by the job determination unit, status information of a job determined to be output to the printing apparatus by the job determination unit via the display unit. |
| US08922809B2 |
Host apparatus connected to image forming apparatus and compatible function information providing method
Disclosed are a host apparatus which is connected to an image forming apparatus and a compatible function information providing method thereof. The method includes: executing the integrated administration program of the host apparatus; receiving function information on at least one image forming apparatus; storing the received function information on the image forming apparatus; determining whether the function corresponding to the stored function information on the image forming apparatus is compatible with the integrated administration program or a sub application program within the integrated administration program; and separately displaying the integrated administration program or the sub application program corresponding to a determination result. |
| US08922806B2 |
Administration server and image processing system
An administration server is capable of authenticating a user. The administration server includes a communication unit for receiving a user authentication request including user identification information and apparatus identification information from an external device; and a server control unit for authenticating the user according to the user identification information to obtain a first result. The server control unit is provided for determining a usage permitted function according to the user identification information to obtain a second result, and for determining whether an apparatus corresponding to the apparatus identification information can be used according to user identification information and the apparatus identification information to obtain a third result. The communication unit is configured to transmit the first result, the second result, and the third result to the external device. |
| US08922805B2 |
Image processing apparatus having updatable firmware, method for controlling image processing apparatus, and program
If a specified firmware subject to update is firmware of a sub control unit, an image processing apparatus updates the firmware of the sub control unit when a shifting condition for shifting from a first power mode to a second power mode has been satisfied. And the image processing apparatus shifts from the first power mode to the second power mode when the update of the firmware of the sub control unit has been completed. |
| US08922804B2 |
Technical documents capturing and patents analysis system and method
A system and related method are provided for managing technical documents. The system includes a graphical screen divided into a plurality of document units arranged in a m×n manner, where both m and n are integers larger than 1. Each of the document units occupies a screen area for displaying document information of a document, and said document information including important information and related information of the document, in which the related information can be at least one related drawing. |
| US08922803B2 |
Bitmap rotation mechanism
A method is disclosed. The method includes allocating a decompressor for each scanline of an input image represented as compressed bitmap data, allocating tiles to store bitmap data representing a rotation of the image and generating a rotated output image represented as compressed bitmap data. |
| US08922798B2 |
Storage medium and method for producing a printed product
In a method for creating a printed product, JDF files are converted into a DOM tree to represent the files in a representation in a main memory of a computer. The conversion, as well as individual processing steps, is time-consuming. To accelerate the encoding and processing steps, a method is performed wherein a file in a first data format is stored in a memory, the file contains information for creating the printed product. The file is decoded into a representation in the main memory. The first data format includes two memory areas, a first memory area contains attributes for method steps to be implemented and/or for materials of the printing process and/or of the printed product. The representation is included in the two memory areas, and the data of a first memory area of the representation are essentially identical with the data of the first memory area of the file. |
| US08922795B2 |
Enabling access to supported capabilities of printers prior to installing printer-specific software for the printers
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates use of a printer. During operation, the system obtains, on an electronic device, a set of supported capabilities from the printer. Next, the system provides, to a user of the electronic device, the set of supported capabilities within a workflow for using the printer without installing printer-specific software for the printer. Upon detecting a selection of a supported capability from the provided set of supported capabilities by the user, the system determines if the supported capability requires the printer-specific software. If the supported capability does not require the printer-specific software, the system enables use of the supported capability by the user without using the printer-specific software to provide the supported capability to the user. If the supported capability requires the printer-specific software, the system uses the printer-specific software to provide the supported capability to the user. |
| US08922794B2 |
Information processing device that displays a preview image, image forming apparatus that displays a preview image, and method of displaying a preview image
Provided is an information processing device, including an input device for receiving a specification input for specifying a page for which an image forming apparatus is caused to execute a job, a display for displaying preview images of only a first page and a last page among continuous pages and displaying the preview images of all non-continuous pages that are separate from each other without forming a continuous range when specified pages are the non-continuous pages, and a communication portion for transmitting data for executing a job based on the specified page. |
| US08922793B2 |
Control device, control method, image forming apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program
A control device includes: a search request receiving unit that receives a request to search for a first operation screen registered in a second image forming apparatus connected to a first image forming apparatus; a search unit that searches for the first operation screen among operation screens registered in the second image forming apparatus; a display control unit that controls to display the first operation screen on a display device provided in the first image forming apparatus; a receiver that receives an instruction for the second image forming apparatus having the first operation screen registered therein from a user through the first operation screen displayed on the display device; and a transmitter that transmits the instruction received from the user through the first operation screen to the second image forming apparatus having the first operation screen registered therein. |
| US08922786B2 |
Detector, imprint apparatus, and article manufacturing method
A detector includes an illumination optical system that illuminates a first diffraction grating having a period in each of a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction, and a second diffraction grating having a period in the second direction different from the period of the first diffraction grating in the second direction. A detection optical system detects diffracted light diffracted by the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating. The detection optical system includes a photoelectric conversion element and a guide portion arranged on a pupil plane of the detection optical system. The guide portion guides, to the photoelectric conversion element, the light diffracted by the first diffracting grating and the second diffraction grating. The diffracted light diffracted by the second diffraction grating enters a position different from the guide portion on the pupil plane of the detection optical system. |
| US08922785B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring displacement
A technique for measuring displacement involves passing parallel laser light from a laser light source through a first diffraction grating to a semi-transparent semi-reflective mirror. A portion of the laser light is reflected as first reversed light, which passes through the first diffraction grating. The remainder of the parallel laser light proceeds to a total reflection mirror and is reflected as second reversed light that passes through the semi-transparent semi-reflective mirror and the first diffraction grating. The amount of refracted light of a predetermined order that is of the first and second reversed light and that results from the first diffraction grating is detected by a first optical sensor, and the amount of displacement is obtained from the interference band or a signal thereof corresponding to the amount of relative motion in the axial direction of the total reflection mirror with respect to the semi-transparent semi-reflective mirror. |
| US08922782B2 |
OCT medical imaging system using gain waveguide array swept source
An optical coherence tomography system uses an optical source that comprises a series of gain waveguides that generate light at the frequencies at which the interference signal is to be sampled. In this way, the optical source generates a discretely tuned optical signal. This has the advantage that the tuning can be directly controlled by a controller that is also used to synchronize the sampling of the interference signal. This avoids the need for separate frequency clock synchronization. In embodiments, the gain waveguides are fabricated from one or more semiconductor edge emitting bars. In some implementations, the gain waveguides comprise periodic structures that define the frequency of operation of the waveguide. However in other implementations, the combiner comprises a dispersive element, such as a diffractive grating, that provides frequency specific feedback to each waveguide. |
| US08922781B2 |
Arrangements, devices, endoscopes, catheters and methods for performing optical imaging by simultaneously illuminating and detecting multiple points on a sample
Devices, arrangements, endoscopes, catheters and methods adapted to propagate at least one electro-magnetic radiation are provided. In particular, a waveguide apparatus specifically configured may be utilized to split the electro-magnetic radiation into a plurality of beams that are intended to illuminate a biological sample, and impart a unique associated characteristic unto each of the beams. The beams may be intended to illuminate a biological sample at distinct locations, and impart a unique associated characteristic unto each of the beams. In addition, a control apparatus may be provided which is configured to control at least one of the fibers and which can be input to the fibers so as to modify the unique associated characteristics of the beams being propagated along the fibers, and thereby modify the characteristics of the distinct locations on the sample. |
| US08922779B2 |
Digital signal processing method and device of fiber-optic gyroscope, and fiber-optic gyroscope
The present invention provides a signal processing method and device for the fiber-optic gyroscope, which can effectively expand the dynamic range of the fiber-optic gyroscope, improve the linearity of the scaling factor, and restrain the zero drift of the open-loop fiber-optic gyroscope, i.e., the dynamic fluctuation of the scaling factor. The fiber-optic gyroscope proposed by the present invention provides a first harmonic demodulation reference signal and a second harmonic demodulation reference signal, which are high in quality and synchronous in detection signal, to the signal processing device proposed by the present invention by the digital phase-locked loop technology. |
| US08922776B2 |
Confocal laser scanning microscope and a method for investigating a sample
