| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08929666B2 |
Method and apparatus of generating a multi-format template image from a single format template image
A method and apparatus are provided for generating a multi-format template image by an image-processing device. At least one pre-defined region in a template image having a first format is identified. Component information of the at least one pre-defined region is extracted by decoding the template image. Pixels associated with the at least one predefined region are converted from the first format to a second format, with reference to the component information of the at least one pre-defined region, to form the multi-format template image. |
| US08929665B2 |
Method of manufacturing a template matching template, as well as a device for manufacturing a template
Provided is a method of manufacturing a template matching template, as well as a device for manufacturing a template, by both of which high matching accuracy can be stably ensured without being affected by factors such as process variations. As an embodiment of the above, a method of manufacturing a template matching template, as well as a relevant device, is proposed by both of which a template memorized in advance and an image acquired by a microscope are compared, thereby identifying a desired position, and by which a plurality of images at the identified location are acquired by template matching, and the aforementioned plurality of images are added and averaged, thereby manufacturing a new template. |
| US08929658B2 |
Providing magnetic deviation to mobile devices
A method of providing magnetic deviation corresponding to positions in a wireless communication system includes receiving a request wirelessly for a magnetic deviation corresponding to a position of an access terminal, the request including the position of the access terminal; retrieving the magnetic deviation corresponding to the position of the access terminal from a repository; and transmitting wirelessly the magnetic deviation corresponding to the position of the access terminal to the access terminal. |
| US08929656B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting important information from moving picture
Provided is a method of detecting important information from a moving picture. The method includes: detecting first candidate areas that are presumed to include important information in a plurality of moving picture frames by using stop edge information, which is edge information overlapped at a same position throughout the plurality of moving picture frames, from among edge information in at least two received moving picture frames; determining second candidate areas by performing grouping on the stop edge information according to a position of the stop edge information in the first candidate areas; analyzing the second candidate areas determined in the at least two moving picture frames; and detecting important information areas from each of the at least two moving picture frames based on the analysis. |
| US08929651B2 |
System and method for the repair of anomalies in images
The present invention concerns a method and associated apparatus for improving the quality of digital imagery by detecting and correcting erroneous pixel values from image sensors, such as those produced by stuck or dead pixels in a CCD or CMOS sensor. Anomalous pixel values are detected through comparisons with values of adjacent pixels and corrected selectively per channel through interpolation of adjacent pixel values. |
| US08929647B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method therefor
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention determines a monochrome area and a color area of an input image. The apparatus comprises an acquisition unit that acquires an image characteristic value of the input image; and a determination unit that determines whether each pixel group in the input image is a monochrome area or a color area based on the image characteristic value acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a plurality of image characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of acquisition areas including a determination target pixel group, and the determination unit determines whether the pixel group is a monochrome area or a color area based on the plurality of image characteristic values corresponding to the plurality of acquisition areas including the pixel group. |
| US08929646B2 |
System for producing and delivering matching color coating and use thereof
The present invention is directed to a system for repairing one or more defects of a target coating of a vehicle. The system can repair target coatings at a repair facility using matching coating compositions provided from a supply center, where the matching coating compositions can be produced according to target repair data transmitted from one or more repair facilities to the supply center. The system can comprise one or more supply centers and one or more repair facilities. |
| US08929641B2 |
System and method for determining the orientation of a unit dose package
A method and system are provided for determining an orientation of a unit dose package, such as by determining whether the cavity that houses the medication is facing upwards or downwards. As a result of the determination of the orientation of the unit dose package, a method and system may also be provided for selectively picking a unit dose package, thereby enabling automated restocking of singulated unit dose packages by taking into account the orientation of the unit dose packages. |
| US08929637B1 |
System and method of variable filter length local tomography
Methods, processes and systems of image reconstruction using variable filter length local tomography, for reconstructing internal body images in medical applications, and the like. The system and method of the present invention utilizes less radiation and less computer power than the prior art, without using iteration algorithms so that all target sizes from large to small can be reconstructed. |
| US08929636B2 |
Method and system for image segmentation
Method and system is disclosed for image segmentation. The method includes acquiring a digital image, constructing a graph from the digital image, calculating a plurality of cost functions, constructing an electrical network based upon the constructed graph and the plurality of calculated cost functions, simulating the electrical network using fixed-point linearization, and segmenting the image using the simulated electrical network to produce segmented layers. Simulation may be executed in parallel to achieve desirable computational efficiencies. |
| US08929630B2 |
Systems and methods for assessing images
Disclosed are systems and methods for assessing images in applications such as microscopic scanning of a slide having light emitting objects. In certain embodiments, such scanning can involve objects such as sequencing beads disposed on the slide to facilitate biological analysis such as nucleic acid sequencing. Also disclosed are certain embodiments where images of light emitting objects are assessed for image quality so as to facilitate a feedback response such as a corrective action. In certain embodiments, such assessment and correction can be performed in real-time during the scanning process, and can include re-acquisition of the assessed image. Also disclosed are certain embodiments where such assessment and correction can be triggered dynamically during the scan, or before start of the scan, so as to enhance the scanning performance, including scanning time and throughput. |
| US08929628B2 |
Measuring device and measuring method
The measuring unit computes at least one of an area and a perimetrical length of a polygon, based on three or more measuring points including an indeterminate point of which a position is changed by a move instruction input through an operation unit, wherein the measuring points are designated on the image by an instruction of a user input through the operation unit. The controller updates the position of the indeterminate point, when the move instruction is input through the operation unit after display the computational result, controls the measuring unit to recompute at least one of the area and the perimetrical length of the polygon based on the measuring points including the updated indeterminate point, and controls the display unit to display at least one of the recomputed area and the recomputed perimetrical length of the polygon, as recomputational result after updated the indeterminate point. |
| US08929626B2 |
RF antenna arrangement and method for multi nuclei MR image reconstruction involving parallel MRI
A multi nuclei RF antenna arrangement for use in a multi nuclei MRI system or an MR scanner, for transmitting RF excitation signals (B1 field) for exciting nuclear magnetic resonances (NMR), and/or for receiving NMR relaxation signals for multi nuclei MR (magnetic resonance) image reconstruction is disclosed, wherein the RF antenna arrangement is tuned to the Larmor frequencies of at least two different species of nuclei having at least two different gyromagnetic rations like 1H, 14N, 31P, 13C, 23Na, 39K, 17O and hyper polarized gases like 129Xe or other isotopes having a nuclear spin. Further, a method for reconstructing a multi nuclei MR image especially by means of the above RF antenna arrangement is disclosed. The method involves reducing back-folding artifacts of the species having the higher gyromagnetic ration by parallel MRI reconstruction. |
| US08929619B2 |
System and method of image reconstruction with dual line scanner using line counts
A fingerprint scanning and image reconstruction system and method including a fingerprint scanner providing a first scan line and a second scan line separated by a line separation distance in a scanning direction. The system includes an image reconstruction module accumulating scan lines including at least the first scan line and the second scan line over a time period t. The image reconstruction module a value for decimation (t) necessary to produce a selected y axis resolution in the scanning direction based at least in part on (line count(t)/line separation distance)*a selected y resolution, where line count(t) is the number of lines accumulated in time t, and decimation(t) indicates of whether the line count(t) is greater than or less than the number of lines accumulated as a function of the time period t that will result in a selected reconstructed image y resolution in the scanning direction. |
| US08929616B2 |
Facial coding for emotional interaction analysis
Various systems and techniques using facial coding for emotional interaction analysis are described herein. Machine-readable facial observations of a subject while the subject is exposed to a stimulus can be received. The machine readable observations can include a stimulus synchronization element. An emotional component of an emotional state of the subject can be determined based on the facial observations. The determination can include assigning a numerical weight to the emotional component. An emotional state to the stimulus synchronization event can be assigned based on the emotional component. |
| US08929615B2 |
Feature-extraction-based image scoring
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to calculating a probability that a user or set of users will engage with a multimedia object for customizing content in a social networking system. In one embodiment, a generative model representing all users is utilized to calculate the probability that all users will interact with a given multimedia object. In another embodiment, the same generative model is utilized to calculate a user-specific engagement probability for a given multimedia object. In particular embodiments, the generative model uses Bayesian probability. In particular embodiments, one or more policies are applied to the photos to customize the browsing experience for users. |
| US08929614B2 |
Red eye detection aided by face detection
A method for identifying a pair of genuine red eye artifacts in a captured image includes the steps of determining the presence of a face in the captured image, substantially encompassing the face within a shape, and determining the presence of three or more candidate red eye artifacts within the shape. The method continues with measuring the distance from an edge of the shape to each of the three or more candidate red eye artifacts and identifying, as genuine red eye artifacts, two candidate red eye artifacts of the three or more candidate red eye artifacts that are within a predetermined vertical distance from the edge of the shape. |
| US08929612B2 |
System for recognizing an open or closed hand
A system and method are disclosed relating to a pipeline for generating a computer model of a target user, including a hand model of the user's hands, captured by an image sensor in a NUI system. The computer model represents a best estimate of the position of a user's hand or hands and whether the hand or hand is in an open or closed state. The generated hand model may be used by a gaming or other application to determine such things as user gestures and control actions. |
| US08929611B2 |
Matching device, digital image processing system, matching device control program, computer-readable recording medium, and matching device control method
A high-accuracy matching result is obtained when a condition of a photographed input image differs from a condition of a photographed registration image. A face matching device including the registration face image, in which a person is photographed, and a photographing condition which corresponds to the registration face image are registered in a registration face image database. The face matching device includes a condition detecting unit, a registration face image selecting unit, and a matching unit. The condition detecting unit detects a photographing condition in the input face image which includes the photographed person. The registration face image selecting unit determines and selects the closest of the photographing condition from the input face image with the photographing conditions of the registration face images based on the determined closeness of the photographing condition. The matching unit performs matching using the registration face image corresponding to the selected photographing condition. |
| US08929610B2 |
Methods and apparatus for robust video stabilization
Methods and apparatus for robust video stabilization. A video stabilization technique applies a feature tracking technique to an input video sequence to generate feature trajectories. The technique applies a video partitioning technique to segment the input video sequence into factorization windows and transition windows. The technique smoothes the trajectories in each of the windows, in sequence. For factorization windows, a subspace-based optimization technique may be used. For transition windows, a direct track optimization technique that uses a similarity motion model may be used. The technique then determines and applies warping models to the frames in the video sequence. In at least some embodiments, the warping models may include a content-preserving warping model, a homography model, a similarity transform model, and a whole-frame translation model. The warped frames may then be cropped according to a cropping technique. |
| US08929609B2 |
Method and apparatus for scaling gesture recognition to physical dimensions of a user
An apparatus for gesture recognition, according to aspects of the disclosure contained herein, include a processing system configured to obtain at least one physical dimension of a user and determine a gesture of the user based on the at least one physical dimension independent of a location of the user relative to the apparatus. A method for gesture recognition is also disclosed. |
| US08929601B2 |
Imaging detecting with automated sensing of an object or characteristic of that object
Detection of a target object or a characteristic of that object, e.g. temperature or movement in an image of a scene at a focal plane of the image and with processing of signals representative of the image occurring at that focal plane with a sensor and an integrated circuit processor on an imaging circuit chip used to record the scene. Moreover, processing of the signals representative of the image and the object or characteristic of the object can all be processed in parallel. This arrangement allows for filtering of objects with the ability to distinguish the object generating signals from background clutter. The incorporation of the entire circuit in this integrated circuit chip increases the compactness and efficiency. Moreover, all signal processing will occur at the focal plane eliminates the need for external processing electronics thereby increasing compactness and efficiency while reducing spatial noise. |
| US08929600B2 |
Action recognition based on depth maps
A plurality of depth maps corresponding to respective depth measurements determined over a respective plurality of time frames may be obtained. A plurality of skeleton representations respectively corresponding to the respective time frames may be obtained. Each skeleton representation may include joints associated with an observed entity. Local feature descriptors corresponding to the respective time frames may be determined, based on the depth maps and the joints associated with the skeleton representations. An activity recognition associated with the observed entity may be determined, based on the obtained skeleton representations and the determined local feature descriptors. |
| US08929598B2 |
Tracking apparatus, tracking method, and storage medium to store tracking program
A tracking apparatus includes a face detection unit, a face corresponding region detection unit, a face tracking unit, a peripheral part tracking unit, a tracking switch unit. The face tracking unit tracks the face in accordance with a result detected by the face detection unit or a result detected by the face corresponding region detection unit. The peripheral part tracking unit tracks, as a part other than the face, a part of the subject having a preset positional relationship with the face. The tracking switch unit switches to the tracking of a part other than the face by the peripheral part tracking unit when the face is not tracked by the face tracking unit. |
| US08929596B2 |
Surveillance including a modified video data stream
Systems and computer program products provide surveillance including a modified video data stream. The systems and products include computer readable program code, when read by a processor, that is configured for receiving at an image processor a first video data stream and a second video data stream, each of the first and second video data streams may include a target object having an assigned tracking position tag. The code further includes extracting a first facial image of the target object from the first video data stream, determining a target object location in the second video data stream based at least in part on the tracking position tag and generating a modified video data stream including the first facial image superimposed on or adjacent to the target object location in the second video data stream. |
| US08929595B2 |
Dictionary creation using image similarity
An image recognition apparatus comprising: an obtaining unit configured to obtain one or more images; a detection unit configured to detect a target object image from each of one or more images; a cutting unit configured to cut out one or more local regions from the target object image; a feature amount calculation unit configured to calculate a feature amount from each of one or more local regions to recognize the target object; a similarity calculation unit configured to calculate, for each of one or more local regions, a similarity between the feature amounts; and a registration unit configured to, if there is a pair of feature amounts whose similarity is not less than a threshold, register, for each of one or more regions, one of the feature amounts as dictionary data for the target object. |
| US08929594B2 |
Information processing apparatus, distributing identicial image data in parallel for object detection and resolution conversion
An image processing apparatus comprising a storage unit configured to store image data; a readout unit configured to read out the image data stored in the storage unit; a detection unit configured to detect a target object from the image data read out by the readout unit; a conversion unit configured to convert a resolution of the image data read out by the readout unit; and a write unit configured to write the image data having the resolution converted by the conversion unit in the storage unit, wherein the readout unit outputs the readout image data in parallel to the detection unit and the conversion unit. |
| US08929591B2 |
Providing information associated with an identified representation of an object
Methods, apparatus systems and computer program products are described herein that provide for using video or still shot analysis, such as AR or the like, to assist the user of mobile devices with receiving information corresponding to an abstraction or representation of a subject. Some subjects are difficult to capture in a video or still shot. The method and devices described herein capture representations of difficult to capture or unavailable subjects and presents information related to the subject with the representation. In an embodiment, the representation is a screenshot and the information is provided related to the application that is represented by the screenshot. Various other types of representations including depictions, advertisements, portions of, and identifying marks can be identified by the system and method and information presented relating to the corresponding subjects. In some cases, the information is customized with financial information of the user. |
| US08929589B2 |
Systems and methods for high-resolution gaze tracking
A system is mounted within eyewear or headwear to unobtrusively produce and track reference locations on the surface of one or both eyes of an observer. The system utilizes multiple illumination sources and/or multiple cameras to generate and observe glints from multiple directions. The use of multiple illumination sources and cameras can compensate for the complex, three-dimensional geometry of the head and anatomical variations of the head and eye region that occurs among individuals. The system continuously tracks the initial placement and any slippage of eyewear or headwear. In addition, the use of multiple illumination sources and cameras can maintain high-precision, dynamic eye tracking as an eye moves through its full physiological range. Furthermore, illumination sources placed in the normal line-of-sight of the device wearer increase the accuracy of gaze tracking by producing reference vectors that are close to the visual axis of the device wearer. |
| US08929579B2 |
Speaker and mixer assembly
A transportable audio system is described. The transportable audio system may include a speaker module and speaker mating module. The speaker module may include a backside mating edge and a backside interior inset from the backside mating edge. The backside mating edge may include a first attachment mechanism. The speaker mating module may include a frontside mating edge and a frontside face. The frontside mating edge may include a second attachment mechanism. The speaker mating module may be removably mountable to the speaker module via the first and second attachment mechanisms. |
| US08929574B2 |
Hearing aid and a method of detecting and attenuating transients
A hearing aid has means (15) for detecting fast transients in the input signal and means (16, 12, 13) for attenuating the detected transients prior to presenting the signal with the attenuated transients to a user. Detection is performed by measuring the peak difference of the signal upstream of a band split filter bank (11) and comparing the peak difference against at least one peak difference limit. Then, if a transient is detected, a state machine (20) analyzes the peak level and the absolute average level of the signal and engages a gain calculator (12) to follow either the peak level or the absolute average level of the input signal for at least the duration of the transient in order to attenuate the transient. The engagement of the gain calculator (12) is performed in each frequency band dependent of the detected transient. The invention further provides a method for detecting fast transients. |
| US08929567B2 |
Equalization profiles for dynamic equalization of audio data
Apparatuses for and methods of carrying out dynamic equalization processing of an audio signal, and apparatuses for and methods of controlling such equalization processing of the audio signal to dynamically adjust the time-varying spectrum of an audio signal to more closely match a user specified target time-invariant perceived audio signal spectrum while preserving the original dynamic range of the audio signal. The dynamic equalization is carried out according to a user-defined spectral profile specified by a control interface that allows a user to define, create, modify and/or apply the user-defined spectral profile. |
| US08929559B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting right and left circuit configurations of hearing assistance devices
This disclosure relates to method and apparatus for selecting right and left configurations of hearing assistance device circuits, such as battery polarity. In various applications the present subject matter is applicable to a flexible circuit in hearing assistance devices, including but not limited to hearing aids. In one example, a printed circuit board is configured during manufacture to be used in either a left or a right hearing assistance device. The printed circuit board includes a solder selectable portion to provide for selection of left or right during assembly of the hearing assistance device, according to various embodiments. |
| US08929558B2 |
Audio signal of an FM stereo radio receiver by using parametric stereo
The invention relates to an apparatus for improving a stereo audio signal of an FM stereo radio receiver. The apparatus comprises a parametric stereo (PS) parameter estimation stage. The parameter estimation stage is configured to determine one or more parametric stereo parameters based on the stereo audio signal in a frequency-variant or frequency-invariant manner. Preferably, these PS parameters are time- and frequency-variant. Moreover, the apparatus comprises an upmix stage. The upmix stage is configured to generate the improved stereo signal based on a first audio signal and the one or more parametric stereo parameters. The first audio signal is obtained from the stereo audio signal, e.g. by a downmix operation in a downmix stage. The PS parameter estimation stage may be part of a PS encoder. The upmix stage may be part of a PS decoder. |
| US08929555B2 |
Data encryption systems and methods
Data encryption systems and methods. The system includes a storage device storing data and an encryption/decryption module. The encryption/decryption module randomly generates a device key seed according to the occurrence time of a specific operation or the interval between two specific operations on the storage device, and applies the device key seed to data encryption. |
| US08929551B2 |
Pilot transmission in a wireless communication system
Techniques for transmitting pilot and traffic data are described. In one aspect, a terminal may scramble its pilot with a scrambling sequence generated based on a set of static and dynamic parameters. The static parameter(s) have fixed value for an entire communication session for the terminal. The dynamic parameter(s) have variable value during the communication session. The terminal may generate a scrambling sequence by hashing the set of parameters to obtain a seed and initializing a pseudo-random number (PN) generator with the seed. The terminal may then generate the pilot based on the scrambling sequence. In another aspect, the terminal may use different scrambling sequences for pilot and traffic data. A first scrambling sequence may be generated based on a first set of parameters and used to generate the pilot. A second scrambling sequence may be generated based on a second set of parameters and used to scramble traffic data. |
| US08929548B2 |
Providing secured communication connections using a secured communication connection object
An apparatus and method for establishing a communication connection between a first party and a second party using a secured communication connection object are provided. With the apparatus and method, a first party generates the secured communication connection object by setting parameters identifying and limiting the use of the secured communication connection object for establishing communication connections with the first party. These parameters are encapsulated with contact information for the first party such that the contact information is encrypted. The resulting secured communication connection object is then transmitted to a second party's communication device. When the second party wishes to establish a communication connection with the first party, the secured communication connection object is accessed in memory using information obtained from the object registry, the contact information is decrypted, and a communication unit is provided with the contact information for establishing a communication connection. |
| US08929547B2 |
Content data reproduction system and collection system of use history thereof
According to one embodiment, a content data reproduction system includes a host device which uses content data, and a storage device configured such that content data, which is obtained by decrypting encrypted content data that is created by encrypting the content data by content key data, is made usable in the host device. The host device includes a device ID which is uniquely allocated to each of host devices. The storage device includes a memory and a controller configured to control the memory. |
| US08929546B2 |
Motion-based authentication for a gesture-based computing device
A motion-based authentication method is operative in a mobile computing device having a display interface and that includes an accelerometer. Normally, the device software includes a locking mechanism that automatically locks the display interface after a configurable timeout. The authentication method operates to un-lock the display interface (and thus allow the user access to the device) by movement of the device in a predetermined series of physical movements and without display-based entry of a password or other access code on the display itself. In this manner, the user can un-lock the device without display-based entry of a password (on the display itself) by simply holding the device and performing the necessary movement(s) to generate the unique code. |
| US08929545B2 |
Surveillance video transmission apparatus and method and surveillance video receiving apparatus and method
A surveillance video transmission apparatus, includes a video input unit configured to collect physical videos and make the collected physical videos informative; a video analysis unit configured to analyze content of the collected video by recognizing the collected video and detecting an event; and an encryption selection unit configured to select one of a non-encryption mode, a regions-of-interest encryption mode and a full video encryption mode based on the analysis result of the collected video. Further, the surveillance video transmission apparatus includes a video process unit configured to perform one of a non-encryption, a regions-of-interest encryption and a full video encryption and encoding on the collected video according to the selected encryption mode; and a video transmission unit configured to transmit the encoded video and encryption-related information to a surveillance video receiving apparatus. |
| US08929538B2 |
Method and apparatus for switching talking modes automatically
Method and apparatus for switching talking mode automatically applicable to electronic equipment, which includes an accelerometer, proximity sensor and video camera. The method includes acquiring gravity information from the accelerometer during conversation between the electronic equipment and the other side of the conversation, and judging whether the electronic equipment is in a vertical state according to the gravity information; activating the video camera to take a capturing action if the electronic equipment is not in a vertical state, and acquiring distance information and/or image information, the distance information used for indicating distance to the captured object, and the image information used for indicating the captured object; and switching the talking mode to speakerphone mode if distance indicated by the distance information is greater than a first threshold value, and/or resolution of the image indicated by the image information is greater than a second threshold value. |
| US08929529B2 |
Managing voice collision in multi-party communications
Systems and methods for managing voice collision in multi-party communications are generally provided. Embodiments herein may include identifying a voice collision between a first speaker and a second speaker in a multi-party call. One or more voice collision rules may be received. One of the first speaker and the second speaker to be determined to be a priority speaker based upon, at least in part, the one or more voice collision rules. Call bandwidth may be allocated to the priority speaker. |
| US08929528B2 |
Method and system for enhancing collaboration
In order to enhance collaborations, the system responds to a trigger event to determine the nature of any collaboration which should be assembled in response to the trigger, and determines the requirements needed to respond to the event. These requirements set out the type of resources (personnel, equipment, information systems, etc) that are needed. The system then identifies a subset of specific resources based on a criteria, and invites the specified resources to collaborate to respond to the event. The criteria can include the availability of the specific resource. According to an embodiment, the system evaluates responses from the invited resources and then convenes the collaboration, for example by establishing one or more communication sessions. According to an embodiment, the system evaluates responses from the invited resources to ensure that the requirements are satisfied, and if not, determines other resources to invite. |
| US08929527B2 |
Method allowing an exchange of context information within a group of users sharing one and the same identifier
A method is provided for allowing an exchange of context information within a group of users sharing one and the same identifier. The method includes transmitting information between at least one first terminal and a second terminal associated with a common identifier. The method includes a step of sending by the first terminal a notification of state intended at least for the second terminal and carrying an item of information relating to the context in which a user of the first terminal finds himself. The method allows members of a community of users, which is identified by a unique telephone number, to avail themselves of context information relating to the other members of the community at any moment, and in particular at the precise moment at which a setup request for establishing a communication is presented to them. |
| US08929525B1 |
On-demand video communication for controlled-environment facility residents
During a voice call from a resident of a controlled-environment facility to another party, a selection of an option by the resident or the other party to convert the voice call to a video communication between the resident and the other party may be made. Whereupon, a controlled-environment communications processing system may confirm that the other call party agrees to convert the voice call to a video communication, and may query a controlled-environment facility administration and management system to confirm that the resident may take part in a video communication. Thereafter, such as in response to confirmation both parties agree to convert the voice call to a video communication and/or that the resident may take part in a video communication, a video communication link may be established between a communication device in use by the resident and a communication device in use by the other party. |
| US08929523B2 |
Network for telephony and data communication
A service outlet for coupling a data unit to a wired digital data signal and for coupling a service unit to an analog service signal, for use with a service wire pair installed in walls of a building, the service wire pair concurrently carrying a wired bi-directional digital data signal and an analog service signal carried over a service signal frequency band, using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried over a frequency band distinct from the service signal frequency band. The outlet has a single enclosure and, within the enclosure: a wiring connector; first and second filters coupled to the wiring connector; a service connector coupled to the first filter and connectable to the service unit for coupling the service unit to the analog service signal; a service wiring modem coupled to the second filter; and a power supply coupled to the service wiring modem. |
| US08929521B2 |
System and method for authenticating a communication device
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to transmit to a communication system a PKI certificate, and engage in encrypted communications responsive to receiving a public key from the communication system. The communication system can have a plurality of network elements that integrate operations of a circuit-switched communication network and a packet-switched communication network. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08929519B2 |
Analyzing speech application performance
A method of analyzing speech application performance can include determining a call path for each of a plurality of calls from a log of an interactive voice response system having a speech application. Each call path can be defined by an ordered set of dialog nodes of the speech application. A number of occurrences of at least one selected type of event for the dialog nodes of the plurality of calls can be counted. At least one call path from the plurality of call paths can be indicated according, at least in part, to the number of occurrences of the selected type of event within the at least one indicated call path. |
| US08929517B1 |
Systems and methods for visual presentation and selection of IVR menu
Embodiments of the invention provide a system for generating an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) database, the system comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory comprising a list of telephone numbers associated with one or more destinations implementing IVR menus, wherein the one or more destinations are grouped based on a plurality of categories of the IVR menus. Further the memory includes instructions executable by said processor for automatically communicating with the one of more destinations, and receiving at least one customization record from said at least one destination to store in the IVR database. |
| US08929513B2 |
Compact radiation generator
A voltage rectifier circuit for a radiation generator is provided. The voltage rectifier circuit comprises at least one ring shaped first printed circuit board and at least one ring shaped second printed circuit board coupled to each other using a plurality of connectors and wherein each of the first and second printed circuit boards comprise, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The first terminal and second terminal are connected via an external diode assemble, and the first and third terminal are connected by a capacitor assembly embedded between them. |
| US08929512B2 |
Mobile type radiographic apparatus
A mobile type radiographic apparatus is provided, which can inhibit damage to a detecting device as much as possible. This invention provides a storage holder for storing an FPD, and catches for fixing the FPD to the storage holder so that the FPD stored cannot be taken out of the storage holder. Further, this invention provides a carriage movement controller which, when a carriage is about to be moved while the FPD is not in a locked state, notifies the operator to that effect. Consequently, the operator will become aware of having forgotten to lock the FPD when moving the carriage. This construction assures that the FPD is in a fixed state, whereby the FPD is never damaged during traveling of the carriage. |
| US08929510B2 |
Radiographic image capturing apparatus and radiographic image capturing system
A radiographic image capturing apparatus has a mobile cart unit, a radiation source device detachably attached to the cart unit and including a radiation source, a detector device detachably attached to the cart unit and including a radiation detector, a determiner for determining whether or not a present position of the cart unit is in a predesignated zone, and an electric power supply activator enabling supply of electric power at least between the radiation source device and the detector device, if the determiner judges that the present position is in the predesignated zone. |
| US08929499B2 |
System timing margin improvement of high speed I/O interconnect links by using fine training of phase interpolator
Methods and apparatus for improving system timing margin of high speed I/O (input/output) interconnect links by using fine training of a phase interpolator are described. In some embodiments, I/O links use forward clock architecture to send data from transmit driver to receiver logic. Moreover, at the receiver side, Phase Interpolator (PI) logic may be used to place the sampling clock at the center of the valid data window or eye. In an embodiment, a Digital Eye Width Monitor (DEWM) logic may be used to measure data eye width in real time. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08929494B2 |
Systems and methods for joint beamforming and preamble detection
Systems and methods for reading RFID tags using joint beamforming and preamble detection in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements, a joint beamformer and preamble detector configured to receive inputs from each of the antenna elements, and a decoder configured to receive a resampled signal from the joint beamformer and preamble detector and to decode data using the resampled signal. In addition, the joint beamformer and preamble detector is configured to correlate the inputs from the antenna elements against a correlation sequence at a plurality of starting sample positions and predetermined rates, use the correlations to select a starting sample position and rate for decoding the received signal, use the correlations to determine beamforming coefficients for combining the inputs, and resample the combined inputs based upon the selected starting sample position and rate. |
| US08929493B2 |
Mixed rank downlink compound multi-user interference alignment scheme
A method, system and device are provided to enable one or more users to receive mixed-rank data from two transmitters by using an indexed list of linearly independent, predetermined vectors νref={vref1, . . . , vrefM} and channel knowledge H1, H2 from first and second transmitters to compute equivalent channel matrix information Hieq based on the assigned or determined rank of the receiver. With this information, each transmitter selects Li receivers and constructs a transmitted signal by applying a selected precoding matrix to the mixed rank data, thereby eliminating interference to the rest of the receivers in the network so that a receiver can receive transmitted signals from both transmitters. |
| US08929492B2 |
System for and method of removing unwanted inband signals from a received communication signal
A system for and method of removing one or more unwanted inband signals from a received communications signal is described. The inband signal or signals may comprise noise, interference signals, or any other unwanted signals that impact the quality of the underlying communications. A receiver receives a communication signal, the received communication signal including the desired communication signal and one or more inband signals. A signal separator processes the received signal to form an estimate of the desired communication signal and an estimate of the inband signals. A performance improver processes the received signal and the estimate of the one or more inband signals to form an improved estimate of the desired communication signal and an improved estimate of the inband signals. |
| US08929490B1 |
Methods and systems for low latency and low power trigger detection for connecting wireless devices
Systems and apparatus are disclosed for a target device to detect a trigger from an initiating device. One implementation includes a wireless device configured to correlate a received waveform with a target waveform, compare a result of the correlation to a threshold and output a first signal based on the comparison of the result and the threshold. The apparatus may also be configured to generate a sequence of bits by demodulating at least a portion of the received waveform in response to receiving the first signal, to compare in parallel a plurality of circularly rotated versions of a target sequence of bits with the demodulated sequence of bits, and to combine the results of the comparisons and output a second signal when the combined comparisons indicate that the demodulated sequence of bits corresponds to the target sequence of bits. |
| US08929488B2 |
Technique for processing encoded information in a wireless communication network
A technique for processing information in a wireless communication network is described. In a method in accordance with the technique, a signal encoded with a convolution code is received. The encoded signal comprises information and a check value. The encoded signal is decoded using a Viterbi algorithm to derive the information and the check value. The decoding includes computing a Viterbi state metric. A reliability parameter is then determined based on the Viterbi state metric. The information is selectively processed depending on both the check value and the reliability parameter. |
| US08929484B2 |
Communications transmitter having high-efficiency combination modulator
A communications transmitter includes a baseband processor configured to generate amplitude, angle, in-phase and quadrature baseband signals and a combination modulator that is configurable to modulate in the polar domain and, alternatively, in the quadrature domain. The combination modulator includes a quadrature modulator and a separate and distinct angle modulator that is configured to serve as a local oscillator for the quadrature modulator. In one embodiment of the invention the combination modulator is configured to modulate in the quadrature domain when the transmitter is operating according to a first communications condition (e.g., first transmit power level or first modulation scheme) and is configured to modulate in the polar domain when the transmitter is operating according to a second communications condition (e.g., second transmit power level or second modulation scheme). |
| US08929481B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal and method of transmitting and receiving a signal
A method for transmitting and receiving a signal and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal are disclosed. The method for receiving the signal includes receiving (S210) the signal in a first frequency band, identifying (S220) a first pilot signal including, a cyclic prefix obtained by frequency-shifting a first portion of an useful portion of the first pilot signal and a cyclic suffix obtained by frequency-shifting a second portion of the useful portion of the first pilot signal from the received signal, demodulating (S220) a signal frame including a physical layer pipe (PLP) to which a service stream is converted, by an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme, using information set in the first pilot signal, parsing (S230) the signal frame and obtaining the PLP and obtaining (S240) the service stream from the PLP. |
| US08929480B2 |
Transmitter
There is provided a transmitter with a small area and low noise. A direct RF modulation transmitter is constituted by an N-number of input signal delay-attached direct RF converters to which an I digital baseband signal is input, an M-number of input signal delay circuit-attached direct RF converters (DDRCs) to which a Q digital baseband signal is input, a Divide-by-2 divider for generating a differential local signal differing in phase by 90 degrees, an output matching circuit, and a delay control circuit for controlling an input data delay amount for the DDRCs. This transmitter sets delay amounts for the DDRCs using the delay control circuit independently. Particularly when N is set to equal M and the same amount of delay is set for N-number of converters corresponding to the I digital baseband signal and the Q digital baseband signal, noise reduction effect in a predetermined frequency band is heightened. |
