| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08954282B2 |
Autonomic seismic data processing
Implementations of various technologies for a method for processing seismic data. In one implementation, the method may include receiving a record of seismic data. The record of seismic data may have a plurality of attributes. A first seismic data process may be performed on the record of seismic data. The first seismic data process may generate a plurality of datasets. A selection of a portion of the plurality of attributes for ranking the datasets may be received. A quality score may be determined for each attribute of the portion of the plurality of attributes for each dataset. A ranking may be determined for each dataset based on the quality score. |
| US08954281B2 |
Wellbore fluid testing apparatus and methods
A system for testing a wellbore fluid includes a test chamber having first and second platens therein. The chamber is in a thermally insulating enclosure. The enclosure includes a heating element. The platens simulate response of the wellbore fluid through an hydraulically induced fracture in subsurface rock formation. The system includes means to control a distance between the platens. A pump introduces the wellbore fluid into a space between the platens and another pump introduces a pressure test fluid into contact with the wellbore fluid. A respective pressure sensor is in fluid communication with a discharge side of each pump, and a sensor is included to measure a parameter related to the position of the second platen or the space between the platens. A data acquisition and control device is configured to detect signals from the respective pressure transducers and the sensor. |
| US08954279B2 |
Human-like global positioning system (GPS) directions
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a user, a request for a route from a first geolocation to a second geolocation; and calculating the route from the first geolocation to the second geolocation. The route includes one or more segments and a set of navigation instructions of the segments. The method also includes accessing a data store for one or more pre-determined paths determined at least in part by previous location data of the user. Each pre-determined path comprising an abbreviated navigation instruction. The method also includes identifying one or more pre-determined paths that coincide with one or more of the segments; modifying the set of navigation instructions by replacing the navigation instructions of the coinciding segments with the abbreviated navigation instruction of each identified pre-determined path; and providing, to the user, the modified set of navigation instructions. |
| US08954276B1 |
System and method for managing indoor geolocation conversions
The present technology proposes techniques for managing indoor geolocation conversions based on a user's intent in an indoor location. An advertiser may determine the intent of a user of a mobile device and transmit advertisements to the mobile device related to the determined intent. The intent may be determined based on events that include a location of the mobile device, network browsing history, and a transaction made using the mobile device. The advertisement may provide the user with directions to an item based on location information from the mobile device. The advertisements may also load balance geolocation conversions in order to manage a number of users at a particular location. |
| US08954273B2 |
Navigation system, particularly for a motor vehicle
A navigation system, in particular for a motor vehicle, for determining a route to a destination, wherein the navigation system includes an input device for alphanumeric input of the destination and a display for displaying changing information and includes a processing unit for displaying potential destinations in a representation of a map by means of the display during input of the destination. |
| US08954272B2 |
Method and apparatus for the tracking of multiple objects
Tracking systems using multi-object-tracking (MOT) combine data from a plurality of sensors (101) to derive a state estimate of one or more objects (103) are described. The interfaces to the sensors (101) are such that different ones of the sensors (101) can be used. The tracking (102) in the system consists of different blocks for state estimation (104), object's existence estimation (106), and data association (105). To utilize the data of a sensor, the sensor data and the system which is observed is modeled using the Bayesian filtering framework. All interfaces of the system, i.e. the interfaces between the sensors (101) and the MOT system as well as of the blocks in the MOT are of a characteristic that ensures that only compatible models are used with each other already when designing the system. |
| US08954268B1 |
Using location-based logic to adjust building automation schedules
An apparatus for adjusting scheduled events in an automation system of a building at a predetermined location includes a location module, an arrival time module, and a regulator module. The location module determines a current location of a user in response to a triggering event. The arrival time module calculates an estimated time of arrival of the user at a residence. The regulator module adjusts a characteristic of a scheduled event in the automation system in response to comparing the estimated time of arrival of the user to a time of the scheduled event in the automation system. |
| US08954267B2 |
Mobile device positioning
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for determining a mobile device location. An example of a method for determining a mobile device location includes receiving signals from a transmitter, measuring signal characteristics of the received signals, and downloading data from a database corresponding to a defined region associated with the transmitters. The downloaded data includes a set of position points, a classification of each position point, and expected signal characteristics for each position point. The method further includes comparing the measured signal characteristics with the expected signal characteristics for each position point, assigning a weight to position points based on the compared signal characteristics, and determining the mobile device location by selecting one position point from the set as a position point solution corresponding to the mobile device location based on the assigned weight. The position point solution is constrained by the classification of each position point. |
| US08954264B2 |
Environmental waypoint insertion
The different advantageous embodiments provide a system comprising an environmental waypoint insertion process and a processor unit. The processor unit is configured to run the environmental waypoint insertion process. The environmental waypoint insertion process is configured to receive information. The environmental waypoint insertion process determines whether and how to suggest additional waypoints for insertion into a flight plan to a subscriber. |
| US08954263B2 |
Portable navigation device
A navigation device is configured to allocate display setting such as color schemes and screen contents to at least one ambient lighting condition, monitors and evaluates a signal indicative of ambient lighting conditions and determines whether display settings for the current ambient lighting conditions are already in use and to change display settings so that they suit current ambient lighting conditions if needed. |
| US08954262B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic aircraft trajectory management
Disclosed are algorithms and agent-based structures for a system and technique for analyzing and managing the airspace. The technique includes managing bulk properties of large numbers of heterogeneous multidimensional aircraft trajectories in an airspace, for the purpose of maintaining or increasing system safety, and to identify possible phase transition structures to predict when an airspace will approach the limits of its capacity. The paths of the multidimensional aircraft trajectories are continuously recalculated in the presence of changing conditions (traffic, exclusionary airspace, weather, for example) while optimizing performance measures and performing trajectory conflict detection and resolution. Such trajectories are represented as extended objects endowed with pseudo-potential, maintaining objectives for time, acceleration limits, and fuel-efficient paths by bending just enough to accommodate separation. |
| US08954261B2 |
Autonomous vehicle positioning system for misbehavior detection
An autonomous vehicle positioning system for determining a position of a remote vehicle relative to a mobile host vehicle based on safety alert messages broadcast from the remote vehicle relating to an event in a road of travel. A host vehicle communication unit communicates with the remote vehicle for receiving the broadcast messages from the remote vehicle. A host vehicle control unit identifies reference points along the road of travel. Each reference point identifies a position of the host vehicle and associated signal reception properties, for example time-of-arrival, angle-of-arrival and received signal strength when the host vehicle receives the broadcast message. The control unit of the host vehicle selects a set of the reference points having identified positions and associated times, angles and signal strength. The control unit determines a position of the remote vehicle as a function of the time difference-of-arrival, angle-of-arrival or received signal strength between each selected reference point in the set. |
| US08954258B2 |
Electronically operated pressure reducing regulator
A pressure-reducing regulator for CNG fuel includes a high pressure sensor that detects fuel pressure at an inlet, a filter element that filters fuel, an orifice that provides access to a pressure reduction chamber, and a movable pintle located within the orifice, such that a flow rate of fuel through the orifice varies according to a position of the pintle within the orifice. The pressure-reducing regulator further includes a motor that moves the pintle, a low pressure sensor that detects fuel pressure at an outlet and a control unit comprising a processor. The process is configured for reading data from the high pressure sensor, data from the low pressure sensor and vehicle data from an engine, calculating a desired position of the pintle based on the sensor data and the vehicle data, and transmitting a signal to the motor for moving the pintle to the desired position. |
| US08954256B2 |
Vehicle-use speed control apparatus
The vehicle-use speed control apparatus sets a virtual preceding vehicle assumed to run at a target speed at a predetermined initial distance ahead of the own vehicle when the brake pedal is operated causing a relative speed between the actual vehicle speed and the target speed exceeds a predetermined value, calculates an initial value of a performance index for approach and alienation based on the initial distance and the target speed. Thereafter, the vehicle-use speed control apparatus repeatedly calculates a following distance to the virtual preceding vehicle based on a time elapsed from when a speed control start condition is satisfied, the current relative speed and the initial distance, and a target relative speed based on the initial distance, the initial value of the performance index and the following distance, and controls the vehicle speed based on the difference between the target relative speed and the actual relative speed. |
| US08954254B2 |
Computer network for calculating and distributing the true aircraft braking friction coefficient for an aircraft runway or taxiway using data received from an aircraft's on board flight data management system
This invention relates to a computer network for calculating and distributing the true braking coefficient of aircraft on runways and taxiways using a computer which obtains data from an aircraft, including in some preferable embodiments dynamic aircraft properties recorded on the aircraft's flight data management system. Environmental and aircraft parameters may also be used to calculate the braking friction coefficient. A computer and network are used to obtain data and to calculate the friction coefficient, and may be used to distribute the result. The network may utilize, at least in part, wireless local area networks to facilitate data transfer and distribution of the result. The computer for calculating the braking coefficient may be located on the aircraft. |
| US08954244B2 |
Method and apparatus for actuating an automated transmission, in particular an automated transmission of a commercial vehicle, and test bench
A method for actuating an automated transmission, in particular an automated transmission of a commercial vehicle, which is coupled to a drive motor, where data and/or signals are supplied to a controller of the automated transmission via an interface. When a defined event occurs, a temporally predictive non-steady profile of the drive motor torque for this event is transmitted to the controller of the automated transmission. The transmission controller ascertains and/or specifies a transmission shifting strategy on the basis of the transmitted data. There is also provided an apparatus for actuating an automated transmission, and also a test bench. |
| US08954243B2 |
Dynamic tip-off detection, display and location selection
Tip-off is a process of bringing a transport vehicle to a target weight by using only part of a bucket of a loader. By observing sensor data, tip-off may be automatically determined. Once determined, a visual indication may be made to an operator, allowing the operator to both confirm that tip-off mode is active and to show what tip-off mode is selected, truck tip-off or pile tip-off. Among other benefits, automatic tip-off allows an operator to maintain contact with the loader controls when entering tip-off mode of operation. |
| US08954237B2 |
Modular and scaleable port verhicle
The invention relates to a central module for a modular vehicle. The module is characterized in that it comprises, on either side of a loading surface, a first end having a first junction surface and a second end opposite said first end having a second junction surface that is symmetrical nonparallel to said first surface, each of the latter designed to be capable of complementarily engaging with a complementary junction surface of a side module capable of engaging with the central module by buttressing assembly. The invention relates to a modular vehicle comprising such a module. The vehicle is characterized in that the latter is assembled, at each end thereof, to a side module, one side module comprising means for running on the ground. The invention relates to a train of vehicles comprising such a vehicle. |
| US08954233B2 |
Vehicle body drifting suppression device
A vehicle body drifting suppression device including a steering torque detection unit which detects a steering torque of a vehicle, wherein a vehicle body drifting suppression is performed according to a vehicle body drifting suppression control-amount, and the vehicle body drifting suppression control-amount is adjusted according to a temporal sustention status of the steering torque. |
| US08954232B2 |
Vehicle control system
A vehicle control system includes a control portion configured to determine a single parameter based on a running condition of a vehicle, and determine control amounts for a plurality of actuators provided in the vehicle based on the parameter. A relation of the control amount for each of the plurality of actuators to the parameter is predetermined. The control portion is configured to, when the parameter is determined, determine the control amounts for the respective actuators based on the parameter, and control the actuators based on the determined control amounts. |
| US08954228B2 |
Gas turbine engine failure detection
A gas turbine engine control system is disclosed having a fault detection system capable of detecting a high N1 condition. N1 rotational speed is measured and, in two different locations, subtracted from a target N1 value and a requested N1 value. The resultant error values are scaled by a gain that is scheduled as a function of N2 rotational rate. Each error value is accumulated with separate integrators that have independent maximum and minimum limits. The integrators are reset based upon a number of conditions. A number of additional conditions must also be satisfied for the fault detection system to trigger a fault condition. If the additional conditions are satisfied and the integrators are accumulating values, then a fault condition is set if either or both integrators accumulate a value that reaches a selected limit. |
| US08954222B2 |
Method and system for retrieving diagnostic information
A system, method, and apparatus for retrieving trouble codes from a motor vehicle and retrieving only relevant diagnostic information relative to the returned codes from one or more remote diagnostic libraries. An electronic diagnostic library contains generalized diagnostic vehicle information tagged with trouble code identification ID's at a first location, and a diagnostic tool at a second location requests only relevant diagnostic information from the electronic library that is tagged with trouble code identification ID's corresponding to the retrieved trouble codes. The diagnostic tool receives the specific diagnostic vehicle information at the first location and may store the specific vehicle information locally prior to displaying an index to the information to a repair technician. |
| US08954219B2 |
Installed in vehicle for monitoring target section in the vehicle
In a device installed in a vehicle for monitoring a target section in the vehicle, an executing unit executes a specific process for addressing an abnormality in the target section, and an instructing unit instructs the executing unit to execute the specific process when an abnormality occurs in the target section. A determining unit determines when the specific process is required to be checked. A checking unit instructs the executing unit to execute the specific process independently of whether an abnormality occurs in the target section each time it is determined that the specific process is required to be checked, thus checking whether an abnormality occurs in the specific process. |
| US08954217B1 |
Determining when to drive autonomously
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to determining whether an autonomous vehicle should be driven in an autonomous or semiautonomous mode (where steering, acceleration, and braking are controlled by the vehicle's computer). For example, a computer may maneuver a vehicle in an autonomous or a semiautonomous mode. The computer may continuously receive data from one or more sensors. This data may be processed to identify objects and the characteristics of the objects. The detected objects and their respective characteristics may be compared to a traffic pattern model and detailed map information. If the characteristics of the objects deviate from the traffic pattern model or detailed map information by more than some acceptable deviation threshold value, the computer may generate an alert to inform the driver of the need to take control of the vehicle or the computer may maneuver the vehicle in order to avoid any problems. |
| US08954213B2 |
Engine starting strategy to avoid resonant frequency
A machine comprising powertrain components, an engine that applies power to powertrain components, and a hybrid motor that applies power to powertrain components. The machine includes an electronic control module that controls the hybrid motor to apply power to powertrain components. The machine includes an engine parameter sensor. The engine parameter sensor senses engine performance parameters and sends engine performance parameter signals to the electronic control module. The electronic control module monitors engine performance parameters and control the hybrid motor to apply power to the powertrain components to provide hybrid performance parameters to counteract the engine performance parameters. |
| US08954212B2 |
Control device for electric vehicle
A control device for a creep speed advance and creep speed backing up of an electric vehicle. A mode switch provided with an operating section can be operated in a longitudinal direction and can be operated leftward from an intermediate part. The operating section is automatically returned to a stop position in which a speed zero instruction is output to a motor when not being operated by return springs. When the operating section is pushed forward, a creep speed advance mode can be selected and when the operating section is pulled backward, a creep speed backing up mode can be selected. To clearly discriminate a position of the operating section among the creep speed advance mode, the creep speed backing up mode and a normal mode, a stopper is arranged between the stop position and the normal mode so that larger force is required to operate the operating section. |
| US08954207B1 |
Method of enhancing on-board state estimation using communication signals
A method of enhancing on-board state estimation for a spacecraft utilizes a network of assets to include planetary-based assets and space-based assets. Communication signals transmitted from each of the assets into space are defined by a common protocol. Data is embedded in each communication signal transmitted by the assets. The data includes a time-of-transmission for a corresponding one of the communication signals and a position of a corresponding one of the assets at the time-of-transmission. A spacecraft is equipped to receive the communication signals, has a clock synchronized to the space-wide time reference frame, and has a processor programmed to generate state estimates of the spacecraft. Using its processor, the spacecraft determines a one-dimensional range from itself to at least one of the assets and then updates its state estimates using each one-dimensional range. |
| US08954203B2 |
Systems and methods for distributed power factor correction and phase balancing
A power management system includes a plurality of monitors, communicatively coupled together over a communications medium. Each respective monitor of the plurality of monitors is configured to capture power factor (PF) data at a corresponding distribution segment for calculation of a PF correction. |
| US08954192B2 |
Navigating autonomous coverage robots
A method of navigating an autonomous coverage robot between bounded areas includes positioning a navigation beacon in a gateway between adjoining first and second bounded areas. The beacon configured to transmit a gateway marking emission across the gateway. The method also includes placing the coverage robot within the first bounded area. The robot autonomously traverses the first bounded area in a cleaning mode and upon encountering the gateway marking emission in the gateway, the robot remains in the first bounded area, thereby avoiding the robot migration into the second area. Upon termination of the cleaning mode in the first area, the robot autonomously initiates a migration mode to move through the gateway, past the beacon, into the second bounded area. |
| US08954189B2 |
Security and tracking system and process for agricultural product distribution
Sonic embodiments provide an agricultural commodity distribution system that provides secure distribution of an agricultural commodity to an authorized person. In some embodiments, the system comprises a server computing device, a data storage associated with the computing device, and a controller that activates the distribution to the authorized person. In some embodiments, the server is communicably connected to a mobile communication device of a person such that the person can send the distribution request to the server via the mobile communication device. The server of some embodiments is associated with the data storage such that the server can validate the distribution request against data stored in the data storage. The server of some embodiments is also communicably connected to the controller such that the server transmits an activation code to the controller when the distribution request is validated. |
| US08954183B2 |
Aircraft component manufacturing method and apparatus
A method of manufacturing in which a robot arm is used to pick up a workpiece which is subsequently scanned by a scanner and positioned relative to a manufacturing system for manufacturing in order to eliminate the use of a bespoke jig. |
| US08954177B2 |
Controlling operation of a media device based upon whether a presentation device is currently being worn by a user
A mechanism is provided for automatically controlling the operation of a media device based at least in part upon whether a portable presentation device coupled to the media device is currently being worn by a user. A portable presentation device may be any device that is meant to be worn by a user and that is capable of presenting media content to the user (e.g. earphones, headphones, goggles or faceplates with video/audio capability, etc.). With this mechanism, a user can affect the operation of the media device by simply putting on or taking off the portable presentation device. The user does not need to manually manipulate the controls of the media device. By automatically controlling the operation of the media device in this manner, use of the media device and the portable presentation device as a unit is made much simpler and more convenient. |
| US08954176B2 |
Expandable multimedia control system and method
A multimedia control system which may be expanded without creating or modifying source code. The system is based on a master programmable multimedia controller. The master programmable multimedia controller has a list of unique identifiers that indicate valid subordinate programmable multimedia controllers that are eligible to become part of the system. One or more subordinate programmable multimedia controllers having a matching unique identifier to a unique identifier on the master's list may be added to the system to provide additional control ports, increase audio or video processing or switching capacity. A method is provided for determining whether a particular subordinate programmable multimedia controller may be added to the system. |
| US08954174B2 |
Method and device to process digital media streams
A digital processing circuit for processing media data includes a data path arranged to transmit at least media data along the data path between a plurality of processing modules connected serially. The data is transmitted directly from the output of a first module to an input of a second module of the plurality by sequential clocking signals. A routing controller controls transmission of data from the first of the plurality of processing modules to any target processing module selected from the plurality of modules by providing an identification for the target processing module in a signal provided on the datapath. |
| US08954173B1 |
Method and apparatus for profiling and identifying the source of a signal
A method and apparatus for profiling and identifying the source of a signal is provided. A first method includes receiving a signal produced by a known source and creating a matrix of wavelet coefficients corresponding to a wavelet transform of the signal. The method also includes profiling the signal according to an output of a wavelet transform utilizing a particular base function and a particular scale set. A second method includes performing a wavelet transform having a particular profile on a received signal and determining the presence of a particular signal-producing entity as a function of wavelet coefficients exceeding a threshold. An apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive a signal and a processor coupled to the receiver, such that the processor is configured to perform wavelet transforms on the signals. A database is coupled to the processor and configured to store wavelet transform profiles. |
| US08954167B2 |
Helically formed coil for a neural cuff electrode
A lead assembly for an implantable medical device includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. One or more connectors at the proximal end of the lead body are each adapted for connection to a pulse generator. One or more conductive elements are coupled to the one or more connectors at the proximal end and extend through the lead body to the distal end. Each of the one or more conductive elements includes an electrode coil that extends from the distal end of the lead body that is formed into a helix having a diameter greater than a diameter of the electrode coil. |
| US08954160B2 |
Detection of extracardiac stimulation by a cardiac rhythm management device
A medical device system and associated method for controlling a cardiac rhythm management therapy detect extracardiac stimulation. Cardiac pacing pulses are delivered, and a cardiac electrical signal comprising myocardial depolarization and repolarization signals is acquired. A processor is configured to, responsive to the cardiac electrical signal, detect extracardiac capture due to the cardiac pacing pulse. |
| US08954156B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for configuring artificial retina devices
Methods and apparatuses for configuring an implantable device to interface with retina cells are described. The device may comprise an array of pixel units capable of stimulating the retina cells are described. The pixel units may operate in a mode of operation selected from a plurality of modes including a normal mode and a calibration mode. A control circuitry of the device may be configured to switch the mode of operation for the pixel units. In one embodiment, the pixel units may be configured to receive light for stimulating the retina cells during the normal mode to enable perception of the light. During the calibration mode, the pixel units may be configured to adjust amount of stimulation to the retina cells. |
| US08954151B2 |
RF resistant feedthrough assembly and electrical stimulation systems containing the assembly
A control module for an electrical stimulation system includes a casing having an electrically-conductive portion; an electronic subassembly disposed in the casing; and a header portion coupled to the casing and including a connector for a lead or lead extension. The control module also includes a feedthrough assembly coupling the casing to the header portion. The feedthrough assembly includes a non-conductive ceramic block; conductive feedthrough pins passing through the ceramic block and electrically coupling the connector to the electronic subassembly disposed in the casing; a metal flange disposed around, and attached to, the ceramic block, and a non-conductive spacer attached to the metal flange and to the casing to raise the ceramic block above, and away from, the casing. Other control modules include a ceramic block that has a rim portion that raises the plate portion, through which the feedthrough pins pass, of the block away from the casing. |
| US08954150B2 |
Side mount feedthrough system for sealed components
The present subject matter provides apparatus and methods for manufacturing an encasement for a component of an implantable medical device having a main circuit board. The method includes forming an encasement aperture on a lateral side of the encasement. The lateral side of the encasement is adapted to be placed substantially parallel to a surface of the main circuit board. A feedthrough assembly is connected through the encasement aperture. The feedthrough assembly includes at least one terminal conductor at least partially passing through the encasement aperture. |
| US08954146B2 |
Implantable cardiac device with dyspnea measurement
Cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation methods and systems employing dyspnea measurement. An implantable cardiac device may sense transthoracic impedance and determine a patient activity level. An index indicative of pulmonary function is implantably computed to detect an episode of dyspnea based on a change, trend, and/or value exceeding a threshold at a determined patient activity level. Trending one or more pulmonary function index values may be done to determine a patient's pulmonary function index profile, which may be used to adapt a cardiac therapy. A physician may be automatically alerted in response to a pulmonary function index value and/or a trend of the patient's pulmonary index being beyond a threshold. Computed pulmonary function index values and their associated patient's activity levels may be stored periodically in a memory and/or transmitted to a patient-external device. |
| US08954143B2 |
Radial feed through packaging for an implantable electroacupuncture device
An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) treats a disease or medical condition of a patient through application of stimulation pulses applied at a specified acupoint or other target tissue location. In a preferred implementation, the IEAD is an implantable, coin-sized, self-contained, leadless electroacupuncture device having at least two electrodes attached to an outside surface of its housing. The device generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery, having a high internal impedance, to be used to power the device. The stimulation regimen generates stimulation pulses during a stimulation session of duration T3 minutes applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle, or ratio T3/T4, is very low, no greater than 0.05. The low duty cycle and careful power management allow the IEAD to perform its intended function for several years. |
| US08954142B2 |
Microelectrode and multiple microelectrodes
A medical microelectrode includes an elongate electrode body including a tip section, a main body section and, optionally, a coupling section. The tip section, the main body section and, optionally, the coupling section are embedded in a first electrode matrix element, which is substantially rigid, biocompatible and soluble or biodegradable in a body fluid. Additionally the microelectrode includes a dissolution retarding layer on the first electrode matrix element and/or a second electrode matrix element disposed between the first electrode matrix element and the electrode. Upon dissolution or biodegradation of the first electrode matrix element a drug comprised by the first electrode matrix element or the second electrode matrix element is released into the tissue. Also disclosed are bundles and arrays of the electrodes and their use. |
| US08954137B2 |
Use of patterns in processing on mobile monitoring device and computer system
A system include circuitry to receive information from a mobile device including ECG data representative of a beating heart, circuitry to analyze the ECG data using at least one pattern to detect a notable finding in the ECG data and circuitry to determine at least one pattern to send to the mobile device, based on the analysis of the ECG data. The system sends the at least one determined pattern to the mobile device. |
| US08954136B2 |
Implantable cardiac systems with baseline correction in response to noise detection
Implantable cardiac devices and methods of their use. A method of operation in an implantable cardiac device may include steps for characterizing detected events as noise or not noise, identifying a set of consecutive noise events or a threshold quantity of noise events in a set period of time and declaring a noisy series to have occurred. In response to the declaration of a noisy series, the method initiates a baseline correction algorithm. Devices for performing such methods are also disclosed. |
| US08954132B2 |
Methods and systems for guiding an emission to a target
Disclosed are methods and systems for guiding emissions to a target. The methods and systems utilize, in part, Markerless Tracking software to detect a beam of energy, such as a laser, toward a target such as a tissue that is the subject of a medical procedure. |
| US08954128B2 |
Polymer membranes for continuous analyte sensors
Devices and methods are described for providing continuous measurement of an analyte concentration. In some embodiments, the device has a sensing mechanism and a sensing membrane that includes at least one surface-active group-containing polymer and that is located over the sensing mechanism. The sensing membrane may have a bioprotective layer configured to substantially block the effect and/or influence of non-constant noise-causing species. |
| US08954127B2 |
Systems and methods for estimating values of a continuous wavelet transform
According to embodiments, techniques for estimating scalogram energy values in a wedge region of a scalogram are disclosed. A pulse oximetry system including a sensor or probe may be used to receive a photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal from a patient or subject. A scalogram, corresponding to the obtained PPG signal, may be determined. In an arrangement, energy values in the wedge region of the scalogram may be estimated by calculating a set of estimation locations in the wedge region and estimating scalogram energy values at each location. In an arrangement, scalogram energy values may be estimated based on an estimation scheme and by combining scalogram values in a vicinity region. In an arrangement, the vicinity region may include energy values in a resolved region of the scalogram and previously estimated energy values in the wedge region of the scalogram. In an arrangement, one or more signal parameters may be determined based on the resolved and estimated values of the scalogram. |
| US08954126B2 |
Superconducting direct-current electrical cable
A superconductive electrical direct current cable with at least two conductors insulated relative to each other is indicated, where the cable is placed with at least two conductors insulated relative to each other, where the conductors are arranged in a cryostat suitable for guidance of the cooling agent, wherein the cryostat is composed of at least one metal pipe which is surrounded by a circumferentially closed layer with thermally insulating properties. In the cryostat is arranged a strand-shaped carrier composed of insulating material, where the carrier has at least two diametrically oppositely located outwardly open grooves in each of which is arranged one of the conductors. Each conductor is composed of a plurality of superconductive elements. |
| US08954110B2 |
Communication device, communication system and program
To improve convenience of a function of rearranging and conveying information registered in an address book. A mobile phone, if any one of users registered in an address book is selected, obtains location information of a mobile phone owned by the selected user from a location search server. The mobile phone, by comparing location information of a home or an office of the selected user registered in the address book and the location information of the mobile phone obtained from the location search server, decides an indication sequence of plural communication addresses registered in the address book for the selected user. |
| US08954105B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving data and control information through an uplink in a wireless communication system
Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for multiplexing and transmitting data and uplink control information, and receiving the data and control information in a wireless communication system. In the system multiplexing an uplink packet data channel and a control channel, a transport format of the control channel for transmission of the control information is changed according to the transport format of the data channel. The disclosed method and apparatus can control the quantity of resources for the control channel in the case of transmitting high speed data, and thus can the efficiency of the data channel resources. |
| US08954104B2 |
Synchronization of PICO-nodes in a heterogeneous cellular network deployment
A high-power point (110) and one or more low-power points (120) transmit signals associated with the same cell-identifier in a heterogeneous cell deployment. Coverage areas corresponding to the low-power points (120) fall at least partly within the coverage area for the high-power point, so that mobile stations (130) within range of a low-power point are also within range of the high-power point (110). A low-power point (120) measures timing or frequency, or both, of one or more signals received at the low-power point (120) from the high-power point (110), and adjusts the timing or frequency, or both, of a transmission from the low-power point (120) to a mobile station (130), to align the transmission with signals received by the mobile station (130) from the high-power point (110). |
| US08954103B2 |
Model based doppler compensation using traffic data
Implementations and techniques for model based Doppler compensation using traffic data are generally disclosed. |
| US08954097B1 |
Methods and systems for implementing dynamic modulation schemes based on paging area
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for implementing dynamic modulation schemes based on paging area. In one embodiment, a radio access network (RAN) receives a request to page a user equipment (UE), and identifies the cell in which the UE was last registered. The RAN sends one or more paging requests in one or more cells, where the respective modulation coding scheme (MCS) that the RAN selects for each such paging request depends at least in part on the distance of the receiving cell from the cell in which the UE was last registered. |
| US08954088B1 |
Location-based person and object monitoring
Location-based person and object monitoring are provided. The location of a person or object may be monitored by associating a device with the person or object that is operative to send location information for the monitored person or object to a receiving station for establishing precise geo-location data for the monitored person or object. The geo-location information for the monitored person or object may be passed to a television services system for generating and displaying on a viewable television channel mapping information showing the location of the monitored person or object. A television channel may be designated for each monitored person or object. If the monitored person or object moves out of a prescribed monitoring range, a television channel showing the mapping information may be automatically displayed to replace a presently viewed television channel for alerting a monitoring person as to the whereabouts of the monitored person or object. |
| US08954087B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing communication services via television white spaces
Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for providing communication services. The apparatus includes a location information acquisition unit, a radio station information acquisition unit, and an offloading unit. The location information acquisition unit acquires information about the current location of the user terminal by sending a location information request message to the user terminal. The radio station information acquisition unit requests information about a white space radio station from which the user terminal can receive the communication services by sending the information about the current location of the user terminal to a white space server, and acquires, from the white space server, information about an available white space radio station. The offloading unit sends the information about the available white space radio station to the user terminal, and also sends information about the user terminal to the available white space radio station. |
| US08954086B2 |
Method of performing a measurement procedure in LTE-A (long-term evolution advanced) system
The invention disclosed herein relates to a wireless communication system and a user equipment (UE) providing wireless communication services, and more particularly, to a method of effectively performing the measurement of a plurality of frequencies while reducing the measurement load of the UE in the carrier aggregation technology for increasing data transmission speed using a plurality of frequencies in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, and a LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system that have evolved from a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). |
| US08954083B1 |
System and method for preventing or allowing occurrence of a base station function
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for preventing or allowing a base station (BS) to perform a particular BS function are described. The BS and/or a base station controller (BSC) determine and compare a location of the BS to respective location(s) of one or more other BSs. The BS and/or BSC determine whether the BS location is at least a threshold distance respectively from each of one or more other BSs. If the BS location is at least a threshold distance respectively from each of one or more other BSs, the BS and/or BSC sets at least one parameter to prevent the BS from performing the particular BS function. If the BS location is less than the threshold distance respectively from at least one of the one or more other BSs, the BS and/or BSC sets at least one parameter to allow the BS to perform the particular BS function. |
| US08954081B2 |
System and method for simultaneous routing of a special number call to a plurality of agencies
A system for simultaneously routing a special number call from a mobile unit to a plurality of agencies includes (a) at least one of an unlicensed mobile access network and a radio access network communicating with the mobile unit; (b) a mobile switch coupled with at least one of the networks; (c) a call receiver coupled with the mobile switch; at least one of the call receiver and the mobile switch being coupled for communication with respective of the agencies; and (d) a locator coupled with at least one of the mobile switch and the call receiver. After receiving the special number call, the call receiver cooperates with at least one of the locator and the mobile switch to effect routing of the special number call to one or more included agency. Determination which agency is an included agency is made at the call receiver. |
| US08954079B2 |
Mobile communication system and base station identifier management method thereof
A mobile communication system and method for managing the base station identifiers is provided. The method includes transmitting macro base station information from a terminal to a first pico base station; transmitting a Neighbor Relation Table (NRT) including the macro base station information from the first pico base station to a Self Organizing Network (SON) server; determining, at the SON server, whether a second pico base station using same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) as the first pico base station exists by comparing a previously stored NRT with the received NRT; and reallocating, at the SON server, upon determining that the second pico base station uses the same PCI as the first pico base station, new PCIs to the first and second pico base stations. |
| US08954076B2 |
Cooperative communication between terminals in wireless communication system supporting multi-radio access technology
Disclosed is a method for executing communication in a wireless communication system supporting multi-radio access technology, through cooperation between a first terminal requesting terminal cooperation and a second terminal accepting terminal cooperation. The method comprises: a step for the first terminal to transmit to a base station resource allocation request information on the uplink transmission of the second terminal; a step for the second terminal to receive from the base station a first uplink grant (UL grant) as a response to the resource allocation request information; a step for the first terminal to transmit data to the second terminal; and a step for the second terminal to transmit to the base station the data received from the first terminal using the resource allocated by the first UL grant. |
| US08954075B2 |
Communications system
A mobile communications system is described in which an E-UTRAN base station dynamically changes its handover and/or its cell reselection parameters to control the load on the base station and which transmits a message to a non E-UTRAN neighboring cell, so that it can adapt its handover and/or its cell reselection parameters to avoid repeated handover and/or cell reselection of a mobile communications device between the non E-UTRAN cell and the E-UTRAN cell. |
| US08954072B2 |
Method and apparatus for cell update while in an enhanced Cell—FACH state
A method and apparatus for cell update while in a Cell_FACH state are disclosed. After selecting a target cell, system information is read from the target cell including high speed downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH) common system information. A radio network temporary identity (RNTI) received in a source cell is cleared and a variable HS_DSCH_RECEPTION is set to TRUE. An HS-DSCH medium access control (MAC-hs) entity is configured based on the HS-DSCH common system information. High speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) transmission is then received in the target cell. A CELL UPDATE message is sent to notify of a cell change. The HSDPA transmission may be received using a common H-RNTI broadcast in the system information, a reserved H-RNTI as requested in a CELL UPDATE message, or a temporary identity which is a subset of a U-RNTI. The MAC-hs entity may be reset. |
