| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08964687B2 |
Wireless communication base station equipment, wireless communication terminal device and search space setting method
Disclosed is wireless communication base station equipment in which CCE allocation can be flexibly performed without collision of ACK/NACK signals between a plurality of unit bands, even when wideband transmission is performed exclusively on a downlink circuit. In this equipment, an allocation unit (105) sets up mutually different search spaces for each of a plurality of downlink unit bands, with respect to wireless communication terminal devices that communicate using a plurality of downlink unit bands, and allocates resource allocation information of downlink circuit data destined for the wireless communication terminal devices to CCEs in mutually different search spaces for each of the plurality of downlink unit bands, and an ACK/NACK reception unit (119); extracts a response signal in respect of the downlink circuit data from the uplink control channel associated with the CCE to which the resource allocation information of this downlink circuit data was allocated. |
| US08964684B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing control information
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for a macro base station transmitting control information, comprising the following steps: transmitting to a pico base station assignment information regarding a first set of subframes with limited downlink signal transmission; transmitting to the pico base station assignment information regarding a second set of subframes which belong to a first set of subframes; and transmitting the control information by means of the first set of subframes, wherein the control information for the macro base station is transmitted from subframes in the first set of subframes which do not belong to the second set of subframes, and the control information for the pico base station is transmitted from the subframes in the first set of subframes which belong to the second set of subframes. |
| US08964683B2 |
Sounding signal in a multicarrier wireless device
A wireless device receives message(s) configuring cell groups and transmissions of sounding reference signals. n sounding reference signals are configured to be transmitted in a subframe (n>1). The wireless device transmits at least one packet on at least one first cell in symbols of the subframe. The symbols comprise the last symbol of the subframe. The wireless device transmits a k subset of the n sounding reference signals in the last symbol (1<=k |
| US08964682B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmission and reception of data streams in digital video broadcasting systems
A method of transmitting data in a wireless communication system is provided. The method comprises mapping service data onto a first set of multiple Physical Layer Pipes (PLPs), mapping the first set of multiple PLPs onto a first set of logical frames, wherein each of the first set of logical frames is of the same size, forming a first logical channel comprising the first set of logical frames, and transmitting the mapped service data over a target delivery system. |
| US08964678B2 |
Method implemented in an eNodeB base station
In some implementations, a method implemented in an eNodeB base station (eNB) for a single carrier frequency division multiple access SC-FDMA wireless system includes receiving an uplink control channel signal on an assigned scheduling request resource. A user ID is decoded from the received uplink control channel signal. A message assigning a portion of a resource of the wireless system to a UE associated with the decoded user ID is transmitted. |
| US08964677B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing FST to white space band
The present invention relates to a method for allowing a station (STA) operable in a plurality of frequency bands to perform a fast session transfer (FST) to a white space band in a wireless local area network (WLAN), and a station device therefore. When an FST is performed, if a band to which mobility is desired through the FST is a white space band, a multi-band element transmitted in an FST request message is suggested to additionally include particular white space information for available channel information acquisition, which is not used by a licensed user in the white space band. Said particular white space information may contain information that indicates whether a target channel is an available channel, and/or performance (apparatus type) in a white space band of a station that requests an FST. |
| US08964676B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting system information in a mobile communication system
A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting system information in a mobile communication system. The method includes configuring system information including first antenna configuration information and second antenna configuration information, and broadcasting the system information. The first antenna configuration information includes information about a number of antennas of a base station. |
| US08964668B2 |
Evolved allocation retention policy solution
The present invention relates to a solution for handling an evolved allocation and retention priority in a telecommunications network. The solution is based on obtaining an evolved ARP, obtaining an authorized ARP based on the evolved ARP, and transmitting this authorized ARP to nodes in the network. Furthermore, the authorized ARP may be included in information elements involved in mobility procedure messages. |
| US08964666B2 |
Method for controlling the data rate of a circuit switched voice application in an evolved wireless system
An apparatus and method of transmitting a circuit switched (CS) voice application via an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH), implemented in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The method includes receiving a grant; performing an E-TFC selection procedure based on the grant, wherein a number of bits that may be transmitted over an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) is determined, determining an adaptive multi-rate (AMR) codec bit-rate based on the number of bits that may be transmitted over the E-DCH, generating AMR voice packets based on the determined AMR codec bit rate, and submitting the AMR voice packets to lower layers for transmission over the E-DCH. |
| US08964664B2 |
System and method for association and uplink adaptation in a relay network
In a system for allocating resources of a wireless communication system power levels of downlink (DL) communication channels and coupling losses of uplink (UL) communication channels are determined. When the power level of the DL communication channel between a base station and a UA is greater than the power levels of the DL communication channels between each of a plurality of RNs and the UA, and the coupling losses of the UL communication channel between at least one of the RNs and the UA are less than the coupling losses of the UL communication channel between the base station and the UA, a DL communication channel resource on the base station to the UA, and a UL communication channel resource on the at least one of the plurality of RNs to the UA are allocated. |
| US08964662B2 |
Method and system for managing a body area network using a coordinator device
A method and system for managing a body area network using a coordinator device. The method includes acquiring a medical implant communication service (MICS) channel by an MICS transceiver in the coordinator device. The method also includes sending a signal, indicative of a wake-up process, in a non-MICS channel to an implant device and a command signal, indicative of joining a piconet, by the MICS transceiver to an implant device. Further, the method also includes receiving an acknowledgement signal by the MICS transceiver of the coordinator device based on the sending of the command signal to the implant device. The acknowledgement signal comprises a security control field. Furthermore, the method includes initiating security procedures based on the security control field. Further, the method also includes exchanging data between the coordinator device and the implant device based on the initiating and disassociating the implant device by sending a command message. |
| US08964661B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a slot format of a fractional dedicated physical control channel
A method for determining a slot format of an F-DPCH is disclosed in the present disclosure, including: a Node B using No.0 slot format of the F-DPCH as the slot format for transmitting information over the F-DPCH when detecting that a UE in CELL_FACH state or idle mode is using an E-DCH. An apparatus for determining a slot format of an F-DPCH is also disclosed. The present disclosure ensures that the slot format of the F-DPCH transmitted by the Node B is identical with that of the F-DPCH received by the UE, so that the UE can correctly receive the TPC bits carried on the F-DPCH, and thus the UE can use the TPC bits to implement inner loop power control. Therefore, the Node B can correctly receive the data information transmitted over an E-DPDCH. |
| US08964657B2 |
Apparatus and method for joint encoding of user specific reference signal information in wireless communication
An apparatus and method for providing encoded information pertaining to a user-specific reference signal associated with a user equipment in a multiple access wireless communication system are provided. The encoded information jointly indicates a rank of transmission together with at least one parameter relating to the user-specific reference signal, such as a set of antenna ports and a user-specific reference signal pattern. The encoded information is transmitted in a downlink control channel to reduce overhead in the channel. |
| US08964655B2 |
Cooperative traffic scheduling
To reduce and/or guarantee the round-trip delay of interactive processes, cooperative scheduling in forward and backward direction is proposed. In practice, a basic idea is to estimate the delay of packets of different users during network-based scheduling of packets in forward direction. During scheduling of packets in backward direction, packets of those users having larger delay in forward direction are given higher priority based on the estimated delay. In this way the total round-trip delay can be reduced and/or even guaranteed. This means that more users will be satisfied and experience faster connections to services. |
| US08964654B2 |
Avoidance of feedback collision in mobile communications
The invention relates to feedback transmission for data packets in a mobile communication system. In particular the invention provides a communication system wherein feedback information of a retransmission protocol for transmitted data packets is transmitted. Further, the invention relates to a method for determining radio resources for the transmission of feedback information of a retransmission protocol for transmitted data packets as well as to a base station and a mobile station performing the method. In order to prevent potential collisions of feedback information while omitting a destination identifier for identifying the receiver of the feedback, the feedback resources for sending the feedback are determined at least based on a current transmission counter for a packet. |
| US08964652B2 |
Method for enhancing of controlling radio resources, method for transmitting status report, and receiver in mobile communication system
A method for improving radio resources, a method for transmitting a status report, and a receiving apparatus (receiver) in a mobile communication system are disclosed. In transmitting a status report by a receiving side RLC, although data that has not been received (missing PDU) is discovered, the receiving side does not immediately request its retransmission but transmits the status report after the lapse of a certain time (namely, a time point at which a timer expires), to thus reduce radio resources consumed for transmission of the status report. |
| US08964651B2 |
Traffic management employing interference management messages
Various traffic management techniques may be employed in a multi-hop wireless communication system. For example, a decision to transmit data to another node may be based on whether that node is able to effectively transmit its data. A decision to transmit an interference management message may be based on the amount of data a parent node may transmit. A decision to transmit an interference management message may be based on how effectively data is being transmitted. A weight may be assigned for an interference management message based on a traffic scheduling policy. |
| US08964645B2 |
Apparatus and method for uplink synchronizing in multiple component carrier system
A user equipment (UE) of re-organizing a timing advance group (TAG) is provided. The UE comprises: a receiving unit for receiving, from a serving base station, secondary serving cell (SCell) configuration information which includes a first field and a second field, the first field including an ScellIndex of an SCell to indicate a removal of the SCell, the second field including at least one of the ScellIndex to indicate an addition of the SCell and a TAG ID indicating a TAG of the SCell, and a radio resource control (RRC) processing unit for performing the addition of the SCell after performing the removal of the SCell from one or more SCells configured in the UE, and for reorganizing the TAG by including the SCell in the TAG. |
| US08964641B2 |
System and method for transporting digital baseband streams in a network environment
A method is provided in example embodiments that include receiving a radio signal stream and segmenting the radio signal stream into segments. The segments may be packetized and transported in packets over a pseudowire in a packet-switched network. The radio signal stream can be reconstructed from the segments. In more particular embodiments, the pseudowire may be a multi-protocol label switching pseudowire or a layer 2 tunneling protocol pseudowire, for example. In yet other specific example embodiments, the radio signal stream may be received using a common public radio interface or a femtocell application programming interface. |
| US08964640B2 |
Hybrid beaconing method
Provided is a hybrid beaconing method in which a centralized beaconing scheme and a distributed beaconing scheme are combined. In the hybrid beaconing method, a beaconing scheme is converted according to a network condition, and a centralized beaconing scheme or a distributed beaconing scheme is used to maintain an optimum network status. |
| US08964637B2 |
Enabling local switching in mobile radio networks
When a new connection needs to be established in a mobile radio network between the core network and the radio access network to terminate a local circuit switched (CS) call, i.e. a CS call for which another connection has already been established between the core network and the same radio access network, the core network includes an optional information element containing “Other party information” in the messages that establish the new connection, allowing the radio access network to correlate the two connections, put them in direct communication and exclude the core network from the user plane data flow. |
| US08964633B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for authenticating subscriber communications at a network server
An apparatus for authenticating subscriber communications at a network server includes a determining element and an identification element in communication with the determining element. The determining element may be configured to receive an incoming message. The identification extractor may be configured to extract a device identifier and an address identifier from the incoming message. The determining element may be further configured to determine whether the device identifier and the address identifier of the incoming message match both a registered device identifier and a registered address identifier associated with the registered device identifier, respectively. |
| US08964626B2 |
Method for allocating backhaul link resources in relay communication system, and method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data using same
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving data in a relay communication system. The method and the apparatus allocate resources by dividing backhaul link resources into plural partitions, and then transmit and receive data. The data transmission method of the invention comprises the steps of: allocating a certain number of initial OFDM symbol transmission periods in a sub-frame of a downlink channel to a control channel that transfers the control information of the terminal, wherein data is transmitted from a base station to a relay or terminal through the downlink channel; dividing the resource blocks excluded from the control channel of the sub-frame into at least two partitions based on frequency domain; determining whether or not each divided partition is allocated to the relay or terminal as resources; and allocating data to the determined partition in order to transmit the partition to the relay or terminal through the downlink channel, wherein the partition determined for the allocation of resources to the relay is allocated to the relay through time division multiplexing (TDM) or frequency division multiplexing of both control and data channels of the relay. |
| US08964622B2 |
Cocktail party: side conversations and talking over in wireless mesh networks
The present disclosure proposes a method for minor modifications to the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) channel access mechanism in order to enable a greater number of concurrent communications in a unit area in compliance with the current protocol design. The method comprises equipping nodes with wider neighborhood information than what is obtained with IEEE 802.11, and with a device calibration that equips the device with the knowledge of its performance in the presence of interference. The present disclosure medium access mechanism increases the aggregate throughput with every additional concurrent communication that is enabled in the shared medium. Cocktail Party-capable devices can fairly coexist with 802.11 legacy DCF devices, and co-operate with these devices in the same network without changes to those devices or to the standard. The same or similar mechanisms can be applied to other systems and standards in order to enable concurrent communications in the same contention area. |
| US08964618B2 |
Method for transmitting and receiving frame performed by station operating in power save mode in wireless local area network system and apparatus for the same
A method for transmitting and receiving frames performed by a station (STA) in power save mode in a wireless local area network is provided. The method includes: transmitting a Power Save (PS) poll frame to an access point (AP) in a first 20 MHz channel; transmitting at least one duplicated PS poll frame to the AP in at least one second 20 MHz channel, the at least one duplicated PS poll frame being generated by duplicating the PS poll frame; and receiving a bufferable frame from the AP as a response of at least one of the PS poll frame and the at least one duplicated PS poll frame. |
| US08964617B2 |
Methods and devices for regulating power in wireless receiver circuits
Access terminals are adapted to regulate power in wireless receiver circuits. In one example, access terminals include a communications interface with at least one wireless receiver circuit. A processing circuit coupled with the communications interface can receive a transmission during a Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH) frame. Following the received transmission, at least a portion of the receiver circuit may be powered down. A determination may also be made whether the received transmission was reliable. The receiver circuit can subsequently be powered up, and another transmission can be received on a subsequent channel. When the received transmission was sufficiently reliable, the other transmission may be a transmission during a Synchronization Channel (SCH) frame. When the received transmission is not sufficiently reliable, the other transmission may be another transmission received during a subsequent Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH) frame. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. |
| US08964612B2 |
Communication apparatus belonging to a plurality of networks, method for controlling the same, to reduce poweron consumption
A communication apparatus includes a participation unit, a formation unit, a management unit, and a notification unit. The participation unit participates in a first network formed by a first base station. The formation unit forms a second network as a second base station. The management unit manages a power mode of another communication apparatus participating in the second network. Moreover, when the participation unit participates in the first network and the formation unit forms the second network, the notification unit notifies the first base station of a change of a power mode of the communication apparatus according to the power mode managed by the management unit. |
| US08964610B2 |
System and method of reducing factory program time for wireless devices
A system and method of booting a wireless device is disclosed and may include reading a factory test mode memory item when the wireless device is powered on, determining whether the factory test mode memory item is set to yes, and preventing an operating system of the wireless device from booting when the factory test mode memory item is set to yes. The system and method may further include remaining in a boot loader mode, enumerating a port as a diagnostic serial port, and receiving one or more diagnostic packets. Moreover, the system and method may include allowing the operating system of the wireless device to boot when the factory test mode memory item is set to no. |
| US08964609B2 |
System and method for coordinating half-duplex communications protocols
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for operating a user agent (UA) and access device located within a communications cell according to a half-duplex (HD), frequency-division duplexing (FDD) protocol. The system and method are designed to accommodate a guard period (GP) between downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) communications from the UA, while addressing the loss of at least part of the DL communication before a subsequent UL subframe to accommodate the GP. |
| US08964607B2 |
Communication system, communication apparatus, and communication method
A communication apparatus to be used for a newer system employing an FDD scheme in an area where an older system and the newer system coexist. The communication apparatus includes a first communication unit communicating at least a downlink data channel of the newer system using a frequency band belonging to a first frequency range (3.4-3.8 GHz); and a second communication unit communicating at least an uplink control channel of the newer system using a frequency band belonging to a second frequency range (2 GHz band) lower than the first frequency range. The second frequency range is used for uplink and downlink communications in the older system. |
| US08964606B2 |
Centralized channel selection method and apparatus for wireless networks in a dense deployment environment
A method and apparatus are described including scanning a channel, generating a report for the scanned channel, transmitting the channel report to an associated access point and receiving a channel assignment responsive to said channel report. Also described are a method and apparatus including scanning a channel, generating a first channel report, receiving a second channel report from an associated client, transmitting the first channel report and the second channel report to a server, receiving a channel assignment message from the server responsive to the first and second channel reports and transmitting the channel assignment message to the associated client. Further described are a method and apparatus including receiving a channel report from an associated access point, building an interference graph responsive to the channel report, determining channel assignments based on the interference graph and transmitting a channel assignment message to the associated access point. |
| US08964600B2 |
Methods of forming virtual network overlays
Methods are provided for overlaying a virtual network on a physical network in a data center environment. An overlay system is arranged in an overlay virtual network to include an overlay agent and an overlay helper. The overlay agent is implemented in an access switch. The overlay helper is implemented in an end station that is in communication with the access switch. Overlay parameters in compliance with an in-band protocol are transmitted between the overlay agent and the overlay helper. |
| US08964597B2 |
Method for exchange of routing messages in a wireless meshed communication network
In a method for exchanging routing messages in a wireless meshed communication network with network nodes and a root node, a routing tree is set up with data transmission paths. The root node sends routing requests at regular time intervals to set up the paths, wherein a request contains a specification for a first bidirectional path mode or a second unidirectional path mode. At a respective node, a first field is used to indicate a first or a second node state. If, upon receipt of a request, the first field is in the first state, a routing response is always sent and otherwise not. Next, the node checks the mode specified in the request, ensuring that the respective mode is set. In case of a node to root data transmission, a node also ensures that the first field of the respective network node is in the first state. |
| US08964595B2 |
Quality of experience enhancement for wireless networks based on received signal strength at a mobile device
Techniques are disclosed for network and/or evaluation and selection based on received signal strength at a device. For example, an received signal strength indicator (RSSI) can be measured (e.g., using Android API or other suitable methods). Then, the measured RSSI level can be compared against a threshold RSSI level, which can be determined on a device-by-device basis. In some embodiments, the RSSI values can assist the network evaluation and selection in certain situations, for example, where WiFi network quality is degraded because of locational movement and not backbone structure, and/or where there are multiple access points (APs) providing WiFi networks under the same SSID and each AP having different effective coverage. Further, in some embodiments, the RSSI values can provide the capabilities of WiFi AP suspension based on MAC addresses. In some embodiments, the RSSI values can be adopted to trigger QoE measurements. |
| US08964594B2 |
Network processor unit and a method for a network processor unit
A method of and a network processor unit for processing of packets in a network, the network processor comprising: communication interface configured to receive and transmit packets; at least one processing means for processing packets or parts thereof; an embedded switch configured to switch packets between the communication interface and the processing means; and wherein the embedded switch is configured to analyze a received packet and to determine whether the packet should be dropped or not; if the packet should not be dropped, the switch is configured to store the received packet, to send a first part of the packet to the processing means for processing thereof, to receive the processed first part of the packet from the processing means, and to transmit the processed first part of the packet. |
| US08964593B2 |
Wireless device transmission power
A wireless device transmits a first packet in subframe n of a first cell of a first cell group and transmits a second packet in subframe n+1 of a second cell of a second cell group overlapping in time with the transmission of the first packet. The wireless device reduces a subframe transmission power of at least one of the first packet and the second packet if a power parameter is more than an allowable transmission power. A calculation for the power parameter considers transmission power of the first packet and the second packet according to a pre-configured rule. |
| US08964592B2 |
Wireless terminal device, wireless communication system and control method for wireless terminal device
A wireless terminal device includes: a processor connected to a memory, configured to: acquire an estimated reception sensitivity of the wireless terminal device based on reception powers from a plurality of other wireless terminal devices with which the wireless terminal device performs random access communication, notify the other wireless terminal devices of the estimated reception sensitivity of the wireless terminal device, and select a transmission destination from among the other wireless terminal devices based on requested reception powers of the other wireless terminal devices, the requested reception powers being calculated based on estimated reception sensitivities of the other wireless terminal devices notified from the other wireless terminal devices. |
| US08964591B2 |
Method and device for transmitting/receiving channel state information in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and device for transmitting/receiving channel state information (CSI). A method for a terminal for transmitting CSI according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a first step of receiving a reference signal for channel measurement from a base station; a second step of generating sub-band (SB) CSI for each of a plurality of SBs using the received reference signal in the terminal and sequentially transmitting the generated SB CSI to a base station; and a third step of sequentially transmitting each SB CSI to a base station according to an order different from that of the sequential transmission. |
| US08964590B2 |
Random access mechanism for a wireless device and base station
A wireless device receives at least one control message configuring a plurality of cell groups and a pathloss reference for each secondary cell in at least one secondary cell. The wireless device transmits uplink signals to a base station in a first secondary cell in a secondary cell group. Transmission power of the uplink signals is determined employing a received power of the pathloss reference assigned to the first secondary cell. Timing of the uplink signals in the secondary cell group employs a second synchronization signal on an active secondary cell in the secondary cell group as a secondary timing reference. |
| US08964589B2 |
Method and device for obtaining carrier information and carrier information indication
A method and device for obtaining carrier information and carrier information indication include: a user equipment obtains parameters of uplink carrier information according to the message sent by a network side in broadcast manner, or, the user equipment obtains parameters of uplink carrier information according to the preset information. Time Division Duplex wireless communication system with asymmetry uplink frequency band and downlink frequency band can be supported effectively, guard frequency band near the intersection occurred when the adjacent frequencies coexist is utilized fully, and frequency spectrum utilization rate is improved; further more, Time Division Duplex wireless communication system with unequal uplink band width and downlink band width can be supported, and the application of the Time Division Duplex system is expanded effectively. |
| US08964584B2 |
Communication terminal and cluster monitoring method
It is an object to provide a communication terminal capable of determining a cluster formation so as to promptly perform addition of a participant terminal, while maintaining the quality of a stream relay path. Cluster monitoring terminal (430) is an apparatus to determine a cluster formation in a network performing packet transfer according to terminal relay-type multipoint communication, and includes: a cluster quality calculation section (432) for acquiring cluster quality representing a small loss in a packet to be received, per a cluster; a cluster sustainability calculation section (433) for acquiring cluster sustainability representing ease of acceptance of a participant terminal, per a cluster; and cluster division/integration analysis section (434) for determining cluster division with respect to a cluster having low cluster quality, and determining integration with other cluster with respect to a cluster having high cluster quality and low cluster sustainability. |
| US08964579B2 |
Method for positioning user equipment in a wireless mobile communication system, and apparatus for performing the method
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to an apparatus for positioning a user equipment and method thereof. The present invention includes receiving, from a plurality of base stations including a serving cell, a predetermined number of consecutive positioning subframes in a radio frame at a predetermined period, each of the consecutive positioning subframe including a reference signal, measuring a time of arrival of the positioning subframes by using the reference signal, and transmitting a result of the measured time of arrival of the positioning subframe to the serving cell, wherein the predetermined period is set to be larger than a generation period of the reference signal and wherein sequences of the reference signals included in the consecutive positioning subframes are different from each other. |
| US08964575B2 |
Video-communication in mobile networks
A video-communication service in a mobile communication network using a packet-switched connection, in which a monitoring of a radio channel portion is performed at the mobile stations of the users involved in the communication. Parameters of the video communication (e.g. the coding rate) are adjusted based on a result of the monitoring of the radio channel portion. |
| US08964570B2 |
Detecting failures of backup label switched paths in a network environment
A method is provided in one example and includes communicating a first request message to a first network element functioning as a point of local repair for a backup label switched path. The first request message includes a first network address having a predetermined value and an indication of a forwarding equivalence class associated with the backup label switched path. The method further includes receiving a first reply message from the first network element. The first reply message includes at least one backup path parameter associated with the backup label switched path. |
| US08964568B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for managing IP addresses and network traffic in wireless networks
Systems, methods and apparatus described herein include features that enable efficient management of keep-alive messages utilized to maintain IP addresses and/or PDN connections associated with idle data traffic channels. An access terminal may consolidate keep-alive messages for idle data traffic channels, reducing the number of keep-alive messages transmitted. An access terminal may select which idle data traffic channels to maintain, and may transmit a consolidated keep-alive message for associated IP addresses and/or PDN connections. Timers may be associated with PDN connections and sub-timers may be associated with IP addresses associated with a PDN connection. Keep-alive messages can be consolidated based on the timers, sub-timers and/or combination of timers and sub-timers. In a complementary method, a PDN gateway or other network node cooperates with access terminals to reduce network traffic. In another complementary method, the PDN gateway or other network node synchronizes the timers and/or sub-timers provided with an access terminal. |
| US08964567B2 |
Wireless synchronization testing
A testing sequence is disclosed for testing a wireless media synchronization connection between a computing device and a mobile device. A first test message comprising a first test ID may be sent from a computing device to a mobile device over a test communication channel. The computing device may then receive from the mobile device one or more packets containing a second test ID and an indication of a wireless synchronization protocol over a wireless synchronization channel. If a connection is established with the mobile device using the wireless synchronization protocol, a second test message may be sent to the mobile device using the wireless synchronization protocol, and the mobile device may be monitored by the computing device over the test communication channel for reception of the second test message. |
| US08964562B2 |
Flow control methods and systems for use with a wireless network
An exemplary method includes an interface device 1) detecting a request provided by a user device for a server to transmit data to the user device by way of a base station and a wireless network that connects the user device to the base station, 2) pre-fetching, in response to the request, the data from the server, 3) transmitting the pre-fetched data to the base station for forwarding by the base station to the user device by way of the wireless network, 4) dynamically receiving, as the interface system transmits the pre-fetched data to the base station, queue occupancy information from the base station, and 5) using the queue occupancy information to perform flow control with respect to the transmission of the pre-fetched data by the interface system to the base station. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US08964561B2 |
Method and apparatus for signaling sequence root
A first access node of a first network utilizes code sequences, assigned to different user devices, to distinguish at least acknowledgements received in parallel or sequentially from those user devices. The first access node determines from received signaling that a root sequence of the code sequences is in use by a second access node of a second network, then changes that root sequence of the code sequences assigned to the different user devices. In certain examples the access nodes are WLAN access points APs and the acknowledgements are received in response to a group probe/poll. In various embodiments the first AP monitors its neighbors' group probes/polls to learn the root sequences/basic service sets in use in those neighbor networks, or the AP's own stations monitor and send the information in neighbor reports. This latter option can be initiated by the stations themselves, or by the AP. |
| US08964559B2 |
Deadlock prevention in direct networks of arbitrary topology
Aspects of the invention pertain to routing packets in a computer system while avoiding deadlock. A turn rule is set according to unique identifiers associated with switches in the system. Numeric values of switches in possible turns are compared to determine whether a turn is permissible. The rule applies to all nodes in the system. The rule may be violated when using virtual channels. Here, a violation is permissible when using monotonically increasing virtual channel numbers or monotonically decreasing virtual channel numbers. Alternatively, the violations of the turn rule may be allowed if they force a packet to change to a later virtual channel in some fixed ordering of virtual channels. Deadlock can thus be avoided in many different types of architectures, including mesh, torus, butterfly and flattened butterfly configurations. |
| US08964558B2 |
Transmission control method and communication apparatus
A transmission control method performed in a communication apparatus, the transmission control method including: receiving a packet from a counterparty apparatus, measuring a quality of communication with the counterparty apparatus and the fluctuation amount of the quality, controlling a transmission so as to transmit a packet to the counterparty apparatus when the fluctuation amount is relatively large in accordance with a first level and the quality is relatively high in accordance with a second level, and not to transmit a packet to the counterparty apparatus when the fluctuation amount is relatively large in accordance with the first level and the quality is relatively low in accordance with the second level. |
| US08964555B1 |
Data network with constrained switch transmission rates
A data network includes a plurality of end systems; a plurality of line data buses connected to the end systems; and a plurality of switches connected to the line data buses and to other switches via trunk data buses to define a star topology. The switches and end systems are configured to operate asynchronously. Each switch includes a number of packet schedulers for managing the transmission of received data flow. A number of effective line rate utilization mechanisms are each associated with a respective packet scheduler for providing the service rate of that packet scheduler. Switch egress ports transmit the received data flow. Each switch egress port has a defined configured effective transmission rate. Each effective line rate utilization mechanism reduces the utilization rate to the defined configured effective transmission rate. |
| US08964554B2 |
Tunnel acceleration for wireless access points
A method and system for network offloading includes receiving a packet at a communication interface of a wireless access point and processing the packet at a flow acceleration processor prior to processing the packet at a host processor. The flow acceleration processor may process the packet for header checking or security processing. The flow acceleration processor may provide the packet to a security coprocessor for security processing. The flow acceleration processor may generate a result code indicating whether the processing at the flow acceleration processor was successful. If the processing was unsuccessful, the packet is provided to the host processor for exception processing. |
| US08964552B2 |
Base station, method for controlling base station, control program, and mobile station
To provide a base station in which an electric power consumed in the base station can be suppressed and an electromagnetic wave interference between the base stations can be avoided, a method for controlling a base station, a control program, and a mobile station. The base station includes storage means, traffic history generation means for measuring a traffic of the base station for each unit time and storing it in the storage means as a traffic history, and control means for controlling transmission of a control signal based on the traffic history. |
| US08964551B2 |
HSPA relative bit-rate AIMD-based QoS profiling
A method is disclosed for controlling, according to an additive increase multiplicative decrease (AIMD) principle, the bandwidth sharing among contending traffic flows over a transport network between a radio network controller and a radio base station. According to the method, a relative bit-rate (RBR) is determined (210) for each traffic flow; and the bit-rates of said traffic flows are controlled (220) such that additive increase operations of said AIMD principle depend on the respective RBR of each traffic flow. Embodiments of the invention strive at supporting Gold, Silver and Bronze HSDPA and/or EUL bit-rate subscriptions over a single TN QoS class. |
| US08964546B1 |
Indirect measurement of user traffic on links
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for measuring the traffic flow on a link. The system includes a processor that is configured to generate aggregate egress data for multiple origin endpoints by aggregating amounts of egress traffic detected by servers processing the egress traffic at the origin endpoints. The processor is also configured to obtain the proportions of traffic flows that traverse each path between each endpoint pair, which includes an origin endpoint and a destination endpoint. Each path includes multiple network links such that a single network link may be shared across multiple paths. Finally, the processor computes an amount of traffic flow on a shared link based on the aggregate egress data and the obtained proportions. |
| US08964545B2 |
Mobile node entry at radio access arrangement restart
The invention relates to communication between mobile nodes and/or node arrangements in wireless communication networks. In particular, the invention relates to a method in a radio access arrangement for improving the balance between the capacity allocated to initial access for network entry and the capacity allocated to payloads in the radio access arrangement. The radio access arrangement is configured to operatively communicate with a plurality of mobile nodes via an air interface. First, an initial access capacity is set to a value (S2), and then a current initial access load is obtained (S3). The next step is to increase (S7) the initial access capacity provided by the radio access arrangement (212, 312) if the current initial access load exceeds a predetermined upper limit (S4). |
| US08964542B1 |
Method and apparatus for packet processing
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for processing packet with a reduced hardware cost. The method for processing packet can include selecting a group of parameter ranges based on information contained within a packet, determining a search key based on the packet and whether a parameter of the packet is within one or more of the parameter ranges, determining a rule based on the search key corresponding to the packet and the group of parameter ranges, and executing an action that is associated with the rule on the packet. In addition, the disclosure provides an apparatus for processing packet. Further, the disclosure provides a packet switching device that can apply policy on a packet based on parameters of the packet and ranges among a group of ranges, within which a parameter of the packet belongs. |
| US08964541B1 |
Method and system for using supplemental channels for a communication session
During an initial part of a communication session, a transmitting node transmits digital data over a first air interface channel to a receiving node, using a first data rate and a first level of repetition. A degradation in quality of the communication session is detected. During a subsequent part of the communication session, the transmitting node transmits digital data over the first air interface channel as before but also transmits the digital data over a second air interface channel, using a second data rate and a second level of repetition. The second data rate is higher than the first data rate, and the second level of repetition is higher than the first level of repetition. Thus, during a given transmission period, the transmitting node may transmit a voice frame once over the first air interface channel and N times over the second air interface channel. |
| US08964540B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically allocating upstream bandwidth in passive optical networks
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates dynamic allocation of upstream bandwidth in a passive optical network which includes a central node and at least one remote node. Each remote node is coupled to at least one logical entity, which corresponds to a device or a user, that transmits upstream data to the central node and receives downstream data from the central node. The central node is coupled to an external network outside of the passive optical network through a shared out-going uplink. |
| US08964536B2 |
Apparatus and method for dynamic load balancing in a multi-carrier wireless communication system
An apparatus and method enables a dynamic change from one carrier to another in a wireless telecommunication system. In one example, user equipment receives a preconfiguration message adapted to enable the user equipment to be preconfigured for an initial carrier and a subsequent carrier. Here, the user equipment initially communicates over an air interface utilizing the initial carrier frequency. Upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, such as one of the initial carriers being heavily loaded or nearing its capacity, a Node B provides an order to the user equipment to switch from its initial carrier to the secondary carrier, which was preconfigured. In this way, relatively rapid carrier switching provides for enhanced load balancing largely controlled by the Node B. |
