| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08977550B2 |
Information providing apparatus and information providing method
Part units of speech information are arranged in a predetermined order to generate a sentence unit of a speech information set. To each of a plurality of speech part units of the speech information, an attribute of “interrupt possible after reproduction” with which reproduction of priority interrupt information can be started after the speech part unit of the speech information is reproduced or another attribute of “interrupt impossible after reproduction” with which reproduction of the priority interrupt information cannot be started even after the speech part unit of the speech information is reproduced is set. When the priority interrupt information having a high priority rank than the speech information set being currently reproduced is inputted, if the attribute of the speech information being reproduced at the point in time is “interrupt impossible after reproduction,” then the priority interrupt information is reproduced after the speech information is reproduced. |
| US08977548B2 |
Speech recognition system and method using group call statistics
An enhanced speech recognition system and method are provided that may be used with a voice recognition wireless communication system. The enhanced speech recognition system and method take advantage of group to group calling statistics to improve the recognition of names by the speech recognition system. |
| US08977546B2 |
Encoding device, decoding device and method for both
Disclosed are an encoding device and a decoding device which suppress the occurrence of pre-echo artifacts and post-echo artifacts caused by a high layer having a low temporal resolution, and which implement high subjective quality encoding and decoding. An encoding device (100) carries out scalable coding comprising a low layer, and a high layer having a lower temporal resolution than that of the low layer. A start point detection unit (or end point detection unit) (150) determines the start point (or end point) of sections of the decoded low layer signal which have audio, and when the start point (or end point) is determined, a second layer encoding unit (160) selects a bandwidth to be excluded from encoding on the basis of the spectral energy from the decoded first layer signal, excludes the selected bandwidth, and encodes an error signal. |
| US08977545B2 |
System and method for multi-channel noise suppression
Described herein are multi-channel noise suppression systems and methods that are configured to detect and suppress wind and background noise using at least two spatially separated microphones: at least one primary speech microphone and at least one noise reference microphone. The multi-channel noise suppression systems and methods are configured, in at least one example, to first detect and suppress wind noise in the input speech signal picked up by the primary speech microphone and, potentially, the input speech signal picked up by the noise reference microphone. Following wind noise detection and suppression, the multi-channel noise suppression systems and methods are configured to perform further noise suppression in two stages: a first linear processing stage that includes a blocking matrix and an adaptive noise canceler, followed by a second non-linear processing stage. |
| US08977543B2 |
Apparatus for quantizing linear predictive coding coefficients, sound encoding apparatus, apparatus for de-quantizing linear predictive coding coefficients, sound decoding apparatus, and electronic device therefore
A quantizing apparatus is provided that includes a quantization path determiner that determines a path from a first path not using inter-frame prediction and a second path using the inter-frame prediction, as a quantization path of an input signal, based on a criterion before quantization of the input signal; a first quantizer that quantizes the input signal, if the first path is determined as the quantization path of the input signal; and a second quantizer that quantizes the input signal, if the second path is determined as the quantization path of the input signal. |
| US08977538B2 |
Constructing and analyzing a word graph
One example embodiment includes a method for constructing a word graph. The method includes obtaining a subject text and dividing the subject text into one or more units. The method also includes dividing the units into one or more sub-units and recording each of the one or more sub-units. |
| US08977535B2 |
Transliterating methods between character-based and phonetic symbol-based writing systems
This invention concerns a method for transliterating an at least partially phonetic symbol-based writing system including entry of symbols into a complex character-based writing system including characters, comprising: entering with a human-to-machine interface a string of symbols into a transliterating engine, the string of symbols comprising a series of symbols at least corresponding to pronunciation of a string of characters; parsing the string of symbols into a series of symbols, each series of symbols forming an utterance unit corresponding to a character of the string of characters; transliterating the series of symbols into the corresponding characters; displaying the characters; wherein the transliterating step comprises matching by database retrieval each series of symbols with one and only one character. |
| US08977532B2 |
Estimating time remaining for an operation
Techniques for estimating time remaining for an operation are described. Examples operations include file operations, such as file move operations, file copy operations, and so on. A wide variety of different operations may be considered in accordance with the claimed embodiments, further examples of which are discussed below. In at least some embodiments, estimating a time remaining for an operation can be based on a state of the operation. A state of an operation, for example, can be based on events related to the operation itself, such as the operation being initiated, paused, resumed, and so on. A state of an operation can also be based on events related to other operations. |
| US08977530B2 |
Method for identifying genes for enhancing the production of useful substances
Provided is a method for improving useful substance-producing organisms using metabolic flux analysis, and more particularly a method for improving a host organism producing a useful substance, the method including: calculating a maximum flux value corresponding to the theoretical maximum yield of the useful substance in the metabolic network model of the host organism for producing useful substance, and calculating the optimum value of metabolic flux associated with useful substance production in the metabolic network when the value of cell growth-associated metabolic flux is the maximum under the condition where fermentation data are applied or not applied; selecting metabolic fluxes whose absolute values increase from the range between the maximum value and the optimum value; screening genes associated with the selected metabolic fluxes; and introducing and/or amplifying the selected genes in the host organism. Production of the useful substance can be effectively improved by using the method. |
| US08977526B1 |
Nuclear power plant control room simulator
A system is provided for simulating an operating environment of a power plant control room (e.g., a nuclear power plant control room). The system may include a simulator configured to simulate the operating environment of the control room, and a simulation computer in communication with the simulator, wherein the simulation computer may be configured to perform a plurality of real-time calculations associated with modeling the operating environment of the control room. The simulator and the simulation computer may include only standard off-the-shelf components. |
| US08977522B2 |
System and method for observing a person's walking activity
A system for observing a walking activity of a person comprises a device (DISP) adapted for delivering at output, for a footstep of the person, a first difference of angular speeds of the corresponding tibia between the instant at which the heel of the foot is planted and the instant at which the foot is laid flat, a second difference of angular speeds of the corresponding tibia between the instant at which the heel of the foot is planted and the instant at which the last toe of the foot is lifted, and an angular speed of the corresponding tibia at the instant at which the foot is laid flat. The system comprises analysis means (AN) for analyzing the signals delivered by the device and adapted for determining a type of walking of the user as a function of time by using a hidden Markov model with N states corresponding respectively to N types of walking. |
| US08977519B2 |
Spectrum analyzer using multiple intermediate frequencies and multiple clock configurations for residual, spurious and image signal reduction
A spectrum analyzer for measuring an RF signal over a selected frequency span configured to use multiple Intermediate Frequencies (IFs) for residual, spurious and image signal reduction. The spectrum analyzer has both a primary IF path and a secondary IF path configured to provide band pass filtering of the IF signals. A master clock synthesizer is configured to reduce residual noise by providing from a single Voltage Controlled Oscillator, a master clock signal and a Local Oscillator (LO) signal. The spectrum analyzer has a microcontroller configured to change the frequency of the master clock signal and the LO signal if the center frequency of the selected span is sufficiently close to a known spurious signal. |
| US08977517B2 |
System and methods for evaluating efficacy of appetite-affecting drugs
System and methods to evaluate and administer drugs. The present invention instantaneously identifies the effects that drugs, including appetite-affecting agents, have on animals. Data is collected automatically and analyzed and further organized to identify feeding patterns and the effect an appetite-affecting agent has on those feeding patterns. The present invention includes a system for data management, including a program with a data acquisition phase and a data analyzing phase to determine the feeding patterns of animals to aid in the evaluation of appetite-affecting drug efficacy. |
| US08977511B2 |
Method for classifying electrical sheet
A method for classifying electrical sheet is produced. The electrical sheet is used to produce an electrical machine and is available in the form of a strip roll wherein a magnetic flux that changes over time and that causes a shape change of the strip roll and magnetic losses is produced in the strip roll using an excitation winding fed by a feeding device, the shape change and/or the magnetic losses are measured using a measuring device and the measurement signal obtained is fed to an evaluation device, and the evaluation device categorizes the electrical sheet in regard to noise emission and/or magnetic losses using the measurement signal. |
| US08977510B2 |
System and method for determining charging and discharging power levels for a battery pack
A system and a method for determining charging and discharging power levels for a battery pack are provided. The battery pack has an enclosure holding a battery module therein. The system includes a computer that determines a temperature correlation value based on first and second temperature values associated with the battery pack. The computer determines a third temperature value indicative of a temperature level of a first battery cell disposed adjacent to the end of a housing in the battery pack based on the first temperature value and the temperature correlation value. The computer determines a desired charging power level for the battery pack based on the third temperature value. |
| US08977509B2 |
Operation information output device, method for controlling operation information output device, monitoring device, method for controlling monitoring device, and control program
An operation information output device includes: a power data acquirer that acquires time-series data of a physical quantity consumed or generated when production equipment executes a process; a single-cycle detector that detects time-series data of predetermined duration from the time-series data acquired by the power data acquirer, and an operation information acquirer that acquires operation information of the production equipment by use of the time-series data detected by the single-cycle detector, hence it becomes possible to easily calculate and determine detailed operation information. |
| US08977505B2 |
Hand held analysis device for analyzing a body fluid and a control method therefor
A method is provided for controlling a hand-held analysis device for analyzing a body fluid in which in each case at least one test means for single use is automatically provided in consecutive measuring cycles by means of a control device where each measuring cycle in a measuring mode of the control device is triggered by a start actuation. According to the invention it is proposed that a defined control intervention puts the control device into a maintenance mode in which the automatic provision of a test means is prevented. |
| US08977503B2 |
Method for stabilization of low frequencies in tau-p domain filtering and deconvolution
Apparatuses and methods for collecting and analyzing seismic data (D) include a frequency dependent noise factor (ε2) for stabilizing a transformation matrix (S). The noise factor (ε2) is a function of a number of nonzero eigenvalues of the transformation matrix (S). |
| US08977499B1 |
Auditory interface for automated driving system
A computing device and methods for operating an auditory interface for an automated driving system are disclosed. One example method of automated driving using an auditory interface includes receiving, from a user, an indication associating an auditory icon with a vehicle action at the auditory interface. The method further includes receiving, from a path planner application, an indication of an upcoming implementation of the vehicle action by one or more vehicle systems and sending, to an audio system, a command to implement the auditory icon associated with the vehicle action before the one or more vehicle systems implements the vehicle action. |
| US08977498B2 |
User-specified route rating and alerts
In some implementations, a user can provide ratings for routes, streets and/or locations. In some implementations, the user can initiate an alert associated with a location. In some implementations, user-specified ratings and alerts can be included in a route determination. In some implementations, route rating and alert information can be transmitted to other users and/or devices. |
| US08977496B2 |
System and method for estimating origins and destinations from identified end-point time-location stamps
A method and system are disclosed for estimating origin and destination locations of users of a transportation system. The origins and destinations of known users are determined during a segment of an analysis period from validation information for all users of the transportation system. The origins and destinations are then mapped to probable locations associated with the transportation network. A destination probability is then computed for each destination location of an individual origin location. A unknown users are then apportioned to each destination, which may be based on the number of unknown users on a vehicle traveling from the origin to the destination, the computed probability, and the validation information, so as to estimate the number of users traveling from an origin location to any corresponding destination location on the transportation system. |
| US08977495B1 |
Time independent transit routing
The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes receiving information identifying a start point and an end point in a transit system. The method further includes identifying transit routes between the start point and the end point. Each of the transit routes has one or more portions and each of the portions has one or more modes of transportation. The method further includes calculating a duration for each transit route in the transit routes. The duration is based on average amounts of time spent riding the modes of transportation in the portions of the transit route. The duration is based on a representation of an amount of time spent waiting for the modes of transportation in the portions of the transit route. The method further includes identifying one or more of the transit routes as optimal based on having shortest durations. |
| US08977484B1 |
Using aircraft trajectory data to infer aircraft intent
A method is provided for inferring the aircraft intent of an aircraft from an observed trajectory. Aircraft performance data relating to that type of aircraft is retrieved from memory, along with atmospheric conditions along the observed trajectory. An initial set of candidate aircraft intents is generated. Each aircraft intent provides an unambiguous description of how the aircraft may be flown that allows a determination of an unambiguous resulting trajectory. A computer system calculates a trajectory defined by each candidate aircraft intent and forms a cost function from a comparison of each calculated trajectory to the observed trajectory. An evolutionary algorithm evolves the initial candidate aircraft intents, wherein the evolutionary algorithm uses a multi-objective cost function to obtain a cost function value that measures the suitability of each candidate aircraft intent. |
| US08977483B2 |
Methods and apparatus for beacon code changes in an air traffic control system
Methods and apparatus for enabling an air traffic control system to set a beacon code on a transponder of an aircraft without voice communication with the flight crew. In one embodiment, an air traffic control system receives a flight plan from an aircraft, relays clearance of the flight plan to the aircraft, sets a beacon code on a transponder on the aircraft without voice communication, receives an acknowledgement of the beacon code setting from the aircraft, sends an acknowledgement to the aircraft, sets a new beacon code on the transponder without voice communication and receives a new acknowledgement of the new beacon code from the aircraft. |
| US08977477B2 |
Approach for controlling operation of oil injectors
Various embodiments of systems and methods related to controlling oil injection for piston cooling in an engine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes during an engine cold start event, enabling oil injection onto a piston of an engine, disabling oil injection after the engine cold start event, and re-enabling oil injection after the engine cold start event based on a first operating parameter. |
| US08977474B2 |
Diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered combustion engine system provided with spark-assisted fouling free EGR system
A diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered combustion engine system is provided with spark-assisted fouling free EGR system in which gasoline and air are homogeneously combined and supplied to cylinders and then a diesel fuel is injected and combusted together. The system may include: a plurality of cylinders each having a fuel injector; and an exhaust line through which flows an exhaust gas discharged as a fuel from each cylinder is combusted; wherein gasoline fuel combustion type is adapted to one or more cylinder of the plurality of the cylinders, and diesel-gasoline fuel pre-mixed combustion type is adapted to the other cylinders. |
| US08977468B2 |
Solenoid valve control apparatus and method
Disclosed herein are a solenoid valve control apparatus and method. The solenoid valve control apparatus to control a solenoid valve which include a solenoid coil and is opened and closed by current supplied to the solenoid coil, includes a switching unit which switches the current supplied to the solenoid coil, a pre-driver unit which outputs a driving signal to drive the switching unit, a current detection unit which detects the current flowing in the solenoid coil, and an MCU which controls the pre-driver unit so as to output the driving signal from the pre-driver unit to the switching unit such that a value of the current detected by the current detection unit reaches a target current value during current control of the solenoid valve and controls the pre-driver unit such that a frequency of the output driving signal is varied during output of the driving signal. |
| US08977466B2 |
Vehicle brake fluid pressure controller
Embodiments disclose a vehicle brake fluid pressure controller. The controller includes: a normally-open proportional solenoid valve provided in a hydraulic passage extending from a hydraulic pressure source to a wheel brake; a normally-closed solenoid valve provided in a hydraulic passage extending from the wheel brake to the hydraulic pressure source; an antilock brake control module configured to perform an antilock brake control for suppressing the locking of a wheel by performing a pressure increase control, a pressure decrease control and a pressure holding control for a hydraulic pressure of the wheel brake, using the normally-open proportional solenoid valve and the normally-closed solenoid valve. |
| US08977463B2 |
Vehicle brake controller and vehicle brake control method
A vehicle brake controller is capable of executing limit control for limiting increase in braking force applied to front wheels by using a deceleration of a vehicle. The vehicle brake controller is configured to start the limit control when the deceleration of the vehicle becomes greater than or equal to a start determination value before a start determination time period elapses after a deceleration starting point in time, at which the deceleration of the vehicle is started by application of braking force at least to the front wheels. The vehicle brake controller is configured to end the limit control if the deceleration of the vehicle is less than an end determination value, which is greater than the start determination value, at a point in time when an end determination time period, which is longer than the start determination time period, has elapsed from the deceleration starting point in time. |
| US08977459B2 |
Drive force distribution control apparatus for four-wheel drive vehicle
When a rear wheel total drive force is smaller than a rear wheel drive force difference and the rear wheel drive force difference cannot be realized by setting a left-right distribution of the rear wheel total drive force, an inside wheel target drive force is set unconditionally to a minimum initial drive force required to prevent a three-wheel drive state and an outside wheel target drive force is set to a value equal to the sum of the initial drive force and the rear wheel drive force difference, which is a value with which the rear wheel drive force difference can be realized while the inside wheel target drive force is set to the initial drive force. In this way, a drive force distribution control apparatus gives priority to realizing the rear wheel drive force difference and emphasizes achieving a target behavior over achieving a four-wheel drive performance. |
| US08977458B2 |
Twin clutch controlling apparatus
A twin clutch controlling apparatus wherein a clutch lever is operated during a deceleration operation in which an auto mode (Auto) is selected, then a shift down action from a gear position “N-2” at which a driving force can be transmitted only by one of an odd number stage side clutch CL1 and an even number stage side clutch CL2 to another position “1-2” at which the transmission gear for transmitting a driving force is switched in response to switching control of the clutch is carried out in response to the operation of the clutch lever. After the shift down action, if re-connection of the clutch is to be carried out by the clutch lever, then the clutch (CL1, CL2) on the side to be driven in response to a manual operation clutch capacity arithmetic operation value (tqc1tmt) is determined in response to a vehicle speed V. |
| US08977457B2 |
Transmission clutch control using lumped inertia modeling
A vehicle powertrain includes an engine, transmission, torque converter assembly, and controller. The controller includes recorded lumped inertia models of the powertrain and instructions for executing a clutch-to-clutch shift using these models. The models collectively reduce powertrain dynamics to two or three degrees of freedom. The controller executes a method to estimate clutch torques using the models. The models may include a first primary inertia block describing engine inertia and inertia of a torque converter pump, and a second primary inertia model describing the inertia of the turbine and transmission as reflected to the input member. The second primary inertia model includes bulk inertia models for each fixed gear state and each possible shift maneuver. The controller derives a required output torque value as a closed-loop target value using the lumped inertia models and a requested input torque, and uses the estimated clutch torque to achieve the target value. |
| US08977453B2 |
Control apparatus for automatic transmission
In a control apparatus for an automatic transmission that changes speed of an engine output and transmits it to driven wheels, having an electromagnetic control valve installed in a hydraulic pressure supply device of the transmission and operated upon receipt of current to control hydraulic pressure supply to the transmission; and a current supply controller composed of a microcomputer installed on an electronic circuit board, calculating a current supply command value of the current supplied to the valve based on a hydraulic pressure supply control value of the transmission calculated based on the vehicle's operating condition and controlling current supply from a battery to the valve based on the command value, a load detector detects load of an electric device that shares ground set on the board with the valve; and the current supply controller calculates the command value based on the hydraulic pressure supply control value and detected load. |
| US08977451B2 |
Vehicle, control apparatus and control method for equipment
The first setting value showing holding pressure for a metal belt is set for each of a plurality of control modes A to H. The second setting value changing lagging behind the first setting value is calculated based on the first setting value for each of the plurality of control modes A to H. A target value is set to be equal to or more than the greatest second setting value among a plurality of second setting values. A continuously variable transmission is controlled such that the holding pressure for the metal belt is equal to the set target value. |
| US08977448B2 |
Vehicle operating state display device
An operating state display device for a vehicle includes a display portion that displays an energy transmission state of the vehicle. A display similar to what is shown when no energy is being transmitted to the axle is shown, regardless of the energy transmission state, when two conditions that the vehicle is stopped and that a brake operation is being performed are satisfied. |
| US08977447B2 |
Torque ratio estimating apparatus for continuously variable transmission and lateral pressure control apparatus for continuously variable transmission
When estimating a torque ratio, which is the ratio of an actually transmitted torque relative to the maximum transmittable torque of a continuously variable transmission, based on the transmission characteristics for transmitting a given variable component of an input shaft element to an output shaft element via a frictional element, since the torque ratio is estimated from a slip identifier, an indicator for difference in amplitude of a variable component between the two elements, or a phase lag, an indicator for difference in phase of the variable component between the two elements, it is possible to estimate the torque ratio, which is closely related to the power transmission efficiency of the continuously variable transmission, with good precision, thus improving the power transmission efficiency. Moreover, since the torque ratio is estimated from the slip identifier or the phase lag, it is possible to minimize the number of sensors necessary for estimation. |
| US08977444B2 |
Work vehicle and work vehicle control method
A work vehicle includes an engine, a travel device, a hydraulic pump, a work implement, a torque converter device, and a controller. The torque converter includes a torque converter and a lockup clutch. The controller is configured to switch the lockup clutch between a connected state and a non-connected state in accordance with a travel state of the work vehicle. The controller is configured to determine whether load increase conditions associated with an increase in load on the work implement are satisfied, and to control the lockup clutch so that the lockup clutch is in the non-connected state when the load increase conditions are satisfied. |
| US08977437B2 |
Electric power steering system
A target pinion angle computation unit computes a target pinion angle on the basis of a basic assist component and a steering torque, and computes the target pinion angle so as to rapidly increase a steering reaction force when it is determined based on the target pinion angle that a rack shaft of a rack-and-pinion mechanism reaches a position near a limit of a movable range of the rack shaft. In an EPS, a correction component for the basic assist component, which is necessary to increase the steering reaction force rapidly, is computed through execution of PID control for causing an actual pinion angle to coincide with the target pinion angle. Because the correction component is added to the basic assist component, the steering reaction force is increased rapidly when the rack shaft reaches the position near the limit of the movable range. |
| US08977433B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus
An electric power steering apparatus includes a first torque calculating unit for calculating a first torque command based on a steering torque detected by the steering torque detecting unit, a second torque command calculating unit for calculating a second torque command based on the wheel rotation speed, an emergency switching unit for outputting the second torque command instead of the first torque command when error of the rotation torque is detected, a wheel rotation speed error detecting unit for detecting an error of the wheel rotation speed based at least on the wheel rotation speed, the steering torque in a normal state and the motor rotation information, and an emergency command limiting unit for liming the second torque command when normal and the motor rotation information, and where error of the wheel rotation speed is detected, when the second torque command is selected by the emergency switching unit. |
| US08977430B2 |
Electronic stability control system indicator
An electronic stability control indication system including a bar-graph-type display, a processor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the operation of the electronic stability control indication system. The system receives a first signal from a yaw rate sensor indicative of an actual yaw rate of the vehicle. The system then determines a target yaw rate and a threshold difference for the vehicle. If the difference between the actual yaw rate and the target yaw rate exceeds the difference threshold, an electronic stability control system is activated. The system also provides a visual representation of the difference between the actual yaw rate and the target yaw ratio relative to the threshold difference on the bar-graph-type display. |
| US08977429B2 |
System and method for shifting the transfer case into and out of the neutral position using an electronic vehicle information center
A system for shifting a vehicle's transfer case into or out of the neutral position, using an electronic vehicle information center. The system comprises a transfer case control module connected to a transfer case and an electronic vehicle information center connected to the transfer case control module. The electronic vehicle information center instructs the transfer case control module to shift the transfer case into or out of the neutral position by detecting an input signal request from a control panel to shift the transfer case into or out of a neutral position, and sending an instruction signal to the transfer case control module to shift the transfer case into or out of the neutral position. |
| US08977427B2 |
System, method and odometer monitor for detecting connectivity status of mobile data terminal to vehicle
An odometer monitor for monitoring the connectivity status of a mobile data terminal to a vehicle is a module defined in a data processor of the mobile data terminal. The monitor is operable to detect successive timed poll events originating in the mobile data terminal and listen for arrival of corresponding odometer update values from a vehicle tracking device connected to an information bus of the vehicle. Successive odometer updates are compared to calculate the distances travelled between updates, and to make a determination of connectivity status of the mobile data terminal relative to the vehicle based on whether or not the calculated distances are above or below a preset maximum distance. The odometer monitor can verify whether the mobile data terminal remains connected to the same vehicle by checking a vehicle identity module, which may be located in the vehicle tracking device. |
| US08977425B1 |
System and method for facilitating transportation of a vehicle involved in a crash
A system, method, and computer-readable medium to facilitate treatment of a damaged vehicle by gathering crash information, estimating an extent of vehicle damage, and requesting transport of the damaged vehicle from the crash site to a treatment facility. |
| US08977424B2 |
Fault diagnosis method and fault diagnosis device
A fault diagnosis device and a fault diagnosis method read a diagnostic trouble code from an Electronic Control Unit to the fault diagnosis device, and display a work guide screen for guiding work in accordance with the read diagnostic trouble code. The work guide screen includes an entire work flowchart consisting of a plurality of work items for identifying a fault occurrence location at which the fault event corresponding to the diagnostic trouble code is caused, and includes an entire work display area in which a work item selected among the plurality of work items is highlighted and a concrete work display area in which concrete work details about the highlighted work item are indicated. |
| US08977418B2 |
Operator interface for vehicles
A control interface for drivetrain braking provided by a regenerative brake and a non-regenerative brake is implemented using a combination of switches and graphic interface elements. The control interface comprises a control system for allocating drivetrain braking effort between the regenerative brake and the non-regenerative brake, a first operator actuated control for enabling operation of the drivetrain braking, and a second operator actuated control for selecting a target braking effort for drivetrain braking. A graphic display displays to an operator the selected target braking effort and can be used to further display actual braking effort achieved by drivetrain braking. |
| US08977417B2 |
System and method for controlling a vehicle having a single-wire actuator
A system and method for determining functionality of a single signal wire actuator of a vehicle monitor the signal wire for a heartbeat signal after commanding the actuator and waiting for a self-diagnostic period. In one embodiment, a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, an electric heater, a heater core and a valve positioned to route coolant through an engine and/or an electric heater. An actuator positioned to circulate coolant through the electric heater and the heater core is configured to transmit a heartbeat signal while connected to a power source and a ground terminal. A vehicle controller may be configured to store a diagnostic code, start the engine and/or control the valve to selectively route coolant through the engine and the heater core in response to a heat request and the heartbeat signal not being received from the actuator within a predetermined interval of time. |
| US08977415B2 |
Use of on-vehicle accelerometer to estimate vehicle grade and mass while vehicle is in motion
A system includes a grade estimation module that receives an accelerometer value and generates a grade estimate based on the accelerometer value, wherein the accelerometer value corresponds to acceleration of a vehicle and the grade estimate corresponds to a grade of the vehicle. A mass estimation module receives the accelerometer value and generates a mass estimate based on the accelerometer value, wherein the mass estimate corresponds to a mass of the vehicle. A shift control module at least one of selects and adjusts one of a plurality of shift schedules based on at least one of the grade estimate and the mass estimate and controls a transmission of the vehicle based on the one of the plurality of shift schedules. |
| US08977404B2 |
Collaborative energy benchmarking systems and methods
Systems and methods for providing collaborative energy benchmarking are described. Information including background data, energy consumption data, temporal data, and/or other information is gathered from multiple sources and stored in a central database. Based on the stored information, energy benchmarks are created for measuring residential energy usage. Energy usage data is displayed to consumers in multiple formats, and permits consumers to directly compare their energy usage data to other consumers or groups of consumers, in addition to their own energy usage. In some embodiments, energy challenge programs encourage reduction of energy usage. Through such programs, consumers create and present challenges for themselves and/or other consumers, such as to reduce energy usage during a given timeframe. The progress of the group and individual consumers is displayed during the course of a challenge. |
| US08977397B2 |
Method for controlling gait of robot
A method includes: forming an imaginary wall at a position spaced apart and outward from feet of the robot when the robot is in a double-leg-support state; kinetically calculating a variation in a distance between a body of the robot and the imaginary wall and a variation in a speed of the body of the robot relative to the imaginary wall using an angle of a joint and lengths of links of the robot; applying the variation in the distance and the variation in the speed to an imaginary spring-damper model formed between the body of the robot and the imaginary wall, and calculating an imaginary reaction force required by the body of the robot; and converting the calculated reaction force into a drive torque required by the body of the robot using a Jacobian transposed matrix. |
| US08977396B2 |
Mobile robotic assistant for multipurpose applications
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a robotic assistant comprising a projector for projecting media on a surface, a sensor for sensing the media, and a motion control module for moving the robotic assistant. |
| US08977390B2 |
Systems and methods for dispensing beneficial products
A dispensing station comprises beneficial products for patients of a health care provider. An inventory database tracks inventory available in the dispensing station. A patient is associated with a prescription record, which specifies a prescribed beneficial product. The patient may provide patient identifying information to the dispensing station, such as credentialed payment information, which may be used to identify a prescription record, authenticate the patient, transfer a payment, and/or dispense the prescribed beneficial product to the patient. The prescription record may be valid for a limited time period, may be restricted to fulfillment within a particular location, and/or may be restricted to one or more specified dispensing stations. The dispensing station may validate the beneficial products before dispensing the products to the patient. |
| US08977388B2 |
Platform perturbation compensation
A method for compensating for a perturbation external to a platform having a plurality of mechanical arms in accordance with an embodiment of the technology includes detecting a normal positional and/or orientational measurement of the platform using a sensor. A perturbed positional and/or orientational measurement of the platform can also be detected using the sensor. The normal positional and/or orientational measurement and the perturbed positional and/or orientational measurement can be compared to determine a positional and/or orientational difference. A position and/or orientation of a mechanical arm can be adjusted to compensate for the perturbation based on the positional and/or orientational difference. |
| US08977381B1 |
CNC controlled rotating work piece holding fixtures for a horizontal mill
A CNC controlled rotating workpiece holding fixture is attached to a tombstone of a horizontal mill. The rotating workpiece holding fixture(s) allows workpieces to be independently rotated to allow milling of various surface of the workpiece thereby providing a five axis CNC capability. As many as eight rotating workpiece holding fixtures may be attached to a single tombstone. Each rotating workpiece holding fixture may be formed by a harmonic drive driven by a servo motor which provides a compact configuration and a very low gear ratio in the harmonic drive combined with the inherent braking of the servo motor provides stability. The rotating workpiece holding fixtures may be controlled using existing auxiliary outputs (e.g., M-Codes), present in CNC milling machines. The M-Codes are preferably created by an operator, multiplexed, sent to the tombstone, de-multiplexed, and used to control each rotating workpiece holding fixture. |
| US08977374B1 |
Geometric and acoustic joint learning
Described herein are methods and system for analyzing music audio. An example method includes obtaining a music audio track, calculating acoustic features of the music audio track, calculating geometric features of the music audio track in view of the acoustic features, and determining a mood of the music audio track in view of the geometric features. |
| US08977372B2 |
System and method for cycle time visualization
The embodiments described herein include a system and a method. In one embodiment, an industrial process control system includes a processor and a link active scheduler. The link active scheduler is configured to schedule execution of a macrocycle. The macrocycle includes an application timeslot and an asynchronous timeslot. The link active scheduler is further configured to schedule execution of scheduled instructions for a plurality of field devices of the industrial process control system in the application timeslot. The link active scheduler is further configured to schedule execution of unscheduled instructions for the plurality of field devices of the industrial process control system in the asynchronous timeslot. The industrial process control system further includes a macrocycle viewer executable by the processor. The macrocycle viewer is configured to display the macrocycle in a visual format. |
| US08977369B1 |
Sound processing assembly for use in a cochlear implant system
An exemplary cochlear implant system includes a sound processing assembly configured to be external to a patient and first and second extension members coupled to the sound processing assembly. The sound processing assembly includes a sound processing unit configured to process an audio signal and transmit one or more control parameters based on the audio signal to an implantable cochlear stimulator and a battery module configured to be electrically coupled to the sound processing unit and provide operating power to the sound processing unit. The first extension member has a distal portion configured to be coupled to a first ear of the patient and the second extension member has a distal portion configured to be coupled to a second ear of the patient. The first and second extension members typically extend back from the ears, thus positioning the sound processing assembly behind the patient's head. |
| US08977366B2 |
Systems and methods for therapeutic electrical stimulation
A patch for a therapeutic electrical stimulation device includes a shoe connected to the first side of the patch, the shoe including a body extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end, and having first and second surfaces, the first end of the shoe defining at least two ports, and the first surface of the shoe defining a connection member. The patch also includes at least one conductor positioned in the ports of the first end of the shoe. The shoe is configured for sliding insertion into a receptacle defined by a controller so that the conductor is connected to the controller to deliver electrical current from the controller, through the conductor, and to the electrodes, and the connection member is at least partially captured by a detent defined by the controller in the receptacle to retain the shoe within the receptacle. |
| US08977363B2 |
Spinal cord stimulation with interferential current
A stimulator and a method for the treatment of intractable pain syndromes by electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is disclosed in which implantable electrodes positioned around a targeted area of the spinal cord transmit an interferential current that has a base medium frequency alternating current between 500 Hz-20 KHz. A digital signal processor generates a sine-wave-like waveform from a pulse generator which after further processing is used to generate at least two circuits for use in producing the interferential current. An effective area of stimulation is controlled by the quantity of electrodes, positioning of the electrodes and electrode cross pattern orientation. Amplitude modulation of electrical circuits created at the electrode placements also augments the effective area of stimulation. The stimulator and method reduce accommodation of the body to the electrical stimulation and provide deeper penetration of the resultant signal. |
| US08977362B2 |
Peripheral pain management
A system including a processor configured to be coupled to an electrical lead that is configured to sense electrical activity in a patient, a memory coupled to the processor, the memory containing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect a pain signature in the sensed electrical activity, determine a treatment protocol in response to the detected pain signature, and cause the treatment protocol to be delivered to the patient via the electrical lead. |
| US08977358B2 |
Intelligent self-organizing electrode stimulation delivery system
An electrode stimulation delivery system is described having a unit and a network of wireless remote electrodes configured for implantation within a plurality of spaced apart locations in the tissue, e.g. myocardium, of a patient. The control unit is configured to be positioned at or subcutaneous to the patient's skin, and includes a processor, an antenna configured for delivering RF energy in proximity to the plurality of wireless remote electrodes, and programming executable on the processor for wirelessly communicating to the network of wireless remote electrodes via the delivered RF energy to individually control pacing of the plurality of wireless remote electrodes. Each of the plurality of wireless remote electrodes comprises a metamaterial-based biomimetic harvesting antenna comprising a Van Atta array zero-phase transmission lines to receive the RF energy to power activation of the plurality of wireless remote electrodes. |
| US08977353B2 |
Protein activity modification
A method of modifying tissue behavior, comprising: determining a desired modification of tissue behavior for at least one of treatment of a disease, short or long term modification of tissue behavior, assessing tissue state and assessing tissue response to stimulation; selecting an electric field having an expected effect of modifying protein activity of at least one protein as an immediate response of a tissue to the field, said expected effect correlated with said desired modification; and applying said field to said tissue. |
| US08977352B2 |
Systems and methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments
The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to: (a) determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments employed in accessing a surgical target site; (b) assess the pathology (health or status) of a nerve or nerve root before, during, or after a surgical procedure; and/or (c) assess pedicle integrity before, during or after pedicle screw placement, all in an automated, easy to use, and easy to interpret fashion so as to provide a surgeon-driven system. |
| US08977351B2 |
Disposable heart rate indicator
A disposable heart rate indicator is provided. The disposable heart rate indicator has a power source for generating power to the heart rate indicator, at least two electrodes for detecting a person's heart beat, a processor and a light signal emitting head. The processor is operatively coupled to the at least two electrodes and is configured to receive a signal on each heart beat detected by the electrodes and visually indicate a detected heart rate via optical light emitted by the light signal emitting head. The heart rate indicator further includes a conductor coupled between the light signal emitting head and the processor. The conductor is arranged to extend from a heart beat detection area formed by the electrodes and the processor such that the light signal emitting head is visible during use. |
| US08977347B2 |
Video-based estimation of heart rate variability
What is disclosed is a video-based system and method for estimating heart rate variability from time-series signals generated from video images captured of a subject of interest being monitored for cardiac function. In a manner more fully disclosed herein, low frequency and high frequency components are extracted from a time-series signal obtained by processing a video of the subject being monitored. A ratio of the low and high frequency of the integrated power spectrum within these components is computed. Analysis of the dynamics of this ratio over time is used to estimate heart rate variability. The teachings hereof can be used in a continuous monitoring mode with a relatively high degree of measurement accuracy and find their uses in a variety of diverse applications such as, for instance, emergency rooms, cardiac intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units, and various telemedicine applications. |
| US08977346B2 |
Mechanism of quantitative dual-spectrum IR imaging system for breast cancer
A mechanism of quantitative dual-spectrum IR imaging (QDS-IR) system for examining the breast cancer is reported. The major mechanism of the system is a pair of long-wave Infra-red (LIR) and middle-wave Infra-red (MIR) cameras with the keen temperature sensitivity and the high spatial resolution. The optical axes of cameras are calibrated by the help of two calibration makers set up on the seat for carrying an object to make them parallel to each other and locate on the same level. The design provides an imaging system with the high reproducibility supported by 7 free degrees and the high adjustability. The proposed system could ensure the positions of the object and two cameras are the same at the different time points and find the best relative positions between the seat and two cameras for the objects with different body types. Therefore, it has potential ability to detect breast cancer or monitor the effect of chemotherapy. |
| US08977344B2 |
Injection catheter with needle electrode
An injection catheter for infusing therapeutic and diagnostic agents into the heart comprises a catheter body and a tip section mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. An injection needle extends through the tip section, catheter body, and needle control handle. The injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the tip section so that its distal end can extend beyond the distal end of the tip section upon suitable manipulation of the needle control handle. The catheter further comprises an electrode lead wire having a first end electrically connected to the injection needle and a second end electrically connected to a suitable monitoring apparatus or to a source of ablation energy. The injection needle can thus be used for mapping or ablation in addition to introducing therapeutic and diagnostic agents into the heart. |
| US08977343B2 |
Optical probe having a position measuring system
An optical probe and an optical imaging system include an optical guide, and an actuator having driving coils and a magnet. By supplying a driving current through the driving a magnetic flux is generated which causes a displacement of the distal end of the optical guide. A position measuring device includes a position measuring coil used for monitoring the position of the optical guide, where displacement of the guide distal end causes change in the relative positions of the measuring and driving coils. A power supply supplies a high frequency AC current through the driving coils which causes, an induced voltage in the position measuring coil and thus generates a magnetic coupling between the measuring and driving coils. This induced voltage change is indicative for the position of the distal end. |
| US08977340B2 |
System and method for collection and use of magnetic resonance data and microwave data to identify boundaries of interest
A system and method for detecting permittivity and conductivity boundaries within a high resolution spatial image of a material is presented. Electrical properties of a material, such as permittivity and conductivity, may assist in identification of physical properties of the material. Structural boundaries within tissue may be identified in spatial images, such as MR images. Image reconstruction algorithms may combine these structural boundaries with microwave images of the tissue to determine the permittivity and conductivity parameters within the structural boundaries. In the case of soft tissue, the microwave images may be captured simultaneously with the spatial images. The microwave images may be taken at a different time from the spatial image for rigid tissue. The method may be employed for two dimensional or three dimensional image reconstruction. |
| US08977336B2 |
Distributed medical sensing system and method
A distributed medical sensing system including a first body sensing device configured to sense medical characteristics, the first body sensing device being located in a first sterile field and a second body sensing device configured to sense medical characteristics, the second body sensing device being located in a second sterile field, the second sterile field being spaced from the first sterile field. The system also includes a computing device outside of the first and second sterile fields and communicatively coupled to the first and second body sensing devices, the computing device configured to respectively receive first and second medical characteristic data from the first and second body sensing devices, process the first and second medical characteristic data, and transmit the processed first and second medical characteristic data to respective first and second user interface devices. |
| US08977332B1 |
Retractor device with oximeter sensor and force sensor
A retractor device has an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor. The retractor device also has a force sensor which can measure an amount of force that is applied to the retracted tissue by the tip of the retractor device. The tip includes one or more openings for at least one source and detector. A specific implementation is a spinal nerve root retractor with an oximeter sensor and a force sensor. |
| US08977329B1 |
Electronic apparatus
A cover panel is disposed on a surface of an electronic apparatus and is made of sapphire. A flexible printed wiring board extends in a state of being curved in the electronic apparatus. A gap reduction member is in contact with at least a curved portion of the flexible printed wiring board from the cover panel side. |
| US08977320B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device with user navigation using an antenna and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a housing, a display carried by the housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the housing, a display navigation input device carried by the housing and including an antenna and an oscillation circuit coupled to the antenna, and a controller coupled to the display, wireless transceiver, and display navigation input device. |
| US08977319B2 |
Portable electronic device and method for controlling portable electronic device
Disclosed are a portable electronic device and a method for controlling the portable electronic device wherein it is possible to use an application enabling an easy input of characters. The portable electronic device is provided with a starting unit, a display unit, a detection unit, and a control unit. The starting unit starts the application enabling the input of characters. The display unit displays a screen based on the application. The detection unit detects a contact to the display unit. The control unit causes the starting unit to start the application when identifying, while a standard screen is displayed on the display unit, the track of the contact to the display unit according to the contact to the display unit detected by the detection unit and determining from the detected track of the contact that characters are being inputted. |
| US08977311B2 |
Method and arrangement for reducing interference in a wireless communication network
The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for reducing interference in a cellular communication network. A radio base station of the network is configured to serve at least a first cell, where interference is reduced by selecting a link adaptation scheme for a UE in the first cell, The arrangement comprises means for receiving measurements on estimated channel quality, means for estimating channel quality for a future transmission by adjusting the received measurements on estimated channel quality based on knowledge of future UE scheduling in at least the first cell, and means for selecting the link adaptation scheme comprising a transmit power level based on the estimated channel quality for the future transmission. |
| US08977308B2 |
Delayed response to an access probe
Apparatuses and methodologies are described that mitigate signal pollution in a wireless communication system. According to one aspect, user devices can request signals for use in access point selection. Access points can be selected based upon the received strength of their signals. In one aspect, access points can delay the transmission of signals based upon the strength of the received request. In addition, if sufficient access points respond during the delay, an access point can refrain from transmitting signals in response to signal requests, further reducing signal pollution. |
| US08977304B2 |
Systems and methods for prioritizing messages on a mobile device
A method, performed by a mobile communication device, may include receiving a message; extracting one or more features associated with the message; and determining a priority level for the message, based on the extracted one or more features, using a model that relates the extracted one or more features to an expected response time for the message. The method may further include determining a context associated with the user of the mobile communication device; modifying the priority level based on the determined context; and providing the message to a list of messages based on the modified priority level. Additionally, the user may be provided with a notification tone associated with the modified priority level. |
| US08977301B2 |
System and method for implementing a selective paging model for use in a multi-access environment
A system by which paging can be performed to support global reachability in a heterogeneous multi-access environment independently on a particular radio access network architecture. Various embodiments of the present invention provide methods for performing generic paging in heterogeneous multi-access networks based on incoming traffic and its characteristics, producing a topology-based coverage map of dynamic access networks. The framework of the various embodiments of the present invention supports the use of user preferences in the selective paging process; i.e. the most optimal radio access is activated according to user preferences and the current networking environment. |
| US08977298B2 |
Location fingerprinting
Methods, program products, and systems for using a location fingerprint database to determine a location of a mobile device are described. A mobile device can use a location fingerprint database to determine the location where GPS signals are unavailable. A server can generate location fingerprint data for the database. The server can generate the location fingerprint data using crowd sourcing, using known locations of signal sources, or both. The server can receive, from a sampling device, measurements of environment variables, e.g., signals from a signal source at one or more sampling points. The server can extrapolate, from the received measurements, estimated measurements at one or more locations in a venue. The server can store the extrapolated measurements as location fingerprint data. The server can send the location fingerprint data to a mobile device for determining a location of the mobile device when the mobile device is at the venue. |
| US08977293B2 |
Intuitive computing methods and systems
A smart phone senses audio and/or imagery from a surrounding environment, and acts to provide graphical user interfaces and toggling discovery modes. In one arrangement, a smart phone comprises: a wireless communications interface; a touch screen display; a camera for capturing imagery; a microphone for capturing audio; a physical discovery button for initiating a discovery mode, in which the discovery mode includes processing smart phone sensor-captured imagery or sensor-captured audio to obtain identification of an object depicted in sensor-captured imagery or of captured audio, the identification obtained through the wireless communications interface; one or more processors; and memory storing software instructions for configuring said one or more processors for: responsive to a request received via the physical discovery button, initiating a discovery mode including processing imagery captured with said camera; causing a sensor pane to be displayed on the touch screen display, in which captured imagery is displayed along with augmented reality graphics within the sensor pane, and causing user-selectable graphic icons to be displayed within a first area of the touch screen display; highlighting an object represented in captured imagery that is displayed within the sensor pane; and causing a user-selectable graphic icon to be displayed on the touch screen display to facilitate switching discovery modes from image to audio. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US08977290B2 |
Method and device for consolidating location-dependent information in a radio access network
A process for consolidating location-dependent information in a two-way radio system includes determining a geographic location of each subscriber unit in a group of subscriber units active within a radio frequency (RF) coverage area of a base station (BS), determining a single representative geographic location for the group of subscriber units based on their geographic locations, requesting location-dependent information from a content provider using the representative geographic location, and causing the location-dependent information to be broadcast within the RF coverage area. |
| US08977289B2 |
Method of processing positioning information and electronic apparatus and computer-readable recording medium
A method of processing positioning information in an electronic apparatus having a signal receiving unit, is provided. The method includes receiving at least one positioning signal through the signal receiving unit and obtaining positioning information from the positioning signal. The method further includes selectively adjusting a positioning tolerance according to the positioning information and the positioning tolerance. |
| US08977286B2 |
Process for updating additional information stored in a terminal for a terminal-based recognition of home base stations in a cellular land mobile system
Process for geographical location of a cellular terminal (101) within a cellular land mobile network (110) for finding a certain base station (100), each cell (102, 103, 104) of the land mobile network (110) an identifier sent [sic], the combination of the identifiers of the identifiers which have been received at a certain geographical position delivering a unique configuration (130, 140), the cellular terminal (101) being suited to storing these configurations (130, 140), when agreement of the current configuration (130, 140) with the configuration (130, 140) stored in the cellular terminal (101) is established a search of the cellular terminal (101) for the base station (100) being triggered, by means of the base station (100) the configuration (130, 140) being checked at the geographical position of the base station (100) and when the identifier of the cell (102, 103, 104) is modified, a new identifier and/or the new configuration (140) for transmission to the cellular terminal (101) being made available, and the new identifiers and/or the new configuration (140) being stored in the cellular terminal (101). |
| US08977283B2 |
Scheduled and autonomous transmission and acknowledgement
Techniques for efficient signaling to and from a plurality of mobile stations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a subset of mobile stations may be allocated a portion of the shared resource with one or more individual access grants, another subset may be allocated a portion of the shared resource with a single common grant, and yet another subset may be allowed to use a portion of the shared resource without any grant. In another embodiment, an acknowledge and continue command is used to extend all or a subset of the previous grants without the need for additional requests and grants, and their associated overhead. In one embodiment, a traffic to pilot ratio (T/P) is used to allocate a portion of the shared resource, allowing a mobile station flexibility in selecting its transmission format based on T/P. |
| US08977282B2 |
Multi-channel management and load balancing
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a protocol to allow for load balancing between multiple frequency channels in a wireless communications system. |
| US08977278B2 |
Signaling to enable network controlled tethering of wireless devices
A method of signaling to enable tethering among wireless devices may include receiving, at a master wireless device, assignment information from a wireless communication access point. The assignment information may indicate that the master wireless device is designated as a hotspot for a slave wireless device. The method also may include determining an availability of an open frequency band for wireless communications, communicating an enabling signal to the slave wireless and receiving a confirmation of receipt of the enabling signal. Further, the method may include determining an allocation of a wireless communication resource over the open frequency band for the master wireless device to act as the hotspot for the slave wireless device. The allocation may be based on the confirmation of receipt of the enabling signal and on a parameter requirement associated with the master wireless device acting as the hotspot for the slave wireless device. |
| US08977277B2 |
Method and system for spectrum sensing and low overhead feedback
A method at a network node for obtaining spectrum sensing information, the method communicating to at least one of a user equipment and a sensing node at least one event condition for spectrum sensing; providing to the at least one of the user equipment and the sensing node channel descriptors for reporting; and receiving a report from the at least one of the user equipment and the sensing node utilizing the channel descriptors, the report indicating the at least one event condition has been met. |
| US08977270B2 |
Updating a base reference power for high speed data resumption
A method of wireless communication includes returning to a base station after a handover failure. The method also includes measuring a length of time between receiving a handover command and returning to the base station. The method further includes setting a physical uplink channel transmit power based on the measured length of time. The physical uplink channel can be an enhanced physical uplink channel (E-PUCH) of a high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) wireless network. |
| US08977268B2 |
Methods and systems for controlling handovers in a co-channel network
At least one example embodiment discloses a method of controlling a handover of a user equipment (UE) from a serving base station to a target base station in a heterogeneous network. The method includes determining, by a serving base station, a speed of the UE and a type of the handover, the type of the handover being one of macro cell to macro cell, macro cell to small cell, small cell to macro cell and small cell to small cell, and controlling, by the serving base station, the handover from the serving base station to the target base station based on the speed of the UE and the type of handover. |
| US08977264B2 |
Apparatus and method for preventing performance degradation of call service in a portable terminal
An apparatus and method for preventing performance degradation of a call service in a portable terminal are provided. In the apparatus, a memory stores a Preferred Roaming List (PRL) including information about a plurality of systems and an avoidance list including information about a system to which access has failed the predetermined number or more times, and when an access attempt to originate or terminate a call to or from a specific system acquired in a weak electrical field has failed a predetermined number or more times, a controller controls reacquisition of the specific system and attempting of call origination to or call termination from the reacquired specific system. |
| US08977261B2 |
Hardware activation of dual USIM multimode mobile terminal
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for hardware activation of dual USIM TD-SCDMA multimode mobile terminals. The technique effectively provides for efficient power consumption. In one aspect, a mobile terminal may register dual mobile identifiers on a first radio access technology (RAT) using a first hardware module. If a call is set up, the mobile terminal activates a second hardware module and registers the unused mobile identifier with the second RAT. |
| US08977258B2 |
System and method for communicating with fixed and mobile subscriber stations in broadband wireless access networks
Embodiments of System and Method for Communicating within Broadband Wireless Networks are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08977257B2 |
Method and apparatus to control visited network access for devices
Methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate controlling device access to one or more restricted groups of access points in a visited network. An indicator can be provided by a home network that specifies whether a device registering with a visited network is allowed to access restricted groups in the visited networks. If so, the visited network can request restricted group subscription information for the device. Additionally or alternatively, the device can control whether restricted groups are displayed for selecting access points based on one or more indicators regarding whether the device is allowed to access restricted groups in visited networks. |
| US08977249B2 |
Customized ring tones for mobile phones based on context information
A method in one embodiment includes receiving, by a mobile client device, an incoming call sent by a caller, a caller ID being associated with the incoming call. A node connected to a packet-based network is accessed to obtain information about the caller. Information about the caller is then received from the node by the mobile client device. This information is applied to a set of client rules that selects a specific ring tone from a plurality of ring tones stored on the mobile client device. Finally, the specific ring tone is generated on the mobile client device to announce the incoming call. |
| US08977238B2 |
Interface between web applications for text messaging and packet-switched networks
Systems and methods are disclosed for interfacing SMS/MMS web applications with packet-switched networks. One embodiment comprises a system that handles a Mobile Terminated (MT) text message from a web application to a packet-switched network. The system receives a send command for the MT text message from the web application. The send command is based on a standard used by the web application, such as Parlay X. The system converts the send command for the MT text message to a SIP send request, and transmits the SIP send request for the MT text message to a packet-switched network for delivery to a recipient. |
| US08977236B2 |
Method and system to record and visualize type, path and location of moving and idle segments
A GPS signal is converted into motion and idle indicator data. A task database includes task situs-location data, assignment and person data. Determining an idle mode generates idle ON indicia. Determining a movement ON status generates movement tracking indicia with location and time-based tracking over a subject time period. A map over a geographic region encompasses the idle and movement locations and overlays, on proximal locations on the map, the idle mode ON indicia and the movement tracking indicia. The marked map is published. Enhancements define the subject time period as the present plus a predetermined time; a historic period; a selectable time; and sequential historic time. Further, the subject time period is selectable over the location or path of the movement tracking indicia. A privacy event masks the publication of idle and movement indicia during a privacy block. |
| US08977233B2 |
Identification of timestamps for a partial CDR when failover occurs in an offline charging system
Systems and methods that generate a partial Charging Data Record (CDR) when charging transfers from a primary charging function to a secondary charging function due to a failure. In one embodiment, the system receives an interim accounting request for a session from a secondary charging function after charging was transferred from the primary charging function. The system then opens a new partial CDR for the session based on the interim accounting request. The system receives a prior partial CDR for the session from the primary charging function, parses the prior partial CDR to identify a CDR timestamp, and records a start time in the new partial CDR based on the CDR timestamp. The system parses the interim accounting request to identify an accounting timestamp for the session, records an end time in the new partial CDR based on the accounting timestamp, and closes the new partial CDR. |
| US08977229B2 |
Emergency call notification for network services
Enhanced services, such as call restriction, call forwarding, anonymous call rejection, and proprietary services, may interfere with an emergency callback potentially preventing the callback from reaching the intended destination. Systems and methods for processing emergency calls to eliminate emergency callback failure in response to an emergency call being disconnected are provided herein. |
| US08977226B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a transceiver having a plurality of output terminals; a plurality of power amplifier units respectively connected to the plurality of output terminals, and configured to amplify a first or second signal output by the output terminals and to output the amplified first or second signal to a plurality of antennas respectively connected the plurality of power amplifiers; and a receiving module configured to receive a third signal through a receiving antenna disposed to be spaced apart from the plurality of antennas and to output the received third signal to the transceiver. Further, the receiving module includes first and second filters configured to control an intermodulation distortion (IMD) signal included in the third signal due to the output of the first or second signal. |
| US08977225B2 |
Unidirectional sampling mixer
A unidirectional sampling mixer utilizes a stepped phase modulation to shift the frequency of an input signal. An RF input signal is supplied to an RF input switch from an RF input port. An ordered set of phase shift values to be applied to the RF input signal and a set of times each element of which correspond to a time at which a phase shift value is be applied to the RF signal are determined. For each phase shift value within the ordered set of phase shift values, a controller controls the RF input switch to select an input of a phase shifting device and controls an RF output switch to select an output of the phasing shifting device. The input of the phase shifting device and the output of the phase shifting device are selected to apply the phase shift value at its corresponding time to the RF input signal. A frequency shifted signal is supplied to an RF output port from an output of the RF output switch. This Abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this Abstract. |
| US08977221B2 |
Selecting apparatus for receiving antenna of multiple input multiple output wireless system and method thereof
A selecting apparatus for receiving antennas of a Multiple Input Multiple Output wireless system and a method thereof are disclosed. The method for selecting antennas includes the following steps. Select a set of receiving antenna sequentially by a selective and control unit so as to receive an input data. Then a signal processing module deals with the input data to generate output data sets. An operation unit processes at least one of the multiple sets of output data for generating a detection data that is sent to a determining unit. According to the detection data, the determining unit generates a control signal that is sent to the selective and control unit for driving the selective and control unit to select a set of antenna to be used. |
| US08977212B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for electronic spectrum management with remote access to data in a virtual computing network
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for automated identification of baseline data and changes in state in a wireless communications spectrum, by identifying sources of signal emission in the spectrum by automatically detecting signals, analyzing signals, comparing signal data to historical and reference data, creating corresponding signal profiles, and determining information about the baseline data and changes in state based upon the measured and analyzed data in near real time, which is stored on each apparatus or device units and/or on a remote server computer that aggregates data from each of the units, wherein the data is accessible via remote computer devices. |
| US08977210B2 |
Radio-frequency circuit
A radio-frequency circuit has a signal processing unit for processing a symmetrical input signal, two signal inputs for receiving the symmetrical input signal, a connection which is used as a ground point for the symmetrical signal, and a line which connects the signal inputs and has a length which essentially corresponds to an odd-numbered multiple of half the wavelength of the input signal. A method for testing a radio-frequency circuit having a signal processing unit for processing a symmetrical input signal is additionally provided. |
| US08977205B2 |
Head-mounted computer with peripheral expansion port
A head-mounted computing device is described. The head-mounted computing device includes a processor. Coupled to the processor is a memory for storing a software application for execution on the processor. A battery provides current to the processor. A frame supports the processor, the memory, and the battery. The frame includes a mechanical coupling feature and an electrical connector for receiving a peripheral. |
| US08977201B1 |
Techniques for using near field communication to add a person to an email thread
A computer-implemented method for communication between a first mobile device and a second mobile device using near field communication (NFC) is presented. The method includes determining, at the first mobile device, whether NFC is enabled with the second mobile device. The method includes determining, at the first mobile device, whether a share command has been initiated, the share command associated with an email to be shared with the second mobile device. The method includes sending a first identifier from the first mobile device to the second mobile device via an NFC transmission. The method includes receiving, at the first mobile device, a second identifier from the second mobile device, the second identifier comprising user information related to (i) a second user and (ii) the email to be shared. The method includes associating the second user as a recipient to the email to be shared. |
| US08977199B2 |
Communication partner appliance with automatic send mode activation
A communication partner appliance is implemented within a near field communication system. The communication partner appliance includes a receiver, a detector, and a processor. The receiver receives a NFC command signal from another communication partner appliance. The detector detects whether a carrier signal from the other communication partner appliance is present at the receiver at a time other than during a transmission of the NFC command signal from the other communication partner appliance to the receiver. The processor controls a power supply element based on a determination by the detector whether the carrier signal from the other communication partner appliance is present at the receiver. The power supply element is configured to establish a connection to either a first power supply or a second power supply. The first power supply is dependent on the carrier signal, and the second power supply is independent of the carrier signal. |
| US08977195B2 |
Multiple NFC card applications in multiple execution environments
A contactless system is described in which multiple execution environments may be coupled to a near field communication (NFC) controller, wherein each execution environment is configured to communicate with remote readers via the NFC controller using an assigned one of a plurality of communication protocols. During a polling session from a proximate reader, responding to a request command using a requested communication protocol and activating one of the plurality of execution environments assigned to the requested communication protocol to use the NFC controller. An arbitration is performed in response to each polling session such that a same combination of communication protocol and execution environment is not activated for adjacent polling sessions. |
| US08977194B2 |
Media exposure and verification utilizing inductive coupling
A computer-implemented system and method for establishing media data exposure, where a media device, such as a computer, radio, television and the like, receive media data and produces research data from it. The research data may be based on computer-based or computer network-based characteristics, ancillary codes or audio signatures. As the research data is being produced, an inductive coupling is sought for nearby portable computer devices. Once a portable computing device inductively couples to the media device, information is transferred, allowing a system to determine and/or verify that specific users were exposed to particular media data. |
| US08977193B2 |
Mobile station including a short-range radio section and corresponding method
A mobile station includes a radio section which communicates with a base station, and a short-range radio section for performing short range radio communication independently of the radio section. A backlight mounted on a display portion of the mobile station can be selectively turned on and off. The operation of the short-range radio section is disabled when the backlight is deactivated, and the operation of the short-range radio section is enabled when the backlight is activated. |
| US08977191B2 |
Method and system for providing timing and frequency synchronization for satellite diversity
An approach facilitates synchronization by providing: (i) a method to analyze the two-satellite synchronization problem in time-frequency domain; and (ii) a two-stage estimation method to accomplish timing and frequency synchronization. The embodiment facilitates satellite diversity. The embodiment applies to a system involving two or more geosynchronous satellites. |
| US08977190B2 |
Linearizer-channel amplifier device for a dual RF channel, and telecommunication satellite comprising said device
A linearizer-channel amplifier device for a dual RF channel designed to be installed on a telecommunication satellite comprises two independent radiofrequency channels, each radiofrequency channel corresponding to a radiofrequency-signal communication channel and comprising a channel-amplifier module, the two radiofrequency channels being connected to one and the same remote control and telemetry module designed to route and to manage remote control signals dedicated to each of the two channel-amplifier modules and to manage telemetries produced by the two channel-amplifier modules. For application notably to the field of satellite telecommunications and in particular to the radiofrequency transmission systems of satellite repeaters. |
| US08977189B2 |
Power control method in two-way relay network
Provided is a method for power control in a two-way relay network. The power control method may maximize a minimum transmission rating and a synthesized transmission rating of the overall system when there are restrictions on the synthesized power of terminals and a repeater in the two-way relay network. The power control method may include determining a power ratio for allocating power to each terminal and a repeater for each subcarrier under restriction on synthesized power of the terminals and the repeater and determining power allocated for each subcarrier according to the determined power ratio. |
| US08977188B2 |
Radio communication system, transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, receiving method and transmitting method
A radio communication system whereby a range is enabled and communication control and quality can be ideally maintained even if the communication distance changes. The transmitting apparatus has a transmitting unit that repeatedly transmits one data packet; a receiving unit that repeatedly receives a response packet; an integrating unit that integrates a repeatedly received response packet; and a determining unit that determines, by use of a result of the integration, whether the received response packet is correct. The receiving apparatus has a receiving unit that repeatedly receives a data packet; an integrating unit that integrates a repeatedly received data packet; a determining unit that determines, by use of a result of the integration, whether the received data packet is correct; and a transmitting unit that repeatedly transmits the response packet when determination is made that the received data packet is correct. |
| US08977186B2 |
Drive transmission system, post-processing device, and image forming apparatus
A drive transmission system includes a drive source and a gear. The drive source includes a rotating shaft, a magnet supported by the rotating shaft, and plural electromagnets. The plural electromagnets are arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, and surround the magnet. The drive source drives the rotating shaft to rotate by a predetermined rotation angle by exciting at least one of the plural electromagnets in accordance with an input of an input signal and by periodically changing a magnetic pole to which each of the plural electromagnets is excited in response to an input of the input signal. The gear is supported by the rotating shaft. |
| US08977183B2 |
Cleaning device, and image carrier unit and image forming apparatus having same
A cleaning device includes a case, a rotating member, a sheet member, and a cover member. The rotating member includes a peripheral face which comes into contact with the cylindrical face of an image carrier, is rotatively driven in a same direction as the image carrier at a contact position, and recovers a toner which has attached on the image carrier. The sheet member extends toward a direction approaching a straight line that connects the rotating axis of the image carrier and the contact position of the rotating member, and includes a leading end which comes into contact with the cylindrical face. The cover member is provided in the case so as to cover an upside of the sheet member, extends toward the direction approaching the straight line, and reaches a position above the leading end of the sheet member. |
| US08977182B2 |
Loop brush roller and image forming apparatus
Fiber bundle forms loops protruding beyond a surface side of a base member with constant spaces therebetween, in at least one of opposite ends located in a direction perpendicular to a weaving direction (W) of a ribbon brush, a weft extending between neighboring loops passes under a warp, and a weft extending through the loop passes above the warp. |
| US08977179B2 |
Externally heated fuser assembly for variable sized media
A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a rotatable fusing member forming a fusing nip with a backup member. A heating lamp is positioned to heat the fusing member. A first reflector is positioned around a circumferential portion of the fusing member and positioned to direct light from the heating lamp onto the fusing member. The first reflector covers a first section of an axial length of the fusing member and does not cover a second section of the axial length of the fusing member. A second reflector is movable between a first position covering at least a portion of the second section of the axial length of the fusing member and a second position uncovering at least a portion of the second section of the axial length of the fusing member. |
| US08977177B2 |
Fixing device employing electromagnetic induction heating system capable of effectively using magnetic flux and image forming apparatus with fixing device
A fixing device comprises a fixing member having a heat generation layer, an excitation coil disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to cause the fixing member to induce electromagnetic heat, and a magnetic core to form a continuous magnetic path guiding a magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil to the fixing member. A holder is provided to accommodate and hold the excitation coil and the magnetic core. A first core included in the magnetic core and is arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member not via the excitation coil along a line extended from an axis of the fixing member in a radius direction. An end face of the first core arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member is substantially perpendicular to the line. |
| US08977175B2 |
Fixing apparatus having an oil roller and image forming apparatus including the same
A fixing apparatus of the invention includes a pressure roller 6 and a fixing roller 7 that make press-contact with each other and an oil roller 8 that makes press-contact with either the pressure roller 6 or the fixing roller 7, and passes a recording sheet through a nip area between the pressure roller 6 and the fixing roller 7 to fix toner on the recording sheet. The fixing apparatus also includes: a pressure roller gear 21 and an oil roller gear 22 that transmit a rotation of a shaft of the pressure roller 6 that makes press-contact with the oil roller 8 to a shaft of the oil roller 8; and a one-way clutch 23 that causes the oil roller 8 to idly rotate in a direction of a driven rotation when the oil roller 8 is driven to rotate by pressing against the pressure roller 6. |
| US08977172B2 |
Fixing apparatus having an air blowing mechanism
A fixing apparatus includes first and second fixing rotatable members configured to fix a toner image on a sheet at a nip portion therebetween, a rubbing rotatable member configured to rub an outer surface of the first fixing rotatable member, a moving mechanism configured to move the rubbing rotatable member between a contact position, in which the rubbing rotatable member is in contact with the outer surface of the first fixing rotatable member, and a separate position, in which the rubbing rotatable member is away from the outer surface of the first fixing rotatable member, and an air blowing mechanism configured to blow air to between the rubbing rotatable member and the first fixing rotatable member at least when the rubbing rotatable member moves from the contact position to the separate position. |
| US08977170B2 |
Image forming apparatus, toner case and drive transmission mechanism
An image forming apparatus includes a toner case containing a toner and an installed member in which the toner case is installed. The toner case has a case main body in which rotating members are installed, and a following coupling. The case main body has a discharge port discharging the toner. The following coupling is connected to the rotating member and has a pressured part. The installed member has a drive coupling and a drive source rotating the drive coupling. The drive coupling is linked to the following coupling and has a pressuring part. The drive coupling and following coupling are rotated in the same rotation direction around the same rotation axis by pressuring the pressured part by the pressuring part. The pressured part is provided so as to come close to the rotation axis from an upper stream side to a lower stream side in the rotation direction. |
| US08977168B2 |
Developer unit and image forming apparatus
A developer unit for an image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a developer device having a developer agent carrier and a developer agent supplier, a developer agent container arranged in an upper position with respect to the developer device, and a curved wall, which separates the developer device from the developer agent container; is curved toward the developer agent container; and is formed to have a feeding opening and a collecting opening, and a conveyer, which is arranged along the developer agent supplier and conveys the developer agent toward the collecting opening. The curved wall is arranged to be in proximity to the conveyer and to fit with outlines of the conveyer. |
| US08977165B2 |
Multi-pass type image forming apparatus
A multi-pass type image forming apparatus allows driving-couplings to couple with and separate from an image-carrier and developing units simultaneously. The apparatus includes a main body, a cover to open or close the main body, an image-carrier unit including an image-carrier and first driven-coupling connected to the image-carrier, developing units including a developing roller and a second driven-coupling connected to the developing roller, first and second driving-couplings to transmit drive power to the first and second driven-couplings, a link unit to move in a first direction in linkage with opening/closing operations of the cover, and a guide unit to be rotatable about the first driving-coupling in linkage with the link unit, the guide unit being moved when rotated about the first driving-coupling so as to couple or separate the first and second driving-couplings to or from the first and second driven-couplings. |
| US08977159B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an air-conditioning section to control at least one of temperature and humidity of air, a first passage to guide the air sent off by the air-conditioning section to a temperature-controlled portion in the image forming apparatus, an air-intake section to take in the air from outside of the image forming apparatus, and a second passage to guide the air taken in by the air-intake section to the temperature-controlled portion. |
| US08977158B2 |
Electrical connecting mechanism, image forming apparatus and optional device
An electrical connecting mechanism includes: a first connector disposed at an apparatus main body; a second connector disposed at an optional device, a power feed switch disposed at one among the apparatus main body and the optional device and capable of switching between a connected state and an unconnected state; and an operation element that is disposed in the other one among the apparatus main body and the optional device, and causes a state in which power can be supplied from the apparatus main body to the optional device to be entered by changing the power feed switch to the connected state, when the first connector and the second connector are coupled. |