| US08954067B2 |
Method and apparatus for emulating a plurality of subscriptions
Various methods are provided for facilitating a software smart card environment consisting of multiple virtual UICCs (vUICC) hosting a plurality of SIMS or U-SIMS. One example method may comprise receiving a network authentication request from a first network operator. The method may also comprise causing, using a processor, a UICC to activate a subscription for the first network operator and deactivate a subscription for a second network operator in an instance in which the subscription for the first network operator is not the active subscription. The method may further comprise determining a vUICC identification relating to the requested application. The method may further comprise causing authentication information to be transmitted to the first network operator based on the subscription for the first network operator. Similar and related example apparatuses and example computer program products are also provided. |
| US08954063B2 |
Broadcast and multicast services in wireless communication systems
Methods and apparatus for assigning, identifying and controlling broadcast transmissions are disclosed. A broadcast flow is assigned to a broadcast logical channel of the physical resources of a wireless communication channel. A broadcast channel control message indicative of parameters of the broadcast logical channel is generated. Upon receipt, the broadcast channel control message is processed and used to accordingly process the received broadcast transmission. |
| US08954059B1 |
Mobile devices having a common communication mode
A second communication mode can be enabled for a source device and a destination device. Each device can be a mobile device having a first communication mode and a default number for the first communication mode. The default numbers for the source device and the destination device can be stored. A call request can be received from the source device operating in the second communication mode. The call request can be directed to the default number of the destination device. The destination device can be determined as a client based on the default number of the destination device. A communication session can be established between the source device and the destination device over a network upon determining the destination device is an active client. |
| US08954055B2 |
Initial acquisition and neighbor search algorithms for wireless networks
In a wireless network, a base station (BS) may send a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The synchronization signals may be used by user equipments (UEs) for cell detection and acquisition. A typical searching operation may involve first locating the PSS sequences transmitted by neighboring BSs, followed by SSS detection. Described further herein are algorithms that result in the detection of the PSS and the SSS from a BS. A method for detecting a BS generally includes sampling a received signal from receiver antennas to obtain a sampled sequence, analyzing the sampled sequence to detect a PSS in a current half-frame (HF), calculating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) metrics based on the detected PSS, combining the calculated SNR metrics with SNR metrics from previous HFs, analyzing the combined SNR metrics to obtain timing information, and analyzing the sampled sequence using the timing information to detect a SSS. |
| US08954054B2 |
Method for processing and testing of called terminal and long term evolution system
The disclosure discloses a method for processing/testing of a called terminal and a Long Time Evolution (LTE) system. The method comprises that: a network side of the LTE system sends a paging message to the terminal residing in an LTE cell which is called by a Circuit Switched (CS) domain service; the terminal establishes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the network side; the terminal sends to the network side a message for requesting to establish a CS domain service; the network side indicates, to the terminal, carrier frequency information of a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cell to which the terminal needs to be redirected; the terminal sends a channel request message to the GSM cell; the terminal performs routing area updating in the GSM cell; the terminal sends a paging response message to the GSM cell; the terminal establishes the CS domain service in the GSM cell. By using the disclosure, when being called by the CS domain service, the terminal residing in the LTE cell can return to a cell of a corresponding network to establish the CS domain service. |
| US08954051B2 |
Uniquely identifying target femtocell to facilitate femto-assisted active hand-in
Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are described for supporting macrocell-to-femtocell hand-ins of active macro communications for mobile access terminals. An out-of-band (OOB) link is used to detect that an access terminal is in proximity of a femtocell (e.g., using an OOB radio integrated with the femtocell or in a common subnet with the femtocell). Having detected the access terminal in proximity to the femtocell, an OOB presence indication is communicated to a femto convergence system disposed in a core network in communication with the macro network to effectively pre-register the access terminal with the femto-convergence system. When the femto convergence system receives a handoff request from the macro network implicating the pre-registered access terminal, it is able to reliably determine the appropriate target femtocell to use for the hand-in according to the pre-registration, even where identification of the appropriate target femtocell would otherwise be unreliable. |
| US08954049B2 |
Method of operating a module for wireless communication or the like wireless communication terminal, module for wireless communication and device of an integrated circuit card and a system of a communication equipment for operating the module
The invention relates to a method of operating a module 100 or the like wireless communication terminal for wireless communication, wherein in operation the module 100 is in signaling relation to a device 3 of an integrated circuit card, wherein the operation is adapted for signaling between the module 100 and the integrated circuit card device 3 (ICC-device) via an interface system 10, the interface system 10 comprising at least one command interface instance 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 adapted for direct command signaling between the module 100 and at least one application 1, 2, and a card application toolkit 80 (CAT) for direct command signaling between the module 100 and the integrated circuit card device 3 (ICC-device). |
| US08954048B2 |
System and methods for multi-tasking in a clientless mobile phone
A method for supporting execution of a plurality of applications over a clientless mobile phone is disclosed. The method comprises displaying over a display of the mobile phone a menu of at least one application of a plurality of applications executed by a clientless mobile interaction (CMI) server, wherein the CMI server communicates the menu of the plurality of applications to the mobile phone using a USSD protocol; receiving an input responsive of a selection of one application of the at least one application displayed in the menu; communicating the selected application to the CMI server using the USSD protocol; receiving contents of the selected application from the CMI server using the USSD protocol; and displaying the received contents over the display of the mobile phone. |
| US08954046B2 |
Private labeled mobile applications
Currently technology encourages use of mobile applications, which executes programs on mobile devices that formerly only operated on personal computers. These mobile applications, “mobile apps” typically run on smart phone style devices such as iPhone, Android based and Blackberry based phones. Many mobile applications are service oriented and are sold or provided to the end user by the Dealer of these products and services. These applications are typically branded in the name of the manufacturer or provider of these products or services, using the manufacturer's graphic theme and logos. In many cases, the Dealer of the products or services would prefer that the mobile application they provide to their customer base be branded with their company's name, color themes and logos. Unfortunately, it is very expensive and cumbersome to generate custom mobile applications that are branded in the image and name of the Dealer. |
| US08954045B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing resources at a wireless device
Techniques for managing resources at a wireless device are described. In one aspect, the wireless device controls applications based on resource demands and available resources. Processing demands by the applications may be monitored, and at least one of the applications may be controlled based on the processing demands and a maximum processing capacity of a processing unit executing the applications. A data application may be controlled by reducing the amount of data exchanged by the application when high processing demands are detected, and vice versa. In another aspect, the wireless device varies resource capacity to match resources demands. The processing capacity of the processing unit may be adjusted based on the processing demands. Higher clock frequency may be selected for the processing unit when the processing demands exceed a high threshold, and lower clock frequency may be selected when processing demands fall below a low threshold. |
| US08954044B1 |
Off-device service platform discovery
Many mobile devices can access websites on the Internet. A mobile device running a web server application can host websites and provide services. For a first mobile device to access services on a second mobile device, the first mobile device needs the IP address of the second mobile device. The first mobile device sends a connection request to the second mobile device. The first mobile device receives, from the second mobile device, the network address of the second mobile device, identification of services that are available on the second mobile device, and a security token. The first mobile device selects a service and sends an HTTP or HTTPS request for the service to the network address of the second mobile device, and also sends the security token. The second mobile device authenticates the request based on the token and allows the first mobile device to access the selected service. |
| US08954037B2 |
System and method of signaling the importance of a transmission in a wireless communications network
A method of communicating an importance level of a call to a recipient mobile device is disclosed. The method includes receiving call information for a particular call at a mobile switching center and generating an initial address message for the particular call. The initial address message may include a notification value field. The method further includes determining whether an importance level has been designated for the particular call, setting a value of the notification value field based on whether an importance level has been designated for the particular call, and transmitting the initial address message for the particular call to a recipient mobile device. |
| US08954035B2 |
Wi-Fi authentication by proxy
In one example, a method may include a telecommunication service provider detecting that a cellular device is located within a transmission-receiving distance of an Internet router, determining that the cellular device is associated with a client device, transmitting stored authentication credentials for the client device to the Internet router, and the router registering the client device. |
| US08954034B2 |
Hash key generation apparatus and method for multiple cards communication system
A mobile station is provided. The mobile station has a plurality of removable user identification modules, key generation logic, and hash logic. The plurality of removable user identification modules are each configured to store unique corresponding information associated with a corresponding plurality of cellular subscriptions. The key generation logic is configured generate a hash key. The hash logic is coupled to the key generation logic, and is configured to employ the hash key to determine parameters and attributes for continuing communication with a base station, where each of the parameters and attributes are determined to maximize use of common hardware and software within the mobile station to concurrently provide for communications in support of the corresponding plurality of cellular subscriptions. |
| US08954032B1 |
Creating accurate billing records in a carrier-aggregation network
A method, system and medium are provided for accounting for shared-network scenarios in a carrier-aggregation network using billing identifiers. A base station within the network establishes a wireless-telecommunications link with a mobile station associated with a first provider within the network. The base station communicates a billing identifier associated with the base station to the first provider. The billing identifier indicates a type of shared-network scenario associated with the base station. The billing identifier is used by the provider to determine billing information for the mobile station. |
| US08954025B2 |
Tactical radio transceiver with intermediate frequency (IF) filter package for narrowband and wideband signal waveforms
A communications radio has an IF stage with an associated filter array. The array includes at least one narrowband filter whose passband is less than 3 MHz, at least one wideband filter whose passband is 3 MHz or greater, a first switch with a common pole connected to an input terminal of the array, a second switch with a common pole connected to an output terminal of the array, a third switch whose common pole is operatively connected to the input terminal, and a fourth switch whose common pole is operatively connected to the output terminal. The first and the second switches cooperate to insert a selected filter between the first and second terminals. The third and the fourth switches cooperate to insert the filter array into either a receive signal path when the radio is in a receive mode, or a transmit signal path when in a transmit mode. |
| US08954021B2 |
Group III-N transistors on nanoscale template structures
A III-N semiconductor channel is formed on a III-N transition layer formed on a (111) or (110) surface of a silicon template structure, such as a fin sidewall. In embodiments, the silicon fin has a width comparable to the III-N epitaxial film thicknesses for a more compliant seeding layer, permitting lower defect density and/or reduced epitaxial film thickness. In embodiments, a transition layer is GaN and the semiconductor channel comprises Indium (In) to increase a conduction band offset from the silicon fin. In other embodiments, the fin is sacrificial and either removed or oxidized, or otherwise converted into a dielectric structure during transistor fabrication. In certain embodiments employing a sacrificial fin, the III-N transition layer and semiconductor channel is substantially pure GaN, permitting a breakdown voltage higher than would be sustainable in the presence of the silicon fin. |
| US08954019B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device with LNA front end circuit and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include an antenna, LTE RF differential inputs, and a front end circuit. The front end circuit may include band pass filters coupled to the antenna, LNAs coupled respectively to the band pass filters, and RF switching circuits. Each RF switching circuit may be respectively coupled between each LNA and a pair of LTE RF differential inputs and configured to switch to one or both of the pair of LTE RF differential inputs. |
| US08954018B2 |
Tunable wideband distribution circuit
A tunable wideband distribution circuit for transmitting a wireless signal over a transmission line is disclosed. The tunable wideband distribution circuit may include a programmable gain buffer, wherein the gain of the programmable gain buffer is based at least in part on a frequency of the wireless signal. The tunable wideband distribution circuit may also include a tuning element configured to modify an effective impedance of the transmission line based at least on the frequency of the wireless signal, wherein the tuning element is electrically coupled to the transmission line. |
| US08954013B2 |
Driving strength control apparatus, driving strength control method and terminal equipment
The embodiments of the present invention provide a driving strength control apparatus and method and terminal equipment. The control apparatus comprises: a signal receiving unit to receive a test signal transmitted by a peripheral device; a signal sampling unit to sample the test signal received by the signal receiving unit to obtain a plurality of rising edges and falling edges of the test signal; an interval measuring unit to measure the time interval between a rising edge and a falling edge, or between a rising edge and another rising edge, or between a falling edge and another falling edge; and a controlling unit to adjust the driving strength imposed on the peripheral device according to the time interval. With the embodiments of the present invention, the driving strengths imposed on the peripheral device may be made identical, preventing signal deviation and improving the quality of compatibility. |
| US08954010B2 |
Spectrum management system for municipal spectrum using guided cognitive radio
Described is a system and method for assigning a frequency to an access point in a wireless network comprising a plurality of access points. The system and method includes accessing a rule-base to obtain a set of rules for the wireless network, accessing a license database to obtain information about relevant wireless nodes in a region, creating a list of possible primary node frequencies from a list of frequencies associated with primary wireless nodes in the license database, creating a list of possible secondary node frequencies from a list of frequencies associated with secondary wireless nodes in the license database, identifying a list of clear frequencies from a set of unused frequencies, selecting a frequency from frequencies in the lists of possible primary node frequencies, possible secondary node frequencies, and clear frequencies and registering the frequency in the license database. |
| US08954006B2 |
Computer to vehicle wireless link
A wireless data link system between a vehicle having a vehicle controller and a computing device having a computing processor is provided. The wireless data link system includes a vehicle data link (“VDL”) device and a computing data link (“CDL”). The VDL device has a VDL controller, a VDL memory, and a VDL interface circuitry. The VDL interface circuitry provides a connection to the vehicle controller for exchanging data. The VDL memory stores a passcode that provides a secure connection and a VDL recognizable code that is associated with the VDL device. The CDL device has a CDL controller, a CDL memory, and CDL interface circuitry. The CDL interface circuitry provides a connection to the computing processor for exchanging data. |
| US08953997B2 |
Print system and method for monitoring print jobs
A print system including a print engine for printing a receiving material, a plurality of holders, each for holding one type of receiving material and delivering said material for printing to the print engine, a receiver for receiving jobs, a job being an order containing printing information on one or more types of receiving material specified in said order, and a control system for planning jobs, wherein the jobs are placed in a print queue in a sequence of finishing, and the control system is adapted to establish: a) the types of receiving material specified for a set of different jobs in the print queue, b) a shortage of a type of receiving material if there is insufficient receiving material present in the plurality of holders in order to finish a job of the said set, c) an indication of the time when said type of receiving material is no longer present in the plurality of holders, and wherein the print system further comprises a unit for displaying an image adapted to show an operator of the print system the items established under b) and c) by the control system. |
| US08953996B2 |
Fixing apparatus for fixing toner onto a sheet
A fixing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a first roller; a second roller that forms a nip between the second roller and the first roller and presses a sheet passing through the nip against the first roller; a heater that heats at least one of the first roller and the second roller, a heating range of the heater being greater than a maximum printing width of a predetermined maximum sheet width, and a heat-uniformizing member that distributes heat of the heater along a longitudinal direction thereof, an effective length of the heat-uniformizing member in the longitudinal direction being the same as, or greater than, the predetermined maximum sheet width. |
| US08953992B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing unit, a cleaning unit, and a controller. The fixing unit includes a pair of nipping members and a heat source that heats at least one of the pair of nipping members. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning web wound on a supply core to be supplied from the supply core and taken up on a take-up core, and a pressing roller that is pressed against one of the pair of nipping members. The controller causes the take-up core to rotate in such a manner that, when a leading portion of the cleaning web extending up to 2% of an overall length of the cleaning web from a leading end of the cleaning web is fed, a length of the cleaning web to be fed in one feeding is 10-30% larger than when a subsequent portion of the cleaning web is fed. |
| US08953991B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing member configured to heat and fix a toner image onto a recording medium; a pressurizing member configured to press a heating member, which is used for heating the fixing member, against the fixing member and form a fixing nip part; and a guide member configured to guide the recording medium away from the fixing member and the pressurizing member at a downstream side of the fixing member or the pressurizing member in a conveying direction of the recording medium. The guide member includes a pushing unit for maintaining a relative positional relationship between the guide member and an outer peripheral surface of the fixing member or the pressurizing member, and the pushing unit is provided in a manner as to follow surface characteristics of outer peripheral parts of the fixing member or the pressurizing member where the pushing unit pushes. |
| US08953983B2 |
Image forming apparatus and transport device
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus member, a toner image forming unit including a housing that accommodates at least one of a toner image retainer to retain a toner image and a toner retainer to supply a toner to the toner image retainer, and a recording medium transport unit including a transport belt, having an endless shape, that is openably and closably mounted to the image forming apparatus member and transports a recording medium with being wound between a pair of support rollers provided along a transport direction of the recording medium, and a regulation member that faces the transport belt to regulate a posture of the recording medium, wherein when the recording medium transport unit is closed with respect to the image forming apparatus member, the regulation member is positioned to come into contact with the housing. |
| US08953982B2 |
Displacement mechanism for secondary transfer unit of an image forming apparatus
A displacement mechanism for a secondary transfer unit (40) includes a first eccentric cam (71), a second eccentric cam (72) and a shaft member (73). The first eccentric cam (71) and the second eccentric cam (72) are in contact with either edge portion of the secondary transfer unit (40) in width direction of a primary transfer belt (31), and rotate in phase with each other. The shaft member (73) supports the first eccentric cam (71) and the second eccentric cam (72). The first eccentric cam (71) is configured in such a manner that any radius in a peripheral portion (711) is of magnitude not less than a radius at a segment of the second eccentric cam (72) that is in phase with a segment of the peripheral portion (711). The second eccentric cam (72) is configured in such a manner that any radius in at least a segment of a peripheral portion (721) not including a press generating section (722) nor a separation generating section (723) is smaller than a radius at a segment of the first eccentric cam (71) that is in phase with the segment of the peripheral portion (721). |
| US08953979B2 |
Image forming apparatus having supporting member configured to hold developing sections
An apparatus main body has an opening at a front side. A developing-section supporting member configured to hold developing sections and to be pulled in a pulling direction through the opening from an internal position inside the apparatus main body to an external position outside the apparatus main body at which the developing sections is configured to be mounted and dismounted. Exposing members emit light in an optical axis direction for forming a latent image on respective photosensitive members. The exposing members are provided at the developing-section supporting member. A displacement mechanism is configured to support the developing-section supporting member and to displace the developing-section supporting member between: an adjacent position at which the developing-section supporting member is adjacent to the photosensitive members; and a separated position at which the developing-section supporting member is separated from the photosensitive members. |
| US08953978B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotary member which rotates with respect to an apparatus main body between a first position and a second position; and a buffering member connected to the apparatus main body and the rotary member for buffering an impact attributable to the rotation of the rotary member. The buffering member includes: a hollow member; a movable member moveable between an evacuation position and an advance position; and a slide member provided to the movable member and contactable with an inner circumferential surface of the hollow member. The slide member is deformable such that a first pressure on the hollow member when the rotary member rotates from the first position to the second position is larger than a second pressure on the hollow member when the rotary member rotates from the second position to the first position. |
| US08953976B2 |
Developing device, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge
A developing device including a developer bearing member rotatable while bearing developer on a surface thereof, a rotary body having a rotary shaft, a casing that contains the developer supplied to the surface of the developer bearing member to accommodate at least a portion of the rotary body, a rotary gear having a rotary shaft parallel to the rotary shaft of the rotary body and disposed outside a lateral wall of the casing to support an end of the rotary shaft of the rotary body, and a stationary shaft member fixed to the lateral wall of the casing to rotatably support the rotary gear. An axial center of the stationary shaft member is collinear with an axial center of the rotary shaft of the rotary body. |
| US08953972B2 |
Transfer roller cleaning apparatus and electronic photograph printer
Provided are a transfer roller cleaning apparatus that has a supply roller that is immersed in the carrier liquid in a carrier liquid vessel; a cleaning roller that is rubbed and rotated on the supply roller and the transfer roller, and supplies the carrier liquid received from the supply roller to a surface of the transfer roller; and a carrier liquid circulation device which includes the carrier liquid vessel, supplies the carrier liquid in a storage tank to the carrier liquid vessel using a pump, and sends the carrier liquid overflowed from the carrier liquid vessel back to the storage tank via an overflow liquid recovery path, so as to constitute a carrier liquid circulation path and an electronic photograph printer configured by providing the same. |
| US08953969B2 |
Image forming apparatus having suction duct for sucking developer not used in development
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing unit, and a developer sucking section. A relationship 0≦X≦R+kRW (where k=10 to 12) is established, when X (m) is a distance from a center of a transport pole to a position where a straight line crosses a rotating section, R (m) is a chain standing length of developer on the transport pole, W (m/s) is a peripheral velocity of the developing unit, and k is a coefficient. The transport pole is adjacent to a development pole and is situated downstream of the development pole in a direction of rotation of the rotating section. The straight line is situated at a downstream side in the direction of rotation of the rotating section and connects a center of rotation of the developing unit and an end of the developer sucking section. |
| US08953968B2 |
Air-bearing photoreceptor backer bar for eliminating transfer streaks
An apparatus for eliminating transfer streaks in a printing system is provided and comprises a hollow transfer backer bar including sealed ends. The transfer backer bar further includes a plurality of holes with the holes spaced along the photoreceptor supporting surface of the transfer backer bar. Air pressure can be applied within a hollow transfer backer bar thereby creating an air flow outward through the holes. The air flow contacts the underside of a photoreceptor and floats the photoreceptor on a thin cushion of air flow during transfer of an image to paper. |
| US08953963B2 |
Developing device, image forming apparatus, and method for controlling developing device
A developing device includes a developing roller, a magnetic roller, a capacitor, a transformer, and a switching portion. The magnetic roller supplies toner to the developing roller or takes off the toner from the same. The capacitor is connected to a primary of the transformer, and the developing roller is connected to a secondary of the same. During a period while the voltage between electrodes of the capacitor is changing, the switching portion changes the duty ratio in a predetermined second time slot in which current flowing in the switching portion is smaller than that flowing in a first time slot. |
| US08953959B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes: a printing device configured to print an image on a sheet; a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature in the printing apparatus; and a controller. The controller executes: a first processing in which the controller changes a first indicator based on printing performed by the printing device; a second processing in which the controller changes the first indicator based on a first temperature detected by the temperature detector at a first point in time and a second temperature detected by the temperature detector at a second point in time; and a third processing in which the controller suppresses a rise in the temperature in the printing apparatus when the first indicator reaches a predetermined value. |
| US08953954B2 |
Monitoring device system, image forming apparatus, and monitoring device method
A monitoring device system that includes a user apparatus, including a monitoring device application, and an image forming apparatus. The user apparatus includes an application information sending unit configured to send application information corresponding to the monitoring device application to the image forming apparatus, and a notice information control unit configured to acquire information about the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a display unit configured to display an application information item corresponding to the received application information from the user apparatus, and a communication control unit configured to send the information about the image forming apparatus to the user apparatus in response to a user selecting the displayed application information item at the image forming apparatus. |
| US08953953B2 |
Coherent optical receiver, apparatus and method for detecting inter-channel skew in coherent optical receiver
In a coherent optical receiver, sufficient demodulation becomes impossible and consequently receiving performance deteriorates if an inter-channel skew arises, therefore, a method for detecting inter-channel skew in a coherent optical receiver according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes the steps of: outputting a plurality of optical signals separated into a plurality of signal components by making a test light from a test light source interfere with a local light from a local light source; detecting the optical signals and outputting detected electrical signals; quantizing the detected electrical signals and outputting quantized signals; performing a fast Fourier transform process on the quantized signals; and calculating a difference in propagation delay between the plurality of signal components on the basis of a plurality of peak values in the results of performing the fast Fourier transform process. |
| US08953951B1 |
Fast chromatic dispersion estimation
This disclosure describes the Fast Chromatic Dispersion Estimation (FCDE) techniques which corrects for chromatic dispersion in high data rate optical communications systems such as some coherent optical communications systems. FCDE may utilize transform such as fast-Fourier transforms to estimate the chromatic dispersion. From an estimation of the chromatic dispersion, the techniques may determine filter tap coefficients for compensating the chromatic dispersion. |
| US08953950B2 |
Ultra-high-speed photonic-enabled ADC based on multi-phase interferometry
A ultra high speed photonic Analog to Digital Converted (ADC) for sampling and quantizing an electrical voltage signal, internally enabled by photonics uses coherent optical detection architectures for photonic quantization. Coherent light is phase modulated by the test signal. Using an interferometer, or an array of interferometers the phase of modulated light is compared with a reference light. Flash ADC, successive approximation ADC and delta-sigma ADC configurations are presented. |
| US08953948B2 |
Optical transport network synchronization and timestamping systems and methods
The present disclosure provides to Optical Transport Network (OTN_ synchronization systems and methods that maintain proper sequential ordering of events at nodes which may be utilized in performing root cause analysis or diagnosing network performance. In an exemplary embodiment, the systems and methods utilize functionality incorporated into OTN providing a cost effective and standards-based approach to nodal synchronization. Once synchronized, network events are logged with an appropriate timestamp enabling a determination of a sequential order of network events can be determined. Further, the node timestamps may be synchronized, with microsecond or even sub-microsecond of precession which is critical in diagnosing network failures or slow traffic recovery. |
| US08953947B2 |
Bandwidth efficient dual carrier
In some examples, a transmit assembly is described that may include a first optical transmitter, a second optical transmitter, and a polarizing beam combiner. The first optical transmitter may be configured to emit a first optical data signal centered at a first frequency. The second optical transmitter may be configured to emit a second optical data signal centered at a second frequency offset from the first frequency by a nominal offset n. The polarizing beam combiner may be configured to generate a dual carrier optical data signal by polarization interleaving the first optical data signal with the second optical data signal. An output of the polarizing beam combiner may be configured to be communicatively coupled via an optical transmission medium to a polarization-insensitive receive assembly. |
| US08953946B2 |
High-bandwidth optical communications relay payload
A free space optical communication system (100) and method including: several optical beam expanders (414) for receiving incoming optical signals from ground sites and neighboring satellites; several optical preamplifiers (412) for preamplifying the received optical signals; one or more optical main amplifiers (404) for amplifying the preamplified optical signals; and an optical switch (408) for directing respective amplified optical signals to respective destinations via a respective optical beam expander. The respective amplified optical signals are inputted to a respective optical beam expander (414) for transmission to said respective destinations, as outgoing optical signals. |
| US08953945B2 |
Radio frequency transmitter with on-chip photodiode array
A radio transmitter integrated circuit includes a photodiode array circuit, a digital conversion module, and a transmit baseband processing module. The photodiode array circuit converts received light into electrical image signals. The digital conversion module converts the electrical image signals into digital image signals. The transmit baseband processing module converts the digital image signals into digital transmit baseband or low IF signals. |
| US08953944B2 |
Systems and methods for establishing an underwater optical communication network
The systems and methods described herein provide a reconfigurable, long-range, optical modem-based underwater communication network. In particular, the network provides a low power, low cost, and easy to deploy underwater optical communication system capable of being operated at long distances. Optical modem-based communication offer high data rate, omni-directional spatial communication in the visual spectrum. The omni-directional aspect of communication is advantageous because precise alignment of communication units may not be required. The optical modems may be deployed via unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and physically connected by tethers. |
| US08953941B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying a port in a passive optical network
Typical passive optical networks (PONs) employ several optical network terminals (ONTs) connected to an optical line terminal (OLT) via an optical splitter/combiner (OSC). Due to the passive nature of the OSC, determining a port assignment of an ONT may be difficult or impossible. Methods described herein provide for identifying a port in a passive optical network, optionally as corresponding to an ONT. A first subset of the ONTs is caused to transmit a first signal, such as a status signal, with a respective attribute having a first value, and a second subset of the ONTs is caused to transmit a second signal with the respective attribute having a second value. At the OSC, the signals are detected as a function of the attribute and the first and second values. Results of this detection are reported, from which an identification of a port and associated ONT can be determined. |
| US08953939B2 |
Variable bit-rate QPSK transmitter and method employing polarization manipulation
Disclosed are universal QPSK transmitter structures and methods for generating different QPSK signals exhibiting different polarization schemes, namely PolMux, PolMod and PolSw. The bit rate of the generated signals is variable, thereby allowing the transmitter to adjust to varying network traffic conditions. Advantageously, the generated signals may be detected by analog receivers (PolSw-QPSK) and coherent receivers (PolMux-QPSK, PolMod-QPSK, and PolSw-QPSK). |
| US08953937B2 |
Arrangement for generating a signal having an adjustable time position or phase position
The invention relates to a system for producing a signal having a variably adjustable time position or phase position, comprising at least one light source for producing a first light component (2) having a first wavelength and a second light component (2′) having a second wavelength deviating from the first wavelength and a phase modulator (5) for varying a phase of the first light component (2), wherein the system is designed to produce a beat note signal by superposing the two light components (2, 2′) and has a common optical fiber (4) for coupling in both light components (2, 2′), wherein furthermore the phase modulator (5) is arranged at an end or in the course of said optical fiber (4) and is transparent to both light components (2, 2′) and is designed to vary the phase of the first light component (2) selectively independently of a phase of the second light component (2′) or more intensely than the phase of the second light component (2′). The invention further relates to a use of such a system. |
| US08953936B2 |
Method for protection of multi-wavelength passive optical network
An Optical Line Termination (OLT) system in a multi-wavelength Passive Optical Network (PON) includes a protection port for protecting a set of OLT ports without the use of a physical switch. The protection port has a tunable transceiver. The OLT system detects a failure of one of the OLT ports, which was originally adapted to transmit downstream traffic to a subset of ONUs on a downstream wavelength and to receive upstream traffic from the subset of ONUs on an upstream wavelength. In response to the detection, the OLT system tunes the protection port to the downstream wavelength for transmission and to the upstream wavelength for reception, and resumes communication between the OLT system and the subset of ONUs through the protection port instead of the OLT port. |
| US08953933B2 |
Aerial photogrammetry and aerial photogrammetric system
Aerial photogrammetry is provided by using two or more flying vehicles, each equipped with a GPS device and an image pickup unit. This method comprises setting up two or more photographing points and setting up a photographing point area, respectively, with each of the photographing points as the center, measuring a position of the flying vehicle by the GPS device, a step where each of the flying vehicle reaches each corresponding photographing point area and maintains the position of the photographing point area, acquiring a time when the flying vehicle finally reaches the photographing point area, setting up a shutter timing time after a predetermined time from the moment when the flying vehicle has finally reached the photographing point area, and taking aerial photographs by the two or more flying vehicles at the shutter timing time. |
| US08953929B2 |
Remote video recording camera control through wireless handset
A video recording camera system provide remote control functionality through a wireless handset interface. In embodiments, a video recording camera includes an optical sensor, a processor coupled to the optical sensor to process an input image signal received from the optical sensor into an encoded video data stream, a non-volatile storage medium coupled to the processor to store, locally in the video recording camera, encoded video data stream as recorded video data, and a wireless transceiver. In embodiments, a cellular-enabled wireless communication handset communicatively couples to the video recording camera over a wireless personal area network (WPAN) supported by the camera's wireless transceiver. The handset serves as a gateway to the camera providing access to recorded video data or functions of the camera, via the WPAN, as determined based on communications conducted by the handset over a cellular communication link. |
| US08953926B1 |
Spline optic and lighting device
Optical and thermal splines are integrated in the external envelope of a non-planar lamp allowing the optical output of discrete light sources such as LEDs to be distributed for uniform output and the achievement of desired light distributions such as omnidirectional output. Integrated thermal splines and perimeter location of light sources allow for improved thermal management without significantly compromised optical performance. |
| US08953922B1 |
Fiber ribbon strain relief clamp
An apparatus for clamping and relieving strain in a set of optical fiber ribbon. The strain relief clamp includes a first attachment portion and second attachment portion configured to secure the strain relief clamp to a system component and a set of optical fiber ribbons to the strain relief clamp. When secured the strain relief clamp is configured to relieve strain in the set of optical fiber ribbons. |
| US08953921B2 |
Adapter panel with lateral sliding adapter arrays
An adapter panel arrangement including a chassis and a panel of adapters. The adapters defining open rearward cable connections and open forward cable connections of the panel arrangement. The adapters being arranged in arrays that slide independently of other adapter arrays to provide access to the open rearward and open forward cable connections. |
| US08953915B2 |
Electric cable with strain sensor and monitoring system and method for detecting strain in at least one electric cable
An electric cable includes a strain sensor longitudinally extending along the cable and including a strain optical fiber arranged within a bending neutral region surrounding and including a bending neutral longitudinal axis of the electric cable, and at least two longitudinal structural elements, at least one of the at least two longitudinal structural elements being a core including an electrical conductor, wherein the strain sensor is embedded in a strain-transferring filler mechanically coupling at least one of the at least two longitudinal structural elements with the strain sensor. With the disclosed cable construction, the strain experienced by the at least one of the at least two longitudinal structural elements is transferred to the strain sensor at least in a strained condition. In the preferred embodiments, the electric cable is a heavy-duty cable. |
| US08953914B2 |
Light diffusing fibers with integrated mode shaping lenses
A method including the steps of providing a light-diffusing optical fiber (12a) having a glass core (20), a cladding (40) surrounding the core (20), and a plurality of nano-sized structures in the form of voids (32) situated within said core (20) or at a core-cladding boundary; cleaving the light-diffusing fiber (12a), thereby forming a cleaved end face (66); and applying energy to one or more of 1) the cleaved end face (66) and 2) the light-diffusing fiber (12b) along a portion of the length thereof adjacent the cleaved end face (66), the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids (32) exposed at the cleaved end face (66), leaving a sealed cleaved end face (68). A lens may then be attached to the sealed cleaved end face (68), or the sealed cleaved end face (68) may be softened sufficiently to induce formation of a lensing surface such as a convex lensing surface (60) on the sealed end face (68). |
| US08953913B2 |
Integrated optical circuit with an off-center groove
An integrated optical circuit includes a substrate having an input face, an output face, a lower face and an upper face, an optical waveguide extending between a first end located on the input face of the substrate and a second waveguide end located on the output face of the substrate. The integrated optical circuit further includes at least one off-center groove, the off-center groove extending from the lower face to the inside of the substrate, the at least one off-center groove being located at a non-zero distance d from the median plane, the off-center groove replacing a central groove and the at least one off-center groove being capable of attenuating the non-guided optical beam transmitted by the substrate between the first end and the second end. |
| US08953912B2 |
Small diameter radiation sensor cable
A simple method of making robust radiation sensor cables using a special fiber cap that holds a scintillating fiber therein directly abutting an end of a fiber optic cable, thus providing a clean and protected connection therebetween. |
| US08953911B1 |
Spectroscopic imaging probes, devices, and methods
In part, the invention relates to a single clad fiber to multi-clad optical fiber connector for use in applying excitation light to a sample and obtaining reflected light from the sample. The connector can include a dual clad optical fiber portion and a single clad optical fiber portion in optical communication with the dual clad optical fiber portion. In one embodiment, a core of the dual clad optical fiber portion and a core of the single clad optical fiber portion have substantially similar indices of refraction. In one embodiment, excitation light is propagated by the core of the dual clad optical fiber. Further, in one embodiment, light reflected by the sample is propagated by the first cladding layer of the dual clad optical fiber portion. |
