| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09008312B2 |
System and method of creating and sending broadcast and multicast data
A method of encrypting broadcast and multicast data communicated between two or more parties, each party having knowledge of a shared key, is provided. The key is calculated using values, some of which are communicated between the parties, so that the shared key is not itself transferred. Avoiding the transfer of the key offers several advantages over existing encryption methods. |
| US09008305B2 |
Video data delivery protection
An aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in one or more computer-implemented methods that include obtaining a master playlist document including references to sub-playlist documents that reference video documents of different video quality for use in a video streaming on demand system, parsing the master playlist document to extract the references, digitally signing the references, generating a protected master playlist document from the digitally signed references, and providing the protected master playlist document for use in the video streaming on demand system. |
| US09008303B1 |
Method and apparatus for generating forward secure pseudorandom numbers
Methods and apparatus are provided for generation of forward secure pseudorandom numbers. A forward secure pseudorandom number is generated by obtaining a first state si corresponding to a current leaf node vi in a hierarchical tree, wherein the current leaf vi produces a first pseudorandom number ri−t and wherein the hierarchical tree comprises at least one chain comprised of a plurality of nodes on a given level of the hierarchical tree; updating the first state si to a second state si+t corresponding to a second leaf node vi+t; and computing a second pseudorandom number ri+t−1 corresponding to the second leaf node vi+t. The variable t may be an integer greater than one. Updating the state does not require generation of all pseudorandom numbers produced by leaf nodes between the current leaf node vi and the second leaf node vi+t. |
| US09008302B2 |
Audio acoustic echo cancellation for video conferencing
A new audio echo cancellation (AEC) approach is disclosed. To facilitate echo cancellation, the method adjusts for errors (called drift) in sampling rates for both capturing audio and playing audio. This ensures that the AEC module receives both the signals at precisely the same sampling frequency. Furthermore, the far-end signal and near-end mixed signal are time aligned to ensure that the alignment is suitable for application of AEC techniques. An additional enhancement to reduce errors utilizes a concept of native frequency. A by-product of drift compensation allows for excellent buffer control for capture/playback and buffer overflow/underflow errors from drift errors are eliminated. |
| US09008296B2 |
Catching up with an ongoing conference call
Various technologies described herein pertain to retaining content of a conference call for accelerated replay. The content of the conference call can be recorded. Further, establishment of a connection of a participant to the conference call can be detected. For instance, the connection can be established with a computing device of the participant. Moreover, the establishment of the connection of the participant to the conference call can be detected subsequent to initiation of the recording of the content of the conference call. Responsive to detection of the establishment of the connection of the participant to the conference call, at least a portion of recorded content of the conference call can be transmitted to the computing device for playback at a playback speed that is greater than a speed at which the content is recorded. |
| US09008295B1 |
Performing automated event services to registered end users
Operations included may provide receiving event registration messages from at least a portion of end users to register the end users for an event and storing the event registration messages in a registration list file. Establishing a connection for each of the portion of the plurality of end users via an interactive voice response (IVR) application may also occur. The IVR application is then dropped and the connection is maintained via a port on a network element to transfer the event data from the network element to the portion of the registered end users. |
| US09008294B2 |
Providing calling party information in a request to establish a call session
A method and apparatus are provided for providing calling party information in a request to establish a call session. The method comprises receiving a call request from an entity to establish an interactive call session. The method comprises receiving information associated with the entity. The method further comprises providing the information in the call request. |
| US09008292B2 |
Providing audio announcement to called parties
The present disclosure describes a system, method, and computer-readable medium for providing audio announcement of communications to a called party in a communication network. The method includes receiving communication from a calling party and performing a lookup of information relating to the calling party in a database via an Internet Protocol connection based on an identifier of at least one of the calling party and the called party. The information comprises one or more audio files. The method then provides the audio announcement to a called party based on the audio files. |
| US09008285B2 |
System and method for interactive voice response unit table-based programming
An embodiment provides a modular framework for managing multiple router applications in an interactive voice response (IVR) system. In an embodiment, a single table-driven framework approach is taken in which multiple IVR router applications, including menu/response type call routing applications and/or frequently asked question (FAQ)/response applications, may be managed in a more streamlined fashion. In an embodiment, a menu is presented to the caller. The menu is part of the router application which references information stored in a database, e.g., voice files and grammars, defined in a format, e.g., in table format. An embodiment analyzes the caller's responses against the menu's information to determine the appropriate actions to take and the appropriate data to retrieve. An embodiment also provides a centralized authentication process that may be used for all self-service router applications that require or somehow make use of authentication. |
| US09008283B2 |
Customer portal of an intelligent automated agent for a contact center
A customer portal of an intelligent automated agent for a contact center is provided. The customer portal is configured to run on a processor coupled to a non-transitory storage device. The customer portal includes a customer profile module configured to access a profile for a customer from a customer profile database stored on the storage device, and a customer emotion and mood detection module configured to detect emotions and moods of the customer during an interaction between the customer and the contact center. The intelligent automated agent is configured to run on the processor, take part in the interaction between the customer and the contact center, adjust its behavior in the interaction by factoring in the accessed profile for the customer and the detected emotions and moods of the customer during the interaction, and update the accessed profile on the storage device to reflect the interaction. |
| US09008280B2 |
Method and testing system for testing an analogue front end
Method for testing an analog front end coupled to a telecommunication line of a telecommunication system and a related testing system is described. The testing system comprises a single ended line testing measurement module for applying single ended line testing measurements via said analog front-end upon said line and for collecting thereby single ended line testing measurements; and a processing means for interpreting the single ended line testing measurements and for thereby judging that the analog front end being out of order and a control means for controlling the single ended line testing measurement module and processing means. |
| US09008278B2 |
Multilayer X-ray source target with high thermal conductivity
In one embodiment, an X-ray source is provided that includes one or more electron emitters configured to emit one or more electron beams and one or more source targets configured to receive the one or more electron beams emitted by the one or more electron emitters and, as a result of receiving the one or more electron beams, to emit X-rays. Each source target of the X-ray source includes a first layer having one or more first materials; and a second layer in thermal communication with the first layer and having one or more second materials. The first layer is positioned closer to the one or more emitters than the second layer, the first material has a higher overall thermal conductivity than the second layer, and the second layer produces the majority of the X-rays emitted by the source target. |
| US09008276B2 |
X-ray tube
An X-ray tube is disclosed. The X-ray tube includes a substrate, a box-shaped case attached to the substrate and being in a high-vacuum state, an X-ray target arranged in the opening of the first substrate in the inside of the case, and a cathode arranged in the case and supplying an electron to the X-ray target. The substrate includes first and second substrates made of 426 alloy and respectively having an opening of honeycomb structure, and an X-ray transmissive window sandwiched between the first and second substrates which is made of a titanium foil and close the opening. The X-ray transmissive window is reinforced by a honeycomb structure of the substrate from both surfaces. Thus, the substrate and the X-ray transmissive window are not deformed, and strength of the package is improved. |
| US09008274B2 |
Systems and methods for selecting image display parameters
An imaging system includes an identification module, a determination module, and a display module. The identification module is configured to identify one or more first scanning parameters and one or more first display parameters corresponding to a first image, and to identify one or more second scanning parameters corresponding to scanning information acquired during a second scan. The determination module is configured to determine, based on the one or more first scanning parameters and the one or more second scanning parameters, one or more second display parameters so that the scanning information acquired during the second scan may be used to provide a second image appearing more similar to the first image. The display module is configured to use the one or more second display parameters to provide the second image configured to be displayed to a viewer. |
| US09008271B2 |
System for X-ray irradiation of target volume
An X-ray system is arranged for providing X-ray exposure to a target volume. The aforesaid X-ray system comprises an X-ray source and at least one focusing lens. The provided exposure is distributed over a volume of the target in a substantially uniform manner. |
| US09008269B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting a field of view for exposure of an X-ray system, and an X-ray system
A method for adjusting a field of view for exposure of an X-ray system is provided. The method comprises: capturing an image of a patient on an examining table of the system by an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is placed at a predetermined position in the system; displaying the captured image on a display for selection of a region of interest or a point of interest by a user on the image; automatically determining a target position of an X-ray source in response to the selection of the region of interest or the point of interest on the image, wherein a desired field of view for exposure covering the region of interest or the point of interest is obtained when the X-ray source is located at the target position; and automatically locating the X-ray source at the target position in response to the determination of the target position. |
| US09008267B2 |
Medical viewing system for displaying an X-ray image
A medical viewing system comprises an X-ray source, a collimator for limiting the X-ray radiation output of the X-ray source and a flat X-ray detector, wherein the collimator is adjustable such that the subsequent X-ray images acquired by the X-ray detector comprise a rectangular shape with variably rounded corners. The acquired X-ray images have a shape, which is in-between a circular shape and a rectangular or square shape. Acquired images with this shape may then be displayed on a display unit, wherein the borders or the images are distant from the borders of the designated screen area of the display unit in order to define a gap on the display. On rotation of an acquired image the rounded corners move towards the borders of the screen and are dimensioned such that they never cross the borders of the display. The used area of the screen 30 is approximately 30% larger than that of a circular image, e.g. taken by means of an image intensifier. |
| US09008266B2 |
Device for determining the quality of orthogonally pretensioned leather
In a testing device (10) for determining the quality of leather (9) in the production of leather, wherein the testing device (10) is formed for examining a quality category of the leather (9) and for delivering a quality value characterizing the leather (9) in regard to its quality category, the testing device (10) comprises screening means (16) for examining the homogeneity of the leather (9) auf, which may screen at least portions (22, 23, 24, 27, 29) of the leather (9) and which are formed for delivering screening data (D) to analysis means (19), and wherein there are formed analysis means (19) for comparing the screening data (D) with feature data typical for hide injuries or inhomogeneities, respectively, of the leather (9) and for classifying determined hide injuries of examined portions (22, 23, 24, 27, 29) of the leather (9) and wherein there are formed display means (20) for display the categorized hide injuries or quality value, respectively, of the leather (9), preferably per portion (22, 23, 24, 27, 29) of the leather (9). |
| US09008265B2 |
Device for detecting suspicious objects
A device includes a radiation tunnel in which an X-ray source and a detector unit are disposed, the detectors of which are aligned with the X-ray source so as to detect transmitted radiation for detecting suspicious objects. Disposed in the radiation tunnel is a frame which can be moved over an examination region and has two supports which extend at a spacing parallel to each other and are rigidly connected to each other, the radiation source being secured on one vertical support and the detector unit being secured on the other vertical support. |
| US09008260B2 |
Non-volatile memory counter
A counter in a non-volatile memory including at least two sub-counters, each counting with a different modulo, an increment of the counter being transferred on a single one of the sub-counters and the sub-counters being incremented sequentially. |
| US09008259B2 |
Sheathed, annular metal nuclear fuel
A sheathed, annular metal fuel system is described. A metal fuel pin system is described that includes an annular metal nuclear fuel alloy. A sheath may surround the metal nuclear fuel alloy, and a cladding may surround the sheath. A gas plenum may also be present. Mold arrangements and methods of fabrication of the sheathed, annular metal fuel are also described. |
| US09008251B2 |
Adaptive phase-shifted synchronization clock generation circuit and method for generating phase-shifted synchronization clock
The present invention discloses an adaptive phase-shifted synchronization clock generation circuit and a method for generating phase-shifted synchronization clock. The adaptive phase-shifted synchronization clock generation circuit includes: a current source generating a current which flows through a node to generate a node voltage on the node; a reverse-proportional voltage generator coupled to the node for generating a voltage which is reverse-proportional to the node voltage; a ramp generator receiving a synchronization input signal and generating a ramp signal; a comparator comparing the reverse-proportional voltage to the ramp signal; and a pulse generator for generating a clock signal according to an output from the comparator. |
| US09008249B2 |
Detection and filtering of an undesired narrowband signal contribution in a wireless signal receiver
Techniques are provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses in a device comprising a receiver to scan a spectral band of a received signal comprising a desired signal contribution to determine whether signal data associated with at least a sub-band of the spectral band further comprises at least one undesired signal contribution. In response to determining that the signal data comprises at least one undesired signal contribution, the mobile station may initiate at least one notch filter to affect the undesired signal contribution in subsequent signal data associated with the received signal. |
| US09008247B2 |
Communication circuits and communication devices supporting MIMO and dual-mode techniques
A communication circuit and a communication device are provided. The communication circuit includes first, second, and third RF transceivers, first and second baseband transceivers, and first and second modem circuits. The first and second RF transceivers are configured to down-convert first and second RF signals for MIMO. The third RF transceiver is configured to down-convert a third RF signal for a second telecommunication technology. The first baseband transceiver is configured to digitize the down-converted first RF signal to output a first baseband signal. The second baseband transceiver is configured to digitize one of the down-converted second or third RF signals according to a selection signal to output a second baseband signal. The first modem circuit is configured to digitally process the first and second baseband signals using the MIMO technology. The second modem circuit is configured to digitally process the second baseband signal using the second telecommunication technology. |
| US09008245B1 |
Optimal symbol detection in the presence of non-gaussian interference
Techniques are provided for detecting a coded signal in the presence of non-Gaussian interference. In an embodiment, a primary transmitter corresponds to a desired transmitter, and one or more secondary transmitters correspond to interfering transmitters. In an embodiment, received symbols, which include non-Gaussian interference and additive noise, are decoded to determine a set of message bits. In an embodiment, an estimate of the set of message bits may be determined using a minimum-distance detector or an optimal-ML detector, for example, depending on the signal-to-noise and/or signal-to-interference ratios at a receiver. |
| US09008243B2 |
Method and apparatus for correcting a reference clock of a GPS receiver
An approach is provided for correcting a reference clock of a GPS receiver. The approach involves determining one or more frequency offset values. The approach also involves determining one or more codes associated with one or more satellites. The approach further involves determining a second code associated with the one or more satellites. The approach additionally involves determining one or more delay values between the second code and the one or more first codes. The approach also involves determining one or more proportional values based on the one or more delay values and a determined correlation. The approach further involves determining one or more correlation peak values and determining one or more estimated frequency offset error values based on the one or more correlation peak values. The approach additionally involves causing a calibrated reference clock frequency value to change to a recalibrated reference clock frequency value based on the estimated frequency offset error values. |
| US09008242B2 |
Parallel execution of trellis-based methods using overlapping sub-sequences
A receiver system and method for recovering information from a symbol data sequence Y. The symbol data sequence Y corresponds to a symbol data sequence X that is transmitted onto the channel by a transmitter. The symbol data sequence X is generated by the transmitter based on associated information bits. At the receiver, a set of two or more processors operate in parallel on two or more overlapping subsequences of the symbol data sequence Y, where each of the two or more overlapping subsequences of the symbol data sequence Y corresponds to a respective portion of a trellis. The trellis describes redundancy in the symbol data sequence Y. The action of operating in parallel generates soft estimates for the associated information bits. The soft estimates are useable to form a receive message corresponding to the associated information bits. |
| US09008236B2 |
Communication signal decoding and soft demapping
Symbol detection and soft demapping methods and systems are provided. Individual subset symbol detection according to one or more embodiments involves identifying a search subset of a transmission symbol set for a transmission symbol. For each other transmission symbol in communication signals, multiple search subsets of the transmission symbol set are identified. The multiple search subsets include respective search subsets based on each transmission symbol in either the search subset for the first identified one of the transmission symbols or each of the multiple search subsets identified for a different one of the other transmission symbols. Symbol detection errors may be detected by identifying competing symbols and computing competing distances. Soft demapping may be provided by calculating soft decision results based on detected symbols and weighting the soft decision result. |
| US09008235B2 |
Receiver with reduced wake-up time
An auxiliary reduced power analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided for use during sleep periods of a receiver. The auxiliary ADC has a reduced dynamic range but sufficient accuracy to allow demodulation of signaling information contained in an input signal and to update control parameters used for synchronization and channel estimation. As such, a main higher power, higher dynamic range ADC can be turned off during sleep periods, reducing receiver power consumption. The main ADC is turned on at the end of a sleep period, and the receiver can be ready for receiving data immediately using the main ADC because the control parameters are maintained up to date during the sleep period using the auxiliary ADC. |
| US09008231B2 |
Signal duty cycle reduction
A method may include receiving a positive in-phase (“I”)-channel signal (“I+ signal”), a negative I-channel signal (“I− signal”), a positive quadrature-phase (“Q”)-channel signal (“Q+ signal”), and a negative Q-channel signal (“Q− signal”). The method may further include outputting a truncated I+ signal, a truncated I− signal, a truncated Q+ signal, and a truncated Q− signal. The method may further include generating the truncated I+ signal based on the I+ and Q+ signals and a complement of the truncated Q− signal, generating the truncated I− signal based on the I− and Q− signals and a complement of the truncated Q+ signal, generating the truncated Q+ signal based on the I− and Q+ signals and a complement of the truncated I+ signal, and generating the truncated Q− signal based on the I+ and Q− signals and a complement of the truncated I− signal. |
| US09008227B2 |
Radio frequency communication
An analog modem circuit and carrier recovery method are disclosed for use between an RF receiver and a digital modem circuit configured for receiving a baseband RF input signal, and including an up-converter with frequency supplied by an up-converter voltage controlled oscillator, VCO; a down-converter with frequency supplied by a down-converter VCO; a Costas loop sub-module; and baseband outputs from the down-converter to a digital modem circuit. The up-converter feeds the down-converter, and the Costas loop module performs Costas loop functionality on the output of the down-converter to control the up-converter VCO frequency output to thereby control modification of rotation of symbols of the baseband signal. |
| US09008223B1 |
Transmitter and method for reducing the peak-to-average power ratio of a digitally modulated communication signal
A transmitter and method for processing a digitally modulated communication signal, which may reduce peak-to-average-power-ratio (PAPR) while maintaining acceptable error rates is disclosed. After subcarrier mapping, a first digital representation of the signal is upsampled into a second digital representation, which is transformed into a first time domain representation. Samples whose magnitudes exceed a magnitude limit are limited to that limit to produce a second time domain representation. The second time domain representation is transformed to a third frequency domain representation, which is downsampled into a fourth frequency domain representation. In addition to the in-band subcarriers, some out-of-band subcarriers adjacent to the frequency band are preserved while the remaining out-of-band subcarriers are eliminated to produce a fifth frequency domain representation. The fifth frequency domain representation is then transformed to a third time domain representation, which is converted to an analog signal to be transmitted. |
| US09008222B2 |
Multi-user and single user MIMO for communication systems using hybrid beam forming
A station in a wireless communication system includes a processor circuitry configured to form at least a first plurality of data streams and a second plurality of data streams, and a digital precoder configured to receive the first plurality of data streams and the second plurality of data streams. The wireless station can further include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) beamforming chains connected to the digital precoder and configured to form at least one RF envelope, wherein the digital precoder is configured to steer a plurality of digital beams within the at least one RF beam envelope, the digital beams forming a plurality of spatially distinct paths for the first plurality of data streams and a plurality of spatially distinct paths for the second plurality of data streams, and a plurality of antennas operably connected to the RF beamforming chains. |
| US09008217B2 |
Method and assembly for transmitting sensor signals
The invention relates to a method for transmitting sensor signals, comprising the following steps: a first sensor (4), in particular a rotational speed sensor, supplies an alternating signal, which is present in the form of a sequence of sensor pulses (50) and pulse pauses (52) of predetermined duration, wherein in the pulse pauses (52) additional data (54) is transmitted as a bit sequence and wherein the bit sequence contains at least one free bit (56); a binary information sequence (60) comprising data from at least one further sensor (12, 14, 22, 30, 38a, 38b, 38c) is generated, which has a transmission length of a plurality of bits; and the data of the first sensor (4) and of the at least one further sensor (12, 14, 22, 30, 38a, 38b, 38c) is transmitted through a common data line (18) in that a processing unit (20) distributes the information sequence (60) to a plurality of chronologically sequential bit sequences and the at least one free bit (56) of the additional data (54) is assigned at least one bit of the information sequence (60). The information sequence (60) is thus reliably transmitted, even when it contains more bits than there are free bits available in the additional data (54). |
| US09008212B2 |
High data rate millimeter wave radio
A high data rate millimeter wave radio adapted to receive an binary input data at an input data rate in excess of 3.5 Gbps and to transmit at a transmit data rate in excess of 3.5 Gbps utilizing encoded three-bit data symbols on a millimeter carrier wave at a millimeter wave nominal carrier frequency, defining a carrier wavelength and period, in excess of 70 GHz with differential phase-shift keying utilizing eight separate phase shifts. Preferred embodiments of the invention can support many of the high data rate standards including the following group of protocols or standards: SONET OC-96 (4.976 Gbps); 4xGig-E (5.00 Gbps); 5xGig-E (6.25 Gbps); OBSAI RP3-01 (6.144 Gbps); 6xGig-E (7.50 Gbps); Fibre Channel 8GFC (8.5 Gbps); SONET OC-192 (9.952 Gbps); Fibre Channel 10GFC Serial (10.52 Gbps) and 10 GigaBit Ethernet. |
| US09008211B2 |
Receiving device, receiving method, and receiving program
A receiving device, a receiving method, and a receiving program are provided and are capable of reducing performance degradation in a case where the spatial correlation of a channel becomes high. A transmission signal candidate search unit searches for a transmission signal in a direction in which reception performance is degraded, in MIMO signal detection. A transmission signal candidate generation unit generates transmission signal candidates while suppressing degradation due to the spatial correlation of a channel. In a decision unit, using the transmission signal candidates generated in the transmission signal candidate generation unit, a maximum likelihood sequence is obtained. The maximum likelihood sequence is obtained as transmission signal candidates where a metric is calculated and the metric becomes a minimum. |
| US09008208B2 |
Wireless transmission with channel state perturbation
Generating a channel codebook by identifying a subset of antenna configurations from a plurality of antenna configurations of an antenna associated with a transmitter by: transmitting a sequence of symbols from the transmitter to a receiver using the plurality of antenna configurations, wherein each antenna configuration provides a unique transmission characteristic to the receiver; receiving feedback from the receiver that identifies the subset of antenna configurations; and, generating channel codebook entries corresponding to the subset of antenna configurations; and, transmitting data from the transmitter to the receiver using the channel codebook. |
| US09008203B2 |
Transmitters, receivers and methods of transmitting and receiving
A receiver comprises a demodulator configured to detect a signal representing the OFDM symbols and to generate a sampled digital version of the OFDM symbols in the time domain. A Fourier transform processor is configured to receive the time domain digital version of the OFDM symbols and to form a frequency domain version of the OFDM symbols, from which the pilot symbol bearing sub-carriers and the data symbol bearing sub-carriers can be recovered. A detector is configured to recover the data symbols from the data bearing sub-carriers of the OFDM symbols and to recover the pilot symbols from the pilot bearing sub-carriers of the OFDM symbols in accordance with the scattered pilot symbol pattern and the continuous pilot symbol pattern. The scattered pilot symbol pattern is one of a plurality of scattered pilot symbol patterns and the continuous pilot pattern is independent of the scattered pilot symbol pattern. |
| US09008201B2 |
Robust HARQ-ACK design for MF-HSDPA
When a UE (12) is configured with MF-HSDPA and HARQ-ACK information associated with cells (14, 16) (characterized by potentially different downlink timing) is jointly encoded, only part of the existing Rel-9 HARQ-ACK codebook is reused. In one embodiment, only the codebook conflict arising from reuse of encodings is resolved. This is achieved by introducing a new codeword for at least one of the HARQ-ACK code words that are used multiple times in the existing Rel-9 codebook. In another embodiment, all codewords in the Rel-9 HARQ-ACK codebook having a Hamming distance smaller than a predetermined value (but not all codewords) are replaced. In yet another embodiment, all codewords in the Rel-9 HARQ-ACK codebook having a Hamming distance smaller than a predetermined value (but not all codewords) that would cause ambiguity at the NodeB receiver (i.e. where the interpretation of the HARQ-ACK information for one cell (14) depends on the number of streams transmitted at the other cell (16)) are replaced. |
| US09008200B2 |
UE signal quality measurements on a subset of radio resource elements
A user equipment (UE) receives a radio signal which includes a time-frequency grid of radio resource elements. A UE detector measures a signal quality parameter associated with a subset of the radio resource elements in the time-frequency grid. The subset of the radio resource elements is less than a total number of the radio resource elements in the time-frequency grid and corresponds to an individual radio channel. Radio circuitry in the UE reports to a network node the signal quality parameter measured for the subset of the radio resource elements in the time-frequency grid to enable an operation related, for example, to the individual radio channel. |
| US09008199B2 |
Advanced MIMO interleaving
A MIMO transmitter including an interleaving system for parsing encoded bits to a plurality of spatial streams and a plurality of interleavers to interleave bits for spatial streams such that at least a first spatial stream uses a first stream interleaver that interleaves with a pattern distinct from a second stream interleaver interleaving for a second spatial stream. |
| US09008198B2 |
Methods and apparatus for timing synchronization based on transitional pilot symbols
Methods and apparatus for timing synchronization based on transitional pilot symbols. In an aspect, a method is provided for time tracking synchronization in an OFDM system. The method includes receiving at least one TDM pilot symbol comprising a plurality of modulated sub-carriers that are configured to provide a channel estimate having a length that extends up to a duration of an FFT used for data transmission. The method also includes determining one or both of an instantaneous and averaged channel estimates from the plurality of modulated sub-carriers, and calculating a timing offset based on one or both of the channel estimates. An apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive the at least one TDM pilot symbol, a channel estimator configured to determine the instantaneous and averaged channel estimates, and a time synchronizer configured to calculate a timing offset based on the channel estimates. |
| US09008194B2 |
Low-power, high-speed transceiver
