| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08972102B2 |
Golf ball tracking system and methods therefor
A golf ball tracking system comprising at least one golf ball including an RFID device, wherein the RFID device contains golf ball information, such as a unique identifier. The system includes an RFID reader capable of reading the golf ball information from the RFID device. A positioning system, such as GPS, is associated with the reader and is capable of determining the location of the reader. A computer is interconnected with the RFID reader and the positioning system that is capable of receiving the golf ball information from the reader and location information from the positioning system. The computer is operative to record the golf ball information and associated location information. The system may further comprise a plurality of readers separated by at least one blocker that is made of metal screen. |
| US08972099B2 |
Method and apparatus for on-board/off-board fault detection
A method for monitoring a subsystem of a subject vehicle includes, in an off-board environment, executing a controller-based scheme. The scheme includes determining a plurality of residuals based upon expected and observed states of parameters associated with operation of the subsystem, determining a subsystem operating signature based upon the residuals, employing the subsystem operating signature to isolate a subsystem fault, and communicating the subsystem fault to an on-board controller of the subject vehicle. |
| US08972098B2 |
Methods and apparatus for lost connection handling
A computer-implemented method, executable by a vehicle computing system (VCS), includes determining that a connection between a wireless device and a VCS has been lost. The method further includes determining if a driver is present in the vehicle, upon a lost link detection. The method additionally includes waiting until an enter-event occurs and then attempting to re-establish a connection between the wireless device and the VCS. This last step may be conditional upon a determination that a driver is not present. |
| US08972095B2 |
Automatic guided vehicle and method for drive control of the same
An automatic guided vehicle and a method for drive control enable driving of the vehicle with a coordinate system, while using designation of a movement position by address. The automatic guided vehicle measures a surrounding state by a laser, performs matching between map data and measurement data obtained by the measuring to obtain the current position, and runs, following preset route data, based on the obtained current position. The vehicle includes a data memory that stores correspondence information between addresses of certain positions in a drive area where the vehicle runs and coordinates that are set in the drive area, and a processing section that, when a movement target position is designated by address from a host computer, transforms the designated address into coordinates, based on the correspondence information between addresses and coordinates, and drives the vehicle, following the route data to the coordinates corresponding to the address. |
| US08972093B2 |
Lane-based localization
A system, device, and methods for autonomous navigation using lane-based localization. Once example computer-implemented method includes receiving, from one or more sensors disposed on a vehicle, data representing a road surface proximate to the vehicle and removing the data falling below an adaptive threshold from the data representing the road surface to isolate data representing boundaries on the road surface. The method further includes generating detected lanes based on the data representing boundaries on the road surface by applying one or more filters, generating expected lanes proximate to the vehicle using data included in a route network definition file, comparing the detected lanes to the expected lanes, and generating a localized vehicle position based on the comparison between the detected lanes and the expected lanes. |
| US08972091B2 |
Reduced central processing unit load and memory usage battery state of charge calculation
A vehicle having a battery pack with cells grouped into subsets and at least one controller programmed to charge and discharge the battery pack is disclosed. A control output is generated based on a pack state of charge derived from each cell's initial state of charge at vehicle activation and an electric charge accumulated or spent by less than all of the cells of each of the subsets since vehicle activation. A method of estimating battery pack state of charge is disclosed in which a pack state of charge is calculated by identifying subsets of cells having similar properties and calculating an electric charge accumulated or spent for fewer than all of the cells of each subset. A cell state of charge is calculated for all cells based on an average electric charge accumulated or spent. The pack state of charge is based on all the cell states of charge. |
| US08972090B2 |
Predictive powertrain control using powertrain history and GPS data
A method and powertrain apparatus that predicts a route of travel for a vehicle and uses historical powertrain loads and speeds for the predicted route of travel to optimize at least one powertrain operation for the vehicle. |
| US08972086B2 |
Bicycle drive apparatus
A bicycle drive apparatus includes a bicycle crankset, a bicycle transmission, a drive assistance electric motor and a microcomputer. The microcomputer includes an output control section. The output control section has a first control and a second control that makes an output of the drive assistance electric motor smaller than an output of the drive assistance electric motor occurring during the first control only upon determining a crank arm of the bicycle crankset is positioned within a prescribed range of at least one of a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position of the bicycle crankset. The output control section is configured to vary the output of the drive assistance electric motor according to a pedaling force. The output control section switches from the first control to the second control upon receiving a shift command to shift the transmission. |
| US08972080B2 |
Traffic control system, vehicle control system, traffic regulation system, and traffic control method
A traffic control system sets a target value related to a travel state based on a correlation between a vehicle travel speed and a traffic volume, and controls multiple vehicles (CS) on a road in accordance with the target value as a common target value. The target value can be set based on a predicted traffic volume at a region (103) that is ahead of, in a vehicle travel direction, the multiple vehicles on the road. For example, the traffic control system sets, as the target value, a target speed or a target value of a parameter related to an inter-vehicle distance. |
| US08972075B2 |
Method for controlling the temperature of a glow plug
The invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature of a glow plug (1), wherein a setpoint temperature (Tset) is used to determine a setpoint value (Rset) of a temperature-dependent electric variable and an effective voltage (Ueff) which is generated by pulse width modulation is applied to the glow plug (1) and is used as correcting variable. According to the invention, it is provided that a mathematical model (4) is used to calculate an expected value (Re) of the electric variable, the electric variable is measured, a first error signal e1(t) is generated by evaluating the calculated value (Re), a value calculated from the effective voltage (Ueff) and the error signal (e1(t)) is used as the input variable of the mathematical model (4), wherein the mathematical model (4) uses the input variable to calculate an output variable (X) which defines the expected value (Re) of the electric variable, and wherein the output variable (X) of the mathematical model (4) is used to calculate a corrected value for the effective voltage (Ueff) and the effective voltage (Ueff) is changed to the corrected value. |
| US08972073B2 |
Operation planning method, operation planning device, heat pump hot water supply system operation method, and heat pump hot water supply and heating system operation method
An operation planning method performed in a system including a power generation device, a first electric load operating using power generated by the power generation device, and a second electric load which generates heat using power generated by the power generation device. The operation planning method is performed to design an operation plan for the second electric load and includes: predicting, for individual unit time periods, an amount of power to be generated by the power generation device and an amount of power to be consumed by the first electric load; and designing the operation plan for the second electric load to operate during an operation period including the time period with the largest amount of reverse power, calculated by subtracting the amount of power to be consumed from the amount of power to be generated. |
| US08972069B1 |
Selective multi-phase maximum power point tracking
A controller for controlling operation of a solar power system is disclosed. The controller receives electrical power from an energy capture device and outputs electrical power to one or more external loads. The controller initiates a first maximum power point tracking algorithm during an epoch. The controller then determines whether the first maximum power point tracking algorithm is satisfactory. If it is, the controller continues using the first maximum power point tracking algorithm. If it is not, the controller switches to second maximum power point tracking algorithm. The first and second maximum power point tracking algorithms may be optimized for different environmental conditions, such as different amounts of sunlight incident on a solar panel. |
| US08972067B2 |
System and method for optimizing plant operations
Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and a method. In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a risk calculation system configured to calculate a risk based on a static input and a dynamic input, and a decision support system configured to use the risk to derive a decision. The system also includes a plant control system configured to update operations of a plant based on the decision, wherein the decision predicts future plant conditions. |
| US08972062B2 |
Method for mounting components by means of an industrial robot
The invention relates to a method for mounting a component, which comprises an insertion part and a holding part, in an opening in a workpiece by means of an industrial robot, which has an end effector, which guides the component on the holding part thereof. The method according to the invention is implemented by causing the insertion part of the component to approach the opening by moving the industrial robot; increasing the process forces by means of the industrial robot, once the insertion part of the component has made contact with the workpiece, until a process force threshold is reached, wherein the process forces are stored particularly in the form of material stresses; increasing the flexibility of the industrial robot when the process force threshold is reached; and executing a passive centering movement of the industrial robot based upon the process forces that are released by a relaxation of the material. |
| US08972058B2 |
Wearable robot and control method thereof
Disclosed herein is a wearable robot with improved operability and mobility through improvement of the upper limb structure thereof. The wearable robot includes an upper limb muscular power assist device to perform an articulation motion with a predetermined degree of freedom, the upper limb muscular power assist device being wearable by a user, and a mobile platform connected to the upper limb muscular power assist device to move according to information regarding movement speed and movement direction of the user in a rolling fashion. Consequently, mobility of the wearable robot and operation efficiency of the user are improved. |
| US08972057B1 |
Systems and methods for generating a robotic path plan in a confined configuration space
A method of automatic path planning for at least one robot within a confined configuration space, the robot including an arm having a plurality of joints and an end effector coupled to the arm. The method includes entering a plurality of process points into a computer, each process point being a location wherein the arm is to be positioned to perform a task, calculating one or more inverse kinematic solutions for each process point, clustering the inverse kinematic solutions into a set of clusters, and generating collision free paths between the clusters in the confined configuration space. |
| US08972049B2 |
Method and apparatus for dispensing items
A method for rapidly and accurately dispensing a predetermined number of discrete items, the method comprising: operating a conveyor to transport multiple items towards an imaging device, wherein the items are arranged in a single layer and at least some of the items are transported in parallel; operating the imaging device to continuously capture images of an area immediately below an end of the conveyor, so that items falling off the conveyor are recorded in the images while in trajectory; processing the images in real time, to continuously determine the number of falling items; stopping the conveyor before the number of falling items has reached the predetermined number, while continuing to determine the number of falling items until items cease to fall off the conveyor innertially; and automatically dispensing an additional amount of items, to complete the predetermined number of items. |
| US08972045B1 |
Inter-facility transport in inventory management and fulfillment systems
In an infrastructure that uses a mobile order fulfillment system, robotic drive units may be dispatched and instructed to bring inventory holders to a workstation where at least one of the inventory holders is packed and prepared for shipment. The robotic drive units are then instructed to move the prepared inventory holder to a transport vehicle such as a truck. Fiducial marks may be removably placed within the transport vehicle to aid navigation of the robotic drive units. At a destination facility, additional robotic drive units may be instructed to move the inventory holders from the truck and place the inventory holders at appropriate storage locations. |
| US08972040B2 |
Control system for a machine tool
An optimum cutting feed rate of a machine tool is calculated at the outset and a tool path as well as the optimum cutting feed rate calculated is directly output to a driving unit of the machine tool. A relative movement between the work and a tool is made to occur along the tool path at the optimum cutting feed rate for each part of the tool path. To this end, a control system includes a CL data generating unit 32, a CL data memory 33, a driving capability data memory 34, a cutting feed rate data generation unit 35, a cutting feed rate data memory 36, and a controller 42. |
| US08972039B1 |
Stitchwork status checking system, stitchwork status checking apparatus, stitchwork status checking method and stitchwork status checking program
A stitchwork status checking apparatus includes a stitchwork data receiver unit that receives stitchwork data on a stitchwork pattern selected and currently stitched by a sewing machine, a converter unit that converts the received stitchwork data into a unique code, a status data receiver unit that receives a unique code converted based on the stitchwork data currently stitched by the sewing machine, and a code comparator unit that compares a code converted by the converter unit with a code received by the status data receiver unit. The stitchwork data receiver unit receives the stitchwork data through a transmission protocol that surely transmits data to a transmission destination. The status data receiver unit receives the code through a transmission protocol that transmits data to a transmission destination within a short time. |
| US08972037B2 |
Method and system for monitoring batch product manufacturing
A system and method for monitoring product through a batch manufacturing plant is provided. The system includes, a parallel flow mode when product flows concurrently from at least two units to a single unit; and a serial flow mode where product flows from one unit to another at a given time, wherein the batch manufacturing plant is modeled based on the parallel and serial flow modes. A lot association is built based on product flow and a parent/child record is created for lot association. The system also includes a data collection system that collects phase information for every unit and a procedure identifier is used to create a batch identifier, where a batch identifier is associated with each lot on each unit through which product is flowing to and/or from at a given time. |
| US08972035B2 |
Uniformity correction by ablation at different track locations along a tire bead
A system and method for reducing the magnitude of one or more harmonics of one or more uniformity parameters in a cured tire involves selective removal of tire material at one or more track/area locations along first and second bead profiles. Selective removal may occur via ablation at the bead seat, low flange and/or high flange zones to correct for a selected number of harmonics of such parameters as radial, lateral and tangential force variation. Ablation patterns are calculated and implemented on first and second tire beads to achieve desired levels of force reduction at selected angular locations (within the expanse from 0-360 degrees along each tire bead). Ablation patterns may be calculated for implementation at fixed or varied tire rotational speeds and/or fixed or varied levels of laser power. |
| US08972029B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling a semiconductor fabrication process
Software for controlling processes in a heterogeneous semiconductor manufacturing environment may include a wafer-centric database, a real-time scheduler using a neural network, and a graphical user interface displaying simulated operation of the system. These features may be employed alone or in combination to offer improved usability and computational efficiency for real time control and monitoring of a semiconductor manufacturing process. More generally, these techniques may be usefully employed in a variety of real time control systems, particularly systems requiring complex scheduling decisions or heterogeneous systems constructed of hardware from numerous independent vendors. |
| US08972024B2 |
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing non-transcranial electrotherapy
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing non-transcranial electrical stimuli to a biological subject may employ a support structure, at least one waveform generator, and at least a first electrode and a second electrode. The system can be sized and dimensioned to be worn on a head of the biological subject and operable to deliver non-transcranial electrical stimuli to at least one of the temporomandibular joints of the biological subject. |
| US08972022B2 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling neurostimulation using evoked responses
A neurostimulation system provides for capture verification and stimulation intensity adjustment to ensure effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation in modulating one or more target functions in a patient. In various embodiments, stimulation is applied to the vagus nerve, and evoked responses are detected to verify that the stimulation captures the vagus nerve and to adjust one or more stimulation parameters that control the stimulation intensity. |
| US08972019B2 |
Method and device for treating osteoarthritis noninvasively
Methods and devices are provided for OA treatment of an affected area or joint. In one embodiment, the method may involve identifying a treatment site of the joint, and providing at least one transducer module at the treatment site. The at least one transducer module may be in operative communication with a signal generator module, and may include transducer(s) for delivering stimulative signals (e.g., electromagnetic signals and/or ultrasound signals). The method may also involve stimulating (a) bone remodeling, (b) bone cells and associated precursors, and/or (c) pericytes with the stimulative signals delivered to the treatment site. |
| US08972015B2 |
Intravascular electrode system and method
An intravascular electrode system includes an expandable anchor and a flexible substrate which carries at least one electrode. The anchor is positioned in a blood vessel and expanded to an expanded position to bias the electrode in contact with the vessel wall. The flexible substrate may be longitudinally withdrawn from its position between the anchor and the vessel wall without removing the anchor from the blood vessel. A second flexible substrate may be longitudinally inserted into position between the anchor and vessel wall as replacement for the first substrate. |
| US08972008B2 |
System and method for systolic interval analysis
A system and method provide for systolic interval analysis. In an example, an implantable device measures a cardiac impedance signal. A transformation of the cardiac impedance interval is generated. The device also measures a heart sound signal. A time interval between a point on the transformed signal of the cardiac impedance signal and a point on the heart sound signal is calculated. |
| US08972006B2 |
Method and apparatus to ensure consistent left ventricular pacing
A method of operating a cardiac therapy system to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing that includes pacing both ventricles or pacing only the left ventricle is described. Delivery of the CRT pacing to one or both ventricles is scheduled for a cardiac cycle. If an intrinsic depolarization of a ventricle is detected during a pacing delay of the ventricle, then the scheduled CRT pacing to the ventricle is inhibited for the cycle. The intrinsic interval of the ventricle, such as the intrinsic atrioventricular interval concluded by the intrinsic depolarization, is measured. During a subsequent cardiac cycle, the pacing delay of the ventricle is decreased to be less than or equal to the measured intrinsic interval. Capture of the ventricle is verified after pacing is delivered during the subsequent cardiac cycle. |
| US08972004B2 |
Magnetic stimulation devices and methods of therapy
Devices and systems are disclosed for the non-invasive treatment of medical conditions through delivery of energy to target tissue, comprising a source of electrical power, a magnetically permeable toroidal core, and a coil that is wound around the core. The coil and core are embedded in a continuous electrically conducting medium, which is adapted to have a shape that conforms to the contour of an arbitrarily oriented target body surface of a patient. The conducting medium is applied to that surface by any of several disclosed methods, and the source of power supplies a pulse of electric charge to the coil, such that the coil induces an electric current and/or an electric field within the patient, thereby stimulating tissue and/or one or more nerve fibers within the patient. The invention shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve. In one embodiment, the device comprises two toroidal cores that lie adjacent to one another. |
| US08972001B2 |
Method and system for displaying data
A method and system for displaying data is disclosed herein. A plurality of epochs are stitched together with an overlapping section in order to present a continuous EEG recording. Artifact reduction is performed on the epochs and then the epochs are combined together with overlapping sections of preferably two to four seconds. |
| US08971998B2 |
Systems and methods for multispectral scanning and detection for medical diagnosis
The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting biomaterial anomalies in a test subject for diagnosing existing and potential medical conditions. The general technique utilized is to expose a portion of the test subject to low doses of RF electromagnetic energy. Different biomaterials in a test subject may be differentiated and identified by characterizing their electromagnetic properties based on observed parameters, e.g., electromagnetic energy absorbed, thermal energy created, and electromagnetic energy emitted, during irradiation of the test subject. This invention allows for the efficient utilization of multiple frequency bands allowed by the FCC, as well as a more precise distribution of electromagnetic energy to the test subject. |
| US08971996B2 |
Medical imaging method and associated device
A medical imaging method and associated device for generating an image data record of a recording region of a patient, which region is influenced by a cyclical cardiac motion, in which an EKG signal is used to derive a series of recording pulses matched to the cardiac motion, by which pulses the imaging is actuated in a pulsed fashion. In at least one embodiment, a time window of a future recording pulse is calculated taking into account at least one dispersion parameter characterizing the variation in the cycle duration and a location parameter characterizing the expected value of the cycle duration, wherein the dispersion parameter is included into the calculation of the time window using a weighting determined on the basis of the location parameter. Taking into account the dispersion parameter depending on the location parameter allows a reduction in the applied X-ray dose in the situations with irregular heart rates when a low mean heart rate is present at the same time, without significantly reducing the image quality of the generated image data record. |
| US08971995B2 |
Blood vessel sizing device
Medical devices and methods for determining the size of blood vessels are disclosed. In an embodiment, a blood vessel sizing device includes a marker configured for placement on the skin of a patient. The marker defines a substantially circular shape and includes a plurality of radiopaque substantially concentric circles. In an embodiment, a blood vessel sizing method includes placing a marker having a plurality of substantially concentric circles on the skin of a patient, imaging a blood vessel of the patient and the marker, and comparing the imaged blood vessel to the imaged circles to determine the blood vessel size. |
| US08971994B2 |
Systems and methods for positioning a catheter
A method for displaying a position of a medical device, such as a catheter, during insertion thereof into a patient. In one example embodiment, the method includes obtaining a first set of detected position data relating to a location marker, such as a permanent magnet, then determining a possible first position thereof. A first confidence level relating to a match between the first set of detected position data and a first set of predicted position data is assigned. A determination is made whether the first confidence level meets or exceeds a first threshold. If the first confidence level meets or exceeds the first threshold, a determination is then made whether the first position of the location marker is within a first detection zone. If the first position of the location marker is within the first detection zone, the first position of the location marker is displayed. |
| US08971982B2 |
Cartridge with lancets and testing device using the cartridge
Cartridge for a testing device and method of testing using the testing device with the cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes a plurality of lancet needles and a mechanism allowing the cartridge to be mounted to the testing device. The method provides for puncturing a surface of skin using the testing device by arranging the testing device adjacent or against a user's skin, triggering the testing device so that one of the plurality of lancet needles is caused to penetrate the user's skin, and rotating the cartridge to another position. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. |
| US08971979B2 |
Medical sensor for reducing motion artifacts and technique for using the same
A sensor may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by damping the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a motion damping structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of damping outside forces and sensor motion is also provided. |
| US08971978B2 |
Contact lens with integrated pulse oximeter
Apparatus, systems and methods employing a contact lens having a pulse oximetry sensor to detect information indicative of a blood oxygen content and/or pulse rate of a wearer of the contact lens, are provided. In some aspects, a contact lens includes a substrate that forms at least part of a body of the contact lens and a pulse oximetry sensor located on or within the substrate that detects information associated with at least one of blood oxygen content or a pulse rate of a wearer of the contact lens. The pulse oximetry sensor comprises one or more light emitting diodes that illuminate a blood vessel of at least one of a region of an eye or an eyelid and a detector that receives light reflected from the blood vessel and generates the information. |
| US08971976B2 |
Superconductive electromagnet apparatus
A superconductive electromagnet apparatus and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including the superconductive electromagnet apparatus are provided. The superconductive electromagnet apparatus includes a thermal anchor, a cryogenic cooling device which cools the thermal anchor, and at least one connecting ring into which the thermal anchor is inserted and a plurality of wires which are connected to the connecting ring. |
| US08971974B2 |
Cover for hand-held electronic device
A cover for a hand-held device, which has a device body and a speaker, includes a cover body configured for covering a portion the device body and for covering the speaker and a channel for positioning adjacent the device body. The channel is configured to form a sound duct when mounted adjacent the back side of the device body and to be in communication with the speaker when the cover is mounted to the hand-held device for redirecting at least a portion of the sound waves emitted from the speaker to a location remote from the speaker. |
| US08971973B2 |
Handling user inputs
A device includes a device body comprising a user input interface for receiving user inputs, a member slidably engaged with the device body and slidable from a first position to a second position, and at least one processor configured, under the control of machine-readable code to detect incidences of user inputs via the user input interface, to detect the sliding of the member from the first position to the second position, and to be responsive to detecting a composite user input comprising a sliding of the member from the first position to the second position while a user input is incident via the user input interface to cause a first operation to be performed. |
| US08971971B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device including a self-contained rechargeable battery pack with filter and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable device housing, wireless communications circuitry carried by the portable device housing, and a self-contained rechargeable battery pack carried by the portable housing for powering the wireless communications circuitry. The self-contained rechargeable battery pack may include a battery casing, at least one internal battery cell carried within the battery casing, internal battery circuitry carried within the battery casing, and at least one internal filter element carried within the battery casing and coupled to the internal battery circuitry. |
| US08971970B2 |
System and method for displaying object location in augmented reality
A system and a method are provided for displaying location information on a mobile device. The location information can include direction, distance, positional coordinates, etc. The mobile device's display displays an image captured using the mobile device's camera. A selection input is received to identify an object in the image. A facing direction of the mobile device is detected using the mobile device's magnetometer. The mobile device determines a bearing to the object relative to the mobile device's facing direction. The mobile device then determines a distance between the mobile device and the object. The obtained or computed location data is overlaid on the image, thereby augmenting the image. The location data can include at least a direction indicator of the object and the distance between the mobile device and the object, whereby the direction indicator can be determined using the bearing. |
| US08971969B2 |
Customized hardware selection for a mobile phone
A computerized method of customizing hardware for a mobile phone is provided. The method includes receiving shell selection information from a user input device, identifying a set of hardware components, the set of hardware components generated based on a compatibility between the hardware components and the shell selection information, and outputting the identified set of compatible hardware components. |
| US08971968B2 |
System and method for context aware usability management of human machine interfaces
A method includes determining by a sensor of a mobile device that a first ambient sound level represents a quiet context for the mobile device, providing a audio signal to a speaker of the mobile device in response to determining that the first ambient sound level represents a quiet context, determining, by the sensor, that a second ambient sound level represents a first noisy context for the mobile device, wherein the second ambient sound level is louder than the first ambient sound level, modifying the audio signal into a beam forming audio signal in response to determining that the second ambient sound level represents the first noisy context, and providing the beam forming audio signal to the speaker. |
| US08971966B2 |
Mobile device based messaging
A user interface screen includes names stores in a mobile unit device's address book. In order for a user to send an instant message, the user selects a create message display screen, enters a text message using the mobile unit device's keypad, and then selects a recipient (an instant message name) from the address book user interface screen. The instant message routing server checks availability of recipients (instant message names in the stored instant message name list) and sends the results back to the mobile unit device. In a display area, recipients are indicated as signed on the instant message system, or as being signed off the instant message system. |
| US08971963B2 |
Electronic device for reducing power consumption
An electronic device includes a transparent substrate, an antenna, a first chip, and a second chip. The antenna is disposed above the transparent substrate. The first chip includes a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect whether the antenna has received a wireless signal or not. The second chip is coupled to the first chip, and operates in a power-saving mode. When the antenna receives the wireless signal, the first chip wakes up the second chip such that the second chip switches from the power-saving mode to a work mode, and the first chip transmits the wireless signal to the second chip. |
| US08971959B2 |
Mounting system for attaching mobile devices to sports equipment
A mounting system for attaching a mobile device having a mobile device camera and an interface to sports equipment during use of such sports equipment. The mounting system includes a cradle adapted to retain the mobile device without obstructing operation of the mobile device camera or interfering with access to the interface. A pivoting joint attaches the cradle to an extension arm that permits the cradle to be moved in pitch, yaw, and roll relative to the extension arm. One or more mounting structures are provided to pivotally attach the extension arm to the sports equipment so that the interface is oriented toward and accessible by a user of the sports equipment, and the mobile device camera is oriented to capture user's perspective during use of the sports equipment. At least one sport-specific software application is loaded on the mobile device. |
| US08971954B2 |
Mobile device
The present invention discloses a mobile device including a motor module, a heat dissipation module, a vibration module and an electric brush module. The motor module has a rotating shaft driven by the motor module and two ends of which stick out from the motor module. The heat dissipation module includes a fan unit fixed on one end of the rotating shaft. The vibration module includes a vibration cam and an electromagnetic coil disposed on the vibration cam. The vibration cam is loosely fitted and disposed on the other end of the rotating shaft. The electric brush module is disposed inside the mobile device corresponding to the electromagnetic coil. When electrified, the electric brush module excites the electromagnetic coil generating a magnetic force to adhere and rotate with the rotating shaft synchronously. Herewith the effects of effective heat dissipation and saving interior space of the mobile device are achieved. |
| US08971953B2 |
Portable communication device and method for dialing phone numbers on keypad of the portable communication device
In a method for dialing phone numbers using a portable communication device, the device includes a keypad including numeric keys and an LED driver. Each of the numeric keys is equipped with a first color LED light and a second color LED light. The LED driver drives the first LED light under each of the numeric keys to emit a first color light. The LED driver turns off the first LED light under the numeric key and turns on the second LED light under the numeric key to emit a second color light according to an LED control signal. The LED driver further turns off the second LED light and turns on the first LED light to emit the first color light when the digit input from the keypad is in a digital group. |
| US08971952B2 |
Radio base station and communication control method
A second radio base station (1B) receives, from a first radio base station (1A), both interference information for each of a plurality of resource blocks and a traffic amount ratio. Then, the second radio base station (1B) corrects, based on the received traffic amount ratio, the also received interference information for each resource block. Further, the second radio base station (1B) controls, based on the interference information as corrected for each resource block, the transmission power of a radio terminal (2B). |
| US08971939B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and communication system for formatting data
A transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a communication system are provided that allow a reduction in a frame loss due to interference caused by use of the same channel. A transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station includes a GPS receiver for receiving a GPS signal, a timing generator for controlling respective function blocks in accordance with the GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal so as to precisely synchronize the timing of frame transmission among base stations, the front-end transmission processing unit including for converting transmission information into transmission time slots, a frame generator for generating a frame including a plurality of time slots and one frame guard, and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal. |
| US08971937B2 |
System and method for silent retry
A system and method for synchronizing the operation of a wireless mobile station (102) and a base station (104) includes receiving a message at the base station (104) indicating a state of operation of the wireless mobile station (102). A determination is made as to whether the base station (104) and the mobile station (102) are in synchronization based upon comparing the state of operation of the mobile station (102) and a state of operation of the base station (104). |
| US08971936B2 |
Multimodal method and system for transmitting information about a subject
The present invention is directed to multimodal communications means for transmitting signals representing physiological, performance, and contextual information associated with a subject. In an exemplary embodiment, the multimodal communications means includes multiple radio subsystems (or modes) that enable connection to an external monitoring device to be acquired in a wide range of settings where a single radio mode would be ineffective. Additionally, combining the multimodal communications means of the invention with real-time data-processing allows the communications functionality to be engaged only when data determined to be relevant to the user is identified. |
| US08971934B2 |
Mechanism for facilitating dynamic real-time customization of messaging for computing systems
A mechanism is described for facilitating real-time customization of messages to be transmitted between computing systems according to one embodiment of the invention. A method of embodiments of the invention includes receiving a notification relating to call made to a first computing device from a second computing device. The call may remain unanswered. The method may further include accessing a first data relating to a current status of the first computing device, analyzing the first data, and customizing, in real-time, a response based on the analyzed first data. The method may further include transmitting the customized response to the second computing device, in response to the unanswered call. |
| US08971927B2 |
System and method for preventing cell phone use while driving
A system for monitoring and controlling the use of a mobile computing device is disclosed. The system includes a data server (104) containing a model of a road network specifying traffic routes at a selected location. A mobile wireless computing device (106) is configured to wirelessly communicate with the data server (104). An embedded accelerometer (116) and a GPS receiver (114) are included in the wireless device (106). A mobile device control module in communication with the wireless device (106) and the data server (104) provides a motion data cache (118) to record data from the GPS receiver (114) and accelerometer (116), an activity mode recognition module (120) configured to determine a type of activity based on the motion data cache (118), and a use permission module (112) in communication with the data server (104) to provide timing and location information at which the wireless device (106) can be used based on the activity mode. |
| US08971924B2 |
Identifying and locating users on a mobile network
A system and method of locating “friends” having mobile devices connected to a network and associated with a user account is disclosed. The method includes sending a request to a mobile device, the mobile device determining its present geographic location and responding to the requestor with this information. This information may be in the form of a coordinate location such as a GPS location or it may be in the form of a name that the mobile device owner assigned to a particular area (e.g., “home”). Having this location information, a user is able to view the location of the friend that is associated with the mobile device. |
| US08971923B2 |
Methods of and systems for measuring beacon stability of wireless access points
Methods of and systems for measuring beacon stability of wireless access points are provided. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic includes determining a set of reference points associated with a designated wireless device, and retrieving attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with other wireless devices related to the designated wireless device, and/or statistical information. The statistical information includes a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the set or a subset of the reference points. The method further includes determining a measure of likelihood that the designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic based on attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with the reception of signals, and/or the statistical information. |
| US08971920B2 |
Enhanced LTE positioning protocol information transfer procedures for control plane LCS on LTE
Techniques disclosed herein provide for enhanced LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) Reliable Transport where the receiver of an LPP message sends a non-piggybacked acknowledgement. An example method for executing on a mobile device a protocol session with a location server includes sending a first protocol session message associated with a first protocol session to the location server, entering a wait-for-acknowledgement state in which uplink transmissions from the mobile device to the location server are suspended while waiting for an acknowledgement from the location server in response to the first protocol session message, receiving a second protocol session message associated with a second protocol session which is not an acknowledgement to the first protocol session message but includes information requested in the first protocol session message; exiting the wait-for-acknowledgement state responsive to receiving the second protocol session message; and performing an action using the information received in the second protocol session message. |
| US08971916B1 |
Locating a data storage system
A method and system for use in locating a data storage system is disclosed. A mobile portable device transmits an activating signal to the data storage system via a wireless communications network. The activating signal transmitted by the mobile portable device is received in the data storage system. The data storage system outputs a readily identifiable human perceptible signal in response to receiving the activating signal in the data storage system. The human perceptible signal facilitates identification of the location of the data storage system. |
| US08971915B2 |
Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of mobility of reference points in a positioning system
Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of mobility of reference points in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated wireless device is a mobile device includes determining a set of reference points associated with a designated wireless device. The reference points are a geographic position at which signals from the device were detected and/or another wireless device from which signals were also detected by a receiver within a selected period of time during which the signals from the designated device were detected. The method also includes retrieving statistical information about a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the reference points. The method includes determining a measure of likelihood that the designated wireless device is a mobile wireless device based on the statistical information. |
| US08971914B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatuses for providing video data to data rendering devices for display on multimedia video devices at the request of wireless hand held devices
Provide dare methods, systems and apparatuses for data brokering between hand held wireless devices (WDs) and data rendering devices (DRDs). DRDs in the form of multimedia devices used for displaying video data (e.g., televisions, video monitors, and projectors) are provided with video for display at the DRD at the request of WDs. DRDs are capable of receiving video data from a network at the request of a WD and/or directly from a WD as the host and then displaying the video data on including multimedia video devices capable of displaying video data. DRD and/or multimedia video devices can also be controlled by the WD during display of video data and to control display of the video data. |
| US08971910B2 |
Network element, cellular communication system and method therefor
A network element for supporting communication within at least one cell of a cellular communication network comprises a signal processing module arranged to identify when a first cell supported by the network element is in a capacity state, and in response thereto, indicate the first cell as being in a restricted access state within system information broadcast within the first cell and valid for wireless communication units in a connected mode state. The signal processing module is further arranged, upon receipt of a connection request message from a wireless communication unit within the first cell, to determine whether the first cell is in a capacity state, and, in response to determining that the first cell is in a capacity state, to cause the wireless communication unit from which the connection request message was received to enter a connected mode state. |
| US08971909B2 |
Method and arrangement in a communications system for handling a GBR bearer