| US08953910B2 |
Proof reading of text data generated through optical character recognition
A method includes preparing respective proof reading tools for performing carpet proof reading and side-by-side proof reading of text data, recording a log of time to perform proof reading operations by using the first and second proof reading tools. The method further includes estimating, based on times stored in a log, times to perform proof reading of a character using 1) the first proof reading tool followed by using the second proof reading tool, and 2) the second proof reading tool. The method further includes determining for each character value, based on the estimated times, to use the first proof reading tool along with using the second proof reading tool or to use the second proof reading tool without using the first proof reading tool. |
| US08953908B2 |
Metadata management and generation using perceptual features
The present disclosure relates to signal processing. One claim recites a method comprising: receiving an imagery or audio file; utilizing a configured multi-purpose electronic processor, identifying perceptual features in the imagery or audio file; and based on the perceptual features or data representing the perceptual features automatically creating metadata for the imagery or audio file. The act of automatically creating metadata utilizes at least some data obtained from a process in a portable computing device, the process comprises communication with a device that is separate from an apparatus that is performing the method. Of course, other claims and are provided too. |
| US08953907B2 |
Modified bicubic interpolation
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with image scaling are described. According to one embodiment, a method acquiring a set of amplitude values describing pixels in an image. Image scaling is performed on the image. A target pixel is identified from the set of pixels. A preceding pixel is identified to the target pixel. An amplitude range of amplitudes is defined between the amplitude of the preceding pixel and the target pixel. It is determined whether the interpolation between the preceding pixel and target pixel will result in an interpolated pixel having an interpolated amplitude outside of the amplitude range. Based on this determination, an interpolation slope is selected that reduces overshoot or undershoot in interpolation pixels generated between the target pixel and the preceding pixel. |
| US08953906B2 |
Illumination spectrum recovery
The disclosure concerns processing of electronic images, such as hyperspectral, multispectral or trichromatic images. In particular, but is not limited to, a method, software and computer for estimating parameters of a reflectance model applied to an image is disclosed. Examples of processing of the images using the estimated parameters includes material recognition, re-coloring and re-shading of objects represented in the image. That is, a computer implemented method is provided of estimating one or more of photogrammetric parameters, Ω(u) surface shape N and index of refraction n(u,λ) represented in a reflectance image having one or more known illumination directions L and a known viewing direction V, the method comprising optimizing (802) the difference between the reflectance image and a reflectance model, the reflectance model being based on surface shape N; the material index of refraction n(u,λ) and a set of photogrammetric parameters Ω(u). |
| US08953905B2 |
Rapid workflow system and method for image sequence depth enhancement
Movies to be colorized/depth enhanced (2D→3D) are broken into backgrounds/sets or motion/onscreen-action. Background and motion elements are combined into composite frame which becomes a visual reference database that includes data for all frame offsets used later for the computer controlled application of masks within a sequence of frames. Masks are applied to subsequent frames of motion objects based on various differentiating image processing methods, including automated mask fitting/reshaping. Colors/depths are automatically applied with masks throughout a scene from the composite background and to motion objects. Areas never exposed by motion or foreground objects may be partially or fully realistically drawn/rendered/applied to the occluded areas and applied throughout the images to generate artifact-free secondary viewpoints during 2D→3D conversion. Iterative workflow is eliminated for simple artifact correction through real-time manipulation of images to avoid re-rendering of images and associated delays of sending work product to other workgroups for correction. |
| US08953904B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of operating image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a relative coordinate acquiring portion for acquiring a corresponding position over the input image to a predetermined pixel in a rectangular region obtained by dividing the output image, a reference region specifying portion for specifying a reference region including a corresponding region over the input image of the rectangular region for a plurality of rectangular regions arranged continuously over the output image respectively, a reading region determining portion for merging each reference region related to each of the rectangular regions, thereby obtaining a merging region, reading control means for reading a pixel value of each pixel included in the merging region in the input image, and correction processing means for executing the distortion correction processing by using a pixel value of a pixel which is read through the reading control means, thereby acquiring a pixel value of the output image. |
| US08953903B2 |
Method of multi-frame image noise reduction
A method of multi-frame image noise reduction suitable for an image-capturing device includes following steps: obtaining a current frame and multiple reference frames; defining a mask and a target point in the mask; judging whether the target point pixel of the current frame is on an edge according to an edge map of the frame; when the pixel is on the edge, using the pixels in the reference frames on the edge to calculate a replacement result; when the target point pixel is not on the edge, using the pixels in the reference frames surrounding the target point to calculate a replacement result; after that, generating a pixel corresponding to the position of the target point in an output image according to the replacement result; further, moving the mask and going back to judge whether the pixel of the target point of the current frame is on the edge. |
| US08953899B2 |
Method and system for rendering an image from a light-field camera
A method for rendering an image from a light-field camera, which generates a raw light-field image, includes: generating feature data, which includes feature elements associated with position information and obtained based on the raw light-field image and a preset threshold condition; generating a raw focused image from the raw light-field image; obtaining a virtual focus position that is designated on the raw focused image; and refocusing the raw focused image according to the virtual focus position by updating pixel values of pixels of the raw focused image that correspond respectively in position to the feature elements of the feature data, so as to generate a refocused image. |
| US08953897B2 |
Coding artifacts removing method, coding method, decoding method, coding artifacts removing apparatus, coding apparatus, and decoding apparatus
A method of removing coding artifacts in first and second processed edges that are processed edges in an image signal and in different directions includes: determining, based on at least pixel values of first adjacent pixels adjacent to the first processed edge, a first target pixel from which coding artifacts are to be removed for the first processed edge (S11); removing coding artifacts from the determined first target pixel (S13); determining, based on at least pixel values of second adjacent pixels adjacent to the second processed edge, a second target pixel from which coding artifacts are to be removed for the second processed edge (S12); and removing coding artifacts from the determined second target pixel (S14), wherein at S12, the second target pixel is determined based on pixel values of the second adjacent pixels from which the coding artifacts are not removed at S13. |
| US08953895B2 |
Image classification apparatus, image classification method, program, recording medium, integrated circuit, and model creation apparatus
The image classification apparatus extracts first features of each received image (S22) and second features of a relevant image relevant to each received image (S25). Subsequently, the image classification apparatus obtains a third feature by calculation using locality of the extracted first and second features, the third feature being distinctive of a target object of each received image (S26), and creates model data based on the obtained third feature (S27). |
| US08953893B2 |
System and method to determine feature candidate pixels of an image
A system and method of processing an image is disclosed. A particular method of determining whether a particular pixel of an image is a feature candidate includes receiving data corresponding to a subset of a plurality of pixels surrounding the particular pixel. Each of the plurality of pixels may be from the image. The method further includes excluding the particular pixel from consideration as a feature candidate based on a comparison of values of the data to a comparison value. The comparison value may be based on an attribute value of the particular pixel and a threshold attribute value. |
| US08953888B2 |
Detecting and localizing multiple objects in images using probabilistic inference
An object detection system is disclosed herein. The object detection system allows detection of one or more objects of interest using a probabilistic model. The probabilistic model may include voting elements usable to determine which hypotheses for locations of objects are probabilistically valid. The object detection system may apply an optimization algorithm such as a simple greedy algorithm to find hypotheses that optimize or maximize a posterior probability or log-posterior of the probabilistic model or a hypothesis receiving a maximal probabilistic vote from the voting elements in a respective iteration of the algorithm. Locations of detected objects may then be ascertained based on the found hypotheses. |
| US08953886B2 |
Method and system for character recognition
Character recognition is described. In one embodiment, it may use matched sequences rather than character shape to determine a computer-legible result. |
| US08953885B1 |
Optical character recognition
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for performing optical character recognition. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a text image I. A set of feature functions are evaluated for a log linear model to determine respective feature values for the text image I, wherein each feature function hi maps the text image I to a feature value, and wherein each feature function hi is associated with a respective feature weight λi. A transcription {circumflex over (T)} is determined that minimizes a cost of the log linear model. |
| US08953882B2 |
Systems and methods for determining noise statistics of image data
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for image data processing. In certain embodiments, an image processing pipeline may compute noise statistics associated with image data by receiving a frame of the image data having a plurality of pixels. The image processing pipeline may then identify a plurality of portions of the frame of the image data such that each portion of the plurality of portions has a flat surface. The image processing pipeline may then calculate a plurality of gradients for each portion of the plurality of portions, determine one or more dominant gradient orientations for each portion of the plurality of portions, and generate a histogram that represents a plurality of dominant gradient orientations that corresponds to the plurality of portions. After generating the histogram, the image processing pipeline may store the histogram, which may represent the noise statistics, in a memory. |
| US08953880B2 |
Image processing apparatus, recording medium storing image processing program, and method of image processing
An image processing apparatus including a dispersion calculation portion, an ε deriving portion, and a filtering portion, and eliminates mosquito noise from a digitally compressed image having a plurality of color components. The dispersion calculation portion is configured to calculate, for each of the color components of each pixel contained in the digitally compressed image, a dispersion of pixel values of a plurality of pixels contained in a first region in which that pixel serves as a representative pixel. The ε deriving portion is configured to derive, for each pixel contained in the digitally compressed image, a greatest value of the plurality of dispersions that respectively correspond to the plurality of color components of that pixel, or a corrected value of the greatest value, as an ε value of an ε filter for that pixel. The filtering portion is configured to apply the ε filter to the digitally compressed image. |
| US08953869B2 |
Apparatus and methods for inspecting extreme ultra violet reticles
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for inspecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticle is disclosed. An optical inspection tool is used to obtain a phase defect map for the EUV reticle before a pattern is formed on the EUV reticle, and the phase defect map identifies a position of each phase defect on the EUV reticle. After the pattern is formed on the EUV reticle, a charged particle tool is used to obtain an image of each reticle portion that is proximate to each position of each phase defect as identified in the phase defect map. The phase defect map and one or images of each reticle portion that is proximate to each position of each phase defect are displayed or stored so as to facilitate analysis of whether to repair or discard the EUV reticle. |
| US08953867B2 |
Recording device and control method for a recording device
A recording device and a control method for a recording device improve the accuracy of reading MICR information while also shortening the time required for recording media processing. A dot impact printer 10 has a magnetic head 34 that magnetically reads MICR information recorded on a recording medium S, a recording head 18 that is mounted on a different carriage than the magnetic head 34 and records images on the recording medium S, and a back scanner 112 that optically reads MICR information recorded on the recording medium S, disposed sequentially to the transportation path P of the recording medium S. When reading the MICR information by means of the magnetic head 34 does not succeed, the recording medium S is conveyed to the back scanner 112, the MICR information is read by the back scanner 112, the reading results are compared, and the MICR information is identified. |
| US08953866B2 |
Method for imaging and differential analysis of cells
Provided are methods for determining and analyzing photometric and morphometric features of small objects, such as cells to, for example, identify different cell states. In particularly, methods are provided for identifying apoptotic cells, and for distinguishing between cells undergoing apoptosis versus necrosis. |
| US08953860B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus may include an obtaining unit to obtain a number of users from information on detection of a face region including a face in a captured image provided at the apparatus. The apparatus also may include a setting unit to set a display region for content and a display region for a captured image in a display screen; and a display image generation unit to generate a display image to be displayed in the display region for a captured image, in accordance with the information on the detection, the number of users, and the display region set for a captured image. |
| US08953858B2 |
Methods and systems for analyzing, prioritizing, visualizing, and reporting medical images
Methods and systems for retrieving and processing medical diagnostic images are provided, comprising using picture analysis prioritization visualization and reporting system (“PAPVR system”) to determine whether each of one or more images from an image database or imaging device is of medical interest to a reviewing physician, determine whether one or more of the images is representative of the images, and provide the one or more images to a display and analysis system for review by a reviewing physician. The PAPVR system can provide the one or more images with a Key Image that is representative of the images. In addition, the PAPVR system can detect whether a patient suffers from a particular ailment, and provide a reviewing physician quantitative information that is relevant to the patient's condition. |
| US08953855B2 |
Edge detection technique and charged particle radiation equipment
An object of the present invention is to provide an edge detection technique and equipment which are capable of stably detecting an edge by suppressing the influence of noise even in the case where the image is obtained by charged particle radiation equipment, such as a scanning electron microscope and has a low S/N ratio. More specifically, the present invention is to propose a technique and equipment which are configured to determine a peak position (edge) on the basis of the following two edge extraction techniques. That is, the present invention is to propose a technique and equipment wherein at least two peaks are formed by using, as edge detection techniques, for example, one peak detection technique having a relatively high sensitivity and the other peak detection technique which is relatively less susceptible to the influence of noise than the one peak detection technique, and wherein a position where the peaks coincide with each other is determined as a true peak position (edge position). |
| US08953849B2 |
Method and system for biometric recognition
High quality, sharply focused images of an iris and the face of a person are acquired in rapid succession in either sequence by a single sensor and one or more illuminators, preferably within less than one second of each other, by changing the sensor settings or illumination levels between each acquisition. |
| US08953846B2 |
License plate recognition system and method
A license plate recognition system and method recognizes a license plate attached to a vehicle and bears a license plate number. The system includes a database module, a reducing module, an image capturing unit, a sorting unit, and a recognizing module. The database module stores license plate position sample type-related data and license plate number sample type-related data whose quantity is reducible by the reducing module. The image capturing unit captures license plate images at different imaging resolutions to generate license plate position image eigenvalue and license plate number image eigenvalue. The sorting unit computes the license plate position image eigenvalue to generate license plate position type-related data and computes the license plate number image eigenvalue to generate license plate number type-related data. The recognizing module compares the license plate number type-related data with the license plate number sample type-related data, thereby recognizing the license plate number. |
| US08953842B2 |
Method for road sign recognition
For recognizing road signs, a camera captures image data of the surroundings of a vehicle. The image data are analyzed to determine a region that contains a potential road sign. The image region is evaluated by a first classification unit to identify a road sign belonging to a particular class based on a recognized class-specific feature. Then, the brightness or color intensity of at least a portion of the road sign is analyzed along radially extending scanning beams, to determine potential contour points of an information-bearing part of the road sign, which is then extracted and semantically interpreted in a second classification unit to determine the information content thereof. |
| US08953838B2 |
Detecting ground geographic features in images based on invariant components
Systems, devices, features, and methods for detecting geographic features in images, such as, for example, to develop a navigation database are disclosed. For example, a method of detecting a path marking from collected images includes collecting a plurality of images of geographic areas along a path. An image of the plurality of images is selected. Components that represent an object on the path in the selected image are determined. In one embodiment, the determined components are independent or invariant to scale of the object. The determined components are compared to reference components in a data library. If the determined components substantially meet a matching threshold with the reference components, the object in the selected image is identified to be a path marking corresponding to the reference components in the data library. |
| US08953836B1 |
Real-time duplicate detection for uploaded videos
Systems and methods are provided herein relating to real-time duplicate detection of video content. Fingerprints can be generated for an uploaded video. The fingerprints can be used to match the uploaded video to a set of matching videos. The set of matching videos can be filtered based on the type of match, and the quality of the match. A unique cluster-id can be generated for the uploaded video containing an upload time, and that unique cluster-id can then be modified to associate the uploaded video with a cluster-id of potential duplicates. Cluster-ids can then be used in the context of a search to filter results that have identical cluster-ids. The benefits in using real-time duplicate detection can better maximize user experiences in a video sharing service that contains potential duplicates of the same content. |
| US08953835B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for forming human network using the same
A mobile terminal and a method of forming a human network using the same are provided. The method for forming a human network includes selecting a person of interest from an image; selecting a relay person from the first stored image to which information about the selected person of interest is relayed through facial recognition; and acquiring the personal information for the selected person of interest from a mobile terminal of the selected relay person. |
| US08953834B2 |
Flat-panel speaker having a multilayer PCB pattern voice coil film
The present invention relates to a flat-panel speaker, and more particularly, to a flat-panel speaker having a multilayer PCB pattern voice coil film, which enables induced electromotive force to be increased by controlling the impedance of the multilayer voice coil film. The flat panel speaker having the multilayer PCB pattern voice coil film according to the present invention is characterized in that the voice coil comprises: a PCB (printed circuit board) pattern printed thereon and voice coil films stacked in an even number of 4 layers or more. Two layers each of said voice coil films are mutually connected in series, and the serially-connected voice coil films are connected to each other in parallel. |
| US08953832B2 |
Audio output device and video/audio output device using the same
An audio output device including a casing, a first speaker component, a second speaker component and a sound-guiding board, and a video/audio output device using the same are disclosed. The first speaker component is a circular speaker, and is disposed at the casing. The first speaker component faces towards a first direction. The second speaker component is disposed at the casing, and faces towards a second direction which is different from the first direction. The sound-guiding board is a square plate body, located above the first speaker component, and is separated at a predetermined distance from the first speaker component. |
| US08953826B2 |
System, method and apparatus for television speaker configuration
An application for present invention includes a television with a set of speaker outputs including at least a left speaker and a right speaker. On screen displays are used to properly configure the speakers and assure maximum audio quality from the television. In some embodiments, a cross-point switch connects the speakers attached to the television with the correct outputs of an internal amplifier. |
| US08953824B2 |
Display apparatus having object-oriented 3D sound coordinate indication
A display apparatus having an object-oriented 3D sound coordinate indication is disclosed, in which sounds are outputted from a speaker positioned matching with a coordinate of an object in a matrix speaker apparatus formed of a plurality of small size speakers disposed behind a display apparatus in cooperation with an object content displayed on a display apparatus screen. The display apparatus having an object-oriented 3D sound coordinate indication comprises a center channel decoder which receives an audio signal corresponding to a center channel speaker among the audio signals outputted from a decoder of the surround speaker system and separates into sound sources based on an object; a center channel matrix for setting the coordinates of sound sources based on the objects separated by the center channel decoder; a matrix amplifier for amplifying an output sound of a speaker matching with each coordinate value of the sound sources based on the object; and a plurality of speakers which are arranged in a matrix shape behind the display monitor, whereby sounds are outputted through the speakers corresponding to the coordinates of the objects displayed on the display monitor. |
| US08953823B2 |
Piezoelectric speaker and piezoelectric speaker array
A piezoelectric speaker is a piezoelectric speaker which radiates acoustic waves by vibrating according to an applied voltage, including (i) a substrate which includes a first region having first bending stiffness against bending of a plane perpendicular to a vibration direction and a second region having second bending stiffness against bending of the perpendicular plane, the second bending stiffness being different from the first bending stiffness, (ii) a first piezoelectric element which is mounted on the first region and to which a voltage of a first frequency band is applied, and (iii) a second piezoelectric element which is mounted on the second region and to which a voltage of a second frequency band different from the first frequency band is applied. |
| US08953822B2 |
Audio vibration exciter
An audio resonance vibrator includes a yoke defining a bottom and a sidewall extending vertically from the bottom, an elastic frame cooperatively with the yoke forming a housing defining a receiving space, a magnet disposed on the bottom of the yoke cooperatively with the sidewall of yoke forming a magnetic gap, a vibrating unit accommodated in the receiving space defining a vibrating plate and a coil assembly connected with the vibrating plate. The coil assembly is at least partially received in the magnetic gap, and the vibrating plate is positioned on the elastic frame. The audio resonance vibrator further includes an elastic member interposed between the magnet and the vibrating plate to support the magnet. |
| US08953820B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting volume using distance sensors
An electronic device includes a volume adjustment activating module, a distance detection module, and an adjusting module. The volume adjustment activating module is configured for activating the distance detection module to measure distances between a volume adjusting member and the distance detection module. The distance detection module includes at least one distance sensor, the at least one distance sensor is configured for detecting distances between the volume adjusting member and the distance detection module to obtain a plurality of distance measure values. The adjusting module is configured to adjust a volume of the electronic device according to the distance measure values. |
| US08953819B2 |
Method and apparatus for focusing sound using array speaker
Provided is a method and apparatus for focusing sound using an array speaker system. The method includes generating a plurality of delayed signals to be focused to a predetermined position from an input signal, filtering a low-frequency signal having a frequency that is lower than a reference frequency from the delayed signals, generating low-frequency focusing signals divided into 2 groups by adjusting a gain of the filtered low-frequency signal, and applying the low-frequency focusing signals divided into the 2 groups to speaker units of the array speaker system at both sides with respect to a center portion of the array speaker system and outputting the low-frequency focusing signals through the speaker units. In this way, the performance of sound focusing for the low-frequency signal can be improved and thus a listener located a predetermined distance from and in a predetermined direction relative to the array speaker system can clearly listen to the low-frequency focusing signals. |
| US08953816B1 |
Method and apparatus to dynamically configure a vehicle audio system
A vehicle audio system senses the availability of a wireless audio device in or near a vehicle, and uses logic circuitry to identify a device-specific record from among many records available in a memory. The identified record contains data codes from the available wireless audio device and from a software application running on the device. Upon identifying the data code record, the system downloads a copy of an alternate software application selected from the memory and configures the alternate software application to process data from the wireless audio device. The system provides a user the option to play sound from the vehicle speakers or play sound from the wireless audio device. |
| US08953810B2 |
Synchronization in a bilateral auditory prosthesis system
Aspect of the present invention are generally directed to synchronization between a first auditory prosthesis and a second auditory prosthesis of a bilateral auditory prosthesis system. In this system, a primary wireless communications channel, usable for synchronizing the first and second prostheses, may be disabled to, for example, conserve power. Then, upon detection of a trigger in sound received by one or more of the prostheses, the primary wireless communication channel is enabled and the prostheses synchronized using the primary wireless communication channel. |
| US08953808B2 |
System and method for effectively performing data restore/migration procedures
A system and method for effectively supporting data transfer procedures includes a source device that registers with an account server to participate in a data backup service. The source device then encrypts and stores user data onto a datacenter. The source device later may request a data transfer task from a vendor. The datacenter responsively transfers the encrypted user data to a vendor server, and an escrow server generates and sends a temporary key to the vendor server. A destination device may then utilize the temporary key to decrypt and securely store the user data onto the destination device. |
| US08953804B2 |
Method for establishing a secure communication channel
In a method for establishing a secure communication channel between a portable data carrier (10) and a terminal on the basis of an asymmetric cryptosystem, a value (X; Y; V; W) derived from a public key (PKD; PKT) of the cryptosystem is displayed on a display device (40) of the data carrier (10). |
| US08953803B2 |
Circuit switched mobile telephony in fixed wireless access
A fixed wireless terminal (29) comprises interfaces (32, 34) and a controller (40), e.g., a Generic Access Network Controller (GANC). The controller (40) is configured to interwork Generic Access Network (GAN) signaling employed between the mobile wireless terminal (29) and the fixed wireless terminal (30) with circuit switched signaling employed between the fixed wireless terminal and the radio access network (22). The interworking enables the controller (40) to provide a circuit switched mobile telephony core network service to the mobile wireless terminal (30). |
| US08953797B2 |
Configuring audiovisual systems
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for configuring audiovisual equipment. An image captured by an imaging sensor of a camera may comprise an encoded pattern that includes information that can unlock a feature or function of a camera or other audiovisual equipment the information is extracted from the encoded pattern using an image processor of the camera, or communicatively coupled to the camera. The information may comprise encrypted information which may be decrypted using a unique identifier of the camera. The information may be transmitted to downstream audiovisual equipment and may be used to unlock features and functions of other devices. The other devices may include another camera. |
| US08953793B2 |
Cryptographic key generation
A technique for generating a cryptographic key is provided. The technique is particularly useful for protecting the communication between two entities cooperatively running a distributed security operation. The technique comprises providing at least two parameters, the first parameter comprising or deriving from some cryptographic keys which have been computed by the first entity by running the security operation; and the second parameter comprising or deriving from a token, where the token comprises an exclusive OR of a sequence number (SQN) and an Anonymity Key (AK). A key derivation function is applied to the provided parameters to generate the desired cryptographic key. |
| US08953790B2 |
Secure generation of a device root key in the field
Methods and systems for secure key generation are provided. In embodiments, during the manufacturing process, a device generates a primary seed for the device and stores the seed within the device. The device exports the device primary key to a secure manufacturer server. The secure manufacturer server generates a public/private root key for the device and requests a certificate for the public root key of the device from a certificate authority. The device, having the stored primary seed, is integrated into an end-user system. Upon occurrence of a condition, the device after integration into the end-user system generates the public/private root key in the field. The system also receives and installs the certificate for the public root key. |
| US08953788B1 |
Encrypting a data transmission using multiple channels
A method, system, and media are provided for securely communicating data. One embodiment of the method includes encrypting a data stream by way of a first algorithm; creating at least two subsets of data from the data stream by extracting one or more data portions from the encrypted data stream, thereby leaving a remaining portion and an extracted portion; communicating the remaining portion to a destination by way of a first communications channel; encrypting the extracted portion utilizing a second algorithm; communicating the encrypted extracted portion to the destination by way of a second communications channel; and providing for recombining the remaining portion and the encrypted extracted portion to facilitate recovery of the encrypted data stream. |
| US08953786B2 |
User input based data encryption
Systems and methods for securing data by a user input based data encryption are described. In one aspect of the invention, the method may include receiving an authentication string from a user to authenticate access to the application. On successful authentication of the user, the data to be secured is obtained from the user. The obtained data is then secured by encryption, which results in generation of a private key. The private key is then associated with the authentication string to form a first secure key. The first secure key is stored with the encrypted data in a data file. The data file is then transferred to a server associated with the application. The data file in the server is further encrypted to generate a second secure key. |
| US08953782B2 |
Crypto arrangement with mixed endian
A method of sending or marshaling data from a device through a cryptographic unit in a software communications architecture (SCA), includes identifying an endian mode of the cryptographic unit, and determining if the data to be sent from the device has an endian mode that matches the endian mode of the cryptographic unit. If the endian modes match, the data is enabled to be sent through the cryptographic unit. If the endian modes do not match, the endian mode of the data is flipped and then the data is then enabled to be sent through the cryptographic unit. |
| US08953781B2 |
Apparatus and method for ciphering of uplink data in mobile communication system
An apparatus and method for ciphering uplink data in a mobile communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a Radio Network Controller (RNC) for, when receiving a Radio Bearer Setup Complete after a ciphering activation time, determining a Hyper Frame Number (HFN) value of a User Equipment (UE) and changing an HFN value of the RNC to the same HFN value determined of the UE. |
| US08953780B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device including a first section, a second section and a connecting section. The first section has a user input section and a first tubular housing member. The first tubular housing member forms e majority of opposite exterior lateral sides of the first section. The second section has a display and a second tubular housing member. The second tubular housing member forms a majority of opposite exterior lateral sides of the second section. The connecting section movably connects the second section with the first section. The first tubular housing member at least partially houses the user input section. The second tubular housing member at least partially houses the display. |
| US08953772B2 |
Agent conferenced IVR
A system engages a live agent in a multi-party call type arrangement with the user and an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit when the user has difficulty with the IVR. The agent is provided with information about the IVR process being executed and the user's input. When the agent is introduced into the call, the agent does not take over the IVR session, but the agent helps direct the user to provide the correct input(s) to the IVR session. Once the issue is corrected, the agent can remove themself from the customer/IVR dialog. As a consequence: the user continues their self-service transactions in the IVR, and the user is better educated on how to navigate the IVR in the future. Further, agent resources are spared from further interaction with the user, and the user is less likely to have a negative opinion of the IVR. |
| US08953769B2 |
Calling party controlled ringback tones
A computer readable medium stores a program for a calling party controlled ringback tone service. The service enables a calling party to control ringback tones, even overriding called party selected ringback tones. The service can operate in a wireless or wireline network, such as a voice over IP (VoIP) network or time division multiplexed (TDM) network. The calling party can be periodically billed for the ringback tone control service, as well as the ringback tones. The subscriber can configure the service via the web. |
| US08953760B2 |
Method in a communication system
A method and arrangement are disclosed in a Vector Control Entity for enabling a fair bit rate distribution among lines of similar priority in a vectoring group, when applying partial vectoring in a DSL communication system. The method comprises calculating a rate balancing metric, RBM, for each line i within a priority group A, indicative of the ratio between the bit rate of a line i with a current vectoring resource allocation, and the estimated bit rate of line i assuming approximately no crosstalk within the vectoring group. The method further comprises allocating partial-vectoring resources to the line/s within the group A, based on the calculated RBMs, such as to reduce the difference in RBM between the lines. The method further comprises calculating an updated RBM for any line within the group A subjected to changes in vectoring resource allocation. The method may be iterated until certain criteria are fulfilled. The arrangement is adapted to enable the performance of the above described method. |
| US08953755B2 |
Voice over IP method for developing interactive voice response system
A personal interactive voice response service node includes a memory that stores executable instructions, and a processor that executes the executable instructions. The personal interactive voice response service node accepts personalized instructions to define interactive voice response service node prompts on behalf of an individual assigned a communications address serviced by the personal interactive voice response service node. The personal interactive voice response service node accepts personalized instructions to define actions to take in response to selections of corresponding interactive voice response service node prompts. When executed by the processor, the executable instructions cause the personal interactive voice response service node to identify a selection of an interactive voice response service node prompt and execute an action associated with the selection identified. |
| US08953752B2 |
Systems and methods for playing recorded announcements
The invention features a computer-implemented method for playing back an announcement message to a user device. The method includes initiating, by a computing device, an announcement session in response to a user device establishing communication with the computing device and determining, by the computing device, the announcement message to be played back to the user device. The method includes loading, by the computing device, into a queue associated with the announcement session, a descriptor referencing a memory buffer on the computing device. The memory buffer includes a plurality of memory partitions, each memory partition storing at least one portion of the announcement message encoded at a different rate. The method includes the computing device scheduling play back of the announcement message, playing the announcement message to the user device at a first rate and receiving a request from the user device for playback at a second rate. |
| US08953751B2 |
Methods and systems for storage and retrieval of originating caller location information in an emergency services system
Methods and systems for the storage and retrieval of originating caller location information in an emergency services system are disclosed. Subscriber information from a telephone service provider is received by a NG-911 service provider, the subscriber information including a subscriber telephone number and an associated subscriber address. The service provider generates geo-spatial coordinates corresponding to said subscriber address and stores the subscriber information and the corresponding geo-spatial data in a geographic information system (GIS) database, indexed at least according to said subscriber telephone number. In response to a query from a PSAP relating to an emergency service call originating from the subscriber telephone number, the NG-911 service provider queries the GIS database for the originating telephone number and returns the geo-spatial coordinates and the associated subscriber address. |
| US08953749B2 |
Lifestyle multimedia security system
A method is disclosed for remote monitoring of a premises, comprising the steps of operatively coupling a geographically remote client to a security system server which is capable of authenticating a user of the remote client, operatively coupling the remote client to a security gateway which is capable of managing the monitoring of the premises, activating a signal at the premises for notifying an occupant at the premises that remote monitoring is occurring, and transferring information between the security gateway and the remote client. The transfer of information between the security gateway and the remote client is controlled by the user of the remote client. The security gateway may be operably coupled to at least one camera at the premises and to at least one audio station at the premises. |
| US08953748B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring power consumption value of DSL subscriber board
A method and an apparatus for monitoring a power consumption value of a DSL subscriber board in real time are provided. The method includes: monitoring a working state of each subscriber port on the DSL subscriber board, the number of subscriber ports in each working state, and an output power of each LD subunit in an LD unit on the DSL subscriber board; and calculating a power consumption value of the DSL subscriber board in real time according to a monitoring result and preset electrical parameters of each functional unit. |
| US08953745B2 |
Solid-state image pickup apparatus and X-ray inspection system
A solid-state image pickup apparatus 1A includes a photodetecting section 10A and a signal readout section 20 etc. In the photodetecting section 10A, M×N pixel units P1,1 to PM,N are arrayed in M rows and N columns. When in a first imaging mode, a voltage value according to an amount of charges generated in a photodiode of each of the M×N pixel units in the photodetecting section 10A is output from the signal readout section 20. When in a second imaging mode, a voltage value according to an amount of charges generated in the photodiode of each pixel unit included in consecutive M1 rows in the photodetecting section 10A is output from the signal readout section 20. When in the second imaging mode than when in the first imaging mode, the readout pixel pitch in frame data is smaller, the frame rate is higher, and the gain being a ratio of an output voltage value to an input charge amount in the signal readout section 20 is greater. |
| US08953743B2 |
X-ray stress measurement method and apparatus
A sample (1) is irradiated with X-rays at different incident angles from plural X-ray sources (21, 22). Attention is focused on a Debye-ring of each X-ray diffraction emitted conically from the sample in association with incident X-ray from each of the X-ray sources (21, 22), and stress in the sample (1) is determined on the basis of information of X-ray diffraction appearing at an intersection point between the Debye-ring of the X-ray diffraction recorded on an image plate (30) and an equatorial plane (H) and information of X-ray diffraction appearing in the neighborhood of the intersection point between the Debye-ring and the equatorial plane (H). |
| US08953732B2 |
Nuclear reactor internal hydraulic control rod drive mechanism assembly
A control rod drive system for a nuclear reactor that employs hydraulic cylinders to operate a conventional plunger/gripper drive system to incrementally move control rods into and out of the core of a reactor. The pressure differential for driving hydraulic pistons within the cylinders is obtained from the difference in pressure between the outside and inside of the core barrel of the reactor and control of the pistons is obtained from external solenoids attached to the reactor control system. The external solenoids regulate a charging pump feed to Poppet valves that control the hydraulic feed to the cylinders. A hydraulic piston/cylinder drive is also provided for the shutdown rods which operate in either an all in or out of the core condition. |
| US08953730B2 |
Auto frequency calibration for a phase locked loop and method of use
A phase locked loop includes a phase difference detector configured to receive a reference frequency and a divider frequency and output a phase difference signal. The phase locked loop includes a code generator configured to receive the reference frequency and the phase difference signal, and output a coarse tuning signal and a reset signal. The phase locked loop includes a digital loop filter configured to receive the phase difference signal and output a fine tuning signal. The phase locked loop includes a voltage control oscillator configured to receive the coarse and fine tuning signals, and output an output frequency. The phase locked loop includes a divider configured to receive the reset signal, a divider number control signal and the output frequency, and output the divider frequency. The phase locked loop includes a delta-sigma modulator configured to receive a divisor ratio and the reset signal, and output divider number control signal. |
| US08953729B1 |
Method for symbol sampling in a high time delay spread interference environment