| US08977157B2 |
Switching power supply
A switching power supply includes a transformer, a switching unit configured to switch a voltage input to the primary side of the transformer, a control unit configured to control the operation of the switching unit, and a detection unit configured to detect as a voltage a current flowing through the primary side of the transformer and supply the voltage to the control unit, wherein the detection unit controls the voltage to be supplied to the control unit based on the operating state of the switching unit. |
| US08977154B2 |
Image forming device
An image forming device comprising a fixing unit for thermally fixing a developer on a recording sheet, a control unit that controls the temperature to maintain the fixing unit at one of a fixing temperature and a stand-by temperature lower than the fixing temperature, and a transport unit that transports the recording sheet to the fixing unit, wherein, when the temperature of the fixing unit has dropped from the fixing temperature to the stand-by temperature, and a printing command is received, the control unit controls the transport unit so as to set a stand-by time to wait before starting to transport the recording sheet after the printing command is received as a second time interval, which is longer than a first time interval of time required for the temperature of the fixing unit to reach the fixing temperature based on information relating to the current temperature of the fixing unit. |
| US08977153B2 |
Image forming apparatus which uses an AC voltage and/or a DC voltage at a transfer nip depending on a surface roughness of a recording sheet
An image forming apparatus includes a controller and a transfer device including a power source to output a superimposed bias in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage, a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposite the first electrode with an image bearing member interposed therebetween to form a transfer electric field to transfer a toner image on the image bearing member to a recording medium. The controller including a CPU adjusts the transfer electric field and a transfer speed. One of the first electrode and the second electrode is connected to the power source, and the other is grounded. The controller adjusts the transfer speed such that in a case in which an oscillating electric field of the transfer electric field is strong, a maximum transfer speed is slower than the maximum transfer speed in a case in which the oscillating electric field is weak. |
| US08977151B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus having; a latent image support member; a latent image forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the latent image support member; a developer support member for supplying toner to the latent image support member to develop the electrostatic latent image; a voltage applying device for applying a developing bias, which is a superimposed voltage of a DC voltage and an AC voltage, to the developer support member; a first selecting device for selecting a screen ruling; and a second selecting device for selecting a frequency of the AC voltage. The second selecting device selects a first frequency when the first selecting device selects a first screen ruling, and selects a second frequency lower than the first frequency when the first selecting device selects a second screen ruling higher than the first screen ruling. |
| US08977150B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a controller configured to regulate a potential difference between a photoconductor and a developing member
An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photoconductor, a charging unit, an exposure unit to expose the photoconductor to reduce an electrical potential at the photoconductor, a developing unit to charge the toner held on a toner bearing member with friction and attract the toner to the exposed portion on the photoconductor by supplying a development voltage from a first power source and using an electrical potential difference between the toner bearing member and the photoconductor in the development area, a reverse development voltage controller to supply a reverse development voltage while a non-charged portion on the photoconductor passes the development area, and a developer reducing potential applier to supply a development restraining potential and an absolute value smaller than a target charging potential to the photoconductor while the reverse development voltage is supplied. |
| US08977147B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of computing power consumption thereof, and control method and storage medium therefor
An image forming apparatus capable of accurately computing power consumption thereof. First power consumption consumed by a fixing device of the image forming apparatus until the fixing device becomes a state capable of fixing a toner image onto a sheet is computed, second power consumption that includes power consumption consumed by the fixing device to fix the toner image onto the sheet and power consumption consumed by conveyance of the sheet is computed according to at least a sheet type, and third power consumption consumed by an exposure unit of the image forming apparatus to expose a photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus to light is computed according to an image to be formed. Then, a sum of the first to third power consumptions is computed. |
| US08977146B2 |
Printing apparatus
A printing apparatus includes: a conveyor configured to convey a sheet along a conveyance path; a driving device configured to drive the conveyor; a printing device configured to print an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyor; and a controller. The controller executes a first processing in which, when a first indicator reaches a preset first value, the controller suppresses rise of a temperature in the printing apparatus. The first indicator is a value that changes based on an increase in the number of sheets printed by the printing device. The controller further executes a second processing in which the controller reduces frequency of execution of the first processing when the number of printings performed by the printing device within a set specific period is equal to or greater than a set reference number. |
| US08977144B2 |
Image forming apparatus and sheet conveying method
An image forming apparatus includes a pre-transfer conveying portion that conveys a recording medium, an image bearing member that moves while bearing a toner image, a conveying belt that attracts the recording medium conveyed from the pre-transfer conveying portion and conveys the recording medium at the same speed as the image bearing member, a detecting portion that detects the recording medium attracted to the conveying belt, and a control unit that controls the speed at which the pre-transfer conveying portion conveys the recording medium. On the basis of the detection of the recording medium, the control unit changes the speed of the pre-transfer conveying portion from a speed slower than the speed of the conveying belt to a speed equal to or faster than the speed of the conveying belt, and thereby causes the leading edges of the toner image and the recording medium to coincide. |
| US08977143B2 |
Image forming apparatus which performs calibration for maintaining image quality
An image forming apparatus forms a pattern image on a first printing medium and creates a first image processing condition for adjusting a tone characteristic based on a first luminance value. When performing the calibration using a second printing medium different from the first printing medium, the apparatus corrects, based on a luminance value of a background region of the second printing medium, a second luminance value output in accordance with light reflected by the second printing medium, and creates the first image processing condition based on the corrected second luminance value. |
| US08977142B2 |
Malfunction inferring apparatus, malfunction inferring method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A malfunction inferring apparatus includes an obtaining unit and an inferring unit. The obtaining unit obtains, from a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus which are used alternatively with each other by plural users, a first usage status of the first image forming apparatus and a second usage status of the second image forming apparatus. If a first change occurs in the first usage status and if a second change corresponding to the first change occurs in the second usage status, the inferring unit infers that a malfunction has occurred in any one of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, in accordance with the first usage status and the second usage status obtained by the obtaining unit. |
| US08977138B2 |
Optical receiver using infinite impulse response decision feedback equalization
A technique is provided for configuring an optical receiver. A photo detector is connected to a load resistor, and the photo detector includes an internal capacitance. A current source is connected through a switching circuit to the load resistor and to the photo detector. The current source is configured to discharge the internal capacitance of the photo detector. The switching circuit is configured to connect the current source to the internal capacitance based on a previous data bit. |
| US08977137B2 |
Polarization dependent loss compensation
An apparatus including a polarization controller is described. The polarizer controller is communicatively coupled via a feedback loop to an evaluation module located near an optical receiver. The evaluation module is configured to measure polarization dependent loss (PDL) of an optical signal received at the optical receiver. The polarization controller is configured to receive feedback control data regarding the PDL from the evaluation module. Additionally, the polarization controller is configured to modify a state of polarization of the optical signal at an optical transmitter, which is communicatively coupled to the optical receiver, based on the feedback control data. |
| US08977136B2 |
Carrier phase estimation for optically coherent QPSK based on wiener-optimal and adaptive multi-symbol delay detection (MSDD)
A receiver that includes a carrier recovery module that includes a reference signal generator that is arranged to generate a reference signal that estimates a carrier signal; a decision module that is arranged to demodulate a receiver input signal by the reference signal to provide a demodulated signal and to evaluate the demodulated signal to provide an decision module output signal that estimates the carrier signal; the reference signal generator includes a delay and rotation module that is arranged to delay receiver input signals to provide delayed receiver input signals and to align the delayed receiver input signals by a rotation that is responsive to the decision module output signal thereby providing aligned signals; and a multiplication and summation module that is arranged to generate the reference signal by calculating a weighted sum of the aligned signals. |
| US08977130B2 |
Optical transmission device and optical filter circuit
There is provided an optical transmission device, the optical transmission device including a wavelength selective switch configured to select a first optical signal having a first wavelength from an input signal of wavelength division multiplexing, an optical filter circuit configured to include an optical tunable filter having a pass wavelength that is tunable to a second wavelength of a second optical signal for passing therethrough, a splitter configured to split the input signal, a split signal split by the splitter being transferred to the optical filter circuit, and a coupler configured to couple the first optical signal selected by the wavelength selective switch and the second optical signal passed through the optical filter circuit. |
| US08977127B2 |
Inter-optical line terminal (OLT) communication in multiple-OLT passive optical networks (PONs)
A system comprising a first optical line terminal (OLT) comprising a first integrated optical network unit (ONU), and a first OLT transceiver, and a second OLT coupled to the first OLT, wherein the second OLT comprises a second integrated ONU, and a second OLT transceiver. Included is a first OLT comprising an optical transceiver, at least one processor coupled to the optical transceiver, wherein the processor working in conjunction with the optical transceiver is configured to determine an upstream wavelength corresponding to a second OLT, join, via a first ONU in the first OLT, the second OLT using the upstream wavelength corresponding to the second OLT, and transmit data to the second OLT by the first OLT via the first ONU, wherein the second OLT comprises a second ONU. |
| US08977124B2 |
Multi-node system networks with optical switches
A system and method for optical switching of networks in a multi-node computing system with programmable magneto-optical switches that enable optical signal routing on optical pathways. The system includes a network of optical links interconnecting nodes with switching elements that are controlled by electrical control signals. Data transmission is along the optical links and an optical pathway is determined by the electrical control signals which are launched ahead of optical signal. If links are available, an optical pathway is reserved, and the electrical signal sets the necessary optical switches for the particular optical pathway. There is thereby eliminated the need for optical-electrical-optical conversion at each node in order to route data packets through the network. If a link or optical pathway is not available the system tries to find an alternative path. If no alternative path is available, the system reserves buffering. After transmission, all reservations are released. |
| US08977116B2 |
Water level measurement device using load cell
An assembly for measuring the water level of a food industry machine has a water tank holding water to be heated, a load cell installed underneath the water tank so that a weight of the water tank holding the water impinges on a strain gauge of the load cell, a controller for receiving an electric signal from the load cell proportionate to a weight of the water tank plus the water in the water tank and converting the weight to a water level of the water tank based on a pre-determined formula and a display structure for continuously displaying a water level of the water in the water tank. The water level measurement device stays dry and free of scale deposits. |
| US08977112B2 |
Media content recording, management, and distribution systems and methods
Exemplary media content recording, management, and distribution systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a media content provider subsystem providing an online recording manager service for access by a user, providing an online content management service for access by the user, receiving, through the online recording manager service, a recording request initiated by the user to record a television content program, and publishing, in response to the recording request received through the online recording manager service, a recording of the television content program to the online content management service for hosted access by the user through the online content management service. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08977111B2 |
Image displaying apparatus, image editing apparatus, image editing system, and method for displaying and editing image using the same
An image displaying apparatus, an image editing apparatus, an image editing system, an image displaying method and an image editing method are disclosed. The image displaying apparatus includes an image processing unit which captures a still image, a communication module which communicates with an external device, and a control unit which controls an edited image to be displayed. |
| US08977104B2 |
Tagging video content
A method includes identifying video content that includes an audiovisual component, receiving an identification of the audiovisual component, and receiving at least one component location of the audiovisual component in the video content. Each component location indicates a time and a screen position with which the audiovisual component is associated with in the video content. Component information associated with the audiovisual component is received. A video tag is generated based on the audiovisual component and the component information. The method includes populating one or more fields associated with the video tag based on the component information, the identification of the audiovisual component, and the at least one component location. The method also includes presenting the video tag to a user. The video tag is selectable to present the video content at the at least one component location. |
| US08977102B2 |
Audio routing for audio-video recording
Systems and methods for routing audio for audio-video recordings allow a user to record desired audio with captured video at the time the video is being captured. Audio from one or more sources may be routed to the video capture application and recorded with the video. In one or more examples, audio may be routed from another application, e.g., an audio playback application, running on the same device as the video capture application. In another example, audio may be received from a remote device through a wireless connection. Multiple streams of audio content may be mixed together prior to storing with video. The audio, upon reception, may then be routed to the video capture application for recordation. An audio progression bar may also be provided to indicate duration and elapsed time information associated with the audio being recorded. |
| US08977101B2 |
Imaging apparatus and display control method thereof
An imaging apparatus includes: a first display panel unit for executing display toward a user side; a second display panel unit for executing display toward a subject side; an imaging processing unit for subjecting incident light from the subject side to photoelectric conversion to obtain a captured image signal; a recording processing unit for executing a recording process to a recording medium regarding the captured image signal obtained at the imaging processing unit; and a control unit for controlling the display states of the first display panel unit and the second display panel unit for each of a plurality of various types of operation periods changing along with the operation of the imaging processing unit or the recording processing unit, and executing display control wherein the first display panel unit and the second display panel unit can have different display content during at least a single operation period. |
| US08977099B2 |
Production apparatus and content distribution system
Provided is a production apparatus that can produce a distribution content that offers an even richer color tone expression during playback of video. The production apparatus for producing a distribution content including distribution video data is constituted by an original acquisition unit that acquires original video data; a distribution video acquisition unit that acquires the distribution video data, the distribution video data having been generated by conversion of the original video data to a lower gradation; a difference generation unit that generates difference data between the original video data and the distribution video data; and an output unit that outputs the difference data. A playback apparatus plays back the distribution content. |
| US08977098B2 |
Liquid metal clamp and fiber cleaving using same
The present invention is directed to a liquid metal clamp, and a clamp system and method including same. A clamp system includes a first clamp configured to hold a first portion of a set of fibers and a second clamp configured to hold a second portion of the set of fibers, the second clamp comprising a liquid metal that takes a liquid form at a first temperature for receipt of the second portion of the set of fibers and that takes a solid form at a second temperature to secure the second of the set of fibers. The set of fibers can be a single fiber or a plurality of fibers. The fiber or fibers can have a circular or non-circular cross section. |
| US08977097B2 |
Glass core planar waveguide laser amplifier
A planar waveguide with a glass core and a crystalline cladding. In a specific embodiment, the core is doped preferably with Neodymium, Ytterbium, or Erbium. In the best mode, the core is athermal glass with a refractive index uniformity 10−6 or better and the crystalline cladding has a refractive index lower than that of the core by 10−4 to 10−3 with a refractive index uniformity of 10−4. The cladding has high transparency at pump and lasing wavelengths. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the cladding is close to that of the core. In illustrative embodiments, the cladding is Sapphire and the core is aluminate glass. In an alternative embodiment, the cladding is crystal quartz and the core—is phosphate glass. By utilizing different materials for the core and cladding, the properties of each are optimized. Use of glass for the core allows much more flexibility in tailoring the properties of the core and the PWG geometry readily accommodates the low thermal conductivity of a glass core because the overall thermal performance is dominated by the higher thermal conductivity of the crystalline cladding. |
| US08977083B2 |
Photo module
The photo module is provided with an incident light fiber guiding light, a gradient index lens having an optical axis different from the incident light fiber, having a period length larger than a ¼ period length and smaller than a ½ period length with respect to the wavelength of the incident light, joined to the incident light fiber on a surface forming a finite angle with a surface vertical to the optical axis, and having, as a light exit surface of emitting light, a surface substantially vertical to the optical axis, and a light receiving element disposed at a position where the emitting light is collected and measuring the strength of the emitting light. |
| US08977077B2 |
Techniques for presenting user adjustments to a digital image
Techniques for generating a preview image in an image editing application in response to detecting user input that changes the value of an adjustable parameter of a digital image undergoing adjustment. According to one technique, instead of processing the digital image through a filter chain to generate an updated preview image, a blended image is generated through interpolation of two previously generated versions of the digital image. The previously generated versions may be generated through the filter chain. The blended image may be generated in a shorter amount of time in response to the user's adjustment than the time needed to process the digital image through the filter chain. Thus, the current preview image may be updated with the blended image sooner than is possible if the current preview image is updated by processing the digital image through the filter chain. |
| US08977076B2 |
Thumbnail based image quality inspection
An input image (7) having a first pixel resolution is acquired from an image capture system (2). A respective characterization of each of at least one visual quality feature of the input image (7) is determined. An output thumbnail image (9) is produced from the input image (7). The output thumbnail image (9) reflects the respective characterization of each visual quality feature. The output thumbnail image (9) has a second pixel resolution lower than the first pixel resolution. The output thumbnail image (9) is output in association with operation of the image capture system (2). |
| US08977074B1 |
Urban geometry estimation from laser measurements
Photographic images can be used to enhance three-dimensional (3D) virtual models of a physical location. In an embodiment, a method of generating a 3D scene geometry includes obtaining a first plurality of images and corresponding distance measurements for a first vehicle trajectory; obtaining a second plurality of images and corresponding distance measurements for a second vehicle trajectory, the second vehicle trajectory intersecting the first vehicle trajectory; registering a relative vehicle position and orientation for one or more segments of each of a first vehicle trajectory and a second vehicle trajectory; generating a three-dimensional geometry for each vehicle trajectory; mapping the three-dimensional geometries for each vehicle trajectory onto a common reference system based on the registering; and merging the three-dimensional geometries from both trajectories to generate a complete scene geometry. |
| US08977071B2 |
Image converting device and image converting system
Means which enables image conversion in which a plurality of conversion results can be output without once saving all of video-image data, which has been input from image-pickup means, in a storage medium is provided. A single line memory having a plurality of lines is used while switching the role thereof for a reading use by a video-image converting means and a use for inputting image data from the image-pickup means. The image converting means obtains an input image, which is in the line memory, and carries out conversion of the input image based on a conversion specifying means interpreted by an instruction decoder. |
| US08977069B2 |
Method and apparatus of obtaining high resolution image using multi-band combination filters
Provided are an apparatus and method of obtaining a high resolution image using multi-band combination filters. The apparatus includes a high frequency extraction unit to extract a high frequency image from a low resolution input image through filtering operations performed in parallel, a high frequency expansion unit to expand the high frequency image to generate an expanded high frequency image, an image expansion unit to expand the low resolution input image to generate an expanded input image, and an image combination unit to combine the expanded high frequency image and the expanded input image. |
| US08977064B2 |
Rotational transcoding for JPEG or other coding standards
This disclosure describes techniques for rotating an encoded image, such as an image encoded according to a JPEG standard. In one example, a method for rotating an encoded image comprising reordering minimum coded units (MCUs) of the encoded image according to a specified rotation of the encoded image, rotating image data within the MCUs according to the specified rotation, and generating a rotated version of the encoded image comprising the reordered MCUs and the rotated image data within the MCUs. |
| US08977053B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device, method and program in which a feature point derivation unit derives a plurality of characteristic points in an input moving image. A tracking subject feature point setting unit sets a feature point within a tracking subject, from the characteristic points. A background feature point setting unit sets a group of background feature points from the characteristic points. The background feature points are not located within the tracking subject. A motion detection unit detects movement over time of the background feature points. A clip area setting unit sets a size and a position of a clip area of an image to be employed which includes the feature point within the tracking subject, on the basis of the movement of the feature point within the tracking subject and the movement of the background feature points, when the motion detection unit detects movement of the background feature points. |
| US08977052B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting error in lesion contour, apparatus and method for correcting error in lesion contour, and apparatus for inspecting error in lesion contour
An apparatus for detecting an error in a contour of a lesion includes an extracting unit configured to extract a contour of a lesion in each of a plurality of two-dimensional image frames that form a three-dimensional image, and an error determining unit configured to determine a presence or an absence of an error in a contour of a lesion in a target image frame of the two-dimensional image frames based on estimation information about the lesion in the target image frame and/or an energy value that corresponds to the contour of the lesion in the target image frame. |
| US08977051B2 |
Image enhancement method for improving color perception of colorblind viewers
An image enhancement method for improving color perception of colorblind viewers has an image input step, an image difference area analyzing step, an image color distribution adjusting step, and an image output step. In such method, a normal image and a colorblindness-simulative image are input and calculated to produce a colorblindness-optimized image. Color vision obtained by a colorblind person from the colorblindness-optimized image is substantially identical to that obtained by a person with normal color perception from the normal image. |
| US08977050B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device performs image processing on image data obtained by receiving light emitted from a light source and then reflected from an object to be read with a light receiving element. The image processing device includes a determination unit configured to determine whether or not a color of each pixel in the image data belongs to a predetermined correction target color range and a correction unit configured to perform correction to reduce the density of a pixel of the color belonging to the correction target color range. |
| US08977049B2 |
System and method for estimating signal-dependent noise of an image
A method for estimating signal-dependent noise includes defining a plurality of pixel groups from among the image pixels. The method further includes computing, for one or more signal levels of the image, a difference value between two pixel groups, whereby a respective one or more difference values are computed collectively. The method determines an estimated noise response of the image as a function of the one or more computed difference values. |
| US08977046B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and storage medium storing image processing program with color to pattern correlation
An image processing device includes a pattern type determination unit in which a predetermined pattern is determined corresponding to color information of an image; a region setting unit in which a predetermined region in the image is set; an image data generation unit in which image data including the image and the pattern are included; and a size correction unit in which a size of the pattern is changed corresponding to a size of the region, or a position correction unit in which a positional relationship between a characteristic portion from which a type of the pattern included in the pattern which is determined in the pattern type determination unit can be discriminated and the region which is set in the region setting unit is corrected. |
| US08977042B2 |
Rotation-free recognition of handwritten characters
A character recognition system receives an unknown character and recognizes the character based on a pre-trained recognition model. Prior to recognizing the character, the character recognition system may pre-process the character to rotate the character to a normalized orientation. By rotating the character to a normalized orientation in both training and recognition stages, the character recognition system releases the pre-trained recognition model from considering character prototypes in different orientations and thereby speeds up recognition of the unknown character. In one example, the character recognition system rotates the character to the normalized orientation by aligning a line between a sum of coordinates of starting points and a sum of coordinates of ending points of each stroke of the character with a normalized direction. |
| US08977040B2 |
Method and apparatus to generate object descriptor using extended curvature gabor filter
A method and apparatus to generate an object descriptor using extended curvature gabor filters. The method and apparatus may increase a recognition rate of even a relatively small image with use of an extended number of curvature gabor filters having controllable curvatures and may reduce the amount of calculation required for face recognition by performing the face recognition using only some of the extended curvature gabor filters which have a great effect on the recognition rate. The object descriptor generating method includes extracting gabor features from an input object image by applying a plurality of curvature gabor filters, generated via combination of a plurality of curvatures and a plurality of Gaussian magnitudes, to the object image, and generating an object descriptor for object recognition by projecting the extracted features onto a predetermined base vector. |
| US08977032B2 |
Identifying and evaluating multiple rectangles that may correspond to a pallet in an image scene
A method is provided for evaluating a possible pallet structure. The method comprises: providing a gray scale image comprising one or more possible lines; providing respective pixel locations in the gray scale image for an estimated upper left corner and an estimated upper right corner; calculating, using a computer, a value h based on the estimated upper left corner location and the estimated upper right corner location; estimating, using the computer, a first hole with a first rectangle having a height h; estimating, using the computer, a second hole with a second rectangle having the height h; and estimating, using the computer, the possible center stringer with a third rectangle having the height h. |
| US08977031B2 |
Method and device for identifying multipotent stem cell colony, and method and device for automatically culturing multipotent stem cells
A method and device achieves identification on whether a colony on a cultivation container is differentiated or undifferentiated on an occasion of cultivation of multipotent stem cell, and a method and device achieves a rapid culture of undifferentiated multipotent stem cells. Undifferentiated colony containing only undifferentiated multipotent stem cells is identified from other types of colonies by means of the circularity C of the colony in an image-processed taken image of the inside of cultivation container of a multipotent stem cell. More specifically, when a first threshold of the circularity of the colony is C1, and a second predetermined threshold is C2 (C1 |
| US08977027B2 |
Dual modality imaging including quality metrics
An anatomical image data set and an emission image data set are acquired for a subject. An attenuation map is generated from the anatomical image data set. The emission image data set is reconstructed to generate an emission image. The reconstructing includes correcting for attenuation of emission radiation in the subject using the attenuation map. A value is calculated for a quality assurance (QA) metric quantifying alignment of the attenuation map with the emission image. The emission image is displayed or printed together with the calculated quality assurance metric. In some embodiments, prior to the reconstructing the attenuation map is registered with the emission image data set by performing a global rigid registration followed by a local non-rigid registration of a region of interest. |
| US08977024B1 |
Distributed anatomical image analysis
Disclosed are platforms, systems, computer program products for high throughput, distributed screening and analysis of images by a plurality of human image analysts, including methods of using the same. |
| US08977020B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
An image processing device 100 divides a hollow organ 50 extracted from a volume image 40 using a plurality of planes 20 including an arbitrary eye vector 23 or a plurality of planes along the centerline of the hollow organ 50, transforms the coordinates of a point inside the hollow organ 50 along a predetermined convex surface set outside the hollow organ 50 on each plane 20, and gives a pixel value of an original position to a corresponding point after the coordinate transformation. Then, a folded volume image is generated by combining the respective planes 20 in a reverse procedure of the division procedure, and a shaded folded three-dimensional image 90 is generated by projecting the folded volume image to a projection surface from the arbitrary viewing direction and is displayed on a display device 107. |
| US08977016B2 |
Method and system for checking the diagnostic quality of a medical system
A system and a method are provided that may be used to determine the suitability of a client for use in medical diagnosis. Multimedia content may be presented on the client and used to elicit responses from a user indicative of the suitability of the client for use in medical diagnosis. The elicited responses may be used to determine the suitability of the client for medical diagnosis. |
| US08977007B1 |
Detecting a vehicle signal through image differencing and filtering
Methods and systems for detecting a vehicle signal through image differencing and filtering are described. A computing device may be configured to receive a sequence of images of an identified vehicle in a vicinity of a given vehicle. The computing device may be configured to determine, based on a comparison of a first image of a pair of images of the sequence of images to a second image of the pair of images, a portion of image data exhibiting a change in color and a change in brightness between the first image and the second image of the pair of images. The computing device may be configured to determine that the portion indicates a light signal for the identified vehicle; and provide instructions to control the given vehicle based on the light signal of the identified vehicle. |
| US08977000B2 |
Object detection system and method therefor
In an object detection system with a first and a second image processing apparatus, the first image processing apparatus includes a reduction unit configured to reduce an input image, a first detection unit configured to detect a predetermined object from a reduction image reduced by the reduction unit, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the input image and a first detection result detected by the first detection unit to the second image processing apparatus, and the second image processing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive the input image and the first detection result from the first image processing apparatus, a second detection unit configured to detect the predetermined object from the input image, and an output unit configured to output the first detection result and a second detection result detected by the second detection unit. |
| US08976993B2 |
System and method for securing headphone transducers
A system for securing headphone transducers is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, the system comprises a first transducer device having a first mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A first coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the first mechanical housing of the first transducer device. A second transducer device has a second mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A second coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the second mechanical housing of the second transducer device. The first coupling device is coupled to the second coupling device when in close proximity to each other, such that the inner surfaces of the first and second mechanical devices are opposed to each other. |
| US08976992B2 |
Speaker porting around backlit keyboard
A system for porting a speaker through a keyboard module and a backlight module is provided. The system includes an enclosure, the enclosure configured to mount the keyboard module, the backlight module, and the speaker thereto, wherein the speaker is disposed under a portion of the keyboard module and the backlight module. The system also includes a port path for porting the speaker through the keyboard module and the backlight module, the port path extending from the speaker to an outer surface of the keyboard module, wherein a first portion of the port path includes a passage in the enclosure, the passage disposed adjacent to an edge of the keyboard module and the backlight module, and wherein a second portion of the port path includes a periphery of a key of the keyboard module. |
| US08976987B2 |
Sound reproduction device
There is provided a sound reproduction device including a left channel housing unit that accommodates at least a left channel driver unit outputting a left channel sound, a left channel microphone recording an external sound, and a left channel micro-computer controlling a setting for a noise cancelling processing based on a recording signal of the left channel microphone; and a right channel housing unit that accommodates at least a right channel driver unit outputting a right channel sound, a right channel microphone recording an external sound, and a right channel micro-computer controlling a setting for a noise cancelling processing based on a recording signal of the right channel microphone. The left channel micro-computer and the right channel micro-computer are configured to communicate data with each other. |
| US08976986B2 |
Volume adjustment based on listener position
Volume adjustment based on listener position is disclosed. A position of one or more speakers is identified, and a position of a listener is tracked. For each of the one or more speakers, a changing distance between that speaker and the listener is assessed. A volume of that speaker is automatically adjusted in real-time based on a current distance between that speaker and the listener. |
| US08976984B2 |
Dynamic microphone
A microphone includes a polar piece contacting with a first magnetic pole of a first permanent magnet, a yoke body annularly arranged around the polar piece through a magnetic gap G with a predetermined width, a magnetic circuit unit including a tail yoke connected to the yoke body and contacting with a second magnetic pole of the first permanent magnet, and a diaphragm unit provided with a voice coil arranged to vibrate in the magnetic gap. The second magnetic pole of the first permanent magnet contacts with one side of the tail yoke, a first magnetic pole of the second permanent magnet is disposed to contact with other side of the tail yoke, a magnetic path is produced between the second magnetic pole of the second permanent magnet and the yoke body, and the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are polarized in the same sense. |
| US08976983B2 |
Method for generating and playing object-based audio contents and computer readable recording medium for recoding data having file format structure for object-based audio service
Provided are a method of generating and playing an object-based audio content that may effectively store preset information about an object-based audio content, and a computer-readable recording medium for storing data having a file format structure for an object-based audio service. The method of generating the object-based audio content may include: receiving a plurality of audio objects (310) generating at least one preset using the plurality of audio objects (320) and storing a preset parameter with respect to an attribute of the at least preset and the plurality of audio objects (330). The preset parameter may be stored in a form of a box that is defined in a media file format about the object-based audio content. Through this, it is possible to effectively store a preset about a plurality of audio objects. |
| US08976982B2 |
Audio signal processing system
In a mixer system including an editing device that edits a configuration of signal processing by designating a combination of a plurality of components and a DSP that processes audio signals in accordance with the signal processing configuration edited by the editing device, when the mixer engine does not store a predetermined enabling key, audio signal processing including a protected component in the mixer engine is disabled, and when the mixer engine stores the predetermined enabling key, the audio signal processing is enabled. Further, the editing device is permitted to edit a signal processing configuration including the protected component irrespective of storage of the enabling key in the mixer engine. |
| US08976979B2 |
Audio signal dynamic equalization processing control
Apparatuses for and methods of carrying out dynamic equalization processing of an audio signal, and apparatuses for and methods of controlling such equalization processing of the audio signal to dynamically adjust the time-varying spectrum of an audio signal to more closely match a user specified target time-invariant perceived audio signal spectrum while preserving the original dynamic range of the audio signal. The dynamic equalization is according to a user-defined spectral profile specified by a control interface that allows a user to define, create, modify and/or apply the user-defined spectral profile. |
| US08976978B2 |
Sound signal processing apparatus and sound signal processing method
A sound signal processing apparatus includes a sound source direction determination unit and a filter processing unit. The sound source direction determination unit determines sound source directions with respect to sound signals of a plurality of channels for respective first to n-th bands. The filter processing unit includes first to n-th filters which are connected in series and configured to boost or attenuate the sound signals with respect to the first to n-th bands. The respective first to n-th filters perform boosting or attenuation based on the sound source directions of the first to n-th bands which are determined by the sound source direction determination unit. |
| US08976973B2 |
Sound control device, computer-readable recording medium, and sound control method
Sound is outputted, without giving the sense of incongruity to the user, even if reproduction of animation is stopped by the user. An animation acquiring section 11 acquires animation data D1 representing an animation generated in advance based on a setting operation by the user, and sound data D2 representing a sound to be reproduced in association with the animation. A sound output control section 12 calculates stop time sound information representing a feature of the sound at a point of time at which reproduction of the animation is stopped, using sound attribute information D4, in response to input of a stop command by the user, and determines a predetermined output method of the sound that matches the animation, based on the calculated stop time sound information, to reproduce the sound by the determined output method. |
| US08976972B2 |
Processing of sound data encoded in a sub-band domain
Processing of sound data encoded in a sub-band domain, for dual-channel playback of binaural or Transaural® type is provided, in which a matrix filtering is applied so as to pass from a sound representation with N channels with N>0, to a dual-channel representation. This sound representation with N channels comprises considering N virtual loudspeakers surrounding the head of a listener, and, for each virtual loudspeaker of at least some of the loudspeakers: a first transfer function specific to an ipsilateral path from the loudspeaker to a first ear of the listener, facing the loudspeaker, and a second transfer function specific to a contralateral path from said loudspeaker to the second ear of the listener, masked from the loudspeaker by the listener's head. The matrix filtering comprises a multiplicative coefficient defined by the spectrum, in the sub-band domain, of the second transfer function deconvolved with the first transfer function. |
| US08976970B2 |
Apparatus and method for bandwidth extension for multi-channel audio
A method and apparatus of effectively encoding and decoding a high-frequency signal of a multi-channel audio are provided. A multi-channel audio decoding apparatus may down-mix a multi-channel audio input signal, expand a number of channels of the down-mixed signal, select at least one of the expanded channel signal, extract a parameter indicating a characteristic relation between the selected signal and the multi-channel audio input signal, and encode the down-mixed signal and the extracted parameter. |
| US08976968B2 |
Intercepting a communication session in a telecommunication network