| US08964533B2 |
Method and system for providing mobile wireless call failover
An approach for call failover to a packetized voice session is described. Impending signal failure is detected on a cellular link supporting a cellular call with a user device. A failover procedure is initiated in response to the detection, wherein the failover procedure includes detecting presence of a wireless data connection, and terminating the cellular call and concurrently activating a voice call application to establish a packetized voice session over the wireless data connection with the user device. |
| US08964532B2 |
Wireless communication device including a standby radio
A wireless communication device includes more than one radio. A lossless switching module allows for selectively using one of the radios in a standby mode. The switching module allows for switching in the standby radio in the event that another radio fails without introducing any loss. In disclosed examples, switching module inputs coupled with inactive or failed radio output ports are coupled to an impedance corresponding to the associated radio. Disclosed examples are also useful for combining the outputs of more than one radio under selected circumstances. |
| US08964528B2 |
Method and apparatus for robust packet distribution among hierarchical managed switching elements
For a network that includes several managed edge switching elements and several managed non-edge switching elements that are for implementing a logical switching element, some embodiments provide a method of distributing packet processing across the several managed non-edge switching elements. The method receives a packet for processing through the logical switching element. Based on a determination that the packet needs to be processed by a managed non-edge switching element, the method determines a particular managed non-edge switching element of the several managed non-edge switching elements to forward the packet. The method forwards the packet to the particular managed non-edge switching element for the particular managed non-edge switching element to process the packet. |
| US08964527B2 |
Maintaining a communication path from a host to a storage subsystem in a network
Provided are a method, system, computer storage device, and storage area network for maintaining a communication path from a host to a storage subsystem in a network. A storage subsystem controls data transfer and access to a storage devices in a network including a switch and a host. A topological storage stores topological coupling relationship between the host and the switch and a topological coupling relationship between the switch and the storage subsystem. In response to determining a failed path, the storage subsystem determines a first port on the storage subsystem in the failed path. The storage subsystem determines from the topology storage the topological coupling relationships between the host and the switch and the switch and the storage subsystem. The storage subsystem redirects, based on the topological coupling relationships, a message sent to the first port of the storage subsystem to an operational second port in the storage subsystem. |
| US08964522B2 |
Method and apparatus for communicating orthogonal pilot tones in a multiple antenna communication system
Methods and apparatus are provided for communicating pseudo-orthogonal pilot tones in a multiple antenna communication system. Data is transmitted in a multiple antenna communication system having N transmit antennas by generating a number of pilot tones for each of the N transmit antennas, wherein the pilot tones for each of the N transmit antennas are pseudo-orthogonal with each other; and transmitting the data on each of the N transmit antennas. The pilot tones are generally embedded in the data. Data is received in a multiple antenna communication system having N transmit antennas by receiving the data on each of the N transmit antennas, wherein the data includes a number of pilot tones for each of the N transmit antennas, wherein the pilot tones for each of the N transmit antennas are pseudo-orthogonal with each other. The pilot tones can be orthogonal in the frequency domain, time domain, spatial domain, or all of them. |
| US08964519B2 |
Optical information recording and reproduction device, optical information recording device, method for recording and reproducing optical information and optical information recording medium
The present invention provides a technology which estimates the most suitable cure time which changes with the environment when recording a hologram and adjusts the cure time in real time, thereby enabling a suitable pre-cure or post-cure. When irradiating an optical information recording medium with cure light, the light transmitted from the optical information recording medium is detected by a detector and the irradiation time is adjusted by continuing irradiation until the intensity of the transmitted light detected exceeds a prescribed reference value. |
| US08964514B2 |
Plasmon generator and thermally-assisted magnetic recording head having the same
A plasmon-generator of the invention is configured to include a first configuration member including a near-field light generating end surface; and a second configuration member joined and integrated with the first configuration member and not including the near-field light generating end surface. The first configuration member is configured to contain Au as a primary component and to contain any one or more elements selected from a group of Co, Fe, Sb, Nb, Zr, Ti, Hf, and Ta, and is configured so that a content percentage X1 of the contained element is within a range between 0.2 at % or more and 2.0 at % or less. Thereby, thermostability, optical characteristic, and the process stability are satisfied. Also, heat dissipation and heat generation suppression effect are extremely superior. |
| US08964512B2 |
Exterior element for a wristwatch
A wristwatch includes a bezel, a series connected photovoltaic cell, a rechargeable battery, and an electronic device. The bezel defines an internal volume, which houses the photovoltaic cell, the rechargeable battery, and the electronic device. |
| US08964504B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating a cemented borehole casing
A method of evaluating a cased borehole in an earth formation includes: emitting at least one acoustic signal into the borehole via an acoustic source and detecting a return acoustic signal via an acoustic sensor, the borehole including a casing and a casing support material disposed between the casing and a borehole wall; emitting a neutron flux via a neutron source into the borehole and detecting a radiation signal via a radiation detector, the radiation signal including induced gamma radiation resulting from neutron interactions; and identifying a casing support material characteristic based on the return acoustic signal and the radiation signal. |
| US08964498B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing peak power consumption in a solid state drive controller
In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, systems and methods are provided for reducing an amount of peak power consumption in a device. In certain implementations, a first signal and a second signal are received, wherein the first signal and the second signal are indicative of amounts of power consumption in a device. The first signal is combined with the second signal to generate a combined signal, and at least a portion of the second signal is shifted in time to cause a combination of the first signal and the shifted portion to have a peak amplitude less than a peak amplitude of the combined signal. |
| US08964497B2 |
Bit line sense amplifier and layout method therefor
A bit line sense amplifier and a layout method therefor which can reduce coupling capacitance. The bit line sense amplifier is disposed between a first memory cell block and a second memory cell block adjacent to the first memory cell block and configured to include first and third switching elements substantially symmetrically formed in a first direction so that the drain terminals of the first and third switching elements face each other, second and fourth switching elements substantially symmetrically formed in the first direction so that the drain terminals of the second and fourth switching elements face each other, a first line configured to electrically couple the gate terminal of the first switching element and the drain terminal of the second switching element, and a second line configured to electrically couple the gate terminal of the third switching element and the drain terminal of the fourth switching element. |
| US08964496B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for performing compare operations using sensing circuitry
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to performing compare and/or report operations using sensing circuitry. An example method can include charging an input/output (IO) line of a memory array to a voltage. The method can include determining whether data stored in the memory array matches a compare value. The determination of whether data stored matches a compare value can include activating a number of access lines of the memory array. The determination can include sensing a number of memory cells coupled to the number of access lines. The determination can include sensing whether the voltage of the IO line changes in response to activation of selected decode lines corresponding to the number of memory cells. |
| US08964495B2 |
Memory operation upon failure of one of two paired memory devices
A method and apparatus for continued operation of a memory module, including a first and second memory device, when one of memory devices has failed. The method includes receiving a write operation request to write a data word, having first and second sections, by a first memory module. The memory module may have a first memory device and a second memory device, for respectively storing the first and second sections of the data word. A determination if one of the first and second memory devices is inoperable is made. If one of the first and second memory devices is inoperable, a write operation is performed by writing the first and second sections of the data word to the operable one of the first and second memory devices. |
| US08964491B2 |
Graphene-based memory devices and methods therefor
Memory technology adapted to store data in a binary format. Such technology includes a semiconductor memory device having memory cells, each having a substrate and at least three graphene layers that are oriented to define a graphene stack disposed in a plane. The graphene stack of each memory cell is connected to a bit line and to a ground connection so that a conductive path is defined in the plane of the graphene stack. The in-plane conductivity of the graphene stack of each memory cell is altered during programming of the memory cell to define a binary value of bits stored in the memory cell. |
| US08964490B2 |
Write driver circuit with low voltage bootstrapping for write assist
Embodiments of a memory are disclosed that may allow for a negative boost of data lines during a write. The memory device may include a data input circuit, an address decode circuit and a plurality of sub-arrays. Each of the sub-arrays may include a plurality of columns, a write selection circuit, a first write driver circuit, a second write driver circuit, and a boost circuit. Each of the columns may include a plurality of data storage cells. The write selection circuit may select a column of the plurality of columns. Each of the write driver circuits may be configured to discharge a data line of a selected column into a common node. The boost circuit may be configured to initialize the common node to the first voltage level and couple the common node to a second voltage level, where the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level. |
| US08964488B2 |
Non-volatile memory device using variable resistance element with an improved write performance
A non-volatile memory device using a variable resistive element is provided. The non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, a first voltage generator configured to generate a first voltage, a voltage pad configured to receive an external voltage that has a level higher than the first voltage, a write driver configured to be supplied with the external voltage and configured to write data to the plurality of non-volatile memory cells selected from the memory cell array; a sense amplifier configured to be supplied with the external voltage and configured to read data from the plurality of non-volatile memory cells selected from the memory cell array, and a row decoder and a column decoder configured to select the plurality of non-volatile memory cells included in the memory cell array, the row decoder being supplied with the first voltage and the column decoder being supplied with the external voltage. |
| US08964487B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of word lines intersecting each other and a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells; and a page buffer for each bit line including a latch configured to store one of data to be written to a first nonvolatile memory cell selected by each word line and data read from the first nonvolatile memory cell, wherein before reading out data, the page buffer configured to store in a replica capacitor a voltage value of a word line adjacent to the selected word line when a second nonvolatile memory cell is turned on, the replica capacitor including a first capacitor and a second capacitor connected in parallel, and the page buffer is configured to vary when the latch judges the data from the first nonvolatile memory cell according to the voltage value. |
| US08964486B2 |
Semiconductor device and operating method thereof
A semiconductor memory device and an operating method thereof are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells; and a peripheral circuit programming first, second, third, and fourth memory cells connected to one word line and successively arranged, among the plurality of memory cells, wherein the peripheral circuit is configured to program the first and fourth memory cells in a first interval and program the second and third memory cells in a second interval. A semiconductor memory device having enhanced performance characteristics and an operating method thereof are provided. |
| US08964485B2 |
Memory circuit with transistors having different threshold voltages and method of operating the memory circuit
A memory circuit includes a memory cell, a data line coupled to the memory cell, a sense amplifier having an input terminal, a precharge circuit coupled to the input terminal of the sense amplifier, a first transistor of a first type, and a second transistor of the first type. The first transistor is coupled between the input terminal of the sense amplifier and the data line, and the second transistor is coupled between to the input terminal of the sense amplifier and the data line. The first transistor has a first threshold voltage, and the second transistor has a second threshold voltage lower than the first threshold voltage. |
| US08964482B2 |
Dynamic healing of non-volatile memory cells
Methods and systems are disclosed for dynamic healing of non-volatile memory (NVM) cells within NVM systems. The dynamic healing embodiments described herein relax damage within tunnel dielectric layers for NVM cells that occurs over time from charges (e.g., holes and/or electrons) becoming trapped within these tunnel dielectric layers. NVM operations with respect to which dynamic healing processes can be applied include, for example, erase operations, program operations, and read operations. For example, dynamic healing can be applied where performance for the NVM system degrades beyond a selected performance level for an NVM operation, such as elevated erase/program pulse counts for erase/program operations and bit errors for read operations. A variety of healing techniques can be applied, such as drain stress processes, gate stress processes, and/or other desired healing techniques. |
| US08964479B2 |
Techniques for sensing a semiconductor memory device
Techniques for sensing a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a semiconductor memory device comprising a plurality of memory cells arranged in an array of rows and columns and data sense amplifier circuitry coupled to at least one of the plurality of memory cells. The data sense amplifier circuitry may comprise first amplifier circuitry and resistive circuitry, wherein the first amplifier circuitry and the resistive circuitry may form a feedback loop. |
| US08964477B2 |
Nonvolatile memory, electronic apparatus, and verification method
A gate voltage generator which supplies first gate voltage at erase verify time to a first selected word line to which a first memory cell included in N memory cells is connected, which supplies the first gate voltage at the erase verify time to a second selected word line to which a first reference cell included in M reference cells is connected, which supplies second gate voltage at the erase verify time to a first non-selected word line connected to a memory cell array, and which supplies third gate voltage at the erase verify time to a second non-selected word line connected to a reference cell array is included. An electric current which flows through a reference cell connected to the second non-selected word line is stronger than an electric current which flows through a memory cell connected to the first non-selected word line. |
| US08964470B2 |
Method and architecture for improving defect detectability, coupling area, and flexibility of NVSRAM cells and arrays
Several preferred embodiments of 1S1F 16T NVSRAM, 1S1F 20T NVSRAM, 1S2F 22T NVSRAM, 1S2F 14T NVSRAM cells are proposed, regardless of 1-poly, 2-poly, PMOS or NOS flash cell structures. Two separate sourcelines for the paired flash Strings are also proposed for easy adding ability for the NVSRAM circuit to detect the marginally erased Vt0 and marginally programmed Vt1 of the paired flash cell. By increasing an resistance added to common SRAM power line, the pull-down current through flash Strings to grounding source line can be made much larger than the pull-up current to improve SFwrite program operation. Simple method by increasing flash cell channel length to effectively enhance coupling area is applied to secure SRAM-to-Flash store operation under self-boost-program-inhibit scheme. 1S2F architecture also provide flexibility for alternate erasing and programming during both a recall and store operation. |
| US08964465B2 |
Fractional bits in memory cells
Methods, devices, modules, and systems for programming memory cells can include storing charges corresponding to a data state that represents an integer number of bits in a set of memory cells. Programming memory cells can include storing a charge in a cell of the set, where the charge corresponds to a programmed state, where the programmed state represents a fractional number of bits, and where the programmed state denotes a digit of the data state as expressed by a number in base N, where N is equal to 2B, rounded up to an integer, and where B is equal to the fractional number of bits represented by the programmed state. |
| US08964464B2 |
System and method for accelerated sampling
A system and method for reading memory cells in a multi-level cell memory device. A set of thresholds may be received for reading a current page of the memory cells. The set of threshold may include hard decision thresholds for hard decoding, soft decision thresholds for soft decoding, erase thresholds for erase decoding and/or other combinations of thresholds. The set of thresholds may be divided into a plurality of groups of thresholds. The current page may be simultaneously read using multiple thresholds, where each of the multiple thresholds is divided into a different group of thresholds. |
| US08964458B2 |
Differential MRAM structure with relatively reversed magnetic tunnel junction elements enabling writing using same polarity current
A magnetoresistive memory has first and second magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) elements operated differentially, each with a pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer that can have field alignments that are parallel or anti-parallel, producing differential high and low resistance states representing a bit cell value. Writing a high resistance state to an element requires an opposite write current polarity through the pinned and free layers, and differential operation requires that the two MTJ elements be written to different resistance states. One aspect is to arrange or connect the layers in normal and reverse order relative to a current bias source, thereby achieving opposite write current polarities relative to the layers using the same current polarity relative to the current bias source. The differentially operated MTJ elements can supplement or replace single MTJ elements in a nonvolatile memory bit cell array. |
| US08964456B2 |
Semiconductor memory with similar RAM and ROM cells
A semiconductor memory includes an array of volatile memory cells, wherein one of the volatile memory cells has transistors connected in a first memory cell circuit, and at least one non-volatile memory cell having transistors connected in a second memory cell circuit, wherein the transistors in the first memory cell circuit are at least one more than the transistors in the second memory cell circuit. |
| US08964455B2 |
Structure and method for a SRAM circuit
The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit formed in a semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit includes a first static random access memory (SRAM) cell having a first cell size; and a second SRAM cell having a second cell size greater than the first cell size. The first SRAM cell includes first n-type field effect transistors (nFETs) each having a first gate stack. The second SRAM cell includes second nFETs each having a second gate stack different from the first gate stack. |
| US08964452B2 |
Programmable resistance-modulated write assist for a memory device
Providing for improved write processes of a semiconductor memory are disclosed herein. By way of example, a programmable write assist can be provided that includes partially discharging a supply voltage applied to a memory cell. Partially discharging the supply voltage can improve write speeds to the memory cell, as well as improve reliability of the write process. A write assist circuit can cause the discharging in response to a resistance-modulated signal. Moreover, the resistance-modulated signal can be configured to control an amount or speed of the discharging of the supply voltage. Further, modulation control can be provided to mitigate discharging of the supply voltage beyond a target level, to reduce data loss in a target data cell or an adjacent data cell. |
| US08964450B2 |
Memory device and signal processing circuit
A memory device which can keep a stored logic state even when the power is off is provided. A signal processing circuit including the memory device, which achieves low power consumption by stopping supply of power, is provided. The memory device includes a logic circuit including a first node, a second node, a third node, and a fourth node; a first control circuit connected to the first node, the second node, and the third node; a second control circuit connected to the first node, the second node, and the fourth node; a first memory circuit connected to the first node, the first control circuit, and the second control circuit; and a second memory circuit connected to the second node, the first control circuit, and the second control circuit. |
| US08964448B2 |
Memory cells having a plurality of resistance variable materials
Resistance variable memory cells having a plurality of resistance variable materials and methods of operating and forming the same are described herein. As an example, a resistance variable memory cell can include a plurality of resistance variable materials located between a plug material and an electrode material. The resistance variable memory cell also includes a first conductive material that contacts the plug material and each of the plurality of resistance variable materials and a second conductive material that contacts the electrode material and each of the plurality of resistance variable materials. |
| US08964441B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of first regions formed in a line-type and extending in a first direction, and a plurality of second regions and a plurality of third regions arranged between adjacent first regions in a zigzag manner. |
| US08964436B2 |
Self-starting transistor-only full-wave rectifier for on-chip AC-DC conversion
A transistor-based full-wave bridge rectifier is suitable for low A.C. input voltages such as received by a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) device. Voltage drops due to bridge diodes are avoided. Four p-channel transistors are arranged in a bridge across the A.C. inputs to produce an internal power voltage. A comparator receives the A.C. input and controls timing of voltage boost drivers that alternately drive gates of the four p-channel transistors with voltages boosted higher than the peak A.C. voltage. Four diode-connected transistors are connected in parallel with the four p-channel bridge transistors to conduct during initial start-up before the comparator and boost drivers operate. Substrates are connected to the power voltage on the power-voltage half of the bridge and to the A.C. inputs on the ground half of the bridge to fully shut off transistors, preventing reverse current flow. The transistor bridge can be integrated onto system chips. |
| US08964434B2 |
Rectification circuit
A rectification circuit includes a first input terminal, a first switch, an energy storage circuit, a first diode, a filtering circuit connected in series and in order to ground, a second diode, and a controller. Two opposite terminals of the second diode are connected to a first node between the first diode and the filtering circuit and a second node between the first switch and the energy storage circuit. The controller transmits control signals to the first switch and the second switch to control conductivities of the first switch and the second switch. |
| US08964429B2 |
Inverter device and electric power tool
An inverter device includes: an inverter circuit configured to perform ON/OFF operations with a preset duty cycle to convert a DC power into an AC power and output the AC power to an AC motor; and a controller configured to change a duty cycle of the ON/OFF operations. |
| US08964428B2 |
Power conversion device
A power conversion device according to embodiments includes a plurality of switch groups, a plurality of inductors, and a snubber circuit. The switch groups are respectively provided for input phases and each of the switch groups has a plurality of one-way switches that connects the corresponding input phase and output phases. The plurality of inductors are respectively connected between the input phases and the switch groups, and are coupled to one another so that current flowing through the one-way switch of one switch group moves to and continues to flow through the turned-on one-way switch of the other switch group when the one-way switch of the one switch group is turned off. The snubber circuit clamps a voltage based on the maximum voltage occurring on the plurality of inductors to a predetermined value. |
| US08964424B2 |
Power converter, control method thereof, and direct matrix converter
A voltage control rate of an inverter has a DC component and an AC component. This AC component has a frequency which is six times a fundamental frequency of an AC voltage outputted by the inverter. Even when there are not only a fifth-order harmonic component but also a seventh-order harmonic component of a load current, a ratio between the magnitude of the AC component and the DC component can be appropriately set. |
| US08964423B2 |
Low weight 3-phase 5-output wire power conversion system for micro-grid
A power conversion system eliminates output transformers and replaces them with a zig-zag transformer and a filter that provides a 3-phase 5-wire system with significantly reduced weight and size as compared with conventional systems. The zig-zag transformer may have a low zero sequence impedance. The power conversion system also ensures operational safety by detecting various types of ground faults. |
| US08964420B2 |
Zero voltage switching in flyback converters with variable input voltages
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that operates a flyback converter. During operation, the system senses an input voltage for the flyback converter. Next, the system uses the input voltage to determine a negative peak current that enables zero voltage switching for a primary switch in the flyback converter. Finally, the system uses the negative peak current to perform the zero voltage switching for the primary switch based on the input voltage, wherein the negative peak current reduces a power loss of the flyback converter. |
| US08964417B1 |
Power controllers and control methods suitable for operating a switched mode power supply in quasi-resonant mode
The disclosure provides a power controller and related control method for a switch mode power supply operating in a quasi-resonant mode. The switched mode power supply has a power switch and an auxiliary winding. The power controller has a feedback pin connected to the auxiliary winding. A clamp circuit is connected to the feedback pin and configured for clamping a voltage at the feedback pin by providing a clamp current. A peak hold circuit is connected to the clamp circuit for generating a peak record substantially corresponding to a peak value of the clamp current. A valley detector is configured for providing an entry signal indicating a start of a voltage valley. A delay circuit provides a trigger signal a delay time after the entry signal is provided. The delay time varies in response to the peak record, and the trigger signal is capable of turning on the power switch. |
| US08964416B2 |
Switched mode power supply with voltage regulator
A power supply and method for reliable turn-on of a switched mode power supply (SMPS) in which the same transformer is used for providing power from the primary side to both the main output of the SMPS and a secondary side voltage regulator a train of voltage pulses are transmitted, from the primary side to the secondary side. The voltage regulator generates a feedback signal indicating when it has turned on and is operating, and the transmission of pulses within the train is controlled based on the detection of feedback signal. In this way, only the required amount of power to switch on the voltage regulator is transferred to the secondary side during a start-up operation and excess power at the main output is prevented, thereby avoiding distortion of the desired start-up ramp figure. |
| US08964403B2 |
Wiring board having a reinforcing member with capacitors incorporated therein
There is provided a wiring board including a multilayer substrate and a reinforcing member. The multilayer substrate has a first main substrate surface formed with a chip mounting area to which an electronic chip is mounted and a second main substrate surface opposed to the first main substrate surface. The reinforcing member is fixed to either an area of the first main substrate surface other than the chip mounting area or the second main substrate surface and has a body predominantly formed of ceramic material and incorporating therein at least one capacitor. |
| US08964397B2 |
Electronic media production system and system for use therewith
A system comprising modules. Each module includes: a presentation system including one or more of a speaker and a video screen; and a port. In use, if the presentation system includes the speaker, the system produces sounds derived from data obtained via the port. If the presentation system includes the screen, the system displays images derived from data obtained via the port. The module can also include connectors and the system can also include actuators. Each actuator, in use, can be coupled without soldering to a connector, and the presentation system of each module can operate in response to the actuator or actuators coupled to said each module. The system can also include data storage devices, each adapted to be releasably coupled to a respective port, and the port can be selected from: microchip socket and USB port. The system can be used as part of a method. |
| US08964395B2 |
System and method for managing cooling airflow for a multiprocessor information handling system
Cooling airflow through an information handling system is redirected at positions of a motherboard having an unpopulated processing component towards positions of the motherboard having processing components. For example, a shroud shaped as a nozzle couples to a heat sink connector of the motherboard to cover an unpopulated CPU socket. The shroud has a nozzle-shaped channel with an inlet accepting cooling airflow and an outlet exhausting the cooling airflow towards a processing component. For instance, the inlet is proximate a cooling fan and the outlet directs the airflow from the cooling fan towards a heat sink associated with RAM populated on the motherboard. |
| US08964390B2 |
Sectioned manifolds facilitating pumped immersion-cooling of electronic components
Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided for facilitating pumped immersion-cooling of electronic components. The cooling apparatus includes a housing forming a compartment about one or more components, a supply manifold, a return manifold, and a coolant loop coupling in fluid communication the supply and return manifolds and the housing. Coolant flowing through the coolant loop flows through the compartment of the housing and at least partially immersion-cools the component(s) by flow boiling. A pump facilitates circulation of coolant within the loop, and a coolant bypass line is coupled between the supply and return manifolds. The return manifold includes a mixed-phase manifold section, and the bypass line provides coolant from the supply manifold directly to the mixed-phase manifold section. Coolant flows from the coolant bypass line into the mixed-phase manifold section in a direction counter to the direction of any coolant vapor flow within that manifold section. |
| US08964388B2 |
Integrated blower diffuser and heat exchanger for electronics enclosure
An electronics enclosure has a blower and diffuser received within an enclosure. Electronic components are also received within the enclosure. The blower diffuser is positioned in contact with at least one of the electronic components. A shroud surrounds the blower diffuser and the at least one electronic component, and is spaced from an outer surface of the at least one electronic component. An opening is formed through the shroud, such that air can be driven within the shroud from the blower diffuser, and across at least one electronic component, and then outwardly of the opening. A heat exchanger is positioned in the path of air leaving the opening. |
| US08964384B2 |
Component cooling
Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing a cooling flow to a component. In various examples, a chip socket may include a cavity configured to couple to the component. The chip socket may include a first channel and a second channel. The first channel may act as an ingress channel while the second channel may act as an egress channel. The ingress and egress channels may be configured to facilitate cooling of the component. |
| US08964382B2 |
Computing device with support member
Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for which include support members having a port disposed thereon. The port may be accessible while the support member is an extended position. The port may be inaccessible or isolated while the support member is a stowed position. |
| US08964380B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal has a connector which moves relative to a cover and case. The connector moves through a hole in the case to become electrically coupled to a circuit when the cover is coupled over the case. When the cover is removed, the connector moves to a second position relative to the hole and circuit. The circuit may be an antenna circuit coupled to the cover or another circuit at a different location. An area of the connector is greater than an area of the hole to prevent any components under the connector from being visible when viewed through the hole. |
| US08964378B2 |
Touch pad and portable electronic device thereof
A touch pad includes a support frame having an opening, a touch circuit board disposed on a support sheet and having a switch, a top cover connected to a first side of the support frame and covering the touch circuit board, a reinforcement rod disposed on the top cover corresponding to a second side of the support frame, and an elastic member. The support sheet extends inwardly from the opening and has a protruding point. The elastic member is disposed between the touch circuit board and the support sheet for providing an elastic force. When being pressed by an external force, the top cover rotates pivotally relative to the first side of the support frame and drives the touch circuit board to overcome the elastic force. Accordingly, the touch circuit board could move downward relative to the support sheet so that the switch could be triggered by the protruding point. |
| US08964377B2 |
Electronic device having slide-tilt operation
An electronic device includes a first body and a second body that may be disposed in a first position in which the second body overlaps the first body, a second position in which the second body is slid from the first body, and a third position in which the second body is tilted with respect to the first body, and includes an exposure prevention member that prevents a flexible connection member that electrically connects the first and second bodies from being externally exposed when the first and second bodies are disposed in the third position. |
| US08964374B1 |
Vertical tray structure for rack in data center
Systems and methods are provided for cooling electronic equipment in a data center. Ambient air is vertically circulated from a workspace across a plurality of rack-mounted electronic devices. The electronic devices are located in a plurality of trays such that each tray has a major plane that is substantially parallel to a side plane of the rack. The circulated air is cooled with a heat exchanger that is connected to a vertical end of the rack via a sealed interface. Multiple racks can be arrayed in a distributed cooling arrangement, which increases reliability and scalability of the data center. |
| US08964368B2 |
Systems and methods for mounting of plug-in electronics dongles
Systems and methods for mounting of plug-in electronic dongles are provided. In one embodiment, an electronics mounting adapter device comprises: a base member that includes a cavity and at least one cable stabilizing element configured to secure a cable connector of a cable within the cavity, wherein the cable is routed though an opening in the base member into the cavity; a cover coupled to the base member by at least one fastener; one or more mounting provisions for securing the base member to a mounting surface; and at least one clamping element configured to clamp a dongle within the cavity, wherein the dongle is coupled to the cable connector. |
| US08964362B2 |
Handheld electronic device and sliding mechanism assembly thereof
A handheld electronic device, including a first body, a second body, a sliding module and at least one rotating module. The sliding module is coupled to the second body, so that the second body is suitable for sliding between a first position and a second position. The rotating module is coupled between the first body and the sliding module, so that the second body is suitable for rotating relative to the first body. The second body receives a force to rotate from the second position to a critical position. When the second body passes the critical position, the rotating module releases a potential stored when the second body receives the force to drive the second body to rotate to a third position and form an included angle between the first body and the second body. A sliding mechanism assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08964359B2 |
Medical care units for power supply and/or data transmission
A medical care unit provides power supply or data transmission in medical apparatuses. In particular, current consumers and data transmission apparatuses are slidable along a coupling device of the medical care unit. The medical care unit includes an oblong support that includes the coupling device, which extend along the support and include at least two electrically insulated bus bars continuously extending in the coupling device. At least two bus bars are formed as power supply bus bars, at least one bus bar is formed as a data transmission bus bar, the coupling device as a hollow bar is formed with an opening along its longitudinal direction, and the power supply bus bars and the data transmission bus bars are arranged inside the hollow bar. |
| US08964358B2 |
Compliant energy storing structural sheet
Disclosed herein is a structural sheet includes an energy storage density that is greater than 10-mWh/ft2 and is capable of withstanding greater than 5-KPa stress under at least 5% strain. Further provided is an energy storing structural sheet comprising an electrically conducting current carrying layer that is print formed over a sub assembly that comprises a separator, a foundation, an electrode, and a current bus. |
| US08964354B2 |
Multi-layered ceramic electronic component and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided a multi-layered ceramic electronic component and a method of manufacturing the same. The multi-layered ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic body; internal electrodes formed within the ceramic body and including non-electrode regions formed therein; and external electrodes formed on ends of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the internal electrodes, wherein in a cross section of the internal electrode, 70% or more of the non-electrode regions are distributed in a region formed between points inwardly spaced apart from each of the upper and lower boundary surfaces of the internal electrodes by 5%. |
| US08964353B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component
Multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic body including dielectric layers and having first and second main surfaces, first and second side surfaces, and first and second end surfaces; a first internal electrode including a capacitance forming portion having an overlap region for forming capacitance and a first lead-out portion extended from the capacitance forming portion to be exposed to the first side surface; a second internal electrode alternately stacked with the first internal electrode, having the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, insulated from the first internal electrode, and having a second lead-out portion extended from the capacitance forming portion to be exposed to the first side surface; first and second external electrodes connected to the first and second lead-out portions, respectively; an insulation layer. |
| US08964351B2 |
Robotic arm
A robotic arm includes: an arm having one or more joints; an arm securing unit provided at at least one of the one or more joints and configured to secure, by electrostatic adhesion, a positional relationship between two parts coupled by each of the at least one of the one or more joints; and a control unit configured to turn on and off the electrostatic adhesion of the arm securing unit. |
| US08964350B2 |
Substrate removing method and storage medium
A substrate processing apparatus includes an electrostatic chuck enclosing an electrostatic electrode plate and a chamber having a ground potential and housing the electrostatic chuck. DC discharge is generated between a wafer and the chamber by setting the potential of the electrostatic electrode plate of the electrostatic chuck which is maintained at a first predetermined potential during a plasma etching process to a ground potential after the plasma etching process to increase the absolute value of the potential difference between the wafer and the chamber. DC discharge is then re-generated by applying, to the electrostatic electrode plate, DC voltage having the same potential as a second predetermined potential which is generated at the wafer after the DC discharge is generated, and by increasing the absolute value of the potential difference between the wafer and the chamber. The wafer is then easily removed from the electrostatic chuck. |
| US08964349B2 |
Energizing a coil of a solenoid of a directional control valve
A method of energizing a coil of a solenoid of a directional control valve, wherein an armature of the solenoid moves between a first position in which the solenoid is operating and a second position in which the solenoid is not operating, the method comprising energizing the coil with a voltage, controlling the voltage, detecting a current in the coil at which the armature of the solenoid moves between the first position and the second position, and using the current at which the armature of the solenoid moves between the first position and the second position increased by a margin as an operating current for energizing the coil of the solenoid. |
| US08964348B2 |
Actuator device and driving method
An actuator device (6) with an electromagnetic actuator (3) which has first and second magnet coils (4, 5) and a shift element (3) which can be linearly shifted, between three stable positions, by the first and the second magnet coils (4, 5). The actuator device (6) has a shifting bridge (9), with three bridge branches (B1, B2, B3) connected in parallel, for controlling the magnet coils (4, 5). Each bridge branch (B1, B2, B3) has two switches (S1 . . . S6) connected in series. One of the first and the second magnet coils (4, 5) is connected in each of the two bridge diagonals (D1, D2). In addition, a method for the control of the magnet coils (4, 5) of an electromagnetic actuator (2) of the actuator device (6). |
| US08964346B2 |
Surge arrester
An exemplary surge arrester includes a housing with protection against electric shock. A voltage-limiting active part is arranged in the housing and has a stack of varistor elements formed as a varistor column. An electrical connection is arranged outside the housing and is electrically conductively connected to the varistor column for connecting a high-voltage installation. The electrically conductive connection between the varistor column and the electrical connection is a flexible high-voltage cable conductor. The high-voltage cable has a first section arranged in the interior of the housing and formed without a shield, and a second section arranged outside the housing and having cable insulation and an electrically conductive shield that surrounds the cable conductor. The high voltage cable is electrically conductively connectable first to the housing and second to an encapsulation. The housing accommodates an apparatus for damping oscillations which are introduced into the varistor column from the outside. |
| US08964344B2 |
Circuit breaker signaling system for control of an arc fault detection system
In an electrical distribution system an arc management system has a transducer mounted in proximity to the circuit breaker for detecting and signaling a secondary effect of an overcurrent event within the case of the circuit breaker. The transducer provides an additional input to an arc fault detection system using other detectors and thus helps to control nuisance activations of the arc extinguishing mechanism. The system is particularly suited for circuit breakers without electronics, or the like, allowing for retrofit of existing systems. The system may monitor and act upon the excessive duration of the secondary effects. |
| US08964341B2 |
Gate dielectric protection