| US08929478B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data in communication system
An apparatus for transmitting data in a communication system includes: a receiving unit configured to receive feedback information for each of a plurality of stations (STAB) in response to a control frame; an adjusting unit configured to adjust links of the STAB at frequency channels based on the feedback information, and set optimal links for the respective STAB; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit data to the STAB through the optimal links, wherein the feedback information comprises one or more of optimal stream number information, optimal modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, optimal bandwidth information, average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) information, space-time information, optimal space-time block coding (STBC) information, group ID information, coding type information, and FB Tx type information. |
| US08929477B2 |
Data transferring device, data transferring method and data receiving method
Disclosed is a data transmitting device which includes an input symbol mapping unit converting serial data symbols to parallel data symbols and generating null signals; and a conversion unit converting the parallel data symbols and the null signals to a plurality of subcarriers and a plurality of null subcarriers using sub frequency bands overlapped with one another, wherein the plurality of subcarriers is transformed using sub frequency bands separated from one another. |
| US08929471B2 |
Methods and systems to mitigate impulse interference
Methods and systems to mitigate impulse interference in an OFDM QAM signal. A per-symbol noise measure, or quality measure (QM) is computed for a symbol k as a MSE of distances between carriers in the symbol and points of corresponding QAM constellations. MSE(k) is averaged over multiple symbols to compute a background signal QM, AVG_MSE(k). If MSE(k) exceeds AVG_MSE(k) by a moderate amount, symbol k may be moderately affected by impulse interference, and per-carrier SNR estimates are downgraded for all data carriers in symbol k, prior to LLR computation. SNR downgrading may be linear or step-wise based on an extent to which MSE(k) exceeds AVG_MSE(k). If MSE(k) exceeds AVG_MSE(k) by a significant amount, symbol k may be significantly affected by impulse interference, and LLRs may be set to indicate that all data carriers are erased in symbol k. |
| US08929460B1 |
Method and encoding/decoding of video using common merging candidate set of asymmetric partitions
The present invention provides video encoding and decoding methods using block merging, which can be applied to a high resolution video of more than HD (High Definition) resolution. A video encoding method includes partitioning a current block into a first and a second prediction unit by using asymmetric partitioning, constructing a list of common merging candidate blocks including a predetermined number of common merging candidate blocks selected from adjacent blocks of the current block, selecting at least one candidate block from among the list of common merging candidate blocks and sending information of the selected candidate block to a decoder for each of the first and the second prediction unit. |
| US08929455B2 |
Method for selecting transform types from mapping table for prediction modes
A method codes pictures in a bitstream, wherein the bitstream includes coded pictures to obtain data for associated TUs and data for generating a transform tree, and a partitioning of coding units (CUs) into Prediction Units (PUs), and data for obtaining prediction modes or directions associated with each PU. One or more mapping tables are defined, wherein each row of each table has an associated index and a first set of transform types to be used for applying an inverse transformation to the data in TU. The first set of transform types is selected according to an index, and then a second set of transform types is applied as the inverse transformation to the data, wherein the second set of transform types is determined according to the first set of transform types and a transform-toggle flag (ttf) to obtain a reconstructed prediction residual. |
| US08929452B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus, and computer program
An image processing section includes: a repetitive pattern detection section for detecting whether a repetitive pattern is present in at least one of first and second frames; a motion vector calculation section for calculating a motion vector by performing a matching operation between the first and second frames within a search range determined based on a detection result from the repetitive pattern detection section; and an interpolation image generating section for generating an interpolation frame in accordance with a calculation result of the motion vector. |
| US08929448B2 |
Inter sub-mode decision process in a transcoding operation
In one embodiment, a macroblock is determined in an incoming bitstream. In one example, the macroblock may be a 16×16 macroblock for a first coding standard, such as MPEG-2. The macroblock is then divided into a plurality of segmented blocks. For example, an arbitrary sized segment of blocks may be used to divide the macroblock into segmented blocks. In one example, the macroblock is divided into four 8×8 segmented blocks. A plurality of statistical measures are then determined for the plurality of segmented blocks. For example, for each segmented block, a sum of absolute differences (SAD) is determined. Then, one or more sizes for the sub-blocks are determined based on the comparison. For example, a variable sub-block size for an AVC bitstream is determined. |
| US08929445B2 |
Apparatus for coding or decoding intra image based on line information of reference image block
An apparatus for coding an image is provided to effectively code the image. The apparatus for coding the image includes an input image segmentation unit to segment an input image into a plurality of image blocks including a first image block and a second image block. The apparatus also includes a waveform information generation unit to select a plurality of reference pixels from among pixels included in the first image block, generate first waveform information about the first image block based on a pixel value difference between the selected plurality of reference pixels, and generate second waveform information about the second image block based on a pixel value difference between the pixels included in the second image block. The apparatus also includes a coding unit to code an image included in the second image block based on the first waveform information and the second waveform information. |
| US08929444B2 |
Data communication unit, data communication network and method of decoding
A wireless communication unit comprises a receiver for receiving information from a remote transmitter unit. The receiver comprises a demodulator for demodulating received data packets operably coupled to a decoder arranged to perform a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) on the demodulated received data packets and perform multi-protocol encapsulated (MPE) decoding thereon. The demodulator forwards both valid CRC corrected data packets and non-corrected CRC data packets to the decoder and the decoder is configured to place the MPE non-corrected CRC data packets into Reed Solomon (RS) code words. |
| US08929441B2 |
Method and system for live streaming video with dynamic rate adaptation
A live streaming system/method provides cross platform live streaming capabilities to mobile devices. A file format compatible with legacy HTTP infrastructure is used to deliver media over a persistent connection. Legacy client media players can dynamically change the encoded rate of the media delivered over a persistent connection. Standard HTTP servers may be used without modification, leveraging standard media players embedded in mobile devices for seamless media delivery over wireless networks with high bandwidth fluctuations. |
| US08929433B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for improving display of compressed video data
Presented herein are system(s), method(s), and apparatus for improving the display of compressed video data. In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding video data. The method comprises estimating a displayed intensity of a video source displayed on a predetermined display device; estimating a displayed intensity of the reconstruction of the video source displayed on a predetermined display device; and correcting the video source as a function of the estimated displayed intensity of the video source on the predetermined display device and the estimated displayed intensity of the reconstruction of the video source on the predetermined display device. |
| US08929422B2 |
Clock distribution architecture for dual integrated core engine transceiver for use in radio system
A method and apparatus of minimizing corruption of a reference clock to a RF circuitry in a radio system is disclosed. A DICE-T receives a reference clock in a Low Voltage Differential Signal (LVDS) format from a GVA. The DICE-T personality card converts the reference clock signal into an analog signal. The analog signal is supplied to the Core Engine RF card and the LVDS format signal is supplied to the Core Engine modem for local clocking. The Core Engine RF feeds the analog signal into a programmable phase locked loop chip to generate all the clocks required for RF processing. The analog signal is also used to provide the clocks to the ADC and DAC of core engine modem. By routing the reference clock directly to the RF card then deriving the modem clocks, the phase noise of the reference clock is reduced. |
| US08929419B1 |
Excimer laser with gas purification
An excimer laser system in which the expensive noble gases are reclaimed, while the halogen gas is sacrificed, and the impurities developed during operation of the excimer laser are removed. In the approach disclosed a multi-stage gas purifier is used with a single, premix gas bottle containing a halogen-rich laser gas mixture comprising noble, buffer and halogen gas, to maintain the optimum halogen content of the laser, while also maintaining a consistent ratio of noble, buffer and halogen gases without complicated control apparatus. |
| US08929418B2 |
Semiconductor laser
A semiconductor laser is provided with one or more rear ports and one front port and with a multi-mode interference optical waveguide that has an active layer (light emitting layer) in all regions in plan view. The front port corresponds to an imaging point at which fundamental mode light forms an image in the active layer (light emitting layer) perpendicular to the waveguide direction of the multi-mode interference optical waveguide, and in plan view the front port is disposed along a central line, off center with respect to a central line, along the waveguide direction of the multi-mode interference optical waveguide. |
| US08929415B2 |
Photonic crystal cavities and related devices and methods
Photonic crystal cavities and related devices and methods are described. The described cavities can be used as lasers, photovoltaic sources, and single photon sources. The cavities can be both optically and electrically pumped. A fabrication process of the cavities is also described. |
| US08929412B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device includes a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser light source that emits laser beams perpendicular to a top surface thereof; a first optical system that couples the beams from the light source; a deflecting unit that deflects the beams; a second optical system that guides the beams from the first optical system to the deflecting unit; a third optical system that focuses the beams deflected by the deflecting unit into an optical spot on a scanned surface; and a light-quantity adjusting element disposed between the light source and the deflecting unit and having a substrate formed of a first and second surfaces. The first surface of the light-quantity adjusting element is coated with neutral density coating and the second surface is coated with antireflection coating so that reflectance of the second surface is made smaller than reflectance of the first surface. |
| US08929409B2 |
External cavity tunable laser with an air gap etalon comprising wedges
A tunable narrow linewidth laser is provided, wherein an adjustable etalon structure is employed to simultaneously tune the wavelength of the laser transmission and the length of the laser cavity. The etalon structure is an effective, relatively thick shear plate comprised of transparent matched wedge-shaped substrates and a pair of parallel, partially transmissive mirrors with a space therebetween. Rotation of the etalon structure relative to the laser input changes the angle of incidence to the first substrate and the etalon angle, thereby changing the wavelength of the laser light and also changing the length of the external laser cavity. Thus, reliable frequency tuning is achieved, without mode hopping. |
| US08929408B1 |
Multi comb generation with a mode locked laser cavity
Apparatus, systems, and methods of generating multi combs can be used in a variety of applications. In various embodiments, an etalon can be disposed in the laser cavity of a mode-locked laser to adjust frequency combs. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08929407B2 |
VCSEL pumped fiber optic gain systems
Optical pump modules comprising VCSEL and VCSEL array devices provide high optical power for configuring fiber optic gain systems such as fiber laser and fiber amplifier particularly suited for high power operation. Pump modules may be constructed using two reflector or three reflector VCSEL devices optionally integrated with microlens arrays and other optical components, to couple high power pump beams to an optical fiber output port, particularly suited to couple light to an inner cladding of a double-clad fiber suitable for a high power gain element. Multiple-pumps may be combined to increase pump power in a modular fashion without significant distortion to signal, particularly for short pulse operation. The pump modules may be operated in CW, QCW and pulse modes to configure fiber lasers and amplifiers using single end, dual end, and regenerative optical pumping modes. |
| US08929406B2 |
193NM laser and inspection system
A laser for generating an output wavelength of approximately 193.4 nm includes a fundamental laser, an optical parametric generator, a fourth harmonic generator, and a frequency mixing module. The optical parametric generator, which is coupled to the fundamental laser, can generate a down-converted signal. The fourth harmonic generator, which may be coupled to the optical parametric generator or the fundamental laser, can generate a fourth harmonic. The frequency mixing module, which is coupled to the optical parametric generator and the fourth harmonic generator, can generate a laser output at a frequency equal to a sum of the fourth harmonic and twice a frequency of the down-converted signal. |
| US08929404B2 |
Reception apparatus and method, program and reception system
Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus, including: a reception section configured to receive an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexed) signal obtained by modulating a common packet sequence configured from a packet common to a plurality of streams and a data packet sequence configured from packets individually unique to the plural streams; a buffer configured to accumulate packets of the common packet sequence and the data packet sequence obtained by demodulating the received OFDM signal; a retaining section configured to retain correction information for correcting out-of-synchronism between the common packet sequence and the data packet sequence obtained from particular packets of the common packet sequence and the data packet sequence upon reading out of the packets accumulated in the buffer; and a correction section configured to correct the out-of-synchronism of the packet which suffers from the out-of-synchronism of the packets based on the correction information retained in the retaining section. |
| US08929402B1 |
Systems and methods for compressing packet data by predicting subsequent data
A system, method, and computer program for compressing packet data is provided. In exemplary embodiments, one or more prefix arrays may be generated for retrieved data, and used as the basis for predicting subsequent data. The packet data may be compressed based, at least partially, on the predicted subsequent data. Accordingly, the compressed packet data may be transferred over a communication network. |
| US08929400B2 |
Apparatus and method for support of communications services and applications over relatively low signal-to-noise ratio links
A physical layer (PL) frame generation method is provided. A PL payload is generated by encoding and modulating source data based on a first modcod of a first set. A synchronization header (a unique word (UW) of a UW set) is appended to the PL payload. The UWs of the set respectively correspond to different modcods of the first set, and the UW corresponds to the first modcod. A PL header is appended to the synchronization header and PL payload to form the PL frame. The PL header comprises a second UW and physical layer signaling (PLS). The PLS comprises encoded data fields reflecting a length of the PL frame, where the data fields are encoded based on a second modcod scheme of a second set. The first modcod set is designed for an SNR operating range relatively lower than the SNR operating range of the second modcod set. |
| US08929394B2 |
End-to-end service quality for latency-intensive internet protocol (IP) applications in a heterogeneous, multi-vendor environment
Apparatus and methods are provided for delivering end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. According to one embodiment, a portion of available bandwidth between a first and second network device is reserved as a Quality of Service (QoS) resource pool for real-time communication sessions among users of a first and second user community. The first network device is communicatively coupled with a packet network and associated with the first user community. The second network device is communicatively coupled with the packet network and associated with the second user community. End-to-end application QoS is provided between the first and second user communities by selectively admitting real-time communication sessions between the first user community and the second user community based upon currently available resources associated with the QoS resource pool and multiplexing the real-time communication sessions over a reservation protocol session between the first and second network devices. |
| US08929390B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for channel estimation in wireless networks
In a method for estimating a channel at a receiver in a wireless communications network, the receiver obtains channel model parameters for a received signal based on raw channel estimates for the received signal, where each raw channel estimate corresponds to an antenna at the receiver. The receiver combines, for each of a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the wireless communications network, the channel model parameters to generate a first plurality of combined channel model parameters. The receiver then chooses a first set of indices corresponding to combined channel model parameters from among the first plurality of combined channel model parameters having magnitudes passing a combined channel model parameter threshold. The receiver then estimates the channel in a sparse domain based on the first set of indices. |
| US08929382B2 |
Method, device, and computer program product for detecting and encoding states for accurate measurement
A method, device, and program for determining states in a flow of packets are provided. A flow of transmitted packets is received. When the difference between the sequence number of the arriving packet and the next expected sequence number is equal to zero and when the TTL number of the arriving packet is equal to the TTL number of the previous packet, there is a stable state beginning with the first of the consecutively received packets. If a difference between the sequence number of an arriving packet and a next expected sequence number is greater than 1, or TTL of the arriving packet is not equal to the TTL number of the previous packet, there is a not stable state. Time between end of one stable state and start of the next stable state is the hole, and the states and holes correlate to events for analysis of the network. |
| US08929375B2 |
Node apparatus, storage medium and frame transmitting method
When stored identifying information of a transmission target frame and identifying information of a received frame are equal, a node apparatus updates transmission feasibility information stored in association with the final destination of the received frame. The transmission feasibility information indicates feasibility of transmission to each of a plurality of adjacent node apparatuses being a transmission destination, and is updated so that feasibility of transmission to the transmission destination associated with the identifying information of the received frame indicates that “the transmission is infeasible”. The node apparatus transmits the received frame, when there is no adjacent apparatus to which transmission is feasible, and when the stored identifying information of the transmission target frame is equal to the identifying information of the received frame, to the adjacent node apparatus recognized as the origin in association with the identifying information of the received frame. |
| US08929372B2 |
Grid router
A grid router includes a plurality of external interface units to receive packets of services from one point and to provide packets of services to another point and a second plurality of mailbox units to store and forward the packets associated with mailboxes, one per service. Each mailbox unit is connected to each external interface unit. The units are implemented on PCs (personal computers) having memory controllers and move the packets through the router close to or at the I/O (input/output) rate of the memory controllers. |
| US08929370B2 |
Mechanism for efficiently transmitting tunnel keep-alive messages
A method, apparatus and computer program product for efficiently transmitting tunnel keep-alive messages is presented. A tunnel keep-alive trigger message is provided from a control processor of a multi-processor network switching device to at least one forwarding engine of the network switching device. The at least one of the forwarding engines produces a tunnel keep-alive packet as a result of receiving the tunnel keep-alive trigger message from the control processor. The at least one forwarding engine forwards the tunnel keep-alive packet on all tunnels the forwarding engine is servicing. |
| US08929364B2 |
Supporting BGP based IP-VPN in a routed network
A new type of Provider Edge (PE) device is used to support BGP-based IP-VPNs. Each VRF instance in a PE device is associated with a dedicated IP address (Service IP address). Each service IP address is dedicated to a VRF in a PE device. The service IP address is distributed by BGP for VPN route association. Customer/VRF IP packets can be sent to a VRF instance in the egress PE device using service IP header encapsulation (with IP Destination Address=Service IP address of egress PE's VRF & IP Source Address=Service IP address of ingress PE's VRF). This obviates the need for explicit tunnels in the core. |
| US08929363B1 |
Apparatus and method for allocating buffers of a memory including tracking a number of buffers used to store a received frame
A network switch including a port receiving a first frame. A memory includes first buffers available to store frames and second buffers reserved for the port. A pointer module stores first pointers for the first buffers. A reserve module includes a counter, requests from the pointer module some of the first pointers, and increments the counter to count a number of pointers reserved for the first port. The pointers received from the pointer module are deemed reserved and as a result the first buffers, pointed to by the pointers received from the pointer module, are included in the second buffers. An ingress module stores the first frame in some of the second buffers and determines a destination channel for the first frame. The counter is incremented for each of the second buffers used to store the first frame. An egress module transmits the frame on the destination channel. |
| US08929358B2 |
Call flow system and method for use in a legacy telecommunication system
A method of operating a network server, such as a mobile application gateway, connect devices on a cellular or carrier network with individual networks, such as enterprise voice and data networks or residential networks. The effects of the present invention are far reaching in terms of transferring effective call control from the cellular network into the control of the individual network, such as the enterprise, and enabling new business models for the purchase of cellular service from a public cellular carrier by an enterprise. |
| US08929354B2 |
Scheduling of a communication base station
The present invention relates to a method of a base station, the method comprising: obtaining information about a service currently used by a communication terminal associated with the base station; performing predictive scheduling of transmissions from the communication terminal to the base station based on the obtained information, the predictive scheduling including determining an interval I which is the predicted maximal time period between consecutive transmission grants sent by the base station to the communication terminal; sending a first transmission grant to the communication terminal at the time t=0 in accordance with the predictive scheduling; sending a first SR inhibiting indicator to the communication terminal, preventing the communication terminal from sending a Scheduling Request (SR) to the base station unless a specified criterion is fulfilled; and sending a second transmission grant to the communication terminal at the latest at the time t=I. The invention also relates to the base station. |
| US08929353B2 |
Preamble structure and acquisition for a wireless communication system
Techniques for sending sector/system information in TDM pilots using a hierarchical pilot structure are described. A base station sends multiple sets of bits for the sector/system information in multiple TDM pilots. The set of bits sent in a given TDM pilot may include bits sent in earlier TDM pilots. In one design, the base station generates a first TDM pilot based on a first set of bits, generates a second TDM pilot based on a second set of bits that includes the first set, generates a third TDM pilot based on all bits for the information, and sends the TDM pilots. A terminal performs detection to obtain a first detected value for the first TDM pilot, performs detection based on the first detected value to obtain a second detected value for the second TDM pilot, and performs detection based on the first and second detected values to obtain a third detected value for the third TDM pilot. |
| US08929349B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining validity of WiFi connection in wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for determining validity of a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) connection in a wireless apparatus is provided. In the method, a query is performed on a specific Domain Name Server (DNS) via a connected Access Point (AP). When a response to the query on the specific DNS is received, a connection to a specific node is attempted via the connected AP. When the connection to the specific node is successful, a valid WiFi connection is determined. The WiFi connection is maintained. Therefore, a WiFi apparatus is allowed to connect to only a valid AP, so that convenience is provided to a user and the WiFi apparatus is prevented from wasting power. |
| US08929346B2 |
Advertisement and distribution of notifications in a wireless local area network (WLAN)
An Access Point (AP) advertises the availability of notifications, and this advertisement may be received and interpreted by stations (STAs), both by associated STAs and by non-associated STAs. Upon being informed of the availability of the notification message, a STA may take action in order to receive the notification message from the AP. Alternatively, the STA may be able to identify the notification message by analyzing the advertisement. If the contents of the notification message comprise a control message, the STA may act on the control message in a way that influences the STA's behavior. If the contents of the notification message indicate restrictions imposed by the AP, the STA may determine, in view of the restrictions, not to attempt association with the AP. |
| US08929342B1 |
Selection of wireless coverage areas and operating points of media codecs
A request to establish a call involving a wireless communication device (WCD) served by a radio access network (RAN) may be received. The WCD may receive signals from the RAN via a plurality of wireless coverage areas at respective signal strengths. The plurality of wireless coverage areas may be defined by the RAN. A media codec to use for the call and a target bitrate for the media codec to use during the call may be determined. Based on the target bitrate, a set of n wireless coverage areas through which the WCD and the RAN communicate during the call may be selected. The value of n may be between one and a predetermined maximum number. The set of n wireless coverage areas may be selected from the plurality of wireless coverage areas. |
| US08929341B2 |
Access point for surveillance of anomalous devices
An access point switches between an access point mode and a surveillance mode. In the access point mode, the access point provides network access for end stations using a BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) while in the access point mode. In surveillance mode, the access point scans one or more channels of the wireless network to identify one or more anomalous devices. |
| US08929335B2 |
Mobile terminated call improvements
In one aspect, a method for a packet gateway node (PGW) is disclosed. The PGW being adapted for (a) communicating with at least a serving gateway node, SGW, (b) receiving and forwarding downlink data packets to a user entity, UE, and (c) communicating with a mobility management entity, MME. In one embodiment, the method comprises: the PGW, when receiving a downlink user plane data packet destined for the UE on a Packet Data Network, PDN, connection associated with a restarted SGW, determining if the PDN connection has not yet been relocated to a new SGW, and, if so, selecting at least one SGW from a set of SGWs including the restarted SGW or another SGW and transmitting a control plane signal to at least one of the selected SGWs, the control plane signal identifying at least the UE. |
| US08929333B2 |
Node, system and method for routing traffic in communications system in which call control and signaling is separated from traffic
When a connection is established between user terminals in a system supporting the separation of control traffic and user traffic into separate network nodes, the routing of user traffic is optimized by not reserving resources for the user traffic in the home network (H-MSC) of a user terminal if the user terminal is roaming (4-8). |
| US08929331B2 |
Traffic management in a hybrid femtocell/WLAN wireless enterprise network
A hybrid network controller may determine and/or communicate traffic management information for enabling setup and/or handoff of call and/or communication session among femtocells, access points and/or end-point devices. Traffic management information may comprise set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, signal quality thresholds, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments. The hybrid network controller and/or an end-point device may control handoffs between a communication device external to the communication system and the femtocells, access points and/or end-point devices. Received signal strength, interference levels, SNR, signal path delay, power consumption, traffic loads, bandwidth usage and/or radio resource availability may be monitored and/or analyzed by the hybrid network controller. The hybrid network controller may assign time slots, codes, antenna patterns as well as a serving femtocell and/or AP for a set up and/or a handoff. The information may be communicated via wired, optical and/or wireless interfaces. |
| US08929330B2 |
Network discovery mechanisms
In some of the preferred embodiments, a method for network discovery of a mobile device to use at least one of a plurality of access networks within an IP network includes: obtaining specified network information in the vicinity of a given location based on a set of criteria when a mobile is connected to the IP network from any location. |
| US08929329B2 |
System and method for dual-mode handoff
Exemplary embodiments include methods and systems for a deterministic facilitating for a dual-mode handoff between a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN). The hand-off method may include associating identification information with a mobile user device and locating the mobile user device within a local area network based at least in part on the identification information associated with the mobile user device. The hand-off method may also include moving the mobile user device outside a coverage area of the local area network, associating the mobile user device with a wide area network based at least in part on the identification information associated with the mobile user device, and updating a wide area network server of a location associated with the mobile user device. |
| US08929326B2 |
Method and device for transmitting acknowledgement in wireless communication system
Disclosed are a method and a device for transmitting an acknowledgement. A terminal receives at least one downlink transport block from at least one serving cell. The terminal selects one of an explicit resource and an implicit resource, and transmits an acknowledgement for at least one said downlink transport block by using the selected resource. |
| US08929319B2 |
Updating scheduling request resources
In some implementations, a method implemented in an eNodeB (eNB) base station for single carrier frequency division multiple access SC-FDMA within a wireless system includes assigning to a user equipment a plurality of uplink scheduling request resources each comprising a plurality of subcarriers. It is determined that change in scheduling request resource used by the UE should be made. Upon determining that a change in scheduling request resource should be made, a command is transmitted to the UE instructing the UE to transmit scheduling requests on another of the plurality of assigned scheduling request resources. |
| US08929317B2 |
Transmission of wide bandwidth signals in a network having legacy devices
A method for generating a preamble of a frame for a wide-bandwidth channel wireless communication begins by generating a legacy carrier detect field. The method continues by generating a channel sounding field, wherein the channel sounding field includes a plurality of tones within the wide-bandwidth channel, wherein a first set of the plurality of tones corresponds to tones of a legacy channel sounding field. The method continues by generating a legacy signal field, wherein, in time, the legacy signal field follows the channel sounding field, which follows the legacy carrier detect field. |
| US08929315B2 |
Method and system for coexistence between wireless communication networks
One wireless communication network 3 determines an interference degree with the corresponding other wireless communication network 3 for each channel by accessing a CMDB 2 storing positional information, channel information, and respective coexistence methods of other wireless communication networks 3, selects other wireless communication network 3 to coexist, a coexisting channel, and a coexisting method thereof based on the interference degree for each determined channel, and reflects the selected network, channel, and coexistence method to the CMDB 2, and transmits a signal for requesting coexistence with respect to selected wireless communication network, to the CMDB 2, and the selected wireless communication network 3 performs a control for coexistence in the communication space between one wireless communication network and the selected wireless communication network based on the channel reflected to the CMDB 2 and the coexisting method thereof. |
| US08929314B2 |
Method for transmitting preamble, synchronization method of wireless node and apparatus thereof
The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus that synchronize radio nodes using preambles in a radio communication system. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of transmitting preambles by a radio node. The method includes generating a first preamble indicating a system bandwidth and a carrier configuration, generating a second preamble indicating a segment identifier used for obtaining a node identifier, allocating the first preamble to a first preamble carrier set, allocating the second preamble to a second preamble carrier set corresponding to the segment identifier, and transmitting the first preamble to a receiving node through the first preamble carrier set and the second preamble to the receiving node through the second preamble carrier set. |
| US08929308B2 |
Method and apparatus of transmitting ACK/NACK
The present invention is directed to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method of transmitting an ACK/NACK (Acknowledgement/Negative-ACK) signal at a user equipment in the wireless communication system, the method includes receiving a first downlink control channel from a base station; receiving scheduling information through a second downlink control channel from the base station; deciding an uplink resource index for transmitting an ACK/NACK signal associated with the scheduling by considering the first control channel when the first control channel has a predetermined format; and transmitting the ACK/NACK signal to the base station by using an uplink resource indicated by the uplink resource index. |
| US08929307B2 |
Wireless base station, wireless terminal, and channel signal formation method
Disclosed are a wireless base station, wireless terminal, and channel signal formation method that can prevent the quality of downstream assignment control data from degrading, while preventing the number of blind determinations from increasing on the wireless terminal on the receiving side of the downstream control channel signal. In a base station (100), a control unit (101) and a data size regulation unit (103) control the data size of downstream assignment control data and upstream assignment control data contained in the PDCCH signal based on the communication format used between the base station (100) and a terminal (200), the number of antennas (M) (nonnegative number) on the base station (100), the number of antennas (N) (nonnegative number) on the terminal (200), the bandwidth of the downstream band, and the bandwidth of the upstream band. Specifically, the control unit (101) determines it is unnecessary to adjust the aforementioned data size when the selected communication format is first established between multiple antennas and when where there are multiple for one of M and N and only one for the other. |
| US08929306B2 |
NAS-based signaling protocol for overload protection of random access in massive machine type communication
A scheme of minimizing the random access load on the network to support MTC or M2M devices is provided. In particular, the concept of grouping (e.g., collecting, combining, aggregating, etc.) MTC or M2M devices based on non-access stratus (NAS) signaling is performed. Doing so results in reduced the random access load on the network such that a large number of MTC or M2M devices can be accommodated. |
| US08929305B2 |
Method of efficient ranging procedure considering ranging purpose in broadband wireless access system
A broadband wireless access system and, more particularly, a method for a mobile station and a base station to perform an efficient ranging procedure considering a ranging purpose and a device for performing the same are disclosed herein. A method of a mobile station for performing ranging in a broadband wireless access system, the method includes the steps of transmitting a first ranging preamble code for requesting ranging to a base station through a first ranging opportunity of a first frame, and, when a first message is received from the base station before a timer indicating a limited time point is expired, wherein the first message including a response to the first ranging preamble code is transmitted during the limited time point, determining whether or not the ranging request is successfully made by using the first message. |
| US08929302B2 |
Method of transmitting and receiving control information in wireless communication system
A method of receiving control information in a wireless communication system includes receiving position information for searching at least one downlink control channel, a downlink control channel carrying control information of at least one user equipment, receiving multiplexed downlink control channel in which a plurality of downlink control channels are sequentially multiplexed and sequentially searching the downlink control channel on the multiplexed downlink control channel according to the position information. The number of detection attempts to detect its own control information can be reduced. |
| US08929299B2 |
Communications terminal, server, playback control method and program
A communications terminal is provided, which includes a reading device which reads in access information recorded on a prescribed recording medium, the access information being necessary for acquiring content which can be played back by a playback device from a prescribed server via a network; and a playback control device which controls the playback device and the reading device. The playback control device controls receiving the content and metadata from the server, and playing back the content according to the metadata, if the content corresponding to the read access information is not stored in the storage device when the reading device reads in the access information; and the playback control device controls playing back the content stored in the storage device according to the metadata stored in the storage device in association with the content, if the content corresponding to the read access information is stored in the storage device. |
| US08929293B2 |
Transmitter characteristic representation for television white space
A method includes sending, from a wireless device, an information element including at least one transmitter characteristic field. The at least one transmitter characteristic field includes information regarding a spectral mask associated with the wireless device and information regarding an antenna gain associated with the wireless device. |
| US08929291B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving uplink power control information
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for transmitting or receiving uplink power control information. According to the present invention, a transmitting antenna of a base station device transmits, to a terminal, a first message containing first information on the interference and noise levels of frequency partitions to which an uplink data channel and an uplink control channel are allocated. Here, the uplink data channel and the uplink control channel are allocated to different frequency partitions. The transmitting antenna can further transmit, to the terminal, information on frequency partitions to which the uplink data channel and the uplink control channel are allocated. |
| US08929289B2 |
Access method, system and device
The present invention provides an access method, system and device. In the solution of the present invention, a CPE sub-system receives a connection request for carrying out a data connection with a WAN, when determining that the CPE sub-system itself is not able to carry out a wired connection with the WAN, sends the connection request to an MID sub-system through a connection interface, so that a wireless connection is carried out with the WAN through the MID sub-system; the MID sub-system receives a connection request for carrying out a data connection with a WAN, when determining that the MID sub-system itself is not able to carry out a wireless connection with the WAN, sends the connection request to the CPE sub-system through the connection interface, so that a wired connection is carried out with the WAN through the CPE sub-system. In accordance with the solution of the present invention, not only the wired access but also the wireless access is able to be realized for the WAN, thereby providing stable network connection for home users and bringing great convenience for the users. |
| US08929287B1 |
Multiple virtual machine consoles in a single interface
Multiple virtual machine consoles run in a single user interlace as an integrated unit. Multiple virtual machines are grouped into a logical configuration, and console of each virtual machine in the configuration is displayed a single user interface, such as a browser window. Users are provided with integrated access through the single user interface to the available input/output functions and local resources for each displayed virtual machine console. |
| US08929284B2 |
Method and apparatus to enable inter-system transfer of a packet switched session
Apparatus and methods for a user equipment (UE) to initiate an inter-system transfer of a communication session include listening for communications from a first and a second technology type network. Further, the aspects include establishing a circuit switched session with the first technology type network and establishing a packet switched session with a serving node of a first one of the first or the second technology type network. Also, the aspects include determining to transfer the packet switched session to a target node of a second one of the first or the second technology type network. Additionally, the aspects include transmitting a message, by the UE, to the target node, thereby causing the technology type network of the target node to fetch information about the packet switched session from the other network of the serving node in order to effect the transfer and continuation of the packet switched session. |
| US08929279B2 |
System and method for mobile terminal initiated satellite communications
A system and method for improving efficiency of satellite communications is described. In one embodiment, efficient satellite communications is enabled through event-driven reporting by a mobile terminal. |
| US08929278B2 |
Method and apparatus for content protection and billing for mobile delivery of satellite content
A satellite dish assembly may comprise a reflector, feed horn, receive module, and wireless module. The reflector and feed horn may be operable to receive satellite signals. The receive module may be operable to recover content from the received satellite signals. The wireless module may be operable to communicate the content directly to a mobile device via a wireless connection between the mobile device and the system. The wireless module may be operable to communicate directly with a service provider network via a wireless connection between the satellite dish assembly and the service provider network. The communications with the service provider network may be to obtain security information for descrambling and/or decrypting the content and/or for providing billing information. |
| US08929277B2 |
Communication units and methods for relay-assisted uplink communication
A relay device is described for supporting communications between a terminal device and a base station, the relay device comprises: at least one receiver; and a control processor, operably coupled to the at least one receiver and arranged to: monitor a downlink communication from the base station to the terminal device; determine therefrom at least one uplink resource to be used by the terminal device; configure the at least one receiver to receive the at least one uplink resource; receive an uplink message on the at least one uplink resource; determine therefrom uplink control information used by the terminal device; modify the uplink message on the at least one uplink resource; and relay the uplink message to the base station. |
| US08929274B2 |
Relay station and method of relay station transmitting backhaul uplink signal