Intercepting a secure communication session includes distributing a key from a key distribution point to establish a secure communication session between a first endpoint and a second endpoint. A secure channel is established between the key distribution point and an intercepting point. The intercepting endpoint may be determined to be authorized to intercept the secure communication session. The key is provided to the intercepting endpoint only if the intercepting endpoint is authorized to intercept the secure communication session, where the key provides the intercepting endpoint with access to intercept the secure communication session. |
| US08976959B2 |
Echo delay encoding
Communicating data is disclosed. A time delay encoding a data to be communicated is selected. A sonic signal is combined with a version of the sonic signal that is delayed by the selected time delay. The data is communicated at least in part by transmitting the combined signal to a mobile device. |
| US08976958B2 |
Conference device
A conference device receives and transmits at least one of images and voice via a communication network. The conference device includes a housing having an upper wall; and an operating unit installed on the upper wall. The operating unit includes a first operating member group made up of a plurality of operating members, and at least one different operating member that has a lower frequency of usage as compared to each of the plurality of operating members of the first operating member group. The plurality of operating members of the first operating member group are arranged in a first direction along a top face of the upper wall. The at least one different operating member is disposed, along with one of the plurality of operating members of the first operating member group, in a second direction that runs along the top face and that intersects with the first direction. |
| US08976957B2 |
Headset microphone boom assembly
The present arrangements relate to a microphone boom assembly. A first microphone can be positioned proximate to a first aperture defined in a first side of the microphone boom through which acoustic signals propagate to the first microphone, and a second microphone can be positioned proximate to a second aperture defined in a second side of the microphone through which the acoustic signals propagate to the second microphone. The first microphone can be connected to a first side of a flexible printed circuit at a first location and the second microphone connected to a second side of the flexible printed circuit at a second location, the flexible printed circuit mounted into the microphone boom with a bend in the flexible printed circuit positioned between the first location and the second location. |
| US08976955B2 |
System and method for tracking web interactions with real time analytics
A device, system and method is provided for monitoring a user's interactions with Internet-based programs or documents. Content may be extracted from Internet server traffic according to predefined rules. Extracted content may be associated with a user's Internet interaction. The user's Internet interaction may be stored and indexed. The user's Internet interaction may be analyzed to generate a recommendation provided to a contact center agent while the contact center agent is communicating with said user for guiding the user's interaction, for example, in real-time. Traffic other than Internet server traffic may also be used. |
| US08976949B2 |
Central call platform
A system and method for providing telephone services to a secure facility from an external, centralized call platform. An embodiment of the system includes a call processing center that is external to the facility and includes a plurality of computer clusters, and is configured to route communications to and from a router located at the secure facility. Having a majority of the system located outside the facility reduces equipment requirements at each individual facility, improves security and uptime, and provides more efficient management and expansion of the call platform. |
| US08976948B2 |
Method and communication device for displaying caller information and recording medium
A method, a communication device and a computer program product for displaying caller information are provided. In the present method, when the communication device is in a communication mode, a user interface of the communication mode is displayed, wherein the user interface comprises at least one on-screen button having caller information displaying function. Then, a selecting operation performed on one of the on-screen buttons by a user of the communication device is received, the caller information associated with a caller is retrieved according to the selected on-screen button, and the retrieved caller information is displayed. Thereby, in the present application, the user of the communication device can obtain information about the caller at the same time when the user is communicating with the caller, and accordingly communication is made more convenient. |
| US08976947B2 |
Enhanced communication platform and related communication method using the platform
Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user's authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided. |
| US08976945B2 |
Visual IVR directory system
Disclosed is a visual IVR directory system for enabling a user to telephonically interact with organizations, the IVR system comprising a database comprising a plurality of organization entries wherein, each organization entry represents a organization registered therewith, each organization entry associated with at least one phone number and an visual IVR menu file, the execution of which leads to the display of a visual IVR menu comprising a plurality of graphical menu icons, the selection of each displays either a graphical submenu, organization information, or establishes an telephonic connection between the user and the organization, the IVR system configured such that, upon determining that a phone number dialed from a telephonic device of the user is listed within the database, the corresponding visual menu file is retrieved from the database and executed on the telephonic device, the telephonic device equipped with a display means. |
| US08976940B2 |
Systems and related methods for visual indication of an occurrence of an event
Systems and methods are disclosed for visually indicating an occurrence of an event. A spatial visual indicator system comprises a spatial visual indicator including a plurality of illuminatable elements configured in at least a two-dimensional arrangement. The spatial visual indicator displays a visual indicator pattern corresponding to a detected event. A control circuit is configured to detect an event, and cause a transceiver to send a communication indicating a visual indicator pattern corresponding to the event to the spatial visual indicator. The spatial visual indicator is configured to display the visual indicator pattern. The spatial visual indicator is located remote to the transceiver. A method of indicating an occurrence of an event comprises receiving a communication indicating one of a plurality of visual indicator patterns that is associated with a detected event. The method also includes displaying the one of the plurality of visual indicator patterns. |
| US08976938B2 |
Deluxe emergency notification
An emergency notification system is provided including a switching unit, a plurality of communications devices communicatively in communication with the switching unit, an emergency response unit in communication with the switching unit, a plurality of receiving units in communication with the switching unit. Each of the communications devices is configured to transmit an emergency notification to the switching unit which includes a message and at least one receiving unit address. Further, the switching unit is configured to receive the emergency notification from at least one of the plurality of communication devices and to rebroadcast the emergency notification contained in the message to the emergency response unit and to the receiving unit corresponding to the receiving unit address. |
| US08976933B2 |
Method for spatially modulating X-ray pulses using MEMS-based X-ray optics
A method and apparatus are provided for spatially modulating X-rays or X-ray pulses using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based X-ray optics. A torsionally-oscillating MEMS micromirror and a method of leveraging the grazing-angle reflection property are provided to modulate X-ray pulses with a high-degree of controllability. |
| US08976930B2 |
Radiation image capturing system and console
A radiation image capturing system and a console are described. The radiation image capturing system includes a radiation image capturing apparatus and a console. The console holds in advance a relationship between a number of the scanning line from which readout of the image data is started and an offset amount superimposed on the image data to be read out. When the preview image is displayed, the console modifies the relationship so that the starting point is moved to a position of the scanning line from which the radiation image capturing apparatus actually starts the readout, calculates the offset amount for each of the scanning lines, and displays the preview image based on a value obtained by subtracting the offset amount from the corresponding preview image data. |
| US08976929B2 |
Automatic generation of patient-specific radiation therapy planning parameters
An apparatus and method for automatically generating radiation treatment planning parameters are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a database is constructed that stores: (i) patient data and past treatment plans by expert human planners for these patients, and (ii) optimal treatment plans that are generated using multi-objective optimization and Pareto front search and that represent the best tradeoff opportunities of the patient case, and a predictive model (e.g., a neural network, a decision tree, a support vector machine [SVM], etc.) is then trained via a learning algorithm on a plurality of input/output mappings derived from the contents of the database. During training, the predictive model is trained to identify and infer patterns in the treatment plan data through a process of generalization. Once trained, the predictive model can then be used to automatically generate radiation treatment planning parameters for new patients. |
| US08976928B2 |
Radiographic apparatus and image acquiring method
This invention has one object to provide radiographic apparatus with a compensating filter that allows simple and accurate estimation of direct radiation to acquire a radioscopic image or a sectional image of excellent contrast. This invention includes a direct-ray attenuation-rate acquiring section for acquiring a direct-ray attenuation rate from a dose of direct radiation entering into a subject and a dose of direct radiation emitted from the subject. In this invention, a direct-ray attenuation rate is acquired on an assumption that a primary indirect-ray attenuation rate is equal to the direct-ray attenuation rate, the primary indirect-ray attenuation rate being a rate of decreasing a primary indirect-ray generated with the compensating filter that transmits the subject. Such configuration may achieve provision of X-ray apparatus that allows more simple acquisition of a fluoroscopic X-ray image or a sectional image without performing complicated calculations conventionally. |
| US08976923B2 |
Multislice CT apparatus and method for data preprocessing
A multislice CT apparatus includes a setting unit, a correcting unit, a filtering unit and a reconstructing unit. The setting unit sets a weighting coefficient in such a way that data on a middle column is weighted high while data on columns on both sides of the middle column is weighted low on a middle channel in a multislice detector, and that a weight given to data on a middle column falls while a weight given to data on both side columns rises as shifting from the middle channel to an end channel. The correcting unit corrects the weighting coefficient in such a way that a weight rises as shifting from a central column to an end column. The filtering unit filters data on the basis of the corrected weighting coefficient in a column direction. The reconstructing unit reconstructs an image on the basis of the filtered data. |
| US08976917B2 |
Method and apparatus for filtering and combining multipath components of a signal received at multiple antennas according to a wireless communication protocol standard for filtering a signal received by a single antenna
A receiver communicating according to a wireless communication protocol standard for filtering a signal received at a single antenna. The receiver includes filter modules, receiver modules, and a summer. The filter modules receive from antennas multipath components of the signal as transmitted to the receiver. The signal includes bits of data. Each of the filter modules: receives corresponding ones of the multipath components of the signal as received at a respective one of the antennas; and according to the wireless communication protocol standard, filters the signal as received at the respective one of the antennas to generate a filtered signal. The receiver modules respectively receive the filtered signals. Each of the receiver modules combines the multipath components in the respective filtered signal to generate an output signal. Each of the output signals includes a respective version of the bits of data. The summer sums the output signals. |
| US08976916B2 |
Apparatus and method for receiving dual band RF signals simultaneously
Disclosed is a dual band receiver which includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert a dual band analog RF signal into a dual baseband digital signal; and a first signal extractor configured to generate a first path signal and a second path signal from the dual baseband signal and to extract a first baseband signal using a relative sample delay difference between the first and second path signals, wherein the dual baseband signal includes the first baseband signal and a second baseband signal, the first path signal is a signal obtained by sample delay of the dual baseband signal and then down sampling of a resultant signal, and the second path signal is a signal obtained by down sampling of the dual baseband signal without sample delay. |
| US08976913B2 |
Adaptive pattern dependent noise prediction on a feed forward noise estimate
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for processing data. As one example, a circuit is disclosed that includes a pre-detector that detects an estimated pattern in a digital input signal, and a summation element that subtracts the estimated pattern from the digital input signal to yield a noise estimate. The circuit further includes a data dependent noise prediction filter that is adaptively tuned to detect a noise pattern, and that filters the noise estimate to provide a filtered noise estimate. |
| US08976909B1 |
Nonlinear detectors for channels with signal-dependent noise
A non-linear detector for detecting signals with signal-dependent noise is disclosed. The detector may choose a data sequence that maximizes the conditional probability of detecting the channel data. Since the channel may be time-varying and the precise channel characteristics may be unknown, the detector may adapt one or more branch metric parameters before sending the parameters to a loading block. In the loading block, the branch metric parameters may be normalized and part of the branch metric may be pre-computed to reduce the complexity of the detector. The loading block may then provide the branch metric parameters and any pre-computation to the detector. The detector may then calculate the branch metric associated with the input signal and output the channel data. |
| US08976907B2 |
Bit synchronizer for detecting symbol timing error for high order modulation using a trajectory mid-point rotation and related methods
A communications device includes an input that receives a communications signal having in-phase (I) and Quadrature (Q) signal components. A bit synchronization circuit detects the symbol timing error in the communications signal and includes a symbol mapper circuit configured to receive I and Q signal components and determine transition samples of vectors within the signal constellation. A rotation generator circuit is coupled to the symbol mapper circuit and configured to rotate the trajectory of the transition samples at their midpoints to determine the symbol timing error. |
| US08976906B2 |
Method for spectrum sensing of multi-carrier signals with equidistant sub-carriers
A multi-carrier signal is typically comprised of many equidistant sub-carriers. This results in periodicity of spectrum within the bandwidth of such a multi-carrier signal. An unknown multi-carrier signal with equidistant sub-carriers can thus be sensed together with its sub-carrier spacing by finding a discernible local maximum in the cepstrum (Fourier transform of the log spectrum) of the multi-carrier signal. |
| US08976905B1 |
Robust differential receiver for frequency modulated system
A robust differential receiver is described that may be used in any frequency modulated system, including short-range radio frequency (RF) communication devices. The differential receiver provides a preamble detection approach that reduces false preamble detection, a fine carrier frequency (CFO) estimation approach that provides an extended estimation range, and robust in-band and out-of-band interference detection. The described differential receiver assures that preamble detections are not falsely triggered, and that CFO estimates are based on accurately modeled preamble waveforms that have not been distorted by phase ambiguities or in-band distortion. In this manner, the described robust differential receiver assures that CFO estimates used to compensate remaining portions of detected signals are accurate, thereby reducing the likelihood that remaining portions of the detected signal will be affected by phase ambiguity distortions, thereby enhancing the differential receiver's ability to lock onto an otherwise unavailable communication channel, and/or reducing transmission errors and/or packet loss. |
| US08976899B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving data in mobile communication system
Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting/receiving data in consideration of carrier frequency in the mobile communication system using multiple transmission antennas for increasing data rate and system throughput. A number of antennas and a plurality of symbols are determined via an in-phase domain and a quadrature-phase domain. The symbols are mapped according to the number of antennas and the in-phase domain and the quadrature-phase domain. The mapped symbols are transmitted through corresponding antennas. |
| US08976898B1 |
Low-distortion class S power amplifier with constant-impedance bandpass filter
An amplification system and an integrated circuit include a bandpass filter and an amplifier. The bandpass filter filters an input digital bitstream or an amplified signal to provide a filtered signal. The bandpass filter exhibits constant input impedance over a passband associated with the input digital bitstream, and a stopband associated with shaped-noise energy, thereby increasing signal-to-noise ratio and/or signal-to-distortion ratio associated with the filtered signal. The amplifier amplifies at least one of the filtered signal and the input digital bitstream to provide the amplified signal. A method of providing amplification includes bandpass filtering an input digital bitstream or an amplified signal to provide a filtered signal, providing constant input impedance over a passband and a stopband by the bandpass filtering, and amplifying at least one of the filtered signal and the input digital bitstream to provide the amplified signal. |
| US08976895B2 |
Method for calibrating a linearizer and linearized electronic component
Method for calibrating a linearizer and linearized electronic component the method comprises predistortion, in a predistortion linearizer, of a signal upstream of an electronic component to compensate nonlinear distortion. Determining predistortion setting parameters comprises applying a bifrequency test signal to the component and measuring the relative amplitudes of the lines at the output of the component. A variable indicative of the magnitude |Kp| of the AM/PM conversion coefficient of the component is calculated on the basis of these measurements. The predistortion setting parameters are adjusted so as to minimize |Kp|. The method may in particular be implemented in a linearized amplifier device and in an amplifier test bench. |
| US08976892B2 |
Beamforming method and apparatus using a rate splitting scheme in a multi-cell multi-antenna interference channel
A beamforming method and apparatus for using a rate splitting scheme in a multi-cell multi-antenna system, are provided. The multi-cell multi-antenna system determines transmission and reception beamforming vectors, thereby being divided into a plurality of pairs of single input and single output (SISO) interference channels. A rate splitting scheme may be applied to each of the plurality of pairs. |
| US08976887B2 |
Phase noise estimation for MIMO communication
The system and method of the present disclosure exploit the fact that an undesired phase offset between signals up-converted and transmitted by transmitters of at least two transceivers is correlative with a phase offset between signals received and down-converted by receivers of the at least two transceivers. Such correlation occurs when the transmitter and receiver in each of the at least two transceivers share the same local oscillator and thus experience the same or very similar random phase noise. Using this fact, the system and method of the present disclosure are configured to measure the phase offset between signals received and down-converted by the receivers of the at least two transceivers and then use the measured phase offset to compensate for the phase offset between the signals up-converted by the transmitters of the at least two transceivers. This compensation allows MIMO communication, such as spatial multiplexing, to be better performed. |
| US08976881B2 |
Wireless receiving apparatus and program
A data signal component output from a reference signal demultiplexer and channel state information obtained by using DM-RS output from a channel estimating unit are input into a modulo estimating unit. In a channel compensator, a first provisional decision value sequence is calculated on the basis of the channel state information. The first provisional decision value sequence is input into a modulo calculator, and modulo calculations are performed on the first provisional decision value sequence to obtain a second provisional decision value sequence. A decision-feedback channel estimating section finds a first channel estimation value based on the first provisional decision value sequence and a second channel estimation value based on the second provisional decision value sequence. A modulo decision section decides whether or not a perturbation term has been added to a code, and uses a decision result for the selection of a demodulation method. |
| US08976876B2 |
Communications system supporting multiple sector sizes
In one embodiment, a configurable communications system accommodates a plurality of different transmission word sizes. In a transmit path, the system inserts a number of padding bits corresponding to missing user-data bits onto the end of an input data sequence to generate a set of data having N bits. The N bits are interleaved and error-correction (EC) encoded to generate parity bits corresponding to an EC codeword. The parity bits are de-interleaved and multiplexed with the input data stream to generate a transmission word. In a receive path, a channel detector recovers channel values corresponding to the transmission word. Padding values, corresponding to the missing-bit locations, are inserted among the channel values. The resulting channel values are interleaved and EC decoded to recover the EC codeword. The data bits of the codeword are de-interleaved, and the padding bits corresponding to the missing channel values are discarded. |
| US08976874B1 |
Robust and simple to configure cable-replacement system
In a modular signal mirroring system each point-to-point RF transceiver end has a controller module coupled to one or more I/O modules. The I/O modules have various input and output circuits. A signal received at the near end is reconstructed at the far end after being transmitted in an RF packet. The reconstructed signal may be the same as the input signal, inverted from the input signal or level-shifted from the input signal. It is representative of the input signal following the input signal's state after a time-quantization latency. Transmission between the two ends is via a periodic transmission controlled in a master slave protocol. If a transmission is not received in a timely manner or, in some systems, if intentional interference with transmissions is detected, the reconstructed signal is forced to a safe state determined by local switch settings. The settings include the last known good state. |
| US08976867B2 |
Moving picture coding apparatus, moving picture coding method, and moving picture coding program, and moving picture decoding apparatus, moving picture decoding method, and moving picture decoding program
A motion vector predictor candidate generation unit derives a plurality of motion vector predictor candidates by prediction from first coded prediction blocks neighboring a prediction block subject to coding within the same picture as the prediction block subject to coding, or from a second coded prediction block located at the same position as or in the neighborhood of the prediction block subject to coding in a picture different from that of the prediction block subject to coding, and adds the derived motion vector predictor candidates in a motion vector predictor candidate. The motion vector predictor candidate generation unit determines, for the purpose of obtaining a predetermined number of motion vector predictor candidates, which of first coded prediction blocks provides the motion vector from which to derive the motion vector predictor candidate, organizing the blocks in the order of priority. |
| US08976863B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding motion vector, and method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image using same
A method and an apparatus for encoding a motion vector, and a method and an apparatus for encoding/decoding an image using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes: a prediction candidate selector for selecting one or more motion vector prediction candidates; a predicted motion vector determiner for determining a PMV among the one or more motion vector prediction candidates; and a differential motion vector encoder for calculating a differential motion vector encoder for calculating a DMV by subtracting the predicted motion vector having been determined, from the current motion vector, and encoding the d having been calculated. The apparatus encodes a motion vector by using the prediction motion vector which is more accurately predicted, and reduces an amount of bits required for encoding information of the predicted motion vector, thereby improving the compression efficiency. |
| US08976862B2 |
Intra prediction method and apparatus, and image encoding/decoding method and apparatus using same
The present disclosure relates to an intra prediction method and apparatus and an image encoding/decoding method and apparatus using the same. The disclosure provides the intra prediction apparatus that predicts the pixel values of respective pixels in a current block by weight-averaging the pixel values of one or more adjacent pixels in neighboring blocks to the current block according to the distances between each pixel in the current block and the adjacent pixel(s). According to the disclosure, the current block to be encoded can be predicted more accurately so that the encoding efficiency is improved by reducing the difference between the original block and the predicted block, and thereby video compression efficiency can be improved. |
| US08976861B2 |
Separately coding the position of a last significant coefficient of a video block in video coding
In one example, an apparatus is disclosed for coding coefficients associated with a block of video data during a video coding process, wherein the apparatus includes a video coder configured to code information that identifies a position of a last non-zero coefficient within the block according to a scanning order associated with the block prior to coding information that identifies positions of other non-zero coefficients within the block, including at least one of the following: coding a one-dimensional position within the block that identifies the position of the last non-zero coefficient; coding a two-dimensional position within the block that identifies the position of the last non-zero coefficient, and coding a flag that indicates whether the last non-zero coefficient is located within a range of positions within the block, and coding the one-dimensional position when the last non-zero coefficient is located within the range, and otherwise coding the two-dimensional position. |
| US08976856B2 |
Optimized deblocking filters
An encoder executes an iterative search method for selecting deblocking parameters for coded video. According to the method, a decoded picture may be deblocked according to parameters associated with a multi-dimensional deblocking vector and an error, called the “deblocking error” may be estimated therefrom. If the estimated error exceeds a predetermined threshold, then alternate deblocking vectors may be created, each advanced from the current deblocking vector in a respective dimension. The method may deblock the decoded picture according to each advanced vector and may estimate errors from each of the deblocking of each advanced vector. Finally, the deblocking vector may be revised for a next iteration according to a gradient derived from the estimated deblocking errors of the vector dimensions. This gradient-based search method may converge on a final set of deblocking parameters in an efficient manner. |
| US08976854B1 |
Method and apparatus for feed forward equalizer with variable cursor position
A reconfigurable P-way parallel N-tap feed forward equalizer includes an adaptive filter configured to generate a series of coefficients (taps) and an input register for storing input symbols. A variable cursor position defined by a parameter corresponding to a position in the input register selects a set of pre-cursor and post-cursor taps for dynamic ISI correction of a like set of pre-cursor and post-cursor symbols. Multiplier banks generate partial result symbols by applying the taps to the set of input symbols, and a set of combiners or adder banks generate equalized output symbols from the partial result symbols. Two multiplexers adjust input symbols and coefficients according to the parameter, and a controller allows selection of an optimal parameter, and thus an optimal variable cursor position. The coefficient corresponding to the parameter may additionally be preset to save storage space. |
| US08976853B2 |
Signal reception using non-linearity-compensated, partial response feedback
A receiver may receive a signal that was generated by passage of symbols through a non-linear circuit. An equalizer of the receiver may equalize the received signal based on a first non-linearity compensated, inter-symbol correlated (ISC) feedback signal to generate an equalized signal. The receiver may correct a phase error of the equalized signal to generate a phase-corrected equalized signal. The phase correction may be based on a second, non-linearity compensated, inter-symbol correlated (ISC) feedback signal. |
| US08976842B1 |
PN code sync detection and carrier frequency offset estimation for the direct sequence spread spectrum receiver
A method of detecting PN code synchronization for a DSSS signal comprising receiving a DSSS data signal of data frames comprised of I and Q symbols, at least a portion of each data frame comprising a unique word, demodulating the data signal into I and Q chip samples, filtering the I and Q chip samples and outputting the filtered I and Q chip samples to a chip stream controller which outputs the plurality of chip streams to a correlation matrix that correlates the plurality of chip streams with the chipped unique word and outputs a correlated data stream. A plurality of FFTs is run on the correlated output data stream and a processor searches for a maximum frequency bin power of each FFT. A PN synchronization detector searches for a maximum frequency bin power of each FFT. A PN synchronization detector searches for a maximum frequency bin power among the plurality of FFT rounds and determines whether PN synchronization is present. |
| US08976838B2 |
Apparatus for assigning and estimating transmission symbols
An apparatus for assigning transmission symbols to a media data stream of information symbols is described, the media data stream including a first substream for representing media content in a basic quality and a second substream including additional data for representing the media content, along with the first substream, in an improved quality. The apparatus includes a first assigner for assigning first transmission symbols to the information symbols of the first substream and a second assigner for assigning second transmission symbols to the information symbols of the second substream, the first transmission symbols being transmissible, via a transmission channel, with reduced error probability as compared to the second transmission symbols. |
| US08976831B2 |
Edge-emitting semiconductor laser
An edge emitting semiconductor laser comprising an active, radiation-generating zone (1), and an common waveguide (8), which is suitable for guiding the radiation generated in the active zone (1) within the semiconductor laser. The common waveguide (8) comprises a first n-doped layer (4) and a second n-doped layer (5), which is arranged between the first n-doped layer (4) and the active zone (1), wherein the refractive index n2 of the second n-doped layer (5) is greater than the refractive index n1 of the first n-doped layer (4) by a value dn. |
| US08976826B2 |
Wavelength referencing by monitoring a voltage across a laser diode
A lasing wavelength of a laser diode is determined by applying a forward current to the p-n junction of the laser diode and measuring a voltage across the p-n junction. The lasing wavelength can be determined by performing a simple wavelength calibration of the laser diode. This allows one to stabilize the lasing wavelength, and also to use the laser diode as a reference wavelength source. |
| US08976820B2 |
Passive Q-switch-type solid laser apparatus
To provide a passive Q-switch-type solid laser apparatus for outputting a high peak-power pulse laser whose pulse energy is large and pulse-time width is small. A passive Q-switch-type solid laser apparatus has: two reflection elements for forming an oscillator; a solid gain medium being disposed between the two reflection elements; a saturable absorber being disposed between the two reflection elements; an excitation device for exciting the solid gain medium; and a cross section control device for making at least one of a stimulated emission cross section of the solid gain medium and an absorption cross section of the saturable absorber closer to another one of them; and the cross section control device is equipped with at least one or both of a temperature control device for retaining the solid gain medium at a predetermined temperature and an oscillatory-wavelength control device for fixating an oscillatory wavelength at a predetermined wavelength. |
| US08976811B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication system and communication method
A communication apparatus includes: a storage section to store a communication throughput of communication apparatuses, a reference value of the communication throughput and a reference adjustment value; a calculating section, when a current communication throughput of a self-sided communication apparatus exceeds a self reference value, to calculate a reference value of the communication apparatuses based on an upper limit value, the current communication throughput, and the communication throughput and the reference adjustment value in the storage section, the upper limit value corresponding to a total communication throughput of the communication apparatuses; an updating section to update the reference value with the calculated reference value in the communication apparatuses; a transmitter section to transmit the calculated reference value to an external communication apparatus; and a receiver section to receive the calculated reference value transmitted from the external communication apparatus and update the reference value with the calculated reference value. |
| US08976808B2 |
Methods for transmitting closely-spaced packets in WLAN devices and systems
A wireless local area network (WLAN) device transmits a header over an air interface, at a first modulation rate. The header may include an indication of a second modulation rate that will be used to transmit a consolidated payload. The device further transmits the consolidated payload at the second modulation rate. The consolidated payload includes multiple data units. In one embodiment, the consolidated payload includes delimiters with validation fields associated with the various data units. |
| US08976806B2 |
DL backhaul control channel design for relays
Methods and apparatus are described for providing compatible mapping for backhaul control channels, frequency first mapping of control channel elements (CCEs) to avoid relay-physical control format indicator channel (R-PCFICH) and a tree based relay resource allocation to minimize the resource allocation map bits. Methods and apparatus (e.g., relay node (RN)/evolved Node-B (eNB)) for mapping of the Un downlink (DL) control signals, Un DL positive acknowledgement (ACK)/negative acknowledgement (NACK) and/or relay-physical downlink control channel (R-PDCCH) (or similar) in the eNB to RN (Un interface) DL direction are described. This includes time/frequency mapping of above-mentioned control signals into resource blocks (RBs) of multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) single frequency network (MBSFN)-reserved sub-frames in the RN cell and encoding procedures for these. Also described are methods and apparatus for optimizing signaling overheads by avoiding R-PCFICH and minimizing bits needs for resource allocation. |
| US08976792B2 |
OTV scaling: site virtual MAC address
Techniques for providing an extended layer 2 network. Embodiments receive, at a first network device in a first layer 2 network within the extended layer 2 network, a data packet specifying a destination Media Access Control (MAC) address. Upon determining that the destination MAC address is a site virtual MAC (S-VMAC) address, the data packet is forwarded to a second network device in a second layer 2 network within the extended layer 2 network and associated with the S-VMAC address, where the second network device is configured to determine a second destination MAC address for the data packet based on an Internet Protocol (IP) address specified in the data packet, and is further configured to forward the data packet to a destination device associated with the determined second destination MAC address. |
| US08976787B2 |
Protocol booster for SCTP in multicast networks
A traffic optimizer facilitates communication of data packets using a unicast protocol between a server and at least one of a plurality of clients through a multicast network. The traffic optimizer includes a communication processor and a packet processor. The communication processor receives both data including association data and the data packets using the unicast protocol from the server. The association data includes IP addresses of the server and IP addresses of at least one of a plurality of clients available for communication. The packet processor processes the data packets to optimize data transfer in response to an analysis of the data packets, and forwards the processed data packets to at least one of the plurality of clients at respective ones of the received IP addresses through a multicast network using the unicast protocol. |
| US08976785B2 |
System and method for voice redundancy service
A system and method for providing voice redundancy service. A digital packet telephony service is monitored for continuity of the digital packet telephony service. Voice communication service is switched to a plain old telephone connection in response to determining the digital packet telephony service is unavailable. |
| US08976780B2 |
Uplink timing maintenance upon time alignment timer expiry
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for uplink timing maintenance in wireless communications are provided. Certain aspects of the disclosure involve, at a user equipment (UE), detecting a downlink transmission timing has changed by an amount of time. The UE may determine that a time alignment timer (TAT) is not running or determine the downlink transmission timing change is not compensated for. The UE can adjust a timing advance based on the amount of time that the downlink transmission timing has changed. |
| US08976776B2 |
Method of efficiently synchronizing to a desired timeslot in a time division multiple access communication system
In operation, a transmitting device selects a synchronization pattern associated with the desired timeslot that is at least mutually exclusive from synchronization patterns associated with other timeslots on the same frequency in the system. Once selected, the transmitting device transmits a burst embedding the synchronization pattern that was selected, where appropriate. If the receiving device detects the synchronization pattern, it immediately synchronizes with the timeslot with confidence that it is synchronizing to the desired timeslot by using sets of synchronization patterns associated with the desired timeslot that are at least mutually exclusive from synchronization patterns associated with the other timeslots on the same frequency. |
| US08976772B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and control method therefor
When a wireless communication network is built in an ad hoc mode, it is possible to appropriately build the wireless communication network regardless of start timings of wireless communication functions of image capturing apparatuses. In order to achieve the object, there is provided the image capturing apparatus which is capable of building a wireless communication network by wirelessly connecting to another image capturing apparatus in an ad hoc mode, and which is capable of switching between a function as a creator and a function as a joiner, including a start unit configured to start as the creator, a unit configured to execute a scan process, and a unit configured to determine based on a result of the scan process whether to function as the creator and to function as the joiner, and to control the image capturing apparatus in accordance with the determination result. |
| US08976771B2 |
Wireless communication device and computer program
A wireless communication device communicable with a first type and a second type of networks based on a first type and a second type wireless setting data respectively, includes: an obtaining section obtaining an identifier of an access point when a detection section detects the disconnection with the second type network through a certain access point; and a trial section trying to connect with the second type network through the certain access point if at least one second type wireless setting data stored in the second storage includes the obtained identifier, and the trial section trying to connect with the first type network through the certain access point any of the second type wireless setting data stored in the second storage does not includes the obtained identifier but the first type wireless setting data stored in the first storage includes the obtained identifier. |
| US08976766B2 |
Integrated microwave backhaul support in cellular products
A method for integrating functions of a cellular radio controller and a microwave backhaul radio controller are disclosed. In some embodiments a cellular baseband unit is coupled to a cellular radio unit and a microwave backhaul radio unit. The cellular baseband unit includes a digital signal processor that performs modulation, demodulation and scheduling for both the cellular radio signals and the microwave backhaul radio signals. |
| US08976765B2 |
Synchronization in base stations and wireless networks
A base station transmits subframes of downlink carriers in a primary cell group and downlink carriers in a secondary cell group in substantial time alignment with each other. A wireless device transmits subframes of uplink carriers in the primary cell group in substantially time alignment with each other. The wireless device transmits subframes of uplink carriers in the secondary cell group in substantially time alignment with each other. The subframes transmission timing for uplink carriers in the primary cell group and in the secondary cell group employ different synchronization signals as a timing reference and different timing advance commands. |
| US08976758B2 |
Wireless communication system and method for adjusting used depth of buffer unit in wireless communication system
A wireless communication system includes a receiving unit, a buffer unit, a determining unit, and an adjustment unit. The receiving unit receives a signal stream. The buffer unit is coupled to the receiving unit, for storing the signal stream by using a used depth. The determining unit is coupled to the receiving unit, for determining a signal receiving quality of the signal stream received from the receiving unit and accordingly generating a determining result. The adjustment unit is coupled to the determining unit and the buffer unit, for adjusting the used depth of the buffer unit according to the determining result. |
| US08976753B2 |
Method and apparatus for transceiving a downlink control channel in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for transceiving a downlink control channel. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method in which a receiver receives a downlink control channel from a transmitter in a wireless communication system comprises: a step of assuming an overhead of a transmitted reference signal in a data region of a downlink subframe; and a step of decoding the downlink control channel transmitted by the transmitter in the data region on the basis of the assumption of the overhead of the reference signal, wherein the assumption of the overhead of the reference signal is determined on the basis of at least the number of receiving antennas of the receiver. |
| US08976745B2 |
Method for transmitting a control signal in a wireless communication system, and apparatus for same
The present invention discloses a method in which a terminal transmits an acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) signal in a wireless communication system. In detail, the comprises the steps of allocating a first control channel resource to the ACK/NACK signal and a second control channel resource to a channel quality information (CQI) signal, determining the transmission power of the first control channel resource and the transmission power of the second control channel resource in accordance with a preset priority, and transmitting the ACK/NACK signal and the CQI signal to a base station using the control channel resources and the transmission powers corresponding thereto. |
| US08976741B2 |
Piggybacking information in transmit opportunities
Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for aggregating certain frame types in uplink and/or downlink transmit opportunities. Such techniques may improve wireless communications system performance by reducing the overall number of transmit opportunities required. |
| US08976738B2 |
Arrangement and method for improving HARQ feedback in telecommunication systems
A method for execution on an apparatus configured to operate in a telecommunications network comprising a processor, wherein said processor is configured to execute said method, said method comprising encoding a plurality of uplink feedback information elements for carrier aggregation, by a set of codewords where each codeword comprises a channel, wherein at least two information elements have the same channel distribution. |
| US08976734B2 |
Hybrid ARQ schemes with soft combining in variable rate packet data applications