Protecting a gate dielectric is achieved with a gate dielectric protection circuit coupled to a transistor at risk. The protection circuit is activated to reduce the voltage across the gate dielectric (VDIFF) to below its breakdown voltage (VBD). The protection circuit is activated when an ESD event is detected. The protection circuit provides a protection or ESD bias to reduce VDIFF below VBD. |
| US08964339B2 |
Faulty protective earth ground circuit detection system and method
A system and method for detecting the presence of a voltage on a ground conductor which is coupled to a protective Earth (PE) terminal associated with a power source. The power source is used to apply a voltage to a device. The system may use a high impedance device coupled across a switch, with the switch being in communication with a portion of the device. A control system may monitor a voltage across the high impedance device and determine if the voltage across the high impedance device exceeds a predetermined threshold. Exceeding the predetermined threshold indicates that an unsafe voltage from the power source is present on the ground conductor. A natural high impedance path between the device and the Earth is used to provide an Earth connection through the device to the Earth during operation of the system. |
| US08964338B2 |
System and method for compressor motor protection
A system includes a refrigerant compressor including an electric motor, a current sensor that measures current flow to the electric motor, a switching device configured to close and open to allow and prevent current flow to the electric motor, respectively, a maximum continuous current (MCC) device that includes a resistance corresponding to a maximum continuous current for the electric motor, and a motor protection module. The motor protection module communicates with the MCC device, the current sensor, and the switching device and determines a first MCC value for the electric motor as a function of the resistance of the MCC device. The motor protection module also selectively sets a predetermined MCC to the first MCC and controls the switching device based on a comparison of the current flow to the electric motor and the predetermined MCC. |
| US08964334B2 |
Disk drive suspension
A slider and a pair of microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. The gimbal portion comprises a first tongue portion, a second tongue portion, and a hinge portion. A trailing-side portion of the slider is secured to the second tongue portion. A leading-side portion of the slider is movable relative to the first tongue portion. A conductive circuit portion comprises a conductor connected to an element of the slider and a conductor connected to electrodes of microactuator elements. The conductive circuit portion comprises a first wiring pattern portion disposed inside microactuator elements and a second wiring pattern portion extending rearwardly relative to the gimbal portion. |
| US08964331B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic write head having a main magnetic write pole portion and a magnetic sub-pole portion configured for increased magnetic write field
A magnetic write head having a main magnetic write pole and a magnetic sub-pole that are configured to maximize magnetic performance. The main magnetic write pole has a flared portion located near the air bearing surface and a non-flared portion removed from the air bearing surface. A magnetic sub-pole is formed adjacent to the main magnetic write pole and terminates at a front endpoint that is recessed from the air bearing surface but is closer to the air bearing surface than the non-flared portion. |
| US08964328B1 |
Shock sensor on an external surface of a disk drive base adjacent a disk drive printed circuit board
A disk drive includes a disk drive base, a disk drive top cover, and a head actuator pivotably attached to the disk drive base. The disk drive base and the disk drive top cover together form a disk drive enclosure that encloses the head actuator. At least one read head is attached to the head actuator. A disk drive printed circuit board (PCB) is attached to the disk drive base outside the disk drive enclosure. A motion sensor is attached to the disk drive base outside the disk drive enclosure. The motion sensor is disposed between the disk drive PCB and the disk drive base. The first motion sensor is electrically connected to the disk drive PCB by a plurality of resilient conductive prongs that are preloaded between the disk drive PCB and the first motion sensor. |
| US08964327B2 |
Tape storage device, data writing method, and program
A tape drive receives multiple write requests for data pieces and a synchronization request corresponding to the write requests from a device, performs a synchronization process, and returns a completion status of the synchronization request. The tape drive includes a write controller that stores data pieces transferred from the device in the buffer, according to a first write request, receives a first synchronization request and then a subsequent write request for at least one data piece, and returns the completion status when processing for the first synchronization request is completed and the subsequent write request is received with a command queuing function. |
| US08964325B1 |
Magnetic disk device and method for read/write offset error correction
A magnetic disk device according to an embodiment includes a head and a disk with a recording surface, the head including a reader configured to perform data reading, and a writer configured to write data. A method of correcting a read/write offset, according to the embodiment, is applied to the above magnetic disk device. This method includes reconstructing position data read by the reader, using a spline function, and correcting a read/write offset due to the distance between the writer and the reader, using the reconstructed position data. |
| US08964322B2 |
Size adjustable inter-track interference cancellation
Technologies are described herein for cancelling inter-track interference in a storage device utilizing size-adjustable segments. Data is read from one or more sectors on a data track adjacent to a target sector on a target track of a recording medium of the storage device. The target sector is divided into a plurality of segments and data is decoded from the read signal read from each of the segments individually using corresponding data from the one or more sectors of the adjacent track and independent inter-track interference factor values. |
| US08964318B2 |
Prism sheet and display device
The present invention discloses a prism sheet and a display device comprising the prism sheet for improving performances of a backlight module in a liquid crystal display device. The prism sheet comprises a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the second surface comprises a plurality of first protrusions arranged in parallel along a first direction; the second substrate comprises a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, the third surface comprises a plurality of second protrusions arranged in parallel along the first direction, and the fourth surface comprises a plurality of third protrusions arranged in parallel along a second direction; and the second surface and the third surface are joined by meshing of the first protrusions with the second protrusions. |
| US08964315B2 |
Lens drive device
A lens drive device comprises a lens holder, a piezoelectric actuator, a ball member held rotatably, and an biasing member configured to apply an biasing force to the lens holder toward the piezoelectric actuator through the ball member. The lens holder has a projection projecting outward from an outer peripheral surface and extending in a direction intersecting the projecting direction and optical axis. A side wall face of the projection is formed with a groove extending along the optical axis and engaging the ball member. A position receiving the biasing force from the biasing member and a position receiving the drive force from the actuator in the lens holder oppose each other through the projection interposed therebetween. |
| US08964312B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens includes: a first lens group; an aperture stop; and a second lens group having a positive power, in this order from an object side. The first lens group includes a first lens having a negative power and a second lens having a positive power. The imaging lens satisfies Conditional Formulae (1), (2), and (3): −0.50 |
| US08964307B2 |
Imaging lens and electronic device having the same
An imaging lens includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. Through surface designs of the lens elements, the imaging lens has a relatively short overall length while maintaining good optical performance. |
| US08964306B2 |
Lens barrel
A lens barrel includes an outer barrel including a first cam follower, an internal movable member including a second cam follower, a cam ring, a first cam groove formed on a surface of the cam ring and engaged with the first cam follower, and a second cam groove formed on the surface of the cam ring and is open at a front end of the cam ring. When the outer barrel is positioned in front of a predetermined position, the second cam groove determines a position of the internal movable member in the outer barrel via a limit portion while the second cam groove is not engaged with the second cam follower, and when the outer barrel moves rearward beyond the predetermined position, the second cam groove engages with the second cam follower and moves the internal movable member rearward. |
| US08964301B2 |
Zoom lens for projection and projection-type display apparatus
A zoom lens for projection substantially consists of a first lens-group having negative refractive power, and a second lens-group through a fifth lens-group having positive refractive power, arranged in this order from a magnification side. The zoom lens is configured to be telecentric on a reduction side. The first lens-group and the fifth lens-group are fixed while the second lens-group through the fourth lens-group move during magnification change. The fourth lens-group includes at least three positive lenses, and a most-magnification-side lens in the fourth lens-group has a convex surface facing the magnification side. Further, when a focal length of an entire system at a wide angle end is fw, and a focal length of the fourth lens-group is f4, and a full angle of view at a wide angle end is 2ω, conditional formulas (1) and (7) are satisfied: 7.5 |
| US08964295B2 |
Refractive steganography lens and method for determining milling plan for same
Techniques are described for designing and manufacturing a refractive surface that produces a desired image when placed over a target image. The refractive lens surface may include a set of lens patches, each of which indexes a region on the source image to refract light from the indexed region to recreate a patch of the target image. And together, the lenses reproduce the target image. In one embodiment, the refractive geometry of the lens surface (i.e., the shape of each lens) is determined by formulating and efficiently determining a solution to an inverse light transport problem. The solution may account for additional constraints imposed by the physical manufacturing procedure. Doing so results in a design for a refractive surface amenable to milling (or other manufacturing process). |
| US08964294B2 |
Method for reducing speckle effect in a laser scanning display
Speckle effect in scanning display systems that employs polarized phase-coherent light is reduced by depolarizing the phase-coherent light using a depolarizer and scanning the depolarized light for producing desired images. |
| US08964292B1 |
Passive anisotropic projection screen
An anisotropic projection screen accepts light projected at non-normal angles and redirects the light as high quality images along a viewing path that is near normal to the screen. This allows side projection of images in a manner that avoids the potential viewer obstruction of the projection path. The images may be projected onto the screen from any angle (e.g., sides, top, bottom, etc.) relative to the screen surface, and then redirected to the viewer who is viewing the screen essentially normal to the screen surface. The screen has arrays of passive elements that are oriented to collect and redirect light from one direction, while rejecting or absorbing light received from another direction. |
| US08964290B2 |
Microscope
A microscope includes an illumination system, a stage, and an objective lens that forms an image of a specimen. The stage includes a fixed member whose position and inclination are fixed, a specimen holding member at least one of whose position and inclination is changeable, and a supporting member that supports the specimen holding member. A connection between the supporting member and the specimen holding member and a connection between the supporting member and the fixed member reside near sides of the specimen holding member. The microscope further includes an actuator that changes at least one of the position and the inclination of the specimen holding member with respect to the fixed member, and a buffer mechanism that suppresses transmission of any changes in the inclination of the specimen holding member to the actuator. The actuator and the specimen holding member are connected with the buffer mechanism interposed therebetween. |
| US08964289B2 |
Microscope including micro and macro objectives
A microscope includes: an objective turret holding a micro and a macro objective for rotation to operational positions along an optical axis; observation optics in an imaging beam path, and an illumination device including a beam splitter for generating an illumination beam path and coupling the illumination beam path into the imaging beam path, the macro objective including a first subsystem attachable to the objective turret, and a second subsystem insertable into the imaging beam path between the turret and the observation optics when the first subsystem is operational, the illumination device allowing a telecentric beam path with an illumination pupil produced by either the micro objective or the macro objective, and adjustment optics in the illumination beam path having positive refractive power and causing the illumination pupil to be shifted to a rear exit pupil, located between the first optical subsystem and the beam splitter, of the macro objective. |
| US08964287B2 |
Device for focusing a microscope objective on a sample
A device for focusing a microscope objective on a sample accurately with a high spatial resolution. The device has a positioning unit having a main body, an objective holder movably supported on the main body and adapted to hold the microscope objective, and an actuator for moving the objective holder along the optical axis of the microscope objective. The objective holder holds the microscope objective only at a front portion of the microscope objective facing the sample. The positioning unit includes one or more lever arms, each of which coupled at its one end via a first flexure bearing to the main body and at its other end via a second flexure bearing to the objective holder. The main body of the positioning unit is attached to a stage that carries the sample. |
| US08964286B2 |
System and device for non-destructive Raman analysis
A Raman microspectrometer system extends the optical reach and analysis range of an existing Raman microspectrometer to allow analysis and/or repair of an oversized sample. The Raman microspectrometer system includes an extender for extending the optical reach of the existing microspectrometer and a supplemental stage which extends the analysis range of the existing microspectrometer by providing travel capabilities for non-destructive analysis of an entire oversized sample. Such an arrangement decreases manufacturing costs associated with testing oversized samples such as mammography panels, enabling analysis and/or repair to be performed without destruction. |
| US08964285B2 |
Microscope optical system
Observation over a superwide field of view is possible with a short, lightweight, and inexpensive eyepiece optical system and a binocular barrel. A microscope optical system includes an objective optical system configured to collect light from a specimen; an imaging optical system configured to image the light coming from the specimen and collected by the objective optical system; and an eyepiece optical system configured to magnify the image of the specimen formed by the imaging optical system and form a virtual image in an eye of an observer, wherein the following conditional expressions are satisfied, M=Fntl/Fob×250/Fne (1) Fntl=Ftl×Kt (2) Fne=Fe×Kt (3) 0.4 |
| US08964279B2 |
Transparent electrode
An electrode is produced on a rigid or flexible support substrate, including a grid network of very fine electrically-conductive lines with nodes and links, to produce a diffraction pattern, as much as possible in an arc shape, in the light transmitted and that results in an absence of high-level optical impacts. The grid network may in addition be produced without preferential direction with a number of three lines joining up at each node and/or with conductive sections extending in the shape of an arc or in wave form between the nodes. |
| US08964278B2 |
Electro-optic system configured to reduce a perceived color change
An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (hab) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (hab′) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (Δhab) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees. |
| US08964273B2 |
Optical reflection element
An optical reflection element according to the present invention includes a fixed frame, a pair of first oscillation parts, a movable frame, a pair of second oscillation parts, and a mirror part. One-side ends of the first oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the fixed frame. The movable frame is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of first oscillation parts to be pivotable. One-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the movable frame and the pair of second oscillation parts are disposed to be substantially perpendicular to the pair of first oscillation parts. The mirror part is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts to be pivotable. The second oscillation parts have a meandering shape in which a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of folded portions are formed, and a stepped structure portion is provided in part of the folded portion. |
| US08964266B2 |
Image reading device, image forming apparatus, and optical unit
An optical unit of an image reading device has the center of gravity in a position toward a first sub scanning direction, relative to the middle point of the optical unit in terms of sub scanning directions. An engagement part is provided in a position toward a first main scanning direction relative to a sliding part. A plurality of pairs of pinching parts include a first pair provided in a position toward the first sub scanning direction and a second pair provided in a position toward a second sub scanning direction. Of the two pinching parts in the second pair, the pinching part provided in a position toward the first main scanning direction is biased by a first biasing member toward a rail part side, and the pinching part provided in a position toward a second main scanning direction is not biased by the first biasing member. |
| US08964260B2 |
Method of controlling scan speed of scanner including automatic document feeder and scanner performing the same
A scanner including an automatic document feeder includes a communication interface unit to perform a communication with an external printer; a scan operation performing unit to perform a scan operation; an automatic feeding unit to automatically feed scan-target documents to the scan operation performing unit; and a controller to control the scan operation and a scan speed, wherein when the communication interface unit receives a request speed for a scan operation from the external printer, the controller adjusts a feeding interval between the scan-target documents that are fed from the automatic feeding unit, so that the scan operation is performed at the received request speed. |
| US08964259B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image reading apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
An image processing apparatus includes an imaging unit that images a placed medium as a reading target within an imaging area, and a display unit that displays information toward the imaging area in an overlapping manner. Operation supporting information used for supporting an operation using the placed medium is selected based on information relating to a state of the image processing apparatus or information acquired by the imaging unit, and the selected operation supporting information is displayed toward the imaging area by the display unit. |
| US08964257B2 |
Image forming and processing apparatuses for requantizing quantized data using sigma-delta modulation and compensating for uneveness of exposure intensity
An image forming apparatus of this invention, when an exposure unit performs exposure, applies, to image data quantized by a first number of bits, compensation data for compensating for unevenness of the exposure intensity occurring on a photosensitive member caused by a lens array used in the exposure unit. This compensation data is obtained by quantizing, by a second number of bits larger than the first number of bits, data corresponding to a change in measurement value obtained by measuring unevenness of exposure occurring on the photosensitive member from a reference value used in the measurement, and requantizing the quantized data by the first number of bits by using sigma-delta modulation. |
| US08964256B2 |
Method of correcting streaks using exposure modulation and spatially varying TRCs
Systems and methods are provided for compensating for streak defects in images formed by an image forming device, such as a digital printer. The systems and methods include using both modulation of a raster output scanner (ROS actuation) and spatially varying tone reproduction curve (STRC actuation) in a common control system for improving streak correction. Low spatial frequency large amplitude streak defects are corrected using ROS actuation and high spatial frequency streak defects, as well as any residual low frequency defects, are corrected using STRC actuation. |
| US08964252B2 |
Display input device and image forming apparatus having touch panel
A display input device includes a display portion and a touch panel portion. The display portion displays a screen and an image and displays an object which is an image to be cut or copied. The touch panel portion is provided for the display portion, accepts an input from a user, detects a plurality of positions that are touched, and accepts a first operation of narrowing the interval between two points touched at the same time. In addition, the touch panel portion accepts an input of designating, as a designated object, the object displayed at one or both of the positions of the two touched points, and accepts the first operation as an input of giving an instruction to cut or copy the designated object. |
| US08964251B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit for acquiring a target value and a first surface characteristic value that is a surface characteristic of a first chart, a second acquisition unit for acquiring a second surface characteristic value that is a surface characteristic of a second chart, and a calibration unit for calibrating, when a difference between the first and second surface characteristic values is smaller than a threshold value, a mixed color using the target value and a measured value of the second chart. |
| US08964248B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for color registration adjustment
A method for color registration includes determining if color registration is necessary, and if color registration is necessary, rotating an image forming medium and setting an optimum luminance of a registration sensor with respect to a rotating surface of the image forming medium, confirming an area with an undesirable surface condition on the image forming medium using luminance detected with respect to the rotating surface of the image forming medium during the setting of the optimum luminance, forming a preset mark for color registration adjustment excluding the area confirmed to have an undesirable surface condition, and carrying out color registration adjustment using the optimum luminance set with respect to the formed mark. |
| US08964247B2 |
Method and systems for creating a printer model based on print columns
Disclosed are methods and systems for creating a printer model which maps device dependent color space representations of reference colors to device independent color space representations of the reference colors for a direct marking color printer. According to an exemplary method, a plurality of printer models are initially generated, each printer model corresponding to a predetermined width associated with the cross-process direction of an image receiving surface. |
| US08964244B2 |
Color printer technology
The invention provides a method of printing at a POS of register receipts and marketing information in which the required network bandwidth and quantity of ink are both reduced. SVG files are used to specify communications, associated modified image objects are stored locally to the POS, and associated modified image objects are modified version of original objects in which color values are replaced with other color values that result in the same print image, but with printing of less ink. |
| US08964242B2 |
Print controller generating print data causing print executing unit to perform printing operation
A print controller controls a print executing unit having a print head in which L nozzles are arranged in a first direction. A pitch of first nozzles in the first direction is set to a first predetermined nozzle pitch. The print controller generates print data based on image data. The print data causes the print executing unit to execute N pass printing. A pitch of lines formed through N pass printing is one N-th of the first predetermined nozzle pitch. At least one of the L number of first nozzles is unused for forming dots on the printing medium in each pass printing. Combinations of the first nozzles used in the N number of pass processes are different from one another. A movement distance of the print head when the first moving process is executed once is different from that when the second moving process is executed once. |
| US08964239B2 |
Methods and systems for handling multiple documents while scanning
An embodiment discloses a method utilizing a device for handling multiple documents during scanning. The method includes receiving multiple documents on or within a sleeve to enable scanning of at least one of a first side and a second side of each of the documents in a single scanning operation. The method includes identifying one or more dimensional characteristics of the sleeve and each document arranged on or within the sleeve. The method further includes scanning at least one of the first side and the second side of each document. Moreover, the method includes tagging the scanned documents based on at least one of content characteristics and the dimensional characteristics of the documents. |
| US08964238B2 |
Recording method and recording apparatus
P recording heads are arranged a recording unit. The P recording heads are divided into N (groups in the sub-scanning direction. The N controllers respectively control the recording heads pertaining to corresponding groups. When it is determined that variable data straddles a boundary (M/S boundary line) of recording regions (a master recording region and a slave recording region) of the recording heads, which are controlled by different controllers, the feed quantity of the recording unit is adjusted to a feeding quantity such that the variable data do not straddle the M/S boundary line. |
| US08964237B2 |
Imaging device including wear leveling for non-volatile memory and secure erase of data
Methods and apparatus teach wear leveling non-volatile memory and secure erasure of data. A computing device receives data to be stored. The data is encrypted, including generation of encryption/decryption key(s). The key(s) are stored in either non-volatile or volatile memory according to a plurality of classification schemes. In a first scheme, key(s) are stored in non-volatile memory and will be retained in the event of a power cycle of the computing device. Otherwise, key(s) stored in volatile memory will be lost upon a power cycle. Upon issuance of a key destruction command, key(s) in the non-volatile memory are sanitized or erased, but the underlying encrypted data need not be erased since no key(s) exist that can recover original content. These techniques limit erasure commands to the non-volatile memory which prolongs its service life. Further embodiments note techniques in imaging devices conducting imaging operations, such as printing or scanning. |
| US08964236B2 |
Image forming apparatus, restore control method, and storage medium using user identification information
An image forming apparatus is described where restoration of unnecessary data is prevented, and a storage area of the image forming apparatus is effectively utilized. When an option to increase the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus is selected, data backed up by a backup unit is set as data to be restored by a restore unit. When the option to increase the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus is not selected, data indicated by data identification information as being required data is set as data to be restored by the restore unit from among the data backed up by the backup unit. |
| US08964235B1 |
Systems and methods for printing a document from a mobile communication device
The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for printing a document from a mobile communication device. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a print job sent from the mobile communication device and determining a location of the mobile communication device. The method also includes identifying a printer proximate the mobile communication device and initiating execution of the print job at the identified printer. |
| US08964226B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program
When an information processing apparatus is in the normal mode, the main controller determines whether or not the main controller is to perform a process on a received packet, on the basis of a filtering condition which is set in the information processing apparatus. When the information processing apparatus is in the sleep mode, a communication unit determines whether or not the communication unit, instead of the main controller, is to perform a process on a received packet, on the basis of the filtering condition. |
| US08964224B2 |
Computer readable recording medium storing image processing program and image processing method transmitting function execution command for making a preset setting screen
An image processing method includes: displaying a functional image; storing processing information in association with the functional image; displaying a first setting screen and comprises an execution instruction image if an input made by a first operation for the functional image is received; transmitting, to the image forming apparatus, a function execution command if an input for the execution instruction image is received; displaying, on the display unit, a second setting screen if an input made by a second operation for the functional image is received; storing non-display information if a non-display instruction is received, and displaying, on the display unit, operation information if the non-display instruction is received. |
| US08964223B2 |
Server apparatus, image processing apparatus, system, information processing method and program
The object is to enable configuration data, including a setting value of a setting item adopted as a local prioritized setting, to be carried over to a new image processing apparatus when replacing an image processing apparatus with the new one. The object is achieved by generating, as the setting value of the setting item adopted as the local prioritized setting, the value of virtual configuration data of a replacing apparatus using the value of virtual configuration data of an image processing apparatus specified as a replacement target. |
| US08964219B2 |
Image forming apparatus including an installation section for a substrate
An image forming apparatus includes an installation section, a control board, a first connection terminal provided on an outer surface of the control board, a first electrical connection member provided on the installation section and electrically connected to a point of reference potential, a substrate installable in the installation section in a thickness direction of the control board, an external connection terminal provided on the substrate and externally exposed, a second connection terminal provided on a first surface of the substrate and connected to the first connection terminal when the substrate is installed into the installation section, and a second electrical connection member provided on a second surface of the substrate. The second electrical connection member makes contact with the first electrical connection member and is electrically connected to the point of reference potential via the first electrical connection member when the substrate is installed into the installation section. |
| US08964217B2 |
Information processing system and method for acquiring workflow from management apparatus using user terminal address
An image forming apparatus includes an address obtaining unit configured to obtain address information of a management apparatus for managing definition information of a process flow from an external storage unit; a process information obtaining unit configured to obtain identification information of a process to be performed by the image forming apparatus in the process flow from the management apparatus based on the address information; a function control unit configured to cause the image forming apparatus to perform the process indicated by the identification information; and a linkage unit configured to send a result of the process to the management apparatus. |
| US08964216B2 |
Predicting the times of future events in a multi-threaded RIP
Disclosed is a method (2500) of determining, for a rendering job (2402) comprising one or more page building jobs, a start time for a print engine (195) to print the rendering job (2402), the method including determining (2502) for the rendering job a current start time for printing based on at least a predicted finishing time of a page building job, determining (2503) a difference between the predicted finishing time and an actual finishing time of the page building job, determining (2504) if, based on the difference, a predetermined condition is satisfied, and if the predetermined criterion is satisfied, determining (2505) an updated start time for printing the rendering job based on information relating to the actual finishing time of the page building job, and starting (2509) the print engine to print the rendering job at the updated start time. |
| US08964214B2 |
Image processing apparatus and distributed printing system
An image processing apparatus is connected to an external device and includes a first receiving unit that receives information indicating a first volume of unprinted print data out of print data capable of being subject to distributed printing from the external device; a deciding unit that decides a second volume of the unprinted print data to undertake in the image processing apparatus for distributed printing on the basis of a predetermined condition upon reception of the information indicating the first volume of the unprinted print data; a first transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the second volume to the external device; and a second receiving unit that receives a piece of the unprinted print data corresponding to the second volume from the external device. |
| US08964210B2 |
Image forming apparatus which uses both of HDDs and an SDD, and which saves the power consumption
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, including: a first storing device; a second storing device in which consumed power is low as compared with the first storing device; and a control unit configured to start up the image forming apparatus by a program stored in the second storing device, and to execute the job by using one of the storing devices as a storing area for the image data, wherein the control unit controls the image forming apparatus in a first operation mode in which the image forming apparatus is started up without supplying electric power to the first storing device, and in which when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the job is executed by using the second storing device and when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the job is executed by supplying the electric power to the first storing device and using the first storing device. |
| US08964204B2 |
Image processing apparatus having secure print function, control method therefor, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus which is capable of solving a problem that printing cannot be performed due to a shortage of a storage area for image data after rendering of a secure print job, and reducing a wait time from authentication to start of printing. A first storage unit performs rendering on a received secure print job, and stores image data in a storage area. A first transition unit makes the secure print job transit to waiting-for-authentication state. A first suspending unit suspends rendering when a stored image data amount reaches a full capacity during rendering in the waiting-for-authentication state. A second transition unit makes the secure print job transit to a successfully-authenticated state. A second storage unit performs printing on the stored image data, erases the printed image data, starts rendering on a subsequent page, and stores image data obtained by converting the subsequent page. |
| US08964200B2 |
Communication terminal device, information processor transmitting transmission target data via a server and the information processor to a predefined facsimile device
A communication terminal device includes a transmission target setting part; a transmission destination reception part, and a transmission part. The transmission target setting part sets, based on an instruction from an operator, specification of transmission target data targeted for fax transmission performed by a previously specified facsimile device. The transmission destination reception part receives, from the operator, input of transmission destination information indicating a destination for transmission of the transmission target data whose specification has been received by the transmission target setting part. The transmission part transmits the transmission target data and the transmission destination information to a server, together with a delivery instruction for delivering the transmission target data and the transmission destination information by the server where the predefined facsimile device is defined as a reception destination of the transmission target data and the transmission destination information. |
| US08964198B2 |
Device management system, device management method, and image forming apparatus
A device management system for managing a plurality of image forming apparatuses each having a power save mode in which electric power is supplied from a battery includes: a process accepting unit configured to accept a process request issued to a first image forming apparatus of the image forming apparatuses; a mode determining unit configured to determine whether the first image forming apparatus is in the power save mode; a search unit configured to, when the first image forming apparatus is determined to be in the power save mode, search the image forming apparatuses for a second image forming apparatus that is not in the power save mode; and a request transfer unit configured to transfer a command to perform a process according to the process request to the second image forming apparatus. |
| US08964195B2 |
Recording device for detecting the length of a recording medium, a control device, a control method for a recording device and a recording medium
A multifunction device has a recording controller that buffers image data for an image to be recorded on a medium to an image buffer, and starts recording the image from a specific start recording position on the medium based on the buffered image data; a media length detector that detects the length of the medium being conveyed; an image length calculator that calculates the length of the image; and a start recording position controller that sets the start recording position for recording the image to the medium based on the length of the medium detected by the media length detector, and the length of the image to be recorded on the medium calculated by the image length calculator. |
| US08964192B2 |
Print verification database mechanism
A method is disclosed. The method includes reading image data from a print medium and performing image processing on the image data by querying a database to verify that each object to be included on the print medium appears on the medium in a manner in which it is supposed to appear. |
| US08964190B2 |
Alignment apparatus, substrates stacking apparatus, stacked substrates manufacturing apparatus, exposure apparatus and alignment method
The throughput of the alignment in an alignment apparatus is improved. There is provided an alignment apparatus for aligning a substrate having an alignment mark, including a first aligner that aligns the substrate to a first reference position, a second aligner that aligns a substrate holder to a second reference position before the substrate holder holds the substrate, and a position detector that detects a position of the alignment mark of the substrate after the substrate holder holds the substrate. |
| US08964185B1 |
Gas detection system using a fiber laser with double-wavelength combination having reference-cavity compensation function
A fiber laser gas detection system with a double wavelength combination using reference cavity compensation is provided. The system comprises an optical fiber laser respectively emitting beams having a first and second wavelengths, which consists of a laser diode pump source, a first wavelength division multiplexer, an active optical fiber, a first fiber bragg grating and a second fiber bragg grating connected successively; an optical isolator; a coupler for dividing the beams according to power ratio, the divided beams is introduced into a reference gas chamber and a detecting gas chamber respectively; a second wavelength division multiplexer connecting the reference room and a third wavelength division multiplexer connecting the detecting gas chamber; a first, a second, a third and a fourth photoelectric detector; a feedback control unit, receiving the first to fourth light intensity signals and adjusting the fiber laser using the comparison results as a feedback signal. |
| US08964184B2 |
Optical detector for a particle sorting system
An optical system for acquiring fast spectra from spatially channel arrays includes a light source for producing a light beam that passes through the microfluidic chip or the channel to be monitored, one or more lenses or optical fibers for capturing the light from the light source after interaction with the particles or chemicals in the microfluidic channels, and one or more detectors. The detectors, which may include light amplifying elements, detect each light signal and transducer the light signal into an electronic signal. The electronic signals, each representing the intensity of an optical signal, pass from each detector to an electronic data acquisition system for analysis. The light amplifying element or elements may comprise an array of phototubes, a multianode phototube, or a multichannel plate based image intensifier coupled to an array of photodiode detectors. |
| US08964183B2 |
Systems and methods for screening of biological samples
A screening module configured to screen at least a portion of a biological sample disposed on an analysis surface is provided. The screening module comprises a laser source a scanning unit comprising one or more scanning devices, wherein the scanning devices are configured to rotate in an oscillatory scanning motion about an axis of rotation to scan the analysis surface in at least one direction, wherein the scanning unit is physically coupled to the laser source, and a detection unit comprising one or more detection devices. |
| US08964181B2 |
Method and system for monitoring LED display using optical fiber as light transmission medium
A system for monitoring LED displays on electronic equipments using optical fiber as light transmission medium comprising: (a) a plurality of LED displays on electronic equipments indicating operation status of the electronic equipments, (b) a plurality of optical light concentrator unit, for collecting light emitted by the LED displays using optical fiber as light transmission medium, (c) a plurality of LED Display Monitors for determining the operation status of the LED displays that reflect the operation status of the electronic equipments, (c) an equipment LED display monitoring software installed and executed in a computer system for comparing the operation status of the LED displays with a predetermined operation status stored in the computer system and providing audio, visual, or electronic messaging alerts if any abnormality occurs, and (d) a communication link between the LED Display Monitors and the computer system. |
| US08964175B2 |
Colorant identification method and colorant identification apparatus
Distribution is acquired for a reflectance spectrum and a fluorescence emission spectrum on a sample composed of color-image recorded matter. Then, on the basis of the distribution of the reflectance spectrum and the fluorescence emission spectrum, a single color portion is identified that is generated with one colorant selected from colorants of plural colors used in generating a color image. A control unit stores in advance Raman spectra of colorants of single color for each manufacturer. Laser light is projected onto the single color portion of the sample so that a Raman spectrum is measured. Then, the measured Raman spectrum is compared with the Raman spectra stored in advance so that the manufacturer of the colorant is identified and hence the colorant is identified. |
| US08964171B2 |
Identifying and measuring reticulocytes
Methods and systems for identifying reticulocytes in a blood sample deposited on a substrate include: illuminating the sample with incident light at two different wavelengths, obtaining a two-dimensional image of the sample corresponding to a first one of the wavelengths, and obtaining a two-dimensional image of the sample corresponding to a second one of the wavelengths; analyzing the images to identify a set of representative red blood cells; determining an area of each of the red blood cells in the set; determining a color value of each of the red blood cells in the set; and, for each one of the red blood cells in the set, identifying the red blood cell as a reticulocyte if the area of the red blood cell exceeds an area cutoff value and the color value of the red blood cell is less than a color cutoff value. |
| US08964169B2 |
Ranging method and system
The invention relates to the topographic technique field, and provides a ranging method and a system, wherein the ranging method comprises the following steps: modulating measured beam, by a modulated signal of which the frequency is continuously changed over time; emitting the modulated measured beam to a measured object; receiving the reflected measured beam and converting the beam into the measured signals; and comparing the frequency of the modulated signal generated when the measured beam is received with the frequency of the measured signals, thus determining the measured distance. |
| US08964168B1 |
Methods and systems for detecting an object