A method of a relay station transmitting a backhaul uplink (UL) signal includes receiving information about a structure of a subframe from a base station; allocating a reference signal and control information to the backhaul UL subframe on a basis of the information; and transmitting the reference signal and the control information. The reference signal or the control information is allocated to symbols other than a first symbol and last 2 symbols of the backhaul UL subframe. |
| US08929271B2 |
Method of transmitting/receiving control message in a mobile communication system providing multimedia broadcast/multicast service
A method and apparatus are provided for providing a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) to a user equipment (UE) by a base station in a mobile communication system. The method includes transmitting, to the UE, a first message including information about a scheduling period and an offset indicating a start point of the scheduling period; transmitting, to the UE, a second message including information about at least one MBMS in the scheduling period, based on the information about the scheduling period and the offset; and transmitting, to the UE, data of the at least one MBMS via an MBMS radio bearer (RB) established for the at least one MBMS. The information about the at least one MBMS includes identification of the at least one MBMS. |
| US08929268B2 |
Techniques for hierarchical encoding for multicast broadcast services in wireless communication systems
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transceiver adapted for hierarchical encoding for a Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) in wireless networks, wherein the hierarchical encoding is provided by superposition coding to provide different levels of protection for data streams. |
| US08929267B2 |
Method and device for operating in idle mode using identifier type
A method and device for operating in an idle mode for Machine To Machine (M2M) communication are provided. A M2M device receives a paging message indicating a resource allocation for a ranging request. The M2M device monitors assignment information including the resource allocation for the ranging request. Cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits of the assignment information are masked with a part of a M2M identifier. The assignment information includes an identifier type indicating that the M2M identifier is a fixed M2M deregistration identifier (FMDID) or a deregistration identifier (DID). |
| US08929264B2 |
Transmitting-receiving apparatus
In one embodiment, receiving a first radio frequency (RF) signal from a first node, generating a first digital data set by decoding the first received RF signal, determining whether a first address in the first digital data set is associated with at least one of a first radio network or a second radio network by comparing the first address to a first set of addresses associated with the first radio network and a second set of addresses associated with the second radio network, appending a first status to the first digital data set indicating that the first address is associated with the first or second radio network, and transmitting an interrupt signal and the first digital data set to a microcontroller for evaluation by the microcontroller in response to determining that the first address is associated with at least one of the first or second radio network. |
| US08929263B2 |
Echo mitigation in the presence of variable delays due to adaptive jitter buffers
In an example embodiment, a control connection is introduced between an adaptive jitter buffer (AJB) and an adaptive bulk delay (ABD) buffer of an echo canceller (ECAN) in an Internet Protocol (IP) conference bridge. The control connection allows the AJB to control the amount of delay inserted by the ABD in the ECAN convolution processor (CP) signal path. The adjustment in ABD delay restores the time alignment of the ECAN internal echo estimate and offsets variations in echo tail delay introduced by network induced AJB delay changes. Time-invariance is preserved in the echo tail path. |
| US08929262B2 |
Automatic protocol selection mechanism
A network device automatically detects the best protocol a network will support. The network device includes a driver for transmitting data, a receiver for receiving data, and a port operationally coupled to the driver and receiver. The network device further includes negotiation logic coupled to the driver and receiver for selecting a protocol in coordination with other network devices. The network device further includes error detection logic and backs down to a lower transmission rate if errors are detected after the initial negotiation of the selected protocol. |
| US08929257B1 |
Methods and systems for subconferences in secure media-based conferencing
Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for media-based (e.g., video and/or audio) conferencing between a plurality of end point devices. The methods and apparatuses provide for secure conferencing while offering a robust feature set that provides call enhancement features such as interactive voice response (IVR) functionality and auto attendance, call security features such as password management, multi-factor authentication and authorization of end points (including filtering and allow/deny functionality), and call compliance features such as recording options, regulatory rules, and other retention/surveillance features. |
| US08929254B2 |
Systems and methods for constrained forwarding based packet network connectivity
An Ethernet Tree (E-Tree) service is described instantiated on an Ethernet switch and in an Ethernet network. The E-Tree service is implemented using Private Forwarding Groups (PFGs), asymmetric Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), virtual switches, and port configurations. The use of PFGs in addition to asymmetric VLANs provides higher levels of security in the described E-Tree systems and methods. The E-Tree systems and methods also can utilize Access Control Lists (ACLs) at Network-Network Interfaces (NNIs) for controlling unknown unicasts from reaching wrong ports. The E-Tree systems and methods can also seamlessly interoperate with packet switches using an IEEE 802.1Q-2011 approach. |
| US08929252B2 |
Virtual port world wide names
A network switch allows defining a virtual port worldwide name (VPWWN) and associating the VPWWN with an F_port of the network switch, for use by a host bus adaptor (HBA) connecting to the network switch. Both a default and a user VPWWN may be defined, with the user VPWWN typically taking precedence over the default VPWWN. A database of VPWWN associations may be used to ensure uniqueness of the user VPWWN. Where the HBA allows dynamic assignment of WWNs, the VPWWN may be pushed to the HBA. The VPWWNs may be deleted, and moved to another port as desired. |
| US08929250B2 |
Thin client environment providing system, server, thin client environment management method and thin client environment management program
A thin client environment providing system includes a data center including at least one hypervisor and at least one layer 2 switch, a server, and at least one terminal computer. The server includes a VLAN group reservation unit which when receiving, from the terminal computer, a virtual machine addition request, obtains, from a data center DB, information of a hypervisor group and information of the layer 2 switch corresponding to the generation destination hypervisor, extracts, from a tenant DB, the VLAN group corresponding to the information of the hypervisor group, and the information of the tenant and information of the OS, and registers the indexed VLAN group with the tenant DB to reserve the VLAN group. A VLAN structure instructing unit which, when none of the VLAN group is registered with a switch DB, registers the information of the layer 2 switch and the information of the VLAN group. |
| US08929245B2 |
Communicating a feedback data structure containing information identifying coding to be applied on wirelessly communicated signaling
To perform wireless communications in a closed loop multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) system, a feedback data structure is communicated over a wireless channel between a first wireless node and a second wireless node, where the feedback data structure contains indicators identifying coding to be applied by the second wireless node on signaling communicated between the second wireless node and the first wireless node, where the information in the feedback data structure is based on wireless channel conditions detected at the first wireless node. The indicators identify different codings to be used for different corresponding bands in the wireless channel. |
| US08929242B2 |
Mobility support in a mobile data network
A mobility event is supported on a flat or next generation mobile data networks with data breakout or offload at the edge of the mobile data network. Packet data is buffered while a complete set of the PDP context information is transferred from the source eNodeB to the target eNodeB and the mobile core network is updated with the information about the handover in a timely manner to prevent packet loss and thus provide a seamless user experience. The breakout system supports the PDP context transfer by shifting the end point of the TCP communication from the local breakout entity (MIOP@eNodeB) to the core breakout entity (MIOP@GW), transferring the TCP connection to the core breakout entity, and supporting the network initiated control flows in a way that is seamless from the perspective of the UE and the core network. |
| US08929240B2 |
Method and system for determination and exchange of network timing information
Aspects of methods and systems for determination and exchange of network timing information are provided. In one such method, a propagation delay of a network physical link is determined using a plurality of time stamps. The time stamps are provided by one or more sending nodes traversed by a packet along the network physical link. The length of the network physical link is calculated, utilizing the determined propagation delay. The determined propagation delay and/or the length of the network physical link is appended to the packet. |
| US08929237B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing measurement in a wireless communication system
A method and an apparatus for performing measurement in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment determines a reference quality value based on quality values of a plurality of serving cells; determines a management object by comparing the reference quality value with a plurality of threshold values, and performs measurement on the management object. |
| US08929232B2 |
Transmission power control method and mobile station apparatus
A transmission power control method and a mobile station apparatus that can adequately control the transmission power of a mobile station apparatus having multiple transmitting antennas is disclosed. The uplink transmission power control for the mobile station apparatus measures the path loss of at least one transmitting antenna, sets a representative value path loss based on the measured path loss measurement value, determines a total transmission power of the mobile station apparatus based on the representative value path loss, and determines the transmission power of each transmitting antenna by distributing the total transmission power to the transmitting antennas. |
| US08929226B2 |
Smart routing for voice over internet protocol
In a VoIP application where network packets must travel beyond the local internet provider, the network packet may be rerouted to avoid the open internet. The originating endpoint is provisioned to transmit network packets to the VoIP provider. The originating local internet provider receives the network packet from the originating endpoint, and transmits the network packet to the VoIP provider via a direct hand-off. The VoIP provider then transmits the network packet to the destination local internet provider via a direct hand-off. Finally, the destination local internet provider delivers the network packet to the destination end point. Transmission through the open internet is reserved as a back-up process, should transmission through the VoIP provider fail. |
| US08929222B2 |
Communications system
A cellular communications system is provided in which a user device selects a cell with which to register based on whether or not a candidate cell can provide an emergency call service. This determination is preferably determined having reference to a radio access technology associated with the candidate cell and, where the cell is an E-UTRA cell, having reference to information provided in system information output by the cell. |
| US08929221B2 |
Method and system of monitoring the receipt of multicast traffic
A method and system for monitoring data packet traffic in a multicast network comprising determining a first packet count received at a receiver router, representing a quantity of data packets associated with a multicast group and source at a first time, determining a second packet count received at that receiver router representing a quantity of data packets associated with that multicast group and source, at a second time subsequent to the first time, comparing the second packet count to the first packet count, and indicating an alarm in response to the second packet count being less than a predetermined value greater than the first packet count. A status for multiple routers can be obtained, comprising a difference between the quantity of the first and second packet counts; and indicating a warning in response to at least one of the plurality of router status being less than the predetermined value. |
| US08929218B2 |
Congestion notification across multiple layer-2 domains
One embodiment of the present invention provides a congestion notification. During operation, the system receives a congestion notification message with a destination layer-2 address set as the receiving mechanism's layer-2 address. The system modifies a destination layer-2 address, a source layer-2 address, and optionally a VLAN identifier of the congestion notification message, and forwards the modified congestion notification message. |
| US08929217B2 |
Method and system for traffic management and resource allocation on a shared access network
A method for traffic management and resource allocation on a shared access network including estimating a bandwidth capacity of a gateway, determining a demand rate of an IP gateway, allocating bandwidth to the IP gateway based on the demand rate, traffic priority, or traffic weighting, allocating bandwidth to the IP gateway in advance of demand when excess bandwidth is available, scheduling traffic at the IP gateway based on traffic priority, service plan of a VSAT, or physical layer properties of the VSAT, performing priority queue servicing of traffic at a gateway using a real time traffic priority queue, a non-real time traffic priority queue, two or more modulation and coding queue groups, and a code block queue. |
| US08929216B2 |
Packet scheduling method and apparatus based on fair bandwidth allocation
A packet scheduling method and apparatus which allows multiple flows that require data transmission to the same output port of a network device such as a router to fairly share bandwidth. The packet scheduling method includes calculating an expected time of arrival of a (k+1)-th packet subsequent to a currently input k-th packet of individual flows by use of bandwidth allocated fairly to each of the flows and a length of the k-th packet; in response to the arrival of the (k+1)-th packet, comparing the expected time of arrival of the (k+1)-th packet to an actual time of arrival of the (k+1)-th packet; and scheduling the (k+1)-th packet of each flow according to the comparison result. |
| US08929212B2 |
Communication quality monitoring device, communication system, communication quality monitoring method and program thereof
A communication quality monitoring device is provided which determines communication quality deterioration by variation of a transmission buffer length in session control irrespectively of generation/non-generation of a data loss.A packet transmission and quality monitoring device 11-1 which detects deterioration in communication quality based on a buffer length of a session control protocol includes a threshold value calculating unit 11-17 which calculates a threshold value for the determination of deterioration in communication quality according to a parameter related to congestion detection of the session control protocol, and a deterioration determining unit 11-18 which determines deterioration in communication quality by comparing the threshold value and the buffer length. |
| US08929211B2 |
Hot-swapping network port functionality
Methods and apparatus for swapping functionality modes of a network data link are disclosed. An example method includes, in a network device, supporting a plurality of active network data links that includes a given network data link, where the given network data link is operated in accordance with a first mode of functionality. The example method further includes, while the other network data links of the plurality remain active: (i) placing the given network data link in a quiescent state; (ii) allocating, in a data port of the given network data link, cell buffer space in accordance with a second mode of functionality; (iii) programming a memory management unit (MMU) of the network switch device in accordance with the second mode of functionality for the given network data link; (iv) allocating, in an egress port (EP) of the network switch device, cell buffer space in accordance with the second mode of functionality for the given network data link; (v) bringing the given network data link out of the quiescent state; and (vi) operating the given network data link in accordance with the second mode of functionality. |
| US08929210B2 |
System and method for enabling energy efficient ethernet networks with time-sensitive protocols
A system and method for enabling energy efficient Ethernet networks with time-sensitive protocols. Time-stamped packets generated by a time-sensitive protocol rely on fixed latency in a transit time through a transmission subsystem. An energy efficiency control policy in a network device governs a transmission of time-stamped packets in accordance with energy efficiency initiatives controlled by the energy efficiency control policy. In one embodiment, time-stamped packets can be dropped or modified to account for transitions by the transmission subsystem into an energy saving state. In another embodiment, transitions by the transmission subsystem into or out of an energy saving state can be impacted by the existence of time-stamped packets scheduled for transmission. |
| US08929208B2 |
Conditionally releasing a communiqué determined to be affiliated with a particular source entity in response to detecting occurrence of one or more environmental aspects
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: intercepting a communiqué that is determined to be affiliated with a source entity and that is addressed to an end user to prevent, at least temporarily, the communiqué from being received by a communication device associated with the end user; and releasing the communiqué to the communication device in response to at least detecting occurrence of one or more environmental aspects associated with the communication device, the releasing of the communiqué being in accordance with one or more conditional directives of the end user to conditionally obfuscate the communiqué determined to be affiliated with the source entity. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08929205B2 |
Packet relay apparatus
A packet relay apparatus of the type that can virtually use in the interlocking arrangement a plurality of apparatuses includes a link optimization adjustment part and a packet analyzing unit, automatically judges the mode of flow of communication and traffic and optimizes the line that is mainly operated, to manage the traffic flowing through a control port and make up for band insufficiency of the control port. |
| US08929202B2 |
Technique for handling radio link failure in a communication network
A technique for handling radio link failure in a communication network (10) is provided. A method implementation of this technique comprises the steps of maintaining radio link failure information including the identifier of a user equipment (UE) effected by the radio link failure together with at least one of a time stamp of when the radio link failure was detected and a reference to a cell (C1) which was serving the user equipment (UE) before the radio link failure was detected, receiving reconnection information including an identifier of a reconnected user equipment (UE) effected by a radio link failure after the user equipment (UE) is reconnected to the communication network and correlating the radio link failure information with the reconnection information to obtain a correlation result. |
| US08929201B2 |
Method and apparatus of performing protection switching on networks
A protection switching unit and a method of performing protection switching of the protection switching unit are provided. The method includes steps of detecting a fault that has occurred at a working path of a network; opening a first switch that is connected to the working path and closing a second switch that is connected to the protection path of the network; and maintaining a connection state of the first switch and the working path and a connection state of the second switch and the protection path, when a fault that has occurred at the working path is restored. |
| US08929200B2 |
Communication device, communication system, and communication method
A communication device includes: a plurality of ports configured to transmit and receive frames to and from another device; a switching unit configured to transfer the frames to another port based on identification information of the frames; a plurality of reception processing units configured to individually receive the frames transferred from the switching unit; a duplication processing unit configured to duplicate the frames, individually assign the identification information indicating a corresponding port to a plurality of duplicated frames and output the plurality of duplicated frames to the switching unit; and a control unit configured to perform control in accordance with control information included in one duplicated frame of the plurality of duplicated frames. |
| US08929198B2 |
Vehicle network link module
A vehicle network link module includes network fabric ports, a port, a switching circuit, and a link manager. The network fabric ports are operable for coupling to corresponding network fabric ports of another vehicle network fabric link module. The port is operable for coupling to a port of a vehicle network module. The switching circuit is operable to connect an active network fabric port to the port. The link manager determines whether vehicle network packet conveyance via the active network fabric port has degenerated below a threshold. When the vehicle network packet conveyance has degenerated below a threshold, the link manager determines use mode of the active network fabric port. The link manager processing module then selects a new active network fabric port based on the use mode. The link manager then activates the new active network fabric port for coupling via the switching circuit to the port. |
| US08929192B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for short-range communication based direction finding
Method, apparatus, and computer program product example embodiments provide short-range communication based direction finding. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method comprises transmitting by a target device, information in one or more advertising packets, including preferences of the target device for using data signing associated with direction finding; and receiving by the target device from a tracker device, one or more direction finding request packets including a request for data signing corresponding with the target device preferences. |
| US08929189B2 |
Objective lens and optical pickup device
An objective lens capable of converging light of a used wavelength with a satisfactory aberration on a recording medium is provided. An objective lens for converging light of a predetermined wavelength λ on a recording medium satisfies the following condition: |CML|+|CMF|<0.03λ, where CML is an amount of a generated third-order coma aberration per 1 degree of tilt of the objective lens, and CMF is an amount of a generated third-order coma aberration per 1 degree of tilt of off-axis light. |
| US08929186B1 |
Disk drive calibrating laser power for heat assisted magnetic recording based on quality metric and track width
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a laser operable to heat the disk while writing data to the disk. A laser power of the laser is initialized, and a test pattern is written to the disk. The test pattern is read from the disk to generate a read signal, and a quality metric and a track width of the test pattern is measured based on the read signal. The laser power is adjusted and the process is repeated until at least one of the quality metric substantially matches a target value and the track width substantially matches a track width threshold. |
| US08929176B2 |
Building a three-dimensional model of an underwater structure
A method and system are described that can be used for scanning underwater structures. The method and system allow a user to gain a better understanding of an existing underwater structure. For example, the method and system allow for building a three dimensional model of an underwater structure. A sonar wave is directed toward an underwater structure, and a reflected sonar wave is received. Initial 3D data points are obtained from the reflected sonar wave, and are configured to provide a three-dimensional image of the underwater structure. A working alignment model of the underwater structure is generated by the initial data points. As new 3D sonar data is collected, the new 3D sonar data is aligned with and added to the alignment model. |
| US08929174B2 |
Acoustic wave imaging apparatus and acoustic wave imaging method
An acoustic wave imaging apparatus has a phase aligning unit, which aligns phases of received signals obtained by a plurality of acoustic wave receiving elements. A complex signal acquiring unit generates complex signals out of the phase aligned received signals, and a correlation matrix calculating unit calculates a correlation matrix of the complex signals. An electric power calculating unit calculates constrained minimum power of the received signals, using the correlation matrix and a predetermined constraint vector. The correlation matrix calculating unit calculates the correlation matrix at a predetermined cycle, and sequentially outputs the calculated correlation matrix to the electric power calculating unit at a predetermined cycle, and the electric power calculating unit calculates a plurality of constrained minimum powers in parallel using the calculated correlation matrices, the plurality of constrained minimum powers corresponding to the correlation matrices respectively. |
| US08929170B2 |
Memory device, memory system, and power management method
A power management method includes receiving a first command with first address indicating a first high power operation that is immediately executed in a first memory die, after receipt of the first command, receiving a second command with a second address indicating a second high power operation, such that an immediate execution of the second high power operation would overlap the first high power operation, and delaying execution of second high power operation through a first waiting period that ends upon completion of the first high power operation, while applying a reference voltage to a second word line of the second memory die indicated by the second address. |
| US08929169B1 |
Power management for nonvolatile memory array
In a nonvolatile memory array, power is provided to groups of memory dies by power management circuits that have different power modes. While one power management circuit is in a high-power mode supplying power for power-hungry memory operations, another power management circuit is in a low-power mode so that overall power usage is balanced. |
| US08929167B2 |
MRAM self-repair with BIST logic
Memory self-repair circuitry includes a memory cell array on a chip, and built-in self test (BIST) circuitry on the chip coupled to the memory cell array. The BIST circuitry is configured to perform a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) write operation to write addresses of failed memory cells in the memory cell array to a failed address sector also in the memory cell array. The memory self-repair circuitry also includes first select circuitry coupled between the BIST circuitry and the memory cell array. The first select circuitry is configured to selectively couple an output of the BIST circuitry and an input to the memory cell array. |
| US08929166B2 |
Fault masking method for non-volatile memories
A fault masking method is applied to a non-volatile memory array which includes a faulty cell and electrically connected to an address register providing a first address. The faulty cell can only output a fixed value. The content of the first address is not equal to the fixed value. The method includes: providing a complementer electrically connected between the address register and the faulty cell; providing a control word; writing the first address and the control word into the complementer; performing a complement operation on the first address and the control word by the complementer to obtain a second address, and storing the content of the second address into the faulty cell, wherein the content of the second address is equal to the fixed value. The method can reduce or eliminate the usage of redundancy in non-volatile memories, so as to reduce the manufacturing costs and improve the fabrication yield. |
| US08929158B1 |
Auto-trimming of internally generated voltage level in an integrated circuit
A method to trim a reference voltage source formed on an integrated circuit includes configuring the integrated circuit in a test mode; providing a power supply voltage and a trim code sequence to the integrated circuit where the power supply voltage is provided by a precision reference voltage source; generating a target voltage on the integrated circuit using the power supply voltage; generate a reference voltage using the reference voltage source formed on the integrated circuit; applying one or more trim codes in the trim code sequence to the reference voltage source to adjust the reference voltage; comparing the reference voltage generated based on the trim codes to the target voltage; asserting a latch signal in response to a determination that the reference voltage generated based on a first trim code is equal to the target voltage; and storing the first trim code in response to the latch signal being asserted. |
| US08929155B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes memory cells for storing data, page buffers each configured to comprise a dynamic latch and a static latch on which data to be programmed in to the memory cells or data read from the memory cells are latched, and a control logic configured to store a plurality of refresh mode select codes corresponding to various refresh cycles, and refresh the dynamic latch by exchanging data between the static latch and the dynamic latch according to a refresh cycle corresponding to a selected refresh mode select code. |
| US08929152B1 |
Retiming programmable devices incorporating random access memories
A method of retiming a circuit that includes a RAM having data stored therein, a register following the RAM, and registers preceding the RAM for registering input, address and enable signals of the RAM includes pushing a value in the register following the RAM back into a memory location in the RAM, pushing back data stored in the RAM and initial values in the registers preceding the RAM to accommodate the value pushed back from the register following the RAM, and setting new values in the registers preceding the RAM so that, on a first clock cycle after retiming, the circuit assumes a condition before retiming. The method also may be used to configure a programmable logic device with a user logic design. |
| US08929151B2 |
Extended select gate lifetime
A flash memory device may include two or more flash memory cells organized as a NAND string in a block of flash memory cells, and flash cells, coupled to the NAND string at opposite ends, to function as select gates. The flash memory device may be capable of providing information related to a voltage threshold of the select gates to a flash controller, erasing the flash cells that function as select gates in response to a select gate erase command, and programming the flash cells that function as select gates in response to a select gate program command. A flash controller may be coupled to the flash memory device, and is capable of sending the select gate erase commend to the flash memory device if the information provided by the flash memory device indicates that the voltage threshold of at least one of the select gates is above a predetermined voltage level, and sending the select gate program command to the flash memory device if the information provided by the flash memory device indicates that the voltage threshold of at least one of the select gates is outside of a predetermined voltage range. |
| US08929150B2 |
Nonvolatile memory apparatus capable of determining an application time of a program voltage applied to a selected word line
A nonvolatile memory apparatus includes: a memory cell area including a plurality of memory cells connected to a word line and a bit line; a program time controller configured to determine a program voltage application time for a selected word line, as the selected word line is selected in response to a program command and an address signal; and a controller configured to apply a program voltage to the selected word line according to the program voltage application time determined by the program time controller. |
| US08929147B1 |
Determining threshold voltage distribution in flash memory
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for comparing threshold voltages of a plurality of flash memory cells to a plurality of reference voltages. A number of flash memory cells having threshold voltages that fall within each bin of a plurality of bins is determined. The plurality of bins each represent a plurality of threshold voltage ranges. A threshold voltage distribution of the plurality of flash memory cells is calculated based at least in part on the number of flash memory cells that fall into each of the bins. |
| US08929146B1 |
Controller management of memory array of storage device using magnetic random access memory (MRAM)
A mass storage device includes a controller configured to communicate with a host. The controller is coupled to a first memory and a second memory, the first and second memories being of different types. The mass storage device includes a storage media partitioned into a plurality of Logical Units (LUNs) based on capabilities and resources of the mass storage device. The mass storage device further includes the first memory and the second memories and a hybrid reserved area spanning at least a portion of the first and second memories. |
| US08929144B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a control circuit of a memory cell array is configured to write data to a memory cell array by applying a first write pass voltage, which is lower than the program voltage, to a first group of nonselective word lines adjacent to a selective word line. The control circuit is further configured to apply a second write pass voltage, which is higher than the first write pass voltage, to a second group of second nonselective word lines, the second group not including the word lines of the first group. |
| US08929139B2 |
Method and apparatus for leakage suppression in flash memory
Techniques are described herein for detecting and recovering over-erased memory cells in a flash memory device. In one embodiment, a flash memory device is described including a memory array including a plurality of blocks of memory cells. The device also includes a controller to perform a leakage-suppression process. The leakage-suppression process includes determining that a given block of memory cells includes one or more over-erased memory cells. Upon the determination, the leakage-suppression process also includes performing a soft program operation to increase the threshold voltage of the over-erased memory cells in the given block. |
| US08929138B2 |
Error recovery for flash memory
An indication of a page type which failed error correction decoding is received. A threshold to adjust is selected from a plurality of thresholds based at least in part on the page type. A third adjusted threshold associated with the page type is generated, including by: determining a first number of flipped bits using a first adjusted threshold associated with the page type, determining a second number of flipped bits using a second adjusted threshold associated with the page type, and generating the third adjusted threshold using the first number of flipped bits and the second number of flipped bits. |
| US08929136B2 |
8T NVSRAM cell and cell operations
One or more embodiments of 8T NVSRAM cell are provided for improving NVSRAM memory architecture with reduced cell size as opposed to the prior art of 12T NVSRAM cell. This novel 8T NVSRAM cell uses one step Write operation under either a FN-channel write scheme to increase a paired flash transistor Vt values in positive direction with a desired ΔVt12 ≧1V or a FN-edge write scheme to decrease the Vt values in negative direction with a similar desired ΔVt12≧1V to write the ΔVt12 into the paired flash transistors within 1-10 ms without requiring a pre-erase step. There is no need of Program-Inhibit Voltage (SBPI) to inhibit non-select flash transistor from programming. In addition, this 8T NVSRAM cell uses DRAM-like charge-sensing scheme to detect the ΔV on Q and QB nodes of SRAM in which is coupled and generated from the ΔVt12 stored in MC1 and MC2 flash transistors. |
| US08929133B2 |
Complementary SOI lateral bipolar for SRAM in a CMOS platform
A memory array that includes a SOI substrate and lateral bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) fabricated on the SOI substrate. The BJTs form first and second inverters cross coupled to form a memory cell. A read circuit outputs the binary state of the memory cell. A power supply is configured to supply a Vdd voltage to the read circuit and to supply a Vcc and a Vee voltage to the first set of lateral bipolar transistors and the second set of lateral bipolar transistors, wherein the Vee voltage is at least zero volts and the Vcc voltage is greater than the Vee voltage and is equal to or less than the Vdd voltage. |
| US08929131B2 |
Magnetic memory element and non-volatile storage device
The present invention provides a magnetic memory element that has a spin valve structure formed using a free layer, a non-magnetic layer, and a pinned layer. The free layer has a three-layer structure having a first magnetic layer, an intermediate layer, and a second magnetic layer arranged in this order viewed from the non-magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer is made of a ferromagnetic material. The intermediate layer is made of a non-magnetic material. The second magnetic layer is made of an N-type ferromagnetic material having a magnetic compensation point in the temperature range where a memory storage operation can be available. The magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer and the magnetization direction of the second magnetic layer are parallel to each other at the temperature lower than the magnetic compensation point Tcomp. |
| US08929130B1 |
Two-port SRAM cell structure
A memory cell is provided. The memory cell comprises a write port and a read port. The write port comprises a pair of cross-coupled inverters and a plurality of metal lines. The first inverter comprises a first pull-up device and a first pull-down device. The second inverter comprises a second pull-up device and a second pull-down device. The metal lines comprise a Vcc conductor line, a first Vss conductor line, and a second Vss conductor line. The first pull-down device has a source terminal coupled to the first Vss line. The second pull-down device has a source terminal coupled to the second Vss line. The read port comprises a cascaded device, a read word line, read bit line and a third Vss conductor line. The cascaded device comprises a read pull-down device and a read pass device. The read pull-down device has a source terminal coupled to the third Vss conductor line. The read pass device has a drain terminal coupled to the read bit line. The third Vss conductor line is coupled to a first power saving circuit. The Vcc conductor line is coupled to a second power saving circuit. |
| US08929127B2 |
Current generator for nonvolatile memory device and write and/or read currents calibrating method using the same
A write and/or read current generator for nonvolatile memory device, especially for Spin Transfer Torque Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (STT-MRAM), may include a current supplying circuit which changes a level of a sample current, determines a resistance state change current of a sample bit cell based on a feedback signal obtained through the sample bit cell whose resistance state is changed according to a level of the sample current. The current supplying circuit may calibrate a write and/or read current of a memory cell in response to a sample current applied at a point of time when a resistance state of the sample bit cell is switched into another resistance state. A calibration circuit may generate the feedback signal indicating a resistance area of a predetermined resistance range to which a resistance state of the sample bit cell belongs. The calibration circuit may compare a sample voltage output from the sample bit cell with a voltage on predefined high resistance bit cell to output a first output voltage. The calibration circuit may compare the sample voltage with a voltage on predefined low resistance bit cell to generate a second output voltage. The calibration circuit may compare the first and second output voltages to generate the feedback signal. |
| US08929125B2 |
Apparatus and methods for forming a memory cell using charge monitoring
Apparatuses and methods of forming a memory cell is described. In one such method, a forming charge applied to a memory cell, such as a Resistive RAM (RRAM) memory cell, is monitored to determine the progress of the forming the cell. If the cell is consuming charge too slowly, a higher voltage can be applied. If the cell is consuming charge too quickly, a lower voltage can be applied. The charge may be monitored by charging a capacitor to a certain level, then monitoring the discharge rate of the capacitor though the cell. The monitoring may use comparators to measure the charge. The monitoring may also use an analog to digital converter to perform the monitoring. |
| US08929124B2 |
Resistive memory device and related method of operation
A resistive memory device includes a resistive memory cell, and a read/program circuit configured to program the resistive memory cell from a first state to a second state. The read/program circuit reads a resistance in the first state of the resistive memory cell and adjusts a compliance current supplied to the resistive memory cell according to the read resistance during the program operation. |
| US08929123B2 |
Resistive-switching device capable of implementing multiary addition operation and method for multiary addition operation
The present disclosure provides a resistive-switching device capable of implementing multiary addition operation and a method for implementing multiary addition operation using the resistive-switching device. The resistive-switching device has a plurality of resistance values each corresponding to a respective data value stored by the resistive-switching device and ranging from a high resistance value to a low resistance value. The data value stored by the resistive-switching device is increased by ‘1’ successively with a series of set pulses having a same pulse width and a same voltage amplitude being applied thereto. The data value stored by the resistive-switching device is set to ‘0’ with a reset pulse being applied thereto, and meanwhile a data value stored by a higher-bit resistive-switching device is increased by ‘1’ with a set pulse being applied thereto. In this way, multiary addition operation is implemented. |
| US08929122B2 |
Circuit and system of using a junction diode as program selector for resistive devices
Junction diodes fabricated in standard CMOS logic technologies can be used as program selectors for a programmable resistive device, such as electrical fuse, contact/via fuse, anti-fuse, or emerging nonvolatile memory such as MRAM, PCM, CBRAM, or RRAM. The diode can be constructed by P+ and N+ active regions on an N well as the P and N terminals of the diode. By applying a high voltage to the P terminal of a diode and switching the N terminal of a diode to a low voltage for proper duration of time, a current flows through a resistive element in series with the program selector may change the resistance state. The P+ active region of the diode can be isolated from the N+ active region in the N well by using dummy MOS gate, SBL, or STI isolations. If the resistive element is an interconnect fuse based on CMOS gate material, the resistive element can be coupled to the P+ active region by an abutted contact such that the element, active region, and metal can be connected in a single rectangular contact. |
| US08929118B2 |
Stacked memory device having inter-chip connection unit, memory system including the same, and method of compensating for delay time of transmission line
A stacked semiconductor memory device is provided which includes a first memory chip including a first transmission line, a second transmission line, and a logic circuit configured to execute a logic operation on a first signal of the first transmission line and a second signal of the second transmission line. The stacked semiconductor memory device further includes a second memory chip stacked over the first memory chip, an inter-chip connection unit electrically coupled between the second memory chip and the first transmission line of the first memory chip, and a dummy inter-chip connection unit electrically coupled to the second transmission line of the first memory chip and electrically isolated from the second memory chip. |
| US08929116B2 |
Two phase search content addressable memory with power-gated main-search
Low leakage CAMs and method of searching low leakage CAMs. The method includes performing a pre-search and compare on a small number of pre-search bits with pre-search CAM cells powered to normal voltage levels at all times while the main-search CAM cells are powered to a lower voltage level. Only if a match is detected on the pre-search bits are the main-search CAM cells powered-up to normal voltage levels and the search of the main-search bits activated. The main-search CAM cells are powered to normal voltage levels during read and write operations. |
| US08929115B2 |
XY ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) cell and array
A ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) is formed by TCAM cells that are arranged in an array. Each TCAM cell includes a first and second SRAM cells and a comparator. The SRAM cells predominantly in use have a horizontal topology with a rectangular perimeter defined by longer and shorter side edges. The match lines for the TCAM extend across the array, and are coupled to TCAM cells along an array column. The bit lines extend across the array, and coupled to TCAM cells along an array row. Each match line is oriented in a first direction (the column direction) that is parallel to the shorter side edge of the horizontal topology layout for the SRAM cells in each CAM cell. Each bit line is oriented in a second direction (the row direction) that is parallel to the longer side edge of the horizontal topology layout for the SRAM cells in each CAM cell. |
| US08929112B2 |
Circuit arrangement having a boost converter, and inverter circuit having such a circuit arrangement
An inverter circuit contains a first and second DC sources for providing a DC voltage, a common boost converter for boosting the DC voltage, an intermediate circuit capacitor connected between the outputs of the common boost converter, and an inverter for converting the DC voltage provided by the capacitor into an AC voltage. The common boost converter contains a series circuit having a first inductance and a first rectifier element and is connected between an output of the first DC source and one side of the intermediate circuit capacitor as well as a series circuit which includes a second inductance and a second rectifier element and is connected between an output of the second DC source and another side of the intermediate circuit capacitor. The common boost converter further contains a common switching element formed by at least two circuit-breakers which are connected between the first and second DC sources. |