A method in a first network node for handling a GBR bearer is provided. The first network node is comprised in a communications system. The first network node allocates (202) to a user equipment, a GBR bearer for a data transmission. A first timer in the first network node is started (203), when scheduling data for the data transmission on the GBR bearer is interrupted. The first network node releases (204) the GBR bearer, when the first timer has expired, when there is a request for a bearer from a second network node, and when there are no further bearer resources available within the first radio network node. |
| US08971905B2 |
Method, device, and system for performing assignment for a call
The invention discloses a method for performing assignment for a call. The method includes: if a user initiates a call, assigning a target bearer for the call and obtaining an identifier of the target bearer; determining at least one target base station according to the identifier of the target bearer and an identifier of a base station accessed by the user, wherein the coverage of the target bearer of the at least one target base station overlaps with the coverage of a bearer, on which the call is initiated, of the base station accessed by the user, and obtaining identifier of the at least one target base station; and sending the identifier of the target bearer and the identifier of the at least one target base station to the user. The invention is capable of improving the success rate of the assignment. |
| US08971902B2 |
Mobile communication system, controller and method
A mobile communication system includes a first assignment unit configured to assign radio resources to a user in a W-CDMA system, a second assignment unit configured to assign radio resources to a user in a LTE system, a dual mode terminal capable of communicating in the W-CDMA system and the LTE system, and a selection unit configured to select the first assignment unit or the second assignment unit depending on a type of user traffic data in communication with the dual mode terminal. The assignment unit selected by the selection unit determines which of the radio resources is available for the dual mode terminal and signals the determined radio resources to the dual mode terminal. |
| US08971901B2 |
Inter-cell interference coordination in wireless networks
Systems and method for allocation and optimization of sub-carriers by a plurality of cells based, at least in part, on aspects of user equipment utilizing the wireless communication network. A wireless network management component classifies user equipment with at least a portion of the wireless communication network as cell edge user equipment or cell central user equipment. Based on the classification of the user equipment, the management component determines resource requirements for the cells. The resource requirements can include the designation of sub-carriers as primary sub-carriers and associated power levels based on the designation for the group of cells in the wireless network. Additionally, each cell within the wireless network can utilize the designation of sub-carriers and association of power levels in configuring communications with user equipment. |
| US08971895B2 |
Radio resource range setting device, radio resource range setting method, and recording medium
A device acquires load information representing a load of radio communication performed between a base station and a plurality of communication terminals performing radio communication with the base station by using a radio resource allocated by the base station. The device sets in response to the acquired load information, from a first radio resource range and a second radio resource range, a radio resource range that the base station can allocate to an edge communication terminal whose channel quality is less than a predetermined threshold. |
| US08971890B2 |
Method for handing over a user equipment connected to a base station fro the base station to a femto access point
A method is described for handing over a user equipment connected to a base station from the base station to a femto access point. The method includes initializing a handover from the base station to the femto access point, sending parameters indicating the femto access point from the user equipment to the base station, wherein the parameters include a physical ID parameter and a further parameter based on time measurements, identifying the femto access point by comparing the parameters sent from the user equipment to the base station with a list stored in the base station, wherein the list includes a physical ID parameter, a further parameter based on time measurements and a global ID for a plurality of femto access points, and handing over the user equipment to the identified femto access point. Also described is a base station, a user equipment and a system. |
| US08971887B2 |
Service provider initiated access network selection
Examples of the invention allow a content service provider to utilize one or more overlapping wireless networks in a given area to efficiently and cost effectively deliver content and services to a mobile device contained within a terminal. Examples of the invention analyze the characteristics of each wireless network such as cost, latency, security, and bandwidth, the terminal capabilities, and the requested service to determine the most efficient manner to deliver services over one or more wireless networks in a given area. In addition, the service provider re-analyzes the efficiency of service delivery when the mobile device enters a new mobile area. Therefore, sustaining efficient content and service download throughout delivery. |
| US08971885B2 |
Methods and devices for facilitating access terminal registrations
Access terminals and network nodes are adapted to conduct access terminal registrations. In one example, an access terminal may obtain a data message for transmission, and registration information associated with the access terminal. The access terminal may send a message including the data message and the registration information. A network node can receive a message from an access terminal, where the received message includes a data message and access terminal registration information. The network node can register the access terminal with a network based on the access terminal registration information included in the received message. The network node can also process the data message included in the received message. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. |
| US08971882B2 |
Base station device, terminal device, receiver-side base station device, and wireless communication method
When installing a femto base station device 1b, failure that may occur in wireless communication is suppressed. The femto base station device 1b includes an RF unit 4 which transmits broadcast information or paging information to a femto terminal device 2b communicating with the femto base station device 1b, and an information storage unit 31 which adds and stores, in the broadcast information or the paging information, location information that relates to the location of the femto base station device 1b and is used by another wireless communication device to suppress interference. |
| US08971881B2 |
Radio link monitoring in a wireless communication device for an enhanced control channel
A method (400) and user equipment (106) monitor a radio link for a wireless communication terminal for an enhanced control channel. A processor (304) may acquire signaling configuring the user equipment to monitor for a first type of control channel, where the first type of control channel can be demodulated based on a first type of reference signal. The processor may receive a second type of reference signal in at least one or more resource block set, where the second type of reference signal can be distinct from the first type of reference signal. The processor may estimate a synchronization condition based on the received second type of reference signal and at least one attribute of the control channel. The processor may send an output from a current layer to a higher layer based on the estimated synchronization condition. |
| US08971875B2 |
Device and method for performing a reverse single radio voice call continuity (RSRVCC) procedure
Method comprising steps of at a network entity: —receiving a Routing Area Update message from a UE, —checking whether the Update Type of the Routing Area Update message is Routing Area Update, and —transmitting to a MSC a message containing information related to the network entity if the Update Type of the Routing Area Update message is Routing Area Update. |
| US08971871B2 |
Radio base station, control apparatus, and abnormality detection method
A radio base station that forms a cell by transmitting a radio wave and that communicates with a mobile terminal existing in the cell, the radio base station includes a reception unit configured to receive information including cell information relating to a state of a peripheral cell of the radio base station, the information being transmitted from the mobile terminal, and a calculation processing device configured to detect an abnormality relating to another radio base station corresponding to the peripheral cell based on the cell information. |
| US08971869B2 |
Mobile device that activates upon removal from storage
A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action. |
| US08971861B2 |
Relevant content delivery
Various arrangements for delivery of relevant content to a mobile device of a user are presented. Physiological state data and image data related to the user of the mobile device may be received by a host computer system from a mobile device. The image data may be analyzed to identify a characteristic of the image. The physiological state data may also be analyzed. Content to deliver to the mobile device of the user may be selected at least partially based on the physiological state data of the user and the characteristic of the image. The content may be transmitted to the mobile device. |
| US08971860B1 |
“I am driving/busy” automatic response system for mobile phones
A cell phone which has been modified by the addition of software which responds to the press of one or more Busy keys by automatically sending a pre-typed text message to the sender of the latest text message just received or automatically answering an incoming call immediately upon pressing the Busy key and playing a pre-recorded audio message. The outgoing text or audio message can inform the sender of the incoming text or the caller that the user is driving or otherwise engaged and cannot respond immediately. In some embodiments, one or more Busy keys can be added keys or one or more existing keys on the cell phone or on the keypad of the cell phone or on a touchscreen or a visual depiction of a keypad on a touchscreen of the cell phone. |
| US08971858B2 |
Information messaging system
A method of transmitting contact information to an approved mobile communication device includes receiving an input representative of desired contact information located on a first web page and an input representative of the identity of a desired mobile communication device. The method also includes saving information representative of the desired contact information in a contact information database. The method also includes determining whether the desired mobile communication device is an approved device and transmitting to the desired mobile communication device information representative of a notification to send the information representative of the desired contact information. The method also includes receiving an input from the desired mobile communication device information representative of an acceptance to receive the information representative of the desired contact information, and transmitting to the desired mobile communication device information representative of the desired contact information. |
| US08971857B2 |
Communication system, communication method, and portable machine
A communication system includes an object communication unit provided in a controlled object, a portable machine having an identification code registered in the controlled object, the portable machine including a portable machine communication unit conducting wireless communications with the object communication unit, and a portable terminal including a portable terminal communication unit conducting wireless communications with the object communication unit and the portable machine communication unit. The controlled object includes a communication identification code generation unit generating a communication identification code at predetermined timing, the communication identification code being necessary for the portable terminal to control the controlled object, the communication identification code differing for every generation, an authentication unit authenticating a signal containing a control description which the object communication unit receives from the portable terminal communication unit; and an object control unit controlling the controlled object, based on the control description acquired from the authentication unit. |
| US08971854B2 |
System and method of speaker recognition
An authentication and authorization apparatus combines a unique identifier for a communications device with pre-stored voice recognition information. Incoming audio, associated with the unique identifier is processed using the pre-stored vice recognition information to authenticate the speaker. In response to successful authentication, a requested function or action embedded in the audio can be recognized and, if authorized, implemented. |
| US08971851B2 |
Key agreement for wireless communication
Methods, systems, and computer programs for performing key agreement operations in a communication system are described. In some aspects, a wireless network operator receives a mobile device identifier and accesses a secret key associated with the mobile device. A message authentication code function is evaluated based on the secret key to produce an output value. A session key and a challenge value are obtained based on the output value. In some aspects, a mobile device accesses a secret key in response to receiving the challenge value from the wireless network operator. A message authentication code function is evaluated based on the secret key to produce an output value. A response value and a session key are obtained based on the output value. The response value is transmitted to the wireless network operator. |
| US08971849B2 |
System and method for network assisted control and monetization of tethering to mobile wireless devices
A way for managing use of a mobile wireless device in a tethering configuration is described. The disclosed mobile wireless system is configured to receive a message packet issued from a device tethered to the mobile wireless device. The system determines whether the mobile wireless device is permitted to pass messages on behalf of tethered devices by referencing a profile with which the mobile device is associated. The mobile wireless system discards the received message packet in response to determining from the profile that the mobile wireless device is not permitted to pass messages on behalf of tethered devices. Moreover, a number of ways for monetizing the supported tethering mode are described such that a service provider is adequately compensated for the increased demand on the mobile wireless network resources arising from support for the tethering mode of operation for a mobile wireless device. |
| US08971848B2 |
System and method for managing UE-based network performance measurements
A method and apparatus for managing UE-based network performance measurements utilizing a process of tracing a UE in a radio telecommunication network. An eNB may receive a trace activation message from a Mobility Management Entity, MME, or a Network Management Entity, wherein the trace activation message includes eNB-specific, and optionally MME-specific, selection conditions for selecting a UE for a trace session. The eNB selects a UE for tracing when the eNB-specific selection conditions are satisfied, and may send the MME-specific selection conditions to the MME for evaluation. When all selection conditions are satisfied, the eNB activates the trace session with the selected UE. The Trace Activation IE utilized in the Trace Start message, the UE Context Setup Request message, and the Handover Request message is extended with additional IEs in order to implement the method. |
| US08971847B2 |
Non-access stratum architecture and protocol enhancements for long term evolution mobile units
A method and apparatus performs processing of the non-access stratus (NAS) layer (layer 3) in long term evolution (LTE) wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), which allows the NAS protocol layer to route layer 3 messages to the correct NAS entity, and to encode new NAS message types and information elements. A new architecture is presented that enables NAS security. When a NAS message is generated, a determination is made as to whether or not to cipher, de-cipher and/or integrity check the NAS message based on at least one of a protocol discriminator (PD) of the NAS message, an indicator field in a header of the NAS message, the type of the NAS message, a NAS security state variable, and an indication by an upper layer protocol. The NAS security state variable indicates whether NAS security is currently active or not and may comprise one bit. |
| US08971845B2 |
Systems, methods and media for location reporting at a charging area level granularity
A method for location reporting at a charging area level granularity is provided. The method includes detecting at a mobility management entity (MME) a transition of a user equipment (UE) from a first cell to a second cell to obtain at least a second cell identifier. The method also includes determining at the MME whether the detected UE transition constitutes a transition from a first charging area to a second charging area using the second cell identifier by comparing the second cell identifier to a charging area configuration. A charging area includes a plurality of cells that are served by at least one eNodeB. The method further includes providing to a policy server a report of the determined UE transition, if it is determined that the detected UE transition constitutes a transition from the first charging area to the second charging area. |
| US08971842B2 |
Enterprise mobile application store
A mobile enterprise application store includes downloadable mobile applications and catalogs of the mobile applications. Different sets of applications may be offered to visitors depending on whether they have an account with a particular wireless mobile communication carrier. Different versions of the mobile applications may be stored and provided for visitors that use different carriers, devices, and/or operating systems. Offering or downloading of certain applications may be limited to only those visitors having consent from an enterprise administrator. The store may automatically request this consent and process the response. The mobile application store may only be accessible to employees, agents, representatives, and/or consultants of the enterprise. The store may offer split billing such that charges for some applications are made to the account of the visitor, while charges for other applications are made to the enterprise. |
| US08971837B2 |
Inductive powering for a mobile communication device and a radio frequency integrated circuit
A power status signal is received in an integrated circuit that indicates an inductive power status of an inductive power module and a power status of an alternative source. A power mode is selected based on the at least one power status signal. A power mode signal is generated based on the selected power mode. A power supply signal is generated and adjusted in response to the power mode signal. |
| US08971836B2 |
Method of adjusting the receive frequency of an RF receiver die
Disclosed is a method of adjusting the receive frequency of a radio frequency (RF) receiver die (4), the RF receiver die (4) comprising a mixer (8) with an associated local oscillator (10) and a first low-noise amplifier (6) arranged to operate over a first frequency range, the method comprising affixing a second low-noise amplifier (40) arranged to operate over a second frequency range to the RF receiver die (4). |
| US08971825B2 |
Fractional-N synthesizer
One embodiment of the present invention provides a synthesizer. The synthesizer includes one or more tunable oscillators, a frequency-dividing circuit coupled to the tunable oscillators, and a multiplexer coupled to the frequency-dividing circuit. The frequency-dividing circuit includes a number of frequency dividers, and is configured to generate a number of frequency-dividing outputs. At least one frequency-dividing output has a different frequency division factor. The multiplexer is configured to select a frequency-dividing output. |
| US08971823B2 |
Precoding for segment sensitive scheduling in wireless communication systems
Techniques to enhance the performance in a wireless communication system using segments called subbands and using precoding are shown. According to one aspect, the bandwidth for transmission to an access terminal is constrained to a preferred bandwidth which is less than the bandwidth available for transmission to an access terminal and precoding information related to the subcarriers within the constrained bandwidth is provided to a transmitter. The precoding information related to the subcarriers within a constrained bandwidth provides feedback about the forward link channel properties relative to different subbands and may be fed back on a channel associated with the bandwidth. |
| US08971819B2 |
System for analyzing mobile browser energy consumption
A system for measuring power consumption by a mobile device corresponding to access of web pages is provided. The system includes: the mobile device, configured to access web pages via a wireless network; a power measurement device connected to a battery of the mobile device, configured to measure parameters related to power consumption; and a server, in communication with the mobile device and the power measurement device, configured to control the mobile device's access of web pages and control the power measurement device's measurement of parameters, to receive measurements from the power measurement device, and to process the received measurements so as to correlate the mobile device's access of a web page with an amount of power consumed corresponding to the mobile device's access of the web page. |
| US08971813B2 |
Method and apparatus for avoiding in-device interference
A method is provided for avoiding in-device interference. The method may include determining a portion of a frequency band used for data reception by a first wireless modem that may be affected by interference from a data transmission by a second wireless modem. The method may further include causing an indication of the determined portion of the frequency band to be provided to the first wireless modem. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided. |
| US08971810B2 |
Dynamic range wireless communications access point
The claimed subject matter provides for systems and/or methods for a dynamic range wireless access point to initiate deliberate and/or selective communications with one or more wireless devices over a short range radio path. One embodiment of an access point system comprises a processor that transfers one or more wireless devices to a long range radio path once a transition condition has been met. In another embodiment, an access point system may affect transactions between user/customer's smart devices and a commercial place of business where the access point system and the smart devices initiate communications when the smart devices are deliberately placed within the proximity of the access point antenna and/or the smart devices are brought within the vicinity of the access point antenna such as by passing through the entrance or exit to the place of business. |
| US08971803B2 |
Methods of wirelessly providing data between applications of a first electronic device and a second electronic device
A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player. |
| US08971802B2 |
Near field communication apparatus
A system for use in a near field communications (NFC) reader, for detecting the presence of an NFC tag, is disclosed. The NFC reader has an antenna tuned to a resonant frequency. The system comprises: a first signal generator for generating a carrier signal whose frequency varies about the resonant frequency; a second signal generator for generating a modulating signal for modulating the carrier signal; a modulator for modulating the carrier signal with the modulating signal; a driver for driving the antenna with the modulated signal; and a detection system for detecting harmonics of the modulating signal in a signal present in the antenna as a result of the modulated signal. The detector is configured to generate an output when a third or higher order harmonic is detected. |
| US08971799B2 |
Communication apparatus and method for data communication and power transmission
The object of the invention is to achieve stable operation of a communication device which includes an information transmission means and a power transmission means while maintaining communication quality. A mobile device of the invention has an information transmission means for executing non-contact transmission, a power transmission means, a first control means for controlling the information transmission means to repeat an active period and a sleep period, and a second control means for controlling the power transmission means to transmit a power during the sleep period. |
| US08971796B2 |
Repeaters for wireless communication systems
A signal repeating element for repeating a signal includes a housing, at least one transmit antenna element positioned on one side of the housing and at least one receive antenna element positioned on the same one side of the housing. Receiver and transmitter circuitry is coupled with respective ones of the receive and transmit antenna elements. Phase circuitry for affecting the phase of signals from the at least one receive antenna element and at least one transmit antenna element is coupled between the respective receive or transmit antenna element and the receiver or transmitter circuitry. |
| US08971793B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication system
An apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data in a communication system are provided. In the method, a BS selects a repeater group from among a plurality of repeater groups, for use in transmitting first data to an MS and transmits the first data to the MS according to the number of repeaters of the selected repeater group. The first data is different from data transmitted by the repeaters of the selected repeater group. |
| US08971790B2 |
Method and apparatus for broadcast services in a communication system
A method, apparatus and system provide for efficient use of communication resources for providing broadcast services in a communication system. A receiver receives a first broadcast controller identification from a first base station, and a second broadcast controller identification from a second base station. A controller coupled to the receiver determines whether the first and second broadcast controller identifications are associated with use of a common set of broadcast parameters. A transmitter transmits a request for transmission of a new set of broadcast parameters when the first and second broadcast controller identifications are not associated with use of the common set of broadcast parameters. After receiving the new set of broadcast parameters, the receiver uses the new set of broadcast parameters for receiving broadcast services. |
| US08971789B2 |
Development device and image forming apparatus
A development device includes a development part configured to develop a developer image on a surface of an electrostatic latent image carrier based on an image signal, a transfer part configured to transfer the developer image to a medium; and a guide part configured to regulate a contact of the medium, on which the developer image has been transferred and been exited, to a housing of the development part, and to guide the medium to a carrying path. |
| US08971787B2 |
Paper edge cleaner and image forming apparatus using the paper edge cleaner
A paper edge cleaner in which paper is carried along a paper guide by a paper carrying roller. A grinder grinds both sides of the paper parallel to the paper movement to remove burrs from the paper. The paper is supported by a support. |
| US08971780B2 |
Fixing device, and image forming apparatus using the fixing device
A fixing device including an endless belt; a pressing pad located inside the endless belt; a pressing roller pressed toward the pressing pad with the endless belt therebetween to form a fixing nip; an internal guide to position the endless belt; and an external guide, which is contacted with an outer surface of the endless belt at the exit side of the fixing nip to deform the endless belt. The pressing roller drives the endless belt to rotate. |
| US08971778B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes: a first fixing member and a second fixing member forming a nip portion for heat-fixing a recording sheet; an urging mechanism including an urging member and urging the first fixing member toward the second fixing member by an urging force of the urging member; a first frame for supporting the second fixing member; a second frame arranged at an opposite side to the second fixing member with the first fixing member being interposed therebetween; and a switching member, which applies a pressing force resisting the urging force to the first fixing member for switching a width of the nip portion, and which includes a cam to which the urging force is applied and a shaft for supporting the cam. The first frame and the second frame are connected to each other by the shaft. |
| US08971773B2 |
Cleaning device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus including a cleaning roller having a diameter that decreases continuously from a center thereof
A cleaning device includes a first cleaning roller and a second cleaning roller. The first cleaning roller contacts a member to be cleaned and rotates, separates any matter to be removed that is stuck on the member to be cleaned from the member to be cleaned, and causes the matter to be removed to adhere to the first cleaning roller. The first cleaning roller has a diameter that decreases continuously from a center thereof towards both ends thereof in a direction of a rotation axis. The member to be cleaned rotates or circulates. The second cleaning roller contacts the first cleaning roller and rotates, separates the matter to be removed that is stuck on the first cleaning roller from the first cleaning roller, and causes the matter to be removed to adhere to the second cleaning roller. |
| US08971771B2 |
Intermediate hopper and image forming apparatus
An intermediate hopper has a toner reception tub, a partition for dividing an internal space of the toner reception tub; a first and a second toner conveyance path; a first toner conveyance screw being provided in the first toner conveyance path; a second toner conveyance screw being provided in the second toner conveyance path; a toner receiving port for receiving the toner; a toner communicating path for guiding the toner in the first toner conveyance path to the second toner conveyance path; a toner discharge port; and a toner amount detection sensor, wherein the first toner conveyance screw further comprises an agitation plate disposed at a position facing the toner receiving port so as to extend radially from the first rotation axis and fixed in parallel with the first rotation axis, and the toner amount detection sensor is provided on an upstream side relative to the agitation plate. |
| US08971764B2 |
Image forming system comprising effective imaging apparatus and toner pairing
The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to image forming systems comprising imaging apparatus members and toner compositions. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to an improved BCR xerographic system comprising (1) a cleaning blade comprising a material having a certain Share A Hardness; (2) a photoreceptor having a surface with a specified Young's Modulus and; and (3) a toner lubricant additive. The combined system demonstrates a significant increase an overall service life of the system. |
| US08971763B2 |
Image heating apparatus and belt exchanging method
An image heating apparatus comprising an endless belt for heating a toner image on a recording material; a holding member for holding the endless belt at an inside of the endless belt; a temperature sensor, provided inside the endless belt, for detecting a temperature of the endless belt; and a moving mechanism moved the temperature sensor between a first position for detecting the temperature of the endless belt and a second position for permitting the endless belt to be taken out of the holding member substantially along a longitudinal direction of the holding member. |
| US08971762B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a bearing member provided to a secondary transfer unit, with the bearing member being configured to engage with a main body unit of the apparatus, a hooking-receiving member rotatably provided in the main body unit of the apparatus and opposed to the bearing member, and a rotation regulation member provided to the main body unit of the apparatus to regulate rotation of the hooking-receiving member. The hooking-receiving member contacts the rotation regulation member when the secondary transfer unit is closed with respect to the main body unit of the apparatus and-rotates in a direction away from the rotation regulation member when the secondary transfer unit is opened with respect to the main body unit of the apparatus. |
| US08971758B2 |
Photosensitive member cartridge, process cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same
A photosensitive member cartridge includes: a photosensitive member extending in an axial direction; a frame including a pair of photosensitive member receiving portions configured to receive axial end portions of the photosensitive member; and a pair of holding members configured to hold the axial end portions of the photosensitive member. The frame includes a first frame and a second frame separable from each other in a prescribed direction perpendicular to the axial direction and mating with each other such that the first frame provides a part of each photosensitive member receiving portion and the second frame provides a remaining part of each photosensitive member receiving portion. Each of the holding members is engaged with both of the first frame and the second frame. |
| US08971756B2 |
Image forming apparatus and connecting method
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming portion; an image forming portion supporting frame having opposing first and second side surfaces; first and second frame supporting portions provided, in contact to a disposition surface of the apparatus, close to the first side surface; a third frame supporting portion provided, in contact to the disposition surface, close to the second side surface; and an auxiliary leg adjustable to a height where it does not contact the disposition surface and a height where it contacts the disposition surface. The auxiliary leg is provided in a side which is away from the third supporting portion in a direction of change of the center of gravity by mounting of the optional unit to the image forming apparatus. |
| US08971754B2 |
Toner carrier
A toner carrier includes a metal core, a barrel formed on an outer circumference of the metal core and including at least an elastic layer, and a coating formed on outer circumferences of both ends of the barrel. The coating has a thickness and a width of an outer circumference of the coating is different from a width of an inner circumference of the coating. The width is from an end surface of the barrel along an axis of the barrel, and the width of the outer circumference is larger than the width of the inner circumference so that the end surface of the coating is reversely inclined. |
| US08971753B2 |
Process cartridge
A process cartridge detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning frame member, a developer bearing member, a development frame member, a flexible sheet member, and a protection member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member forms an electrostatic latent image. The cleaning frame member supports the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The developer bearing member develops the electrostatic latent image using a developer. The development frame member supports the developer bearing member. The flexible sheet member is fixed onto a seating surface with one end side thereof and contacts the developer bearing member with the other end thereof, for preventing leaking of a developer from between the developer bearing member and the development frame member. The protection member is attached to the cleaning frame member, for protecting the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The protection member includes a pressing portion at the back side of the seating surface, for suppressing deformation of the seating surface. |
| US08971746B2 |
Image heating apparatus and image forming apparatus
A control portion executes a measuring mode and generates a value for adjusting a pressurizing mechanism reflecting a difference of pressurizing conditions of a longitudinal center part and a longitudinal end part of a nip portion. The measuring mode is a mode of detecting temperatures of the nip portion by temperature detecting elements in a process of changing temperature of the nip portion heated by a heater and of generating control information based on detected results. The control information is generated in response to a difference of temperature increase amounts of the temperature detecting elements in a predetermined time in the process of increasing the temperature of the nip portion. The control portion adjusts the pressurizing mechanism based on the control value obtained in the measuring mode after executing a process of heating a recording medium in succession of the process of increasing the temperature of the nip portion. |
| US08971745B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes first and second image-forming portions and an intermediate transporting portion. A control unit checks fixing units in the image-forming portions and determines whether or not the fixing unit in the first image-forming portion is a fixing unit for an envelope. If not, the control unit controls a manipulation and display unit to display guidance for urging a user to exchange the first fixing unit. If so, the control unit determines whether or not too fixing unit in the second image-forming portion is a fixing unit for an envelope. If not, the control portion controls a manipulation and display unit to display a guidance for urging a user to exchange the second fixing unit. If both of fixing units in the first and second image-forming portions are fixing units for the envelope, the control unit allows an envelope mode control operation. |
| US08971742B2 |
Image forming apparatus to change image magnification by controlling sheet conveyance speed
Provided is an image forming apparatus which enables control to change a longitudinal magnification of an image transferred on a sheet in a sheet conveyance direction by changing a rotation speed of a second transfer section while prohibiting misalignment of transfer without requiring a changing time of the longitudinal magnification which causes the decreasing of productivity. |
| US08971740B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a detector that includes a toner density sensor arranged on the downstream side of a fixing section. When performing a control to determine an image forming condition of an image forming section based on the detection result of an image-adjusting pattern image obtained by the detector, the temperatures of a plurality of points in the axial direction of the fixing section are detected by a fixing temperature detector. Further, based on the temperature detection values obtained by the fixing temperature detector, a controller sets a detection area of the detector in a place where the fixing temperature is equal to a desired temperature, so that the detector detects the information about the image-adjusting pattern image at such place. |
| US08971735B2 |
Image heating apparatus configured to detect breakages of lateral end portions of an endless belt
A belt failure detecting mechanism includes a rocking arm connected to a ground contact portion and an urging member configured to urge one end of the rocking arm against an inner surface of an end of a heating belt. When the end of the heating belt is not broken, the end of the rocking arm is in contact with the inner surface of the end of the heating belt, and the other end of the rocking arm does not contact to a detection switch so that an electric power is supplied to a heating device. When the end of the heating belt is broken, the end of the rocking arm is displaced to an outer side of the heating belt so that the other end of the rocking arm contacts to an electric element so that a fuse is blown to stop the electric power supplied to the heating device. |
| US08971733B2 |
Image forming unit and image forming apparatus
An image forming unit includes an image forming part forming an image, and a developer containing part containing a developer, removably installed to the image forming part, and supplying the developer to the image forming part. The image forming part includes a first memory part storing first usage information indicating usage information of the image forming part and second usage information indicating usage information of the developer in the image forming part. |
| US08971730B2 |
Image forming apparatus and cartridge
An image forming apparatus to which a cartridge including first and second cartridge contacts is detachably mountable, includes: a guiding member for guiding the cartridge to a positioning portion provided in a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; a first main assembly contact contactable to the first cartridge contact when the cartridge is positioned partway toward the positioning portion and is positioned in the positioning portion; a second main assembly contact contactable to the second cartridge contact when the cartridge is positioned partway toward the positioning portion; a third main assembly contact contactable to the second cartridge contact only when the cartridge is positioned in the positioning portion; and a control portion for detecting presence or absence of the cartridge in the main assembly and a mounted state of the cartridge by being electrically connected with the first, second and third main assembly contacts. |
| US08971723B2 |
Method of and system for detecting skew between parallel signals
A method is provided for detecting the skew between parallel light signals generated from a serial data stream. The method can be used with polarization multiplexed signal, as well as with wavelength division multiplexed signals, spatial division multiplexed signals, phase modulated signals, or intensity modulated signals. The method can be used with direct detection schemes as well as with coherent detection schemes. The method is provided with: imprinting dips between a fixed number of transmitted symbols of the parallel signals; detecting an electrical signal related to the dips for each parallel signal; and comparing the electrical signals in delay. |
| US08971722B2 |
Optical power distribution device and method
A network for delivering optical power over an optical conduit includes at least one optical power source delivering optical power to multiple outlet power subsystems the subsystem managing demands for power from the multiple outlet sinks. |
| US08971720B2 |
Low latency data transmission network
A communications networking having reduced transmission latency and improved reliability is described. To reduce signal transmission latency, network management data is removed from a data stream to prioritize the transmission of payload data at higher transmission rates. Management data is returned to the data stream in such a way that it minimizes an impact to payload transmission rates. To improve communications network reliability, the network is configured to form a primary communication path and a redundant communication path. Upon failure of a transceiver at one node, the network engages redundant transceivers on a per-node basis thereby using a segment of the redundant communication path. The data stream is returned to the primary communication path upon circumvention of the failed transceiver. |
| US08971716B2 |
OLED display for visible ray communication
Provided is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device for visible ray communication, including: a substrate; a plurality of OLED pixels that are formed on the substrate and generate a red (R), green (G), or blue (B) visible ray; and a plurality of light receiving units that are formed on the substrate to sense a visible ray signal and convert the visible ray signal to an electrical signal. |
| US08971713B2 |
Identification and communication systems
In some embodiments, an identification and communication system described herein comprises one or more query units and one or more response units, wherein at least one query unit comprises a query beam source operable to emit a query beam and at least one response unit comprises at least one detector comprising an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) comprising an amplifier operable to amplify the query beam. In some embodiments, a system comprises one or more query units and one or more response units, wherein at least one response unit comprises at least one detector capable of detecting incident radiation having a power of about 100 pW or less. In some embodiments, a system comprises at least one component of a response unit disposed in a first housing mounted to a weapon and at least one component of a query unit disposed in a second housing mounted to the weapon. |
| US08971712B2 |
Carrier embedded optical radio-signal modulation of heterodyne optical carrier suppression
Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems, methods, and apparatus for carrier-embedded optical radio-over-fiber (RoF) communications. Example embodiments of the method may include modulating a baseband signal with and an intermediate frequency (IF) and a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal to produce a RF modulated optical signal, transmitting the RF modulated optical signal to a remote access point with an optical fiber, and detecting the transmitted RF modulated optical signal. The method may also include receiving a RF uplink signal and mixing a harmonic of the RF carrier signal with the received RF uplink signal to down-convert the received RF uplink signal to an IF uplink signal. The method may include modulating a second optical source with the IF uplink signal to produce an IF uplink optical signal, transmitting the IF uplink optical signal via an optical fiber, and detecting the IF uplink optical signal. |
| US08971708B2 |
System, method and relevant device for signal transmission
A system, a method and a related device for signal transmission are provided in order to improve utilization efficiency of the fiber. The system includes an optical line terminal (OLT), a plurality of optical network units (ONU), a base band unit (BBU), a plurality of remote radio units (RRU), a first signal-processing device and a plurality of second signal-processing devices, wherein the first signal-processing device sends a multiplexed signal to a plurality of second signal-processing devices after a plurality of signals sent by the OLT and the BBU are multiplexed, and demultiplexes a signal sent by the second signal-processing device in order to obtain a plurality of signals sent by the ONU and a plurality of different RRUs and sends these demultiplexed signals to the OLT and the BBU; one of a plurality of second signal processing devices sends a multiplexed signal to the first signal-processing device after a plurality of signals sent by the ONU and a plurality of different RRUs are multiplexed, and demultiplexes a signal sent by the first signal-processing device in order to obtain a signal sent by the OLT and a plurality of signals sent to a plurality of different RRUs by the BBU and sends these demultiplexed signals to the ONU and the RRUs. |
| US08971706B2 |
Link discovery, verification, and failure isolation in an optical communication system
Automatic discovery and verification of optical communication links as well as isolation of link failures in an optical communication system. |
| US08971692B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and program
An information processing device includes an API (Application Programming Interface) only for reading/writing of an offset value, which is data providing disparity to a graphics image to generate an image for the left eye and an image for the right eye from the original image, arranged to store the offset value in an internal storage region that is a storage region inside of a reproducer configured to reproduce images, and to read out the offset value stored in the internal storage region. |