A system and method for transmitting high speed data on fixed rate and for variable rate channels. The system and method provides the flexibility of adjusting the data rate, the coding rate, and the nature of individual retransmissions. Further, the system and method supports partial soft combining of retransmitted data with previously transmitted data, supports parity bit selection for successive retransmissions, and supports various combinations of data rate variations, coding rate variations, and partial data transmissions. |
| US08976733B2 |
Persistent mesh for isolated mobile and temporal networking
A structured wireless mesh network is disclosed where a tree-like connection topology is formed. In one embodiment, each node has separate uplink and downlink radios operating on different channels. When a cluster of such nodes becomes isolated as in the case of a mobile mesh application, a node in the cluster according to this invention acts as a root node thus enabling the tree structure to persist, even in isolation. Example methods of joining sub networks are disclosed that guide the joining of mesh networks and channel management. Nodes that may operate in isolation also support a distributed DHCP capability such that IP addresses are assigned to clients even when a connection to a central DHCP server is unavailable. |
| US08976732B2 |
Radio apparatus
A control unit, in cooperation with an interface (IF) unit, a modulation unit and a baseband processing unit, produces a packet signal composed of a plurality of streams. While using as a reference a first known signal assigned to one of the plurality of streams and performing a cyclic timing shift within the first known signal on a first known signal assigned to another stream, the control unit performs a timing shift also on an extensional known signal assigned to a stream where no data is assigned. The amounts of timing shift are given degrees of priority beforehand and for the stream where data signals are assigned the control unit uses the amounts of timing shift in descending degree of priority. For the stream where no data signal is assigned, the control unit uses the amounts of timing shift also in descending degree of priority. |
| US08976731B2 |
Base station, mobile station, paging message transmitting method, and paging message receiving method
A method for a base station supporting multicarrier operation to transmit a paging message is provided. The base station determines a first time point for multicast broadcast service (MBS)-related information and transmits the MBS-related information through a first carrier at the first time point. Also, the base station determines a second time point for transmitting a paging message to a mobile station, determines a second carrier for transmitting the paging message to the mobile station, and transmits the paging message through the second carrier at the second time point. Here, the second time point is different from the first time point. |
| US08976729B2 |
Maximum power spectral density reporting in response to overload indications
Certain aspects of the present disclosure propose methods for reporting information such as a maximum power spectral density to a serving access point after receiving overload indicators from one or more neighboring access points. The reported information may be multiplexed with other information (e.g., Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), Precoding Matrix Index (PMI), rank indication (RI) or acknowledgement (ACK)/negative acknowledgment (NACK) message for downlink data channel) before transmission to the serving access point. In addition, the information may be transmitted in a medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU). |
| US08976724B2 |
Method and system for repackaging wireless data
The present disclosure may include a method for repackaging data in a communications system. The method may include receiving low-power RF data at a wireless relay device from one or more low power wireless devices and translating the low-power RF data at the wireless relay device into one or more translated packets. The method may further include synchronizing the translated low-power RF data with one or more wireless links and transmitting the synchronized low-power RF data to a host device. The method may further include receiving wireless communications from a host device, translating the parsing the wireless packets, synchronizing the translated packets with one or more low-power RF connections, and transmitting the synchronized packets to one ore more low-power RF devices. The method may further include managing the network topology of the communications system via commands to the wireless relay device. |
| US08976723B2 |
Transmission device and transmission method
A disclosed OFDM-based transmission device includes a unicast channel generating unit configured to generate a unicast channel; an MBMS channel generating unit configured to generate an MBMS channel; a multiplexing unit configured to time-division-multiplex the unicast channel and the MBMS channel in the same frequency band; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit time-division-multiplexed transmission symbols. In the disclosed transmission device, the guard interval length for the MBMS channel is set longer than the guard interval length for the unicast channel. |
| US08976722B2 |
Managing transmission protocols for group communications within a wireless communications network
Apparatuses and methods for managing transmission protocols for group communications are disclosed. In an example, an access network receives a forward link packet having a first transmission protocol, the forward link packet associated with a given group communication session. The access network determines whether the first transmission protocol is acceptable. The access network selects a second transmission protocol, if the determining step determines the first transmission protocol is not acceptable. The access network transmits the forward link packet in accordance with the second transmission protocol (e.g., by mapping the packet between transmission protocols at the access network). |
| US08976720B2 |
Technique of controlling discontinuous transceiving operations
A technique for controlling transceiving operations of a transceiver device in a wireless communication network is described. A method implementation of this technique comprises the following steps performed by the transceiver device: determining a temporal mismatch between DTX characteristics and DRX characteristics of the transceiver device; and adjusting at least one of the DTX characteristics and the DRX characteristics such that DTX pauses become essentially aligned with DRX pauses. During the overlapping inactivity periods of the DTX pauses and the DRX pauses power management measures may be initiated by the transceiver device. |
| US08976719B2 |
Systems and methods for providing categorized channel reservation
A wireless communications system and method configured to operate and communicate with a plurality of wireless communications stations in compliance with a wireless communications protocol, wherein said communications comprise transmitting a first control packet to disable at least one of the wireless communications stations from data transmissions in compliance with the wireless communications protocol, and transmit a second control packet to enable at least one of the disabled wireless communications stations to perform the data transmissions. The first control packet is transmitted using a first configuration, and the second control packet is transmitted using a second configuration. |
| US08976716B2 |
Method, device, and conference system for processing media data packet
A method, a device, and a conference system for processing a media data packet are provided. The method includes: establishing with a conference proxy server (CPS), a virtual public participant (VPP) channel corresponding to a conference identity; when there are media data packets with same content in a media data packet corresponding to each conference member identity, acquiring a media data packet with a highest frequency of same content among the media data packets as a public media data packet, and forwarding the public media data packet to the CPS through the VPP channel; acquiring a conference member identity that currently does not multiplex the VPP channel, generating a real-time transport protocol control protocol (RTCP) multiplexing start command corresponding to the conference member identity, and delivering the RTCP multiplexing start command to the CPS, so that the CPS starts to forward the public media data packet to a user equipment corresponding to the conference member identity. |
| US08976714B2 |
Providing and acquiring a system information message in a wireless network
Receiving a system information (SI) message is disclosed. A user equipment (UE) may be configured to receive si-Windowlength information in a SI type 1 message. The UE may determine a downlink (DL) subframe wherein a SI message starts based on a number of DL subframes contained in a radio frame. The UE may be configured to receive the SI message in a DL subframe of a calculated radio frame. |
| US08976710B2 |
Methods for discovering and analyzing network topologies and devices thereof
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for discovering and analyzing a network topology includes obtaining information regarding a network including a relationship of a plurality of nodes of the network. At least one value for each of a plurality of centrality parameters is determined for each of the plurality of nodes. At least one topology score for each of the plurality of nodes is generated based on one or more of the centrality parameter values. One or more relatively significant nodes are identified based on one or more of the topology scores and output. |
| US08976707B2 |
Radio-frequency front-end module
An RF front-end module includes power amplifiers, transmission-side filters, a reception-side filter, and a switch IC. A first transmission signal is output from a first transmission signal input terminal to a first common terminal via the power amplifier and the transmission-side filter. A second transmission signal is output from a second transmission signal input terminal to a second common terminal via the power amplifier and the transmission-side filter. A first reception signal input from the first common terminal and a second reception signal input from the second common terminal are input via the switch IC to the reception-side filter, common to the first and second reception signals, and are output from the reception-side filter to a reception signal output terminal. |
| US08976699B2 |
Secondary carrier activation/deactivation method and apparatus for mobile communication system supporting carrier aggregation
A method for activating/deactivating secondary carriers of a User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system supporting carrier aggregation is provided. The method comprises, receiving a control message including an activation/deactivation Control Element (CE) in a first sub-frame from a Base station, identifying an activation command or a deactivation command of at least one secondary carrier based on the control message, determining whether a current sub-frame is a second sub-frame or not, performing at least one first operation for the at least one secondary carrier in a second sub-frame, and performing, when the activation/deactivation CE indicates deactivation of the at least one secondary carrier, at least one second operation for the at least one secondary carrier no later than the second sub-frame. |
| US08976697B2 |
Network status mapping
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for network status mapping. Such an exemplary system and method involves inserting a network map tag in a flow set of packets in a computer network and receiving a response to the network map tag from a network element that includes populated fields of the network map tag comprising a field to identify a network element, a field to identify the outgoing port of the network element, a field to identify queue of the outgoing port; and a status field for the queue of the outgoing port. |
| US08976696B2 |
Methods and systems for integrating batch scheduling with external beamforming
Methods and systems for simultaneous determination of channel resource allocations and beam vectors for uplink frames are disclosed. One method includes receiving batch information from client devices indicating amounts of data to be transmitted on the uplink by the client devices. Further, signal quality can be measured on channel resources for each of the client devices and for each of a plurality of beam vectors. Additionally, rate information for the channel resources for each of the client devices is determined based on signal quality measurements. Moreover, the method includes computing, based on the batch information and the rate information, utilities for allocations of the channel resources to the client devices and for the beam vectors for at least one uplink frame and selecting, based on the utilities, at least one of the beam vectors and at least one of the allocations for transmission of the data on the uplink frame(s). |
| US08976694B2 |
Component carrier (de)activation in communication systems using carrier aggregation
This invention relates to the proposal of component carrier (de)activation message that is allowing a activation or deactivation of one or more component carriers in the uplink or downlink. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the new component carrier (de)activation message in methods for (de)activation of downlink component carrier(s) configured for a mobile terminal, a base station and a mobile terminal. To enable efficient and robust (de)activation of component carriers, the invention proposes to use component carrier-specific or cell-RNTI(s) for the scrambling of the CRC of the component carrier (de)activation message, and to explicitly indicate the intended recipient of the component carrier (de)activation message in a corresponding field in the message. Furthermore, the invention further proposes different designs of the component carrier (de)activation message and further uses thereof, so as to trigger CQI reporting and/or SRS transmission by a mobile terminal. |
| US08976692B2 |
D.C. offset estimation
A combination of a phase shifter, a measurement receiver, and an offset estimator enable the d.c. offset in the transmit path of a quadrature transmitter to be distinguished from the d.c. offset in the measurement receiver. The measurement receiver performs a first measurement on the transmit path output with a “normal” phase shift of 0 degrees and 90 degrees for in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components, and a second measurement with a “special” phase shift for the I and Q components. In one embodiment, the “special” phase shift for the I and Q components is 180 degrees and 270 degrees, respectively. |
| US08976690B2 |
Femto-relay systems and methods of managing same
The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to femto-relay systems and methods. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a femto-relay system comprising a relay-radio, a femto-radio, a joint femto-relay resource management module, and an IP-backhaul QoS monitoring module. The relay-radio is in communication with a macro-cell base-station. The femto-radio is in communication with the relay-radio and configured to route signals between a core network and at least one femto-cell user equipment through an IP-backhaul link. The joint femto-relay resource management module is configured to intelligently manage radio resources between the femto-radio and the relay-radio to reduce cross-tier interference. The IP-backhaul QoS monitoring module is configured to monitor a QoS being delivered by the IP-backhaul link and notify the relay-radio to route signals between the femto-cell user equipment and core network through the macro-cell base-station if the QoS fall below a predetermined threshold. |
| US08976689B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for monitoring network performance
Network performance management includes identifying a location of a test unit, providing a test protocol to the test unit over a network, and transmitting a stream of data packets to the test unit. The network performance management also includes identifying, via the location of the test unit, a transmission path of network elements through which the stream of packets flows. The network performance management further includes tracking measurements associated with the stream of data packets transmitted to the test unit and return data packets received from the test unit. The measurements are tracked for segments associated with each of the network elements in the transmission path. |
| US08976685B1 |
Dynamic priority in wireless mobile communication system
A priority allocation system may be adapted to regulate the priority which different users of a wireless mobile communication system are given to one or more of its various services. It may include a priority level data storage system, a priority enforcement system, an administrator interface, and a subscriber interface. The priority data storage system may be configured to store priority information for each of a plurality of subscriber groups. Each subscriber group may be assigned to one or more wireless mobile communication devices. The priority information for each subscriber group may be indicative of one or more priorities relating to use of the mobile communication system by all of the wireless mobile communication devices which are assigned to the subscriber group. |
| US08976680B2 |
Operations, administration, and management fields for packet transport
A network includes an egress node connected to an ingress node via a network path. The egress node is configured to receive, from the ingress node, a group of packets via the network path, where each packet includes an operations, administration, and management (OAM) field appended to the packet, and where the OAM field stores OAM information. The egress node is further configured to read the OAM information from the packets; analyze the OAM information, associated with one or more of the packets, to determine that a network condition exists on the network path; and notify the ingress node that the network condition exists to permit the ingress node to perform a rerouting operation. |
| US08976677B2 |
System and method for dynamic coordination of radio resources usage in a wireless network environment
A wireless user equipment (UE) device includes a processor configured to control at least one of a plurality of subsystems to receive sensory data associated with multiple radio channels relative to one or more radio elements utilizing multiple radio access technologies in a communications network, whereby the sensory data may be processed to determine one or more reliability conditions associated with the sensory data. The processor is further configured to control at least one or more of the plurality of subsystems for communicating the sensory data and the associated reliability conditions to a network node and for processing a control message received from the network node for facilitating allocation of a radio resource to at least one of the radio elements. |
| US08976668B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing a user plan operation in a communication system based on carrier aggregation
A method and an apparatus for optimizing a user plan operation in a wireless communication system based on carrier aggregation are provided in the present invention. Firstly, a user equipment receives a downlink carrier component removal signaling from a base station, the downlink carrier component removal signaling is used to indicate a removed downlink carrier component; then, the user equipment, according to the received downlink carrier component removal signaling, stops the pending HARQ procedures of the removed downlink carrier component and flushes the HARQ receiving buffer related to the removed downlink carrier component and/or stops a re-ordering procedure and/or generates a status report and sends the status report to the base station, wherein the status report is used to indicate the base station to perform retransmission and inform the base station of the data needed to be retransmitted. By applying the technology scheme of the present invention, the user plan operation at the user equipment side can be optimized, when a downlink carrier component is de-activated or de-configured. |
| US08976667B1 |
Method and system for programmable delay before transmission pausing
Method and system for maximizing data transmission between a first network device and a second network device connected to a network, is provided. A data transmission pause request received from a port of the first network device by a port of the second network device. The process then determines if the first network device's port can receive additional data; and transmits additional data to the first network device from the second network device if the first network device's port can receive additional data. |
| US08976664B2 |
Facilitating network flows
In various embodiments, a system includes a switch comprising a resource that is shared between multiple objects. The switch comprises circuitry that determines a congestion metric for the switch in response to an amount of used of the resource by the objects. The circuitry determines a feedback parameter that is responsive to the congestion metric. The circuitry generates a congestion notification message that comprises a congestion feedback value responsive to the feedback parameter.In further embodiments, a system includes a switch that processes data for a first data link layer access network. The switch includes circuitry that identifies whether a received packet originated from a source device that shares the same network layer access layer as the switch. If the source device shares the same network layer access network as the switch, the circuitry generates a congestion notification message comprising a congestion feedback value for the switch. |
| US08976663B2 |
QCI based offloading
A QoS based selection of access network allows a UE to transmit different data traffic flows using different access technologies. The selection is done in accordance with information provided in the ANDSF. This allows a network operator to determine how different data traffic is routed, which can allow for better network utilization planning. |
| US08976662B2 |
Apparatus and method for opportunistic relay association
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for associating a user equipment (UE) with a relay in a wireless network are provided. The apparatus determines a relay backhaul link quality of a relay; determines a path loss from a UE to the relay; and compares the relay backhaul link quality to a direct link quality between the UE and a base station, and the path loss to a path loss threshold to determine whether to associate the UE with the relay. |
| US08976658B1 |
Packet sampling using rate-limiting mechanisms
A network device configured to i) control a rate of traffic while operating in a rate-limiting mode, and ii) mirror traffic while operating a sampling mode. The network device includes an ingress circuit configured to receive packets, and a rate limiter in communication with the ingress circuit. The rate limiter is configured to, while the network device is operating in the rate-limiting mode, perform a rate-limiting scheme to control a rate of the packets received through the ingress circuit. The rate limiter is further configured to, while the network device is operating in the sampling mode, perform a modified form of the rate-limiting scheme to mirror the packets received through the ingress circuit. |
| US08976657B2 |
Method and system for data offloading in mobile communications
A mobile communications infrastructure with coordinated data session offloading of mobile subscriber devices from a primary communication medium to a secondary communication medium. The infrastructure comprises a primary communications infrastructure which provides a primary communications medium for mobile subscriber devices and a secondary communications infrastructure which provides a secondary communication medium that is accessible by authorized mobile subscriber devices. An offload management system is configured to control offload of mobile subscriber devices from the primary communication medium to the secondary communication medium during a data session with a data network based on an offload profile associated with the mobile subscriber device and resource status information relating to the available capacity of the secondary communication medium. |
| US08976654B2 |
Burst avoidance in uplink systems
A method in a base station, and a base station, adapted for scheduling and receiving uplink transmissions from user entities and further forwarding data related to such transmissions to a core network, wherein the base station being adapted for transmitting serving grant signals for allowing a user entity to transmit uplink transmissions at a given maximum granted data rate, at least at a subsequent transmission opportunity. An uplink transmission from a user entity may be responded to by the base station by a not-acknowledge, NACK, or an acknowledge, ACK, signal. The method comprises the steps of: detecting the rate of an uplink transmission; detecting whether an overload situation exists, and if the rate exceeds the granted rate and an overload situation exists, sending an ACK to the user entity without forwarding any uplink data to the core network. |
| US08976650B2 |
Method and apparatus for retaining a remaining back-off time in CSMA/CA based on a threshold
A communication control apparatus in which, when requested to transmit (transmission) terminal information from information processing means, a transmission timing controller obtains past own terminal communication band information from an information storage, and determines whether or not to control a transmission timing. Moreover, the transmission timing controller calculates a back-off parameter for the control based on a past reception power information history that is obtained from the information storage, and sets a back-off parameter to a transmission device. |
| US08976646B2 |
Point to multi-point based multicast label distribution protocol local protection solution
In one aspect, the disclosure includes an apparatus comprising a processor configured to function as a merge point (MP) in a point to multi-point (P2MP) backup label switching path (LSP) for a primary LSP, receive P2MP backup LSP information originating from a protected node, wherein the P2MP backup LSP information comprises the identity of a point of local repair (PLR), determine a backup label switching router (LSR), and send a message with the identity of the backup LSR to an upstream node. |
| US08976644B2 |
Multicast traffic forwarding on pruned interface
Embodiments of the invention relate to forwarding traffic for link aggregation groups in a system. One embodiment includes a system with a first module that receives a packet and synchronizes a group membership based on the packet. A second module receives the synchronized group membership from the first module and creates link aggregation group (LAG) entries for a primary switch and a secondary. A router receives join requests from the second module for adding a first interface link and a second interface link to the router. A source transmits traffic for the LAG. The second interface link is placed in a pruned state based on a protocol independent multicast (PIM) assert message received from the second module by the primary switch and the secondary switch. The secondary link forwards traffic in the pruned state to an access switch upon the primary link failing. |
| US08976642B2 |
Decoding device, decoding method, and program
A decoding device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first frequency signal including a narrowband signal and a wideband signal, a direct inverse orthogonal transform unit configured to perform a direct matrix operation with respect to the narrowband signal of the first frequency signal so as to perform inverse orthogonal transform, and a high-speed inverse orthogonal transform unit configured to perform inverse orthogonal transform employing a high-speed operation method with respect to the wideband signal of the first frequency signal. |
| US08976637B2 |
Optical information storage medium reproduction apparatus and control method of the same
In an optical information storage medium reproduction apparatus reproducing an optical information storage medium including a plurality of information recording layers each including a recording mark having a length shorter than an optical system resolution limit, reproduction laser power reading an information recording layer closest to a reproduction-laser-incident surface of the optical information storage medium is set to be lower than reproduction laser power reading an information recording layer farthest from the reproduction-laser-incident surface but not lower than minimum reproduction laser power that satisfies a reproduction signal characteristic that the optical information storage medium reproduction apparatus requires. |
| US08976636B1 |
Techniques for storing data on disk drives partitioned into two regions
Described are techniques for storing data on disk drives. Each disk drive platter of each of the disk drives is partitioned into two separate regions whereby a pivot point denoting a radial distance from the center of each disk drive platter is a boundary partitioning each disk drive platter into the two separate regions. A data portion is classified in accordance with an expected activity level of the data portion. Storage is allocated for the data portion in one of the two separate regions of one of the disk drive platters of one of the disk drives in accordance with the expected activity level of the data portion and a defined allocation flow. |
| US08976635B1 |
Near field transducer driven by a transverse electric waveguide for energy assisted magnetic recording
An apparatus includes dielectric waveguide cores operating in transverse electric (TE) mode configured to receive incident light energy from an energy source and direct the incident light energy to a target. A near field transducer (NFT) is configured to focus the light energy received from the waveguide cores and to transmit the focused light energy onto a storage disk surface to generate a heating spot. The NFT includes propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP) elements that are energized by the light energy from the waveguide cores. Each PSPP element has a plasmonic metal bar disposed above a surface of a single waveguide core in a longitudinal alignment with the waveguide core, a first end that receives the light energy from the waveguide core, and a second end exposed to the air bearing surface. The width of each metal bar tapers toward the first end. |
| US08976631B2 |
Timepiece comprising scale for denoting both time and physical quantity
With the conventional timepiece, when watching the timepiece at a casual glance, it has not been easy to comprehend the starting point of a physical quantity indicated at the present time by the timepiece, and the physical quantity at the present time. To solve the problem, a timepiece is provided, comprising; a dual-purpose scale, indicating time and a below-mentioned physical quantity; a driving unit for hand, driving a hand for pointing the dual-purpose scale according to time; an acquisition unit for physical quantity, acquiring information of the physical quantity from predetermined time designated as a starting point; and a driving unit for indicator of physical quantity, driving an indicator of physical quantity for indicating the acquired physical quantity on the dual-purpose scale, where a position on the dual-purpose scale pointed to by the hand at the predetermined time is designated as an original position for the physical quantity. |
| US08976629B2 |
Clock work movement for a wristwatch
Clockwork movement for a wristwatch, comprising a kinematic chain including at least one belt (20, 21) for transmitting the movements and/or couples between at least two pulleys. The pulleys are held on the bottom plate or the bridges by ball bearings (151, 161, 171, 181). The movement is rewound by means of linear oscillating mass (14) charging four barrels (15, 16, 17, 18) through a couple distributor (40). The barrels are non-parallel to one another. The back cover is covered by inclined glasses (110, 120, 130) allowing the barrels, the linear oscillating mass and at least certain pulleys to be seen. The regulating organ (51) is removable. |
| US08976624B2 |
System and method for processing seismic data for interpretation
A method is provided for processing seismic data for interpretation. The method includes recording an original seismic data trace, decomposing the original seismic data trace into a set of predefined wavelets, and reconstructing a seismic data trace from, at least a subset of, the set of wavelets. |
| US08976623B2 |
Towing methods and systems for geophysical surveys
Disclosed are methods and systems for controlling spread and/or depth in a geophysical survey. An embodiment discloses a method for geophysical surveying, comprising: towing two streamers laterally spaced apart through a body of water at a depth of at least about 25 meters, each of the streamers comprising geophysical sensors disposed thereon at spaced apart locations; maintaining lateral separation of at least about 150 meters between the two streamers using at least two submersible deflectors, the two submersible deflectors being individually coupled to one of the two streamers; and detecting signals using the two geophysical sensors while the two streamers are towed at the depth of at least about 25 meters. |
| US08976619B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus includes a phase detecting unit that continuously detects a first delay amount during a read operation, based on a phase difference between an external clock signal and an internal clock signal; a generating unit that generates a second control signal by delaying a first control signal by a second delay amount that when added to the first delay amount, the sum is a specific time period, a valid time period of the first control signal starts when the read operation starts and is at least to equal a read time for one data signal and less than the specific time period that is from the start of the read operation until output of a received data signal; and a delay control unit that delays the data signal by the first delay amount detected at a start of a valid time period of the generated second control signal. |
| US08976618B1 |
Decoded 2N-bit bitcells in memory for storing decoded bits, and related systems and methods
Decoded 2n-bit bitcells in memory for storing decoded bits, and related systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a decoded 2n-bit bitcell containing 2n state nodes is provided. Each state node includes storage node to store decoded bit. Storage node provides bit to read bitline, coupled to decoded word output. Each state node includes active decoded bit input coupled to storage node that receives decoded bit from decoded word to store in storage node in response to write wordline. State node comprised of 2n−1 passive decoded bit inputs, each coupled to one of 2n−1 remaining storage nodes. 2n−1 passive decoded bit inputs receive 2n−1 decoded bits not received by active decoded bit input. State node includes logic that receives 2n−1 decoded bits. Logic retains decoded bit, provides it to passive decoded bit output. Passive decoded word output is coupled to storage node to store decoded bit in storage node. |
| US08976617B2 |
Semiconductor device having plural selection lines selected based on address signal
Disclosed herein is a device that includes: a set of address terminals supplied with a set of address signals, each of the address signals being changed in logic level; memory mats to which address ranges are allocated, respectively, the address ranges being different from each other, each of the memory mats including memory cells; and decoder units each provided correspondingly to corresponding memory mat. Each of the decoder units includes a set of first input nodes and a set of second input nodes, the set of first input nodes of each of the decoder units being coupled to the set of address terminals to receive the set of address signals, the set of second input nodes of each of the decoder units being coupled to receive an associated one of sets of control signals, each of the control signals being fixed in logic level. |
| US08976616B2 |
Multi-time programmable memory
Methods and systems that extend the capability of fuse elements, anti-fuse elements, and combinations thereof to enable multi-time programmable memory elements are provided. Accordingly, significantly reduced area requirements and control circuitry complexity of memory elements is enabled. The provided methods and systems can be used in non-volatile memory storage, and are suitable for use in system on chip (SoC) products. |
| US08976613B2 |
Differential current sensing scheme for magnetic random access memory
A circuit for a differential current sensing scheme includes first and second cell segments, first and second reference cells, and first and second current sense amplifiers. The first and second reference cells are configured to store opposite logic values. The first and second current sense amplifiers are each configured with a first node and a second node for currents therethrough to be compared with each other. A cell of the first cell segment and a cell of the second cell segment are coupled to the first nodes of the first and second current sense amplifiers, respectively, and the first and second reference cells are coupled to both the second nodes of the first and second current sense amplifiers. |
| US08976612B2 |
Sense amplifier circuit and semiconductor device
A single-ended sense amplifier circuit of the invention comprises first and second MOS transistors and first and second precharge circuits. The first MOS transistor drives the bit line to a predetermined voltage and switches connection between the bit line and a sense node and the second MOS transistor whose gate is connected to the sense node amplifies the signal via the first MOS transistor. The first precharge circuit precharges the bit line to a first potential and the second precharge circuit precharges the sense node to a second potential. Before sensing operation, the bit line is driven to the predetermined voltage when the above gate voltage is controlled to decrease. The predetermined voltage is appropriately set so that a required voltage difference at the sense node between high and low levels can be obtained near a changing point between charge transfer/distributing modes. |
| US08976611B2 |
Asymmetric sensing amplifier, memory device and designing method
A sensing amplifier for a memory device includes first and second nodes, an input device and an output device. The memory device includes first and second bit lines, and at least one memory cell coupled to the bit lines. The first and second nodes are coupled to the first and second bit lines, respectively. The input device is coupled to the first and second nodes and generates a first current pulling the first node toward a predetermined voltage in response to a first datum read out from the memory cell, and to generate a second current pulling the second node toward the predetermined voltage in response to a second datum read out from the memory cell. The output device is coupled to the first node to output the first or second datum read out from the memory cell. The first current is greater than the second current. |
| US08976608B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device that detects an operation error of an SRAM caused by a device variation fluctuating with time is provided. In the SRAM, a memory cell has a transfer MOS transistor whose gate is connected to a word line. At the time of a write test of the memory cell, a control circuit including a test/normal operation selection circuit and a word line driver circuit applies a third voltage to the word line in a preparation period before writing test data, thereafter a first voltage to the word line, and a second voltage to the word line at the end of writing. Due to this, the threshold voltage of the transfer MOS transistor, which fluctuates with time, can be controlled. Therefore, it is possible to enhance detection efficiency for a malfunctioning cell of the SRAM due to a temporal variation. |
| US08976607B2 |
High-speed memory write driver circuit with voltage level shifting features
Various aspects of a fast, energy efficient write driver capable of efficient operation in a dual-voltage domain memory architecture are provided herein. Specifically, various aspects of the write driver described herein combine a high speed driver with voltage level shifting capabilities that may be implemented efficiently in reducing use of silicon area while using lower power. The write driver circuit shifts or adjusts voltage levels between a first voltage domain to a second voltage domain. In one example, the write driver circuit is coupled to a global write bitline and a local write bitline that is coupled to one or more bitcells (of SRAM memory). The write driver circuit converts a first voltage level at the global write bitline to a second voltage level at the local write bitline during a write operation. |
| US08976606B2 |
Voltage generating circuit and semiconductor device including the voltage generating circuit
A voltage generating circuit includes first and second step-up circuits, each having first and second input terminals and an output terminal and configured to increase a voltage level of an input signal supplied through the first input terminal and output the signal with the increased voltage level through the output terminal. The second input terminal of the first step-up circuit is connected to the output terminal of the second step-up circuit and the second input terminal of the second step-up circuit is connected to the output terminal of the first step-up circuit. The voltage generating circuit may also include third and fourth step-up circuits and fifth and sixth step-up circuits having similar configurations. |
| US08976601B2 |
Semiconductor memory apparatus
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a boundary circuit unit positioned between a low voltage page buffer and a high voltage page buffer and having circuits configured to electrically couple the low voltage page buffer and the high voltage page buffer. The boundary circuit unit includes: a first boundary circuit unit having first and second transistors configured to receive data of a corresponding memory cell area through a signal transmission line selected from a plurality of signal transmission lines extended and arranged along a first direction for each column; a second boundary circuit unit disposed adjacent in the first direction from the first boundary circuit unit and having the plurality of signal transmission lines extended and arranged thereon; and an active region where the first transistor is formed and an active region where the second transistor is formed are isolated from each other. |
| US08976599B2 |
Method of programming nonvolatile memory device
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device comprises programming target memory cells among a plurality of memory cells connected to a wordline, performing a first sensing operation on the plurality of memory cells, and selectively performing a second sensing operation on the target memory cells based on a result of the first sensing operation. |
| US08976596B1 |
Controller
According to one embodiment, CONTROLLER includes a phase comparator that receives a data strobe signal outputted from a memory in response to a read enable signal, and a delayed data strobe signal formed by applying a delay to the data strobe signal, and outputs a result of comparison between phases of two signals. The controller also includes a Duty control unit that corrects a Duty of the read enable signal outputted to the memory based upon the comparison result of the phase comparator. |
| US08976592B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device with flag cells and user device including the same
A nonvolatile memory device includes a flag cell configured to store flag information, a plurality of dummy cells adjacent to the flag cell, and program control logic configured to control a program operation on the flag cell and a dummy program operation on the plurality of dummy cells. When the program operation on the flag cell is performed, the program control logic performs the dummy program operation on at least one of the plurality of dummy cells. |
| US08976591B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and memory system including the same
According to example embodiments, a nonvolatile memory device includes a first and a second NAND string. The first NAND string includes a first string selection transistor, a first local ground and a first global ground selection transistor, and first memory cells stacked in a direction perpendicular to a substrate. The second NAND string includes a second string selection transistor, a second local ground and a second global ground selection transistor, and second memory cells stacked in the direction perpendicular to the substrate. The device includes a selection line driver including path transistors configured to select and provide at least one operation voltage to the first and second string selection transistors, the first and second local and global ground selection transistors. The first and second string selection transistors are electrically isolated from each other, and the first and second global ground selection transistors are electrically connected. |
| US08976590B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory block as a code storage memory area which has a large memory capacity and in which the number of bits to be written at once is large, and a memory block as a work memory area which has a small memory capacity and in which the number of bits to be written at once is small, in which in writing to the code storage memory area a first voltage is supplied to a source line of this memory block, and in writing to the work memory area a second voltage higher than the first voltage is supplied to a source line of this memory block. |
| US08976587B2 |
Data storage system having multi-bit memory device and operating method thereof
The operating method of a data storage device includes storing data in a buffer memory according to an external request, and determining whether the data stored in the buffer memory is data accompanying a buffer program operation of a memory cell array. When the data stored in the buffer memory is data accompanying the buffer program operation, the method further includes determining whether a main program operation on the memory cell array is required, and when a main program operation on the memory cell array is required, determining a program pattern of the main program operation on the memory cell array. The method further includes issuing a set of commands for the main program operation on the memory cell array to a multi-bit memory device based on the determined program pattern. |
| US08976586B2 |
Semiconductor memory device for pseudo-random number generation
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, a random number generation circuit configured to generate a random number, and a controller configured to control the memory cell array and the random number generation circuit. The random number generation circuit includes a random number control circuit configured to generate a random number parameter based on data which is read out from the memory cell by a generated control parameter, and a pseudo-random number generation circuit configured to generate the random number by using the random number parameter as a seed value. |
| US08976585B2 |
Memory module for simultaneously providing at least one secure and at least one insecure memory area
A memory module has at least one secure and at least one insecure memory area, separate write/read electronic units for each of the memory areas and at least one shared analog circuit part such as a voltage supply circuit for supplying the write/read electronic units and/or the memory areas. |
| US08976582B2 |
Analog sensing of memory cells in a solid-state memory device