Symbol sampling in a high time delay spread interference environment includes acquiring (602) a time varying baseband waveform. The waveform has a signal amplitude that varies between one of a plurality of symbol states. The waveform is sampled (603) at a rate of m times the symbol rate. During an evaluation time, an error value is calculated (604, 606) for each of m data sample positions. Each of the error values comprises an average distance between the measured value of the waveform as indicated by the data sample and a closest known symbol value. The error values are used to create an error surface. Thereafter, the error surface is modeled as a quadratic and an optimal sample time is determined (608, 610, 612) based on finding the time location where the quadratic surface is minimum. A sinc interpolator is then used to resample the data. |
| US08953725B1 |
MIMO repeater system and method for canceling feedback interference using the same
Provided is a MIMO repeater system including a plurality of repeaters. Each of the repeaters includes: an Rx antenna; a receiver configured to convert a signal received through the Rx antenna into a digital signal; an interference cancellation unit configured to cancel interference from an output signal of the receiver; a transmitter configured to convert an output signal of the interference cancellation unit into an analog signal; and a Tx antenna configured to transmit an output signal of the transmitter, and the interference cancellation to unit provided in each of the repeaters receives the output signal of the receiver as an input signal, receives reference signals provided from the plurality of repeaters as a reference signal vector, outputs a prediction signal according to a current filter coefficient vector generated in response to the input signal and the reference signal vector, and cancels the prediction signal from the input signal. |
| US08953724B2 |
Canceling narrowband interfering signals in a distributed antenna system
Canceling narrowband interfering signals in a distributed antenna system is provided. In one aspect, a cancellation sub-system includes a decimator module, a filter, an interpolator module, and a combiner module coupled to the uplink path and a reference path in parallel with the uplink path. The reference path includes the decimator module, the filter, and the interpolator module. The decimator module decimates a reference signal sampled from an uplink signal traversing an uplink path of the remote antenna unit. Each of the uplink signal and the reference signal includes a narrowband interfering signal component. The filter generates a cancellation signal from the reference signal by attenuating the reference signal outside a frequency band that includes the interfering signal component. The interpolator module interpolates the cancellation signal to a sampling rate of the uplink signal. The combiner module can subtract the cancellation signal from the uplink signal. |
| US08953723B2 |
Iterative interference suppression using mixed feedback weights and stabilizing step sizes
A receiver is configured for canceling intra-cell and inter-cell interference in coded, multiple-access, spread-spectrum transmissions that propagate through frequency-selective communication channels. The receiver employs iterative symbol-estimate weighting, subtractive cancellation with a stabilizing step-size, and mixed-decision symbol estimate. Receiver embodiments may be implemented explicitly in software of programmed hardware, or implicitly in standard Rake-based hardware either within the Rake (i.e., at the finger level) or outside the Rake (i.e., at the user of subchannel symbol level). |
| US08953721B2 |
Cross correlation determination method and cross correlation determination device
A cross correlation determination method includes: executing a first decoding of decoding a navigation message included in a received satellite signal using a first replica code and a second decoding of decoding the navigation message using a second replica code; and determining the occurrence of a cross correlation using the result of the first decoding and the result of the second decoding. |
| US08953716B1 |
DC offset estimation and compensaton for wideband systems
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a DC notch gear filter are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a digital high pass filter having a cutoff frequency and a gear mechanism configured to successively change the cutoff frequency of the high pass filter based on a sequence of cutoff frequencies. The apparatus also includes a direct current (DC) estimator configured to estimate a DC offset of a digital input signal to the high pass filter based, at least in part, on an output signal of the high pass filter as a cutoff frequency is successively changed. A direct current (DC) compensator is configured to subtract the estimated DC offset from the input signal to the high pass filter. |
| US08953713B2 |
System and method for uplink multiple input multiple output transmission
Methods and apparatuses are provided for uplink MIMO transmissions in a wireless communication system. In particular, a primary stream (610) may be utilized to carry a primary data channel E-DPDCH (624), and a secondary stream (612) may be utilized to carry a secondary data channel S-E-DPDCH (620). Further, the primary stream (610) may be precoded utilizing a primary precoding vector, and the secondary stream (612) may be precoded utilizing a secondary precoding vector, with coefficients orthogonal to those of the primary precoding vector. The primary stream may include an enhanced control channel E-DPCCH (614) adapted to carry control information associated with both the primary data channel E-DPDCH (624) and the secondary data channel S-E-DPDCH (620). |
| US08953711B2 |
Configurable pre-emphasis component for transmission circuitry
A configurable pre-emphasis filter component may be configured based upon measured frequency response (e.g., filter effect) associated with at least one analog filter positioned between a digital predistortion component and a power amplification component of a transmission circuitry. The frequency response may be measured using a calibration signal sent via the transmission circuitry, a loopback circuit, and a reception circuitry. Calibration circuitry may be used with one or more loopback circuits to measure the frequency response of various analog components of the transmission circuitry. The calibration circuitry may also include logic to determine a configuration for the PEF component based upon the measured frequency response. |
| US08953705B2 |
User equipment apparatus and method for feeding back channel state information in a wireless communication system
A method for transmitting a Channel State Information (CSI) reporting at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a rank indicator (RI) and a first type precoding matrix indicator (PMI) to a base station (BS) according to a first CSI feedback type; transmitting a second type PMI to the BS according to a second CSI feedback type, wherein the RI and the first type PMI are jointly coded, and transmitted through a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), wherein the RI and the second type PMI are not jointly coded, and transmitted through the PUCCH, wherein a transmission period of the first type PMI is different than a transmission period of the second type PMI, and wherein the transmission period of the first type PMI is longer than the transmission period of the second type PMI. |
| US08953701B2 |
Precoding method and precoder for cross-polarized antenna array
The present invention provides a precoding method for a cross-polarized antenna array, the cross-polarized antenna array comprising a first group of coplanar polarized antennas and a second group of coplanar polarized antennas, the method comprising the following steps: generating, for at least one layer of data stream, a feedback codebook comprising a plurality of codewords; receiving a selection of the codeword in the feedback codebook; determining a corresponding codeword from the feedback codebook according to the received selection; generating a precoding matrix based on the determined codeword to precode the at least one layer of data stream; wherein each codeword in the feedback codebook comprises a first coefficient portion corresponding to a first group of coplanar polarized antennas and a second coefficient portion corresponding to the second group of coplanar polarized antennas, and there is a complex scaling relation between the coefficients in the first coefficient portion and the second coefficient portion corresponding to the same layer of data stream. Correspondingly, the present invention further provides a precoder for a cross-polarized antenna array. |
| US08953700B2 |
Method for transmitting signal in multiple node system
Provided is a signal transmission method of a multi-node system employing a plurality of nodes and a base station that can control each of the plurality of nodes. The method includes: transmitting per-node transmission information to a user equipment; transmitting at least one stream to the user equipment by applying a precoding matrix determined for each node in at least one node among the plurality of nodes; and receiving per-node feedback information from the user equipment, wherein the per-node feedback information includes information on a precoding matrix applicable to a node which transmits the at least one stream. |
| US08953699B2 |
Method and apparatus for CSI feedback for joint processing schemes in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system with coordinated multi-point transmission
Methods in a wireless terminal are described for supporting co-ordinated multipoint transmissions including joint transmissions from two or more transmission points, specifically the method of receiving indication of two or more CSI reference signal configurations, each CSI reference signal configuration representing one or more antenna ports comprising a set of antenna ports; determining a first set of transmission parameters corresponding to a first set of antenna ports corresponding to a first CSI reference signal configuration and a second set of transmission parameters corresponding to a second set of antenna ports corresponding to a second CSI reference signal configuration; the first set and second set of transmission parameters determined to maximize the sum data rate for simultaneous transmission from the first set and the second set of antenna ports; conveying, to the base station, information pertaining to the first set of transmission parameters and the second set of transmission parameters. |
| US08953698B2 |
Detecting a transmitted OFDM signal in a receiver having at least two receiver branches
A transmitted OFDM signal is detected in a receiver of a wireless communication system. The receiver has at least two receiver branches, each comprising an antenna, a front end receiver, a Discrete Fourier Transform unit, and a channel estimator. The receiver further comprises a detector for detecting received data symbols. The method comprises the steps of determining a system bandwidth associated with the transmitted signal; comparing the determined system bandwidth with a predetermined value; determining, if the system bandwidth is lower than the predetermined value, channel estimates separately for each branch, and detecting received data symbols from the received signals and corresponding channel estimates; and calculating, if the system bandwidth is higher than the predetermined value, a weighted sum of signals from each branch, determining a combined channel estimate, and detecting received data symbols from the weighted sum and the combined channel estimate. |
| US08953696B2 |
Signal decoding systems
We describe an ultra wideband (UWB) orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) modified dual carrier modulation (MDCM) decoder comprising: first and second inputs to input first and second signals for first and second OFDM carriers; third and fourth inputs for respective third and fourth signals comprising channel quality estimates for the OFDM carriers; a set of integer arithmetic units coupled to said first, second, third and fourth inputs to form a set of intermediate terms; a first set of adders to form first and second sets of combinations of said intermediate terms, one for each MDCM coded bit value; a compare-select stage to select a first and second minimum valued said combination of said intermediate terms from said first and second set; and a subtracter to determine a log likelihood ratio (LLR) value for said bit from said first and second minimum valued combinations. |
| US08953692B2 |
Image coding method and image decoding method
An image coding method for improving coding efficiency by using more appropriate probability information is provided. The image coding method includes: a first coding step of coding a first set of blocks included in a first region sequentially based on first probability information; and a second coding step of coding a second set of blocks included in a second region sequentially based on second probability information. In the first coding step, the first probability information is updated depending on data of a target block to be coded, after coding the target block and before coding a next target block. In the second coding step, the second probability information is updated depending on the first probability information updated in the first coding step, before coding the first target block. |
| US08953688B2 |
In loop contrast enhancement for improved motion estimation
A motion estimation method is provided, including providing first image data, providing second image data, block-matching a source block of the first image data with target blocks of the second image data to determine a motion vector corresponding to the position of the target block that most accords with the source block, and applying a contrast enhancement on source blocks and/or target blocks to improve block-matching. A motion estimation device and video device are also provided. |
| US08953686B2 |
Image encoding/decoding apparatus and method
Provided is an image encoding/decoding apparatus and method. The image encoding apparatus may include a motion vector prediction unit to perform a prediction with respect to an arbitrary motion vector of a current block within an image, using at least one of vector information of a motion vector corresponding to an adjacent block and vector information of a previous motion vector of the current block, and a differential determination unit to determine differential information of a motion vector of the current block based on the motion vector predicted in the motion vector prediction unit and an actual motion vector of the current block. |
| US08953684B2 |
Multiview coding with geometry-based disparity prediction
Described herein is technology for, among other things, multiview coding with geometry-based disparity prediction. The geometry-based disparity prediction involves determining corresponding block pairs in a number of reconstructed images for an image being coded. The reconstructed images and the image represent different views of a scene at a point in time. Each corresponding block pair is projected on the image. This enables determination of disparity vector candidates. For each coding block of the image, a predicted disparity vector is determined based on the disparity vector candidates. Then, the predicted disparity vector may be utilized to obtain the bits to be encoded. The geometry-based disparity prediction reduces the number of encoded bits. |
| US08953679B2 |
Methods and apparatus for implicit block segmentation in video encoding and decoding
Methods and apparatus are provided for implicit block segmentation in video encoding and decoding. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding at least a portion of a picture using a block segmentation process performed on a pixel difference of at least two predictors for the portion. The encoder implicitly signals block segmentation information for use by a decoder to decode the portion. |
| US08953675B2 |
Tile-based system and method for compressing video
A system and method are described below for encoding interactive low-latency video using interframe coding. For example, one embodiment of a computer-implemented method for performing video compression comprises: logically subdividing each of a sequence of images into a plurality of tiles, each of the tiles having a defined position within each of the sequence of images, the defined position remaining the same between successive images; encoding one of the tiles at a first defined position in a first image of the sequence of images using a first compression format and encoding the reminder of the tiles in the first image using the second compression format; and encoding one of the tiles at a second defined position in a second image of the sequence of images using the first compression format and encoding the reminder of the tiles in the first image using the second compression format; wherein the second compression format is dependent on previously-encoded tiles encoded according to the first compression format and/or the second compression format. |
| US08953674B2 |
Recording a sequence of images using two recording procedures
A sequence of images received from a camera is recorded according to a first procedure. The images are analyzed to identify events of interest, and upon identifying an event of interest, an area of interest of a plurality of said images is identified. The identified area is recorded according to a second procedure. |
| US08953673B2 |
Scalable video coding and decoding with sample bit depth and chroma high-pass residual layers
Techniques and tools are described for scalable video encoding and decoding. In some embodiments, an input frame is downsampled in terms of sample depth and chroma sampling rate, encoded, and output from the encoder as a base layer bitstream. The base layer bitstream is also reconstructed and upsampled to produce a reconstructed bitstream which is subtracted from the original input frame to produce a residual layer. The residual layer is split and encoded as a sample depth residual layer bitstream and a chroma high-pass residual layer bitstream. To recover the encoded input frame, a decoder receives one or more of these bitstreams, decodes them, and combines them to form a reconstructed image. The use of separate codecs is allowed for the base layer and the enhancement layers, without inter-layer dependencies. |
| US08953669B2 |
Decision feedback equalizer
A decision feedback equalizer that can operate at higher speed is provided. The decision feedback equalizer includes a weighting addition circuit (adder 21, coefficient units Tap1a, Tap2 to Tapn) that sums an input signal to weighted versions of feedback signals FB1 to FBn, n being an integer not less than 2. The decision feedback equalizer also includes a decision circuit 11 that decides whether or not the result of addition by the weighting addition circuit is not less than a defined threshold value and that outputs the result of the decision to outside and to a shift register (latch circuits L2 to Ln). The decision circuit operates in synchronism with a clock signal. The shift register sequentially holds the result of decision of the decision circuit 11 in synchronism with the clock signal, and outputs the contents held by its component registers as feedback signals FB2 to FBn. The decision feedback equalizer includes a decision circuit 12 that decides whether or not the result of addition by the weighting addition circuit is not less than a defined threshold value and that outputs the result of decision as feedback signal FB1. The second decision circuit operates in synchronism with the clock signal. |
| US08953668B2 |
Method and circuit of clock and data recovery with built in jitter tolerance test
A clock and data recovery circuit with built in jitter tolerance test is disclosed. Imposing jitter on a filter inside a CDR loop to cause phase disturbances to the clock and data recovery circuit, thereby to test the jitter tolerance of the clock and data recovery circuit. Accordingly, IC test cost is significantly reduced by increasing few circuit sizes. |
| US08953666B2 |
Relaying apparatus, and communication system
A control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure controls communications between a plurality of information terminals at a first site and an information device at a second site. The control device includes: an interface that obtains class information indicating what class is allocated to each of those information terminals and also obtains rate information indicating a rate of communication with the information device over a network; and a control section that puts an upper limit on the communication rate of each of the information terminals by reference to the class information and the rate information and notifies the information terminal of the upper limit. |
| US08953665B2 |
Pattern-based loss of signal detector
In described embodiments, data pattern-based detection of loss of signal (LOS) is employed for a receive path of serializer/deserializer (SerDes) devices. Pattern-based LOS detection allows for detection of data loss over variety of types of connection media, and is generally insensitive to signal attenuation. More specifically, some described embodiments disclose reliable pattern-based detection of LOS across different connection media for incoming receive data when discreet time decision feedback equalization (DFE) is employed. |
| US08953663B2 |
Calibration of quadrature imbalance via loopback phase shifts
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for calibration of quadrature imbalance in direct conversion transceivers are contemplated. A transceiver controller may perform a self-calibration to address quadrature imbalance. The controller may isolate the transmitter and receiver from any antennas, couple the radio frequency (RF) section of the transmitter to the RF section of the receiver via a loopback path, and inject a calibration signal into the transmitter. In the loopback path, the controller may phase-shift the signal that propagates through the transmitter using two different phase angles to produce two different signals that propagate into the receiver. By measuring the two different signals that exit the receiver, the controller may be able to calculate correction coefficients, or parameters, which may be used to adjust elements that address or correct the quadrature imbalance for both the transmitter and receiver. |
| US08953662B1 |
Method and apparatus for baud rate tracking
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method. The method includes capturing values of a timer in response to a first transition edge and a second transition edge of a received signal transmitted from an external device to determine a counted number by the timer corresponding to a pre-known number of symbols between the first and second transition edges in the received signal, and determining a baud rate configuration based on a ratio of the counted number and the pre-known number of symbols. |
| US08953650B2 |
Method to control emission wavelength of tunable laser diode
A method to control the emission wavelength of a tunable laser diode (LD) is disclosed. The method measures the first derivative of the wavelength against the first stimulus, typically a current injected in the SG-DFB region, and the second derivative of the wavelength against the power supplied to the heater in the CSG-DBR region. The method adjusts the current so as to coincide the emission wavelength with the target wavelength, then, corrects the target power for the heater based on the derivative of the current multiplied by a ratio of two derivatives measured in advance to the control of the heater current. |
| US08953642B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting a downlink reference signal in a wireless communication system supporting multiple antennas
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for transmitting a downlink reference signal in a wireless communication system that supports multiple antennas. A method for transmitting channel state information-reference signals (CSI-RS) for two or more antenna ports according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: mapping the CSI-RSs for the two or more antenna ports in predetermined patterns on a data region of a downlink subframe: an transmitting the downlink subframe mapped with the CSI-RSs for the two or more antenna ports, wherein the predetermined patterns are defined as patterns differing by a cell, and the different patterns may be defined as the predetermined patterns being shifted in a temporal range, frequency range, or a temporal range and a frequency range. |
| US08953640B2 |
Transmitting system and method of processing digital broadcast signal in transmitting system
A transmitting system and a method of transmitting digital broadcast signal are disclosed. The method of transmitting digital broadcast signal includes FEC encoding mobile data to build data frames, dividing the data frames into a plurality of data portions, converting one of the data portions into a plurality of SCCC blocks, performing convolutional coding on mobile data, mapping the SCCC blocks to data blocks and extended data blocks, forming a data group, forming a fixed number of mobile data packets and a first scalable number of mobile data packets, multiplexing the fixed number of mobile data packets, the first scalable number of mobile data packets and a second scalable number of main data packets. |
| US08953636B2 |
End-to-end feature support signaling
Techniques and mechanisms to communicate end-to-end feature compliance information. Network access requests may be accompanied by compliance/certification/compatibility information for the requesting device as well as intervening devices. A network authentication device may evaluate the request and associated compliance/certification/compatibility information to select one or more network features to allow the requesting device to utilize. |
| US08953634B2 |
Device, system and method of communicating data during an allocated time period
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of communicating during an allocated time period. For example, an apparatus may include a wireless communication unit to perform the functionality of a first station to communicate data with a second station during an allocated time period, wherein, when both the first and second stations do not have data ready for transmission, the wireless communication unit is to communicate frames between the first station and the second station to occupy the allocated time period until at least one of the first and second stations has data ready for transmission or until an end of the allocated time period. |
| US08953631B2 |
Interruption, at least in part, of frame transmission
An embodiment may include circuitry to permit interruption, at least in part, of a first frame from a sender to an intended recipient in favor of transmitting, at least in part, a payload of a second frame from the sender to the intended recipient, and/or processing, at least in part, one or more incoming flow control notifications. The payload may be transmitted, at least in part, to the intended recipient in one or more frame fragments. Many modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment. |
| US08953630B2 |
Circuit arrangement, systems for transmitting a serial data stream, pixel matrix display and method for transmitting a serial data stream
A circuit arrangement comprises an input circuit for reading in a serial data stream, which comprises a plurality of useful data bits, and for reading in a piece of information which indicates the start of the serial data stream. The circuit arrangement also comprises a data processing circuit for removing at least one useful data bit from the read-in, serial data stream. The data processing circuit is designed such that it removes the at least one useful data bit at a prescribed position after the start of the serial data stream. The circuit arrangement also comprises a first output circuit for outputting the read-in, serial data stream for the omission of the at least one removed useful data bit. |
| US08953628B2 |
Processor with packet ordering device
A processor includes a plurality of processor cores, a networking output, and a packet ordering device. The packet ordering device determines an ordering for packets that are processed by the processor cores. The packets are released to the networking output in a determined order. |
| US08953626B2 |
Network routing using indirect next hop data
A router maintains routing information including (i) route data representing destinations within a computer network, (ii) next hop data representing interfaces to neighboring network devices, and (iii) indirect next hop data that maps a subset of the routes represented by the route data to a common one of the next hop data elements. In this manner, routing information is structured such that routes having the same next hop use indirect next hop data structures to reference common next hop data. In particular, in response to a change in network topology, the router need not change all of the affected routes, but only the common next hop data referenced by the intermediate data structures. This provides for increased efficiency in updating routing information after a change in network topology, such as link failure. |
| US08953623B1 |
Predictive network services load balancing within a network device
In general, techniques are described for performing load balancing across resources of a network device. In one example, upon receiving an initial packet, a load balancer module of the network device is configured to perform a lookup in a routing table based on a subscriber identifier associated with the initial packet, and determine whether a line card is pre-assigned to process the initial packet based at least in part on the lookup result. A packet forwarding engine is configured to when one of the line cards is pre-assigned, direct the initial packet to the pre-assigned line card, and, when one of the line cards is not pre-assigned, dynamically identify one of the line cards to process the initial packet based at least in part on header information of the initial packet, and direct the initial packet to the dynamically identified line card. |
| US08953621B2 |
Specifying priority on a virtual station interface discovery and configuration protocol response
An apparatus comprising an Edge Virtual Bridging (EVB) bridge coupled with an EVB station wherein the EVB bridge is configured to communicate to the EVB station a Filter Information (Info) field of a virtual station interface (VSI) discovery and configuration protocol (VDP) Associate Response message, and wherein the Filter Info field specifies a default Priority Code Point (PCP) value associated with at least one or all of a plurality of VID values carried by that VDP TLV Response. |
| US08953619B2 |
Dynamic optimization of a multicast tree hierarchy for a distributed switch
A distributed switch may include a hierarchy with one or more levels of surrogate sub-switches (and surrogate bridge elements) that enable the distributed switch to scale bandwidth based on the size of the membership of a multicast group. Moreover, each surrogate may optimize the hierarchy according to one or more optimization criteria. For example, each surrogate in the hierarchy may have the necessary information to ensure that if the next surrogate in the hierarchy is unavailable, the data may be routed to a backup surrogate. The selected hierarchy may be further optimized by skipping surrogates (or a surrogate level) such that the data intended for a skipped surrogate is sent to a surrogate in a lower-level of the hierarchy. This may better utilize the connection interfaces in the transmitting sub-switches and eliminate any unnecessary surrogate-to-surrogate transfers. |
| US08953614B2 |
Data communication system and address setting method for setting an IP address
To set an IP address to an apparatus existing beyond a router, a first apparatus requests a second apparatus via the router to set an IP address to a third apparatus. Upon reception of the request, the second apparatus sets to the third apparatus the IP address instructed by the first apparatus. |
| US08953609B1 |
Packet-data-network-specific addressing solutions for clients relying on proxy-based mobility
A wireless client terminal includes an application module, a service mapping module, and an address determination module. The application module determines first and second services requested by applications. The service mapping module stores a table that maps services to access point names. Each access point name identifies a respective packet data network. The address determination module transmits an address request message, including access point names corresponding to the services, to a media access gateway and receives an address response message. The address determination module determines first and second addresses based on address information in the address response message. The application module transmits a first packet to the media access gateway. The source address of the first packet is set to the first address when the first packet is related to the first service and to the second address when the first packet is related to the second service. |
| US08953605B1 |
Methods and apparatus for a handshake protocol in a LAG-based multipath switch fabric for multipath OAM
In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a first switch configured to define an initialization packet that has a header value associated with a port from a set of ports associated with a link aggregation group. The first switch is configured to send the initialization packet to a second switch via the port based on the header value. The first switch is configured to receive an acknowledgement packet including the header value from the second switch in response to the second switch receiving the initialization packet. The first switch is configured to retrieve the header value from the acknowledgement packet such that the first switch defines, in response to the first switch receiving the acknowledgement packet, a response packet having the header value. The first switch is configured to send the response packet to the second switch via the port based on the header value. |
| US08953603B2 |
Methods and apparatus related to a distributed switch fabric
A method of sending data to a switch fabric includes assigning a destination port of an output module to a data packet based on at least one field in a first header of the data packet. A module associated with a first stage of the switch fabric is selected based on at least one field in the first header. A second header is appended to the data packet. The second header includes an identifier associated with the destination port of the output module. The data packet is sent to the module associated with the first stage. The module associated with the first stage is configured to send the data packet to a module associated with a second stage of the switch fabric based on the second header. |
| US08953602B2 |
Network data storing system and data accessing method
The present disclosure provides a network data storage system and a network data access method. The disclosed network data storage system includes: a data node, used for storing a data unit; a metadata node, used for storing and managing routing information and providing the routing information according to a data processing request of a client; and a data management node, used for processing the requested data unit in the data node according to a data access request of the client. The disclosed system and method may improve access performance of network data, enhance expansibility of a system, and lower expansion cost. |
| US08953597B2 |
Computing point-to-multipoint paths
An apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) configured to communicate with a path computation client (PCC) and compute a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) path across an autonomous system (AS) domain. Also included is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising obtaining a computation request for a P2MP path across a plurality of AS domains, attempting to calculate the P2MP path across the AS domains, thereby generating a computed path or a failure reason, and transmitting a reply comprising the computed path or an indication of the failure reason. Included is a method comprising exchanging a request message and a reply message about a P2MP path across an AS domain between a PCC and a PCE. |
| US08953595B2 |
Route-optimised mulitcast traffic for a mobile network node
A method of communicating traffic from a source to a group (G) of nodes including a Network Node (MNN) in a network using one or more multicast protocols. The network also comprises a Router (MR) for forwarding traffic between the network and the Internet and a Multicast Signalling Gateway (MSG) co-located with the Router (MR) and translating on an interface signalling messages of a multicast routing protocol (MRP) into messages of a group membership protocol (GMP). In the case of mobile networks, the interface is preferably an egress interface of the Mobile Router (MR). The Multicast Signalling Gateway (MSG) preferably translates multicast packets together with unicast source addresses and multicast destination addresses of multicast packets between IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. |
| US08953591B2 |
Packet transferring node
In a conventional “distributed” integrated network node architecture, specific judgment processes cannot be executed in any routing and transferring unit. The routing and transferring unit is required to share judgment process related information with an enhanced processing unit or other routing and transferring units. Thus, when using enhanced processing units, manufacturing costs increase, while processing speed decreases when routing and transferring units cooperate. If any flow is disposed during a transfer from a packet transferring unit in a routing and transferring unit to a processing unit, the packet is disposed regardless of packet priority. In the present invention, a packet related to a specific judgment process is always transmitted to a specific routing and transferring unit from a line interface unit. If an inputted flow is over the transferring capacity, the line interface unit analyzes the packet header and determines the type, transport priority, and disposal priority of the packet. |
| US08953586B2 |
Method for placing call in voice call continuity and terminal and server thereof
A method, server and terminal for providing a Voice Call Continuity (VCC) service, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the terminal includes a storage unit to store operator policy information and user preference information, the user preference information including domain selection information specifying a user-preferred domain to be used when originating the outgoing call from the terminal, the operator policy information including domain selection information specifying a network-preferred domain to be used when originating the outgoing call from the terminal; and a controller to perform a domain selection for the outgoing call based on the user preference information or the operator policy information. |
| US08953584B1 |
Methods and apparatus for accessing route information in a distributed switch
In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium includes code to cause a processor to receive, at a network management module, a request for data plane information associated with a set of access switches of a distributed switch. The non-transitory processor-readable medium includes code to cause the processor to send, in response to the request, an instruction to each access switch from the set of access switches such that a proxy module at each access switch accesses data plane information at at least one line card at that access switch. The non-transitory processor-readable medium includes code to cause the processor to receive, from each access switch from the set of access switches, the data plane information associated with that access switch, and then send a signal to output, on a single interface, the data plane information associated with each access switch from the set of access switches. |
| US08953577B2 |
Communication apparatus, method and system
If a network having the same SSID as but a different BSSID from those of a network that has been established by a first communication apparatus is detected, the network established by the first communication apparatus is terminated and the first communication apparatus participates in the detected network. This makes it possible for the first communication apparatus and another communication apparatus to participate in the same network. |
| US08953575B2 |
Deactivating existing bearer/context for emergency bearer establishment
A method, user equipment and non-transitory computer readable memory for establishing an emergency service using a wireless network includes unilaterally deactivating, at the user equipment when the user equipment needs to establish an emergency service, at least one active context with the wireless network without deactivating at least one other active context. Thereafter directing to the wireless network, a request to establish the emergency service that identifies the emergency service and one or more contexts that remain active after the unilateral deactivation of the at least one active context by the user equipment, synchronizing, in response to and based on the request, current context status information of the user equipment with the wireless network, and then establishing the emergency service using the wireless network with which the active context was deactivated. |
| US08953572B2 |
Mobile communication device, mobile network sharing method and electronic device
The invention discloses a mobile communication device, an electronic device and a mobile network sharing method between these two devices. The mobile communication device includes a communication module and a control unit. The communication module includes a mobile communication unit and a local communication unit. The mobile communication unit is used for connecting to a mobile communication network. The local communication unit has an active mode and a passive mode. The control unit is coupled to the communication module. When a trigger signal from an electronic device is received by the local communication unit under the passive mode, the control unit switches the local communication unit into the active mode, so as to connect the electronic device to the mobile communication network via the local communication unit and the mobile communication unit. |
| US08953571B2 |
Electronic messaging technology
Techniques are described for capturing text (e.g., SMS) messages and multimedia (e.g. MMS) messages along with messages and data sent with other communication modalities. The captured information may be used for performing social networking-related, data processing and auditing operations in real-time. |
| US08953566B2 |
Providing a cellular network with connectivity to a different network
Among other things, a system for use in wireless communication includes a first device communicating via a first protocol in a first network, a cellular device communicating via a second protocol in a cellular network, the second protocol being incompatible with the first protocol, and an access point in the cellular network, the access point being accessible by the cellular device and being configured to enable communication between the first device and the cellular device. |
| US08953564B2 |
Systems and methods to achieve fairness in wireless LANs for cellular offloading
System and method embodiments are included to provide various degrees of time allocation fairness to users using varying target transmission opportunity (TXOP) values. In one embodiment, a method for promoting various degrees of fairness for users in a wireless network includes assigning a target TXOP value for one or more users in the wireless network, wherein the target TXOP value indicates a number of time units for transmissions to be met on average over time by the one or more users, and transmitting the target TXOP value to the one or more users. In another embodiment, a method includes receiving a TXOP value from the wireless network, wherein the target TXOP value indicates a number of time units allocated for transmissions, and transmitting traffic over a plurality of time periods that have an average duration about equal to the number of time units. |
| US08953562B2 |
Method of using uplink reference signals for access grant requests
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using uplink reference signals for access grant requests. The method includes determining that at least one mobile unit is requesting access to at least one uplink channel based on information indicative of a change in a masking sequence applied to at least one reference signal. Another embodiment of the present invention includes providing a first reference signal modulated by a first masking sequence to indicate a request for access to at least one uplink channel. |
| US08953557B2 |
Roaming method for a mobile terminal in WLAN, related access controller and access point device
A roaming method for a mobile terminal in a wireless local area network is disclosed. In the method, a target access point (AP) device receives an access request for roaming from the mobile terminal, and a target access controller (AC) obtains mobility information of the mobile terminal in an original extended service set based on the access request, wherein the mobility information include information of an AP device, an AC and a mobile agent server associated with the mobile terminal. Then the target AC determines whether the roaming for the mobile terminal is an inter-IP subnet roaming or an intra-IP subnet roaming based on the obtained mobility information. The target AC performs mobile IP based handover when the roaming is determined as the inter-IP subnet roaming and performs Inter Access Point Protocol based handover when the roaming is determined as the intra-IP subnet roaming. |
| US08953553B2 |
Method of switching a periodic/aperiodic transmission of a channel estimation reference signal, and apparatus and method for a transmitting/receiving channel estimation reference signal using the same
A method for switching between periodic transmission and aperiodic transmission of a channel estimation reference signal for scheduling resources in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) system and an apparatus to transmit/receive the reference signal using the same. To schedule periodic and aperiodic transmission of the channel estimation reference signal, a predetermined type of transmission indicator is used, the transmission indicator including one or more bits of a periodic/aperiodic identification indicator. According to the present embodiment, when periodic and aperiodic transmission of the channel estimation reference signal is mixedly performed, interference between user equipment or between cells can be minimized, and a transmission efficiency of the reference signal can be enhanced. |
| US08953551B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication setting method, base station, mobile station, and program
A wireless communication system includes a setting unit for setting a number of resource block groups, each of the resource block groups including consecutive resource blocks on a frequency axis, and an allocating unit for allocating the resource blocks for an uplink channel such that the allocated resource blocks are not contiguous. |
| US08953550B2 |
Channel configuration in a wireless network
A base station transmits a message comprising configuration parameters of first radio resources of a control channel. The first radio resources comprise one or more sets of resource blocks in a subset of subframes in a plurality of subframes. The base station transmits scheduling information on the control channel for a packet transmitted on an uplink data channel. The base station transmits a positive or negative acknowledgement on second radio resources of a feedback channel for the received packet. The second radio resources start from the first OFDM symbol of a second subframe. |
| US08953548B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring and processing component carriers
A method and apparatus are described which perform bandwidth aggregation by simultaneously monitoring and processing a number of simultaneous, non-contiguous or contiguous component carriers in the downlink. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) can be configured by an evolved Node-B (eNodeB) to support additional component carriers. A pre-configured additional component carrier may be used. Various methods for activating and deactivating the additional component carrier are also described. |
| US08953547B2 |
Power-saving TDMA MAC for wireless body area networks
A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize a reservation-based power saving polling (RESP) MAC protocol for communication. The RESP MAC can be configured to provide methods for emergency event handling of both bursty data and streaming data. |
| US08953546B2 |
Method of handling long term evolution positioning protocol data and related communication device