| US08929109B2 |
Double-output half-bridge LLC serial resonant converter
The present invention relates to a double-output half-bridge LLC serial resonant converter, comprising: a half-bridge rectifying unit, a first resonant unit, a first transformer unit, a first rectifying unit, a first output unit, a second resonant unit, a second transformer unit, a second rectifying unit, a second output unit, a voltage dividing unit, a voltage regulating unit, a light-coupling isolation unit, and a control unit. In the present invention, the double-output half-bridge LLC serial resonant converter has an inventive circuit framework, which can not only solve the unbalance load current and the output voltage cross regulation occurred in the conventional double-output convertor, but also normally modulate the no-load or light-load output voltage; therefore the output voltage deviation can be effectively controlled. |
| US08929107B2 |
Active surge protection in a power supply
A surge protection module is disclosed. An example surge protection module includes a first terminal coupled to a first output terminal of a rectifier of a power supply. A second terminal is coupled to a first input terminal of a switching converter of the power supply. A third terminal is coupled to a second output terminal of the rectifier and a second input terminal of the switching converter. A variable resistance circuit is coupled between the first and second terminals. A control circuit is coupled between the first and third terminals and coupled to control the variable resistance circuit. A resistance of the variable resistance circuit is responsive to a magnitude of a voltage between the first and third terminals. |
| US08929106B2 |
Monotonic pre-bias start-up of a DC-DC converter
The power conversion module includes a power converter coupled to provide a DC output voltage from an input voltage source. The power converter may have primary and secondary stages, and the power converter may also provide a DC output voltage that is electrically isolated from the input voltage source. Additionally, the power conversion module also includes a voltage controller configured to measure a pre-bias value of the output voltage prior to start-up of the power converter and provide a start-up control signal, wherein the start-up control signal corresponds to an initial output voltage that is greater than the pre-bias value of the output voltage. The initial output voltage includes a start-up voltage margin above the pre-bias value and is maintained for a margin hold time. A method of operating a power conversion module is also provided. |
| US08929105B2 |
Power source circuit
In a power source circuit including a switching circuit 8 as a power conversion circuit for converting by a switching operation at least one of a frequency and a voltage of an alternating voltage from an alternating power source 2 via a pair of supply lines 3 and 4, one supply line 3 includes a fuse 5 as an excess current protection element, and between a ground line 10 and one supply line 3, a first line bypass capacitor 6 is connected. Between the ground line 10 and another supply line 4, a second line bypass capacitor 7 is connected, and another supply line 4 includes an inductor 9. With this configuration, an unbalanced state of the circuit due to the excess current protection element is reduced so as to restrain the common mode noise. |
| US08929103B2 |
Integrated magnetics with isolated drive circuit
A switch-mode power converter includes a power isolation transformer and a drive transformer having their various windings collectively wound on a magnetic core having a center leg and outer legs. A primary winding and one or more secondary windings of the power transformer are wound on the center leg, and first and second windings of the drive transformer are wound on an outer leg. A primary control circuit controls one or more primary switches to supply the input voltage to the primary winding. A secondary control circuit controls secondary switches connected between the secondary windings and a load. Another control circuit controls operation the primary and secondary control circuits based at least in part on a feedback signal. The drive transformer windings are further configured to provide isolation between the primary control circuit and the synchronous rectifier control circuit. |
| US08929099B2 |
Bi-directional DC/DC converter and battery testing apparatus with converter
A bi-directional DC/DC converter includes at least one module having a module input for providing a bi-directional module input current, and a module output with an output inductor for providing a bi-directional module output current. A transformer has a primary winding wound around a transformer core and connected to the module input, and a secondary winding wound around the core and connected to the module output. A primary set of switches is connected in an H-bridge configuration between the module input and the primary winding. And, a secondary set of switches is connected in an H-bridge configuration between the module output and the secondary winding. A current sensing component senses the module output current. A hysteretic control drives the primary set of switches to control flux. The hysteretic control drives the secondary set of switches to control the module output current as a function of the sensed module output current. |
| US08929094B2 |
Power inverter docking system for photovoltaic modules
An electronics module docking system includes docking member removably coupled to a photovoltaic module. The docking system includes a first connector port electrically coupled to one or more photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module is selectively coupleable to the docking member. The docking system includes a housing to enclose an electronics module. The housing may include second connector port that is selectively engageable to the power electronics module. The power electronics module and the photovoltaic cells are electrically coupled to one another upon selective engagement of the connector ports. The inverter housing is receivable by and removably coupleable to the docking member allowing the inverter housing to be removably coupleable to the photovoltaic module. |
| US08929093B2 |
Junction box
Provided is a junction box 10 with an electric circuit formed by laminating a plurality of resinous plates 51, wherein a plurality of pole structures 61 is uprightly formed on a bottom (lower casing 60) of the junction box so as to be located at a position not overlapping the conductive patterns 52 of the laminated plates and to face a direction of penetrating the plates, in which a plurality of insertion holes 53 is formed in the resinous plates 51 so as to allow the pole structures 61 to be inserted therethrough, in which the plurality of pole structures 61 is formed to have different heights, and in which insertion holes 53 are formed in each of the resinous plates 51 so as to allow the pole structures 61 to be inserted therethrough and to match with the heights of the pole structures 61 having different heights. |
| US08929091B2 |
Method of manufacturing a printed circuit board (PCB)
A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board (PCB) having an embedded bare chip includes attaching a tape to one side of an insulated substrate having a penetration hole formed therein, and attaching the bare chip onto the tape inside the penetration hole such that electrode pads of the bare chip face the tape; filling up the penetration hole with a filler, and removing the tape; laminating a metal layer onto a surface of the filler and the insulated substrate from which the tape is removed; and forming electrode bumps by removing portions of the metal layer. The forming of electrode bumps further includes simultaneously removing portions of the metal layer and forming an circuit pattern on one side of the insulated substrate. The circuit pattern is formed directly on the upper side of the insulated substrate and the electrode bumps are formed on the surface of the electrode pads. |
| US08929090B2 |
Functional element built-in substrate and wiring substrate
An object of the present invention is to propose a functional element built-in substrate which enables an electrode terminal of a functional element to be well connected to the back surface on the side opposite to the electrode terminal of the functional element, and which can be miniaturized. According to the present invention, there is provided a functional element built-in substrate including a functional element provided with an electrode terminal on one surface side of the functional element, and a wiring substrate including a laminated structure in which the functional element is embedded so that the electrode terminal of the functional element faces the front surface side of the structure, and which is formed at least in a side surface region of the functional element by laminating a plurality of wiring insulating layers each including a wiring, the functional element built-in substrate being featured in that the electrode terminal and the back surface side of the wiring substrate are electrically connected to each other through the wiring of the laminated structure, and in that, in a pair of the wiring insulating layers included in the laminated structure and that are in contact with each other, the cross-sectional shape of the wiring in each of the wiring insulating layers, which cross-sectional shape is taken along the plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the wiring in the wiring insulating layer, has a relationship that the cross-sectional area of the wiring in the back surface side wiring insulating layer is larger than the cross-sectional area of the wiring in the front surface side wiring insulating layer. |
| US08929088B2 |
Electronic device with motherboard
An electronic device includes a motherboard defining a number of through holes, a bottom wall forming a number of posts, and a fixing member including a fixing body mounted to the bottom wall and a movable body slidably mounted to the fixing body. Each through hole includes a first hole and a second hole communicating with each other. Each post includes a supporting portion, a head, and a neck. The fixing body forms a protrusion. The movable body includes a main portion, a connecting portion connected to the main portion and defining a limiting slot. The heads are extended through the first holes; the necks abut end walls bounding the second holes. The motherboard is sandwiched between the heads and the supporting portions, the protrusion is engaged in the limiting slot, and the main body abuts against an end of the motherboard adjacent to the fixing member. |
| US08929083B2 |
Compound structural frame and method of using same for efficient retrofitting
Supports for plural billboard display modules include one or more structural frames mountable to existing billboard poster panels and other planar structural surfaces; each individual structural frame having a sufficient number of frame cutout areas to minimize frame weight to no greater than fifty pounds for hand lifting and mounting to the poster panels, but not such a sufficient number of frame cutout areas to compromise the structural integrity of the structural frame for resisting wind load forces in excess of 100 pounds per square foot when mounted to the poster panels while supporting the plural billboard display modules; and wherein each structural frame is arranged in an array of structural bay members defined by the cutout areas and visual separation features, the visual separation features facilitating the separating of the array into smaller array configurations, wherein the smallest array is a one bay high by one bay wide configuration. |
| US08929082B2 |
Airline passenger seat modular user interface device
A module carrier unit comprises a plurality of passenger interface modules that perform different functions, the functions including at least one of inputting and outputting information, the modules having a common size, shape, and interface; an outer case portion comprising a plurality of receptacles, each having a common size, shape, and interface designed to receive one of the modules, the plurality of receptacles being such that a first module having a first function is operable in a first receptacle, and a second module having a second function is operable in the first receptacle, the modules being removably connected to the receptacles; and a communications interface that performs at least one of transmitting and receiving data to and from a processor located near a seat of a passenger in the vehicle. |
| US08929081B2 |
Heat dissipating high power systems
An electronic system includes a printed circuit board (PCB), and a heat dissipating element. The PCB includes one or more first electronic components mounted on a first side of the PCB, and one or more second electronic components mounted on a second side of the PCB. The first electronic components have a power consumption that is greater than a threshold and have a height over the first side of the PCB that is higher than any other electronic components mounted on the first side of the PCB. At least one of the second electronic components has a height over the second side of the PCB that is higher than the height of the first electronic components. The heat dissipating element is adjacent to the first electronic components so as to provide a thermal coupling for dissipating heat generated by the first electronic components. |
| US08929078B2 |
Electronic control device
The invention relates to an electronic control device (10) having electronic components (160, 162) on a circuit board (110) which are shielded from electrical and/or magnetic interference fields. According to the invention, an electrically conductive sheet metal part (170) is arranged on the circuit board (110) which forms a Faraday cage for the electronic components (160, 162) with the circuit board. The electrically conductive sheet metal part (170) is furthermore in thermal contact to the electronic components (160, 162) and in thermal contact to the housing (100) of the control device (10) and thereby deflects heat from the electronic components (160, 162) into the housing (100). |
| US08929077B2 |
Thermal connector
A thermal connector for use with a printed circuit board assembly is disclosed. The thermal connector includes a top segment configured for thermal engagement with a heat source disposed on a top surface of a printed circuit board and for insertion through an opening of the printed circuit board to thermally engage the heat source. A middle segment of the thermal connector extends from the top segment and includes a flanged portion configured to engage a bottom surface of the printed circuit board when the top segment is inserted through the opening of the printed circuit board. A bottom segment of the thermal connector extends from the middle segment and is configured for thermal engagement to a heat dissipating element. |
| US08929076B2 |
Heat-dissipation structure and electronic device using the same
A heat-dissipation structure includes a first carbon nanotube layer and a metal mesh layer. The first carbon nanotube layer and the metal mesh layer are stacked on each other. The first carbon nanotube layer includes at least one first carbon nanotube paper. An electronic device applying the heat-dissipation structure is also disclosed. |
| US08929074B2 |
Electronic device assemblies and vehicles employing dual phase change materials
Electronic device assemblies employing dual phase change materials and vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic device assembly includes a semiconductor device having a surface, wherein the semiconductor device operates in a transient heat flux state and a normal heat flux state, a coolant fluid thermally coupled to the surface of the semiconductor device, and a phase change material thermally coupled to the surface of the semiconductor device. The phase change material has a phase change temperature at which the phase change material changes from a first phase to a second phase. The phase change material absorbs heat flux at least when the semiconductor device operates in the transient heat flux state. |
| US08929070B2 |
Electronic equipment and expansion apparatus thereof
An expansion apparatus suitable for an electronic apparatus is provided. The expansion apparatus includes a base, a supporter and an airflow guiding structure. The base has a first fan disposed therein. The supporter is pivoted to the base along a rotating axis and has a cooling channel. The cooling channel has a first port and a second port opposite to the first port. When the electronic apparatus is assembled to the supporter, the second port of the cooling channel faces to the electronic apparatus. The airflow guiding structure is disposed between the supporter and the base movably. When the supporter is pivoted relative to the base to an expanded state, an active airflow generated by the first fan is guided by the airflow guiding structure to pass through the base and the electronic apparatus. An electronic equipment including the expansion apparatus is also provided. |
| US08929068B2 |
Protective enclosure for electronic device
A protective cover for an electronic device that has an interactive control panel and one or more electrical contacts includes a protective shell having first member and a second member. The second member is configured to join with the first case member to at least partially cover the electronic device. An aperture defined by the protective shell is aligned with the interactive control panel when the electronic device is at least partially enclosed by the protective shell. A securing mechanism secures the first member with the second member. An electrical connection attached to the protective shell is configured to connect an electrical source to at least one of the electrical contacts of the electronic device to provide an electrical connection to the electrical source when the electronic device is received by the first member. |
| US08929067B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device including a main body and a connector module is provided. The main body has a central region and a fringe region. A thickness of the central region is greater than a thickness of the fringe region, and the central region has a containing cavity. The connector module is slidably disposed in the containing cavity of the main body, and moves between an operation position and an accommodation position in relative to the main body. |
| US08929066B2 |
Chassis with separate thermal chamber for solid state memory
A chassis for a network storage system contains a first thermal chamber that houses conventional electronic components and a second thermal chamber that houses non-volatile solid state memory such as flash memory. A cooling system keeps the electronics in first thermal chamber below their maximum junction temperature. Meanwhile, a temperature regulating system maintains the solid state memory in the second thermal chamber within a range of a preferred operating temperature selected to extend the lifetime and/or improve the reliability of the solid state memory. Thus, the chassis provides dual zone temperature control to improve performance of the network storage system. |
| US08929064B2 |
Carrier, host, and method of assembling the host
A carrier includes main body, a conductive elastic element, and a handle. The main body is adapted to carrying an electronic device and has a cavity. The conductive elastic element is disposed in the cavity. The handle is pivotally coupled to the main body. When the handle locks the main body to be located in a lock position, the handle exerts force on the conductive elastic element such that the conductive elastic element protrudes outside the main body through the cavity. When the handle does not lock the main body and exert force on the conductive elastic element to be located at a release position, the conductive elastic element is located inside the main body where it does not interfere with an outside device. This allows convenient insertion and removal of the carrier relative to a cage. Accordingly, the conductive elastic element is not damaged easily. |
| US08929063B2 |
Electronic storage medium
A flat electronic storage medium, in particular a USB memory stick which has a fastening facility. The fastening means (1) is integrated into the housing (2) of the storage medium in that the housing (2) has a slit through-opening (3) or a lateral hook-shaped housing extension (11) of a flat side of the housing, the hook end (12) of which extension forms a slit (4) with the housing (2), and each slit of the slit through-opening (3) or slit (4) can be closed off by a pin (5) arranged in a guide (6) such that said pin can slide in the housing (2). |
| US08929062B2 |
Wireless terminal device
A wireless terminal device includes: a conduction and connection module, and a first Printed Circuit Board, PCB, connected to the conduction and connection module, and the wireless terminal device further includes a first conductor, where one of the conduction and connection module and the first PCB is connected to one end of the first conductor through a first capacitance coupling module, and the other one of the conduction and connection module and the first PCB is connected to the other end of the first conductor. Through the foregoing processing, capacitance coupling and grounding between the conduction and connection module and the PCB can be implemented through the first capacitance coupling module. |
| US08929061B2 |
Keyboard lift mechanism for lifting and descending a keyboard and portable electronic device using the same
A keyboard lift mechanism includes a sliding block, a link bar, a hinge assembly, a driving member and a resilient member. The sliding block is slidably disposed inside a lower casing. Both ends of the link bar are pivoted to a keyboard and the sliding block, respectively. The driving member is coupled to the hinge assembly. The resilient member abuts against the lower casing and the sliding block. The resilient member and the driving member drive the sliding block to move in a first direction when the upper casing rotates in a first rotating direction, such that the link bar is driven to rotate the keyboard to a containing position, and drive the sliding block to move in a second direction when the upper casing rotates in a second rotating direction, such that the link bar is driven to rotate the keyboard to an opening position. |
| US08929058B2 |
Fastening device, housing, and electronic device
A fastening device includes a head and a shank. The shank has opposite ends, one end of the shank is connected to the head, and the other end of the shank defines an operating part. The operating part is capable of cooperating with a disassembling tool to enable the fastening device to rotate with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shank. |
| US08929056B2 |
Electronic device having sliding structure
An electronic device of the present invention includes: a first case and a second case that are oppositely provided in a slidable manner; and a flexible flat cable that is provided in a state of having a U-shaped bend portion in a gap between the cases, and connects circuit substrates respectively housed in the cases, on a facing surface of at least one case among facing surfaces of the cases, a step that pushes up the flexible flat cable from the facing surface of the one case to the gap side is provided, and the step is provided in a region of non-contact with the U-shaped bend portion which is displaced in a sliding direction of the cases during sliding operation of the cases. |
| US08929054B2 |
Use of organic and organometallic high dielectric constant material for improved energy storage devices and associated methods
A dielectric material is provided. The dielectric material includes at least one layer of a substantially continuous phase material. The material is selected from the group consisting of an organic, organometallic, or combination thereof in which the substantially continuous phase material has delocalized electrons. |
| US08929053B2 |
Direct-current current transformer
The present invention provides a direct-current current transformer, or DCCT, yielding bandwidth from DC to several MHz. The DCCT according to this invention is a simple, open-loop, device in which flux densities occur at very low levels, avoiding difficulties occasioned by core saturation. |
| US08929051B2 |
Apparatus and method for holding a wafer
An apparatus and a method for holding a wafer are provided in this disclosure. The wafer holding apparatus includes: an electrostatic chuck which has a plurality of zones arranged in a matrix; a plurality of power supply units, each of which is adapted to apply a voltage to the plurality of zones of the electrostatic chuck independently; and a control unit which is adapted to control each of the power supply units independently to start or stop applying the voltage to a corresponding zone of the electrostatic chuck. Surface flatness is improved when the wafer is chucked on the wafer holding apparatus according to the disclosure, and the risk of particles contamination can be reduced when the wafer is flattened and gets back into warpage from flatness. |
| US08929047B2 |
Transient protection at a line interface
A protection circuit provides transient protection to a solid state circuit of a line interface for wired telecommunications media at a voltage level below the power supply of the solid state circuit and prevents transient currents from entering the power supply distribution where they might cause damage to the protected interface and other circuits. The protection circuit uses a MOSFET, the gate of which is provided with a bias derived from a power supply of the solid state circuit being protected. The bias causes the MOSFET to be always on such that the MOSFET provides an immediate and high transconductance path to ground for transient currents from the line interface. |
| US08929041B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection circuit
An integrated circuit for an implantable medical device can include a substrate, a first capacitor, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The first capacitor can include an electrically conductive lower polysilicon terminal and an electrically conductive upper polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the lower polysilicon terminal by a first capacitor dielectric material. The ESD protection circuit can include an ESD shunt transistor and a second capacitor. The ESD shunt transistor can be configured to be normally off, but can be configured to turn on and conduct between first and second power supply rails in response to an ESD event exceeding a specified ESD event threshold value. The second capacitor can includes a first substrate terminal and an electrically conductive second polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the first substrate terminal by a second capacitor dielectric material. |
| US08929040B2 |
ESD protection device for SST transmitter
Aspects of the invention provide for an ESD protection device for an SST transmitter. In one embodiment, the ESD protection device includes: a primary ESD protection structure at an output of the SST transmitter; and an additional protection ESD structure in parallel with a slice of the SST transmitter, the additional ESD protection structure including: a first device in parallel with a pull-up transistor network within the slice; and a second device in parallel with a pull-down transistor network within the slice. |
| US08929035B2 |
Tunnel barrier sensor with multilayer structure
A magnetoresistance effect element having a magnetoresistance effect film and a pair of electrode, the magnetoresistance effect film having a first magnetic layer whose direction of magnetization is substantially pinned in one direction, a second magnetization layer whose direction of magnetization changes in response to an external magnetic field, a nonmagnetic intermediate layer located between the first and second magnetic layers, and a film provided in the first magnetic layer, in the second magnetic layer, at an interface between the first magnetic layer and the nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and/or at an interface between the second magnetic layer and the nonmagnetic intermediate layer. |
| US08929028B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic write head having a laminated trailing return pole
A perpendicular magnetic write head having a laminated trailing return pole structure that reduces magnetic eddy currents in the return pole for improved write head efficiency. The trailing magnetic return pole includes multiple magnetic layers. Each magnetic layer is separated from an adjacent magnetic layer of the return pole by a non-magnetic layer. The non-magnetic layer terminates at a region that is removed from the air bearing surface in order to allow contact between the magnetic layers at the ABS, thereby preventing stray magnetic fields from emitting from the magnetic layers of the write pole. |
| US08929024B1 |
Hard disk drive assembly with field-separable mechanical module and drive control
A system for storing data includes a rack, one or more data storage drive assemblies coupled to the rack, and a data control module coupled to the rack. The data storage drive assemblies include one or more drive mechanical modules configured to store data and one or more drive control modules coupled to the drive mechanical modules. The drive control modules control mechanical operations in the drive mechanical modules. The drive mechanical modules and the associated drive control modules are separable from one another without removing the other module from the at least one data storage drive assembly. |
| US08929023B1 |
Inventory management for automated data storage libraries
In one embodiment, of inventory management for automated data storage libraries, a first subset of data storage cartridges is scanned and extracted from a multi-cartridge deep slot cell and transported to and filled into another multi-cartridge deep slot cell while maintaining tier order of the first subset. A second subset of data storage cartridges is scanned and extracted from the multi-cartridge deep slot cell and returned to its original multi-cartridge deep slot cell while maintaining tier order of the second subset. Other aspects are described herein. |
| US08929022B1 |
Disk drive detecting microactuator degradation by evaluating frequency component of servo signal
A disk drive is disclosed comprising, a head, a disk surface, and a dual stage actuator (DSA) servo loop comprising a voice coil motor (VCM) servo loop comprising a VCM and a microactuator servo loop comprising a microactuator operable to actuate the head over the disk surface. A frequency component of a servo signal in the DSA servo loop is evaluated, wherein the frequency component is based on a peak frequency of an error rejection curve of the DSA servo loop. A degradation of the microactuator is detected based on the frequency component of the servo signal. |
| US08929021B1 |
Disk drive servo writing from spiral tracks using radial dependent timing feed-forward compensation
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of spiral tracks, wherein each spiral track comprising a high frequency signal interrupted at a predetermined interval by a sync mark. An offset r0 representing a difference between an axial rotation of the disk and an axial rotation of the spiral tracks is estimated. Radial dependent timing compensation values are generated in response to the estimated r0. A phase error is generated in response to the sync marks in the spiral track crossings. A control signal is generated in response to the phase error and the radial dependent timing compensation values, and a frequency of an oscillator is adjusted in response to the control signal. |
| US08929017B2 |
Systems and methods for SNR measurement using equalized data
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing system is discussed that includes: an equalizer circuit, a signal to noise ratio calculation circuit, and a parameter adjustment circuit. The equalizer circuit is operable to equalize a data input to yield an equalized output. The signal to noise ratio calculation circuit is operable to calculate a signal to noise ratio of the equalized output based at least in part on a noise power derived from the equalized output. The parameter adjustment circuit is operable to adjust a parameter based at least in part on the signal to noise ratio. |
| US08929016B2 |
Heater assembly and method of heating
A magnetic recording head includes a magnetic writer comprising a main write pole and a return write pole. The magnetic recording head includes a write heater assembly comprising at least one first heater subassembly and at least one second heater subassembly. At least part of the magnetic write head is disposed between the first heater subassembly and the second heater subassembly. When the first heater subassembly, the second heater subassembly, and the magnetic writer are energized, a variation in the thermal protrusion of the head media interface of the magnetic recording head may be less than about 20 nm along the down track and/or cross track directions. |
| US08929013B1 |
Storage system with pattern dependent write
A storage system with pattern dependent write includes a magnetic write head, a magnetic storage medium, a read channel operable to process write data to be recorded on the magnetic storage medium by the magnetic write head, and a preamplifier operable to receive the write data and an associated clock from the read channel, to generate a pattern dependent write control signal based on a pattern in the write data and on the clock, and to set a write current level through the magnetic write head to a number of different current levels based on the pattern dependent write control signal. |
| US08929010B1 |
Systems and methods for loop pulse estimation
A data processing system includes a digital data input operable to receive digital data, a digital data values input operable to receive values of the digital data, a loop pulse response estimation circuit operable to calculate a loop pulse response based on the digital data and the values of the digital data and based at least in part on past values of the loop pulse response, and a scaling circuit operable to scale the loop pulse response based at least in part on an absolute sum of the loop pulse response to yield a scaled loop pulse response. |
| US08928995B2 |
Lens barrel and imaging device
The imaging device includes a lens barrel, which itself includes a first frame, a second frame rotatably supported by the first frame, a lens mount including a contact face that comes into contact with the main body of a camera body, and a linking portion for linking the lens mount and the first frame on the outside of the contact face, with at least part of the second frame being disposed between the linking portion and the contact face along the optical axis direction; and an imaging element for converting an optical image formed by the lens barrel into image data. |
| US08928992B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a third lens unit and a fourth lens unit that includes a 41 lens group and a 42 lens group. The 41 lens group includes a 411 lens group and a 412 lens group. A lens surface on a most image side of the 411 lens unit has a shape convex to the image side and a lens surface on the most object side of the 412 lens unit has a shape concave to the object side. A curvature radius r411 of the lens surface on the most image side of the 411 lens unit, a curvature radius r412 of the lens surface on the most object side of the 412 lens unit, and lateral magnification β3w of the third lens unit at a wide-angle end are respectively appropriately set. |
| US08928988B1 |
Monocentric imaging
Methods and systems are provided to enable the capture of large (e.g., Gigapixel) images with high image quality using optical imaging systems that have a small form factor. The disclosed systems can be manufactured in a cost effective fashion, and can be readily assembled, aligned, tested and utilized. One such system comprises a monocentric primary optics section that includes one or more surfaces adapted to form a symmetrical arrangement around a common point of origin. The system also includes a secondary optics section that includes a plurality of secondary optics subsections, where each secondary optics subsection can intercept at least a portion of the light collected by the monocentric primary optics section. The combination of the primary optics section and the secondary optics section is adapted to form an image. |
| US08928984B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes an image forming device, a collimating optical system, and an optical device. The optical device includes a light guide plate, a first deflecting member that deflects light incident on the light guide plate, and a second deflecting member that deflects the light, which propagates in the light guide plate by total reflection, a plurality of times. The first and second deflecting members are provided in the light guide plate. Light having one wavelength emitted from at least one pixel satisfies the following condition: 2t·sin θ−2≦WY≦2t·sin θ+2 where an axial direction of the light guide plate is the Y-direction, WY prepresents the width in the Y-direction of the light incident on the light guide plate, t represents the thickness of the light guide plate, and θ represents the total reflection angle. |
| US08928982B2 |
Wafer lens, laminated wafer lens, wafer lens cutting method and laminated wafer lens cutting method
A laminated wafer lens includes a wafer lens and a spacer substrate bonded to each other. The wafer lens includes a resin section provided on a surface of a glass substrate. The resin section includes lens portions and interval portions, each interval portion provided between adjacent lens portions. The spacer substrate has openings at positions corresponding to the respective lens portions. The lens portions are arrayed in row and column directions in a matrix fashion. The interval portions include first and second interval portions, the second interval portion longer than the first interval portion. The spacer substrate includes interval portions each of which is provided between adjacent openings. The interval portions include third and fourth interval portions corresponding to the first and second interval portions, respectively, the fourth interval portion being longer than the third interval portion. |
| US08928973B2 |
Microscope apparatus for phase image acquisition
A microscope apparatus includes a condenser lens to make an illuminating electromagnetic wave relatively homogeneous, a first beam splitter splitting the illuminating electromagnetic wave after the condenser lens, a movable reflector module, a second beam splitter, an objective lens to project the illuminating electromagnetic wave propagating after an object to be observed toward an observing device. The object is loaded between the first beam splitter and the second beam splitter. The microscope apparatus is configured to split the illuminating electromagnetic wave into two paths at the first beam splitter. A first path goes through the first and the second beam splitters, and a second path goes through the movable reflector module to rejoin the first path at the second beam splitter. The microscope apparatus is configured acquire phase images with interferences of the electromagnetic wave from the two paths with at least two distance settings of the movable reflector module. |
| US08928972B2 |
Reflective optical element for EUV lithography
A stress-reduced reflective optical element for a working wavelength in the soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet wavelength range includes a first multilayer system (4) of at least two alternating materials (41, 42) having different real parts of the refractive index at the working wavelength on a substrate (2), which exerts a layer stress on the substrate (2), and comprising a second multilayer system (6) of at least two alternating materials (61, 62) on a substrate (2), which exerts an opposed layer stress on the substrate (2) and is arranged between the first multilayer system (4) and the substrate (2), wherein one of the materials (61) of the second multilayer system (6) is nickel-vanadium-silicon, and wherein the ratio (G) of the overall thickness of nickel-vanadium-silicon layers (61) within one period (60) of the second multilayer system (6) to the overall thickness of the period (60) of the second multilayer system (6) is at least 0.25. |
| US08928970B2 |
Single-display color 3D method and apparatus
A method of stereoscopic image formation that includes some or all of the following steps: generating a laser beam, switching the laser beam alternately between a path that includes a stimulated-Raman-scattering optical fiber and a path that does not include a stimulated-Raman-scattering optical fiber, and filtering the output of the stimulated-Raman-scattering optical fiber to reduce the residual non-stimulated-Raman-scattering light. |
| US08928966B1 |
Electrochromic polyelectrolyte gel medium having improved creep resistance and associated electrochromic device
An electrochromic device including a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: at least one solvent; at least one anodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and a creep resistant crosslinked polyelectrolyte gel matrix. |
| US08928963B2 |
Light scanning device and display apparatus
Provided is a light-scanning device may be designed to have a high resonance frequency and a large scanning angle. A mirror unit vibrates by using an arbitrary straight line as a rotation axis. A pair of first beam portions are disposed on a straight line that is parallel to the rotation axis, and support the mirror unit. A pair of second beam portions are disposed so as to be line-symmetrical to the pair of the first beam portions about the rotation axis as an axis of symmetry, and support the mirror unit. A pair of first arm portions respectively support the pair of first beam portions. A pair of second arm portions respectively support the pair of second beam portions. A pair of third beam portions support the mirror unit between the first beam portions and the second beam portions. |
| US08928956B2 |
Illumination system, image reader and image forming device
An illumination system includes a light source unit including light emitting elements arranged in array in a main scan direction to project light beams radially, and an optical guide of a long length made from a translucent material to guide incident beams from an exit surface of the light source unit in a certain direction for output, and including at least one surface with a diffuse structure to diffuse a transmitted beam or a reflected beam among the incident beams, wherein the diffuse structure is configured to diffuse the beam at a center at a larger divergence angle than at ends in the main scan direction. |
| US08928954B1 |
Image reading device and image forming device
Once the number of successive occurrences of document feed errors during execution of fed reading has reached a predetermined number of times, an image reading control portion of the image reading device performs stationary reading in cases in which a stationary-reading document detection portion detects the presence of the document, even when a document set detection portion detects that the document is present. |
| US08928951B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire luminance information of a white reference member by reading the white reference member with an image reading unit including a sensor while rotating the image reading unit in units of a predetermined angle, and a correction unit configured to correct the luminance information acquired by the acquisition unit using a correction coefficient predetermined for each rotation angle of the image reading unit. |
| US08928947B2 |
Image contrast enhancement
A method for contrast enhancement for digital images, including filtering an original image having original color values, to generate a filtered image, receiving parameters for a response curve, the response curve being a function of color value that is user-adjustable, deriving local multipliers by applying the response curve to the filtered image, multiplying the original color values by the local multipliers, thereby generating a contrast-enhanced image from the original image. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described. |
| US08928946B1 |
Image reading device, image forming apparatus, and image reading method
A cover member is openable and closable with respect to a document table, and has a color reference surface facing the document table, and a partial region provided on a color reference surface and having a predetermined density different from a density of the color reference surface. When a document determination portion determines that a document is a book document, a density correction portion corrects a density in a specific density correction range at a central portion in document image data read from a document by a image reading portion, based on a second density difference which is a density difference between a density of the color reference surface read by a reading control portion when a book document is placed on a document placement surface, and a density of the color reference surface read by the image reading portion when the cover member is closed. |
| US08928945B2 |
Printing apparatus, method for creating lookup table, lookup table, printing method, and printed matter
A printing apparatus for performing printing with the use of a special gloss material and a coloring material is provided. The printing apparatus includes: an inputting unit that receives or acquires image data as an input; and a printing unit that controls the arrangement of the special gloss material and the coloring material on a print target medium on the basis of the inputted image data to print the image data. The printing unit changes the amount of use of the special gloss material depending on an index value that is related to the lightness of a color represented by the coloring material. |
| US08928944B2 |
Document assembly and automated contextual form generation
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and computer program products for displaying one or more pages of a first document in a first region on a user interface; displaying thumbnail images of the one or more pages of the first document in a second region on the user interface; receiving user input for inserting one or more pages from a non-digitized second document into the first document; and in response to the user input, digitizing the one or more pages of the non-digitized second document using a document scanning device, and inserting the one or more pages of the digitized second document into the first document, wherein the inserted pages are displayed as part of the first document on the user interface. |
| US08928933B2 |
Information processing apparatus for generating printing data by different methods, computer readable recording medium and method of controlling the information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes a printing setting reception part generating setting information from printing settings when a printing request is given by an application; an image processing part converting document data obtained from the application into printing data for a printer based on the setting information; and a determination part determining whether the application having called the image processing part is a specific application, by determining at least one of whether the setting information includes specific application information described by the application and whether the specific application information is included in an argument of a function for calling the image processing part. When it has been determined that the specific application has called the image processing part, the image processing part generates the printing data by a method different from a method of a case of having been called by an application other than the specific application. |
| US08928932B2 |
System and method for creating multi-formatted documents via an online portal
An on-line portal enables users in multiple locations to concurrently create varied marketing campaign materials by way of singular proxy templates. The user selects a promotion from predetermined approved location/client list. If the promotional document type contains a proxy template, the user may edit the proxy template, and link the proxy template to multiple documents such that edits to the proxy template are referenced by the linked documents and thus are concurrently built based on pre-approved rules governing the formats for the linked documents. The user is allowed to preview the documents for completeness and/or accuracy, and if acceptable may be placed into a shopping cart for checkout or order placement. |
| US08928928B2 |
Blog processing