A detection system for detecting an object includes a transmitter including a light source configured to emit a first light beam having a first frequency towards the object. The detection system also includes a receiver configured to receive a second light beam reflected from the object, and a detector positioned within the receiver. The second light beam has a second frequency as a result of a non-linear optical response of a surface of the object to the first light beam. The detector is configured to detect the object based on the second frequency of the second light beam. |
| US08964167B2 |
Cylindrical magnetic levitation stage and lithography
The present invention provides a cylindrical magnetic levitation stage and an exposure apparatus, which can form a nanoscale pattern of a large area directly on the surface of a large cylinder. The present invention provides an exposure apparatus including a new type of cylindrical magnetic levitation stage, which can levitate, rotate, and move a cylinder in the axial direction by the principle of magnetic levitation in a non-contact manner and form a nanoscale pattern on the surface of the cylinder, and a light source for irradiating light on the surface of the cylinder, thereby reducing the position error of the cylindrical magnetic levitation stage to a nanoscale size and correcting the error caused by mechanical processing in real time. Moreover, the present invention provides an exposure apparatus, which includes a differential vacuum means combined with the cylindrical magnetic levitation stage to create a partial vacuum environment between the light source and the surface of the cylinder, and thus it is possible to employ light sources such as X-rays, electron beams, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) rays, etc. |
| US08964166B2 |
Stage device, exposure apparatus and method of producing device
A stage device is provided with a mobile body retaining a mask illuminated with exposure light and moving along a predetermined plane, and a flow control section moving substantially together with the movement of the mobile body so as to control the flow of gas in proximity to the mask thereby. |
| US08964165B2 |
Optical apparatus with adjustable action of force on an optical module
The disclosure pertains to an optical apparatus, in particular for microlithography, that includes an optical module, a support structure and a connection apparatus. The connection apparatus includes at least one connection unit which includes a first connector part and a second connector part. The first connector part is connected to the optical module, and the second connector part is connected to the support structure. |
| US08964164B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
In a lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system above the surface of the substrate can be varied using actuators. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate to maintain the liquid supply system at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate. |
| US08964162B2 |
Optical assembly
An optical assembly has at least one mirror with a mirror body. The latter is carried by a support body, which has a first support body portion and a second support body portion. An at least thermally separating region is arranged between the two support body portions. At least one surface portion of at least one of the support body portions or of a body thermally coupled thereto is modified in such a way that a thermal emission coefficient εm of the modified surface portion differs from a thermal emission coefficient εu of the unmodified surface portion by at least 10%. The result is an optical assembly, in which an improved thermal stability is achieved by the predetermining of the thermal emission coefficients. |
| US08964156B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and electronic device
To provide a semiconductor device, a liquid crystal display device, and an electronic device which have a wide viewing angle and in which the number of manufacturing steps, the number of masks, and manufacturing cost are reduced compared with a conventional one. The liquid crystal display device includes a first electrode formed over an entire surface of one side of a substrate; a first insulating film formed over the first electrode; a thin film transistor formed over the first insulating film; a second insulating film formed over the thin film transistor; a second electrode formed over the second insulating film and having a plurality of openings; and a liquid crystal over the second electrode. The liquid crystal is controlled by an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08964153B2 |
In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof
An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate, a gate line and a data line crossing each other on the first substrate to define a pixel region, a switching device at a crossing of the gate line and the data line, a pixel electrode and a common electrode on the first substrate for generating an in-plane electric field in the pixel region, a black matrix, a light blocking line, the light blocking line being below the black matrix and above the data line, the light blocking line covering a gap between the data line and the common electrode adjacent to the data line, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates. |
| US08964149B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing transparent electrode
A liquid crystal display apparatus is provided in which light leakage from a peripheral portion of a non-selected pixel can be suppressed without reducing the aperture ratio of each pixel, and the contrast can be improved. A liquid crystal display apparatus 1 includes: first and second transparent substrates 5a and 5b which are opposed to each other to be placed through a predetermined gap; a liquid crystal layer 8 which is placed between opposed surfaces of the first and second transparent substrates 5a and 5b; first strip-like transparent electrodes 3a which are formed in a stripe-like pattern on a surface of the first transparent substrate 5a that is opposed to the second transparent substrate 5b; a transparent resin film 22 which is a transparent resin covering film that is formed after a stripe-like black mask 21 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the first strip-like transparent electrodes 3a, on a surface of the second transparent substrate 5b that is opposed to the first transparent substrate 5a, the resin film having inverted trapezoidal recessed portions 22a in the film surface corresponding to gaps of the black mask 21; and second strip-like transparent electrodes 30b which are formed in the recessed portions 22a of the resin film 22, and which have an inverted trapezoidal shape. |
| US08964144B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display device
A backlight module and a liquid crystal display device are disclosed, and the backlight module which comprises a backboard defining a first sidewall with as first engaging device formed thereon. A plastic frame includes a second sidewall with a second engaging device. An elastic member arranged between the first sidewall of the backboard, and a second sidewall or the plastic frame; and wherein the first engaging device interengages with the second engaging device, and the elastic member deformed when the first and second engaging devices interlocked. By this arrangement, the interengagement between the plastic frame and the backboard become more durable and reliable. |
| US08964143B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, backlight module and backboard structure
The present invention provides a backlight module and a backboard structure incorporated therein. The backboard structure is configured with a first bracket having the buckle, and a second bracket having defined with the retaining slot. With the interengagement between the buckle and the retaining slot, the embossment and the positioning slot, the backboard structure can be readily constructed by the assembling of the first and second brackets. Since no screws are necessary for the assembling of the backboard structure, no laborious work is required as well. This can effectively reduce the manufacturing cost, and is really beneficial to the automation. |
| US08964140B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates and including liquid crystal molecules; a gate line which transmits a gate signal; first and second data lines which respectively transmit first and second data voltages, the first and second data voltages having opposite polarities; a first switching element connected to the gate line and the first data line; a second switching element connected to the gate line and the second data line; a first subpixel electrode connected to the first switching element; and a second subpixel electrode connected to the second switching element. The first and second subpixel electrodes overlap portions of the first and second data lines. The first and second subpixel electrodes include first and second branches, respectively, which are alternately arranged between the first and second data lines. |
| US08964137B2 |
Image display device
According to one embodiment, an image display device includes an image display unit and a liquid crystal optical apparatus stacked with image display unit. The image display unit emits image light having a polarizing axis. The liquid crystal optical apparatus includes first and second substrate units and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate unit includes a first substrate and first electrodes extending along a first direction. An angle between the polarizing axis and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and second substrate units. An angle between a long-axis direction of the liquid crystal and the polarizing axis is greater than 0 degrees and less than the angle between the polarizing axis and the second direction. |
| US08964134B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate having a sensor electrode and a plurality of pixel electrodes, and a counter substrate facing the array substrate. The sensor electrode includes an electric conductive oxide layer, a first electric conductive layer arranged on the electric conductive oxide layer and formed of one metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), nickel (nickel), and chromium (Cr), and a second electric conductive layer arranged on the first electric conductive layer and formed of aluminum. The plurality of pixel electrodes is arranged on the sensor electrode in a matrix shape so as to face the electric conductive oxide layer. Each pixel electrode is provided with slits. The thickness of the first electric conductive layer is equal to or less than 10% of the thickness of the second electric conductive layer. |
| US08964132B2 |
Color filter substrate and capacitive touch screen
The present disclosure relates to a color filter and a capacitive touch screen. Said color filter comprises a substrate; a color filter film formed on the substrate and comprising a plurality of sub-pixel regions; and a sensing layer formed on the substrate and comprising a first metal layer, a second metal layer and an insulting layer located between the first metal layer and the second metal layer. At least one of the first metal layer, the second metal layer and the insulating layer is made of a light shielding material, the light shielding material is projected on the color filter film as a grid and shields the boundaries between respective sub-pixel regions. According to the present disclosure, the number of layers produced is reduced, production process is optimized, and the cost is reduced and the color filter substrate is thinner and lighter compared with the conventional color filter substrate. |
| US08964124B2 |
Video display device that stretches a video signal and a signal of the light source and television receiving device
A video display device increases a feeling of brightness and expresses a video with high contrast by detecting a part of a video signal that emits light, enhancing the display luminance of the light-emitting part, and displaying the part. A light emission detection portion (1) uses a prescribed feature quantity related to the brightness of an input video signal, predetermines the light emission quantity for the video signal on the basis of the relationship with the feature quantity, and detects the light emission quantity for each input video signal frame from the feature quantity. A backlight luminance stretch portion (3) stretches the light source luminance of the backlight according to the light emission quantity detected. A video signal luminance stretch portion (6) stretches the video signal according to the light emission quantity or the luminance distribution of the input video signal. |
| US08964118B2 |
Display signal processing system, circuit board, and liquid crystal display
A display signal processing system, a circuit board, and a liquid crystal display are disclosed. The display signal processing system includes an image processing circuit and a V-by-One circuit capable of selecting a JEIDA mode and a VESA mode. A GPIO of the V-by-One circuit is for selectively inputting a first or a second selection signal such that the V-by-One circuit transforms the converted display signal to be a first LVDS signal under the JEIDA mode or a second LVDS under the VESA mode. The first LVDS or second LVDS signal is output by a signal output. The selection between the VESA mode and the JEIDA may be achieved by a simplified V-by-One circuit. In addition, the display signal processing system retains the advantage of lower cost and simple operations. |
| US08964116B2 |
Spatial and temporal de-interlacing with error criterion
A de-interlacing device and method are provided that may be used in a memory based video processor. The de-interlacer mixes the output of a temporal de-interlacer and a spatial de-interlacer. Two separate error values are used; one for the temporal de-interlacer and another for the spatial de-interlacer. The de-interlacing device calculates from the two error values, using a non-linear mapping, a mix factor used to mix between the outputs of the spatial and temporal de-interlacers. |
| US08964113B2 |
Method and arrangement in a monitoring camera
A monitoring camera is connected to an external power source. The external power source has an external maximum power level. Image data is being processed in a first processing state. The monitoring camera detects (202) an event and determines (206) a type of the detected event. An amount of energy in an energy accumulator is determined (208) in the monitoring camera. Based on the type of the event and based on the external maximum power level and based on the determined amount of energy in the energy accumulator, a second processing state is determined (210). The second processing state requires a power level that is higher than the external maximum power level. Image data is then processed (212) in the second processing state. |
| US08964109B2 |
Image processing device and method
A flash detection unit is configured to detect whether or not each frame of image data includes a high luminance portion due to a flash. A holding unit is configured to hold a past frame of the image data. A correction processing unit is configured to, if it is detected by the flash detection unit that frames include high luminance portions, correct the image data so as to consolidate a first image data and a second image data into one frame. The first image data is included in a first portion in a first frame stored in the holding unit. The second image data is included in a second portion in a second frame which is adjacent to the first frame. The first and second portions are high luminance portions. |
| US08964107B2 |
Electrochromic light control element and image pickup apparatus
To provide an electrochromic light control element in which a response speed in a low temperature environment can be easily and also efficiently improved.The electrochromic light control element includes a pair of transparent electrodes provided on a pair of substrates and an electrochromic layer and an ion conductive layer arranged between the pair of the transparent electrodes, in which one of the pair of transparent electrodes is connected via a heater that generates heat through a power distribution and an electrical insulation heat conductive layer. |
| US08964103B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing continuous autofocus power consumption
A method and apparatus providing an autofocus routine in a camera apparatus having a processor is disclosed. The camera apparatus is adapted to detect a number of images and communicate image signals representative thereof to the processor. The method includes determining that a degree of change between a first image signal and a second image signal is below a predetermined threshold and responsive thereto, performing the autofocus routine. |
| US08964101B2 |
Imaging apparatus and method for controlling the same
An apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert an object image incident via a focus lens to acquire image data; a detection unit configured to detect a size and a position of an object based on the acquired image data; an adjustment unit configured to execute focus adjustment by acquiring a focus signal indicating a focusing state of the focus lens based on the image data while moving the focus lens, and moving the focus lens based on the focus signal; and a control unit configured to execute an operation if the detected size has changed, and to change the operation if the detected position has changed while the detected size has not changed. |
| US08964100B2 |
Digital camera
A digital camera includes an image sensor, a display device which displays a live-view display of an object image, an autofocus adjuster which detects a focal state and brings a specified object image into an in-focus state by moving a focal-adjusting lens group of a photographing lens, a focus lock-on device which prohibits the focal-adjusting lens group from moving and enters a focus locked-on state when the autofocus adjuster brings the specified object image into an in-focus state, a focus lock-on detector, and a distinguishing-display controller. When the focus lock-on detector detects a focus locked-on sate, the distinguishing-display controller performs image processing on part or the entirety of the specified object image, and a peaking display of the specified object image is displayed on the display device. |
| US08964095B2 |
Image pickup optical system and image pickup apparatus using the same
The image pickup optical system comprises: an aperture is placed on the most object side, the image pickup optical system comprises, in order from the object side: a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, and the following conditional expression is satisfied: −1.49<(r6+r7)/(r6−r7)<1.24 (1) where r6 is the paraxial radius of curvature of an object side surface of the third lens, and r7 is the paraxial radius of curvature of an image plane side surface of the third lens. |
| US08964091B2 |
Digital device and method for controlling the same
A digital device according to an embodiment includes a sensor unit configured to sense a user input to the digital device and to provide a signal corresponding to a sensed result to a processor, a camera unit configured to acquire an image, a display unit configured to display the acquired image, and the processor configured to control the sensor unit, the camera unit, and the display unit. The processor is further configured to: display the image acquired through the camera unit on the display unit, and provide a preview interface indicating a to-be-captured area in the displayed image, wherein the preview interface includes a first frame indicating a preview area of a first picture and a second frame indicating a preview area of a second picture. |
| US08964088B2 |
Time-delay-and-integrate image sensors having variable intergration times
In various embodiments, a time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) image sensor includes (i) a plurality of integrating CCDs (ICCDs), arranged in parallel, that accumulate photocharge in response to exposure to light, (ii) electrically coupled to the plurality of ICCDs, a readout CCD (RCCD) for receiving photocharge from the plurality of ICCDs, and (iii) electrically coupled to the RCCD, readout circuitry for converting charge received from the RCCD into voltage. |
| US08964087B2 |
Imaging device, method for controlling imaging device, and storage medium storing a control program
A large difference in exposure timing is prevented from arising in cases in which plural pixels have a common amplifier, even when image data is read by thinningAn imaging apparatus (10) includes: an image pickup device (14) including plural photoelectric conversion elements arrayed in first and second directions; an amplification means that treats (K×L) pixels as respective common pixels and amplifies an image capture signal for each of the common pixels; a color filter that is provided with a repeatedly disposed basic array pattern or first and second filters placed in a predetermined pattern of (N×M) pixels; and an image processing section (20) and a drive section (22) that perform charge sweeping by applying sequential shutter pulses to the image pickup device (14) in turn to each pixel, or to each scan line, or to each of plural pixels on a scan line, that read pixel signals of the plural pixels at a set cycle, that, from the read pixel signals, generate line image data of pixels that are arrayed running along the second direction at a cycle of from K pixels to N pixels in the first direction, and that generate image data based on the line image data. |
| US08964085B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
In a CMOS image sensor in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix, a transistor in which a channel formation region includes an oxide semiconductor is used for each of a charge accumulation control transistor and a reset transistor which are in a pixel portion. After a reset operation of the signal charge accumulation portion is performed in all the pixels arranged in the matrix, a charge accumulation operation by the photodiode is performed in all the pixels, and a read operation of a signal from the pixel is performed per row. Accordingly, an image can be taken without a distortion. |
| US08964084B2 |
Solid-state image sensor and camera system
Provided is a solid-state image sensor including a pixel array portion formed from a two-dimensional array of ordinary imaging pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to output an electric signal obtained through photoelectric conversion as a pixel signal, and focus detection pixels for detecting focus. The focus detection pixels include at least a first focus detection pixel and a second focus detection pixel each having a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to transfer and output an electric signal obtained through photoelectric conversion to an output node. The first focus detection pixel and the second focus detection pixel share the output node. The first focus detection pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion unit, and a first transfer gate for reading out an electron generated through photoelectric conversion in the first photoelectric conversion unit to the shared output node. |
| US08964076B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device and camera system
A solid-state image pickup device including a pixel section arranged with multiple pixel circuits in A matrix having functions for converting an optical signal to an electrical signal and for accumulating the electrical signal depending on an exposure time, and a pixel driving section capable of driving through a control line to reset, accumulate, transfer, and output signal electric charge of the pixel section. The pixel section may have a pixel shared structure arranged with one selection control line, one reset control line, and multiple transfer control lines, including a readout-pixel section and an unread-pixel section in its entirety. The pixel driving section includes a pixel control section where an unread-pixel is normally fixed in a reset state. When reading a readout-pixel in a shared relationship, if its address is selected or a selection signal becomes active, the unread-pixel reset-state is cancelled to turn into an unread state. |
| US08964074B2 |
Amplification circuit, photoelectric conversion apparatus, and imaging system
An amplification circuit includes an amplifier, a first capacitor including a first terminal connected to an input terminal of the amplifier, a second capacitor including a first terminal connected to the input terminal of the amplifier and a second terminal connected to an output terminal of the amplifier, and a correction unit configured to correct a difference in bias dependency between capacitance values of the first and second capacitors. |
| US08964073B2 |
Image outputting apparatus, image outputting method, image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and image pickup apparatus
The present disclosure provides an image outputting apparatus, including, an image pickup section, an error correction code calculation section adapted to calculate an error correction code using pixel data, which configure an image obtained by image pickup by the image pickup section, as an information word, and an outputting section adapted to output coded data, which are data of a codeword obtained by adding the error correction code to the pixel data, to an image processing apparatus provided in an apparatus in which the image outputting apparatus is provided. |
| US08964062B1 |
Integrated light sensor for dynamic exposure adjustment
The amount of resources needed to provide automatic exposure control (AEC) for a camera of a computing device, as well as the amount of latency required to determine an appropriate exposure setting for current conditions, can be improved utilizing an ambient light sensor (ALS) that is integrated with a camera module corresponding to the camera. The ALS can capture data regarding the amount of ambient light around the device, and a microprocessor or other component of the camera module can analyze the data using an AEC algorithm or other such process to determine one or more initial exposure settings for the camera. This process can be completed without sending image data to a host processor or other such component. Providing relatively accurate initial exposure settings can, in at least many situations, enable the AEC algorithm to more quickly converge to proper settings than is possible using conventional approaches. |
| US08964060B2 |
Determining an image capture payload burst structure based on a metering image capture sweep
A first plurality of images of a scene may be captured. Each image of the first plurality of images may be captured with a different total exposure time (TET). Based at least on the first plurality of images, a TET sequence may be determined for capturing images of the scene. A second plurality of images of the scene may be captured. Images in the second plurality of images may be captured using the TET sequence. Based at least on the second plurality of images, an output image of the scene may be constructed. |
| US08964059B2 |
Scanning circuit, solid-state image sensor, and camera
A scanning circuit, comprising first signal lines, second signal lines, third signal lines, a drive unit configured to drive the first signal lines, first buffers configured to drive the second signal lines in accordance with signals of the first signal lines, second buffers configured to drive the third signal lines in accordance with the signals of the first signal lines, and a shift register having a first part to be driven by signals of the second signal lines and a second part to be driven by signals of the third signal lines, wherein the first to third signal lines include two signal lines arranged in parallel to each other and configured to transmit the in-phase signals. |
| US08964057B2 |
Apparatus and method for selective pixel binning
An output level of a pixel is determined using a reflected light reflected against an object. Pixel binning is selectively performed according to the output level of the pixel. |
| US08964051B2 |
Imaging apparatus, method for controlling the same, and storage medium
An imaging apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photograph an object to acquire an image, an acquisition unit configured to acquire positional information, an addition unit configured to add the positional information acquired by the acquisition unit to the image acquired by the imaging unit, an operation unit configured to receive an instruction from a user, and a notification unit configured to notify before sending the image, when the operation unit receives an instruction to send the image to the external apparatus after the acquisition unit starts to perform processing for acquiring the positional information and before the addition unit adds the positional information to the image, the user that the positional information has not been added to the image which is instructed to be sent. |
| US08964046B2 |
Amount-of-shake sensing apparatus, imaging apparatus, and method of detecting the amount of shake
The apparatus of the invention is characterized by executing first integration operation for time-integrating the first acceleration to calculate a first velocity, second integration operation for time-integrating the first velocity to calculate an amount of movement in the first axial direction, estimation operation for calculating an estimated first velocity in the first axial direction based on a first velocity change found by time integration of the first acceleration from a first timing at which the third angular velocity becomes zero to a second timing at which the third angular velocity again becomes zero, the second angular velocity at the first timing, and the second angular velocity at the second timing, and update operation for updating the first velocity calculated in the first integration operation to the estimated first velocity estimated in the estimation operation. |
| US08964044B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus continuously captures a plurality of unit images, extracts and sets a feature point to be compared from each unit image, detects a feature point corresponding to that of another unit image reduces an error between the unit images superposes the unit images, and calculates the feature point detection range according to a maximum number of pixels allowing shake not to be substantially perceived in the unit image. A motion detection range is set to a minimum in case of superposition of each image when hand-shake is corrected by composite synthesis, thereby reducing image processing load and increasing image processing speed. |
| US08964042B2 |
Imaging device for radiating internal heat
A first heat radiation unit is formed on one surface of the imaging unit in a vertical direction. A second heat radiation unit is formed on the other surface of the imaging unit in the vertical direction. A third heat radiation unit is formed on a surface opposite to an imaging direction of the imaging unit. A first heat transfer unit transfers heat of a first heat source of the imaging unit to the first heat radiation unit and the third heat radiation unit. A second heat transfer unit transfers heat of a second heat source of the imaging unit, which has a higher maximum allowable temperature than the first heating unit, to the second heat radiation unit. A heat insulation unit suppresses heat transfer between the first and the second heat radiation units and between the third and the second heat radiation units. |
| US08964040B2 |
High dynamic range image registration using motion sensor data
Motion sensor data may be used to register a sequence of standard dynamic range images for producing a high dynamic range (HDR) image, reducing use of computational resources over software visual feature mapping techniques. A rotational motion sensor may produce information about orientation changes in the imaging device between images in the sequence of images sufficient to allow registration of the images, instead of using registration based on analysis of visual features of the images. If the imaging device has been moved laterally, then the motion sensor data may not be useful and visual feature mapping techniques may be employed to produce the HDR image. |
| US08964035B2 |
Method for calibrating the image of a camera
A method for calibrating the image (3I, 3II) of a camera (1), and, in particular, a traffic-monitoring camera, with respect to its viewing space, such that the camera projection parameters (mk1) of a camera projection of the viewing space onto the image are determined, includes the steps of providing a movable carrier (4) with at least four markings that can be viewed by the camera (1) and that span a volume and that form known first world points (wi) in the viewing space, recording a first image (3I) of the viewing space, shifting the carrier (4) in the viewing space by an unknown offset (v) in order to obtain second world points (wi) dependent on this offset in the viewing space, recording a second image (3II) of the viewing space, detecting the markings in the first image (3I) as first image points (pi) and in the second image (3II) as second image points (pi), and determining the camera projection parameters (mk1), while also determining the offset (v), from the known first world points, the second world points dependent on the offset, the detected first image points, and the detected second image points. |
| US08964033B2 |
Cost-effective system and method for detecting, classifying and tracking the pedestrian using near infrared camera
A cost effective method for detecting, classifying and tracking the pedestrian present in front of the vehicle by using images captured by near infrared (IR) camera disposed on the vehicle, the said method comprises the processor implemented steps of: detecting the road to focus of attention for filtering the region of interest (ROI) objects in the said image by estimating the ground region characterized by identifying smooth regions connected to bottom most part of the image; eliminating the non-ground objects based on their distance to ground; filtering the non-ROI objects based on the shape of such objects by computing the signal to noise ratio (SNR) which is a measure of regularity of the component based on its periodicity of its contour for each of such non-ROI objects; eliminating the non-vertical objects by computing inertial moment relative to x and y axis with respect to the centre of mass of such non-vertical objects; classifying the pedestrians in the analyzed frame of the image based their shape; and tracking the movement of the classified pedestrian using mean shift algorithm. |
| US08964032B2 |
Rear illumination system
In a first aspect, the invention is directed to an illumination system for rearward illumination for a first vehicle. The illumination system includes a tail lamp assembly, a sensor and a controller for controlling the operation of the tail lamp assembly. If the controller determines that there are any oncoming second vehicles behind the first vehicle that are sufficiently close to the first vehicle, then the controller operates the tail lamp assembly in one mode. If the controller determines that there are no oncoming second vehicles behind the first vehicle that are sufficiently close to the first vehicle, then the controller permits the operation of the tail lamp assembly in another mode. |
| US08964029B2 |
Method and device for consistent region of interest
The present invention describes a system and method for surveillance cameras that maintain proper mapping of a mapped region of interest with an imaged region of interest based on feedback received regarding the current orientation of a surveillance camera. The system or method first determines the location of the imaged region of interest within the surveillance camera's imaged current field of view based on mechanical or imaged feedback, or a combination of both. The system or method then remaps the mapped region of interest within the surveillance camera's imaged current field of view such that the mapped region of interest is coextensive with the imaged region of interest. |
| US08964025B2 |
Visual obstruction removal with image capture
An object located within an image foreground relative to image content within a field of view of at least one camera lens is identified, using image processing module, as an image obstruction. Responsive to identifying the image obstruction, points of view of at least one camera lens are determined that provide image content portions of the image content that, in combination, yield a complete image of the image content without the image obstruction located within the image foreground. The image content portions are combined to yield the complete image of the image content without the image obstruction located within the foreground. The combined complete image is stored to a memory. |
| US08964021B2 |
Radiation tolerant camera
A Radiation tolerant camera, including a camera module and having an electronic image sensor. The camera module is arranged in a radiation shielding enclosure, the enclosure having an opening for allowing passage of light into the image sensor. Furthermore, the camera module is connected to a heat absorbing cooling element dissipating heat from the camera module. |
| US08964020B2 |
Solid-state microscope for selectively imaging a sample
Exemplary embodiments provide solid-state microscope (SSM) devices and methods for processing and using the SSM devices. The solid-state microscope devices can include a light emitter array having a plurality of light emitters with each light emitter individually addressable. During operation, each light emitter can be biased in one of three operating states including an emit state, a detect state, and an off state. The light emitter can include an LED (light emitting diode) including, but not limited to, a nanowire based LED or a planar LED to provide various desired image resolutions for the SSM devices. In an exemplary embodiment, for near-field microscopy, the resolution of the SSM microscope can be essentially defined by the pitch p, i.e., center-to-center spacing between two adjacent light emitters, of the light emitter array. |
| US08964018B2 |
Video display systems
Various embodiments of the present invention arc directed to video display systems. In one embodiment, a video display system comprises a display screen; and a video capturing system. The video capturing system is configured to capture line-of-sight video images of a video display user's face and eyes while the display user looks at the display screen, enabling establishment of eye contact between the video display user and the person exhibited on the display. |
| US08964017B2 |
Optical tissue imaging based on optical frequency domain imaging
Optical devices and techniques for imaging and measuring targeted objects, e.g., tissues. |
| US08964015B2 |
System and method for checking state of rotator
Provided are a system and method for checking a state of a rotator. The system includes: a position recognition sensor that senses a position of a rotator and generates a position synchronization signal corresponding to the position of the rotator; a control unit that detects a position of a detection specimen existing in the rotator based on the position synchronization signal and generates an image photographing control signal corresponding to the detected position of the detection specimen; and a camera system that photographs an image of the detection specimen existing in the rotator based on the image photographing control signal. Accordingly, movement of a detection specimen existing in the rotator when the rotator stops rotating or whether a detection specimen being rotated is centrifuged, moved, or dried is monitored and controlled, thereby checking a change in a state of the detection specimen in the process of development of the rotator and checking whether each of operations of the system is completed. |
| US08964012B2 |
Display panel having a polarizing layer and display apparatus having the same
A display panel and a display apparatus are provided. The display panel includes first and second substrates which are disposed opposite to each other and a liquid crystal layer formed in between; a color filter polarizing layer which is formed on one surface between the first and second substrates; and a polarizing layer. The color filter polarizing layer comprises a first metal linear grid arranged at different pitches to emit a first polarized component of incident light with different colors, and a second metal linear grid formed on an opposite surface of the one surface between the first and second substrates. The provided display panel and display apparatus, have reduced manufacturing costs and a simplified manufacturing process. |
| US08964011B2 |
Device and method for displaying video
A device for displaying a video includes: a content processor which, if a content is received, determines a type of the content according to additional information of the content; a controller which, if the content is a 3D content, operates in a 3D display mode and, if the content is a multi-view content, operates in a multi-view mode; and a display which performs a 3D display or multi-view display according to an operation mode of the controller. |
| US08964009B2 |
Parallax barrier for autostereoscopic display, autostereoscopic display, and method for designing parallax barrier for autostereoscopic display
Moiré generated in an autostereoscopic display utilizing a parallax barrier method is cancelled. The interval between visible light transmitting sections that are abutting in the horizontal direction of a parallax barrier is determined using: the average number of subpixels constituting one pixel for three-dimensional display in one row in the horizontal direction; the width of a subpixel, which forms a display; the distance from a predetermined diagonal moiré canceling position to the parallax barrier; the number of viewpoints of a video image used for displaying an autostereoscopic video image; and the distance (Z) from the image display surface of the display to the parallax barrier. |
| US08964008B2 |
Volumetric video presentation
Various embodiments are disclosed that relate to the presentation of video images in a presentation space via a head-mounted display. For example, one disclosed embodiment comprises receiving viewer location data and orientation data from a location and orientation sensing system, and from the viewer location data and the viewer orientation data, locate a viewer in a presentation space, determine a direction in which the user is facing, and determine an orientation of the head-mounted display system. From the determined location, direction, and orientation, a presentation image is determined based upon a portion of and an orientation of a volumetric image mapped to the portion of the presentation space that is within the viewer's field of view. The presentation image is then sent to the head-mounted display. |
| US08964007B2 |
Frame system, method and apparatus for synchronizing three-dimensional eyewear
An application for a three-dimensional television system includes content encoded with left/right frame indicators at a pre-determined location on each frame. For example, during display frames meant for a first eye, the set of pixels contain a first pattern while during display of frames meant for the second eye, the set of pixels contain a second pattern. A detector interfaced to the screen of the television detects the left/right indication and provides synchronization to shutters of three-dimensional eyewear. The detector is positioned over the set of pixels and determines which pattern is displayed, generating a synchronization signal based upon the patterns. The synchronization signal is then transmitted to three-dimensional eyewear where it is used to control the shutters. In some embodiments, a phased-locked loop is provided within the three-dimensional eyewear to continue operation during periods when the transmission of the synchronization signal is blocked or otherwise interrupted. |
| US08964005B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying obliquely positioned thumbnails on a 3D image display apparatus
According to one embodiment, a 3D image output apparatus includes: an oblique display judging module configured to judge whether a thumbnail relating to an image content that can be displayed in 3D is displayed obliquely; and an image signal output module configured to: output an image signal relating to a thumbnail so that the thumbnail is displayed in 2D when the oblique display judging module judges that the thumbnail is displayed obliquely; and output an image signal relating to the thumbnail so that the thumbnail is displayed in 3D when the oblique display judging module judges that the thumbnail is not displayed obliquely. |
| US08964001B2 |
Method for displaying measurement effective area in three-dimensional visual sensor and three-dimensional visual sensor
One of stereo cameras is set such that a front view of a support surface of a workpiece is imaged, an image produced by the camera is displayed, and a range of an area where measurement processing is enabled is assigned by a rectangular frame. A manipulation assigning an upper limit and a lower limit of a height measurement range is accepted. When each assignment is fixed, zero is set as a z-coordinate to each constituent pixel of an image to which the rectangular frame is set, and a z-coordinate based on the upper limit of the height measurement range and a z-coordinate based on the lower limit are set to coordinates corresponding to the rectangular frame. Perspective transformation of three-dimensional information produced by the setting is performed from a direction of a line of sight set by a user, a produced projection image is displayed on a monitor. |
| US08964000B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing digital signal
A digital signal processing apparatus including a receiver configured to receive a digital signal including a first image source and a second image source, an image processor configured to generate a main image from the first image source and an additional image from the second image source, wherein the additional image is an expanded image of the main image, and the expanded image is partially corresponding to the main image, a first display unit configured to display the main image, and a second display unit configured to display the additional image which is seamlessly connected to an edge region of the main image. |
| US08963998B2 |
Full reference system for predicting subjective quality of three-dimensional video
A method of generating a predictive picture quality rating makes a disparity measurement of a three-dimensional image by comparing left and right sub-components of the three-dimensional image. Then the left and right sub-components of the three-dimensional image are combined (fused) into a two-dimensional image, using data from the disparity measurement for the combination. A predictive quality measurement is then generated based on the two-dimensional image, and further including quality information about the comparison of the original three-dimensional image. |
| US08963996B2 |
Communication of stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) video information including an uncompressed eye view video frames
Communication of stereoscopic three dimensional (3D) video information. One embodiment comprises wireless communication of stereoscopic 3D video information including an uncompressed first eye view video frame and a corresponding stereoscopic uncompressed second eye view video frame, from a transmitting wireless station to a receiving wireless station. In one embodiment, a set of pixels in an uncompressed first eye view video frame is transmitted over a wireless communication medium. Pixel information in a set of pixels in an uncompressed second eye view video frame corresponding to the first eye view set of pixels is reduced to generate a reduced set of pixels. The reduced set of pixels is transmitted over the wireless communication medium. At the receiving wireless station, an uncompressed second eye view video set of pixels is reconstructed based on said first eye view set of pixels and said reduced set of pixels. |
| US08963992B1 |