| US08971690B2 |
Technique to coordinate activities between a content device and a wireless device based on context awareness
A content device such as a digital video recorder may be coupled to a television and a viewer of the television may receive an incoming call on a wireless device such as a mobile phone while viewing content on the television. The content device and wireless device may be paired with each other and the wireless device may send a notification to the content device in response to detecting an incoming call. The content device may pause the program displayed on the television and then initiate recording of the program. The wireless device may send a second notification to the content device in response to ending the call and the content device may stop recording the program and resume the program on the television. The coordination between the content device and the wireless device and the television may be based on the context awareness and independent of the user intervention. |
| US08971688B2 |
Information recording apparatus
An information recording apparatus has a stop mode in which only recording means comprised of a rotatable drum on which a recording head is mounted and recording medium driving means comprised of a capstan/pinch roller are stopped, which stop mode can be changed from a record temporary stop mode. During the stop mode of the recording means and the recording medium driving means, a video signal photo-taken by a camera of the information recording apparatus can be outputted externally, and, change to the stop mode is made effective by a combination of user's selection and/or presence/absence of an external connection device. |
| US08971685B2 |
Multicore fiber
A multicore fiber includes a plurality of core elements; and a clad surrounding an outer periphery surface of each of the core elements, and each of the core elements includes a core, a first clad surrounding the outer periphery surface of the core and a second clad surrounding an outer periphery surface of the first clad, and when a refractive index of the core is n1, a refractive index of the first clad is n2, a refractive index of the second clad is n3 and a refractive index of the clad is n4, all of n1>n2>n3, n1>n4 and n3 |
| US08971683B2 |
Multimode optical fiber and systems comprising such fiber
A multimode optical fiber includes: (i) a graded index glass core having a radius R1 in the range of 20 microns to 50 microns, a maximum relative refractive index Δ1MAX in the range between 0.5% and 3%; a graded index having a profile with (a) by an alpha (α) parameter wherein 1.9≦α≦2.2, and (b) a deviation from the alpha profile in at least one region of the core, such that the difference in the refractive index delta of the core from that determined by the core alpha value, at the radius R1 is less than 0.001, and (ii) a cladding surrounding and in contact with the core, wherein the fiber has an bandwidth greater than 5000 MHz-km at a wavelength λ where λ≧800 nm. |
| US08971682B2 |
Few mode optical fibers
A few mode optical fiber comprising: a Ge-free core having an effective area Aeff of LP01 mode wherein 120 μm2 |
| US08971681B2 |
Broadband or mid-infrared fiber light sources
An optical system for use in an imaging procedure includes one or more semiconductor diodes configured to generate an input signal beam with a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns that is amplified and communicated through optical fiber(s) to a nonlinear element configured to broaden the spectral width to at least 50 nm through a nonlinear effect. A subsystem includes lenses or mirrors to deliver an output beam having a broadened spectrum to an Optical Coherence Tomography apparatus with a sample and reference arm to perform imaging for characterizing the sample. The delivered output beam has a temporal duration greater than about 30 picoseconds, a repetition rate between continuous wave and Megahertz or higher, and a time averaged intensity of less than approximately 50 MW/cm2. The output beam has a time averaged output power of 20 mW or more. |
| US08971673B2 |
Sensor tape for security detection and method of fabrication
A sensor in the form of an elongated flexible tape has a plurality of signal paths made from electrical wire or optical fiber which extend between one end and another end of the tape. The electrical wires or optical fibers are disposed in spaced relation across the width and along the length of the tape, and are terminated in connectors at the endpoints of the tape. One connector includes a multiplexer to which an input signal is applied for propagation along the signal paths, The other connector includes an AND gate which provides an output signal which changes in the event of a break in any one or more of the signal paths, thereby indicating an alarm condition. The connectors may be integrated into a signal detector to interface with communication links. The tape is a material that is non-conductive and in which the wires or optical fibers may be woven, disposed or embedded in some manner. |
| US08971672B2 |
Integrated optical waveguide evanescent field sensor and longitudinal section of a substrate for use in such a sensor
The invention relates to an integrated optical waveguide evanescent field sensor (1) for sensing of chemical and/or physical quantities, comprising a substrate (2) carrying a waveguide layer structure provided with—a waveguide core layer (10) sandwiched between two cladding layers (11, 12) formed by a lower (11) and a upper (12) cladding layer, of a lower refractive index than the waveguide core layer (10), —a sensing section (14A, 14B) comprising a sensing layer (13) included in the upper cladding layer (12), wherein a longitudinal section of said substrate including said waveguide layer structure and said sensing section (14A, 14B) is exchangeable as a separate element (20). |
| US08971669B2 |
Method and apparatus for image processing
A method for processing an image to generate a signature which is characteristic of a pattern within said image. The method comprising receiving an image; overlaying a window at multiple locations on said image to define a plurality of sub-images within said image, with each sub-image each having a plurality of pixels having a luminance level; determining a luminance value for each said sub-image, wherein said luminance value is derived from said luminance levels of said plurality of pixels; and combining said luminance values for each of said sub-images to form said signature. Said combining is such that said signature is independent of the location of each sub-image. A method of creating a database of images using said method of generating signatures is also described. |
| US08971666B2 |
Fisheye correction with perspective distortion reduction method and related image processor
A fisheye correction with perspective distortion reduction method used for saving memory space and reducing perspective distortion includes a coordinate transformation function, a fisheye distorted image and a fisheye corrected image, the fisheye corrected image includes a plurality of pixels, for each pixel of the plurality of pixels, orderly calculating a coordinate value in the fisheye distorted image, and according to the coordinate value, calculating a pixel value of the fisheye corrected image via an interpolation method, wherein the coordinate transformation function includes a fisheye correction coordinate transformation, a perspective distortion reduction coordinate transformation and an image crop and scale coordinate transformation. |
| US08971663B2 |
System and method for producing synthetic golden template image for vision system inspection of multi-layer patterns
A system and method for generating golden template images in a vision system to inspect an acquired runtime image of an object with a multi-layer printed pattern is provided. The system and method performs a registration process on runtime images using registration models each trained on respective canonical layer mask images, and outputting poses. Based upon the poses, warped layer masks are generated. Combination masks are computed based upon differing combinations of the warped layer masks. Intensity values for pixels of the foreground regions for the combination masks are estimated. The estimated intensity values are then blended associated with the combination masks to generate a golden template image. This golden template image can be used to compare with a runtime image. An exemplary application of this system and method is in print inspection on flat and non-flat surfaces. |
| US08971655B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding of images
An encoding method for encoding of images and corresponding decoding method is disclosed, as well as an encoder and a decoder. The encoding method comprises creating, in an encoder, a residual block from an original block and a prediction block which is an approximation of the original block, wherein the created residual block comprises residual block elements. The en-coding method further comprises re-ordering, in the encoder, the residual block elements within the residual block; and applying, in the encoder, a transform to the re-ordered residual block. By re-ordering the residual block elements prior to applying a transform, an improved efficiency of the encoding may be obtained. |
| US08971653B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image by using large transform unit
An apparatus for decoding an image includes an entropy decoder that performs entropy-decoding to obtain quantized transformation coefficients of at least one transformation unit in a coding unit of the image, an inverse transformer that performs inverse-quantization and inverse-transformation on the quantized transformation coefficients of the at least one transformation unit to obtain residuals, and a restorer that performs inter prediction for at least one prediction unit in the coding unit to generate a predictor and restores the image by using the residuals and the predictor. |
| US08971652B2 |
Image coding method and image decoding method for coding and decoding image data on a block-by-block basis
An image coding method performs intra prediction with a higher coding efficiency by coding image data on a block-by-block basis. The method generates a predicted block by predicting a current block; computes a difference between the current block and the predicted block; codes the difference computed in the computing; decodes the difference coded in the coding; and adds the difference decoded in the decoding to the predicted block to generate a decoded block. The generating of the predicted block includes detecting an edge in a previously decoded block corresponding to a block adjacent to the current block; and extrapolating or interpolating previously decoded image data corresponding to a pixel included in the block adjacent to the current block, along a direction of the edge detected in the detecting to generate the predicted block. |
| US08971650B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image by using large transformation unit
An image decoding method including determining coding units having a hierarchical structure for decoding an image using split information of a coding unit, determining at least one prediction unit for predicting a coding unit among the coding units using information about a partition type, and determining at least one transformation unit for inversely transforming the coding unit using information about a depth of the at least one transformation unit, wherein the split information of a coding unit, the information about a partition type and the information about a depth of the at least one transformation unit are parsed from a bitstream, parsing from the bitstream transformation coefficients generated by transformation according to the at least one transformation unit generated by dividing the coding unit, and reconstructing residual of the at least one transformation unit by performing inverse quantization, and inverse transformation on the parsed transformation coefficients, and performing intra prediction or inter prediction on the prediction unit to generate a predictor, and reconstructing the image based on the residual and the predictor. |
| US08971644B1 |
System and method for determining an annotation for an image
A plurality of images related to a particular image are determined, and a plurality of annotations associated with the plurality of images are identified. An ontology is determined based on the plurality of annotations, and an image annotation for the particular image is determined based on the ontology. The ontology may be a semantic ontology, for example. |
| US08971643B2 |
Method and system for optimized delta encoding
A method and system are described for preparing a batch of data sets for a batch processing using a predetermined correlation encoding operation. The batch of data sets may be analyzed to determine a plurality of correlation parameters representing degrees of correlation between member data sets of said batch of data sets. The correlation parameters may be used to generate an optimized correlation dependency graph of the member sets. The optimized correlation dependency graph may be used for performing the predetermined correlation encoding operation. By optimizing the correlation dependencies between data sets for subsequent processing, e.g. data compression, of the data sets, the advantages of correlation encoding may be used, even for data sets which appear a priori to be unordered and only weakly correlated. |
| US08971641B2 |
Spatial image index and associated updating functionality
An image matching system is described for finding reference images that match a query image. The image matching system performs this operation in expeditious fashion by restricting the matching to a bounding region; the bounding region, in turn, may be associated with a location at which the query image may have been captured. In addition, the image matching system provides various mechanisms that expedite adding new reference images to an image index, to thereby provide a re-enforced learning mechanism of the image matching system. |
| US08971638B2 |
Method and apparatus for image search using feature point
A method and an apparatus search an image using a feature point. The image search method extracts at least one feature point from an image and describes the extracted at least one feature point in stages, thereby generating a hierarchical feature point descriptor. In addition, the method may search for information matching the feature point descriptor from a local database (DB) included in a terminal or a remote DB included in a server. |
| US08971634B2 |
Approximate pyramidal search for fast displacement matching
A method for approximate pyramidal search for displacement matching is provided that includes performing a complete window-based search at a coarsest resolution level in a resolution pyramid to determine a best matching point in a destination image for each point in a source image, wherein a displacement from each point to the best matching point is determined, counting, for each displacement of the determined displacements, a number of points having the displacement, selecting displacements from the determined displacements based on the number of points counted for each displacement and a predetermined threshold, and performing a search at the next finer resolution level in the resolution pyramid to determine a best matching point in the destination image for each point in the source image, wherein the search for a best matching point for each point is limited to the selected displacements and a reduced search window around each displacement. |
| US08971628B2 |
Face detection using division-generated haar-like features for illumination invariance
Faces in images are quickly detected with minimal memory resource usage. Instead of calculating a Haar-like feature value by subtracting the average pixel intensity value in one rectangular region from the average pixel intensity value in another, adjacent rectangular region, a face-detection system calculates that Haar-like feature value by dividing the average pixel intensity value in one such rectangular region by the average pixel intensity value in the other such adjacent rectangular region. Thus, each Haar-like value is calculated as a ratio of average pixel intensity values rather than as a difference between such average pixel intensity values. The feature values are calculated using this ratio-based technique both during the machine-learning procedure, in which the numerical ranges for features in known face-containing images are learned based on labeled training data, and during the classifier-applying procedure, in which an unlabeled image's feature values are calculated and compared to the previously machine-learned numerical ranges. |
| US08971625B2 |
Generating dolly zoom effect using light field image data
According to various embodiments, a dolly zoom effect is generated using light field image data. The dolly zoom effect simulates an in-camera technique wherein a camera moves toward or away from the subject in such a way that the subject is kept at the same size throughout the effect. The effect causes the relative size of foreground background elements to change while foreground elements such as the subject remain the same size. By varying a parameter while projecting the light field image, the size of each object in the projection image scales depending on its relative depth as compared with the depth of the target subject, thus simulating the dolly zoom effect without any need to physically move the camera. |
| US08971624B2 |
System and process for color-balancing a series of oblique images
Image processing systems and methods are disclosed, including an image processing system comprising a computer running image processing software causing the computer to divide a captured oblique image into a plurality of oblique image sections, the oblique image sections determined at least in part on a path length distance between the location of a point in the scene in the captured oblique image and the location of the camera when the oblique image was captured; and apply a varying amount of color correction to the sections based in part on the determined path length, thereby reducing variation in the captured oblique image caused by specular reflection and atmosphere depicted in the sections prior to color balancing. |
| US08971617B2 |
Method and interface for converting images to grayscale
A method and apparatus for generating a grayscale image. The method and apparatus receive a single value. From the single value, the method and apparatus generate a set of grayscale weighting values. The method and apparatus generate the grayscale based on a color image and the set of grayscale weighting values. By limiting the number of values to a single value, the method and apparatus prevents a user from arbitrarily selecting a number of possible weighting values which could result in a grayscale image that is too dim or too bright. This single control method and apparatus quickly and efficiently produces a grayscale image that is neither too bright nor too dim. |
| US08971616B2 |
Display processing system and method
A method includes storing a transparency value. A color level value is stored in a set of color bits. The color level value is multiplied by the transparency value, by bit-shifting the set of color bits by a number of bit positions indicated by the transparency value. |
| US08971609B2 |
Automated detection of melanoma
Embodiments herein exploit the optical sectioning capability of reflectance confocal microscopy to non-invasively survey the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ), noting the irregularities associated with malignancy. Methods are provided to aid a clinician in diagnosing melanoma through pattern recognition to extract pertinent diagnostic information from large 3D confocal images. Identifying the combination of pagetoid melanocytes and DEJ breakdown increases the accuracy of detection. A method may be used to process a 3D confocal volume of images taken by a clinician of a suspicious lesion and deduce the depth location z of the first reflective surface (FRS) at each x-y position. This FRS is where the most superficial melanin resides. In this manner, the stratum corneum and epidermis are digitally stripped and no longer distract the clinician from the more diagnostically relevant pigmented cell network. The FRS is putatively either the DEJ for benign nevi or the depth of a pagetoid melanocyte at x,y above the DEJ. Thus by creating a 3D surface plot of the FRS for each lateral x,y point, the presence of pagetoid cells is identified by a discreet jump in the FRS above the level of the DEJ. The DEJ map may also be used to determine if breakdown of the DEJ is occurring. |
| US08971605B2 |
System and method for correcting for metal artifacts using multi-energy computed tomography
A method is provided. The method includes acquiring a first dataset at a first energy spectrum and a second dataset at a second energy spectrum. The method also includes extracting a metal artifact correction signal using the first dataset and the second dataset or using a first reconstructed image and a second reconstructed image generated respectively from the first and the second datasets. The method further includes performing metal artifact correction on the first reconstructed image using the metal artifact correction signal to generate a first corrected image. |
| US08971600B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus and method for constructing distribution image of blood flow dynamic state
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided for displaying a color map on which a difference in blood flow dynamics is reflected. Setting a test subject who is administered a contrast agent is assumed as an imaging target, and a probe transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from the target for contrast imaging. Image data is constructed based on signals received by the probe and a time-intensity curve is generated from intensity values of the image data. According to the time-intensity curve, a value of a predetermined parameter is calculated for producing a distribution image of blood flow dynamics. The distribution image (color map) of the blood flow dynamics is produced from the parameter value. The color map is a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional image being color-coded according to the parameter value. At least one of the followings may be used as the parameter; a contrast agent inflow start time, a balanced intensity arrival time, a contrast agent disappearance start time, a contrast agent duration, a preset threshold arrival time, an intensity increase rate, an intensity decrease rate, intensity of balanced state, and a total flow amount. |
| US08971599B2 |
Tomographic iterative reconstruction
The present disclosure relates to iterative reconstruction of images. In certain embodiments, a deconvolution filter is used to approximate the inversion of a Hessian matrix associated with the reconstruction. In one such embodiment, the desired image is not reconstructed directly in the iterative process. Instead, an image is reconstructed that yields the desired image when filtered by the deconvolution filter. |
| US08971594B2 |
Thinned finger sensor and associated methods
An electronic device may include a housing with a connector member opening therein, electronic circuitry within the housing, and a finger sensor assembly carried by the housing. The finger assembly may include a thinned finger sensing integrated circuit (IC) secured to the housing that has a thickness less than 200 microns. The finger sensor assembly may also include a connector member extending through the connector member opening in the housing and coupling together the thinned finger sensing IC and the electronic circuitry. The thinned finger sensing IC may be adhesively secured to the housing, such as using a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the thinned finger sensing IC may conform to a non-planar surface. |
| US08971593B2 |
Methods and systems for performing biometric functions
Methods and sensors are disclosed for executing a biometric function. Illumination light is generated and directed to a deformable layer when the deformable layer is in a state of deformation resulting from pressure applied to the deformable layer by a skin site. Light scattered from the deformable layer is received. A fingerprint pattern of the skin site is determined from the received light. The biometric function is performed with the determined fingerprint pattern. |
| US08971591B2 |
3D image estimation for 2D image recognition
A server determines a plurality of faceprints representing a plurality of users to be recognized at a client device. Each faceprint contains a number of reference images for a given user that are used to recognize facial images of the user detecting in media captured at the client device. The faceprints delivered to the client device are determined for the client device based on the users likely to be detected in images captured at the client device. The reference images with a given faceprint delivered to the client device are selected by the server based on their recognition value in identifying the users likely to be detected in images captured at the client device. |
| US08971590B2 |
Method and apparatus for eye-scan authentication using a liquid lens
A method and apparatus for providing authentication using an adaptive liquid lens are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the method receives a request for authentication from a mobile endpoint device of a user, wherein the request comprises a first retinal image of the user captured using an adaptive liquid lens of the mobile endpoint device. The method obtains a second retinal image of the user, wherein the second retinal image is a stored retinal image of the user. The method authenticates the first retinal image against the second retinal image. In another embodiment, the method captures a first retinal image of a user via a mobile endpoint device of the user, wherein the mobile endpoint device comprises an adaptive liquid lens. The method then sends a request for authentication from the mobile endpoint device over a network, wherein the request comprises the first retinal image. |
| US08971588B2 |
Apparatus and method for contactless high resolution handprint capture
A system and method for contactless handprint capture is disclosed that includes an image capture device to capture whole handprint images of a subject hand at each of a plurality of different focal distances, with the image capture device including an imaging camera and an electro-optics arrangement having a plurality of light modulating elements and polarization sensitive optical elements having differing optical path lengths based on polarization states. A control system is coupled to the image capture device to cause the device to capture the handprint images at each of the different focal distances, with each handprint image having a depth-of-focus that overlaps with a depth-of-focus of handprint images at adjacent focal distances such that redundant handprint image data is captured. The control system registers each handprint image with positional data and creates a composite handprint image from the handprint images captured at the different focal distances. |
| US08971586B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimation of livestock weight
A digital image of a target object is received and the image includes a plurality of pixels. The target object is at least a portion of an animal, and the portion of the animal is disposed in the image according to a predetermined disposition. The weight of the animal is determined using the model and at least one characteristic. At least some of the pixels of the image of animal are analyzed to determine at least one characteristic of the image of the animal. The weight of the animal is determined using the at least one characteristic. |
| US08971584B2 |
Methods and apparatus for chatter reduction in video object segmentation using a variable bandwidth search region
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for chatter reduction in video object segmentation using a variable bandwidth search region. A variable bandwidth search region generation method may be applied to a uniform search region to generate a variable bandwidth search region that reduces the search range for segmentation methods such as a graph cut method. The method may identify parts of the contour that are moving slowly, and reduce the search region bandwidth in those places to stabilize the segmentation. This method may determine a bandwidth for each of a plurality of local windows of an image according to an estimate of how much an object in the image has moved from a previous image. The method may blend the bandwidths for the plurality of local windows to generate a blended map. The method may then generate a variable bandwidth search region for an object according to the blended map. |
| US08971583B2 |
Distance measurement apparatus and method
A distance measurement apparatus and a distance measurement method are provided. The apparatus includes a line-shaped laser transmitter, an image sensing device and a processing unit. The line-shaped laser transmitter transmits a line-shaped laser, and the image sensing device senses the line-shaped laser to output a line-shaped laser image. The processing unit receives the line-shaped laser image, and segments the line-shaped laser image into several sub-line-shaped laser images. The processing unit further calculates a vertical position for a laser line in each sub-line-shaped laser image, and outputs each distance information according to the corresponding sub-line-shaped laser image and a transformation relation. |
| US08971581B2 |
Methods and system for automated in-field hierarchical training of a vehicle detection system
Disclosed are methods and systems for detecting one or more vehicles in video captured from a deployed video camera directed at a parking region. According to one exemplary embodiment, disclosed is a method of training a deployed classifier associated with the video camera, where a generic classifier is initially used to obtain high confidence training samples from the video camera, the high confidence training samples subsequently used to train the deployed classifier. |
| US08971577B2 |
Monitoring device, reliability calculation program, and reliability calculation method
A monitoring device has a detection target person storage part in which a feature of a face of each detection target person is stored, an image processor that processes images captured with a plurality of imaging devices having different imaging areas, and detects the image in which the detection target person stored in the detection target person storage part is captured, a detection information storage part in which detection information is stored, the detection information including the detection target person, imaging area, and imaging date and time with respect to the image in which the detection target person detected by the image processor is captured, and a reliability calculator that calculates a degree of detection reliability in the image processor based on a time-space rationality, the time-space rationality being determined from a plurality of pieces of detection information on each detection target person. |
| US08971575B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking objects
Various embodiments are disclosed for performing object tracking. One embodiment is a system for tracking an object in a plurality of frames, comprising a probability map generator configured to generate a probability map by estimating probability values of pixels in the frame, wherein the probability of each pixel corresponds to a likelihood of the pixel being located within the object. The system further comprises a contour model generator configured to identify a contour model of the object based on a temporal prediction method, a contour weighting map generator configured to derive a contour weighting map based on thickness characteristics of the contour model, a tracking refinement module configured to refine the probability map according to weight values specified in the contour weighting map, and an object tracker configured to track a location of the object within the plurality of frames based on the refined probability map. |
| US08971573B2 |
Video-tracking for video-based speed enforcement
A method for tracking a moving vehicle includes detecting the vehicle by acquiring a series of temporal related image frames. In an initial frame, the detecting includes locating a reference feature representative of a vehicle. The method further includes setting the reference feature as a full-size template. The method includes tracking the vehicle by searching a current frame for features matching the full-size template and at least one scaled template. The tracking further includes setting as an updated template one of the full-size and scaled templates closest matching the feature. The method includes repeating the tracking using the updated template for each next frame in the series. |
| US08971572B1 |
Hand pointing estimation for human computer interaction
Hand pointing has been an intuitive gesture for human interaction with computers. A hand pointing estimation system is provided, based on two regular cameras, which includes hand region detection, hand finger estimation, two views' feature detection, and 3D pointing direction estimation. The technique may employ a polar coordinate system to represent the hand region, and tests show a good result in terms of the robustness to hand orientation variation. To estimate the pointing direction, Active Appearance Models are employed to detect and track, e.g., 14 feature points along the hand contour from a top view and a side view. Combining two views of the hand features, the 3D pointing direction is estimated. |
| US08971571B1 |
Visual completion
Methods and devices for initiating, updating, and displaying the results of a search of an object-model database are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving video data recorded by a camera on a wearable computing device and, based on the video data, detecting a movement corresponding to a selection of an object. The method further includes, before the movement is complete, initiating a search on the object of an object-model database. The method still further includes, during the movement, periodically updating the search and causing the wearable computing device to overlay the object with object-models from the database corresponding to results of the search. |
| US08971566B2 |
Marketing campaign platform
A method of linking an encoded image with a campaign database, comprises providing an image to a user, the image being associated with at least a portion of a value, referencing the at least a portion of the value to a campaign database that includes a collection of data, providing, through the campaign database, a plurality of responses, at least one of the responses based on a characteristic of the encoded image, and delivering, to the user, one or more specific responses selected from the plurality of responses. |
| US08971562B2 |
Wireless headphone with parietal feature
A headphone can have at least one wireless audio reproducing element attached to a headband. The headband may have parietal and temporal features with the temporal feature contacting a user's temporal bone and the parietal feature having a curvilinear extension from the temporal feature that contacts a predetermined portion of a user's parietal bone. |
| US08971561B2 |
Earphone having a controlled acoustic leak port
An earphone having an earphone housing including a tip portion dimensioned to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer, a body portion extending outward from the tip portion, and a tube portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has a face portion that faces a pinna region of the ear when the tip portion is inserted into the ear canal. A primary output opening, that outputs sound from a driver in the housing to the ear canal, is formed in the tip portion. A secondary output opening, that outputs air from the ear canal to the surrounding environment, is formed in the face portion. The primary output opening and the secondary output opening are horizontally aligned when the tube portion is positioned vertically downward and an angle formed between the primary output opening, the tube portion and the secondary output opening is less than 90 degrees. |
| US08971556B2 |
Remotely controlling a hearing device
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media are provided for remotely controlling a hearing device. A hearing device configured to communicate with a control device transmits status data, including settings, to the control device. The control device displays the status data in an interface configured to receive input specifying new settings, upon which a command is sent to the hearing device to change the current setting. The control device can automatically change the settings based on a determined current environment to be a stored program optimized to the current environment. The current environment can be determined based on the location of the hearing device or another device connected to the control device. Quick mode allows settings to be viewed and changed quickly by displaying multiple related settings as one and overriding interface buttons. Remote listen mode receives audio data from a microphone and transmit it to the hearing device. |
| US08971553B2 |
Electret material and electrostatic-type acoustic transducer
An electret material having excellent charge retentivity against heat is provided. The electret material 10 includes an electrode plate 1, a semiconducting layer 2 formed on the electrode plate 1, and an electret layer 3 formed on the semiconducting layer 2. The semiconducting layer 2 includes carbon and a fluororesin. This electret material 10 can be inhibited from decreasing in the surface potential of the electret layer 3 when heated to a high temperature. |
| US08971551B2 |
Virtual bass synthesis using harmonic transposition
In some embodiments, a virtual bass generation method including steps of: performing harmonic transposition on low frequency components of an input audio signal (typically, bass frequency components expected to be inaudible during playback of the input audio signal using an expected speaker or speaker set) to generate transposed data indicative of harmonics (which are expected to be audible during playback, using the expected speaker(s), of an enhanced version of the input audio which includes the harmonics); generating an enhancement signal in response to the transposed data; and generating an enhanced audio signal by combining (e.g., mixing) the enhancement signal with the input audio signal. Other aspects are systems (e.g., programmed processors) and devices (e.g., devices having physically-limited bass reproduction capabilities, such as, for example, a notebook, tablet, mobile phone, or other device with small speakers) configured to perform any embodiment of the method. |
| US08971549B2 |
Audio signal processing apparatus, audio signal processing method, and program
The present disclosure provides a audio signal processing apparatus including, an amplitude detector configured to detect a noise start point of an audio signal including a noise signal by comparing an amplitude value of the audio signal with a threshold value, a frequency feature calculator configured to calculate a frequency feature representing at least a frequency characteristic of the audio signal after the noise start point, and a noise determiner configured to determine a leg continuously including high-frequency components equal to or higher than a reference frequency in the audio signal after the noise start point as a noise leg based on the frequency feature. |
| US08971545B2 |
Earpiece
There is provided an earpiece having a first side towards the ear, an acoustic transducer for outputting a sound signal and a sound guide element having a first end and a second end. In that case the first end faces the acoustic transducer and the second end faces the first end of the (ear canal) earpiece. The sound guide element serves for guiding the sound signal to an ear canal of a user. The sound guide element has a first opening at its second end. The (ear canal) earpiece also has at least one volume element which delimits a volume and which has at least one second opening for connecting the volume to the first end of the ear canal earpiece. |
| US08971544B2 |
Signal compression based on transducer displacement
A method for adjusting the performance of an electroacoustic transducer includes receiving, by gain adjustment circuit, a displacement signal corresponding to a relative motion between a magnetic structure of the electroacoustic transducer and a voice coil of the electroacoustic transducer. The method includes detecting, by the gain adjustment circuit, a displacement signal value of the displacement signal as one of meeting or exceeding a displacement signal threshold. The method includes modifying, by the gain adjustment circuit, a loop gain of an active noise reduction loop associated with the electroacoustic transducer when the displacement signal value of the displacement signal one of meets or exceeds the displacement signal threshold. |
| US08971542B2 |
Systems and methods for speaker bar sound enhancement
A sound reproduction apparatus comprising a loudspeaker bar having a plurality of loudspeakers. A loudspeaker bar controller coupled to the loudspeaker bar for processing audio data for the plurality of loudspeakers, the loudspeaker bar controller comprising a spatial enhancement/virtualization system for receiving a surround channel of audio data and processing the surround channel of audio data with a spatial generation/virtualization filter, wherein a left stereo channel of audio data and a right stereo channel of audio data are not processed with the head related transfer function filter. Bass is enhanced for small speakers which are not able to produce bass frequencies. |
| US08971541B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiplexing audio program channels from one or more received broadcast streams to provide a playlist style listening experience to users
A method and apparatus are provided for generating a personalized radio channel playlist by simultaneously buffering tracks from multiple received channels from one or more source streams and selectively playing back tracks from the buffered channels. Navigation tools permit users to skip buffered songs in their playlist (e.g., skip forward and backward). Users can specify favorite channels for building personal playlists, or multiple default playlist channels can be provided (e.g., by genre). Thumbs up/down buttons on the radio receiver permit entering a song or artist being played back into a favorites list that is used to search all channels for matches or a banned list used to block songs from future playlists. A matched channel carrying the favorite can be added to a playlist. Segments on the playlist can be played back in full or truncated to facilitate preview of playlist segments. |
| US08971537B2 |
Access control protocol for embedded devices
The client requests from the authentication and authorization server a capability for accessing the target server. The authentication and authorization server sends client a capability (capC,S) comprising the public key (pubC) of the client, said capability being signed with a private key (privAA) of the authentication and authorization server. The client sends the capability (capC,S) to the target server. If the capability is valid, the target server grants the client access and a data exchange session can be initiated. The disclosed protocol is scalable, as it does not require individual configuration of each target server device, allows revocation of user access within reasonable time, stores no compromisable secret data on any target server device, enables individual access permission per user, and accountability of each user. |
| US08971534B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method
A mobile communication terminal used in wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) 3G mobile communication includes: a communication terminal unit configured to receive a short text message from a user and transmit encrypted data generated by encrypting the short text message; and a secure-universal subscriber identity module (S-USIM) unit configured to generate a session key for encrypting the short text message, when receiving a request to encrypt the short text message from a communication terminal unit. |
| US08971528B2 |
Modified elliptic curve signature algorithm for message recovery
A modified Chinese State Encryption Management Bureau's SM2 Elliptic Curve Signature Algorithm that offers partial message recovery and lowers the signature size for a given cryptographic strength. The modified SM2 Elliptic Curve Signature Algorithm includes a signature and verification algorithm that modifies a signature generation primitive to compute a key derived from the ephemeral signing key, and a multiple of the signer's public key. |
| US08971524B2 |
Communications systems and methods using wireline adapters
Systems and techniques for communication over telephony wireline. A command interface and control device may include a wireline input configured to connect the device to an operative line of a wireline telephony network (such as the PSTN) and to transmit voice signals to and receive voice signals from the wireline telephony network. The device may also include a cellular module configured to transmit signals to and receive signals from a cellular telephony network and a system controller to control communications on the wireline input and the cellular module. One or more wireline adapter modules may be configured to provide control functionality local to a telecommunications device. |
| US08971517B2 |
System and method for processing agent interactions
Embodiments are disclosed herein for processing agent interactions. In a particular embodiment, a method provides receiving interaction data describing states and transitions between states within interaction sessions. The method further provides identifying business processes based on the interaction data and identifying instances of the business processes. The method further provides storing the instances and generating a model from the instances. |
| US08971516B1 |
Unified recovery system communication history tracking for payments in arrears
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for providing a unified representation of all customer relationships with an entity. This representation focuses on customer products in arrears that are to be recovered. The invention presents automatic communication history tracking to aid in providing an overarching view of all customer relationships to a representative. This automatic communication history tracking monitors all communications, manual or automatic, incoming or outgoing. The tracking monitors the date, time, disposition, and the like of all customer communications. As such, the invention allows the representative to make decision and take appropriate actions immediately based on the entire relationship, including customer communication history. The invention takes this information and incorporates it with all of the customer's relationships and external factors to provide a holistic customer service experience for a customer with accounts in arrears. |
| US08971512B1 |
Performing automated event services to registered end users
A method and apparatus are disclosed of transmitting live event notification information to a user device. One example method may include retrieving event user preference information from an event user database based on prestored user preferences. The method may also include transmitting an initial event notification message to an end user communication device based on the event user preference information to notify the end user of an upcoming event and receiving a response message from the end user communication device indicating a current availability of the end user. The user device may receive notification information via more than one communication channel and respond in a number of different ways. |
| US08971511B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing speaker selection
A method and apparatus to provide speaker selection in a multi-party conference call is described. The method may comprise processing a speaker queue for at least one new speaker and monitoring when a number of active speakers is less than a predetermined number of active speakers. When less than the predetermined number, the method automatically, without human intervention, adds a new speaker from the speaker queue. A request for a new speaker may be received via a communication channel independent of a voice communication channel of the multi-party conference call. The request may be received from the conference endpoint via a voice communication channel of the multi-party conference call. In an example embodiment, new speakers in the speaker queue may be prioritized based a class of service associated with each new speaker. Priority may be given to a new speaker with a higher associated class of service. |