The invention proposes a method for producing a printed product, in which a printed product, preferably produced in a forme-bound high-capacity printing process, in the form of a main product (2) or a subproduct is provided with an identification means which comprises a piece of individualizable product-specific information. At least two downstream individualization steps are performed, wherein the identification means allow the piece of information which is to be added in the at least two further downstream individualization steps to be associated with the respective product. Preferably, the new addressee-specific digital printed product comprises blog articles, preferably in the form of a blog insert, which is in turn preferably produced using digital printing. Identification means, for example in the form of ID tags (4, 4′), comprise not only the product-specific identification information but preferably also control information (31-36) which can be read by sensors on the handling devices (7-12) and hence directly control the handling of the respective product by this at least one handling device (7-12) and, in cooperation with inspection codes on the subproducts to be supplied, allow the correct supply to be inspected. The present invention also allows uninterrupted compilation of product packages for postal dispatch by virtue of the product sequence in the course of the conveying line comprising, at least in sections, a recurring succession of a respective one or more intermediate products partly individualized on an addressee-specific basis and at least one, preferably a plurality of, non-individualized standard intermediate products. |
| US08928927B2 |
Image forming apparatus that buffers data in a storage device and reduces delays in process
An image forming apparatus includes a processor, and a storage controller that writes band data to a storage device and reads the band data. The processor: (a) generates a write-side process and a read-side process; (b) generates a write-side thread by the write-side process; (c) generates a read-side thread and a file read thread by the read-side process; (d) notifies the read-side process of an identifier within the storage device, and causes the storage controller to sequentially write the band data; and (e) requests the file read thread to cause the storage controller to sequentially read out the band data corresponding to the identifier and causes the storage controller to sequentially read out the band data and one or more subsequent band data. |
| US08928922B2 |
Printing system
A printing system includes an allotment device, spooling devices, interpretation devices, and a print controller. The allotment device allots pages of print data to the interpretation devices in a distributed manner in a predetermined order without regard to a print output order corresponding to an imposition designation. The interpretation devices interpret the allotted pages to generate interpretation result data, and each cause a spooling device corresponding to that interpretation device to store the generated interpretation result data. The print controller acquires reference information indicating which spooling device stores the interpretation result data corresponding to each page and output order information indicating the print output order, acquires the interpretation result data for each page from the spooling device storing the interpretation result data for that page in the print output order, and imposes page image data based on the acquired interpretation result data in accordance with the imposition designation. |
| US08928918B2 |
Method and apparatus for uploading a rejected print job request to an alternative location
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for uploading a rejected print job request to an alternative location are disclosed. For example, the method receives a print job request in a managed print environment, determines that the print job request violates a rule for printing in the managed print environment, displays a print job pop-up dialogue that indicates that the print job request has been rejected, wherein the print job pop-up dialogue provides one or more alternative locations to upload the print job request, receives a selection of one of the one or more alternative locations to upload the print job request, converts the print job request into an electronic document and uploads the electronic document to the one of the one or more alternative locations that was selected. |
| US08928917B2 |
Method and system for wirelessly activating or deactivating features that are safety issues associated with a mobile multi-function device user interface
A system and method for wirelessly activating or deactivating features that are safety issues associated with a mobile multi-function device user interface based on user proximity. A mobile telecommunication device configured with a mobile multifunction device user interface can be paired with a multifunction device utilizing a wireless communication link (e.g., Bluetooth). A proximity detection mechanism with respect to the wireless communication link can be configured in association with the mobile telecommunication device to set a user proximity range. A permanently disabled feature due to safety concerns can be automatically enabled when the mobile user interface device is within the programmed range. The features can be automatically disabled if the mobile user interface device is out of range. Such an approach controls the device functionality based on the user proximity for correct and safe operation of the device. |
| US08928916B2 |
Display device, portable terminal, control method for display device, and program product
A display device which performs previewing of print data for printing an image on a tape including: a division data generating unit for dividing the print data into N parts and thus generates N division data (where N is an integer that is greater than or equal to 1); and a previewing unit for loading a target division data including a target area of the previewing, of the N division data, into a work area and sequentially reads out the division data from the work area, thus performing the previewing; wherein the division data generating unit decides a value of the N in accordance with a tape width of the tape and a tape length in the case where the print data is printed. |
| US08928915B2 |
Image communication apparatus
An image communication apparatus configured to communicate with a server on a network, and configured to communicate with at least one external apparatus through a public network, includes: a destination receiving unit receiving a designation of a destination; a reading unit reading a document; a first generating unit generating first image data based on the document read by the reading unit; a first transmitting unit transmitting the first image data generated by the first generating unit to the server; a transmission-data generating unit generating transmission data including access information and second image data having a smaller amount of data than that of the first image data, the access information being for acquiring the first image data from the server, and a second transmitting unit configured to transmit the transmission data generated by the transmission-data generating unit, to the destination through the public network. |
| US08928913B2 |
Method for switching service process and media server
The present invention discloses a method for switching service process and a media server, wherein the method for switching the service process comprises: after a first service process performed together with a facsimile terminal is completed, and when a message, which is sent by an application server and which indicates to carry out a second service process, is received by a media server, the media server switching from the first service process to the second service process; and the facsimile terminal switching from the first service process to the second service process. Therefore, the switching of the facsimile is not limited by the switching control requirements of the media gateway, which is favorable for flexible expansion and interconnection of the facsimile services. |
| US08928912B2 |
Printing control device, image forming system and computer readable medium storing program
A printing control device includes units that: distribute received image data page by page, perform image processing for converting the image data distributed by page into print data, and control output in accordance with a plurality of image output sections, and control the output processing of each of the plurality of the image output sections based on the print data generated by the image processing, when aggregate printing where images of a plurality of pages are merged into one image is executed. The image data is distributed so that the image data is subjected to the image processing by a single image processing unit. The plurality of the output control units generate print data in a plurality of pages by combining the plurality of page print data transferred from the image processing units, and transmit the generated print data to the image output sections corresponding to the output control units. |
| US08928911B2 |
Fulfillment utilizing selected negotiation attributes
In one embodiment, a fulfillment request is received. A solution set comprising a plurality of fulfillment solutions is determined. The solution set, including values for fulfillment solutions according to a plurality of negotiation attributes, is presented. Selection of a negotiation attribute to be prioritized is invited. The solution set is redetermined according to a selected negotiation attribute. A redetermined solution set is presented. The fulfillment request is fulfilled according to a solution selected from the redetermined solution set. |
| US08928910B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and computer readable medium for indicating a last page and blank pages in bookbinding printing
A user efficiently prints a book as desired during the generation of a job. When a form is assigned a flag indicating a last page of the book, a page containing the form assigned the flag is set as the last page of the book and is added to a number of pages that have already been drawn to calculate the total number of pages, and the number of blank pages necessary to place the page containing the form assigned the flag on the last page of the book is determined. |
| US08928908B2 |
Multifunction peripheral (MFP) and a method for restricting use thereof
A multifunction peripheral (MFP) and a method for restricting the use of the same. A user ID and a password are registered according to a user's input, accessible functions are set according to the registered user, and even the authenticated user is restricted to using only the set functions. Therefore, use of the MFP and specific functions of the MFP can be restricted according to the particular registered user. |
| US08928906B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing a print job
An approach is provided for securing a print job. The approach involves determining a source of content of a requested print job. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, the requested print job to be designated as a secure print job based, at least in part, on the source of content of the requested print job. Examples of a source of content may include any of an application or a website. |
| US08928902B1 |
Monochrome printing system and method for multiple data channels of electrophotographic color printers
A method and apparatus for faster monochrome printing in an in-line electrophotographic printer is described. The printer is configured such that it has more light emitting sources for use in an image transfer assembly for black than for image transfer assemblies for any other color in the printer. When printing a color print job, less than all of the light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly are used. A print controller directs print data for a monochrome print job to all of the available light emitting sources in the black image transfer assembly and increases the print medium transport speed. The system and method may be configured to operate with dedicated data channels for each light emitting source or may share some data channels for monochrome and color print jobs. |
| US08928901B2 |
Generating an image profile LUT for a N-color marking device via multi-objective cost minimization
What is disclosed is a method for profile LUT construction which uses a cost function to provide improvements to one or more image quality attributes present in printed images while imposing constraints in terms of color accuracy and spectral response to achieve a color match under various illuminants. Image quality attributes are selected. A reference profile is selected. For each node, candidate recipes are found which reproduce L*a*b* colors within a threshold em. Recipes are pruned to a subset containing recipes where a spectral difference between a predicted spectra corresponding to N color levels and a reference reflectance spectra corresponding to a spectra of a recipe produced by the reference profile, is less than a threshold. A cost function is computed and a recipe identified which minimizes the cost for this node. The process repeats for all nodes to produce a new profile LUT. |
| US08928900B2 |
Operation console, image processing apparatus and display method for displaying ten keys or preview image with higher priority
In order to provide an operation console having superior operability and visibility, a touch-panel display includes a display panel displaying a copy mode basic screen image with virtual keys, and a touch-panel receiving an input operation to the virtual keys. On the copy mode basic screen image, a group of virtual ten keys for inputting the number of copies are displayed. When image data is input by a document reading unit, the touch-panel display causes a preview image based on the image data to be displayed with higher priority than the group of virtual ten keys, in the copy mode basic screen image. |
| US08928898B2 |
Image forming apparatus includes a transport guide member and a detection mechanism
An image forming apparatus includes a transport guide member, and a detection mechanism. The transport guide member guides a recording medium. The detection mechanism detects presence or absence of the recording medium. An actuator portion of the detection mechanism includes a shaft portion and a detection portion configured to swing about the shaft portion when abutting the recording medium. A first guide rib of the transport guide member is provided with a notch portion through which the shaft portion penetrates. The shaft portion is provided with a second guide rib configured to close an opening of the notch portion viewed from an axis direction of the shaft portion. |
| US08928896B2 |
Object dimensioning system and related methods
A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing an object. A platform with a surface is used for supporting an object. A user selects between two different dimensioning devices of the apparatus. The first device employs three distance sensors to determine a distance between each of the distance sensors and a side of an object. The second device includes a movable gate which is passed over and about an object or objects on the platform. Sensor arrays, such as paired, aligned light emitter and receiver arrays, are used in combination with a plurality of sensed gate positions to determine the dimensions of the objects(s) as the gate passes around the object(s) based on whether or not light from an emitter on one side of the gate reaches a light receiver on another, opposing side of the gate. |
| US08928895B2 |
Auto focus system for reticle inspection
Methods and apparatus relating to the inspection of photomasks are described. In an embodiment, an inspection tool may be automatically focused on a reticle utilizing various topographic mapping techniques. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08928894B2 |
Optical sensor
A method for optically monitoring an object within a monitoring area includes transmitting light rays with a light transmitting unit that form a line of light on the object. The line of light reflected from the object is imaged on an array of receiving elements that detects the reflected line of light and produces receiving element signals that correspond to measuring points on the object. The receiving element signals are evaluated to structure a distance profile of the object using a triangulation principle. The evaluating includes generating at least one evaluation window which covers in a first direction a local region extending along the line of light and in a second direction a distance range, and using the measuring points located farthest outside within the evaluation window for a left limit point and a right limit point for determining object data. |
| US08928888B2 |
Swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT) method and system
A method and apparatus are provided for a swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system utilizing a fast scanning mechanism in the sample arm and a slowly swept light source. The position data is collected rapidly while the wavelength of the source is swept slowly. The system reduces the sweep speed requirements of the light source enabling higher power, greater imaging range, and linear sweeps of the source frequency. The OCT components (or most of them) may be implemented within a hand held imaging probe. In operation, a triangulation scan may be used to orient the imaging probe with respect to a fixed coordinate system; preferably, OCT data captured by the device is then transformed to that same orientation with respect to the fixed coordinate system to improve the scanning results. |
| US08928887B2 |
Characteristic parameters of cells and tissue from quantitative phase imaging
Methods mapping a characteristic parameter of a specimen, such as a scattering mean free path and a scattering anisotropy factor, based on a quantitative phase shift measurement. The methods have steps of using spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) to determine a quantitative phase shift as a function of position in a sample, and applying a generalized scatter-phase transformation to derive at least one of a scattering mean free path (MFP), a scattering anisotropy factor, and a thickness-independent parameter as a function of position in the sample. In some cases, the sample may be a slice of tissue or a cell. |
| US08928886B2 |
Surface measuring device having two measuring units
An apparatus for determining optical properties of materials including a first measuring device having a first radiation device which directs radiation onto the material under a first specified angle of radiation and a first radiation detection device which is located under a first angle of reception with respect to the material, and a second measuring device which includes a second radiation device which directs radiation onto the material under a second specified angle of radiation and a second radiation detection device which is located at a second angle of reception with respect to the material and allows a locally resolved evaluation of the radiation incident thereon and emits at least one second characteristic signal which is characteristic of the radiation incident on the second radiation detection device. |
| US08928880B2 |
Tuned dynamic eigen spectroscopy systems
An apparatus for detecting gas concentrations includes a coded filter to oscillate proximate a resonant frequency. A photo detector is positioned below the coded filter such that the coded filter selectively blocks light that is directed at the photo detector. Optics are positioned to project spectral information on to the coded filter. A processor analyzes a signal received from the photo detector. The processor is adapted to weight a harmonic attic signal. |
| US08928876B2 |
Cell counting and sample chamber and methods of fabrication
The invention generally relates to analytical and monitoring systems useful for analyzing and measuring cells and biological sample. More particularly, the invention relates to a unique cell counting chamber, e.g., a thin gap fluidic cell chamber for both bright field and fluorescent imaging of bacteria or parasites, and methods for making the same. |
| US08928870B2 |
Lens meter
A lens meter includes a measurement optical system having a light source, measurement target plate, and light receiving sensor. A lens table has an opening where a measurement optical axis of the measurement optical system passes. A frame support member includes a support plate that contacts a left rim and right rim of a spectacle frame. The support plate is moved toward the lens table by a guide mechanism. The frame support member further includes a cutout portion in the support plate that allow the lens, placed on the lens table, to measure a point near an edge of the lens located on the support plate side. A pad contacts and prevents the rim from entering the cutout portion. The pad is provided in at least a part of the cutout portion. A pad moving mechanism moves the pad from the contact surface. |
| US08928868B2 |
Optical fiber line characteristic analysis apparatus and analysis method thereof
A test pulse is generated from a first and a second test light beam pulse with different wavelengths, with a predetermined time difference applied between the first and the second test light beam pulse. A circulator inputs the test pulse to a trunk fiber of a measurement target fiber line. A reflected light is extracted which is output from an input end of the trunk fiber. A filter extracts stimulated Brillouin backscattered light. A receiver receives and converts the scattered light into an electrical signal. A processing device carries out the signal to determine in which of N branched fibers the stimulated Brillouin scattered light is generated, while varying a time difference between the first and the second test pulse. |
| US08928866B2 |
Velocity measuring device and method
A velocity measuring device emitting a laser beam at a web; a photodiode converting an optical output of the laser into an electric signal; a laser driver operating the laser to alternate a first emitting interval wherein the oscillating wavelength increases and a second emitting interval wherein the oscillating wavelength decreases; a current-voltage converting/amplifying portion converting the electric current from the photodiode into a voltage; a filter portion removing a carrier wave from the output of the current-voltage converting/amplifying portion; a signal extracting portion calculating a number of interference waveforms in the output of the filter portion; and a calculator calculating the velocity of the web based on the result of the extracting portion. The laser driver operates so the absolute values for the rates of change, in respect to time, of the oscillating wavelengths during the first emitting interval and during the second emitting interval are different. |
| US08928862B2 |
Device and method for non-contacting measurement of a distance and/or profile
The invention relates to a device (1) for non-contacting measuring of a distance and/or a profile of a measured object (9), a light source (2) generating an illuminating light beam for illuminating the measured object (9), and a detector (11) being provided for detecting the reflected portion of the illuminating light beam at the measured object (9), characterized with regard to a potentially robust and nevertheless compact sensor construction in that a first optic (13) and a second optic are disposed in the beam path of the illuminating light beam, wherein the illuminating light beam can first be expanded in an expansion plane parallel to the diffusion direction by means of the first optic (13), and then made nearly parallel by means of the second optic. In a particularly preferable embodiment, the second optic is formed by a Fresnel lens (5). A corresponding method is disclosed. |
| US08928849B2 |
Input device and method of manufacturing input device
A method of manufacturing an input device includes a step of bonding a translucent first optical adhesive layer to one surface of a first transparent base so that a part of first lead electrodes is exposed to the outside; a step of disposing a FPC so that a predetermined gap is formed between the FPC and the first optical adhesive layer in plan view, and electrically connecting the FPC to the first lead electrodes exposed to one surface of the first transparent base; a step of bonding a surface member, which forms an input surface, to the first transparent base with the first optical adhesive layer interposed therebetween; and a step of sealing the exposed lead electrodes by injecting a resin into a space between the first transparent base and the surface member facing each other. |
| US08928843B2 |
Liquid crystal display module comprising a transparent media layer interposed between a reflection polarizing plate and an optical sheet
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical unit and a backlight unit which can markedly enhance utilization efficiency of rays of light and dramatically increase luminance, and which are suited for immediate beneath type liquid crystal display modules and the like. The optical unit of the present invention is a rectangular layered structural member having a reflection polarizing plate, an optical sheet superposed on the back face side of the reflection polarizing plate, and a transparent media layer filled between the reflection polarizing plate and the optical sheet. This optical sheet includes a resin substrate film having an optical anisotropy, and the absolute value of the angle of the crystal orientation of the substrate film with respect to the transmission axial orientation of the reflection polarizing plate is π/8 or greater and 3π/8 or less. The retardation value of the substrate film is preferably 70 nm or greater and 320 nm or less. The optical sheet preferably has an optical layer laminated on one face of the substrate film. The liquid crystal display module of the present invention has a liquid crystal display element, the optical unit, and an immediate beneath type backlight. |
| US08928835B2 |
LCD device and its backlight module and back plate assembly
The present invention provides a LCD device, and its backlight module and back plate assembly. The back plate assembly contains a back plate, a blocking rim, a side wall, and a buffering element. The back plate supports the optical member of the backlight module. The blocking rim fixes the optical member jointly with the back plate, and supports a liquid crystal panel. The side wall has a back edge connected with the back plate and a front edge connected with the blocking rim. The buffering element is configured at an edge of the blocking rim that is away from the side wall and attached to the optical member and a liquid crystal panel, respectively. The present invention prevents the optical member and liquid crystal panel from contacting with the blocking rim and thereby being scratched, so as to provide effective protection. |
| US08928833B2 |
Backlight module and LCD device
The present invention discloses a backlight module and an LCD device, comprising: a backplane and an LGP; the edge(s) of the LGP is provided with lug boss(es), each lug boss is provided with a positioning hole, and the backplane is provided with rivet(s) for matching with the positioning hole; a buffer structure is arranged between the rivet and the wall of the positioning hole. In the present invention, because the edge(s) of the LGP is provided with lug boss(es), each lug boss is provided with a positioning hole, the arrangement of the positioning hole does not influence the light guide area of the LGP; meanwhile, because a layer of buffer structure is arranged between the positioning hole and the rivet, the rupture of the part with concentrated stress in the positioning hole during collision is avoided. In addition, when the LGP is expanded with heat, the buffer structure can also avoid the extrusion damage caused by direct extrusion between the LGP and the rivet; when the LGP is contracted with cold, the gap between the LGP and the rivet is increased so that shake is easily caused. The gap between the LGP and the rivet is automatically filled by a buffer part through the elastic regulation of the buffer part. Thus, the shake collision of the LGP is avoided. |
| US08928829B2 |
Display device
A display device comprising a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate and a pixel array is disclosed. The pixel array is disposed on the first substrate and comprises a plurality of pixels. Each pixel comprises a first conductive layer, a semiconductor layer, an electrode layer and a scan line. The first conductive layer is on the first substrate for receiving pixel data signals to the pixels. The electrode layer is disposed between the first and the second substrates. The semiconductor layer is between the first conductive layer and the electrode layer, and has first and second ends. The first end is directly connected to the first conductive layer, and the second end is electrically connected to the electrode layer. The scan line is on the semiconductor layer for receiving a plurality of scan signals to the pixels. |
| US08928827B2 |
Liquid crystal display
An embodiment of this invention provides a liquid crystal display, which comprises a thin-film transistor substrate, an upper substrate, and a liquid crystal between the two substrates. The thin-film transistor substrate comprises data lines, gate lines, and a pixel array defined by the data lines and gate lines, characterized in that each data line connects to two columns of pixel, and another one or two columns of pixel are interposed between the connected two columns of pixel. |
| US08928826B2 |
TFT-LCD array substrate and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) array substrate having a display area and a first thin film transistor (TFT) formed in each sub-pixel area defined by the gate line and data line which are crossed with each other; and a test area including a first test line, a second test line, a testing electrode and a second TFT, and the common electrode line extending to the test area from the display area such that a part of the second test line forms a gate electrode of the second TFT; the source electrode of the second TFT is electrically connected with the first test line; a drain of the second TFT is electrically connected with the common electrode line; and the common electrode line is connected with the testing electrode. |
| US08928825B2 |
Method for ensuring a minimal amplitude modulation in phase-modulating light modulators
The invention relates to a phase-modulating light modulator and to a method for ensuring a minimal amplitude modulation in phase-modulating light modulators, wherein the phase-modulating light modulator comprises an optically active layer with at least one optically active volume region and with boundary surfaces, wherein the optically active layer is assigned at least one transparent compensation volume region which comprises at least one birefringent material with fixed refractive index ellipsoids, and has a polarizer arranged on the output side. An object is to achieve a reduced angle-dependence of the averaged amplitude modulation in the observation angle region. The object is achieved by optimizing the orientation with respect to one another of the refractive index ellipsoids of the optically active layer and of the compensation layers in a simulative manner. |
| US08928816B2 |
Activity recognition method
An activity recognition method, for recognizing continuous activities of several moving objects in the foreground of a video, includes: capturing and processing a training video to get a contour of a moving object; extracting a minimum bounding box of the contour in order to get parameters then transfer to feature vectors; constructing a decision tree model based on support vector machines (SVMs), for classifying the activities of the moving object according to the parameter and the feature vector of the training video; capturing and processing a testing video to get other parameters and using several formulas to generate feature vectors, and executing an algorithm for recognizing the activities of several moving objects in the foreground of the testing video. Said feature vectors are transformed from the parameters that in the testing and training videos. Via above descriptions, the method can recognize activities of foreground objects in the testing video. |
| US08928815B1 |
System and method for outdoor scene change detection
Described is a system for scene change detection. The system receives an input image (current frame) from a video stream. The input image is color conditioned to generate a color conditioned image. A sliding window is used to segment the input image into a plurality boxes. Descriptors are extracted from each box of the color conditioned image. Thereafter, differences in the descriptors are identified between a current frame and past frames. The differences are attenuated to generate a descriptor attenuation factor αi. Initial scores are generated for each box based on the descriptor attenuation factor αi. The initial scores are filtered to generate a set of conspicuity scores for each box, the set of conspicuity scores being reflective of the conspicuity of each box in the image. Finally, the conspicuity scores are presented to the user or provided to other systems for further processing. |
| US08928813B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing structured noise in video
A method of operating a computer system to reduce structured noise in a video is described. Patches in a frame of a sequence of video frames are selected using a modified non-local means (NLM) search algorithm with a reduced search complexity compared to conventional NLM search algorithms. The set of spatial neighboring patches in a frame is extended to include patches in adjacent frames of the video sequence. Patches in the adjacent frames are selected based, at least in part, on a projection of a location of a pixel in the frame into the adjacent frames using a motion estimation algorithm. An average value determined from the combined set of patches is used to replace the pixel currently being processed. |
| US08928811B2 |
Methods and systems for generating ambient light effects based on video content
Methods and systems for producing ambient light effects based on video content are provided. A method of producing an ambient light effect includes providing a receiving device including a processor configured to parse incoming video content and receiving the video content including a plurality of scenes at the receiving device. The method further includes parsing the incoming video content and detecting at least one scene in the video content for association with at least one ambient light effect. The method also includes generating a command specifying at least one ambient light effect to be associated with at least one scene and sending the command from the receiving device to at least one lighting device in communication with the receiving device to generate at least one ambient light effect associated with at least one scene when the scene is displayed to a user. |
| US08928810B2 |
System for combining video data streams into a composite video data stream
A system for controlling interaction with a social networking website is disclosed that provides control and editing features that place a branded participant in any on-line discussion in control of the content of the discussion. In addition, the system provides the ability of the branded participant to display various audio, visual or audio-visual clips on command or automatically so that advertising revenue may be attributed to the branded participant. When creating this branded channel, the system combines the incoming video feeds from participants into a single outgoing data feed in order to conserve bandwidth and to improve system performance. |
| US08928808B2 |
Seamless transition between interlaced and progressive video profiles in an ABR system
A method for seamless transition between interlaced and progressive video profiles may include receiving at a video feeder a stream of video signals for displaying on a display device. The stream of video signals may include segments of one of interlaced fields or progressive video frames. During an interlaced stream, the interlaced fields may be directed to a deinterlacer, and an output of the deinterlacer may be directed to the display device. The output of the deinterlacer may be determined based on previously received interlaced fields from the video feeder. During a transition to a progressive stream, the progressive video frames may be directed to a frame store, and the output of the deinterlacer may be directed to the display device. During a progressive stream, the progressive video frames may be directed to the frame store, and previously stored frames may be directed to the display device. |
| US08928807B2 |
Playback control methods and systems
Playback control methods and systems are provided. At least one picture is obtained. The picture corresponds to a frame, and the picture includes a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region. It is determined whether at least one pixel in the first region has a predefined color, and whether at least one pixel in the second region has the predefined color. When the pixel in the first region has the predefined color and the pixel in the second region does not have the predefined color, the first region is removed, and the second region is enlarged to cover an original position of the first region. The enlarged second region is then played back via an anamorphic lens. |
| US08928805B2 |
Method for improving channel change in a television appliance
It is disclosed a method for changing channel in a television appliance. Upon reception of a user command to tune on a desired channel (301), the television appliance is tuned on the desired channel (302) and audio and video packets are received. Video and audio packets are buffered in relative buffers, so that audio and video output can be generated by processing the buffered packets. Video output frame rate is increased from a first, slower, frame rate to a predetermined final frame rate. Independently from the frame rate increasing law, video output frame rate is raised to the final frame rate as soon as an audio output can be generated from the buffered video packets which is synchronized to the video output. A television appliance implementing the method is also disclosed. |
| US08928804B2 |
Managing encoder parameters for parallel transcoding
Disclosed are various embodiments directed to transcoding a bit stream in parallel. A bit stream may be divided into a plurality of segments, where a plurality of transcoders encode at least a portion of the segments in parallel. If encoding is performed using variable bit rate (BR) encoding, each encoder may encode a segment and vary a BR for the segment. A measured average BR is compared with a target average BR to determine whether to adjust a video quality level (VQL) or any other encoder parameter. A relatively constant subjective quality may be maintained using variable BR encoding while achieving a target average BR. When using constant BR encoding, a VQL or other encoder parameter is used by encoders to achieve relatively constant subjective quality. For example, a relatively continuous quantization parameter between adjacent encoded segments may be achieved. |
| US08928802B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing high dynamic range (HDR) pictures, and exposure apparatuses for use therein
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing dynamic range increase (DRI) or a high dynamic range (HDR) pictures, in which differently exposed individual images are combined by image processing to form an HDR or DRI picture. In order to also allow moving objects to be recorded more easily, and to overcome the restrictions relating to lack of mobility of a recording device, the exposure can be carried out by laser radiation containing wavelengths at different intensities. |
| US08928799B2 |
Imaging device and imaging method to perform autofocus operation to a subject
An imaging device includes an imaging lens, an image sensor to output an image signal in accordance with an image of a subject captured via the imaging lens, a lens driver to move the imaging lens, an autofocus detector to determine a focal point according to image data obtained from the image signal, a point source detector to determine whether or not a subject is a point source subject on the basis of a brightness component included in the image data, and a driving mode setter to change a driving condition of the image sensor when the subject is determined to be a point source subject. |
| US08928797B2 |
Objective optics with interference filter
Optical apparatus includes an image sensor and an optical assembly, which is configured to focus optical radiation via an aperture stop onto the image sensor. The optical assembly includes a plurality of optical surfaces, consisting of a first, curved surface through which the optical radiation enters the assembly, a final surface through which the rays exit the assembly toward the image sensor, and at least two intermediate surfaces between the first and final surfaces. An interference filter, which has a center wavelength and a passband no greater than 4% of the center wavelength, and includes a coating formed on one of the optical surfaces. All rays of the optical radiation passing through the aperture stop are incident on the coating over a range of incidence angles with a half-width that is no greater than three fourths of the numerical aperture of the optical assembly. |
| US08928796B2 |
Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing images
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, managing one or more images, such as those related to an optical system. |
| US08928795B2 |
Backside illumination image sensor and image-capturing device
A backside illumination image sensor that includes a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a read circuit formed on a front surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and captures an image by outputting, via the read circuit, electrical signals generated as incident light having reached a back surface side of the semiconductor substrate is received at the photoelectric conversion elements includes: a light shielding film formed on a side where incident light enters the photoelectric conversion elements, with an opening formed therein in correspondence to each photoelectric conversion element; and an on-chip lens formed at a position set apart from the light shielding film by a predetermined distance in correspondence to each photoelectric conversion element. The light shielding film and an exit pupil plane of the image forming optical system achieve a conjugate relation to each other with regard to the on-chip lens. |
| US08928792B1 |
CMOS image sensor with global shutter, rolling shutter, and a variable conversion gain, having pixels employing several BCMD transistors coupled to a single photodiode and dual gate BCMD transistors for charge storage and sensing
The invention describes a solid-state CMOS image sensor array and discloses image sensor array pixels with global and rolling shutter capabilities that utilize multiple BCMD transistors for a single photodiode, for charge storage and sensing. Thus, the valuable pixel area saved by employing the BCMD transistor for charge storage and sensing is used by placing several BCMD transistors coupled to one photodiode. This increases the Dynamic Range (DR) of the sensor, since the same photodiode can integrate charge for different integration times, both long and short. This allows sensing of two different image signals from a single pixel without saturation, a low level signal with long integration time followed by a high level signal with short integration time. The signal processing circuits located at the periphery of the array can then process these signals into a single Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) output. Further disclosed is an image sensor array with pixels that use BCMD transistors for charge storage and sensing having multiple concentric gates, which allows changing the conversion gain of the BCMD transistors by applying various biases to the gates. Variable conversion gain is a useful feature when building WDR sensors since low conversion gain and high well capacity allows detection of high level signals and the same structure can be used to detect, at the same time, low level signals with high conversion gain and thus low noise. |
| US08928789B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising a plurality of pixels generating a photoelectric conversion signal, a column amplifying unit corresponding to columns of the pixels, for outputting a first and second signals generated by amplifying the photoelectric conversion signal at a smaller first gain and larger second gain respectively, an analog to digital converter (21) for converting the first and second signals from an analog signal to a digital signal, a comparing unit (224) for inputting the digital signal from the analog to digital converter, level-shifting into the same gain level the first and second signals converted by the analog to digital converter, and thereafter detecting a gain error between the level-shifted first and second signals, and a correction unit (226) for correcting the first and second signals based on the gain error. |
| US08928787B2 |
Photographing apparatus and photographing method
An image having good image quality is obtained by discharging charges accumulated in an image pickup device. A photographing apparatus, which includes an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and photographs a subject by light-exposing the image pickup device, includes: a detector for detecting a photographing state of the subject; an operation controller for controlling an operation of a curtain body traveling to block light to the image pickup device; and a scan controller for controlling a light-exposure start scan of the image pickup device by discharging charges accumulated in the image pickup device before the traveling of the curtain body, wherein the scan controller discharges the charges accumulated in the image pickup device a plurality of times according to the photographing state of the subject. |
| US08928786B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus and method of driving the same
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix; a plurality of amplifier circuits each arranged correspondingly to each of columns of the pixels, for amplifying a signal from the pixel; and a current source transistor whose source is supplied with a power source voltage and which supplies the amplifier circuit with a bias current. When the current source transistor is operating in the saturation region, the gate voltage of the current source transistor that is supplied from the bias line is sampled and held. The gate voltage of the current source transistor with respect to the power source voltage is controlled to the sampled voltage, thereby suppressing variation. This suppression can, in turn, suppress occurrence of line noise and a lateral smear due to difference of drop in voltage of a power source line concerning a column circuit on each row. |
| US08928784B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels composed of a photoelectric conversion section and a pixel transistor is arranged; an on-chip color filter; an on-chip microlens; and a multilayer interconnection layer in which a plurality of layers of interconnections is formed through an interlayer insulating film. The solid-state imaging device further includes a light-shielding film formed through an insulating layer in a pixel boundary of a light receiving surface in which the photoelectric conversion section is arranged. |
| US08928781B2 |
Response function determination by rank minimization
A response function of a device may be determined using rank minimization to transform a problem of determining a response function of the device into a framework of a rank minimization problem. A function is identified that minimizes a rank of an observation matrix which includes data of observations obtained by the device. This transformation may be used to determine a response function of the device under various conditions and to determine response functions of different devices in a unified framework. |
| US08928780B2 |
Adjustment method, adjustment apparatus, method of manufacturing optical system, image pickup apparatus, and method of manufacturing image pickup apparatus
An adjustment method of the present invention includes an evaluation step of evaluating an imaging performance of an optical image that is formed via an optical system, a classification step of classifying the imaging performance evaluated in the evaluation step, a restoration step of generating a restored image of the optical image based on a classification of the imaging performance, and an adjustment step of adjusting the optical system using an adjustment unit of the optical system based on the restored image. |
| US08928774B2 |
Image capture apparatus