The present invention relates to a low-power and high-speed transmission and reception apparatus which reduces consumption power of a sending-end circuit by increasing a value of a termination resistor included in a sending-end circuit and a receiving-end circuit so that the value is greater than a characteristic impedance value of a transmission line. |
| US09008192B2 |
Arrangements for increasing detection confidence
In one embodiment, a first set of digital data (e.g., an image) is tested for the presence of a certain feature (e.g., a certain face), yielding one of two outcomes (e.g., not-present, or present). If the testing yields the first outcome, no additional testing is performed. If, however, the testing yields the second outcome, further testing is performed to further check this outcome. Such further testing is performed on a second set of digital data that is based on, but different from, the first set of data. Only if the original testing and the further testing both yield the same second outcome is it treated as a valid result. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. |
| US09008186B2 |
Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, image coding and decoding apparatus
An image coding method includes: coding (i) coefficient information, (ii) a first flag indicating whether to quantize one or more blocks using quantization, (iii) a second flag indicating whether the plurality of quantization matrices are included in a sequence parameter set, and (iv) a third flag indicating whether the plurality of quantization matrices are included in a picture parameter set; and quantizing the plurality of coefficients, wherein when the one or more blocks are quantized using a plurality of default matrices, the following are coded in the coding: (i) the first flag indicating that the one or more blocks are quantized using the plurality of quantization matrices, (ii) the second flag indicating that the plurality of quantization matrices are not included in the sequence parameter set, and (iii) the third flag indicating that the plurality of quantization matrices are not included in the picture parameter set. |
| US09008185B2 |
Apparatus and method of lossless compression/restoration of selective image information
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of lossless compression and restoration of selective image information. The apparatus of lossless compression of selective image information may compress an uncompressed block image of image information without loss to convert the uncompressed block image into a compressed block image, and store the converted compressed block image. |
| US09008181B2 |
Single reference picture list utilization for interprediction video coding
The example techniques described in this disclosure provide for an efficient manner to encode or decode a video block of a picture using a single reference picture list. The single reference picture list may include identifiers for reference picture or pictures used to encode or decode the video block. In some examples, a video encoder or decoder may encode or decode a video block that is predicted from two reference pictures using the single reference picture list, and encode or decode a video block that is predicted from one reference picture using the same, single reference picture list. |
| US09008180B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding images using a prediction method adopting in-loop filtering
Disclosed is a prediction method adopting in-loop filtering. According to the present invention, a prediction method for encoding and decoding video comprises the following steps: generating a residual block of the current block through an inverse quantization and inverse transform; generating a prediction block of the current block through an intra-prediction; performing in-loop filtering on the current block in which the residual block and the prediction block are combined; and storing the current block, on which the in-loop filtering is performed, in a frame buffer for an intra-prediction of the next block to be encoded. As described above, prediction is performed using an in-loop filter during processes for encoding and decoding video, thereby improving the accuracy of prediction and reducing errors in prediction, thus improving the efficiency of video compression and reducing the amount of data to be transmitted. |
| US09008178B2 |
Method for decoding a stream of coded data representative of a sequence of images and method for coding a sequence of images
A method for decoding a stream of coded data representative of a sequence of images is disclosed. The decoding method comprises: determining a prediction block, calculating the average of said prediction block, reconstructing, from said stream, a DC coefficient and AC coefficients relating to said current block, calculating an average of said current block from said average of said prediction block and said DC coefficient, calculating a weighted prediction parameter as being the ratio of the average of said current block and the average of said prediction block, transforming a block of coefficients comprising a null value as DC coefficient and said reconstructed AC coefficients into a residual block, reconstructing the current block by merging said residual block and said prediction block weighted by said weighted prediction parameter. A method for coding is further disclosed. |
| US09008168B2 |
Signal equalizer for balanced transfer line-based video switching
A method of equalizing signals from a plurality of balanced transmission line cables having different lengths includes providing a first cable having a first length and a second cable having a second length, the first cable coupled to a variable resistor. A first signal is transmitted along the first cable to the variable resistor such that the first signal is attenuated to assume a first frequency domain characteristic. A second signal is transmitted along the second cable such that the second signal is attenuated to assume a second frequency domain characteristic. A voltage of the first signal is divided in the variable resistor such that the first signal assumes substantially the second frequency domain characteristic. The first signal having the second frequency domain characteristic is outputted. |
| US09008165B2 |
Digital phase equalizer for serial link receiver and method thereof
An apparatus of automatic power control for burst mode laser transmitter and method are provided. In one implementation a method includes: pushing a first multi-bit data into a data memory; modifying the data memory to remove a condition of frequent transition in the data memory, if the condition of frequent transition is found; establishing a list of indices pointing to data transition of the data memory; and sequentially examining a respective run length of the data indexed by each entry in the list, modifying the associated data to lengthen the respective run length if the respective run length is too short, modifying the associated data to shorten the respective run length if the respective run length is too long, and outputting a second multi-bit data by taking data from the data memory. |
| US09008164B2 |
HDMI signal adjusting method, HDMI signal receiving apparatus, HDMI signal transmitting apparatus, and HDMI signal processing system
An HDMI signal adjusting method is provided. A method for adjusting an HDMI signal of a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) signal receiving apparatus includes: setting an equalizer gain for an HDMI signal, receiving an HDMI signal which is adjusted according to signal adjustment information set by an HDMI signal transmitting apparatus from the HDMI signal transmitting apparatus, signal-processing the received HDMI signal according to the set equalizer gain, detecting an error rate of the signal-processed HDMI signal, and transmitting signal adjustment information corresponding to an HDMI signal having a lowest error rate from among a plurality of the signal-processed HDMI signals corresponding to a plurality of different combinations of the equalizer gain and the signal adjustment information to the HDMI signal transmitting apparatus. |
| US09008162B2 |
Systems and methods for signal frequency division in wireless communication systems
An exemplary system comprises at least one antenna, first and second signal paths, and an N-plexer. The antenna may be configured to receive first and second diversity receive signals. The antenna is further configured to transmit first and second diversity transmit signals. The first signal path may have a frequency converter configured to downconvert the first diversity receive signal to an intermediate frequency and to upconvert the first diversity transmit signal to a radio frequency. The second signal path may have a frequency converter configured to downconvert the second diversity receive signal to an intermediate frequency and to upconvert the second diversity transmit signal to the radio frequency. The N-plexer may be configured to provide the first and second diversity receive signals to a cable and to provide from the cable the first and second diversity transmit signals to the first signal path and the second signal path, respectively. |
| US09008155B2 |
Reacquisition method of a CDMA modulated satellite signals and receiving apparatus implementing the method
Acquiring a satellite signal, by, receiving a CDMA-modulated signal; generating a plurality of CDMA-type test signals comprising a reference test signal having a first chip duration, and a plurality of test signals delayed/anticipated of a corresponding time offset from the respective test reference signal, less than the chip duration; calculating correlations between the CDMA-modulated signal and the plurality of test signals for obtaining a plurality of correlation results; selecting, based on the correlation results, acquisition parameters associated to a candidate satellite signal; acquiring or rejecting the acquisition parameters selected based on the correlation results. |
| US09008150B2 |
Interference signal avoiding device of a frequency hopping spread system and method thereof
An interference signal avoiding device of a frequency hopping spread system and a method thereof are disclosed. A method of transmitting/receiving an interference signal avoiding signal according to the present invention includes: determining a frequency hopping channel set and a parameter of an interference signal detector in consideration of characteristics of an interference signal; detecting whether there is an interference signal with respect to frequency hopping candidate channels that are to be used for the next frequency hopping by using the determined interference signal detector; transmitting a signal through a channel that is determined by the interference signal detector that there is no interference signal among the frequency hopping candidate channels; and searching a channel through which the signal is transmitted from the frequency hopping candidate channels in order to receive the transmitted signal. |
| US09008146B2 |
Semiconductor laser excitation solid-state laser
A semiconductor laser excitation solid-state laser comprises: a planar waveguide-type solid-state laser element which is disposed on a solid-state laser substrate; an LD array; and a sub-mount substrate on which joining layers of two different thicknesses are formed on the same plane; wherein the planar waveguide-type solid-state laser element is joined to the sub-mount substrate on the surface on the opposite side of a surface on which the solid-state laser substrate is mounted, via a joining layer of one of the thicknesses out of the joining layers of the two different thicknesses, and the LD array is joined to the sub-mount substrate on the surface on a light-emitting layer side, via another joining layer of the other thickness out of the joining layers of the two different thicknesses. |
| US09008145B2 |
System for frequency conversion, semiconducting device and method for operating and manufacturing the same
An edge-emitting semiconductor component, comprising a semiconductor substrate layer and epitaxially on-grown semiconductor layers, is disclosed. According to the invention an active zone of the semiconductor layers is designed to absorb pumped optical radiation of a first wavelength by multi-photon absorption and generate an optical radiation of a second wavelength that is shorter than the first wavelength. A step of multiplying the first wavelength of the pumped optical radiation to a second harmonic using a nonlinear crystal is advantageously made redundant. Furthermore, a system for frequency conversion is disclosed, comprising the semiconductor component, a pump laser diode designed to generate the pumped optical radiation and methods for manufacturing the semiconductor component and operating the system for frequency conversion. |
| US09008142B2 |
System and method for optimization of coherence length of tunable laser sources
A system and method for adjusting the coherence length of a tunable laser to optimize measurements and reduce artifacts. A tuning element of the laser system modulates, adjusts, or controls parameters associate with the tunable laser, such that the output wavelength of the tunable laser is modulated or adjusted over a wavelength range within a time interval. Modulation of the parameter has the effect of increasing a linewidth of the tunable laser. |
| US09008140B2 |
Semiconductor laser
A semiconductor laser includes: a p-type semiconductor substrate; a ridge having an active layer and cladding layers on the semiconductor substrate; a current blocking layer embedding side surfaces of the ridge; and an n-type contact layer on the ridge and the current blocking layer. The current blocking layer includes a first p-type layer, an n-type layer or a hole-trapping insulating semiconductor layer, a second p-type layer, a diffusion inhibiting layer, and a third p-type layer stacked, in order, from the semiconductor substrate. The n-type contact layer includes a p-type inverted region located in a portion of the n-type contact layer, in contact with the third p-type layer. Dopants in the third p-type layer diffuse into the p-type inverted region. The diffusion inhibiting layer is an undoped semiconductor material or a semi-insulating semiconductor material and inhibits dopants in the third p-type layer from being diffused into the active layer. |
| US09008134B2 |
Resonator, variable wavelength optical filter, and variable wavelength laser diode
A variable wavelength diode according to the inventive concept includes a resonator and a plurality of cylindrical lenses. The resonator includes slab waveguides of which resonance lengths are different from each other. The slab waveguides are disposed on a planar light wave circuit (PLC). Thus, the variable wavelength diode realizes a high variation speed and a continuous variation of a beam at the same time. |
| US09008130B2 |
Management of units housed in subtended equipment shelves
A remote enclosure houses multiple subsystems. A first subsystem is coupled to a central office over a high-speed communication channel such as an OC-3 channel. The first subsystem extracts a downstream message from a first embedded operations channel included in the high-speed communication channel. The first subsystem also, when the downstream message is targeted to a first unit included in the first subsystem, forwards the message to a unit that processes the message for the first unit. When the message is not targeted to any unit included in the first subsystem, the first subsystem forwards the downstream message to another subsystem housed within the remote enclosure via a second embedded operations channel included in a second communication channel. The second subsystem is subtended from the first subsystem and is connected thereto by the second communication channel. In the upstream direction, the second subsystem sends an upstream message to the first subsystem over the second embedded operations channel. The first subsystem extracts the upstream message and transmits the upstream message on the first embedded operations channel. |
| US09008127B2 |
Method and system for speed negotiation for twisted pair links in fibre channel systems
Certain aspects of a method and system for speed negotiation for twisted pair links in fiber channel systems are disclosed. Aspects of a method may include communicating data between fiber channel host devices communicatively coupled via a twisted pair link based on a common speed negotiated between the fiber channel host devices. At least one available speed may be determined for the communication of data between the fiber channel host devices over the twisted pair link. The determined available speeds for each of the fiber channel host devices may be exchanged via at least one fast link pulse signal. The common speed negotiated may be a highest available speed for the communication of data between the fiber channel host devices. |
| US09008126B2 |
Distributed seamless roaming in wireless networks
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for configuring an access point in a wireless network. During operation, the access point discovers one or more existing access points associated with the wireless network. The access point then obtains a set of configuration information from one existing access point, and synchronizes a local timestamp counter to a selected existing access point, thereby allowing the access point to be configured without using a centralized management station. |
| US09008124B2 |
MAC protocols with subbanding
Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing media access control (MAC) protocols with subbanding are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a beacon packet during one of a plurality of beacon slots of a superframe, each beacon slot corresponding to one of a plurality of different downlink subbands. The method may also include identifying, based on the received beacon packet, contention access periods following the beacon slots, each of the contention access periods corresponding to one of a plurality of different uplink subbands. The method may further include transmitting an information packet over each of the plurality of uplink subbands during the contention access periods. Then, the method may include receiving, during a guaranteed time slot following the contention access periods, an indication of a selected one of the plurality of uplink subbands to be used in a subsequent communications. |
| US09008123B2 |
Method and system for encoding and decoding length of medium access control protocol data unit
A method and system for encoding the length of a Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) is provided. The method includes partitioning the length of the MAC PDU into a first part and a second part when the length of the MAC PDU is greater than a first predefined value, encoding the first part in a first header of the MAC PDU, encoding the second part in a second header of the MAC PDU, encoding the length of the MAC PDU in a first header of the MAC PDU when the length of the MAC PDU is less than or equal to first predefined value, and transmitting the MAC PDU with the encoded length of the MAC PDU to a receiving communication device. In another embodiment, the invention includes a method and apparatus for decoding an encoded length of a MAC PDU. |
| US09008121B2 |
Technique for accommodating electronic components on a multilayer signal routing device
A technique for delivering and enforcing network quality of service from a head-end to a plurality of outstations is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique is realized by assigning a transmit duration for each one of the plurality of outstations by the head-end; and assigning a transmit frequency for each one of the plurality of outstations by the head-end; wherein bandwidth for each one of the plurality of outstations is adjusted dynamically at the head-end. In addition, a control message may be received from an outstation indicating extra capacity at the outstation where the extra capacity may be allocated for one or more of burst capacity and best effort traffic. |
| US09008117B2 |
Cross-media storage coordination
Methods and a media system and storage system for cross-media storage coordination include but are not limited to storing a first data version of specified content based on a particular media format: storing at least a second data version of related content based on a different media format: providing a cross-reference between the first data version and the at least second data version to enable coordinated management by a designated user and/or an approved device for search and possible retrieval of the first data version and/or the at least second data version: and implementing communication access by one or more parties and/or the designated user via a communication type that is correlated with the first data version and/or the at least second data version. |
| US09008115B2 |
Integrated circuit for controlling radio transmission and reception
Data streams stored in buffers are modulated by modulation sections. Multipliers multiply the signals output from the modulation sections by weights output from a weight control section. The signals output from the multipliers are added up by addition sections, subjected to radio transmission processing by transmission radio sections and sent through antennas. A buffer control section controls the buffers based on a retransmission count output from a retransmission count detection section. The weight control section outputs weights different from weights at the time of previous transmission to the multipliers every time data is retransmitted. This allows a diversity gain at the time of data retransmission to be increased even if a time variation of the propagation path environment for radio signals is slow. |
| US09008111B2 |
Method and apparatus for collision avoidance in sensor network
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for collision avoidance in a sensor network. The method includes transmitting data by a transmitter; comparing, by the transmitter, a remaining time between the data transmission and a backoff period with a turnaround time taken for the transmitter to switch from a transmit (Tx) mode to a receive (Rx) mode; selectively transmitting, by the transmitter, a busy signal indicating that a channel is in use, according to the comparison result; and receiving, by the transmitter, an acknowledgement (ACK) signal from a receiver after the turnaround time has elapsed. |
| US09008109B2 |
Buffer management of relay device
There is provided a relay device including: a buffer configured to store a received frame; a discarding unit configured to discard the received frame, when a utilization amount of the buffer exceeds a first value set corresponding to a communication type of the received frame; a first calculating unit configured to calculate the utilization amount of the buffer for each communication type at least two points in time, and calculate an amount of change in the utilization amount of the buffer for each communication type; and a setting unit configured to calculate the first value for each communication type, based on the amount of change in the utilization amount, and set the first value in the discarding unit. |
| US09008108B2 |
Criteria for identifying network frames
Disclosed are various embodiments of a network switch for storing a prefix address and a mask corresponding to the prefix address, the prefix address and the mask each representing a binary value, the mask representing a number of significant bits of an address beginning with a most significant bit. The network switch obtains a network frame via one of a plurality of network interfaces, the network frame comprising a network address in a header of the network frame, the network address being a binary value representing a physical address of a network interface device. The network switch determines a truth value associated with a comparison of a mask number of bits of the prefix and network addresses, the truth value indicating an equivalence of the comparison. In response to the truth value, the network switch may initiate at least one action associated with the network frame. |
| US09008106B2 |
Enhanced encapsulation mechanism using GRE protocol
Wireless gateway nodes are enabled to support mobile node services, such as content based billing, when a data treatment server is present in the system. Using one of a defined Content Flow Label (CFL), an Application Program Interface (API), and a compression protocol header, content based billing is provided such as by exchanging content and byte count information with the data treatment server. |
| US09008105B2 |
System and method for 10/40 gigabit ethernet multi-lane gearbox
A system and method for 10/40 gigabit Ethernet multi-lane gearbox. In one embodiment, a gearbox device includes one or more inputs on a line side of the device, the one or more inputs being configured to receive four asynchronous 10 Gbit/s Ethernet channels, a marking module that is configured to insert virtual lane markers into four data flows at defined intervals to produce four marked data flows, and a 4:n physical media attachment (PMA) module that is configured to generate one or more higher-rate data flows based on the four marked data flows. |
| US09008103B2 |
Link layer switching for local breakout
The present invention relates to a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for providing access via a cellular access network to a packet-switched network, wherein a terminal-specific connection-oriented point-to-point link is set up between a terminal device and a cellular base station device, and the terminal-specific connection-oriented point-to-point link is switched at the cellular base station device on a link layer level to the packet-switched network, so that a point of attachment for said terminal device is located in the packet-switched network. Furthermore, a terminal-specific termination point for the packet-switched network is provided at the cellular base station device. |
| US09008098B2 |
Network communication system and network communication method
A network communication system comprises a cloud network and at least one physical machine. The cloud network comprises at least one physical switch. Each the physical machine comprises a plurality of virtual machines and a virtual switch. Each of the virtual machines is connected to the at least one physical switch in the cloud network through the virtual switch. The virtual switch encapsulates a destination machine address of an egress frame sent by the virtual machines, attaches a destination switch address to the egress frame to be forwarded to the at least one physical switch, and receives and analyzes an ingress frame obtained from the at least one physical switch, so as to convert the destination switch address of the ingress frame to the destination machine address, for forwarding the ingress frame to one of the virtual machines. |
| US09008097B2 |
Network interface controller supporting network virtualization
A network interface device includes a host interface for connection to a host processor having a memory. A network interface is configured to transmit and receive data packets over a data network, which supports multiple tenant networks overlaid on the data network. Processing circuitry is configured to receive, via the host interface, a work item submitted by a virtual machine running on the host processor, and to identify, responsively to the work item, a tenant network over which the virtual machine is authorized to communicate, wherein the work item specifies a message to be sent to a tenant destination address. The processing circuitry generates, in response to the work item, a data packet containing an encapsulation header that is associated with the tenant network, and to transmit the data packet over the data network to at least one data network address corresponding to the specified tenant destination address. |
| US09008094B2 |
Data transmission and reception method and apparatus robust against phase noise for high efficiency satellite transmission
A data transmission and reception apparatus is used for a high efficiency satellite transmission. The apparatus includes an initial phase calculation unit to calculate initial phase information using a preamble and a postamble of a data packet applied thereto, a symbol transition calculation unit to perform forward and backward metric operations using the initial phase information calculated by the initial phase calculation unit and a pilot symbol in the data packet to calculate a symbol transition of the data packet, and a phase error estimation unit to calculating a phase error using the pilot symbol in a spot where the pilot symbol is positioned, the calculated phase error being provided to the symbol transition calculation unit. |
| US09008093B2 |
Stateless protocol translation
Some aspects of the methods and systems presented relate to performing stateless address translation between IPv4 capable devices to IPv6 capable networks and devices. Stateless address translation may form a new IPv6 addresses by combining the IPv4 address of a device with an IPv6 prefix address assigned to the translator. The translation may also combine the IPv4 destination address and UDP port information with the new IPv6 address. Existing Domain Name Systems (DNSs) may be leveraged for resolving the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses across different networks. |
| US09008092B2 |
Route prefix aggregation using reachable and non-reachable addresses in a computer network
In one embodiment, a network device determines a set of routes to one or more reachable addresses and also a set of no-routes to one or more non-reachable addresses in a computer network. The routes and no-routes may then be aggregated into one or more reachable route prefixes with one or more corresponding non-reachable no-route prefix exceptions. As such, the aggregated combination of route prefixes and no-route prefix exceptions may be utilized by the network device. |
| US09008090B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method
A communication apparatus which, in an ad-hoc network, when receiving control packets from a plurality of terminals, can determine whether or not there is a collision among the control packets, and, based on the determination, can be prevented from continuing to be out of the network due to a collision among the control packets transmitted from the plurality of terminals. In the communication terminal, a communication section receives a control packet which periodically comes up on a communication path. When the communication apparatus receives a plurality of control packets which are defective in at least payload portions thereof within a predetermined time period, if a control section determines that source addresses included in header portions of the control packets which are defective in the payload portions thereof include a source address which is not identical to the other source addresses, the control section determines that the control packets are transmitted from a plurality of terminals and collide with each other. |
| US09008087B2 |
Processing requests in a network control system with multiple controller instances
A control system that includes several controllers for managing several switching elements. A first controller receives a request to modify a data tuple stored in a network information base (NIB) storage of the first controller that stores data for managing a set of switching elements. The first controller determines whether the received request to modify should be processed by the first controller. When the received request should be modified by the first controller, the first controller modifies the set of data in the NIB storage. The first controller updates a request list that is propagated between the controllers to disseminate requests to modify different data tuples that are stored in the NIB storages of the different controllers. |
| US09008086B2 |
MAC to PHY interface apparatus and methods for transmission of packets through a communications network
A communication device having a Media Access Control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer may include a first physical channel for transferring at least one packet between the PHY layer and the MAC layer. The communication device may further include a second physical channel for transferring, to a transmitting device, a first table that indicates a number of bits to be loaded onto each of a plurality of tones and a second table that indicates a transmission power for the plurality of tones. The PHY layer may receive the at least one packet from the transmitting device over the plurality of tones and may transfer the at least one packet to the MAC layer via the first physical channel. |
| US09008085B2 |
Network interface card having overlay gateway functionality
In one embodiment, a system includes a network interface card (NIC) having a plurality of network ports including multiple Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe) ports, a multi-lane PCIe interface adapted for communicating with a server, an Ethernet controller adapted for communicating with a network, and logic adapted for providing overlay network gateway functionality. In another embodiment, a NIC includes a plurality of network ports including multiple PCIe ports, a multi-lane PCIe interface adapted for communicating with a server, an Ethernet controller adapted for communicating with a network, and logic adapted for providing overlay network gateway functionality to traffic that passes through the NIC. In yet another embodiment, a method for providing overlay network gateway functionality in a network includes providing overlay network gateway functionality for network traffic received by a NIC implemented in a server, wherein the NIC provides an interface between a server and a network. |
| US09008084B2 |
Method of IPv6 at data center network with VM mobility using graceful address migration
Systems and methods are provided to detect when a virtual machine moves across a switch device boundary, keep existing application sessions alive, and provide optimal forwarding for new application sessions with graceful address migration. Virtual machine movement can be detected on the new switching device by comparing the Device ID in the Source Address of the ND-NA with the Device ID of the new switching device. A temporary hardware forwarding sub-optimal path is maintained for existing application sessions. A new IP address is assigned to the moved virtual machine and an optimal forwarding path is programmed in hardware for new application sessions. The temporary sub-optimal hardware forwarding path is removed after all old application are terminated. |
| US09008082B2 |