| US08971506B2 |
System and method for providing text messaging confirmation
A method for providing confirmation of a request for a target communicated using text messaging includes receiving, by a sending system, a request for a target. The method further includes selecting, by the sending system, a telephone number from a list of telephone numbers, wherein a mapping is created between the request, the selected telephone number, the target, and a target contact. Additionally, the method includes sending, by the sending system to the target contact using the selected telephone number, a text message indicating the request for the target. Moreover, the method includes receiving a reply message from the target contact using the selected telephone number, and determining that the reply message comprises a reply to the request for the target by comparing the target contact and the selected telephone number for the reply message to the mapping. |
| US08971505B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a customer premise based communication system
A method and an apparatus for providing a customer premise based feature. For example, the method receives a call directed to a customer, wherein the call is associated with a customer premise based feature. The method then forwards the call to a customer premise based communication system located at a location of the customer, wherein the customer premise based feature is implemented locally by the customer premise based communication system. |
| US08971503B1 |
Method of operating an ordering call center using voice recognition technology
A system and method are provided for operating a call order center, comprising: obtaining voice training data for a call center service representative (CCSR) for phrases associated with an ordering process or products associated with the call order center; receiving customer call for an order by the CCSR on a telephone; activating a voice recognition system that accesses the CCSR voice training data via a switch; during a telephone call, issuing commands and providing data by the CCSR associated with the order to the voice recognition system that are translated and entered into an ordering system by the voice recognition system; and deactivating the voice recognition system via the switch. A role can be assigned to or deassigned from an employee based on their location relative to a particular location point within a work area. |
| US08971495B2 |
Method and apparatus for power control in an image-based navigation system
An imaging system can include an imaging capturing portion, an image processing unit, a main power supply and a supplemental power supply. The image capturing portion can include a source that emits an emission signal towards a target to be imaged, and a receiver that receives the emission signal emitted by the source. The image processing unit can receive the received emission signal from the imaging capturing portion and generate image data based on the received emission signal. The main power supply can be coupled to the imaging capturing portion and the imaging processing unit for providing operational power thereto. The supplemental power supply can be coupled to the main power supply and the imaging processing unit. The supplemental power supply can be charged by the main power supply in a first mode and provide operational power to the imaging processing unit in a second mode. |
| US08971491B2 |
System and method for improved radiosurgery collimation
A system and method is provided for radiation system collimation and design. A plurality of channel waveguide assemblies are provided to be operatively associated with respective beam collimators having varying longitudinal bore diameters. The plurality of channel waveguide assemblies includes a plurality of guides and concentric spacers. The plurality of guides and concentric spacers include varying inner diameters that are configured to be securably nested together by decreasing inner diameters and secured within the longitudinal bores of the respective beam collimators. |
| US08971487B2 |
Stowable arcuate detector array
A mobile scanning system and methods for inspecting contents of a container. Multiple detector plates are arrayed along an arcuate member coupled to a conveyance with wheels, capable of road travel. A source generates high-energy penetrating radiation that irradiates each of the detector plates from a single position. The arcuate member is disposed, during the course of operation of the system, in a vertical plane. The system has one actuator for rotating the arcuate member about a horizontal pivot into a horizontal plane, and a second actuator for further rotating the arcuate member, once rotated into the horizontal plane, about a vertical pivot, so that the arcuate member is contained, for purposes of transport, entirely within a volume defined by a rectangular prism that does not extend horizontally outward from the conveyance beyond any of its wheels. |
| US08971485B2 |
Drive-through scanning systems
A drive-through scanning system comprises a radiation generating system arranged to generate radiation at two different energy levels and direct the radiation towards a scanning volume, detectors arranged to detect the radiation after it has passed through the scanning volume, and a controller arranged to identify a part of a vehicle within the scanning volume, to allocate the part of the vehicle to one of several categories, and to control the radiation generating system and to select one or more of the energy levels depending on the category to which the part of the vehicle is allocated. |
| US08971481B2 |
Tomography apparatus and tomography method
A tomography apparatus that generates images of an object includes a radiation source emitting a radiation beam, wherein the radiation beam rotates around the object and penetrates the object; a radiation detector rotating around the object opposite the radiation source so that the radiation detector detects the radiation beam after penetration of the object; a radiation mask surrounding the object that masks the radiation beam, wherein the radiation mask is arranged in a path of the radiation beam between the radiation source and the radiation detector and the radiation beam passes the radiation mask only once between the radiation source and the radiation detector. |
| US08971480B2 |
System and method for mounting x-ray tube on a CT gantry for high G-load applications
A mounting structure for mounting an x-ray tube on a CT rotatable gantry is disclosed. The mounting structure includes base plates that are boltable to the CT rotatable gantry and have bearing strut connections formed thereon. Spherical bearing struts are provided in the mounting structure to mechanically couple the x-ray tube to the base plates, with the spherical bearing struts each having a first end secured in a respective bearing strut connection of the x-ray tube casing and a second end secured in a respective bearing strut connection of the base plates. The spherical bearing struts constrain a gantry-load direction displacement of the x-ray tube and enable rotation and displacement of the x-ray tube around at least one axis of rotation or in one direction other than a gantry load direction, so as to accommodate thermal displacements in the x-ray tube created during operation thereof. |
| US08971479B2 |
Gate driving circuit
A shift register of a gate driving circuit includes a pull-up unit for pulling up a first output signal and a first gate signal to a high voltage level according to a driving voltage and a high-frequency clock signal, a start-up unit for transmitting a second gate signal, an energy-store unit for providing the driving voltage to the pull-up unit according to the second gate signal, a first discharging unit for pulling down the driving voltage to a first voltage level according to a first control signal, a first leakage-preventing unit for turning off the first discharging unit when the first gate signal reaches the high voltage level, a first pull-down unit for respectively pulling down the first output and first gate signals to the first and a second voltage levels according to the first control signal, and a first control unit for generating the first control signal. |
| US08971476B2 |
Deposition of integrated protective material into zirconium cladding for nuclear reactors by high-velocity thermal application
A zirconium alloy nuclear reactor cylindrical cladding has an inner Zr substrate surface (10), an outer volume of protective material (22), and an integrated middle volume (20) of zirconium oxide, zirconium and protective material, where the protective material is applied by impaction at a velocity greater than 340 meters/second to provide the integrated middle volume (20) resulting in structural integrity for the cladding. |
| US08971471B2 |
Predictable coding delay over communications networks
A decoder includes a buffer configured to incrementally transport a synchronous data stream through a path of the decoder. A control circuit is configured to control a depth parameter associated with the buffer and to provide a substantially predictable delay of the synchronous data stream through the path of the decoder. |
| US08971470B2 |
System, method, and device to distribute accurate synchronization timestamps in an expandable and timing critical system
Techniques are described to provide a device and network of devices that collect distributed coordinated timestamps from distributed time counters in a multi-module or multi-integrated circuit system. The interconnect between the modules can be a single-wire or a two-wire interconnect. The modules communicatively coupled to the interconnect can use a collision-avoidance protocol for triggering the broadcasting of timestamps among the modules as well for allowing all modules to transmit their timestamps. Timestamps from multiple clocks can be transmitted by all modules and then collected and compared to produce correction factors to clock signals of each module to potentially achieve distributed clock synchronization in multiple independent modules or integrated circuits. |
| US08971466B2 |
Receiver with inphase-quadrature imbalance compensation and inphase-quadrature imbalance compensation method thereof
A receiver with Inphase-Quadrature (I-Q) imbalance compensation and an I-Q imbalance compensation method thereof are provided. The receiver chooses a first receiving signal which includes a first data and a first noise, as well as a second receiving signal which includes a second data and a second noise from a plurality of receiving signals. The first data have a first positive frequency data and a first negative frequency data, while the second data have a second positive frequency data and a second negative frequency data. The receiver calculates an I-Q imbalance compensation parameter according to the first receiving signal and the second receiving signal, and compensates for a third receiving signal according to the I-Q imbalance compensation parameter. The I-Q imbalance compensation method is applied to the receiver to implement the aforesaid operations. |
| US08971462B2 |
Channel quality determining circuit and related method thereof
A channel quality determining circuit includes a receiving circuit and a determining circuit. The receiving circuit is used for receiving a header of at least one packet transmitted in a signal transmitting channel. The determining circuit is coupled to the receiving circuit, and used for determining if a channel quality of the signal transmitting channel satisfies a predetermined quality standard according to the header of at least one packet. |
| US08971460B2 |
Wireless receiving apparatus
A wireless receiving apparatus includes a spurious component extraction unit, and a spurious cancellation unit. The spurious component extraction unit is configured to cancel a desired wave with a multi-antenna configuration, and extract spurious components. The spurious cancellation unit is configured to cancel spurious in received signals by using the spurious components extracted. A first correlation unit in the spurious component extraction unit finds a correlation between an output of the spurious extraction unit and an output of the spurious cancellation unit. |
| US08971459B1 |
Receiver and method for incorporating channel state information into maximum ratio combining of a plurality of received signals
A receiver including a plurality of receiver pathways. The plurality of receiver pathways are configured to receive, via respective receive antennas, a radio frequency signal transmitted over a communication channel and generate a plurality of respective baseband signals corresponding to the radio frequency signal. A channel estimator is configured to generate an estimate of the channel based on the plurality of respective baseband signals. A demodulator is configured to generate, based on the plurality of respective baseband signals and the estimate of the channel, channel state information corresponding to the communication channel, perform maximum ratio combining on the plurality of respective baseband signals using the channel state information, and generate, based on the estimate of the channel, a plurality of demodulated symbols that incorporate the channel state information. A decoder is configured to perform decoding on the plurality of demodulated symbols to generate respective decoded symbols. |
| US08971457B1 |
Method for DC offset removal in OFDM systems
Systems and methods for removing a DC offset from an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) signal transmitted over a plurality of subcarrier frequencies. The system includes a receiver. The system further includes a high pass DC component filter configured to reduce a DC component of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signal, the high pass DC component filter shaping noise in the orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signal which results in a non-uniform power spectral density of the noise across the plurality of subcarrier frequencies. The system further includes a noise whitener configured to compensate for the noise shaping by the high pass DC component filter by normalizing the non-uniform power spectral density of the noise across the plurality of subcarrier frequencies. |
| US08971455B2 |
Near-integer channel spur mitigation in a phase-locked loop
A method includes relocating, to a frequency outside a cut-off frequency of a phase-locked loop, a spur frequency component at an input of the phase-locked loop coupled thereto due to an interference of a divided frequency component of an output frequency of the phase-locked loop with a reference clock frequency input thereto through a feedback path thereof when there is a near-integer relationship between the reference clock frequency input and the output frequency. The method also includes filtering the spur frequency component through the phase-locked loop. |
| US08971452B2 |
Using 3G/4G baseband signals for tuning beamformers in hybrid MIMO RDN systems
A hybrid MIMO RDN 3G/4G receiving system which include M antennas for N MIMO branches, wherein M>N is provided herein. Each branch has a beamformer so that each of the beamformers includes at least one combiner configured to combine signals coming from the antennas coupled to a respective beamformer into a combined signal. The system further includes a control module configured to tune at least one beamformer based on metrics derived by the baseband module. More specifically, the tuning of the beamformers is carried out, at least partially, using 3G/4G metrics that are generated but not usually reported in 3G/4G air protocols, wherein these metrics are extracted by the control module. |
| US08971450B2 |
Transmission device, reception device, transmission method and reception method for wireless communication system
A transmission device for transmitting a signal in a wireless communication system is provided. The transmission device includes: a serial-to-parallel converter configured to convert an input serial bit stream into a parallel bit stream having three bits; and a phase rotation symbol mapper configured to map the parallel bit stream to a symbol having phase rotation characteristics, wherein when the parallel bit stream includes first to third bits, the phase rotation symbol mapper maps the second and third bits to a complex variable and sequentially maps a real number part and an imaginary number part of the complex variable to the front part and the rear part of a symbol in this order or to the rear part and the front part of the symbol in this order. |
| US08971448B2 |
Layer mapping for up link single user multiple input multiple output wireless telephony
This invention is a method and an apparatus to up link transmission of data from a user equipment to a base station for single user multiple input, multiple output. This invention includes receiving at least one codeword, permuting the received codewords, precoding the permuted codewords and transmitting the predecoded codewords on plural antennas. The codewords may be permuted by layer permutation or by codeword permutation. |
| US08971445B2 |
Method and apparatus for equalizing a transmit channel for cable losses in a C8PSK HART system
A method to adjust a waveform transmitted from a field device to overcome cable bandwidth limitations by passing data to be transmitted through a channel compensation device which pre-distorts data to be transmitted to compensate for the bandwidth limitations. The predistortion may make sure that there is a good quality signal received at the control end of the cable. |
| US08971444B2 |
Generalized frequency modulation
A receiver may comprise a complex mixer for converting the modulated signal to a complex modulated signal comprising a first in-phase component and a first quadrature component. The receiver may further comprise a digital demodulator. The digital demodulator may comprise at least one processor circuit programmed for applying a phase differencer for generating an output function in terms of a phase difference of the complex modulated signal. Applying the phase differencer may comprise converting the first in-phase component to a function of a phase difference of the first in-phase component expressed in digital time, and converting the first quadrature component to a function of the phase difference of the first quadrature component expressed in digital time. The at least one processor circuit of the digital demodulator may also be programmed for applying a four quadrant inverse tangent to the output function to generate the information signal. |
| US08971442B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing space time processing with unequal modulation and coding schemes
A method and apparatus for implementing spatial processing with unequal modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) or stream-dependent MCSs are disclosed. Input data may be parsed into a plurality of data streams, and spatial processing is performed on the data streams to generate a plurality of spatial streams. An MCS for each data stream is selected independently. The spatial streams are transmitted via multiple transmit antennas. At least one of the techniques of space time block coding (STBC), space frequency block coding (SFBC), quasi-orthogonal Alamouti coding, time reversed space time block coding, linear spatial processing and cyclic delay diversity (CDD) may be performed on the data/spatial streams. An antennal mapping matrix may then be applied to the spatial streams. The spatial streams are transmitted via multiple transmit antennas. The MCS for each data stream may be determined based on a signal-to-noise ratio of each spatial stream associated with the data stream. |
| US08971441B2 |
Transmit-reference methods in software defined radio platforms for communication in harsh propagation environments and systems thereof
A method for adaptive Radio Frequency (RF) jamming according to one embodiment includes dynamically monitoring a RF spectrum; detecting any undesired signals in real time from the RF spectrum; and sending a directional countermeasure signal to jam the undesired signals. A method for adaptive Radio Frequency (RF) communications according to another embodiment includes transmitting a data pulse in a RF spectrum; and transmitting a reference pulse separated by a predetermined period of time from the data pulse; wherein the data pulse is modulated with data, wherein the reference pulse is unmodulated. A method for adaptive Radio Frequency (RF) communications according to yet another embodiment includes receiving a data pulse in a RF spectrum; and receiving a reference pulse separated in time from the data pulse, wherein the data pulse is modulated with data, wherein the reference pulse is unmodulated; and demodulating the pulses. |
| US08971440B2 |
Method for generating codebook, method and apparatus for data transmission
A method for generating a codebook and a method and an apparatus for data transmission are provided. The method includes: receiving a label of a codeword sent by a User Equipment (UE); selecting the codeword identified by the label from the codebook for eight-antenna; and coding data to be sent by using the codeword. The codebook for eight-antenna includes at least one rank-8 codeword for eight-antenna. The rank-8 codeword for eight-antenna is generated by multiplying an inverse matrix of a rotation matrix for eight-antenna with an eight-dimensional matrix formed by rank-4 codewords for four-antenna; or generated by extending rank-4 codewords for eight-antenna, where the rank-4 codeword for eight-antenna is generated according to codewords for four-antenna. Therefore, the codeword in the codebook for eight-antenna is applicable to scenarios including dual-polarization strong correlation, dual-polarization weak correlation, single-polarization strong correlation, and single-polarization weak correlation, etc. |
| US08971439B2 |
Precoding method, precoding device
Disclosed is a precoding method for generating, from a plurality of baseband signals, a plurality of precoded signals that are transmitted in the same frequency bandwidth at the same time. According to the precoding method, one matrix is selected from among matrices defining a precoding process that is performed on the plurality of baseband signals by hopping between the matrices. A first baseband signal and a second baseband signal relating to a first coded block and a second coded block generated by using a predetermined error correction block coding scheme satisfy a given condition. |
| US08971437B2 |
Method and apparatus for antenna array channel feedback
A method and apparatus provide antenna array channel feedback. The method can include receiving, at a wireless terminal, a set of channel state information reference signals. The method can include determining a precoding matrix based on the received set of channel state information reference signals. The precoding matrix can have a representation in terms of three components. The first component of the three components can be determined from a first set of vectors. The second component of the three components can be determined from a first set of parameters. The third component of the three components can be determined from a second set of parameters. The second set of parameters can be a set of unit-magnitude scalars. The method can include transmitting, by the wireless terminal, a representation of at least one of the first component, the second component, and the third component. |
| US08971436B2 |
User equipment and channel state information feedback method
The present invention provides a user equipment and channel state information feedback method. The channel state information feedback method used in a coordinated multi-point system includes acquiring small-scale channel state information H′=[H′1, H′2, . . . , H′K] between a user equipment and all base stations joining coordination, acquiring large-scale channel state information li(i=1, . . . , K) between the user equipment and each of the base stations joining coordination, acquiring a CQI (CQIi=li▪|H′|, i=1, . . . , K) between the user equipment and each of the base stations joining coordination based on the small-scale channel state information and the large-scale channel state information, updating the source codebook C using the acquired CQI to acquire an updated codebook{tilde over (C)},performing quantization processing using the updated codebook to acquire CDI, and transmitting the CDI and the CQI associated with each of the base stations joining coordination to a base station as feedback to provide for channel reconstruction in the base station. According to the invention, the rate of utilization of feedback information is improved. |
| US08971432B2 |
Signal generating method and signal generating device
A transmission method for transmitting a first modulated signal and a second modulated signal in the same frequency at the same time. Each signal has been modulated according to a different modulation scheme. The transmission method applies precoding on both signals using a fixed precoding matrix, applies different power change to each signal, and regularly changes the phase of at least one of the signals, thereby improving received data signal quality for a reception device. |
| US08971430B2 |
Receiving device, base station and wireless communication terminal
Deterioration of reception characteristics due to interference waves is suppressed. A receiving device includes a communication unit, which subtracts a frequency of an intended wave subcarrier from a frequency of interference waves if the interference waves are present in a reception signal, divides the result of the subtraction by a frequency interval of the subcarrier, sets the remainder of the division as an offset frequency, and thus changes reception frequency setting based on the offset frequency. |
| US08971429B2 |
Cyclic shift delay detection using autocorrelations
Systems, apparatus and methods for determining a cyclic shift diversity (CSD) mode are presented. Examples use two different autocorrelations to determine a current CSD mode. Specifically, a delay-based autocorrelation and a cyclic shift-based autocorrelation are each computed then compared to each other, for example, by taking a difference of the two autocorrelations. A multipath signal leads to similar autocorrelations, where as a signal with a CSD mode enabled leads to dissimilar autocorrelations. By examining the number of peaks in the delay-based autocorrelation or the autocorrelation difference, a current CSD mode may be determined. |
| US08971425B2 |
Method for relaying of relay having multiple antenna in wireless communication system
A method for relaying performed by a relay station is provided. The method includes receiving a signal from a source station through at least one receive antenna, defining a connection structure between the at least one receive antenna and at least one transmit antenna, processing the signal by using a midcoding matrix, and transmitting the processed signal to a destination station through the at least one transmit antenna. Quality of signal transmission can be enhanced. |
| US08971424B2 |
Combining pilot-symbol-based phase estimation with data-symbol-based phase estimation
A method for a receiver to estimate phase of a carrier wave, including receiving a carrier wave carrying pilot symbols and data symbols extending between the pilot symbols, determining phase of the carrier wave at received pilot symbols, and interpolating the phase of the carrier wave at points between pilot symbols based, at least in part, on an estimated phase of demodulated data symbols. Apparatus for estimate phase of a carrier wave, including a unit for determining phase of the carrier wave at received pilot symbols, and a unit for interpolating the phase of the carrier wave at points between pilot symbols based, at least in part, on an estimated phase of demodulated data symbols. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08971419B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image information
The present invention relates to a deblocking filtering method, a method for inducing bs (boundary strength) therefor, and a method and an apparatus for encoding/decoding using the same. The method for inducing the bS of the present invention comprises the steps of: inducing a boundary of a deblocking filtering unit block as a unit block for applying the deblocking filtering; and setting the bS according to each bS setting unit block within the deblocking filtering unit block, wherein the bS setting step can set a bS value for a target boundary corresponding to a boundary of the deblocking filtering unit block as the bs setting unit block. |
| US08971418B2 |
Digital television transmitter/receiver and method of processing data in digital television transmitter/receiver
A digital television (DTV) transmitter and a method of coding data in the DTV transmitter method are disclosed. A pre-processor pre-processes the enhanced data by coding the enhanced data for forward error correction (FEC) and expanding the FEC-coded enhanced data. A data formatter generates one or more groups of enhanced data packets, each enhanced data packet including the pre-processed enhanced data. And, a packet multiplexer generates at least one burst of enhanced data by multiplexing the one or more groups of enhanced data packets. Herein, each burst of enhanced data includes at least one group of enhanced data packets. The DTV transmitter may further include a scheduler which generates first and second control signals to control operations of the data formatter and the packet multiplexer, respectively. |
| US08971412B2 |
Advanced interpolation techniques for motion compensation in video coding
This disclosure describes various interpolation techniques performed by an encoder and a decoder during the motion compensation process of video coding. In one example, an encoder interpolates pixel values of reference video data based on a plurality of different pre-defined interpolation filters. In this example, the decoder receives a syntax element that identifies an interpolation filter, and interpolates pixel values of reference video data based on the interpolation filter identified by the syntax element. In another example, a method of interpolating predictive video data includes generating half-pixel values based on integer pixel values, rounding the half-pixel values to generate half-pixel interpolated values, storing the half-pixel values as non-rounded versions of the half-pixel values, and generating quarter-pixel values based on the non-rounded versions of the half-pixel values and the integer pixel values. |
| US08971409B2 |
Encoding apparatus and decoding apparatus
An encoding apparatus having a direct mode as a prediction mode, when a pixel with opposite parity from a top field to a bottom field, for example, is referred to for obtaining a reference vector in the direct mode, performs correction by adding or subtracting a value corresponding to a half pixel to or from a value of the obtained reference vector. The encoding apparatus, when a pixel with opposite parity is referred to for obtaining a first and a second direct vector by temporally scaling the corrected reference vector, performs correction by adding or subtracting a value corresponding to a half pixel to or from values of the obtained direct vectors. |
| US08971405B2 |
Block transform and quantization for image and video coding
An improved method and block transform for image or video encoding and decoding, wherein transformation and inverse transformation matrixes are defined such that computational complexity is significantly reduced when encoding and decoding. For example, in the two-dimensional inverse transformation of de-quantized transform coefficients into output pixel information during decoding, only four additions plus one shift operation are needed, per co-efficient transformation, all in sixteen-bit arithmetic. Transformations provide correct results because quantization during encoding and de-quantization (sixteen bit) during decoding, via the use of one of three tables selected based on each coefficient's position, have parameter values that already compensate for factors of other transformation multiplications, except for those of a power of two, (e.g., two or one-half), which are performed by a shift operation during the transformation and inverse transformation processes. Computational complexity is significantly reduced with respect to other known transforms without adversely impacting compression or quality. |
| US08971403B1 |
Image decoding device and method thereof using inter-coded predictive encoding code
An image encoding device and corresponding decoding device are disclosed for achieving a high rate of compression. The encoding device includes an image conversion module that converts the direction of the images using right-left symmetry mode convention or up-down symmetry mode conversion. Encoding modules are used to encode both the unconverted and converted images. A mode selector module compares the quantity of codes in the encoded unconverted images and the quantity of codes in the encoded converted images, and selects codes that are smaller in the quantity of codes for output. |
| US08971400B2 |
Method for performing hybrid multihypothesis prediction during video coding of a coding unit, and associated apparatus
A method for performing hybrid multihypothesis prediction during video coding of a coding unit includes: processing a plurality of sub-coding units in the coding unit; and performing motion vector derivation of a portion of the sub-coding units. More particularly, the step of performing motion vector derivation of the portion of the sub-coding units further includes: deriving a plurality of motion vectors for multihypothesis motion-compensated prediction of a specific sub-coding unit of the portion of the sub-coding units from at least one other sub-coding/coding unit or by performing motion estimation. The method further includes performing multihypothesis motion-compensated prediction on the specific sub-coding unit according to the plurality of motion vectors, and more particularly, includes utilizing a linear combination of a plurality of pixel values derived from the plurality of motion vectors as a predicted pixel value of the specific sub-coding unit. An associated apparatus is also provided. |
| US08971396B1 |
Windowed-based decision feedback equalizer and decision feedback sequence estimator
A method and system are provided for performing Decision Feedback Equalization (DFE) and Decision Feedback Sequence Estimation (DFSE) in high-throughput applications that are not latency critical. In an embodiment, overlapping blocks of samples are used to allow for the parallelization of the computation and the breaking of the critical path. In addition, the overlap of the windows addresses issues associated with performance loss due to what is termed “ramp-up” and “ramp-down” BER loss. |
| US08971394B2 |
Inducing response signatures in a communication network
Methods and systems are provided in which a network induces different distortions in signals traversing different segments of the network. The distortions may be used to identify locations on the network of devices that transmit and receive the signals. The distortions may be reflected in equalization coefficients programmed into transmitting or receiving devices, which may be used to pre or post filter the signals to compensate for the distortions. |
| US08971393B2 |
Encoder
An average quantization error value of each of I, P, and B pictures in an encoded unit of processing is calculated as an actually measured value having a large variation. An average quantization error value of each of I, P, and B pictures in an uncoded unit of processing is set as a target value having a small variation. In the encoding of the uncoded unit of processing, a result of the encoding of the encoded unit of processing is referenced and fed back thereto. By uniformly setting respective quantization errors of images and further by uniformly setting the respective qualities of the images, the image quality of a whole stream can be subjectively improved. Since the prefetch of the uncoded unit of processing is not needed, it is possible to perform real-time processing without any increase in the circuit scale. |
| US08971390B2 |
Power saving in a communication device
A communication device includes an application data interface, a first communication layer and a physical media interface. The first communication layer includes a first entity configured to process application data and a second entity configured to process operations, administrations and maintenance data. The communication device further includes a switching device. In a first power mode, the switching device couples the application data interface to the first entity of the first communication layer. In a second power mode, the switching device couples the application data interface to the second entity of the first communication layer. |
| US08971389B2 |
Millimeter-wave band radio transceiver device
Provided is a millimeter wavelength range transceiver device which can improve phase noise characteristics and which can also independently calibrate each respective local oscillator of a transmission unit and a reception unit. This millimeter wavelength range transceiver device comprises a transmission unit (10), a reception unit (20), and a reference frequency signal generator (30). The transmission unit (10) comprises a transmission-use local oscillator (11) comprising an injection-locked oscillator, a transmission-use mixer (12) for mixing the signal from the transmission-use local oscillator and a transmission baseband signal, and a transmission-use amplifier (13) for amplifying the signal from the transmission-use mixer to a transmission-use antenna (15). The reception unit (20) comprises a reception-use amplifier (25) for amplifying a signal from a reception-use antenna (24), a reception-use local oscillator (22) comprising an injection-locked oscillator, and a reception-use mixer (23) for mixing the signal from the reception-use local oscillator and the signal from the reception-use amplifier in order to output a reception baseband signal. A reference frequency signal generator (30) injects a reference frequency signal into the transmission-and-reception-use local oscillators (11 and 22). |
| US08971386B2 |
Receiver unit and method for suppressing interference in a multipath radio signal
The invention relates to the field of radio signal receivers for use in wireless communication networks. In particular to a receiver unit having at least one antenna input for receiving multipath radio signals via a radio unit and at least one antenna from one or more user equipments is provided. The receiver unit comprises: a despreading unit configured to despread a multipath radio signal in the received multipath radio signals using a number of despreading fingers corresponding to a number of delay positions in the multipath radio signal which corresponds to a number of paths in the multipath radio signal, and a combining unit configured to apply at least one weight to the output of each of the number of allocated despreading fingers and combine the weighted outputs into a resulting equalized radio signal. The receiver unit is characterized in that it is configured to calculate auto-correlation values based on all multipath radio signals received at the at least one antenna input, determine at least one auto-correlation value based on the calculated auto-correlation values, determine at least one time value based on the at least one determined auto-correlation value, and allocate at least one interference suppression finger to a delay position in the multipath radio signal based on the at least one determined time value. The invention further relates to a receiver, a network node and a method for suppressing interference in a received multipath radio signal in a receiver unit. |
| US08971385B2 |
Signal acquisition method and signal acquisition arrangement for spread spectrum signals
A method and arrangement are disclosed for acquiring a spread spectrum signal produced by means of transmitter-end spreading of a bit sequence using a spread code signal, which provide for the reception of the spread spectrum signal; provision of a receiver-end spread code signal which corresponds to the transmitter-end spread code signal; performance of polyphase correlations for respective different code phases which give rise to polyphase correlation results which are each associated with different code phases; filtration using at least two of the code phases; determination of an extreme value in the filtered polyphase correlation results, and determination of the code phase which is associated with the extreme value. |
| US08971384B2 |
Method and apparatus for modulation and coding scheme adaption in a MIMO system
Method and apparatus for decoding a transmitted signal by a receiver in a MIMO system into a first estimate component for estimating a first signal, a first interference component indicating interference resulting from a correlation relationship among a set of signals to be transmitted, and a first noise component. A base station generates the transmitted signal from the set of signals through a coding process, the coding process defining a correlation relationship amongst the set of signals. The correlation information about the correlation relationship is transmitted to the receiver directly or by a dedicated reference symbol. The decoding is performed by determining a linear receiver filter for the first signal in accordance with the correlation information, and de-correlating the first signal and interferences. |
| US08971381B2 |
Method and device for transmitting/receiving downlink reference signal in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and discloses a method and a device for transmitting/receiving a downlink reference signal in a wireless communication system. The present invention provides a way for maintaining orthogonality of a reference signal between cells in a multi-cell operation. |
| US08971380B2 |
System and method for adjusting DIDO interference cancellation based on signal strength measurements
A machine-implemented system and method are described for removing interference between adjacent distributed-input-distributed-output (DIDO) clusters comprising. For example, a method according to one embodiment comprises: detecting signal strength at a first client from a main DIDO cluster; detecting interference signal strength at the first client from an interfering DIDO cluster; if the signal strength from the main DIDO cluster reaches a specified value relative to the value of the interference signal strength from the interfering DIDO cluster, then generating channel state information (CSI) defining channel state between one or more antennas of the first client and one or more antennas of the interfering DIDO cluster; transmitting the CSI from the first client to a base transceiver station (BTS) in the interfering DIDO cluster; and implementing DIDO precoding with inter-DIDO-cluster interference (IDCI) cancellation at the BTS in the interfering DIDO cluster to avoid RF interference at the first client. |
| US08971379B2 |
Chirp modulation
Apparatus for generating and encoding data onto chirp signals, said apparatus including a chirp generator configured to generate a chirp; a cyclic frequency offset modulator configured to set the cyclic frequency offset of the chirp to a cyclic frequency offset selected from a plurality of predetermined cyclic frequency offsets; and a phase modulator configured to modulate the chirp onto a signal to form a chirp signal symbol at a phase offset selected from a plurality of predetermined phase offsets. |
| US08971371B2 |
Laser device with coupled laser source and waveguide
Laser device comprising: a laser source including a light emitting structure; a guide structure to deliver light generated by the emitting structure, this guide structure comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion housing a diffraction grating that forms a reflector of the laser source and cooperates with the emitting structure, the second portion being a waveguide that delivers light generated by the emitting structure and propagated in the first portion. The emitting structure is made using the III-V technology or II-VI technology, and the guide structure is made using the silicon technology. |
| US08971370B1 |
Laser devices using a semipolar plane
An optical device includes a gallium and nitrogen containing substrate comprising a surface region configured in a (20-2-1) orientation, a (30-3-1) orientation, or a (30-31) orientation, within +/−10 degrees toward c-plane and/or a-plane from the orientation. Optical devices having quantum well regions overly the surface region are also disclosed. |
| US08971366B2 |
Killswitch arrangement for and method of regulating laser output power in electro-optical readers
Output power of a laser beam emitted by a laser in an electro-optical reader is regulated by storing a killswitch byte in non-volatile memory, and by checking whether the killswitch byte is in a default state or a kill state prior to performing reading. A controller detects a fault condition and responsively changes the killswitch byte to the kill state, in order to permanently deenergize the laser and to maintain the laser permanently deenergized after the killswitch byte has been changed to the kill state. |
| US08971365B2 |
Symmetrical, direct coupled laser drivers
Symmetrical, direct coupled laser drivers for high frequency applications. The laser drivers are in integrated circuit form and use a minimum of relatively small (low valued) external components for driving a laser diode coupled to the laser driver through transmission lines. An optional amplifier may be used to fix the voltage at an internal node at data frequency spectrum to improve circuit performance. Feedback to a bias input may also be used to fix the voltage at the internal node. Programmability and a burst mode capability may be included. |
| US08971363B2 |
Method and device for shielding a high-power laser apparatus and high-power-laser optical system employing such a device
Method for shielding a high-power laser apparatus (S) in which a laser beam is generated and then amplified in at least a first amplification stage, including spatial filtering (4) of the amplified laser beam, phase correction (3) carried out on the laser beam before it is spatially filtered, and a measurement of the aberrations (7) on the laser beam. The phase of the beam is corrected so as to produce a beam having minimal aberrations after spatial filtering. The shielding device (D, D′) implementing this method may in particular be employed in apparatus using an intense laser beam of high (terawatt) peak power and in proton therapy units. |
| US08971361B2 |
Optical arrangement and method
Processing of incoherent electromagnetic radiation is described, said incoming incoherent electromagnetic radiation comprising radiation in a first wavelength interval. An arrangement comprises a focusing arrangement for focusing the incoming incoherent electromagnetic radiation, a first cavity configured to comprise an intra cavity laser beam, a nonlinear crystal arranged in the first cavity such that it is capable of receiving the focused incoherent electromagnetic radiation and, in dependence on the spatial overlap between the focused incoherent electromagnetic radiation and the intra-cavity laser beam, by interaction with the intra-cavity laser beam provide processed electromagnetic radiation, said processed electromagnetic radiation comprising radiation in a second wavelength interval. In other words, such an arrangement is capable of enabling imaging, e.g. by utilizing a detector that is sensitive in the second wavelength interval, a source of radiation that emits incoherently in a first wavelength interval. |
| US08971353B2 |
Method and apparatus for correcting rate matching weights based on layered mapping
The disclosure discloses a method for correcting rate matching weights based on layered mapping, includes: obtaining the number of layers to be layered mapped, determining a transmission mode for communication content; and according to the obtained number of layers and the determined transmission mode, correcting the weights for rate matching in R10. The disclosure also discloses an apparatus for correcting rate matching weights based on layered mapping, includes a weight correction unit, and a transmission mode determination unit and a layer number obtaining unit that are connected to the weight correction unit; wherein the transmission mode determination unit can determine the transmission mode for communication content and inform the weight correction unit of the transmission mode; the layer number obtaining unit can obtain the number of layers to be layered mapped and inform the weight correction unit of the number of layers; and according to the obtained number of layers and the determined transmission mode, the weight correction unit performs weights correction for rate matching. The method and the apparatus of the disclosure both can ensure that the weights for rate matching in R8 and R9 can be adaptable to the mapping manner in R10. |