A confocal laser scanning microscope for examining a sample has a light source, which generates an illumination light beam, and a scanning unit which deflects the illumination light beam such that it optically scans the sample. A main beam splitter separates the illumination light beam from detection light emerging from the sample. The detection light separated from the illumination light beam passes at least partially through a detection pinhole diaphragm. At least two detector units detect the detection light passing through the detection pinhole diaphragm. An optical element is arranged in the beam direction between the detection pinhole diaphragm and the detector units and splits the detection light into at least two beam bundles and spectrally decomposes it within the beam bundles. |
| US08922774B2 |
Method of manufacturing device, and substrate
A method includes a first step of forming a circuit pattern and an alignment mark on a substrate and a second step of measuring a position of the alignment mark and positioning the substrate. The alignment mark includes a first linear pattern arranged on one side of a first straight line, a second linear pattern arranged on the other side of the first straight line, a third linear pattern arranged on one side of a second straight line, and a fourth linear pattern arranged on the other side of the second straight line. The first step includes determining total number of the third and fourth linear patterns to be formed and total number of the first and second linear patterns to be formed based on required precisions in directions along the first and second straight lines. |
| US08922764B2 |
Defect inspection method and defect inspection apparatus
A defect inspection method includes: illuminating an area on surface of a specimen as a test object under a specified illumination condition; scanning a specimen to translate and rotate the specimen; detecting scattering lights to separate each of scattering lights scattered in different directions from the illuminated area on the specimen into pixels to be detected according to a scan direction at the scanning a specimen and a direction approximately orthogonal to the scan direction; and processing to perform an addition process on each of scattering lights that are detected at the step and scatter approximately in the same direction from approximately the same area of the specimen, determine presence or absence of a defect based on scattering light treated by the addition process, and compute a size of the determined defect using at least one of the scattering lights corresponding to the determined defect. |
| US08922763B2 |
Methods of manufacturing an improved multimode optical fiber
A method for compensating for both material or chromatic dispersion and modal dispersion effects in a multimode fiber transmission system is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to measuring a fiber-coupled spatial spectral distribution of the multimode fiber laser transmitter connected with a reference multimode fiber optical cable and determining the amount of chromatic dispersion and modal dispersion present in the reference multimode fiber optic cable. The method also includes, but is not limited to, designing an improved multimode fiber optic cable which compensates for at least a portion of the chromatic dispersion and modal dispersion present in the reference multimode fiber optic cable resulting from the transmitter's fiber-coupled spatial spectral distribution. |
| US08922760B2 |
Defocused optical rotation measurement apparatus, optical rotation measurement method and defocused optical fiber system
There is provided an optical rotation measurement apparatus and a measuring system which are user-friendly, capable of measuring glucose concentration in drawn blood and living bodies with high accuracy in real time such that it is available for use at an actual medical site without depending on a reagent, and capable of measuring glucose concentration in a living body noninvasively with high accuracy, a new polarized light converting optical system that can be used for the measuring system, and an optical rotation measurement method using the optical system.The problems are resolved by inserting a non-reciprocal optical system sandwiching a specimen in an optical fiber ring interferometer, using input/output optical fibers of the non-reciprocal optical system, which are comprised of a large core diameter low NA single mode optical fiber, as an input/output part, connected via a mode-matching unit to a small core diameter and high NA polarization preserving fiber as a transmission part, and employing a defocused configuration without deploying the optical fiber ends at focal points of lenses. |
| US08922757B2 |
Photo-alingment apparatus, and method for fabricating liquid crystal display
A photo-alignment apparatus is provided, which includes an exposure machine, at least one mask and a photo-alignment area. The exposure machine includes a light source, a polarization plate, and a multilayer splitter. The light source emits an unpolarized light. The polarization plate receives the unpolarized light and converts the unpolarized light into a polarized light. The multilayer splitter split the polarized light into a first light beam and a second light beam. The mask includes at least two transmission portions which allow the first and second light beams to be transmitted therethrough and be projected onto the photo-alignment area for exposure thereto. |
| US08922756B2 |
Position measurement system, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A position measurement system includes a first part and a second part for determining a position of a first member relative to a second member by providing a position signal representing a position of the first part relative to the second part, and a computational unit comprising an input terminal for receiving the position signal. The computational unit is configured to, in use, apply a conversion to the position signal to obtain a signal representing a position of the first member relative to the second member; and apply an adjustment to the conversion to at least partly compensate for a drift of the first part or the second part or both. The adjustment is based on a predetermined drift characteristic of the first part or the second part or both respectively. The predetermined drift characteristic includes one or more base shapes of the first part and/or the second part. |
| US08922750B2 |
Magnification control for lithographic imaging system
In a lithographic projection system, a corrective optic in the form of one or more deformable plates is mounted within telecentric image or object space for making one-dimensional or two-dimensional adjustments to magnification. The deformable plate, which can be initially bent under the influence of a preload, contributes weak magnification power that influences the magnification of the projection system by changing the effective focal length in object or image space. An actuator adjusts the amount of curvature through which the deformable plate is bent for regulating the amount of magnification imparted by the deformable plate. |
| US08922747B2 |
Liquid crystal panel, OLED display panel, glass substrate and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal panel, an OLED display panel, a glass substrate and the manufacturing method thereof, wherein, the liquid crystal panel comprises the opposite first substrate and second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate respectively include a glass substrate. At least one of the first substrate and the second substrate includes an isolating layer, which is arranged on the inner surface of the glass substrate, for isolating the active alkali metal of the glass. Because the present invention uses the ordinary alkali free glass on the liquid crystal panel or the OLED panel as the glass substrate, and arranges an isolating layer on the glass substrate, the isolating layer can prevent the active alkali metal in the alkali free glass like active sodium ion, kalium ion etc. from reacting with other substances, thereby avoiding damages to devices in the panel resulting from the reaction between the active alkali metal like sodium ion or kalium ion and other substances, and increasing the lifetime of the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device and the OLED display device. |
| US08922744B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In the disclosed liquid crystal display device, electrode portions are formed in sealing member regions on a first substrate and a second substrate, respectively, so that the electrode portions are electrically connected to each other through a conductive material in a sealing member. A control structure for controlling a flow of an alignment film material before curing is provided at least between the electrode portion and a pixel region on at least one of the first substrate or the second substrate so that at least part of the electrode portion is exposed from an alignment film. |
| US08922741B2 |
Liquid crystal device and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal device is provided which includes: a first substrate and a second substrate that are disposed to face each other; a liquid crystal layer that is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode that is provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate; an insulating layer that is provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the first electrode; and a second electrode that is provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the insulating layer, in which the first substrate has formed thereon a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines which intersect each other; sub-pixels are formed at regions surrounded by the data lines and the scan lines; the second electrode has a plurality of linear electrodes that is disposed with a gap therebetween; each of the plurality of linear electrodes extends in a long-axis direction of the sub-pixels and has at least one bent portion; the bent portion has such a shape that both sides thereof are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the long-axis direction of the sub-pixels; and the data lines or the scan lines are bent in an extending direction of the linear electrodes having the bent portion. |
| US08922735B2 |
Backlight system and liquid crystal display device using the same
A backlight system includes: a light-emitting section (1) having a plurality of light sources that emit beams of light at different dominant wavelengths from one another; and an imaging optical system (3) including a plurality of microlenses (3a) that focus beams of light emitted from the light-emitting section (1), the backlight system irradiating a liquid crystal panel with beams of light having passed through the imaging optical system (3), the liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixels arrayed at a predetermined pitch from each other, on the assumption that the pitch at which the pixels are arrayed is denoted as P and the imaging optical system (3) has an imaging magnification of (1/n), the light sources (1) being arrayed at a pitch (P1) given as P1=n×P, the microlenses (3a) being arrayed at a pitch (P2) given as P2=(n/(n+1))×P. |
| US08922734B2 |
Lens and LED unit using the lens and display using the LED unit
An exemplary lens for diffusing light from an LED to a diffusion plate of an LCD module, includes a light-refraction portion and a plurality of legs extending from the light-refraction portion. The light-refraction portion includes a light-incident face facing the LED and a light-emergent face opposite to the light-incident face and facing the diffusion plate. The light-incident face defines a plurality of dots therein. Each dot is a depression and has an inner face concaved from the light-incident face. |
| US08922732B2 |
Liquid crystal display with light emitting diode backlight assembly and liquid crystal display thereof
A light emitting diode (“LED”) backlight assembly. The LED backlight assembly has a bottom container which has a bottom plate and a side edge surrounding the bottom plate, a plurality of light emitting diode printed circuit boards (“LED-PCBs”) on the bottom plate, and a connector which is closely located to edge located LEDs. The connector of the LED-PCB is closely located to an LED driving board, which is disposed at a lateral space of a lateral part of the bottom container to limit a vertical thickness of the backlight light assembly. |
| US08922729B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