Capturing and publishing product imagery
Disclosed are various embodiments for capturing item imagery and generating corresponding content pages. A plurality of images is captured from an image capture apparatus that includes a plurality of image capture devices positioned at various angles relative to an item. The images are associated with an item identifier and/or image identifier. A content page based on a page template is then generated that includes references to at least a subset of the images. |
| US08963990B2 |
Transmission management system, transmission terminal, transmission system, method of managing data transmission, and recording medium storing data transmission management program
An apparatus, system, and method of managing data transmission are provided, each of which is capable of generating reservation information regarding communication reserved for at least one of a first transmission terminal and a second transmission terminal, in response to a communication start request that requests to start communication between the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal. The reservation information is generated, for example, based on first time information indicating the time at which communication reserved for the first transmission terminal is scheduled to start, and second time information indicating the time at which communication reserved for the second transmission terminal is scheduled to start. The reservation information is transmitted to the first transmission terminal. The data transmission management method may be implemented in the form of a program stored in a non-transitory recording medium. |
| US08963989B2 |
Data distribution apparatus, data distribution method, and program
This technique relates to a data distribution apparatus, a data distribution method, and a program capable of selecting stream data required by a portable terminal from among multiple stream data, and distributing the stream data.A receiving unit receives a first image generated by capturing an image, audio data generated by collecting sound, and second image data generated in advance before the first image is generated. An analyzing unit analyzes at least one of the audio data and the second image data. A generating unit generates distribution data including at least one of the first image and the second image in accordance with an analysis result provided by the analyzing unit. A distribution unit distributes the distribution data to a portable terminal as a stream. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a video conference apparatus. |
| US08963988B2 |
Camera manipulation during a video conference
A method and system for enabling a first device to change a viewed image of at least one of the first device and a second device, during a video conference, are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a manipulation instruction, at a first device, for a selected target image, wherein the selected target image includes a portion of images displayed on a display of the first device during a video conference with a second device; comparing the manipulation instruction to an instruction store; and changing, on at least one of the first device and the second device, a view of the selected target image according to the manipulation instruction to achieve a manipulated selected target image. |
| US08963984B2 |
Videoconferencing system using QR codes for interaction
Quick Response barcodes (“QR Codes”) are used for videoconferencing between a peripheral device and a videoconferencing system, which can include a conferencing server and/or a videoconferencing unit. Conferencing related QR codes are embedded within video frames and are identified by either a peripheral device or a videoconferencing unit. Once identified, the device or unit acts according to the information provided by the QR code. The QR codes enables the peripheral device, videoconferencing unit, and conferencing server to operation in conjunction with one another even though one or more of the device may not share a compatible operation platform that would allow for direct communication of requests and responses. |
| US08963979B2 |
Fixing structure for fixing optical element, laser scanning apparatus, image forming apparatus, and method for fixing optical element
A fixing structure for fixing an optical element at a predetermined position in an optical device, the fixing structure has a plurality of first pressing members to fix the optical element at at least two positions on a surface of the optical element orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical element and a second pressing member to fix the optical element at a predetermined position on a surface of the optical element to the optical axis. A depth of pressing of the surface of the optical element by a tip of the second pressing member is larger than the depth of pressing of the surface of the optical element by the tips of the first pressing members. |
| US08963971B2 |
Laser exposure method and product
Provided are a high-resolution laser exposure method and a product manufactured with use of the laser exposure method, the laser exposure method being capable of performing high-resolution laser plate-making in gravure plate-making, offset plate-making, flexo plate-making, and the like, and being usable in laser exposure of a circuit pattern in an electronic component such as a printed circuit board, a liquid crystal display, and a plasma display, or in special printing for prevention of forgery of banknotes and the like. The laser exposure method, which uses a laser exposure apparatus, includes: scanning laser beams to form a laser spot array having a predetermined length on a photosensitive film; and exposing the photosensitive film coated on a plate surface to light, to thereby form a photosensitized part and a non-photosensitized part. The scanning includes sequentially scanning, for exposure, a subsequent laser spot array so that at least a half region of a previously scanned laser spot array in a width direction thereof is subjected to superimposed exposure. |
| US08963968B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method to perform screen process on image data of a plurality of colors using threshold matrix for each color
An image processing apparatus to perform a screen process on color image data using threshold matrices includes an address calculation section, threshold processor and shift section. The address calculation section calculates an address in the threshold matrix. The threshold processor acquires a threshold by the address, and performs an n-valued process (n≧2) on a pixel value using the threshold. The shift section divides the image data into blocks in units of the threshold matrix, determines shift amounts for each block, and shifts the address. The threshold processor acquires a threshold by an address after the shift for at least one color, and performs the n-valued process using the threshold. The threshold matrix for a color for which the address is shifted has a screen ruling with a lower number of lines than the address is not shifted. |
| US08963961B2 |
Fractal whiteboarding
In a system and a method, a first user input corresponding to a first graphical shape having first boundaries, a first size, and a first position is received on an initial virtual whiteboard having an infinite drawing area and occupying a display area of a user interface. In response to a first command, the first graphical shape is designated as a current virtual whiteboard by resizing the first graphical shape from the first size to a second size, with the second size being equal to the display area of the user interface, and with the first graphical shape having the first boundaries removed to effect an infinite drawing area within the first graphical shape. A second user input corresponding to a second graphical shape is received within the first graphical shape designated as the current virtual whiteboard. In response to a second command, the initial virtual whiteboard is designated as the current virtual whiteboard by restoring the first position and the first size of the first graphical shape within the initial virtual whiteboard and by resizing and re-positioning the second graphical shape to fit within the first graphical shape. |
| US08963958B2 |
Apparatus and methods for adjusting a texture wrapped onto the surface of a virtual object
Techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. A haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region. |
| US08963956B2 |
Location based skins for mixed reality displays
The technology provides embodiments for providing a location-based skin for a see-through, mixed reality display device system. In many embodiments, a location-based skin includes a virtual object viewable by a see-through, mixed reality display device system which has been detected in a specific location. Some location-based skins implement an ambient effect. The see-through, mixed reality display device system is detected to be present in a location and receives and displays a skin while in the location in accordance with user settings. User data may be uploaded and displayed in a skin in accordance with user settings. A location may be a physical space at a fixed position and may also be a space defined relative to a position of a real object, for example, another see-through, mixed reality display device system. Furthermore, a location may be a location within another location. |
| US08963949B2 |
Image selection and combination method and device
A method is disclosed that includes receiving multiple sequential images captured by an image capture device. The method includes selecting a subset of the multiple sequential images that are aligned to each other. The method further includes averaging pixel values from each image in the subset of the multiple sequential images to produce a combined image. |
| US08963945B2 |
System and method for generating RGB primary for wide gamut, and color encoding system using RGB primary
A red, green, and blue (RGB) primary generation system and method for a wide color gamut, and a color encoding system using the RGB primaries. The RGB primary generation system may achieve a wide color gamut by generating a color gamut having a gamut coverage which meets a gamut coverage threshold, meeting a unique hue, having a maximum gamut efficiency, and a minimum quantization error. |
| US08963944B2 |
Method, apparatus and system to provide video data for buffering
Techniques and mechanisms for circuitry to provide video data for loading to a buffer. In an embodiment, a loader circuit receives video data and determines MX data for a video frame and NZ data for the video frame, wherein M and N are different respective dimensions of a color space, and wherein X is a first encoding type and Z is a second encoding type. The first MX data includes data representing a first portion of a color component value, and the first NZ data includes data representing a second portion of that color component value. In another embodiment, the loader circuit sends the MX data via a first channel while sending the NZ data via a second channel to a random access buffer. |
| US08963943B2 |
Three-dimensional urban modeling apparatus and method
Disclosed herein is a 3D urban modeling apparatus and method. The 3D urban modeling apparatus includes a calibration unit for calibrating data about a translation and a rotation of at least one capturing device at a time that input aerial images and terrestrial images were captured. A building model generation unit generates at least one 3D building model based on the aerial images and the terrestrial images to which results of the calibration have been applied. A terrain model generation unit generates a 3D terrain model by converting an input digital elevation model into a 3D mesh. A texture extraction unit extracts textures related to the building model and the terrain model from the aerial images and the terrestrial images. A model matching unit generates a 3D urban model by matching the building model with the terrain model, which are based on the textures, with each other. |
| US08963941B2 |
Image display apparatus and image display method
An image display apparatus that displays an image on the basis of input image signals corresponding to sub-pixels forming one pixel includes a shift-amount storing unit that stores shift amounts of display positions of the sub-pixels relative to given reference positions in a display image, an image-signal correcting unit that corrects the input image signals according to the shift amounts, and an image display unit that displays an image on the basis of the image signals corrected by the image-signal correcting unit. |
| US08963940B1 |
Isochronous hub contracts
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a method for transmitting display data to a display device. The method includes the steps of receiving a contract for a frame of display data, preparing the frame of display data to ensure the timing requirements of the display device can be satisfied based on the contract, and transmitting the frame of display data to the display device while the contract is pending. |
| US08963937B2 |
Display controller driver and testing method thereof
A display controller driver and a testing method thereof are provided. The display controller driver includes an image data memory, a timing control circuit, and a data line driving circuit. The image data memory stores display data. The timing control circuit obtains the display data from the image data memory. The data line driving circuit is coupled to the timing control circuit. The data line driving circuit receives the display data and outputs a grayscale voltage signal corresponding to the display data through at least one data-line output terminal of the display controller driver. In a test operation mode, the timing control circuit further transmits the display data from the image data memory to at least one test output port of the display controller driver. |
| US08963935B1 |
Method and system for accessing display configuration information in a multi-GPU system using hot-plug detection signals
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for accessing display configuration information of a display device in a multi-graphics-processing-unit (multi-GPU) system based on a hot-plug detection signal associated with the same display device. The method includes the steps of changing the power state of a discrete GPU (dGPU) in the multi-GPU coupled to the display device after having detected an assertion of the hot-plug detection signal, retrieving the display configuration information of the display device with the dGPU, and powering down the dGPU after having retrieved the display configuration information. |
| US08963934B1 |
Processing multiple regions on an image in a graphics display system
There is described a method and circuit for independently processing a plurality of regions of an image to be displayed on a display device. The circuit comprises a plurality of transformation modules; a multiplexer having a plurality of inputs and an output for selectively transmitting one of the output values from one of the plurality of transformation modules, and a selector line; and a selection module operatively connected to the selector line of the multiplexer and configured to determine a position of the pixel in the image and identify a transformation module corresponding to a region with a highest priority level for a pixel position, and cause the multiplexer to output the output value from the identified transformation module as the post-transformation pixel for display on the display device. |
| US08963931B2 |
Tiling compaction in multi-processor systems
A method and system for processing a graphics frame in a multi-processor computing environment are described. Embodiments of the present invention enable the reduction of the memory footprint required for processing a graphics frame in a multi-processor system. In one embodiment a method of processing a graphics frame using a plurality of processors is presented. The method includes determining a respective assignment of tiles of the graphics frame to each processor of the plurality of processors; allocating a memory area in a local memory of each processor, where the size of the allocated memory area substantially corresponds to the aggregate size of tiles assigned to the respective processor; and storing the tiles of the respective assignment of tiles in the memory area of each respective processor. |
| US08963930B2 |
Triangle setup and attribute setup integration with programmable execution unit
A system for integrating triangle setup and attribute setup operations into a programmable execution unit of a graphics processing unit is disclosed. A method for integrating triangle setup and attribute setup operations into a programmable execution unit graphics processing unit is also disclosed. In one embodiment, at least one execution unit is configured for multi-threaded operation. The at least one execution unit is configured to execute at least one thread for triangle setup operations and attribute setup operations as well as threads for pixel shader, geometry shader and vertex shader operations. |
| US08963926B2 |
User customized animated video and method for making the same
A customized animation video system and method generate a customized or personalized animated video using user input where the customized animated video is rendered in a near immediate timeframe (for example, in less than 10 minutes). The customized animation video system and method of the present invention enable seamless integration of an animated representation of a subject or other custom object into the animated video. That is, the system and method of the present invention enable the generation of an animated representation of a subject that can be viewed from any desired perspective in the animated video without the use of multiple photographs or other 2D depictions of the subject. Furthermore, the system and method of the present invention enables the generation of an animated representation of a subject that is in the same graphic style as the rest of the animated video. |
| US08963924B2 |
Target selection apparatus that detects target, control method therefor, and storage medium
A target selection apparatus capable of quickly carrying out selection processing when selecting a desired target according to a target detection result and carrying out image processing on the target. An image corresponding to image data is displayed on a display unit. A drawing line is drawn on the image displayed on the display unit. A target included in the image data is selected based on the drawing line. In response to the drawing line becoming a closed curve, the selected target is determined. |
| US08963923B2 |
Method and apparatus for electrical power visualization
A method and apparatus for providing a visualization of power for display. The method establishes a power visualization scale based on a color saturation and intensity range for a hue and a range of power to be visualized, and generates a display image for at least one measured value of power as a level of color saturation and intensity for the hue based on the power visualization scale. |
| US08963921B1 |
Technique for enhanced perception of 3-D structure in point clouds
In one embodiment, a user's perception of three-dimensional (3-D) structure of points in a point cloud is enhanced by use of a flashlight virtual object. The flashlight virtual object has a field of view that includes an inner cone that encloses an inner zone and an outer cone that encloses an outer zone. A current position and orientation of the flashlight virtual object within the 3-D space of the point cloud is found. It is determined whether the any points of the point cloud fall within the inner cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the inner cone are highlighted. It is further determined whether any points of the point cloud fall within the outer cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the outer cone are highlighted. |
| US08963919B2 |
System and method for four dimensional angiography and fluoroscopy
A method for generating time-resolved 3D medical images of a subject by imparting temporal information from a time-series of 2D medical images into 3D images of the subject. Generally speaking, this is achieved by acquiring image data using a medical imaging system, generating a time-series of 2D images of a ROI from at least a portion of the acquired image data, reconstructing a 3D image substantially without temporal resolution from the acquired image data, and selectively combining the time series of 2D images with the 3D image. Selective combination typically involves registering frames of the time-series of 2D images with the 3D image, projecting pixel values from the 2D image frames “into” the 3D image, and weighting the 3D image with the projected pixel values for each frame of the time-series of 2D images. |
| US08963918B2 |
Ray tracing on graphics hardware using kd-trees
Described is a technology by which a ray tracer incorporates a GPU-based kd-tree builder for rendering arbitrary dynamic scenes. For each frame, the ray tracer builds a kd-tree for the scene geometry. The ray tracer spawns and traces eye rays, reflective and refractive rays, and shadow rays. For each ray to be traced, the ray tracer walks through the kd-tree until it reaches leaf nodes and associated triangles. When a ray passes through both sides of a splitting plane, the “far” sub-tree is pushed into the stack and the “near” sub-tree is traversed first. |
| US08963916B2 |
Coherent presentation of multiple reality and interaction models
A method for navigating concurrently and from point-to-point through multiple reality models is described. The method includes: generating, at a processor, a first navigatable virtual view of a first location of interest, wherein the first location of interest is one of a first virtual location and a first non-virtual location; and concurrently with the generating the first navigatable virtual view of the first location of interest, generating, at the processor, a second navigatable virtual view corresponding to a current physical position of an object, such that real-time sight at the current physical position is enabled within the second navigatable virtual view. |
| US08963911B2 |
Electro-optic device and electronic apparatus
A first constant potential wiring that supplies a first constant potential to a scanning line drive circuit and a second constant potential wiring that supplies the first constant potential to a clock buffer circuit are electrically separated from each other. |
| US08963907B2 |
Pixel circuit and driving method thereof
A driving method of a pixel circuit, implemented with five transistors and two capacitors, includes steps of: supplying three control signals and a gate signal to the pixel circuit; modulating an operation state of each control signal and keeping the gate signal being disable so as to reset data of the pixel circuit and have an voltage compensation effect on the pixel circuit; and enabling the gate signal so as to operate the pixel circuit in a data writing period, and supplying, in the data writing period, a data voltage to the pixel circuit so as to change a terminal voltage of a driving transistor, which is used to drive the light-emitting device. A pixel circuit is also provided. |
| US08963905B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel driving circuit
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display panel driving circuit for driving a liquid crystal display panel with a resolution of N bits. N-bit digital data including upper X bits and lower Y bits is inputted. The liquid crystal display panel driving circuit includes a resistor string unit according to areas, a DAC converter switching unit according to areas, and an interpolation amplifier. The resistor string unit outputs analog reference voltages at different ratios according to three areas. The DAC converter switching unit receives the N-bit digital data, selects (Y+1) analog voltages from the analog reference voltages based on the upper X bits, outputs the (Y+1) analog voltages, and outputs the (Y+1) analog voltages of different combinations based on the lower Y bits. The interpolation amplifier receives the (Y+1) analog voltages and generates an interpolated output voltage by setting weights for the (Y+1) analog voltages by using multi-factors. |
| US08963903B2 |
Image display device having memory property
An image display device is provided which suppresses discomfort “flickering” in a process of renewing a screen to realize multiple gray level displaying including an intermediate color. Electrophoretic particles are made up of n-kinds of charged particles C1, . . . , Ck, . . . , Cn having colors different from one another and threshold voltages to initiate an electrophoresis. Each of charged particles C1, . . . , Ck, . . . , Cn satisfies a relationship characteristic of threshold value voltage of charged particles> . . . >threshold value voltage of charged particle Ck> . . . >threshold value voltage of charged particle Cn. A voltage applying unit, at time of renewing a screen, renews a screen to a next screen having a desired density by a transition of a relative color density of each charged particle to a relative color density of a corresponding intermediate state in order of charged particle C1> . . . >Ck, . . . , Cn for a voltage driving waveform of each charged particle. |
| US08963896B2 |
Dot inversion TFT array and LCD panel
A dot inversion TFT array is provided. The dot inversion TFT array includes: a plurality of data lines; a plurality of dot unit pairs, each including a first dot unit and a second dot unit and coupled to one of the data lines; and a plurality of gate line pairs, each including a first gate line and a second gate line. A predetermined dot unit pair of the dot unit pairs is coupled to a predetermined gate line pair of the gate line pairs, and two horizontally neighboring dot unit pairs of the dot unit pairs are mirror-symmetrical. |
| US08963893B2 |
CRT light pen interface for flat panel displays
A CRT light pen emulating interface with power save and remote access for flat panel displays includes a pen flat panel display that indicates at least one of a user action with a light pen switch or other device and a presence of a light pen emulating object positioned on or proximate to a display surface of the electromagnetic pen flat panel display. A light pen emulating object is positioned proximate to the electromagnetic pen flat panel display. A processor generates a light pen emulation signal comprising position data for the light pen emulating object relative to the display surface of the electromagnetic flat panel display. A light pen CRT electronic interface converts the position data for the light pen emulating object into a corresponding signal that is comparable to a signal generated by a CRT light pen viewing a scanning dot on the CRT screen. |
| US08963884B2 |
Optical touch panel and method of detecting touch point positions on an optical touch panel
An optical touch panel and a method of detecting touch point positions on an optical touch panel are provided. The optical touch panel includes a processing unit, and at least three optical detectors divided into at least two detector groups. Each of the optical detectors is configured to output a signal indicating intensities of light detected thereby, and is associated with a detection range. The processing unit is configured to receive the signals from the optical detectors, to determine which of the optical detectors detect touch points within the respective detection range according to the signals received by the processing unit, and to obtain an optimum set of coordinates for at least one of the touch points with respect to an optimum detector group which is one of the detector groups formed by the optical detectors that detect the touch points. |
| US08963882B2 |
Multi-touch device having dynamic haptic effects
A system for generating haptic effects senses at least two generally simultaneous touches on a touchscreen and, in response, generates a dynamic haptic effect. |
| US08963878B2 |
Touch control module and electronic device thereof
A touch control module and an electronic device thereof are disclosed. The touch control module includes a panel, a plurality of electrodes, and a control module. The panel is a flexible transparent and material and includes a first surface and a second surface. The plurality of electrodes is disposed on the second surface. When the first surface is touched, the plurality of electrodes is used for sensing at least one capacitance signal individually. The control module electronically connects to the plurality of electrode and is used for receiving at least one capacitance signal to control the electronic device. |
| US08963874B2 |
Touch screen rendering system and method of operation thereof
A touch-screen display apparatus, the apparatus may include first and second sheets having opposed major surfaces and a size and shape defined by a periphery. The periphery may be defined by opposed ends and opposed edges. The first and second sheets may each have a conductive pattern including a pair of opposed busbars and a plurality of traces electrically coupled to, and extending between, corresponding pairs of opposed busbars. The transparent force sensing (TFS) sheet may have opposed major surfaces and a variable resistance which is related to a force exerted upon one or more of its major surfaces. The TFS sheet may be situated between the first and second sheets. The apparatus may also include one or more separation portions situated between the TFS sheet and the first or second sheet to bias the TFS sheet apart from the first or second sheet. |
| US08963872B2 |
Position detector, position detecting circuit, and position detecting method
A capacitive type position detector is provided, which includes a conductor pattern formed of a plurality of conductors disposed in a first direction and in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; a transmission signal supplying circuit for supplying a transmission signal to said plurality of conductors disposed in the first direction; and a differentially amplifying circuit having first and second input terminals for amplifying signals inputted thereto. The differentially amplifying circuit is configured to receive signals from a set of at least three conductors among said plurality of conductors disposed in the second direction, to thereby receive signals from the conductors located on both end sides of the set via said first input terminal and to receive a signal(s) from the conductor(s), which is(are) located between said conductors located on both end sides of the set, via said second input terminal. |
| US08963865B2 |
Touch sensitive device with concentration mode
Techniques are disclosed for providing a concentration mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The concentration mode can be used to highlight given textual content on a line by line basis, or other consumable content. The user can engage the mode with a particular gesture. Once engaged, a UI feature is displayed that assists the user in viewing the given content. In some cases, the UI feature includes a reading pane that encompasses one to three complete lines of displayed text or other content. Background content outside the reading pane can be faded or otherwise softened. In some cases, the UI feature also includes, or alternatively includes, a straight-edged reading guide. The initial placement of the UI feature can be set, for instance, based on the initial contact point touched by the user. As the contact point moves, the UI feature moves accordingly. Concentration mode disengages when user releases contact point. |
| US08963862B2 |
Driving signal generating system for a touch panel
In a driving signal generating system, a boost circuit provides a power voltage, an amplifier provides an analog waveform driving signal, and a level shifter provides a digital waveform driving signal. A select device selects the analog waveform driving signal as a driving signal for a touch panel in an analog waveform mode, and selects the digital waveform driving signal as a driving signal for the touch panel in a digital waveform mode. The boost circuit provides the power voltage to the amplifier, and the amplifier, in the digital waveform mode, generates an output voltage as a power for at least one last stage of the level shifter. |
| US08963859B2 |
Edge grip detection method of a touch panel and a device using the same
The present disclosure relates to a touch panel technology, and especially to an edge grip detection method of a touch panel and a device using the same. The edge grip detection method comprises: determining whether an edge area state has changed; eliminating a first edge signal when the edge area state does not change; and updating the first edge signal as next standard signal when the edge area state changes. The edge grip detection method and an edge grip detecting device of the touch panel opportunely detect and dynamically update state and data of the edge area, thereby eliminating edge grip signals from touch signals of the touch panel to obtain normal touch signals. Thus, impact on the normal operation of the touch panel by edge grips is reduced. |
| US08963856B2 |
Touch sensing layer and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention relates to a touch sensing layer which comprises at least one first-axis sensing electrode, second-axis sensing electrode, insulating element and conductive bridge. Each first-axis sensing electrode comprises a plurality of first electrode patterns with discontinuity-in-series, and each second-axis sensing electrode is configured to interlace with each first-axis sensing electrode and comprises a plurality of second electrode patterns with continuity-in-series. Each insulating element is continuously formed on the corresponding second-axis sensing electrode, and each conductive bridge is also continuously formed above the corresponding first-axis sensing electrode and crosses the insulating element to connect those first electrode patterns with discontinuity-in-series. |
| US08963851B2 |
Moving point gesture determination method, touch control chip, touch control system and computer system
A moving point gesture determination method is disclosed for a touch sense device mapped to a screen according to absolute position. The moving point gesture determination method includes steps of comparing one or more signal values of one or more detecting signals generated by the touch sense device with one or more threshold values, to determine whether any touch event occurs, and determining that a moving point gesture occurs once the determination indicates that a touch event occurs. |
| US08963847B2 |
User interface for a remote control device
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for controlling the operations of a consumer electronic (CE) device. A system includes a display device, CE device, and a remote controller with a touchpad. The CE device is configured to output a context-specific user interface for display by the display device. The particular user interface varies based on the operational context of the CE device. The remote controller sends signals that are detected by the CE device and control operations performed by the CE device. More specifically, the remote controller is used as a handheld pointing device to select operations through interactions with the context-specific user interface. A user may apply gestures to the touchpad that are interpreted based on the context-specific user interface to control the CE device. |
| US08963846B2 |
Method for cursor motion control by a touchpad to move a cursor on a display screen
A cursor control method using a touchpad triggers an automatic movement signal for a cursor when an object moves from a first defined region into a second defined region of a two-dimensional touch sensor, or when an object stays in the second defined region for a preset duration after it moves from the first defined region into the second defined region, and define the automatic movement signal with the direction identical to that of the object moving into the second defined region, so that the cursor will keep moving in its last moving direction. |
| US08963844B2 |
Apparatus and method for touch screen user interface for handheld electronic devices part I
A user interface in handheld devices has a bounded touch screen control surface that is operable by a thumb tip and is oversized to the size of a thumb tip. The touch screen control surface is approximately sized to be around a ¾ inch square less or more and is partitioned into touch areas. The touch areas may include five overlapping areas of a top area, a bottom area, a left area, a right area and a center area for a simpler user interface control surface. There may be nine separate areas, including one center area and eight surrounding areas. When the thumb tip is placed on any one of these area and moved in a straight line or in a circular line by sliding action between different areas of these nine areas can provide a large number of navigation control functions. |
| US08963843B2 |
Capacitive touch sensor system
A method of matrix sensing using delay-based capacitance sensing, including using X-axis lines as active lines for capacitance measurements and using Y-axis lines as a disturbance to identify the location of a touch in a key matrix is disclosed. A sensing signal is applied to the X-axis lines, and a disturbance signal is applied to the Y-axis lines. If a location is touched, cross-capacitance is reduced, which is measured by sweeping data along the X-axis lines. |
| US08963839B2 |
Wireless mouse and wireless input device
A wireless mouse includes a base, a battery fastener and a top cover. The base has a top portion that is formed with a battery container unit. The battery fastener includes a fastener body connected removably with the top portion of the base. The battery fastener further includes a blockade unit extending from the fastener body and disposed directly above the battery container unit so as to prohibit the battery unit from exiting the battery container unit. The top cover is connected removably with the base for covering the battery container unit. When the top cover is connected with the base, the battery fastener is located between the top portion of the base and the top cover. |
| US08963837B2 |
Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
According to one embodiment, a mobile terminal includes: a touchscreen configured to display a first menu and receive a plurality of touch inputs of a first pattern via the first menu and to display a second menu and receive a plurality of touch inputs of a second pattern via the second menu; and a controller configured to: calculate a first moving distance of a pointer for each of the received touch inputs of the first pattern; determine a minimum among the plurality of calculated first moving distances; calculate a second moving distance of the pointer for each of the received touch inputs of the second pattern; determine a maximum among the plurality of calculated second moving distances; and determine a threshold moving distance of the pointer for discriminating the touch input of the first pattern from the touch input of the second pattern by using the minimum and the maximum. |
| US08963836B2 |
Method and system for gesture-based human-machine interaction and computer-readable medium thereof
A method and system for gesture-based human-machine interaction and computer-readable medium are provided. The system includes a capturing module, a positioning module, and a transforming module. The method includes the steps of: capturing images from a user's video streams, positioning coordinates of three or more predetermined color blocks in the foreground, simulating movements of a mouse according to the coordinates of the first color block, and simulating click actions of the mouse according to the coordinates of the other color blocks. The embodiments according to the current disclosure position coordinates of a plurality of color blocks through processing the captured user's video streams, and simulate mouse actions according to the coordinates of the color blocks. Processing apparatuses like computers may be extended to facilitate gesture-based human-machine interactions through a very simple way, and a touch-sensitive interaction effect can be simulated, without the presence of a touch screen. |
| US08963832B2 |
Mobile terminal
In a mobile terminal of the present invention, when the finger of a user is approaching a touch panel, an estimation coordinate as a position of the finger and an estimation distance as a distance between the finger and the touch panel are determined based on a capacitance value between the finger and the touch panel, and capacitance distribution data showing a distribution of the capacitance values is generated. When the capacitance distribution data is similar to set capacitance distribution data, an object icon, which is arranged in the estimation coordinate, of a plurality of icons displayed on the touch panel is displayed on the touch panel in a size larger than in a basic size. In this way, only when detecting that the finger of the user is approaching the touch panel, the icon which is displayed on the touch panel is displayed in an expansion state. Therefore, a malfunction can be prevented and the improvement of operability can be attempted to the user. |
| US08963831B2 |
Method and device for controlling an apparatus as a function of detecting persons in the vicinity of the apparatus
A method for controlling an electronic apparatus, includes steps of: acquiring an image of the environment of the apparatus, detecting the presence of human faces in the image acquired, estimating a respective position of each face detected in relation to the apparatus, and sending a signal to the apparatus to enable a function of the apparatus if a condition is met relating to a number of faces detected in the image and/or the estimated position of each detected face. |
| US08963823B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and gate driver circuit of a liquid crystal display panel including shift registers
A liquid crystal display panel comprises N gate lines, wherein N is an even number bigger two, and a first gate driver circuit which includes ((N/2)+1)th first shift registers connected in series, for outputting N gate signals to the N gate lines. The present disclosure only requires ((N/2)+1)th shift registers for outputting N gate signals to the N gate lines. Therefore, the gate driver circuit is substantially simplified, the RC distortion of inputted frequency signals (clock signals) is reduced, a board area occupied by the gate driver circuit is reduced, and the dependability of the gate driver circuit is enhanced. |
| US08963821B2 |
Scan driving device and repair method thereof
A scan driving device includes: a first node transmitted with a clock signal input to a first clock signal input terminal; a second node transmitted with an input signal according to a clock signal input to a second clock signal input terminal; a first transistor transmitting a power source voltage to an output terminal according to a voltage of the first node; a second transistor formed to transmit the clock signal input to the third clock signal input terminal to the output terminal according to the voltage of the second node; and a dummy transistor formed to transmit the clock signal input to the third clock signal input terminal to the output terminal according to the voltage of the second node. One of the second transistor and the dummy transistor is cut off. |
| US08963815B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device including: pixels on a first surface of a substrate, each pixel having a first region and a second region; pixel circuit units in the first region, each pixel circuit unit including at least one TFT; a first insulation film covering the pixel circuit units; first electrodes on the first insulation film, each first electrode being independently disposed in the first region and electrically connected to each pixel circuit unit; a second insulation film covering at least part of the first electrodes; a second electrode facing the first electrodes, the second electrode being electrically connected throughout the pixels and formed in at least the first region; an organic film between the first electrodes and the second electrode; a sealing member facing the first surface of the substrate; and a reflection preventing film on a second surface of the substrate. |
| US08963812B2 |
Detachable hybrid display comprising organic photoconductor-based electronic cover
A method and apparatus for displaying a reflective image in response to light emitted from an emissive display is disclosed. An apparatus includes an emissive display, a processor in communication with the emissive display, and an electronic cover proximate to the emissive display. The electronic cover includes a passive display layer having a plurality of passive display elements and a photosensitive layer responsive to emitted light from the emissive display. A method includes forming an emitted light image on the emissive display and exposing the photoconductor layer of the electronic cover to an emitted light image, causing the plurality of passive display elements to form a reflective image on the passive display layer so that the reflective image corresponds to the displayed image. |
| US08963807B1 |
Head mounted display and method for controlling the same
A head mounted display (HMD) is disclosed. The HMD includes a camera unit configured to capture an image; a display unit configured to display an information image; and a processor configured to control the camera unit and the display unit, wherein the processor is further configured to: detect an object using the camera unit, wherein the object has a staring state in which the object substantially stares at a wearer wearing the HMD and an unstaring state in which the object does not substantially stares at the wearer, display a first information image when the object in the staring state is detected, display a second information image when the object in the unstaring state is detected, and wherein the first information image includes at least one of a different amount of displayed information from the second information image and a different displaying location from the second information image. |
| US08963806B1 |
Device authentication
A head-mountable device configured to authenticate a wearer is disclosed. The head-mountable device can receive an indication of an eye gesture from at least one proximity sensor in the head-mountable device configured to generate sensor data indicative of light reflected from an eye area. The head-mountable device can capture biometric information indicative of one or more biometric identifiers of a wearer of the head-mountable device responsive to receiving the indication of the eye gesture. The head-mountable device can authenticate the wearer of the head-mountable device based on a comparison of the captured biometric information and a stored biometric profile. |
| US08963800B2 |
Multi-display device and image display device
In order to display an image with a high contrast ratio while suppressing power consumed by a multi-display device and to adjust brightness of images displayed on image display devices, the multi-display device includes light emission APL value adjusting means 102. The light emission APL value adjusting means 102 sends, to light emission control means, a light emission APL value that has been adjusted, on the basis of light emission APL values calculated by light emission APL value calculating means of image display devices 11 to 19, so that total light emission power value of image-display light-emitting means 6 does not exceed an allowable power value and images are displayed at predetermined brightness. |
| US08963797B2 |
Display driving architectures
A display driving architecture that can include two graphics pipelines with an optional connection between them to provide a mirrored mode. In one embodiment, one of the two pipelines can be automatically configured (e.g. routed in one of a plurality of ways, such as routing to do color conversion) based upon the type of cable that is coupled to a connector of the one pipeline. In another embodiment, a connection of a cable can cause display information (e.g. resolutions of an external display) to be provided to an application which can select a display mode while one of the graphics pipelines is kept in a low power state. |