| US08971350B1 |
Accessing channels in a multi-channel communication system
In a method of determining channel availability in a wireless communication network utilizing at least first and second sub-channels, a first signal is received via a first channel. The first signal includes first access control information indicating expected utilization of the first channel. The first channel includes the first sub-channel. A first sub-channel availability indicator is updated based on the first access control information. The first sub-channel availability indicator indicates expected utilization of the first sub-channel. A second signal is received via a second channel. The second signal includes second access control information indicating expected utilization of the second channel. The second channel includes the second sub-channel. A second sub-channel availability indicator is updated based on the second access control information. The second sub-channel availability indicator indicates expected utilization of the second sub-channel. A transmission channel is determined based on the first and second sub-channel availability indicators. |
| US08971348B2 |
Allocation of voice idle time period for inter-RAT measurement
To create gaps in communication activity to perform inter radio access technology (IRAT) measurement, a user equipment may isolate silent periods during voice communications. During those silent periods, instead of transmitting special bursts with erasure packets indicating silent periods, the UE may allocate the time slots that would otherwise have sent the special bursts and indicate those slots as idle so they may be used for other purposes, such as IRAT measurement. |
| US08971343B2 |
Method of providing short message service in a network
In a network implemented using packet-switching and circuit-switching mythologies, a short message is sent from a first device to a second device in a packet-switched domain or in a circuit-switched domain of the network. If an initial transmission attempt of the short message in the packet-switched domain is rejected due to a network-related cause, the short message is resent from the first device to the second device in the circuit-switched domain. If an initial transmission attempt of the short message in the circuit-switched domain is rejected due to a network-related cause, the short message is resent from the first device to the second device in the packet-switched domain or is directly aborted. |
| US08971342B2 |
Switch and flow table controlling method
In an open flow system, it is made possible to confirm a flow having succeeded or failed in the registration on a flow table. Specifically, a controller transmits and receives an open flow message to and from a switch. The switch is provided with a flow table which manages flows registered from a controller, and a flow table reading section which reads corresponding data, a flow table control section which performs processing of addition, deletion and modification of a flow entry, and a platform function managing section which determine whether an object flow entry is valid or invalid according to an inquiry from the flow table control section. The flow table has a normal flow table and a save flow table. A valid flow entry which conforms to configuration data of the switch is registered on the normal flow table. An invalid flow entry which does not conform to the configuration data of the switch is registered on the save flow table. |
| US08971341B2 |
Demarcation between service provider and user in multi-services gateway device at user premises
An application gateway including application service programming logically positioned on a user premises side of a network demarcation forming an edge of the wide area network at a user premises can provide managed services to a user and one or more endpoint devices associated with the application gateway. The application gateway can be controlled remotely by the application service provider through a service management center and configured to execute an application service provided from the application service provider. The application gateway executes the application service at the user premises independent of application services executing on the application service provider's network. An application service logic manager can communicate with an application service enforcement manager to verify that the request conforms with policy and usage rules associated with the application service in order to authorize execution of the application service on the application gateway, either directly or through endpoint devices. |
| US08971340B2 |
Latent space switch using a single transposing rotator
A single transposing rotator successively connects a set of access ports to a set of memory devices and the set of memory devices to the set of access ports. A set of inlet selectors connecting to rotator inlets and a set of outlet selectors connecting to rotator outlets are coordinated to concurrently connect the access ports to the memory devices through the rotator, and concurrently connect the memory devices to the access ports. Each memory device connects to an inlet selector and a corresponding peer outlet selector. Multiple temporal multiplexers submit upstream control messages from the access ports to a multi-port master controller. Multiple temporal demultiplexers distribute downstream control messages sent from the master controller to the access ports. Alternatively, the multi-port master controller may connect to selected inlet selectors and corresponding peer outlet selectors for successively receiving upstream control messages and sending downstream control messages. |
| US08971339B2 |
Contents base switching system and contents base switching method
In a routing process based on contents of a communication, there is a problem that it is required to carry out switching to refer to the contents every switch on a route or use a routing label. In order to solve the problem, a relay unit terminates data from a transmission source terminal and transfers the contents to a network controller. The network controller assigns flow data which is necessary for relay and issues a flow transfer instruction to a switch. The assigned flow data is notified to the relay unit and the relay unit sets a communication flow to a destination terminal by using the specified flow data, and relays the data to the destination terminal from the transmission source terminal. |
| US08971337B2 |
Packet relay device
A packet relay device determines a port to be placed on standby in a link aggregation, determines whether there is an active port among ports belonging to redundant network interfaces, and, if a network interface has no active port, places the network interface on standby. The packet relay device monitors whether a failure has occurred in an active network interface and, if a failure is detected, activates a standby network interface and places the failed network interface on standby. |
| US08971332B2 |
Implementation of VPNs over a link state protocol controlled Ethernet network
Nodes on a link state protocol controlled Ethernet network implement a link state routing protocol such as IS-IS. Nodes assign an IP address or I-SID value per VRF and then advertise the IP addresses or I-SID values in IS-IS LSAs. When a packet is to be forwarded on the VPN, the ingress node identifies the VRF for the packet and performs an IP lookup in customer address space in the VRF to determine the next hop and the IP address or I-SID value of the VRF on the egress node. The ingress node prepends an I-SID or IP header to identify the VRFs and then creates a MAC header to allow the packet to be forwarded to the egress node on the link state protocol controlled Ethernet network. When the packet is received at the egress node, the MAC header is stripped from the packet and the appended I-SID or IP header is used to identify the egress VRF. A customer address space IP lookup is then performed in the identified VRF on the egress node using the information in the client IP header to determine how to forward the packet. Customer reachability information within a VPN may be exchanged between VRFs using iBGP, or directly by using link state protocol LSAs tagged with the relevant I-SID. |
| US08971331B2 |
Selection of transmission parameters for wireless connection
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program for selecting one or more radio communication schemes for an end-to-end connection. Peers of the end-to-end connection negotiate (304), during establishment or operation of the end-to-end transport connection, about at least one transmission parameter of the end-to-end transport connection. Then, the peers select (306), amongst a plurality of wireless communication schemes supported by the wireless end-device, at least one wireless communication scheme capable of complying with the negotiated transmission parameters and, thus, available for use in the end-to-end transport connection. |
| US08971306B1 |
Multi-band communications for a single wireless base station
A method of operating an access point includes storing, for each of a plurality of channels, a corresponding first value and second value. A first channel is selected according to a channel polling scheme. A first beacon is transmitted over the first channel to announce commencement of communication over the first channel. Subsequent to the first beacon but prior to a second beacon, data is exchanged with a wireless client over the first channel. The method includes, in response to a first time period based on the first value corresponding to the first channel expiring, transmitting the second beacon over the first channel to announce conclusion of communication over the first channel. The method includes, in response to a second time period based on the second value corresponding to the first channel expiring, transmitting a third beacon over the first channel to announce commencement of communication over the first channel. |
| US08971305B2 |
Pseudo-random sequence mapping in wireless communications
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate scrambling of downlink reference signals utilizing a pseudo-random sequence (PRS) corresponding to a primary synchronization code (PSC) and secondary synchronization code (SSC) combination. Utilization of the combination allows for orthogonal sequencing to be removed from the scrambling. This can be beneficial, for example, where resources required for orthogonalizing the reference signal outweigh the benefit of utilizing the orthogonal sequences. In such scenarios, selective scrambling can be utilized such that the orthogonal sequence or instead the PSC/SSC combination can be provided to leverage advantages of both mechanisms in the given scenarios. |
| US08971302B2 |
Cluster-based derivation of antenna tilts in a wireless network
Systems, methods, and apparatus for cluster-based optimization of antenna tilts in a wireless network are presented herein. A screening component can receive information indicating wireless conditions of respective wireless access points of a geographical region, select, based on a performance criterion, an access point of the respective wireless access points, and group the access point and an other access point of the respective wireless access points into a representation of a cluster of access points. Further, an optimization component can derive antenna tilt values for respective access points of the cluster of the access points in response to a simulation of an application of the antenna tilt values to the respective access points. Furthermore, an implementation component can direct the antenna tilt values to respective components of the respective access points. |
| US08971295B2 |
Soft handoffs in networks
Various embodiments enable a device to maintain a plurality of connections to a plurality of wireless networks simultaneously using one radio. For instance, a device can partition in time, or “time-slice”, when it transmits and receives data such that a device can maintain a plurality of connections with a plurality of networks concurrently. With the plurality of connections, the device can receive multiple copies of data. In some embodiments, a device can compare multiple copies of data and determine which copy of data is a best representation. Once a best representation has been determined, it can be selected for further usage. |
| US08971292B2 |
Method and apparatus for power control during TD-SCDMA baton handover
A method for wireless communication comprises switching an uplink (UL) from a source cell to a target cell; and receiving an uplink transmit power control (TPC-UL) command from the source cell, wherein the TPC-UL command is generated by the target cell. |
| US08971290B2 |
Handover method supporting terminal mobility
A handover method for supporting terminal mobility is provided, wherein, before a target core network node updates bearer information, an access control determination procedure is added. According to the access control determination information provided by the target base station, if it is determined that the bearer supporting a SIPTO or LIPA service is permitted to perform the handover, the target core network node updates the bearer information. If it is determined that the bearer supporting the SIPTO or LIPA service is not allowed to perform the handover, the handover failure is notified as per the bearer not performing the handover, and the bearer information is not updated. Alternatively, during or after the handover to the target network, the bearer release or deactivation is performed for the bearer not performing the handover, so that the UE may re-initiate the bearer establishment process with respect to the bearer not performing the handover. |
| US08971289B2 |
Maintaining point of presence for clients roaming within a layer 2 domain
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a packet from a source wireless device at a second switch, the source wireless device previously associated with a first switch and roamed to and associated with the second switch, wherein a point of presence for the source wireless device is maintained at the first switch, inserting into the packet a direction indicator, and forwarding the packet from the second switch to the first switch, the direction indicator identifying the packet as being transmitted towards the point of presence for the source wireless device to prevent a forwarding loop. An apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08971285B2 |
Method for transmitting reference signals for relay node
A method for transmitting reference signals for a relay node is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a first reference signals for a base station in a first transmission region of a subframe and a second reference signals for a relay node in a second transmission region of the subframe. The first transmission region and the second transmission region in the subframe are regions for transmitting data and the first transmission region and the second transmission regions are different sub-bands of Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). Accordingly, it is possible to transmit wideband reference signals by the relay node, to maximally support a Long Term Evolution (LTE) user equipment while operating the relay node, and to perform cooperative multipoint transmission and reception between the base station and the relay node. |
| US08971279B2 |
Method and apparatus for indicating deactivation of semi-persistent scheduling
A method and apparatus for performing semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) deactivation in a wireless mobile communication system are disclosed. A base station (BS) transmits a downlink control channel to a user equipment (UE), and deactivates the SPS when a binary field indicating resource allocation information contained in the downlink control channel is entirely filled with ‘1’. |
| US08971278B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for opportunistic advertising beacon transmission on non-serving wireless channels
The present disclosure presents methods and apparatuses for improved wireless node transmission of advertising beacons based on, for example, the presence of sufficient wireless node resource availability and one or more user equipment (UE) wakeup schedules. For example, the present disclosure describes example methods of advertising beacon transmission by a wireless node, which may include determining that a resource availability opportunity exists for supporting a UE at the wireless node. In another aspect, methods may include tuning to a non-serving channel based on determining that the resource availability opportunity exists. According to such example methods, the non-serving channel may be different from a serving channel of the wireless node. Furthermore, the example methods may include transmitting an advertising beacon on the non-serving channel. Upon successful receipt of the advertising beacon, the UE may scan for the serving channel of the wireless node for subsequent wireless network access. |
| US08971277B2 |
Wireless communication system and receiving device
In a wireless communication system for performing wireless communication using a white space, a receiving station includes an interference suppression processing part which performs processing to reduce interference which is received by the signal transmitted from a transmitting station at a frequency of the white space, a receiving quality estimation part which estimates communication quality of the communication using the frequency of the white space based on the signal processed by the interference suppression processing part, and a receiving quality informing part which transmits to the transmitting station the communication quality information estimated by the receiving quality estimation part. |
| US08971276B1 |
Techniques for increasing uplink throughput for multiple flow control mechanisms
A method includes, in a mobile communication terminal, accepting from an application layer first data having a first data size for transmission to a base station over a radio channel. An indication of a second data size of second data, which is to be transmitted over the radio channel but was not yet accepted from the application layer, is accepted from the application layer. A resource allocation on the radio channel is calculated in the terminal depending on both the first data size and the second data size. The base station is requested for the resource allocation, and at least part of the first and second data is transmitted from the terminal in accordance with the resource allocation. |
| US08971274B1 |
Valuation of and marketplace for inter-network links between balloon network and terrestrial network
Embodiments relate to a marketplace for inter-network links between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network. An example method may involve a computer-based purchasing agent: (i) determining a demand for inter-network bandwidth between a balloon network and a terrestrial data network, (ii) determining one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, wherein the inter-network link provides inter-network bandwidth between the balloon network and the terrestrial data network, and wherein each offer is associated with a corresponding client device, (iii) based at least in part on a comparison of: (a) the demand for inter-network bandwidth and (b) the one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, selecting one or more of the offers to provide an inter-network link, and (iv) initiating a process to establish an inter-network link at each client device that corresponds to one of the one or more selected offers. |
| US08971273B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth selection for wide bandwidth wireless local area networks
Dynamic bandwidth selection techniques are provided for a plurality of wireless access point devices that operate in a wireless local area network. Each access point device is capable of serving wireless client devices with a bandwidth from a set of possible bandwidths associated with one or multiple contiguous or non-contiguous radio frequency channels. A bias is generated based on determined type of traffic or client composition for each access point device, the bias favoring a channel assignment that results in a particular bandwidth in the set of bandwidths. The bias is applied to metrics representing severity and degree of interference for each channel to generate adjusted metrics. A bandwidth from the set of possible bandwidths is selected for each access point device based on the adjusted metrics. |
| US08971272B2 |
Adaptive feedback for multi-cell cooperative communication and an adaptive transmission mode determining method and device
The present description relates to a method of using a terminal to adaptively feed back channel information relating to multi-cell cooperative communication includes: measuring an average signal-to-noise ratio of a virtual multi-antenna channel between a terminal and at least one cell to transmit same to a base station; receiving, from a base station, a number of allowable feedback bits determined on the basis of the average signal-to-noise ratio and cooperative communication information; selecting a codebook from a plurality of predetermined codebooks on the basis of the number of allowable feedback bits and the cooperative communication information; and quantizing channel information on a virtual multi-antenna channel using the selected codebook, and transmitting feedback information including the quantized channel information to a base station. The codebook may be selected to transmit the feedback information using the entire number of allowable feedback bits. |
| US08971266B2 |
Method and apparatus for conveying downlink scheduling signaling
A method and an apparatus for conveying downlink scheduling signaling. The method comprises: generating a plurality of masking sequences corresponding to a plurality of predetermined downlink scheduling information including downlink physical resource assignment indicating information or power assignment information for a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS); and selecting a corresponding masking sequence from the plurality of masking sequences based on downlink scheduling information to be notified to a User Equipment (UE), and masking a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of a corresponding downlink control channel of the user equipment with the selected masking sequence for transmission. |
| US08971263B2 |
QoS management for self-backhauling in LTE
A method manages bearers over a first wireless link between a self-backhauled base station and a base station, where the self-backhauled base station serves one or more user equipments (UEs) via one or more second wireless links in a network. The method is implemented at the self-backhauled base station and includes identifying changes in numbers and/or characteristics of UE bearers multiplexed onto a backhaul bearer associated with the first wireless link. The method further includes dynamically reconfiguring resources allocated to the backhaul beare. |
| US08971261B2 |
Method and system for transmitting channel state information in wireless communication systems
A base station includes a transmit path circuitry to transmit an uplink grant in a DCI format to a subscriber station. The base station also includes a receive path circuitry to receive only UCI on a PUSCH from a subscriber station when the uplink grant includes a MCS of an enabled transport block (TB) with a value of 29, or a redundancy version of the PUSCH with a value of 1; a CSI request field with a non-zero value; and a total number of physical resource blocks allocated for the subscriber station, NPRB, with a value less than or equal to a threshold number of physical resource blocks, TPRB. TPRB is based at least partly upon one of a total number of CSI information bits to be transmitted on the PUSCH, Ntotal, and a number of DL CCs reported in a current CSI reporting, NCCs. |
| US08971258B2 |
Policy determination for user equipment providng mutual aid in a visited enterprise operating area of a long term evolution system
A Mutual Aid QoS Function (MAQF) performs a method for determining policy for user equipment (UE) providing mutual aid in a mutual aid enterprise operating area of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. The method includes: receiving an indication that a UE is assigned to provide mutual aid in a mutual aid enterprise operating area, wherein the UE has a home enterprise operating area that is different than the mutual aid enterprise operating area; detecting that the UE has entered the mutual aid enterprise operating area; selecting a set of mutual aid policy rules for the UE while the UE is providing mutual aid in the mutual aid enterprise operating area. |
| US08971255B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless device with multiple wireless interfaces using proxy mobility
A wireless device includes first and second wireless network interfaces, first and second address determination modules, and a mobility control module. The first interface establishes layer two connectivity with a first media access gateway. The first address determination module assigns a first address to the first interface in response to a first address assignment message received from the first media access gateway. The second interface establishes layer two connectivity with a second media access gateway in preparation for a handoff from the first media access gateway to the second media access gateway. The second interface transmits an address request message, indicating a desire for the first address to be assigned to the second interface, to the second media access gateway. The second address determination module assigns a second address to the second interface in response to a second address assignment message received from the second media access gateway. |
| US08971243B2 |
Transmitting data packets in multi-rat networks
In order to transmit data packets in multi-RAT networks, a method and a system of network controllers are proposed comprising: simultaneous establishment of radio connections over multiple different Radio Access Technologies or RATs, with a User Equipment or UE 13, being one radio connection firstly established over one primary RAT under a single PDP context and one or more radio connections established over at least one secondary RAT, different from the primary RAT, and under the same single PDP context; simultaneous transmission of data packets over the different RATs towards the UE 13 and combination of the transmitted data by higher layer protocols at the UE 13. In the present method/system, a connection is established for user plane transmission on the same PDP context between a primary network controller 11 of the primary RAT and the secondary network controller 12 of a secondary RAT. More than one secondary RAT may be involved. |
| US08971240B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing radio link timer management in a wireless communications network
A method and apparatus for performing radio link timer (RLT) management in a wireless network. The method and apparatus examine the frame error rates (FERS) associated with decoded speech or data frames and determine how many speech or data frames are unacceptable. If the number of speech or data frames that is unacceptable exceeds a preset threshold value, a determination is made that the call should be released. This process is performed in both the uplink and downlink directions and determinations as to whether the call should be released are made by the mobile station (MS), the base station system (BSS) or mobile switching center (MSC) for the downlink direction and by the base station system (BSS) for the uplink direction. If a determination is made that the number of unacceptable speech or data frames exceeds the preset threshold, the call is released. |
| US08971237B2 |
Method of communication between an aircraft and a ground station
The method of communication between an airplane and the ground, the aircraft communicates by radiowaves with the ground via at least one satellite and in a frequency band extending from 5030 MHz to 5091 MHz, bounds included, using a WiMax type transmission standard. The invention also provides an on-board communications terminal for an aircraft, suitable for communicating by radiowaves with the outside of the terminal in a frequency band extending from 5030 MHz to 5091 MHz, bounds included, in application of a WiMax type transmission standard. |
| US08971235B2 |
Wireless clone mode display
Wireless sinks, such as displays, may receive wirelessly transmitted audio/video information in clone mode. In one embodiment, the same audio/video stream may be provided to a plurality of sinks daisy chained from a wireless receiver. |
| US08971229B1 |
Systems and methods for WLAN power management
Systems and methods are provided for coordinating power management states in a wireless communications device. An access point may buffer data for a station and may then initiate transfer of the buffered data to the station when the station is considered to be in active mode. The access point may transmit each of the one stored data frames with a more data indication when at least one additional frame is buffered and with a no more data indication when no additional frames are buffered. Receipt of the terminal frame including the no more data indication allows the station to return to power save mode without waiting for any timeout period and without risking missing a transmission from the access point. |
| US08971228B2 |
Method for configuring parameters, base station and user equipment
The present invention applies to the field of communications, and provides a method for configuring parameters, a base station and a user equipment. In a method, a user equipment (UE) obtains discontinuous reception (DRX) parameters from a base station. The DRX parameters are obtained when a service type of the UE is a sparse packet service. The UE performs DRX control according to the DRX parameters. |
| US08971222B2 |
Method and apparatus for decrementing assignments in wireless communication systems
A method and apparatus of decrementing access terminal assignments in a wireless communication system is provided, comprising determining if a MACID other than the MACID of an access terminal with an assignment for a particular interlace is received and decrementing the access terminal assignments according to the MACID, if the MACID other than the MACID of the access terminal with the assignment for the particular interlace is determined. |
| US08971217B2 |
Transmitting packet-based data items
Aspects of the present invention are directed at sending a data item from a sending client to a receiving client. In accordance with one embodiment, a method provides controls for generating an audio-based command to send a data item from a sending client to a receiving client. More specifically, the method includes receiving an audio stream at the sending client from a sending party. As the audio stream is being received, a determination is made regarding whether a command to send a data item to the receiving client was received. If a command to send a data item is included in the audio stream, the method identifies the data item that is the object of the command and then transmits the data item to the receiving client over the network. |
| US08971215B2 |
Subscriber assignment
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving, at the network device from an entity, a request for a serving device assigned to a subscriber; attempting to locate an assignment record associated with the subscriber; in response to locating the assignment record associated with the subscriber, identifying an assigned serving device of the multiple serving devices indicated by the assignment record as being assigned to the subscriber; and transmitting a response to the entity, wherein the response identifies the assigned serving device. |
| US08971200B2 |
Multi-media multi-modulation and multi-data rate mesh network
A node having a multiple protocol receiver may listen to multiple links in parallel and determine a quality of links having multiple communication technologies between the node and multiple neighbor nodes. The multiple communication technologies may include radio frequency (RF) communication technologies and one or more power line communication (PLC) communication technologies. The node determines a link quality metric for each link associated with an optimum communication technology and data rate, and maintains availability information of neighbor nodes. The node may then route communications to neighbor nodes using the link quality metric and the availability information. |
| US08971199B2 |
Apparatus and method for selecting service quality metrics for managed services quality assurance
A service quality metrics selection capability is presented. The selection of service quality metrics for a service may include selecting a plurality of candidate service quality metrics for a service from a set of available service quality metrics, associating each of the candidate service quality metrics with a respective one of a plurality of user experience categories and a respective one of a plurality of service user functions of the service, and selecting at least a portion of the candidate service quality metrics to be associated with the service. The selection of candidate service quality metrics to be associated with the service produces a set of selected service quality metrics for the service, which may be used to manage service quality assurance for the service. |
| US08971193B2 |
Method to determine media paths in a SIP network using information from endpoints and intermediate devices
An internet telephony call analyzer receives call information from endpoint and intermediate network devices, corrects timestamp errors in the records, stores the records, and identifies records associated with a single call session between two endpoint devices in the network. The timestamp errors may be corrected by applying a time differential correction to a call start timestamp and call stop timestamp of the record if the timestamp in the record differs from a system timestamp when the record was received by the call analyzer. Call information records associated with the same call session may be matched by identifying records with the same SIP call ID, the same SSRC ID and call start timestamps within a predetermined time interval of each other. |
| US08971192B2 |
Data breakout at the edge of a mobile data network
Mobile network services are performed in a mobile data network in a way that is transparent to most of the existing equipment in the mobile data network. The mobile data network includes a radio access network and a core network. A first service mechanism in the radio access network breaks out data coming from a basestation, and performs one or more mobile network services at the edge of the mobile data network based on the broken out data. These services may include caching of data, data or video compression techniques, push-based services, charging, application serving, analytics, security, data filtering, and new revenue-producing services, as well as others. This architecture allows performing new mobile network services at the edge of a mobile data network within the infrastructure of an existing mobile data network. |
| US08971189B2 |
Label switched path OAM wrapper
Methods and devices for logically segmenting an LSP so that OAM DTUs may be used to determine the performance and/or the status of LSP segments. To segment a previously determined LSP, a dedicated subpath (a logical LSP) within that predetermined LSP is defined between two LSRs that are capable of processing OAM DTUs. The source node (source LSR) establishes a logical LSP between itself and the destination node (destination LSR) using an LDP. In doing this, the logical LSP traverses a specific path and transits through specific nodes in that path. The source node then transmits an OAM DTU or any other specialized DTU to the destination node using a label specifically associated with the logical LSP that was established. The characteristic of the specific path traversed by the logical LSP can thus be determined by when, how, and if the specialized DTU is received by the destination node. |
| US08971184B2 |
Latency based random early discard for network packets
Methods, systems, and apparatus used to determine whether to discard a network packet based upon the latency exhibited by an associated a network packet queue. Network devices can include a queue management module operable to identify a latency metric in network packet queues and determine whether the latency metric renders the network packet queue eligible for discarding packets based upon, for example, a latency policy. |
| US08971182B2 |
Method for data traffic offloading and apparatus using the same
A method for data traffic offloading in a mobile communication system supporting a multi-radio access technology (RAT) and an apparatus using the method is provided. A mobile station receives information on a traffic load of a primary communication system from a base station. The mobile station determines whether to perform offloading to a secondary communication system on the basis of the traffic load of the primary communication system. |
| US08971179B2 |
Communication management apparatus, communication node, and data communication method
A communication management apparatus that manages transmission of data in a network in which plural communication nodes are connected via a transmission line in a ring shape, the apparatus including: a network-presence checking unit that transmits a network-presence-check frame in broadcast and generates network connection information indicating a connection state among the connection nodes from a received network-presence-check acknowledge frame, a token-circulation-order determining unit that determines token circulation order; a setup processing unit that performs setup processing for notifying each of the communication nodes of a token circulation destination; a data-frame-communication processing unit that performs transmission and reception of a data frame using a token frame; and a line-connection managing unit that disables, when the network has a ring configuration, any one of ports of any one of the communication nodes to prevent a connection state of the network from becoming a ring shape. |
| US08971173B1 |
Methods and apparatus for scalable resilient networks
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first controller configured to be operatively coupled within a network having a set of network nodes, a forwarding gateway and a configuration entity. The first controller is configured to manage session state and node state associated with the set of network nodes independent of the forwarding gateway. The first controller is configured to fail over to a second controller when the first controller fails, without the forwarding gateway failing over and without the configuration entity failing over. |
| US08971170B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
By using a discrete Fourier transform equation that is used to transform N data values (N is an integer equal to or greater than one) to N transformation values, a wireless communication apparatus calculates three continuous transformation values from the N data values. Then, the wireless communication apparatus obtains a fixed change in the phase difference from the three calculated transformation values; multiplies the calculated transformation value by a twiddle factor that is obtained from the change in the phase difference; and calculates not-yet calculated transformation values. |
| US08971168B2 |
Carrier aggregation in wireless communications systems
Provided is a data transmission system using a carrier aggregation. The data transmission system may assign a radio resource based on a correspondence relationship between a downlink and an uplink, and may transmit data using the assigned radio resource. |
| US08971166B1 |
Method of allocating resources for transmitting uplink signal in MIMO wireless communication system and apparatus thereof
A method and terminal apparatus are described for performing channel interleaving at a terminal in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication system. A number of columns C of an interleaver matrix are assigned as a number of symbols for transmitting data per subframe (Nsymb). A number of rows R of the interleaver matrix is defined as H · L · log 2 Q C , where H is a number of modulation symbols per layer, L is a number of layers and Q is a modulation order. Input vector sequences are written into entries of the interleaver matrix, row by row. Each of the entries has a size of L·log2 Q bits. Output bit sequences are generated by reading out the entries of the interleaver matrix, column by column. The output bit sequences are modulated by a unit of log2 Q bits, to generate modulation symbols. The modulation symbols are mapped to the L layers, and transmitted by using the L layers. |
| US08971161B2 |
Devices including at least one adhesion layer and methods of forming adhesion layers
Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT), the NFT having a disc and a peg, and the peg having five surfaces thereof; and at least one adhesion layer positioned on at least one of the five surfaces of the peg, the adhesion layer including one or more of the following: rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum, hafnium, ruthenium, technetium, rhodium, palladium, beryllium, aluminum, manganese, indium, boron, and combinations thereof beryllium oxide, silicon oxide, iron oxide, zirconium oxide, manganese oxide, cadmium oxide, magnesium oxide, hafnium oxide, and combinations thereof tantalum carbide, uranium carbide, hafnium carbide, zirconium carbide, scandium carbide, manganese carbide, iron carbide, niobium carbide, technetium carbide, rhenium carbide, and combinations thereof chromium nitride, boron nitride, and combinations thereof. |
| US08971159B2 |
Light delivery apparatus
A light delivery system in a slider includes a channel waveguide, a mode-index refractive surface, a solid immersion mirror, and a near field transducer. The mode-index refractive surface shapes the angular spectrum of the light on its path to the solid immersion mirror in a manner so as to change the distribution of light energy focused on to the near field transducer. |
| US08971157B2 |
Display apparatus and electronic device
A display apparatus which includes: a first display wheel that has a first display section; a second display wheel that has a second display section; a driving section that rotates in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and rotates the first display wheel in the forward direction and the reverse direction; and a rotating section that rotates only the first display wheel in the forward direction when the first display wheel is rotated in the forward direction, and rotates the second display wheel in the reverse direction together with the first display wheel when the first display wheel is rotated in the reverse direction. |
| US08971154B2 |
Synchronization of system time in electronic device
A method and apparatus for synchronizing a system time in an electronic device are provided. The method may include: when the electronic device is executing a boot process, disabling an external time obtaining function of the electronic device for obtaining an external reference time, obtaining an internal clock time from an internal clock unit of the electronic device and synchronizing a system time of the electronic device with the internal clock time; and when the electronic device has completed the boot process, enabling the external time obtaining function to obtain the external reference time. |
| US08971152B2 |
Device for marine seismic explorations for deposits
An air gun for use in generating seismic energy impulses operable at pressures below 1000 psi that reduces high frequencies and cavitation around the discharge of the air gun in order to mitigate damage to the marine environment, the air gun providing a sliding seal at the firing piston, an extension of port widths beyond the diameter of the firing piston and capability to control the speed of the shuttle assembly to reduce and eliminate some of the possible causes of the objectionable high frequencies and cavitation. |
| US08971151B2 |
Ultrasound probe and ultrasound diagnosis apparatus
An ultrasound probe is provided that includes piezoelectric bodies, each of which is provided with electrodes on the front surface on the side from which ultrasound is emitted and a rear surface opposing the front surface. At least a part of the ultrasound probes is disposed in a curved manner. A flexible printed circuit board comprises a first part that is provided in parallel with the curved surface of the piezoelectric bodies in a circular direction on the rear surface side of the piezoelectric bodies, and a second part that extends from the first part near the end part of the arranged piezoelectric bodies and further extends to the electronic circuit, the electric circuit, or the interface. Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit board is provided with a wiring pattern that conducts between at least one electrode of the piezoelectric body and the electronic circuit, the electric circuit, or the interface. |
| US08971150B2 |
Method for measuring sea waves by means of ultrasonic waves, as well as sea wave measuring system
A method for measuring sea waves includes: transmitting ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic transmitter 2 provided on a buoy 1 into the sea, and receiving the ultrasonic waves from three transponders 3 on the seabed together with the time signals; detecting distances between the transponders 3 and the ultrasonic transmitter 2 based on the propagation time of the ultrasonic waves; high-pass filtering the distance data to extract a short-term fluctuation component; preparing and solving linear equations to determine the displacement in the height direction of the short-term fluctuation component and obtain a wave height. |
| US08971148B2 |
Word line selection circuit and row decoder
A first exemplary aspect of the present invention is a word line selection circuit where address decode signals composed of a power supply voltage and a first voltage lower than a ground voltage are input, and that a word line selection signal composed of the first voltage and a second voltage higher than the power supply voltage is output not via a level shift circuit according to the address decode signals. |
| US08971146B2 |
Dual-port SRAM with bit line clamping
In one embodiment, a memory includes a plurality of bit lines and a write driver for driving a driven bit line selected from the plurality of bit lines during a write operation. The write driver is coupled to an internal node. A first stage clamping circuit is operable to clamp the internal node to a clamping voltage if the write operation is not enabled and is further operable to unclamp the internal node during the write operation. The memory further includes a multiplexer for selectively coupling the driven bit line to the internal node. A second stage clamping circuit is operable to clamp the plurality of bit lines to a clamping voltage if the write operation is not enabled and is further operable to unclamp the driven bit line during the write operation. |
| US08971144B2 |
Hardware write-protection
A system for providing write-protection functionality to a memory device includes: a memory device including configurable registers controlling write and erase operations in the memory device; a system interface; a filter logic device in electrical communication with the memory device and further in communication with the system interface; and a power on reset circuit in communication with the system interface and the filter logic device, wherein the power on reset circuit asserts a reset signal to the system interface on startup of the system, further wherein, while the reset signal is asserted to the system interface, the filter logic device modifies the configurable registers to prevent all further write and erase operations to the memory device and then the power on reset circuit de-asserts the reset signal to the system interface enabling communication between the system interface and the memory device. |
| US08971139B2 |
Semiconductor device and data processing system