It is an object to obtain a liquid crystal display device in which a contact defect is reduced, increase in contact resistance is suppressed, and an opening ratio is high. The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device having a substrate; a thin film transistor provided over the substrate, which includes a gate wiring, a gate insulating film, an island-shaped semiconductor film, a source region, and a drain region; a source wiring which is provided over the substrate and is connected to the source region; a drain electrode which is provided over the substrate and is connected to the drain region; an auxiliary capacitor provided over the substrate; a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode; and a protective film formed so as to cover the thin film transistor and the source wiring, where the protective film has an opening, and the auxiliary capacitor is formed in the area where the opening is formed. |
| US08922719B2 |
Circuit and method for processing an input signal
Circuit for processing an input signal based on at least one reference signal, comprising a phase locked loop demodulator configured to receive a speed control signal and said input signal and further configured to follow a frequency and/or a phase of said input signal at a speed, wherein said speed depends on said speed control signal; and a reference signal detector configured to determine said at least one reference signal and to set said speed by outputting said speed control signal to said phase locked loop demodulator, wherein, if said reference signal detector detects said at least one reference signal, said reference signal detector decreases said speed. |
| US08922704B2 |
Techniques for collection of auto-focus statistics
Various techniques are disclosed for collecting and processing auto-focus statistics data in an image signal processor (ISP). In one embodiment, a statistics collection engine in an ISP front-end processing unit may be configured to collect coarse (based on decimated raw data) and fine auto-focus statistics. Coarse auto-focus statistics may be collected on decimated Bayer RGB data and/or on linear camera luma values. Fine auto-focus statistics may be collected on raw Bayer RGB using a combination of a horizontal filter and edge detector, or may be collected on BayerY data (by applying a 3×1 transform to the raw Bayer RGB data). Edge sums may be accumulated using the filter outputs to determine auto-focus statistics. |
| US08922702B2 |
Imaging device and electronic apparatus
An imaging device according to embodiments includes a lens support that fixes a set of optical lenses, a substrate that fixes the lens support, an imaging element arranged between the set of optical lenses and the substrate, and an elastic body connected to the imaging element and a member other than the imaging element. The substrate includes a Lorentz-force generating unit that generates a Lorentz force between the Lorentz-force generating unit and the imaging element. Furthermore, the substrate moves the imaging element to a position at which the imaging element has a desired optical property by adjusting the Lorentz force. |
| US08922698B2 |
Image pickup apparatus with removable ND filter
An image pickup apparatus includes: a lens apparatus; and a camera apparatus that can be attached and removed from the lens apparatus, wherein the camera apparatus includes: an image pickup element; and an optical element configured to be inserted and removed from an optical path, the optical element is a ND filter, and the ND it has a surface with positive refractive power. A ratio of a thickness of the optical element on an optical axis and a thickness of the optical length adjustment unit on the optical axis is appropriately set. |
| US08922693B2 |
Imaging apparatus capable of concurrently shooting image displayed by display and determined sub-area designated in the image
An imaging apparatus is capable of concurrently shooting an image displayed by a display and a determined sub-area designated in the image. The imaging apparatus includes an optical system that collects light from a subject for image formation, an imaging device that generates image data by photoelectrically converting the light, a display that can display an image corresponding to the image data, an input unit, an effective region determination unit that determines an effective region in which the determined sub-area can be set through input of a signal from the input unit, based on characteristic information of the optical system corresponding to a shooting condition, and a display control unit that causes the display to display information indicating the effective region in accordance with a result of determination by the effective region determination unit. |
| US08922691B2 |
Solid-state imaging device including a shielding film over a floating diffusion region, fabrication method and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes a photodetector which is formed on a substrate and is configured to generate signal charge by photoelectric conversion, a floating diffusion configured to receive the signal charge generated by the photodetector, a plurality of MOS transistors including a transfer transistor that transfers the signal charge to the floating diffusion and an amplification transistor that outputs an pixel signal corresponding to a potential of the floating diffusion, a multi-wiring layer which is formed in a layer higher than the substrate and is composed of a plurality of wiring layers electrically connected to the MOS transistors via contact portions, and a light-shielding film that is constituted by a bottom wiring layer disposed in a layer higher than the substrate and lower than the multi-wiring layer. |
| US08922687B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device including pixels, each pixel having a reset transistor, a selection transistor, an amplification transistor, and a photoelectric conversion unit. The photoelectric conversion unit has a photoelectric conversion film which performs photoelectric conversion, a pixel electrode formed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion film that faces the semiconductor substrate, and a transparent electrode formed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion film that is opposite to the pixel electrode, and the amplitude of a row reset signal applied to the gate of the reset transistor is smaller than at least one of (a) the maximum voltage applied to the drain of the amplification transistor, (b) the maximum voltage applied to the gate of the selection transistor, (c) the power source voltage applied to an inverting amplifier, and (d) the maximum voltage applied to a transparent electrode. |
| US08922684B2 |
Imaging device, control method for imaging device, and storage medium storing a control program for imaging device
A deterioration in image quality caused by correction can be prevented in comparison to when consideration is not given to the sequence in which correction is performed on an image captured by an image pickup device. An imaging apparatus 10 is configured including an optical system 12, an image pickup device 14, an image capture correction processing section 16, and an image processing section 18. The image capture correction processing section 16 is configured including a color mixing correction section 20, a noise correction section 22, an offset correction section 24 and a gain correction section 26. The color mixing correction section 20 reads image data from the image pickup device 14 and performs color mixing correction processing thereon. The noise correction section 22 performs noise correction processing on the image data on which the color mixing correction section 20 has performed color mixing correction processing. |
| US08922677B2 |
Image processing apparatus and imaging apparatus for combining image frames
An imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to acquire an image signal of an object includes a first image combining unit configured to align and synthesize a plurality of image frames generated from the signal output from the imaging unit at a predetermined accuracy to acquire a synthesized image for focus detection evaluation, and a second image combining unit configured to align and synthesize a plurality of image frames generated from the signal output from the imaging unit at an accuracy lower than the accuracy by the first image combining unit to acquire a synthesized image for recording. |
| US08922673B2 |
Color correction of digital color image
A software application corrects for luminance and/or color in a captured image on a device having two cameras. The first camera receives a reference image, and the second camera receives a target image. The device compares the reference image and a reference file retrieved from memory to identify one or more luminance or color differences, and it automatically actuates an optical adjustment element of the second imaging device in response to the differences. The second imaging device captures a target image, and the target image is stored in a computer-readable memory. |
| US08922668B2 |
Solid-state image sensing element and image sensing system including comparison units with switchable frequency band characteristics
In a solid-state image sensing element which includes a pixel array portion in which a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric converter are arranged two-dimensionally, and readout circuits which read out analog pixel signals from the pixel array portion by column, and in which each of the readout circuits includes an A/D conversion circuit which converts the analog pixel signal from the pixel array portion into a digital pixel signal, and the A/D conversion circuit performs A/D conversion by comparing, by a comparison unit, a signal level of the analog pixel signal from the pixel array portion with a temporally changing reference level, a frequency band characteristic of the comparison unit is switched in accordance with the signal level of the analog pixel signal from the pixel array portion. |
| US08922667B2 |
Image pickup apparatus capable of applying color conversion to captured image and control method thereof
In an image sensing apparatus adapted to apply user-settable image processing to a sensed image, display in an electronic viewfinder of an image to which a user-set image processing is applied and an image to which such image processing is not applied is switched with each passage of a predetermined period of time or in response to a user operation. Implementing a preview function with the electronic viewfinder image enables the user to check the results of the image processing in real time prior to actual image sensing by comparing the processed image and the original image to provide an easy-to-use preview function. |
| US08922666B2 |
Information communication method
An information communication method that enables communication between various devices includes: transmitting position information indicating a position of an image sensor; receiving an ID list; setting an exposure time of the image sensor; obtaining a bright line image including a bright line, by capturing a subject by the image sensor; obtaining information by demodulating data specified by a pattern of the bright line included in the obtained bright line image; and searching the ID list for identification information that includes the obtained information. |
| US08922662B1 |
Dynamic image selection
Image capture can be improved by capturing a sequence of images and analyzing the images to select the image with the least blur and/or an acceptable amount of blur. Gradients can be calculated for at least a portion of the images, and gradient histograms generated. Two or more component curves can be fit to each histogram, such as by using a Gaussian mixture model, and the curves can be compared to determine an amount of variation between the curves. The image with the smallest differences between component curves, or with differences less than a specified blur threshold, can be selected as a sufficiently sharp image and provided for viewing, processing, or another intended purpose of the image to be captured. |
| US08922658B2 |
Network video recorder system
An apparatus and method is presented for network video management and recording of video signals and video analytics generated by a network of IP-enabled cameras. A set of IP cameras are connected in a LAN to a network video recorder further connected by LAN or WAN to a set of client stations. The client station operates a hybrid program including a web-browser and a native application operating on a computer. The network video recorder operates a media recorder to store video streams from the IP cameras into a media database and further operates a relational database for storing camera configuration data, device drivers, event information and alarms. The network video recorder includes a zero configuration networking discovery service for automatically detecting and downloading default configurations to the cameras. Client stations can stream video directly from IP cameras, receive recorded video streams and query the relational database for cameras and events. |