| US08963795B1 |
Wedge shaped scimitar antenna
A wedge shaped scimitar radio frequency (RF) antenna can include a lip, an RF signal feed connected to the lip, a base, and a back surface. The antenna can also include a convexly curved outer surface that extends from the lip to the back surface. The convexly curved outer surface can be wedge shaped from the back surface of the antenna to the lip. The antenna can also include a concavely curved outer surface that extends from the lip to the base of the antenna, and the concavely curved outer surface can be wedge shaped from the base of the antenna to the lip. |
| US08963791B1 |
Dual-band feed horn
A radio frequency (RF) horn can include an interior surface with an inner geometry comprising irregular, aperiodic corrugations and/or undulations. The pattern of the inner geometry can excite higher order modes simultaneously in two RF signals each at a different frequency that combine with fundamental modes of the signals to produce substantially Gaussian profiles of the two signals at the output aperture of the horn. Even though the signals are at different frequencies, the illumination pattern of both signals on a reflector antenna at which the horn is directed can be substantially the same. |
| US08963790B2 |
Universal microwave waveguide joint and mechanically steerable microwave transmitter
A universal joint comprising a pair of circular waveguide ball-joints and a slip-joint allows for simultaneous 3-axis rotation and 3-dimensional translation between an antenna and a stationary source. As such, the universal joint does not have to be physically aligned with the azimuth, and elevation, rotation axis of the antenna and mounted on the gimbal support, greatly simplifying the antenna steering mechanism. The universal joint allows the antenna to be mass-balanced in relation to the azimuth and elevation axis without adding any additional counter weights, thus reducing the size and power requirements of the azimuth and elevation rotation drive systems. Additional ball-joints may be provided to increase the allowed range of motion of the antenna. |
| US08963789B2 |
Conformal hybrid EO/RF aperture
A conformal hybrid elctro-optical/radio frequency (EO/RF) aperture including an optical phased array (OPA) in a center portion of the aperture, and a variable inclination continuous transverse stub (VICTS) RF antenna surrounding the OPA using a plurality of continuous transverse stub (CTS) subarrays. |
| US08963786B2 |
Antenna mast assemblies
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of antenna mast assemblies, which may be configured for multiband operation for automobiles or other vehicular applications. In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna mast assembly generally includes a coil radiator including a first coil portion and a second coil portion. The antenna mast assembly also includes a support having a first end portion, a second end portion, a first protruding portion, and a second protruding portion. The coil radiator is disposed about at least a portion of the support such that the first coil portion is between the first protruding portion and the first end portion of the support, and such that the second coil portion is between the second protruding portion and the second end portion of the support. |
| US08963783B2 |
Antenna device of a mobile terminal
An antenna device of a mobile terminal having improved performance by utilizing a metal object located in proximity to the antenna device as an antenna radiator is provided. The antenna device includes an antenna pattern connected to a feeder and a ground line, and a metal component positioned on the antenna pattern and including a metal that forms an antenna radiator. |
| US08963782B2 |
Cavity-backed antenna for tablet device
An electronic device may have a cavity antenna. The cavity antenna may have a logo-shaped dielectric window. An antenna resonating element for the cavity antenna may be formed from conductive traces on a printed circuit board. An antenna resonating element may be formed from the traces. The antenna resonating element may be mounted on an antenna support structure. A conductive cavity structure for the cavity antenna may have a planar lip that is mounted flush with an interior surface of a conductive housing wall. The cavity structure may have more than one depth. Shallower planar portions of the cavity structure may lie in a plane. The antenna resonating element may be located between the plane of the shallow cavity walls and an external surface of the conductive housing wall. |
| US08963779B2 |
Silicon-based suspending antenna with photonic bandgap structure
The disclosure provides a silicon-based suspending antenna with photonic bandgap structure, which includes a silicon substrate, an electrode layer, a spacing part and an F-shaped structure. The silicon substrate has a first side surface and a second side surface oppositing to the first surface. The electrode layer has a flat part, a first base and at least one second base, in which one side of the flat part has a notch, the first base, the second base and the notch are separately disposed on the second side surface and essentially parallel to the longitudinal edge of the second side surface, the first base has a main body and an extension, and the extension extends from the main body and into the notch. The F-shaped structure has a longitudinal part disposed on the spacing part and is parallel to the second side surface. |
| US08963778B2 |
Fibrous substrate for insert including an antenna
An assembly includes a wire antenna including at least on conductive turn, a first fibrous substrate on which the antenna extend. The first substrate comprises at least one coated paper including a fibrous base containing at least 30 mass % of natural fibers in the fibrous mass. The antenna is connected to a face of the flexible substrate. The paper includes on that face at least one surface layer containing at least one mineral load and a coating binder. The fibrous base may contain at least 40 mass %, preferably 50 mass %, more preferably 60 mass % and ideally at least 70 mass % of natural fibers, with preferably a lower proportion of long natural fibers relative to short ones when the fibrous mass includes synthetic fibers, in particular between 5 and 25% of synthetic fibers. |
| US08963777B2 |
Method and node for localizing a node in a wireless network
A method for localizing a node in a wireless network, the method including: receiving location signals transmitted by beacons, the location signals including information about the locations of the respective beacons; detecting the respective received signal strengths of the received location signals; obtaining information about the different signal levels at which the beacons can transmit; studying the received location signals; determining the signal levels used by each of the beacons for the transmission of the location signals, based on the studying of the received signals; calculating a distance to each of the beacons based on the detected signal strengths and the determined signal levels; and localizing the node by means of the received location information and the calculated distances. The invention also relates to a node ant to a wireless network. |
| US08963776B2 |
System and method for presenting flight tracking data to a user based upon the user's access permissions to various sources
A computer-implemented system and method for the processing and presentation of flight tracking data from a number of sources, with at least one source include a user access restriction, is disclosed. Substantially real-time flight tracking data is received over a digital network from a number of different sources and is stored in at least a database. Various determined flight paths are stores for a single flight based upon the number of flight data sources contributing data regarding that flight. Upon receiving a query from a user, the user's access with respect to the available data providers in retrieved and the best flight for the selected flight which is determined only from data that the requested user is authorized to access is presented. In one form, the results may be presented to the user in the form of digital map having an aircraft image and historical flight path shown. |
| US08963774B1 |
Adaptive nulling for parasitic array antennas
A parasitic array antenna and a beamforming method for such a parasitic array antenna are disclosed. The parasitic array antenna may include a single driven element at the center of a ground plane. The driven element may be surrounded by multiple parasitic elements. RF loading may be selectively applied to each parasitic element. When symmetric loading is applied to the parasitic elements, the parasitic array antenna may function as an omnidirectional antenna. When asymmetric loading is applied to the parasitic elements, a null and a directional beam may be formed for the parasitic array antenna, therefore providing beamforming capabilities to the parasitic array antenna. |
| US08963772B2 |
Method and system for acquiring ephemeris information
An approach provides for conversion of global positioning system (GPS) data. A user terminal receives positioning data from a base station, wherein the positioning data is received in a second format, and wherein the second format was derived from ephemeris data broadcast via a global positioning system (GPS) in a first format. The user terminal converts the positioning data from the second format into a third format that is compatible with a protocol of the GPS system, and determines a first fix using the third format of the positioning data. |
| US08963768B2 |
Measurement system comprising a pressure resistant feed-through
Stated is a process separation device for a fill-level measuring device including a pressure resistant feed-through for an inner conductor. The process separation device comprises an inner conductor, an outer conductor, a process side, a control side, and a feed-through. The inner conductor comprises a first conical region, and/or the outer conductor comprises a second conical region. The feed-through comprises the first conical region and/or is encompassed by the second conical region, and in this manner establishes a connection having positive fit between the inner conductor and the outer conductor. |
| US08963756B2 |
D/A converter, peripheral device, and PLC
A D/A converter according to the present invention includes a wave-form data-array memory means for memorizing a wave-form data array configured of a plurality of digital values, a wave-form output-format data memory means for memorizing wave-form output-format data designating a wave-form output period, a digital value output means for sequentially reading out the digital values for each wave-form output period from the wave-form data-array memory means and outputting the values, and a D/A conversion means for converting the digital values outputted from the digital value output means into analog-data values. |
| US08963753B2 |
Oversampling A/D converter
An oversampling A/D converter includes a first filter including a first resistive element, a first capacitive element, a second resistive element, an operational amplifier, and a second capacitive element; a second filter receiving an output of the first filter; a third filter including a third resistive element, a third capacitive element, and a fourth resistive element; a quantizer receiving an output of the third filter and generating a digital signal; and a D/A converter converting the digital signal to an analog current signal. The D/A converter inputs the generated analog current signal to an inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. |
| US08963751B2 |
System and method for photonically assisted analog to digital signal conversion
A photonically assisted analog to digital conversion (ADC) system is presented. The system comprises: an optical sampling signal generator configured and operable for generating an optical sampling signal comprising a predetermined sampling pulse sequence in the form of a time separated pulse train of spectral components dispersed in a periodic fashion, where each pulse is distinguishable by a central wavelength thereof different from its neighboring pulses. The generation of the pulse sampling sequence is achieved by combining broadband dispersion and compensation with a periodic dispersion compensator having a free spectral range smaller than the broad bandwidth of the ultrashort pulse. The second innovative element is the introduction of coherent detection with oversampling of the interference terms of the phase modulated pulse sampling sequence and a reference pulse. The over-sampling provides additional measurements of the beat term and by way of error minimization a more reliable phase estimation is provided, translated into a more accurate conversion to digital representation. The system further comprises an electro-optical modulator for interacting an input electric analog signal and an optical sampling signal and generating a modulated optical signal indicative of said input signal; and a detection system configured and operable for receiving said modulated optical signal and generating an output digital signal corresponding to said input electric analog signal. |
| US08963750B2 |
Time-to-digital conversion with analog dithering
There is described a time-to-digital conversion scheme using an arrangement of delay elements based Time-to-Digital Converter, TDC (20), wherein dithering is built in the digital domain and introduced in the analog domain as a modulation of a supply voltage (TDC-supply) supplying delay elements of the TDC, each having a propagation delay which exhibits a dependency to their supply voltage. |
| US08963748B2 |
Compression and decompression of numerical data
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for compressing numerical data comprising a structured set of floating point actual values. A floating point value is defined by a sign, an exponent and a mantissa. The method comprises computing a floating point predicted value related to a target actual value of the set. The computing includes performing operations on integers corresponding to the sign, to the exponent and/or to the mantissa of actual values of a subset of the set. The method also comprises storing a bit sequence representative of a difference between integers derived from the target actual value and the predicted value. Such a method is particularly efficient for reducing the storage size of a CAD file. |
| US08963747B2 |
Decoding apparatus, encoding apparatus, decoding method, and encoding method
According to an embodiment, a decoding apparatus includes a clipping unit and a decoding unit. The clipping unit is configured to clip pieces of encoded data each having a predetermined first code length from input data encoded with variable-length encoding. The predetermined first code length is greater than or equal to a maximum code length among a plurality of pieces of encoded data included in the input data. The decoding unit is configured to decode the clipped piece of encoded data by using variable-length decoding. |
| US08963746B2 |
Photoelectric touch-sensitive linear adjustment switch for an electric appliance
A touch-sensitive linear adjustment switch is configured to be touched along a linear direction in order to turn on or off, or make stepwise adjustment to the power supplied from, an external power source. The switch includes a housing having a light-permeable sensing surface. The touch control circuit board in the housing has a touch control circuit layer adjacent to the sensing surface. The surface of the touch control circuit layer is divided into plural first sensing areas arranged along the linear direction and is provided at intervals with plural first light-emitting elements, each located beside or in one first sensing area. When touched, the sensing surface triggers the touch control circuit layer in the corresponding first sensing area to control light emission of the light-emitting element(s) beside or in the first sensing area and to output a coded signal for controlling power supply from the external power source. |
| US08963744B2 |
Key system for an electronic device
A key activation system for use in an electronic device is provided. The system comprises an activation mechanism associated with a key in the system, a first feedback system and a second feedback system. The activation mechanism is associated with the key activation system and provides a first feedback sense when the activation mechanism has triggered the first activation condition. The second feedback system provides a second feedback sense indicating when the key triggers the second activation condition. In the system, the second feedback system operates independently from the activation mechanism and the first activation condition is triggered before the second activation condition when the activation mechanism is initially engaged. An activation mechanism may be centrally located for a set of keys. |
| US08963737B2 |
RF telemetry receiver circuit for active medical implants
An RF telemetry receiver circuit for active implantable medical devices. The baseband binary signal (Db) is doubly modulated by a low frequency carrier (Fm) and by a high frequency carrier (Fc). The receiver circuit is a semi-passive non heterodyne circuit, devoid of a local oscillator and mixer. It comprises an antenna (104), a passive bandpass filter (108) centered on the high-frequency carrier (Fc), a passive envelope detector (120-126) and a, digital demodulator (116). The envelope detector comprises a first diode circuit (120) of non-coherent detection, an active bandpass filter (122) centered on a frequency (2.Fm) twice the low frequency carrier and having a bandwidth (2.Db) twice the baseband bandwidth, and a second diode circuit (124) of non-coherent detection, outputting a baseband signal applied to the digital demodulation stage (116). |
| US08963735B2 |
Turbine meter pre-scaling terminal block electronics
An electronic circuit for converting higher-frequency output signals from a sensor into lower-frequency input signals for a discrete input wireless transmitter. The circuit includes a differential amplifier, a digital comparator, a digital frequency divider, and a transistor switch. The differential amplifier amplifies the sensor signals as a function of a frequency of the sensor signals. The digital comparator generates a square wave signal by comparing the amplified sensor signals to a fixed reference voltage. The digital frequency divider generates a lower-frequency signal by dividing the square wave signal. The transistor switch generates the lower-frequency input signals for the discrete input wireless transmitter by switching as a function of the lower-frequency signal from the digital frequency divider. |
| US08963734B2 |
Remote controlled pricing information
A coordinated system of printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies for displaying information, such as advertising and pricing information. Each individual PCB assembly may display a unit price, such as a price for particular type of gasoline or other product. Each complete PCB assembly may have a number of Light Emitting Diode (LED) modules. The LED modules may be interconnected with one or more plug-in back panel modules attached to a housing and to power and control buses. The module housing may be interconnected with a main power supply and a controller. The controller may be configured to remotely and automatically change the price for each PCB assembly within the coordinated system. Each LED module may include a dedicated processor and be configured to have male connectors to plug into corresponding female receptacles on the power and control buses facilitating ease of installation, and replacement or repair of individual LED modules. |
| US08963728B2 |
System and method for high-sensitivity sensor
A sensor unit that includes at least one sensor configured to measure an ambient condition is described. The controller can be configured to receive instructions, to report a notice level when the controller determines that data measured by the at least one sensor fails a report threshold test corresponding to a report threshold value. The controller can also be configured to obtain a plurality of calibration measurements from the at least one sensor during a calibration period and to adjust the threshold based on the calibration measurements. The controller can be configured to compute a first threshold level corresponding to background noise and a second threshold level corresponding to sensor noise, and to compute the report threshold value from the second threshold. In one embodiment, the sensor unit adjusts one or more of the thresholds based on ambient temperature. |
| US08963723B2 |
Kitchen sanitization compliance monitoring system
A kitchen sanitization compliance monitoring system comprises kitchen staff badges, food prep table beacons associated with food prep tables or areas, dispenser beacons associated with sanitization dispensers, and a central unit for wirelessly communicating with the badges. |
| US08963722B2 |
Apparatus and method for playing and/or generating audio content for an audience
An apparatus for at least one of playing and generating audio content for an audience includes circuitry. The circuitry is configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors monitoring the audience. The circuitry is configured to analyze said sensor data to identify characteristic movement patterns of one or more members of the audience. The circuitry is configured to select music and generate verbal communication other than music to address the audience, based on the identified characteristic movement patterns. The circuitry is further configured to output said selected music and said verbal communication. A corresponding method for at least one of playing and generating audio content for an audience is also provided. |
| US08963718B2 |
RFID chip and antenna
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device antenna has a feed region of interdigitated fingers. The interdigitated fingers have parallel centerlines and are spaced one from another. A chip having opposing ends overlays opposing interdigitated fingers. A coupling is established between the chip and the antenna at the interdigitated fingers. |
| US08963716B2 |
Storage container for electronically addressable file folders and documents
A storage container for use in a documents management system with remote location of file folders positioned on support members mounted between walls of the storage container. The support members are electrically connected to an electrical input connector which supplies file folder search signals to the container and receives response signals from address decoder circuits located in each file folder removably received in the container. Each container has an electrical output connector which can be connected to the electrical input connector of another container so that several containers can be connected to one another. Each container can be removably installed in a file cabinet drawer and electrically connected to the file drawer conductive rails to communicate with a file cabinet based file management system. |
| US08963710B2 |
Systems and apparatus for container conversion
Aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus for converting a container into a smart bottle. A tapered plug comprising a channel portion, wherein a first sensor is located proximate to a first end of the channel portion and a second sensor is located proximate to a second end of the channel portion, and a non-channel portion, wherein the non-channel portion houses a processor, a memory, a battery, a power-management system, a clock and a communication interface, may replace a standard container cap, thereby providing monitoring, verification and communication capabilities. |
| US08963709B2 |
Media management in a security system
The present invention extends to methods, devices, systems, and computer program products for media management in a security system. A method may comprise receiving media and assigning the received media to an alarm zone of a security system. The method may further include detecting activation of the alarm zone and conveying the media in response to detecting activation of the alarm zone. |
| US08963708B2 |
Breach detection in solid structures
An implantable device includes at least one solid structure having an external surface and a volume beneath the surface. One or more of a first conductor or set of conductors is disposed externally and/or internally on or within the structure and an array of elongate electrically conductive elements are disposed radially outwardly within the volume. A breach is detected when a conductive fluid intrudes into the volume through the surface. |
| US08963704B2 |
Driver assist device for an industrial truck and industrial truck with driver assist device
A driver assist device is provided for an industrial truck (1) that has a load handling device (5). The driver assist device, when located on the industrial truck (1), projects a lighting effect onto the roadway (13). The lighting effect forms a position marking (12) of the load handling device (5) on the roadway (13) which will be reached by the load handling device (5) for a particular steering angle after the industrial truck (1) travels around a curve by a defined curve angle. |
| US08963700B2 |
Air pressure management device for vehicle tire and vehicle tire capable of outputting air pressure information
A wireless communication device includes an electric power generation unit, an electric power accumulation unit, a sensor supplied with the electric power from the electric power accumulation unit, and a wireless communication unit supplied with the electric power from the electric power accumulation unit, for transmitting the sensed information outputted by the sensor to outside of the wireless communication device. A storage unit stores the sensed information outputted by the sensor. A control unit controls operation of the wireless communication unit, the sensor and/or the storage unit in accordance, at least in part, with the electric power accumulated in the electric power accumulation. |
| US08963699B2 |
Catalytic converter theft protection arrangement
A catalytic converter theft protection arrangement includes a metal cage rigidly attached to an underside of a vehicle such that the cage surrounds a catalytic converter of the vehicle. An electronic tamper-detecting device is disposed within the cage and transmits an alarm signal in response to detecting motion around the catalytic converter and/or vibration of the cage. A remote controller selectively activates and deactivates the electronic tamper-detecting device in response to actuation of the remote controller by a user. |
| US08963694B2 |
System and method for remote controlled device selection based on device position data and orientation data of a user
A system and method are provided for selecting a remote controlled device to be controlled from among a plurality of remote controllable devices. The system includes an electronic device having a registration interface configured to register device data corresponding to the plurality of remote controllable devices, a position locator configured to determine position data corresponding to a position of the electronic device, and an orientation interface configured to receive orientation data corresponding to an orientation of a user. A controller is configured to select the remote controlled device based on the device data, the position data, and the orientation data. The plurality of remote controllable devices each may include a respective data source configured to provide the device data, and a headset may be configured to generate the orientation data. |
| US08963693B2 |
System and method for controlling meeting resources
A method of controlling a plurality of meeting room resources. The method includes initiating, via a host information handling system, an application, creating, via the application, a plurality of preferences, and establishing, by the host information handling system, a connection with a configuration device via a first close range communication path. The method also includes transferring at least one of the plurality of preferences, via the first close range communication path to the configuration device. The configuration device transmits, via a second close range communication path, a control message based on at least one of the plurality of preferences, to control at least one of the plurality of meeting room resources. |
| US08963691B1 |
Sensor association system using wireless device information
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying wireless devices. Information is received from a wireless device that is unidentified. An object associated with the wireless device is identified using a number of types of information in the information and the information. |
| US08963689B2 |
Cable ID using RFID devices
The present invention relates to the use of RFID technology to identify specific cables in a bundle, and in particular to a cable identification device in which RFID devices are connected to the far end of a plurality of cables and splitters, and an RF measurement device is used to identify each cable from the central location. The RF measurement device provides the AC RF electrical signal power required to pass through the at least one AC couple splitter to operate the plurality of RFID devices, and includes means to identify the unique identification numbers associated with the plurality of coaxial cables from the plurality of identification signals received simultaneously. |
| US08963685B2 |
Apparatus and system for and method of registration, admission and testing of a candidate
The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for and method of registering, admitting and testing of a candidate. Test candidate can be registered and admitted through verification of identity using biometric comparisons and third party identification systems. Scanning of identification documents and comparison with security information database can authenticate the validity and authenticity of identification documents. Authentication of testing candidates can be accomplished by comparison of biometric data of candidate against biometric data contain in identification document. Testing can be conducted on an apparatus remotely located from a proctor monitored administrative station or apparatus. The remote testing station can detect and prevent individuals from cheating, detect unauthorized objects, and can prevent or detect unauthorized copying of an examination or portions thereof. |
| US08963682B2 |
Multi-dimensional control of lighting parameters
A multi-dimensional controller (150) controls the multiple parameters of a lighting system (250). A track-ball (100) that provides three axes of rotation (101-103), for example, is used to control each of three lighting parameters, such as chrominance, luminance, and saturation. In like manner, intensity, direction, and diffusion control may be controlled by a device with three degrees of freedom/control. Force-feedback (120) is optionally provided to indicate divergence from established presets (220) or recommended operating conditions. Switches (130) and other control elements are also provided to store or recall preset parameters (220), override scheduled lighting settings, and so on. |
| US08963681B2 |
Operating control system for electronic equipment
The operating control system can be use on electronic equipment, such as cell phones, computers, engine analyzers, etc. An input device, programming a single or multiple devices, enables the input of user access data by a primary user for multiple modes. Through use of a black list, blocked numbers can be stored or immediately deleted with notification going to the user as well as the owner of the blocked number. A temporary shut down feature enables the ring tone on the device to be shut down for a programmed period of time and reactivated at the end of that time. |
| US08963677B2 |
Oil immersed stereo wound-core amorphous alloy transformer
An oil immersed stereo wound-core amorphous alloy transformer, comprising an iron core, a high-low voltage winding, leads and a tank. The core comprises three single frames made of amorphous alloy strips by winding and are identical in structure, and the single frames have a rectangular shape; the vertical sides of every two adjacent frames fit together fixedly to form a core pillar, and the horizontal sides of the single frame form iron yokes; the cross sections of the core pillars have an approximately circular or polygonal shape; the transformer further comprises a clamp, comprising a quasi-triangular upper and lower clamp, and posts, the lower clamp is provide with three food pads; the iron yokes in the lower portion of the iron core are located on the foot pads, and the high-low voltage winding is wound on the core pillars. |
| US08963673B2 |
Hand tool device having at least one charging coil
In a hand tool device having at least one charging coil provided for transmitting energy, the charging coil includes a coil core having at least two core segments which are movable relative to each other. |
| US08963665B2 |
Haptic solenoid
A haptic solenoid comprises a base member, a fixed pole which is fixed in place on the base member and which has a coil. A mobile pole is arranged facing the fixed pole with a gap therebetween and which moves by way of being attracted to the fixed pole when power is supplied to the coil. Elastic members which are made from a metallic material and which bias the mobile pole in a direction that distances the mobile pole from the fixed pole when power is not supplied to the coil and guide mechanisms, which guide the movement of the mobile pole. The guide mechanisms are configured so as to guide the movement of the mobile pole so that the mobile pole can only move in a direction facing the fixed pole. |
| US08963663B2 |
Contact switching device
An object of the present invention is to provide a contact switching device having high dimension accuracy and an inexpensive price, and including a small sealed space. For this, there is provided a contact switching device that drives a contact mechanical portion (30) arranged inside a sealed space (43) to perform contact switching, based on excitation and degauss of an electromagnet portion (50) arranged outside the sealed space (43). Particularly, a ceramic plate (31) holding a fixed contact terminal (33) of the contact mechanical portion (30) is bonded to and integrated with an upper opening edge portion of a metal cylindrical flange (32), while a plate-like yoke (37) is bonded to and integrated with a lower opening edge portion opposed to the upper opening edge portion to form the sealed space (43). |
| US08963662B2 |
Arc chuteless DC current interruptor
A system comprising a circuit interrupter configured to interrupt flow of current through a circuit during an over current condition, wherein the circuit interrupter comprises two contacts configured to remain in contact when a current flowing through the two contacts is less than a threshold value, a tripping mechanism configured to separate the two contacts when the current equals or exceeds the threshold value, and at least one of either a permanent magnet or an electrode configured to extinguish an electric arc formed between the two contacts of the circuit interrupter when the two contacts are separated, wherein the circuit interrupter does not include an arc chute. |
| US08963658B2 |
Micropstrip transmission line/coplanar waveguide (CPW) transistor structure
A structure having a coplanar waveguide transistor; and a microwave section, coupled to the transistor, having: a strip conductor coplanar with the electrodes of the coplanar waveguide transistor and a ground plane conductor disposed under the strip conductor. |
| US08963657B2 |
On-chip slow-wave through-silicon via coplanar waveguide structures, method of manufacture and design structure
On-chip, high performance, slow-wave coplanar waveguide with through-silicon via structures, method of manufacture and design structures for integrated circuits are provided herein. The method includes forming at least one ground plane layer in a substrate and forming a signal layer in the substrate, in a same plane layer as the at least one ground. The method further includes forming at least one metal filled through-silicon via between the at least one ground plane layer and the signal layer. |
| US08963650B2 |
Semiconductor device having on-chip oscillator for producing clock signal
A semiconductor device contrived to prevent a reference voltage and a reference current which are supplied to a high speed OCO from varying with a change in ambient temperature and/or a change in an external power supply voltage and to reduce the circuit area of a power supply module. The high speed OCO outputs a high speed clock whose magnitude is determined by the reference current and the reference voltage. A logic unit adjusts the values of the reference current and reference voltage, according to the reference voltage and reference current trimming codes related to detected ambient temperature and operating voltage. |
| US08963648B2 |
Low noise oscillator having switching network
Apparatus and methods are also disclosed related to an oscillator that includes a switching network configured to tune a resonant frequency of a resonant circuit. One such apparatus includes a switching network having a circuit element, such as a capacitor, that can be selectively coupled to the resonant circuit by a switch, such as a field effect transistor. For instance, the switch can electrically couple to circuit element to the resonant circuit when on and not electrically couple the circuit element to the resonant circuit when off. An active circuit can assert a high impedance on an intermediate node between the switch and the circuit element when the switch is off. |
| US08963644B2 |
Reconfigurable output matching network for multiple power mode power amplifiers
An impedance matching network for a radio frequency (RF) amplifier includes multiple stages connected to each other in a first to last order. A first stage produces an RF output signal, and a last stage receives an RF input signal. Each stage includes a first inductor connected to produce an output signal, a second inductor connected to receive an input signal from a next stage, a capacitor connected between the first and second inductors and a ground. In addition, each stage other than the first stage further includes a first switch to by-pass the first and second inductors, a second switch connected between the first and second inductors and the ground, and a controller for controlling, the first and second switches to select a particular power level of a set of power levels. |
| US08963640B2 |
Amplifier for output buffer and signal processing apparatus using the same
An amplifier for an output buffer includes an operational amplifier including a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, the operational amplifier is configured to generate an input bias current and amplify a voltage difference between signals applied to the first input terminal and the second input terminal, and to output the amplified voltage difference; and a self-bias circuit connected to the first input terminal and the second input terminal, the self-bias circuit is configured to generate first and second current paths when the voltage difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage, to generate a tail current on the first or second current path, and to add the generated tail current to the input bias current of the operational amplifier, wherein the second input terminal is connected to the output terminal. |
| US08963631B2 |
Signal amplifying circuit of communication device
A signal amplifying circuit of a communication device is disclosed including: an amplifier comprising a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, wherein the input terminal is coupled with a fixed voltage level; a feedback circuit coupled with the second input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier; a digital-to-analog converter (DAC); a signal processing circuit; a switch for selectively coupling the second input terminal of the amplifier with the DAC or the signal processing circuit; and a control unit coupled with the switch for controlling the operations of the switch. |
| US08963620B2 |
Controlling circuit voltage and frequency based upon location-dependent temperature
Various embodiments include approaches for controlling a supply voltage or a clock frequency to an integrated circuit (IC). Various additional embodiments include circuitry for controlling a supply voltage or a clock frequency of an IC. In some cases, a method includes: locating a set of temperature sensors on bin locations in an IC; determining temperature bounds of the bin locations in the IC as a function of a determined temperature at the set of temperature sensors; determining timing constraints as a function of supply voltages at the bin locations and the determined temperature at the set of temperature sensors; and determining operational voltage bounds for the IC as a function of the determined temperature at the set of temperature sensors. |
| US08963616B2 |
Circuit topology for a phase connection of an inverter
A circuit for a phase connection of an inverter includes upper and lower bridge halves and respectively associated upper and lower bridge segments. Each bridge half has an outer switch and an inner switch connected in series. Each bridge segment has a diode and the inner switch of the associated bridge half connected in series. An output of the circuit is respectively connected to upper and lower potentials through the outer switches and is further connected to a center potential applied between the upper and lower potentials through each of the upper and lower bridge segments. Each bridge half further has a parallel power switch. The parallel switch of each bridge half is connected in parallel to the series-connected outer and inner switches of the bridge half. The output of the circuit is further respectively connected to the upper and lower potentials through the parallel switches. |
| US08963612B1 |
Multiple mode RF circuit
A multi-mode circuit can switch an output section between mixer and amplifier modes, with or without variable gain, to create a variable gain amplifier or a variable gain mixer or route an input signal by adjusting a bias current. An input section is controlled by a bias section and connected to the output section. The output section includes a first base-coupled transistor pair adapted to receive an input signal at emitters of the first base-coupled transistor pair, receive a bias signal at bases of the first base-coupled transistor pair, and provide an output signal at collectors of the first base-coupled transistor pair. |
| US08963611B2 |
Power and impedance measurement circuits for a wireless communication device
Exemplary embodiments disclosed are directed to power and impedance measurement circuits that may be used to measure power and/or impedance are described. A measurement circuit may include a sensor and a computation unit. The sensor may sense (i) a first voltage signal across a series circuit coupled to a load to obtain a first sensed signal and (ii) a second voltage signal at a designated end of the series circuit to obtain a second sensed signal. The sensor may mix (i) a first version of the first sensed signal with a first version of the second sensed signal to obtain a first sensor output and (ii) a second version of the first sensed signal with a second version of the second sensed signal to obtain a second sensor output. The computation unit may determine the impedance and/or delivered power at the designated end of the series circuit based on the sensor outputs. |
| US08963606B2 |
Clock control device
A clock control device is disclosed, which relates to a technology for reducing the amount of current consumption when a semiconductor device operates at a high speed. The clock control device includes: a chip-select-signal control block configured to generate a chip-select-control signal by latching a chip select signal, and output a fast chip select signal according to the chip-select-control signal; and a clock control block configured to drive a clock signal in response to the fast chip select signal when a command clock enable signal is activated, thereby generating a clock control signal, wherein the chip-select-signal control block latches the chip-select-control signal, and controls the chip-select-control signal to be toggled after the command clock enable signal is transitioned. |
| US08963604B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and circuits for bimodal disable circuits
Circuits, integrated circuits, and methods are disclosed for bimodal disable circuits. In one such example method, a counter is maintained, with the counter indicating a logic level at which an output signal will be disabled during at least a portion of one of a plurality of disable cycles. The logic level indicated by the counter is transitioned. An input signal is provided as the output signal responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be enabled, and the output signal is disabled at the logic level indicated by the counter responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be disabled. |
| US08963599B2 |
Multi-frequency clock skew control for inter-chip communication in synchronous digital systems
Embodiments are disclosed of a multi-chip apparatus capable of performing multi-rate synchronous communication between component chips. Each chip may receive a common clock reference signal, and may generate an internal clock signal dependent on the clock reference signal. A clock distribution tree and phase-locked loop may be used to minimize internal clock skew at I/O circuitry at the chip perimeter. Each chip may also generate an internal synchronizing signal that is phase-aligned to the received clock reference signal. Each chip may use its respective synchronizing signal to synchronize multiple clock dividers that provide software-selectable reduced-frequency clock signals to the I/O cells of the chip. In this way, the reduced-frequency clock signals of the multiple chips are edge-aligned to the low-skew internal clock signals, and phase-aligned to the common clock reference signal, allowing the I/O cells of the multiple chips to perform synchronous communication at multiple rates with low clock skew. |
| US08963597B1 |
Cross-domain enablement method and electronic apparatus
A cross-domain enablement method is configured for providing a local clock signal to a logic-circuit device, which is operated in a delay-locked loop (DLL) domain. The logic-circuit device includes a command input and a clock input. The cross-domain enablement method comprises steps of: starting to provide the local clock signal to the clock input of the logic-circuit device by enabling a clock signal in the DLL-domain when a first command signal in a clock domain is activated; and, providing a second command signal in the DLL-domain to the command input of the logic-circuit device. The second command signal in the DLL-domain is activated later than the first command signal in the clock domain. |
| US08963596B2 |
Delay locked loop and data reception of a semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus includes: a clock receiving unit configured to receive an external clock signal and output the received clock signal as a reference clock signal; a delay locked loop (DLL) configured to delay the reference clock signal by a variable delay amount and generate a data latch clock signal; a data receiving unit configured to receive external data in synchronization with the data latch clock signal and output the received data as internal data; and a determination unit configured to detect a phase difference between the reference clock signal and the data latch clock signal and generate a determination signal, when the DLL is locked. |
| US08963595B2 |
Phase-locked loops that share a loop filter and frequency divider