Handling data packets received at a routing node
A method applied in a routing node, and a forwarding engine implemented in a routing node, are provided for handling data packets received at the routing node. A N-tuple comprising N elements is extracted from a first header of a data packet. A default meta-field is added to the N elements, providing a N+1-tuple. The N+1-tuple is used to make a first lookup of inspection rules. The default meta-field makes the inspection rules apply to the first header. The data packet is handled according to a result of the first lookup, wherein a possible outcome is a finding of a second header within the data packet. If a second header is found, a new meta-field value is set and a second lookup is made. The second lookup of the inspection rules is made according to N elements from the second header and the new value of the meta-field. |
| US09008076B2 |
Telephony system with intelligent endpoints or intelligent switches to reduce dependency of endpoints on application server
A system and a method are disclosed for reducing interaction between a server and an endpoint while executing features on an endpoint. The endpoint, and not the application server, includes part or all of the implementation of UI logic and feature logic. The endpoint therefore does not have to rely on server's instructions for executing a feature. The endpoint also includes an endpoint determination module for determining the parts of the UI logic and feature logic implemented on the endpoint and the parts implemented on a switch or a server. |
| US09008075B2 |
System and methods for improving interaction routing performance
An interaction router includes a computerized server executing a routing engine stored on a machine-readable medium, an interface at the server receiving information from an interaction switching element, the information regarding an interaction received at the switching element to be routed, an interface at the server to a wide area network (WAN), a function of the routing engine judging if one or more business-logic determinations are to be made to select a routing destination for the interaction, and a function for controlling the switch to route the interaction. If if one or more business-logic determinations are to be made, the routing engine requests the business-logic determination from a remote server over the WAN, and upon receiving the determination from the remote server, uses the determination in controlling the switching element to route the interaction. |
| US09008074B2 |
Internet phone system and directory search engine using same
An Internet compatible dialer pad is used to dial into an Internet server to provide services similar to those found on the Plain Old Telephone System (“POTS”). The dialer pad has an integrated modem set, an extended keypad with alphanumeric entry keys and function keys, display screen and display electronics that renders visual call progress information to the user as well as other communications indicators and related information about the current Internet connection. The dialer uses the Public Switched Telephone System (“PSTN”) and standard LAN/WAN technology to give the user entry into a plurality of Internet calling functions. An Internet database is maintained and permits the dialing party to obtain callee information by entering alphanumeric characters via the dialer. Links from the PSTN to an Internet data base are not restricted to a specific digital data protocol. |
| US09008066B2 |
Method and apparatus for signaling transmission characteristics in a wireless communication network
A wireless network uses an improved frame structure to increase timing acquisition capabilities as well as reduction of spectral lines. In one aspect, the frame packet can be used to communicate the different modes of operation under which the packet was created. |
| US09008065B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for providing services to a dual mode GPRS/WLAN or UMTS/WLAN WTRU
Methods and network nodes are described. A network node receives an attach request message from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) via a cellular radio access network (RAN). The attach request message includes a mobile station (MS) radio access capability information element (IE), and the MS radio access capability IE includes a field that indicates whether the WTRU is capable of receiving services from a core network via a non-cellular wireless access network. The network node provides services from the core network to the WTRU. |
| US09008063B2 |
Location based WI-FI radio activation and deactivation for mobile devices
Concepts and technologies are described herein for location-based WI-FI radio activation and deactivation for mobile devices. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a WI-FI connection management system can detect that a mobile device is within a coverage area provided by a WI-FI network. The WI-FI connection management system can also generate a trigger to instruct the mobile device to activate a WI-FI radio of the mobile device and connect to the WI-FI network. The WI-FI connection management system can also send the trigger to the mobile device. |
| US09008060B2 |
Mobile terminal apparatus, radio base station apparatus and radio communication method
A mobile terminal apparatus, a radio base station apparatus and a radio communication method are provided which can perform optimum control during downlink CoMP transmission in an LTE-A system. The radio communication method according to the present invention includes steps of the mobile terminal apparatus receiving downlink signals including reference signals from a plurality of radio base station apparatuses associated with downlink CoMP, transmitting feedback information including the channel quality measurement results to the plurality of radio base station apparatuses, and steps of a radio base station apparatus receiving uplink signals including channel quality measurement results of a plurality of radio base station apparatuses associated with downlink CoMP and cell information on radio base station apparatuses whose average reception levels are within a first threshold range, and controlling, when there are radio base station apparatuses whose average reception level difference is within a second threshold range among radio base station apparatuses whose average reception levels are within the first threshold range, transmission power for both radio base station apparatuses. |
| US09008059B2 |
Inverse multiplexing over 802.11 wireless interfaces
In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a method and apparatus are disclosed that includes aspects of providing one or more data packets at a media access control-service access point of a transmitting device; dividing the one or more data packets into two or more streams of data packets, wherein the two or more streams of data packets are arranged for transmission on a separate wireless interface of the transmitting device; and transmitting the two or more streams of data packets over a wireless medium via their separate wireless interfaces. |
| US09008056B2 |
Remote network access via a visited network
Remote access for a terminal to a first network via a second network is managed; the first network being linked to the second network via a network apparatus. At the level of the network apparatus, there is received, from the terminal via the second network, a request for remote access to the first network indicating access information comprising a first parameter corresponding to a physical address of the terminal and a second parameter corresponding to a secret key of the gateway. The network apparatus thereafter decides whether the terminal is authorized to remotely access the first network on the basis of said access information. This network apparatus subsequently emits, bound for the terminal via the second network, a message indicating whether the terminal is authorized to remotely access the first network. |
| US09008055B2 |
Automatic remote services provided by a home relationship between a device and a server
A method is provided for automatically providing remote services for a mobile device having an established relationship with a server of a home network. After the relationship between the mobile device and the server has been set-up and the device detects a local network that is separate and remote from the home network, a connection is automatically established between the mobile device and a local network. The device then automatically establishes an Internet connection with the server through the local network, and transmits to the server information that was stored in the mobile device when the relationship was established. In response to the server recognizing the device through the transmitted information, the server automatically activates at least one service to initiate a transfer data, such as uploading images between the device and the server through the local network. |
| US09008052B2 |
Device for operating using multiple protocols in wireless networks
A network includes an access point using a first protocol and a station using both the first protocol and a second protocol. The station uses the first protocol before a first threshold and a second protocol after the first threshold. A first duration between the second threshold and the first threshold is at least of sufficient length for the station to receive one data packet from the access point and send an acknowledgment. The station transmits to the access point a current clear-to-send packet at a current time during a current exchange based on success or failure of a previous exchange during which a previous clear-to-send packet was transmitted to the access point at a previous time. |
| US09008047B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for implementing a multi-RAB minimum TFC determination algorithm based on transmit power
In an aspect of the present disclosure, presented is a method for wireless communication that includes obtaining at least one transport format combination (TFC), determining a minimum TFC (MinTFC) mode based on at least one TFC state of at least one TFC inside or outside a MinTFC set, and controlling at least one TFC based on the MRAB MinTFC mode. Through this method, pack-switched transmission power can be managed in a manner that will cause a circuit-switched call to function properly in challenging power conditions. |
| US09008046B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing handover in multiple component carrier system
A method for performing handover in a multiple component carrier system includes a UE transmitting a measurement report message, including measurement values for one or more cells, to a source BS, the source BS transmitting a handover request message, including at least one of a candidate cell list including at least one candidate cell to be used in a target BS, an aggregatable cell list including at least one aggregatable cell in which UE capability is taken into consideration, and a list of sensible cells including at least one cell defined based on a similarity sensitivity of a measured frequency, to the target BS based on the measurement value, the source BS checking the cell included in the at least one list, receiving a handover ACK message including a final cell from the target BS, and determining handover, and the source BS transmitting a handover command message to the UE. |
| US09008045B2 |
Handoffs between access points in a Wi-Fi environment
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for providing active mobility of Wi-Fi enabled devices within a given wireless local area network (WLAN). In general, techniques include dynamically commanding Wi-Fi enabled devices to disconnect from a corresponding access point in response to meeting predetermined conditions. A forced disconnect can be based on various criteria such as low-power or lost packet thresholds triggering the forced disconnect. Such techniques cause a Wi-Fi enabled device to disconnect from one access point and connect to another access point before a connection quality deteriorates to a point that causes noticeable interruptions in connectivity or a generally poor experience, thereby enabling a smooth transition among access points. |
| US09008041B2 |
Processing method supporting handover, communication apparatus, and communication system
The present invention discloses a processing method supporting handover, and communication apparatus, which can reduce an impact on an existing network. The method includes: A handover service function entity receives an identifier of a first AP from an MS, where the first AP is discovered in a WiFi network, and determines, according to the identifier of the first AP, an authenticator entity corresponding to the first AP corresponding to the identifier; establishes a connection with the MS; receives from the MS a probe request message for probing an AP to be associated; and returns to the MS a probe request response message that carries an identifier of an AP to be associated with the MS, so that the MS associates with the AP corresponding to the identifier of the AP to be associated, and accesses the WiFi network through the AP to be associated and the authenticator entity. |
| US09008037B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving control information in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for receiving control information in a digital broadcasting/communication system. The method includes receiving signaling information having a fixed number of bits in a coded block of a received frame; and decoding signaling information having a variable number of bits in at least one coded block of the received frame, using the signaling information having the fixed number of bits. The signaling information having the fixed number of bits includes information about a number of Radio Frequency (RF) channels, and the signaling information having the variable number of bits includes information representing a frequency for each of the RF channels, respectively. |
| US09008035B2 |
Wireless communication control channel systems and methods
Radio resources can be allocated in a manner avoiding a zero power problem by selecting one of two reference signals for control channel estimation, and transmitting the selected reference signal in a resource block (RB) or RB pair carrying the control channel. The two reference signals span common resource elements (REs) in the RB or RB pair. Alternatively, a zero power problem can be avoided by assigning modified WALSH codes to the two reference signals, and transmitting the two reference signals in the RB or RB pair carrying the control channel in accordance with their modified WALSH codes. The modified WALSH codes include complex constants having a non-zero phase difference with one another. A control channel can be evenly partitioned in accordance with a checkerboard partitioning technique. |
| US09008024B2 |
Method and apparatus for mapping virtual resources to physical resources in a wireless communication system
Techniques for mapping virtual resources to physical resources in a wireless communication system are described. In an aspect, a virtual resource (e.g., a virtual resource block) may be mapped to a physical resource in a selected subset of physical resources based on a first mapping function, which may map contiguous virtual resources to non-contiguous physical resources in the selected subset. The physical resource in the selected subset may then be mapped to an allocated physical resource (e.g., a physical resource block) among a plurality of available physical resources based on a second mapping function. In one design, the first mapping function may include (i) a re-mapping function that maps an index of the virtual resource to a temporary index and (ii) a permutation function (e.g., a bit-reversed row-column interleaver) that maps the temporary index to an index of the physical resource in the selected subset. |
| US09008023B2 |
Fast transition from PCH to DCH for UMTS
Systems and methods for logically transitioning a client device or user equipment (UE) directly to a DCH state for the data path when an application layer application initiates an operation that may result in the transmission of large amounts of data, are presented. Upon detection of a condition that would warrant allocation of a dedicated channel, the UE may set the Traffic Volume Indicator in a subsequent cell update message to the network node. The node may then assign a dedicated channel and the UE may be transitioned to the dedicated channel state without a portion of the application data being first transmitted on a forward access channel or random access channel in a CELL_FACH state. |
| US09008018B2 |
Dynamic point selection via a coordinating set of base stations
Examples are disclosed for coordinating transmission of one or more protocol data units to a wireless device from a coordinating set of base stations. In some examples, coordinating may include exchanging information via a backhaul communication channel coupling or interconnecting the base stations included in the coordinating set of base stations. For these examples, one or more protocol data units may be transmitted to the wireless device from the coordinating set of base stations via a plurality of separate communication links based on the exchanged information. Other examples are described and claimed. |
| US09008013B2 |
Methods and systems for enabling feedback in wireless communication networks
Aspects of the present invention provide additional MAC functionality to support the PHY features of a wireless communication system framework. The additional MAC functionality aids in enabling feedback from wireless terminals to base stations. In some aspects of the invention the feedback is provided on an allocated feedback channel. In other aspects of the invention the feedback is provided by MAC protocol data units (PDU) in a header, mini-header, or subheader. The feedback may be transmitted from the wireless terminal to the base station autonomously by the wireless terminal or in response to an indication from the base station that feedback is requested. Aspects of the invention also provide for allocating feedback resources to form a dedicated feedback channel. One or more of these enhancements is included in a given implementation. Base stations and wireless terminals are also described upon which methods described herein can be implemented. |
| US09008012B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for notifying a UE of monitored component carriers
The present invention provides a method for notifying a UE of monitored component carriers. The method comprises the following steps: an evolved Node B (eNB) sends an monitoring changing instruction and Component Carriers (CC) corresponding to the instruction to a UE with a Media Access Control (MAC) layer control command; according to the monitoring changing instruction and the corresponding CC, the UE activates or deactivates monitoring of the corresponding CC. The present invention allows the MAC PDU for instructing the UE to increase, decrease or change the monitored CC. Therefore, the configuration can be achieved in a simple and flexible manner and has higher reliability. |
| US09008010B2 |
Uplink coordinated inter-cell interference cancellation
Device, computer readable medium and method for joint multi-user processing in a first base station of a telecommunication network, which includes at least a second base station and first and second terminals served by the corresponding first and second base stations. The method includes issuing, at the first base station, a first uplink transmission grant for the first terminal; receiving, at the first base station, from the second base station scheduling information about an uplink transmission of the second terminal, wherein an uplink transmission grant for the uplink transmission of the second terminal is issued by the second base station; and jointly decoding, at the first base station, an uplink transmission from the first terminal and the uplink transmission from the second terminal, which is not served by the first base station, based on the received scheduling information about the uplink transmission of the second terminal. |
| US09008003B2 |
Method for negotiating the maximum resource for sharing in OFDMA-based communications system
A method for resource allocation in a wireless communications network and the respective wireless communications system are provided. The method includes providing an access network; providing an access terminal; joining the access terminal into a group of the access network, wherein access terminals in the group share a group of resources; and setting a maximum usable channel size for the access terminal, wherein the maximum usable channel size limits a maximum number of leftover resources used by the access terminal. |
| US09008002B2 |
Conditional requests for asynchronous wireless communication
A wireless media access control supports asynchronous communication and overlapping transmissions. Here, a wireless node may determine whether to request or schedule a transmission based on control messages it receives from neighboring nodes. In some implementations a scheduled transmission may be divided up into several segments so that a transmitting node may receive and transmit control messages between segments. In some implementations a monitoring period is defined after a scheduled transmission period to enable the transmitting node to acquire control information that may otherwise have been transmitted during the scheduled transmission period. In some implementations data and control information are transmitted over different frequency division multiplexed channels to enable concurrent transmission of the data and control information. |
| US09007999B2 |
System and method for MAC design of a full-duplex centralized cellular network
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for scheduling full-duplex communications between half-duplex mobile devices and a full-duplex capable access point. The system receives, within a time window, tones from a plurality of mobile devices, the tones indicating that each device in the plurality of devices are performing one of uploading data and downloading data. The system pairs the plurality of devices into pairs of an uploading device and a downloading device, where the pairing is based on an interference each device in the plurality of devices causes with remaining devices in the plurality of devices, to yield a list of paired devices. Upon communicating the list of paired devices to the plurality of devices, one device of each pair transmits data to the base station in a frequency channel while the other device receives data from the base station in the same frequency. |
| US09007996B2 |
Service control method and apparatus
In the field of mobile communications, embodiments of the present invention disclose a service control method and apparatus. A user equipment has established a circuit switched bearer, and the user equipment initiates a session with a third party. The method includes: receiving, by a service centralization and continuity application server SCC AS, early session media information and sending the early session media information to a circuit switched network in a form of regular session media, so that the circuit switched bearer is used for an early session; and receiving, by the SCC AS, an off-hook signal of the third party and sending regular session media information of the third party to the circuit switched network, so that the circuit switched bearer is used for a regular session. |
| US09007994B2 |
RACH procedures and power level for MTC devices
The present document relates to a wireless device in a digital cellular telecommunications network. For example, the present document relates to the request of an access channel from a wireless device to a base station of the digital cellular telecommunications network. Example methods for controlling one or more transmissions between a wireless device and a base station are described. The one or more transmissions include at least an initial transmission. One example method comprises determining the quality of a radio uplink between the wireless device and the base station, the quality being based on at least one parameter associated with a previous transmission; setting a control parameter for controlling the transmission between the wireless device and the base station based on the determined quality of the radio uplink; and transmitting the initial transmission. |
| US09007992B2 |
Relaying in a communication system
A communication link is provided between a station of an access system and a relay node. The relay node is a node capable of wirelessly communicating with at least one communication device within the coverage thereof. A set up procedure for the communication link is initiated such that the relay node acts as a communication device towards the station, the set up procedure being initiated according to a set up procedure between the station and communication devices accessing the station directly. Communication between the relay node and at least one communication device within the coverage area thereof are handled such that the relay nodes acts as a station of an access system towards said at least one communication device. |
| US09007990B2 |
Establishing a session in a packet switched wireless communications network
A packet-switched wireless communications network includes a mobile station and a radio network controller that are able to establish a radio connection therebetween. Messages are exchanges over one or more traffic channels to establish a packet-switched services session between the mobile station and the radio network controller. The radio connection is not closed until all messages for establishing the packet-switched services session have been exchanged between the mobile station and the radio network controller. |
| US09007989B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for time synchronization
A method, apparatus, and system for time synchronization are disclosed. The method comprising: obtaining a master sending time stamp, a slave receiving time stamp, a slave sending time stamp, and a master receiving time stamp; and adjusting the time of the slave clock according to the offset calculated from the time stamps to synchronize with the clock time of the master clock. With the present invention, in passband transmission systems that transmit signals continuously in units of symbols, the time synchronization is implemented between the master clock and the slave clock. |
| US09007986B2 |
MIMO based network coding network
A wireless communication system includes an intermediate node, a first node and a second node. A apparatus for implementing MIMO based network coding, comprises the first node transmitting first data to the intermediate node, and the second node transmitting second data to the intermediate node. Both the first node and the second node may use spatial multiplexing or time division multiplexing or frequency division multiplexing on a common/different resource. The intermediate node receives the transmissions from the first node and second node, and performs network coding on the first data and second data using a predefined network coding scheme to produce network coded information. The intermediate node transmits the network coded information to the first node and second node using multi-user MIMO and each first or second node receives the MIMO transmissions from the intermediate node and applies network decoding procedures to recover the first data and second data. |
| US09007984B1 |
Network coding for satellite communications
A physical layer network coding architecture is provided to increase downlink capacity for satellite network architectures. For instance, a network coding controller may perform a XOR network coding operation on FEC encoded information received from a first terminal and second terminal, and broadcast a single downlink message containing the XOR network coded information to the first and second terminal. |
| US09007979B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data in wireless communication system using relay
Disclosed are a data transmission/reception apparatus and method of a wireless communication system using a relay. The data transmission/reception apparatus of the relay sets a relay reception subframe (hereinafter, referred to as ‘relay-rx-sub-frame’), and reports, to a terminal within a cell coverage, that the set relay-rx-subframe is a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) sub-frame, so that a legacy terminal may be provided with services in a wireless communication system using the relay. |
| US09007977B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing discontinuous reception operation by connected mode user equipment in a mobile communication system
Methods and apparatuses are provided for establishing time alignment by a terminal in a mobile communication system. First information for discontinuous reception (DRX) operation is received from a base station. A downlink control channel is monitored based on the first information. Second information for identifying a dedicated preamble on the downlink control channel is received from the base station. The dedicated preamble is transmitted to the base station based on the second information. A response message to the transmitted dedicated preamble is received from the base station on a downlink shared channel. The response message includes timing adjustment information and third information for a channel quality indicator (CQI) report. Time alignment is established based on the timing adjustment information included in the response message. The CQI report is transmitted to the base station based on the third information. |
| US09007975B2 |
Power saving mode for access point
An access point including a beacon module that determines a beacon interval and that defines a first portion and a second portion of the beacon interval during which the access point operates in a normal mode and a power save mode, respectively. On receiving a communication from a client station during the first portion, a control module does not transition the access point from the normal mode to the power save mode at an end of the first portion. If the communication is not received during the first portion, the control module transitions the access point from the normal mode to the power save mode at the end of the first portion and from the power save mode to the normal mode at an end of the second portion. A duration of the second portion is less than a scan time of the client station. |
| US09007972B2 |
Communication state transitioning control
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe devices, methods, computer-readable media and systems configurations for managing state transitions of communication circuitries in wireless networks. Embodiments manage radio resource control (RRC) state transitions and/or discontinuous reception (DRX) state transitions. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09007968B2 |
System and method for wireless multi-band networks association and maintenance
A system and method for wireless communication over multi-rate channels are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a first multi-band wireless station that is capable of using a first frequency band and a second frequency band for wireless communication; and a second multi-band wireless station that is capable of using the first frequency band and the second frequency band for wireless communication. One or more of the first and second stations is configured to monitor a status of the second frequency band. The status includes the availability of the second frequency band for communication between the first and second stations. The first and second stations can share the monitored status with each other via the first frequency band. |
| US09007967B2 |
BSS/PBSS support and schedule-free networking in 60GHz
In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a network coordinator module configured to coordinate operation in one or more wireless network architecture modes and configured to communicate to a network station an active mode of the one or more wireless network architecture modes that is active for communication; and a scheduler module that is configured to schedule communication to the network station. |
| US09007966B2 |
Accessing a communications network
A method and node in a communication network for facilitating access by a client terminal to an IMS service from a non-Session Initiation Protocol (non-SIP) compliant access network such as a circuit-switched network. The node receives a request from the client terminal and in response, allocates to the terminal, a Terminal Adapter from a plurality of Terminal Adapters. The node then sends a message to the client terminal reporting the address of the allocated Terminal Adapter. |
| US09007965B2 |
Pre-coding/pre-decoding method and apparatus for data transmission in mobile communication system
A pre-coding/decoding method and apparatus for data transmission between a transmitting end and a receiving end is provided. The pre-coding method for data transmission through Time Division Duplexing (TDD) in a mobile communication system includes estimating downlink channel state information based on an uplink sounding signal, and pre-coding a data symbol and a reference signal based on the estimated downlink channel state information. |
| US09007958B2 |
External loop detection for an ethernet fabric switch
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a local identifier associated with the switch, a receiving interface, a loop detection mechanism, and an interface control mechanism. The receiving interface identifies a loop-detection frame which includes an identifier associated with originating switch of the frame. The loop detection mechanism detects a loop based on a match of the identifier associated with the originating switch and the local identifier. The interface control mechanism is coupled to the loop detection mechanism and precludes, in response to detecting a loop, the receiving interface from forwarding frames corresponding to the loop. |
| US09007951B2 |
Self synchronizing data communication method and device
A method comprises: detecting a first change of a physical property of a signal; starting a measurement of a duration of a first time interval that begins with the detection of the first change; detecting a second change of the physical property; stopping the measurement of the duration of the first time interval and starting a second measurement of a duration of a second time interval in response to the detection of the second change; detecting a third change of the physical property, and stopping the second measurement in response to detecting the third change; determining a relation of the durations of the first time interval and the second time interval from the first measurement and the second measurement; and determining the received data value based on the determined relation of the durations of the first time interval and the second time interval. |