| US08922657B2 |
Real-time video image analysis for providing security
System, method, and computer program product are provided for using real-time video analysis to provide the user of mobile devices with security, no matter the user's location. Through the use of real-time vision object recognition objects, logos, artwork, products, locations, and other features that can be recognized in the real-time video stream and frequented locations of the user can be established. In this way, a baseline layout of the frequented location is determined, such that the objects and individuals typically in the frequented area are recognized. The system may continue to take real-time video images of the frequented location, such that if a variation in the baseline layout occurs, the change may be alerted. In this way, a security compromise, such as a break-in to a user's home may be detected by the system and thus the system may notify the user or the appropriate authorities. |
| US08922656B2 |
USB video interface for ALPR cameras and associated method
A video processing system (10) for automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) provides an interface between video cameras (14, 16) and a host computer (20) through a single high speed USB connection (18). The system (10) supports four simultaneous composite video channels (28A, 28B, 28C, 28D) with two channels dedicated to an IR monochrome video and two channels dedicated to color video. Compression software incorporates a high speed memory for buffering and stripping unnecessary data from a digitized data stream. Monochrome channel data and color channel data are marked with an incrementing index to tag them with frame identification. As a result, processing software in the host computer can re-align the monochrome and color video information after processing a license plate image, regardless of the order of data arrival. Color overview and monochrome recognition images are provided at the same time, and thus show the same plate or vehicle. |
| US08922649B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing video frame
A surveillance video processing method including selecting at least one target object from a surveillance area, capturing image information of the surveillance area, detecting motion has occurred in the surveillance area using the captured image information, extracting feature data of an object causing the detected motion, comparing the extracted feature data of the object causing the detected motion and feature data of the at least one target object, and determining whether or not to perform a recording operation for recording the captured image information based on a result of the comparing step. |
| US08922648B2 |
Rotation cancellation for moving obstacle detection
A moving image capture device captures a first image at a first location along a motion path and captures a second image at a second location along the motion path. The optic center of the first image and the optic center of the second image are determined and a line intersecting the optic centers of the first image and the second image is determined. An imaging plane perpendicular to the line intersecting the optic centers of the first image and the second image is then determined and used to generate a first rotation-cancelled image and a second rotation-cancelled image. The first image is warped onto the generated imaging plane to create the first rotation-cancelled image and the second image is warped onto the generated imaging plane to generate the second rotation-cancelled image. Translational motion is preserved by the first rotation-cancelled image and the second rotation-cancelled image. |
| US08922642B2 |
Device and method for controlling test material
The invention relates to apparatus monitoring test media used in or applicable to magnetic testing, said apparatus comprising a test element fitted with an artificial defect and a test medium feed and a test return as well as a magnetic field generator, further a magnetic field adjustment unit to adjust the magnetic field strength acting on the test element and/or the artificial defect, being adjustable at different magnetic field intensities to check the test medium, and to a corresponding method. |
| US08922641B2 |
System and method for inspecting components of hygienic articles
System and method to inspect hygienic articles. Defects are detected using a vision system by comparing an inspection image of a component to a reference image of a defect-free component. Detection of a defect can then be used to reject components and perform other functions. |
| US08922639B2 |
Microscope system
A microscope includes a zoom optical system zooming over a sample, a zoom driving unit moving the optical system along an optical axis, an imaging unit imaging an observation image of the sample through the optical system, thereby generating image data on the sample, and a display unit displaying an image corresponding to the generated image data. A touch panel on a display screen of the display unit accepts an input corresponding to a contact position of an object. A driving control unit outputs a driving signal for changing a zoom magnification of the optical system by setting a middle point between contact positions on the touch panel corresponding to two position signals responsive to an input of the different contact positions as a zoom center position fixed without depending on the zoom magnification of the optical system when the two position signals are output from the touch panel. |
| US08922636B1 |
Synthetic aperture imaging for fluid flows
A synthetic aperture three-dimensional fluid flow imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of cameras. At least two of the cameras are oriented to view a volume along mutually non-parallel directions. The cameras are connected to a programmable computer. The computer captures images from the cameras to generate three dimensional intensity fields. The computer can refocus the images on at least one refocus plane to generate reconstructed three dimensional intensity fields on a plane within the volume. Intensity field cross-correlation is performed on the reconstructed three dimensional intensity fields to extract velocity fields within the volume. The velocity fields represent velocities of objects or fluid phases within the volume. These velocity fields can be recorded for later use. |
| US08922633B1 |
Detection of gastrointestinal sections and transition of an in-vivo device there between
An in-vivo device may capture images of the GI system and transfer frames to an external system for analysis. As frames are transferred from the in-vivo device to the external system each frame may be scored as belonging to a first GI section or to a second GI section, and the frame scores may be buffered in a score buffer. Based on shifting of a reference function across the buffered frame scores and calculating distances between the buffered frame scores and the shifted reference function, the time at which the in-vivo device transitions from the first section of the GI system to the second section of the GI section may be determined. |
| US08922629B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a controller that selects, from multiple images photographed from different viewpoints, a set of images for three-dimensional image display. The controller determines whether or not amount-of-movement information corresponding to a parallax between the images is recorded as attribute information of the images. When the amount-of-movement information is recorded, the controller selects a combination of images having a parallax corresponding to a display size of a display section by using the recorded amount-of-movement information. When the amount-of-movement information is not recorded, the controller selects a combination of images having a parallax corresponding to the display size by determining an amount of movement through use of information resulting from determination of degrees of block matching between images divided into blocks and using information of the determined amount of movement. |
| US08922624B2 |
Optical observation instrument with at least two optical transmission channels that respectively have one partial ray path
An optical observation instrument has two optical transmission channels for transmitting two partial ray bundles (9A, 9B). The optical observation instrument has a main objective (1) common to the optical transmission channels, an electronic image sensor (7) for sequentially recording the partial ray bundles (9A, 9B), an intermediate imaging optical system (3) between the main objective (1) and the image sensor (7) and common to the optical transmission channels, and a tilting mirror matrix (5) between the main objective (1) and the image sensor (7). The intermediate imaging optical system (3) is arranged so that the respective partial ray bundle (9A, 9B) is deflected toward the image sensor (7) and passes the intermediate imaging optical system (3) both on the way from the main objective (1) to the tilting mirror matrix (5) and on the way from the tilting mirror matrix (5) to the image sensor (7). |
| US08922620B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus, methods of controlling the same, and computer-readable storage medium to increase success rates in panoramic photography
Digital photographing apparatus, methods of controlling the same, and computer-readable storage medium to increase success rates in panoramic photography are disclosed. A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus is provided that includes initiating panoramic photography, and providing a capture guide when an image is captured during the panoramic photography. |
| US08922619B2 |
Unmanned monitoring system and monitoring method using omni-directional camera
Disclosed are an unmanned monitoring system and a monitoring method for performing 360° unmanned monitoring work in equipment having a low storage capacity, such as a robot, by using one omni-directional camera. When an image is input through the omni-directional camera, a movement of an object is detected from the image. Then, the movement region is sampled by tracing the object and the image for the movement region is rotated into a frontal image while compensating for inclination of the image in order to allow a user to easily view the image. Thus, the frontal image is transmitted to a mobile communication terminal of a user, such as a mobile phone or a PDA. |
| US08922617B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for time-shifting playback of a live online meeting
In various embodiments, an attendee of a live online meeting selects screen data from an earlier point in time in the online meeting for playback while the meeting is still ongoing. Automatically generated image thumbnails of the screen data for the online meeting may be employed to navigate to the earlier point in time. Attendees may annotate screenshots associated with the thumbnails, and a summary document may be generated that includes the screenshots and the annotations. |
| US08922616B2 |
Customizing a mute input of a remote control device
System and method for user interfaces using remote control devices. More specifically, these user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. These user interfaces may allow a user to quickly browse and filter lists of items, efficiently provide input (e.g., having multiple data types), customize directional and/or mute functionality of the remote control, perform camera control (e.g., for videoconferencing), etc. |
| US08922615B2 |
Customizing input to a videoconference using a remote control device
System and method for user interfaces using remote control devices. More specifically, these user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. These user interfaces may allow a user to quickly browse and filter lists of items, efficiently provide input (e.g., having multiple data types), customize directional and/or mute functionality of the remote control, perform camera control (e.g., for videoconferencing), etc. |
| US08922612B2 |
Thermal printing