A semiconductor device comprises transmission lines, inverting circuits, first, second and third switches, global sense amplifiers, and a control circuit. The first switch switches between the transmission line and the input of the inverting circuit, the second switch switches between the transmission line and the output of the transmission line, and the third switch switches between the adjacent transmission lines. The control circuit turns off the first and second switches so that the transmission lines are brought into a floating state in a state where signals of the transmission lines are held in the inverting circuits by the global sense amplifiers. After charge sharing of the transmission lines occurs by turning on the third switches within a predetermined period, the control circuit turns off the second switches so that the transmission lines are inverted and driven via the inverting circuits and the second switches. |
| US08971134B2 |
Memory controller comprising adjustable transmitter impedance
Memory controllers, memory devices and methods are provided in which test data is transmitted and signal parameters are varied. The transmitted test data is read, and based on a comparison between transmitted test data and read test data a transmitter impedance is adjusted. |
| US08971133B1 |
Memory device and method of operation of such a memory device
A memory device having an array of memory cells connected to a core voltage level, and access circuitry used to perform a write operation in order to write data into a plurality of addressed memory cells. At least one bit line associated with at least each column in the array containing an addressed memory cell is precharged to the peripheral voltage level prior to the write operation being performed. Word line driver circuitry is then configured to assert a word line signal at the core voltage level on the word line associated with the row of the array containing the addressed memory cells. Write multiplexing driver circuitry asserts a mux control signal to write multiplexing circuitry which then couples the bit line of each addressed memory cell to the write driver circuitry in dependence on the mux control signal identifying which column contains the addressed memory cells. |
| US08971128B2 |
Adaptive initial program voltage for non-volatile memory
When programming a set of non-volatile storage elements using a multi-stage programming process, a series of programming pulses are used for each stage. The magnitude of the initial program pulse for the current stage being performed is dynamically set as a function of the number of program pulses used for the same stage of the multi-stage programming process when programming non-volatile storage elements connected to on one or more previously programmed word lines. |
| US08971126B2 |
Charge loss compensation methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for compensating for charge loss in memories include tracking a specific block of the main memory array and determining charge loss compensation by comparing pre-cycled and post-cycled mean threshold voltages for the tracking block; or tracking each block of the main memory and determining charge loss and compensation on a block by block basis. |
| US08971125B2 |
Erase operations with erase-verify voltages based on where in the erase operations an erase cycle occurs
Memory devices and methods of erasing the memory devices are disclosed. One such method includes performing an erase cycle of an erase operation on a plurality of memory cells, where performing the erase cycle of the erase operation includes selecting an erase verify voltage to be applied during the erase cycle from a plurality of erase verify voltages based on where in the erase operation the erase cycle occurs. |
| US08971124B1 |
Apparatuses and methods for performing logical operations using sensing circuitry
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to performing logical operations using sensing circuitry. An example apparatus comprises an array of memory cells and sensing circuitry comprising a primary latch coupled to a sense line of the array. The sensing circuitry can be configured to perform a first operation phase of a logical operation by sensing a memory cell coupled to the sense line, perform a number of intermediate operation phases of the logical operation by sensing a respective number of different memory cells coupled to the sense line, and accumulate a result of the first operation phase and the number of intermediate operation phases in a secondary latch coupled to the primary latch without performing a sense line address access. |
| US08971123B2 |
Memory system temperature calibration
A nonvolatile memory system includes a memory controller chip with at least one temperature sensor that is individually calibrated, at a single temperature, after the nonvolatile memory system is assembled, so that the calibration data is stored outside the memory controller chip, in a nonvolatile memory chip, thus obviating the need for components to store calibration data in the memory controller chip. |
| US08971119B2 |
Select transistor tuning
In a nonvolatile memory array in which a select transistor includes a charge storage element, the threshold voltage of the select transistor is monitored, and if the threshold voltage deviates from a desired threshold voltage range, charge is added to, or removed from the charge storage element to return the threshold voltage to the desired threshold voltage range. |
| US08971115B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a string of memory cell transistors that are connected to each other in series. A selection transistor is connected between one end of the string of the memory cell transistors and one of a source line and a bit line. A line is selectively connected to a gate electrode of the selection transistor, a driver, or a node that supplies an unselected voltage, or is set to be in a floating state. |
| US08971113B2 |
Pseudo-8T NVSRAM cell with a charge-follower
The present invention discloses a 10T NVSRAM cell with a 6T SRAM cell with 4T Flash cell with one dedicated Flash-based Charger. In addition, a Pseudo-8T NVSRAM cell with a shared Flash-based Charger between two adjacent 8T NVSRAM cells at top and bottom in cell layout is also disclosed to further reduce cell size by 20%. As opposed to the prior art of 12T NVSRAM cell, the Store operation of the above two preferred embodiments use a DRAM-like charge-sensing scheme with Flash cell configured into a voltage follower ensured by the Flash-based Charger to obtain the final ΔVQ-QB>0.2V at Q and QB nodes of each SRAM cell to cover all the mismatched of parasitic capacitance in flash cell devices and layout for a reliable amplification by ramping up SRAM's VDD line and ramping down SRAM's VSS line. |
| US08971112B2 |
Method of programming a multi-level memory device
Method of programming a multi-level memory cell may include transferring one or more values between an auxiliary latch of the multi-level memory cell and a most significant bit (MSB) latch of the multi-level memory cell and/or between the auxiliary latch and a least significant bit (LSB) latch of the multi-level memory cell while programming the multi-level memory cell. |
| US08971107B2 |
Emulation of static random access memory (SRAM) by magnetic random access memory (MRAM)
A magnetic memory system includes a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) including a plurality of magnetic memory banks and operative to store data during a write operation initiated by a write command. The magnetic memory system further includes a first-in-first-out (FIFO) interface device coupled to the MRAM and including a plurality of FIFOs Each of the magnetic memory banks is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of FIFOs, the FIFO being operative to queue write commands on a per magnetic memory bank basis and further operative to issue the queued write commands at a time when the MRAM is not in use, wherein concurrent write operations are performed to at least two of the plurality of magnetic memory banks. |
| US08971101B2 |
Magnetic memory cell structure with improved read margin
A semiconductor device includes a memory cell. The cell includes: a magnetic recording layer (MRL) formed of ferromagnetic material; first and second magnetization fixed layers (MFLs) coupled to the MRL; first and second reference layers (RLs) opposed to the MRL; and first and second tunnel barrier films (TBFs) inserted between the MRL and the first and second reference layers (RLs), respectively. The first MFL has a magnetization fixed in a first direction, and the second MFL has a magnetization fixed in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first and second RLs and the first and second TBFs are positioned between the first and second MFLs. The first RL has a magnetization fixed in a third direction which is selected from the first and second directions, and the second RL has a magnetization fixed in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction. |
| US08971100B2 |
Initialization method of a perpendicular magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device
Methods using a sequence of externally generated magnetic fields to initialize the magnetization directions of each of the layers in perpendicular MTJ MRAM elements for data and reference bits when the required magnetization directions are anti-parallel are described. The coercivity of the fixed pinned and reference layers can be made unequal so that one of them can be switched by a magnetic field that will reliably leave the other one unswitched. Embodiments of the invention utilize the different effective coercivity fields of the pinned, reference and free layers to selectively switch the magnetization directions using a sequence of magnetic fields of decreasing strength. Optionally the chip or wafer can be heated to reduce the required field magnitude. It is possible that the first magnetic field in the sequence can be applied during an annealing step in the MRAM manufacture process. |
| US08971096B2 |
Wide range multiport bitcell
A multiport bitcell including a pair of cross-coupled inverters is provided with increased write speed and enhanced operating voltage range by the selective isolation of a first one of the cross-coupled inverters from a power supply and ground during a write operation. The write operation occurs through a write port that includes a transmission gate configured to couple a first node driven by the first cross-coupled inverter to a write bit line. A remaining second cross-coupled inverter in the bitcell is configured to drive a second node that couples to a plurality of read ports. |
| US08971089B2 |
Low power phase change memory cell
A memory may include two electrodes and phase change material having an amorphous reset state and a partially crystalized set state, coupled between the two electrodes. The phase change material in the set state may have a highly nonlinear current-voltage response in a subthreshold voltage region. The phase change material may be an alloy of indium, antimony, and tellurium. |
| US08971086B2 |
Capacitorless DRAM on bulk silicon
A method of forming capacitorless DRAM over localized silicon-on-insulator comprises the following steps: A silicon substrate is provided, and an array of silicon studs is defined within the silicon substrate. An insulator layer is defined atop at least a portion of the silicon substrate, and between the silicon studs. A silicon-over-insulator layer is defined surrounding the silicon studs atop the insulator layer, and a capacitorless DRAM is formed within and above the silicon-over-insulator layer. |
| US08971084B2 |
Context protection for a column interleaved memory
A semiconductor memory cell includes a set of circuit structures, each having column input/output circuits. The semiconductor memory cell further includes a set of replicas corresponding to the column input/output circuits. The set of replicas are non-functional and fills an empty space next to the column input/output circuits and hence, provides context protection for the column input/output circuits. |
| US08971081B2 |
High voltage inverter device for delivering a high-power AC high voltage
The high voltage inverter device receives, as an input voltage, a DC voltage or a voltage within Safety Extra Low Voltage composed of a DC component with a pulsating flow superposed thereon. The input voltage is switched by a switching element to pass an exciting current to excitation windings on a primary side of a plurality of separate transformers having same characteristics to simultaneously excite the excitation windings. Output windings of the plurality of transformers are connected in parallel or in series with one another, and time axes of waveforms of output voltages of the output windings are synchronized. Thereby, a high-power high voltage is outputted continuously, stably, and safely from both ends of the output windings connected in parallel or in series. |
| US08971080B2 |
Circuit arrangement with a rectifier circuit
A circuit arrangement includes a rectifier circuit having a first and a second load terminal, a first semiconductor device having a load path and a control terminal and a plurality of n, with n>1, second semiconductor devices, each having a load path between a first load terminal and a second load terminal and a control terminal. The second semiconductor devices have their load paths connected in series and connected in series to the load path of the first semiconductor device. The series circuit with the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor devices are connected between the load terminals of the rectifier circuit. Each of the second semiconductor devices has its control terminal connected to the load terminal of one of the other second semiconductor devices. One of the second semiconductor devices has its control terminal connected to one of the load terminals of the first semiconductor device. |
| US08971079B2 |
Inverter device
An inverter device includes an inverter circuit, a control circuit, a first drive circuit, a second drive circuit, first and second photocouplers, and a signal switching part. The signal switching part directly transmits the first and second signals outputted from the first photocoupler and the second photocoupler to the corresponding first and second drive circuits respectively when at least one of the first and second signals is an OFF command. |
| US08971075B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating an adaptive switching frequency for operating power factor correction circuit
A method of operating a power factor correction (PFC) circuit and a corresponding power factor correction circuit include determining an adaptive switching frequency of the PFC circuit related to a current of the boost inductor of the PFC circuit, and operating the PFC circuit at a light load based on the adaptive switching frequency. |
| US08971071B2 |
Driver circuit and inverter circuit
The present invention provides a safe circuit that can prevent an arm short, when a half-bridge circuit is configured by using a normally-on switching element, and the half-bridge circuit is used as a driver circuit or an inverter circuit. In a driver circuit configured by a half-bridge circuit in which one of input and output terminals of a first switching element 14 is connected to a first power-supply voltage V1 on a high-voltage side, and the first switching element 14 and a second switching element 15 are connected in series, a normally-off third switching element 16 is inserted between the second switching element 15 and a second power-supply voltage V2 on a low voltage side. The third switching element 16 is turned off, when an operating voltage VH or VL supplied from control-circuit power supplies 13a and 13b is insufficient for the operation of a control circuit 11. |
| US08971069B2 |
Startup circuit and input capacitor balancing circuit
In one embodiment, an input capacitor balancing circuit for a power supply is provided. The circuit includes an input capacitance operable to filter input power for the power supply. The input capacitance has a first capacitor and a second capacitor coupled in series between an input voltage and a first node. A voltage divider circuit is coupled to the input voltage and operable to generate a divided voltage therefrom. A buffer circuit is operable to receive the divided voltage and, if the first capacitor and the second capacitor are not balanced, to provide current to the input capacitance to balance the first capacitor and the second capacitor. |
| US08971068B2 |
Three-phase rectification module, the system thereof and harmonic suppression method
A three-phase rectification module, the system thereof and harmonic suppression method are provided. The module includes an LCL filter unit, a Vienna rectifier coupled to the LCL filter unit, and a rectifier control unit for controlling the power factor of the three-phase AC power source and the DC output voltage of the Vienna rectifier. A commutation diode is serially connected on the bridge-arm of each set of uni-directional rectification branches which are included in the Vienna rectifier, making it function as current uni-directionally. Herein, the power factor of the three-phase AC power source is matched with the parameters of the LCL filter unit, such that the absolute value of the phase difference between the AC input voltage and the current of the Vienna rectifier is close or equal to zero. |
| US08971065B2 |
System for providing an alternating current, and control apparatus and method thereof
A system for providing, from a direct current (DC) voltage source, an alternating current (AC) to an electrical grid outputting a grid voltage, the system including: a transformer for coupling to the DC voltage source through a first switch controlled by a first control signal, and configured to provide a converted voltage based on a DC voltage; a rectifier coupled to the transformer, and configured to generate an envelope voltage of the converted voltage; a plurality of switches coupled to the rectifier to receive the generated envelope voltage of the converted voltage, the plurality of switches being controlled by a plurality of control signals, respectively, and configured to generate the AC from the generated envelope voltage of the converted voltage; and control apparatus coupled to the first switch and the plurality of switches, and configured to provide, based on the grid voltage, the first control signal and the plurality of control signals. |
| US08971060B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a switching mode power supply during transition of load conditions to minimize instability
A controller for a switched mode power supply (SMPS) is provided. The SMPS is equipped with a transformer having a primary side winding, a secondary winding, and an auxiliary winding. The controller includes a detection circuit for detecting a transition from a first output load condition to a second output load condition of the SMPS and a control circuit coupled to the detection circuit and being configured to output one or more control signals in response to the detected output load transition. Depending on the embodiment, the one or more control signals include a first control signal for turning on a power switch to cause a current flow in a primary winding of the SMPS and/or one or more second control signals for turning off one or more functional circuit blocks in the controller. |
| US08971054B2 |
Component assembly
A component assembly that can be easily built in a main substrate with high accuracy is formed such that a glass transition temperature of a built-in-component layer of an assembly substrate in which multiple capacitors are embedded is higher than a glass transition temperature of a built-in-component layer of a built-in-component substrate. Thus, thermal deformation of the component assembly is prevented when the built-in-component substrate in which the component assembly is built is heated during reflow, for example. The component assembly can thus be highly accurately built in the built-in-component substrate. Moreover, when the component assembly in which the multiple capacitors are embedded is built in the built-in-component substrate, electrode pads of the component assembly in which the multiple capacitors are embedded can be electrically connected to wiring layers of the built-in-component substrate by soldering despite the variation in height among the capacitors. |
| US08971053B2 |
Wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
A wiring board includes a first substrate having a penetrating hole penetrating through the first substrate, a built-up layer formed on a surface of the first substrate and including interlayer resin insulation layers and wiring layers, the built-up layer having an opening portion communicated with the penetrating hole of the first substrate and opened to the outermost surface of the built-up layer, an interposer accommodated in the opening portion of the built-up layer and including a second substrate and a wiring layer formed on the second substrate, the wiring layer of the interposer including conductive circuits for being connected to semiconductor elements, a filler filling the opening portion such that the interposer is held in the opening portion of the built-up layer, and mounting pads formed on the first substrate and positioned to mount the semiconductor elements. The mounting pads are positioned to form a matrix on the first substrate. |
| US08971050B2 |
Circuit board assembly having two members rotating in opposite directions
A circuit board assembly comprises a first circuit board and a second circuit board. A connector socket is mounted on the first circuit board, and a connector plug is mounted on the second circuit board. A handle assembly is attached to either the first circuit board or the second circuit board. The handle assembly comprises a base member attached to either the first circuit board or the second circuit board and first and second rotating members pivotably attached to opposite ends of the base member. When the first rotating member and the second rotating member are rotated away from the base member, the connector plug is disengaged from the connector socket. When the first rotating member and the second rotating member are rotated towards the base member, the connector plug is inserted into the connector socket. |
| US08971047B2 |
Printed circuit board assembly
A printed circuit board assembly capable of having an electronic component mounted at a wafer level by using a wafer itself as a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board assembly including a plurality of electronic components, a printed circuit board having the plurality of electronic components mounted thereon, a protection body configured to entirely cover the printed circuit board, and a connection unit having one end that is exposed to an outside of the protection body for the printed circuit board to be electrically connected to a sub board, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a wafer printed circuit board formed with a wafer. |
| US08971046B2 |
Solar panel junction box capable of integrating with a variety of accessory modules, and method of use
A junction box is affixed to, and electrically coupled with, a solar panel. The junction box is configured to releaseably engage and disengage accessory modules, thereby allowing accessory modules to be replaced or exchanged easily. Accessory modules are electrically coupled with other accessory modules in the solar panel string. The furthest downstream accessory module is connected to a wire harness, which is connected to a central combiner box. |
| US08971042B2 |
Computer system
A computer system is provided. The computer system includes a housing, a mainboard, a first heat source, a second heat source and a flow field modulator. An inlet and an outlet are formed on the housing. The mainboard is disposed in the housing. The first heat source is located on a first location of the mainboard. The second heat source is located on a second location of the mainboard. The flow field modulator is disposed on the mainboard including a control unit, a piezoelectric element and a guiding sheet. The control unit is electrically connected to the mainboard. The piezoelectric element is electrically connected to the control unit. The guiding sheet is connected to the piezoelectric element. |
| US08971041B2 |
Coldplate for use with an inverter in an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV)
A coldplate for use with an inverter in an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV). The inverter includes a direct current (DC) link capacitor comprising multiple film capacitors configured in a stack. The coldplate includes a first portion configured for attachment to at least one electronic component, the first portion having a perimeter and for dissipating heat generated by the electronic component. The coldplate includes a second portion oriented along the perimeter of the first portion and forming a conduit, the conduit having a chamber extending from the perimeter of the first portion and between two of the plurality of film capacitors of the DC link capacitor. The conduit has an inlet and an outlet to facilitate circulation of a coolant through the chamber of the conduit for dissipating heat generated by the DC link capacitor. |
| US08971040B2 |
Handheld device
A handheld device includes a body and a back cover. The body has a back portion covered by the back cover. The back cover includes a yielding layer and a rigid layer. The yielding layer has an outer surface and an inner surface opposite to each other. The inner surface faces the back portion. The rigid layer is formed on the inner surface and locked to the body. The rigid layer has a hole exposing the back portion and covered by the yielding layer. When a portion of the yielding layer corresponding to the hole is pressed, the portion of the yielding layer is elastically deformed to closely lean on the back portion, and the locked body and rigid layer are released due to a force between the portion of the yielding layer and the back portion, such that the back cover may depart from the body. |
| US08971038B2 |
Coldplate for use in an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV)
A coldplate for use with electronic components in an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV). The coldplate includes a main portion having multiple raised features on a surface thereof. The raised features are configured for attaching the main portion to a printed circuit board having multiple electronic components attached thereto. The raised features are further configured for maintaining the printed circuit board in a spaced relation relative to the main portion to facilitate air flow between the printed circuit board and the main portion for dissipating heat generated by the plurality of electronic components. The coldplate also includes a protrusion extending from the surface of the main portion. The protrusion is configured for contacting one of the plurality of electronic components attached to the printed circuit board for dissipating heat generated by the electronic component. |
| US08971026B2 |
Electronic device housing and assembly method
An electronic device includes at least one electronic component. The electronic device also includes a first housing of a single piece of metal. The first housing defines a length, a width, and a height that is less than both the length and the width. The housing has at least five side walls defining an internal cavity and an open end to the cavity that spans the width and height of the first housing. The electronic component is contained within the cavity. A cover is removably affixed over the open end of the housing so as to contribute to a retaining force applied on the electronic component therein. The first housing can be a base housing for a portable computer, and the cover can be a first portion of a hinge assembly. The electronic device can further include a display assembly operatively connected to the base housing by the hinge assembly. |
| US08971018B2 |
Ultracapacitors using transition metal nitride-containing electrode and transition metal nitride
The present invention discloses a new construction of ultracapacitor utilizing particles of transition metal nitride having negligible amount of halide impurities. The construction is expected to attain high specific energy density by using transition metal nitride particles and higher reliability by avoiding potential corrosion of metal components with halide impurities. The transition metal nitride particles are preferably synthesized by basic ammonothermal process, which utilizes supercritical ammonia with alkali metal mineralizers. Transition metal nitride such as vanadium nitride, molybdenum nitride, titanium nitride, nickel nitride, neodymium nitride, iron nitride, etc. can be synthesized in supercritical ammonia with reducing mineralizers such as potassium, sodium, lithium, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum. Since supercritical ammonia has characteristics of both gas and liquid, it can over complicated fine structure or fine particles. The new method is suitable for forming a protective coating on complicated structure or forming micro- to nano-sized particles. |
| US08971010B2 |
Electrostatic chuck and method of manufacturing electrostatic chuck
An electrostatic chuck comprises: a dielectric substrate having a protrusion and a planar surface part. The protrusion is formed on a major surface of the dielectric substrate. An adsorption target material is mounted on the major surface. The planar surface part is formed in a periphery of the protrusion. The dielectric substrate is formed from a polycrystalline ceramics sintered body. A top face of the protrusion is a curved surface, and a first recess is formed in the top face to correspond to crystal grains that appear on the surface. The planar surface part has a flat part, and a second recess is formed in the flat part. A depth dimension of the first recess is greater than a depth dimension of the second recess. The electrostatic chuck can suppress the generation of particles and a method for manufacturing the electrostatic chuck is provided. |
| US08971009B2 |
Electrostatic chuck with temperature control
Embodiments of an apparatus for controlling a temperature of an electrostatic chuck in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an electrostatic chuck disposed in a process chamber, the electrostatic chuck including a ceramic plate having a substrate supporting surface, and a cooling assembly including a plurality of cooling plates disposed below the electrostatic chuck to adjust the cooling capacity of the electrostatic chuck. In some embodiments, the plurality of cooling plates includes an inner cooling plate configured to control a temperature of a center portion of the electrostatic chuck, and an outer cooling plate configured to control a temperature of an outer portion of the electrostatic chuck. In some embodiments, the plurality of cooling plates includes an upper cooling plate that contacts a bottom surface of the electrostatic chuck, and a lower cooling plate which contacts a bottom surface of the upper cooling plate. |
| US08970999B2 |
Driver circuit, method of manufacturing the driver circuit, and display device including the driver circuit
Provided are a driver circuit which suppresses damage of a semiconductor element due to ESD in a manufacturing process, a method of manufacturing the driver circuit. Further provided are a driver circuit provided with a protection circuit with low leakage current, and a method of manufacturing the driver circuit. By providing a protection circuit in a driver circuit to be electrically connected to a semiconductor element in the driver circuit, and by forming, at the same time, a transistor which serves as the semiconductor element in the driver circuit and a transistor included in the protection circuit in the driver circuit, damage of the semiconductor element due to ESD is suppressed in the process of manufacturing the driver circuit. Further, by using an oxide semiconductor film for the transistor included in the protection circuit in the driver circuit, leakage current in the protection circuit is reduced. |
| US08970998B2 |
Compound semiconductor ESD protection devices
The present invention relates to compound semiconductor ESD protection devices of three types. The device comprises a multi-gate enhancement mode PET (E-PET). For the type I compound semiconductor ESD protection device, the source electrode is connected to the plural gate electrodes through at least one first resistor, and the drain electrode is connected to the plural gate electrodes through at least one second resistor. For the type II compound semiconductor ESD protection device, at least one of the plural gate electrodes are connected to at least one of the inter-gate regions between two adjacent gate electrodes through at least one fourth resistor. For the type compound semiconductor ESD protection device, the plural gate electrodes are connected to the source or drain electrodes through at least one seventh resistor. Any two gate electrodes in the three types of compound semiconductor ESD protection devices can be connected by a resistor. |
| US08970993B2 |
Magnetoresistive magnetic head with magnetoresistive film including a metal layer and a Heusler alloy layer, and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
A magnetic head according to an embodiment includes a first magnetic shield and a second magnetic shield that are opposed to each other, and a magnetoresistive film arranged between the first magnetic shield and the second magnetic shield, and including a first magnetic layer including a first metal layer that contains 90 at. % or more of Fe and a first Heusler alloy layer, a second magnetic layer arranged on a side of the first Heusler alloy layer opposite from the first magnetic layer, and an intermediate layer arranged between the first Heusler alloy layer and the second magnetic layer. |
| US08970990B2 |
Disk drive suspension
A slider and microactuator elements are disposed on a gimbal portion of a flexure. A first end portion of each of the elements is secured to a first supporting portion. A second end portion is secured to a second supporting portion. A ground-side conductor is provided on the second supporting portion. A limiter member consists mainly of a resin shared with an insulating layer of a conductive circuit portion. The limiter member comprises a grounding junction, a first bridge portion, and a second bridge portion. The grounding junction is secured to the second supporting portion. The first bridge portion extends in a first direction from the grounding junction. The second bridge portion extends in a second direction from the grounding junction. |
| US08970988B1 |
Electric gaps and method for making electric gaps for multiple sensor arrays
A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) and at least two read sensors. The magnetic transducer also includes a first read shield, a first read sensor, a middle shield, a second read sensor, a second read shield, a first electric gap and a second electric gap. The first read sensor is in a down track direction from the first read shield. The middle shield is in a down track direction from the first read sensor. The middle shield is between the first read sensor and the second read sensor. A first portion of the first electric gap is in a direction opposite to the down track direction from the first read sensor. The first read sensor and the second read sensor are between the first electric gap and the second electric gap in a cross-track direction. |
| US08970981B2 |
Hardware support of servo format with two preamble fields
A hard disk drive uses a second, reference burst field in a preamble to estimate burst phase and burst magnitude. Such estimations are used for position error signal integration and repeatable runout correction. Gain error is also derived from such estimations. Information contained in a preamble field is used in conjunction with the reference burst phase estimation to synchronize servo address marks. |
| US08970980B1 |
Disk drive evaluating burst metric
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head actuated over the disk. A burst metric is generated in response to a burst read signal. The burst metric comprises at least one of an alpha metric comprising a ratio of a first burst amplitude of a first phased based servo burst measured at a first radial offset to a second burst amplitude of a second phased based servo burst measured at a second radial offset, a harmonic metric comprising a ratio of a first harmonic of the burst read signal as the head is moved radially over the disk to a higher harmonic of the burst read signal as the head is moved radially over the disk, and a spiral track crossing metric comprising a first and second interval each representing a partial duration of the read element crossing a spiral track. |
| US08970975B1 |
System and method for monitoring preamble signal quality
The disclosure is directed to a system and method of determining signal quality based upon at least one of: a comparison of energy content of the signal to a threshold energy content, a comparison of energy content of the fundamental harmonic of the signal to a specified percentage of the energy content of the signal, and a comparison of a difference between phase of the signal and a target phase to a threshold phase difference. |
| US08970974B2 |
Lens adapter
A lens adapter is provided, comprising a cylindrical base, one end of the base is provided with a first mounting seat for connecting with a lens and a manual aperture controlling ring sheathed on the base, the other end of the base is provided with a second mounting seat for connecting with a camera. The lens adapter also comprises an adjusting mechanism connected to a lens aperture controlling rod and the manual aperture controlling ring. The manual aperture controlling ring is adjusted by the adjusting mechanism to make the rotation angle of the manual aperture controlling ring linearly proportional to the size variation of the lens aperture. The lens adapter allows the rotation angle of the manual aperture controlling ring linearly proportional to the size variation of the lens aperture in a manner of synchronously changing, thus facilitating the user to control the lens aperture. |
| US08970970B2 |
Imaging lens
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to an imaging lens, the imaging lens including, in an ordered way from an object side, a first lens having positive (+) refractive power, a second lens having negative (−) refractive power, a third lens having positive (+) refractive power, a fourth lens having negative (−) refractive power, and a fifth lens having a negative (−) refractive power, wherein the third lens takes a meniscus shape convexly formed at an object side. |
| US08970967B2 |
Zoom lens, image-pickup apparatus having the same, and image projection apparatus having the same
The zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a rear unit including one or more lens units, a distance between every adjacent lens units varies during zooming, and an aperture diaphragm on the image side of the first lens unit, a combined focal length of the rear unit at a wide-angle end being positive. One lens unit LG on the object side of the aperture diaphragm is made of a solid material, and includes an optical element GnNL having a negative refractive power and another optical element having a positive refractive power, and the predetermined conditions are satisfied. |
| US08970965B2 |
Display element and electric apparatus using same
A display element (10) includes an upper substrate (first substrate) (2), a lower substrate (second substrate) (3), and a polar liquid (16) that is sealed in a display space (S) formed between the upper substrate (2) and the lower substrate (3) so as to be moved toward an effective display region (P1) or a non-effective display region (P2). A rib (14) hermetically divides the inside of the display space (S) in accordance with each of a plurality of pixel regions (P). A movement space (K) in which an oil (insulating fluid) (17) is moved is provided for each of the pixel regions (P). |
| US08970958B2 |
Broadband optical beam splitters
A broadband optical beam splitter can comprise a non-metallic high contrast grating including a substrate and an array of posts attached to a surface of the substrate. The grating can have a subwavelength period with respect to a preselected optical energy wavelength, the preselected optical energy wavelength within the range of 400 nm to 1.6 μm. Additionally, the broadband optical beam splitter can have a bandwidth of 80 nm to 120 nm and can have an optical energy loss of less than 5%. |
| US08970956B2 |
On-chip diffraction grating prepared by crystallographic wet-etch
Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods may include forming a photomask on a (110) silicon wafer substrate, wherein the photomask comprises a periodic array of parallelogram openings, and then performing a timed wet etch on the (110) silicon wafer substrate to form a diffraction grating structure that is etched into the (110) silicon wafer substrate. |
| US08970954B2 |
Polarization converter of bidirectional cylindrical symmetry and cartesian-cylindrical polarization conversion method
A bidirectional Cartesian-cylindrical converter system and method for converting the spatial distribution of polarization states include a radial polarization converter capable of receiving a linearly polarized, spatially uniform, polarization distribution beam in order to convert it into a beam having a radial or azimuthal distribution of polarization states about an axis of symmetry. An optical device compensates for the phase shift induced by the radial polarization converter and is capable of introducing a spatially uniform phase shift to compensate for the phase shift introduced by the radial polarization converter. |
| US08970951B2 |
Mask inspection microscope with variable illumination setting
During mask inspection it is necessary to identify defects which also occur during wafer exposure. Therefore, the aerial images generated in the resist and on the detector have to be as far as possible identical. In order to achieve an equivalent image generation, during mask inspection the illumination and, on the object side, the numerical aperture are adapted to the scanner used. The invention relates to a mask inspection microscope for variably setting the illumination. It serves for generating an image of the structure (150) of a reticle (145) arranged in an object plane in a field plane of the mask inspection microscope. It comprises a light source (5) that emits projection light, at least one illumination beam path (3, 87, 88), and a diaphragm for generating a resultant intensity distribution of the projection light in a pupil plane (135) of the illumination beam path (3, 87, 88) that is optically conjugate with respect to the object plane. According to the invention, the diaphragm is embodied in such a way that the resultant intensity distribution of the projection light has at least one further intensity value between a minimum and a maximum intensity value. |
| US08970950B2 |
Single plane illumination microscope
The invention relates to a microscope in which a layer of the sample is illuminated by a plurality of thin strips of light (11) passed through a grid (34) and the sample is viewed (5) perpendicular to the plane of the strips of light. To record the image, the object (4) is displaced through the strips of light (11). At least three different images of the objects (4) are made at different phase angles. The images can be combined to form a single combined image. |
| US08970946B2 |
Optical signal processing apparatus, optical receiving apparatus, and optical relay apparatus
An optical signal processing apparatus includes an input unit to which signal light is input; a wave coupling unit that couples the signal light from the input unit and pump light having a waveform different from that of the signal light; a first nonlinear optical medium that transmits light coupled by the wave coupling unit, the light being the signal light and the pump light; a dispersion medium that transmits the light that has been transmitted through the first nonlinear optical medium; and a second nonlinear optical medium that transmits the light that has been transmitted through the dispersion medium. |
| US08970944B2 |
Ultrabright long biphoton generation with non-linear optical material
Improved production of entangled photon pairs (biphotons) via spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) is provided. In one aspect, forward-wave SPDC is performed in a monolithic resonator (resonant for both signal and idler) having a double pass pump geometry to provide a spectrally bright source of biphotons. In another aspect, backward-wave SPDC is performed in a resonator (resonant for both signal and idler) to provide a spectrally bright source of biphotons. For either of these approaches, the biphotons can be made to have polarization entanglement by using quasi phasematching (QPM) with two QPM periods simultaneously. |
| US08970940B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method of the display device
The MEMS shutter includes a shutter having an aperture part, a first spring connected to the shutter, a first anchor connected to the first spring, a second spring and a second anchor connected to the second spring, an insulation film on a surface of the shutter, the first spring, the second spring, the first anchor and the second anchor, the surfaces being in a perpendicular direction to a surface of a substrate, and the insulation film is not present on a surface of the plurality of terminals, and a surface of the shutter, the first spring, the second spring, the first anchor and the second anchor, the surfaces being in a parallel direction to a surface of the substrate and on the opposite side of the side facing the substrate. |
| US08970936B2 |
Method and system for fine adjustment of optical elements position
An optical device is presented comprising: a cavity defining a cavity axis of light propagation; at least two optical elements having their optical axes, respectively, and being aligned along said cavity axis such that the optical axes of the optical elements coincide with said cavity axis; and a positioning unit associated with at least one of said at least two optical elements. The positioning unit is configured and operable for providing controllable axial rotation of said at least one optical element about the cavity axis, thereby enabling controllable fine adjustment of orientation of said at least one optical element relative to the at least one other optical element, while keeping the aligned positions of the optical elements with respect to said cavity axis. |
| US08970934B2 |
Optical system and method
An optical system in a video probe assembly includes a plurality of lenses configured to refract separate linearly polarized rays under different refractive indexes to form a plurality of different focal lengths. The optical system includes at least one light modulating element that modulates a polarization state of the linearly polarized rays passing through the at least one light modulating element in response to a control signal. The optical system includes a polarizer element that filters out some of the modulated linearly polarized rays passing through the polarizer element. A method of inspecting a target with an optical system of a video probe assembly is also provided. |
| US08970932B2 |
Decolorizing device, sheet decolorizing method, and recording medium for recording decolorizing process program
A decolorizing device includes a first reading section, a decolorizing section, a second reading section and a controller. The first reading section reads a first side of the sheet. The decolorizing section performs a decolorizing process on the sheet and the second reading section reads the first side of the sheet. The controller is configured to determine if the decolorizing process is necessary or not on the first side based on first image data of the first side read by the first reading section, to read the first side of the sheet having been subjected to the decolorizing process at the decolorizing section by the second reading section if it is determined that the decolorizing process is necessary, and to avoid reading of the first side of the sheet by the second reading section if it is determined that the decolorizing process is unnecessary. |
| US08970928B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method thereof and storage medium
This invention provides a technique of preventing a collision between an original document and a printing material on a conveyance path when an image forming apparatus executes both additional printing on the original document and printing on the printing material. In a case where both additional printing on an original document and printing on a printing material are executed, the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the invention conveys a read original document to a transfer unit through a conveyance path commonly used for an original document and sheet, and prints an image to be added on the original document. After the original document is conveyed to the transfer unit through the conveyance path, the image forming apparatus feeds a sheet from a sheet feeding unit to the conveyance path, and performs copying on the sheet in the transfer unit. |