| US09007948B2 |
Distance measurement and alarm method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a distance measurement and alarm method and apparatus. The method includes: sending pairing request information for establishing a connection with a receiving terminal; after the receiving terminal is paired with, calculating a current distance to the receiving terminal; comparing the current distance with a preset distance threshold, and if the current distance exceeds the distance threshold, displaying distance prompt information. |
| US09007946B2 |
Method and system for conflict detection in self organization network (SON) functions
A system and method for detecting cooperation or conflict between actors in a network made up of self-organizing sub-networks examines parameters such as performance indicators and configuration parameters to determine whether or not different actors are adjusting configuration parameters in a way that is cooperative or conflicting. When a performance indicator is observed to be outside of its expected range, an acceptable convergence range can be defined to give the actors time to adjust and return the performance indicator to its expected range of values. When a performance indicator is detected to be non-convergent, the monitor can alert an operator, or another node, so that appropriate actions can be taken. |
| US09007945B2 |
Automated network service discovery and communication
A network switch includes a service registration database and a service discovery engine that is coupled to the service registration database. The service discovery engine receives a first service registration over a network from a first service included on a first service device and, in response, stores the first service registration in the service registration database. The service discovery engine then receives a multicast service discovery message over the network from a target device. The service discovery message includes a service identification. The service discovery engine then determines that the service identification is associated with the first service registration stored in the service registration database and, in response, sends a unicast service communication message over the network to the target device. The service communication message includes communication information for the first service. The service registration database may store a plurality of different service registrations for respective different services. |
| US09007943B2 |
Methods and structure for reduced layout congestion in a serial attached SCSI expander
Methods and structure for reduced layout congestion in a switching device integrated circuit. A switching device such as a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) expander comprises a switching circuit to couple any of a plurality (“N”) of physical links of the switching device with any other physical link of the switching device. The switching circuit comprises a first stage circuit adapted to couple any of the N physical links with a selected one of N/2 communication paths of the switching circuit and comprises a second stage circuit adapted to couple any of the N/2 communication paths with any of the N physical links. Since only N/2 communication paths may be active at any time in such a switching device, a control unit of the switching device tracks which of the N/2 communication paths are presently in use or unused so that an unused path may be selected for a new connection. |
| US09007941B1 |
Self-organizing and scalable MPLS VPN transport for LTE
In one embodiment, an access node of a network may receive a message that is destined for a particular address. The access node can determine that it does not have a border gateway protocol (BGP) label switched path (LSP) mapped for the particular address. The access node can further trigger an aggregation node to update outbound route filtering (ORF) to permit advertisements for the particular address. In response to the updated ORF of the aggregation node, the access node can receive via advertisements a BGP forwarding equivalent class (FEC) for an LSP mapped to the particular address. The access node can further transmit messages destined for the particular address from the access node to a subsequent node of the LSP according to the BGP FEC for the LSP. |
| US09007936B2 |
System and method for stabilizing a wireless monitoring network
Stabilization of a wireless information collection system for dispenser usage compliance in a facility is provided. This system and method enable network stabilization by providing a network “heartbeat.” The network stabilization operates independently from information collection. Therefore, the system and method are able to improve the reliability of wireless information collection systems where the frequency of data collection is not steady. |
| US09007935B2 |
Environmental aware PCI management
Geographical coordinates for a cell are obtained based upon the location of the cell, generating a physical layer cell identity matrix for the cell based upon a subset of physical layer cell values allocated for the location of the cell which is performed to eliminate interference among primary and secondary synchronization signaling for the cell based upon a subset of physical layer cell values allocated for the location of the cell, using one of the cell identities contained in the generated matrix for the new cell which is mapped to the location of the new cell and monitoring for physical layer cell color code collisions among neighboring cells reported by one or more user equipment in range of the new cell and neighboring cells, and if a collision occurs re-generate a physical layer cell matrix using unallocated physical layer cell values for the location of the new cell. |
| US09007934B1 |
Control signaling between VoIP phone and computing device
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for sharing control of a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) call. In some examples, the method includes establishing a direct connection between a VoIP endpoint device and a computing device associated with the VoIP endpoint device. The method further includes communicating, via the direct connection, VoIP control signaling between the VoIP endpoint device and the computing device. The method further includes modifying a VoIP call based on the VoIP control signaling. |
| US09007931B2 |
PDCCH transmission method and system for bandwidth aggregation on a mobile communications system
The present invention relates to a PDCCH transmission method for a base station on a mobile communications system supporting bandwidth aggregation, and more particularly the invention relates to a PDCCH transmission method comprising the step of generating downlink control data comprising resource-allocation configuration data for any desired sub-band and a sub-band other than the desired sub-band, and the step of transmitting the generated downlink control data to a mobile station through the PDCCH of the desired sub-band, and the invention also relates to a system therefor comprising a mobile station. |
| US09007929B2 |
Correlating communication transactions across communication networks
A system for correlating communication packets across different communication networks includes a first monitoring agent in a first network for collecting local identifying information of a communication packet at a communication node. The first monitoring agent pairs the local identifying information with a public identifying information of the packet for a second network. The first monitoring agent further adds a timestamp to the collected information. A second monitoring agent in the second network receives a communication packet from the communication node and collects public identifying information of the packet. The second monitoring agent adds a time-stamp to the collected information. A third monitoring agent in the second network receives the information collected by the first and the second monitoring agents and correlates packets based on the received information. The third monitoring agent determines when specific packets captured from the first network and the second network are related to each other. |
| US09007926B2 |
Configuration and scheduling of asymmetric carriers on the uplink
Systems and methods to configure and schedule asymmetric carriers on an uplink between communication devices are described herein. An access node is provided to reserve a common-channel-free carrier for communication with an access terminal. The access node may reserve the carrier for communication with the access terminal based on path loss data between the access node and the access terminal. Further, an adaptive rise-over-thermal (RoT) target may be employed for communication over any carrier. |
| US09007922B1 |
Systems and methods for testing and analyzing controller-based networks
A computer-implemented method may include identifying a controller-based network. The controller-based network may include a controller that enables centralized management of a flow of packets among devices by providing a centralized control plane for the controller-based network. The method may further include receiving a test scenario that includes at least one trigger capable of causing a fault in the controller-based network. The method may also include receiving an automation template having at least one test parameter for utilizing the centralized control plane to execute the test scenario in the controller-based network. The method may additionally include using the centralized control plane to automatically execute the test scenario on the controller-based network in accordance with the test parameter. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09007917B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing the scalability of the ethernet OAM
After statically provisioned paths are created through an Ethernet network, trunks may be created to extend along those paths. The trunks extend between pairs of NNI interfaces on either end of the path, and Ethernet OAM may be run over the trunks to detect connectivity along the paths. Service instances and service groups may be provisioned over particular paths through the network. Each service instance/service group is associated with a trunk and the Ethernet OAM service on the trunk may be used to provide Ethernet connectivity OAM for the service instance/service group. Upon detection of a failure on the trunk, the service instances/service groups associated with the trunk may be caused to failover to an alternate path through the network. Thus, a single Ethernet OAM service instance may be used to provide connectivity verification so that connectivity detection does not need to be performed on each individual service instances/service group. |
| US09007916B2 |
Network management utilizing topology advertisements
A network management node of a connection-oriented network listens to topology advertisements in a control plane of the network and stores information carried in the topology advertisements. The node selectively sends Link Management Protocol (LMP) requests based on the information carried in the topology advertisements. The LMP requests can be performed for at least one of the following events: adjacency addition; addition of a link between nodes; deletion of a link between nodes; modification to the bandwidth of a link between nodes. The information collected in the topology advertisements is translated into a format compatible with an Operations Support System (OSS) model. |
| US09007915B2 |
Method and node for transmitting data over a communication network using negative acknowledgment
A method of transmitting data over a communication network using negative acknowledgment is presented. In the method, a stream of data packets is transmitted from a first node of the network to a second node of the network. All but at least two of the stream of data packets is successfully received at the second node, wherein the data packets that are not successfully received are not located sequentially within the stream of data packets. A status packet is transmitted from the second node to the first node, wherein the status packet includes an indication of each of the data packets that were not successfully received. In response to receiving the status packet at the first node, the data packets that were not successfully received at the second node are retransmitted from the first node to the second node in response to receiving the status packet. |
| US09007913B2 |
Dynamically configuring attributes of a parent circuit on a network element
Methods and apparatus for dynamically configuring a parent circuit through a subscriber record on an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server responsive to an authorization event for the subscriber session on the network element. According to one embodiment of the invention, the AAA server accesses the subscriber record for a subscriber session on the network element. Based on this subscriber record, a set of one or more attributes for a subscriber circuit and a set of one or more attributes for a parent circuit of the subscriber circuit are determined. The network element applies the set of subscriber circuit attributes to the subscriber circuit and the set of parent circuit attributes to the parent circuit. |
| US09007909B2 |
Link layer reservation of switch queue capacity
A network switch, in response to receipt from a source station of a Layer 2 reservation request, establishes a reservation for capacity of an ingress queue of the network switch for a data flow of the source station. In response to a queue overrun condition on the ingress queue of the network switch while the reservation is active, the network switch preserves data frames in the data flow of the source station transmitted pursuant to the reservation and discards other data frames. |
| US09007904B2 |
System to improve an ethernet network
A system to improve a Fiber Channel over Convergence Enhanced Ethernet (FCoCEE) network may include a sender in an FCoCEE network in which data packets having different data link layer structures are transmitted by the sender on a single data link. The system may also include a receiver to receive the data packets at the data link layer and to transmit an ACK and/or NAK in response to a sequence number in the data packets. The system may further include a replay buffer to retransmit the data packets where the replay buffer is sized by the length of the data link, data rate of the data link, the ACK and/or NAK processing time at either the sender and/or the receiver, and/or a threshold time for transmission and/or reception of the data packets. |
| US09007901B2 |
Method and apparatus providing flow control using on-off signals in high delay networks
A method and apparatus controlling, either individually or in the aggregate, traffic flows associated with a plurality of queues by transmitting traffic source FlowON messages at first times selected to avoid queue underflow conditions, and traffic source FlowOFF message at second times selected to avoid queue overflow conditions, where the first and second times are determined as a function of delay time D of a link supporting the traffic source. |
| US09007896B2 |
Congestion control based on call responses
A method may include receiving a number of calls and identifying destinations associated with the calls, where a first portion of the calls are associated with a first destination. The method may also include determining whether failure responses associated with calls forwarded toward the first destination indicate a problem or a possible problem associated with forwarding calls toward the first destination. The method may further include blocking, when the failure responses indicate a problem or a possible problem, at least some of the first portion of calls from being forwarded toward the first destination. |
| US09007893B2 |
Layered third party application software redundancy in a non-homogenous virtual chassis
Layered third-party (enhanced) application software redundancy is provided in a non-homogeneous virtual chassis including two or more switches coupled via a virtual fabric link. A virtual chassis management module within at least one of the switches discovers the other switches within the virtual chassis, determines a base master switch from all of the switches in the virtual chassis, detects an enhanced application installed on at least one enhanced switch and determines an enhanced master switch from the enhanced switches. |
| US09007889B2 |
Communication device and communication system with failure detection capabilities
Provided are a communication device and a communication system capable of specifying a failure part in a network in which a time server and a communication path are made redundant.A communication device acquires time-related information from a plurality of time servers over a plurality of networks and compares the information to specify the failure part in the time servers or in the networks. A remote apparatus acquires time-related information from the communication device over the plurality of networks and compares the information to determine the failure of the communication device. |
| US09007888B2 |
System and method for uplink multiple input multiple output transmission
Methods and apparatuses are provided for uplink MIMO transmissions in a wireless communication system. In some particular aspects, scheduling of the uplink MIMO transmissions may make a determination between single stream, rank=1 transmissions and dual stream, rank=2 transmissions based on various factors. Further, when switching between single and dual stream transmissions in the presence of HARQ retransmissions of failed packets, the scheduling function may determine to transmit the HARQ retransmissions on a single stream transmission or to transmit the HARQ retransmissions on one stream while transmitting new packets on the other stream. |
| US09007885B2 |
Uplink signal transmission and reception using optimized rank 3 codebook
A method for transmitting and receiving uplink signals using an optimized rank 3 codebook is disclosed. The optimized rank 3 codebook includes 6 precoding matrix groups, each of which has 1 variable having an amplitude of 1. Preferably, the optimized 4Tx rank 3 codebook has 12 precoding matrix, two precoding matrixes are selected from each the above 6 precoding matrix groups considering chordal distance and the number of precoding matrix. |
| US09007881B2 |
Optical head device and optical disc device
An optical head device (11) provided with: an optical element (36) for transmissively diffracting a light beam emitted from a semiconductor laser (34), generating a zero-order diffracted light beam and ±1-order diffracted light beams; and a photodetector (40) for receiving the zero-order diffracted light beam and the +1-order diffracted light beam after reflection from an optical disc (2). The photodetector (40) includes a primary light receiving section (400) for receiving the zero-order diffracted light beam, and a first secondary light receiving section (401) disposed outward from the primary light receiving section (400). The first secondary light receiving section (401) is positioned to detect an outer portion of the received light spot of the +1-order diffracted light beam, performs photoelectric conversion of this portion, and outputs a secondary detected signal. |
| US09007880B2 |
Thermally assisted magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
A thermally assisted magnetic recording medium (1) includes a substrate (101), an underlayer (3) that is formed above the substrate (101), and a magnetic layer (107) that is formed on the underlayer (3) and contains an alloy having an L10 structure as a main component. The underlayer (3) is formed by continuously laminating a first underlayer (104) having a BCC structure with a lattice constant that is 0.302 to 0.332 nm, a second underlayer (105) that has a NaCl structure including C, and a third underlayer (106) that is composed of MgO. |
| US09007878B2 |
Glass for magnetic recording medium substrate and usage thereof
An aspect of the present invention relates to glass for a magnetic recording medium substrate, which includes essential components in the form of SiO2, Li2O, Na2O, and one or more alkaline earth metal oxides selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO, wherein a molar ratio of a content of MgO to a combined content of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO (MgO/(MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO)) is equal to or greater than 0.80, and which has a Young's modulus of equal to or greater than 80 GPa, and a glass transition temperature of equal to or greater than 620° C. |
| US09007877B2 |
Illumination device with wake-up function
An illumination device with wake-up and/or fall-asleep functionality is disclosed. The illumination devices comprises at least one controllable light source; a control device for controlling the light source, wherein in a STEADY mode, color and intensity of the output light are maintained constant at a steady colour value and a steady intensity value and in and a WAKE-UP mode, the intensity of the output light is gradually increased from zero to the steady intensity value and in a FALL-ASLEEP mode, the intensity of the output light is gradually decreased from the steady intensity value to zero. |
| US09007876B2 |
Electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece includes a GPS receiving section, which captures a satellite signal emitted from a positional information satellite and receives the satellite signal, and is capable of obtaining at least one of time information and positioning information, and a reception mode setting section adapted to set a reception mode selectively to at least a time measurement mode and a positioning mode. The GPS receiving section is provided with a base band section as a correlation section, and the correlation section is capable of changing the frequency resolution in a plurality of levels. Further, the correlation section sets the minimum value of the frequency resolution to be changed in the time measurement mode to a value larger than the minimum value of the frequency resolution to be changed in the positioning mode. |
| US09007875B2 |
Medicine station and alert device
A medicine station or stand-alone alert device has a processor having access to memory, wherein the memory stores a control module, and the processor is configured to execute the modules stored in the memory. The medicine station or stand-alone alert device also includes one or more indicators. The control module is configured to periodically check for an external notification from a primary alert device that it is time to take a medication. Upon receiving the external notification, the control program is configured to cause the medicine station or stand-alone alert device to enter an amplified alert mode with respect to the primary alert device via the one or more indicators. |
| US09007874B2 |
Signal generation device
Provided is a signal generation device used for an information input method using an ultrasonic signal. Contact electrodes which are formed in a flexible printed circuit board to be in contact with an ultrasonic wave generation unit and reference signal generation units are disposed in a row, so that a length of the flexible printed circuit board can be reduced. Accordingly, in comparison with a signal generation module in the related art, a length of the signal generation module can be reduced, so that the signal generation device can be miniaturized. In addition, in order to maintain the contact between contact electrodes of the flexible printed circuit board and the ultrasonic wave generation unit, the contact electrodes which are in contact with the ultrasonic wave generation unit and the flexible printed circuit board are surrounded by a contact maintaining member which is constructed with a cylindrical elastic member. |
| US09007865B1 |
Memory circuit, persistent after the removal of the power supply
According to some embodiments, an electronic circuit comprises a digital output which is held to a logic one after the power supply was removed, for a time duration in a narrow range. The electronic circuit comprises a first array of elements comprising capacitors and discharging devices (diodes or transistors). A time constant detector detects which elements has the discharging time closest to the target. A second array of elements also comprises capacitors and discharging devices, with discharging durations proportional to the discharging durations of the first array. A decoder charges the appropriate element from the second array. After the power is removed, this charged element starts to discharge. During the discharge duration, a comparator outputs a logic one, and a logic zero after the discharge is completed. |
| US09007864B2 |
Information processing apparatus, nonvolatile storage device, information porcessing system and nonvolatile memory controller
A host device includes a voltage source which is connected to a voltage line via a host voltage switch and which supplies a first voltage to the voltage line, a host regulator which is connected to the voltage line and which outputs the first voltage or a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage, a host IO driver for driving a data line with the output of the host regulator as a power source, a host voltage detection circuit for detecting whether the voltage of the data line is the second voltage or a voltage that is higher than the second voltage, and a host control unit for detecting a mismatch of interface voltages between the host device and a memory card based on the output voltage of the host regulator and the detection result of the host voltage detection circuit. |
| US09007861B2 |
Clock generating circuit, semiconductor device including the same, and data processing system
A clock generating circuit includes a delay line that generates an internal clock signal, a phase-controlling unit that adjusts a phase of the internal clock signal by controlling the delay line, and a mode switching circuit that switches an operation mode of the phase-controlling unit. The phase-controlling unit has a first operation mode in which a phase of the internal clock signal is changed in synchronization with a sampling clock signal and a second operation mode in which the phase of the internal clock signal is fixed. The mode switching circuit shifts the phase-controlling unit to the first operation mode in response to a trigger signal, such as a refresh signal, and, shifts the phase-controlling unit to the second operation mode in a state where the internal clock signal attains a predetermined phase. |
| US09007852B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a latch unit configured to latch data in response to an input control signal; and a latch control unit configured to determine whether or not any one of first and second memory areas is successively accessed, and adjust timing of the input control signal. |
| US09007851B2 |
Memory read techniques using Miller capacitance decoupling circuit
Some embodiments relate to a sense amplifier output buffer configured to buffer an output of a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier output buffer includes a first pull-up element having a source coupled to a first DC supply terminal and having a drain coupled to an output terminal of the sense amplifier output buffer. A first pull-down element is in series with the first pull-up element and has a source coupled to a second DC supply terminal and has a drain coupled to the output terminal. A miller capacitance decoupling circuit is coupled between the drain of the first pull-up element and the drain of the first pull-down element. The miller capacitance decoupling circuit is configured to decouple miller capacitance associated with the drains of the pull-up and pull-down elements from the output terminal. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09007849B2 |
Buffer control circuit of semiconductor memory apparatus
A buffer control circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a delay unit configured to determine delay amounts for a command in response to a plurality of command latency signals, delay the command according to a clock, and generate a plurality of delayed signals; and a buffer control signal generation unit configured to receive the plurality of command latency signals and the plurality of delayed signals, and generate a buffer control signal. |
| US09007837B2 |
Non-volatile memory system with reset control mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system includes: providing a control field effect transistor having a source electrode and a body-tie electrode; coupling a resistive storage element to the source electrode; and opening a well switch coupled to the body-tie electrode for increasing a well voltage and resetting the resistive storage element by the source electrode floating on the well voltage. |
| US09007835B2 |
Enhanced data storage in 3-D memory using string-specific source-side biasing
A method includes storing data in a memory, which includes multiple strings of analog memory cells arranged in a three-dimensional (3-D) configuration having a first dimension associated with bit lines, a second dimension associated with word lines and a third dimension associated with sections, such that each string is associated with a respective bit line and a respective section and includes multiple memory cells that are connected to the respective word lines. For a group of the strings, respective values of a property of the strings in the group are evaluated. Source-side voltages are calculated for the respective strings in the group, depending on the respective values of the property, and respective source-sides of the strings in the group are biased with the corresponding source-side voltages. A memory operation is performed on the strings in the group while the strings are biased with the respective source-side voltages. |
| US09007833B2 |
2-transistor flash memory and programming method of 2-transistor flash memory
Disclosed is a 2-transistor flash memory that includes a memory cell array, a row driver, a read/write circuit, a charge pump generating a high voltage, and control logic configured to transfer the high voltage to the row driver, the read/write circuit, and the memory cell array. If programming, the row driver and the read/write circuit apply voltages such that a control gate of a cell transistor in an unselected memory cell on a different row from a selected memory cell is floated. |
| US09007832B2 |
Methods for programming a memory device and memory devices
Methods for programming memory cells and memory devices are disclosed. One such method for programming includes performing a program verify operation of a group of memory cells. A number of potential CS2 situations are detected. If the number of detected potential CS2 situations is greater than a threshold, programming compensation for a CS2 situation is used in a subsequent programming operation. |
| US09007831B2 |
Memory devices with different sized blocks of memory cells and methods
In an embodiment, each block of a plurality of blocks includes a respective plurality of strings of memory cells, where each of the plurality of strings of a block is coupled to a respective select transistor, and wherein each of the select transistors coupled to the plurality of strings of the block is coupled to a common first select line. The plurality of blocks includes N block sizes, where N may be an integer greater than or equal to three. N−1 blocks of one block size of the N block sizes collectively include a first number of second select lines. A group of blocks consisting of a respective block of each remaining block size of the N block sizes collectively include a second number of second select lines that is equal to the first number of select lines or that is less than the first number of second select lines. |
| US09007829B2 |
Memory repairing method, and memory controller and memory storage apparatus using the same
A memory repairing method for a rewritable non-volatile memory module and a memory controller and a memory storage apparatus are provided. The method includes monitoring a wear degree of the rewritable non-volatile memory module; determining whether the wear degree of the rewritable non-volatile memory module is larger than a threshold; and heating the rewritable non-volatile memory module such that the temperature of the rewritable non-volatile memory module lies in between 100° C.˜600° C. if the wear degree of the rewritable non-volatile memory module is larger than the threshold. Accordingly, deteriorated memory cells in the rewritable non-volatile memory module can be repaired, thereby preventing data loss. |
| US09007827B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method of programming nonvolatile memory device
A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory device and a memory controller. The nonvolatile memory device includes first memory blocks configured to store m-bit data per cell and second memory blocks configured to store n-bit data per cell. The memory controller is configured to control the nonvolatile memory device to close an open word line generated in a second memory block of the second memory blocks when a program operation is performed on the second memory block. |
| US09007823B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes: a first transistor including a gate connected to a first interconnection, a first source, and a first drain, one of the first source and the first drain being connected to a second interconnection; and a second transistor including a gate structure, a second source, and a second drain, one of the second source and second drain being connected to a third interconnection and the other of the second source and second drain being connected to a fourth interconnection. The gate structure includes a gate insulation film, a gate electrode, and a threshold-modulating film provided between the gate insulation film and the gate electrode to modulate a threshold voltage, the other of the first source and first drain of the first transistor is connected to the gate electrode. |
| US09007819B2 |
Magnetic random access memory device and method of writing data therein