A method of printing feeds a receiver through a print head area using a pair of feed rollers comprising a pinch roller and a capstan roller. A preselected tension is maintained on the receiver that is supplied to the feed rollers by controlling a rotation speed of a supply roll that provides the receiver to the feed rollers. The receiver is printed and reverse fed in an opposite direction while controlling the tension of the receiver in response to a tension of the receiver that exists between the feed rollers and the print head area during the step of reverse feeding. Maintaining the tension includes providing a motor having a torque limiter. |
| US08922611B1 |
Apparatus and method for thermal transfer printing
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print. |
| US08922608B2 |
Decolorizing device and decolorization condition setting method
A decolorizing device includes a paper feed unit that feeds a sheet, on which an image has been formed using a color-erasable colorant, into a conveying path. A decolorization unit conveys the sheet fed by the paper feed unit into the conveying path while heating the sheet to a prescribed heat source setting temperature to decolorize the image on the sheet. A scanner reads and electronically processes the image and outputs an image density before and after decolorizing. A reject determination part determines the sheet, on which the image remains, as a reject sheet based on the image density after decolorizing. For the sheet determined as a reject sheet by the reject determination unit, when it is determined that the image density after decolorizing is lower than the image density before decolorizing, a decolorization condition setting part controls the heat source setting temperature in the decolorization unit to be higher. |
| US08922605B2 |
Projector, image display system, and image processing system
The image processing device stores a fixed horizontal resolution and a fixed vertical resolution established in advance for use in resolution conversion of an input image. The first resolution converter of the image processing device converts the input image to a fixed resolution-converted image so that at least a horizontal resolution of the fixed resolution-converted image is equal to the fixed horizontal resolution. The second resolution converter of the image processing device converts the fixed resolution-converted image output from the first resolution converter to the display resolution-converted image having the desired horizontal and vertical resolutions. |
| US08922604B2 |
Image-display device and control method of same
An image display device (2) controls a backlight luminance on the basis of a plurality of areas corresponding to LEDs, which are defined by dividing an input image. To cause sides of each subscreen to coincide with sides of its corresponding area, a subscreen control section (10) included in the image display device (2) changes positions and sizes of subscreen input images Dv1 to Dv3 included in a multiscreen input image Dv, the positions and the sizes being determined by subscreen setting data Ds, which is setting information. As a result, the number of areas corresponding to each subscreen is reduced, so that the number of LEDs to be lit up is reduced without causing display failures, thereby achieving low power consumption. |
| US08922596B2 |
LCD overdriving method and device and LCD
A liquid crystal display (LCD) overdriving method, an LCD overdriving device and an LCD are disclosed. The LCD overdriving method improves displaying quality and a response speed of the LCD comprising the following steps of: receiving by a scaling controller, a previous frame image grayscale value stored into a frame buffer of the scaling controller; receiving a next frame image grayscale value by the scaling controller and sending the previous frame image grayscale value and the next frame image grayscale value to a time schedule controller so that the time schedule controller looks up a lookup table and outputs an overdriving grayscale value. The present disclosure can effectively save the cost by eliminating the need of providing an additional frame buffer in the time schedule controller. Furthermore, as image grayscale values of only two pixels need to be stored in the time schedule controller, it can save more memory spaces. |
| US08922594B2 |
Methods and systems for enhancing display characteristics with high frequency contrast enhancement
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for increasing the perceived brightness of an image. In some embodiments this increase compensates for a decrease in display light-source illumination. |
| US08922593B2 |
Image division process and display apparatus
An image may be divided into multiple portions or sub-images using division lines. To facilitate this process, the division lines may be drawn with user input in a single direction. The image may then be rotated to allow a user to draw lines extending in other directions using the same user input direction. In some instances, rotation may be automatically performed upon drawing of a division line, deletion of a sub-image, receiving a specified user command or type of user input and the like. Additionally or alternatively, upon rotating the image a first time in one direction, a subsequent rotation of the image may be performed in an opposite direction. The first rotation and the subsequent rotation may be of the same rotation amount. If a sub-image is deleted, a remaining sub-image or sub-images may be resized or otherwise modified to fit within the display. |
| US08922585B2 |
Display controller
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a display controller are described. One display controller embodiment includes a data store to store overlay control data, a port to communicate with an overlay control data provider, and a logic to provide an overlay to a display device. The display device may be associated with a computing system that does not provide the overlay control data. The logic may be controlled by the overlay control data provider. |
| US08922584B2 |
Method of creating, displaying, and interfacing an infinite navigable media wall
A computer implemented method of creating, displaying, and interfacing an infinite navigable media wall includes identifying available media from storage accessible by the computer, generating a logical set of media from the available media, generating the infinite navigable media wall by placing graphical representations of media in the logical set of media on a display of the computer, and displaying the infinite navigable media wall on the display of the computer. |
| US08922582B2 |
Text rendering and display using composite bitmap images
Some embodiments provide a system for displaying text on a display screen. During operation, the system obtains the text as a composite bitmap image along with a set of word positions associated with words in the composite bitmap image. Next, the system divides the composite bitmap image into a set of individual bitmap images based on the word positions and layout information associated with the text. Finally, the system displays the individual bitmap images on the display screen using the layout information. |
| US08922576B2 |
Side-by-side and synchronized displays for three-dimensional (3D) object data models
Methods and systems for interacting with multiple three-dimensional (3D) object data models are provided. An example method may involve providing to a display device for display a first 3D object data model and a second 3D object data model. Information associated with a modification to the first 3D object data model may be received. Based on the received information, a same change may be applied to the first 3D object data model and applied to the second 3D object data model to obtain a first modified 3D object data model and a second modified 3D object data model. According to the method, the first modified 3D object data model and the second modified 3D object data model may be provided to the display device for substantially simultaneous display. |
| US08922571B2 |
Display pipe request aggregation
A system and method for efficiently scheduling memory access requests. A semiconductor chip includes a memory controller for controlling accesses to a shared memory and a display controller for processing frame data. In response to detecting an idle state for the system and the supported one or more displays, the display controller aggregates memory requests for a given display pipeline of one or more display pipelines prior to attempting to send any memory requests from the given display pipeline to the memory controller. Arbitration may be performed while the given display pipeline sends the aggregated memory requests. In response to not receiving memory access requests from the functional blocks or the display controller, the memory controller may transition to a low-power mode. |
| US08922570B2 |
Luminaire system
A luminaire produces lighting as a series of frames of constant spectral content. The luminaire includes an interpreter for executing scripts that describe the spectral contents of respective frames. The scripts may include spectral data and executable code for altering the spectral data. In particular, a frame descriptor may include data for a frame, a repeat count indicating a number of frames, and an identifier for a subroutine to be called for each frame described by the frame descriptor. One or more luminaires can be network connected to one or more computers running applications providing user interfaces for script generation. A standardized interface can control communications with the luminaires and convert scripts from applications to a format that luminaires can interpret. |
| US08922565B2 |
System and method for using a secondary processor in a graphics system
A system, method and apparatus are disclosed, in which a processing unit is configured to perform secondary processing on graphics pipeline data outside the graphics pipeline, with the output from the secondary processing being integrated into the graphics pipeline so that it is made available to the graphics pipeline. A determination is made whether to use secondary processing, and in a case that secondary processing is to be used, a command stream, which can comprise one or more commands, is provided to the secondary processing unit, so that the unit can locate and operate on buffered graphics pipeline data. Secondary processing is managed and monitored so as to synchronize data access by the secondary processing unit with the graphics pipeline processing modules. |
| US08922549B2 |
Method and apparatus for the progressive loading of medical, multidimensional images into a medical application
A method includes a) loading a first number n of image sets with an image size ky, the ky images of which are distributed in a regular manner over a volume, which is to be loaded in its entirety as a result; b) loading a number nx of image sets starting with a factor x=1, with the images loaded in total being distributed in a regular manner over the volume; c) determining a camera distance and voxel size based on the number of images loaded, a camera distance and voxel size being suitable as parameters for a volume rendering; and d) repeating the two preceding steps b) and c) while increasing the number of image sets with a factor x=x+1, until all the images of the volume have been loaded in their entirety and/or until the step sequence ends. |
| US08922546B2 |
Dynamic graphical user interfaces for medical workstations
A dynamic method (100) to better depict context among the different views of an imaging visualization application used by a medical workstation. |
| US08922544B2 |
Display systems with compensation for line propagation delay
A method for characterizing and eliminating the effect of propagation delay on data and monitor lines of AMOLED panels is introduced. A similar technique may be utilized to cancel the effect of incomplete settling of select lines that control the write and read switches of pixels on a row. |
| US08922533B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical display module and display method
A micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) display module including a MEM display panel and a light-emitting apparatus is provided. The MEM display panel includes a plurality of first light-shielding units, a plurality of second light-shielding units, a light-shielding pattern layer and a reflective pattern layer. Each first light-shielding unit includes a first movable light-shielding device having at least one first opening. Each second light-shielding unit includes a second movable light-shielding device having at least one second opening. The light-shielding pattern layer has a plurality of third openings. In a display mode, the first opening of at least one first movable light-shielding device overlaps at least one third opening, and each second movable light-shielding device covers the reflective pattern layer. In a reflective mode, the light-shielding pattern layer covers the first opening of each first movable light-shielding device, and the second opening of each second movable light-shielding device exposes the reflective pattern layer. |