| US08970927B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes: a reading unit; a feeding unit; a carriage; a motor-side transmission gear for transmitting power from a motor; a carriage-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the carriage; a feeding unit-side transmission gear for transmitting the power to the feeding unit; a switching gear switched between a meshing state with the carriage-side transmission gear at a carriage-side position and a meshing state with the feeding unit-side transmission gear at a feeding unit-side position; and a control device for performing: a first switching process for meshing the switching gear with the feeding unit-side transmission gear; a second switching process for meshing the switching gear with the carriage-side transmission gear; and an initialization process of the reading unit. |
| US08970922B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a housing; an image formation unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; a stacking tray configured such that the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit is stacked; a discharge unit configured to discharge, to the stacking tray, the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image formation unit; and a reading device comprising a reading unit configured to read out an image formed on a document and a reversing unit configured to reverse a conveying direction of the document, and wherein the reading device is disposed on a lower side in a vertical direction with respect to the stacking tray and on a downstream side in a discharging direction of the recording medium discharged from the discharge unit with respect to the discharge unit. |
| US08970921B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes: a conveyer configured to convey a sheet; a first introducing part configured to introduce a first-type sheet toward the conveyer; a second introducing part configured to introduce a second-type sheet different from the first-type sheet toward the conveyer; a cover configured to be displaced between an open state, in which the second introducing part is opened, and a closed state, in which the first introducing part is opened and the second introducing part is closed; an image processor configured to perform image processing according to a sheet conveyed by the conveyer; and a controller, wherein in a case where the cover is in the closed state, the controller performs a first setting process to set a first image processing condition corresponding to image processing according to the first-type sheet. |
| US08970916B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of supplementing pixel value
Provided is an image processing apparatus including a periodicity determining unit that determines whether a determination area including a target defective pixel is a periodicity area, a first pixel value generating unit that generates a pixel value by a first supplementing method, a second pixel value generating unit that generates a pixel value by a pixel second supplementing method, a control unit that determines which of the first pixel value generating unit and the second pixel value generating unit is to be used based on the determination by the periodicity determining unit, a pixel value supplementing unit that inserts the pixel value generated by the pixel value generating unit determined to be adopted, and a pixel value updating unit that updates pixel values of neighboring pixels of the defective pixel. |
| US08970913B2 |
Printing system and image forming apparatus and method that check a precision of a formed image
A printing system includes the following elements. An addition unit creates additional image data having a specific attribute and adds it to original image data, thereby creating document image data. An image forming unit forms a document image including an original image and an additional image on a recording medium on the basis of the document image data. An image reader reads the document image, thereby creating read image data. A difference image creator creates difference image data by calculating a difference between the original image data and the read image data. A canceling unit corrects, on the basis of the specific attribute, the difference image data by canceling a difference generated due to the addition of the additional image data, thereby creating corrected difference image data. An inspection unit performs inspection to find a defect of the original image on the basis of the corrected difference image data. |
| US08970899B2 |
System for accepting mail matter, including a labeler attaching a label containing a registered barcode to mail matter
A system for accepting a mail matter is provided, which includes an image processing unit recognizing a mailing address; a weight measurement unit measuring a weight of the mail matter; a mailing address information input unit; a postage information storage unit; a postage settlement unit; an interface unit for selecting mailing addresses of an addresser and an addressee; a labeler printing the mailing addresses of the addresser and the addressee and a registered barcode on a label and attaching the label to the mail matter; a discharger discharging the mail matter; and an integrated control unit settling the postage through the postage settlement unit, attaching the selected mailing addresses of the addresser and the addressee and the registered barcode to the mail matter through the labeler, and discharging the mail matter through the discharger. |
| US08970896B1 |
Printing quality determination based on text analysis
A method comprising using at least one hardware processor for: analyzing text in a digital document, to identify a text segment referring to a figure of the digital document; mapping said text segment to said figure; identifying, in said text segment, reference to one or more non-grayscale colors of said figure, to determine a level of importance of said one or more colors to legibility of said figure; and printing said digital document in accordance with the level of importance. |
| US08970895B2 |
Image forming apparatus for printing on front and back of paper
An image forming apparatus acquires front and back images to be formed on paper and divides the front and back images of paper into a first image formed a part of the front image, a second image formed of the remaining part of the front image and a part of the back image, and a third image formed of the remaining part of the back image. The image forming apparatus forms the first and second images on the paper folded at the first position, and forms the third image on the paper folded at the second position. The image forming apparatus forms the first to third images such that the part of the front image and the remaining part of the front image constitute the front image and the part of the back image and the remaining part of the back image constitute the back image when the paper is unfolded. |
| US08970887B2 |
Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and recording medium
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and an external terminal. The image forming apparatus generates first display data for a first operation screen that includes a key image for receiving an instruction to execute an external terminal program, on the basis of program information regarding the types of external terminal programs that are programs installed in the external terminal, and transmits the first display data to the external terminal. The external terminal displays the first operation screen on a display unit of the external terminal on the basis of the first display data. |
| US08970885B2 |
Virtual printer interface node
A virtual printer interface node enables a non-cloud-ready printer to communicate with a cloud-based service, residing on an internet. The virtual printer interface node includes a housing; a communication interface to provide communication directly to the network router; and a microcontroller operatively connected to the communication interface. The microcontroller converts commands, received through the communication interface, from the cloud-based service, residing on the internet, to native protocols of the non-cloud-ready networked printer and communicates the converted native protocols to the non-cloud-ready networked printer. |
| US08970883B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of file conversion
An image forming apparatus having a file-format conversion function and a method thereof. The image forming apparatus is capable of performing a data communication with an external memory device. The image forming apparatus includes an interface unit to receive a first file from the external memory device and to transmit a second file to the external memory device, and a file converter to convert a format of the first file from a first format into a second format according to information on the first and second files. Thus, the format of the received file can be converted in the image forming apparatus in a simple and speed way. |
| US08970882B2 |
Image processing apparatus which updates the print jobs retrieved from a server and displayed on the image processing apparatus in response to job list display changing operations prior to printing
Instead of receiving all pieces of job information accumulated in a server, some pieces of job information are acquired in addition to a total number of pieces of job information, and pieces of job information which can be displayed on one screen, and the latest information is acquired from the server as a scroll operation is performed. |
| US08970872B2 |
Image formation control apparatus, image formation apparatus, image formation system, computer readable medium, and tandem printing system
An image formation control apparatus includes a management unit, a communication unit, and a control unit. The management unit manages first image formation processing on a first face of a planar recording medium. The first image formation processing is performed by a first image formation apparatus. The communication unit communicates with a second image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation on a second face of the planar recording medium. The control unit performs control of transportation of the planar recording medium from the first image formation apparatus to the second image formation apparatus or from the second image formation apparatus. A first amount of time to start image formation from receiving an image formation instruction in the first image formation apparatus is smaller that a second amount of time to start image formation from receiving an image formation instruction in the second image formation apparatus. |
| US08970867B2 |
Secure management of 3D print media
A system for printing 3D objects protects a 3D object file from being copied by separating the file into a series of instructions for printing the 3D object and sends those instructions piecemeal to a printing facility. The system enforces a methodology that forces the print facility to delete a previous set of instructions before the print facility can receive the next set of instructions to print a 3D object. By using such a system, the print facility never has the entire 3D print file in memory, preserving the rights of the creator of the 3D print file. |
| US08970866B2 |
Image processing apparatus having user login function, control method therefor, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus which is capable of improving ease of operation for users and also improving security when destinations are made public. The image processing apparatus is shared by a plurality of users and capable of selecting a destination from a plurality of address books and carrying out file transmission to the destination. It is determined whether or not a user has logged in, and when it is determined that the user has logged in, only personal addresses for the logged-in user are displayed on a display unit. The personal destinations displayed on the display unit are switched to destinations other than the personal destinations according to selection by the user. When it is determined that the user has not logged in, all destinations which are registered in the plurality of address books are displayed on the display unit. |
| US08970864B2 |
System and method for enabling transactions by means of print media that incorporate electronic recording and transmission means
A system and method for enabling automatic electronic, telephonic, and Internet transactions through print media, as well as providing value that flows to a supplier for the service of enabling such transactions. The transactions can utilize print media that can include electronic recording media and counterfeit protection, where the electronic recording media can identify suppliers of the media, providers of the service promoted by the electronic media, and can set a value for a supplier, such as a print media supplier or facilitator. |
| US08970861B2 |
Document reading method and apparatus which positions a read unit according to whether a cover is open or closed
An image reading device includes a document reading unit configured to guide light emitted from a light source to a photoelectric conversion unit to read an image on the document; a driving unit configured to drive the document reading unit so that the document reading unit reciprocates along the document; a reading position obtaining unit configured to obtain a home position at which the document reading unit is in a stopped state when starting a read operation; a dark time data obtaining unit configured to obtain dark time output data of the photoelectric conversion unit while the light source is turned off; and a read control unit configured to perform control for causing the driving unit to return the document reading unit to the home position and entering a document read operation to read a document image after the dark time data obtaining unit obtains the dark time output data. |
| US08970860B2 |
Image processing device that displays process sequence, display device and non-transitory computer readable recording medium
An image processing device, comprises: a display part; a manipulation detecting part for detecting an operation; an image inputting part for inputting image data; an image processing part for performing various types of image processing sequentially in accordance with a processing process set in advance; a thumbnail image generating part for generating a thumbnail image one by one; an image outputting part for outputting an image based on the image data which is processed through all various types of the image processing; and a display controlling part for displaying a processing path of various types of the image processing on the display part, and for displaying the thumbnail image on the display part. The display controlling part updates the displayed processing path, thereby displaying a progress of the image processing to process the image data, and updates the thumbnail image in conjunction with the update of the displayed processing path. |
| US08970859B2 |
Virtual printer interface node
A virtual printer interface node enables a non-cloud-ready printer to communicate with a cloud-based service, residing on an internet. The virtual printer interface node includes a housing; a communication interface to provide communication directly to the network router; and a microcontroller operatively connected to the communication interface. The microcontroller converts commands, received through the communication interface, from the cloud-based service, residing on the internet, to native protocols of the non-cloud-ready networked printer and communicates the converted native protocols to the non-cloud-ready networked printer. |
| US08970858B2 |
Operator guidance system and image forming apparatus incorporating same
An operator guidance system includes a detection unit, a control unit, and an operation indicator. The detection unit is disposed in an image forming apparatus to output a combination of detection signals, and includes one or more media sensors, and one or more opening sensors. The one or more media sensors are disposed along a media conveyance path to output a media detection signal. The one or more opening sensors are disposed adjacent to an openable structure to output an opening detection signal. The control unit is connected to the detection unit to determine guidance to be provided to an operator based on the combination of detection signals, and includes a memory and a controller. The operation indicator is connected to the control unit to indicate the identified operation to the operator. |
| US08970856B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is described. Selecting a function desired by a user from among functions provided in the apparatus is provided to improve operability as well as eliminating erroneous copy. In the image forming apparatus, an operation unit includes a display panel for displaying a function selecting portion. An operation unit side control portion, as the function selecting portion, has a first function selecting portion in which selectable function items are displayed corresponding to an operation mode and a second function selecting portion in which other function items which are selectable at the same time. The first function selecting portion and the second function selecting portion are displayed at the same time on the display panel, so that functions of the first function selecting portion and functions of the second function selecting portion are selectable at the same time. |
| US08970853B2 |
Three-dimensional measurement apparatus, three-dimensional measurement method, and storage medium
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus for calculating three-dimensional shape information of a target object, comprising: capturing means for capturing reflected pattern light of stripe pattern light formed by alternately arranging a bright portion and a dark portion as first image data, and capturing reflected pattern light of reversed stripe pattern light formed by reversing the bright portion and the dark portion of the stripe pattern light as second image data; determination means for determining a boundary position between the bright portion and the dark portion based on the first image data and the second image data; and reliability calculation means for calculating a reliability indicating accuracy of the boundary position from a correlation between a first luminance gradient of the first image data and a second luminance gradient of the second image data. |
| US08970852B2 |
Laser projector for chassis alignment
A laser projector for chassis alignment has a laser light source emitting a laser light beam, an optical element which generates a structured laser light pattern when it is irradiated by the laser light beam, a detector which is situated in such a way that it is irradiated by a sub-area of the structured laser light pattern and generates an output signal which is correlated with the radiation, and an evaluation unit which compares the output signal generated by the detector with at least one predefined setpoint value and turns off the laser light source if it detects a significant deviation of the output signal from the setpoint value. |
| US08970849B2 |
Tomography apparatus and tomogram correction processing method
This invention realizes accurate positional offset correction between a plurality of tomograms captured by using a tomography apparatus. The invention is a tomography apparatus which corrects the positional offsets between a plurality of two-dimensional tomograms constituting a three-dimensional tomogram. This apparatus includes a tomogram analysis unit (120) which extracts feature amounts representing the tissue of a measurement target, a tomogram selection unit (140) which selects a standard two-dimensional tomogram from the plurality of two-dimensional tomograms based on the feature amounts, and a tomogram position correction unit (150) which calculates the positional offset amount between the nth two-dimensional tomogram adjacent to the standard two-dimensional tomogram and the (n−1)th two-dimensional tomogram. |
| US08970847B2 |
Optical image measuring device
An optical image measuring device includes: an optical system that generates and detects interference light; an image forming part that forms a tomographic image based on the detection; an alignment part that performs alignment of the optical system with respect to an object; a focusing part that focuses the optical system with respect to the region of interest; a determining part that determines the suitability of the position of the optical system by the alignment part, the suitability of the focus state by the focusing part, and the suitability of the position of the tomographic image in a frame; a control part that, when it is determined that all of the positions of the optical system, position of focus state and the position in said frame are appropriate, controls the optical system and the image forming part, making it possible to obtain the tomographic image of the region of interest. |
| US08970846B2 |
Optical image measurement apparatus
A main controller 211 controls a fiber-end drive mechanism 140 and an attenuator 121 with reference to the received-light amount of interference light LC to cause the following operations (1) and (2) to be executed alternately: (1) moving an emission end 116 to increase the received-light amount to at least an upper limit; and (2) changing the light amount of reference light LR to decrease the received-light amount to at least a lower limit. When the received-light amount specified by an received-light-amount specifying part 212 decreases in response to the movement of the emission end 116 in (1), the main controller 211 controls the fiber-end drive mechanism 140 to return the relative position to the immediately preceding status of this change. The main controller 211 leads the received-light amount of interference light LC by a CCD image sensor 120 to a target value by controlling the attenuator 121 to change the light amount of interference light LC. |
| US08970842B2 |
Multi-harmonic inline reference cell for optical trace gas sensing
A spectroscopic sensor and a spectroscopic method of determining a concentration of a sample are disclosed. The sensor is used in connection with a sample cell containing a sample. The sensor includes a coherent light source configured to transmit an interrogation light beam along an optical sample path directed towards the sample. The sensor also includes an in-line reference cell located in the sample path. The sensor also includes a detector having outputs responsive to absorption signals from the sample and the in-line reference cell. The sensor also includes a processor configured to isolate the reference absorption signals from the in-line reference cell and sample absorption signals from the sample cell and generate calibration information based on the reference absorption signals and determine a concentration of the sample based on the sample absorption signals. |
| US08970835B2 |
Optical characteristic measuring apparatus
An optical characteristic measuring apparatus includes a hemispheric portion having a reflective surface on its inner wall, and a plane portion arranged to close an opening of the hemispheric portion and having a reflective surface on an inner-wall side of the hemispheric portion. The plane portion includes a first window occupying a range including a substantial center of curvature of the hemispheric portion for attaching a light source to the first window. At least one of the hemispheric portion and the plane portion includes a plurality of second windows arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule for extracting light from inside the hemispheric portion. |
| US08970822B2 |
Support table for a lithographic apparatus, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A support table for a lithographic apparatus, the support table having a support section and a conditioning system, wherein the support section, the conditioning system, or both, is configured such that heat transfer to or from a substrate supported on the support table, resulting from the operation of the conditioning system, is greater in a region of the substrate adjacent an edge of the substrate than it is in a region of the substrate that is at the center of the substrate. |
| US08970815B2 |
Metallic surfaces as alignment layers for nondisplay applications of liquid crystals
Systems and methods are described for producing liquid crystal devices microwave that use metal alignment layers. The liquid crystal microwave devices include a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between metal layers, which are further sandwiched between substrate layers. At least one of the metal layers is rubbed to form micro-grooves that tend to align the liquid crystal molecules adjacent to those layers without using additional rubbed polymeric layers for the alignment. The thickness of the metal layers can be selected to yield a desired electromagnetic effect, such as constraint of propagation of microwave radiation. |
| US08970814B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device and a manufacturing method thereof. The liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate, a CF substrate opposite to and parallel with the TFT substrate, liquid crystal interposed between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate, spacers arranged between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate, and an enclosing resin frame arranged between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate and located along edges of the TFT substrate and the CF substrate. The TFT substrate and the CF substrate have inside surfaces that oppose the liquid crystal and are both provided with alignment layers. The alignment layers include flexible alignment films, which are in the form of thin membranes and are positioned on the inside surfaces of the TFT substrate and the CF substrate by being stuck thereto. |
| US08970811B2 |
Optical film for reducing color shift and liquid crystal display having the same
An optical film for reducing color shift in an LCD is disposed in front of a liquid crystal panel of the LCD. The optical film includes a background layer, a plurality of engraved lens sections formed in the background layer such that the engraved lens sections are spaced apart from each other, and packed portions, each of the packed portions being disposed inside a respective one of the engraved lens sections. The refractive index of the packed portions is different from that of the background layer. The packed portions are partially packed inside the engraved lens sections. The refractive index of the packed portions is greater than that of the background layer. The background layer and the packed portions are made of transparent polymer resin. |
| US08970810B2 |
Electronic display with internal ledges
An electronic display comprises an electro-optic layer comprising electro-optical material. The display includes a first electrically conductive layer and a second electrically conductive layer, the electro-optic layer being disposed between the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer. A first substrate is disposed adjacent the first electrically conductive layer and a second substrate is disposed adjacent the second electrically conductive layer. The first substrate and the second substrate are formed in a shape that has at least one outer peripheral edge boundary, excluding any ledges. Internal ledges are disposed inside the at least one outer peripheral edge boundary. A first of the internal ledges comprises a portion of the first substrate and an exposed portion of the first electrically conductive layer and a second of the internal ledges comprises a portion of the second substrate and an exposed portion of the second electrically conductive layer. |
| US08970807B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display
Disclosed is a backlight module having light sources and a light guide plate, and the light guide plate has an incident side, and the lights emitted by the light sources pass through the incident side and enter into the light guide plate, and the a light direction changing layer is positioned at the incident side, and the light direction changing layer is employed for changing progress directions of the lights entering the incident side to shorten a distance perpendicular to the incident side from an intersection point of the lights emitted by adjacent light sources to the light sources. The present invention also discloses a liquid crystal display. |
| US08970806B2 |
Display unit
A display unit having a display module, which has a display having a rear display wall with bosses having support surfaces. A housing covers the of the display has support bosses through which fastening screws are guided and can be screwed into holes of the screw bosses to brace the display module against the housing. A spacer is arranged between each screw and support. The surface of the spacer extends parallel to the rear display wall. The spacer is supported on the support boss. The spacer surface and the supporting surface of the support boss rise helically in opposite directions and are concentric to a through-hole. The threaded shaft of the fastening screw protrudes through a spacer through-opening and is frictionally locked to the inner wall of the spacer through-opening to a certain torque. |
| US08970798B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device includes: a first substrate; a second substrate on the first substrate and facing the first substrate, the second substrate having a first electrode on a surface thereof; a third substrate on the second substrate and facing the second substrate, the third substrate having a second electrode on a surface thereof, the second electrode facing the first electrode and configured to form an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode; a barrier layer interposed between the second substrate and the third substrate, the barrier layer configured to selectively control transmission and blockage of light in regions thereof corresponding to each of a plurality of pixels; and a first polarizing plate on the third substrate and configured to transmit a portion of light passing through the barrier layer, the portion of light having a first phase, the barrier layer including electrochromic elements. |
| US08970795B2 |
Sliding panels system for hiding a flat screen TV
A sliding panels system for hiding a flat screen television, has a wall attachment panel, a pair of post members spaced from one another and attached to the wall attachment panel. Extendable upper and lower rail assemblies attached between the post members. A first side support bracket assembly connected between the upper and lower rail assemblies on first ends thereof, and a second side support bracket assembly connected between the upper and lower rail assemblies on second ends thereof, such that the space between the first and second support bracket assemblies can be adjusted by the extendable upper and lower rail assemblies; and first and second panel members respectively attached to the first and second support bracket assemblies, such that the first and second panel members can be moved between an open and a closed position. |
| US08970790B2 |
Switching power supply device
A switching power supply device has a switching controller adapted to generate an output voltage from an input voltage by turning on and off a switching device by a non-linear control method according to a comparison signal and a timer signal, a main comparator adapted to generate the comparison signal by comparing a feedback voltage based on the output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage, a timer adapted to output the timer signal as a one-shot pulse when a predetermined fixed period elapses after the switching device is turned from on to off or vice versa, and a reverse current detector adapted to detect a reverse current to the switching device to forcibly turn off the switching device. The timer and the reverse current detector are turned on at a pulse edge in the comparison signal, and are turned off on ending their respective operation. |
| US08970788B2 |
Gain-determining method and apparatus for grayscale white balance of display apparatus
A gain-determining method for grayscale white balance of a display apparatus comprising a panel is provided. The method first displays a white, a red, a green, and a blue images on the panel respectively and measures the chromatic values and luminance of the images. Next, the chromatic values and luminance of a target white image is inputted. Following, according to the measured chromatic values and luminance of the white, the red, the green and the blue images, a first set of color mixture ratios is calculated. Then, according to the chromatic values and luminance of the target white image and the chromatic values and luminance of the red, the green and the blue images, a second set of color mixture ratios is calculated. Finally, according to the first set and the second set of color mixture ratios, a red gain, a green gain and a blue gain are calculated. |
| US08970785B2 |
Display apparatus capable of discriminating the type of video signal input from a common terminal
A display apparatus, equipped with a common input terminal inputting different video signals, can discriminate the type of an input video signal entered from the common input terminal. The display apparatus includes the common input terminal inputting different video signals. A synchronizing signal separation unit separates a synchronizing signal from a video signal entered from the common input terminal. A frequency measurement unit measures a frequency of the synchronizing signal. An input signal discrimination unit discriminates the video signal entered from the common input terminal based on a type of the synchronizing signal separated by the synchronizing signal separation unit and a measurement result obtained by the frequency measurement unit. |
| US08970784B2 |
Driving apparatus, driving method, and program
There is provided a driving apparatus which includes an acquisition section which acquires a parameter for driving an imaging element, which receives an optical image from a subject and outputs an imaging image as an electric signal, in an action mode which is desired by a user; a timing generation section which generates respective timings of the starting of each of a plurality of horizontal synchronization periods, where horizontal synchronization periods which are only different in terms of the number of clocks determined in advance are acquired in a mixed state, based on the parameter; and a driving control section which receives the optical image from the subject for each line which configures the imaging element by synchronizing the respective timings which are generated using the timing generation section. |
| US08970781B2 |
Camera module having MEMS actuator, connecting method for shutter coil of camera module and camera module manufactured by the same method
Disclosed is a camera module including a substrate which is provided with an electrode pad and an image sensor; a housing which is stacked on the substrate and of which an upper portion is opened so that light is incident to the image sensor; a MEMS actuator which is installed at the housing and has an electrode terminal at one side thereof, and a conductive pattern which is formed at the housing, wherein a lower end of the conductive pattern is connected with the electrode pad of the substrate, and an upper end thereof is connected with the electrode terminal of the MEMS actuator, whereby it is possible to improve electrical reliability between the electrode terminal of the MEMS actuator and the electrode pad of the substrate and facilely form the electrical connection therebetween, thereby reducing the number of processes. |
| US08970778B2 |
Camera support apparatus
A camera support apparatus for supporting a video camera comprises a drive train device (1), a first inductive position sensor (23), (14) attached to a rotational output device (11) of the drive train device (10), and a second inductive position sensor (2), (3) attached to a rotational input device (4) which is operably connected to the drive train device (1), whereby the inductance sensed by the first position sensor (23), (14) is indicative of the rotational displacement of the rotational output device (11) and the inductance sensed by the second position sensor (2), (3) is indicative of the rotational displacement of the rotational input device (4). |
| US08970772B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus
A digital photographing apparatus includes an exchangeable lens and a body unit to which the exchangeable lens is installed. The exchangeable lens includes a plurality of actuators and a storage unit that stores power consumption information related to driving of the plurality of actuators. The body unit includes an actuator controller that controls the driving of the plurality of actuators based on the power consumption information. Accordingly, the plurality of actuators included in the exchangeable lens may be stably controlled. |
| US08970768B2 |
Unit pixel array and image sensor having the same
A unit pixel array of an image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of unit pixels, an interlayer insulating layer disposed on a front side of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of color filters disposed on a back side of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of light path converters, each of the light path converters being disposed adjacent to at least one color filter and having a pair of slanted side edges extending from opposing ends of a horizontal bottom edge, and a plurality of micro lenses disposed on the color filters. |
| US08970766B2 |
Imaging device
An imaging device includes an image data interface unit that outputs the first image data according to a pixel signal from a solid-state imaging device, an image data reading unit that reads image data from a storage unit and outputs the read image data as second image data, an image synthesizing unit that outputs third image data in which the first image data is synthesized with the second image data, an evaluation value generating unit that generates an evaluation value based on image data, a first image data selecting unit that inputs selected image data to the evaluation value generating unit, an image data writing unit that stores input image data in the storage unit via the data bus, a second image data selecting unit that inputs selected image data to the image data writing unit, and a display unit that displays an image corresponding to the third image data. |
| US08970758B2 |
Image pickup device and signal processing method thereof
An image pickup device is provided, capable of complete correction with data of once analog-to-digital conversion, and prevention of excess use of switches and analog devices and/or erroneous correction, including: an image sensor having a plurality of analog-to-digital converters determining conversion results from a digital signal of higher order bit through separate steps of two or more times; a first correction unit which has a correction factor for correcting nonlinear errors of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters so as to adapt to the analog-to-digital converters and corrects a nonlinear error of a digital signal output from respective analog-to-digital converters based on a correction factor corresponding to respective analog-to-digital converters, characterized in that the first correction unit corrects the nonlinear errors after converting the digital signals from the plurality of analog-to-digital converters into a serial output. |
| US08970756B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus and imaging system
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, wherein the pixel array has a region formed from one of an electrical conductor and a semiconductor to which a fixed electric potential is supplied, each pixel includes a photoelectric converter, a charge-voltage converter which converts charges generated by the photoelectric converter into a voltage, and an amplification unit which amplifies a signal generated by the charge-voltage converter by a positive gain and outputs the amplified signal to an output line, and the output line comprising a shielding portion arranged to shield at least part of the charge-voltage converter with respect to the region. |
| US08970754B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and method for controlling the image capturing apparatus
An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels each having a plurality of photoelectric conversion units and a microlens and that is capable of capturing a subject and periodically outputting image signals individually from the plurality of photoelectric conversion units, a control unit that performs control such that, within the period in which the image sensor outputs an image signal, charge accumulation durations of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units of each pixel of the image sensor are shifted with respect to each other, and a synthesizing unit that sums up, for each pixel, the image signals individually output from the plurality of photoelectric conversion units. |
| US08970753B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section wherein pixels including photoelectric conversion devices are arranged in a matrix; and a pixel driving section including a row selection circuit which controls the pixels to perform an electronic shutter operation and readout of the pixel section. The row selection circuit has a function of selecting a readout row from which a signal is read out and a shutter row on which reset is performed by discharging charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion devices, in accordance with address and control signals. The row selection circuit can set, in accordance with the address and control signals, in the pixels of the selected row, at least a readout state, a discharge state where a smaller amount of the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion devices than the reset is discharged, an electronic shutter state, and a charge state where the charge is accumulated in the photoelectric conversion devices. |
| US08970750B2 |
Image outputting apparatus, image outputting method, image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, data structure and imaging apparatus
An image outputting apparatus includes a header production section for producing a header including header information formed from first and second frame information regarding whether pixel data included in a payload are of first and last lines of one frame, respectively, first line information regarding whether or not the pixel data included in the payload are valid, and second line information regarding a line number of a line formed from the pixel data included in the payload, and an error detection code for use for detection of an error of the header information. A packet production section produces a packet which includes, in the payload thereof, pixel data for one line which configure an image obtained by imaging by an imaging section and to which the header is added. An outputting section outputs the produced packet to an image processing apparatus. |
| US08970749B2 |
Photoelectric conversion film-stacked solid-state imaging device without microlenses, its manufacturing method, and imaging apparatus
There are provided a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion film stacked on a layer that is disposed on the light incidence side of the semiconductor substrate; signal reading unit formed in a surface portion of the semiconductor substrate, for reading out, as shot image signals, signals corresponding to signal charge amounts detected by the photoelectric conversion film according to incident light quantities; a transparent substrate bonded to a layer that is disposed on the light incidence side of the photoelectric conversion film with a transparent resin as an adhesive; and electric connection terminals which are connected to the signal reading unit by interconnections and which penetrate through the semiconductor substrate and are exposed in a surface, located on the opposite side to the side where the photoelectric conversion film is provided, of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08970745B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method and storage medium to suppress shading of images in which pixel addition processing is performed
An imaging device 100 is equipped with an image acquisition unit 51, a first calculation unit 52 and a correction information calculation unit 53. The image acquisition unit 51 acquires image data including a luminance component and color components, via an optical system. The first calculation unit 52 detects shading of the luminance component included in the image data, and detects shading of the color difference components. The correction information calculation unit 53 calculates luminance shading correction coefficients and color difference shading correction coefficients. The correction information calculation unit 53 then converts the calculated color difference shading correction coefficients so as to have predetermined ratios with respect to the calculated luminance shading correction coefficients. A correction processing unit 62 corrects plural sets of image data on the basis of the converted color difference shading correction coefficients, and then performs pixel addition of the images. |
| US08970741B2 |
Imaging apparatus, image quality correction method of imaging apparatus, interchangeable lens and imaging apparatus body
An imaging apparatus includes a condenser lens optical system and a solid-state imaging device so that a pencil of incident light rays passing through the condenser lens optical system and then incident on the solid-state imaging device can be converged in a conical shape with a result that an image of the pencil of incident light rays can be formed on one point of a light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device due to light condensing effect of the condenser lens optical system, and the imaging apparatus further includes a correcting portion which performs image quality correction on a taken image signal outputted from the solid-state imaging device in accordance with set correction quantities; and each of the correction quantities is defined in accordance with an image height direction angle width and an incidence angle as defined herein. |
| US08970737B2 |
Apparatus and method for multi-spectral clip-on architecture
An apparatus and method improve sight. The apparatus includes a first sight configured to view a scene. A second sight is configured to alter content representative of the scene in a first manner to form first altered content. A third sight is configured to alter content representative of the scene in a second manner to form second altered content. An image combiner is configured to combine the second altered content with the first altered content to form combined altered scene content. |
| US08970735B2 |
Capturing device, capturing system, and capturing method
A capturing device includes: an image sensor generating an image signal; a storage unit setting a second region in a first region; a timing adjusting unit adjusting a timing at which the image signal is read out to write the image signal in the storage unit, and a timing at which the image signal is read out from the storage unit; an image conversion processing unit performing a predetermined process on the image, alternately writing a first image signal corresponding to a full image or a second image signal corresponding to a partial image in the first region in a different frame period, and writing an image signal that is different from the image signal written in the first region in the second region; and an output unit converting and outputting the first and second image signals into an image signal in a predetermined format. |
| US08970734B2 |
Imaging apparatus having temporary recording mode and direct recording mode
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device acquiring a captured image on a subject; a display section; setting means for setting whether to make effective a temporary recording mode in which the captured image is temporarily recorded in a first storage section; if the temporary recording mode is effective, display control means for playback displaying the captured image recorded in the first storage section from when the temporary recording mode has been effective on the display section in response to an instruction operation of a user; and recording control means for recording an image specified by the user from the playback-displayed captured images in a second storage section as an image to be saved. |
| US08970727B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image taking apparatus, image processing method and image processing program having movement determination
Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus including a synthesizing processing section configured to synthesize a plurality of images taken at different exposure times wherein, in processing to synthesize the taken images, the synthesizing processing section acquires a taken-image blending ratio varying in accordance with components selected from the taken images and carries out a blending process on a blend area in which pixels of the taken images are to be blended by applying the blending ratio to the blend area. |