In a method of writing data in an MRAM device, a first operation unit is selected in a plurality of memory cells of the MRAM device. First to n-th switching pulses are sequentially applied to the first operation unit to write data in first to n-th groups of memory cells of the first operation unit, respectively. The n-th switching pulse may have a current level lower than that of an (n−1)th switching pulse, where n is an integer larger than at least 1. The n-th switching pulse may have a pulse width narrower than that of an (n−1)th switching pulse, where n is an integer larger than at least 1. The technique can be repeated for a second operation unit. A device and system are disclosed in which different current switching pulses are applied to multiple groups of memory cells within the first and/or second operation units. |
| US09007818B2 |
Memory cells, semiconductor device structures, systems including such cells, and methods of fabrication
Memory cells including cell cores having free regions are disclosed. The free regions exhibit a strain that affects a magnetization orientation within the cell core. A stressor structure may exert a stress upon at least a portion of the cell core to effect the strain state of the free region. Also disclosed are semiconductor device structures and systems including such memory cells as well as methods for forming such memory cells. |
| US09007816B2 |
Memory circuit and memory device
To reduce power consumption, a memory circuit includes a latch unit in which first data and second data are rewritten and read in accordance with a control signal, a first switch unit that controls rewrite and read of the first data stored in the latch unit by being turned on or off in response to the control signal, and a second switch unit that controls rewrite and read of the second data stored in the latch unit by being turned on or off in response to the control signal. The latch unit includes a first inverter and a second inverter. At least one of the first inverter and the second inverter includes a first field-effect transistor, and a second field-effect transistor that has the same conductivity type as the first field-effect transistor and has a gate potential controlled in accordance with the control signal. |
| US09007815B2 |
Method and apparatus for switching power in a dual rail memory
A memory apparatus includes an array of bit cells arranged in rows and columns, multiple pairs of complementary bit lines, multiple power lines, and multiple voltage control circuits. Each column of the array is selectable by a corresponding pair of complementary bit lines. Each power line is coupled to the bit cells in a corresponding column. The voltage control circuits are coupled to respective columns of the array. Each voltage control circuit is configured to set a voltage level of a respective one of the power lines responsive to logic levels of the pair of complementary bit lines corresponding to the respective column. |
| US09007814B1 |
Application of relaxation voltage pulses to programmble impedance elements during read operations
An integrated circuit (IC) device can include a plurality of memory cells with programmable impedance elements. A circuit can be configured to read a data value stored by an element of a memory cell by application of at least one read voltage pulse and at least one relaxation voltage pulse across the terminals of the element; wherein the read voltage pulse has a same polarity as a voltage used to program the element, the relaxation voltage pulse has a different polarity than the read voltage pulse, and neither the read or relaxation voltage pulses program the element to a particular impedance state. |
| US09007811B1 |
Word line driver circuit
A word line driver circuit allows for dynamic selection of different word line voltages for selection and deselection of memory cells included in a resistive memory array in a manner that reduces circuit complexity, device count, and leakage currents. |
| US09007810B2 |
ReRAM forming with reset and iload compensation
FORMING reversible resistivity-switching elements is described herein. The FORMING voltage may be halted if the current through the memory cell reaches some reference current. The reference current may depend on how many groups of memory cells have been FORMED. This can help to increase the accuracy of determining when to halt the FORMING voltage. After the FORMING voltage is applied, a RESET voltage may be applied to those memory cells that have a resistance that is lower than a reference resistance to raise the resistance of those memory cells. By raising the resistance, the leakage current of these memory cells when other groups are programmed may be less. This, in turn, helps to prevent FORMING of the other groups from slowing down. A reason why this helps to prevent the slowdown is that the FORMING voltage may be kept near a desired level. |
| US09007807B2 |
Magnetic random access memory cell with a dual junction for ternary content addressable memory applications
The present disclosure concerns a MRAM cell comprising a first tunnel barrier layer comprised between a soft ferromagnetic layer having a free magnetization and a first hard ferromagnetic layer having a first storage magnetization; a second tunnel barrier layer comprised between the soft ferromagnetic layer and a second hard ferromagnetic layer having a second storage magnetization; the first storage magnetization being freely orientable at a first high predetermined temperature threshold and the second storage magnetization being freely orientable at a second predetermined high temperature threshold; the first high predetermined temperature threshold being higher than the second predetermined high temperature threshold. The MRAM cell can be used as a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) and store up to three distinct state levels. The MRAM cell has a reduced size and can be made at low cost. |
| US09007806B2 |
Electromechanical integrated memory element and electronic memory comprising the same
An electromechanical memory element includes a fixed body and a deformable element attached to the fixed body. An actuator causes a deformation of the deformable element from a first position (associated with a first logic state) to a second position (associated with a second logic state) where a mobile element makes contact with a fixed element. A programming circuit then causes a weld to be formed between the mobile element and the fixed element. The memory element is thus capable of associating the first and second positions with two different logic states. The weld may be selectively dissolved to return the deformable element back to the first position. |
| US09007805B2 |
Programmable diode array for high density OTP application
A device for one-time-programmable (OTP) memory may include a capacitor formed by a conductive layer, an oxide layer, and a semiconductor well, and a diode that is formed after programing the device. The device may be programmable by applying a voltage between the conductive layer and the semiconductor well. The applied voltage may be capable of rupturing the oxide layer at one or more points. The conductive layer, the oxide layer, and the semiconductor well may be native CMOS process formations. |
| US09007802B2 |
E-fuse array circuit
An e-fuse array circuit includes a program gate line and a word line gate line that are stretched in parallel to each other, and a metal line formed over the program gate line and the word line gate line to cover the program gate line and the word line gate line, the metal line connected to the program gate line through a plurality of contact plugs disposed at a given distance. |
| US09007801B2 |
Bipolar-MOS memory circuit
Integrated electronic memory devices include control logic and one or more cross point information storage arrays. The cross point storage array(s) include a non-linear conductor proximate to at least one cross point storage location, and the control logic comprises (i) an NMOS type transistor and a PNP type transistor, but not a PMOS type transistor, or (ii) a PMOS type transistor and an NPN type transistor, but not an NMOS type transistor. |
| US09007793B2 |
Synchronous rectifier driver circuit rectifier
A synchronous rectifier includes a primary rectifier circuit and a secondary rectifier circuit. The primary rectifier circuit is configured to produce first and second half-rectified signals from respective first and second primary voltage outputs of a first transformer winding. The secondary rectifier circuit is configured to rectify a voltage output of a second transformer winding in response to first and second transistor gate inputs. A first buffer driver is configured to receive the first half-rectified signal and to provide a first buffered control signal to the first transistor gate input. A second buffer driver is configured to receive the second half-rectified signal and to provide a second buffered control signal to the first transistor gate input. |
| US09007792B2 |
Arrangement for transmitting power between a DC power line and an AC power line
An arrangement transmits power between a DC power line and an AC power line carrying a voltage having a number of phases. The arrangement includes a number of transformers, one for each phase and a number of power transfer modules, one for each phase, connected in series between the DC power line and ground, where each module includes a first branch including series connected converter cells and a second branch including series connected switching elements. The primary winding of a transformer is connected to a corresponding AC phase conductor of the AC power line and the secondary winding is connected between a midpoint of the first branch and a midpoint of the second branch of a corresponding power transfer module. |
| US09007785B2 |
Power supply, image forming device, and piezoelectric transducer control method
A power supply with a digital control circuit generates an output voltage by driving a piezoelectric transducer with an alternating current voltage at a digitally controlled driving frequency. To skip over a spurious frequency, the driving frequency is switched between a first range above the spurious frequency and a second range below the spurious frequency. Within the first and second ranges, the driving frequency is varied in directions that make the output voltage track a target voltage. If the driving frequency arrives at the lower limit of the first range, it jumps to a switchover frequency in the second range. The first range can be used to generate a comparatively low output voltage, and the second range to generate a comparatively high output voltage. |
| US09007783B2 |
Memory device and receptacle for electronic devices
A random access memory (RAM) memory module has a compact form factor and is removable from a corresponding socket assembly to allow easy replacement of the memory module or reconfiguration of the memory module during development of an electronic device that includes the memory module. |
| US09007780B2 |
Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a third housing between the first housing and the second housing, the third housing being rotatably connected to the first housing and the second housing, and an antenna in the third housing. |
| US09007777B2 |
Board module and fabrication method thereof
Affixed to a projection (111) of a glass substrate (110) included in a liquid crystal module (100) are a first ACF (150a), which has low surface tack strength but high connection reliability, and a second ACF (150b), which has high component attaching capability attributed to high surface tack strength. With these, an LSI chip (130), electronic components (150), etc., are mounted on the glass substrate (110), so that high-speed electronic component mounting can be achieved while ensuring connection reliability. |
| US09007772B2 |
Electronic device with heat dissipation module
An electronic device includes an enclosure, a circuit board arranged in the enclosure, a heat dissipation module set on the circuit board, and a fan arranged in the enclosure and aligned with the heat dissipation module. The heat dissipation module includes a base and a number of fins. A number of parallel receiving portions are formed on the base.A slot is defined in each retaining portion. Each fin includes a main plate and a pivoting portion formed at a bottom the main plate. The pivoting portions are respectively and pivotably received in the slots of the base. |
| US09007770B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a housing, a heat source located in the housing, and a heat dissipation device disposed in the housing. The heat dissipation device thermally contacts the heat source. The heat dissipation device includes a casing. A heat dissipation material is disposed in the casing. The heat dissipation material includes 15 to 30 percent volume of multiple copper materials, 50 to 85 percent volume of a phase change material and 15 to 20 percent volume of air. The heat dissipation device has a surface thermally contacting the heat source. A central area and an outer ring area are defined on the surface. The outer ring area surrounds the central area. A geometric midpoint of the central area overlaps that of the surface. The heat source is located in the outer ring area. The heat dissipation device absorbs heat from the heat source through thermal conduction. |
| US09007767B2 |
Power inverter
A power inverter includes a metallic chassis having a containing space at an inner portion thereof, having a lid on one side in a vertical direction, the other side thereof being enclosed by a bottom, a cooling block of forming a coolant path along a bottom side in the vertical direction of the chassis, and a side portion of the inner portion of the chassis, plural semiconductor modules each incorporating a semiconductor chip for configuring an inverter circuit of converting a direct current power into an alternate current power, and provided with a direct current terminal for making a current flow to the semiconductor chip and a control terminal for controlling an operation of the semiconductor chip to be protruded to an outer portion. |
| US09007763B2 |
Airflow control apparatus
An adjustable blocking arrangement for electronic hardware or computer racks, for preventing the undesired leakage of air through rack spaces not filled with hardware. An airflow control device is provided comprising a flexible web and a magazine adapted to receive the part of the flexible web that is not deployed. The device is adapted such that a length of the web may be deployed to sealingly block a space in the rack that is not filled with hardware modules, to prevent the flow of air through the space. The device may comprising a detection system adapted to detect the space in the rack that is not filled with hardware modules, and a processing system adapted to receive a signal from the detection system, and as a function of the signal to automatically deploy or retract the flexible web so as to sealingly block the space. |
| US09007762B2 |
Server rack, electronic apparatus, and electronic apparatus protection method
According to one embodiment, a server rack includes a server, a housing which includes a ventilation opening part, and surrounds the server, a water sensor which is provided outside the housing and senses water, a closing member which is movable between a first position in which the closing member is dislocated from the opening part and a second position in which the closing member covers the opening part, a moving mechanism which moves the closing member from the first position to the second position, an adhering mechanism which brings the closing member that has moved to the second position into close contact with the housing, and a controller which operates the moving mechanism and the adhering mechanism, when the water sensor senses water. |
| US09007761B2 |
Post and opening with magnetic elements to facilitate alignment
An example provides a computing device including an opening including a first magnetic element, and a computing base, comprising a post including a second magnetic element attracted. The post may insert into the opening to facilitate docking the computing device to the computing base, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element to facilitate alignment of the post with the opening. |
| US09007760B2 |
Computer hinge having a hollow clutch
A hinge assembly having a hollow clutch is arranged to pivotally couple a portable computer base portion to a portable computer lid portion. The hinge assembly includes at least a hollow cylindrical portion that includes an annular outer region and a central bore region, the central bore region suitably arranged to provide support for electrical conductors between the base and lid portions. The hinge assembly also includes a plurality of fastening components that couple the hollow clutch to the base portion and the lid portion of the portable computer, with at least one of the fastening regions being integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical portion such that space, size and part count are minimized. The integrally formed fastening region(s) can be flat with holes dispersed therethrough for screws, bolts or the like. The central bore can also support a heat transfer element and can also serve as a lubricant reservoir. |
| US09007759B2 |
Display module holding frame and method of manufacturing same
A display module holding frame and method of manufacturing same include the steps of: first, providing a support frame which includes an installation frame to hold a display module, two installation portions to hold two hinge structures, an installation space formed within the installation frame, a coupling space formed between the two installation portions and a wiring passage communicating with the installation space and the coupling space; next, threading a signal wire through the wiring passage; finally, forming a rubber protective layer on the surface of the support frame via an injection process. The rubber protective layer has a holding portion to fix the signal wire in the wiring passage. The display module holding frame thus formed provides a structure to securely hold the signal wire without moving freely. |
| US09007754B2 |
Display module and manufacturing method thereof
A display module includes a first housing, a second housing, a display panel, and a glue. The first housing is disposed on the second housing and has a metal sidewall. A first gap exists between the metal sidewall and a sidewall of the first housing. The display panel is disposed on the first housing and has a side surface facing the sidewall, wherein a second gap exists between the side surface and the inner surface. The glue fills the second gap. A manufacturing method of the display module includes disposing the second housing on the first housing and forming the first gap; providing the glue on the inner face of the sidewall and above the first gap; making the display panel push and graze the glue; disposing the display panel on the first housing and forming the second gap, wherein the glue fills the second gap. |
| US09007745B1 |
Configurable electrical load center
A configurable electrical panel that may be installed either as a service entrance panel or as a subpanel is disclosed. The electrical panel includes a transfer switch for selectively connecting either a first power source or a second power source to an electrical load, where the transfer switch switches the power leads and the neutral lead from each power source. In a service entrance panel installation, the neutral lead from the first power source is connected to the ground bar and an electrical conductor is provided to connect the ground bar to the neutral input on the transfer switch for the first power source. In a sub-panel installation, the neutral lead from the first power source is connected directly to the neutral input on the transfer switch for the first power source. |
| US09007744B2 |
Media appliance and method for use of same
A media appliance and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a housing is adapted to be mounted within a wall. A panel forms a front portion of the housing and the panel includes vents and the panel may be mounted substantially flush with the wall. A media player, which includes a set-top box, is disposed within the housing. A pair of ports, disposed within openings defined by the housing, are configured to receive respective optio-electric connectors. Each port includes optio-electrically conductive elements. The pair of ports are coupled to the media player and one port is configured for providing a connection to a television and the other port is configured for providing a connection to an external source of signal for the television. |
| US09007740B2 |
Rotary capacitor
A rotary capacitor which changes electrostatic capacity by changing a mutually opposite area of a pair of electrodes which opposes each other, includes a rotary shaft which can rotate around a central axis, wherein the pair of electrodes includes a first electrode plate which protrudes from a circumferential surface of the rotary shaft, and a second electrode plate which may be separated in a direction along the central axis with respect to the first electrode plate and may be disposed so as to oppose the first electrode plate, and a notch which penetrates in a plate thickness direction may be formed on an edge portion of the first electrode plate. |
| US09007735B2 |
Fault detection, isolation, location and reconnection systems and methods
In an example embodiment, systems and methods for detecting and handling faults in a DC bus system (“system”) can comprise detecting a fault in the segment, isolating the segment from the system, waiting for a period of time, connecting a probe power unit to the system at the isolated segment, and determining if a fault still exists on the isolated segment, wherein the determining is based on whether power is discharging from the probe power unit when connected to the system. The system can comprise one or more controllers and a probe power unit. |
| US09007731B2 |
Leveraging inherent redundancy in a multifunction IED
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for leveraging the inherent redundancy of electrical measurement inputs available to microprocessor-based intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). Specifically, an IED may receive a plurality of electrical measurements associated with an electric power delivery system, such as measurements associated with a generator. A first protection module may be configured to detect a first type of electrical disturbance using a first subset of the plurality of electrical measurements. A second protection module may be configured to detect a second type of electrical disturbance using a second subset of the plurality of electrical measurements. A first redundant protection module may be configured to verify the detection of the first type of electrical disturbance using at least a portion of the second subset of the plurality of electrical measurements. |
| US09007730B2 |
Surge protection circuit
A surge protection circuit for a circuit having a rectification module. The surge protection circuit includes a first diode, a second diode, a capacitor and a discharge device. The anode of the first diode is connected to a first input of the rectification module, and the anode of the second diode is connected to a second input of the rectification module. The cathodes of the first and second diodes are both connected to the first plate of the capacitor. The second plate of the capacitor is connected to the negative output of the rectification module. The capacitor is configured such that it is consistently charged to substantially the peak value of a supply voltage during normal operation between surge events. The discharge device is connected to the first plate of the capacitor and is configured to discharge the capacitor when the voltage across the capacitor is in excess of the peak of the maximum value of the normal supply voltage and not discharge the capacitor when the voltage across the capacitor is not in excess of the peak of the maximum value of the normal supply voltage. |
| US09007723B1 |
Microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) head employing advanced current control to establish a magnetic resonance state
In one embodiment, a microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) head includes a main pole configured to write data to a magnetic medium using a write magnetic field, a write coil, wherein the write magnetic field is produced by the main pole upon a recording current, Iw, being provided to the write coil, and a spin torque oscillator (STO) positioned near the main pole, the STO being configured to provide a high-frequency assistance magnetic field to the magnetic medium upon a STO drive current, ISTO, being provided to the STO, wherein the STO drive current, ISTO, is ramped-up prior to the recording current, Iw, being provided to the write coil in order to begin a write operation for writing data to the magnetic medium. A method of operation for the MAMR head and an apparatus including the MAMR head are also described according to additional embodiments. |
| US09007722B2 |
High frequency magnetic field assisted magnetic recording head
To uniformly determine the positional relationship between a main magnetic pole and a spin torque oscillator while independently optimizing the main magnetic pole and the spin torque oscillator. On a trailing end surface of a main magnetic pole, a step is provided at the boundary between the main magnetic pole and a gap material disposed on both sides thereof, and a spin torque oscillator is formed on the step. The spin torque oscillator is effectively separated into two regions by utilizing the step. Further, a part of the spin torque oscillator is removed so as to disable the unwanted region, thereby realizing a self-alignment type high frequency magnetic field assisted magnetic recording head structure such that the positions of the end portions of the main magnetic pole and the spin torque oscillator are aligned. |
| US09007721B2 |
Microwave assisted magnetic recording head having spin torque oscillator, and magnetic recording apparatus
A spin torque oscillator is provided which is adapted to high data transfer rates and which can perform assisted magnetic recording of sufficient magnitude. A spin torque oscillator is provided with a stacked spin injection layer and a high frequency magnetic field generation layer. The stacked spin injection layer has a stacked structure in which a first magnetic layer, a coupling layer, and a second magnetic layer are stacked in the order mentioned from a far side as viewed from the high frequency magnetic field generation layer. Magnetization of the first magnetic layer and magnetization of the second magnetic layer are coupled antiparallel to each other. A polarity of the magnetization of the second magnetic layer is reversed temporally earlier than a magnetic field polarity reversal of a leakage magnetic field from the main magnetic pole. |
| US09007719B1 |
Systems and methods for using double mask techniques to achieve very small features
System and methods are provided for the manufacture of a magnetic write head including a pole and yoke region, and a nose shape transition region connecting the yoke to the pole having very small minimum radius of curvature, providing for a sharp transition. A double mask technique is used providing for the adjustment of an offset and illumination conditions between the first and second mask, which provides the capability of tuning the shape of the transition region, and achieving features that would otherwise not be achievable due to distortions caused by optical proximity effect. |
| US09007707B1 |
Systems and methods for accessing codewords in parallel using a three sensor reader
Systems and method relating generally to data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for utilizing multiple data streams for data recovery from a storage device. |
| US09007704B2 |
Lens barrel and image pickup apparatus
A lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder configured to hold a plurality of lens units that constitute a main optical system, an extender configured to be rotatably held by the fixed cylinder and disposed between the plurality of lens units, a first shaft configured to rotate the extender around a first axis that is parallel to an optical axis of the main optical system so that the extender is inserted into or retracted from an optical path of the main optical system, a second shaft configured to rotate around a second axis that is parallel to the optical axis so as to transmit a rotation to the first shaft, and an exterior member attached to the fixed cylinder, the second shaft is attached to the exterior member, the exterior member is attached to the fixed cylinder, and the rotation of the second shaft is transmitted to the first shaft. |
| US09007702B2 |
Five-piece optical lens system
A five-piece optical lens system comprises, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens element with a negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens element with a negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; a third lens element with a positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a stop; a fourth lens element with a positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface; a fifth lens element with a negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface, each of the second, third, fourth and fifth lens elements has at least one aspheric surface. Thereby, such a system has a wide field of view and can improve the yield rate when being applied to biomedicine, car recorder, camera or other electronic products. |
| US09007697B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens includes: a first lens group having a negative refractive power; and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, provided in this order from an object side. The first lens group includes a first lens having a negative refractive power and a second lens, which is plastic, having a positive refractive power. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional formulae, when Nd1n is the refractive index of the first lens with respect to the d line, Nd1p and νd1p are the refractive index and the Abbe's number of the second lens with respect to the d line, respectively, d2 is the spatial distance between the first lens and the second lens along an optical axis, and fw is the focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end: 1.48 |
| US09007696B2 |
Imaging catheter with integrated reference reflector
In part, the invention relates to a lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a micro-lens; a beam director in optical communication with the micro-lens; and a substantially transparent film. The substantially transparent film is capable of bi-directionally transmitting light, and generating a controlled amount of backscatter. In addition, the film surrounds a portion of the beam director. |
| US09007692B2 |
Lens array and image forming apparatus using the lens array
According to one embodiment, a lens array includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens includes a plurality of lens elements arrayed in a main scanning direction and configured to condense, with an emission surface, light made incident on an incident surface from an object point. The second lens includes a plurality of lens elements arrayed in the main scanning direction. The lens elements condense again, with an emission surface, light made incident on an incident surface. When the light from the object point is made incident on the incident surface of the first lens and emitted from the emission surface of the second lens, a distance between two points of emission positions on outermost sides on the emission surface of the second lens is substantially the same in the main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction. |
| US09007691B2 |
Image display sheet and image display body
An object is to provide an image display sheet capable of realizing a smooth pseudo moving image and observing the image with reduced in discomfort. A configuration is provided in which a lenticular sheet composed of an arrangement of a plurality of cylindrical lenses 1a and an image forming layer 3 are laminated, and the image display sheet is formed capable of observing an image formed on the image forming layer 3 from the convex shape side of the cylindrical lenses 1a of the lenticular sheet, as a virtual image with movement, or movement and deformation. The image forming layer 3 is formed repeatedly with a plurality of images 3 for displaying virtual images in association with the cylindrical lenses 1a so as to correspond to the cylindrical lenses 1a, respectively, one-on-one, and difference between an arrangement pitch length A of the cylindrical lenses 1a and a pitch length B of the repeatedly formed images 3a formed on the image forming layer 3 is in a range of 0% to 10%. |
| US09007683B2 |
Dual element passively athemalized infrared imaging systems
A passively athermalized infrared imaging system includes an object side meniscus lens that forms at least one aspheric surface, and an image side meniscus lens that forms two aspheric surfaces. Each of the meniscus lenses are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a chalcogenide glass, germanium, silicon, gallium arsenide, zinc selenide and glass. An optical power of the image side meniscus lens is at least 1.6 times an optical power of the object side meniscus lens such that an effective focus position of the imaging system is athermalized over a range of 0 to +40 degrees Celsius. |
| US09007682B2 |
Optical amplifier controller
A controller is configured to determine a first amount of current associated with a first power level. The controller is configured further to generate a digital pulse signal based on the first amount of current, where the digital pulse signal may have a second power level and an associated duty cycle. The controller is configured further to convert the digital pulse signal into a second amount of current and output the second amount of current as a pulse signal based on the duty cycle. |
| US09007678B2 |
Monolithic fixed optical delay generators
A monolithic fixed optical delay generator includes an optical substrate having a front face and a back face. A front coating is on the front face and a back coating is on the back face. The front coating is (i) highly reflective to a first wavelength and highly transmissive to a second wavelength while the back coating is highly reflective to the second wavelength, or (ii) the front coating is highly reflective to the second wavelength and is highly transmissive to the first wavelength while the back coating is highly reflective to the first wavelength. |