| US08922532B2 |
Display apparatus having a frame rate converter to convert a frame rate of input image data and method of driving display panel
A method of driving a display panel including converting a frame rate of input image data to generate first image data, writing the first image data to a memory, outputting a flag signal to a timing controller, reading the first image data from the memory according to the flag signal, compensating the first image data to generate second image data, and converting the second image data into an analog data voltage and outputting the data voltage to the display panel. |
| US08922530B2 |
Communicating stylus
A stylus for writing on any type of surface, such as a piece of paper or a whiteboard and subsequently displaying the written images or text on a display of a digital computing device. The stylus may likewise be moved in three-dimensional space and corresponding images displayed on a display of a computing device. The stylus tracks its different positions while a user is writing or drawing and then either stores the data to be uploaded later or transmits the data simultaneously to a computing device. The computing device then displays the images and text drawn on the surface. The computing device may be located anywhere, as long as it is able to communicate with the stylus, and be able to display the written text or images. |
| US08922527B2 |
Multi-purpose stylus antenna
Methods and apparatuses of a multi-purpose stylus antenna are described. One device includes a processing device comprising a switch, an antenna circuit, and a capacitance sensor. The switch is configured to couple a conductive element between the antenna circuit and the capacitance sensor. The processing device is configured to communicate data to or from a stylus when the switch is coupled to the antenna circuit and to measure capacitance associated with the conductive element when the switch is coupled to the capacitance sensor. |
| US08922526B2 |
Touch detection apparatus and touch point detection method
A touch detection apparatus is provided, in which a touch panel is implemented with four surrounding edges. Three of the edges are embedded with retro-reflection materials. Light sources and pinholes are deployed on both corners of the touch panel, allowing reflections from the three edges to be projected on light sensors through the pinhole. The images projected on the light sensors are analyzed to determine coordinates of one or more contact points on the touch panel. |
| US08922524B2 |
Touch sensing device and electronic system including the same
A touch sensing device including a touch sensing panel and P number of first sensors is provided. N sensing rows with a row spacing smaller than a predetermined touch diameter are defined on the touch sensing panel. The first sensors are for sensing whether the N sensing rows are touched. An n1-th sensing row and an n2-th sensing row share a same first sensor. The sensing rows directly neighboring to the n1-th and n2-th sensing rows respectively corresponds to the first sensors different from one another. N is an integer larger than 3; n1 and n2 are positive integers smaller than or equal to N. P is a positive integer smaller than N. |
| US08922522B2 |
Display device equipped with touch panel
Provided is a display device equipped with a touch panel, including a front panel arranged above a capacitive touch panel at a predetermined distance away therefrom, in which the touch panel includes a plurality of X electrodes and a plurality of Y electrodes, and the X electrodes are sequentially applied with pulse signals and the Y electrodes receive the pulse signals. When an arbitrary point on the front panel is touched, the touch panel computes a touched point on the touch panel by using both the received pulse signals obtained from the Y electrodes in a case where the front panel is not deformed and the received pulse signals obtained from the Y electrodes in a case where the front panel is deformed. With this, an erroneous operation in which a measurement value is lowered to finally disappear is prevented. |
| US08922520B2 |
Integrated pixel structure, integrated touch panel LCD device and method of controlling the same
An integrated pixel structure, an integrated touch panel LCD device and a method of controlling the same are provided. The integrated pixel structure includes a transistor matrix substrate, a color filter substrate being parallel with the transistor matrix substrate, and a liquid crystal layer placed between the transistor matrix substrate and the color filter substrate. The transistor matrix substrate includes a first transistor, a first storage capacitor connected to the first transistor, a second transistor, a second storage capacitor connected to the second transistor, and a conductive protrusion. The conductive protrusion is disposed corresponding to the second storage capacitor and configured to electrically connect the second storage capacitor and the color filter substrate. |
| US08922512B2 |
Display apparatus with diamond-patterned micro-wire electrode
A display apparatus includes a display having an array of pixels separated by inter-pixel gaps and a touch screen. The touch screen includes a dielectric layer located over the display having first and second electrodes each having a length direction and extending across at least a portion of the array of pixels. Each electrode includes a plurality of electrically connected micro-wires formed in a micro-pattern. The micro-patterns each have a first set of parallel micro-wires oriented at a first angle non-orthogonal to the length direction and a second set of parallel micro-wires oriented at a second angle non-orthogonal to the length direction different from the first angle. The micro-wires of the first and second sets intersect to form an array of electrically connected micro-wire intersections. At least every other micro-wire intersection on the micro-wires of the first set is located between the pixels in the inter-pixel gaps. |
| US08922507B2 |
Providing information through tactile feedback
A mobile electronic device includes a housing; a processor; and an interactive display mounted within the housing and communicably coupled to the processor. The display has a tactile interface operable to receive contact from a user and, in response to the contact, provide a perceived first texture of a first portion of the display that is different than a perceived second texture of a second portion of the display. A user-selectable content item is displayed on the second portion of the display that when selected by the user, modifies a content being displayed on the display. The first portion of the display forms a perimeter boundary about the second portion of the display. |
| US08922505B2 |
Touch screen panel and fabrication method thereof
A flexible and very thin touch screen panel is implemented by forming sensing patterns as touch sensors on a first surface of a flexible thin glass substrate and by forming a supporting film on a second surface of the glass surface. A method of fabricating a touch screen panel for securing the strength of a unit cell touch screen panel includes forming sensing patterns as touch sensors in every unit cell touch screen panel on a mother glass substrate, etching the glass substrate in the thickness direction, forming a supporting film under the glass substrate, and by cutting the glass substrate and the supporting film cell by cell using dual cutting. |
| US08922504B2 |
Click gesture determination method, touch control chip, touch control system and computer system
Disclosed is a click gesture determination method for a touch control chip capable of simply and flexibly determining a single click gesture. The click gesture determination method includes steps of comparing one or more signal values of one or more detecting signals with one or more threshold values, to determine whether a touch event occurs, continuing the above comparing if a touch event occurs, to detect a continuous occurrence time of the touch event, and comparing the continuous occurrence time with a first predefined time, and determining that a single click gesture occurs for a result of the comparison that the continuous occurrence time is longer than the first predefined time. |
| US08922502B2 |
User interface system
A user interface system for receiving a user input that includes sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid within the fluid vessel, a displacement device that influences the volume of the fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and retract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and an electrical sensor coupled to the sheet that receives an input provided by a user that inwardly deforms the surface of the sheet and that includes a first conductor and a second conductor that are electrically coupled to each other with an electrical property that changes as the distance between the first and second conductors changes. |
| US08922499B2 |
Touch input transitions
Selection of input of a touch sensing surface is provided. Contacts on or near a surface are tracked to obtain touch information of the contacts. A first gesture is detected corresponding to first touch information of a number of contacts performing an activity, and a first input corresponding to the first gesture is selected. A second gesture is detected corresponding to second touch information of a number of contacts performing an activity. A determination of whether to select a second input corresponding to the second gesture is made. The second input is selected if third information satisfies a predetermined criteria, and the first input is maintained if the third information does not satisfy the predetermined criteria. |
| US08922497B2 |
Display apparatus, display method and program for detecting an operation performed on a display screen
There is provided a mobile display apparatus applied to the display apparatus including a display screen; a touch panel that detects an operation performed by a user in the display screen; state decision unit that decides one of a contact state, a proximity state and a distant state with the display screen based on the user's operation detected by the touch panel; a state change identification unit that identifies a state change in the user's operation according to the state decided by the state decision unit; and an operation command setting unit that sets an operation command depending on the state change identified by the state change identification unit when setting the operation command for controlling display of the display screen in response to the user's operation. |
| US08922488B2 |
Pen mouse
A computer input device is disclosed, including a base element arranged for resting on a surface, detecting device for detecting movement of the base element relative to the surface, communication device for communicating information about the movement to a computer, and a grip element connected to the base element in the direction of a connection axis. The base element is provided with a recess, and the grip element extends into the recess, where it is pivotably arranged relative to the base element and where it is prevented from rotating relative to the base element round its connection axis. There is also disclosed a base element, arranged for resting on a surface and connectable to a grip element to form a computer input device in conjunction therewith. The base element is provided with a recess adapted for receiving the grip element pivotably therein such that the grip element is prevented from rotating relative to the base element round a connection axis thereof. |
| US08922486B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for determining locations in a projected image
A method, system and apparatus for determining locations in a projected image are provided. The apparatus comprises a light sensor; a body comprising the light sensor, the body enabled to position the light sensor proximal to a screen to detect light from a projector; a communication interface for communicating with a projector system comprising at least the projector; and, a processor enabled to transmit a request to the projector system to project a structured light pattern using the projector; and when at least one pixel in the structured light pattern projected by the projector is detected at the light sensor, transmit a detection indication to the projector system to communicate detection of the at least one pixel. |