A method of handling long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) data for a mobile device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises initiating a transmission for transmitting a protocol data unit (PDU) of a long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) layer of the mobile device, to a base station of the wireless communication system; and retransmitting the LPP PDU to the base station when the transmission is failed. |
| US08953543B2 |
Communication terminal, control device, communication method, control method, program, and integrated circuit
The communication terminal includes a receiving unit and a transmission unit, which serve as a communication unit for signal exchange; and a beacon processing unit as a first detection unit that detects, for each channel, the number of the other communication terminals performing wireless communication by receiving a terminal number notification signal from a control device. Additionally, a data processing unit is provided as a second detection unit that counts, for each channel, the number of the other communication terminals found by receiving acknowledgement signals transmitted from the other communication terminals; and a channel control unit selects a frequency channel having a least difference between the number detected by the beacon processing unit and the number counted by the data processing unit, and causes the receiving unit and the transmission unit to perform the signal exchange via the selected frequency channel. |
| US08953538B2 |
Network access method and system for machine type communications
The present invention provides a network access method and system for Machine Type Communications (MTC), wherein the method comprises the following steps: an MTC device sends a preamble to a base station; the base station sends a Random Access Response (RAR) to the MTC device; if the RAR does not contain a temporary access resource assignment indication, the MTC device sends a Layer 2/Layer 3 message to the base station; otherwise, the MTC device re-attempts to perform network access; the base station sends a contention resolution message to the MTC device; if the contention resolution message contains a self-identification contained in the Layer 2/Layer 3 message sent by the MTC device, the network access is completed; if the contention resolution message contains the temporary access resource assignment indication, the MTC device re-attempts to perform the network access; otherwise, the MTC device attempts to perform the network access using the originally used access resource again. According to the present invention, it is enabled to dynamically and quickly perform assignment and release of MTC access resources based on actual access resource collisions, which thereby avoids waste of uplink resources in a semi-static configuration, reduces the possibility of collision, and protects normal access of non-MTC devices. |
| US08953537B2 |
Transmit power control signaling for communication systems using carrier aggregation
Transmission power control and signaling from a base station to a group of terminals in a system such as LTE supporting carrier aggregation. The transmission power control message has a plurality of transmission control fields of which a multiple is assigned to each terminal. A transmission control field carries a transmission power command for the respective uplink component carrier and the respective mobile terminal. The transmission power control message is mapped to a control signaling region of a downlink component carrier and transmitted within a subframe. |
| US08953534B2 |
Apparatus and method for avoiding downlink interference from interfering base station in mobile communication system
A method for avoiding interference of an interfering Base Station (BS) in an interfered BS of a mobile communication system includes determining an interference value of an interfering BS at a control region during a determination interval. When the interference value is greater than a threshold value, the method further includes operating in a modified Transmit/receive Transition Gap (TTG) mode. When the interference value is less than the threshold value, the method further includes operating in a general TTG mode. |
| US08953533B2 |
Wireless communication system, base station, server, wireless communication method, and program
Provided is a wireless communication technique capable of supporting communication using a single component carrier, and communication using a plurality of component carriers. The communication using the plurality of carriers comprises a processing means for performing the signal processing in accordance with each of the carriers with respect to the common signal sequence used by the plurality of carriers. The present invention makes it possible to cope with the communication employing a single component carrier and the wireless communication employing a plurality of the component carriers. Further, PAPR of the reference signals can be made small because there is no possibility that the identical CAZAC sequence is used among the component carriers when a plurality of the component carriers are employed. |
| US08953530B2 |
Method for allocating resources to uplink control channel
A method for adaptively allocating resources of an uplink control channel according to a system situation is disclosed. If a base station (BS) recognizes the system situation, establishes control information for resource allocation, and transmits the control information to a mobile station (MS), the mobile station (MS) allocates resources for transmitting uplink control information using a specific block or a specific resource distribution method according to the corresponding control information. The system situation may be changed according to the number of users contained in the BS's coverage or the usage of a multi-antenna. The variation of the system situation is actively reflected so that the uplink channel resources can be effectively used. |
| US08953528B2 |
Apparatus and method for ambient noise adaptation in wireless sensor networks
Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for adapting wireless sensor network device operation to ambient RF noise. An example embodiment includes: initializing a noise threshold value to a default value; detecting an ambient RF noise level on a plurality of channels of a wireless network device; if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is above the noise threshold value, adjusting the noise threshold value by an increment and retesting the ambient RF noise level on the plurality of channels; if the noise threshold value exceeds a pre-determined maximum noise threshold value, suspending data communications by the wireless network device; and if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is below the noise threshold value, retaining the noise threshold value and enabling data communications by the wireless network device. |
| US08953521B1 |
Facilitating communication between wireless access components
The invention is directed to methods for facilitating communication between multiple wireless access components. Initially, a second wireless access component is detected to be within range of a first wireless access component. It is determined that a wireless connection is to be established between the wireless access components. Access information is exchanged between the wireless access components indicating capacity and current usage of each other's outbound link to the Internet. A wireless connection is then established between the two wireless access components, thus allowing for routing of Internet traffic between the wireless access components. |
| US08953518B2 |
Method and apparatus for acquiring initial synchronization using relay-amble in wireless communication system
A method and an apparatus for acquiring initial synchronization in a wireless communication system are provided. A relay station determines whether or not the initial synchronization is acquired, determines a start position of a frame using a peak of an autocorrelation signal detected based on a preamble and a relay-amble (R-amble) received from a base station in the case in which the initial synchronization is not acquired, and determines the start position of the frame using a peak of an autocorrelation signal detected based on the relay-amble received from the base station in the case in which the initial synchronization is acquired. |
| US08953514B2 |
System and method for wireless communication of uncompressed video having beacon design
A system and method for efficiently communicating messages over a low-rate channel between multiple devices in a system for wireless communication of uncompressed video is disclosed. The method includes various control bits in a beacon control field of a beacon frame to improve the efficiency of the beacon processing, thereby reducing beacon processing time and size of the beacon frame itself. The transmitting device can use one or more of the various control bits to indicate whether there are changes in various MAC payload information fields. The receiving station can use one or more of the control bits to eliminate the need to parse one or more MAC payload information fields whose values have not changed from the previous beacon frame. |
| US08953508B2 |
TMSI allocation device and method thereof, and network attachment and location area update methods in M2M communication
The invention provides a temporary mobile station identity TMSI allocation method, comprising steps of: notifying a mobility management entity MME device of a corresponding mobility attribute based on a type of a Machine Type Communication MTC application, wherein the mobility attribute indicates whether a mobility of the MTC application is high or low; determining, by the MME device, a mobility layer associated with the MTC application according to the mobility attribute, and then allocating a TMSI from an available address space to a MTC device applying the MTC application based on a predetermined criterion, according to the determined mobility layer. The present invention further provides corresponding MTC server, MME device, network attachment method and location area update method. |
| US08953506B2 |
Time multiplexing for coexistence within multiple communication systems
Methods and apparatus permitting the coexistence of multiple communication links to distinct wireless systems in a client device are disclosed. A wireless device can interface with both a primary communications system and at least one distinct communications system by managing the coexistence of active communications with the multiple communication systems. The wireless device can initially configure communications with the primary communications system for dynamically reconfigurable time multiplexed operation having scheduled periods of inactivity. The wireless device can determine timing and scheduling of communications with the distinct communications systems and can schedule the communications with the distinct communications systems during periods of inactivity in the primary communications system. The periods of inactivity may be limited to the scheduled periods of inactivity or can include unscheduled periods of inactivity occurring during active periods of the time multiplexed operation. The device may also use data priorities of communications to override overlapping communication activity. |
| US08953502B2 |
Receiver for receiving RF-signals in a plurality of different communication bands and transceiver
A receiver for receiving RF-signals in a plurality of different communication bands, each communication band including a receive frequency range and a transmit frequency range includes a plurality of receiving ports, a plurality of input circuits, a first inductor and a second inductor. Each receiving port is configured to receive RF-signals in a receive frequency range of a communication band. Each input circuit is connected to an associated receiving port for processing RF-signals applied to the receiving port. The first inductor is connected to a first group of input circuits and the second inductor is connected to a second group of input circuits, wherein the first group of input circuits and the second group of input circuits are disjunct. The receiving ports associated with the first group of input circuits are configured to receive RF-signals in a first group of communication bands, wherein in the first group of communication bands, none of the transmit frequency ranges overlap with one of the receive frequency ranges. The receiving ports associated with the second group of input circuits are configured to receive RF-signals in a second group of communication bands, wherein in the second group of communication bands, none of the transmit frequency ranges overlaps with one of the receive frequency ranges. |
| US08953500B1 |
Branch node-initiated point to multi-point label switched path signaling with centralized path computation
Techniques are described for establishing a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) label switched path (LSP) using a branch node-initiated signaling model in which branch node to leaf (B2L) sub-LSPs are signaled and utilized to form a P2MP LSP. The techniques described herein provides a scalable solution in which the number of sub-LSPs for which the source node or any given branch node need maintain state is equal to the number of physical data flows output from that node to downstream nodes, i.e., the number of output interfaces used for the P2MP LSP by that node to output data flows to downstream nodes. As such, unlike the conventional source node-initiated model in which each node maintains state for sub-LSPs that service each of the leaf nodes downstream from the device, the size and scalability of a P2MP LSP is no longer bound to the number of leaves that are downstream from that node. |
| US08953498B2 |
Method and apparatus of active scanning in wireless local area network
Provided are a method and apparatus for scanning of a station in a wireless local area network. The method includes: receiving a probe request frame including probe request relaying information from a probe requesting station (PRSTA) initiating the active scanning, determining whether to discard the probe request frame (PRF) when a frame related to relaying of the PRF is received, determining whether to relay the PRF, and relaying the PRF to an access point if it is determined to relay the PRF, the probe request relaying information including: a transmitter address field indicating an address of a station (STA) transmitting the PRF, and a PRSTA address field indicating an address of the PRSTA, wherein discarding of the PRF is determined by comparing one of the transmitter address field or the PRSTA address field with information included in the frame related to the PRF. |
| US08953496B2 |
Detection of asymmetric network routes
Route asymmetry is detected in a network by running a route tracing program to trace routes between a first element of the network and a second element of the network. The route tracing program need be run at only a single network element, such as the first network element. Forward and reverse routes between the first and second network elements are identified as asymmetric if performance data from the route tracing program indicates a significant deviation from an expected monotonic characteristic as a function of time-to-live values of respective packets transmitted by the route tracing program. |
| US08953494B2 |
NETCONF-enabled provisioning in rollback agnostic environment
A method includes receiving configuration data for configuring network devices; generating remote procedure calls (RPCs) for configuring the network devices, which include provisioning and reverse provisioning RPCs, where each reverse provisioning RPC reverse provisions a particular pseudowire; providing to the network devices the provisioning RPCs; determining a success with respect to each of the provisioning RPCs, where the success indicates that all endpoints of a pseudowire have been successfully configured; providing the reverse provisioning RPCs to the network devices, when it is determined that the success has not been achieved; and storing an indication of success when it is determined that the success has been achieved with respect to the provisioning RPCs. |
| US08953493B2 |
Setting method of field device and setting system of field device
A setting system of field devices may include a first communication path, a terminal device, a relay device, and a second communication path. The terminal device may include a receiving unit that receives an input operation of information, a first setting unit that performs the first setting for each of the field devices by transmitting information necessary for the first setting from the terminal device to each of the field devices through the second communication path in response to the input operation received by the receiving unit, and a second setting unit that performs a second setting for the terminal device, the second setting being necessary with the first setting for each of the field devices in response to the input operation received by the receiving unit. |
| US08953490B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in facilitating Wi-Fi peer-to-peer (P2P) wireless networking
A wireless communication device is configured to store a plurality of profiles associated with applications. Each profile includes at least a discovery mode property and a device type property. In response to an application being activated, the wireless device enables a discovery mode for performing discovery in accordance with the discovery mode property retrieved from a selected profile associated with the application. When one or more devices are available for discovery, the wireless device receives information from each device, filters the received information to provide filtered information associated with one or more devices having a device type that matches the device type property, and provides the filtered information to the application. The wireless device may then establish, in accordance with one or more properties retrieved from the selected profile, a Wi-Fi P2P wireless network connection with at least one of the devices. |
| US08953488B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimal interconnection of telecommunication nodes via a reliable microwave clustering
A method and apparatus for providing a topology for interconnection of telecommunication nodes in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the method obtains input data, and determines values of: at least one set, at least one parameter, and at least one variable associated with the communication network in accordance with the input data. The method then determines the topology for the interconnection via microwave links of the telecommunication nodes from an objective function in accordance with the at least one set, at least one parameter, and at least one variable, wherein the objective function is based on a plurality of penalty factors. |
| US08953487B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication system, and network establishing method
A communication apparatus determines whether another communication apparatus participating in a network established in accordance with a first communication standard is also compatible with a second communication standard. The communication apparatus detects leaving of the network by another communication apparatus incompatible with the second communication standard. The communication apparatus establishes a network that adheres to the second communication standard, depending on the detection result. |
| US08953479B2 |
System and method for license enforcement for data center monitoring applications
Methods include receiving a threshold time to live (“TTL”) value associated with a license. The methods include determining a first TTL value based on the threshold TTL value. The methods include transmitting a polling request including the first TTL value from a polling device disposed at the network location to a network device. The first TTL value decreases each time the polling request transits through a node device. The methods include receiving a polling response from the network device if the first TTL value has not decreased to a predetermined value before the polling request is received by the network device. The methods include determining that the license permits communication between a monitoring device disposed at the network location and the network device in response to receiving the polling response. |
| US08953460B1 |
Network liveliness detection using session-external communications
In general, techniques are described to dynamically refresh a timer for a communication session provided by a bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) protocol. The techniques potentially mitigate network load by reducing the number of BFD packets required to maintain a BFD communication session. An example network device includes a memory, programmable processor(s), a network interface, and a control unit configured to establish a BFD communication session between the network device and a peer network device that is communicatively coupled to the network device via the network interface, determine whether a packet associated with a communication session other than the BFD communication session is a relevant packet to the BFD communication session, and in response to determining that the packet is the relevant packet, refresh a timer that executes on the network device and is associated with the BFD communication session. |
| US08953456B2 |
Ethernet OAM performance management
Maintenance entities may be defined between customer and provider flow points to allow performance management to take place on an Ethernet network. The maintenance entities may be defined for access link, intra-domain, and inter-domain, and may be defined on a link or service basis. The maintenance entities may be used to monitor performance within a network or across networks, and may be used to monitor various performance parameters, such as frame loss, frame delay, frame delay variation, availability, errored frame seconds, service status, frame throughput, the number of frames transmitted, received or dropped, the status of a loopback interface, the amount of time a service has been unavailable, and many other parameters. Several management mechanisms may be used, and the measurements may be collected using a solicited collection method, in which a response is required and collected, or an unsolicited collection method in which a response is not required. |
| US08953452B2 |
Enhancing performance of rapid channel changes and other playback positioning changes in adaptive streaming
Content is received within a network by a content receiver based upon fetch requests by the content receiver to a content source, where the fetch requests for content are based upon a first adaptation logic scheme to fill a buffer of the content receiver at a selected rate and to download segments of content at selected encoding rates. A network priority is detected at the content receiver that includes an observed download rate at the content receiver that is greater than a fair share rate for other content receivers in the network. Fetch requests for content are revised in response to detection of the network priority, where the revised fetch requests are based upon a priority adaptation scheme that results in at least one of filling the buffer at a faster rate and downloading segments of content at higher encoding rates compared with the first adaptation logic scheme. |
| US08953448B2 |
Linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer system and method for optimizing throughput speed and preventing data starvation
A system and method is described for formulating a linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network that analyzes capabilities of plurality of nodes, and creating at least two linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-networks by forming a first group of nodes of the plurality of nodes having similar capabilities and establishing serial connections between nodes of the first group of nodes to form a first linked-list hybrid peer-to-peer sub-network. |
| US08953447B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling traffic transfer rate based on cell capacity in mobile communication system
A system that provides a content delivery service to a user in a mobile communication system is provided. The system receives, from an enhanced Node B (eNB), cell-specific capacity information that is determined based on cell-specific load state information of the eNB, determines a transfer rate for traffic to be transmitted to a User Equipment (UE) in each cell, based on the received cell-specific capacity information, and transmits the traffic to be transmitted to the UE in each cell to the eNB at the determined transfer rate. |
| US08953441B2 |
Re-routing network traffic after link failure
In one example, a network device includes a virtual network agent, and a network interface to send network packets to the virtual network controller using a default route for a physical network prior to establishing a communication session between a virtual network controller and the virtual network agent, wherein, after establishing the communication session between the virtual network controller device and the virtual network agent, the virtual network agent receives from the virtual network controller a command to install a new route at the network device, wherein the new route specifies encapsulation information to use for encapsulating network packets for sending the network packets to the virtual network controller over an overlay network, and wherein, responsive to detecting a failed link in the physical network, the virtual network agent sends packets to the virtual network controller on an alternate route in the overlay network. |
| US08953440B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth adjustment in packet transport network
A method for adjusting bandwidth in a communications network having a plurality of nodes connected over multiple links with a plurality of services running on the links includes detecting an impairment of a link wherein the impairment invokes a reduction in bandwidth available to the services running on the link, communicating information about the impairment to other nodes in the network and redistributing services between the links to limit a bandwidth required by services running on the impaired link to a value not exceeding the bandwidth available on the impaired link. |
| US08953439B1 |
Separation of control plane functions using virtual machines in network device
Techniques are described for separating control plane functions in a network device using virtual machines. The techniques include initializing multiple virtual machine instances in a control unit of a standalone router, and running different control processes for the router in each of the virtual machines. For example, in a root system domain (RSD)-protected system domain (PSD) system, a control unit of the standalone router may support a RSD virtual machine (VM) and one or more PSD VMs configured to form logical devices and execute logically separate control processes without requiring physically separate, hardware-independent routing engines to form the PSDs. Each of the RSD VM and PSD VMs includes a separate kernel, an operating system, and control processes for the logical device. When a software failure occurs in the PSD VM, the PSD VM may perform a software failover without affecting the operation of the RSD VM. |
| US08953434B1 |
Providing high availability as a service with network devices
In general, techniques are described for providing high availability as a service. The techniques may be performed by a device that includes an interface and a control unit. The interface is configured to receive network traffic originating from a subscriber device operated by a subscriber. The control unit is configured to determine whether to provide a high availability service with respect to at least a portion of the network traffic based on a subscriber profile associated with the subscriber. The control unit may further be configured to provide the high availability service for at least the portion of the network traffic based on the determination of whether to provide the high availability service. The control unit may further be configured to process at least the portion of the network traffic with the network device, and forward at least the portion of the network traffic. |
| US08953424B2 |
Optical recording medium driving apparatus, and method of generating tracking error signal
An optical-recording-medium driving apparatus includes: a light irradiating/receiving section configured to irradiate light on a medium so as to form a first side spot, a main spot, and a second side spot, and to receive reflection light from the individual spots; a first delay section configured to delay a light reception signal on the first side spot in accordance with a disposition interval between the first and the second side spots; a second delay section configured to delay a light reception signal on the main spot in accordance with a disposition interval between the main and second side spots; and a tracking-error-signal generation section configured to generate a tracking error signal on the basis of a correlation between delayed light reception signals on the first side spot and the main spot, and a correlation between the light reception signals on the second side spot and the main spot. |
| US08953420B1 |
Method and system for aligning light source with waveguide coupler
Light is guided from a light source into a waveguide coupler embedded in a slider. The light source is capable of being positioned in a cross-track, a down-track, and a vertical direction with regards to the waveguide coupler. The light emanating from an air-bearing surface of the slider is imaged using a device that generates an optical image of the air-bearing surface. A cross-track alignment position is identified as a location at which the image shows substantially the same number of photons on each side of the cross-track alignment position and has a minimum spread. A down-track alignment position is identified at which the light emanating from the air-bearing surface has maximal intensity in a down-track direction. |
| US08953414B2 |
Electromechanical transducer
An electromechanical transducer according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of selectively performing a transmitting and receiving operation by using elements of different shapes. The electromechanical transducer has a plurality of cells, each of which has a vibrating film including two electrodes provided with a gap therebetween, two driving and detecting units, a potential difference setter, and a switch. Each of the driving and detecting units implements a transmitting and/or a receiving function. A first or second element includes first or second electrodes which are electrically connected and further connected to the common first or second driving and detecting unit, respectively. The potential difference setter sets a predetermined potential difference between the reference potentials of the first and second driving and detecting units, respectively, and the switch switches between the first and second driving and detecting units to perform the transmitting and receiving operation. |
| US08953410B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit capable of controlling read command
The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a command decoder, a shift register unit and a command address latch unit. The command decoder is responsive to an external command defining write and read modes and configured to provide a write command or a read command according to the external command using a rising or falling clock. The shift register unit is configured to shift an external address and the write command by a write latency in response to the write command. The column address latch unit is configured to latch and provide the external address as a column address in the read mode, and to latch a write address, which is provided from the shift register unit, and provide the write address as the column address in the write mode. |
| US08953404B2 |
Semiconductor device having an electrical fuse element
A semiconductor device has an electrical fuse element including: a first filament; a second filament connected to the first filament; and a series readout section connected to an end of the first filament opposite to another end of the first filament connected to the second filament, the series readout section reading series resistance of the first filament and the second filament. |
| US08953400B2 |
Data control circuit
The data control circuit includes an input/output line and a driver. The input/output line precharging circuit precharges a global input/output line to a predetermined voltage when either a reading operation or a writing operation is inoperative. The driver includes a number of MOS transistors and drives the global input/output line in response to receiving data from a local input/output line and a complementary local input/output line during the reading operation. |
| US08953398B2 |
Block level grading for reliability and yield improvement
A system for grading blocks may be used to improve memory usage. Blocks of memory, such as on a flash card, may be graded on a sliding scale that may identify a level of “goodness” or a level of “badness” for each block rather than a binary good or bad identification. This grading system may utilize at least three tiers of grades which may improve efficiency by better utilizing each block based on the individual grades for each block. The block leveling grading system may be used for optimizing the competing needs of minimizing yield loss while minimizing testing defect escapes. |
| US08953393B2 |
Semiconductor device and operating method thereof
A semiconductor device may test a semiconductor memory device by storing a data sample that is sampled from among data requested to be written into a semiconductor memory device and by comparing the data sample with data read from the semiconductor memory device which corresponds to the data sample. |
| US08953389B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first core region and a second core region disposed along a first reference line parallel to a major axis, the first reference line connecting an input pad and an output pad; first and second cell blocks disposed in the first core region along the first reference line; third and fourth cell blocks disposed in the second core region along the first reference line; and a repeater positioned between the third and fourth cell blocks, and configured to receive data outputted from the first cell block or the second cell block, amplify the received data and transfer the amplified data to a second global input/output line. Reducing the number of needed global input/output lines leads to layout area reduction. Moreover, since repeaters are driven in read operations for a limited number of cell blocks, signal gain may be reduced, thus reducing overall power consumption. |
| US08953387B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for efficient write in a cross-point array
A memory circuit, including a memory array (such as a cross-point array), may include circuit elements that may function both as selection elements/drivers and de-selection elements/drivers. A selection/de-selection driver may be used to provide both a selection function as well as an operation function. The operation function may include providing sufficient currents and voltages for WRITE and/or READ operations in the memory array. When the de-selection path is used for providing the operation function, highly efficient cross-point implementations can be achieved. The operation function may be accomplished by circuit manipulation of a de-selection supply and/or de-selection elements. |
| US08953385B2 |
Method of programming non-volatile memory device and apparatuses for performing the method
A non-volatile memory device is provided. The non-volatile memory device includes a cell string including a plurality of non-volatile memory cells; and an operation control block configured to supply a program voltage to a word line connected to a selected non-volatile memory cell among the plurality of non-volatile memory cells during a program operation, configured to supply a first negative voltage to the word line during a detrapping operation, and configured to supply a second negative voltage as a verify voltage to the word line during a program verify operation. |
| US08953384B2 |
Sense amplifier for flash memory
A sense amplifier has a reference cell current branch in which a reference cell determines a reference cell current, a column load converts the reference cell current to a reference voltage, and a feedback circuit to maintain the reference cell drain voltage. The sense amplifier also has a main cell current branch in which a main cell operationally selected from an array of flash memory cells determines a main cell current, a column load converts the main cell current to a main voltage, and a feedback circuit to maintain the main cell drain voltage. A differential amplifier compares the reference voltage with the main voltage and furnishes a logical level at its output depending on the relative values. A boost circuit has a pull up section coupled across the column load and a pull down section coupled across the main cell for accelerating the logical zero sensing time. |
| US08953382B2 |
Vertical nonvolatile memory devices and methods of operating same
Integrated circuit memory devices include a plurality of vertically-stacked strings of nonvolatile memory cells having respective vertically-arranged channel regions therein electrically coupled to an underlying substrate. A control circuit is provided, which is configured to drive the vertical channel regions with an erase voltage that is ramped from a first voltage level to a higher second voltage level during an erase time interval. This ramping of the erase voltage promotes time efficient erasure of vertically stacked nonvolatile memory cells with reduced susceptibility to inadvertent programming of ground and string selection transistors (GST, SST). |
| US08953379B2 |
Apparatuses and methods of reprogramming memory cells
Apparatuses and methods for reprogramming memory cells are described. One or more methods for memory cell operation includes programming a number of memory cells such that each of the number of memory cells are at either a first program state or a second program state, the second program state having a first program verify voltage associated therewith; and reprogramming the number of memory cells such that at least one of the number of memory cells is reprogrammed to a third program state having a second program verify voltage associated therewith, wherein those of the number of memory cells having a threshold voltage less than the second program verify voltage represent a same data value. |
| US08953373B1 |
Flash memory read retry using histograms
Upon a read error, a flash memory controller adjusts a candidate reference voltage on successive read retries until either a read error no longer occurs or an optimal reference voltage is attained. Optimal reference voltages correspond to cross-points of flash memory cell voltage distributions. Cross-points can be determined by using different candidate reference voltages to read data from the memory and determining corresponding decision patterns. The frequency of occurrence of the decision patterns in the data read from the memory is used to conceptually construct a histogram. The histogram is used to estimate when a candidate reference voltage has been adjusted to a cross-point. |
| US08953368B2 |
Magnetic memory device having bidirectional read scheme
A data reading method of a magnetic memory device includes generating read commands, supplying a read current to a selected magnetic memory element in a first direction and in turn in a second direction under different ones of the read commands, respectively, and sensing the magnitude of the read current flowing through the selected magnetic memory element to read data stored at the selected magnetic memory element. |
| US08953367B2 |
Three-dimensional memory array and operation scheme
A system, method and computer program product for operating a three-dimensional memory array. An example array includes access transistors with first, second and gate terminals. Bit lines are coupled to the first terminals, word lines coupled to the gate terminals, and vertical lines are coupled to the second terminals. The bit, word, and vertical lines are perpendicular to one another. Memory cells are positioned along the vertical lines, including a bidirectional access device coupled in series with a memory element. The memory element is programmable to first and second states by application of first and second write voltages, opposite in polarity to one another. The array includes conductive plates parallel to the word and bit lines, and perpendicular to the vertical lines. The conductive plates are coupled to memory cells of the same height and separated by insulating layers. |
| US08953366B2 |
Magnetic random access memory device
The present invention proposes an electronic memory device comprising a memory line including a memory domain. The memory line may contain a number of memory domains and a number of fixed domains, wherein each memory domain stores a single binary bit value. A multiferroic element may be disposed proximate to each memory domain allowing the magnetization of the memory domain to be changed using a spin torque current, and ensuring the stability of the magnetization of the domain when it is not being written. The domain boundary between the memory domain and one of its adjacent fixed domains may thereby be moved. An antiferromagnetic element may be disposed proximate to each fixed domain to ensure the stability of the magnetization of these. The value of each memory domain may be read by applying a voltage to a magnetic tunnel junction comprising the memory domain and measuring the current flowing through it. |
| US08953365B2 |
Capacitor backup for SRAM
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for backing up data in an SRAM device, and an SRAM device that includes a capacitive backup circuit for backing up data in an SRAM device. The method may include writing data to the SRAM cell by applying an input voltage to set an input node of cross-coupled inverters to a memory state. The method may also include backing up the data written to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the input node to the capacitive backup circuit. The method may also include restoring the data stored in the capacitive backup circuit to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the capacitive backup circuit to the input node. |
| US08953364B2 |
Voltage rail noise sensing circuit and method
Apparatus and methods level shift a direct current (DC) component of a voltage rail signal from a first DC level to a second DC level such that voltage rail noise can be determined. The actual voltage rail noise can be compared to an expected amount of noise for analysis and validation of simulation models. Such assessment can be used to validate simulation models used to refine a design of an integrated circuit or as part of built-in self test. |
| US08953361B2 |
Stack memory apparatus
A stack memory apparatus is provided. The stack memory apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of memory cells, each including a switching element and a variable resister connected in parallel, stacked on the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of memory cells is configured to be connected to each other in series. |
| US08953360B2 |
Apparatus and method for reading a phase-change memory cell
An apparatus and a method for reading a phase-change memory cell are described. A circuit includes a current ramp circuit. A current forcing module is coupled with the current ramp circuit. A Veb emulation circuit is coupled with the current forcing module by a voltage adder, the voltage adder to sum an output from the Veb emulation circuit and a high impedance voltage source. A method includes forcing a current ramp into both a bitline and a dummy bitline, the dummy bitline having a voltage. The method also includes tripping a comparator when the current ramp provides a storage voltage with a predefined value, the storage voltage associated with the phase-change memory cell, and the predefined value independent from a resistance value of the phase-change memory cell and added in series to the voltage of the dummy bitline. |
| US08953358B2 |
Memory device and method for driving memory device
A memory device in which one memory cell can operate in both a single-level cell mode and a multi-level cell mode includes a signal transmission path for a multi-level cell mode in which a multi-bit digital signal representing any of three or more states input to the memory circuit is converted by a D/A converter and stored in the memory cell and the stored data is read by converting a signal output from the memory cell into a multi-bit digital signal with an A/D converter and the multi-bit digital signal is output from the memory circuit, and a signal transmission path for a single-level cell mode in which a single-bit digital signal representing any of two states input to the memory circuit is directly stored in the memory cell and the signal stored in the memory cell is directly output from the memory cell. |
| US08953354B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of driving semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory portion that includes i (i is a natural number) sets each including j (j is a natural number of 2 or larger) arrays each including k (k is a natural number of 2 or larger) lines to each of which a first bit column of an address is assigned in advance; a comparison circuit; and a control circuit. The i×j lines to each of which a first bit column of an objective address is assigned in advance are searched more than once and less than or equal to j times with the use of the control circuit and a cache hit signal or a cache miss signal output from the selection circuit. In such a manner, the line storing the objective data is specified. |
| US08953351B2 |
Power conversion apparatus for electronic apparatus
A power conversion apparatus is provided. The power conversion apparatus includes an AC to DC adapter, an input port, a power conversion control unit, and a restart circuit. The AC to DC adapter converts an AC input voltage into a DC output voltage according to an external signal of an electronic apparatus and provides the DC output voltage to the electronic apparatus. The input port receives the AC input voltage through an AC input terminal. If the power conversion apparatus does not output the DC output voltage to the electronic apparatus, the power conversion control unit turns off the power conversion apparatus. If the restart circuit detects that an insertion action occurs on the input port, the restart circuit transmits a trigger signal to turn on the power conversion control unit in an off mode. |
| US08953348B2 |
Switching power supply circuit and power factor controller
The switching power supply circuit includes a full-wave rectifier (1) which full-wave rectifies alternating power-supply voltage to output a pulsating current, and an inductor (3) connected to the full-wave rectifier (1). A level conversion circuit (20) includes a plurality of resistors connected in series, and converts inductor current detection voltage to a first current level signal and a second current level signal (S1 and S2) which are different in voltage level and which are proportional to inductor current. A continuous control setting circuit (30) generates a reference potential signal a phase of which is approximately the same as a phase of alternating input voltage from the first current level signal (S1) and compares a voltage level of the reference potential signal with a voltage level of the second current level signal (S2) to output a second set pulse (S8) that specifies timing at which a switching element (4) turns on. |
| US08953343B2 |
Power supply apparatus having multiple outputs
A power supply apparatus having multiple outputs which includes a transformer, a first output circuit generating a first output voltage with respect to a power transferred to a secondary side of the transformer, and a first output controller generating a first control signal for controlling a power supply provided to a primary side of the transformer. The power supply apparatus further includes a second output circuit generating a second output voltage with respect to the power transferred to the secondary side of the transformer and a second output controller controlling an output of the second output voltage, wherein the second output circuit includes a second switch performing a switching operation on current flows of the second output circuit, and the second output controller controls the switching operation of the second switch according to the first control signal and the second output voltage. |
| US08953337B2 |
Communication apparatus with removable circuit boards