A shared loop filter includes an input port configured to selectively receive a first input from a first charge pump. The first charge pump is connected to a first phase locked loop (PLL) in a first die. The input port is further configured to selectively receive a second input from a second charge pump, the second charge pump connected to a second PLL in a second die separate from the first die. The shared loop filter further includes an output port configured to selectively provide an output to a first voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The first VCO is connected to the first PLL. The output port is further configured to selectively output a second output to a second VCO. The second VCO is connected to the second PLL. |
| US08963593B2 |
High-frequency signal processing device
A high-frequency signal processing device having a frequency synthesizer (PLL: Phase Locked Loop) is provided. A control circuit measures oscillation frequencies obtained upon setting a bias current of an oscillation circuit to first and second bias setting values and acquires a frequency difference amount of the oscillation frequencies. The frequency difference amount may be acquired as difference amount of setting values of a coarse adjustment capacitance setting signal (CTRM) using, for example, an automatic frequency selector unit. The control circuit retains a relationship of a difference amount of bias setting values and a difference value of setting values of the CTRM and approximating the relationship to a linear function. Thereafter, the control circuit defines, upon switching the bias current during locking of the PLL, the CTRM based on the linear function and switches the CTRM together with the bias current. |
| US08963592B2 |
PLL circuit and phase comparison method in PLL circuit
A PLL circuit includes a divider configured to generate a divided signal having a cycle of T/M (where M is an integer greater than or equal to two) by dividing an oscillation signal; a phase comparator configured to generate a phase comparison result by calculating an exclusive logical OR of M reference signals and the divided signal, the M reference signals having the cycle of T and respective time intervals shifted sequentially by T/2M; a loop filter configured to generate a voltage signal using the phase comparison result as input; and a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to generate the oscillation signal by oscillating at a frequency depending on the voltage signal. |
| US08963591B2 |
Clock signal initialization circuit and its method
A clock signal initialization circuit capable of preventing the operating frequency of a semiconductor integrated circuit from exceeding the maximum permissible frequency determined based on the power consumption of that semiconductor integrated circuit even when the PLL circuit is in a transient state at the start-up is provided. A clock signal initialization circuit for a semiconductor integrated circuit that operates in synchronization with a clock signal generated by a PLL circuit, includes a controller that derives a clock signal having a frequency no greater than a maximum permissible frequency determined based on a power consumption of the semiconductor integrated circuit as a supply clock signal to the semiconductor integrated circuit at least until the PLL circuit becomes a locked state after power-on. |
| US08963590B2 |
Power cycling power on reset circuit for fuse initialization circuitry
A system for initializing circuitry is presented. The system employs a power-on reset circuit having a threshold voltage and a programmable switch circuit. The power-on reset circuit has a detector circuit for detecting a reference voltage, and a one-sided latch for generating an output voltage reflective of the reference voltage. The detector circuit has a threshold after which the one-sided latch is activated. The programmable switch circuit receives the output voltage of the power-on reset circuit and generates an enable signal and its complement based on the status of an internal fuse. The switch point of the power-on reset circuit provides for a rapid increase in output voltage that offsets parasitic leakage current in the programmable switch circuit that can result in improper enable signal output. A high resistance direct path to ground on an output node of the power-on reset circuit prevents residual charge from causing an undesired misfire. |
| US08963589B1 |
Ramp generator circuit
An oscillator circuit selectively charges and discharges a capacitor with currents having variable magnitudes. A trimming circuit functions to measure a half period of the oscillator signal. The measured half period is compared to a reference period to generate an error signal. The variable magnitudes of one or the other or both of the current for sourcing or sinking at the capacitor are adjusted in response to the error signal. |
| US08963587B2 |
Clock generation using fixed dividers and multiplex circuits
Embodiments of an apparatus are disclosed that may allow for changing the frequency of a clock coupled to a functional block within an integrated circuit. The apparatus may include a plurality of clock dividers and a multiplex circuit. Each of the plurality of clock dividers may divide the frequency of a base clock signal be a respective one of a plurality of divisors. The multiplex circuit may be configured to receive a plurality of selection signals, select an output from one of the plurality of clock dividers dependent upon the received selection signals, and coupled the selected output of the plurality of clock dividers to the functional block. |
| US08963586B2 |
Power stage
A power stage has a differential output stage 2 driven by one or more buffer stages 4. The buffer stages 4 are implemented as high and low side buffers 12,14, each of which is itself a differential buffer implemented using transistors formed in an isolated-well technology such as triple-well CMOS. |
| US08963580B2 |
Logic device and method of operating the same
A logic device may include a first functional block, the first functional block including, a first storage block, a second storage block, and a first function controller. In a first operation time period, the first function controller may be configured to receive a first configuration selection signal and a first configuration command signal that instructs a first function be configured, select the first storage block as a configured storage block in the first operation time period based on the first configuration selection signal, and configure the first function in the first storage block based on the first configuration command signal. |
| US08963578B2 |
Receiver
The present invention discloses a receiver capable of enhancing accuracy of signal reception. The receiver includes a variable termination resistance unit, coupled to at least one channel, for utilizing at least one termination resistance corresponding to the at least one channel to perform impedance matching, and a signal detection and termination resistance adjustment unit, for detecting at least one external calibration signal corresponding to the at least one channel from at least one external signal generator, and adjusting the at least one termination resistance. |
| US08963577B2 |
Termination impedance apparatus with calibration circuit and method therefor
A termination impedance apparatus includes a variable pull-up resistor, a variable pull-down resistor, and a small-signal calibration circuit. The variable pull-up resistor is coupled between a first power supply voltage terminal and an output terminal. The variable pull-down resistor is coupled between the output terminal and a second power supply voltage terminal. The small-signal calibration circuit is for calibrating the variable pull-up resistor and the variable pull-down resistor to achieve a desired small-signal impedance. |
| US08963572B2 |
Testing in trays
Embodiments of the system and methods disclosed herein reduce the amount of handling necessary to organize the IC packages and thus may be utilized to increase the throughput of a test handler. To organize the IC packages, the IC packages may be initially placed on a first IC tray by the test handler. All of the IC packages are tested from the first IC tray so as to generate operational state data items for the IC packages. After all of the IC packages on the first IC tray are tested, the IC packages are sorted based on the operational state data items. In this manner, the operational state data items of the IC packages are known before sorting and thus not every IC package needs to be picked and placed in order to organize the IC packages. |
| US08963571B2 |
Inspection device for glass substrate
Disclosed is an inspection device for a glass substrate, comprising at least one probe, a holder, a stretch controller and a control circuit. The probe is installed on the stretch controller, the stretch controller is employed to stretch the probe out of the holder as an electrical signal is received; and to retract the probe backward in the holder as the electrical signal stops. The present invention promotes the inspection efficiency for the glass substrate. |
| US08963569B2 |
Semiconductor chip probe and the conducted EME measurement apparatus with the semiconductor chip probe
The present invention discloses a semiconductor chip probe for measuring conducted electromagnetic emission (EME) of a bare die and a conducted EME measurement apparatus with the semiconductor chip probe. The semiconductor chip probe comprises a substrate, a dielectric layer, an impedance unit, a measuring unit and a connection unit. The measurement apparatus comprises a semiconductor chip probe, a high frequency probe, a signal cable and a test receiver. The integrated passive component network designed and embedded inside the semiconductor chip probe forms the 1Ω or 150Ω impedance network. And the semiconductor chip probe is able to directly couple the EME conducted current or voltage from the test pin of the flipped chip under test to the test receiver for measurement. |
| US08963566B2 |
Thermally adaptive in-system allocation
An integrated circuit device includes component devices (that include primary and alternate devices) and storage elements connected to the component devices. The storage elements store different sets of repair addresses indicating which of the primary devices and alternate devices are to be enabled. Further, a controller is connected to the storage elements, and a temperature sensor is connected to the controller. The temperature sensor senses the temperature. The controller selects one of the different storage elements to select at least one of the sets of repair addresses based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The sets of repair addresses share use of at least one of the alternate devices and at least one of the primary devices. |
| US08963563B2 |
Capacitive sensor for detecting the presence of a substance
A capacitive sensor for detecting the presence of a substance includes a plurality of upstanding conductive pillars arranged within a first layer of the sensor, a first electrode connected to a first group of the pillars, a second electrode connected to a second, different group of the pillars, and a dielectric material arranged adjacent the pillars, for altering the capacitance of the sensor in response to the presence of said substance. |
| US08963562B2 |
Transducer configurations and methods for transducer positioning in electrical impedance tomography
Transducer configurations and methods for transducer positioning in electrical impedance tomography are provided. A plurality of transducers for one electrical impedance tomography arrangement are configured for positioning proximate a surface of an object and spaced apart along the object, wherein the transducers are one or more conductive rings and have at least one non-conductive portion. The arrangement further includes one or more excitation drivers coupled to the plurality of transducers and configured to generate excitation signals for the plurality of transducers. The arrangement also includes one or more response detectors coupled to the plurality of transducers and configured to measure a response of the object at the plurality of transducers to the excitation applied by the plurality of transducers based on the excitation signals. The arrangement additionally includes a soft-field reconstruction module configured to reconstruct a property distribution based on the excitation signals and the measured response. |
| US08963560B2 |
Antenna system for electromagnetic compatibility testing
An antenna system for electromagnetic compliance testing within a frequency range includes a driven element mounted on a boom and including opposed first and second length-adjustable conductors. A length-adjustable passive element is mounted on the boom and spaced apart from the driven element and including opposed third and fourth length-adjustable conductors. An RF input connector is coupled between a feed path to a feed end of each length-adjustable conductors in the driven element. The feed path is configured to minimize stray reactances and stub effects within the frequency range. |
| US08963559B2 |
Variable impedance device
A variable impedance device includes a passive tuner that includes at least one variable component, which is controllable to apply a variable impedance value to an input signal of the passive tuner. A low noise amplifier is configured to supply the input signal to the passive tuner by amplifying an input RF (radio frequency) signal. |
| US08963555B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting light and acoustic waves
A sensor includes a sensor head including an acoustic detector configured to receive light from a first light source and to reflect the light upon incidence of acoustic waves. The sensor also includes at least one optical fiber and at least one fluorescent material within at least one of the sensor head and the at least one optical fiber. The at least one fluorescent material is configured to receive light from a second light source external to the sensor and emit visible light in response to the light received from the second light source. |
| US08963552B2 |
Electrostatic discharge event detector
A device for detecting an electrostatic discharge event by an object, the device comprising: a receiver for forming a first capacitive coupling with the object and a second capacitive coupling with a ground; and a first discharge path for discharging the second capacitive coupling to the ground, such that an electrostatic discharge event by the object charges the second capacitive coupling by an amount in a first time interval Δt1 that is substantially less than a second time interval Δt2 that it takes for the second capacitive coupling to discharge by the same amount through the first discharge path. |
| US08963549B2 |
Electromagnetic measurements using a group of two or more electromagnetic receivers
To survey a subterranean structure, for acquiring an electromagnetic (EM) measurement signal across EM receivers having a target axial spacing, a group of more than two EM receivers in an interval defined by the target axial spacing along a sensor cable is provided. The spacing between successive ones of at least some EM receivers in the group is less than the target axial spacing. EM measurements are acquired using the EM receivers in the group. |
| US08963548B2 |
Cylindrical gradient coil arrangement for a magnetic resonance device
A cylindrical gradient coil arrangement is provided for a magnetic resonance device. The arrangement includes at least one conductive structure that forms at least one gradient coil and a cooling device that uses a cooling fluid to cool the at least one conductive structure. The arrangement includes an outer carrier structure and an inner carrier structure. The outer carrier structure includes two tubular, coaxial outer sections with different diameters. The inner, tubular carrier structure is arranged between and coaxially with the outer sections. The conductive structure is placed on the inner carrier structure. The inner carrier structure is spaced from the outer sections by a clearance. The clearance forms a cooling channel through which the cooling fluid of the cooling device may flow. The inner carrier structure is fastened to the outer carrier structure at least in a point-by-point manner. |
| US08963544B2 |
Signal transmission device
A magnetic detection element includes a magnetoresistance effect portion composed of a magnetoresistance effect material and a pair of yoke portions. The pair of yoke portions is composed of a soft magnetic material and are respectively arranged so as to be electrically connected to both sides of the magnetoresistance effect portion. The pair of yoke portions guides magnetic flux into the magnetoresistance effect portion. The magnetic detection element also includes a bypass portion, which is composed of a soft magnetic material and is saturated with magnetic flux at lower magnetic field intensity than the yoke portions, and which guides a part of the magnetic flux generated in the yoke portions so as to divert the magnetic flux from the magnetoresistance effect portion. |
| US08963542B2 |
Minimizing magnetic interference in a variable reluctance resolver excited by 180 degree differential signals
A multi-pole variable reluctance resolver is balanced wired and driven by 180 degree differential signals. Capacitive passive elements may be serially added to the resolver to minimize magnetic interference and cancel flux between poles of the same polarity and orthogonal poles, as well as minimize the effect of input driving signal distortion. Symmetric networks of resistive and capacitive elements may also be added to the resolver to overcome noise sensitivity associated with balanced wired resolvers. |
| US08963535B1 |
Switch controlled current sensing using a hall effect sensor
An electronic system includes a Hall sensor to sense a controlled current. The Hall sensor is positioned proximate to a signal path and develops a voltage that includes a component corresponding to a controlled current. A controller generates a switch control signal to control conductivity of a switch, and the switch controls drive current for a load. The controller receives information either directly or indirectly from the Hall sensor corresponding to the controlled current and utilizes the information from the Hall sensor to control conductivity of the switch. Controlling conductivity of the switch controls the drive current for the load. The frequency of the switch control signal is sufficiently higher than a Hall sensor noise voltage to allow the controller to sufficiently cancel out the noise voltage for control purposes. |
| US08963534B2 |
Triaxial piezoelectric sensor
A triaxial piezoelectric sensor includes a PVDF layer, a first line layer, and a second line layer. The PVDF layer has multiple first electrodes and multiple second electrodes. Each first electrodes corresponds to each second electrodes for forming directions of polarization along the X-Y-Z axes. The first line layer has multiple first electrical connection portions and multiple first signal lines. Each first electrical connection portions corresponds to each first electrodes. The second line layer has multiple second electrical connection portions and multiple second signal lines. Each second electrical connection portions corresponds to each second electrodes. The PVDF layer is sandwiched between the first line layer and the second line layer. When an external force is applied to the PVDF layer, the first signal lines and the second signal lines transmit electrical signals according to the deformation of the PVDF layer. |
| US08963530B2 |
Multi input circuit
A multi input circuit is provided having a first terminal; a second terminal; a third terminal; a current element sensing signal detection unit connected between the first terminal and the third terminal; a multiplexer of which input ports are each connected to the first to third terminals and an output end of the current element sensing signal detection unit; a key input unit selecting the input ports for receiving the sensing signals from the multiplexer; a power supply unit; a switch turning-on/off power supplied to the RTD temperature sensor from the power supply unit; and a control unit outputting a control signal selecting the input ports of the multiplexer and a control signal controlling the turn-on/off of the switch according to the selection of the key input unit to receive the sensing signal input to the input port of the multiplexer. |
| US08963522B2 |
Current-direction detecting circuit and DC-DC converter
According to one embodiment, a circuit includes an amplifier, first and second capacitors, a switch and a monitoring-comparator. The amplifier amplifies source and drain voltages to output first and second amplified-signals. The first and second capacitors are connected to the amplifier's first and second terminals. The first and second amplified-signals are outputted from the first and second terminals. The switch forms first and second loops when a switching-transistor is OFF. The switch supplies a common-reference-voltage to the first and second loops to store charge in the first and second capacitors. The switch ends the first and second loops based on a gate-signal when the switching-transistor is ON. The monitoring-comparator compares first and second inputs. The monitoring-comparator outputs a signal depending on a comparison result when the switching-transistor is ON. The first and second inputs are input through the first and second capacitors. |
| US08963521B2 |
Power supply with a magnetically uncoupled phase and an odd number of magnetically coupled phases, and control for a power supply with magnetically coupled and magnetically uncoupled phases
An embodiment of a power supply includes an input node operable to receive an input voltage, an output node operable to provide a regulated output voltage, an odd number of magnetically coupled phase paths each coupled between the input and output nodes, and a first magnetically uncoupled phase path coupled between the input and output nodes. Such a power supply may improve its efficiency by activating different combinations of the coupled and uncoupled phase paths depending on the load conditions. For example, the power supply may activate only an uncoupled phase path during light-load conditions, may activate only coupled phase paths during moderate-load conditions, and may activate both coupled and uncoupled phase paths during heavy-load conditions and during a step-up load transient. |
| US08963518B2 |
Device for distributed maximum power tracking for solar arrays
A system for providing power from solar cells whereby each cell or cell array is allowed to produce its maximum available power and converted by an operatively connected DC/DC converter. Each cell or cell array has its own DC/DC converter. In one form the system includes one or more solar generators wherein each solar generator has one to nine solar cells; a maximum power tracker operatively associated with each solar generator, each maximum power tracker including a buck type DC/DC converter without an output inductor, each maximum power tracker being operatively connected in series with each other; an inductor operatively connected to the series connected maximum power trackers; and means for providing electrical power from the inductor to load means, wherein each maximum power tracker is controlled so that the operatively associated solar generator operates at its maximum power point to extract maximum available power. |
| US08963511B2 |
Controller for a switched mode power converter, a switched mode power converter and method of controlling the same
A method of controlling a switched mode converter is disclosed in which the switching frequency varies in proportion to the square of the sine of the phase of the input AC supply. Thus the switching frequency is a maximum, and the respective on period of the switch is a minimum, when the mains voltage is a maximum. Conversely, the switching frequency is reduced, and the respective on time of the switch is increased, when the mains voltage is reduced. Such a switching method provides for a high power factor. Implementation by means of a phase locked loop and a comparator may prevent the need for complex circuitry, and may provide for direct use of a digital controller or digital signal processing through a counter output in the phase locked loop.A controller configured to operate such a method, together with an AC/DC converter embodying such a controller are also disclosed. |
| US08963508B2 |
Method of controlling speed of a variable speed generator
Some embodiments relate to a method of controlling speed of a variable speed generator. The method includes detecting a load of the variable speed generator and determining a target speed for the variable speed generator based on the load supplied by the variable speed generator. The method further includes using a controller to adjust the speed of the variable speed generator based on the target speed. The method may further include correcting the target speed by calculating a correction factor that corrects the target speed based on a voltage produced by the variable speed generator. |
| US08963506B2 |
Battery management system and method of estimating battery state of charge
A battery management system and method accurately estimate a state of charge (SOC) of a battery. For this, the battery management system may include a unit SOC calculator calculating a unit SOC by using a charge/discharge current of a battery, an electromotive force SOC calculator calculating an electromotive force SOC using an electromotive force of the battery; a corrector calculating a compensation amount using the electromotive force SOC and a previous SOC, and an SOC calculator calculating a current SOC using the unit SOC, the previous SOC, and the compensation amount. |
| US08963504B2 |
Electronic device, method of charging electronic device, program, charging control apparatus, and charging control method
Provided is an electronic device including a secondary battery, a charging section which charges the secondary battery with power supplied from an external power supply section with a set charging current, a measurement section which measures an amount of charge accumulated in the secondary battery, a time information acquisition section which acquires time information, a storage section which stores charging history information indicating a time period in which a user performs charging, and a control section which has a chargeable time estimation section that estimates chargeable time based on the charging history information and the time information, and a charging current setting section that calculates a restricted charging current which enables the secondary battery to be charged up to a charging capacity within the chargeable time, based on the amount of charge acquired from the measurement section, and sets the restricted charging current in the charging section. |
| US08963501B2 |
Voltage equalization device, method, program, and power storage system
A voltage equalization device of a power storage device provided with battery packs in which a plurality of secondary cells are connected, power converters provided in association with the battery packs, and controllers that control the power converters, and in which the battery packs are connected in parallel via the individual power converters includes a decision portion and a voltage-adjusting portion. The decision portion obtains battery-pack information regarding the states of charge/discharge of the individual battery packs and decides, for each battery pack, whether or not to perform voltage adjustment on the basis of the battery-pack information. When the decision portion decides that the voltage adjustment is to be performed, the voltage-adjusting portion generates offset instructions for adjusting the states of charge/discharge and outputs the offset instructions to the controllers of the power converters associated with the battery packs. |
| US08963500B2 |
System and method for a battery pack output contactor
Systems and methods for controlling the output of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a battery pack contactor is closed after receiving a request to open the battery pack contactor during a power-up sequence. The system and method may reduce battery pack degradation. |
| US08963495B2 |
Battery exchanging method for electric vehicle
Provided is a battery exchange method for an electric vehicle. The battery exchange method includes (a) opening a protection cover of a battery mounting module installed at an upper portion of the electric vehicle, and transmitting an open signal to a battery charge station; (b) releasing a locking unit of a pre-mounted battery, and transmitting an unlocking signal to the battery charge station; (c) determining and storing a mounting location of the battery using an image sensor; (d) controlling movements and operations of a battery replacing robot when the unlocking signal is confirmed, and ejecting the pre-mounted battery from a battery seating base of the battery mounting module; (e) controlling movements and operations of the battery replacing robot to move a prepared fully charged battery into the battery mounting module, and mounting the fully charged battery on the battery seating base in the battery charge station. |
| US08963491B2 |
Contactless charging module, contactless charging device, and method of manufacturing contactless charging module
A contactless charging module, a contactless charging device, and a method of manufacturing the contactless charging module, wherein a magnetic sheet can be prevented from being damaged and giving an adverse effect on power transmission characteristic, by adopting a flexible magnetic sheet having slits, and wherein power transmission efficiency of the contactless charging module can be prevented from decreasing significantly. The contactless charging module is provided with: a planar coil unit; a magnetic sheet upon which the planar coil unit is to be mounted; a recess section or a slit that is formed on the magnetic sheet, and that is for housing therein a portion of a conductor wire of the planar coil unit; and a plurality of flexible slits that are for giving flexibility to the magnetic sheet. At least one of the plurality of flexible slits is formed such that a virtual extension line of the flexible slit will be arranged within the width of the recess section or the slit. |
| US08963489B2 |
Contactless power transfer device for moving object
Provided is a contactless power transfer device for a moving object. Each of a power transmission coil and a power receiving coil comprises an H-shaped core, and first, second and third search coils are installed on a magnetic pole object of the H-shaped core of the power transmission coil. A y-direction positional deviation between the power transmission coil and the power receiving coil is detected using voltages measured at the first and second search coils, and an x-direction positional deviation is detected using voltages measured at the third search coils. |
| US08963488B2 |
Position insensitive wireless charging
A wireless charging pad includes a capacitively-loaded conducting loop source resonator, with a characteristic size, L1, connected to a switching amplifier and configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field, wherein the conducting loop comprises multiple turns circumscribing an area, the conducting loop does not extend into the center of the circumscribed area, the source resonator delivers useful power to at least one device resonator with a characteristic size, L2, and where L1 is larger than L2. |
| US08963487B2 |
Power supply apparatus, power supply system, control method, and storage medium
A power supply apparatus for supplying electric power wirelessly to a power receiving apparatus which charges a battery informs charging information indicating a charging state of the power receiving apparatus, if a position of the power receiving apparatus is changed to more than the predetermined value. |
| US08963485B2 |
Battery charger system and method
A battery charger system and method are disclosed for increasing a charge of a battery. In one embodiment of the battery charger, an input for an electric charging power source is configured to supply electrical charging power to a rechargeable battery via an output circuit portion interposed therebetween. A transfer function circuit portion is configured to sense the voltage of the rechargeable battery as a sensing voltage such that the change in the sensing voltage is directly proportional to the internal impedance of the rechargeable battery. A control logic circuit portion is configured to select between: a constant current, variable voltage operational mode; a constant current, scalable voltage operational mode; and a variable current, constant voltage operational mode to furnish rapid recharging of the rechargeable battery. |
| US08963484B2 |
Electronic device for controlling magnitude of charging current for charging to-be-charged electronic device
By controlling a charging current magnitude for charging a to-be-charged electronic device by a charging electronic device and current magnitudes of other loading elements of the charging electronic device, when the charging electronic device is switched to a fast charge mode or to an efficiency mode from a normal charge mode, a required current can be directly provided to the to-be-charged electronic device without raising a hardware cost for upgrading charging capabilities. |
| US08963481B2 |
Charging service vehicles and methods using modular batteries
Charging service vehicles and methods using modular batteries are disclosed. The service vehicles are vehicles having electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment, and removably mounted battery modules or battery module connection points. The battery modules are connected to the EV charging equipment as a source of electrical energy. Some embodiments disclose integrating the EV charging equipment with the vehicle, recharging modules through a distribution grid connection, the manner of discharging the batteries, modes of connecting and disconnecting the modules, the size and weight of the modules, quick-disconnectability of modules, control and monitoring of the modules and charging equipment, and/or ways of connecting modules to the vehicle. These features are beneficial to efficiently keep service vehicles available for EV charging through exchanging battery modules or providing additional battery modules when necessary, and may keep operators safe through de-energization of connectors and other precautions inherent in these designs. |
| US08963480B2 |
Charging control system and device
A charging control system for charging a secondary battery from a solar battery, including a first path for transmitting power from the solar battery to the secondary battery, a second path for sensing the voltage of the secondary battery, and a comparison unit for comparing the solar battery voltage with the sensed voltage of the secondary battery. The first path includes a first interrupter, controlled by the comparison unit, which interrupts the first path to prevent discharge of the secondary battery through the solar battery when the solar battery voltage falls below the secondary battery voltage. The second path includes a second interrupter that interrupts the second path after the first path is interrupted, to prevent the secondary battery from discharging through the second path when not being charged through the first path. |
| US08963472B2 |
Integration of spindle external sense resistor into servo IC with stable resistance control circuit
An apparatus, comprises three driver FETs coupled at their sources; note-driver circuit; a first sense FET coupled to the sources of the three driver FETs; a current mirror having the first sense FET and a mirror FET; wherein the first sense FET is coupled to the mirror FET; a first transconductance amplifier coupled to the first sense FET; a second amplifier coupled to the current mirror, and an output of the first transconductance amplifier is an input to the second amplifier. |
| US08963470B2 |
Motor control apparatus
A motor control apparatus that controls rotation of a rotor of an electric motor powered from an electric power source includes a learning portion that executes an initial drive learning process, and a controller that executes a normal drive operation to sequentially change an exciting phase of the electric motor based on a count value of a counter which is corrected by a correcting portion such that the rotor is rotated to a target position after an initial drive operation is finished. The learning portion re-executes the initial drive learning process after a predetermined condition is satisfied, when the initial drive learning process is failed. |
| US08963469B2 |
Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of windings in an electric motor
Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting an electric motor is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity. |
| US08963460B2 |
Method and system for controlling motor
A method for controlling a motor is provided. The method comprises obtaining electrical signals of the motor with a signal unit, the electrical signals comprising a motor torque and an angular velocity, calculating a voltage phase angle of a voltage vector with a calculating component, wherein a command torque, the motor torque, the angular velocity and a voltage amplitude of the voltage vector are inputs of the calculating component, and wherein the voltage phase angle is a variable and the voltage amplitude is a constant. The method further comprises modulating the voltage phase angle and the voltage amplitude to a switching signal for controlling an inverter; converting a direct current voltage to the voltage vector according to the switching signal, and applying the voltage vector to the motor. |
| US08963457B2 |
Electric storage system and control method of electric storage system
An electric storage system includes a charger which supplies power from an external power source to an electric storage apparatus and supplies power of the electric storage apparatus to an external device. A first and a second system main relay allow connection between a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal of the electric storage apparatus and a load, respectively. A third system main relay is connected in series with a current limiting resistor and, together with the current limiting resistor, is connected in parallel with the first system main relay. A first and a second charge relay allow connection between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the electric storage apparatus and the charger, respectively. A third charge relay is connected in series with the abovementioned current limiting resistor and, together with the current limiting resistor, is connected in parallel with the first charge relay. |
| US08963454B2 |
Apparatus for controlling compressor
An apparatus for controlling a compressor is provided. When grounding the apparatus for controlling a compressor, an analog circuit ground and a digital circuit ground may be insulated from each other to protect the apparatus. A ground of an analog circuit driven by commercial alternating current (AC) power, and a ground of a digital circuit driven by a voltage which has been converted from commercial AC power, may also be insulated from each other by a simple circuit device to protect a controller inside the digital circuit. |
| US08963453B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronization of pulse width modulation
An inverter executing a PWM routine is configured to synchronize the switching periods of the PWM routine to an external signal. The external signal is generated, for example, by another inverter, a converter, or a high level controller. The external signal is preferably generated periodically, and the switching period is resynchronized to the external signal each time the external signal is received. Optionally, either the start time or the midpoint of the switching period may be aligned with external signal. Further, the external signal may be sent to multiple inverters. Preferably, a first portion of the inverters align the start time of their respective switching period to the external signal and a second portion of the inverters align the midpoint of their respective switching period to the external signal. |
| US08963452B2 |
Motor drive device, magnetic disk storage device, and electronic appliance
A motor drive device has: a power supply line to which a power supply voltage is applied; a ground line to which a ground voltage is applied; and a first motor driver that, when the power supply voltage is normal, rotates an N-phase first motor (where N is an integer of 2 or more) by using the supply voltage and, when the power supply voltage is abnormal, generates a rectified voltage from phase voltages of different phases appearing while the first motor is idling to regenerate the rectified voltage to the power supply line. The first motor driver, when generating the rectified voltage, boosts the rectified voltage by periodically repeating a brake cycle to make all the terminals of the different phases of the first motor conduct to the ground line and a boost cycle to rectify the phase voltages of the different phases synchronously while making at least one of the terminals of the different phases conduct to the power supply line. |
| US08963448B2 |
Output buffer circuit, devices including the same, and operating method of the output buffer circuit
An output buffer circuit includes an amplifier and a transmission circuit. The amplifier includes a plurality of inputs and an output. The inputs provide first input signals and second input signals to the amplifier. The output provides an output signal as a first input signal of the first input signals to the amplifier. The transmission circuit has an input coupled to the output of the amplifier and further has an output that provides a transmission circuit output signal as a second input signal of the second input signals to the amplifier. |
| US08963440B2 |
Two-wire dimmer switch for controlling low-power loads
A two-wire load control device such as a dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load such as a high-efficiency lighting load may be provided. The load control device may include a bidirectional semiconductor switch coupled between the source and the load and a controller operable to control the bidirectional semiconductor switch. The load control device may also include a front accessible trimming actuator to adjust a low end intensity setting of the load control device. The trimming actuator may be coupled to the controller such that the controller may control the bidirectional semiconductor switch appropriately. Additionally, the trimming actuator may include indicia to help a user readily identify the proper low end intensity setting. |
| US08963437B2 |
High power dimmer and dimming system having switchable power modes, dimming device and method for transmitting power and dimming commands
A dimming system is composed of a dimmer having switchable power modes and at least one lighting device. When the dimmer is in a non-dimming bypass mode, an input power is directly transmitted to the at least one lighting device with the dimmer being bypassed so that the circuit in the dimmer consumes no power. When the dimmer is in a dimming mode, an output selector of the dimmer outputs a dimming output power having a dimming command therein to each one of the at least one lighting device for each lighting device to decode the dimming command embedded in the dimming output power and perform a dimming operation according to the dimming command. As the dimming operation lasts briefly, the power consumed by the dimmer is extremely small. Accordingly, no heat dissipation issue arises and the present invention is applicable to all sorts of high power lighting devices. |
| US08963433B2 |
Managing light system energy use
A first lighting assembly receives a lighting profile that instructs the first lighting assembly to operate according to the lighting profile over a first period of time. The received lighting profile is implemented, including causing a light of the first lighting assembly to illuminate at a first intensity. An input acquired in proximity to the first lighting assembly and indicating activity in a region proximate the first lighting assembly is received. The received lighting profile is then deviated from, in response to the received input, by increasing the intensity of the light to illuminate at a second intensity for a predetermined period of time. A message is transmitted for receipt by the control center, the message including an indication of the increased light intensity and an identifier associated with the first lighting assembly. |
| US08963432B2 |
Lighting system, control method therefor and lighting control device
According to one embodiment, a lighting system includes a luminaire and a lighting control device. The lighting control device includes an operation section, a target-value managing section, a transmitting section, and a display section and controls the luminaire. The target-value managing section stores an operation state of the luminaire and, when the operation section is operated, calculates an operation target value on the basis of the stored operation state of the luminaire and updates the operation state to the operation target value serving as an operation state of the luminaire after the operation. The transmitting section transmits the operation target value as a radio signal. The display section performs display based on the operation target value. |
| US08963431B2 |
Circuit for driving LEDs
A circuit is disclosed for driving a plurality of LED strings from an AC supply and arranged to, in use, drive current through a series arrangement of a plurality N of the LED strings when the AC voltage is sufficient to drive the plurality N of the LED strings: the circuit comprising a first current source configured to be switchably connected to a one end of said series arrangement of N LED strings; a series combination of a second current source and a heat dissipater, wherein the series combination of the second current source and the heat dissipater is arranged in parallel with the first current source; and a current balancer for balancing the current through the first current source and the second current source. A driver for such a circuit is also disclosed. |
| US08963429B2 |
Lighting apparatus for fluorescent tube and driving method therefor
A lighting apparatus for a fluorescent tube and a driving method thereof are provided. The lighting apparatus includes a fluorescent tube, an open-loop protection unit and a driving device. The driving device includes an inverter and a power unit. The open-loop protection unit detects and determines an open-loop situation of two nodes of the fluorescent tube to produce an open-loop protection signal. The inverter receives a power voltage to light the fluorescent tube with a dual high-voltage method according to a trigger signal. The power unit coupled to the open-loop protection unit and the inverter provides the power voltage and determines whether to turn off the inverter according to the open-loop protection signal. When the open-loop situation of the fluorescent tube is occurred or driving voltage of the fluorescent tube is greater than a rated operating voltage, the inverter is turned off immediately to avoid components from overheating or burning. |
| US08963425B2 |
Power supply device, lamp fitting, and vehicle
Provided is a power supply device, which is capable of coping with semiconductor light source loads to be set in various ways, and has high efficiency, in which a current to be supplied to each of the loads has a small ripple. The power supply device supplies power to a semiconductor light source load and lights the semiconductor light source load, and includes: a DC-DC converter; and a controller. The DC-DC converter includes an inductance element and a switching element, and performs voltage conversion by storing energy in the inductance element from an input power source when the switching element is on, and discharging the energy, the energy being stored in the inductance element, to a load side when the switching element is off. The controller controls ON/OFF operations of the switching element so that an output current of the DC-DC converter can be the same as a target value. In the power supply device, means for regulating timing of turning on the switching element so that a current flowing through the inductance element can flow in a continuous mode operation is provided at least in the controller. |