A memory device that includes a sample and hold circuit coupled to a bit line. The sample and hold circuit stores a target threshold voltage for a selected memory cell. The memory cell is programmed and then verified with a ramped read voltage. The read voltage that turns on the memory cell is stored in the sample and hold circuit. The target threshold voltage is compared with the read voltage by a comparator circuit. When the read voltage is at least substantially equal to (i.e., is substantially equal to and/or starts to exceed) the target threshold voltage, the comparator circuit generates an inhibit signal. |
| US08976580B2 |
Memory system and related method of operation
A memory system comprises a nonvolatile memory and a phase change memory. The memory system can be operated by reading operation information of the nonvolatile memory from the phase change memory, adjusting voltage parameters of the nonvolatile memory based on the read operation information, and performing an operation of the nonvolatile memory based on the adjusted voltage parameters. |
| US08976576B2 |
Static random access memory structures
A static random access memory structure is provided. The static random access memory structure includes a storage region having a first storage node and a second storage node which is complementary to the first storage node. The static random access memory structure also includes a reading region having a first reading transfer gate and a second reading transfer gate, and a reading word line electrically connecting with the gate of the first reading transfer gate and the gate of the second reading transfer gate. Further, the static random access memory structure includes a writing region independent of the reading region having a first writing transfer gate and a second writing transfer gate and a writing word line electrically connecting with the gate of the first writing transfer gate and the gate of the second transfer gate. |
| US08976573B2 |
Apparatus for SRAM cells
A memory cell comprises a first word line in a first interconnect layer, a first VSS line, a first bit line, a power source line, a second bit line and a second VSS line formed a second interconnect layer, a second word line in a third interconnect layer. The memory cell further comprises a word line strap structure formed between the power source line and the second bit line, wherein the word line strap structure couples the first word line and the second word line. |
| US08976570B2 |
Method, system, and device for phase change memory switch wall cell with approximately horizontal electrode contact
Embodiments disclosed herein may include depositing a storage component material over and/or in a trench in a dielectric material, including depositing the storage component material on approximately vertical walls of the trench and a bottom of the trench. Embodiments may also include etching the storage component material so that at least a portion of the storage component material remains on the approximately vertical walls and the bottom of the trench, wherein the trench is contacting an electrode and a selector such that storage component material on the bottom of the trench contacts the electrode. |
| US08976568B1 |
Circuits and methods for programming variable impedance elements
A memory device can include a plurality of memory cells each comprising at least one programmable impedance memory element; a programming circuit coupled to the memory elements and configured to apply at least one time varying pulse to memory elements to place them into one of at least two different impedance states; and a programming voltage source coupled to the programming circuit configured to generate the at least one time varying pulse; wherein the time varying pulse decreases and increases in potential while having an overall increase in one voltage polarity. |
| US08976566B2 |
Electronic devices, memory devices and memory arrays
Some embodiments include electronic devices having two capacitors connected in series. The two capacitors share a common electrode. One of the capacitors includes a region of a semiconductor substrate and a dielectric between such region and the common electrode. The other of the capacitors includes a second electrode and ion conductive material between the second electrode and the common electrode. At least one of the first and second electrodes has an electrochemically active surface directly against the ion conductive material. Some embodiments include memory cells having two capacitors connected in series, and some embodiments include memory arrays containing such memory cells. |
| US08976563B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
In a memory device having a hierarchical bit line architecture, a main memory array is divided into two sub-memory arrays. The number of sub bit lines is twice the number of main bit lines, and global data lines are formed in the same metal interconnect layer as the main bit lines, thereby reducing an increase in the number of interconnects used in a memory macro. Furthermore, after charge sharing of the bit lines, the global data lines are kept in a pre-charge state at the time of amplification using sense amplifiers so that the global data lines function as shields of the main bit lines. This largely reduces interference noise between adjacent main bit lines to improve operating characteristics. |
| US08976559B2 |
Control methods and power controllers with load compensation adapted for a power supply
Disclosure includes control methods and power controllers with load compensation adapted for a power supply powering a load. A disclosed power controller comprises a converter and a control circuit. The converter converts the load signal at a first node to output a load-compensation signal at a second node. The load signal corresponds to an output power provided from the power supply to the load, and the converter includes a low-pass filter coupled between the first and second nodes. The control circuit is coupled to an inductive device via a feedback node, for controlling the output power to make a cross voltage of the inductive device approach a target voltage, based on a feedback voltage at the feedback node. The higher the load-compensation signal the higher the target voltage. |
| US08976556B2 |
Space vector modulation for multilevel inverters
Inverter is modulated based on first, second, and third switching states determined according to a reference vector represented as a sum of a remainder vector connecting the reference vector with a first vertex of a modulation triangle and a set of vertex vectors connecting a center vertex of space vector diagram with the first vertex. A first switching state of the inverter at the first vertex is determined based on angles of vertex vectors in the set. A second switching state of the inverter at a second vertex of the modulation triangle and a third switching state of the inverter at a third vertex of the modulation triangle are determined based on the first switching state and the remainder vector. |
| US08976553B2 |
Power conversion device
A power conversion device according to an aspect of an embodiment includes a power conversion unit and a control unit. The power conversion unit includes N (N is an integer number not less than two) power converters that output voltages on the basis of base signals having the same period and phase differences equivalent to ½N of the period of the base signal. The control unit controls the N power converters by using ½ of the period of the base signal as a control period and shifts each of control timings of the N power converters by the ½N of the period of the base signal. |
| US08976548B2 |
Method and apparatus for AC-to-DC power conversion
In one aspect, the present invention reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by a capacitive dropper power supply by synchronizing the openings and closings of a shunt switched used for regulation control of the DC output voltage generated by the power supply, to zero crossings of AC current from the current-limiting resistor disposed in series at the AC input of the power supply. In one or more other embodiments, the capacitive dropper power supply includes disconnect circuitry that senses a loss of the input AC voltage source and in response wholly or partly disconnects internal regulation control circuitry from the supply's output filter capacitor to reduce the current drawn from the filter capacitor, thereby reducing the decay rate of the DC output voltage from the filter capacitor. The contemplated power supply may also be implemented in a Bipolar, BiCMOS or CMOS process, for realization in a compact integrated circuit device. |
| US08976547B2 |
Switching mode power supply with synchronous rectifying control circuit
A switching mode power supply comprising a synchronous rectifying control circuit. The synchronous rectifying control circuit comprising an integrating circuit, a first comparison circuit and a logic circuit. The integrating circuit is configured to provide an integrating signal. The first comparison circuit comprises a first input coupled to the output of the integrating signal, a second input configured to receive a first threshold signal, and an output. The logic circuit comprises a first input coupled to the output of the first comparison circuit and an output coupled to a control terminal of the secondary switch, and the secondary switch is configured to be turned OFF when the integrating signal is less then the first threshold signal. |
| US08976544B2 |
Resonant circuit inverter with controllable operating point
A resonant circuit inverter with a rectifier, a DC link circuit and an inverter including controllable switches. The resonant circuit inverter has a first control means, with which the operating point (Ap) of the resonant circuit inverter determined by a phase angle between an output current (Iist) and a voltage (Uist) at the output of the resonant circuit inverter is controlled. The first control means determines frequency of the output current (Iist). The resonant circuit inverter has a phase detector for determining an actual phase angle as a function of a zero crossing of the output current (Iist). The resonant circuit inverter has means for detecting a zero crossing of the output current (Iist). For determining the actual phase angle, the difference (Ti−Tt) is determined from measured time (Ti) and a known dead time (Tt). |
| US08976538B2 |
Printed circuit board and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board, including a base substrate; and a circuit pattern formed on the base substrate and including a first metal layer having an inclined surface on both upper sides thereof and a second metal layer formed on the inclined part. |
| US08976537B2 |
Semiconductor device
A spring washer sandwiched between flat washers is interposed between a land on one surface of a printed circuit board of a control board part and an attachment plate, and a screw is inserted from the other surface of the printed circuit board through a substrate through hole extending through the printed circuit board, one of the flat washers, the spring washer, and the other flat washer and is screwed into a screw hole formed in the attachment plate, thereby fixing the attachment plate to the printed circuit board. |
| US08976534B2 |
Arrangement for connecting electrical conductors to terminal connections of interconnected cells
In order that even the cell connectors (17) of, for instance, a traction rechargeable battery (11) which carry very high currents can be connected to a battery management system (21) in a fault-resistant and functionally reliable manner, firstly a circuit board (24) in the form of a leadframe (25) encapsulated with plastic by injection molding is latched onto the housing (13) mechanically grouping the cells (12), said circuit board in any case not projecting higher than the adjacent end faces (15) of the cell terminal connections (14) projecting at a clear radial distance therefrom. When a cell connector (17) is placed onto the terminal connections (14), it descends with a nozzle (32) extending in a manner curved away therefrom into the plane of the leadframe (25) parallel to the cell connector (17), and in the process becomes wedged between at least two clamping lugs (35) facing one another, whereby an extremely reliable mechanical and electrical connection of the cell connector (17) to the wiring circuit board (24) is produced. |
| US08976533B2 |
Storage device and method for producing the same
A storage device including a circuit board, an electronic device package and a terminal module is provided. The circuit board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a plurality of via-holes connecting the first surface and the second surface, a plurality of first pads on the first surface, and a plurality of first pads on the second surface. The electronic device package is disposed on the first surface. The terminal module disposed on the first surface has a plurality of first and second contact parts, and each of the first contact parts passes through the corresponding via-hole and is protruded out of the second surface, and each of the second contact parts is electrically connected to the corresponding first pad. An orthogonal projection area of the electronic device package on the first surface is smaller than an area of the first surface. |
| US08976530B2 |
Data storage apparatus
Data storage apparatus comprising a main housing containing an electric power supply, a panel supporting a plurality of electric connectors for connecting the power supply to other component parts of the apparatus and a plurality of units. Each of the units comprises a plurality of data storage elements and is mounted to slide from within the main housing to provide access to its data storage elements.The apparatus also comprises a plurality of cable modules each comprising a cable having a first connector at a first end connected to one of the units and a second connector at a second end connected to an electric connector on the panel. The cable modules also include a moveable rigid structure providing a barrier preventing manual access to the panel. The second connector is attached to the rigid structure such that movement of the rigid structure causes the second connector to be disconnected. |
| US08976525B2 |
Systems and methods for dissipating heat in an enclosure
An enclosure is presented. The enclosure includes an outer casing having one or more walls. Further, the enclosure includes a synthetic jet assembly configured to dissipate heat from the one or more walls, where the synthetic jet assembly includes a bracket operatively coupled to the one or more walls of the outer casing and two or more synthetic jets operatively coupled to the bracket, where the two or more synthetic jets are arranged in a multi-dimensional array. |
| US08976521B2 |
Surface contact card holder for electronic device
A surface contact card holder includes a housing and a tray assembly. The housing includes a receiving frame and defining a receiving hole. The tray assembly includes a tray and a cover. The tray is slidable and receivable in the receiving frame from the receiving hole, the tray is configured for carrying a surface contact card therein. The cover is pivotally attached to the tray and covering the receiving hole. The cover includes a first end and a second end. When the first end of the cover is pressed to pivot the cover, the second end of the cover moves out of the receiving hole, the tray is slid out of the receiving frame to allow insertion and removal of the surface contact card from the housing. |
| US08976519B2 |
Portable computer
A portable computer includes a base, a display module, a support element and a sliding assembly. The base defines a first area and a second area between a front end and a rear end thereof, The display module includes a connecting end having a connecting element. Two ends of the support element are pivoted respectively to the rear end of the base and the display module. The sliding assembly includes a slide guiding structure disposed in the second area and a sliding element moving along the slide guiding structure. The sliding element includes an engaging portion for detachably engaging with the connecting element. When the connecting end of the display module moves from the second area to the first area with the sliding element, the connecting end is moved to stride across the first area by detaching the connecting element from the engaging portion. |
| US08976518B2 |
Electronic apparatus
There is provided an electronic apparatus which includes a rectangular apparatus body including a display unit, and a battery pack including a battery cell incorporated therein and including a rounded outer shape, wherein the battery pack is mounted on one side of the apparatus body in an arrangement in which the display unit and the battery cell do not overlap with each other. |
| US08976515B2 |
System and method for an optimizable rack solution
In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method for an optimizable rack solution is presented. The system and method is directed to an optimizable rack that includes a frame. The frame has both a primary portion and a detachable portion. The primary portion may contain a primary enclosure and the detachable portion may container a secondary enclosure. Each of the primary enclosure and secondary enclosure are sized to hold a plurality of computing systems. Detaching the detachable portion of the frame both reduces the size and computing systems capacity of the frame. |
| US08976514B2 |
Computer host and control method of its housing
A computer host with a housing includes a movable portion, an actuator module, a detection module and a process module. The movable portion constitutes a first portion of the housing. The actuator module actuates the movable portion to execute an operation. The detection module detects an output value of the actuator module, and outputs a detection signal when the output value is varied. The processing module sends a reverse actuation signal to the actuator module according to the detection signal so that the actuator module reversely actuates the movable portion. |
| US08976513B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a robust computer processing unit
The present invention features a robust customizable computing system comprising: a processing control unit; an external object; and means for operably connecting the processing control unit to the external object, the processing control unit introducing intelligence into the external object, thus causing the external object to perform smart functions. The processing control unit preferably comprises: (a) an encasement module comprising a main support chassis having a plurality of wall supports and a plurality of junction centers containing means for supporting a computer component therein, a dynamic back plane that provides support for connecting peripheral and other computing components directly to a system bus without requiring an interface, means for enclosing the main support chassis and providing access to an interior portion of the encasement module; (b) one or more computer processing components disposed within the junction centers of the encasement module; and (c) means for cooling the interior portion of the encasement module. |
| US08976512B2 |
Protective enclosure for electronic device
A protective cover for an electronic device that has an interactive control panel and one or more electrical contacts includes a protective shell having first member and a second member. The second member is configured to join with the first case member to at least partially cover the electronic device. An aperture defined by the protective shell is aligned with the interactive control panel when the electronic device is at least partially enclosed by the protective shell. A securing mechanism secures the first member with the second member. An electrical connection attached to the protective shell is configured to connect an electrical source to at least one of the electrical contacts of the electronic device to provide an electrical connection to the electrical source when the electronic device is received by the first member. |
| US08976509B2 |
Aluminum material
An aluminum material, a dielectric layer and an interposing layer formed in at least one part of a region of the surface of the aluminum material between the aluminum material and the dielectric layer and includes aluminum and carbon, wherein the dielectric layer includes dielectric particles including a valve metal, and an organic substance layer formed on at least one part of a surface of the dielectric particle. |
| US08976507B2 |
Method to increase the capacitance of electrochemical carbon nanotube capacitors by conformal deposition of nanoparticles
A method of increasing the area of carbon nanotubes used in fabricating capacitors is described. The method involves reacting carbon nanotubes with electrically conductive ions, molecules or nanoparticles that increase the surface area of the nanotubes. The capacitance and the energy stored in the capacitor can be increased by such treatment. Devices constructed from such treated materials and their properties are described. |
| US08976503B2 |
Voltage monitoring for fireset
An improved fireset for detonating an explosive includes a voltage monitor arranged to measure a voltage across a quickly dischargeable energy storage device (QDESD), such as a capacitor, and to perform a detonation sequence based at least in part on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The fireset employs feedback from the voltage monitor to promote accurate charging of the QDESD and accurate maintenance of charge during an armed state. The voltage monitor also promotes safety by allowing the fireset to indicate when the QDESD is discharged to a safe level, i.e., one which is assured not to result in detonation. |
| US08976499B2 |
E-fuse system for supplying current to a load along more than one path
An electronic fuse system includes plural current paths, each operable to be coupled between a power source and a load, and each including a switching element and a current sensing resistor in series with the path such that the path passes current when the switching element is turned on and does not pass current when the switching element is turned off. A controller has two sense inputs and a control output. The control output is coupled to the switching elements in each of the plural current paths and is operable to turn them all on or off simultaneously responsive at least in part to the sense inputs. A summing resistor is connected across the two sense inputs, and coupling circuitry is operable to couple voltages appearing across the current sensing resistors to the summing resistor. |
| US08976498B2 |
Field device for determining and/or monitoring a physical or chemical process variable
A field device for determining and/or monitoring a physical or chemical, process variable in automation technology. The field device comprises: at least one microcontroller; a supply unit of limited capacity as primary voltage supply; and a detection circuit, which signals the microcontroller of a failure of the supply unit so early by means of a detection signal that sufficient time is available to take suitable safety measures, in order to avoid loss of data. The detection circuit is so embodied that a reference voltage required for detection of a voltage decline of the supply unit has an almost constant offset from the supply voltage of the supply unit and adjusts to the supply voltage, until the detection circuit, in the case of an abrupt subceeding of the reference voltage, or an abrupt voltage decline of the supply voltage, sends a detection signal to the microcontroller. |
| US08976493B1 |
Magnetic read sensor with novel pinned layer and side shield design for improved data track resolution and magnetic pinning robustness
A magnetic sensor having improved pinned layer robustness for improved reliability and having improved side shielding for improved track resolution at very high data densities. The sensor has a pinned layer structure with laterally extending wing portions that become thicker with increasing distance from the air bearing surface and has a side shield structure has a thickness that decreases with increasing distance from the air bearing surface. |
| US08976490B2 |
Magnetic recording head and disk drive provided therewith
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main pole configured to apply a recording magnetic field to a recording layer of a recording medium, a trailing shield opposed to the main pole with a write gap therebetween, and a high-frequency oscillator between the main pole and the trailing shield in a range of a width of the main pole in a track width direction, and configured to generate a high-frequency magnetic field. The high-frequency oscillator includes a spin injection layer, an intermediate layer, and an oscillation layer, and at least the oscillation layer comprises divided oscillation regions. |
| US08976486B2 |
Rotating device with hub and yoke having radial extension portion
A rotating device is provided with: a hub that is rotatably supported by the base and on which a recording disk is to be mounted; a yoke that is fixedly provided on the hub and is configured to hold a magnet; a bearing unit in which one end thereof is fixedly provided on the base and in which the other end thereof is configured to hold the hub; and a coil that is fixedly provided on the base and is configured to generate electromagnetic interaction with the magnet. The hub has a screw hole in which a screw for fixing a clamper, which is used to fix the recording disk to the hub, to the hub is screwed. The screw hole penetrates the hub. The yoke is configured such that the yoke covers one end of the screw hole. |
| US08976484B1 |
Magnetic recording with tilted media in the cross track direction
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a shingled magnetic recording system having a magnetic recording medium that has a magnetization easy axis in the recording layer of the medium that is oriented in from the bottom surface to the top surface of the recording layer. Additionally, a magnetization easy axis in the recording layer of the medium is inclined with respect to the recording track width direction. |
| US08976479B2 |
Writing data to tape storage medium
A method for writing data to a tape storage medium includes: writing first user data to a first physical region (11) of the tape storage medium (1) in a first write mode, writing second user data to a second physical region (12) of the tape storage medium (1) in a second write mode, wherein the second write mode differs from the first write mode. An apparatus for writing data to a tape storage medium, a tape storage medium, a tape cartridge are also provided. |
| US08976478B1 |
Band rewrites based on error scan counts
Systems and methods are disclosed for performing band rewrites on shingled storage media based on error scan counts. In one embodiment, a device may comprise a data storage medium including a first band and a processor. The first band may include a plurality of tracks storing data in a shingled manner where a first track at least partially overlaps a second track. The processor may be configured to receive a write command directed to the first band, increment a first rewrite count of the first band based on the write command, and when the first rewrite count exceeds a first rewrite threshold, perform a read-modify-write (RMW) operation for all of the first band. In some embodiments, a device may maintain write counts for sections of a band, and perform RMW operations on less than all of the band. |
| US08976476B1 |
Storage device with read channel circuitry configured to provide continuity protection for subsector stitching
A hard disk drive or other storage device comprises a storage medium, a read/write head, and read channel circuitry coupled to the read/write head. The read channel circuitry comprises a despreader configured to generate a stitched logic sector by stitching together subsectors of that logic sector that were interleaved with subsectors of other logic sectors for storage on the storage medium, and a subsector bridging control module configured to control a number of bridging bits inserted by the despreader between a given pair of adjacent subsectors of the stitched logic sector. The subsector bridging control module may be illustratively configured to cause the despreader to insert a sufficient number of bridging bits between each pair of adjacent subsectors of the stitched logic sector so as to prevent discontinuities that might otherwise arise from use of X-averaging in generation of Y samples from X samples in a retry mode of operation. |
| US08976463B1 |
Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned in an order from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements to allow the thickness of the second lens element and the sum of all air gaps between all five lens elements along the optical axis satisfying the relation: 0.20 |
| US08976462B2 |
Image pickup optical system and image pickup apparatus using the same
An image pickup optical system made of five lenses, includes in order from an object side, an aperture stop, a first lens L1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens L2 having a negative refracting power, a third lens L3 having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens L4 having a positive refracting power, and a fifth lens L5 having a negative refracting power. Moreover, an image pickup apparatus includes this image pickup optical system. |
| US08976461B2 |
Lens barrel and imaging device
The lens barrel includes a first frame, a second frame configured to be rotatably supported by the first frame, a drive actuator that is disposed on the inside of the second frame, and a transmission mechanism disposed on the inside of the second frame and configured to transmit the drive force of the drive actuator to the second frame. The imaging device includes the above-mentioned lens barrel and an imaging element that converts an optical image formed by this lens barrel into image data. |
| US08976454B2 |
Variable-magnification projection optical system and projection display device
A variable-magnification projection optical system substantially consists of a negative first lens group that is disposed at the most enlargement-side position and is fixed during magnification change, a positive last lens group that is disposed at the most reduction-side position and is fixed during magnification change, and a plurality of lens groups that are disposed between the first lens group and last lens group and are moved during magnification change. The lens groups that are moved during magnification change substantially consist of three lens groups, wherein the most enlargement-side lens group is a negative lens group. Predetermined conditional expressions relating to a back focus of the entire system on the reduction side at the wide-angle end, a focal length of the entire system at the wide-angle end, a focal length of the last lens group, and a focal length of the first lens group are satisfied. |
| US08976444B2 |
Color display devices
The present invention is directed to a color display comprising an electrophoretic fluid comprising two types of pigment particles of contrasting colors and carrying opposite charge polarities dispersed in a clear and colorless solvent, wherein said electrophoretic fluid is sandwiched between a common electrode and a plurality of colored sub-pixel electrodes or colored pixel electrodes. |
| US08976442B2 |
Electro-wetting display devices
Electro-wetting display devices are disclosed. The electro-wetting display may include an upper structure and a lower structure opposite to each other, a hydrophobic insulating layer covering a bottom surface of the upper structure, hydrophilic partitions disposed between the hydrophobic insulating layer and the lower structure to define pixel regions, and a colorless conductive fluid and a colored non-conductive fluid filling each of the pixel regions. A specific gravity of the colored non-conductive fluid may be smaller than a specific gravity of the colorless conductive fluid. |
| US08976433B2 |
Apparatus and method for irradiating a scattering medium
An apparatus includes a low-coherent light source configured to emit an electromagnetic wave; a spatial light modulator configured to modulate a wavefront of the electromagnetic wave; an interferometer including a movable mirror to set a depth of a medium to be irradiated by the electromagnetic wave and a beam splitter configured to the electromagnetic wave into a reference beam and an object beam; a detector to detect information about an interference pattern formed by the object beam coming from the medium via the beam splitter and the reference beam reflected by the movable mirror; and a controller configured to control the spatial light modulator, based on the information, to form a modulated wavefront for irradiating the medium. |
| US08976432B2 |
Hologram-including medium, hologram-including medium producing apparatus, and information authentication method
A hologram-including medium is disclosed, which is an integrated medium on which at least two items of identification information are recorded, wherein one of the two items of identification information is holographic identification information which can be observed within a predetermined angle range when illuminated from a predetermined angle. |
| US08976429B2 |
Image reading device, image reading system, and method for scanning in logged-out state
A image reading device comprises a reading part for reading a document, a storage part including shared space, and an operation part for accepting input of identification information when the device is in a logged-out state, entering a logged-in state when a user is successfully certified, accepting settings input and function execution input when the logged-in state is in effect, and entering the logged-out state when predetermined conditions are met, the operation part including a scanning START key for accepting instructions to perform scanning using the reading part. When the scanning START key is pressed while the device is in the logged-out state, the reading part reads a document and forms image data, and the storage part stores the image data formed by logged-out scanning in the shared space. |
| US08976427B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the same
An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a document feeder to feed an original document, a time delay integration image sensor to scan the original document and read image data, and a controller to activate a time delay integration function of the time delay integration image sensor when a direction for feed of the original document corresponds to a sub-scanning direction of the time delay integration image sensor, and to deactivate the time delay integration function of the time delay integration image sensor when the direction for feed of the original document does not correspond to the sub-scanning direction of the time delay integration image sensor, during reading of the original document. |
| US08976424B1 |
Computing devices using equipped liquid crystal display (LCD) for scanning
A computing device is equipped with a liquid crystal display (LCD) device primarily for display purpose. Techniques are described to modify such an LCD device to have the scanning capability. Without affecting the display functions of an LCD device, an image sensing module is provided behind an LCD unit in the LCD device. By controlling the liquid crystals in the LCD unit, the reflected light from an object placed against the LCD device being imaged is allowed to pass through the liquid crystals and onto an array of photosensors in the image sensing module to generate an image of the object. Thus many LCD devices can readily provide scanning functions. |
| US08976420B2 |
Method and device for processing value documents
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for processing value documents. A value document is input to the input opening of an apparatus for value-document processing and transported using a transport system of the apparatus to an image sensor which senses a partial image of the value document. A contour of the front partial area is ascertained from the sensed partial image and checked. If the check of the contour of the front partial area yields a fault, the value document is rejected. Faulty or faultily transported value documents can thus be recognized and transported back to the input opening at a very early time. |
| US08976414B2 |
Image processing method, image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same, image reading apparatus, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes: a line noise detection section for detecting line noise pixels included in input image data; a segmentation process section for determining a pixel in a text region; and a line noise removal process section for (i) determining a replacement-target line noise pixel by excepting, from the line noise pixels, the pixel in the text region and a pixel within a first distance from the pixel in the text region and (ii) replacing the replacement-target line noise pixel with another pixel other than the line noise pixels, which another pixel is included in the input image data. |
| US08976404B2 |
Printing apparatus for storing and loading setting values when transitioning power saving states
A printing apparatus having a printing engine, a first control unit, and a second control unit, in which a normal operation is performed by at least the printing engine and the first control unit, a first power saving operation is performed by at least the first control unit while the printing engine is stopped, and a second power saving operation is performed by only the second control unit, the printing apparatus including: a first storage unit of the first control unit that stores a setting value reflecting a setting change performed while the printing apparatus is operated and an operation value not reflecting the setting change performed while the printing apparatus is operated; a second storage unit of the second control unit that stores the setting value and the operation value. |
| US08976402B2 |
Method of controlling communication system
In a communication system including an image processing apparatus having a VNC server and a Web client, a terminal device having a VNC viewer and a Web client and an information processing apparatus having a Web server, the Web client of the image processing apparatus establishes a first connection with the Web server of the information processing apparatus, and the Web client of the terminal device establishes a second connection with the Web server of the information processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus transmits screen information of an operation panel of the image processing apparatus to the terminal device via the information processing apparatus, and the VNC viewer of the terminal device displays the screen information on a display unit of the terminal device. |
| US08976401B2 |
Image forming apparatus that displays a preview of a display image showing a state where an image is formed on a sheet of paper
In an image forming apparatus provided with an image output portion, paper supply portions, a display image generating portion, a display panel, and an operation unit including an operation unit side control portion having a preview display function, a specified display image generating function and a paper display image generating function are included as the display image generating portion and a specified paper supply portion displaying function and an output state displaying function are included as the operation unit side control portion, for displaying a preview of a situation of a paper supply portion and sheets of paper on the display panel. |
| US08976400B2 |
Method, network device, and systems for requesting, scanning, and receiving a document as an image file via a cloud
A network device including a controller, a transmitter and a receiver. The controller is configured to generate a first request that initiates, via a cloud, scanning of a document via a scanner. The cloud includes a service device, and a document device that is separate from the document device. The transmitter is configured to, prior to the scanner scanning the document, transmit the first request from the network device to the service device. The receiver is configured to, based on the first request received at the service device and subsequent to the scanner scanning the document, receive an image file transmitted from the document device to the network device without prior transmission of the image file from the document device to the service device. The image file includes an image of the document. |
| US08976398B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus activates an installer by a basic printer driver, transmits information of an image forming apparatus to automatically install and activate a printer adaptor module, and automatically prepares a second extension printer driver, thereby achieving original bidirectional communication. |
| US08976397B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method to output in an appropriate sequence
An image forming apparatus includes a print engine configured to perform printing on a recording medium, a job issuing unit configured to issue a print job, two print control units configured to control the print engine in accordance with the issued print job, and a job allocating unit configured to allocate the print job to an appropriate print control unit, among the two print control units. If a last print job that is issued is for a first print control unit, the control of the print engine by the first print control unit in accordance with the last print job allocated to the first print control unit is not completed, and a next print job that is issued is for a second print control unit, the job allocating unit is configured to place on standby the allocation of the next print job to the second print control unit. |
| US08976396B2 |
Print image processing system and non-transitory computer readable medium
A print image processing system includes plural logical page interpretation units, a caching interpretation unit, and a print image data generation unit. The plural logical page interpretation units interpret different logical pages in print data in parallel to obtain interpretation results, and output the interpretation results. The caching interpretation unit interprets an element to be cached which is included in each of logical pages in the print data to obtain interpretation results, and stores the interpretation results in a cache unit. The print image data generation unit generates print image data of the logical pages using the interpretation results of the logical pages output from the logical page interpretation units and the interpretation results of the elements to be cached stored in the cache unit. The print image data generation unit supplies the generated print image data to a printer. |
| US08976393B2 |
Image forming apparatus supporting near field communication function and method of displaying menu in image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus to support a near field communication (NFC) function receives address book information stored in a user terminal by tagging the user terminal, and generates a quick menu in which image forming functions related to the received address book information are listed and displays the quick menu on a user interface unit. |
| US08976392B2 |
Information processing apparatus having hot folders, method of controlling the same, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An information processing apparatus comprises: a unit which holds information of a plurality of hot folders; a unit which holds a condition for ranking the plurality of hot folders; a unit which generates a list of the plurality of hot folders ranked according to information of the plurality of hot folders, the condition, and information of print data input to a first hot folder of the plurality of hot folders, and to present the list; a unit which receives selection of a second hot folder as a movement destination of the print data input to the first hot folder from the plurality of hot folders indicated in the list; and a unit which moves the print data input to the first hot folder to the second hot folder. |
| US08976390B2 |
Image processing apparatus having storage unit that stores setting values, and control method and storage medium therefor
An image processing apparatus having improved user-friendliness in setting the setting values that represent contents of operation to be performed by the image processing apparatus. In a case that a login user has changed at least one setting value during the login, a CPU of the image processing apparatus causes a SRAM to store a setting value before change corresponding to the changed setting value. When the user logs out, the setting value changed by the user during the login is returned to the setting value before change that is stored in the SRAM. |
| US08976389B2 |
Printing apparatus for transmitting information printing method thereof, and storage medium
A printing apparatus receives a transmission request of information to be used by an information processing apparatus to transmit an image to the printing apparatus via an image processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus including the image. The printing apparatus transmits the information to the information processing apparatus if the transmission request is received. Then, the printing apparatus acquires the image that the information processing apparatus transmits using the information and prints the acquired image. |
| US08976386B2 |
Information processing apparatus configured to generate reconfigurable print data, print control program, storage medium, image forming apparatus and printing system
An information processing apparatus includes an intermediate command generating unit configured to convert print setting information to an intermediate command based on first definition data in which a rule for converting from the print setting information to the intermediate command is defined; and a print command generating unit configured to convert the intermediate command to a print command, which is interpretable by an image forming apparatus, based on second definition data in which a rule for converting from the intermediate command to the print command is defined. |
| US08976385B2 |
Print control apparatus, print control method, and recording medium for arranging print elements to be printed over an area of a print medium
A printing apparatus is caused to print an image in which elements included in a document are arranged on a page by a print control method. The document, which includes the elements and information for arranging the elements, is acquired. An element disposed on an edge of the page is detected from among the elements included in the acquired document. The printing apparatus is caused to print an image in which the elements included in the document are arranged on the page and in which the element disposed on the edge of the page is expanded to a predetermined output area. |
| US08976379B2 |
Method and system to automatically convert a file format and image forming apparatus used in the same
A method to automatically convert a format of a file through an image forming apparatus, the method including displaying list of tasks executable by the image forming apparatus and a list of files stored in the image forming apparatus, selecting a task to be executed from the list of tasks and a file from one or more files stored in the image forming apparatus that is an object of the selected task, converting a format of data of the selected file into a bitmap format and converting the bitmap format of the data into a format that is compatible with the selected task, and executing the selected task using the converted file. |
| US08976365B2 |
Interferometric material sensing apparatus including adjustable coupling and associated methods
A material sensing apparatus comprises an excitation source configured to induce waves in a workpiece, and an optical waveguide interferometer configured to sense the induced waves in the workpiece. The optical waveguide interferometer comprises a probe segment having a probe segment end, and an adjustable coupler configured to permit setting a gap between the probe segment end and the workpiece. A controller is coupled to the adjustable coupler and configured to set the gap between the probe segment end and the workpiece. |
| US08976361B2 |
Reflection characteristic measuring apparatus