The present invention relates to an electronic device including plural circuit board units that can be removed from the electronic device. The electronic device is designed to increase a data transfer rate between the circuit board units by using a circuit board for interconnect for electrically coupling the circuit board units placed in the electronic device, and using a cable for electrically or optically coupling the circuit board units placed in the electric device, or both of the cables. |
| US08953336B2 |
Surface metal wiring structure for an IC substrate
A surface metal wiring structure for a substrate includes one or more functional μbumps formed of a first metal and an electrical test pad formed of a second metal for receiving an electrical test probe and electrically connected to the one or more functional μbumps. The surface metal wiring structure also includes a plurality of sacrificial μbumps formed of the first metal that are electrically connected to the electrical test pads, where the sacrificial μbumps are positioned closer to the electrical test pad than the one or more functional μbumps. |
| US08953333B2 |
Electronic device and fixing structure thereof
An electronic device includes a fixing structure and an electronic component. The fixing structure includes a base, a locking element, and a fixing element. The base has a first position-limiting portion, a second position-limiting portion, and an assembling portion. The locking element and the fixing element respectively have a first and a second locking portion. When the locking element is assembled to the assembling portion and the first locking portion faces the first position-limiting portion, the fixing element is limited on the first position-limiting portion to lock the second locking portion with the first locking portion. When the locking element is assembled to the assembling portion and the first locking portion faces the second position-limiting portion, the fixing element is limited on the second position-limiting portion to lock the second locking portion with the first locking portion. The electronic component is fixed to the base through the fixing element. |
| US08953332B2 |
Positive pressure-applying compliant latch mechanism
A latch mechanism is provided for latching a field-replaceable unit within an enclosure. The latch mechanism includes a rotatable latch coupled to the field-replaceable unit, via a pivot, at a first side of the field-replaceable unit, and a compliant spring member disposed to act on the pivot. The compliant spring member acts on the pivot and compresses with rotating of the latch from an open position to a latched position during latching of the field-replaceable unit within the enclosure. The compressing facilitates provision of a positive pressure on or across the field-replaceable unit directed towards a second side of the field-replaceable unit opposite to the first side. This positive pressure facilitates, for example, fixed coupling of a first connector at the second side of the field-replaceable unit to a second connector associated with the enclosure when the field-replaceable unit is latched within the enclosure. |
| US08953331B2 |
Card key
A card key has a molded body and an upper and a lower housings. The molded body has a circuit board, to which electronic parts for communicating with an in-vehicle equipment are mounted and which is covered with resin. The molded body is formed in a plate shape. The upper and the lower housings are fixed to each other so that the molded body is arranged between them. An external appearance of the card key is defined by the upper and the lower housings. |
| US08953330B2 |
Security protection device and method
A security protection device includes a cover circuit board comprising at least one inner wiring layer and a base circuit board comprising at least one inner wiring layer. The device further includes a security frame between the base circuit board and the cover circuit board, at least one electrically conductive wire being wound and included within the security frame to form at least one winding protection layer around sides of the security frame. The cover circuit board, the security frame, and the base circuit board form an enclosure enclosing a security zone, and the at least one inner wiring layer within the cover circuit board, the at least one inner wiring layer within the base circuit board, and the at least one electrically conductive wire within the security frame are connectable to a security mechanism configured to detect an intrusion into the security zone. |
| US08953325B2 |
Electronic device with heat dissipating and electromagnetic shielding mask
An electronic device, including a circuit board, a communication chip, a first heat sink, a fixer and a shielding mask, is provided. The circuit board has a frame having an opening and several rims surrounding the opening. The communication chip, disposed on the circuit board, is located in the opening of the frame. The first heat sink, disposed on the communication chip, has a first surface facing and contacting the communication chip. The fixer is fixed into the circuit board and the first heat sink, such that the first heat sink remains contacting the communication chip. The shielding mask, disposed on the circuit board, includes a cover and several side boards. The cover covers the communication chip and the first heat sink, such that the cover contacts a second surface of the first heat sink. The side boards are opposite and connected to the rims in parallel. |
| US08953320B2 |
Coolant drip facilitating partial immersion-cooling of electronic components
Cooling apparatus and methods are provided for partial immersion-cooling of multiple electronic components. The cooling apparatus includes a housing at least partially surrounding and forming a compartment about the components, and a fluid disposed within the compartment. First and second electronic components are at least partially non-immersed within the fluid, with the first component being a different type of electronic component with different configuration than the second component. A vapor condenser is provided with a vapor-condensing surface disposed within the compartment for condensing fluid vapor, and a condensate redirect structure is disposed within the compartment between the vapor condenser and the first and second components. The redirect structure is differently configured over the first electronic component compared with over the second electronic component, and provides a different pattern of condensate drip over the first component compared with over the second component. |
| US08953302B2 |
Electrochemical device and a separator for electrochemical device
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a separator for an electrochemical device, capable of suppressing an increase in a resistance value of a storage element.In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a separator 16c for an electrochemical device is formed such that plural high porosity portions 16c1 from an upper surface to a lower surface in a thickness direction thereof and plural low porosity portions 16c2 from the upper surface to the lower surface in the thickness direction thereof are arranged in a region which is interposed between a positive electrode 16a and a negative electrode 16b. |
| US08953297B2 |
Apparatus and methods for a wire-tethered electrode for an electronic weapon
An electronic weapon has an installed deployment unit from which an electrode is launched. The electrode is tethered to the deployment unit by a wire or filament. According to various aspects of the present invention, a wire-tethered electrode for launching from a weapon, for impacting clothing of a human target, and for conducting a stimulus signal through the target to inhibit locomotion by the target includes an insulated wire, a spear, and a body. The wire mechanically couples the electrode to the weapon. The spear lodges in the clothing. The body has an interior. The interior confines the wire against the spear so that the stimulus signal ionizes air in a gap between an uninsulated end of the wire and the spear, and ionizes air between the barb and tissue of the target to facilitate conducting the stimulus signal through the spear and through the target. |
| US08953296B2 |
AC pre-charge circuit
AC pre-charging techniques are provided for pre-charging the DC bus on a motor drive. AC pre-charging techniques involve pre-charge circuitry including a manual switch, an automatic switch, and pre-charge control circuitry to switch the automatic switch between pre-charge and pre-charge bypass modes in response to an initialized pre-charge operation, input voltage sags, etc. In some embodiments, the pre-charge operation may be initialized by switching the manual switch closed. In some embodiments, the pre-charge operation may also be initialized by a detected voltage sag on the DC bus. The pre-charge circuitry may also be configured to disconnect a motor drive from the AC power supply under certain fault conditions. |
| US08953293B2 |
Battery protection circuit
A battery pack including a battery and a battery protection circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, the battery protection circuit comprises a protective device configured to inhibit a flow of current between an electrode of the circuit and the battery when activated. The battery protection circuit further comprises a primary protection circuit and a secondary protection circuit. The primary protection circuit is configured to generate a control signal for control the protective device when detecting an abnormal voltage in a unit cell of the battery. The secondary protection circuit is configured to activate the protective device, either when receiving the control signal from the primary protection circuit or when detecting an abnormal voltage in a unit cell of the battery. |
| US08953291B2 |
Reversal connection protecting circuit
The present invention discloses a reversal connection protecting circuit. The reversal connection protecting circuit includes a power supply interface, a secondary battery, a reversal connection driving unit and a power switching unit. The reversal connection protecting circuit further includes an anti-reversal unit. And the reversal connection protecting circuit further includes a processing unit and a warning interface. According to the present invention, the inconvenience brought by substituting a fuse that is melted in a protecting circuit under the condition that the power supply of the protecting circuit is reversely connected in prior art is overcome. |
| US08953288B2 |
Sentinel unit for an IT electrical distribution system having a floating reference conductor
A protection system for an IT electrical distribution system (EDS) has a floating reference conductor and two electrical conductors in the form of an active conductor and a neutral conductor. System includes two input terminals for electrically connecting to an MEN electrical power source that is upstream of system. Two output terminals are electrically connected to an electrical load in the form of an electrical motor for a compressor of an upright freezer display. A motor protection device, in the form of an MCB, electrically connects terminals to allow a supply of electrical power to a motor. The MCB is responsive to a fault signal at a port for selectively electrically disconnecting at least one of the terminals. A sentinel unit selectively generates the fault signal at port in response to the current in conductor being greater than a predetermined threshold. |
| US08953285B2 |
Side shielded magnetoresistive (MR) read head with perpendicular magnetic free layer
A MR sensor is disclosed that has a free layer (FL) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) which eliminates the need for an adjacent hard bias structure to stabilize free layer magnetization and minimizes shield-FL interactions. In a TMR embodiment, a seed layer, free layer, junction layer, reference layer, and pinning layer are sequentially formed on a bottom shield. After patterning, a conformal insulation layer is formed along the sensor sidewall. Thereafter, a top shield is formed on the insulation layer and includes side shields that are separated from the FL by a narrow read gap. The sensor is scalable to widths<50 nm when PMA is greater than the FL self-demag field. Effective bias field is rather insensitive to sensor aspect ratio which makes tall stripe and narrow width sensors a viable approach for high RA TMR configurations. Side shields may be extended below the seed layer plane. |
| US08953283B2 |
Magnetic head, magnetic head assembly, and magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus
According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a spin torque oscillator formed between a main magnetic pole and auxiliary magnetic pole. The spin torque oscillator includes a transmission-type spin transfer layer, first interlayer, oscillation layer, second interlayer, and reflection-type spin transfer layer. The transmission-type spin transfer layer includes a first perpendicular magnetization film and first interface magnetic layer. The first interface magnetic layer contains at least one element selected from Fe, Co, and Ni, and at least one element selected from Cr, V, Mn, Ti, and Sc. The reflection-type spin transfer layer includes a second perpendicular magnetization film. |
| US08953282B2 |
Magnetic head, and magnetic storage apparatus
In a Spin Torque Oscillator (STO) comprising an underlayer, a first magnetic layer disposed on the underlayer, a non-magnetic intermediate layer disposed on the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer disposed on the non-magnetic intermediate layer, the non-magnetic intermediate layer is a non-magnetic alloy containing 50 at % or more of at least one kind of element selected from a first group consisting of Cu, Ag, and Au, and further at least 0.1 at % or more in total of at least one kind of element selected from a second group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Cr, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Ru, Os, Pd, Pt, Rh, and Ir that does not overlap with the element from the first group. |
| US08953280B2 |
Spindle motor having labyrinth sealing portion and hard disk drive including the same
There is provided a spindle motor including: a shaft including a body portion having a fixing recess formed on a lower portion thereof, a flange portion extending in an outer radial direction from an upper portion of the body portion, and a first insertion portion extending downwardly from the flange portion in an axial direction; a lower thrust member including a fixed portion inserted into the fixing recess, a disk portion extending from the fixed portion in an outer radial direction, and first and second protrusion portions extending from the disk portion in the axial direction; a base member coupled to the second protrusion portion; and a rotating member forming a bearing clearance with the shaft and provided to be rotatable with respect to the shaft. |
| US08953276B1 |
Correcting position error based on reading first and second user data signals
First and second user data signals of respective first and second tracks are simultaneously read from a disk via first and second read transducers co-located on a slider. A position error of the first and second read transducers is corrected based on the first and second user data signals. |
| US08953274B1 |
Deceleration of spindle motor in disk drive
A spindle motor of a disk drive includes a stator with windings and a rotor configured to rotate a disk of the disk drive. It is determined whether the disk drive is in a falling state while the disk rotates, and when the disk drive is in the falling state, a negative torque is applied to the rotor to reduce an angular velocity of the disk. When the angular velocity of the disk reaches a threshold angular velocity, an electrical short is caused across the windings of the stator to further reduce the angular velocity of the disk. |
| US08953272B2 |
Plasmonic transducer having two metal elements with a gap disposed therebetween
An apparatus includes a waveguide configured to deliver light to a transducer region. The apparatus also includes a plasmonic transducer that has two metal elements configured as side-by-side plates on a substrate-parallel plane with a gap therebetween. The gap is disposed along the substrate-parallel plane and has an input end disposed proximate the transducer region and an output end. The transducer is configured to provide a surface plasmon-enhanced near-field radiation pattern proximate the output end in response to the light received by the waveguide. |
| US08953268B2 |
Methods for formatting and using linear recording media having a reduced servo band width
Methods for formatting and using a linear magnetic recording medium. The medium in one embodiment has a servo band having a width b that is less than or equal to about 1.2 B/N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and B corresponds to a distance between data read/write transducers of a magnetic head usable with the medium in a direction transverse to a longitudinal length of the medium. |
| US08953265B1 |
Method and system for monitoring disk reliability with global disk scrubbing
Techniques for disk scrubbing are described herein. According to one embodiment, for each of the sectors of a storage disk, a read operation is issued to a sector of a first storage disk of a storage system. In response to an error returned from the read operation, it is determined whether the sector is a live sector, first data is generated as random data if the sector is not a live sector, and the first data is written to the sector to trigger a remap process that remaps a logical block address associated with the sector to another physical block address. The remap process increments the reallocated sector count. It is determined whether the first storage disk is vulnerable based on a number of reallocated sectors resulted from the first storage disk based on the remap process, which is performed by internal logic of the first storage disk. |
| US08953264B2 |
Position detecting apparatus and lens barrel assembly including the same
Position detecting apparatus that has a high detecting precision and a lens barrel assembly including the same are disclosed. A position detecting apparatus is provided that includes a base; a magnetic scale spaced apart from the base by a first predetermined distance and movable in a first direction; a first adjustment portion coupled to the base to adjust a second distance from the base; and a sensor rotatably coupled to the first adjustment portion and that senses a change in a position of the magnetic scale. |
| US08953263B2 |
Optical unit and image pickup unit
An optical unit and an image pickup unit are provided that allow a full angular field to be increased in spite of small size and low cost. An image pickup lens 100 has a first lens 111 with a positive power, a second lens 113 with a positive power, a third lens 114 with a positive power, and a fourth lens 115 with a negative power that are arranged in order from an object side OBJS toward an image surface side, that are arranged in order from the object side toward the image surface side. |
| US08953260B2 |
Telephoto lens system
A telephoto lens system including a first lens group having a positive refractive power and including a negative lens that is disposed closest to an object side and has a meniscus shape that is convex toward the object side; a second lens group having a negative refractive power and including a single negative lens that moves along an optical axis and performs focusing; and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the first through third lens groups are disposed sequentially from the object side toward the image side, and the telephoto lens system satisfies the following condition, 0.5<|f2/f|<0.81, wherein, f2 denotes the focal length of the second lens group, and f denotes the focal length of the telephoto lens system. |
| US08953257B1 |
Image capturing lens system and image capturing device
An image capturing lens system includes five non-cemented lens elements with refractive power, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has negative refractive power. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element with refractive power has a concave image-side surface in a paraxial region thereof, wherein both of the surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one inflection point is formed on the image-side surface thereof. The image capturing lens system has a total of five lens elements with refractive power. |
| US08953256B2 |
Image pickup lens
An image pickup lens includes a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object side surface, an aperture stop, a second lens with negative refractive power having a convex image side surface, a third lens with positive refractive power having a concave image side surface, a fourth lens with positive refractive power having a convex image side surface, and a fifth lens with negative refractive power as a double-sided aspheric lens having a concave image side surface near the optical axis; wherein the first lens and the second lens satisfy following conditional expressions (1) and (2); 50<ν1<85 (1) 20<ν2<35 (2) where ν1 represents an Abbe number of the first lens, and ν2 represents an Abbe number of the second lens, and where the second lens satisfies a following conditional expression (3); 1.55 |
| US08953254B2 |
Image pickup lens and image pickup unit
An image pickup lens includes: in recited order from object plane toward image plane, a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having negative refractive power; a third lens having positive refractive power; a fourth lens having positive or negative refractive power; a fifth lens having positive refractive power; and a sixth lens having negative refractive power and having optical surfaces, one or more of the optical surfaces each having an aspherical shape with one or more inflection points. |
| US08953253B2 |
Lens barrel
The present lens barrel is provided with a cylindrical moving frame and a cylindrical cam frame disposed on the inner periphery of the moving frame. The cylindrical moving frame has a first cam follower and a second cam follower. The first cam follower projects radially from the inner peripheral surface or the outer peripheral surface. The second cam follower projects radially further from the top of the first cam follower. The cylindrical cam frame is disposed on the inner periphery or the outer periphery of the moving frame, and has a first cam and a second cam on the outer peripheral surface side or the inner peripheral surface side. The first cam engages with the first cam follower, and has a cam surface only on the image plane side in the optical axis direction. The second cam is formed on the bottom surface of the first cam, and engages with the second cam follower. |
| US08953251B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with zoom lens
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit of a positive refractive power, a second lens unit of a negative refractive power, a reflective unit configured to bend an optical axis, and a rear lens group including two or more lens units, the reflective unit being stationary during zooming, the first and second lens units and two or more lens units of the rear lens group being moved during zooming, wherein the following conditions are satisfied: 4.3<β2t/β2w<12.0, and 2.1<βRt/βRw<3.0, where β2w and β2t denote lateral magnifications of the second lens unit at a wide-angle end and a telephoto end, respectively, and βRw and βRt denote lateral magnifications at the wide-angle end and the telephoto end, respectively, of a lens unit having a greatest variable power contribution out of the rear lens group. |
| US08953250B2 |
Optical arrangement of autofocus elements for use with immersion lithography
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a projection system having a last element, by which an exposure light is projected onto an upper surface of a wafer through liquid locally covering a portion of the upper surface of the wafer. The last element has a lower surface from which the exposure light is emitted. The last element also has an outer surface which extends upwardly from an edge portion of the lower surface. The apparatus also includes a space along the outer surface of the last element, to which the liquid is supplied from above the lower surface of the last element. The space is defined by the outer surface of the last element and a surface opposing the outer surface of the last element. |
| US08953244B2 |
Color-shiftable antireflection film for curved face of display device for vehicle
A display device for a vehicle includes a front face cover that covers a front face of a display section for displaying information of the vehicle, and an antireflection film provided on a surface of the front face cover. The surface of the front face cover has a curved face which is formed so that an observation color of the curved face viewed from an eye range of a person sitting on a seat of the vehicle differs depending on an observation position in the eye range due to a difference in an interference wavelength of reflection light reflected by the antireflection film, the reflection light advancing toward the eye range from the front surface. |
| US08953240B2 |
Frequency-chirped semiconductor diode laser phase-locked optical system
A chirped diode laser (ChDL) is employed for seeding optical amplifiers and/or dissimilar optical paths, which simultaneously suppresses stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and enables coherent combination. The seed spectrum will appear broadband to suppress the SBS, but the well-defined chirp will have the coherence and duration to allow the active phasing of multiple amplifiers and/or dissimilar optical paths. The phasing is accomplished without optical path-length matching by interfering each amplifier output with a reference, processing the resulting signal with a phase lock loop, and using the error signal to drive an acousto-optic frequency shifter at the front end of each optical amplifier and/or optical path. |
| US08953236B2 |
Scanning optical apparatus
In a scanning optical apparatus, an illumination optical system has a diffractive power φdM and a refractive power φnM in a main scanning direction, and a ratio φnM/φdM in the main scanning direction for a focal length fi in a range of 10-22 mm satisfies: g2(fi)≦φnM/φdM≦g1(fi), where A(Z)=(1.897×107)Z2+6744Z+0.5255, B(Z)=(2.964×107)Z2+5645Z+0.6494, C(Z)=(3.270×107)Z2+3589Z+0.5250, D(Z)=(5.016×107)Z2+4571Z+0.8139, g1(fi)=fi{D(Z)−B(Z)}/12−5D(Z)/6+11B(Z)/6, g2(fi)=fi{C(Z)−D(Z)}/12−5C(Z)/6+11A(Z)/6. |
| US08953234B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and printer
An image processing apparatus is provided that is capable of very accurately and efficiently reducing uneven color caused by variation in ejection characteristics among nozzles that eject ink and that occurs in a color image that is formed by mixing a plurality of different kinds of ink. A patch is printed by ejected ink from a plurality of nozzles, a region is specified so as to perform color correction in a test color image that is printed on a printing medium, a plurality of different color correction processing is performed on color signals that correspond to a color correction region, a plurality of color correction patches are printed, a color correction patch to be used is selected from among the plurality of different color correction patches and table parameters that correspond to the nozzles are created based on the selected color correction processing. |
| US08953230B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus is provided with a registration roller configured such that a downstream end in a sheet feeding direction of a sheet abut to correct a skew of the sheet, and a pulling roller that conveys the sheet to the registration roller. The pulling roller is disposed such that a center of an arrangement in a direction orthogonal to the sheet feeding direction of the pulling roller is located on a side of the first restricting plate from a widthwise center of the sheet conveying path. |
| US08953227B2 |
Multifunction printer with platen closest to lid
A multifunction printer includes a printing apparatus including: a printing device for printing on recording medium; a media advance system for moving the recording medium into position to be printed on by the printing device; and a scanning apparatus including: a platen including: a transparent portion; a first surface for supporting items to be scanned; a second surface opposite the first surface; a scan bar assembly disposed proximate the second surface of the platen; a frame including an uppermost surface that is disposed proximate to the second surface of the platen; and a lid disposed proximate the first surface of the platen, wherein a distance between the lid and the first surface of the platen is less than a distance between the lid and the frame when the lid is closed. |
| US08953226B2 |
Image reading and forming apparatus comprising an open/closing detection portion wherein a sensor detects the movable member moving in the guide hole in accordance with the open/closed state of the cover
An image reading apparatus includes placement member, pressing member, and open/close detection portion. Open/close detection portion detects opening and closing of pressing member. Open/close detection portion includes movable portion, guide hole, and sensor. When pressing member is opened, movable portion moves toward one side, thereby protruding to an area between placement member and pressing member, and when pressing member is closed, movable portion moves toward the other side. Movable portion extends along movement direction thereof. Guide hole of movable portion guides movement of movable portion in movement direction. Movable portion has a plurality of groove portions extending in movement direction, and groove portions partially include guide groove. Guide hole has guide protrusion protruding from inner circumferential surface thereof toward groove portion of movable portion, so as to guide movement of movable portion. Guide protrusion is formed only at position opposing to guide groove, of groove portions of movable portion. |
| US08953217B2 |
Device and method for printing a wrapper strip
An apparatus for printing a banding strip for documents of value, which is preferably moved relative to the apparatus, having a print head by means of which, upon an activation, more than nine dots can be printed, a circuit actuatable by print signals, which, in response to print signals, activates the print head in accordance with the print signals, in order to print patterns specified by the print signals, and a current supply unit for providing current for the circuit and by means thereof for the print head. |
| US08953216B2 |
Original reader capable of reading originals of various sizes and method of reading original
An original reader capable of being downsized without requiring a large-capacity image memory. A conveying path conveys an original. Sensors are arranged on the conveying path, for detecting the conveyed original. CCD line sensors read the conveyed original. A CPU of the image reader decides the size of the conveyed original based on the results of detection by the sensors. An image memory stores image data output from the line sensors. The CPU transmits the decided original size and the stored image data to a controller. When the CPU cannot decide the original size at a predetermined timing, it transmits one of original size candidates to the controller, as a provisional original size. When the size of the original decided afterwards is different from the provisional original size, the CPU retransmits the decided size of the original. |
| US08953215B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and test data
An image forming apparatus includes a document reading section and an image forming section. The document reading section reads a document image placed on a paper placement table and generates image data. The image forming section forms an image on a sheet of paper on the basis of the image data, and includes a memory that stores test data representing a test image, which is to be formed on a sheet of paper having a size larger than the size of the table, a correction-amount calculation unit that calculates correction amounts on the basis of image data representing the test image which is formed on the sheet of paper and which has been read by repeating an operation, and a correction-amount memory that stores the correction amounts. The image forming section forms, on a sheet of paper, an image corrected on the basis of the correction amounts. |
| US08953214B2 |
Print control method, information processing apparatus, and recording medium
A print control method for an information processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus via a network, includes acquiring print data and print settings corresponding to the print data from one or more applications; determining whether a process related to a scaling process is included in the print settings; comparing, when determining that the process related to a scaling process is included in the print settings, a processing capacity of the image forming apparatus with a processing capacity of the information processing apparatus; and determining whether the process related to the scaling process is to be performed by the image forming apparatus or by the information processing apparatus based on the comparison result. |
| US08953211B2 |
Communication device and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program for controlling the communication device
A communication device, including: a touch sensor configured to detect a touch or an approach of an input object by detecting a change in capacitance; a near field communicator configured to perform near field communication with an information processing terminal present in a communication area in which near field communication is possible, the information processing terminal being capable of performing the near field communication; and a controller configured to control the communication device in accordance with detection of the touch or the approach of the input object by the touch sensor, wherein the controller is configured to reduce detection sensitivity of the touch sensor for detecting the input object when the information processing terminal is in the communication area. |
| US08953209B2 |
Server apparatus, image forming system, and method of managing print data
According to one embodiment, a server apparatus includes a reception unit, a storage unit, a list sending unit, and a transmission unit. The reception unit receives print data designating a user who is able to execute printing. The storage unit stores the print data received by the reception unit. The list sending unit sends a list of the print data, which the user who is an operator of an image forming apparatus is able to execute, to the image forming apparatus. The transmission unit transmits the print data selected from the list of the print data sent by the list sending unit to the image forming apparatus. |
| US08953208B2 |
Cooperative image processing system, cooperation method, portable terminal apparatus, and recording medium
A cooperative system comprises an image processing apparatus and a portable terminal; the image processing apparatus comprises: a display; a judgment portion judging whether an operation screen requested from the portable terminal apparatus is a first screen including a file area or a second screen including no file area; and a transmitter transmitting screen data for reproducing the first or second screen depending on the judgment result, along with a file and area reproduction information; the portable terminal comprises: a requestor requesting for the screen data; a reproducer reproducing the first or second screen; a display displaying the first or second screen; a judgment portion judging whether user operates on the file area or the other area; and a controller showing in the file area an appropriate portion of the file for user operation if user operates on the file area. |
| US08953205B2 |
Data display device capable of being positioned to be viewable from one of two opposite viewing directions
According to one embodiment, this data display device has a display unit in which a rear support cover is mounted on the back surface of a rectangular display panel using a rotatably connected with a first hinge. This data display device has a main body that supports the display unit at a display angle. The main body is provided with a paper discharge unit for a built-in printer. The main body is rotatably connected to rear support cover via a second hinge. The data display device may be used in an operator mode, a first user mode in which the display unit is inclined in the direction opposite to the display angle for an operator by the second hinge, and a second user mode in which the display panel is rotated at an angle of inclination larger than the display angle for an operator by the first hinge. |
| US08953200B2 |
Casino print system and corresponding methods
Systems and methods for providing customized coupons in a casino gaming environment are provided. A printer resident in a gaming machine is provided and has at least one communication port for communication external to the gaming machine. A coupon layout generator may also be provided for creating customized coupons. A server manager may be provided for distributing the customized coupons to one or more targeted recipients. A server port device may be provided for connecting the server manager to the communication port of the printer and for converting an Ethernet signal from the server manager to a serial signal recognizable by the printer. With such a system, an IP address may be assigned to the server port device. The IP address, together with player identification information, is used by the server manager to determine appropriate coupons for distribution to the gaming machine. |
| US08953199B2 |
Method and system to recommend an application
In one embodiment, first data pertaining to a software application is obtained at a server system. Second data indicative of capabilities of a web-enabled printer is received at the server system. Third data comprising usage information is received at the server system. An application recommendation is created based at least in part on the first, second, and third data. The recommendation is sent, from the server system and over a web, Internet, or intranet to a receiving destination. |
| US08953198B2 |
Communication system, communication apparatus, and communication control method
In implementing data transfer using noncontact close proximity transfer, the user operability is improved. The invention includes a communication system having a DSC and printer. Each of the DSC and printer includes a noncontact close proximity transfer function unit which executes, when the DSC and printer are located within a communicable range, connection processing for establishing a connection state in a first communication layer, a print image transfer processing unit which executes, when the connection state in the first communication layer is established, authentication processing for checking whether a connection state in a second communication layer has been established, and executes, when authentication fails, connection processing for establishing the connection state in the second communication layer, and a link control unit which transfers data when authentication succeeds or when the connection state in the second communication layer is established. |
| US08953197B2 |
Image processing system, image inputting apparatus, display controlling apparatus, management method and program for image processing system, and storage medium
An image processing system, connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network for outputting an input image using one of image forming apparatuses, includes an output-specifying information obtaining unit that obtains output-specifying information including to-be-output image data and information designating one of the image forming apparatuses as an output destination to output the to-be-output image data; an output-able size information obtaining unit to obtain output-able size information linking information identifying each image forming apparatus and output-able image size information at each image forming apparatus; an output-able size information display unit to display an output-able image size of each image forming apparatuses on a display area; an image data converter to convert image data to a data format suitable for the designated image forming apparatus; and an image data transmission unit to transmit the converted image data to one of the image forming apparatuses designated as the output destination. |
| US08953196B2 |
Image processing workflow with virtual plug-in
In an image forming device adapted to acquire image data and distribute the image data, a storage unit stores respective plug-in modules of an input process, an image transforming process, and an output process with respect to the image data. A combining information acquisition unit acquires combining information including plug-in identifiers which respectively indicate the plug-in modules. A combining unit combines two or more of the plug-in modules to generate a virtual plug-in based on the combining information. A flow setting unit sets up a workflow in which the plug-in modules including the virtual plug-in are combined arbitrarily. A workflow control unit controls processes included in the workflow when a message distribution process based on the workflow is requested. |
| US08953193B2 |
Management system, monitoring apparatus and management
A monitoring apparatus monitors a job processing status of an image forming apparatus. If it is determined that the image forming apparatus is not processing a job, creation of a snapshot of a sub-set (minimum required charging counter values for charging) is requested from the image forming apparatus. When charging information is transmitted to a management server, if it is determined that a usual full-set (department counter values and charging counter values) of data has not been acquired, the created sub-set is transmitted. |
| US08953192B2 |
Roving printing in a cloud-based print service using a mobile device
An application manager may receive, from an application utilized at a device at a first location, a print job, the print job identifying a virtual print queue and application content to be printed, the application manager being further configured to store the print job in association with the virtual print queue. A print job router may receive, after the storing and from a mobile device at a second location, a print initiation identifying a printer at the second location and the print job, the print job router being further configured to send the application content to the identified printer, based on the print initiation. |
| US08953191B2 |
Document management system
An image processing apparatus displays a list of document data managed by a document management system, checks-out the document data selected from the list, and prints it. When a check-in is performed, a print document is scanned and scan data obtained by the scan is checked-in to the document management system. |
| US08953190B2 |
Automated method and system for holding and authenticating a device configuration change payload job
A method and system for automatically holding and authenticating a configuration change payload job. An upgrade payload file can be transmitted to a rendering device as a rendering job via a print submission protocol. The upgrade payload file can be detected by a configuration change detection and hold module configured in association with the rendering device upon receiving the rendering job. The rendering job can be automatically held at the rendering device until an authenticated user releases the rendering job. The held rendering job can be also automatically deleted after a predetermined time period. The configuration change detection and hold module can be enabled and/or disabled by the authenticated user in order to prevent an unauthorized and accidental system upgrade and configuration change. |
| US08953185B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a document conveyance path, a plate-like transparent member, a reader, a guide member, a transparent sheet member and a pressing member. The guide member is arranged on the transparent member at a side downstream of the first position in a conveying direction of the document and guides the document to a downstream side in the conveying direction. The transparent sheet member includes a first sheet portion which is arranged on the transparent member to cover the first position and a second sheet portion which is held in contact with the guide member and with which the document being conveyed along the document conveyance path comes into contact. The pressing member presses a side of the first sheet portion upstream of the first position in the conveying direction against the transparent member. |
| US08953182B2 |
Font emulation in embedded systems
A system for printing a document when it includes one or more target fonts that are emulated with at least one substitute font suitable for printing on a printing device. The substitute font appears visually similar to the target font, substantially preserves the original pagination and line breaks of the provided document, and the printing device is capable of printing the substitute font. A table is provided that lists strategies/logic for enabling the printing device to emulate each of a plurality of predetermined target fonts with a substitute font. These emulation strategies may include but are not limited to, identifying at least one of a resident font for the printing device, stretchable font, local font, or downloadable font to be substituted for the non-resident target font in the provided document. |
| US08953179B2 |
Printing apparatus, method for controlling printing apparatus, and storage medium
When a user sets, through an operation unit, an inspection item of inspection processing which inspects a print state by reading image data by the image reading unit from a sheet output from a printer unit and conveyed by conveyance rollers, an inspection control unit of an inspection unit changes a sheet conveyance speed in the inspection unit and sheet feeding timing according to the inspection item. A print medium conveyance control unit controls drive of conveyance rollers according to the sheet conveyance speed and the sheet feeding timing. |
| US08953176B2 |
Laser confocal sensor metrology system
The present invention provides apparatus for a non-contact method of obtaining accurate three-dimensional measurements of a dry contact lens, more specifically, using dry lens metrology to know the exact thickness of a contact lens. |
| US08953173B2 |
Apparatus for microlithographic projection exposure and apparatus for inspecting a surface of a substrate
An apparatus (10) for microlithographic projection exposure, which includes: an optical system (18) for imaging mask structures (16) onto a surface (21) of a substrate (20) by projecting the mask structures (16) with imaging radiation (13) onto an exposure area of the substrate surface, and various structure defining a measurement beam path (36) for guiding measurement radiation (34). The measurement beam path (36) extends within the optical system (18) such that the measurement radiation (34) impinges on a measurement area on the substrate surface that is offset from the exposure area. |
| US08953172B2 |
Optical coherence tomography observation apparatus, method for determining relative position of images, and program for determining relative position of images
An optical coherence tomography observation apparatus comprising a controller (30) and a detector (40), the controller being configured to illuminate first illumination light to an observation object, cause an image generator to generate a first tomographic image showing tomography of the observation object, illuminate second illumination light to the observation object, and cause the image generator to generate a second tomographic image showing tomography of the observation, and the detector being configured to detect a relative position of the second tomographic image with respect to the first tomographic image, at which a correlation of the second tomographic image with the first tomographic image becomes highest, are provided. |
| US08953171B1 |
Signal sectioning for profiling printed-circuit-board vias with vertical scanning interferometry
The bottom surface of a via drilled in a fiber-reinforced PCB is profiled interferometrically with acceptable precision using an objective with sufficiently large numerical aperture to illuminate the bottom under the fibers. The light scattering produced by the inherent roughness of the surface of the via bottom causes diffused light to return to the objective and yield reliable data fringes. Under such appropriate numerical-aperture and surface roughness conditions, the bottom surface of vias can be profiled correctly simply by segmenting the correlograms produced by the scan and processing all fringes that correspond to the bottom surface elevation. |
| US08953168B2 |
Optical sensing devices and methods for detecting samples using the same