| US08963417B2 |
Organic light emitting device, display unit, and device comprising a display unit
An organic light emitting device includes, in order an anode, an organic layer comprising a light-emitting layer, and a cathode. The anode is a laminated structure comprising in order: a first anode layer comprising a metal compound or a conductive oxide; a second anode layer that is a reflective layer; and a third anode layer comprising a metal compound or a conductive oxide. Light generated in the light-emitting layer is extracted through the cathode. |
| US08963410B2 |
LED bulb
A LED bulb includes a bulb head, a power PCBA of which a bottom is equipped with power pins, a LED PCB mounted to a top of the power PCBA and electrically connecting with the power PCBA, and a cover covered on the LED PCB. The bulb head includes a housing, electrical terminals disposed in the housing and including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, and a power connection unit mounted to a bottom of the housing and including a bulb base and an anode element. One end of the anode terminal is electrically connected with a top end of the anode element. One end of the cathode terminal projects outside the housing to be electrically connected with the bulb base. The power PCBA is mounted on the housing. The power pins are electrically connected with another two ends of the anode terminal and the cathode terminal. |
| US08963407B2 |
Spark plug
A spark plug includes an insulator having an axial hole, a first inner circumferential surface, a second inner circumferential surface whose diameter is greater than that of the first inner circumferential surface, and a ledge portion connecting the first and the second inner circumferential surfaces. The spark plug also includes a center electrode having a large-diameter portion, a projection portion, and a circular columnar leg portion that projects into a space surrounded by the first inner circumferential surface. The spark plug includes a seal portion which fixes the center electrode within the axial hole. When C |
| US08963398B2 |
Current control brush assembly
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a current control brush assembly including a first electrically conductive arcuate housing section retaining a first set of electrically conductive filaments. The first set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along a radial direction. The current control brush assembly also includes a second electrically conductive arcuate housing section retaining a second set of electrically conductive filaments. The second set of electrically conductive filaments extends generally inward along the radial direction. Furthermore, the current control brush assembly includes a hinge configured to facilitate rotation of the second electrically conductive arcuate housing section relative to the first electrically conductive arcuate housing section about an axis substantially perpendicular to a first axial surface of the first electrically conductive arcuate housing section. |
| US08963395B2 |
Motor core, stator, and method for manufacturing stator
An annular motor core has a plurality of split core pieces, each of which includes a yoke portion and a tooth. The split core pieces are circumferentially located and arranged in an annular shape such that the yoke portions of the core pieces form an annular shape as a whole and that the distal ends of the teeth of the core pieces face inward or outward each in a radial direction of the core. The core further includes an annular holder, which has joint portions at a plurality of positions in a circumferential direction of the holder. A first end of each of the core pieces is pivotably joined to the corresponding one of the joint portions. Each core piece can be pivoted about the corresponding joint portion relative to the holder such that a second end of the core piece moves in a radial direction of the holder. |
| US08963394B2 |
Cage rotor with starting bar
The invention relates to a cage rotor for an asynchronous machine (1) comprising starting bars for improving the starting behavior. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a cage rotor. In order to achieve as great an efficiency as possible, the cage rotor comprises a laminated rotor core (2) having grooves (3) and operating bars (5; 6; 7; 8; 15) disposed in the grooves (3) and contacting the laminated rotor core (2) directly on the inner groove base as seen in the radial direction of the cage rotor, wherein the operating bars (5; 6; 7; 8; 15) comprise partial cladding (9; 10; 11) enclosing an outer surface of the operating bars (5; 6; 7; 8; 15) as seen in the radial direction (12) of the cage rotor, wherein the material of the operating bars (5; 6; 7; 8; 15) comprises a greater specific conductivity than the material of the partial cladding (9; 10; 11). |
| US08963389B2 |
Terminal connection structure for the motor
Disclosed terminal housing connection structure for the motor is comprising: an insulator body; a terminal housing assembly unit protruding circumferentially and being combined with the insulator body integrally; a terminal housing having sliding hook combination with the terminal housing assembly unit, thus being capable of supplying a power to the motor; a fixing unit locking the position of terminal housing in the terminal housing assembly unit and comparting the coil unit of the insulator body with the terminal housing. |
| US08963387B2 |
Motor rotor including a resolver rotor for detecting rotation position
A motor rotor and a method for manufacturing a motor rotor, enabling crimping of the resolver rotor at low cost with less influence on the detection accuracy. A motor rotor includes a resolver rotor and a rotor shaft to which the resolver rotor is affixed by crimping. The rotor shaft includes a first stepped section with which a crimping punch makes contact to deform the first stepped section, a second stepped section with which an end surface of the resolver rotor makes contact, and a cutout groove formed in a surface which is located near the first stepped section and with which an inner peripheral hole section of the resolver rotor makes contact. In the crimping operation, the first stepped section of the rotor shaft is bent within the cutout groove to form a crimping protrusion which presses the end surface of the resolver rotor. |
| US08963386B2 |
Spindle motor
A spindle motor is provided, the motor comprising: a base plate, a PCB on the base plate, a bearing assembly arranged on the base plate, a stator coupled to a periphery of the bearing assembly, a rotor rotationally coupled to the bearing assembly, the rotor including a yoke and a magnet, and a rotation shaft rotationally coupled to the bearing assembly. The base plate includes a planar portion and a protruding portion arranged along with a periphery of the yoke, the protruding portion being apart from the yoke. The base plate is partially covered with the PCB in a region where the stator is arranged. And, a height from the planar portion to an upper surface of the protruding portion is smaller than a height from the planar portion to a lower surface of the periphery of the yoke. |
| US08963385B2 |
Spindle motor
A spindle motor is provided, the motor including: a base plate; a PCB Printed Circuit Board arranged on an upper surface of the base plate; a bearing assembly coupled to the base plate; a stator coupled to a periphery of the bearing assembly; and a rotor rotationally coupled to the bearing assembly, wherein the base plate is formed with a foreign object inflow prevention fence to inhibit inflow of foreign objects into the stator and the base plate. |
| US08963382B2 |
Stator for rotary electric machine in which stator coils are secured in stator slots using impregnating material
A stator includes a ring-shaped stator core having a plurality of slots arranged in a circumferential direction and a stator coil wound around the slots. The stator coil disposed within the slots is fixed by an impregnating material applied from an inner peripheral side of the stator core. An innermost-diameter coil wire of the stator coil positioned on the innermost-diameter side within the slots is provided with a first angle section that is angled towards an outward core-diameter direction side from a center section in a core-axis direction towards one end side, and a second angle section that is angled towards the outward core-diameter direction side from the center section in the core-axis direction towards another end side. The center section in the core-axis direction of the innermost-diameter coil wire projects towards an inward core-diameter direction side. |
| US08963380B2 |
System and method for power generation system
A power generation system comprises a tube, a coil assembly, a magnetic assembly, and a direct detonation source. The coil assembly comprises at least one coil configured outside the tube. The magnetic assembly comprises at least one magnet inside the tube. The magnetic assembly is configured to move relative to the tube. The direct detonation source produces a detonation impulse that causes one of the tube or the magnetic assembly to move thereby generating power based on the movement of the magnet assembly relative to the coil assembly where the direct detonation source produces the detonation impulse at an ignition point without requiring a period of deflagration. |
| US08963379B2 |
Paper shredder control system responsive to touch-sensitive element
The invention is directed to a touch-sensitive paper shredder control system. The touching feature is implemented through a series of electronic circuits, taking input from a conductive touch panel on the shredder feed throat, processing the signal, and through a motor driving circuit, stopping the mechanical parts of the shredder. The system has a touch detection circuit unit, which contains a bioelectricity controlled switching circuit to sense the conductive touch panel. The bioelectricity controlled switching circuit is configured to trigger a ground switching circuit in the touch detection circuit unit which outputs to a multifunction control circuit unit. The control circuit unit then takes care of the remaining protection issues. The touching device for paper shredders protects humans and other living beings including pets from injuries through automatic and real time monitoring. The complete control process is both safe and sensitive. |
| US08963375B2 |
Device and method for electrically decoupling a solar module from a solar system
Devices and methods for electrically decoupling a solar module from a solar system are described. In one embodiment, a solar system includes a string of a plurality of solar modules coupled with an inverter through a DC power line. An AC input is coupled with the DC power line. A device is also included and is configured to provide a closed circuit for one of the plurality of solar modules if an AC signal voltage from the AC input is present on the DC power line, and is configured to provide an open circuit for the one of the plurality of solar modules if no AC signal voltage from the AC input is present on the DC power line. |
| US08963374B2 |
System and method for integrating wind power generation with wave power generation
A system for integrating a wind power generation with a wave power generation includes a wind power generation device, a wave power generation device and a power integration device. The wind power generation device generates a first voltage. The wave power generation device generates a second voltage. The power integration device integrates the first voltage with the second voltage. |
| US08963373B2 |
Grid tie solar system and a method
A grid tie system includes a plurality of solar panels, a plurality of inverters, wherein each of the inverters is in electrical communication with at least one of the solar panels to convert a direct current to an alternating current, wherein each of the inverters has an active state and an inactive state and at least one of the inverters includes a tracking component to track a maximum power point of at least one of the solar panels, and a controller in communication with at least one of the inverters for selectively toggling the at least one of the inverters between the active state and the inactive state. |
| US08963371B2 |
Power supply with dual asymmetrical inputs
A dual asymmetric input power supply architecture for use in power systems employing input power source redundancy. The dual asymmetric input power supply operates from a main input of the power supply when acceptable voltage is present on the main input. If the main input fails or is out of tolerance, power can be supplied from an auxiliary input through a transformer isolated switching converter. The dual asymmetric input power supply architecture maintains the high efficiency of a single-input power supply while providing an auxiliary connection for input power source redundancy. |
| US08963369B2 |
Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources
A distributed power harvesting system including multiple direct current (DC) power sources with respective DC outputs adapted for interconnection into a interconnected DC power source output. A converter includes input terminals adapted for coupling to the interconnected DC power source output. A circuit loop sets the voltage and current at the input terminals of the converter according to predetermined criteria. A power conversion portion converts the power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. A power supplier is coupled to the output terminals. The power supplier includes a control part for maintaining the input to the power supplier at a predetermined value. The control part maintains the input voltage and/or input current to the power supplier at a predetermined value. |
| US08963364B2 |
Vehicle-mounted device and key switch identification method
A voltage detector 22 has an input port IN connectable to a steering remote control 6 of a voltage dividing type adapted to output one of output voltages different from each other for each of key switches to be pressed by a user, and detects through the input port IN an output voltage output from the steering remote control 6. A pull-up resistor 21a is connected in series between the input port IN and a power supply Vdd supplying a voltage to the steering remote control 6, and has a variable resistance. A controller 23 controls the pull-up resistor 21a to have sequentially changed resistances in a course of pressing the key switches. A processor 3 operates on sets of output voltages given respectively for the resistances in the course of pressing the key switches, to select a resistance of the pull-up resistor. |
| US08963361B2 |
Method to rotate the rotor of a wind turbine and means to use in this method
A direct driven wind turbine includes an electrical generator with a rotor and a stator, a hub constructed to receive a rotor blade, and an actuator device. The hub is connected to the rotor of the electrical generator. The hub and the rotor of the electrical generator are rotatable mounted in respect to the stator of the generator. The actuator device is constructed and arranged to rotate the rotor of the electrical generator and the hub of the wind turbine in respect to the stator of the electrical generator, wherein the actuator device is at least one motor. |
| US08963360B1 |
Hydro-electric system and device for producing energy
An energy producing unit is provided for producing energy from an artificial fall of fluid. The energy producing unit includes a host structure immersed in a fluid and a moveable member disposed within the host structure. The moveable member is independently vertically movable relative to the host structure between a risen position and a lowered position and is buoyantly biased to the risen position. An expandable compartment is formed within the host structure between a horizontal wall and a second horizontal member of the moveable member disposed below the horizontal wall. The expandable compartment expands and retracts when the moveable member is vertically moved between the risen position and the lowered position. The energy producing unit includes a conduit in communication with the expandable compartment and an energy extraction disposed within the conduit. As fluid flows through the conduit into the expandable compartment, energy is extracted from the flowing fluid. |
| US08963358B2 |
Linear faraday induction generator for the generation of electrical power from ocean wave kinetic energy and arrangements thereof
Various embodiments of permanent magnetic arrays are disclosed. Such arrays include a central support tube; permanent magnets arranged along the central support tube, where the permanent magnets are oriented such that like poles of the magnets are placed adjacently to concentrate a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the central support tube; and pole pieces arranged along the central support tube, each pole piece in contact with two neighboring permanent magnets and separating those two neighboring permanent magnets. |
| US08963355B2 |
High-performance wind turbine generator that can be driven in horizontal/vertical axis directions with the use of 3D active intelligent turbine blades
Provided is a 3D active intelligent-type high-performance wind turbine generator. The 3D active intelligent-type high-performance wind turbine generator may be driven in horizontal/vertical axis directions. This novel wind turbine generator includes blades for driving a generator shaft of which cross sections are arranged symmetrically to increase the efficiency of the wind turbine generator and a cylindrical type cam and cam follower for controlling the angle of each blade in every direction to an optimum condition, so as to guide a working fluid having kinetic energy to be introduced at right angles to the direction of the cross section of each blade, thereby maximizing the driving force of the blades. Thus, the wind turbine generator may operate satisfactorily even at a low initial start-up wind speed and may be driven in any horizontal/vertical axis directions. |
| US08963352B2 |
Wave energy electrical power generation
A wave energy electric power generation system has a buoyant body responsive to wave movement and an associated, relatively vertically stationary body, a compressor, a pressure regulator, and an impulse air turbine/generator set. The compressor has a piston that moves reciprocally relative to a cylinder to alternately compress air in opposed chambers. A pressure regulator tank defines a chamber in communication with the compressor for alternately receiving compressed air from opposed compression chambers, a floating piston within the tank applying pressure to compressed air in the chamber, a pressure regulator controlling pressure applied by the piston to the compressed air, and an hydraulic dampening system coupled to the floating piston to restrict unwanted vertical oscillations of the piston, for output of a continuous flow of compressed air at relatively constant pressure. |
| US08963349B2 |
Generator management system that selectively cuts off fuel to a generator to add a load to a bus
Some embodiments relate to an example generator management system. The generator management system includes a first generator having a first set of power leads and a second generator having a second set of power leads. The generator management system further includes a bus that connects the first output and the second output. A controller selectively cuts off fuel to the second generator to add a load to the bus. It should be noted that embodiments are contemplated where the generator management system alternatively cuts off fuel to the first generator to add a load to the bus. |
| US08963345B2 |
Encapsulation device having improved sealing
An encapsulation device including two casings made of a flexible polymer material, each delimiting a sealed space, and at least one hydrophobic material filling each of the casings, the casings being stacked and sealingly interconnected at peripheral edges thereof, a sealed space then being defined between the two casings for receiving a device to be encapsulated. |
| US08963344B2 |
Epoxy resin composition for semiconductor encapsulation, cured product thereof, and semiconductor device
An epoxy resin composition for semiconductor encapsulation of the present invention contains an epoxy resin (A) and a curing agent (B) and is used to encapsulate a copper wire (4) and a semiconductor element (1) connected to this copper wire (4). This epoxy resin composition is such that when a cured product of the epoxy resin composition is heated for 10 hours at 200° C., the amount of generation of a first corrosive gas that is a sulfur compound having corrosiveness to the copper wire (4) is less than or equal to 70 ppm. |
| US08963343B1 |
Ferroelectric memories with a stress buffer
A device including a ferroelectric memory and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a semiconductor die with an integrated circuit fabricated thereon, a stress buffer die mounted to the semiconductor die overlying the integrated circuit, and a molding compound encapsulating the semiconductor die and the stress buffer die. Generally the integrated circuit includes a ferroelectric memory. In some embodiments, the device further includes a polyimide layer between the stress buffer and the semiconductor die. Other embodiments are also provided. |
| US08963340B2 |
No flow underfill or wafer level underfill and solder columns
A preassembly semiconductor device comprises substrate soldering structures extending toward chip soldering structures for forming solder connections with the chip soldering structures, i.e., the chip and the substrate are in preassembly positions relative to one another. The height of the substrate soldering structures is greater than the height of the chip soldering structures. A pre-applied underfill is contiguous with the substrate and is sufficiently thick so as to extend substantially no further than the full height of the substrate soldering structures. In another embodiment the height of the chip soldering structures is greater than the height of the substrate soldering structures and the pre-applied underfill is contiguous with the semiconductor chip and sufficiently thick so as to extend substantially no further than the full height of the chip soldering structures. A process comprises manufacturing semiconductor assemblies from these devices by soldering the semiconductor chip and the substrate to one another. |
| US08963339B2 |
Stacked multi-chip integrated circuit package
A multi-chip integrated circuit (IC) package is provided which is configured to protect against failure due to warpage. The IC package may comprise a substrate, a level-one IC die and a plurality of level-two IC dies. The level-one IC die having a surface that is electrically coupled to the substrate. The plurality of level-two IC dies is stacked above the level-one IC die. The plurality of level-two IC dies may each have an active surface that is electrically coupled to the substrate. The plurality of level-two IC dies may be arranged side by side such that the active surfaces of the plurality of level-two IC dies are positioned substantially in a same plane. Relative to a single die configuration, the level-two IC dies are separated thereby inhibiting cracking, peeling and/or other potential failures due to warpage of the IC package. |
| US08963337B2 |
Thin wafer support assembly
A semiconductor wafer assembly formed by bonding a support wafer to a thin wafer using a double-sided bonding release tape. The support wafer provides support for the thin target wafer such that existing handling tools can accommodate transporting and processing the assembly without compromising the profile of the thin target wafer. |
| US08963334B2 |
Die-to-die gap control for semiconductor structure and method
An embodiment is a structure comprising a substrate, a first die, and a second die. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The substrate has a through substrate via extending from the first surface towards the second surface. The first die is attached to the substrate, and the first die is coupled to the first surface of the substrate. The second die is attached to the substrate, and the second die is coupled to the first surface of the substrate. A first distance is between a first edge of the first die and a first edge of the second die, and the first distance is in a direction parallel to the first surface of the substrate. The first distance is equal to or less than 200 micrometers. |
| US08963333B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for wireless connection in integrated circuit packages
Some embodiments of the invention include a connecting structure between a support and at least one die attached to the support. The die includes a number of die bond pads on a surface of the die. The connecting structure includes a plurality of via and groove combinations. Conductive material is formed in the via and groove combinations to provide connection between the die bond pads and bond pads on the support. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08963332B2 |
Semiconductor device with dummy lines
A semiconductor device includes a first main strap, a second main strap, a plurality of first sub straps, a plurality of second sub straps, and a plurality of dummy lines. The first main strap is extended in a first direction. The second main strap is extended in the first direction. A plurality of first sub straps is branched from the first main strap. The plurality of second sub straps is branched from the second main strap. The plurality of dummy lines is positioned between the first main strap and the second main strap. Each of the plurality of dummy lines is positioned between each of the plurality of first sub straps and each of the plurality of second sub straps. Each of the dummy lines is spaced apart from the first main strap, the second main strap, each of the first sub straps and each of the second sub straps. |
| US08963327B2 |
Semiconductor device including wiring board with semiconductor chip
A semiconductor device includes lands having an NSMD (non-solder mask defined) structure for mounting thereon solder balls placed in an inner area of a chip mounting area. The lands for mounting thereon solder balls are placed in an area of the back surface of a through-hole wiring board overlapping with a chip mounting area in a plan view. The semiconductor device is mounted on a mounting substrate with the balls. |
| US08963326B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming patterned repassivation openings between RDL and UBM to reduce adverse effects of electro-migration
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor wafer with a first conductive layer formed over a surface of the semiconductor wafer. A first insulating layer is formed over the surface of the semiconductor wafer and first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and second conductive layer. A plurality of openings is formed in the second insulating layer in a bump formation area of the semiconductor wafer to expose the second conductive layer and reduce adverse effects of electro-migration. The openings are separated by portions of the second insulating layer. A UBM layer is formed over the openings in the second insulating layer in the bump formation area electrically connected to the second conductive layer. A bump is formed over the UBM layer. |
| US08963323B2 |
Heat-transfer structure
An apparatus 100 comprising a first substrate 130 having a first surface 125, a second substrate 132 having a second surface 127 facing the first surface and an array 170 of metallic raised features 170 being located on the first surface, each raised feature being in contact with the first surface to the second surface, a portion of the raised features being deformed via a compressive force 305. |
| US08963320B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with thermal structures and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a thermal attach cluster includes: forming a heat collector having a heat dissipation surface, forming a cluster bridge, having a thermal surface, connected to the heat collector, forming a cluster pad, having an attachment surface, connected to the end of the cluster bridge opposite the heat collector; connecting an integrated circuit to the thermal attach cluster; and forming an encapsulation over the thermal attach cluster with the heat dissipation surface, the thermal surface, and the attachment surface exposed from and coplanar with the encapsulation. |
| US08963317B2 |
Thermal dissipation through seal rings in 3DIC structure
A package includes a die, which includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of through-vias penetrating through the semiconductor substrate, a seal ring overlapping and connected to the plurality of through-vias, and a plurality of electrical connectors underlying the semiconductor substrate and connected to the seal ring. An interposer is underlying and bonded to the die. The interposer includes a substrate, and a plurality of metal lines over the substrate. The plurality of metal lines is electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical connectors. Each of the plurality metal lines has a first portion overlapped by the first die, and a second portion misaligned with the die. A heat spreader encircles the die and the interposer. A wire includes a first end bonded to one of the plurality of metal lines, and a second end bonded to the heat spreader. |
| US08963315B2 |
Semiconductor device with surface electrodes
A semiconductor device includes a plate-shaped semiconductor element and an electrically insulating resin member. The semiconductor element has a front-surface electrode on its front surface and a back-surface electrode on its back surface. The resin member encapsulates the semiconductor element. The front-surface electrode is exposed to a front side of an outer surface of the resin member. The back-surface electrode is exposed to a back side of the outer surface of the resin member. The resin member has an extension portion that covers the entire side surface of the semiconductor element and extends from the side surface of the semiconductor element in a direction parallel to the front surface of the semiconductor element. |
| US08963314B2 |
Packaged semiconductor product and method for manufacture thereof
Packaged semiconductor product (2) including a first semiconductor device (4A) and a packaging structure with a protective envelope (6) and a first and second external electrode (8,10). The first semiconductor device (4A) has a first substrate (11A) and is provided with a first passivation layer (12A) and a first electronic structure. The first substrate has a first main surface (14). The first substrate (11A) is embedded in the protective envelope (6) and the first main surface (14) faces a first opening (23) of the protective envelope (6). The first electronic structure has a first and a second contact region (20, 22) for electrically contacting the first electronic structure. The first passivation layer (12A) substantially covers the first main surface (14) and the first electronic structure. The protective envelope (6) extends between the first passivation layer (12A) and the first external electrode (8) towards the first contact region (20). |
| US08963313B2 |
Heterogeneous chip integration with low loss interconnection through adaptive patterning
Integrating a semiconductor component with a substrate through a low loss interconnection formed through adaptive patterning includes forming a cavity in the substrate, placing the semiconductor component therein, filling a gap between the semiconductor component and substrate with a fill of same or similar dielectric constant as that of the substrate and adaptively patterning a low loss interconnection on the fill and extending between the contacts of the semiconductor component and the electrical traces on the substrate. The contacts and leads are located and adjoined using an adaptive patterning technique that places and forms a low loss radio frequency transmission line that compensates for any misalignment between the semiconductor component contacts and the substrate leads. |
| US08963299B2 |
Semiconductor package and fabrication method thereof
A semiconductor package is provided, including: a substrate having at least a conductive pad; a semiconductor element disposed on the substrate; a conductive adhesive formed on top and side surfaces of the semiconductor element and extending to the conductive pad; and an electronic element disposed on the conductive adhesive. The conductive adhesive and the conductive pad form a shielding structure so as to prevent electromagnetic interference from occurring between the semiconductor element and the electronic element. |
| US08963297B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus includes a p-type doped layer, an n-type doped layer, and an internal electrical connection layer that is deposited and electrically coupled between the p-type doped layer and the n-type doped layer. In one embodiment, the internal electrical connection layer includes a group IV element and a nitrogen element, and the number of atoms of the group IV element and the nitrogen element is greater than 50% of the total number of atoms in the internal electrical connection layer. In another embodiment, the internal electrical connection layer includes carbon element with a concentration greater than 1017 atoms/cm3. In a further embodiment, the internal electrical connection layer is formed at a temperature lower than those of the p-type doped layer and the n-type doped layer. |
| US08963296B2 |
Double trench rectifier
A high power density or low forward voltage rectifier which utilizes at least one trench in both the anode and cathode. The trenches are formed in opposing surfaces of the substrate, to increase the junction surface area per unit surface area of the semiconductor die. This structure allows for increased current loads without increased horizontal die space. The increased current handling capability allows for the rectifier to operate at lower forward voltages. Furthermore, the present structure provides for increased substrate usage by up to 30 percent. |
| US08963295B2 |
Semiconductor structure with beryllium oxide
A semiconductor structure with beryllium oxide is provided. The semiconductor structure comprises: a semiconductor substrate (100); and a plurality of insulation oxide layers (201, 202 . . . 20x) and a plurality of single crystal semiconductor layers (301, 302 . . . 30x) alternately stacked on the semiconductor substrate (100). A material of the insulation oxide layer (201) contacted with the semiconductor substrate (100) is any one of beryllium oxide, SiO2, SiOxNy and a combination thereof, a material of other insulation oxide layers (202 . . . 20x) is single crystal beryllium oxide. |
| US08963292B2 |
Semiconductor device having backside redistribution layers and method for fabricating the same
Present embodiments relate to a semiconductor device having a backside redistribution layer and a method for forming such a layer. Specifically, one embodiment includes providing a substrate comprising a via formed therein. The substrate has a front side and a backside. The embodiment may further include forming a trench on the backside of the substrate, disposing an insulating material in the trench, and forming a trace over the insulating material in the trench. |
| US08963291B2 |
Semiconductor chip with seal ring and sacrificial corner pattern
A semiconductor device including a low dielectric constant film of which the relative dielectric constant is less than 3.5, is provided with one or more seal rings that are moisture blocking walls forming a closed loop in a plan view, and where at least one of the seal rings includes a seal ring protrusion portion in inward protruding form in the vicinity of a chip corner. |
| US08963290B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a good ohmic contact for an n-type Group-III nitride semiconductor. An n-type GaN layer and a p-type GaN layer are aequentially formed on a lift-off layer (growth step). A p-side electrode is formed on the top face of the p-type GaN layer. A copper block is formed over the entire area of the top face through a cap metal. Then, the lift-off layer is removed by making a chemical treatment (lift-off step). Then, a laminate structure constituted by the n-type GaN layer, with which the surface of the N polar plane has been exposed, and the p-type GaN layer is subjected to anisotropic wet etching (surface etching step). The N-polar surface after the etching has irregularities constituted by {10-1-1} planes. Then, an n-side electrode is formed on the bottom face of the n-type GaN layer (electrode formation step). |
| US08963287B1 |
Deep trench capacitor with conformally-deposited conductive layers having compressive stress
A high density deep trench MIM capacitor structure is provided wherein conductive-compressive-conformally applied layers of a semiconductor material, such as a Poly-SixGe1-x, are interleaved within MIM capacitor layers to counterbalance the tensile stresses created by such MIM capacitor layers. The interleaving of conductive-compressive-conformally applied material layers are adapted to counterbalance convex (upward) bowing of silicon wafers during the manufacturing process of high density deep trench MIM capacitor silicon devices to thereby help maximize production yields of such devices per wafer. |
| US08963280B1 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture
Semiconductor devices with reduced substrate defects and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a dielectric material on a substrate. The method further includes forming a shallow trench structure and deep trench structure within the dielectric material. The method further includes forming a material within the shallow trench structure and deep trench structure. The method further includes forming active areas of the material separated by shallow trench isolation structures. The shallow trench isolation structures are formed by: removing the material from within the deep trench structure and portions of the shallow trench structure to form trenches; and depositing an insulator material within the trenches. |
| US08963275B2 |
Resistive-switching device capable of implementing multiary addition operation and method for multiary addition operation
A resistive-switching random access memory device includes a memory cell disposed between a bit line and a word line, the memory cell having a resistive-switching element (40) and a Schottky diode (30). The Schottky diode (30) and the resistive-switching element (40) are connected in series. The Schottky diode (30) includes a metal layer and a semiconductor layer contacting each other. An interface between the metal layer and the semiconductor layer has a non-planar shape. |
| US08963269B2 |
Light-transmissive member, optical device, and manufacturing methods thereof
A light-transmissive member has a first principal face, a second principal face, and side faces. The first principal face has a first portion including a center of the first principal face and a second portion between the first portion and the side face sides. The member includes a plurality of altered portions formed between the first principal face and the second principal face so that the plurality of altered portions do not appear on the first principal face, the second principal face, and the side faces. Orthogonal projections of the plurality of altered portions onto the first principal face are included in the second portion. |
| US08963268B2 |
Free-standing two-sided devices
Devices having features deposited on two sides of a device substrate and methods for making the same. The devices are useful, for example, as the components in a macroelectronic system. In a preferred embodiment, the devices are photosensors having a plurality of electrodes patterned on a first side of the device and an electromagnetic interference filter patterned on a second side of the device. The method facilitates the fabrication of two-sided devices through the use of an immobilizing layer deposited on top of devices patterned on a first side of a device substrate; flipping the device substrate; processing the second side of the device substrate to produce patterned features on the second side of the device substrate; and releasing the devices having patterned elements on two sides of each device. |
| US08963261B2 |
Capacitive transducer and methods of manufacturing and operating the same
Provided are a capacitive transducer, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. The capacitive transducer includes: a monolithic substrate comprising a first doping region, a second doping region that is opposite in conductivity to the first doping region, and a vibrating portion; and an empty space that is disposed between the first doping region and the vibrating portion. The vibrating portion includes a plurality of through-holes, and a material film for sealing the plurality of through-holes is disposed on the vibrating portion. |
| US08963257B2 |
Fin field effect transistors and methods for fabricating the same
The disclosure relates to a Fin field effect transistor (FinFET). An exemplary structure for a FinFET comprises a substrate comprising a top surface; a first fin and a second fin extending above the substrate top surface, wherein each of the fins has a top surface and sidewalls; an insulation layer between the first and second fins extending part way up the fins from the substrate top surface; a first gate dielectric covering the top surface and sidewalls of the first fin having a first thickness and a second gate dielectric covering the top surface and sidewalls of the second fin having a second thickness less than the first thickness; and a conductive gate strip traversing over both the first gate dielectric and second gate dielectric. |
| US08963254B2 |
Simultaneous formation of FinFET and MUGFET
A method and structure comprise a field effect transistor structure that includes a first rectangular fin structure positioned on a substrate. The first rectangular fin structure has a bottom contacting the substrate, a top opposite the bottom, and sides between the top and the bottom. The structure additionally includes a second rectangular fin structure positioned on the substrate. Similarly, the second rectangular fin structure also has a bottom contacting the substrate, a top opposite the bottom, and sides between the top and the bottom. The sides of the second rectangular fin structure are parallel to the sides of the first rectangular fin structure. Further, a trench insulator is positioned on the substrate and is positioned between a side of the first rectangular fin structure and a side of the second rectangular fin structure. |
| US08963251B2 |
Semiconductor device with strain technique
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a fin structure disposed over the substrate in the gate region. The fin structure includes a first semiconductor material layer as a lower portion of the fin structure, a semiconductor oxide layer as a middle portion of the fin structure and a second semiconductor material layer as an upper portion of the fin structure. The semiconductor device also includes a dielectric feature disposed between two adjacent fin structures over the substrate. A top surface of the dielectric feature located, in a horizontal level, higher than the semiconductor oxide layer with a distance d. The semiconductor device also includes a high-k (HK)/metal gate (MG) stack disposed in the gate region, including wrapping over a portion of the fin structure. |
| US08963250B2 |
Semiconductor device including a film for applying stress to a channel formation region to increase current flow
A semiconductor device includes an n channel conductivity type FET having a channel formation region formed in a first region on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate and a p channel conductivity type FET having a channel formation region formed in a second region of the main surface, which second region is different from the first region. An impurity concentration of a gate electrode of the n channel FET has an impurity concentration greater than an impurity concentration of the gate electrode of the p channel FET to thereby create a tensile stress in the direction of flow of a drain current in the channel forming region of the n channel FET. The tensile stress in the flow direction of the drain current in the channel forming region of the n channel FET is greater than a tensile stress in the direction of flow of a drain current in the channel forming region of the p channel FET. |
| US08963249B1 |
Electronic device with controlled threshold voltage
A field effect transistor having a source, drain, and a gate can include a semiconductor substrate, a buried insulator layer positioned on the semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor overlayer positioned on the buried insulator layer; a low dopant channel region positioned below the gate and between the source and the drain and in an upper portion of the semiconductor overlayer; and a plurality of doped regions having a predetermined dopant concentration profile, including a screening region positioned in the semiconductor overlayer below the low dopant channel region, the screening region extending toward the buried insulator layer, and a threshold voltage set region positioned between the screening region and the low dopant channel, the screening region and the threshold voltage set region having each a peak dopant concentration, the threshold voltage region peak dopant concentration being between 1/50 and ½ of the peak dopant concentration of the screening region. |
| US08963246B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
There is provided a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. Within the N-type semiconductor layer formed from a high resistance N-type substrate, the P-type well diffusion layer and P-type extraction layer are formed and are fixed to ground potential. Due thereto, a depletion layer spreading on the P-type well diffusion layer side does not reach the interlayer boundary between the P-type well diffusion layer and the buried oxide film. Hence, the potential around the surface of the P-type well diffusion layer is kept at a ground potential. Accordingly, when the voltages are applied to the backside of the N-type semiconductor layer and a cathode electrode, a channel region at the MOS-type semiconductor formed as a P-type semiconductor layer is not activated. Due thereto, leakage current that may occur independently of a control due to the gate electrode of a transistor can be suppressed. |
| US08963245B2 |
Integrated circuit having lateral compensation component
An integrated circuit and component is disclosed. In one embodiment, the component is a compensation component, configuring the compensation regions in the drift zone in V-shaped fashion in order to achieve a convergence of the space charge zones from the upper to the lower end of the compensation regions is disclosed. |
| US08963238B2 |
Double diffused drain metal-oxide-semiconductor devices with floating poly thereon and methods of manufacturing the same
A metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) device is disclosed. The MOS device includes a substrate of a first impurity type, a diffused region of a second impurity type in the substrate, a patterned first dielectric layer including a first dielectric portion over the diffused region, a patterned first conductive layer on the patterned first dielectric layer, the patterned first conductive layer including a first conductive portion on the first dielectric portion, a patterned second dielectric layer including a second dielectric portion that extends on a first portion of an upper surface of the first conductive portion and along a sidewall of the first conductive portion to the substrate; and a patterned second conductive layer on the patterned second dielectric layer, the patterned second conductive layer including a second conductive portion on the second dielectric portion. |