A measuring apparatus includes an illumination device including a surface light source, a detector configured to detect a light intensity distribution formed on a light-receiving surface by reflected light, and a processor configured to obtain the reflection characteristic based on first data of the light intensity distribution detected by the detector. The processor is configured to estimate, based on the first data, second data of a light intensity distribution formed by specular reflected light and third data of a light intensity distribution formed by diffuse reflected light in a case where a point light source is disposed at each position in a light-emitting region of the surface light source, and to estimate, based on the second data and the third data, a light intensity distribution formed by reflected light from the surface. |
| US08976357B2 |
Optical sensor and electronic apparatus utilizing an angle limiting filter
An optical sensor includes a light receiving element (for example a photodiode) and an angle limiting filter that limits the incidence angle of incidence light with respect to the light receiving area of the light receiving element. When a wavelength of the incidence light is denoted by λ, a height of the angle limiting filter is denoted by R, and a width of an opening of the angle limiting filter is denoted by d, “d2/λR≧2” is satisfied. |
| US08976351B2 |
Spatially-and temporally-resolved multi-parameter interferometric rayleigh scattering system and method
A system that simultaneously measures the translational temperature, bulk velocity, and density in gases by collecting, referencing, and analyzing nanosecond time-scale Rayleigh scattered light from molecules is described. A narrow-band pulsed laser source is used to probe two largely separated measurement locations, one of which is used for reference. The elastically scattered photons containing information from both measurement locations are collected at the same time and analyzed spectrally using a planar Fabry-Perot interferometer. A practical means of referencing the measurement of velocity using the laser frequency, and the density and temperature using the information from the reference measurement location maintained at constant properties is provided. |
| US08976344B2 |
Live optical fiber identifier tool
A live fiber identifier tool includes a head portion having a slot. A cable containing a pair of optical fibers can be inserted in the slot and forced to bend inside the head portion when a trigger is operated. Any light signal in a given fiber partially leaks from the fiber and exits the cable bend. Two photo detectors are located so that one of the detectors receives more light from the cable bend than the other detector depending on the signal direction in the given fiber. Processing components coupled to the detectors and the indicator define a threshold factor that corresponds to a determined difference between the outputs of the detectors. If the difference between the detector outputs does not exceed the threshold factor, an indicator on the tool reports that light signals are traveling in the pair of optical fibers in opposite directions along the cable. |
| US08976343B2 |
Laser crystal degradation compensation
Method and system for laser crystal degradation compensation are disclosed. The method includes: defining a plurality of sites on a frequency converting crystal; determining a degradation rate associated with each of the plurality of sites; determining an amount of time T wherein a site is continuously operable within a tolerated variation of at least one beam parameter, the amount of time T being determined based on the tolerated variation of the at least one beam parameter and the degradation rate; determining an amount of time t wherein t is a fraction of T; and iteratively shifting among the plurality of sites, wherein each of the plurality of sites is utilized continuously for a duration of time t for each iteration. |
| US08976342B2 |
Method for estimating the transverse component of the velocity of the air in a doppler LiDAR measurement
A method for estimating the transverse component Vtrans of the velocity of the air comprises the following steps: emitting a focused laser beam; acquiring an electrical signal resulting from the transit of a particle across the beam at a point of transit; analyzing the signal so as to obtain a spectrogram revealing an elongate mark representative of the transit; estimating the duration of traversal of the laser beam by the particle and the slope of the mark; deducing from the duration and from the slope the distance between the point of traversal of the beam and the focusing point; determining the radius of the beam at the point of transit; deducing the transverse component from the radius and from the duration. |
| US08976341B2 |
Optoelectric control apparatus for satellite laser ranging system
An optoelectric control apparatus for a satellite laser ranging system comprises a communication controller for externally receiving optoelectric control data. Memory is connected to the communication controller and stores a round trip distance to a satellite. A laser generation control unit is connected to the communication controller and outputs a laser fire signal. A signal measurement unit receives a laser start time. A real-time conversion unit is connected to the signal measurement unit and the communication controller, and converts a predicted laser arrival time into real time. A Lagrange interpolation processor is connected to the real-time conversion unit and the memory, and calculates a time at which laser light fired by a laser transmission unit returns back to a laser reception unit (laser arrival time). The clock unit is connected to a time measurement unit, the real-time conversion unit, a register unit, and a delay unit, and outputs time information. |
| US08976340B2 |
Ladar sensor for landing, docking and approach
A system for landing or docking a mobile platform is enabled by a flash LADAR sensor having an adaptive controller with Automatic Gain Control (AGC). Range gating in the LADAR sensor penetrates through diffuse reflectors. The LADAR sensor adapted for landing/approach comprises a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, transmit optics, receive optics, a focal plane array of detectors, a readout integrated circuit, camera support electronics and image processor, an image analysis and bias calculation processor, and a detector array bias control circuit. The system is capable of developing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view. |
| US08976331B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of repairing bad pixels therein
A liquid crystal display device and a method of repairing bad pixels thereof, in which the bad pixels can be efficiently and easily repaired, includes a first insulating substrate, a gate wiring and a storage wiring arranged substantially parallel to each other in a first direction on the first insulating substrate, a data wiring intersecting the gate and storage wirings in an insulated manner and arranged substantially in a second direction, and a pixel electrode formed on a pixel area defined by the gate and data wirings. The storage wiring includes a horizontal portion arranged substantially in the first direction and at least a part of which does not overlap the pixel electrode, and a vertical portion branching off substantially in the second direction from the horizontal portion and overlapping the data wiring. |
| US08976323B2 |
Switching dual layer display with independent layer content and a dynamic mask
A dual layer display system for generating dimensional imagery. The system includes a first display device and a second display device with a light source. The second display device is arranged to be spaced apart from the first display device and to project output light onto a back surface of the first display device. The system alternatively operates the display devices in a first mode in which the first display device is transparent and the second display device displays back layer content and in a second mode in which the first display device displays front layer content and the second display device operates as a backlight to the first display device. In the first mode, the first display device displays a mask for the front layer content such as with gray-to-black pixels mapped to an object in the front layer content to block back layer content at this location. |
| US08976321B2 |
Fluorescent powder mixture, manufacturing method for the same, and corresponding liquid crystal display device
The present invention relates to a fluorescent powder mixture, a manufacturing method for the same, and a corresponding liquid crystal display device. The fluorescent powder mixture is a mixture of a conductive powder and a fluorescent powder, wherein the conductive powder is aluminum zinc oxide, gallium zinc oxide, or indium tin oxide. The fluorescent powder mixture, the manufacturing method for the same, and the corresponding liquid crystal display device of the present invention increase the conductivity of the fluorescent powder, and further weaken the electron enrichment phenomenon on the surface of the fluorescent powder, so as to increase the illumination performance of the fluorescent powder. |
| US08976319B2 |
Display device comprising an ion-generating device and a guiding mechanism that can selectively guide air from a fan
Provided is a display device that includes: a display panel (7) that has a display surface that displays an image; a fan (500); an ion-generating device (520) that can generate ions; and a guiding mechanism (620) that can selectively guiding air from the fan (500) to the display surface and to the rear side of the display surface. The air that is guided to the display surface is guided together with ions that are generated by the ion-generating device (520). |
| US08976318B2 |
System and method for zonal switching for light steering to produce an image having high dynamic range
A method and system for zonal switching for light steering to produce an image having high dynamic range is described. The system comprises: a light source for providing light along an optical path; a spatial light modulator for directing portions of the light to off-state and on-state light paths, thereby producing an image, the spatial light modulator having a plurality of illumination zones corresponding to the image; and a set of sequentially-arranged optical elements in the optical path for steering at least some of the light from a first subset of the plurality of illumination zones to a second subset of the plurality of illumination zones to increase the dynamic range of the image. The dwell time of the one or more sequentially arranged optical elements can be modified to steer light. |
| US08976315B2 |
Liquid crystal display module
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display module, which includes a backlight module, a mold frame arranged on the backlight module, a liquid crystal display panel arranged on the mold frame, and a bezel arranged on the liquid crystal display panel and fixed to the backlight module. The backlight module includes a backplane. The backplane includes a bottom board and a side board connected to the bottom board. The bezel includes a front wall and a side wall connected to the front wall. The side board forms a projection toward the side wall. The projection forms a threaded hole. The side wall forms a receiving hole corresponding to the projection. The projection is completely received in the receiving hole and secured to the receiving hole by a bolt. |
| US08976314B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus including a top chassis, a display panel, a bottom chassis, a driving part, and a combining part. The display panel configured to display an image is disposed under the top chassis. The bottom chassis is disposed under the display panel. The bottom chassis is combined with the top chassis to receive the display panel. The driving part is electrically connected to the display panel to drive the display panel. The combining part is configured to combine the top chassis, the bottom chassis and the driving part. |
| US08976312B2 |
Flat panel display device and stereoscopic display device
The present invention provides a flat panel display device, which includes a backlight system and a display panel, wherein the backlight system includes an LED light source, which includes an LED lamp and an LED substrate carrying the LED lamp; a back frame, which is disposed below the LED substrate and includes at least two primary assembling pieces, the at least two primary assembling pieces being joined to form a main frame structure of the back frame; and a PCB, which is disposed below the back frame and fixed to the LED substrate. The present invention also provides a stereoscopic display device. The flat panel display device and the stereoscopic display device of the present invention save the material and space of the back frame, and lower down the cost of the flat panel display device and the stereoscopic display device. |
| US08976310B2 |
Array substrate for fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device
An array substrate for a fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display, and the display are discussed. According to an embodiment, the array substrate includes a display area including pixel areas defined gate lines and data lines crossing the gate lines, each pixel area including a switching thin film transistor and a plate-shaped pixel electrode connected to the switching thin film transistor, the display area of the display further including a common electrode having openings in correspondence with the pixel electrodes, the common electrode being formed over the pixel electrodes throughout an entire area of the display area; and first through fourth non-display areas surrounding the display area and including pixel areas surrounding the display area, wherein each test pixel area includes a test thin film transistor and a test electrode connected to the corresponding test thin film transistor. |
| US08976308B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
It is an object to obtain a liquid crystal display device in which a contact defect is reduced, increase in contact resistance is suppressed, and an opening ratio is high. The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device having a substrate; a thin film transistor provided over the substrate, which includes a gate wiring, a gate insulating film, an island-shaped semiconductor film, a source region, and a drain region; a source wiring which is provided over the substrate and is connected to the source region; a drain electrode which is provided over the substrate and is connected to the drain region; an auxiliary capacitor provided over the substrate; a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode; and a protective film formed so as to cover the thin film transistor and the source wiring, where the protective film has an opening, and the auxiliary capacitor is formed in the area where the opening is formed. |
| US08976302B2 |
Radio frequency front end for television band receiver and spectrum sensor
A radio frequency front end for a television band receiver and spectrum sensor includes a low noise amplifier that amplifies a received signal output of a radio frequency antenna connected to the radio frequency front end, a pin diode attenuator circuit that selectively attenuates an output of the low noise amplifier, and a buffer amplifier that amplifies an output of the pin diode attenuator. |
| US08976286B2 |
Imaging apparatus, lens unit, and imaging unit
An imaging apparatus comprises an optical imaging system 110, an image sensor 101, and an image processor 103. The optical imaging system 110 has an aberration control element 103 for generating a predetermined aberration. The optical imaging system 110 forms an optical image. The image sensor 101 generates an image signal corresponding to the optical image. The image processor 103 performs image processing on the image signal so as to enhance a degraded image characteristic on the basis of the predetermined aberration. The aberration control element 112 causes a response of an optical transfer function of the optical imaging system 110 to be zero at a first spatial frequency. The first spatial frequency is below a Nyquist frequency of the image sensor 201. |
| US08976279B2 |
Light receiver, method and transmission system with time variable exposure configurations
According to one embodiment, a light receiver includes a light reception module, a multi-exposure area selector, a multi-exposure controller, and a readout module. The light reception module includes N lines, each of the N lines having a plurality of light receiving elements. The multi-exposure area selector is configured to select one or a plurality of single-exposure lines and one or a plurality of multi-exposure lines. The multi-exposure controller is configured to, per the unit time, perform an exposure on the single-exposure lines one time for a first exposure time; and a first exposure and a second exposure on the multi-exposure lines. The readout module is configured to read exposure amounts of the lines line by line. The multi-exposure controller is configured to start the second exposure on the multi-exposure lines before reading of the exposure amounts of all the single-exposure lines is completed. |
| US08976275B2 |
Color imaging element
A single-plate color imaging element, where a basic array pattern in which the color filters are arrayed according to an array pattern corresponding to M×N (M and N are even numbers equal to or more than 6) pixels in horizontal and vertical directions is formed, the basic array pattern includes two each of two types of a first sub array and a second sub array in which the color filters are arrayed according to an array pattern corresponding to (M/2)×(N/2) pixels, the color filters include first filters corresponding to a first color and second filters corresponding to a second color whose contribution rates are lower than a contribution rate of the first color, a ratio of a number of pixels of the first color being greater than a ratio of a number of pixels of each color of the second color. |
| US08976270B2 |
Imaging device and imaging device control method capable of taking pictures rapidly with an intuitive operation
An imaging device and a control method for an imaging device of the present invention comprise an imaging section for photoelectrically converting a subject image and outputting image data, and a display section for performing live view display of the subject image based on the image data, wherein, with respect to whether or not a main body is being held, by determining if the main body is in a portrait orientation, and is being held by a touch surface area or with both hands, if this determination is that the main body is not being held a shooting command is received using only a release button, while if it is determined that the main body is being held a shooting command is received by touching the display section. |
| US08976253B2 |
Camera user content synchronization with central web-based records and information sharing system
A camera and another device synchronization system, apparatus, signaling, processor-readable medium, and method are provided. As part of a system or as an apparatus, the camera may include a user content synchronization module for automatically synchronizing image data stored as camera records by the camera with central records stored for the user by a central node remote from the camera, the camera records and the central records comprising at least one of photo images or video files, such that changed central record and camera records are update using the most recent records from the other source. |
| US08976251B2 |
Systems and methods for lens characterization
Methods and systems for analyzing camera lenses and presenting information regarding camera lenses performance are described. An interactive user interface is provided over a network for display on a user terminal by a computer system. A user request is received at the computer system from the user terminal for lens data from a first lens. Lens data, including test data obtained via a first digital image captured using the first lens at the first focal length setting and the first aperture setting is accessed from memory and transmitted to interactive user interface. The interactive user interface is configured to display an identification of the first camera body, an identification of the first lens, the first focal length setting used to capture the image, and the first aperture setting used to capture the image. Using the lens test data, the interactive user interface generates and displays sharpness graph data. |
| US08976242B2 |
Visual inspection apparatus and visual inspection method
The present invention includes a camera which takes an image of a camera or an inspection target; a device which estimates the movement of the inspection target; a device which generates a high resolution image having a higher resolution than the pixel resolution of a video image taken by the camera from the video image taken by the camera; a device which evaluates the quality of the high resolution image generated by the generation device; and a device which presents an inspector who visually inspects the inspection target with the high resolution image together with the quality evaluation result of the high resolution image. The present invention can improve the reliability of inspection by use of the high resolution image as well as can reduce the inspection time, and further can guarantee the reliability of the inspection using a high resolution image. |
| US08976241B1 |
Surface deformation image analyzer
A device is provided with integrated hardware and software components for measuring and monitoring abnormalities on animal and human tissue and other surfaces. The device includes a display panel and a control panel secured to the upper surface of a housing and a plurality of sensor arrays attached to the lower surface on two scanner belts. A processor receives input from the sensor arrays to create data objects which are stored in an image object database. A retrieval component retrieves the image objects and identifies attributes to display image and quantitative values on a the display panel. A hardware processing component runs at least one algorithm to determine the area of a surface abnormality. Another hardware processing component is provided to receive user input to update images and to select a deformation region for area calculation. |
| US08976238B2 |
Optical observation apparatus with multi-channel data insertion
An optical observation apparatus has an optical image channel for viewing optical field-of-view images, a processing unit to generate a first electronic insertion image via a first electronic image channel, and a data insertion image projector for generating an optical insertion image from the first electronic insertion image and inserting that image into the optical field-of-view image. An acquisition device acquires the optical field-of-view image without the optical insertion image inserted by the data insertion image projector. A second electronic image channel has a superimposition module, that superimposes the electronic field-of-view image with an electronic insertion image and provides the superimposed images via the second electronic image channel. The processing unit generates a second electronic insertion image, provides available display data elements, and makes it possible to assemble the electronic insertion images and assign them to different electronic image channels. |
| US08976234B2 |
Method for controlling display of stereoscopic image, apparatus for controlling display of stereoscopic image, and imaging apparatus
An apparatus for controlling display of a stereoscopic image, includes: a display control portion which cuts out a stereoscopic image in a to-be-displayed area which is an area corresponding to a part of a stereoscopic image consisting of a plurality of images with a parallax, and displays the cut-out stereoscopic image on a display portion; a parallax change amount calculation portion which calculates a change amount between a parallax amount in a stereoscopic image within the to-be-displayed area before the to-be-displayed area is moved and a parallax amount in a stereoscopic image within the to-be-displayed area after the to-be-displayed area is moved by a first moving distance when an instruction to move the to-be-displayed area is issued; and a to-be-displayed area movement control portion which moves the to-be-displayed area by a moving distance in accordance with the change amount calculated by the parallax change amount calculation portion. |
| US08976233B2 |
Three-dimensional image processing method and three-dimensional image processing circuit using the same method
A three-dimensional image processing method and a three-dimensional image processing circuit using the above method are provided. The method is configured for processing N source images, and N is a natural number and is larger than or equal to two. Each of the source images corresponds to a visual angle, and each of the source images comprises image data with three primary colors. The image data of each of the source images are arranged in an array according to a predetermined color sequence. In the method, six parameters are provided firstly, wherein each of the six parameters is configured for defining a basic data-arrangement variation. Then, the image data with three primary colors of the N source image are obtained according to the six parameters, so as to form a three-dimensional image. |
| US08976231B2 |
Device for measuring three dimensional shape
A device for measuring three dimensional shape includes a first irradiation unit, a first grating control unit, a second irradiation unit, a second grating control unit, an imaging unit, and an image processing unit. After performance of a first imaging operation as imaging processing of a single operation among a multiplicity of imaging operations performed by irradiation of said first light pattern of multiply varied phases, a second imaging operation is performed as imaging processing of a single operation among a multiplicity of imaging operations performed by irradiation of said second light pattern of multiply varied phases. After completion of the first imaging operation and the second imaging operation, shifting or switching operation of the first grating and the second grating is performed simultaneously. |
| US08976227B2 |
System and method for initiating video phone calls
The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for initiating a video phone call using a standard phone device. For instance, in one embodiment, a method for initiating a video phone call from a first party to a second party is disclosed. The method includes receiving a call from the first party. The call is initiated using a standard phone device. The method determines whether the call is a voice call or a call request to initiate a video call. In response to a determination that the call is a call request to initiate a video call, the method terminates the call, initiates a call to a video phone device of the first party and also a communication device of the second party. The method establishes a communication session between the video phone device of the first party and the communication device of the second party. |
| US08976223B1 |
Speaker switching in multiway conversation
A method, computer program product, and computer system for sending, by a first computing device, a video feed with a pre-determined quality level to a second computing device. The first computing device determines that a volume level associated with the video feed reaches a threshold. The first computing device sends the video feed with a higher quality level to the second computing device based upon, at least in part, determining that the volume level associated with the video feed reaches the threshold. |
| US08976219B2 |
Studio and conference system for life-size videoconferencing
Studio, studio system, studio configuration and calibration method for life-size videoconferencing include local conferee space and local transceiver for life-size videoconferencing. The transceiver includes optical input unit and optical output unit providing continuous duplex image transfer via a duplexer area of a screen configured to simultaneously transmit to local conferee space the image of remote conferee space including a remote studio, and reflect the image of local conferee space to the optical input unit, enabling visualizing to scale without aberrations image of the entire local conferee space to the remote conferee space; enabling a local party conferee to establish eye contact and register body movements of a remote party conferee. Images of physically separated conferee spaces are concatenated to an operational conference setting, enabling a remote conferee located anywhere in the remote space to establish eye contact with a conferee visible in the image of the second remote space. |
| US08976209B2 |
Active matrix substrate, method for producing active matrix substrate, liquid crystal panel, method for producing liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal display unit, and television receiver
Disclosed is a liquid crystal panel including a scan signal line (16x), a data signal line (15x), and a transistor (12a) that is connected to the scan signal line (16x) and the data signal line (15x). A pixel (101) is provided with pixel electrodes (17a and 17b). The pixel electrode (17a) is connected to the data signal line (15x) through the transistor (12a). The liquid crystal panel further includes capacitance electrodes (37a and 38a) that are formed in the same layer as the scan signal line (16x). The capacitance electrodes (37a and 38a) are electrically connected to the pixel electrode (17a), and form a capacitance with the pixel electrode (17b). Consequently, the yield of a capacitance coupling type pixel division system active matrix substrate can be improved. |
| US08976205B2 |
Method of displaying three-dimensional stereoscopic image and a display apparatus for performing the same
A method of displaying a three-dimensional (“3D”) stereoscopic image includes providing a first 3D data signal to a first display area portion of a display panel; and selectively providing a second 3D data signal or a black data signal to a second display area portion of the display panel when the first 3D data signal is being provided to the first display area. |
| US08976201B2 |
Systems and methods for rendering user interface elements in accordance with a device type
A method for rendering one or more user interface elements on a display screen of a device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request for rendering a first user interface element without an orientation preference, and identifying a type of the device. The method also includes, in accordance with a determination that the type of the device is a first device type corresponding to television devices and the first user interface element corresponds to a first user interface element type, rendering the first user interface element as a vertical user interface element in a first display region of the display screen. |
| US08976200B1 |
Display controller for rotation of image data
In one embodiment, a display controller comprises control logic that rotates a frame image by two-dimensional blocks of pixels when the frame image is rotated from an original orientation. |
| US08976199B2 |
Visual embellishment for objects
Particular embodiments display a series of objects across a screen of an electronic device, the objects being arranged side by side; display a boundary of each object in the series, the boundary of an object near the center of the series slightly overlapping a portion of each of two objects next to the object nearer the center of the series; and display a shadow around the object near the center of the series, the shadow overlapping a portion of each of the two objects next to the object near the center of the series to simulate an visual effect that the object near the center of the series is above the other objects in the series. |
| US08976194B2 |
Computer-based method for cropping using a transparency overlay / image overlay system
The present invention provides a method for cropping one or more files in freeform using transparent or non-transparent layers. Specifically, the invention allows a user to crop a file with irregular/freeform boundaries while using a plurality of transparent or non-transparent layers that overlay the original file. The transparent layers overlap the image data for cropping, so that the finalized cropped image may be copied, pasted, or imported into another document while leaving the original file unaltered. The cropped portion of the image may also be sent or emailed by the user. |
| US08976191B1 |
Creating a realistic color for a virtual object in an augmented reality environment
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for creating a realistic color for a virtual object in an Augmented Reality environment produced by an Augmented Reality application. In one embodiment, the functions implemented include: selecting a reference image target frame; selecting a plurality of sample points in the reference image target frame; acquiring a subsequent new image target frame; determining a plurality of corresponding sample points in the new image target frame wherein the plurality of corresponding sample points correspond to the plurality of sample points in the reference image target frame; comparing a color of each of the plurality of sample points in the reference image target frame with a color of each of the corresponding sample points in the new image target frame and computing a Color Transfer function based at least in part on the comparison; and applying the Color Transfer function to the color of the virtual object. |
| US08976188B1 |
Optimized data communication system and method for an image rendering system
A graphics or image rendering system, such as a map image rendering system, receives image data from an image database, such as a map database, in the form of vector data having image object elements defined as sets of vertex data points. The image rendering system stores and tabulates the vertex data points used to render an image object element. A code specifies a number of vertex data points that can be obtained from a tracking table as well as an amount of vertex data points to be sent from the image database. An image rendering engine uses the stored and transmitted vertex data points to render the image object element to be displayed. |
| US08976187B2 |
System for accelerating composite graphics rendering
A system aids composited graphics rendering. A script and corresponding virtual machine engine code may be stored in memory. An off-screen buffer is generated in the memory by the script. The off-screen buffer includes an extended stage having first a buffer portion. The buffer portion may include pre-rendered graphical object. An on-screen buffer may include a composition of the pre-rendered graphical objects of the extended stage. The script renders a graphical change to the on-screen buffer using independent block copying, from the extended stage to corresponding target areas in the on-screen buffer, of one or more of the pre-rendered graphics of the extended stage area affected by the graphical changes. |
| US08976183B2 |
Method and system for approximating curve, and graphic display control method and apparatus
A method and system for approximating a curve, and a graphic display control method and apparatus are disclosed. The method for approximating a curve comprises the steps of acquiring number information of subdividing points for subdividing a curve needed to be approximated based on coordinate information of control points of the curve, acquiring coordinate information of the subdividing points based on the number information of the subdividing points and the coordinate information of the control points, and connecting the subdividing points with straight lines based on the coordinate information of the subdividing points. The invention could achieve efficient curve approximation and in turn achieve efficient graphic-display control. |
| US08976180B2 |
Method, medium and system rendering 3-D graphics data having an object to which a motion blur effect is to be applied
A 3D graphics rendering method, medium and system that provide a motion blur effect. Clone objects of an object are generated based on animation information of the object to which a motion blur effect is to be applied and 3D graphics data including the generated clone objects is rendered, thereby providing a motion blur effect without using accumulation buffers. |
| US08976178B2 |
Display switching apparatus, display switching method, and display switching program
Provided is a display switching apparatus including an operation unit used to instruct a display unit to switch a display of a display image having a background image, and a control unit that, when instructed to switch the display of the display image via the operation unit, exercises control so that the display of the display image on the display unit is switched to the display image having the background image in a visible state indicating whether the display is switchable. |
| US08976176B2 |
Apparatus and method for realistically expressing teeth
A method and apparatus for realistically expressing teeth performs rendering on a shape model of the teeth using a hybrid normal map based on materials and characteristics of the teeth in order to more realistically express the teeth. |
| US08976173B2 |
Bi-illuminant dichromatic reflection model for image manipulation
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method for manipulating an image comprises the steps of deriving a bi-illuminant dichromatic reflection model representation of the image, and utilizing the bi-illuminant dichromatic reflection model representation to manipulate the image. |
| US08976171B2 |
Depth estimation data generating apparatus, depth estimation data generating method, and depth estimation data generating program, and pseudo three-dimensional image generating apparatus, pseudo three-dimensional image generating method, and pseudo three-dimensional image generating program
An RB rate calculator calculates an RB rate based on an R signal and a B signal. A starting point changing unit changes a starting point based on the RB rate. An offset calculating unit calculates an offset value to adjust for selection of a basic depth model type based on a bottom high frequency component evaluation value. An adding unit adds a signal from the starting point changing unit and an offset. Another adding unit adds an offset-added signal from the adding unit and a basic depth model-composed image signal supplied from a composing unit, and generates depth estimation data wherein a degree of superimposition of object information is changed according to a composition of a composed image of basic depth models selected to be composed. |
| US08976170B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying stereoscopic image
Disclosed is an apparatus for displaying stereoscopic images. The apparatus for displaying stereoscopic images includes a stereoscopic image-generating part, a main display part, a sub-display part, and a translucent reflective structure part. The stereoscopic image-generating part splits a single image to generate a first stereoscopic image to be directly viewed by a user and a second stereoscopic image to be reflected and viewed by the user. The main display part directly displays the first stereoscopic image to a gaze of a user. The sub-display part displays the second stereoscopic image. The translucent reflective structure part reflects the second stereoscopic image displayed on the sub-display part. |
| US08976166B2 |
Pixel, display device using the same, and driving method thereof
A pixel includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a driving transistor for controlling a current supplied to the OLED, a first transistor for transmitting a data signal to the driving transistor, and a capacitor coupled between the driving transistor and the first transistor. A driving method of the pixel includes initializing a gate voltage of the driving transistor, compensating a threshold voltage of the driving transistor, and transmitting a data signal to the driving transistor through the capacitor. A period for compensating the threshold voltage is longer than a period for transmitting the data signal to the driving transistor. Sufficient time to compensate the threshold voltage of the driving transistor of the pixel may be obtained under high resolution and high frequency driving to realize a display device of high image quality. |
| US08976163B2 |
Using clock detect circuitry to reduce panel turn-on time
Systems, devices, and methods for using clock detector circuitry to reduce turn-on time of an electronic display, improve image quality, and reduce operations of a host are provided. In one example, a system may include a host configured to transmit a number of signals and a display driver coupled to the host. The number of signals may include a clock signal and data signals. The display driver is configured to drive a display based at least in part on the data signals. The display driver is also configured to be reset upon detection of the clock signal without waiting for a host-issued reset signal. A clock detect circuit configured to detect the clock signal may be configured to transmit an internal reset signal to reset the display driver without a dedicated host-issued reset signal. |
| US08976157B2 |
Camera module and optical touch screen using the same
The present invention relates to a camera module and an optical touch screen using the same, the camera module including an infrared emitting diode (100) for emitting infrared ray, a linear sensor (150) for detecting a touched area by detecting infrared ray reflected from a retro reflector, and an infrared pass filter (130) for passing the infrared ray emitted from the infrared emitting diode (100) and infrared ray incident on the linear sensor (150). |
| US08976156B2 |
Camera module and optical touch screen using the same
The present invention relates to a camera module and an optical touch screen using the same, the camera module including a holder formed with a stair unit and opening, an infrared light emitting diode mounted at the stair unit for emitting an infrared, and an image sensor detecting the infrared through the opening. |
| US08976152B2 |
Conductive film of a touch panel and manufacturing method thereof
The present disclosure provides a conductive film of a touch panel. The conductive film has a film and a plurality of a plurality of hydrophobic units. The film is used for sensing touch signals, and the hydrophobic units are disposed in the film with intervals. Conductive material of the conductive film of the touch panel is distributed outside the region of the hydrophobic units, and as the hydrophobic units have good light transmittance, the touch panel of the present disclosure has a characteristic of high light transmittance. |
| US08976151B2 |
Configurable analog front-end for mutual capacitance sensing and self capacitance sensing
Capacitance sensing circuits and methods are provided. A dual mode capacitance sensing circuit includes a capacitance-to-voltage converter having an amplifier and an integration capacitance coupled between an output and an inverting input of the amplifier, and a dual mode switching circuit responsive to mutual mode control signals for a controlling signal supplied from a capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a mutual capacitance sensing mode and responsive to self mode control signals for controlling signals supplied from the capacitive touch matrix to the capacitance-to-voltage converter in a self capacitance sensing mode, wherein the capacitance sensing circuit is configurable for operation in the mutual capacitance sensing mode or the self capacitance sensing mode. |
| US08976150B2 |
Method, system and terminal for supporting touch function
A method and a system for supporting a touch function on a terminal for performing a touch operation in which a writing pressure is applied to a touch pen of the system including the touch pen and a terminal are provided. The method includes touching a touch pen to a touch panel of the terminal, the touch pen having a capacitance that corresponds to and varies with pressure applied to the touch pen, generating, by the terminal, an instruction word corresponding to a result of adding the capacitance corresponding to the pressure applied to the touch pen when the touch pen is touched to the terminal and a capacitance of the touch panel, and performing a user function corresponding to the instruction word. |
| US08976143B2 |
Touch detecting method and flat display device with in-cell touch panel
A touch detecting method comprises: enabling a sample signal in a period between driving a previous gate line and a previous two gate line before a corresponding gate line of a sense unit, and sampling a readout signal in a corresponding readout line during a sample period corresponding to the enabled sample signal by a readout unit; using the sampled readout signal during the sample period by the readout unit as a sample reference signal; enabling a sense readout signal in a period between driving the corresponding gate line of the sense unit and a next gate line, and reading out the readout signal during a sense readout period corresponding to the enabled sense readout signal; using the readout signal during the sense readout period as a sense signal; and judging whether the sense unit is touched according to the sample reference signal and the sense signal. |
| US08976142B2 |
Navigating applications using side-mounted touchpad
In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a touch event on a back-mounted touchpad of a computing device during display of a current user interface of an application executing on the computing device. The application includes a navigation hierarchy with a home user-interface layer, multiple sub user-interface layers, and multiple user-interface branches. The method includes determining a particular sub user-interface layer and user-interface branch that the current user interface corresponds to and determining a type of the touch event. When the type of the touch event is an upward touch event and there is a next sub user-interface layer in the particular user-interface branch of the current user interface, the method navigates to the next user-interface layer in the particular user-interface branch of the current user interface. |
| US08976141B2 |
Electronic devices with sidewall displays
Electronic devices may be provided that contain flexible displays that are bent to form displays on multiple surfaces of the devices. Bent flexible displays may be bent to form front side displays and edge displays. Edge displays may be separated from front side displays or from other edge displays using patterned housing members, printed or painted masks, or by selectively activating and inactivating display pixels associated with the flexible display. Edge displays may alternately function as virtual buttons, virtual switches, or informational displays that are supplemental to front side displays. Virtual buttons may include transparent button members, lenses, haptic feedback components, audio feedback components, or other components for providing feedback to a user when virtual buttons are activated. |
| US08976137B2 |
Display device for touch sensing and 3-dimensional image display, and driving method thereof
A touch barrier panel having a touch sensing capability and a 3-dimensional image display capability is disposed on a display panel such that manufacturing cost may be reduced and the thickness thereof is relatively thin. Also, the negative liquid crystal that is not affected by the vertical electric field is used such that a mode change speed and response speed may be improved. |
| US08976136B2 |
Proximity-aware multi-touch tabletop
A proximity-aware multi-touch tabletop is disclosed that includes both a touch screen display and proximity sensors. The proximity sensors are disposed in one or more annular groups around the touch screen display and are positioned in upward-and outward-facing directions. The proximity sensors allow the multi-touch tabletop to sense the distance of a body, arm, hand, or fingers of a user from the multi-touch tabletop. Thus, hand, arm, and finger positions of a user can be determined relative to the body position of the user, which enables the multi-touch tabletop to differentiate between left hand/arm gestures and right hand/arm gestures. Further, because the multi-touch tabletop can correlate left arm and right arm movements to a user body, the multi-touch tabletop can differentiate gestures originating from different users. The ability of the multi-touch tabletop to distinguish between users greatly enhances user experiences, particularly in a multi-user environment. |