| US09007675B2 |
Optical modulation device and optical modulation method
In an optical modulation device, a first drive signal and a first bias signal are applied to a phase modulation unit, a second drive signal and a second bias signal are applied to a phase modulation unit, and a third bias signal is applied to a π/2 phase shift unit. A control unit adjusts the third bias signal in a first adjustment period, adjusts the first drive signal and the first bias signal in a second adjustment period next to the first adjustment period, and adjusts the second drive signal and the second bias signal in a third adjustment period next to the second adjustment period. The control unit starts the second adjustment period before a gap between the current value of an adjustment reference signal and a target value is filled, and starts the third adjustment period before a gap in the second adjustment period is filled. |
| US09007674B2 |
Defect-mitigation layers in electrochromic devices
Electrochromic devices and methods may employ the addition of a defect-mitigating insulating layer which prevents electronically conducting layers and/or electrochromically active layers from contacting layers of the opposite polarity and creating a short circuit in regions where defects form. In some embodiments, an encapsulating layer is provided to encapsulate particles and prevent them from ejecting from the device stack and risking a short circuit when subsequent layers are deposited. The insulating layer may have an electronic resistivity of between about 1 and 108 Ohm-cm. In some embodiments, the insulating layer contains one or more of the following metal oxides: aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silicon aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, tungsten oxide, nickel tungsten oxide, and oxidized indium tin oxide. Carbides, nitrides, oxynitrides, and oxycarbides may also be used. |
| US09007667B2 |
Image reader, image eraser, and related methods
According to an embodiment, an image reader for reading an original image formed on a surface of a recording medium is disclosed. The image reader comprises an illumination unit configured to illuminate the surface with a white light source, a light receiving unit comprising a plurality of color image sensors each configured to receive light reflected from the surface to form a monochromatic image, and an image processing synthesis unit configured to process the monochromatic images from the light receiving unit to form a synthesized image. The image reader further comprises an operation unit configured to designate a specific color, and a control unit configured to control the image processing synthesis unit to exclude, from the synthesized image processing, the monochromatic image from the color image sensor that corresponds to the specific color designated in the operation unit. |
| US09007664B2 |
Identification reader
A passport and identification card reader minimizes the time and effort required for an operator to read/scan a passport or piece of identification. An immigration official, for example, can slide a passport into place with one hand while tending to other important security activities with the other hand. Once in place, the passport will be automatically detected and read. Numerous passports bound together by a traveler with multiple visas can be held flat in place and accurately read, even with one hand, despite the natural tendency of the passport(s) to return to a closed position. |
| US09007660B2 |
Marking and/or scanning head, apparatus, and method
The invention relates to a marking and/or scanning head comprising a plurality of receiving spaces in which individual marking and/or sensing devices can be arranged for marking and/or scanning an object, wherein the receiving spaces are arranged in at least two sub-arrays, wherein at least one sub-array is movable and/or rotatable with regard to at least one other sub-array. The invention further relates to a marking and/or scanning apparatus and a method for operating a marking and/or scanning head or apparatus. |
| US09007659B1 |
Re-ordered error diffusion for fast implementation
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for performing error diffusion are disclosed. For example, the method quantizes an error for a first pixel of a plurality of pixels in a first row, diffuses the error to an adjacent pixel of the plurality of pixels in the first row, performs the quantizing and the diffusing for each remaining pixel of the plurality of pixels in the first row and applies the error that is quantized for each one of the plurality of pixels the first row in a desired number of different directions in a plurality of parallel operations that is equal to the desired number of different directions. |
| US09007656B2 |
Method, an apparatus and a printing equipment for printing documents
The present invention provides a method, an apparatus and a printing equipment for printing documents, comprising: obtaining the name of the color document; retrieving the printing step information for the color document, according to the name of the color document, and determining if the printing step information for the color document is complete; printing the color document, according to the printing step information, in the case that the printing step information for the color document is complete. Thus, it is possible to avoid the problem of consuming a large amount of time caused by processing the color document at each time of printing it, so as to greatly increase the speed and efficiency of cyclic printing documents. |
| US09007647B2 |
Methods and apparatus to identify images in print advertisements
Methods and apparatus to methods and apparatus to identify images in print advertisements are disclosed. An example method comprises computing a first image feature vector for a first presented image, comparing the first image feature vector to a second image feature vector, and when the first image feature vector matches the second image feature vector, storing printed-media information associated with the first presented image in a database record associated with the second image feature vector. |
| US09007645B2 |
Recording medium and printed matter producing method
The disclosure discloses a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing steps on a computer. An operation terminal that is connected to a printed matter producing apparatus comprising a memory configured to store a database comprising a plurality of records each allocating character string data to a plurality of fields. The steps comprise an information acquiring, an object data determining, a print data creating, and a print data outputting. In the information acquiring, identification information of the field comprising a reference character string data is acquired and a plurality of offset values relating to each of a plurality of pieces of print object data are acquired. In the object data determining, the plurality of pieces of print object data is determined by using the identification information and by applying the plurality of offset values, respectively. |
| US09007637B2 |
Generating an alias email address for managing a print job
One example discloses a network system for managing a print job. The network system can comprise a printing system. The printing system can comprise a memory for storing computer executable instructions and a processing unit for accessing the memory and executing the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions can comprise a printer server to route a print job to a selected printer of at least two printers based on a received email message, wherein an addressee of the received email message is associated with each printer of the at least two printers. |
| US09007636B2 |
Image forming apparatus, application control method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium encoded with application control program
An image forming apparatus includes an internal control portion to execute a process predetermined for an internal command, an application executing portion to execute an application program, and an application control portion to convert an application command output from the application executing portion into an internal command and output the internal command to the internal control portion. The application control portion includes a controlled-object determination portion to determine whether the hardware resource to be controlled by a first internal command obtained by converting a first application command input from a first custom portion and the hardware resource to be controlled by a second internal command obtained by converting a second application command input from a second custom portion are of the same type, and an arbitration portion to control timings for outputting the first and second internal commands on the basis of the determination result by the controlled-object determination portion. |
| US09007635B2 |
Image-forming apparatus communicating with an information-processing apparatus
Devices, systems, and methods for generating a document recommendation obtain document setting information, generate a first document recommendation based on the document setting information, send the first document recommendation to an image-forming device, obtain document content information; generate a second document recommendation based on the document content information; and send the second document recommendation to the image-forming device. |
| US09007632B2 |
Rights management in a distributed scan system
Approaches are provided for processing scan data based on a scan process definition (SPD) that defines a set of instructions for acquiring image data based on one or more printed documents. An SPD may include extension data that is used to store additional data in association with the scan data. An SPD may include rights management data that is used to provide security to the scan data that is generated based on the SPD. An SPD may be used as a print process definition for dictating how print operations are to be performed. An SPD may be associated with data that identifies one or more scan devices that are prohibited from using the SPD. An SPD may be associated with access delegation data that indicates one or more users who have been delegated access to the SPD. |
| US09007629B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and computer program
An information processing apparatus receives distribution of information of a server device which manages an image output device as an input destination of a print job, and automatically registers the server device as an output destination of a printing instruction. A computer device, which issues a printing instruction via a network to cause an image output device to execute a print job, makes an acquisition request of device management information to be updated, to a computer management device which manages the device management information including information regarding an output destination of the printing instruction issued by the computer device, and acquires the device management information to be updated. The computer device registers a cloud service server device as the output destination of the printing instruction based on information regarding the cloud service server device included in the device management information to be updated. |
| US09007628B2 |
Image processing device configured to reacquire data based on reference information
An image processing device includes an acquiring section, a determining section, a storage section, and a reacquiring section. The acquiring section is configured to acquire data based on reference information indicative of a reference location on a network. The determining section is configured to determine whether the acquiring section succeeds or fails in acquisition of the data. The storage section is configured to store the reference information when the determining section determines that the acquiring section fails in acquisition of the data. The reacquiring section is configured to reacquire data based on the reference information stored in the storage section. |
| US09007618B2 |
Image processing device, image processing system, and user authentication method more specifically relates to a technique of reducing power consumed by a human body communication terminal held by a user
An image processing device that executes a job based on instruction operation by a user authenticated as a result of user authentication, comprises a human body communication controller that makes human body communication with a human body communication terminal held by a user through at least one human body communication antenna arranged around a device body, and an authenticating unit that performs user authentication based on user information the human body communication controller acquires from said human body communication terminal. The human body communication controller makes the human body communication terminal shift from a communication mode to a power-saving mode in response to authenticating a user by the authenticating unit. |
| US09007617B2 |
Control of user-sensitive information in a print datastream
Systems and methods provide print security for sensitive information in a print datastream. One embodiment comprises a controller that identifies sensitive information of a page of a print datastream, and identifies a secure presentation area defined for the page. The controller compares print locations defined for the sensitive information with the secure presentation area, and generates an alert if the sensitive information has a print location that is defined outside of the secure presentation area. |
| US09007615B2 |
Method and apparatus for thick paper image border optimization
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for optimizing printing of an image on a non-optimal medium are disclosed. For example, the method analyzes one or more characteristics of a medium, determines that the medium is a non-optimal medium based upon the one or more characteristics that are analyzed, determines if an alternate medium having optimal medium characteristics is available, determines if a print parameter modification is available, increases a minimum border width of the non-optimal medium such that a sum of the minimum border width of each side of the non-optimal medium is greater than a pre-defined percentage of a width of the non-optimal medium if the alternate medium and the print parameter modification are not available, and prints the image on the non-optimal medium using the minimum border width. |
| US09007609B2 |
Copy machine having a preceding print mode and a memory print mode
A copy machine includes a reading unit, a printing unit, a processor and memory. In a case where a specific condition, which includes at least a condition that a read mode of the reading unit is performed in a discontinuous read mode, is satisfied, the copy machine controls the printing unit to perform printing in a preceding print mode, including starting printing of the image of the document before the reading of the document by the reading unit is completed. In a case where the specific condition is not satisfied, the copy machine controls the printing unit to perform printing in a memory print mode, including starting printing of the image of the document after the reading of the document by the reading unit is completed. |
| US09007608B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for three-dimensional objects
An image processing apparatus includes an exposure glass on which an original is to be placed; a scanner cover to openably cover the exposure glass from above, a tip of the scanner cover is lifted to open the exposure glass; a document scanner to read a two-dimensional objet of the original on the exposure glass and output read image data; a camera unit to capture an image of a three-dimensional object of the original on the exposure glass and output captured image data; photography lighting equipment including movable light source unit to illuminate the three-dimensional object put when the camera unit captures the image of the three-dimensional object; an image forming unit to convert the read image data and the captured image data to form a printed image on a recording medium; and a setting controller to control a reading process, a capturing process, and an image forming process. |
| US09007605B2 |
Image formation apparatus
An image formation apparatus includes an image reading control unit and a print control unit. The print control unit includes: a first communication control unit connected to the image reading control unit; and a power supply control unit configured to control power supply to the image reading control unit. The image reading control unit includes: a second communication control unit connected to the first communication control unit. When completing a process to transition to a power save mode in accordance with an instruction from the print control unit, the image reading control unit cuts off the communications through the second communication control unit. After sending the image reading control unit the instruction to transition to the power save mode, the print control unit detects the cutoff of the communications and then cuts off the power supply to the image reading control unit through the power supply control unit. |
| US09007599B2 |
Depth of hole measurement by subtracting area of two spectra separated by time
A measurement light having a predetermined wavelength bandwidth from a light source is radiated onto the structure to be measured in a specimen 50, light reflected from a first plane and second plane of the structure to be measured is made to interfere in an optical fiber, and a spectrum of the interference light is generated. This interference light spectrum is acquired by a spectrometric unit at two time points separated in time, and in data processing unit, absolute difference area computation unit determines the absolute difference area of the difference spectrum. This absolute difference area changes periodically each time the dimension of the structure to be measured changes by λ/4, making it possible to determine the dimension of the structure to be measured based on that change. |
| US09007598B1 |
Minimally-threaded screw to reduce alignment shifts
A ring laser gyroscope configured to reduce alignment shifts in at least one critical alignment of the ring laser gyroscope is provided. The ring laser gyroscope includes reflective components configured to direct clockwise optical beams and counter-clockwise optical beams in at least one lasing plane; at least one ring-laser-gyro mounting feature having at least one respective through hole; and at least one minimally-threaded screw positioned in the at least one respective through hole. An unthreaded section of the minimally-threaded screw is contactlessly encased in the at least one respective through hole. A threaded-end of the at least one minimally-threaded screw is threaded in a respective at least one threaded hole in a gyro frame, the gyro frame spanning a reference mounting plane. |
| US09007594B1 |
Gas detection system using fiber laser with active feedback compensation by reference cavity
The present invention provides a fiber laser gas detection system using active feedback compensation by a reference cavity, said system comprising: an optical fiber laser consists of a laser diode pump source, a wavelength division multiplexer, an active optical fiber and a fiber Bragg grating connected successively; an optical isolator coupled with said wavelength division multiplexer for blocking a reverse light transmission in said active fiber; a coupler connected with said optical isolator for dividing the laser light after being isolated by the optical isolator into a reference beam, a detecting beam and an intensity measuring beam according a certain ration power. The gas detection system according to the present invention can take advantages of the unique superiority of compact structure and narrow linewidth of the laser output of the fiber laser, and achieve a gas detection method with high sensitive and high precision by feedback controlling. |
| US09007592B2 |
Gas analyzer
A gas analyzer is capable of detecting abnormality of a measurement environment without using either or both of a pressure sensor and a gas temperature sensor. The gas analyzer creates absorption spectra from transmitted light intensity of laser beams applied to gas for measuring the amount of spread W and compares the amount of spread against a threshold D. The amount of spread of the absorption spectra does not depend on pressure if the pressure of the gas to be measured falls within a high-vacuum region, and monotonously increases with increased pressure if the pressure of the gas to be measured is higher than the high-vacuum region. Thus, if W>D, it is determined that the measurement environment does not form a high-vacuum region and abnormality is transmitted to the outside. In all other cases, the measurement environment is deemed to form a high-vacuum region, and partial pressure is calculated. |
| US09007591B2 |
Optical analyzer
The present invention includes: an optical fiber being provided either of between a light source and a measurement cell and between the measurement cell and a light detection part; and light path switching means adapted to achieve switching between a measurement cell passage state in which a light path formed by light transmission means passes through the measurement cell and a measurement cell non-passage state in which the light path formed by the light transmission means passes through a region different from the measurement cell, wherein calibration processing for a first calibration with a long calibration cycle is performed in the measurement cell passage state, and calibration processing for a second calibration with a short calibration cycle is performed in the measurement cell non-passage state. |
| US09007588B1 |
Cosmetic blending machine for foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, nail polish, blush, hair dye, lipstick and other products
A colorimeter, webcam, camera, spectrophotometer, scanner or other instrument measures the color composition and conditions and texture of a person's body part or presented beauty product and an individual custom formulation is produced. A presented beauty product may include foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, blush, nail polish, hair dye, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner and eye shadow. The produced custom formulation may comprise foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, blush, nail polish, hair dye, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner, eye shadow or other consumer products. A computer system 301 includes a processor 501 and a non-transitory, computer readable medium 500 containing machine readable instructions that accept data from a colorimeter 300 or like instrument and uses a main executable program 502 and a subroutine 504 for color analysis. |
| US09007585B2 |
Imaging overlay metrology target and complimentary overlay metrology measurement system
An exclusion region of interest imaging overlay target includes a self-symmetric target structure including two or more pattern elements, and an additional target structure including two or more pattern elements, wherein each of pattern elements of the additional target structure is contained within a boundary defined by one of the pattern elements of the self-symmetric target structure, wherein the self-symmetric target structure is characterized by a composite exterior region of interest, wherein the composite exterior region of interest is formed by removing two or more exclusion zones corresponding with the pattern elements of the additional target structure from an exterior region of interest encompassing the self-symmetric target structure, wherein each of the pattern elements of the additional target structure is characterized by an interior region of interest, wherein the self-symmetric target structure and the additional target structure are configured to have a common center of symmetry upon alignment. |
| US09007584B2 |
Simultaneous measurement of multiple overlay errors using diffraction based overlay
A plurality of overlay errors in a structure is determined using a target that includes a plurality of diffraction based overlay pads. Each diffraction based overlay pad has the same number of periodic patterns as the structure under test. Additionally, each diffraction based overlay pad includes a programmed shift between each pair of periodic patterns. The pads are illuminated and the resulting light is detected and used to simultaneously determine the plurality of overlay errors in the structure based on the programmed shifts. The overlay errors may be determined using a subset of elements of the Mueller matrix or by using the resulting spectra from the pads. |
| US09007583B2 |
Multi-analyzer angle spectroscopic ellipsometry
Ellipsometry systems and ellipsometry data collection methods with improved stabilities are disclosed. In accordance with the present disclosure, multiple predetermined, discrete analyzer angles are utilized to collect ellipsometry data for a single measurement, and data regression is performed based on the ellipsometry data collected at these predetermined, discrete analyzer angles. Utilizing multiple discrete analyzer angles for a single measurement improves the stability of the ellipsometry system. |
| US09007580B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring particle size distribution in drilling fluid
A method includes determining particle size distribution (PSD) in a fluid flow line based on a range of sizes for at least one particle in the fluid flow line and duration of reflection of a laser beam from the at least one particle. The laser beam is focused from a laser beam instrument in direct contact with the fluid low line. |
| US09007579B2 |
Device and method for measuring luminescence
An optical device for measuring luminescence includes a pulse generator for generating a periodic modulation signal having rectangular pulses, a pulse duration of the pulse being variably adjustable, an illumination device and/or means for illuminating an object under investigation with excitation radiation modulated in a pulse-like manner depending on the modulation signal, and a time-of-flight camera for phase-sensitive detection of a luminescence response emitted by the object under investigation in response to the excitation radiation. The modulation signal is supplied as reference signal to the time-of-flight camera. A method of measuring luminescence includes generating the periodic modulation signal having rectangular pulses, generating the signal-dependent, pulse-modulated excitation radiation, illuminating the object with the radiation, providing the modulation signal as reference signal to the camera, and performing phase-sensitive detection with the camera of the luminescence response emitted by the object in response to the excitation radiation for different pulse durations. |
| US09007578B2 |
Method for measurement of properties of analyte
A measurement method that includes irradiating a void-arranged structure on which an analyte has been held with an electromagnetic wave, detecting an electromagnetic wave scattered on the void-arranged structure, and determining a property of the analyte on the basis of at least one parameter, the parameter including the amount of change in the ratio of the detected electromagnetic wave to the irradiated electromagnetic wave at a specific frequency between the presence and the absence of the analyte. |
| US09007577B2 |
Analytical instrumentation in hazardous environments via static pressurization
An analytical instrument suitable for a use in a variety of industrial environments features a housing having a sealed primary chamber filled with a dry, inert gas at a first static pressure. An instrumentation system is disposed within the primary chamber, where fire hazard is eliminated by the inert gas. The housing additionally includes a reference chamber holding a gas a second pressure lower than the first pressure. One or more pressure switches, in pressure-sensing relationship with both chambers, is operative to interrupt the application of power to the instrumentation system if the differential between first and second pressures falls below a predetermined value. In this manner, the instrumentation system is rendered safe whenever the primary chamber is breached or otherwise loses inert gas pressure. |
| US09007575B2 |
Nanostructure device that enhances fluorescence and luminescence
Microstructures and nanostructures (100) consisting of a substrate (110), an array of pillars (120) capped by metallic disc (130), metallic dots (clusters or granules) (140) disposed on the sidewalls of the pillars, and a metallic backplane (150) that can interact to enhance a local electric field, the absorption of the light, and the radiation of the light are disclosed. Methods to fabricate the structures (100) are also disclosed. Applications of the structures to enhance the optical signals in the detection of molecules and other materials on a structure surface, such as fluorescence, photoluminescence and surface enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) are also disclosed. |
| US09007574B2 |
Analytical system with capillary transport
An analytical system is disclosed. The analytical system includes a storage container configured to store a plurality of capillaries. It also includes a gripper configured to receive at least one of the plurality of capillaries, and move the at least one capillary so that an end of the capillary contacts a sample in a sample container and draws the sample in the capillary. The system also includes a reader configured to detect a signal from the sample in the capillary. |
| US09007563B2 |
Illumination system having a beam deflection array for illuminating a mask in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
An illumination system for illuminating a mask in a scanning microlithographic projection exposure apparatus has an objective with an object plane, at least one pupil surface and an image plane in which a mask can be arranged. A beam deflection array of reflective or transparent beam deflection elements is provided, where each beam deflection element is adapted to deflect an impinging light ray by a deflection angle that is variable in response to a control signal. The beam deflection elements are arranged in or in close proximity to the object plane of the objective. |
| US09007562B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet/soft X-ray laser nano-scale patterning using the demagnified talbot effect
An apparatus and method for nanopatterning of substrates using the demagnified Talbot effect, wherein: (a) large arrays of nanostructures can rapidly be printed; (b) short extreme ultraviolet wavelengths permits sub-100 nm spatial resolution; (c) the de-magnification factor can be continuously adjusted, that is, continuously scaled; (d) the patterning is the effect of the collective diffraction of numerous tiled units that constitute the periodic array, giving rise to error resistance such that a defect in one unit is averaged over the area of the mask and the print does not show any defects; (e) the Talbot mask does not wear out since the method is non-contact; and (f) the feature sizes on the mask do not have to be as small as the feature sizes desired on the target, are described. The apparatus includes a source of coherent radiation having a chosen wavelength directed onto a focusing optic, the reflected converging light passing through a Talbot mask and impinging on a target substrate. |
| US09007560B2 |
Radiation source
A radiation source is disclosed that comprises a reservoir that retains a volume of fuel, a nozzle configured to direct a stream of fuel towards a plasma formation location, a laser configured to generate a radiation generating plasma, and a fuel contamination control arrangement. The contamination control arrangement comprises a magnetic field generation element for generating a magnetic field; an electric field generation element for generating an electric field, the magnetic field generation element and the electric field generation element together configured to ensure that the magnetic field and the electric field overlap at a location of contamination within the fuel, and to ensure that lines of flux of the magnetic field and electric field are non-parallel at that location to control movement of the contamination. |
| US09007558B2 |
Liquid crystal display
To improve the display uniformity in a vertical alignment liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display includes: first and second substrates; first and second electrodes provided the substrates, respectively; first and second vertical alignment films provided on the substrates respectively; a plurality of columnar spacers disposed at least in a region where the first and second electrodes are superimposed, and provided between the first and second substrates; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first and second substrates. The first vertical alignment film is subject to an alignment treatment in one direction. The liquid crystal layer has a pretilt angle during non-application of voltage. Each columnar spacer has a profile, in a planar view, which is not orthogonal to and which is not parallel with an alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules at substantially center of the liquid crystal layer in a layer thickness direction. |
| US09007556B2 |
Susbtrate with PSVA mode pad set and cell switch for array process of panel display device, manufacturing method and corresponding liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a substrate for array process of panel display device, which includes a cell switch and a PVSA mode pad set. Cell switch includes a plurality of switches, with each connected to a pad in shorting bar pad set. PSVA mode pad set includes a scan pad and a data pad. Scan pad is connected through some switches of cell switch to scan lines, and data pad is connected through some switches of cell switch to data lines. In this manner, the present invention reduces the number of pads in PSVA mode pad set to simplify peripheral routes. |
| US09007555B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and pixel structure