| US08922482B2 |
Method for controlling a display apparatus using a camera based device and mobile device, display apparatus, and system thereof
A method of controlling a display apparatus using a camera based device and a mobile device, display apparatus, and system applying the same are provided. The method for controlling the display apparatus with the mobile device includes capturing an entity displayed which is on the display apparatus, in response to a movement of the mobile device, sensing at least one of a movement and a change of size of the captured entity, generating a control signal for controlling the display apparatus based on at least one of the sensed movement, and change of size of the entity and transmitting the generated control signal to the display apparatus. |
| US08922481B1 |
Content annotation
Methods and systems for annotating objects and/or actions are provided. An example method includes receiving a selection of a content object via an interface of a wearable computing device. The wearable computing device may include a head-mounted display (HMD). The method may also include, but is not limited to, displaying the selected content object on the HMD. Additionally, the method may include obtaining facial-muscle information while the content object is being displayed on the HMD. A facial expression may also be determined based on the facial-muscle information. According to the method, the content object may be associated with an annotation comprising an indication of the facial expression. |
| US08922475B2 |
Control device, display device, and method of controlling display device
A control device for a display device includes a writing control unit that, in a case where a new writing instruction is generated for one pixel, and a writing operation for the one pixel is determined not to be in the middle of the process, stores write information in each of first storage areas corresponding to the number of times of applying a driving voltage when the display state of the pixel is changed from the first display state to the second display state, sequentially refers to the first storage areas, and applies the driving voltage to the one pixel a plurality of times based on the write information and, in a case where the writing operation is determined to be in the middle of the process for the pixel, continues to perform the writing operation and performs the writing control after the writing operation is completed. |
| US08922470B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus with row counter electrodes and driving method therefor
A display apparatus includes pixel electrodes, a counter electrode arranged facing the pixel electrodes, and liquid crystal cells held in a space between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode. The optical characteristics of the liquid crystal cells change based on potential differences between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode. The counter electrode includes row counter electrodes divided in accordance with rows of pixels. The display apparatus also includes a counter scanning circuit for sequentially scanning the row counter electrodes in accordance with a pixel row sequentially selected by a vertical scanning circuit and for applying a counter potential of one inverting polarity. |
| US08922469B2 |
Display panel with alternating sub-pixel electrodes
A display panel includes a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode alternating with each other to form a horizontal electric field, a first data line transmitting a first data voltage to the first sub-pixel electrode, and a second data line transmitting a second data voltage to the second sub-pixel electrode, wherein the second sub-pixel electrode is formed to overlap the first and second data lines. |
| US08922467B2 |
Display apparatus with gate electrodes formed in a projecting manner
A capacitance setting line is disposed at the top end of a pixel, a light emission setting line is disposed at the bottom end of the pixel, and a gate line is disposed at the center between both the lines. A selection transistor, a potential control transistor and a capacitor are disposed between the gate line and a capacitance setting line. A short-circuit transistor, a drive transistor and a drive control transistor are disposed between the gate line and the light emission setting line. With such an arrangement, the efficient arrangement of wiring contacts can be performed, and an aperture ratio can be increased. |
| US08922465B2 |
Organic electro luminescence display
An organic electro luminescence display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display includes a substrate, an organic light emitting diode disposed on the substrate and including a pixel electrode, an organic light emitting layer, and a common electrode, a scan interconnection disposed on the substrate and providing a scan signal to the organic light emitting diode. The display may further include a data interconnection disposed on the substrate and providing a data signal to the organic light emitting diode, and a power interconnection disposed on the substrate and providing a power to the organic light emitting diode. The common electrode has an opening which overlaps with at least a portion of the scan interconnection, the data interconnection, and the power interconnection. |
| US08922464B2 |
Active matrix display device and driving method thereof
In a circuit in FIG. 1, pluses are input to a first gate signal line and a second gate signal line in accordance with a timing chart in FIG. 3, so that transistors in the circuit are turned on/off. As a result, a potential difference between a third node and a second node does not depend on the threshold voltage of a fourth transistor and is determined only by a potential of a data line and a potential of a second wiring. Therefore, an intended current can flow in a display element. |
| US08922463B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes: a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs); a planarization layer covering the plurality of TFTs; a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the planarization layer, each of the pixel electrodes being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of TFTs using a via-hole passing through the planarization layer and having a light-emitting portion and a non-emitting portion, and each of the via-holes being located at a point farthest from each of the light-emitting portions surrounding the via-hole; a pixel defining layer formed on the planarization layer to respectively cover each of the via-holes and the non-emitting portions; organic layers, each organic layer including an emission layer and being disposed in a corresponding one of the light-emitting portions; and a counter electrode disposed on each of the organic layers. |
| US08922455B2 |
Structure
A plurality of second conductors (200) are opposite to a first conductor (100), and are repeatedly, for example, periodically arranged. Third conductors (410) are provided at a position opposite to each of the plurality of second conductors (200). A variable dielectric constant layer is formed of a variable dielectric constant material of which the dielectric constant varies with a voltage, for example, a liquid crystal, and is provided at least one of between the plurality of second conductors (200) and the plurality of third conductors (410) and between the plurality of second conductors (200) and the first conductor (100). A fourth conductor (300) is connected to a first one of the second conductors (200) and a second one of the second conductors (200) located next thereto through a via (500). The fourth conductor (300) is opposite to the second conductor (200), and thus forms a transmission line using the second conductor (200) as a return path. |
| US08922446B2 |
Three-dimensional antenna assembly and applications thereof
An antenna assembly includes a substrate, a plurality of spiral dipole antenna sections, and a phase array feeder. The substrate has a three-dimensional shaped region. Each of the spiral dipole antenna sections is supported by a corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region and conforms to the corresponding section of the three-dimensional shaped region such that, collectively, the plurality of spiral dipole antenna sections has an overall shape approximating a three-dimensional shape. The spiral dipole antenna sections are coupled together in accordance with a coupling configuration for beamforming and/or power combining. The phase array feeder inputs, or outputs, a phase offset representations of a radio frequency (RF) signal from, or to, the spiral dipole antenna sections and converts between the phase offset representations of the RF signal and the RF signal. |
| US08922442B2 |
Low-profile multiband antenna for a wireless communication device
A device for wireless communication including a wireless transceiver, a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to the wireless transceiver, a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is coupled to the PCB at a feed point and grounded at a ground point. The first antenna is a quarter-wavelength antenna communicating signals with the wireless transceiver at a first frequency band. The second antenna is coupled to the first antenna at the feed point and grounded at a further ground point. The second antenna is a half-wavelength antenna communicating signals with the wireless transceiver at a second frequency band. |
| US08922436B2 |
Plasma aviation antenna
An aircraft communications system may include a RF-transparent enclosure, a plasma antenna element and a controller. The RF-transparent enclosure may be disposed substantially conformal with a portion of the aircraft. The plasma antenna element may be housed within the RF-transparent enclosure. The controller may be operably coupled to the plasma antenna element to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element. The plasma antenna element may include one or more RF-conductive plasma devices that are selectively ionized to a plasma state under control of the controller. |
| US08922433B2 |
Unsupervised learning and location systems for tracking in wireless communication systems
The present invention provides a method of unsupervised learning and location for tracking users in a wireless communication system. One embodiment of the method includes forming a signal map of a geographic area using unlabeled values of one or more signals so that the signal map relates locations in the geographic area to values of the signal(s). |
| US08922428B1 |
Apparatus and method for writing and reading samples of a signal to and from a memory
A system includes a memory with columns and rows. A sampler samples a first portion of a signal during first periods to obtain sets of samples, respectively. The sets of samples include a first set having first samples and a second set having second samples. A first controller writes each set in the sets of samples in a respective one of the columns. The first controller writes: the first samples in a first column such that each of the first samples is stored in a respective one of the rows; the second samples in a second column such that each of the second samples is stored in a respective one of the rows; and the second samples in the second column subsequent to writing the first samples in the first column. A second controller reads third samples stored in a first row and fourth samples stored in a second row. |
| US08922427B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting GPS spoofing attacks
A system and method for detecting global positioning system (GPS) spoofing attacks includes collecting GPS readings along with inertial navigational system (INS) readings as a ground truth, and sequentially testing the GPS readings and INS readings through the use of a sequential probability ratio testing (SPRT) process. |
| US08922426B1 |
System for geo-location
A method, computer program product, and system are provided for position estimation in a geo-location system. For example, the method can include receiving a plurality of position measurements from a respective plurality of satellites in a global navigation satellite system. From the plurality of position measurements, a position measurement with a maximum pseudo-range residual value can be selected. A position uncertainty estimate can be determined based on the position measurement with the maximum pseudo-range residual value. Further, a position estimation algorithm can receive the position uncertainty estimate as an input, thereby improving position estimation of the geo-location system. |