This invention includes an image sensor in which image forming pixels and focus detecting pixels which receive light beams from the exit pupil of the imaging lens which is partly light-shielded are arranged, the first vertical output line which outputs a signal from the image forming pixel in the vertical direction of the image sensor, a second vertical output line which outputs a signal from the focus detecting pixel in the vertical direction of the image sensor, a vertical addition unit which adds signals from a plurality of image forming pixels in the vertical direction, and a control unit which controls the vertical addition unit to add only signals from image forming pixels excluding focus detecting pixels, when the focus detecting pixels are included in targets for addition in the addition readout mode of making the vertical addition unit add signals from a plurality of image forming pixels. |
| US08928767B2 |
Image processing device, image signal processing chip, and ISP chain configuring method
An image processing device and an ISP chain constructing method are provided which can arbitrarily reconstruct an ISP chain structure. The image processing device is connected to an image sensor, performs a signal process and includes: N (where N is a natural number of equal to or greater than 2) ISP (Image Signal Processing) functional modules that each perform a predetermined image signal process on one, which is determined by an input selection signal, of data output from the image sensor and the other ISP functional modules; and an output module that outputs one, which is determined by an output selection signal, of output data output from the N ISP functional modules as final output data. Accordingly, it is possible to reconstruct an ISP chain even after the ISP chain is embodied as a chip, thereby providing image processing functions optimized for various product applications. |
| US08928761B2 |
Digital camera
A digital single-lens reflex camera that can reduce deterioration in image quality due to a camera shake or an object movement and easily pick up an image with a good image quality. In the digital single-lens reflex camera, when a body microprocessor judges that an object speed detected based on a detected object movement is smaller than a threshold value, a conversion lens camera shake correcting device in a conversion lens or a camera body shake correcting device in a camera body is controlled to carry out camera shake correction. If the object speed is equal to or more than the threshold value, the body microprocessor makes a digital signal gain setting unit high in gain so as to increase the ISO sensitivity or makes a shatter speed faster to set a shorter exposure time and has a plurality of images continuously picked up under different exposure conditions. |
| US08928759B2 |
System and method of implementing a cognitive radio device with enhanced spectrum sensing
A cognitive radio band device uses information gleaned from a database inquiry based on geo-location information in combination with spectrum sensing to determine if cognitive radio channels are available for unlicensed use. |
| US08928757B2 |
Calibration operation device, camera device, camera system and camera calibration method
An object of the present invention is to simplify an operation for calibration of a camera and to shorten a time necessary for the calibration. A camera calibration device 10 includes: a camera 11 configured to take an image including an index 41 provided outside a movable object 100; an image superimposing unit 122 configured to generate a superimposed image by superimposing a calibration object 42 having a first adjustment part 421 indicating a predetermined area and a second adjustment part 422 indicating a predetermined rotation area; and a calculation unit 124 configured to control the image superimposing unit 122 to generate the superimposed image in which the calibration object 42 is shifted based on a shift instruction of the calibration object 42 and to calculate, based on a position of the calibration object 42 after being shifted in the superimposed image such that an end of the index 41 is included in the area of the first adjustment part 421 and the index 41 is positioned in the rotation area of the second adjustment part 422, parameters relative to a pan angle, a tilt angle and a roll angle for calibrating displacement of a mounting position of the camera 11. |
| US08928755B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method
An apparatus includes a setting unit for setting a virtual viewpoint; a determining unit for determining an undefined area in which an object distance cannot be defined in a virtual image of the virtual viewpoint, from image data of a plurality of images photographed by a plurality of photographing units placed at different positions; a correction setting unit for setting an amount of correction of a position of at least one of the photographing units from the undefined area; and a generating unit for generating the image of the virtual viewpoint from image data of a plurality of images photographed by the plurality of photographing units placed at positions that are corrected in accordance with the amount of correction. |
| US08928752B2 |
Recording device with pre-start signal storage capability
A surveillance system uses a flash or other memory to store multiple data streams, each of which includes pre-start signal and post-start signal data. An area of the memory is preferably utilized as a circular buffer, in which a second data stream can be recorded without overwriting a first data stream. Buffers can have sufficient to capacity to capture up to an hour or more of image frames. All suitable methods and apparatus for initiating start and stop signals are contemplated, including for example using a button, toggle or other switch, a verbal or other human interface, and using motion, sound, light or other sensors. It is also contemplated that embodiments can include an interface for altering or otherwise designating a pre-signal size of the recently used segment. Cameras according to present invention can be mounted in any desired manner, including for example in camera boxes, on eyeglasses, and on automobiles or other vehicle. |
| US08928745B2 |
Stereoscopic 3D display device
3D stereoscopic viewing enabled by the use of a fast switching speed LCD panel, dynamic backlight, and low cost glasses. The system utilizes an LCD panel with an LED backlight and wavelength selective glasses to isolate each channel by color. The system is based on alternating left and right image frames on an LCD panel. The left and right frames are illuminated by two slightly different red-green-blue light sources that are synchronized sequentially. The light sources are designed to emit light of different spectral composition. The viewer wears glasses where the left lens or filter passes only the spectrum of light used for the left channel of data, and the right lens or filter passes only the spectrum of light used for the right channel of data. |
| US08928741B2 |
3-D controller system for legacy TV
An apparatus for operating a pair of 3-D glasses to view a 3-D video signal on a TV. The apparatus includes a controller having an input for receiving a 3-D video data stream from a video source, an output for delivering a portion of the 3-D video data stream as a video signal to be displayed on the TV, synchronization programming for reading the 3-D video data stream and obtaining 3-D commands relating to said 3-D video data and a transmitter for wireless transmitting the 3-D commands. The system further includes 3-D glasses having a receiver configured to receive the 3-D command signal, left and right shutters configured to selectively close and open according to the 3-D commands, and a control input configured to calibrate the glasses to the displayed video signal of the TV. |
| US08928740B2 |
Image display device, image display viewing system and image display method
An image display device includes a display panel that periodically displays different images, a shutter control portion that generates timing signals for driving shutters for a right eye and a left eye, in synchronization with the periodical display of the display panel, with respect to glasses for viewing images, the glasses being provided with the shutters for the right and left eye, a backlight that includes a light guide plate of a size corresponding to a display area of the display panel and light sources that are provided on two opposing side faces of the light guide plate and that irradiates the display panel from a rear side of the display panel, and a backlight control portion that causes the respective light sources that are provided on the two opposing side faces to blink at different timings during an opening period of the shutters. |
| US08928739B2 |
Three dimensional image display device
A three dimensional image display device includes a display panel in which at least one of two consecutive left eye images and two consecutive right eye images are inputted, where the two consecutive left eye images are substantially the same as each other, and the two consecutive right eye images are substantially the same as each other, and where gate scanning directions of the two consecutive left eye images are opposite to each other, and gate scanning directions of the two consecutive right eye images are opposite to each other. |
| US08928737B2 |
System and method for three dimensional imaging
A method of operating a camera with a microfluidic lens to identify a depth of an object in image data generated by the camera has been developed. The camera generates an image with the object in focus, and a second image with the object out of focus. An image processor generates a plurality of blurred images from image data of the focused image, and identifies blur parameters that correspond to the object in the second image. The depth of the object from the camera is identified with reference to the blur parameters. |
| US08928730B2 |
Method and system for correcting a distorted input image
A method for correcting a distorted input image includes determining a local region of an image to be displayed and dividing the region into an array of rectangular tiles, each tile corresponding to a distorted tile with a non-rectangular boundary within the input image. For each tile of the local region, maximum and minimum memory address locations of successive rows of the input image sufficient to span the boundary of the distorted tile are determined. Successive rows of the distorted input from between the maximum and minimum addresses are read. Distortion of the non-rectangular portion of the distorted input image is corrected to provide a tile of a corrected output image which is stored. |
| US08928729B2 |
Systems and methods for converting video
According to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus and computer program code for converting 2D video data to 3D video data includes receiving a two dimensional (2D) video feed from a video camera, the feed including a set of image frames, the frames together forming a panorama image, generating a background depth map, extracting for each of the image frames a set of image frame depth maps from the background depth map, generating an updated depth map using the set of image frame depth maps and the background depth map, and rendering an output image, the output image based on the panorama image and the updated depth map, the output image and the panorama image together forming a stereoscopic image pair. |
| US08928727B1 |
Sharing input device data in a multiway video conference provided in an online social network
The subject technology discloses configurations for receiving input device data via an unreliable data channel from a first computing device in which the input device data includes keyboard data, mouse input data and/or touch and gesture data from the first computing device. The subject technology determines a host client computing device among one or more second computing devices in a multiway video conference for receiving the input device data. Further, the subject technology transmits the input device data via a second unreliable data channel to the determined host client computing device, where the input device data is transmitted on a separate data channel from any video or audio data transmitted to the host client computing device. |
| US08928724B2 |
Unified user experience for mobile calls
VoIP calls associated with VoIP applications installed on a mobile computing device are treated similar to calls not associated with installed VoIP applications. VoIP applications invoke the same native incoming call user interface that is invoked when a mobile device detects an incoming call that is not associated with an installed VoIP application. Mobile devices can simultaneously host a VoIP call and a call not associated with an installed VoIP application while a mobile device is locked. A reduced call user interface is displayed while a mobile device is simultaneously hosting multiple calls. Selection of the reduced call user interface causes the mobile device to make the active call the inactive call and vice versa. The reduced call user interface is managed by the mobile device operating system. |
| US08928722B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus comprising the same
An optical scanning device includes a housing, a laser light source outputting a laser light, a polygon mirror arranged in an arrangement space and deflecting the laser light to scan a predetermined object with the laser light while rotating, a polygon motor rotating the polygon mirror, a control board arranged in the arrangement space and controlling the polygon motor, and a flow-control member arranged in the arrangement space and guiding an airflow generated by a rotation of the polygon mirror to an outside of the arrangement space to circulate the airflow within the housing. |
| US08928720B2 |
Apparatus and method of scanning light using an array of light sources
Apparatus comprising a two-dimensional array of light sources (40) and a scanning device (26) arranged to scan light (14) emitted from the light sources (40) onto a medium (10) to generate a plurality of scan lines (52) on the medium (10), the light sources (24 and scanning device (26) being arranged such that a plurality of light sources (24) can be used to generate each scan line (52) of the plurality of scan lines (52). |
| US08928712B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling tension in a ribbon spooling assembly
Systems and methods for controlling tension in a ribbon spooling assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a ribbon tension control assembly for maintaining substantially constant tension in a ribbon, the assembly including a payout core having a cylindrical shape, a first ribbon spool mounted on the payout core and attached thereto, a second ribbon spool mounted on the payout core, the second ribbon spool configured to move independent from the payout core, a takeup core configured to receive a ribbon from each of the first ribbon spool and second ribbon spool, and a load applicator configured to limit movement of the second ribbon spool. |
| US08928710B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image erasing apparatus
According to the embodiments, there is provided an image forming apparatus and an image erasing apparatus. The image forming apparatus forms, on a recording medium, an image showing the color material information about the erasing temperatures of a plurality of erasable color materials used for forming an image to be printed together with the image to be printed. The image erasing apparatus heats the plurality of erasable color materials to the highest erasing temperature or higher in the different erasing temperatures of the erasable color materials forming the image printed on the recording medium in order to erase the erasable color materials forming the image. |
| US08928708B2 |
Display device and method for driving the display device
An object is to suppress crosstalk. A display device includes a pixel portion which includes a first display region, a second display region, and a non-light-emitting region provided between the first display region and the second display region; and a parallax barrier which includes a first light control region, a second light control region, and a light-transmitting region provided between the first light control region and the second light control region. The first light control region overlaps with the first display region, the second light control region overlaps with the second display region, and the center of the width of the light-transmitting region overlaps with the non-light-emitting region. |
| US08928707B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
The present invention involves in an LCD device, which comprises a scan driving module, a data driving module, pixels, data lines, shift register modules and scan lines, the scan lines include type 1 scan lines, each of which is connected with the scan driving module and the pixel for controlling charging time of the pixel according to a first scan signal and type 2 scan lines, each of which is connected with the shift register module and the pixel for controlling driving time for sub-pixels of the pixel. The present invention further involves in an LCD device driving method. The LCD device and the driving method of the present invention can realize reverse scanning without increasing device costs, thereby solving a technical problem that a current LCD device fails to maintain proper driving effects when utilizing reverse scan driving. |
| US08928702B2 |
Display device having a reduced number of signal lines
A display device includes first and second scanning lines, first and second signal lines, first to fourth thin-film transistors, and first to third pixel electrodes. The first and second signal lines are arranged to intersect with the first and second scanning lines. The first thin-film transistor is connected to the second scanning line and the first signal line. The first pixel electrode is connected to the first thin-film transistor. The second thin-film transistor is connected to the first scanning line and the first pixel electrode. The second pixel electrode is connected to the second thin-film transistor. The third thin-film transistor is connected to the first scanning line and the second pixel electrode. The third pixel electrode is connected to the third thin-film transistor. The fourth thin-film transistor is connected to the second scanning line, the third pixel electrode, and the second signal line. |
| US08928698B2 |
Compression of road features in map tiles
Road information is compressed for map tiles of a map containing a network of roads. The map can have different sets of tiles for each zoom level. For a given zoom level, road segments can be grouped based on the class of the roads (e.g., interstate highway, state highway, divided highway, side street, etc.). The road segments of a particular class can be combined into paths, and a representative segment can be chosen for each path. The features of the representative segment can be used in displaying the corresponding path, thereby reducing the size used to store the path in a map tile. This reduce-size map tile can be transmitted more efficiently due to the smaller size. |
| US08928690B2 |
Methods and systems for enhanced quality anti-aliasing
Provided herein is a method for implementing antialiasing including independently operating different portions of a graphics pipeline at different sampling rates in accordance with pixel color details. |
| US08928689B2 |
Pixel data conversion apparatus and method for display with delta panel arrangement
A pixel data conversion method for display with delta panel arrangement converts an input video signal into a temporary video signal which is a first RGB signal with 640 horizontal resolution in a strip panel arrangement and converts the temporary video signal into an output video signal which is a RGB signal with 320 horizontal resolution in the delta panel arrangement. Each line of the output video signal has 960 pixels. A pixel size ratio is defined as a ratio of a pixel size of the delta panel to a pixel size of the strip panel. The 320 horizontal resolution is obtained by dividing the 640 horizontal resolution by the pixel size ratio and then by three. |
| US08928688B2 |
Method for dithering in display panel and associated apparatus
A dithering method and associated apparatus is provided. The method synthesizes a dither pattern including a plurality of elements. At least two of the plurality of elements are of a same value, and at least two of the elements of the same value respectively associate with different driving polarities to prevent flickering. While sub-pixel data of a sub-pixel corresponds between two predetermined color levels of the sub-pixel, a color level displayed by the sub-pixel is determined from the two predetermined color levels according to a sum of the sub-pixel data and the element corresponding to the sub-pixel. |
| US08928686B2 |
Tone and gamut mapping methods and apparatus
Tone and/or gamut mapping apparatus and methods may be applied to map color values in image data for display on a particular display or other downstream device. A mapping algorithm may be selected based on location and/or color coordinates for pixel data being mapped. The apparatus and methods may be configured to map color coordinates differently depending on whether or not a pixel corresponds to a light source in an image and/or has special or reserved color values. |
| US08928685B2 |
Method of displaying image and display apparatus for performing the same
A method of processing an image signal includes: converting a source image signal into an image signal corresponding to a color space for a color gamut mapping; reducing a color gamut of the image signal; and mapping the image signal corresponding to colors within the reduced color gamut into an image signal corresponding to colors within a display color gamut, wherein the colors of the display color gamut are displayed by a display panel. |
| US08928684B2 |
Overdrive device
An overdrive device includes a training unit, an analysis unit and a Contrast adjustment unit. The training unit establishes a luminance difference look-up table (LUT) having an R2 number of luminance differences. Each of the R2 number of luminance differences represents a luminance difference between a measured display luminance value and a target luminance value of a display device when each of first and second viewing angle images correspond to any value of a grayscale range R. With respect to first and second viewing angle input image data, for pixel data therein corresponding to a same pixel position, the analysis unit looks up the luminance difference LUT to obtain a looked-up luminance difference, and accordingly calculates a luminance difference index. The contrast adjustment unit partially adjusts the grayscale of the second viewing angle image according to the luminance value index to obtain headroom for an overdrive operation. |
| US08928682B2 |
Method and system of processing images for improved display
Image processing may be performed to generate a color image for display on a color display screen and a monochrome image for display on a monochrome display screen, where an overlap of the images may produce a resultant color image at one or more depths. The one or more depths may be determined by an amount of blur applied to one image and an amount of sharpness applied to other. The one or more depths may be determined by a gamma value of the monochrome image. Since the monochrome display screen may have fewer or no color filters and/or a lower resolution, the monochrome display screen may pass more light than conventional color display screens. As such, less light can be used to illuminate color images displayed at different depths using a color display screen and a monochrome display screen, thereby reducing energy consumption of the display device. |
| US08928681B1 |
Coalescing to avoid read-modify-write during compressed data operations
Sequential write operations to a unit of compressed memory, known as a compression tile, are examined to see if the same compression tile is being written. If the same compression tile is being written, the sequential write operations are coalesced into a single write operation and the entire compression tile is overwritten with the new data. Coalescing multiple write operations into a single write operation improves performance, because it avoids the read-modify-write operations that would otherwise be needed. |
| US08928678B2 |
Media workload scheduler
A method and system for scheduling a media workload is disclosed herein. The method includes modeling a feature of the media workload. A GPU utilization rate and a memory bandwidth of the media workload may be determined. Additionally, the media workload may be scheduled by modifying the feature of the media workload in order to adjust the GPU utilization and the memory bandwidth. |
| US08928676B2 |
Method for parallel fine rasterization in a raster stage of a graphics pipeline
In a raster stage of a graphics processor, a method for parallel fine rasterization. The method includes receiving a graphics primitive for rasterization in a raster stage of a graphics processor. The graphics primitive is rasterized at a first level to generate a plurality of tiles of pixels. The titles are subsequently rasterized at a second level by allocating the tiles to an array of parallel second-level rasterization units to generate covered pixels. The covered pixels are then output for rendering operations in a subsequent stage of the graphics processor. |
| US08928675B1 |
Computer hardware architecture and data structures for encoders to support incoherent ray traversal
A new hardware architecture defines an indexing and encoding method for accelerating incoherent ray traversal. Accelerating multiple ray traversal may be accomplished by organizing the rays for minimal movement of data, hiding latency due to external memory access, and performing adaptive binning. Rays may be binned into coarse grain and fine grain spatial bins, independent of direction. |
| US08928668B2 |
Method and apparatus for rendering a stroked curve for display in a graphics processing system
An input stroked curve that is received by a graphics processing system can be rendering using at least two, and preferably more, rendering processes that are available for use by the system. The process or processes that are used for rendering the received stroked curve are selected based on whether the input stroked curve comprises one or more regions having a particular characteristic or characteristics, e.g. whether the input stroked curve comprises one or more self-overlapping regions. Preferably, the at least two rendering processes are each capable of correctly rendering different sets of stroked curves. Furthermore, the least two rendering process preferably differ in the processing burden that they place on the graphics processing system. |
| US08928667B2 |
Rendering stroked curves in graphics processing systems
When rendering a stroked curve for display in a graphics processing system, an input stroked curve 1 defined in user space 2 is received by the system. The portion of a canonical space 5 that corresponds to the received stroked curve 1 is determined by determining the portion of a canonical curve 12 defined in the canonical space 5 that corresponds to the received stroked curve 1. Then, for each of a plurality of sampling points within one or more primitives 4 that are generated to cover the received stroked curve 1′ following its projection into surface space 3, it is determined whether a corresponding location in canonical space 5 (to the sampling point in surface space 3) is within the portion of the canonical space that corresponds to the received stroked curve, e.g. by looking up suitable information that has been stored (in advance) in one or more graphics textures. Data for rendering the received stroked curve 1 (e.g. RGBA values) is then assigned to each of the plurality of sampling points based on the determination. |
| US08928666B2 |
Navigating visual data associated with a point of interest
Systems and methods for navigating an imagery graph are provided. In some aspects, a first image is provided for display, where the first image corresponds to a first image node within an imagery graph, where the imagery graph comprises image nodes corresponding to images from a plurality of different imagery types, and where each image node in the imagery graph is associated with geospatial data. An indication of a selection of a predetermined region within the first image is received, where the predetermined region is associated with a position in the first image that corresponds to geospatial data associated a second image node within the imagery graph. A second image corresponding to the second image node is provided for display in response to the indication of the selection of the predetermined region. |
| US08928663B2 |
Visualizing correlations in multi-dimensional data
A system for visualizing correlations between attributes in a data set or across multiple data sets is provided. A user may view a graphical representation (e.g., a histogram) of attribute values for a first attribute. The user may assign a variety of graphical indicators to various value ranges of the first attribute. The user may view a graphical representation of the second attributes. The user may “drag and drop” the graphical representation of the first attributes onto the graphical representation of the second attributes. The graphical representation of the second attributes may be updated to incorporate the graphical elements assigned by the user to the value ranges of the first attribute. The user may visually see potential correlations between the first and the second attributes based on the graphical elements associated with the first attributes displayed with the associated second attributes. |
| US08928661B2 |
Representing a field over a triangular mesh
Methods and apparatus for representing a field over a triangular mesh are disclosed. A two-dimensional (2D) triangular map may be created for each triangle of a three-dimensional (3D) triangular mesh. The triangular map may be recursively subdivided to create a plurality of sub-triangles. The sub-triangles may be sampled, and an field may be measured or calculated at each level of the recursion. The map of field values may use various compression techniques and may also employ a delayed reading technique. The map may be multi-resolution, hierarchical, and partitioned. |
| US08928657B2 |
Progressive disclosure of indoor maps
A digital map of a geographic area is displayed via a user interface, and a 3D representation of a building located in the geographic area is displayed on the digital map. A virtual camera is used to view the digital map, and the location of the virtual camera is changeable in response to user input. The external shell of the 3D representation is made increasingly transparent as a virtual camera approaches the 3D representation of the building to reveal indoor information for the building. |
| US08928656B2 |
Volume rendering using N-pass sampling
A system and method for increasing resolution of an object and increasing rendering speed by rendering with a lesser density for non-object regions. The system and method includes sampling a plurality of first rays in a first density through a volume, each first ray being in a separate section, if a sampling value difference of at least two first rays is above a first threshold, sampling a plurality of second rays in a second density, the second rays being in a first section of the separate sections, the first section being for one of the at least two first rays, and if a sampling value difference between a first one of the second rays and another ray is above a second threshold, sampling a plurality of third rays in a second section spatially different than the first section, the sampling of the third rays being at the second spatial density and the second section being a neighboring section to the first section. |
| US08928655B2 |
Display device and display method
A display device includes: a display unit displaying plural viewpoint images; a light separation unit having plural transmitting portions and separating light from the display unit; and a display control unit controlling the timing of switching either of display positions of respective viewpoint images on the display unit and transmittance of respective transmitting portions of the light separation unit based on correlation information of the viewpoint images between frames. |
| US08928654B2 |
Methods, systems, devices and associated processing logic for generating stereoscopic images and video
The present invention includes methods, systems, devices and associated processing logic for generating stereoscopic 3-Dimensional images and/or video from 2-Dimensional images or video. There may be provided a stereoscopic 3D generating system to extrapolate and render 2D complementary images and or video from a first 2D image and/or video. The complementary images and/or video, when combined with the first image or video, or a second complementary image or video, form a stereoscopic image of the scene captured in the first image or video. The stereoscopic 3D generation system may generate a complementary image or images, such that when a viewer views the first image or a second complementary image (shifted in the other direction from the first complementary image) with one eye and the complementary image with the other eye, an illusion of depth in the image is created (e.g. a stereoscopic 3D image). |
| US08928652B2 |
Sketched overdrawn lines for editing spline-based three-dimensional curves
An overdraw method for editing a three-dimensional geometry includes receiving a three-dimensional geometry including a plurality of individual curves whose positions are defined by a plurality of control points, receiving a polyline overdrawn on the three-dimensional geometry, matching the polyline to the three-dimensional geometry to determine a portion of the three-dimensional geometry being modified, recognizing a shape feature of the polyline to determine a shape modification to apply to the three-dimensional geometry, shifting the three-dimensional geometry to determine a modified geometry by changing a position of at least one of the control points towards the polyline, and matching the modified geometry with at least one symmetry operator to determine whether the changed position satisfies a constraint and applying the constraint to the modified geometry to further modify the modified geometry. |
| US08928648B2 |
Scan driving device, method for driving scan driving device, and method for managing defect of scan driving device
A scan driving device includes: a first scan driving block group including scan driving blocks receiving at least two different clock signals among a plurality of scan driving blocks which are sequentially arranged; a second scan driving block group including scan driving blocks receiving at least two clock signals which are the same as at least two clock signals inputted to each of the scan driving blocks included in the first scan driving block group; first line transistors connected in parallel to scan lines of each of the scan driving blocks included in the first scan driving block group, and turned on or off according to a first line connection signal; and second line transistors connected in parallel to a scan line of each of the scan driving blocks included in the second scan driving block group and turned on or off according to a second line connection signal. |
| US08928647B2 |
Inverter circuit and display unit
An inverter circuit includes: a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, and a fifth transistor; an input terminal and an output terminal; and a capacitor. The capacitor is inserted between a gate of the second transistor and one of a source and a drain of the second transistor in which the one is located on an output terminal side. |
| US08928644B2 |
Display device and method for driving display device
A display device includes a pixel which includes a first photosensor portion having a first photodiode for detecting visible light, which is provided together with a display element portion; and a pixel which includes a second photosensor portion having a second photodiode for detecting infrared rays, which is provided together with another display element portion. The second photosensor portion detects infrared rays included in external light, and selects an imaging element and adjusts sensitivity in accordance with the amount of infrared rays detected by the second photosensor portion. |
| US08928641B2 |
Multiplex electrophoretic display driver circuit
A multiplex electrophoretic display driver circuit comprises a memory unit, a display controller and a voltage driving unit. The memory unit has two registers respectively storing the current and former gray-level matrix signals. The gray-level matrix signal contains gray-level data corresponding to electrophoretic pixels. The display controller has an encoding circuit and a counting circuit. The encoding circuit generates a difference-value matrix signal containing difference values according to a difference between the current and former gray-level matrix signals and then generates a voltage-difference matrix signal containing voltage-difference signals corresponding to the electrophoretic pixels. The counting circuit receives the difference-value matrix signal and counts to generate refreshing values corresponding to the difference values. The encoding circuit adds the refreshing values to a next-cycled difference-value matrix signal to generate a new voltage-difference matrix signal. The voltage driving unit drives the electrophoretic pixels according to the voltage-difference matrix signal. |
| US08928640B2 |
Liquid crystal display having adaptive pulse shaping control mechanism
A liquid crystal display having adaptive pulse shaping control mechanism includes a first gate driver for providing a first gate signal based on a first modulation voltage, a second gate driver for providing a second gate signal based on a second modulation voltage, a first pixel array unit for illustrating image according to the first gate signal, a second pixel array unit for illustrating image according to the second gate signal, a timing controller for performing a pulse compare operation over the first and second gate signals so as to generate a first shaping control signal and a second shaping control signal, a first gate pulse modulation unit for providing the first modulation voltage according to the first shaping control signal, and a second gate pulse modulation unit for providing the second modulation voltage according to the second shaping control signal. |
| US08928635B2 |
Active stylus
An active stylus is disclosed. The stylus includes an electrode at a tip of the stylus; and powered circuitry coupled to the electrode and configured for capacitively coupling the electrode with a capacitive touch sensor panel. The powered circuitry can further include drive circuitry configured to output a drive voltage at the electrode and/or sense circuitry configured to sense a voltage received at the electrode. |
| US08928628B2 |
Photo sensing device suitable for optical touch display panel and applications thereof
A photo sensing device suitable for an optical touch display panel and applications thereof are provided. The photo sensing device includes a photo sensing unit and a coupling unit. The photo sensing unit is used for sensing whether a touch event is happened/occurred or not, and accordingly outputting a judging signal. The coupling unit is coupled to the photo sensing unit, and is used for enhancing the sensitivity of the sensing unit, so as to increase a difference between the judging signal associated with occurrence of the touch event and the judging signal associated with non-occurrence of the touch event. |
| US08928626B2 |
Optical navigation system with object detection
An optical finger navigation system with object detection is provided for preventing cursor movement if a user's finger has been lifted from the navigation surface. The optical finger navigation system may include a light source, an image sensor and an object detection engine. The object detection engine may be operatively coupled with the image sensor and the light source to selectively report motion data upon determining the presence of an object by comparing a scaled-up pixel value with a threshold value. The lift detection engine may be incorporated in a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller may be added to a navigation system to provide an additional object detection feature. |
| US08928624B2 |
Differential sensing for capacitive touch sensors
A first signal from a first sense line of a touch sensor is received. A second signal from a second of the touch sensor is received. The first signal is inverted. The inverted first signal and the second signal are summed to produce a differential signal. The differential signal is output to a touch sensor controller. |
| US08928623B2 |
Auxiliary user input device
Systems and methods for providing an auxiliary user input device (101, 501, 601) for use with a mobile electronic device (181, 681). The methods involve: releasably securing (703) a first device (101, 601) comprising a resistive touch screen (103, 603) to a second device (181, 681) comprising a capacitive touch screen (183, 683), in a position wherein a primary plane of the capacitive touch screen is substantially aligned in parallel and subjacent to a primary plane of the resistive touch screen; establishing (705) a communication link (641, 643) between a first communications interface (617, 619) in the first device and a second communications interface (657, 659) in the second device; generating resistive touch screen output data in response to user input received (707) at the resistive touch screen; and communicating (713) the resistive touch screen output data from the first device to the second device via the communication link. |
| US08928618B2 |
Multipoint touchscreen
A touch panel having a transparent capacitive sensing medium configured to detect multiple touches or near touches that occur at the same time and at distinct locations in the plane of the touch panel and to produce distinct signals representative of the location of the touches on the plane of the touch panel for each of the multiple touches is disclosed. |
| US08928614B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating function in touch device
A method for operating a function in a touch device capable of simultaneously changing an option and executing the function based on an input touch event during execution of a function using a function button provided in a certain mode which is executed in a touch device supporting touch based input and an apparatus thereof is provided. The method includes executing a second function associated with option setting according to a touch event input to a function button; and executing a first function allocated to the function button according to an option value set by the second function when the input touch event is released. |
| US08928609B2 |
Combining touch screen and other sensing detections for user interface control
A touch sensitive display includes a capacitive touch sensor configured to output capacitance values. A motion sensor makes a motion detection and generates a motion signal including a motion value indicative of sensed motion detection. A touch detection circuit is coupled to receive the capacitance values and motion values. The touch detection circuit processes the capacitance values to make a hovering detection and a touching detection with respect to the display. The touch detection circuit further generates an output signal including the motion value correlated in time with each of the hovering detection and touching detection. The output signal may be processed as a user interface control signal. The output signal may also be processed to determine an impulsive strength of the touching detection as a function of an elapsed time between hover and touch and the measured motion values. |
| US08928605B2 |
Flat surface touch device for introducing visual effects
An electrode and an isolation layer of a touch device are the same color, so that a user of the touch device perceives a good visual effect without having to employ expensive optical adhesive and decorative films in the touch device. The front bezel design used in conventional touch devices can thus be abandoned. Further, simpler fabrication, higher yield rate, and lower cost are also achieved. |
| US08928601B2 |
Organic light emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display apparatus having a capacitive touch panel function, and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The organic light emitting display apparatus includes a touch unit including a pixel region and a pad region, and an insulating layer formed only on a surface of the pixel region by using an open mask. The organic light emitting display apparatus is manufactured without performing a photolithography process on an insulating layer, thereby improving productivity of the manufacturing process. |
| US08928598B2 |
Touch-sensing liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display
A touch-sensing liquid crystal display (LCD) panel including an active device array substrate, an opposite substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed therebetween is provided. The active device array substrate includes a first substrate, a pixel array, a plurality of touch-sensing pads, and an electric field shielding layer. The pixel array is disposed on the first substrate and includes a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in an array, a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of data lines. The touch-sensing pads are disposed on the first substrate. The electric field shielding layer is disposed on the pixel array and arranged between sub-pixels adjacent to each other, and the electric field shielding layer includes a pattern. The opposite substrate includes a common electrode and a plurality of touch-sensing protrusions disposed above the touch-sensing pads. Therefore, when the touch-sensing LCD panel is pressed, press mura is substantially eliminated. |
| US08928596B2 |
Display panel and display device
A display panel includes: a first substrate section formed on the front side of the display panel; a second substrate section which is opposed to the first substrate section; a plurality of pixel sections formed in a matrix form between the first and second substrate sections; and a plurality of sensor sections, each of the sensor sections having two electrodes, one electrode disposed with a electrode-to-electrode gap from the other between the first and second substrate sections, the electrode-to-electrode gap being removed as a result of the deformation of the first substrate section under pressure so that the one electrode is brought into contact with the other electrode, the sensor sections being provided between the first and second substrate sections with one of a plurality of electrode-to-electrode gap lengths respectively. |
| US08928590B1 |
Gesture keyboard method and apparatus
A gesture-enabled keyboard and method are defined. The gesture-enabled keyboard includes a keyboard housing including one or more keyboard keys for typing and a pair of stereo camera sensors mounted within the keyboard housing, a field of view of the pair of stereo camera sensors projecting substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the keyboard housing. A background of the field of view is updated when one or more alternative input devices are in use. A gesture region including a plurality of interaction zones and a virtual membrane defining a region of transition from one of the plurality of interaction zones to another of the plurality of interaction zones is defined within the field of view of the pair of stereo camera sensors. Gesture interaction is enabled when one or more gesture objects are positioned within the gesture region, and when one or more alternative input devices are not in use. |
| US08928587B1 |
Automatic device login based on wearable sensor fusion
A user may have a device that contains the user's identity. Rather than log into a second device that user may make use of the fact that the user is already logged into a device as disclosed herein. The user may perform a gesture that may be observed or sensed by one or more sensors on a first device and a second device that contains the user's identity. A correlation between the sensor data may be performed and, if the correlation value exceeds a threshold value, a portion of the user's identity may be shared with the first device. |
| US08928586B2 |
Stereoscopic display device