| US08970722B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
An image processing apparatus such as a digital camera and a method of controlling the same is provided. In one embodiment, the digital camera generates an HDR image by combining two of a plurality of images to be combined for normal HDR processing. Before image combining operation, the digital camera converts the tone characteristics of at least one of the two images so as to assign more tone values to a tone area of an entire tone area of the HDR image which is not properly covered by either of the two images than before conversion. |
| US08970721B2 |
Imaging device, solid-state imaging element, image generation method, and program
An image capture device includes: an array of pixels 200 including a plurality of pixels 20 which are arranged two-dimensionally on an imaging area; a pixel signal reading section 30 for reading a pixel signal from each pixel 20; and an image generating section 32 for generating an image based on the pixel signals having been read by the pixel signal reading section 30. The array of pixels is divided into M unit pixel blocks 40 (where M is an integer of 2 or more) each containing N pixels (where N is an integer of 2 or more). The pixel signal reading section reads the pixel signals from the N pixels 20 contained in each unit pixel block 40 at every time interval T, with respectively different timings. |
| US08970719B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
Based on pixel value conversion coefficients, a pixel value converter converts pixel values of image signals obtained by imaging a same subject a plurality of times while mutually differentiating an exposure value. A synthesizing/weighting coefficient creation unit creates a synthesizing/weighting coefficient. A difference creation unit creates short-time exposure image data and long-time exposure image data. A weighting/synthesizing unit synthesizes the short-time exposure image data and the long-time exposure image data by using the synthesizing/weighting coefficient. A controller evaluates the difference, and updates the pixel value conversion coefficient so that the difference becomes smaller. |
| US08970718B2 |
Image capture accelerator
An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode. |
| US08970713B2 |
Automatic engagement of image stabilization
An image stabilized digital image capture device, comprising an image sensor for capturing a digital image; an optical system for imaging a scene onto the image sensor; an image stabilization system; an exposure control system; a memory system; and a processor. The processor is used to perform the steps of determining exposure settings using the exposure control system; selectively engaging the image stabilization system responsive to whether the determined exposure settings satisfy a predefined condition; capturing a digital image of a scene using the image sensor and the selectively engaged image stabilization system; and storing the captured digital image in the memory system. |
| US08970712B2 |
Image sensing apparatus for correcting image distortion caused by hand shake, and control method thereof
When sensing an image using an image sensor driven by the rolling shutter method, a shake of an image sensing apparatus in the exposure period of the image sensor is detected, and the temporal characteristic of the detected shake is obtained. For the temporal characteristic of the shake, the frequency distribution of the distortion amount of an object image that is generated in the image owing to the shake is analyzed. For at least the center frequency, the temporal characteristic of the shake is compensated for to eliminate a phase shift generated when the temporal characteristic of the shake is obtained. An object image distortion arising from the shake for each line of the image sensor is corrected using a correction amount calculated from the compensated temporal characteristic of the shake. |
| US08970708B2 |
Automatic device alignment mechanism
An alignment suite includes first and second targeting devices and an optical coupler. The first targeting device is configured to perform a positional determination regarding a downrange target. The first targeting device includes an image processor. The second targeting device is configured to perform a targeting function relative to the downrange target and is affixable to the first targeting device. The optical coupler enables the image processor to capture an image of a reference object at the second targeting device responsive to the first and second targeting devices being affixed together. The image processor employs processing circuitry that determines pose information indicative of an alignment relationship between the first and second targeting devices relative to the downrange target based on the image captured. |
| US08970706B2 |
Dual pixel pitch imaging array with extended dynamic range
An integrated focal plane provides two co-aligned, overlapping pixel arrays in two formats, one with large pixels and low pixel count, the other with small pixels and high pixel count. Typically, the large pixels are 10 to 100 times larger in area than the small pixels. The dual arrays are disposed in a single detector substrate flip-chip bonded to a single readout circuit. They are sensitive to two infrared colors, one shorter and one longer wavelength band. The dual array focal plane concurrently provides two distinct pixel instantaneous fields of view within the same overall field of view as well as simultaneous fast and slow frame rates. The dual frame rates allow for combined fast sensing with sensitive imaging. Differing spatial and temporal data enables enhanced image processing for improved clutter rejection and detection performance. Differing gains combined with the dual frame rates provide an extended dynamic range. |
| US08970705B2 |
Graphical power meter for consumer televisions
A graphical power meter involving a device for measuring, in real time, an internal power consumption value corresponding to power being consumed by an electronic device; and a device for displaying a graphical representation of the real-time internal power consumption value from the measuring device to a consumer. |
| US08970699B2 |
Methods and systems for automobile security monitoring
In one embodiment, a method for monitoring the security of a plurality of automobiles includes receiving a message indicating a potential security threat to an automobile, and sending, over a network to a terminal device associated with an owner of the automobile, an alert indicating the potential security threat to the automobile. The method may further include one or more of: streaming video from a security camera onboard the automobile, streaming video from a public security camera near the automobile, or sending a report to a law enforcement entity. |
| US08970698B2 |
Open platform surveillance/monitoring system and method
The invention relates to a surveillance/monitoring system, comprising one or more peripheral devices for generating surveillance/monitoring signals and/or data, and a management system for controlling the peripheral devices. The management system comprises one or more applications, wherein each application is provided with an application-specific environment. The surveillance/monitoring system further comprises at least one value-added solution, each value-added solution comprising an external component and an application-independent adaption layer through which the external component communicates with the application-specific environment by implementing at least one first interaction request to the adaption layer according to a pre-defined application- independent interaction interface. The application-specific environment is configured to mediate at least one interaction between the value-added solution and the surveillance/monitoring system by matching the at least one first interaction request with at least one second interaction request from the surveillance/monitoring system and fulfilling the interaction if a match is found. |
| US08970695B2 |
Image processing device, image processing system, camera device, image processing method, and program
An image processing device includes: a detecting section configured to detect a plurality of objects by type from one input image; a generating section configured to generate image data on each of the objects detected by the detecting section as images of respective different picture frames by types of the objects; and a processing section configured to subject the images of the different picture frames, the images of the different picture frames being generated by the generating section, to processing according to one of a setting and a request. |
| US08970693B1 |
Surface modeling with structured light
Structured light patterns are projected onto an object and images of the structured light interacting with the surface of the object are acquired, as well as grayscale information. Edges within the structured light patterns are detected and depth sample points on the edges are used to determine distance to those sample points. The grayscale information is used to construct surface normals. From these normals relative surface contours such as curves or slopes may be determined. A model of a surface of the object is generated using the distances and the contours. |
| US08970691B2 |
Removal of rayleigh scattering from images
Visual atmospheric effects, colloquially often referred to as “haze”, are filtered from images while taking into account the directional component of such atmospheric effects. A mathematical model, taking into account directional components of light scattering causing the “haze” is utilized to provide more accurate results, especially within the context of wide field images. This mathematical model includes a directional component in the transmission coefficient. To remove the haze from images, each pixel of an individual image can have the atmospheric coloring subtracted from that pixel and can then have an appropriate compensation made for the atmospheric transmission losses. An image capture system collects metadata to aid in the determination of directional components of haze. The removal of haze from images can provide images that can be more easily combined into a composite image. |
| US08970689B2 |
Camera mounting assembly
A camera mounting assembly is configured to couple to a camera housing. The camera mounting assembly includes a plurality of indentations configured to allow for the passage of light through the indentations and upon the image sensor of a camera enclosed by the camera housing. The camera mounting assembly can further include recessed channels within an inner-front surface of the camera mounting assembly configured to further allow for the passage of light through the indentations, through the recessed channels, and upon the image sensor. |
| US08970684B2 |
Image display apparatus and method for operating the same
A controller for a display device includes a formatter and a processor. The formatter generates a predetermined arrangement of left and right image data included in a three-dimensional (3D) video signal. The processor controls operation of one or more backlight lamps of a display device based on the predetermined arrangement of left and right image data and a detected temperature. |
| US08970683B2 |
Display apparatus, control method thereof, shutter glasses and control method thereof
Disclosed is a method of controlling a display apparatus, a display apparatus and shutter glasses, the method including: establishing a pairing with three dimensional (3D) glasses; receiving first information related to at least one of an operation, a status and a structure of the 3D glasses; storing the first information; and displaying based on the first information, wherein the first information includes information about one of the 3D glasses and the display apparatus. |
| US08970676B2 |
Structured light system
A structured light system based on a fast, linear array light modulator and an anamorphic optical system captures three-dimensional shape information at high rates and has strong resistance to interference from ambient light. A structured light system having a modulated light source offers improved signal to noise ratios. A wand permits single point detection of patterns in structured light systems. |
| US08970674B2 |
Three-dimensional measurement apparatus, three-dimensional measurement method and storage medium
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprises a light irradiation unit adapted to irradiate a measurement target with pattern light, an image capturing unit adapted to capture an image of the measurement target, and a measurement unit adapted to measure a three-dimensional shape of the measurement target from the captured image, the three-dimensional measurement apparatus further comprising: a change region extraction unit adapted to extract a change region where a change has occurred when comparing an image of the measurement target captured in advance with the captured image of the measurement target; and a light characteristic setting unit adapted to set characteristics of the pattern light from the change region, wherein the measurement unit measures the three-dimensional shape of the measurement target at the change region in a captured image after irradiation of the change region with the pattern light with the characteristics set by the light characteristic setting unit. |
| US08970666B2 |
Low scale production system and method
Systems and methods for low-scale and low-cost production of events. The system having a plurality of video cameras, each of the video cameras capturing a video stream, a video processing server receiving the video streams from the video cameras and generating a panoramic video stream from the video streams and a video production server selecting a region of interest based on a selection received from a user and generating a video broadcast including the region of interest, the region of interest being a portion of the panoramic video stream. |
| US08970662B2 |
Output management for electronic communications
Methods, systems and devices are provided for managing electronic communications on a communication device including receiving an incoming call indication from an originating device. The methods, system and devices may include transmitting a delay indication in response to determining the delayed call acceptance is warranted and receiving a first message segment and subsequently a second message segment from the originating device. Additionally, they may include outputting at least one of the first message segment and the second message segment in response to determining whether to output at least one of the first message segment and the second message segment. Further, they may include transmitting a playback status including a series of status indications reflecting an updated output progress of the first message segment at a recipient device in response to determining the first message segment should be output. |
| US08970660B1 |
Methods and systems for authentication in secure media-based conferencing
Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for media-based (e.g., video and/or audio) conferencing between a plurality of end point devices. The methods and apparatuses provide for secure conferencing while offering a robust feature set that provides call enhancement features such as interactive voice response (IVR) functionality and auto attendance, call security features such as password management, multi-factor authentication and authorization of end points (including filtering and allow/deny functionality), and call compliance features such as recording options, regulatory rules, and other retention/surveillance features. |
| US08970658B2 |
User interface allowing a participant to rejoin a previously left videoconference
System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions. |
| US08970653B2 |
Video conference control system and method
A local video conference system executing a video conference application, that lacks an ability or functionality to control a remote camera of a remote video conference system, can display video from the remote video conference system. The local video conference system can also execute a controller application that can provide the local video conference system control of the remote camera. The controller application can receive user input that selects a region of multiple regions of a display window of the video conference application indicating a camera action for the remote camera, can determine a camera action based on the user input and the selected region, and can provide the camera action to the remote video conference system via a network. The remote video conference system can pan, tilt, and/or zoom the remote camera based on the camera action received from the controller application of the local video conference system. |
| US08970651B2 |
Integrating audio and video conferencing capabilities
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for adding video to an audio only communication session. During a communication session between a first device and a second device, the first device receives an audio portion of the communication session from a user. The first device then receives, via a wireless connection, a video portion of the communication session from a third device. The first device synchronizes the audio portion of the communication session and the video portion of the communication session to yield a synchronized audio and video portion of the communication session. Next, the first device sends the synchronized audio and video portion of the communication session to the second device. |
| US08970648B2 |
Erasing apparatus and decoloring method
According to one embodiment, an erasing apparatus comprises a conveying unit that transports a sheet on which a color is developed by a developing material and a decoloring unit that comprises a heating unit that heats up the sheet to decolor the color. The heating unit has a variable heat quantity output to enable rapid warm up of the apparatus, but reduce energy waste during decoloring. |
| US08970647B2 |
Pushing a graphical user interface to a remote device with display rules provided by the remote device
A graphical user interface (“GUI”) can be presented on a remote control accessory device that has user input and display devices. The GUI can be defined and managed by a portable media device that is controlled using the GUI. The portable media device can provide the accessory with a GUI image to be displayed. The accessory can send information to the portable media device indicative of a user operation of an input device in response to the displayed image. The portable media device can process this input to identify the action requested by the user and take the appropriate action, which can include updating the GUI image provided to the accessory. |
| US08970646B2 |
Image construction based video display system
A video display system based on constructing images through displaying orthogonal basis function components of the image is disclosed. The system is comprised of two display components aligned and driven concurrently. The first display component is a coarse pixel array. The second display component is a spatial light modulator whose geometric details are finer than the first pixel array. The overall system reconstructs the intended video to be displayed at the finer geometric details of the second display component at a minimal image quality loss through the use of time-domain display of orthogonal image basis function components. The resultant system has a considerably reduced interconnection complexity and number of active circuit elements, and also requires a considerably smaller video data rate if a lossy image reconstruction scheme is used. An embodiment with a LED based display and an LCD based spatial light modulator utilizing the concepts, and methods to drive the displays are described herein. |
| US08970645B2 |
Display device, drive method thereof, and electronic device
A display device includes: a timing controller (10) for driving a scanning line driving circuit (4) and a signal line driving circuit (6) by providing a scanning period (T1) and a pause period (T2) which follows the scanning period (T1); a data analyzing section (101) for obtaining detection data on an external light intensity; and a BL luminance setting section (104) for outputting, at least during the pause period (T2), a BL control signal for adjusting, in accordance with the detection data obtained by the data analyzing section (101), a luminance of light to be emitted to a screen. |
| US08970637B2 |
Unit and method of controlling frame rate and liquid crystal display device using the same
A frame rate control method capable of enhancing picture-quality is disclosed. The frame rate control method generates red, green, and blue frame rate control signals by frame-rate-modulating red, green, and blue frame rate control patterns on the basis of lower-bit red, green, and blue data. The lower-bit red, green, and blue data are extracted from red, green, and blue data. The red, green and blue frame rate control patterns are obtained through a process of shifting basic frame rate control patterns by different sub-pixel numbers in one direction. The basic frame rate control patterns are established for a plurality of frames. |
| US08970629B2 |
Mobile terminal and 3D object control method thereof
The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal and a 3D object control method thereof for controlling the depth or rotation of a 3D object using a 3D manipulation portion displayed around the 3D object. According to the present invention, a circular- or ring-shaped 3D manipulation portion may be touched to intuitively control the rotation and enlargement/reduction of the 3D object, thereby providing usefulness and convenience for the user, capable of editing the 3D object while directly viewing the transformed form and depth of the 3D object. |
| US08970625B2 |
Three-dimensional tracking of a user control device in a volume
Tracking objects presented within a stereo three-dimensional (3D) scene. The user control device may include one or more visually indicated points for at least one tracking sensor to track. The user control device may also include other position determining devices, for example, an accelerometer and/or gyroscope. Precise 3D coordinates of the stylus may be determined based on location information from the tracking sensor(s) and additional information from the other position determining devices. A stereo 3D scene may be updated to reflect the determined coordinates. |
| US08970623B2 |
Information processing system, information processing method, information processing device and tangible recoding medium recording information processing program
An example information processing system which includes a plurality of information processing devices, the respective information processing devices carrying out imaging by an imaging device, wherein the respective information processing devices include: an imaging processing unit to generate a captured image by sequentially capturing images of a real space; a virtual space setting unit to set a virtual space commonly used by another information processing device which captures an image of one of an imaging object that is included in a captured image, and an imaging object, at least a portion of external appearance of which matches the imaging object, based on at least the portion of the imaging object included in the captured image; and a transmission unit to send data relating to change in a state of the virtual space, to the other information processing device, when the change in the state of the virtual space is detected. |
| US08970619B2 |
Parallelized generation of substantially seamless image mosaics
Many computing services incorporate large mosaics of geo-located images. For example, a user may access and interact with a digital image map comprising thousands of digital images mosaiced together. It may be advantageous to parallelize mosaic creation by splitting the mosaic into tiles, and processing the tiles independently from one another. Unfortunately, visual artifacts between image boundaries may result because of the independent processing. Accordingly, one or more systems and/or techniques for generating a substantially seamless mosaic tile are disclosed herein. A mosaic tile comprising one or more intersecting images may be received. Pair-wise image segmentation may be executed upon pairs of intersecting images within the mosaic tile to generate seam lines between the pair of intersecting images. The seam lines are used to compose the mosaic tile. A constrained alpha-expansion algorithm is executed upon hole regions within the composed mosaic to generate a substantially seamless mosaic. |
| US08970618B2 |
Virtual microscopy
Computer implemented methods and data processing apparatus are described for displaying virtual slide images. Images of a plurality of slides are automatically displayed in a first region of a display device at a first magnification. The slides comprise all the slides including material from a same specimen. An image of at least one of the slides is displayed in a second region at a second magnification greater than the first magnification. At least the image displayed in the second region is changed responsive to receiving user input. Methods for automatically determining a slide layout pattern and methods for virtually melding glass slide images into a single image are also described. |
| US08970615B2 |
Systems and methods for rapid three-dimensional modeling with real facade texture
A computer system is described for automatically generating a three-dimensional model of a structure, including hardware and one or more non-transitory computer readable medium accessible by the hardware and storing instructions that when executed by the hardware cause it to locate multiple oblique images containing a real façade texture of a structure having a geographical position from one or more database of oblique images; select a base oblique image from the multiple oblique images by analyzing, with selection logic, image raster content of the real façade texture depicted in the multiple oblique images, the selection logic using a factorial analysis of the image raster content, wherein the factorial analysis is a weighted determination based on at least two factors; and, relate the real façade texture of the base oblique image to the three dimensional model to provide a real-life representation of physical characteristics of the structure within the three-dimensional model. |
| US08970607B2 |
Run-time allocation of functions to a hardware accelerator
An accelerator work allocation mechanism determines at run-time which functions to allocate to a hardware accelerator based on a defined accelerator policy, and based on an analysis performed at run-time. The analysis includes reading the accelerator policy, and determining whether a particular function satisfies the accelerator policy. If so, the function is allocated to the hardware accelerator. If not, the function is allocated to the processor. |
| US08970605B2 |
Display driver with improved power consumption and operation method of improving power consumption of image data processing device
A display driver is provided. The display driver includes a compressor outputting first data by compressing input data, a first selection circuit transmitting the input data or the first data to a memory in response to a first selection signal, a de-compressor outputting third data by de-compressing second data output from the memory, and a display interface for transmitting fourth data generated by processing the third data to a display. |
| US08970600B2 |
Method for visualization of transmission flow in a system, an operator terminal and a supervisory control system
A method for visualizing on a display unit of an operator terminal a transmission flow in a system. The method includes: retrieving a starting point and an end point of the transmission flow; generating a picture wherein a geometrical line from the starting point to the end point graphically represents the transmission flow and wherein a direction of the transmission flow is graphically represented by a continuously increased opacity of the geometrical line between the starting point and the end point of the transmission flow; and outputting the picture on the display unit. |
| US08970594B2 |
Plant process display
A system, method and computer program screen system comprising process monitoring displays showing complex information in condensed form; the process monitoring displays comprises part-plant displays showing an overview covering selected areas of a process plant, said part-plant displays comprising diagrams with graphs over measured parameters where the diagram's scale may be changed in order to let an operator more easily observe trends in values of the measured parameters. Combined with the diagrams are one or more visual representations showing whether one or more areas of the graph has been scaled, the said visual representation of scaling indicates the range and place of the displayed ordinates relative to a larger, preset range. |
| US08970593B2 |
Visualization and representation of data clusters and relations
Relational data can be visualized in a map representation. A plurality of vertices and edges are determined based on a set of data identifying objects (i.e., vertices) and relationships (i.e., edges). The vertices and edges are embedded in a planar graph and a Voronoi diagram is generated based at least the plurality of vertices within a set of bounding-points located at least a distance away from the vertices of the map. A bounding-box is associated with each of the vertices, and a set of points generated along each bounding-box. The Voronoi diagram is generated based on the vertices and the set of points of each bounding-box. Each resulting Voronoi cell associated with a common vertex is merged to form a plurality of common cells (i.e., map). The size of each bounding-box can correlate to the importance of its associated vertex, and the points along the bounding-box can be randomly perturbed. |
| US08970588B1 |
System and methods for implementing object oriented structures in a shading language
The efficiency of shading and rendering processes can be improved through implementing object oriented programming for shading program languages. Computer graphics data representing a geometric model in a scene are determined and assigned to object oriented classes and subclasses and are subsequently sorted and grouped into several (e.g., two or more) groups based on the classification information. Once the computer graphics data are assigned in a class and/or subclasses and grouped, a shader interpreter implements SIMD operators on each group of data values. |
| US08970583B1 |
Image space stylization of level of detail artifacts in a real-time rendering engine
When rendering a three-dimensional (3D) image, a render list is generated. The render list is sorted according to proximity to a notional camera, where each element of the render list specifies geometry and texture of a portion of the 3D image, and where at least two elements of the render list correspond to different levels of detail (LODs). The render list is then traversed twice: in the first instance, the render list is traversed to render each element in the render list to a respective texture, which includes applying a depth management technique to account for occlusion; in the second instance, the render list is traversed in a back-to-front order to render each of the textures to a display buffer to generate the 3D image, which includes applying an image space manipulation technique to at least some of the textures. |
| US08970578B2 |
System and method for lesion-specific coronary artery calcium quantification
Methods and systems utilizing the data provided by a non-contrast-enhanced CAC scan that is left unused by the “whole-heart” Agatston or volume scores. Agatston and volume scores summarize overall coronary calcium burden, but do not show the number of vessels involved, the geographic distribution of the lesions, the size and shape of the individual lesions and the distance of the lesions from the coronary ostium. The methods and systems described herein extract and use the enhanced information provided by 3-D CAC scan data and significantly increases its clinical predictive value by providing vessel and lesion specific CAC scores which are superior to the whole-heart Agatston and volume scores in predicting obstructive Coronary artery disease (CAD). |
| US08970576B2 |
Image display device and driving method thereof
A novel driving method is provided in which source line inverting drive or dot inverting drive is performed for a case of driving a plurality of source lines by one D/A converter circuit in a source signal line driver circuit of an active matrix image display drive that corresponds to digital image signal input. In a first driving method of the present invention, two systems of grey-scale electric power supply lines are supplied to a source signal line driver circuit in order to obtain output having differing polarities from a D/A converter circuit, switches for connecting to the two systems of grey-scale electric power supply lines are prepared in each D/A converter circuit, the grey-scale electric power supply lines connected to each D/A converter circuit are switched in accordance with a control signal input to the switches, and source line inverting drive or dot inverting drive are performed. |
| US08970575B2 |
Power source circuit and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A power source circuit includes an inductor, a reservoir capacitor, and a switching control part that generates ON/OFF control signals to each of first and second switches. The first switch is connected between a first power voltage terminal and a first node to form a first current path between the first power voltage terminal and the first node in response to a driving signal of the switching control part. The second switch is connected between the first node and a second power voltage terminal to form a second current path between the first node and the second power voltage terminal in response to the driving signal. The inductor is connected to the first node to provide an average voltage between the first power voltage terminal and the second power voltage terminal. The capacitor is connected in parallel with the inductor to store the average voltage. |
| US08970572B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A driving apparatus for a display device includes: a signal controller that generates a pre-clock signal, a charge sharing control signal and a scanning start signal; a clock signal generator that generates a clock signal swinging between a first voltage and a second voltage based on the pre-clock signal and the charge sharing control signal; and a gate driver that generates gate signals based on the scanning start signal and the clock signal, where the clock signal generator includes: a voltage generator that generates a third voltage; and a clock generator that receives one of the first to third voltages in response to the pre-clock signal and the charge sharing control signal, and outputs an output signal based on the one of the first to third voltages as the clock signal, where the third voltage is lower than the first voltage and higher than the second voltage. |
| US08970565B2 |
Display driving circuit, display panel and display device
A stage of the shift register has (i) a set-reset type flip-flop which receives an initialization signal and (ii) a signal generating circuit which receives a simultaneous selection signal and which generates an output signal by use of an output of the flip-flop. In at least one example embodiment, the output of the flip-flop becomes inactive regardless of whether a setting signal and a resetting signal are active or inactive, as long as the initialization signal is active. The initialization signal becomes active before the end of the simultaneous selection, and then becomes inactive after the end of the simultaneous selection. This makes it possible to stabilize operation of the shift register after the end of simultaneous selection of a plurality of signal lines carried out by the display driving circuit at a predetermined timing. |
| US08970564B2 |
Apparatus and method for driving liquid crystal display
Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for driving a liquid crystal display device. The apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel in which the same colors of three-color sub-pixels are arranged in the directions of a plurality of gate lines, a data driver for driving a plurality of data lines, a first gate driver for sequentially driving (4n−3)th and (4n)th gate lines among the gate lines during odd frame periods, a second gate driver for sequentially driving (4n−2)th and (4n−1)th gate lines among the gate lines during even frame periods, and a timing controller for generating different first and second gate control signals and a data control signal according to odd and even frame periods to supply the first and second gate control signals and the data control signal to the first and second gate drivers and the data driver, respectively. |
| US08970563B2 |
Display panel module, semiconductor integrated circuit, driving method of pixel array section, and electronic device
A display panel module includes: a pixel array section in which a sub-pixel formed by a self-luminous element of a current-driven type and a pixel circuit configured to drive and control the self-luminous element is arranged in a form of a matrix; a signal line driving section configured to drive a signal line; a writing control line driving section configured to control writing of a potential appearing in the signal line to the sub-pixel on a basis of a first scan clock; and a power supply controlling section configured to control supply of driving power to the sub-pixel and stop of the supply of the driving power, the power supply controlling section controlling timing of the supply of the driving power defining a lighting period of the self-luminous element on a basis of a second scan clock having a higher speed than the first scan clock. |
| US08970558B1 |
Digit apparatus for typing and texting
A digit hood to enable a user to quickly and accurately actuate keys of a hand held device. The digit hood can include a cover configured to be disposed over a digit. The cover can include an opening configured to receive the digit. One or more raised protrusions can extend from the cover and away from the digit for actuating the keys of the hand held device. A plurality of joint holes can be disposed through the cover to allow the digit to bend. A plurality of ventilation holes can be disposed through the cover to provide ventilation to the digit. |
| US08970557B2 |
Method and device for position detection
The present invention provides a method and device for position detection. For detection of a touch position, a segment of surface acoustic wave (SAW) is provided multiple times to be propagated on a SAW touch panel, and the multiple SAW segments are received by the SAW touch panel. In addition, during or after reception, partial output electrical signals are provided based on different portions of each received SAW segment to construct a complete output electrical signal. |
| US08970554B2 |
Assembly having display panel and optical sensing frame and display system using the same
An assembly includes a display panel having four corners, an optical sensing frame having at least three optical modules mounted adjacent a surface of the display panel, where the optical modules are located at the corners of the display panel and optical reflectors extending substantially along an entire length of each of four sides of the display panel, an optical sensing frame controller driving the optical sensing frame, and a display panel controller on a single circuit board with the optical sensing frame controller. |
| US08970541B2 |
Sensing devices
A sensing device is provided. First to third receiving electrodes extend in a first direction. First and third receiving electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the second receiving electrode. The first to fourth transmitting electrodes are disposed on a row extending in a second direction. The first and second transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the first receiving electrode, the third and fourth transmitting electrodes are respectively disposed on two sides of the third receiving electrode, and the second and third transmitting electrode are respectively disposed on two sides of the second receiving electrode. The first, second third and fourth transmitting electrodes are independently controlled by a transmitter. A receiver generates a sensing signal according to a signal level is at least one of the first, second, and third receiving electrodes. |
| US08970539B2 |
Organic light emitting display apparatus
An organic light emitting display apparatus including a substrate, a first touch sensing electrode layer on the substrate, a first protective layer on the substrate, the first protective layer covering the first touch sensing electrode layer, a ground layer on the first protective layer, the ground layer being electrically grounded, an insulating layer on the ground layer, and an organic light emitting device on the insulating layer. |
| US08970538B2 |
Touch sensor system
The present invention provides a touch sensor system which is capable of removing a hand-placing signal while mounting normal application software on a host device. A touch sensor system (1) includes a hand-placing removing process section (2) which detects a hand-placing region on a basis of strengths of capacitance signals, each strength being indicative of a change in capacitance and which replaces values of capacitance signals corresponding to respective capacitors provided in the detected hand-placing region with a nil value indicative of a state where not touch input is made. |
| US08970531B2 |
Tactile sensation providing apparatus
A tactile sensation providing apparatus determines a touched object and stores touch information based on the object in a memory unit 16. When an object in current touch information does not match an object in previous touch information stored in the memory unit 16, the tactile sensation providing unit 12 provides a first tactile sensation. When these objects match each other, the tactile sensation providing unit 12, based on the current touch information and the previous touch information, provides the first tactile sensation or a second tactile sensation, which is different from the first tactile sensation and provided with lower power than that for providing the first tactile sensation. |
| US08970530B2 |
Display device and method for generating vibrations in display device
A device, such as a display device, including a plurality of vibration plates oscillating in response to one or more oscillation signals. While at least one of first vibration plates among the plurality of vibration plates are oscillating, effective oscillation does not occur in at least one of second vibration plates among the plurality of vibration plates. |
| US08970527B2 |
Capacitive touch panel having mutual capacitance and self capacitance sensing modes and sensing method thereof
A low power driving and sensing system for capacitive touch panels includes a capacitive touch panel, a first switch device, a second switch device, a driving device, a sensing device, and a control device. The capacitive touch panel has plural first conductor lines arranged in a first direction and plural second conductor lines arranged in a second direction. The driving device is connected to the first switch device for driving the capacitive touch panel. The sensing device is connected to the second switch device for sensing the capacitive touch panel. The control device configures the first switch device and the second switch device for entering the capacitive touch panel into a self-capacitance mode such that the driving device and the sensing device perform a self capacitance sensing, and into a mutual capacitance mode such that the driving device and the sensing device perform a mutual capacitance sensing. |
| US08970524B2 |
Touch sensor integrated type display device
A touch sensor integrated type display and a method of forming the same are discussed. According to an embodiment, the touch sensor integrated type display device includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines formed on a substrate to cross each other; a display area including a plurality of pixel electrodes for displaying images; a common electrode including at least two touch driving electrodes overlapping the plurality of pixel electrodes and at least one touch sensing electrode positioned adjacent to the at least two touch driving electrodes, for recognizing a touch input to the display area; at least one first signal line electrically connected to the at least two touch driving electrodes; and at least one second signal line electrically connected to the at least one touch sensing electrode, and formed over at least one of the data lines. |
| US08970507B2 |
Method of waking up and a portable electronic device configured to perform the same
Methods of waking a portable electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: causing the portable electronic device to enter a sleep mode in which a touch-sensitive display is deactivated a force sensing transducer measures forces applied to the touch-sensitive display at a reduced rate relative to a rate of a full power mode when in the sleep mode; causing a force sensing transducer to measure forces applied to the touch-sensitive display at the rate of the full power mode in response to detection of an inertial event; causing the touch-sensitive display to be reactivated in response to detection of a force which is greater than a predetermined wake force threshold; and causing the portable electronic device to wake in response to detection of a touch event within a first predetermined duration of the detection of the force which is greater than a predetermined wake force threshold. |
| US08970505B2 |
Touch panel display device performing parallel touch scan of different display regions
Disclosed herein is a contact detecting device including: a contact responding section configured to produce an electric change in response to an object to be detected coming into contact with or proximity to a detecting surface; and a contact driving scanning section configured to scan application of driving voltage to the contact responding section in one direction within the detecting surface, and control output of the electric change in time series, wherein the contact driving scanning section performs a plurality of scans of different regions of the contact responding section in parallel with each other, and outputs a plurality of the electric changes in parallel with each other. |
| US08970502B2 |
User identification for multi-user touch screens
The invention relates to a touch screen system with a touch screen (400) comprising a transparent and electrically conductive surface (450) arranged to receive touches from users (UA, UB) of the touch screen system; and touch sensitive elements (420) arranged to detect the position of said touches on said electrically conductive surface (450). The touch screen system is further comprising a touch identification system (900) comprising at least two electrodes (EA-ED), at least one transmitting unit (910) connected to the electrically conductive surface (450) for transmitting an identifying signal to said electrically conductive surface (450), and at least two receiving units (900A-900D), each connected to at least one of said electrodes (EA-ED) for detecting said identifying signal when a user (UA, UB) simultaneously touches the electrically conductive surface (450) and an electrode (EA-ED) that is connected to the receiving unit (900A-900D). |
| US08970494B2 |
Portable electronic device and method of controlling the same
A portable electronic device including a first input/output unit including a monostable display element, a second input/output unit including a bistable display element, a main setting unit configured to selectively set either one of the first and second input/output units as a main input/output unit and the other one of the first and second input/output units as a sub input/output unit, and a conversion unit configured to convert the sub input/output unit into a touch pad for inputting a command on the main input/output unit. |
| US08970488B2 |
Operation input device and method, program, and electronic apparatus
An operation input device includes: angular velocity detecting means for detecting an angular velocity; relative velocity detecting means for contactlessly detecting a relative velocity to a target object; distance detecting means for detecting a distance to the target object; and computing means for computing an amount of movement based on the angular velocity, the relative velocity, and the distance. |