A liquid crystal display panel including a first substrate, scan lines extending along a first direction, data lines, active devices, pixel electrodes, common electrodes, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer is provided. The pixel electrodes are respectively disposed in sub-pixel regions and coupled to the corresponding active devices. The common electrodes are respectively disposed corresponding to the pixel electrodes. Each common electrode or each pixel electrode includes plural stripe electrodes arranged side by side. Each stripe electrode includes a first section and a second section respectively disposed on two opposite sides of a reference axis, wherein a major axis of the first section forms an included angle with a major axis of the second section. The included angles of the stripe electrodes in each sub-pixel region are gradually varied along the first direction. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US09007554B2 |
Liquid crystal optical apparatus and image display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal optical apparatus includes a first substrate unit, a second substrate unit, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate unit includes a first substrate, first electrodes, and second electrodes. The first electrodes extend in a first direction. The second electrodes are disposed between the first electrodes. The second substrate unit includes a second substrate, a first opposing electrode, and a second opposing electrode. The second opposing electrode is separated from the first opposing electrode. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and second substrate units. The distance along the second direction between the central axis and a first separating region between the first opposing electrode and the second opposing electrode is longer than a distance between the central axis and the second electrode. |
| US09007547B2 |
Backlight module and LCD device
A backlight module is disclosed, which comprises a light guide plate, a point light source and a substrate. The light guide plate comprises a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to each other and a side surface located between the top surface and the bottom surface. The point light source is disposed on the substrate. The backlight module further comprises a backplate, a front frame and a first reflective unit. The backplate is adapted to accommodate the light guide plate. The front frame is disposed adjacent to the top surface of the light guide plate. The point light source is disposed adjacent to the side surface. A bisector line of a light emitting range of the point light source is directed towards a plane in which the top surface or the bottom surface of the light guide plate is located. |
| US09007546B2 |
Light guide plate and liquid crystal display apparatus using the same
Light can be uniformly distributed in the bezel area by diffusing the light in the bezel area blocked by an upper case, or by providing an optical pattern for light concentration. Accordingly, the brightness of light is similar for all positions at the boundary between the bezel area and the display area, thereby solving the hot spot problem caused by a brightness difference depending on position. |
| US09007544B2 |
Display device
A display device according to this technique includes a slanting surface provided at a lower section of a housing accommodating a display panel and slanted in a depth direction; a receiving light guide member located at the slanting surface and having an incident surface exposed from a front surface of the housing, an emitting surface for emitting light to a light receiving sensor, and a reflective surface provided between the incident surface and the emitting surface; and an emitting light guide member, located at the slanting surface and having a front emitting surface slanted so as to be substantially flush with the slanting surface, for guiding light from a light emitting diode to the front surface of the housing. |
| US09007541B2 |
Pixel array and display panel
A pixel array and a display panel are provided. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixel units. Each of the pixel units includes a first scan line, a second scan line, a data line, a first thin-film transistor, a second thin-film transistor, a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode. The first thin-film transistor is electrically connected to the first scan line and the data line. The first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the first thin-film transistor. The second thin-film transistor is electrically connected to the second scan line and the data line. The second pixel electrode is electrically connected to the second thin-film transistor. The orthogonal projection pattern of the first thin-film transistor on XY plane and the orthogonal projection pattern of the second thin-film transistor on XY plane are substantially the same. |
| US09007535B2 |
Head-up display apparatus
A beam splitter outputs a light, which includes two polarized light components, when the splitter receives laser lights from laser light sources. The splitter is arranged such that when the light, which is outputted from the splitter and is reflected by or transmitted through a screen, is incident on a projection surface of a windshield, polarization directions of the two polarized light components are different from each other and are not parallel to a plane of incidence, which is formed at a point of incidence of the light on the projection surface. |
| US09007528B2 |
Electronic apparatus and display control method
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a communication module, a storage, a determination module and an acquisition module. The communication module is configured to perform communication with a plurality of external devices. The storage is configured to store an address list correlating a logical address and a physical address of each of the external devices. The determination module is configured to transmit a power-on signals to the external devices and thereafter determine a power state of the external devices. The acquisition module is configured to perform switching of input by the communication module after the determination module determines that the external devices are powered on, and to acquire device information including the physical addresses of the external devices. |
| US09007521B2 |
Mobile terminal device having camera system
The present invention is a camera system which is usable with a mobile terminal. The camera system includes a lens module and at least one mechanism for changing optical properties by interacting with the lens module. The camera system may be built into the mobile terminal or attached thereto as an external module. |
| US09007520B2 |
Camera module with EMI shield
A compact camera module has an EMI housing configured to shield camera module components from electromagnetic interference and having defined therein a focus-adjustment aperture to permit an optical train to extend to at one end of an auto-focus range, and a light leak baffle partially overlaps the focus-adjustment aperture along the optical path outside the auto-focus range. |
| US09007519B2 |
Imaging device for measurement processing
An aspect of the invention provides an imaging device for measurement processing, which comprises: an imaging unit that forms an image; a lens positioned to guide incident light to the imaging unit; and an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance between the lens and the imaging unit by moving the lens along the optical axis of the lens, the optical axis extending in a first direction, the adjustment mechanism comprising: a first threaded member having a longitudinal axis extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction, wherein the first threaded member is rotatable around longitudinal axis thereof without moving in the second direction; and a conversion mechanism that converts a rotation of the first threaded member around longitudinal axis thereof into a movement of the lens along the optical axis of the lens. |
| US09007517B2 |
Imaging module
An imaging module is provided with: a front case, in which a lens unit is mounted on a side of the subject to be imaged; a back case, which is attached to the front case and seals an imaging substrate in an inside space formed with the front case; and a bracket attached to the back case, and the back case is attached to the front case by case a case fastening screw that is screwed into a screw hole and a case screw-fastening through-hole, and the positioning protrusion 5a is inserted into the case screw-fastening through-hole, so that the back case is positioned on the bracket. |
| US09007516B2 |
Shutter assembly and photographing apparatus including the same
A shutter assembly includes: a driver for generating a rotation force; an input gear unit rotated by the driver; a transmission gear unit rotated by the input gear unit; an output gear unit rotated by the transmission gear unit; and a rotation unit that is rotated by the output gear unit between a position for transmitting light and a position for blocking light, wherein the transmission gear unit at least partially corresponds to a rotation path of the rotation unit and is spaced apart from a surface containing the rotation path along a direction of a central axis of the transmission gear unit. |
| US09007511B2 |
Imaging device, control method of imaging device, and computer program
There is provided an imaging device including an imaging control unit that executes imaging control in first and second self-timer modes in which an automatic focusing process and an imaging process are executed in order after reception of an imaging start instruction. A first period from the reception of the imaging start instruction to execution of the automatic focusing process in the first self-timer mode is shorter than a second period from the reception of the imaging start instruction to execution of the automatic focusing process in the second self-timer mode. |
| US09007506B2 |
Image pickup apparatus, control method of image pickup apparatus, program, and storage medium
A image pickup apparatus includes a touch panel configured to detect a touch operation, an image pickup element arranged to pick up a moving image, and a system control unit configured to control to record the moving image picked up by the image pickup element and control to make the operation-receiving sensitivity of the touch panel for the touch operation in moving image recording higher than in a state other than the moving image recording. |
| US09007505B2 |
Image sensor with transfer transistors whose on periods are controlled by timing signals based on transistor transfer efficiencies
An image sensor in which one unit structure includes a plurality of photo-electric conversion units, a floating diffusion, a plurality of transfer transistors which are arranged in correspondence with the plurality of photo-electric conversion units so as to transfer charges respectively converted by the plurality of photo-electric conversion units to the floating diffusion, a source-follower amplifier which outputs a voltage signal according to a charge amount of the floating diffusion, and a reset transistor which resets the plurality of photo-electric conversion units and the floating diffusion, and a plurality of unit structures are two-dimensionally arranged in a row direction and a column direction, the image sensor comprising a control unit which divides the plurality of unit structures into a plurality of groups, and controls the transfer transistors for each divided group. |
| US09007503B2 |
Solid-state imaging element and camera system
A solid-state imaging element includes a plurality of semiconductor layers stacked, a plurality of stack-connecting parts for electrically connecting the plurality of semiconductor layers, a pixel array part in which pixel cells that include a photoelectric conversion part and a signal output part are arrayed in a two-dimensional shape, and an output signal line through which signals from the signal output part of the pixel cells are propagated, in which the plurality of semiconductor layers includes at least a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer, and, in the first semiconductor layer, the plurality of pixel cells are arrayed in a two-dimensional shape, the signal output part of a pixel group formed with the plurality of pixel cells shares an output signal line wired from the stack-connecting parts, and the output signal line has a separation part which can separate each output signal line. |
| US09007490B1 |
Approaches for creating high quality images
Systems and approaches are provided for obtaining high quality image data from lower resolution and/or lower quality image data. An electronic device can be calibrated comprehensively prior to being provided to a user. The calibrated electronic device can be used to capture image data, image metadata, and other sensor data substantially simultaneously. Super-resolution processing can be applied to the captured image data to obtain higher quality image data than the captured image data, such as image data that corresponds to a higher resolution, has less blur, has less noise, has fewer photometric imperfections, and/or has fewer artifacts. |
| US09007488B2 |
Systems and methods for generating interpolated high-dynamic-range images
Electronic devices may have camera modules that include an image sensor and processing circuitry. The image sensor may capture an interleaved image having rows of long-exposure pixel values that are interleaved with rows of short-exposure pixel values. The image sensor may separate the interleaved image into first and second images each having empty image pixel values. The processing circuitry may generate interpolated long-exposure and interpolated short-exposure images by generating chroma-filtered interpolated pixel values for the empty pixel values in the first and second images. The processing circuitry may perform interpolation operations along one or more directions for the empty image pixels based on whether the empty image pixels are within a texture area or on a dominant edge of the captured image. The processing circuitry may combine the interpolated long-exposure image and the interpolated short-exposure image to generate a high-dynamic-range image. |
| US09007487B2 |
Camera module, exposure adjusting method of camera module, and electronic equipment
According to one embodiment, a camera module has an exposure control unit. When an exposure error has reached within a coring range by first exposure control, the exposure control unit switches exposure control from the first exposure control to second exposure control. The exposure error shows a deviation of an exposure evaluation value to an exposure target value. In the second exposure control, an exposure change amount is reduced than at the time of the first exposure control. When the exposure error has reached a zero level by the second exposure control, the exposure control unit stops the exposure control. |
| US09007486B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and control method thereof
An image capturing apparatus determines a scene of a captured image, and, depending on the scene determination result, performs image capture with an expanded dynamic range, or performs a dynamic range contraction process based on the captured image. In the case of executing the dynamic range expansion process, the image capturing apparatus performs image capture at a decreased ISO speed, and performs tone correction for compensating the decrease in ISO speed with respect to the captured image. The image capturing apparatus is thereby capable of performing image capture with a dynamic range that takes into consideration the subject and the scene. |
| US09007485B2 |
Image capturing devices using orientation detectors to implement automatic exposure mechanisms
Several methods and apparatuses for implementing automatic exposure mechanisms for image capturing devices are described. In one embodiment, an orientation detector located in the device determines orientation data for the device. The automatic exposure mechanism projects an orientation vector into an image plane of an image sensor. Next, the automatic exposure mechanism adjusts an initial position of a metering area used for automatic exposure towards a target position based on the projected orientation vector. The automatic exposure mechanism optionally dampens the adjustment of the metering area. |
| US09007484B2 |
Alleviating dominant color failure in automatic white balance using histogram trimming
Methods, devices and computer readable media for implementing novel dominant color alleviation techniques for color balancing are described. The techniques take advantage of unique properties of 2D image data histograms accumulated in a chromaticity space, along with other factors such as estimated scene lux and knowledge of plausible scene illuminant white point values within the chromaticity space. The accumulated 2D image data histograms may be refined and “trimmed,” such that the resultant image data passed to an auto white balance solution has much less influence from the dominant colors in the image, even those that overlap the plausible scene illuminant color region. The described techniques provide for white point estimates that are much less prone to dominant color failures. |
| US09007483B2 |
Image synthesis device and computer program for image synthesis for synthesizing a plurality of images of different exposure times
An image synthesis device includes: a first pixel selection unit which selects, from a first filter area around a pixel of interest on a first image, a first pixel having a value within a first allowable range including a value of a pixel of interest; a second pixel selection unit which sets a second filter area around a reference pixel located on a second image having a longer exposure time than the first image in the same position as the pixel of interest, and selects, from the second filter area, a second pixel having a value within a second allowable range including the value of the pixel of interest; and a synthesis unit which sets a synthetic value, acquired by synthesizing the values of the first and the second pixel, as the value of a pixel on the synthetic image in the same position as the pixel of interest. |
| US09007481B2 |
Information processing device and method for recognition of target objects within an image
An information processing apparatus, information processing method and computer program product cooperate in detecting a first target object contained in image information. Image information of an image is received through an interface. A processing circuit determines whether a first target object in the image information has not yet been detected. A determination is also made regarding whether a second target object in the image information has been detected. An image quality parameter of the image is modified to assist subsequent detection attempts in recognizing the first target object when the first target object has not yet been detected but the second target object has been detected. |
| US09007480B2 |
Automatic face and skin beautification using face detection
Sub-regions within a face image are identified to be enhanced by applying a localized smoothing kernel to luminance data corresponding to the sub-regions of the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more enhanced sub-regions of the face. |
| US09007477B2 |
Audio-controlled image capturing
A method comprising: receiving a plurality of images corresponding to a time period covering the intended moment for releasing the shutter; receiving an audio signal associated with the plurality of images using audio capturing means; analyzing the received audio signal in order to determine an auditory event associated with a desired output image; and selecting at least one of the plurality of images on the basis of the analysis of the received audio signal for further processing in order to obtain the desired output image. |
| US09007476B2 |
Remotely controlled automatic camera tracking system
A remotely controlled automatic camera tracking system for self-photography is disclosed. The systems hereof combine the functions of remote camera operation, including closed loop automatic zoom control, and camera tracking by employing a system architecture that eliminates the requirement to have microprocessors coupled to the tracking station for the calculation of range and bearing. The system enables range and bearing information to be viewed by the operator, if desired, and conserves radio power. |
| US09007475B2 |
Communication apparatus and electronic mail creation method
Disclosed is a communication device wherein, in order to improve operability when sending electronic mail to which image data has been attached, the communication device is provided with an image capture means for capturing image data of a subject; a storage means for storing registered information associating a predetermined action with a destination address; and a control means that, in response to a predetermined action being performed during operation of the image capture means, controls the image capture means so that the storage means records image data that is being captured by the image capture means, and additionally set a destination address recorded in the registered information associated with the predetermined action as a destination, and creates an electronic mail message to which the recorded image data has been attached. |
| US09007474B2 |
Pan-tilt camera
A pan-tilt camera is arranged to include a camera head, a stationary unit, an intermediate member arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit, a first rotary joint rotatably connecting the camera head to the intermediate member, and a second rotary joint, rotatably connecting the intermediate member to the stationary unit. A communication path is provided between the camera head and the stationary unit, including an optical waveguide arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit. The optical waveguide has a first end positioned at the first rotary joint to receive light from the camera head through the first rotary joint. The other end of the waveguide is positioned at the second rotary joint and is arranged to send light to the stationary unit through the second rotary joint. |
| US09007473B1 |
Architecture for augmented reality environment
An architecture has one or more systems for generating augmented reality environments configured to access cloud services over a network. A user is authenticated within the environments, and once authenticated is permitted to interact with the cloud services using the augmented reality environments as well as client resources provided within the environments. The client resources may include devices or things that are primary intended for use within the environments, and devices or things that are not typically associated with augmented reality environments. The architecture enables the client resources to function as thin client interfaces to the cloud services. |
| US09007471B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and computer-readable medium
A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus successively photographs one short exposure image and a plurality of long exposure images. A global motion of each of the long exposure images is compensated based on the one short exposure image. A Point Spread Function (PSF) of each of the one short exposure image and the long exposure images are extracted. A shake correction image is extracted through a repeat estimation by determining an initial value of the repeat estimation based on the one short exposure image and the long exposure images and using each PSF. |
| US09007466B2 |
System and method for thermographic inspection
A method for thermographic imaging is described. The method captures a plurality of thermal images of a surface of an object, at non-linear intervals over a period of time, each of the thermal images being associated with temporal data. The method then processes the plurality of thermal images and the temporal data, and identifies features within the object based on the processing. |
| US09007463B2 |
Video tracking of baseball players which identifies merged participants based on participant roles
Video frames of a baseball game are analyzed to determine a track for the participants in the game and to update a digital record of the game. The merging of participants in a video frame is resolved by associating the participants' tracks before and/or after the merging with a most likely participant role, such as a player, coach or umpire role. The role of one merged participant can be used to deduce the role of the other merged participant. In this way, the digital record can be completed even for the merged period. The role of a participant can be based, e.g., on the location of the participant relative to a base, a coach's box region, a pitcher's mound, a dugout, or a fielding position, or by determining that a participant is running along a path to a base or performing some other movement. |
| US09007461B2 |
Aerial photograph image pickup method and aerial photograph image pickup apparatus
The aerial photograph image pickup method comprises a first step of acquiring still images along an outward route and a return route respectively, a second step of preparing a stereo-image with regard to three images adjacent to each other in advancing direction, and of preparing another stereo-image by relative orientation on one more set of adjacent images and of preparing two sets of stereo-images, a third step of connecting two sets of stereo-images by using feature points extracted from a portion of an image common to the two sets of stereo-images, a step of connecting all stereo-images in the outward route direction and in the return route direction according to images acquired in the first step by repeating the second and third steps, and a step of selecting common tie points from the images adjacent to each other in the adjacent course and connecting the adjacent stereo-images in the course. |
| US09007460B2 |
Methods and systems for predicting cloud movement
A prediction system for predicting solar irradiance based on cloud characteristics includes a sky imager that includes a customized lens configured to capture one or more substantially planar images of the sky. The prediction system further includes an image processor coupled to the sky imager and configured to process the one or more substantially planar images. Moreover, the prediction system includes a computing system coupled to the image processor and configured to detect cloud characteristics based on the one or more substantially planar images, and predict the solar irradiance based on the cloud characteristics. |
| US09007457B2 |
Acquisition of 3D topographic images of tool marks using non-linear photometric stereo method
There is described a method and 3D image acquisition system for addressing the specular nature of metallic surfaces in general, and ballistic pieces of evidence in particular, using photometric stereo by identifying and solving a plurality of sets of non-linear equations comprising a diffusive term and a specular term to determine a surface normal vector field N(x,y), and using N(x,y) to determine a 3D topography Z(x,y). |
| US09007453B2 |
Time lapse observation method, and time lapse observation apparatus and multiphoton microscope used therefor
Time lapse observation method includes: before a process to obtain a first time lapse image, capturing an image of a reference area on a sample being a partial area of a target area or an area in a vicinity of the target area being a smaller area than the target area to obtain a reference image; storing a position of a capturing area in capturing the reference image as a reference position; before a process to obtain the time lapse image performed, setting a position of the capturing area sequentially at different positions in the optical axis direction of an objective including the reference position and capturing an image at each of the positions to obtain comparison target images; and matching the capturing area with the target area, based on a comparison result of the reference image and the comparison target images. |
| US09007449B2 |
Electronic endoscope
An image-capturing apparatus and a repair method thereof are provided. The image-capturing apparatus includes a lens frame to which one or more lenses are fixed; an image-capturing frame to which an image-capturing device is fixed; and a fixing member for fixing the lens frame and the image-capturing frame to each other without adhering a fitted portion between the lens frame and the image-capturing frame. The repair method for the image-capturing apparatus includes destructing a fixing member for fixing to each other a lens frame to which one or more lenses are fixed and an image-capturing frame to which an image-capturing device is fixed, and releasing fixing between the frames; replacing at least either of the lens frame and the image-capturing frame; and fixing to each other the lens frame and the image-capturing frame. |
| US09007445B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An index extraction unit detects indices from a sensed image sensed by a sensing unit which senses an image of a physical space on which a plurality of indices is laid out. A convergence arithmetic unit calculates position and orientation information of the sensing unit based on the detected indices. A CG rendering unit generates a virtual space image based on the position and orientation information. A sensed image clipping unit extracts, as a display image, an image in a display target region from the sensed image. An image composition unit generates a composite image by compositing the extracted display image and the generated virtual space image. A display unit displays the composite image. |
| US09007443B2 |
Camera objective and camera system
A camera objective for a camera includes a mask having a plurality of masking sections which are permeable for radiation of a first spectral range and are impermeable for radiation of a second spectral range different from the first spectral range. A camera system includes a digital camera for taking images. The camera system includes such a camera objective and an optoelectronic sensor arrangement having a plurality of sensor elements for generating exposure-dependent received signals which form a respective image. The plurality of sensor elements includes a first group of sensor elements for generating received signals in dependence only on radiation of the first spectral range and a second group of sensor elements for generating received signals in dependence on radiation of the second spectral range. |
| US09007441B2 |
Method of depth-based imaging using an automatic trilateral filter for 3D stereo imagers
A system of stereo imagers, including image processing units and methods of blurring an image, is presented. The image is received from an image sensor. For each pixel of the image, a depth filter component is determined based on a focal area of the image and a depth map associated with the image. For each pixel of the image, a trilateral filter is generated that includes a spatial filter component, a range filter component and the depth filter component. The respective trilateral filter is applied to corresponding pixels of the image to blur the image outside of the focal area. A refocus area or position may be determined by imaging geometry or may be selected manually via a user interface. |
| US09007437B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
Provided is an image processing apparatus and method thereof. The image processing apparatus may extract a three-dimensional (3D) bidirectional flow by analyzing data of an input object. The image processing apparatus may calculate a 3D volumetric center density of the input object based on the 3D bidirectional flow. |
| US09007436B2 |
Image data receiving apparatus and image data transmission system
An image data receiving apparatus includes: a first receiving section that receives a first signal including serial data according to image data; a second receiving section that receives a second signal including serial data that is different from the serial data included in the first signal; a first conversion section that converts the serial data included in the first signal into parallel data and outputs the parallel data; a second conversion section that converts the serial data included in the second signal into parallel data and outputs the parallel data; a bit drift amount detecting section that obtains information indicating a degree of drift of the parallel data outputted from the second conversion section from a predetermined bit pattern; and a bit shifting section that shifts the parallel data outputted from the first conversion section according to the information obtained by the bit drift amount detecting section. |
| US09007435B2 |
Real-time depth-aware image enhancement system
An example process to enhance a two-dimensional (2D) image may include generating a depth map for the 2D image based on edges detected from the 2D image, wherein the depth map can be used to convert the 2D image to a 3D image. The process may further include enhancing the 2D image using the depth map. |
| US09007434B2 |
Entry points for 3D trickplay
Providing entry points for 3D video data is described; an entry point unit (18) generates an entry point table by defining entry points in an incoming 3D video data stream and storing entry point addresses giving the location of the defined entry points; the video data stream comprises a multitude of sub-streams, which multitude encodes one stream of 3D 5 video data and comprises at least one 2D sub-stream that independently encodes a 2D version of the 3D video data and at least one auxiliary sub-stream that dependently encodes part of the 3D video data; the entry points include main entry points in the 2D sub-stream and auxiliary entry points in the auxiliary sub-stream for enabling 3D trickplay of the 3D video data by retrieving and decoding non-adjacent fragments of the 2D sub-stream and retrieving 10 and dependently decoding corresponding fragments of the auxiliary sub-stream. |
| US09007427B2 |
Method and system for providing virtual conferencing
An approach for providing virtual conferencing is described. A virtual conference platform receives, in real-time, images representing users of the respective mobile devices, selects a virtual environment among a plurality of virtual environments, and integrates the images into the selected virtual environment. |
| US09007423B2 |
Centralized communication hub