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel stereoscopic display device that allows the viewer to properly view a stereoscopic image. The device includes: a display configured to display an image for stereoscopic viewing; an imaging unit configured to image a face of a viewer; a position information acquisition unit configured to acquire position information regarding the face imaged by the imaging unit; an operation unit configured to be operated by the viewer when the viewer is in an optimal position from where the image for stereoscopic viewing displayed on the display can be properly viewed as a stereoscopic image; an optimal position information storage unit configured to store position information provided when the operation unit is operated as position information on the optimal position; and a positional relationship notification unit configured to notify the viewer of the positional relationship between the current position of the viewer and the optimal position. |
| US08928584B2 |
Display apparatus, display method, and storage medium
A display apparatus includes an image pickup section, a display section, an instruction section, a position specification section, a direction specification section, a specification section, and a reporting section. The image pickup section sequentially picks up an image. The display section displays the picked up image. The instruction section generates an instruction signal for marking an object included in the image. The position specification section specifies a position where the display apparatus exists. The direction specification section specifies a pickup direction by the image pickup section. The specification section specifies a position of the object relative to the position of the display apparatus based on the position of the display apparatus and the pickup direction in response to the instruction signal. The reporting section reports the position of the object. |
| US08928572B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
A liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal panel, a gate driver configured to supply gate signals to gate lines on the liquid crystal panel, a data driver configured to supply data voltages to data lines on the liquid crystal panel, and a partial controller configured to control the gate driver to intercept a part of the gate signals to be supplied to the gate lines. |
| US08928569B2 |
Driver of promoting pixel charging ability of thin film transistor and method thereof
Disclosed is related with a LCD technology, and particularly to a driver of promoting pixel charging ability of a thin film transistor and a method thereof. The driver of promoting pixel charging ability of a thin film transistor comprises a thin film transistor, a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The source of the thin film transistor is coupled to the first capacitor and the second capacitor respectively. As the drain voltage switches from positive polarity to negative polarity or from negative polarity to positive polarity, a voltage different between a source voltage stored by the thin film transistor and the first capacitor voltage is higher than a predetermined value. The present invention is capable of promoting the charge current and the pixel charging ability. Meanwhile, the requirement of the metal line width can be diminished to improve aperture ratio and raise transmittance of product. |
| US08928568B2 |
Sub-pixel voltage control using coupling capacitors
A pixel includes sub-pixels each of which includes a first display region, a second display region, a third display region, a first capacitor, and a second capacitor. The first capacitor connects the second display region with the third display region. The second capacitor connects the first display region to the third display region via a switch. When the switch is activated, the potential of the third display region is decreased via the second capacitor, the potential of the first display region is increased via the second capacitor, and the potential of the second display region is decreased via the first capacitor. A display panel and driving method in a display panel are also disclosed herein. |
| US08928561B2 |
Method and device for reducing shutter 3D liquid crystal dynamic crosstalk and liquid crystal display device
The present invention discloses a method for reducing shutter 3D liquid crystal dynamic crosstalk, which includes: receiving digital information of left-eye and right-eye images of a current frame; comparing to determine if a combination of the left-eye and right-eye gray levels of each pixel point of each scanning line of the current frame is equal to that of the previous frame; adjusting the gray level of the image of one of the eye images that is associated with each pixel point having left-eye image and right-eye image gray levels that are both different between the current frame and the previous frame resulting from the comparison result according to a gray level reference table; and displaying one eye image of all the scanning lines of the current frame that have been subjected to gray level adjustment and another one image of the current frame that has not been subjected to adjustment. |
| US08928560B2 |
Display matrix with resistance switches
A display matrix may have a resistance switch and a display element formed on a common display substrate. The resistance switch may have a metal insulator transition (MIT) material that has a negative differential resistance (NDR) characteristic that exhibits a discontinuous resistance. |
| US08928553B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing device based on intuitive selection
A method and apparatus of a first device for selecting at least one of a plurality of second devices to be accessed. The method includes transmitting pieces of media data to the corresponding plurality of second devices one-to-one, and determining at least one of the plurality of second devices to be accessed by the first device according to a user's selection on the basis of the pieces of media data being reproduced by both the first device and each of the plurality of second devices. |
| US08928552B2 |
Personal digital assistant, and display control method and display control program thereof
An information processing device including a plurality of rectangular-shaped casings each including a first principal surface, and a second principal surface opposing the first principal surface and including a display panel having a predetermined aspect ratio. The information processing device including a connecting portion connecting each of the plurality of rectangular-shaped casings in a closed state in which each of the plurality of rectangular-shaped casings are mutually overlaid and a display panel of at least one of the plurality of rectangular-shaped casings is externally exposed, and in an open state in which wall portions of mutually adjacent rectangular-shaped casings abut and the display panels of each of the plurality of rectangular-shaped casings face a similar direction. The information processing device further includes a terminal state detecting unit that detects the closed state and the opened state, and a display control unit that controls display of each of the display panels. |
| US08928551B2 |
Multiple displays for a portable electronic device and a method of use
A multiple display system having at least two mechanical arrangements such that in one of the at least two arrangements one of the multiple displays is stowed, out of the way mechanically and visually, when only a first display is in use; and one of the other of the at least two arrangements wherein the other of the multiple displays is substantially coplanar and adjacent to the one screen when both screens are in use. The other display in the one of the other of the at least two arrangements also runs the graphical user interface of an application, permitting the multiple display system to offer at least two programs running simultaneously, each with its own visual user-interface operating on its own display. |
| US08928549B2 |
Antenna window bracket
Disclosed herein is a portable antenna window bracket that securely supports a satellite dish or other over the air type antenna outside a window without the need to drill into or make permanent physical attachment to the window or structure surrounding the window. The portable antenna bracket allows an antenna mounted thereon to be positioned beneath the window, thereby maintaining a clear and unobstructed view through the window. An extender is provided with an antenna receiver and a bridge on distal and proximal ends of the extender, respectively, as well as an interior support of the bridge positioned opposite the extender. An extender support is also provided with first and second edges, with the second edge adapted to abut a surface beneath the window, to support antenna weight and stabilize the antenna bracket. |
| US08928547B2 |
Antenna coil to be mounted on a circuit board and antenna device
In an antenna coil including a first magnetic core, a second magnetic core, and a flexible board, coil conductors are provided on a surface of the flexible board. By winding the flexible board around the first magnetic core and the second magnetic core, a first coil portion is disposed around the first magnetic core, and a second coil portion is disposed around the second magnetic core. The winding direction of the second coil portion is opposite to that of the first coil portion. The first coil portion and the second coil portion are connected to define one coil as a whole. |
| US08928538B2 |
Antenna system providing high isolation between antennas on electronics device
An antenna system is provided in a portable electronics device having a printed circuit board assembly. The antenna system includes a first antenna and a second balanced antenna provided on the printed circuit board assembly. The first antenna is fed from a portion of the printed circuit board assembly such that a ground plane of the printed circuit board assembly serves as a counterpoise for the first antenna. The second balanced antenna has dipole ends configured and oriented to generally minimize coupling to the ground plane of the printed circuit board assembly to increase isolation between the first antenna and the second balanced antenna. |
| US08928535B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a casing, at least an antenna body, a feeding point and a control unit. The casing has a display portion. The antenna body is disposed at the casing and at least has two radiation paths and a switching element. Parts of the radiation paths are respectively disposed at two sides of the display portion. The switching element is electrically connected with the radiation paths. The feeding point is electrically connected with the switching element and operationally connected to one of the radiation paths. The control unit controls the switching element based on the rotation of the electronic apparatus. When one of the radiation paths is located between a user and the display portion, the control unit controls to selectively switch the switching element for connecting the other radiation path to the feeding point. |
| US08928531B2 |
Antenna module
An antenna module is provided. The antenna module includes a radiator, a feed conductor, a ground element, a ground conductor and a short conductor. The feed conductor is connected to the radiator. The ground conductor connects the radiator to the ground element. The short conductor connects the feed conductor to the ground conductor. |
| US08928530B2 |
Enhanced metamaterial antenna structures
A wireless device having an antenna structure incorporates a conductive structure to extend an effective length of at least one component of the antenna structure. The enhanced 3-D conductive structure is applicable to a variety of antenna types, including, but not limited to, a CRLH structured antenna. |
| US08928528B2 |
Multi-beam MIMO time division duplex base station using subset of radios
A system and method may include a plurality of transmit and receive antennas covering one sector of a cellular communication base station; a multi-beam RF beamforming matrix connected to the transmit and receive antennas; a plurality of radio circuitries connected to the multi-beam RF beamforming matrix; and a baseband module connected to the radio circuitries. The multi-beam RF beamforming matrix may be configured to generate one sector beam and two or more directional co-frequency beams pointed at user equipment (UEs) within the sector, as instructed by the baseband module. A number M denotes the number the directional beams and a number N denotes the number of the radio circuitries and wherein M>N. |
| US08928527B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing error detection latency in LPV approaches
Systems and methods for reducing error detection latency in LPV approaches are provided. In certain embodiments, a method for navigational guidance includes calibrating inertial measurements acquired from an inertial navigation system with satellite-based augmentation system position measurements acquired from a satellite-based augmentation system to create corrected inertial navigation system positions. The method also includes determining whether the satellite-based augmentation system experienced a fault when the inertial measurements were calibrated with the satellite-based augmentation system position measurements. Further, when the satellite-based augmentation system did not experience a fault, the method includes monitoring the satellite-based augmentation system navigation position measurements based on the corrected inertial navigation system positions. |
| US08928517B2 |
Pipelined analog-to-digital converter
An analog-to-digital converter includes a plurality of sequentially cascaded stages, each stage including an amplifier and four copies of a circuit block including a flash and capacitors, in which the four copies of the circuit block operate interleavingly in a respective sample mode, pre-gain mode, gain mode, and reset mode of the circuit block, the copies of the circuit block in the sample mode, pre-gain mode, and reset mode are decoupled from the amplifier, and the copy of the circuit block in the gain mode is coupled to the amplifier to produce an output for a next following stage. |
| US08928515B1 |
Analog-to-digital converter and method of converting an analog signal to a digital signal
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) comprises a sample/hold (S/H) unit, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a comparing unit, and a control unit. The S/H unit samples a first analog signal. The control unit comprises a compensating unit. The compensating unit receives an indication signal, and compensates a current bit and all its less significant bits, such that the sum of the current bit and all its less significant bits approximates a bit weight of the current bit, when the indication signal indicates that the comparison result cannot be determined. The compensating unit then outputs the compensated current bit and all its less significant bits together with more significant bits of the current bit. |
| US08928514B1 |
Harmonic time domain interleave to extend oscilloscope bandwidth and sample rate
A harmonic time interleave (HTI) system can include a sample clock to provide a reference signal, a summing component to receive the reference signal and a second input, a splitter component to receive an input signal, and delay blocks to each receive an output from the splitter. The HTI system can also include digitizing components to receive the reference signal from the sample clock and an output from each of the mixing components, and a poly-phase filter matrix block to receive an output from each of the digitizing components. The HTI system can also include an interleave reconstruction block to receive an output from the poly-phase filter matrix block and interleave time domain signal samples from each digitizer to create a reconstructed waveform. |
| US08928512B2 |
Digital to analog converter and method for controlling current source array in digital to analog converter
A digital to analog converter and a method for controlling a current source array in a digital to analog converter relate to the field of electronics technologies, and are used to reduce a system error. The digital to analog converter includes: a decoding module, a switch array, and a current source array, where the decoding module is configured to generate a 2n−1-bit first temperature code by using high n bits of an input 2n-bit binary digital signal, generate a 2n−1-bit second temperature code by using low n bits of the 2n-bit binary digital signal, and control, by using the 2n−1-bit first temperature code and the 2n−1-bit second temperature code, a working sequence of 2n×2n−1 unit switches. |
| US08928511B2 |
Sigma-delta modulator with SAR ADC and truncater and related sigma-delta modulation method
A sigma-delta modulator includes a processing circuit, a quantizer, a truncater and a feedback circuit. The processing circuit receives an input signal and an analog information and generates an integrated signal by perform an integration upon a difference between the input signal and the analog information. The quantizer includes a successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for receiving the integrated signal and generating a digital information according to the integrated signal. The truncater receives the digital information and generates a truncated information according to the digital information. The feedback circuit generates the analog information to the processing circuit according to the truncated information. |
| US08928509B2 |
Incoming signal sampling device
A sampling device for sampling an incoming signal in order to generate an output signal having a different frequency spectrum from the incoming signal. The device comprises a sampler configured to sample the incoming signal at a series of intervals in time, wherein the series of intervals includes a temporally repeating sequence of intervals, and wherein the duration of successive intervals varies throughout the series. |
| US08928506B2 |
Successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with dynamic search algorithm
Aspects of a method and system for a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter with dynamic search algorithms are provided. In some embodiments, a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter includes a digital-to-analog converter, a comparator, and a search and decode logic modules which cooperate to generate a digital output code representative of the analog input voltage based on a dynamic search algorithm. The dynamic search algorithms may alter a sequence of reference voltages used to successively approximate the analog input voltage based on one or more characteristics of the analog input voltage. |
| US08928505B1 |
Method of forming an audio processing system and structure therefor
In one embodiment, an audio processing system includes a frequency control block that forms a system clock and a master audio clock. The frequency control block is configured to change a frequency of the system clock and change a relationship between the system clock and the master audio clock so that the frequency of the master audio clock remains substantially constant. |
| US08928504B2 |
Multiplying analog-to-digital converter and pipeline analog-to-digital converter using the same
A multiplying analog-to-digital converter is provided. A sample-and-hold unit samples an analog signal, to obtain a sample level. A analog-to-digital converting unit converts the analog signal to a digital signal. A digital-to-analog converting unit converts the digital signal to a recovered signal level. A operating unit provides an output signal according to the difference between the sample level and the recovered signal level. A comparator compares a level of the output signal with an upper threshold level and a lower threshold level, and accordingly provides an indicating signal, wherein the upper and lower threshold levels define a predetermined level range. When the indicating signal indicates that the level of the output signal is outside the predetermined level range, a controller shifts a value of the digital signal and accordingly provides an adjusted digital signal. |
| US08928501B2 |
Input-key control device, and method and computer program product for controlling input key
An input-key control device is mounted on an apparatus having a plurality of operating modes and controls a plurality of input keys that receive input provided by a user. The input-key control device includes: a key-related-information storage unit that stores the operating modes and key-identifying information in association with each other, the key-identifying information being information for identifying an operable input key; an input-key identifying unit that identifies, when the operating mode is switched, an input key which has newly become operable as a result of the switching of the operating mode by comparing the key-identifying information associated with the operating mode before the switching and the key-identifying information associated with the operating mode after the switching; and a light-emission control unit that causes a lighting manner of a light-emitting element that illuminates the input key identified by the input-key identifying unit to differ. |
| US08928500B2 |
State determination device, state determination method, and program
There is provided a state determination device including an input point acquisition section which acquires position information of an input point specified by an operating object, a reference region setting section which sets a reference region including the input point acquired by the input point acquisition section at a current time point, an input point-number acquisition section which acquires a number of input points acquired by the input point acquisition section in past and included in the reference region, and a determination section which determines, based on the number of input points acquired by the input point-number acquisition section, whether the operating object is in a moving state or in a still state. |
| US08928498B2 |
Workload management system and method
A system and method are provided for facilitating workload management. The system processes first sensor data to estimate the current cognitive state of a first person, and processes second sensor data to estimate the current cognitive state of a second person. Information representative of the estimates of the current cognitive states of the first person and the second person is simultaneously rendered on a display device. |
| US08928494B2 |
Parking method and system
A parking system including a database having (a) a number of parking spaces in a zone, (b) a ratio having a number of vehicles using a certain parking service from a pre-defined general population divided by a number of vehicles of the pre-defined general population, and (c) a number of vehicles using the parking service and which are currently parking in the zone, and a calculator configured to calculate from the database an estimation of available parking spaces within the zone, thereby enabling a user to obtain information regarding availability of parking spaces in given locations, compared with other locations. |
| US08928487B2 |
Adjustable occupancy sensor and method of attaching an occupancy sensor to a light fixture
An adjustable occupancy sensor capable of being secured to a light fixture includes a housing having a side and a bottom, a sensor assembly attached to the housing at the bottom of the housing, and an adjustable mounting assembly provided on the side of the housing. The adjustable mounting assembly includes a slot defined in the side of the housing and a track having a plurality of segments extending along the length of the track. The track is configured to be releasably secured to the side of the housing within the slot, the plurality of segments being configured to be breakable from the track to adjust a length of the track. The adjustable mounting assembly further includes a connector molded or otherwise secured to the track to connect the housing of the adjustable occupancy sensor to the light fixture. Other embodiments and methods are disclosed herein. |
| US08928486B2 |
Pressure-based blockage detection system and method in crop production systems
A crop production system, including at least one electrical sensor configured to measure pressure within a pneumatic flow path configured to convey a particulate material and transmit a first signal indicative of pressure, a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to detect a blockage in the crop production system based on a change in the first signal. |
| US08928485B2 |
Charged corpuscular ray apparatus
The present invention relates to the acquisition of tilted series images of a minute sample in a short time.The present invention relates to: measuring in advance the relation between an amount of focus shift and a degree of coincidence at the time of acquiring tilted series images; calculating backwards a focus shift from the degree of coincidence on the basis of this relation; correcting the focus shift by controlling a stage, an objective lens, and the like; and thus acquiring the tilted series images. In addition, the present invention relates to: acquiring a reference image in advance at the time of photographing the tilted series images; obtaining the correlation between an acquired image and the reference image; and performing, if the degree of coincidence is equal to or smaller than a set value, processing such as the transmission of a warning message and the stop of an image acquisition sequence. According to the present invention, it becomes possible to perform focusing at the time of photographing the tilted series images at high speed, so that the length of time for photographing the tilted series images can be shortened. In addition, an image inappropriate for three-dimensional reconstruction can be removed. This makes it possible to enhance the throughput of failure analysis of a semiconductor and an advanced material. |
| US08928484B2 |
System and method of biomechanical posture detection and feedback
A system and method are described herein for a sensor device which biomechanically detects in real-time a user's movement state and posture and then provides real-time feedback to the user based on the user's real-time posture. The feedback is provided through immediate sensory feedback through the sensor device (e.g., a sound or vibration) as well as through an avatar within an associated application with which the sensor device communicates. |
| US08928481B2 |
Article storage equipment and method of operating same
Article storage equipment includes a passive-type RFID tag storing identification information of an article storage container and provided in a portion of an outer periphery of the article storage container overlapping above a plate-like member with the article storage container being placed on a storage unit, and control means configured to perform a reading-out operation process for controlling operation of conveying means when execution of an article confirmation process for allowing a RFID reader to read out the identification information of the RFID tag provided in the article storage container stored in the storage unit is instructed to extend an article supporting member to a projecting position at a fetching level, raise the article supporting member to a target reading-out level higher than the fetching level by a raised amount for reading, and then lower the article supporting member to the fetching level to be withdrawn to a retracted position. |
| US08928480B2 |
Reinforced marine optic fiber security fence
A fence for establishing a secure marine perimeter includes an optic fiber net. The optic fiber net includes an optic fiber wire with an input end and an output end. A light transmitter connects to the input end to introduce an input optic signal into the optic fiber wire. A light receiver connects to the output end to receive an output optic signal from the optic fiber wire. A strength member is incorporated into the optic fiber wire to strengthen the optic fiber net. A processor is connected to the light receiver to generate an output signal based on the output optic signal. The processor compares the output optic signal with the input optic signal and generates an alarm if a difference between the input optic signal and the output optic signal exceeds a predetermined alarm threshold. |
| US08928477B2 |
Method and device for contactless transmission of electric energy and/or electric signals between a wall and a wing fastened to said wall
A method for a contactless transmission of electric energy and/or an electric signal between a wall and a wing fastened to the wall includes providing a first coil fastened to the wall and a second coil fastened to the wing which are actively inductively connected to each other. A control signal is applied to the first coil within a control time interval to induce a first signal in the second coil, which is then detected. A second control signal is applied to the second coil within the control time interval to induce a second signal in the first coil, which is then detected. A fault signal is generated if the first or second control signal, or a part thereof, is not applied during the control time interval, or if the first or second signal, or a part thereof, is not detected during the control time interval. |
| US08928470B2 |
Methods and systems of rule-based intoxicating substance testing associated with vehicles
Rule-based intoxicating substance testing associated with vehicles. At least some of the various embodiments are methods including: receiving a signal that a prospective driver intends to drive a vehicle; retrieving at least one previously stored rule regarding intoxicating substance testing associated the vehicle; retrieving data relevant to the rule; determining whether intoxicating substance testing is indicated by the rule; enabling the vehicle responsive to an indication that intoxicating substance testing is not indicated; and administering an intoxicating substance test to the prospective driver responsive to an indication that an intoxicating substance test is indicated. And if the intoxicating substance test is administered: enabling the vehicle responsive to the prospective driver passing the intoxicating substance test, the enabling by the onboard device; and disabling the vehicle responsive to the prospective driver failing the intoxicating substance test, the disabling by the onboard device. |
| US08928468B2 |
Method and system for line-of-sight-independent data transmission
In a method for line-of-sight-independent data transmission in a car-to-car or a car-to-infrastructure communication system, electromagnetic radiation having encoded data is transmitted from a transmitter located in a first vehicle or in a traffic infrastructure object, and a reflector system is provided for at least partially reflecting the transmitted electromagnetic radiation, wherein the reflector system is arranged so that the transmitted electromagnetic radiation arrives at a receiver located in a second vehicle or in the traffic infrastructure object. The reflected electromagnetic radiation having the encoded data can then be received by the receiver even when line-of-sight communication between the vehicles is impossible. |
| US08928467B2 |
Programmable audio device
An apparatus allowing the recording and storage of data with a programmable timer alarm/alert. This data that can be either retrieved manually or automatically via audio playback or computer link.For certain embodiments, the audio device is configured for mounting on a consumable item.In a further embodiment the audio device may include and collect information regarding the consumer item on which it is mounted.In yet another embodiment the audio device contains a timing device and an alarm function coupled to an actuator that can be set at predetermined intervals. |
| US08928463B2 |
Object management system and method
An object management system that includes at least one object identification device to be secured to an associated object. The object identification devices provide radio frequency signals containing object identification codes. The system includes at least one user identification device providing a radio frequency signal containing a user identification code and a control unit having a reader for receiving and reading the signals provided by the user identification devices and the object identification devices. One aspect provides a remote unit that communicates directly with the control unit to receive information associated with a condition of the object management system at a location remote from the control unit. The remote unit is further configured to be carried by a user and configured to communicate information and/or an alert to the user, wherein the information and/or the alert is associated with the condition of the object management system. |
| US08928462B2 |
RFID system with time slot interleaving
A method for interleaving time slots in a multi-antenna system for communication with RFID tags is disclosed. An example is shown for an eight antenna system. A first four antennas arranged side-by-side are sequentially energized to interrogate RFID transponders. A second set of four antennas arranged side-by-side, the first of which is adjacent to the last of the first set of antennas. A four-antenna sequence is performed for the first four antennas and a second four antenna sequence is performed for the second set of antennas. The first and second four antenna sequences are offset by only a marginal amount, sufficient to ensure that a transponder signal received four antennas away from an active antenna is not acknowledged because the receive window for the non-active antenna is delayed. |
| US08928448B2 |
Power supply apparatus
A power supply apparatus includes a magnetic component having a coil section, a conductive case body housing the magnetic component and having an opening plane facing an axial direction of the coil section, a case lid closing the opening plane, and conductive parts electrically connecting the case body and the case lid to each other at the opening plane. The conductive parts are provided so as to satisfy a positional relationship that at least one of the conductive parts is disposed at an intersection point at which a straight line making an angle within a range of 45±15 degrees with a perpendicular line drawn from a center of the coil section to a closest one of the side plate portions of the case body to the center intersects with the closest one of side plate portions when viewed from the axial direction. |
| US08928445B2 |
Electromagnetic pipe expanding inductor and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is an electromagnetic pipe expanding inductor in which the formation of voids during resin impregnation is suppressed, and electromagnetic reaction forces acting on the conductor periphery and on the interface between the shaft portion and the center-side fiber layer is diminished, and thereby durability is improved and the life of the inductor is prolonged. A glass cloth tape (3) capable of being impregnated with resin is wound around the peripheral surface of a shaft portion of a bobbin (2) to a predetermined thickness, further, a conductor strand (4) coated with a glass cloth tape (6) is wound spirally in the axial direction of the bobbin (2) to form a coil. Further, a glass cloth (7) is wound around the outside of the glass cloth tape (6) to a predetermined thickness and thereafter the glass cloth tapes (3, 6) and the glass cloth (7) are impregnated with resin to unite them. A center-side resin-impregnated layer formed by the glass cloth tape 3 impregnated with resin is lower in the modulus of longitudinal elasticity than the shaft portion. Given that the inductor radius is r, the thickness, t, of the center-side resin-impregnated layer is 0.025r to 0.25r. |
| US08928444B2 |
Cooling structure for magnet-equipped reactor
A cooling structure for a magnet-equipped reactor includes: a magnet-equipped reactor (60) having a core (61) around which a coil (70) is wound, and a magnet (75) arranged to contact the core (61); and a cooling member (51) arranged to contact the magnet (75) of the magnet-equipped reactor (60) to cool the magnet (75). |
| US08928443B2 |
Electrical device with emergency cooling system
An electrical device includes a winding, a primary cooling system, a secondary cooling system, and an actuator. The winding includes an interior portion and an exterior surface. The primary cooling system cools the exterior surface of the winding. The secondary cooling system cools the interior portion of the winding. The actuator is configured to actuate the secondary cooling system in response to a sensed condition of the electrical device or a predicted condition of the electrical device. |
| US08928440B2 |
Linear solenoid
One axial end of a through-hole of a bearing portion of a first stationary core located on a movable core side has a peripheral edge placed at a corresponding axial position. The corresponding axial position of the peripheral edge may be the same as an axial position of an axial end surface of a radially outer part of the first stationary core or is on an axial side of the axial end surface, which is axially opposite from the movable core. A bottom portion of a yoke may have a hole, which receives at least a part of a second stationary core. A stopper made of a resin material may be placed on a side of the bottom portion of the yoke, which is opposite from the second stationary core in the axial direction. A shaft may be abuttable against the stopper. |
| US08928438B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay has a fixed touch piece having a fixed contact; a movable touch piece, having a movable contact contactably and separably opposed to the fixed contact, and configured to elastically deform, an electromagnet, an intermediate member that rotates based on magnetization and demagnetization of the electromagnet and elastically deforms the movable touch piece, and an energization unit that energizes the movable touch piece to the fixed contact piece side via the intermediate member. |
| US08928437B2 |
Tablet device with peek mode operation
A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. |
| US08928436B2 |
Electromagnetic switch for starter
An electromagnetic switch for a starter. The electromagnetic switch includes a cylindrical slidable member that is separate from a plunger, loosely encompasses an outer circumferential periphery of a plunger rod, and is axially movable integrally with the plunger. Whether the solenoid is in its active or inactive state, the slidable member is at least partially axially inserted into an inner circumferential periphery of a cylindrical bore and an outer circumferential periphery of the slidable member is entirely circumferentially in sliding contact with the inner circumferential periphery of the cylindrical bore. |
| US08928434B2 |
Complex tuner module
There is provided a complex tuner module including a plurality of tuner chips through which users may simultaneously view and record a plurality of channels. The complex tuner module includes: a module substrate having a plurality of tuner chips mounted thereon; and a chassis part connected to the module substrate and having a plurality of blocking sidewalls disposed in spaces between the tuner chips to thereby block interference between the tuner chips. |
| US08928432B2 |
Surface acoustic wave resonator, surface acoustic wave oscillator, and electronic apparatus
A surface acoustic wave resonator includes: an IDT which is disposed on a quartz substrate with Euler angles of (−1°≦φ≦1°, 117°≦θ≦142°, 42.79°≦|ψ|≦49.57°), which is made of Al or alloy including Al as a main component and which excites a surface acoustic wave in an upper mode of a stop band; and an inter-electrode-finger groove which is formed by recessing the quartz substrate between electrode fingers which form the IDT. Here, the following expression is satisfied: 0.01λ≦G (1), where λ represents a wavelength of the surface acoustic wave and G represents a depth of the inter-electrode-finger groove. The depth G of the inter-electrode-finger groove and a line occupancy η of the IDT satisfy the following expression: - 2.5 × G λ + 0.675 ≦ η ≦ - 2.5 × G λ + 0.775 ( 5 ) and a number of pairs N of the electrode fingers in the IDT is in the range of the following expression: 160≦N≦220 (19). |
| US08928424B2 |
Duty cycle translator methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for translating duty cycle information in duty-cycle-modulated signals to higher frequencies or higher data rates. An exemplary duty cycle translator includes a duty cycle evaluator, a high-speed digital counter, and a comparator. The duty cycle evaluator generates a first digital number representing a duty cycle of a low-frequency input duty-cycle-modulated (DCM) signal. The comparator compares the first digital number to a second digital number generated by the high-speed digital counter, and generates, based on the comparison, an output DCM signal having a higher frequency or data rate than the frequency or data rate of the low-frequency input DCM signal but a duty cycle that is substantially the same as the duty cycle of the low-frequency input DCM signal. |
| US08928423B2 |
Narrow band receiver or transceiver
A narrow band receiver or transceiver for processing electrical signals. The narrow band receiver or transceiver includes an amplifier, a voltage controlled oscillator and a tuning assembly comprising at least one control loop for tuning of the voltage controlled oscillator. At least a gain control of the amplifier is coupled to the control loop for simultaneously tuning the output amplitude of the voltage controlled oscillator and the gain of the amplifier. A compensation of the effect of variation on the gain of the amplifier, which includes an LC tank circuit, is performed by using an information in another LC tank circuit of the voltage controlled oscillator in the control loop. |
| US08928418B2 |
Compensating for process variation in integrated circuit fabrication
Systems and methods for reducing process sensitivity in integrated circuit (“IC”) fabrication. An integrated circuit structure is provided that includes a first integrated circuit device having at least one parameter influenced by process variation in a first manner. The integrated circuit structure further includes a second integrated device having the least one parameter influenced by the process variation in a second manner. The first manner is opposite of the second manner. The second integrated device is configured to offset or reduce the influence of the process variation on the at least one parameter in the first integrated circuit device. |
| US08928417B2 |
High-linearity phase frequency detector
A phase frequency detector realizes a highly linear conversion from noise-shaped ΣΔ modulation into charge quantities without degradation of phase-locked loop (PLL) phase noise. The phase frequency detector may feature a construction of an Up signal output and a Down signal output, in which the Up signal rises when a divided VCO input rises, an Up signal falls when the divided VCO input falls, a Down signal rises when the divided VCO input rises, and a Down signal falls when a reference input rises. A mode selection input may be utilized for a fast lock-up PLL. |
| US08928416B2 |
Transceiver, voltage control oscillator thereof and control method thereof
A transceiver includes a phase lock loop (PLL) and a clock data recovery circuit (CDR). The phase lock loop generates a first level control signal. The clock data recovery circuit, coupled to the phase lock loop, locks an incoming data signal to generate a data recovery clock according to a second level control signal. Wherein the clock data recovery circuit receives the first level control signal to further control a frequency range of the data recovery clock. |
| US08928415B2 |
Adjustable gain for multi-stacked amplifiers
Techniques for providing adjustable gain in an amplifier. In an aspect, a composite amplifier having adjustable gain includes a plurality of amplifiers coupled in parallel, wherein each of the amplifiers may be turned on or off to adjust the overall gain of the composite amplifier. Each amplifier may include an input transistor and at least two cascode transistors. To turn each amplifier off, the gate voltage of a second or lowermost cascode transistor coupled to the input transistor may be grounded, and the gate voltage of a first cascode transistor coupled to the output voltage may be coupled to a first turn-off voltage to reduce the drain-to-gate voltage drop across the first cascode transistor. Further aspects provide for decoupling a capacitor coupled to the gates of the cascode transistors from AC ground when the amplifier is turned off. |
| US08928414B2 |
Power amplifier with low noise figure and voltage variable gain
The object of the present invention is a low noise figure amplifier with a variable gain which comprises a cascode amplification stage comprising, serially mounted, a low-voltage MOSFET transistor installed as a common source followed by a bipolar transistor with high breakdown voltage installed as a common base. A resistor is placed between the bipolar transistor's collector and the grid of the cascode stage's MOSFET transistor, and the cascode stage is electrically powered through a choke. |
| US08928413B1 |
Broadband class-E outphasing amplifier with asymmetrical shunt tuned switches system and related method
A method, device and system is disclosed for high efficiency power amplification of a signal over a broad range of output power. Two broad-banded, parallel-tuned class E power amplifiers are combined through a lossless half wave transmission line combiner and configured to operate in an outphased arrangement to permit amplitude modulation. Asymmetrical shunt tuned switches are tuned for efficient amplitude modulation while asymmetrical drain inductors provide enhanced efficiency at outphased conditions over that of a symmetrical circuit. The drain source inductors and transmission components are tuned for maximum efficiency at full power output and for minimum dissipation a zero power output. At zero degrees outphasing, the circuit operates as a conventional Class-E power amplifier. However, at 180 degrees outphasing, each quarterwave line in the combiner reflects back all incident power, permitting the circuit to operate as an unloaded resonant switching circuit. |
| US08928411B2 |
Integration of signal sampling within transistor amplifier stage
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to integration of signal sampling within a transistor amplifier stage. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a amplifier stage including a transistor to receive a source signal and produce an output signal, wherein the transistor includes multiple fingers for at least a first electrode of the transistor. The amplifier stage uses connections to some of the fingers of the first electrode for production of the output signal, and uses one or more other fingers for the first electrode of the transistor for a separate function from the production of the output signal. |
| US08928406B2 |
Low-power inverter-based differential amplifier
A new inverter-based fully-differential amplifier is provided including one or more common-mode feedback transistors coupled to each inverter, which transistors operate in the liner region. Accordingly, due to the fully-differential nature of the new inverter-based fully-differential amplifier, the amplifier provides an improved Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR), provides a reduced sensitivity to supply voltage and process or part variations, and does not require an auto-zeroing technique to be utilized, which ultimately saves power, all while utilizing the low-voltage and low-power advantages of an inverter-based design. |
| US08928397B2 |
Semiconductor device and voltage divider
A semiconductor device includes first and second resistors. The first resistor is formed in a first substrate region and coupled between a first node and an output node. The second resistor is formed in a second substrate region and coupled between the output node and a second node. The first substrate region is coupled to the first node which has a first voltage. The second node has a second voltage. The second substrate region is coupled to a voltage dividing node that is set in the first resistor. |
| US08928396B2 |
Electronic circuit and semiconductor device
An electronic circuit includes: first circuits each including a first FET having a source supplied with at least one of a first voltage and a second voltage; and a second circuits each of which is associated with a respective one of the first circuits, and generates a back bias voltage applied to the first FET so as to change in accordance with a change of at least one of the first and second voltages. |
| US08928394B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and an operating method thereof, a timing verifying method for a semiconductor integrated circuit and a test method of a semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit which includes a control circuit; and a power management integrated circuit (IC) configured to supply an operating voltage to the control circuit. The control circuit includes a clock generator; a processor unit; a temperature sensor; a body bias generator; and a controller. The controller controls the power management IC and the clock generator when temperature data indicates a temperature higher than a high temperature and controls the power management IC or the body bias generator when the temperature data indicates a temperature lower than a low temperature. The high temperature is lower than a hot temperature of the control circuit and the low temperature is higher than a cold temperature of the control circuit and lower than the high temperature. |