| US08922425B2 |
Waveguide structure, high frequency module including waveguide structure, and radar apparatus
A waveguide structure according to one embodiment includes an upper waveguide and a mode conversion portion. The upper waveguide internally transmits a high frequency signal in TE10 mode along a first direction. The mode conversion portion is configured to electromagnetically couple with the upper waveguide. The mode conversion portion converts the high frequency signal propagating through the upper waveguide from TE10 mode to TM11 mode. The mode conversion portion transmits the high frequency signal converted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. According to the waveguide structure pursuant to the embodiment, it is possible to attain excellent transmission characteristics of high frequency signals. |
| US08922422B2 |
FMCW radar sensor for motor vehicles
FMCW radar sensor for motor vehicles, having at least one antenna element and a modulation device for feeding the antenna element using a frequency-modulated transmission signal, whose frequency periodically sweeps a frequency band, characterized in that the antenna element has multiple subelements, which are positioned in a vertical column and fed serially, and the modulation device is implemented for the purpose of variably setting the frequency position of the frequency band. |
| US08922417B2 |
Method and apparatus for conversion of portion of electric charge to digital word
The solution according to the invention consisting in conversion of a portion of electric charge to a digital word of a number of bits equal to n by the use of successive redistribution of charge in the array (A) of binary-scaled capacitors (Cn-1, . . . , Co) is characterized in that charge is first accumulated during the active state of the external gate signal on the gate signal input (InG) in the capacitors (Cn-1, . . . , Co) in the order of decreasing capacitances starting from the capacitor (Cn-1) having the highest capacitance value in the array, and when the active state of the gate signal is terminated, the charge accumulated in the capacitor (Cx) charged recently is successively transferred by the use of the current source (I) to the capacitors of lower capacitance values. The process of charge transfer is controlled by the control module (CM) on the basis of the output signals of the comparators (K1) and (K2) without the use of a clock while the value one is assigned to these bits (bn-1, . . . , b0) in the digital output word that correspond to the capacitors (Cn-1, . . . , Co) on which the reference voltage (UL) of a desired value has been obtained, and the value zero is assigned to the other bits. |
| US08922416B2 |
Method and apparatus for analog-to-digital converter
Aspects of the disclosure provide an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC includes a comparator module and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The comparator module is configured to compare a first voltage sampled from an analog signal and a second voltage output from the digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and output a pulse to indicate a result of the comparison. The DAC is configured to enable a switching unit corresponding to a digital bit to switch a state based on the pulse, and settle the second voltage. |
| US08922415B2 |
Method and system for asynchronous successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs)
An asynchronous successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC), which utilizes one or more overlapping redundant bits in each digital-to-analog converter (DAC) code word, is operable to generate an indication signal that indicates completion of each comparison step and indicates that an output decision for each comparison step is valid. A timer may be initiated based on the generated indication signal. A timeout signal may be generated that preempts the indication signal and forces a preemptive decision, where the preemptive decision sets one or more remaining bits up to, but not including, the one or more overlapping redundant bits in a corresponding digital-to-analog converter code word for a current comparison step to a particular value. For example, the one or more remaining bits may be set to a value that is derived from a value of a bit that was determined in an immediately preceding decision. |
| US08922413B1 |
Amplifier using multi input differential pair, and comparator and analog-to-digital converting apparatus using the same
An amplifier includes a common load suitable for outputting an output signal, a coarse input differential stage, coupled to the common load, suitable for amplifying a difference between an input signal and a coarse ramping signal to output a coarse conversion signal as a first output signal, when the coarse ramping signal is lower than the input signal, and a fine input differential stage, coupled to the common load, suitable for amplifying a difference between a fine ramping signal and a bias signal and compensating the first output signal to output a fine conversion signal as the output signal, when a zero crossing occurs by the compensated first output signal. |
| US08922412B1 |
Bimodal digital-to-analog conversion
An apparatus relating generally to digital-to-analog conversion is disclosed. In such an apparatus, a digital-to-analog converter (“DAC”) device includes a source DAC and a sink DAC selectively coupled to one another. The source DAC provides a first bias to the sink DAC in a sink mode, and the sink DAC provides a second bias to the source DAC in a source mode. |
| US08922408B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device using analog-to digital (AD) conversion realizes reliable control so that, at the time of AD converting reference voltage, a low-voltage transistor in a reference voltage generating circuit is not destroyed by voltage held in a sample and hold circuit. In a semiconductor device, when an instruction of detecting a reference voltage value is received, a switch control unit controlling switching of an input signal of an internal AD converter temporarily automatically couples an input node of a sample and hold circuit and a ground node and, after that, couples the input node of the sample and hold circuit and an output node of a reference voltage generating circuit. |
| US08922406B2 |
ADC calibration
A method of determining at least one calibration value for a redundant analog-to-digital-converter, ADC, is disclosed. For at least an i:th bit bL, the corresponding bit weight wi is less than the sum of the bit weights Wj, j=0, 1, . . . , i−1 corresponding to the bits bj, j=0, 1, . . . , i−1 with lesser significance than the bit bi. The method comprises sampling a first electrical value representative of the bit weight wi; performing a first analog-to-digital, A/D, conversion using the bits bj, j=0, 1, . . . , i−1 with lesser significance than the bit bi to obtain a first digital word of said bits bj, j=0, 1, . . . , i−1 with lesser significance than the bit bi representing said first electrical value; and estimating the value of the bit weight Wi expressed in terms of the bit weights Wj. j=0, 1, . . . , i−1 corresponding to the bits bj, j=0, 1, . . . , i−1 with lesser significance than the bit bi based at least on said first digital word, wherein the resulting estimated value of the bit weight wi is one of the at least one calibration value. A control unit, a redundant ADC and a computer program are also disclosed. |
| US08922404B2 |
Signal processor
An aspect of one embodiment, there is provided a signal processor includes an AD-convertor outputting a conversion result and a conversion end flag, a second comparator configured to compare signal levels, a channel selection signal generation unit to select an input channel to input the AD-convertor, an direction identification flag generation unit to generate an direction identification flag, an edge signal generation unit to generate rising edges and lowering edges, an up-down counter to subject to be up or down on a count value in an output of each of edge signals, and an arithmetic processing unit to interlink the count value of the up-down counter and the conversion result of the AD-convertor to generate output data, wherein the arithmetic processing unit interpolates the count value of the up-down counter in the interlinking by using a correction value corresponding to a value of the direction identification flag in a period between an output of the edge signal and an output of the conversion end flag. |
| US08922401B1 |
Methods and apparatus for interference canceling data conversion
Methods and apparatus for interference cancelling data conversion. In one embodiment, an input includes an interfering signal and a signal of interest. In one embodiment, a system extends the received signal dynamic range of an analog-to-digital conversion system by partially cancelling an interfering signal with multiple analog-to-digital converters, a digital-to-analog converter, a programmable delay block, a gain block, and a difference amplifier, inverse non-linear blocks, and digital signal processing to reconstruct the received signal in the digital domain. |
| US08922400B2 |
Method for compressing digital values of image, audio and/or video files
A method is disclosed for compressing a sequence of initial digital values into a compressed sequence of compressed values, intending to restore these values into a decompressed sequence of decompressed values. For a first initial value of the sequence, the compressed value of the first initial value is equal to the first initial value and the decompressed value of the compressed value of the first initial value is equal to the first initial value. For each current initial value, the method includes calculating the difference between the current initial value and the decompressed value of the initial value immediately preceding the current value, calculating a compressed value of the difference using a complementary compression function, calculating the decompressed value corresponding to said current initial value, applying the three preceding steps to the immediately following value if there is one, and constituting the compressed sequence of the compressed values, each corresponding to a respective initial value. |
| US08922391B2 |
Anti-collision system and method using message formats containing distances
Device, system and method of implementing a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle anti-collision system. Details of message formats are described, particularly efficient formats using flags and compressed data, expressing distances, both in the horizontal and vertical directions. Details of protocols are described. Details of encoding locations, headings and speed are described. In one embodiment messages are free of IP addresses and MAC addresses. Roadway elevation is included in some embodiments. |
| US08922390B2 |
Device and method for C2X communication
A method for the communication of a vehicle with at least one further vehicle and/or for the communication of a vehicle with an infrastructure device (C2X communication), wherein the communication serves to transmit at least one information item for application in a driver assistance system and/or a safety system of the vehicle. In order to ensure good safety and reliability of the driver assistance system or safety system in the case of low market penetration of C2X communication, the at least one information item is transmitted via a first communication channel and/or via a second communication channel in dependence on its nature, wherein the first communication channel has a longer latency period than the second communication channel. The invention also describes a corresponding communication device, a corresponding driver assistance system or a corresponding safety system, a corresponding vehicle, a program element and a computer-readable medium. |
| US08922389B2 |
Method for communication between an emitting vehicle and a target
A system and method for communication between an emitting motor vehicle (Ve) and at least one target, the emitting vehicle (Ve) including at least one light device, the method comprising the step of automatically modulating a light signal (S) emitted by the light device for a communication between the vehicle (Ve) and the target; and the light device being chosen from: a lighting device, a daytime running light (DRL), a position light. |