An optical sensing device including a source unit configured to generate a polychromatic light beam containing p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam; an interferometric unit configured to introduce birefringent retardation for generating optical path difference between the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam; a SPR sensing unit configured to receive both p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam and induce a SPR effect to the p-polarized beam associated with a target sample; and a detection unit for detecting target sample characteristics by obtaining an interference spectrum of the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam from the SPR sensing unit. |
| US08953164B2 |
Wavelength monitor and wavelength monitoring method
The transmittance of a filter periodically varies with respect to the incident light frequency. Provided that fk is the sum of Fk and νk, or the difference obtained by subtracting Fk from νk, depending on the kth light source among multiple light sources, an incidence guide causes light from the plurality of light sources to be incident on the filter such that the propagation angle of light when light from the kth light source propagates through the interior of the filter equals θk obtained by computation using fk. The incidence guide causes light to be incident on the filter, taking fk to be the sum of νk and Fk for at least one of the light sources, and taking fk to be the difference between νk and Fk for at least one other of the light sources. A detector detects the intensity of transmitted light that transmits through the filter. |
| US08953158B2 |
Grading of agricultural products via hyper spectral imaging and analysis
A system for grading an agricultural product employing hyper-spectral imaging and analysis. The system includes at least one light source for providing a beam of light, an interferometer or a prism array for dispersing electromagnetic radiation emitted from said agricultural product into a corresponding spectral image, a light measuring device for detecting component wavelengths within the corresponding spectral image and a processor operable to compare the detected component wavelengths to a database of previously graded agricultural products to identify and select a grade for the agricultural product. A method for grading an agricultural product via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis is also provided. |
| US08953157B2 |
Monolithic fiber optic sensor assembly
A remote sensor element for spectrographic measurements employs a monolithic assembly of one or two fiber optics to two optical elements separated by a supporting structure to allow the flow of gases or particulates therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor element components are fused ceramic to resist high temperatures and failure from large temperature changes. |
| US08953154B2 |
Orientation tracking system and method
An orientation tracking system including a first tracking system subject to drift. A second tracking system is configured to provide an output for calibrating the first tracking system to reduce the drift of the first tracking system. The second tracking system includes at least one inclinometer, each inclinometer including a light source adjacent one side of the inclinometer, a light sensor adjacent an opposing side of the inclinometer, and a light obscuring material within the inclinometer for obscuring the light between the light source and light sensor to indicate an orientation of the inclinometer. |
| US08953150B2 |
Observation device with range finder
The invention relates to a binocular observation device, in particular binoculars, having two visual beam paths and a laser range finder with a laser transmitter and a laser receiver and with an opto-electronic display element. A part of one of the beam paths of the laser transmitter is integrated into a first visual beam path, wherein a part of one beam path of the laser receiver is furthermore also integrated into the first visual beam path. |
| US08953149B2 |
CMOS three-dimensional image sensor detectors having reduced inter-gate capacitance, and enhanced modulation contrast
A CMOS detector with pairs of interdigitated elongated finger-like collection gates includes p+ implanted regions that create charge barrier regions that can intentionally be overcome. These regions steer charge to a desired collection gate pair for collection. The p+ implanted regions may be formed before and/or after formation of the collection gates. These regions form charge barrier regions when an associated collection gate is biased low. The barriers are overcome when an associated collection gate is high. These barrier regions steer substantially all charge to collection gates that are biased high, enhancing modulation contrast. Advantageously, the resultant structure has reduced power requirements in that inter-gate capacitance is reduced in that inter-gate spacing can be increased over prior art gate spacing and lower swing voltages may be used. Also higher modulation contrast is achieved in that the charge collection area of the low gate(s) is significantly reduced. |
| US08953148B2 |
Exposure apparatus and making method thereof
An exposure apparatus that forms a pattern by exposing a substrate is equipped with a first platform tower, a second platform tower installed at a predetermined distance, and an exposure main section arranged within the space between both platform towers that includes a plurality of high rigidity sections each including a high rigidity component. Accordingly, it becomes possible to use a module (a high rigidity section) of the preceding generation even when the generation changes. |
| US08953147B2 |
Spatial light modulation unit, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An illumination optical apparatus capable of forming a pupil intensity distribution of desired shape and illuminance and, in turn, capable of realizing illumination conditions of great variety. The apparatus has a spatial light modulation unit composed of a first spatial light modulator and a second spatial light modulator arranged in an order of incidence of light, and a distribution forming optical system to form a predetermined light intensity distribution on an illumination pupil, based on a beam having traveled via the first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator. The first spatial light modulator has a plurality of first optical elements which are two-dimensionally arranged and postures of which each are individually controlled. The second spatial light modulator has a plurality of second optical elements which are two-dimensionally arranged in correspondence to the first optical elements and postures of which each are individually controlled. |
| US08953145B2 |
Detection of contaminating substances in an EUV lithography apparatus
An EUV (extreme ultraviolet) lithography apparatus (1) including: a housing (1a) enclosing an interior (15), at least one reflective optical element (5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14.1 to 14.6) arranged in the interior (15), a vacuum generating unit (1b) generating a residual gas atmosphere in the interior (15), and a residual gas analyzer (18a, 18b) detecting at least one contaminating substance (17a) in the residual gas atmosphere. The residual gas analyzer (18a) has a storage device (21) having an ion trap for storing the contaminating substance (17a). Additionally, a method for detecting at least one contaminating substance by residual gas analysis of a residual gas atmosphere of an EUV lithography apparatus (1) having a housing (1a) having an interior (15), in which at least one reflective optical element (5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14.1 to 14.6), is arranged, wherein the contaminating substance (17a) is stored in a storage device (21) in order to carry out the residual gas analysis. |
| US08953142B2 |
Lithographic apparatus, drying device, metrology apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithographic apparatus is described in which a two-phase flow is separated into liquid-rich and gas-rich flows by causing the liquid-rich flow to preferentially flow along a surface. |
| US08953137B2 |
Flexible display
A flexible display including a flexible substrate, an array circuit layer, a protection film, and an adhesive layer is provided. The flexible substrate has a first surface and a second surface, disposed opposite to each other. The array circuit layer is disposed on the second surface of the flexible substrate. The protection film is disposed on the first surface of the flexible substrate. The adhesive layer is disposed between the protection film and the flexible substrate, and has a thickness, substantially greater than or equal to 30 micrometers. |
| US08953135B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus comprises a first thin film transistor (TFT) and a second TFT which are disposed in a display area. A first signal transmission line is disposed in a peripheral area surrounding the display area and is electrically connected to the first TFT. A second signal transmission line adjacent to the first signal transmission line is electrically connected to the second TFT. In a first portion of the peripheral area, the first signal transmission line is parallel to the second signal transmission line and is spaced by a first gap from the second signal transmission line. In a second portion of the peripheral area, the first signal transmission line is parallel to the second signal transmission line and is spaced by a second gap from and the second signal transmission line. The second gap is greater than the first gap. Other features are also provided. |
| US08953134B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel is provided and includes a pair of substrates facing each other with a liquid crystal layer therebetween. One of the substrates having, thereon, an upper electrode having a plurality of slits formed therein, a lower electrode facing the upper electrode with an insulating film therebetween and disposed so as to be adjacent to the substrate, and an alignment film formed so as to cover surfaces of the upper electrode and the insulating film. Each of the slits includes a linear portion disposed so as to be parallel to a liquid crystal alignment direction when no voltage is applied and two extension portions extending from both ends of the linear portion so that a distance between the two extension portions increases in a direction perpendicular to the linear portion while keeping a symmetrical shape with respect to the direction. |
| US08953128B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display may include a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer comprising liquid crystal molecules that are interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the insulating layer, a third electrode disposed on the second substrate, and an alignment layer disposed on any one of the second electrode and the third electrode. The second electrode comprises a fine slit structure, and at least one of the liquid crystal layer and the alignment layer comprises a sub-alignment substance. |
| US08953127B2 |
Lens panel, method for manufacturing lens panel, and display apparatus having lens panel
A lens panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a first base substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first base substrate, and a first alignment layer disposed on the first electrode. The first alignment layer includes a unit lens area. The unit lens area includes a first alignment area having a first azimuthal angle and a second alignment area having a second azimuthal angle. The lens panel may be controlled to function as a Fresnel lens by adjusting the azimuthal angle of the alignment layer without electrodes having micro pitch patterns. |
| US08953126B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes a first panel including a first lower substrate, a first lower electrode formed on the first lower substrate, a first upper substrate facing the first lower substrate, a first upper electrode formed on the first upper substrate, and a first cholesteric liquid crystal injected between the first lower electrode and the first upper electrode, wherein the first lower electrode includes carbon nanotubes. The liquid crystal display including the first lower electrode made of the carbon nanotubes without a light absorption layer provides a simple structure capable of realizing a black state. |
| US08953119B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a first electrode layer, a color switching layer which is disposed on the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer which is disposed on the color switching layer and a color filter layer which is disposed on the second electrode layer. The color switching layer includes a first color cell, which transmits incident light or changes incident light to a first color light, a second color cell, which transmits incident light or changes incident light to a second color light and a third color cell, which transmits incident light or changes incident light to a third color light. The color filter layer includes a first filter which transmits a cyan light, a second filter which transmits a magenta light and a third filter which transmits a yellow light. |
| US08953117B2 |
Vented waterproof touch screen panel
A waterproof user interface panel includes an electronic display assembly having a touch sensitive surface for activation of touch switches, and a housing including a cutout area. A protective film is disposed over the assembly and secured to the housing. The housing includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral sidewall to define a housing cavity. Sealing material covers the bottom surface, with a void between the top surface of the sealing material and the electronic display assembly. A vent is provided between the void and the external environment to allow air to pass. A filter may be positioned in the vent to prevent the passage of water droplets through the filter while allowing the passage of air and water vapor. |
| US08953116B2 |
Media player with machined window undercut and transparent wall disposed therein
A media player comprising a display screen is provided. The media player can include a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening. The media player can also include a transparent wall having a flange. Alternatively, the transparent wall may not require a flange but rather can be a flat, substantially transparent piece of material such as plexiglass or glass. The flange can be adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness in order to form a transparent protective cover for the display screen. |
| US08953114B2 |
Back frame and backlight system
The present invention provides a back frame of flat panel display device and a backlight system. The back frame includes primary assembling pieces, secondary assembling pieces, and a bracing piece for fixing a circuit board. The primary assembling pieces are connected through joining and use different thermally conductive materials. Further, the primary assembling piece includes a joint section that forms a reinforcement structure and a circuit board is mountable through a bracing piece. The present invention also provides a backlight system. The back frame and the backlight system of the present invention have a back frame of simple structure, reduce the expenditure of a back frame mold, facilitate heat dissipation, allow strength of the back frame to meet a desired requirement, improve fixing of circuit board, and save the material used for back frame so as to lower down the manufacturing cost of flat panel display device. |
| US08953111B2 |
Pixel array
A pixel array includes scan lines, data lines, sub-pixel units, capacitor electrode line sets, and connecting structure sets that are all disposed on a substrate. Each sub-pixel unit has at least one active device and at least one pixel electrode electrically connected to the active device, and the active device is electrically connected to one of the scan lines and one of the data lines. Each capacitor electrode line set has N capacitor electrode lines, the N capacitor electrode lines partially overlap with the pixel electrode of each of the sub-pixel units to form a plurality of storage capacitors, and N≧2. The N capacitor electrode lines in each capacitor electrode line set are electrically connected to one another by each connecting structure set, and there is no connecting structure located between the capacitor electrode line sets having the connecting structures therein. |
| US08953109B2 |
Image display apparatus and variable lens array
An image display apparatus including an image display section that displays a two-dimensional image; and a variable lens array that includes a first substrate having a first electrode, a second substrate having a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The value of the refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed by a voltage which is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. The variable lens array is disposed to be opposed to the image display section. Wall-shaped or columnar spacers are provided in a place, in which an orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is unchanged when the value of the refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed, between the first substrate and the second substrate of the variable lens array. |
| US08953104B2 |
Automatic shading electric welding lens comprising a liquid crystal plate and a time-delay switch
An automatic shading electric welding lens comprises a view window and a side frame. The view window is composed of an optical filter and a liquid crystal sheet sequentially overlapped. The automatic shading electric welding lens is provided with an illuminating device. The illuminating device includes a lighting body, a switch and a power supply electrically connected to each other to form a loop. The lighting body is arranged on a surface of the side frame facing a welding object. The lighting body is a light emitting diode. The switch is a time-delay switch. |
| US08953102B2 |
Vehicle entertainment tablet unit and cradle
A vehicle entertainment system includes a tablet unit and a cradle. The tablet unit includes a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface, a first electrical connection, a first mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is configured to receive media data from a wireless network and the touch screen input device is configured to receive input from a user. The cradle is disposed in a headrest in a vehicle and includes a second electrical connection and a second mounting mechanism. The tablet unit is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle. |
| US08953096B2 |
Camera module
A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) configured to have an image sensor mounted thereon; a housing unit disposed over the first PCB; a holder module spaced apart from a bottom surface within the housing unit at a specific interval and configured to have first coils wound on its outer circumferential face and to include at least lens therein; a second PCB combined with the bottom surface of the holder module; a third PCB disposed over the holder module; a plurality of wire springs each configured to have one end connected to the second PCB and the other end connected to the third PCB; and buffer units provided at the connection units of the wire springs and the third PCB and configured to surround the connection units of the wire springs and the third PCB. |
| US08953088B2 |
Low profile camera module packaging
A camera module including an image sensor and a circuit substrate that are each attached to a bottom surface of a glass substrate. The image sensor is positioned between the circuit substrate and the glass substrate. This arrangement allows passive components normally associated with the image sensor to be mounted to a top surface of the glass substrate rather than to the image sensor, thus reducing the necessary size of the top surface of the image sensor, which in turn can reduce the overall size of the image sensor. A lens assembly, including a housing and a lens, is attached to the circuit substrate to position the image sensor and the glass substrate within a cavity provided in the housing. |
| US08953087B2 |
Camera system and associated methods
A camera system may include an optics stack including two substrates, the optics stack forming an imaging system, each substrate having two surfaces that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to an optical axis of the imaging system, the optics stack including a securing region on opposing surfaces of the two substrates, the two substrates being secured together on a wafer level at their respective securing regions, at least one of the surfaces of the two substrates including a refractive surface of the imaging system, a detector substrate having an active area and a cover structure protecting at least the active area of the detector substrate, the optics stack being secured to an upper surface of the cover structure. |
| US08953083B2 |
Housing camera lens cover using GRIN technology
A mobile device having an external housing that includes a housing camera lens cover made of graded index (GRIN) material is described herein. The housing camera lens cover has one face that faces a camera lens of a camera module included in the mobile device and another face that is exposed to the exterior of the mobile device. By using the GRIN material in the housing camera lens cover, the light rays are bent by the GRIN material before the light rays reach the camera lens. This bending of the light rays reduces the optical total track length (TTL) of the camera module and also reduces high Chief Ray Angle (CRA) such that the z-height of the camera module may be reduced while maintaining the camera's imaging performance. |
| US08953080B2 |
Image display apparatus and image display method for switching a display mode
A display apparatus of the present invention includes a reception unit configured to receive an image captured by an imaging apparatus from the imaging apparatus and a switching unit configured to switch the display mode of the captured image to a single shooting display mode for displaying the image captured by the imaging apparatus in the single shooting mode or a continuous shooting display mode for displaying the image captured by the imaging apparatus in the continuous shooting mode based on an interval at which the captured image is received by the reception unit. |
| US08953079B2 |
System and method for generating 360 degree video recording using MVC
The present invention provides a system and method for combining asymmetrical camera views from a front racing and a back facing camera. Resizing and quality enhancement techniques are used to bring both front and back camera to same quality. Further, a panoramic mode of from camera and back camera are utilized to create a uniform stitching. |
| US08953078B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus
The invention is directed to a solid-state imaging device in which pixels each including a photoelectric conversion portion formed above a semiconductor substrate and an MOS type signal reading circuit formed at the semiconductor substrate and provided for reading out a signal corresponding to electric charges generated in the photoelectric conversion portion are disposed in an array form, wherein: the photoelectric conversion portion includes a pixel electrode, a counter electrode and a photoelectric conversion layer as defined herein; a bias voltage is applied to the counter electrode as defined herein; the signal reading circuit includes a charge storage portion, an output transistor and a reset transistor as defined herein; the charge storage portion includes a first charge storage region, a second charge storage region and a separation/connection region as defined herein; and the output transistor outputs a signal corresponding to the potential of the second charge storage region. |
| US08953074B2 |
Semiconductor device, physical information acquiring apparatus, and signal reading-out method
A semiconductor device includes: an element array portion in which unit elements are disposed in a matrix; and a signal processing portion including a signal processing circuit executing predetermined signal processing based on unit signals outputted from the circuit elements, respectively, every column, in which a function of the signal processing circuit is controlled in such a way that power consumption of the signal processing circuit concerned corresponding to the unit elements each not required becomes lower in a phase of an element selection mode in which only information on a part of the unit pixels for one row in the element array portion is required than in a phase of a normal operation mode. |
| US08953066B2 |
Image file generation device, camera and image file generation method
An image file generation device includes: an image file generation unit that generates an image file having stored therein a plurality of sets of image data obtained in a batch via an image sensor; and an image recording unit that records the image file into a storage medium, wherein: if the image file generation unit determines that an image file-splitting condition has been satisfied while the batch of image data is being obtained via the image sensor, the image file generation unit ends image data storage into the current image file and starts image data storage into a new image file. |
| US08953064B1 |
Imaging arrangements and methods therefor
Image data is processed to facilitate focusing and/or optical correction. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an imaging arrangement collects light data corresponding to light passing through a particular focal plane. The light data is collected using an approach that facilitates the determination of the direction from which various portions of the light incident upon a portion of the focal plane emanate from. Using this directional information in connection with value of the light as detected by photosensors, an image represented by the light is selectively focused and/or corrected. |
| US08953063B2 |
Method for white balance adjustment
A white balance adjustment method includes capturing a raw image by an image capturing device, setting an initial maximum and an initial minimum threshold values of each channels, and obtaining a reference white and a reference black. Color scale values of each R, G, and B channels are extracted and a minimum, a maximum, and an average values of the color scale values corresponding to each channels are obtained. A modulation factor of each channel is defined by using above defined three values, according to the modulation factor of each channels to re-define a new maximum threshold value as a reference white and a new minimum threshold value as a reference black. According to the obtained reference black and the reference white to complete the white balance adjustment of the image. |
| US08953060B2 |
Hand held image capture device with multi-core processor and wireless interface to input device
A hand held electronic device that has a CMOS image sensor for capturing image data, a wireless device port for wireless connection to a user input device and, a central processor. The central processor has multiple processing units, an image sensor interface and a wireless device interface integrated onto a single chip. The image sensor interface receives the image data from the CMOS image sensor, and the wireless device interface being configured to receive user inputs from the wireless device port. The multiple processing units are configured to process the image data in parallel together with the user inputs from the wireless device interface. |
| US08953057B2 |
Display apparatus with image-capturing function, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image display system
A display apparatus with an image-capturing function includes an outputting unit configured to output an image signal to an external apparatus, an inputting unit configured to input an image signal from the external apparatus, an image-capturing unit, a display unit, an image-capture-distortion corrector configured to perform image-capture-distortion correction on an image signal captured by the image-capturing unit, a display-distortion corrector configured to perform display-distortion correction, and a controller configured to control whether or not the image-capture-distortion corrector is to perform the image-capture-distortion correction, and whether or not the display-distortion corrector is to perform the display-distortion correction. Therefore, distortion caused by the image-capturing system and display system of the display apparatus with an image-capturing function can be appropriately corrected in the overall system including the display apparatus with an image-capturing function and the external apparatus. |
| US08953054B2 |
System to augment a visual data stream based on a combination of geographical and visual information
According to an example, a computing device includes a memory on which is stored machine readable instructions that may cause a processor to access a video stream, generate geographical information associated with frames of the video stream, extract features of points of interest in the frames, transmit the extracted features of the points of interest and the geographical information to a server computer that is to use the extracted features of the points of interest and the geographical information to identify augment information, receive the augment information from the server computer, and augment the video stream with the augment information to generate an augmented video stream. |
| US08953052B2 |
Imaging device
An imaging device is provided that includes a lens mount, an imaging element, a system controller, a sensor and a rotation corrector. The rotation corrector is configured to reduce change in the positional relationship between the optical image and the imaging element caused by movement of the imaging device around an axis parallel to an optical axis of the lens unit. The lens unit has a first optical system that forms a first optical image from a first perspective on the imaging element and a second optical system that forms a second optical image from a second perspective on the imaging element. The system controller is configured to halt operation of the rotation corrector when the lens unit is supported by the lens mount. |
| US08953051B2 |
Imaging device and imaging method
A transmission unit of the imaging device transmits a captured image via a network. A reception unit receives instructions to change a view angle from another device via the network. A view angle changing unit changes the view angle on the basis of the instructions to change a view angle which are received from the reception unit. A view angle changing instruction information storage unit stores view angle changing instruction information. A failure monitoring unit detects that a failure occurred in communication with the another device. A control unit instructs the view angle changing unit to change the view angle on the basis of the view angle changing instruction information stored in the view angle changing instruction information storage unit, according to the detection of the failure monitoring unit. An image storage unit stores the captured image. |
| US08953050B2 |
Interaction with electronic device recognized in a scene captured by mobile device
An interaction system is provided. The interaction system has a first mobile device, configured to capture images of a scene, and a server, configured to recognize a first electronic device from the images captured by the first mobile device, so that the first electronic device and the first mobile device interact with each other. |
| US08953045B2 |
Automated teller machine comprising at least one camera to detect manipulation attempts
The invention proposes an automated teller machine having different control elements, such as a card entry slot (4), for example, wherein at least one camera (CAMK) is integrated in a control element, the card entry slot (4), for example, and captures images of a plurality of sub-regions attributed to said control element (4), such as an interior region, outer region and overhead region. Lighting (L) that illuminates one or some of the partial regions, the interior region or the slit region of the card entry slot (4), for example, can also be arranged, thereby also improving the image. In addition, the construction can be furnished with a light-conducting material (K) over which light produced by the lighting (L) can be guided and distributed. |
| US08953044B2 |
Multi-resolution video analysis and key feature preserving video reduction strategy for (real-time) vehicle tracking and speed enforcement systems
Systems and methods are disclosed that include a video-based analysis system that detects, tracks and archives vehicles in video stream data at multiple resolutions. The system includes an image capturing device that captures video stream data having video at a first high resolution. A vehicle detection module detects at least one vehicle within the video. A vehicle analysis module is configured to analyze the video and to extract one or more key vehicle features from the video to enable identification of a vehicle of interest (VOI) according to a set of predetermined criteria. A subsampling module creates a reduced resolution video stream in a second subsampled resolution that is lower than the first high resolution while maintaining the one or more extracted key features within the reduced resolution video stream in the first high resolution, and archives the reduced resolution video stream into a video database. |
| US08953043B2 |
Parking assistance device configured to generate forward guide markers
A parking assistance device with a simple configuration that flexibly guides a vehicle to a reverse start position in assisting reverse parking computes a guide route for allowing the vehicle to move forward to a reverse start position and then reverse to the parking target and the reverse start position based on the parking target with a predetermined tolerance included, generates forward guide markers constituted by a marker group including a far marker corresponding to the reverse start position and a near marker that represents an area via which the vehicle can reach the reverse start position and is located closer to the vehicle than the far marker, the forward guide markers indicating a forward route to the reverse start position by an arrangement of the marker group the width of which is increased toward the near marker from the far marker, and superimpose the markers on the surrounding image. |
| US08953042B2 |
Vehicle-mounted device identifying apparatus
If an iris or a pupil is detected as being positioned in a right area, a vehicle-mounted device identifier of a vehicle-mounted device identifying apparatus identifies a vehicle-mounted device group, which is disposed in an area that is on the right side of an area that is identified based on a facial direction detected by a facial direction detector. If the iris or the pupil is detected as being positioned in a left area, the vehicle-mounted device identifier identifies a vehicle-mounted device group, which is disposed in an area that is on the left side of an area that is identified based on the facial direction. If the iris or the pupil is detected as being positioned in a central area, the vehicle-mounted device identifier identifies a vehicle-mounted device group, which is disposed in an area that is identified based on the facial direction. |
| US08953039B2 |
System and method for auto-commissioning an intelligent video system
An auto-commissioning system provides automatic parameter selection for an intelligent video system based on target video provided by the intelligent video system. The auto-commissioning system extracts visual feature descriptors from the target video and provides the one or more visual feature descriptors associated with the received target video to an parameter database that is comprised of a plurality of entries, each entry including a set of one or more stored visual feature descriptors and associated parameters tailored for the set of stored visual feature descriptors. A search of the parameter database locates one or more best matches between the extracted visual feature descriptors and the stored visual feature descriptors. The parameters associated with the best matches are returned as part of the search and used to commission the intelligent video system. |
| US08953034B1 |
Video imaging device with an integrated battery
A compact, battery powered video imaging device for use in XYZ stage equipped machines (such as milling machines, jig borers, coordinate measuring machines, etc.) that mounts into the spindle of such a machine and displays a magnified image of a part on the XYZ stage of the machine on an integrated video monitor such as a Liquid Crystal Display panel equipped with crosshairs or similar reference marks. The XYZ stage of the host machine is used to move the part so that various features of the part are brought into the crosshairs of the video monitor. In such a way the XYZ coordinates of various features of the part with respect to a selected reference feature, displayed on the host machine's position readout, can be obtained. This procedure can be used to aid work piece setup, measure parts in-process without disturbing the setup, or to inspect finished parts for dimensional accuracy.If a known good part or a specially manufactured precision gage plate is inspected by a host machine in such a way, the result is reflective of the accuracy of the XYZ stage and position display of the host machine and can be used to qualify the host machine for positional accuracy. |
| US08953026B2 |
Stereoscopic image display device
An autostereoscopic image display device in which an image of each viewpoint can be observed in each one of a plurality of observation areas, wherein one or both of a pair of images having relationship of a reverse view near an end portion of the observation area are displayed by using first image data and added image data acquired by weighting values of the first image data and second image data based on relationship of parallax between the second image data different from the first image data and the first image data and adding the weighted values. |
| US08953025B2 |
Align mark of stereoscopic image display, aligning method and system using the align mark
An align marking for a stereoscopic image display apparatus and an alignment method and system using the align marking are discussed. The align marking includes a first align mark formed at a left and central portion of the display panel, and a second align mark formed at a right and central portion of the display panel, wherein each of the first and second align marks comprises one or more left patterns and one or more right patterns arranged offset from the one or more left patterns, wherein the first and second align marks are aligned with a predetermined reference line formed on the pattern retarder. |
| US08953023B2 |
Stereoscopic depth mapping
Provided is a method and apparatus for linear depth mapping. Linear depth mapping includes using algorithms to correct the distorted depth mapping of stereoscopic capture and display systems. |
| US08953022B2 |
System and method for sharing virtual and augmented reality scenes between users and viewers
A preferred method for sharing user-generated virtual and augmented reality scenes can include receiving at a server a virtual and/or augmented reality (VAR) scene generated by a user mobile device. Preferably, the VAR scene includes visual data and orientation data, which includes a real orientation of the user mobile device relative to a projection matrix. The preferred method can also include compositing the visual data and the orientation data into a viewable VAR scene; locally storing the viewable VAR scene at the server; and in response to a request received at the server, distributing the processed VAR scene to a viewer mobile device. |
| US08953019B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating stream and method and apparatus for processing stream
Provided are a method and apparatus for generating a stream, and a method and apparatus for processing of the stream. The method of generating the stream includes: generating an elementary stream including three-dimensional (3D) image data providing a 3D image, and 3D detail information for reproducing the 3D image; generating a section including 3D summary information representing that a transport stream to be generated from the elementary stream provides the 3D image; and generating the transport stream with respect to the section and the elementary stream. |
| US08953017B2 |
Source device, sink device, communication system and method for wirelessly transmitting three-dimensional video data using packets
A source device combines right-eye video frame data with left-eye video frame data into combined video frame data every video frame. Then, the source device generates a plurality of packets by dividing the combined video frame data into packets so as to insert information on a horizontal position for a horizontal display time interval and information on a vertical position for a vertical display time interval of a first pixel of the combined video frame data stored in the packets, into a header of each packet for transmitting the combined video frame data, as information for identifying right-eye video frame data and left-eye video frame data. |
| US08953014B2 |
Rear-view multi-functional camera system with three-dimensional data analysis features
A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described. The rear-viewing system includes a first camera and a second camera. The first and second cameras are positioned with partially overlapping fields of view. An electronic control unit is configured to receive image data from the cameras and generated three-dimensional data for the overlapping portion of the fields of view. The electronic control unit then analyzes the movement of vehicles within the overlapping field of view based on the three-dimensional data. Movement of vehicles in the non-overlapping fields of view is analyzed based on two-dimensional image data from either the first camera or the second camera. |
| US08953013B2 |
Image pickup device and image synthesis method thereof
This invention discloses an image pickup device and an image synthesis method thereof The image pickup device comprises an image-pickup module, an image-synthesis module, a database and a processing module. The image-pickup module captures a plurality of temporary images of a scene. The image-synthesis module extracts a part of each temporary image and combines the parts to form a panorama temporary image, and splits the panorama temporary image into a plurality of zone-areas according to at least one threshold value and a panorama luminosity histogram. The database stores a lookup table for recording a plurality of exposure values. The plurality of the exposure values correspond to luminance values of the zone-areas respectively. The processing module obtains the plurality of exposure values corresponding to the luminance values and obtains a weighting-exposure value by an equation, and controls the image-pickup module to capture the panorama image according to the weighting-exposure value. |
| US08953012B2 |
Multi-plenoptic system with image stacking and method for wide field-of-regard high-resolution imaging
Embodiments of a multi-plenoptic system with image stacking and method for wide field-of-regard (FOR) high-resolution image are generally described herein. The multi-plenoptic system may include a subfield separator to decompose an image within a wide field of view into a plurality of multi-pixel subfields. The subfield separator may rotate a chief ray within each multi-pixel subfield by a differing amount relative to a rotation of other rays of the subfield. The multi-plenoptic system may also include a subfield modulator to selectively block or pass light from at least a portion of one or more of the subfields and a subfield image formation element to relay the portions of the subfields that are passed by the subfield modulator onto substantially overlapping areas of a common image plane. A single focal-plane array (FPA) may be aligned with the common image plane to provide for high-resolution imaging over a wide FOR. |
| US08953009B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus using the laser scan method or the LED method, which is capable of reducing a variation of spot diameter with a simple mechanism, and of forming a high-quality image by adjusting the density depending on the image resolution with a low cost. The image forming apparatus forms an image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed by irradiating a charged photoconductor with light emitted from a light source with developer. A detecting unit detects a distance between an attention pixel and an adjacent image that is adjacent to an image including the attention pixel across a white background. An adjustment unit adjusts a density of the attention pixel based on the distance measured with the detecting unit and a spot diameter of the light on a surface of the photoconductor. |
| US08953006B2 |
Thermal head and thermal printer provided with same
A thermal head and a printer head are disclosed. The thermal head includes heat generating members, a drive IC disposed, pads and interconnection lines which are all disposed on a substrate. The heat generating members are arranged in a first direction. The drive IC is operable to control driving of the heat generating members. The pads are operable to being electrically connected to terminals of the drive IC. The interconnection lines electrically connect each of the heat generating members to one of the pads. The pads are arranged in a first direction and constitute first pad groups and second pad groups constituted by the pads that constitute the first pad groups. The second pad groups are arranged in the first direction so as to be shifted from each other in a second direction that differs from the first direction. |
| US08953002B2 |
Image forming apparatus
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive drum, a line-type LED exposing unit disposed to be opposed to the photoconductive drum, an exposing unit supporting tray configured to support the LED exposing unit to be capable of approaching and separating from the photoconductive drum in a radial direction of the photoconductive drum, an extending piece being formed in a part of an end of the exposing unit supporting tray, and a rod member disposed in parallel to the major axis direction of the LED exposing unit and moved in the major axis direction to thereby cause the LED exposing unit to approach and separate from the photoconductive drum in the radial direction of the photoconductive drum via the extending piece of the exposing unit supporting tray. |
| US08953000B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of driving liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display where grayscale inversion is reduced includes a liquid crystal cell having pixel groups, each group comprising a red (R) pixel, a green (G) pixel, a blue (B) pixel, and a white (W) pixel, and drive circuitry that applies a voltage VRGB and a voltage VW satisfying the formulae (ia) and (iia) between electrodes defining the G pixel and between electrodes defining the W pixel, respectively, depending on a grayscale level L (where L satisfies 0≦L≦1) in grayscale where substantially the same voltage VRGB is applied between electrodes defining each of the R, G, and B pixels: for 0 |
| US08952999B2 |
Image processing device, display device, and image processing method
An image processing device supplies an image signal to a display device having pixels being composed mainly of four sub-pixels arranged two by two in a first direction and a second direction. The image processing device includes a first filter processing section adapted to perform a filter process of limiting frequency bands in the first direction and the second direction of the image signal adapted to display a first sub-pixel corresponding to white in a manner corresponding to an arrangement of both of the first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel located in a diagonal direction with respect to the first sub-pixel, and a second filter processing section adapted to perform a filter process of limiting frequency bands in the first direction and the second direction of the image signal adapted to display the second sub-pixel in a manner corresponding to an arrangement of the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel. |
| US08952997B2 |
Image processor
An image processor receives information of a type of an input image, and performs a correction to the input image in accordance with an illuminance in an area near a display that displays the input image and the received information of the type of the input image. |
| US08952994B2 |
Information processing device, control method for information processing device, program, and information storage medium