| US08928393B1 |
Temperature switch circuit having dynamic temperature thresholds
An apparatus comprising a temperature switch and a logic device, and a method of implementing multiple dynamic temperature thresholds. The temperature switch has a temperature sensor, a temperature threshold select input, and an output to a temperature threshold interrupt line, wherein the temperature switch selects a current temperature threshold from multiple predetermined temperature thresholds as determined by a state of the temperature threshold select input. The temperature switch causes an interrupt assertion on the temperature threshold interrupt line in response to the temperature sensor indicating a sensed temperature that exceeds the temperature threshold. The logic device has an input coupled to the temperature threshold interrupt line and a temperature threshold select output coupled to the temperature threshold select input of the temperature switch. The logic device automatically increments the temperature threshold select output in response to detecting an interrupt assertion on the temperature threshold interrupt line. |
| US08928391B2 |
Controlling a state of a qubit assembly
Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling the state of a qubit. A qubit apparatus includes a qubit and a load coupled to the qubit through a filter. The filter has at least a first pass band and a first stop band. A qubit control is configured to tune the qubit to alter an associated transition frequency of the qubit from a first frequency in the first stop band of the filter to a second frequency in the first pass band of the filter. |
| US08928390B2 |
Method to improve response speed of RMS detectors
A root-mean-square (RMS) detector includes detection circuitry having as an input a radio frequency signal, target voltage and a set voltage and a RMS signal as an output, and a gain stage within the detection circuitry to produce the RMS signal as an output. The gain stage provides for faster settling times of the detector. |
| US08928387B2 |
Tunable clock distribution system
A memory-like structure composed of variable resistor elements for use in tuning respective branches and leaves of a clock distribution structure, which may be used to compensate for chip-by-chip and/or combinatorial logic path-by-path delay variations, which may be due, for example, to physical variations in deep submicron devices and interconnections, is presented. A single system clocked scan flip-flop with the capability to perform delay test measurements is also presented. Methods for measuring combinatorial logic path delays to determine the maximum clock frequency and delays to program the variable resistors, as well as methods for calibrating and measuring the programmed variable resistors, are also presented. |
| US08928386B1 |
Circuits for and methods of asychronously transmitting data in an integrated circuit
A circuit for asynchronously transmitting data in an integrated circuit is described. The circuit comprises a transmitter circuit generating data to be transmitted at an output; a first register having an input, an output and a clock input, wherein the input of the first register is coupled to the output of the transmitter and the clock input of the first register is coupled to receive a clock signal; at least one asynchronous buffer having an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to the output of the first register; a receiver circuit coupled to the output of the at least one buffer; and a second register having an input, and output and a clock input, wherein the input of the at least one asynchronous buffer is coupled to the output of the transmitter and the clock input of the second register is coupled to receive the clock signal. A method of implementing of asynchronously transmitting data in an integrated circuit device is also disclosed. |
| US08928383B2 |
Integrated delayed clock for high speed isolated SPI communication
A system may include a plurality of isolators to transfer data signals across an isolation barrier, one of the signals including a clock signal. A delay circuit may be included to receive the clock signal and provide a delayed clock signal that lags the clock signal by an amount representing a delay across the isolation barrier. The delayed clock signal may be delayed by a round trip propagation delay over the isolation barrier. The delayed clock signal may be used as a reference to read data sent over the isolation barrier. |
| US08928381B1 |
Spare cell strategy using flip-flop cells
Configurable flip-flop cells for use in scan chain configurations include one or more multiplexers, a flip-flop, and one or more logic gates. The logic gates are configurable, through modification of different metallization or semiconductor layers, to operate as spare gates or to disable flip-flop cell outputs based selection signal switching between scan shift and capture mode. When disabling flip-flop cell outputs, the logic gates are configured to receive both a test signal and a data input signal and select one of the two to pass to the flip-flop based on the selection signal. When used as spare gates, the logic gates receive external inputs and provide spare gate outputs to circuitry on an integrated circuit that is external to the flip-flop cells. |
| US08928380B2 |
Current-mode D latch with reset function and associated circuit
A current-mode D latch includes a first load element, a second load element, a first bias current source, a first switch transistor, a second switch transistor, a first stage circuit and a second stage circuit. The first switch transistor is controlled by an inverted reset signal. The second switch transistor is controlled by a reset signal. When an inverted clock signal is in a first level state and the reset signal is inactive, the first input signal is converted into the first output signal and the first inverted input signal is converted into the first inverted output signal by the first stage circuit. When a clock signal is in the first level state and the reset signal is inactive, the first output signal and the first inverted output signal are maintained by the second stage circuit. |
| US08928379B2 |
Minimal power latch for single-slope ADCs
A latch circuit that uses two interoperating latches. The latch circuit has the beneficial feature that it switches only a single time during a measurement that uses a stair step or ramp function as an input signal in an analog to digital converter. This feature minimizes the amount of power that is consumed in the latch and also minimizes the amount of high frequency noise that is generated by the latch. An application using a plurality of such latch circuits in a parallel decoding ADC for use in an image sensor is given as an example. |
| US08928378B2 |
Scan/scan enable D flip-flop
In accordance with an embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises a master-slave flip-flop, a selection logic circuit, and a pass structure. The selection logic circuit is configured to selectively enable or disable one or more clock signals. The pass structure is configured to pass a data signal to the master-slave flip-flop in response to a selected clock signal being enabled. |
| US08928377B2 |
Scannable fast dynamic register
A scannable fast dynamic register including a data and scan enable circuit, a precharge circuit, a select circuit, a store circuit, and a scan input enable circuit. The data and scan enable circuit pulls a first precharge node to a discharge node in response to the clock upon evaluation in normal mode. The precharge circuit precharges first and second precharge nodes high, in which one of the precharged nodes discharges depending upon whether a data block evaluates. The store circuit and an output gate are responsive to the second precharge node to provide the output. The select circuit is interposed before the store circuit to allow injection of scan data in a scan mode. In scan mode, the scan input enable circuit provides scan data to the select and store circuits. The scan input enable circuit also includes a store circuit which operates with the first store circuit in a master-slave configuration. |
| US08928374B2 |
Semiconductor device and wireless communication device
To realize an optimal power-on reset in a system in which the rise of the power supply voltage is sharp.A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes two diodes connected in parallel between power supplies, and a resistor circuit and a capacitance element connected in parallel between one power supply and each of the two diodes, and outputs a comparison result between voltages outputted from the two resistor circuits as a reset signal. |
| US08928372B2 |
Multiple power domain electronic device and related method
An electronic device includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a power on control (POC) circuit. The POC circuit includes an enable terminal electrically connected to a first output of the first circuit, a first input terminal electrically connected to a first voltage supply, a second input terminal electrically connected to a second voltage supply, and an output terminal. The second circuit includes a biasing-sensitive circuit, and a logic circuit including a first input terminal electrically connected to a second output of the first circuit, a second input terminal electrically connected to the output of the POC circuit, and an output terminal electrically connected to an enable terminal of the biasing-sensitive circuit. |
| US08928371B2 |
Deserializers
Deserializers are provided. The deserializer includes a data aligner, a selection signal generator and a selection output unit. The data aligner is configured to align data in response to internal clock signals having different phases from each other to generate higher aligned data and lower aligned data. The selection signal generator is configured to detect a phase of one of the internal clock signals in response to a phase detection signal to generate a selection signal. The phase detection signal includes a pulse generated according to a write command signal and a write latency signal. The selection output unit is configured to output the higher aligned data or the lower aligned data as selected alignment data in response to the selection signal. |
| US08928369B1 |
Low power local oscillator quadrature generator
An apparatus comprising a frequency divider comprising a first latch and a second latch coupled to the first latch in a toggle-flop configuration, and an output circuit comprising a first p-channel transistor, wherein the gate of the first p-channel transistor is configured to receive a clock signal, a first n-channel transistor, wherein the gate of the first n-channel transistor is coupled to the first latch, a second n-channel transistor connected in series with the first p-channel transistor and the first n-channel transistor and wherein the gate of the second n-channel transistor is configured to receive the clock signal, a second p-channel transistor, wherein the gate of the second p-channel transistor is configured to receive the clock signal, and a third n-channel transistor in series with the second p-channel transistor and the second n-channel transistor, wherein the output circuit is configured to generate a pair of in-phase reference signals. |
| US08928368B2 |
Gate driving circuit
A gate driving circuit for driving an insulated gate switching element, including a gate charging circuit configured to charge gate capacitance of the insulated gate switching element, and a gate discharging circuit that is connected in series with the gate charging circuit and configured to discharge a charge of the gate capacitance. The gate charging circuit includes a first p-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), and a first hybrid normally-on enhancement MOSFET insertion (NOEMI) circuit connected in series with a drain of the first p-channel MOSFET. The gate discharging circuit includes a first n-channel MOSFET, and a second hybrid NOEMI circuit connected in series with a drain of the first n-channel MOSFET. |
| US08928365B2 |
Methods and devices for matching transmission line characteristics using stacked metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors
An output driver for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection includes a first pair of stacked metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOS) devices coupled between a power terminal and a first differential output terminal. The output driver also includes a second pair of stacked MOS devices coupled between a second differential output terminal and a ground terminal. |
| US08928358B2 |
Sampling
There is disclosed current-mode time-interleaved sampling circuitry configured to be driven by substantially sinusoidal clock signals. Such circuitry may be incorporated in ADC circuitry, for example as integrated circuitry on an IC chip. The disclosed circuitry is capable of calibrating itself without being taken off-line. |
| US08928354B2 |
Clock-delayed domino logic circuit and devices including the same
A clock-delayed domino logic circuit includes a precharge circuit configured to control connection between a first node and a dynamic node in response to a clock signal, an evaluation circuit configured to control connection between a second node and an evaluation node in response to the clock signal, a logic network connected between the dynamic node and the evaluation node, the logic network configured to determine a logic level of the dynamic node based on a plurality of input signals, and a phase control circuit configured to output a logic level of the evaluation node or a logic level of the first node according to a level of the clock signal. |
| US08928353B2 |
Binary half-adder using oscillators
A binary half-adder comprising first and second oscillators, each oscillator being connected to a first input and to a second input, the second oscillator being connected to the first oscillator, wherein the first oscillator is configured to oscillate if the first input is high or the second input is high, the second oscillator is configured to oscillate if the first and the second inputs are high, and wherein the connection between the second oscillator and the first oscillator is configured to suppress oscillation of the first oscillator if the second oscillator is oscillating. |
| US08928351B1 |
Emulating power domains in an integrated circuit using partial reconfiguration
Testing power domains of a circuit design includes correlating, using a processor, a selected power domain of a circuit design having a plurality of power domains with a partial reconfiguration partition and implementing the circuit design within an integrated circuit. The partial reconfiguration partition is implemented within a reconfigurable region of the integrated circuit. A power off state for the selected power domain of the circuit design is emulated by partially reconfiguring the reconfigurable region of the integrated circuit. |
| US08928349B2 |
On-die termination circuit, semiconductor memory device and memory system
An ODT circuit is activated/deactivated in response to a latency control signal or a clock enable signal. The ODT circuit includes an ODT control circuit and an ODT section. The ODT control circuit determines an ODT status based on a read latency control signal (RL) and/or a write latency control signal (WL) to generate an ODT control signal. The ODT section is activated/deactivated in response to the ODT control signal. |
| US08928348B1 |
Current-mode-logic devices resistant to single event disturbances
A current-mode-logic gate designed to have a first electronic path and a second electronic path. Each electronic path has a pair of transistors. The second electronic path is physically separated and identical to the first electronic path. In operation, a first input signal is transmitted through the first electronic path of the current-mode-logic gate to produce a first output signal. Similarly, a second input signal is transmitted through the second electronic path of the current-mode-logic gate to produce a second output signal. |
| US08928346B2 |
Method for an improved checking of repeatability and reproducibility of a measuring chain for semiconductor device testing
A method provides an improved checking of repeatability and reproducibility of a measuring chain, in particular for quality control by semiconductor device testing. The method includes testing steps provided for multiple and different devices to be subjected to measurement or control through a measuring system that includes at least one chain of measuring units between a testing apparatus (ATE) and each device to be subjected to measurement or control. Advantageously, the method comprises checking repeatability and reproducibility of each type of unit that forms part of the measuring chain and, after the checking, making a correlation between the various measuring chains as a whole to check repeatability and reproducibility, using a corresponding device subjected to measurement or control. |
| US08928342B2 |
System and method for analyzing electronic devices having opposing thermal components
A system for analyzing electronic devices includes an input station, a transport apparatus, an electric machine interface station, an electric machine interface, a support structure and first and second thermal components. The input station receives a plurality of electronic devices and the transport apparatus transports each of the electronic devices from the input station to the electric machine interface station. The electric machine interface engages the electronic device when the electronic device is at the electric machine interface station, and is disengageable from the electronic device for the electronic device to be transportable by the transport apparatus away from the electric machine interface station. The first and second thermal components are located on opposing sides of the electronic device when the electronic device is at the electric machine interface station to simultaneously transfer heat to or from the electronic device. |
| US08928341B2 |
Apparatus and method for automated testing of device under test
An apparatus and a method for automated testing of electrostatic discharge of a Device Under Test (DUT) are provided. In the apparatus and the method, an electrostatic pulse is applied to the DUT, a malfunction type is detected from the DUT, and a control command is transmitted to the DUT to return a test mode of the DUT to a normal mode according to the detected malfunction type. |
| US08928340B2 |
Digital circuit testable through two pins
A method for scan-testing of an integrated circuit includes the following steps carried out by the circuit itself: upon powering on of the circuit, watching for bit sequences applied to a use pin configured for receiving serial data from the exterior at the rate of a clock signal applied to a clock pin; configuring the circuit in a test mode when a bit sequence is identified as a test initialization sequence; connecting latches of the circuit in a shift register configuration, and connecting the shift register for receiving a test vector in series from the use pin; switching the transfer direction of the use pin to the output mode for providing to the exterior serial data at the rate of the clock signal; and connecting the shift register for providing its content, as a test result set, in series on the use pin. |
| US08928335B1 |
Stepped impedance flexure design in a hard disk drive
Various embodiments concern a method for forming a trace array by modeling a trace array having a plurality of traces, each trace having a plurality of trace segments corresponding to elements of a filter circuit having alternating high and low impedance elements. The alternating high and low impedance elements can correspond to inductors and capacitors. For each trace segment, a delay constant is measured between a plurality of nodes that are longitudinally arrayed along the trace segment. The delay constant can be a phase delay. The length of each trace segment is set based on the delay constant of the trace segment. The length of each trace segment can be set such that the trace has a linear group delay response across an operational frequency range of the flexure. A trace array is then formed based on the set lengths. |
| US08928334B1 |
On-chip noise measurement
An apparatus relating to on-chip noise measurement is disclosed. In such an apparatus, an asynchronous comparator receives a first input and a second input to provide a digital output. A threshold voltage generator receives a first periodic signal and a second periodic signal to provide the second input as an analog voltage responsive to the first and second periodic signals. A sampling circuit is coupled to receive the digital output signal and a third periodic signal. The sampling circuit is configured to sample the digital output signal using the third periodic signal to provide a sampled signal of the digital output signal. A processor is coupled to receive a delay signal and the sampled signal to determine a noise measurement signal for the first input signal. |
| US08928333B2 |
Calibration measurements for network analyzers
A method for measuring s-parameters of an N-port device under test (DUT), using an N-port test fixture and a network analyzer. The method includes: measuring calibration errors of the N-port test fixture using a reduced set of N/2 calibration standards; measuring calibration errors due to the network analyzer by calibrating only the network analyzer using analyzer-only calibration standards; isolating test fixture s-parameters errors using results of the analyzer-only calibration standards measurement and the N-port test fixture calibration standard measurement; measuring the s-parameters errors of the DUT; and correcting the s-parameters errors of the DUT corresponding to the isolated test fixture s-parameters errors and the calibration errors of the network analyzer. |
| US08928332B2 |
Electrical impedance imaging
An apparatus for electrical impedance imaging has electrodes arranged on an electrode carrier in an arrangement including a unit of repetition. The unit of repetition repeats over the electrode carrier and has an angle of rotational symmetry less than 90°. Specifically, the unit of repetition is an equilateral triangle or a hexagon. |
| US08928330B2 |
Appratus for measuring ground leakage current in an ungrounded direct current power system, and method for same
A ground leakage current measurement apparatus in an ungrounded DC power system including positive and negative electric lines includes a switching unit configured to perform switching to supply measurement power to a positive side ground resistor and a negative side ground resistor by using power of the electric lines; a measurement unit connected between the switching unit and the ground and configured to measure at least one of positive and negative side ground leakage currents; and a control unit configured to control the switching unit to discriminate a positive side ground leakage current operation and a negative side ground leakage current operation of the measurement unit. |
| US08928329B2 |
Cold cathode gauge fast response signal circuit
A fast response output signal circuit (10) for a cold cathode gauge is provided to produce a fast response output signal (48) in addition to a voltage output signal (40) that is representative of the pressure in the cold cathode gauge. The fast response output signal (48) is either on or off, thus can be used to trigger a closing of an isolation valve or other responsive action upon a change in pressure that attains or exceeds a certain set point threshold. The fast response output signal is produced and processed with analog circuits, but the set point is produced with a microprocessor. The voltage output signal can be produced as a logarithmic function of the pressure. |
| US08928327B2 |
Mass distribution indication of flow battery state of charge
An electrochemical device includes at least one electrochemical cell having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a reservoir configured to store an electrolyte and a mass distribution measuring device. The mass distribution measuring device includes at least one of a scale, a first pressure sensor located in a lower portion of the reservoir and a second pressure sensor located in an upper portion of the reservoir, or at least one strain gauge or load cell configured to measure a change a weight of the at least one electrochemical cell. |
| US08928321B2 |
Magnetic resonance system
A magnetic resonance system is disclosed, with a tunnel for accommodating an object under investigation and at least one local coil array. In at least one embodiment, the local coil array is arranged in a fixed position within the tunnel and in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic resonance system, where the geometry of the local coil array, in particular its diameter, can be altered. In at least one embodiment, for the purpose of arranging the local coil array on the patient's body, at least a proportion of the coils of the local coil array is attached to a fixture the volume of which can be altered, either hydraulically or pneumatically. The fixture is subdivided into chambers, the volumes of which can be altered separately in order to realize a bending of the fixture. Or, in at least one embodiment, for the purpose of arranging the local coil array on the patient's body at least a proportion of the coils of the local coil array is arranged on a lamellar structure so that they can be moved relative to each other. |
| US08928318B2 |
MRI apparatus and method for generating automatically positioned 2D slice images of heart tissue from acquired 3D heart image data
First magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) three-dimensional heart image data includes a plurality of two-dimensional heart image data superimposed and having a resolution in at least one direction that is different from that in two other directions. A first axis is detected in the three-dimensional heart image data. A first vector is calculated as passing through the first axis and having at least a predetermined resolution and generated image data on a plane passing through the first axis and the first vector is generated from the first imaging data. A second axis is detected relating to the heart from the generated image data, the second axis being a higher precision axis than the first axis. |
| US08928317B2 |
System and method for controlling apparent timing dependencies for T2-weighted MRI imaging
A system and method for imaging includes applying an RF excitation pulse to a region-of-interest (ROI) in the presence of a first slice selective gradient and applying a readout gradient to acquire a echo signal from the ROI, wherein a time between the RF excitation pulse and the echo signal define an echo time (TE). A saturation module is applied to the ROI including an RF pulse configured to provide a TE-independent steady state and enforcing a predetermined time period (TR0) selected to elapse between the RF pulse of the saturation module and a subsequent application of the RF excitation pulse during repetitions of the above-described portions of the process. An image of the ROI is reconstructed using the acquired echo signals, for example, a T2-weighted image having reduced underestimations of T2 that plague traditional T2-weighted imaging processes using a short TR with a spin-echo (SE) pulse sequence. |
| US08928314B2 |
Magnetic detection apparatus
A magnetic detection apparatus comprises: a magnetic detection section which is obtained by pressing a base including a magnetic detection device, and magnetic field generation means fixed to the base, into a cap so as to integrate the base, the magnetic field generation means, and the cap; and a secondary molding section including an attachment section for attaching the magnetic detection section, and a connector section for extracting a signal detected by the magnetic detection section. |
| US08928309B2 |
System and method for operating a mobile device having a magnetometer using error indicators
A method and system are provided for operating a mobile device having a magnetometer. The method includes obtaining a plurality of error indicators associated with the magnetometer. At least two of the plurality of error indicators have different criteria for error. The method also includes determining an instruction for operating the mobile device using the plurality of error indicators. |
| US08928307B2 |
Signal detection circuit, method and system
A signal detection circuit is provided, and includes a signal conversion module, a threshold control module, and a comparison module. The signal conversion module is configured to: convert a reference voltage signal into a reference current signal, and send the reference current signal to the threshold control module; convert a voltage signal to be detected into a current signal to be detected, and send the current signal to be detected to the comparison module. The threshold control module is configured to: generate a threshold current signal according the reference current signal, and send the threshold current signal to the comparison module; and receive a threshold control signal, and change magnitude of the threshold current signal according to the threshold control signal. The comparison module is configured to compare magnitude of the current signal to be detected with the magnitude of the threshold current signal, and output a comparison result. |
| US08928304B2 |
Solar cell system with predictive output load control
Disclosed herein is a solar cell system including: a solar cell; a load controller connected to the solar cell, the load controller being capable of controlling a load applied to the solar cell; an output measuring unit for measuring a power generation output of the solar cell; and an output predicting unit for predicting a value to be reached by the output on a basis of transient response of the output measured by the output measuring unit, wherein the solar cell system has a function of controlling the load controller so as to maximize the value to be reached. |
| US08928298B2 |
Power system and power controlling method and apparatus thereof
A power controlling method includes the following steps. A first Proportional Integral (PI) computation is performed according to an input current signal and command. Next, whether the input current signal is greater than a maximum rated charging current of a battery unit is determined to generate a switching signal for controlling a brake unit correspondingly. Then, a second PI computation is performed in accordance with the output voltage signal and a predetermined voltage command. Thereafter, the output voltage signal and the voltage command are compared to set an output current command selectively. Next, a third PI computation is performed in accordance with the output current signal and command to adjust a first pair of switching signals and a second pair of switching signals, such that a switching unit performs a corresponding switching action to adjust the output voltage signal. A power system and a power controlling apparatus are provide. |
| US08928290B2 |
Electric motor drives for recapturing electrical energy
A set of electric motor drives for recapturing otherwise unused electrical energy from electric motors and methods of using same are disclosed that provide electrical energy in addition to mechanical energy by recapturing electrical energy that would be unused if conventional technologies were followed. Such recapturing motor drives can provide recaptured electrical energy to other loads, can transfer recaptured electrical energy to storage devices for future use, and/or can recirculate recaptured electrical energy back through a recapturing motor drive. By recapturing unused electrical energy, the recapturing motor drives enable significantly greater useful energy output for any given electrical energy input drawn from a power source as compared to conventional technologies, materially increasing the efficient use of electrical energy drawn from the power source and dramatically reducing the relative consumption of electrical energy drawn from the power source. The present invention also lowers component count, reducing design time and production costs. |
| US08928278B2 |
Non-contact charging module and reception-side and transmission-side non-contact charging apparatuses using the same
It is an object to provide a non-contact charging module that uses a magnet included in a counterpart-side non-contact charging module or does not use the magnet when aligning with the counterpart-side non-contact charging module is performed. An L value of a coil that is provided in the non-contact charging module is not changed. This non-contact charging module includes a planar coil portion where electrical lines are wound and a magnetic sheet that places a coil surface of the planar coil portion and faces the coil surface of the planar coil portion, and in the magnetic sheet, a hole portion is provided at the position corresponding to a hollow portion of the planar coil portion. |
| US08928262B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor
A system and method of controlling an electric motor using a motor controller are provided. The system includes an electric motor controller configured to be coupled to an electric motor and to control the electric motor to produce approximately constant average torque. The controller includes a rectifier configured to convert an AC input voltage to a pulsing DC voltage, a DC link electrically coupled to the rectifier, an inverter electrically coupled to the DC link and configured to generate a three phase AC voltage to drive the electric motor, and a controller configured to receive a measurement of a motor current value for the motor, estimate a torque generated in the electric motor using the measurement of the instantaneous motor current value, and generate a real-time current demand signal using the estimated torque value, the real-time current demand signal compensating the motor controller to produce a substantially constant average motor output torque. |
| US08928260B2 |
Traction motor retarding flux reference
A traction motor system calculates motor flux by generating a real time effective resistance of a resistance grid calculated from motor torque and measured voltage on a DC link. Calculating effective resistance avoids solely relying on DC link voltage, which can be influenced by conditions such as wheel slip and drop out of one or more resistance grids. The effective resistance calculation is based on nominal motor values using known power levels and conditions. From these nominal values and the effective resistance, various scaling factors based on actual motor power can be generated and used to adjust a nominal flux reference to more accurately reflect actual motor flux. The scaling factors include power and torque scaling factors and a resistance scaling factor that is active during conditions such as wheel slip. |
| US08928248B2 |
Step up/down converter
Provided is a step up/down converter, in which the inductor current can be easily detected by a simple configuration in any connecting mode of the switches. This comprises a first switch, one end of which is connected to an input power source, and the other end of which is connected to one end of the inductor, a second switch, one end of which is connected to the one end of the inductor, and the other end of which is connected to a reference potential applying unit, a third switch and a fourth switch, one end of which is connected to the other end of the inductor; a capacitor circuit element, connected between the other end of the third switch and the other end of the fourth switch, and configured to generate an output voltage for applying to a load, a detecting resistor, connected between the other end of the second switch and the other end of the third switch, and configured to detect an inductor current flowing through the inductor, and a control circuit configured to perform control from the first switch to the fourth switch based on the inductor current detected by the detecting resistor. |
| US08928241B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling brightness of light emitting diodes
A circuit for driving a light emitting diode (LED) comprises: an alternating voltage power supply, comprising a triac dimmer having a firing angle and output terminals that provide power to the LED; a zero crossing detector that detects a polarity change of the alternating voltage provided by the alternating voltage power supply and provides a zero crossing output signal indicative of the zero crossing; a timer triggered by the zero crossing output signal that generates a timer output signal during a time period of the timer; and LED power circuitry that reduces current to the light emitting diode based upon timing characteristics of the timer output signal. |
| US08928240B2 |
Method and system for driving organic LED's
A method and system for driving an organic light emitting diode (OLED) with a regular LED driver without pre-charge are provided. In the examples, at least one passive element is included in parallel with the OLED across the output of the power supply. This passive element may be a capacitor. In one example, the effective series resistance (ESR) of the parallel capacitor may be substantially less than an ESR of the OLED at turn-on of the OLED. The turn-on delay of the OLED substantially is determined by the ESR of the parallel capacitor and is not substantially determined by the ESR of the OLED. In another example, the ESR of the parallel capacitor is less than or equal to 10% of an ESR of the OLED at turn-on of the OLED. |
| US08928228B2 |
Embodiments of a field emission device
In one embodiment, the trajectory of one or more electrons is controlled in a field emission device. In another embodiment, the field emission device is configured analogously to a klystron. In another embodiment, the field emission device is configured with electrical circuitry selected to control the input and output of the device. |
| US08928223B2 |
Magnetron and microwave oven therewith
A magnetron has an anode cylinder, ten vanes, three strap rings. The ten vanes are fixed to an inner surface of the anode cylinder and arranged in a radial pattern of which center is at an axis of the anode cylinder. Each of the three strap rings connects vanes that are alternatively arranged. A first strap ring and a third strap ring are arranged on a first end of the vanes in a direction of axis, and a second strap ring is arranged on a second end that is opposite to the first end. Outer diameter of the second strap ring is equal to inner diameter of the first strap ring and outer diameter of the third strap ring is equal to inner diameter of the second strap ring. |
| US08928221B2 |
Light-emitting element and display device using same
A display device having a plurality of light-emitting elements that construct picture elements aligned on a TFT substrate in a formation of a matrix. The display device includes the plurality of light-emitting elements each having a flat surface portion and including a light-emitting layer, an anode, and a cathode; a plurality of driver elements each coupled to the light-emitting element; a plurality of capacitor elements each of which is coupled to the light emitting element and receives an image signal; a plurality of switching elements each of which is coupled to the capacitor element and the light emitting element and control input of the image signal to the capacitor; and an insulation layer having a contact hole formed over the driver element. The anode is formed on the insulation layer and coupled to the driver element via the contact hole. |
| US08928220B2 |
White light emitting device and display apparatus
A white light emitting device includes: a blue light emitting diode (LED) which emits blue light; and a resin packing unit which encapsulates the blue LED, wherein the resin packing unit includes a first wavelength conversion material which, in response to being excited by the blue light, emits green light, a second wavelength conversion material which, in response to being excited by the blue light, emits red light, and a complex compound which absorbs light of a region in which the green light and the red light are mixed, the light of the region being included in white light implemented through a mixture of the green light and the red light excited together with the blue light. |
| US08928208B2 |
Tuning fork-type piezoelectric resonator plate and tuning fork-type piezoelectric resonator
A tuning fork-type piezoelectric resonator plate has a resonator blank comprising a pair of vibrating leg portions and a base portion from which the leg portions protrude. The pair of leg portions are arranged in parallel protrudingly from one end face of the base portion, and a pronged portion is formed between the pair of leg portions in an intermediate position in a width direction of the one end face of the base portion. The base portion has a pair of through holes along the one end face of the base portion, and on another end face side opposite to the one end face of the base portion, a joining region that joins to an external portion. The pair of through holes are specially positioned and have special wall surface configurations. |
| US08928206B2 |
Method for obtaining electrical energy from the kinetic energy of waves
The invention relates to a method for obtaining electrical energy from the kinetic energy waves. According to said method, a device is provided in the water, comprising an electroactive polymer that can expand with the action of the waves. When the electroactive polymer expands, an electrical charge is applied at a specific time for a specific time interval. Said electrical charge is removed during the relaxation of the polymer, except for a residual charge. According to said method, the variables of the electrical target charge required for the operation of the method, and the time intervals for the beginning and end of the charging and discharging of the electroactive polymer are determined. The invention also relates to a system for obtaining electrical energy and to a computer program product comprising commands that can be implemented by a microprocessor for carrying out the calculations in the method according to the invention. |
| US08928201B2 |
Electric motor having an output shaft rotatably supported by a housing and working machine including the same
A motor has an output shaft which is rotatably supported by a housing, a rotor which is fixed to the output shaft and which comprises a printed-wiring board, and a stator which is fixed to the housing and which comprises a magnet facing the rotor. The printed-wiring board comprises a coil/commutator disk and a coil disk. A commutator conductor pattern is formed in a commutator region of the coil/commutator disk. Likewise, coil conductor patterns are formed in respective coil regions of the coil/commutator disk and of the coil disk. |
| US08928200B2 |
Rotating electric machine
An external cylindrical ring for use in this rotating electric machine includes a body portion and a flange, the body portion including a fastening region making internal contact with an outer circumferential surface of a stator core to be fastened to the outer circumferential surface of the stator core, and a skirt region located at a bottom surface side of a casing and having an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of the fastening region. When the external cylindrical ring is fastened to the stator core, the deformation of the skirt region of the external cylindrical ring can be suppressed, thus enabling the dimensional accuracy of an outer surface of a cylindrical skirt region of the external cylindrical ring to fall within tolerance. |
| US08928199B2 |
Wound rotor brushless doubly-fed motor
A wound rotor brushless doubly-fed motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes two sets of three-phase windings and the number of pole pairs is p1 and p2 respectively. The rotor includes a multi-phase wound winding and phase number m is satisfied with the relation m=(p1+p2)/mk, in which, when p1+p2 is odd, mk=1; when p1+p2 is even, mk=2. Rotor slots are evenly distributed along the circumference of the air gap and the number of the rotor slots Z′ is satisfied with the relation Z′=n(p1+p2), in which n is a positive integer. Rotor winding coils are multi-turn structure, coil number of each phase winding is nmk and each coil has the same span, but turn ratios among the coils are different. When the phase winding coils number ≦nmk, all coils within the phase winding are automatically connected in short after being connected in series. The advantage of this invention is that the winding coil span can be changed flexibly and number of turns of each coil may be different so as to weaken high-order harmonics to the maximum extent. |
| US08928197B2 |
Pole-to-pole asymmetry in interior permanent magnet machines with arc-shaped slots
An interior permanent magnet machine includes a rotor formed with a plurality of slots that are substantially arc-shaped and referred to herein as arc segments. A first layer of arc segments are disposed in a first pole. The first layer defines a first configuration relative to a first arc center. A second layer of arc segments are disposed in a second pole. The second layer defines a second configuration relative to a second arc center. The rotor is configured such that the first configuration is different from the second configuration, thereby exhibiting pole-to-pole asymmetry. The first configuration is sufficiently different from the second configuration such that torque ripple may be minimized. In one embodiment, the first layer includes first, second and third arc segments. The rotor may be configured such that the second arc segment is radially offset relative to the first and third arc segments. |
| US08928195B2 |
Rotary machine
On an inner circumference side of a stator fixed in an inner housing, a rotor is arranged. The rotor rotates through a bearing with respect to a center shaft that is a stationary shaft fixed to outer housings. Oil introduced into a rotor oil inlet path in the center shaft flows through a communication path and a clearance on an outer circumference of the center shaft into an oil path in the rotor. The oil flowing through the oil path cools a permanent magnet, lubricates the bearing, and is discharged from a rotor oil discharge port to the outside of the inner housing. The oil in the clearance is sealed with a thread seal, i.e., an inner thread formed in an inner face of an end ring and is prevented from flowing toward the bearing. |
| US08928192B2 |
Electromagnetic vibrator with dual layer diaphragm unit
An electromagnetic vibrator includes an electromagnetic provider and a vibration unit, wherein the vibration unit includes a diaphragm unit and an induction coil unit affixing on an inner side of the diaphragm unit, so that when the vibration unit is mounted to the electromagnetic provider, the induction coil is inducted to the electromagnetic to generate an electromagnetic field, so as to axially vibrate the induction coil to vibrate the vibration unit. |
| US08928188B2 |
Earth leakage power supply with bypass
A power supply circuit for a remote load and a local controller includes a line connection receiving electrical power from an AC source. A load connection connects to the remote load. A switch is located between the line and load connections. Power is supplied to the load from the AC source through the switch. The switch is selectively opened and closed by the controller. A low voltage supply portion supplies power from the AC source to the controller. The low voltage supply portion includes an energy storage device for storing electrical energy for the controller. A current-limited earth ground portion conducts charging current from the energy storage device to earth and prevents charging current conducted to earth from exceeding a predetermined current level. An earth ground bypass portion conducts at least some of the charging current to the load when the switch located between the line and load is open. |
| US08928177B2 |
Control circuit and electronic device
A controller includes a difference detector that detects a difference between a switching timing of a first channel of a switching power supply including a plurality of channels, and a switching timing of a second channel of the switching power supply, the plurality of channels being coupled in common to an input power supply and performing switching operations in response to clock signals, and a timing adjuster that, based on a detection result of the difference detector, increases a difference between a timing of a clock signal supplied to the first channel and a timing of a clock signal supplied to the second channel when the difference between the switching timing of the first channel and the switching timing of the second channel is smaller than a first value. |