| US08976135B2 |
Proximity-aware multi-touch tabletop
A proximity-aware multi-touch tabletop is disclosed that includes both a touch screen display and proximity sensors. The proximity sensors are disposed in one or more annular groups around the touch screen display and are positioned in upward- and outward-facing directions. The proximity sensors allow the multi-touch tabletop to sense the distance of a body, arm, hand, or fingers of a user from the multi-touch tabletop. Thus, hand, arm, and finger positions of a user can be determined relative to the body position of the user, which enables the multi-touch tabletop to differentiate between left hand/arm gestures and right hand/arm gestures. Further, because the multi-touch tabletop can correlate left arm and right arm movements to a user body, the multi-touch tabletop can differentiate gestures originating from different users. The ability of the multi-touch tabletop to distinguish between users greatly enhances user experiences, particularly in a multi-user environment. |
| US08976131B2 |
Information processing device, display control method, and program
There is provided an information processing device including a display control unit configured to acquire hover coordinates on the touch screen in accordance with a transition of mode to a hover mode, and determine both the acquired hover coordinates and coordinates obtained by adding a desired offset value to the hover coordinates as a range of a hover display to be displayed on the touch screen. |
| US08976129B2 |
Portable electronic device and method of controlling same
A method is provided for an electronic device with a processor and a touch-sensitive display, the touch-sensitive display including a display area and a non-display area. The method includes providing a boundary based on the display area and the non-display area. |
| US08976128B2 |
Using pressure differences with a touch-sensitive display screen
Disclosed is a user interface that responds to differences in pressure detected by a touch-sensitive screen. The user selects one type of user-interface action by “lightly” touching the screen and selects another type of action by exerting more pressure. Embodiments can respond to single touches, to gestural touches that extend across the face of the touch-sensitive screen, and to touches in which the user-exerted pressure varies during the course of the touch. Some embodiments respond to how quickly the user changes the amount of pressure applied. In some embodiments, the location and pressure of the user's input are compared against a stored gesture profile. Action is taken only if the input matches “closely enough” to the stored gesture profile. In some embodiments, a notification is sent to the user when the pressure exceeds a threshold between a light and a heavy press. |
| US08976127B2 |
Multi-point touch screen operating tool
A method for determining a touch point during a special touch object contacting with a touch screen, and a touch screen operating tool, in particular a touch pen. The method includes: installing a sensor on the special touch object, comparing the data of the special touch object obtained by the sensor with the corresponding data of the contact point on the screen, determining the corresponding touch point of the special touch object. |
| US08976126B2 |
Washing machine and method of controlling the same
A washing machine to provide a user interface environment using a full-touch LCD to perform communication over a network and a method of controlling the same. It is possible to provide a user interface by simple and convenient touch manipulation and display information regarding a user manipulation state and an operation state of the washing machine according to various visual/tactile tastes. |
| US08976121B2 |
Capacitive touch system and control method for a capacitive touch system
A capacitive touch system uses two or more integrated circuits to simultaneously scan a touch panel in such a manner that each of the integrated circuits scans only a portion of the touch panel to retrieve a respective detected data by itself. All the detected data are used for computation by one of the integrated circuits or one other than the integrated circuits to determine a touch information. This approach enables axis intersect projected capacitance touch integrated circuits applicable to a large scale touch panel, without degrading the frame rate of a capacitive touch system. |
| US08976118B2 |
Method for character correction
A computer program product is provided and includes a non-transitory tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and on which instructions are stored for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes enabling retrieval of a keyboard pressed sequence of characters of a first type, permitting a re-selection of characters of a second type, which are associated with the keyboard pressed sequence of the characters of the first type and permitting modification of the keyboard pressed sequence of the characters of the first type to initiate a search for and retrieval of characters of the second type. |
| US08976115B2 |
Directional input system with automatic correction
A system associated with a text entry application, such as email or instant messaging, comprises an optional onscreen representation of a circular keyboard, a list of potential linguistic object matches, and a message area where the selected words are entered. The circular keyboard is manipulated via a hardware joystick or game-pad with analog joystick or omni-directional rocker switch built therein. The user points the joystick in the general direction of the desired letter, and then continues pointing roughly to each letter in the desired word. Once all letters have been roughly selected, buttons are used to select a specific word from the list of potential matches and send the selected word to the message area. |
| US08976113B2 |
Mouse housing structure
A mouse housing structure includes a housing having a main body of a front wall, and a tongue portion defining a position wall, at least a track device disposed at the tongue portion and defining first and second position ends at two opposite ends thereof, and a sliding device including a sliding body and at least a rotatable shaft having first and second engaging portions. The first engaging portion is movably and rotatably disposed in the track device, and the second engaging portion is spaced away from the track device for pivotally engaging with a coupling slot of the sliding body. When the sliding body moves forwards to where the first engaging portion slides against the first position end, the sliding body rotates towards the position wall, and is restrained by the position wall so as to expand the mouse housing structure for use. |
| US08976112B2 |
Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages
Systems and methods for transmitting haptic messages are disclosed. For example, one disclosed method includes the steps of: receiving at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor of a mobile device, the at least one sensor signal associated with a movement of the mobile device, determining a message to be displayed in a user interface based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal, and causing the message to be displayed. |
| US08976108B2 |
Interface for processing of an alternate symbol in a computer device
Described herein is a computer-implemented system and method for processing one or more alternate symbols associated or linked to a base symbol. A base symbol is a symbol to which at least one alternate symbol is linked. A base symbol commonly appears on a key of a keyboard or a display of a keyboard, or is a handwritten symbol recognized by handwriting entry software. Examples of alternate symbols are accented characters and punctuation marks that do not appear on a keyboard or are not commonly recognized by a handwriting entry program, and short symbol sequences. An example of a common short symbol sequence is an emoticon used in e-mail messages to convey tone or feelings. An example of a computer device that may embody the system or method is a hand-held computing device. |
| US08976099B2 |
Charge storage circuit for a pixel, and a display
A charge storage circuit for a pixel comprises a charge storage node. First and second series-connected transistors (8,10) are provided for selectively isolating the charge storage node from a first voltage input (9,SL) for supplying a data voltage. The circuit is provided with a voltage follower circuit for replicating a voltage at the charge storage node (12) at another node in the circuit thereby to reduce the drain-source voltage across the second transistor (10). The first transistor forms part of the voltage follower circuit. |
| US08976098B2 |
Adjustable viewing angle display device and method for driving the same
Disclosed herein is an adjustable viewing angle display device. The display device includes a display panel composed of a first substrate, a second substrate, a display medium layer interposed therebetween, a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode. Pluralities of sub-pixels are defined in the display panel. The first and second electrodes are disposed on the first substrate in the sub-pixels. The first electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode. The third electrode is disposed on the second substrate. When the display device is operated in a narrow viewing angle mode, there exists a non-zero potential difference between the second electrode and the third electrode, and when the sub-pixel is at gray level of zero, the potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode is not zero. A driving method for driving the display device is disclosed as well. |
| US08976097B2 |
Driving apparatus and display driving system including the same
A driving apparatus and a display driving system. The driving apparatus includes a first amplification unit receiving a first signal and outputting a driving signal of a positive polarity voltage with respect to a reference voltage, a second amplification unit receiving a second signal and outputting a driving signal of a negative polarity voltage with respect to the reference voltage, and a controller for determining a chopping signal applied to a chopping terminal of the second amplification unit such that an offset polarity of an output voltage of the first amplification unit and an offset polarity of an output voltage of the second amplification unit are the same. |
| US08976096B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, television receiver, and display method for liquid crystal display device
Provided is a liquid crystal display device which displays each halftone by changing the luminance of pixels during a cycle (F1-F8) composed of a first term (F1-F2), a second term (F3-F4), a third term (F5-F6), and a fourth term (F7-F8). The liquid crystal display device includes: a type 1 pixel, which luminance level rises during the first term, rises or stays on hold during the second term, decays during the third term, and decays or stays on hold during the fourth term; a type 2 pixel, which luminance level decays during the first term, decays or stays on hold during the second term, rises during the third term, and rises or stays on hold during the fourth term; a type 3 pixel, which luminance level rises or stays on hold during the first term, decays during the second term, decays or stays on hold during the third term, and rises during the fourth term; a type 4 pixel, which luminance level decays or stays on hold during the first term, rises during the second term, rises or stays on hold during the third term, and decays during the fourth term to continuously display the same halftone. |
| US08976092B2 |
Display circuitry with dynamic pixel backlight and backlight sloping control
A system may include a processor, a graphics controller, and a display. The graphics controller may generate video data to be presented on the display. The display may include a display panel, a backlight unit for providing the display panel with backlight, and a display timing controller for communicating with the graphics controller. The display may be used in non-movie mode and movie mode. The backlight unit may be operated in fixed backlight mode during the non-movie display mode and may be operated in dynamic pixel backlight (DPB) mode during the movie display mode. Backlight level adjustments may be sloped only during the non-movie mode. Backlight level sloping can be handled internally within the backlight unit, can be controlled using pulse width modulation with the display timing controller, and implemented using incremental backlight level adjustments with the processor. |
| US08976088B2 |
Pixel and organic light emitting display device using the same
A pixel circuit and an organic light emitting display using the pixel circuit are disclosed. The pixel circuit compensates for variation of the threshold voltage of a driving transistor and for variation in the power supply to the pixel. |
| US08976087B2 |
Virtual image display device
A light emitting device, which is a main body, is arranged to be located closer to the nose NS side than the eye EY of a wearer during wearing of a virtual image display device. Therefore, the light emitting device is prevented from excessively projecting to the side of the face of the wearer. The light emitting device is arranged between the eye EY of the wearer and the virtual-image forming member. Therefore, the light emitting device is prevented from excessively projecting further to the front side than the virtual image forming member, i.e., the front side of the face of the wearer. Further, a combined-light forming unit is a unit small in size and light in weight. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the center of gravity of the entire virtual image forming member from deviating to the side and the front side. |
| US08976085B2 |
Wearable device with input and output structures
An electronic device includes a band configured to be worn on the head of a user. The band has a central portion and first and second temple portions extending therefrom. The central portion is configured to contact a portion of the face of a user, and the temple portions are configured to contact portions of the head of the user near ears thereof. An operational unit having a display element is affixed to the first temple portion and includes a housing having an arm defining a longitudinal axis. The housing also includes an elbow portion defining a display end that supports the display element such that it extends along a display axis angled with respect to the longitudinal axis and such that the display element is positionable over an eye of the user. Image generating means are disposed within the housing for generating an image presentable on the display element. |
| US08976084B2 |
Portable augmented-reality head-up display device
A portable optical device (104) for transmitting an image to the eye (6) of an observer, includes: a display (1) disposed on the same side of the observer's head (7) as the eye, so as to emit the image in front of the observer's head; an ocular dioptric surface (3); and redirection elements (4, 5, 8, 9) for guiding the image towards the dioptric surface. The device is disposed such that the image strikes the dioptric surface (3) originating from the side of the nose in relation to the eye (6) and the dioptric surface (3) then reflects the image towards the eye (6). Such a device is particularly suitable for the production of glasses that can be used to display a virtual or augmented reality. |
| US08976083B2 |
Three-dimensional image display device and method for driving the same
A three-dimensional (3D) image display device includes data lines, gate lines crossing the data lines, sub-pixels arranged in areas between the data lines and the gate lines, a data driver that drives the data lines, a first gate driver that drives first gate lines from among the gate lines, a second gate driver that drives second gate lines from among the gate lines, and a timing controller that controls the data driver, the first gate driver, and the second gate drivers according to an image signal and a control signal. The second gate driver does not drive the second gate lines during a 3D display mode. |
| US08976080B2 |
Multi-segment imager
Several embodiments of projection systems are disclosed that comprise a plurality of controllable emitters, each said emitter providing light for a light path; a plurality of first optical elements, each said first optical element receiving light from one of said emitters; a controllable modulator receiving light from said plurality of first optical elements; a plurality of conduits, each said conduit disposed over a portion of said controllable modulator; a plurality of second optical elements, each of said second optical elements receiving light from at least one of said plurality of conduits, and a controller for sending control signals to said controllable emitters and said controllable modulator. The illumination from the emitters may form a plurality of overlapping areas of illumination upon a projection screen where the image is intended to be formed. |
| US08976079B2 |
Smart dual display system
A secure display system for a movable object, such as an aircraft, includes: a screen comprising at least two independent matrices formed of pixels, each of the matrices being controlled by an independent graphic channel; a light box comprising at least two independent subassemblies, each backlighting each half-screen; two bypass functions, a bypass function being associated with a graphic channel, a bypass function being linked to an input of one of the matrices; a central module having a function of mixing the data originating from the two independent graphic channels, and a function of separating said data, said separation module being connected to said bypass functions; each graphic channel comprising image-generation means; and two power supply means. The display system may be used in an aeroplane. |
| US08976078B2 |
Device for receiving and/or emitting an electromagnetic wave, system comprising said device, and use of such device
A device for receiving and/or emitting an electromagnetic wave having a free space wavelength λ0 comprised between 1 mm and 10 cm, comprising a medium (11) of solid dielectric material and the free space wavelength λ0 corresponding to a wavelength λ inside the medium, a plurality of conductor elements (12) incorporated inside the medium and spaced apart from each other of a distance lower than λ/10, and one antenna element (13). The conductor elements are not loop elements. A tuned conductor element among the conductor elements has a first end at a distance from the antenna element which is lower than λ/10, and has a length Hwire adapted to generate an electromagnetic resonance in the tuned conductor element corresponding to the wavelength λ. |
| US08976076B2 |
High-frequency transmission line, antenna, and electronic circuit board
A high-frequency transmission line having low alternate current (AC) resistance is provided. One aspect of the present invention is a high-frequency transmission line disposed along a surface of an insulating support, wherein, letting F [Hz] be the frequency of an AC electric signal transmitted by the high-frequency transmission line and Ms [Wb/m] be the saturation magnetization per unit area, the frequency value F and the saturation magnification value per unit area Ms satisfy the following expression (1): Ms≦(1.5×102)/F+5.7×10−8 (1). |
| US08976074B2 |
Case of electronic device having low frequency antenna pattern embedded therein, mold therefor and method of manufacturing thereof
There is provided an electronic device case having a low frequency antenna pattern embedded therein, the case including: a radiator frame injection molded using a polymer mixture containing a magnetic substance component so that a radiator including a low frequency antenna pattern part is formed on one surface thereof; a case frame injection molded upwardly of the radiator frame and provided with the radiator embedded between the radiator frame and the case frame; and a boundary part forming a boundary between the radiator frame and the case frame and having a groove formed inwardly of the case frame. |
| US08976073B2 |
Wideband, directional, linearly polarized antenna having high polarization purity
In the field of wideband directional antennas employing linear polarization, and in particular in the context of amplitude goniometry systems, polarization purity defects lead to deformation of the radiation diagrams that increases with the elevation, inducing degraded detection system location performance. An antenna is provided operating with linear polarization and having radiating elements of “sinuous” shape inscribed within a circle, and includes radiating elements printed on the two faces of a support, the elements of the first face being deduced from those of the other face by a rotation. |
| US08976072B2 |
Flat scanning antenna for a terestrial mobile application, vehicle having such an antenna, and satellite telecommunication system comprising such a vehicle
A flat scanning antenna comprises at least one slotted waveguide array comprising two dielectric substrates, one superposed above the other. The two substrates comprise the same number of waveguides, which are in mutual correspondence and communicate between them, pairwise, via corresponding coupling slots. Each waveguide of the upper substrate further includes a plurality of radiating slots, all the radiating slots being mutually parallel and oriented in the same direction and each waveguide of the lower substrate includes an individual internal supply circuit comprising an individual phase-shift/amplification electronic circuit. |
| US08976067B2 |
Antenna module having integrated radio frequency circuitry
One embodiment is directed to an antenna module comprising integrated RF circuitry comprising at least one of a transmitter and a receiver. The module further comprises an antenna element operatively coupled to the integrated RF circuitry, the antenna element comprising first and second substantially co-planar portions. The integrated RF circuitry is disposed on an interior part of at least one of the first and second substantially co-planar portions. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08976065B2 |
Temperature sensor for oscillator and for satellite positioning circuitry
An apparatus and a method, the apparatus comprising: a temperature compensated oscillator; satellite positioning circuitry; and a temperature sensor configured to provide a first control output to the temperature compensated oscillator and to provide a second control output to the satellite positioning circuitry. |
| US08976056B2 |
Ice data collection, processing and visualization system
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) collect and transmit information about ice floe thickness; this is combined with SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR images from satellites to identify and track dangerously thick regions of ice. The overlayed data is presented graphically to allow tracking of the thick ice regions over time. This information is used to alert drilling platforms in icy ocean conditions of pending ice floe dangers. |
| US08976053B1 |
Method and apparatus for Vernier ring time to digital converter with self-delay ratio calibration
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for a Vernier ring time to digital converter having a single clock input and an all digital circuit that calculates a fixed delay relationship between a set of slow buffers and fast buffers. A method for calibrating a Vernier Delay Line of a TDC, comprising the steps of inputting a reference clock to a slow buffer and to a fast buffer, determining a delay ratio of the slow buffer and fast buffer; and adjusting the delay ratio of the slow buffer and fast buffer to a fixed delay ratio value wherein an up-down accumulator generates control signals to adjust the slow buffer. |
| US08976050B1 |
Circuitry and methods for use in mixed-signal circuitry
Mixed-signal circuitry, comprising: a first switching-circuitry unit for use in an analog-to-digital converter; and a second switching-circuitry unit for use in a digital-to-analog converter, wherein: the first switching-circuitry unit is configured to sample an input analog signal and output a plurality of samples based on a first plurality of clock signals; the second switching-circuitry unit is configured to generate an output analog signal based on a plurality of data signals and a second plurality of clock signals; and the first and second pluralities of dock signals have the same specifications as one another. |
| US08976046B2 |
Method and system for a MEMS detector that enables control of a device using human breath
Methods and systems for a MEMS detector that enables control of a device using human breath are disclosed and may include detecting air flow caused by human breath via a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) detector, which may include deflectable members operable to detect the movement of air. The deflection of the members may be limited via a spacer within the MEMS detector. The amount of deflection may be determined by measuring reflected light signals, piezoelectric signals, capacitance changes, or current generated by the deflection in a magnetic field. Output signals may be generated based on the detected movement. The MEMS detector may include a substrate, a spacer, and the MEMS deflectable members. The substrate may include a ceramic material and/or silicon, and may include embedded devices and interconnects. An integrated circuit may be electrically coupled to the substrate. Air flows may be directed out of the side of the MEMS detector. |
| US08976042B1 |
Image combining system, device, and method of multiple vision sources
Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for combining image data received from two or more vision systems are disclosed. A system may be comprised of a first vision source, a second vision source, and an image generator (“IG”). The first vision source may be could configured to generate a first image data set and a depth buffer data set, and the second vision data source could configured to generate a second image data set. The IG could be configured to receive both the first and second image data sets; the depth buffer data set; and generate a third image data set as a function of both image data sets, the depth buffer data set, and a pixel cutoff distance that may be fixed or variable. In addition, the pixel cutoff distance may be determined as a function of input variable data. |
| US08976040B2 |
Intelligent driver assist system based on multimodal sensor fusion
An apparatus and method of providing driver assistance for performing a driving action include obtaining video information adjacent to a vehicle, obtaining audio information adjacent to the vehicle, optionally obtaining movement-related information, and generating a driver assist indication based on a combination of the video information and the audio information, and, optionally, the movement-related information. |
| US08976039B2 |
Remote operation and monitoring of measurement systems and remote measurement data processing
The present application is directed to systems and methods for operating a measurement system. Various embodiments may comprise a measurement device and a receiving device remote from the measurement device. The measurement device may acquire data corresponding to one or more measurements, convert any analog portion of the data into a digital transmission signal, and transmit the signal. The receiving device may receive the signal, convert the signal into digital data, and display the digital data. |
| US08976038B2 |
Manhole security device and methods thereof
A security device for detecting the position of a manhole cover includes a pinger device, such as an acoustic pinger, that transmits a signal in the direction of the expected position of the manhole cover. The device takes energy samples to determine if the signal has been reflected back by the manhole cover. If the device determines the signal has not been reflected, it determines that the manhole cover has been moved from the expected position. In response, the device captures an image of an area around the expected position of the manhole cover. In addition, the device can notify a remote security station via a network that the manhole cover has been moved. |
| US08976036B2 |
Motion or opening detector
An activity monitor which can be pre-programmed at the factory, the doctor's office or the pharmacist, or that can be programmed by the user. The activity monitor is affixed to a medicine bottle or container and activity associated with the bottle or container, such as movement, opening, volume changes, etc. are monitored in view to the schedule. If the schedule indicates that a dose of medicine should be taken at a particular time, but the monitored activity does not determine that the medicine has been taken, an alert signal will be issued to alert the user that it is time to take the medicine. In addition, if the monitored activity indicates that the medicine bottle has been opened prior to a scheduled time, then a tamper alert can be triggered. |
| US08976035B2 |
Methods and apparatus for sensing motion of a portable container and providing human perceptible indicia based on the sensed motion
Embodiments of systems and methods include a sensor subsystem (e.g., within a container-mounted device) that produces a sensor output, and a processing system that implements a state machine. Upon entry into a first state, the processing system starts a timer, and while in a second state, the processing system waits for a specific sensor output value to be received. The processing system transitions from the first state to the second state upon expiration of the timer, and the processing system transitions from the second state to the first state when the sensor output corresponds to the specific sensor output value. When the state machine is in the second state, the output device produces a human-perceptible indicia configured to prompt a human user to perform an action that is likely to cause the sensor to produce the sensor output that corresponds to the specific sensor output value. |
| US08976028B2 |
Apparatus and method of using a computing device to track items
A system and method for tracking items are disclosed. The system and method include a computing device capable of near filed communication (NFC), and at least one tag coupled to each of at least one item, where the at least one tag is communicatively coupled to the NFC of the computing device using radio frequency (RF) signals. The coupling of the at least one tag to the at least one item enables the computing device to identify the at least one item and the distance from the at least one item to the computing device. |
| US08976024B2 |
Systems and methods for electronic control device with deactivation alert
An electronic control device for interfering with locomotion by a human or animal target includes a processor and stimulus signal generator. Upon engagement of a trigger by an operator, a stimulus signal is provided to electrodes for a time period to interfere with the skeletal muscles of the target. An indication is provided to the operator corresponding to the time period to alert the operator before deactivation of the stimulus signal. In response to the alert, the operator may reengage the trigger to continue or resume the stimulus signal. |
| US08976023B2 |
Advanced cooperative defensive military tactics, armor, and systems
This invention provides impact detection and vehicle cooperation to achieve particular goals and determine particular threat levels. For example, an impact/penetration sensing device may be provided on a soldier's clothing such that when this clothing is impacted/penetrated (e.g., penetrated to a particular extent) a medical unit (e.g., a doctor or medical chopper) may be autonomously, and immediately, provided with the soldiers location (e.g., via a GPS device on the soldier) and status (e.g., right lung may be punctured by small-arms fire). |
| US08976018B2 |
Local detection processing device and system
A local detection processing system includes a local detection processing device and at least two types of detectors. The detectors are disposed in an area for detecting properties or property changes of a specific target to generate a detection signal. The local detection processing device analyzes the detection signals and transmits the detection result to a processing center. The local detection processing device includes a detection information receiving unit receiving the detection signals generated by the at least two types of detectors; a memory unit recording codes of the at least two types of detectors, a format of the detection signal, information of the corresponding processing center and values of the detection signals; an information processing unit analyzing the received detection signals, determining a detection result whether to transmit the detection result and the processing center; and a communication unit connecting at least two processing centers. |
| US08976016B2 |
Electrical charging system alarm for a vehicle charge cord with automatic shutoff
An alarm system for a vehicle charge cord is provided. The alarm system has an armed state and a disarmed state. The alarm system includes a battery, a charge cord sensor, a battery state estimator (“BSE”) module, and an interface module. The battery has state of charge (“SOC”), and is rechargeable to a predetermined level of charge. The charge cord sensor is configured to detect if the vehicle charge cord is connected to or disconnected from a vehicle. The BSE module is configured to monitor the SOC of the rechargeable battery and determine if the battery is charged to the predetermined level of charge. The interface module is in communication with the charge cord sensor and the BSE module. The interface module is configured to switch the alarm system from the armed state to the disarmed state. |
| US08976015B2 |
Extraction of can bus signals without feedback
Disclosed is a method and a circuit configuration as well as a navigation system are disclosed, wherein the extraction and transmission of signals running on a line bus (1, 2) is carried out without having to sever the bus cable. Furthermore, a sensor (4) is disclosed, which outputs sensor signals reproducing the line signals and wherein the output sensor signals are amplified by a signal processing unit (11) and transformed into a defined digital signal shape (22). The filtered signals are then transmitted to a display device (14) or another device via an additional bus in wireless manner or by way of a line. The invention further relates to a tapping device for the wireless tapping of CAN data from a CAN line by the electromagnetic field, without having to sever the CAN lines, having a pivotable top shaped part (32), which can be pressed against a bottom part (35) by way of a pivot mechanism (41) for the purpose of accommodating CAN cables, and guide grooves (31 for accommodating the CAN cables (CAN1, CAN2), with conductor loops, in the closed position of the pivot mechanism, being closed around the CAN cables which are connectable to a signal processing electronics. |
| US08976013B2 |
Contact type tactile feedback apparatus and operating method of contact type tactile feedback apparatus
A contact type tactile feedback apparatus and operational method of the contact type tactile feedback apparatus is provided. The contact type tactile feedback apparatus may enable an object to be in close contact with a power feedback portion to transfer a power sensed by a sensor, using a fixing portion, thereby enabling the object to recognize the power, intuitively. |
| US08976011B2 |
Circuit board structure
A circuit board structure for a low noise block down-converter is disclosed. The circuit board structure is used for transmitting a first radio-frequency signal and a second radio-frequency signal across each other, and includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a first wire for transmitting the first radio-frequency signal, a first grounded wire formed in parallel to a side of the first wire, and a second grounded wire formed in parallel to another side of the first wire. The second substrate is electrically connected to the first substrate, and includes a second wire for transmitting the second radio-frequency signal, a third wire formed on a side of the second wire and a fourth wire formed on another side of the second wire. |
| US08976010B2 |
Security system for at least an integrated circuit, secure integrated circuit card, and method of secure wireless communications
A security system includes an integrated circuit and a transceiver/transponder circuit. The integrated circuit includes an antenna for communicating with the transceiver/transponder circuit. An inhibiting element is associated with the integrated circuit for inhibiting communications with the transceiver/transponder circuit and for securing the data contained in the integrated circuit. The inhibiting element is an electromagnetic inhibiting element. The security system further includes a coupling element associated with the antenna of the integrated circuit for temporarily deactivating the electromagnetic inhibiting element to allow communications between the integrated circuit and the transceiver/transponder circuit. |
| US08976004B2 |
In-vehicle apparatus control system
An onboard apparatus control system is disclosed. The onboard apparatus control system includes a portable apparatus and an in-vehicle apparatus which controls an onboard apparatus according to position of the portable apparatus. From multiple transmitting antennae, the in-vehicle apparatus transmits pulse pattern signals with different transmission frequencies at an overlapping timing, so that the pulse pattern signals are radio waves whose intensities are changed stepwise according to different patterns. The portable apparatus receives the radio waves transmitted from the multiple transmitting antennae. The position of the portable apparatus with respect to the vehicle is determined based on a combined pattern of the received pulse pattern signals, which a receiving unit is to receive at location with respect to the vehicle. |
| US08976002B2 |
Universal remote control system
A universal remote control system is disclosed. The universal remote control includes a receiver that has a wireless signal receiver unit, an electric motor that drives a mechanical arm and a microprocessor. When the receiver receives a control signal from a wireless signal transmitter, the microprocessor will energize the motor which drives the mechanical arm toward a pushbutton switch of a controlled device, such as a garage door opener, and depresses the push button, therefore activating the garage door opener. A feedback signal, for example, from the mechanical arm or the motor, may be provided to the microprocessor to inform the microprocessor when the pushbutton switch is sufficiently depressed and is in an engaged state. When the switch is in the engaged state, the motor will reverse its direction, causing the mechanical arm to raise and move back to a standby position. |
| US08975998B2 |
Planar magnetic component and method for manufacturing the same
A planar magnetic component and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The planar magnetic component includes a substrate, a first conductor layer and a magnetic structure; wherein the first conductor layer is disposed on a first surface of the substrate, and the magnetic structure penetrates the first conductor layer and is embedded in the substrate. The magnetic structure includes a ferromagnetic material layer and at least one first hard protective layer disposed on a first surface of the ferromagnetic material layer, which could prevent the ferromagnetic material layer from breaking in a pressing process. |
| US08975997B2 |
Planar coil element
In a planar coil element, the quantitative ratio of inclined particles to total particles of a first metal magnetic powder contained in a metal magnetic powder-containing resin provided in a through hole of a coil unit is higher than the quantitative ratio of inclined particles to total particles of the first metal magnetic powder contained in the metal magnetic powder-containing resin provided in other than the through hole, and many of particles of the first metal magnetic powder in the magnetic core are inclined particles whose major axes are inclined with respect to the thickness direction and the planar direction of a substrate. Therefore, the planar coil element has improved strength as compared to a planar coil element shown in FIG. 9A and has improved magnetic permeability as compared to a planar coil element shown in FIG. 9B. |
| US08975990B2 |
Switching mechanism for an electrical switching device and an electrical switching device
An switching mechanism is disclosed for an electrical switching device. In at least one embodiment, the switching mechanism is for a low-voltage circuit-breaker. Further, an electrical switching device is disclosed, in particular a low-voltage circuit-breaker, with a switching mechanism. |
| US08975988B1 |
Impedance tuner using dielectrically filled airline
Mechanically short single and multi-carriage impedance tuners use a dielectrically filled slabline. The dielectric filling reduces the overall tuner length by a factor of 1/√∈r. The increase in loss, and associated reduction in reflection factor, is partly compensated by the shorter size and travel of the probes. A typical length reduction factor is 40%. Using dielectric low loss oil also reduces the electric field between probe and center conductor and increases Corona threshold; lubrication of sliding contact between probe and slabline walls and cooling of the center conductor are additional benefits. The method is most effective for wideband tuners with lowest frequency of operation between 100 and 200 MHz and harmonic tuners with lowest frequency between 200 and 400 MHz. |
| US08975986B2 |
High-frequency signal transmission line and electronic device
A high-frequency signal transmission line includes a flexible body including a plurality of insulating layers. A linear signal line is located in or on the body. A first ground conductor is located opposite to the signal line via at least one of the insulating layers. A second ground conductor extends along the signal line. An interlayer connection portion that connects the first ground conductor and the second ground conductor includes a plurality of interlayer connection conductors individually pierced in some of6 the insulating layers and connected to each other. The plurality of interlayer connection conductors includes two interlayer connection conductors that are pierced in adjacent ones of the insulating layers with respect to a layer-stacking direction and that have central axes located in different positions when viewed from the layer-stacking direction. |
| US08975984B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical transducer having an optimized non-flat surface
A micro-electro-mechanical transducer (such as a cMUT) having a non-flat surface is disclosed. The non-flat surface may include a variable curve or slope in an area where a spring layer contacts a support, thus making a variable spring model as the spring layer vibrates. The non-flat surface may be that of a non-flat electrode optimized to compensate the dynamic deformation of the other electrode during operation and thus enhance the uniformity of the dynamic electrode gap during operation. Methods for fabricating the micro-electro-mechanical transducer are also disclosed. The methods may be used in both conventional membrane-based cMUTs and cMUTs having embedded springs transporting a rigid top plate. |
| US08975983B2 |
Band-pass filter
A capacitor of a certain LC resonator, among multiple LC resonators in a band-pass filter, is arranged at a side of one main surface in a stacking direction of a multilayer body of the band-pass filter and the capacitors of the remaining LC resonators are arranged at a side of the other main surface in the stacking direction of the multilayer body. One of a pair of capacitor electrodes of the capacitor of the certain LC resonator is grounded. The one capacitor electrode that is grounded covers at least the plurality of LC resonators, as viewed from the stacking direction of the multilayer body. |
| US08975982B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting transmission and reception signal
Provided is a transmission and reception signal detecting apparatus, which includes a directional coupler and a signal detecting part. The directional coupler includes a first port and a second port. The signal detecting part is connected to the first and second ports of the directional coupler and detects an output of a first signal transmitted through the first port and an output of a second signal transmitted through the second port. The signal detecting part is connected to the first port under a first operation condition. The signal detecting part is connected to the second port under a second operation condition. |
| US08975980B2 |
Semiconductor device having balanced band-pass filter implemented with LC resonators
A band-pass filter has a plurality of frequency band channels each including a first inductor having a first terminal coupled to a first balanced port and a second terminal coupled to a second balanced port. A first capacitor is coupled between the first and second terminals of the first inductor. A second inductor has a first terminal coupled to a first unbalanced port and a second terminal coupled to a second unbalanced port. The second inductor is disposed within a first distance of the first inductor to induce magnetic coupling. A second capacitor is coupled between the first and second terminals of the second inductor. A third inductor is disposed within a second distance of the first inductor and within a third distance of the second inductor to induce magnetic coupling. A second capacitor is coupled between first and second terminals of the third inductor. |
| US08975975B2 |
Spread spectrum clocking method for wireless mobile platforms
According to some embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided to vary a clock signal frequency for a first time period between a lower limit of a range of problematic frequencies and a frequency lower than the lower limit, and vary the clock signal frequency for a second period of time between an upper limit of the range of problematic frequencies and a frequency greater than the upper limit. |
| US08975973B2 |
Oscillation frequency adjusting apparatus, oscillation frequency adjusting method, and wireless communication apparatus
A voltage controlled oscillation circuit oscillates at an oscillation frequency corresponding to a control voltage. Injection locked oscillation circuits oscillate at an oscillation frequency corresponding to an output signal from the voltage controlled oscillation circuit. A mixer circuit performs a frequency conversion based on output signals from the injection locked oscillation circuits. A synchronization determiner determines the synchronous status between the injection locked oscillation circuits in accordance with an output signal from the mixer circuit. The injection locked oscillation circuits synchronize with each other at a frequency that is an integral multiple of the oscillation frequency of the voltage controlled oscillation circuit. |
| US08975971B2 |
Digitally controlled oscillator
A digitally controlled LC-tank oscillator is constructed by connecting different tuning circuits to a LC tank. The tuning circuit includes a single bank of tuning cells, a dual bank of tuning cells, or a fractional tuning circuit. Each of said tuning cells in the tuning circuit includes a tuning circuit element and a memory cell. |
| US08975969B1 |
Control system with both fast sample time and long gate time
Disclosed are control systems, and more specifically control systems which benefit from a long-gate time for measurement and a rapid sample time to enhance responsiveness and methods and systems for utilizing multiple-staggered, overlapping gates where the gate time is an integer multiple of the time between ends of adjacent gates. The system continuously counts at the wavefronts or zero-crossings of a frequency reference signal and temporarily records them in registers and compares the contents of registers separated by a gate time and outputs a sample after every sample time. |