To provide an information processing device capable of enhancing convenience of a user using the information processing device by considering a dominant hand, habit, or the like, of the user without imposing on the user a task of inputting information of the user's dominant hand, habit, the like. In a case where it is determined that a user's designated position is included in a determination area corresponding to an object, the object is moved in accordance with movement of the designated position. In a case where at least one of one object and another object moves, processing relevant to the objects is executed based on a result of collision determination executed with respect to the objects. A second processing executing unit (64) executes predetermined processing based on a positional relationship between one object or one designated position and another object or another designated position in a case in the past in which it is determined that the one designated position is included in the determination area corresponding to the one object and the other designated position is included in the determination area corresponding to the other object. |
| US08952990B2 |
Method for processing interaction between user and hologram using volumetric data type object wave field
Disclosed is a method for processing interaction between a user and hologram using a volumetric data type object wave field. A method for processing interaction between a user and hologram for user's action using a volumetric data type object wave field includes: capturing user action on the holographic image of the object and solving collision between user and object; computing the updated position and rotation of the object by time integration of rigid body equation in collision; calculating the relative position and rotation of the hologram plane with respect to local object coordinates; transforming the hologram in the pre-computed volumetric object wave field grid according to the relative position and rotation of the hologram plane in local object coordinates and reading the object wave fields at all the pixels of the transformed hologram plane in order to generate a new hologram for the transformed object caused by user action. |
| US08952989B2 |
Viewer unit, server unit, display control method, digital comic editing method and non-transitory computer-readable medium
A viewer unit, comprising a display control device configured to control to shift the position of the display range sequentially within the page image in accordance with the positional line determined by the determination device in order to display the images of each display range sequentially on the display device. |
| US08952988B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing information pertaining to unread articles
An information processing apparatus includes first and second display control units and an operation region specifying unit. The first display control unit is configured to control display of an image of a content by displaying a plurality of article information pieces in a plurality of regions laid out in advance in the image, the article information pieces each being constituted of one of a character string and a picture image, and the article information pieces and the regions being correlated with each other. The operation region specifying unit is configured to specify on which of the regions in the image an operation is performed. The second display control unit is configured to control display of an additional image by displaying the article information pieces in a predetermined region in the image, the article information pieces excepting the article information piece correlated with the specified region. |
| US08952984B1 |
3D drawing and painting system with a 3D scalar field
Rendering 3D paintings can be done by compositing strokes embedded in space. Users input strokes and other image elements using an input device that specifies a 2D view of the element, and the system provides the 3D position of the element based on rules and processes, some of which allow for user input of high level parameters, thereby allowing for intuitive and quick entry of 3D elements, and a 3D scalar field. The artist can treat the full 3D space as a canvas. Strokes painted in a 2D viewport window are embedded in 3D space in a way that gives creative freedom to the artist while maintaining an acceptable level of controllability. The canvas need not be tied to any particular object already in a scene, but the canvas can be dependent on, or a function of, another object. An implicit canvas can be defined by the 3D scalar field. |
| US08952981B2 |
Subpixel compositing on transparent backgrounds
A method is presented for displaying a rendered image on an electronic computing device. The method comprises rendering a first image on the electronic computing device. The first image is rendered on a white background. A second image is rendered on the electronic computing device. The second image is rendered on a black background. The first image, the second image and a background image are combined to produce a third image. The third image is a composite of the first image, the second image and the background image. The third image is displayed on a display screen of the electronic computing device. The third image includes anti-aliasing for a plurality of subpixels of the third image. |
| US08952979B2 |
Wave fill
A method, system, apparatus, article of manufacture, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to fill pixels of an image. An area of the image is obtained and one of the pixels is identified as an anchor pixel. Waves are created based on the anchor pixel and placed into a collection of waves waiting to be processed. Each of the waves in the collection is processed. A type of pixel in front of a current wave being processed is determined. If the pixel is fillable, the pixel is filled, the wave is advanced, and child waves are updated. If the pixel is blocking the advancement of the wave, the current wave is updated (e.g., via shrinking or splitting), and child waves are updated. Once all waves have been processed, the area of the image is displayed based on the fill. |
| US08952978B2 |
Display device, viewing angle control method, computer program storage device with viewing angle control program, and mobile terminal
A display device includes a display panel unit having predetermined viewing angle characteristics. An image data conversion unit is included that converts original image data to be displayed on the display panel unit so that a luminance difference in a low gray level region does not substantially change between before and after conversion and so that a luminance difference in a high gray level region changes in such a manner that a luminance difference obtained after conversion becomes smaller than a luminance difference obtained before conversion. A data holding unit holds predetermined oblique-view image data corresponding to the predetermined viewing angle characteristics of the display panel unit. An image combining unit combines image data obtained through conversion by the image data conversion unit with the predetermined oblique-view image data to generate composite image data. The composite image data is displayed on the display panel unit. |
| US08952971B2 |
Rendering processing apparatus and method using multiprocessing
A rendering processing apparatus and method using multiprocessing are disclosed. The rendering processing method includes dividing an application execution window into frames and generating a rendering processing command for rendering processing of an image on a frame basis by a pre-rendering manager, generating a rendering image on a frame basis according to the rendering processing command by a rendering manager, and storing the generated rendering image in a memory. The generation of a rendering processing command and the generation of a rendering image are performed in a plurality of threads. |
| US08952965B2 |
Non-linear time scale optimization for mechanical-electrical machine behavior model visualization
A visual representation of a mechanical-electrical machine behavior model is presented that utilizes a non-linear time scale to best illustrate multiple details occurring in a relatively short time frame without affecting the amount of information contained in the complete model. In particular, time periods without user-relevant details are identified and minimized so as to allow for the display space to adequately represent the details associated with the actions of each machine. By “folding” these longer time periods to occupy relatively short lengths along the time axis, additional space along the time axis is then available to illustrate the details of each operation (i.e., by using a non-linear time scale). |
| US08952963B1 |
Computer hardware architecture and data structures for a grid traversal unit 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. |
| US08952960B2 |
Method for visualizing an atrium of the heart in a patient
In a method for visualizing at least one section of a wall of an atrium of the heart in a patient after an ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation, a volume data record of at least the treated atrium of the heart in the patient is segmented to establish voxels that are of an inner surface, an outer surface, and a volume situated between the inner and outer surfaces of the wall of the treated atrium. The at least one section of the wall of the treated atrium of the heart is visualized by volume rendering or ray casting such that only voxel values of the established voxels that lie on the inner surface in the volume or on the outer surface of the wall of the treated atrium are used. |
| US08952957B2 |
Three-dimensional display apparatus
A three-dimensional display apparatus includes a display panel, a display driver, an active polarizing layer, and an active polarizer. The display driver controls the display panel to display input image data categorized into data containing pixels in a first state, a second state, and a third state. The active polarizing layer is located on the display panel. The active polarizer controls the polarization direction of the active polarizing layer to enable the image displayed on the display panel to have the polarization direction after passing through the active polarizing layer. The active polarizing layer has first, second, and third polarization directions respectively corresponding to the pixels in the first state, the second state, and the third state in the display panel. |
| US08952953B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a variable-voltage source which supplies at least a potential on a high-potential side or on a low-potential side; an organic EL display unit including a plurality of pixels; a potential difference detecting circuit which detects potentials on pixels; and a signal processing circuit which regulates an output potential from the variable-voltage source such that a potential difference between the potential at the pixel and a reference potential reaches a predetermined potential difference, in which resistance of a power wire at each part between adjacent pixels along a first direction is higher than resistance of a power wire at each part between adjacent pixels along a second direction, and an average distance between adjacent potential detecting points along the first direction is shorter than an average distance between adjacent potential detecting points along the second direction. |
| US08952952B2 |
Display device
A display device according to the present disclosure includes: a variable-voltage source which outputs a high-side output potential and a low-side output potential; an organic electroluminescence (EL) display unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged; a potential difference detecting circuit which detects a high-side potential of a first pixel and a low-side potential of a second pixel; and a signal processing circuit which regulates at least one of the high-side output potential and the low-side output potential outputted from the variable-voltage source such that a potential difference between the high-side potential of the first pixel and the low-side potential of the second pixel reaches a predetermined potential difference. |
| US08952950B2 |
Display apparatus and apparatus and method for generating power voltages
An apparatus for generating power voltages of a display apparatus including a plurality of pixel circuits comprises a storage capacitor power outputting unit configured to generate a storage capacitor power voltage using a first power voltage and apply the storage capacitor power voltage to storage capacitors included in the plurality of pixel circuits, and a gamma filter power outputting unit configured to generate a gamma filter power voltage using the first power voltage and apply the gamma filter power voltage to a gamma voltage generating unit. The first power voltage is generated from a power voltage supplied by a voltage source. The storage capacitor power voltage and the gamma filter power voltage are generated so as to have the same phase. |
| US08952948B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An LCD device is discussed in which a level shifter generates two switching signals, and transmits the generated signals to a gate driver of a liquid crystal display panel by the use of one voltage signal transmitted from a timing controller. The LCD device according to an embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel in which a gate driver for alternately driving two transistors is formed; a data driver which drives data lines of the liquid crystal display panel; a timing controller which generates one voltage signal for switching the two transistors, and outputs the one voltage signal; and a level shifter which generates two of first and second switching signals to switch the two transistors by using the one voltage signal, and outputs the generated switching signals to the gate driver. |
| US08952947B2 |
Display method for sunlight readable and electronic device using the same
A display method for sunlight readable is provided, which is applicable to an electronic device having a display panel. The display method includes the following steps. An ambient light sensor value and image content are obtained. Next, a liquid crystal (LC) driving voltage is altered based on the ambient light sensor value and the image content, wherein the LC driving voltage is increasingly proportional to the ambient light sensor value and exceeds a normal operation driving voltage when the ambient light sensor value exceeds a high luminance value. Then, the display panel is drived under the LC driving voltage. Finally, a sunlight readable image is displayed on the display panel. |
| US08952945B2 |
Display and gate driver thereof
A display and a gate driver are disclosed herein, in which the gate driver includes a number of gate driving units, and each of the gate driving units includes a control circuit, a boost circuit, a driver output circuit and a voltage stabilized circuit. The control circuit is electrically connected to a previous gate driving unit and a next gate driving unit. The boost circuit is electrically connected to the control circuit for driving the next gate driving unit. The driver output circuit is electrically connected to the boost circuit and a pixel array for driving at least one scan line in the pixel array. The voltage stabilizing circuit is electrically connected to the boost circuit and the driver output circuit. |
| US08952944B2 |
Stage circuit and scan driver using the same
A stage circuit and a scan driver using the same that is capable of concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) or progressively supplying a scan signal to a plurality of scan lines. The stage circuit includes a progressive driver and a concurrent driver. |
| US08952932B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensing touch input using illumination sensors
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for sensing touch input using illumination sensors. The apparatus includes: a touch pad on which at least one illumination sensor is arranged; and a controller collecting sensor values of the at least one illumination sensor to perform touch recognition suitable for a present illumination environment. |
| US08952931B2 |
Information processor, information processing method, and computer program
An information processing apparatus including a detector that detects movement of a manipulation body in a vertical direction in relation to a display, and a processor that determines a speed of movement of the manipulation body based on an output of the detector, and determines a process to be executed based on the determined speed of movement. |
| US08952930B2 |
Touch detection for a digitizer
A detector for providing position detection of objects over a sensor with a first and second set of conductor lines forming a grid with a plurality of junctions there between at which the conductor lines do not contact, includes a signal generator providing a signal to at least one conductor line of the first set of conductor lines, and circuitry detecting output arising from one or both of an electromagnetic stylus and one or more fingers when present. The output arising from each of the one or more fingers is detected from at least one conductor line of the second set of conductor lines in response to the signal provided to the at least one conductor line of the first set of conductor lines. The circuitry detects positions of one or both the electromagnetic stylus and each of the one or more fingers when present responsive to the output detected. |
| US08952927B2 |
Self-capacitance measurement with compensated capacitance
In one embodiment, a method includes dividing a first amount of charge between a capacitance of a touch sensor and a compensation capacitor. The division of the first amount of charge results in a first voltage at an input node. The method also includes applying a reference voltage at the input node. The application of the reference voltage at the input node induces a second amount of charge proportional to a difference between the first voltage and the reference voltage on an integration capacitor. The method also includes determining a first difference between the first voltage and the reference voltage based on a second amount of charge on the integration capacitor; and determining whether a touch input to the touch sensor has occurred based on the first difference. |
| US08952925B2 |
System and method for determining resistance in an input device
A processing system for an input device includes a transmitter module, a receiver module, and a determination module. The transmitter module includes transmitter circuitry and is configured to apply a first differential drive signal across a transmitter electrode to produce a first voltage variation across the transmitter electrode. The receiver module is configured to receive a first resulting signal with a receiver electrode when the first voltage variation is produced across the transmitter electrode. The determination module is configured to determine at least one of a resistance of the transmitter electrode and a resistance of a conductive trace coupled to the transmitter electrode based on the first resulting signal. As a result, an error in the position of an input object can be corrected. |
| US08952924B2 |
Capacitive touch panel
A capacitive touch panel including a substrate, first sensing series, second sensing series, and a first insulation layer is provided. Each first sensing series is disposed on the substrate and includes first sensing electrodes and first auxiliary electrodes. Each first auxiliary electrodes has a first connection terminal connected with one of the first sensing electrodes and a first open terminal away form the correspondingly first sensing electrode. Each second sensing series is disposed on the substrate and the first sensing series and includes second sensing electrodes. The first sensing series and the second sensing series are electrically insulated with each other. An edge of each second sensing electrode is conformed to an edge of the adjacent first sensing series. |
| US08952922B2 |
Sensing unit, sensing arrangement and sensing method for touch panel application
Two sensing units are configured as an exciter and a sensor connected to two trace lines, respectively, for mutual capacitance sensing from the capacitance units including these two trace lines. The two sensing units connect the two trace lines together to balance them to a same voltage level first, and then disconnect them from each other. Thereafter, the exciter connects the first trace line to an excitation node to induce a charge change on the second trace line, and the sensor senses the charge change to detect the variation of the mutual capacitance between the two trace lines. |
| US08952921B2 |
Capacitive touch display panel and capacitive touch board
A capacitive touch display panel includes a display panel, a touch sensing unit, and a plurality of diode ESD protection devices. The touch sensing unit includes a plurality of first sensing pads and second sensing pads. Each diode ESD protection device is disposed between two adjacent first sensing pads and between two adjacent second sensing pads. The two adjacent first sensing pads are electrically disconnected from each other, and the two adjacent second sensing pads are electrically disconnected from each other. |
| US08952919B2 |
Capacitive touch sensitive housing and method for making the same
A method for making a capacitive touch sensitive housing, comprises: forming a non-patterned active metal layer on a housing wall; patterning the non-patterned active metal layer on the housing wall by laser ablation such that the non-patterned active metal layer is formed into a patterned active metal layer including a plurality of plating portions separated from each other, and a plurality of non-plating portions separated from the plating portions; and forming a metal layer on the patterned active metal layer such that the metal layer has first portions formed on the plating portions of the patterned active metal layer, and second portions formed on the non-plating portions of the patterned active metal layer. |
| US08952918B2 |
Display device
An embodiment of this document provides a display device comprising a panel, a touch screen panel, and a sense unit. The panel comprises subpixels placed in a display region defined in one face of a first substrate and a second substrate bonded with the first substrate. The touch screen panel is placed on the panel and configured to comprise electrode units. The sense unit is coupled to the electrode units and configured to sense a position through the electrode units. At least some of the electrode units are formed of a multi-layer with heterogeneous metals. |
| US08952910B2 |
Touchscreen system
This disclosure describes systems and techniques for implementing a touchscreen. These systems and/or techniques enable processing of a signal generated from one or more sensors of a touchscreen to reduce noise and increase accuracy. |
| US08952906B2 |
Apparatus and method for inputting writing information according to writing pattern
Provided are a method and apparatus for inputting handwriting in a digital electronic apparatus. Various patterns defining methods of generating pressure information according to handwriting input are stored in advance, and a user selects a pattern similar to a pattern of the user or selects a desired handwriting pattern to perform the handwriting, so that pressure information is generated according to the handwriting pattern and the handwriting is displaying with a thickness corresponding to the pressure information. Therefore, it is possible to solve a problem of monotonous handwriting input in the related art where only the position is input and the handwriting is output with the same thickness. |
| US08952905B2 |
Image display apparatus and method for operating the same
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating an image display device using a pointing device includes displaying, on a display of the image display device, a handwriting region, receiving a pointing signal from the pointing device, determining whether a location of an image based on positional information corresponding to the received pointing signal is included in the handwriting region, and displaying the image corresponding to the received pointing signal at a boundary area of the handwriting region closest to the location when the location of the image is determined to be not included in the handwriting region. |
| US08952904B2 |
Electronic device, screen control method, and storage medium storing screen control program
A mobile phone terminal (electronic device) includes a first touch panel and a second touch panel for displaying an object corresponding to an executable function and detect a touch on the object. The mobile phone terminal also includes a control unit that, in a state where the object is displayed on the first touch panel or the second touch panel, when the touch on the object is detected and then a movement of the touch is detected and if the first touch panel or the second touch panel is in a movement direction of the touch, displays a screen provided by a function corresponding to the object on the first touch panel or the second touch panel in the movement direction of the touch. |
| US08952900B2 |
Touch screen display apparatus
A touch screen display apparatus for easily sensing the touch of a user. The touch screen display apparatus includes: a substrate; a display unit formed on the substrate; and a touch panel disposed to face the display unit, where the touch panel comprises a sealing substrate, a first electrode formed on the sealing substrate, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and a light receiving unit comprising an organic material interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08952895B2 |
Motion-based device operations
Methods, program products, and systems of motion-based device operations are described. A mobile device can coordinate operations of a motion sensor and a proximity sensor. The mobile device can determine a gesture event using the motion sensor. The mobile device can determine a proximity event using the proximity sensor. The mobile device can use the gesture event and proximity event to confirm one another, and determine that the mobile device has moved in proximity to a target object following a specified gesture. Upon confirmation, the mobile device can perform a specified task. |
| US08952893B2 |
Portable device and method for controlling the same
A method for controlling a portable device is provided. The method includes detecting bending of the portable device and determining whether to perform motion sensing correction due to the bending; acquiring a motion sensing correction factor for performing the motion sensing correction due to the bending; performing motion sensing correction of at least one motion sensor using the motion sensing correction factor; and controlling the portable device according to the corrected motion sensing. |
| US08952892B2 |
Input location correction tables for input panels
One or more input location correction tables are used to compensate for interference introduced into input panels and generate a corrected location based on a sensed location of the input panel. The one or more input location correction tables can include a coarse table and a fine table that stores mappings of intermediate locations mapped to by the coarse table having an accuracy that fails to satisfy a threshold coordinate accuracy. Different environments in which computing device can be situated can result in different interference being introduced, and the one or more input location correction tables can be updated based on the current environment to compensate for the interference introduced in the current environment. |
| US08952888B2 |
Method and system for conveying an emotion
The present invention relates to a method for conveying an emotion to a person being exposed to multimedia information, such as a media clip, by way of tactile stimulation using a plurality of actuators arranged in a close vicinity of the person's body, the method comprising the step of providing tactile stimulation information for controlling the plurality of actuators, wherein the plurality of actuators are adapted to stimulate multiple body sites in a body region, the tactile stimulation information comprises a sequence of tactile stimulation patterns, wherein each tactile stimulation pattern controls the plurality of actuators in time and space to enable the tactile stimulation of the body region, and the tactile stimulation information is synchronized with the media clip. An advantage with the present invention is thus that emotions can be induced, or strengthened, at the right time (e.g. synchronized with a specific situation in the media clip). |
| US08952885B2 |
Driving device for driving display medium, display device, method of driving display medium, and display method
There is provided a driving device for driving a display medium that includes a pair of substrates and plural particle groups which are provided between the pair of substrates and have different colors and different threshold voltages for separation from the substrates, including an application unit that applies reset voltages for moving the plural particle groups to one of the pair of substrates between the substrates, each reset voltage being different from each other according to each of the plural particle groups. |
| US08952884B2 |
Suspended particle device, light control device using the same, and method for driving the same
Disclosed is a suspended particle device having a higher response speed of particles upon shutdown of the device. The suspended particle device includes a first substrate; a first electrode arranged on a surface of the first substrate; a second substrate; a second electrode arranged on a surface of the second substrate; and a suspension arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, in which the suspension includes particles and a disperse medium, the particles are dispersed in the disperse medium, an orientation of the particles is controlled by an alternate-current voltage to be applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, and “a” which represents a frequency of an alternate-current voltage in a driving period is greater than “b” which represents a frequency of an alternate-current voltage in a shutdown period. |
| US08952879B2 |
Hold type image display system
A hold type image display system for displaying a video on a display panel includes a source driver for outputting a video signal to a source line, a gate driver for outputting a scanning signal to a gate line; and a controller for receiving an input video signal and thereby controlling the source driver and the gate driver. The controller outputs a video signal in which a black or gray line is inserted between video lines to the source driver, outputs a start pulse signal for writing the video lines for one or more times and a start pulse signal for writing black or gray lines for one or more times to the gate driver within one frame period, and independently inverts a write polarity of the video signal and a write polarity of the black or gray signal in frame periods in each frame cycle. |
| US08952872B2 |
Stereoscopic image display including 3D filter with improved voltage driving
3D filter driving voltages can be stably supplied to the 3D filter via flexible printed circuit for distributing first to third voltages of the 3D filter driving voltage, even if electrodes of the 3D filter are shorted, by supplying the 3D filter driving voltages to the 3D filter in a distributed fashion. |
| US08952866B2 |
Dove tail device in an antenna
A dove tail device for adjusting tilting angle of an antenna by rotating an arm member using a motion member which moves linearly is disclosed. The dove tail device in an antenna includes a guide and a motion member configured to move on the guide. Here, the motion member is combined with a rotation arm of a phase shifter, the rotation arm rotates according as the motion member moves on the guide, and an arm member of the phase shifter rotates in response to rotation of the rotation arm. |
| US08952864B2 |
Flat folding hinged antenna
A multi-band antenna including a first antenna portion extending generally in a first plane, a second antenna portion, extending generally in a second plane and a hinged coupling providing coupling between the first antenna portion and the second antenna portion and permitting the second antenna portion to be folded over the first antenna portion such that the first plane and the second plane lie generally parallel. |
| US08952859B2 |
Compact antenna system having folded dipole and/or monopole
An antenna and multi-antenna system are provided. Each antenna of the system is a mirror image and comprises first and second conductive elements each having a first end and a second end portion, the second end portions being capacitively coupled to each other. Each antenna can be operated as a lower-frequency folded dipole having a series capacitive gap which facilitates electrical lengthening of the antenna, or as a higher-frequency monopole antenna having a parasitic element which facilitates improved bandwidth. The antennas' feedpoints may be placed at opposite corners of a ground plane, and separated by a distance which is less than one quarter of an operating wavelength of the dipole but greater than one quarter of an operating wavelength of the monopole. Locating the feedpoints at the ground plane corners facilitates orthogonal polarization of the two antennas at least in dipole mode. The antennas thus provided exhibit good isolation. |
| US08952857B2 |
Antennas with broadband operating bandwidths
Designs and operations of momentum antennas are presented. In some antenna designs, the terminating discontinuities are complementary with the opposite transmission line's discontinuity. In other antenna designs, the terminating discontinuities are intrinsically self-complementary. |
| US08952851B1 |
Direct feed patch antenna
Methods and systems for radiating electromagnetic energy with a direct-feed patch antenna are described. The direct-feed patch antenna may be formed of a metal member of the user device and is grounded to the ground plane at a ground point disposed in relation to a feed location of the direct-feed patch antenna, the feed location to be directly coupled to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal. The direct-feed patch antenna is configured to radiate electromagnetic energy in response to the RF signal. |
| US08952849B2 |
Apparatus having mushroom structures
An apparatus having multiple mushroom structures is disclosed. Each of the multiple mushroom structures includes: a ground plate; a patch provided parallel to the ground plate with a separation of a distance to the ground plate, wherein a distance between a ground plate and a patch in a certain mushroom structure is different from a distance between a ground plate and a patch in a different mushroom structure. |
| US08952848B2 |
System and method for determining the location of the phase center of an antenna
A system and method for determining the location of the phase center of an antenna are provided. For the transverse location of the phase center, the system may include radio frequency (RF) probes symmetrically surrounding the antenna's geometrical center to define RF probe pairs, a plurality of phase detectors for determining a phase difference between the signals detected by each pair and a processor for determining the transverse location of the phase center based upon probe position and the phase differences. For the longitudinal location of the phase center, the system may include first and second RF probes having a common transverse position, but being longitudinally separated, a phase detector for determining a phase difference between the signals detected by the probes and a processor for determining the longitudinal location of the phase center based upon the longitudinal separation and the phase difference. |
| US08952846B2 |
Electronic apparatus, method of making the same, and transceiving device
An electronic apparatus includes a metal base; a wiring board disposed on the metal base, the wiring board having an opening and including interconnects; a metal stage dispose in the opening, the metal stage serving as a ground line; and a semiconductor device disposed on the metal stage, wherein an area of an end surface of the metal stage facing the metal base is larger than that of the metal stage facing the semiconductor device. |
| US08952845B1 |
Dynamic relative internal alignment calibration
A method for adapting the pointing of a radar system in response to distortion of a deckhouse support structure supporting plural antenna arrays of the radar system is provided. The method comprises the steps of making repeated measurements between at least one laser tracker located within the support structure and laser targets mounted within the support structure, and comparing the current measurements with previous measurements to determine physical bias introduced into the structure. |
| US08952843B1 |
Directional AESA with interferometer direction finding mode
A multi-functional reconfigurable radar system and a method for configuring such a radar system are disclosed. The multi-functional reconfigurable radar system that is operable as a directional antenna or a DF interferometer. The antenna system in accordance with the present disclosure may be installed on a size-constrained platform such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and utilized as a common shared asset aperture for intelligence-gathering, electronic countermeasure, self-protection, electronic support, electronic attack as well as direction finding and the like. |
| US08952838B2 |
Time domain switched analog-to-digital converter apparatus and methods
A time domain switching analog-to-digital converter apparatus and methods of utilizing the same. In one implementation, the converter apparatus comprises a carrier signal source, and at least one reference source. The carrier signal is summed with the input signal and the summed modulated signal is fed to a comparator circuit. The comparator is configured detects crossings of the reference level by the modulated waveform thereby generating trigger events. The time period between consecutive trigger events is used to obtain modulated signal deviation due to the input signal thus enabling input signal measurement. Control of the carrier oscillation amplitude and frequency enables real time adjustment of the converter dynamic range and resolution. The use of additional reference signal levels increases sensor frequency response and accuracy. A dual channel converter apparatus enables estimation and removal of common mode noise, thereby improving signal conversion accuracy. |
| US08952835B1 |
Background calibration of aperture center errors in analog to digital converters
A method of background calibration of aperture center errors in a data communication system is provided. In an implementation, in response to detection of a low sampler output (“0”) in between two high sampler outputs (“1”), the method includes: determining a direction of an ADC output signal at the time of the detected low output; and adjusting timing at a selected sampler based on the determined signal direction. In an example implementation, the method includes watching for bubbles in the thermometer code output, and estimating the first derivative of the signal at the time of the bubble, then estimating the sign of the errors. In an example implementation, the errors are used in a control loop to reduce the aperture center error. |
| US08952832B2 |
Interfacing application programs and motion sensors of a device
Interfacing application programs and motion sensors of a device. In one aspect, a high-level command is received from an application program running on a motion sensing device, where the application program implements one of multiple different types of applications available for use on the device. The high-level command requests high-level information derived from the output of motion sensors of the device that include rotational motion sensors and linear motion sensors. The command is translated to cause low-level processing of motion sensor data output by the motion sensors, the low-level processing following requirements of the type of application and determining the high-level information in response to the command. The application program is ignorant of the low-level processing, and the high-level information is provided to the application program. |
| US08952828B2 |
System for evacuating persons from a vehicle
A system for evacuating persons from a vehicle includes a light signal generating device, which is adapted to emit at least one visual light signal that indicates at least one preset escape route for at least one person to be evacuated. |
| US08952817B2 |
Security package
Provided is a security package which generally comprises a casing for housing a product and a collar for locking the casing. The collar generally has a locked and unlocked configuration and comprises a first locking member having at least one male locking mechanism, and a second locking member having at least one female locking mechanism lockable to the at least one male locking mechanism. The casing generally has an open and closed configuration, and comprises a cavity shaped to substantially conform to the product. In the locked configuration the collar secures the casing in the closed configuration. The casing may comprise a first and second casing portion, and these may be integrally formed with the one or more of the first and second locking members. The collar may form a perimeter around the casing, may be adjustable, and may house a security device such as an RFID (radio-frequency identification) tag. |
| US08952816B2 |
Article surveillance tag with multiple straps
An EAS system alarm tag is provided with two or more straps that enable secure and reliable simultaneous engagement of the tag with one or more articles that are detachably coupled at an angle. An interlock actuator switch enables the two or more straps to interlock within a housing of the alarm tag. An auxiliary actuator switch enables detection of separation of the alarm tag from one or more articles with which the alarm tag is coupled. When both the interlock actuator switch and the auxiliary actuator switch are set to a first condition, an alarm system of the alarm tag is armed and set to ON; and when the interlock actuator switch is set to the first condition and the auxiliary actuator switch is set to a second condition while the alarm tag is armed and ON, the alarm system of the alarm tag triggers an alarm. |
| US08952814B2 |
Method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags
This invention relates generally to a method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags that are associated in some manner to any type of object. More particularly, the present invention writes data to these tags, reads data from these tags, and manages data that is written to and/or read from these tags. In addition, the invention accesses and/or stores data associated with tags from or into repositories, constructs and maintains data structures from these repositories and responds to queries using the data structures. |
| US08952812B2 |
System and method for measuring fluid pressure
A method of reducing power consumption in a pressure (vacuum) regulator system by waking the regulator upon detection of a person's hand proximity prior to adjustment of a pressure controller, including: defining a sampling time-window to sample a pressure in the pressure regulator system; generating a random number of pressure samples within the defined sampling time-window; acquiring data of the randomly generated number of pressure samples within the defined sampling time-window; adjusting the defined sampling time-window in response to a triggering of a proximity sensor; and wirelessly transmitting the data to an output device. |
| US08952810B2 |
System and method for automated/semi-automated entry filtering
An automated gatekeeper system and method are disclosed. The system and method comprise a control unit, sensors monitoring a checkpoint and gates to controlled premises and controllable gates. A person who wishes to enter may be inquired by the system in order to monitor and identify his or her identity, to verify whether the identified person is listed in at least one list of classified persons and to define whether that person is in a state of mind or mood which may have implication on the decision whether to allow his or her entrance to the premises. |
| US08952804B2 |
Systems and methods to overlay additional information onto foundation fieldbus alerts
An industrial control system is provided that includes a field device configured to provide an alert having a first parameter and a controller configured to receive the alert and overlay a second plurality of parameters on the alert, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the alert having the first parameter and the second plurality of parameters. |
| US08952801B2 |
Motor vehicle with several active or passive safety devices
A motor vehicle includes a safety device which is changeable between an idle position and an operative position, and an indicator which is rendered operational in at least one of two ways, a first way in which a first acoustic signal is triggered when the safety device departs the idle position, and a second acoustic signal, which differs from the first acoustic signal, is triggered when the safety device has assumed the operative position, a second way in which a first image is optically visualized in a display when the safety device departs the idle position, and a second image is optically visualized in the display when the safety device has assumed the operative position. |
| US08952798B2 |
Customizable and reconfigurable virtual instrument panel
The invention provides an instrument control panel that is easily customized and reconfigured, and yet provides the familiar tactile sensation of physical knobs, sliders, and buttons. The instrument control panel comprises one or more interface components that are removably coupled to an interface display wherein the interface components communicate with one or more control components disposed behind the interface display. The present invention lends itself particularly well to an instrument panel. |
| US08952797B2 |
Tactile alerting mechanism for portable communications device
A portable communications device, such as a mobile phone, includes a novel tactile alerting mechanism capable of alerting the user of an incoming communication or other event. In some embodiments, a mechanical actuator causes a rod or lever to pulsate, rotate, or protrude out of a static housing for the communications device. In other embodiments, a pneumatic actuator inflates a bladder that protrudes out of the housing. The alerting mechanism may be configured as a movable part of a decorative fanciful housing for the communications device. |
| US08952788B1 |
Battery assisted RFID system RF power control and interference mitigation methods
A method for controlling RF power within an RFID system according to one embodiment includes returning a first set of RFID tags that were successfully accessed at a first reader forward mode power level to a hibernate state; initiating a timer operation in each of the RFID tags within the first set of RFID tags, the timer operation defining a period of time; and preventing the first set of RFID tags from responding to an activation command at a second reader forward power level during the period of time, the second reader forward power level being higher than the first reader forward power level; and wherein a flag state stored in each of the RFID tags within the first set of RFID tags indicates whether the timer operation is active to prevent undesired activation at the second reader forward power level. |
| US08952783B2 |
Barrier movement operator communications
A moveable barrier operator actuates an actuator thereby causing a message to be formed. The message indicates that the user at the moveable barrier operator requires assistance. A communication channel is established between the moveable barrier operator and an assistance center. The message is transmitted to the assistance center over the communication channel. An assistance action is performed to provide assistance to the user at the moveable barrier operator. |
| US08952781B2 |
Method and apparatus for access control using dual biometric authentication
A biometrically authenticated access control in which a wireless authentication signal is provided from a primary instrumentality of access, only after a dual-stage biometric verification of the user's identity is performed. In one embodiment, an accessing device includes memory for storing a device identification code and an authentication code, along with first and second biometric templates corresponding to biometric samples from a user. In another embodiment, an accessing device includes memory for storing a device identification code and more than one authentication code, for separate users, along with first and second biometric templates corresponding to biometric samples from multiple users. In order to gain access to a secured resource, a user undergoes first and second biometric sampling to generate biometric data to be compared with the first and second biometric templates. |