Systems and methods are described that relate to a centralized communication hub at a user location for coordination of receiving/sending phone calls, SMS/MMS messages, and requests for video conferences to/from a display. A user may indicate that she wishes to receive a call/message by selecting an option on a remote control associated with the display. A microphone and/or camera connected to a gateway may provide audiovisual capabilities during a call. In a separate embodiment, the functionality of the communication hub may be split between two devices; one device detects incoming calls and a separate device routes the calls/messages to/from the appropriate gateway. |
| US09007421B2 |
Conference call user interface and methods thereof
This disclosure relates to a conference call user interface and methods thereof. In one illustrative embodiment, the user interface provides a simple teleconferencing solution that allows a user to establish a conference as well as an individual conversation. Graphical representations, in the form of avatars, can be provided. A table surrounded by the avatars can be used to mimic a meeting room as though the parties were actually there. When phone icons on the chests of the avatars are actuated, a directory application to search for parties can be provided. A consult line, separate from the avatars, can also be provided. After connecting and associating the parties with an avatar, call handling actions can be displayed on or around each of the avatars. |
| US09007419B2 |
Audiovisual apparatus for reducing echo
The present disclosure relates to an audiovisual apparatus, which includes an audiovisual capturing unit, an audiovisual broadcast unit, and a transmission cable module. The two ends of the transmission cable module are respectively connected to the audiovisual capturing unit and the audiovisual broadcast unit. The transmission cable module has a video cable group for transmitting video signals and an audio cable group for transmitting audio signals suitable for reducing echo. The audio cable group includes a cable for providing a digital clock for the audio signal, a cable for providing a clock for the left right channel switching audio signal, a cable for inputting serial audio signal, and a cable for outputting serial audio signal. With this arrangement, the audio signals captured by the audiovisual capturing unit and transmitted by the transmission cable module to the audiovisual broadcast unit can be effectively removed of echo. |
| US09007418B2 |
Capturing video through a display
An image is displayed from a transparent display according to a first signal. Light passing through the display is received, and a second signal is generated from the received light. A third signal is generated from the first signal and the second signal by eliminating data in the second signal corresponding to the image. |
| US09007415B2 |
Method and system for audio-video communications
There is provided a system and method of audio-video communications including a plurality of end-user terminals coupled via a communications link. Each end-user terminal includes a video processor component, a user interface, a display, a speaker and a microphone, a video camera device and a storage device, all coupled to the processor. The user interface includes a video muting function. The video processor component includes a module responsive to the video muting function for switching from a video source of the video camera to a predetermined video signal. The video muting function includes a selection for muting video sent from one of the plurality of end-user terminals, muting video received by one of the plurality of end-user terminals, muting video, both video sent from and video received by one of the plurality of end-user terminals, or muting audio and video sent from one of the plurality of end-user terminals. |
| US09007413B2 |
Laser marking system and method
A system for creating marked can tabs may include an isolation mechanism located in the path of the tab material strip between a tab material dereeler and a tab forming press and a system suitable for marking the tab material strip. The isolation mechanism may be configured to convert discontinuous motion of the tab material strip proximate the tab forming press into continuous motion of the tab material strip at the dereeler. The system may be suitable for marking the tab material strip. The marking system may be located between the dereeler and the isolation mechanism such that the laser system acts on the tab material strip while it is moving at a relatively constant speed. |
| US09007411B2 |
Reverse transfer color printers for histological specimen slides and cassettes
A reverse transfer printer and method for printing information onto histological specimen containers such as slides and cassettes. One embodiment of the method includes printing an ink specimen information image onto a transfer medium, and transferring the transfer medium with the specimen information image onto a print zone of the specimen container, with the transfer medium covering the ink. |
| US09007410B2 |
Heating head unit and heating head
A heating head with not so long heating elements to be connected, being adaptable to long and two-dimensional media. On one surface of a rectangular head substrate having long and short sides, a strip-like heating element is provided continuously from end to end of the substrate along the long side thereof. A pair of electrode connecting portions including the same material as that of the heating element and extending along the short sides of the substrate is provided at both ends of the heating element. A pair of electrodes is formed on one surface of the substrate between the heating element and a side edge of the long side at the electrode connecting portion side, so as to be partially overlapping with the electrode connecting portions, respectively, thereby effecting electrical connection, and a substrate temperature control means is provided. |
| US09007405B1 |
Column zoom
An image-based document may include text that is presented in a multicolumn format that is not structured or associated with metadata of the document. A zoom manager may analyze the image-based document, identify a presence and location of a column of text, and then enable automatic zooming-in on the column of text to fill a display space without further interaction by a user. In various aspects, the zoom manager may order the columns to enable the user to continuously scroll from column to column while navigating the document in a column-viewing (zoomed-in) mode. The zoom manager may also selectively maintain or remove information or objects from the columns while in the column-viewing mode, such as images, headers, footers, page numbers, or other types of information or objects. |
| US09007402B2 |
Image processing for introducing blurring effects to an image
Image processing includes: receiving an image; applying shader code, using one or more processors, to the image to generate a blurred image version (BIV); receiving configuration information pertaining to a mask; generating the mask that includes an unblurred region and a blurred region, based at least in part on the configuration information; and applying the mask to combine the image and the BIV to render a composite image that includes an unblurred portion comprising a portion of the image corresponding to the unblurred region of the mask, and a blurred portion comprising a portion of the BIV corresponding to the blurred region of the mask. |
| US09007401B1 |
Head mounted display and method for controlling the same
A method for controlling a head mounted display (HMD) includes detecting an external device, wherein the external device displays a content image, displaying a first type augmented reality image associated with the external device, displaying a second type augmented reality image associated with the content image displayed on the external device, changing a display position of the first type augmented reality image according to rotation of the external device, changing a display position of the second type augmented reality image according to rotation of the content image, and if the content image is not rotated, maintaining the display position of the second type augmented reality image even when the external device is rotated. If the external device is not rotated, the display position of the first type augmented reality image may be maintained even when the content image is rotated. |
| US09007397B2 |
Image control apparatus, server and control method therefor
An image control apparatus wherein an acquisition unit acquires position information from attribute information of the image, a setting unit sets a display scale of a map when displaying the image on the map, and a generation unit generates display data for displaying the map and the image on a display device using the acquired position information and the set display scale, when the set display scale is lower than a predetermined display scale, the generation unit generates display data in which the image is laid out at a position corresponding to the position information on the map, and when the display scale is higher than the predetermined display scale, the generation unit generates display data in which the image and the map are laid out without laying out the image on the map. |
| US09007396B2 |
Methods and systems for analyzing parts of an electronic file
Devices, computer readable medium, and methods for selecting an object displayed on a screen and providing information about that object. |
| US09007394B2 |
Method and system for dynamic brightness correction in digital images
This disclosure generally relates to digital image and video signal processing, and more particularly to methods and systems for dynamic brightness correction. In one embodiment, an electronic circuit configured to perform an image correction method is disclosed, the method comprising: obtaining a pixel value of a color space component from an image; determining whether to perform mid-tone correction for the pixel value of the color space component; calculating, via the electronic circuit, a corrected pixel value based on the determination of whether to perform the mid-tone correction for the pixel value of the color space component; and outputting the corrected pixel value. The color space component may be one of: an Intensity component from a Hue-Saturation-Intensity color space; a Value component from a Hue-Saturation-Value color space; a Lightness component from a Hue-Saturation-Lightness color space; and a Brightness component from a Hue-Saturation-Brightness color space. |
| US09007393B2 |
Accurate transparency and local volume rendering
Systems, apparatus, computer software code products and methods for enabling computer graphics systems to accurately render transparency comprise configuring a shader element of the computer graphics system to first extract all layers of an image representation and obtain depth information therefrom, and then rendering all layers back-to-front with shading enabled, such that information obtained from a previously processed layer is available for processing of a current layer. |
| US09007392B2 |
Method for enhancing contrast of color image displayed on display system and image processing system utilizing the same
The present invention provides a method for enhancing contrast of a color image displayed on a display system and an image processing system utilizing the same. In the present invention, the gray values of R, G, and B components of one color image are separately counted during processing the image. When calculating the corresponding output values for the gray values of R, G, and B components in each pixel, they are adapted to ratios between the gray values of R, G, and B components. Therefore, the present invention can effectively maintain the color distribution for a considerable degree and greatly enhance the image contrast. |
| US09007391B2 |
Image color correction for an image by a graphical processing unit looking up color corrections in a lookup table
A method for providing a LUT for changing color components of pixels of an image includes generating N two-dimensional slices from a three-dimensional LUT. The N two-dimensional slices are arranged in order from a first two-dimensional slice to an Nth two-dimensional slice. The method includes generating N upsampled slices corresponding to the N two-dimensional slices. The N upsampled slices are arranged in order from a first upsampled slice to an Nth upsampled slice. The method includes forming a first group of slices comprising the N upsampled slices, and forming a second group of slices comprising a second two-dimensional slice of the N two-dimensional slices through the Nth two-dimensional slice and a copy of the Nth two-dimensional slice. The method includes storing the first group of slices and the second group of slices, respectively, in a zero level of a mip map and a first level of the mip map. |
| US09007390B2 |
Creation and manipulation of hand drawn objects with automatic grouping
A graphical drawing includes maintaining recently drawn strokes in a wet state after the strokes are drawn, causing strokes in a wet state to transition to a dry state based on passage of time, proximity of other recently drawn strokes, and/or explicit user input directing that at least some wet strokes be transitioned to the dry state, and grouping strokes in the dry state for future user manipulation based at least in part on how the strokes transitioned from the wet state to the dry state. Wet ink strokes may transition from the wet state to the dry state in response to not adding any new wet ink strokes for a predetermined amount of time. The predetermined amount of time may be twelve hundred milliseconds. |
| US09007386B2 |
Clock synthesis
One embodiment of a clock synthesis apparatus can include a clock generator that can provide two or more clock waveforms. One clock waveform from the clock generator can be selected to be an output clock in accordance with an error signal determined by a difference between a level of data in a buffer and a predetermined threshold. The output clock can also be a timing reference waveform for data removed from the buffer. In another embodiment, the error signal can be determined periodically. In yet another embodiment, the output clock domain can be different from the input clock domain of the buffer. |
| US09007385B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus has a main processing section that outputs an image processing command signal; an anomaly detection section that detects an anomaly in the main processing section, outputting an anomaly information output signal; an image processing section that outputs a first image signal when the main processing section is in normal operation and that outputs a second image signal when an anomaly has occurred in the main processing section; and an image selection section that selects either the first image signal or the second image signal on the basis of the anomaly information output section. |
| US09007384B2 |
Display panel self-refresh entry and exit
Embodiments of an apparatus for implementing a display port interface are disclosed. The apparatus may include a source processor and a sink processor coupled through an interface. The sink processor may be operable to send a synchronization signal to the source processor through the interface. The source processor may be operable, dependent upon the synchronization signal, to send data to the sink processor. |
| US09007371B2 |
Three-dimensional shadows cast by objects
Particular embodiments display an object over a background on a screen of an electronic device; and display a shadow effect for the object on the screen of the electronic device, including simulating a three-dimensional (3D) environment encompassing the object; simulating a light source at a specific position within the simulated 3D environment; simulating a shadow cast by the object on the background as a result of the light source shining on the object in the simulated 3D environment; and rendering the shadow on the screen of the electronic device. |
| US09007369B2 |
Photogrammetric texture mapping using casual images
A method for photogrammetric texture mapping using casual images is provided. The method may include the following steps: estimating, for each vertex of at least a portion of a three dimensional (3D) mesh representing a model, projection parameters associated with a virtual camera that is unique for each vertex; mapping pixels from a two dimensional (2D) image to the vertices, such that each mapping of a pixel is based on the estimated respective virtual camera parameters; and texturing the portion of the mesh with corresponding mapped pixels wherein vertices on the textured portion are selected such that they are visible from a specified viewpoint associated with the 3D mesh. |
| US09007366B2 |
3D TV dimming system and dimming method
A three-dimensional (3D) television (TV) dimming system includes a TV control board, a light bar load controlled by the TV control board, and a power board that supplies power to the light bar load. The TV control board is directly coupled with the power board, and the TV control board feeds back the 3D signal to the power board when the TV control board outputs a 3D signal. |
| US09007360B2 |
Electrooptic device, method for driving electrooptic device and electronic apparatus
An electrooptic device has a data line, a pixel circuit and a driver circuit which drives the pixel circuit. The driver circuit has a first feeder line, a level shift circuit to be electrically coupled with the data line and a driving control circuit which provides the first feeder line with a first voltage or a second voltage and controls operations of the level shift circuit and the pixel circuit. The level shift circuit has a second holding capacitor and a switch section which switches over condition of a connection between the second holding capacitor and the first feeder line. |
| US09007356B2 |
Driving method, driving module and liquid crystal display device for achieving dot inversion
A driving module for a liquid crystal display device with a dual-gate structure includes a data line signal processing unit, for generating a plurality of data driving signals, and a control unit, for shifting a common voltage and the plurality of data driving signals by a specific period relative to a horizontal synchronization signal. The common voltage is an AC common voltage. |
| US09007353B2 |
AMOLED display with optical feedback compensation
In one aspect of the invention, a display includes a substrate, and a plurality of pixels formed on the substrate and arranged in an array. Each pixel has a driving transistor having a gate electrode, a drain electrode and a source electrode, formed on the substrate, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) having a cathode layer, a anode layer and an emissive layer formed between the cathode layer and the anode layer, and formed over the driving transistor such that the anode layer of the OLED is electrically connected to the source electrode of the driving transistor, a bias electrode formed over the substrate, and a photo sensor having a photosensitive layer formed between the anode layer of the OLED and the bias electrode. |
| US09007352B2 |
Portable computer having a tilt camera assembly
Embodiments of the present invention provide a digital camera mount assembly for a portable computer 200 having a display panel 202. According to one embodiment, the camera mount assembly 206 includes a mount plate having at least one aperture and formed within a front surface 203 of the display panel. A tiltable camera lens is positioned within the aperture of the camera housing. In particular, the camera lens is configured such that when the camera lens is tilted at a maximum, the camera lens does not protrude outside the front surface of the display panel. |
| US09007350B2 |
Redundant display assembly
A display assembly includes a flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is formed of a flexible material supporting a first display panel and a second display panel. A mechanism is operatively connected to the flexible sheet. The mechanism moves the flexible sheet from a first position in which said first display panel may be viewed to a second position in which said second display panel may be viewed. |
| US09007349B2 |
Writing device having light emitting diode display panel
A writing device includes an emitter and a light emitting diode display panel. The light emitting diode display panel includes an array and a receiver. The array has a plurality of pixels each including a first light source, a second light source, a third light source, a driving circuit and a light detecting device. The light detecting device is configured to receive the control signal from the emitter and transmit the control signal to the driving circuit to turn on the pixel. The receiver is electrically connected with the driving circuit. The receiver is configured to receive at least one of the first selective signal, the second selective signal and the third selective signal and transmit it to the driving circuit to turn on at least a corresponding one of the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source. |
| US09007347B2 |
Multi-touch sensing display apparatus
A multi-touch sensing display apparatus is provided. The multi-touch sensing display apparatus may include a back light unit, a display panel, a sensor unit on a display surface of the display panel, and a touch light source unit providing light to be diffused by a touch of a user so that the sensor unit senses the touch of the user. The touch light source unit may include a touch light source and a transparent light guide plate. The transparent light guide plate may include a light guiding unit and a plurality of light emitting units integrally formed with each other as a single body, wherein the light guiding unit guides light from the touch light source to an inside thereof, and the plurality of light emitting units protrudes from the light guiding unit and emits light from the light guiding unit. |
| US09007343B1 |
Display guarding techniques
Embodiments described herein mitigate the effect of a coupling capacitance between a sensor electrode in a touch sensor and a display electrode in a display screen. An input device, which includes the touch sensor and display screen, may transmit a guarding signal on the display electrodes when performing capacitive sensing. In one embodiment, the guarding signal may have similar characteristics as a modulated signal (e.g., similar amplitude and/or phase) driven on the sensor electrode to detect interaction between the input device and an input object. By driving a guarding signal that is similar to the modulated signal onto the display electrodes, the voltage difference between the sensor electrode and display electrode remains the same. Accordingly, the coupling capacitance between the sensor electrode and the display electrode does not affect a capacitance measurement used to detect the user interaction. |
| US09007342B2 |
Dynamic mode switching for fast touch response
A method of operating a touch-sensing surface may include performing a first scan of a first set of electrodes of a touch-sensing surface, determining a presence of at least one conductive object proximate to the touch-sensing surface, in response to determining the presence of the at least one conductive object, performing a second scan of a second set of electrodes of the touch-sensing surface, and repeating the performing the second scan until the at least one conductive object is no longer proximate to the touch-sensing surface. |
| US09007339B2 |
Method for implementing touch screen on display panel and associated apparatus
A method for implementing a touch screen on a display panel and associated apparatus is provided. Cross locations of source lines and gate lines of the display panel are arranged for sensing a user touch control. In a sensing phase for sensing touch control, capacitance changes due to the touch control are sensed via the source lines. In a display phase, driving electricity is transmitted via the source lines for driving the display panel to display. |
| US09007337B2 |
Touch-sensing display panel
A touch-sensing display panel including an active device array substrate, a touch-sensing substrate and a display medium is provided. The touch-sensing substrate includes a first substrate, first touch-sensing electrodes, second touch-sensing electrodes, a dielectric layer and a black matrix. The first touch-sensing electrodes are parallel with each other and disposed on the first substrate. Each of the first touch-sensing electrodes has a plurality of first openings, respectively. Each of the second touch-sensing electrodes has a plurality of second openings, respectively. The second touch-sensing electrodes are intersected with the first touch-sensing electrodes. The black matrix is disposed between the first touch-sensing electrodes and the first substrate and is disposed between the second touch-sensing electrodes and the first substrate, wherein the black matrix has a plurality of pixel openings arranged in array. Each of the pixel openings is corresponding to one of the first openings or one of the second openings, respectively. |
| US09007336B2 |
Capacitive sensing during non-display update times
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an input device with display screens that periodically update (refresh) the screen by selectively driving common electrodes corresponding to pixels in a display line. In general, the input devices drive each electrode until each display line (and each pixel) of a display frame is updated. In addition to updating the display, the input device may perform capacitive sensing using the display screen as a proximity sensing area. To do this, the input device may interleave periods of capacitive sensing between periods of updating the display based on a display frame. For example, the input device may update the first half of display lines of the display screen, pause display updating, perform capacitive sensing, and finish updating the rest of the display lines. Further still, the input device may use common electrodes for both updating the display and performing capacitive sensing. |
| US09007328B2 |
Display with improved bendable cover having light transmissive area
A display is provided. The display includes a frame, a display module, and a bendable cover. The frame includes a bottom surface and a lateral surface, the display module is disposed on the frame, and the bendable cover has a surface layer and an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer is located on the surface layer, a part of the surface layer is adhered to the display module through the adhesive layer, another part of the surface layer is attached to the lateral surface of the frame and adhered to the bottom surface of the frame through the adhesive layer. |
| US09007326B2 |
Advanced receive channel architecture
This relates to an architecture of a receive channel circuit used during both a spectrum analysis phase and a touch panel detection phase. Various components of the receive channel can be used during both the spectrum analysis phase and the touch panel detection phase. For example, a plurality of digital signal mixers used in the receive channel circuit can be used to demodulate signals during both a spectrum analysis phase and a touch sensor panel detection phase. In addition, the number of digital mixers needed in the receive channel can be reduced by dividing groups of signals to be demodulated into multiple sets of signals and demodulating each set at different times. |
| US09007325B2 |
Input method and input apparatus
There is provided an apparatus including a controller configured to initiate an operation command based on a combination of a first moving operation on a first operation surface and a second moving operation on a second operation surface, wherein the first operation surface and the second operation surface are separately provided on a housing body. |
| US09007321B2 |
Method and apparatus for enlarging a display area
An apparatus may include circuitry configured to determine, as a first determination result based on an output of a sensor, that an instruction object is within a predetermined distance of a surface of a display. The circuitry may acquire an image of an area surrounding the apparatus. The circuitry may detect a presence of a facial feature in the captured image. The circuitry may calculate a line-of-sight angle based on the detected facial feature. The circuitry may control the display to enlarge an area of a displayed interface based on the first determination result and the line-of-sight calculation. |
| US09007319B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling display area of flexible display device, and recording medium storing the same
An apparatus for controlling a display area of a flexible display device includes a display area and a display unit to which a touch is input. A method of using the apparatus includes obtaining a first input signal, a second input signal, a third input signal, and a fourth input signal that are input to the display unit by a user's touch and respectively correspond to a first line element, a second line element, a third line element, and a fourth line element on the display unit, determining whether the first to fourth input signals are for controlling the display area, and setting the display area based on a closed loop composed of the obtained first to fourth line elements and first and second edge portions of the display unit if it is determined that the first to fourth input signals are for controlling the display area. |
| US09007315B2 |
Flexible display device and method of sensing warpage of the same
A flexible display device includes: a flexible display unit configured to display an image; a flexible touch screen unit disposed over the flexible display unit; an insulating film interposed between the flexible display unit and the flexible touch screen unit, and a spacer formed between the flexible touch screen unit and the insulating film in order to maintain a distance between the flexible touch screen unit and the insulating film. A conductive layer is further formed over the insulating film and configured to touch the flexible touch screen unit when the flexible display device is bent. A degree of warpage of the flexible display device can be measured and thus can be utilized in various warpage events of the flexible display device by using warpage values. |
| US09007314B2 |
Method for touch processing and mobile terminal
A touch processing method and a mobile terminal are described. The mobile terminal includes a touch sensing device that has a first area and a second area. A touching point in the first area has a first response level and a touching point in the second area has a second response level, with the first response level being higher than the second response level. The method includes acquiring a first touching point and a second touching point; and responding to the first touching point when the first touching point is in the first area while the second touching point is in the second area. When a user holds the mobile terminal to operate, the mobile terminal may respond to useful touch commands automatically and shield touch commands generated by the misoperation in the second area. |
| US09007312B2 |
Device and method for transmitting data in portable terminal
A device and method for transmitting data can conveniently perform data transmission between two portable terminals. The device preferably includes a first portable terminal transmitting data on which a drag operation has occurred to a second portable terminal when the second portable terminal is coupled to the first portable terminal using a time and a moving speed of the drag operation when the drag operation occurs from the first terminal to the second portable terminal. The second portable terminal receives the data from the first portable terminal using the time and the moving speed of the drag operation when the drag operation occurs from the first portable terminal to the second portable terminal coupled to the first portable terminal through near field communication. |
| US09007311B2 |
Method and device to search for and execute content using a touch screen
A method and device to search for and execute content are provided. The method of searching for and executing content includes displaying at least one content icon, and identifying, if an approach to one of the at least one content icon is detected, a content icon of a position at which the approach is detected. The method further comprises determining a classification category of a content corresponding to the identified content icon, searching for at least one related content classified in the same classification category as the content corresponding to the identified content icon, displaying the identified content icon and at least one related content icon corresponding to the at least one related content using a preset display method, and executing, if one of the at least one content icon is touched, a content corresponding to the touched content icon. |
| US09007308B2 |
Adaptive keyboard lighting
A method for managing backlight illumination of a keyboard that is coupled to an electronic device or computer system includes placing backlights illuminating the keyboard in an on-state or an off-state according to a direction of the user's eyesight relative to the keyboard, a use state of the keyboard, and a state of a display presented to the user by the electronic device or computer system to receive input via keyboard entry. The method includes turning off at least one backlight if the user's eyesight is directed away the keyboard, if the keyboard is not in use, or if the display does not include an input element for receiving input via keyboard entry. |
| US09007306B2 |
Folding electronic apparatus with capacitive touch screen and method for detecting open and closed modes thereof
The embodiments of the present invention provide a folding electronic apparatus and a method for detecting open and closed modes thereof. The folding electronic apparatus includes a body and a cover, with a keyboard being disposed on the body and a capacitive touch screen being disposed on the cover. A plurality of metal detection points is disposed on the body. A sensor connected to the capacitive touch screen senses change of a capacitance value resulting from capacitive effect between the plurality of metal detection points and the capacitive touch screen, and determines open and closed modes of the folding electronic apparatus. The embodiments of the present invention detect open and closed modes of a folding electronic apparatus using a sensor connected to a capacitive touch screen by predefining a plurality of metal detection points on a keyboard or physical structure of the folding electronic apparatus. |
| US09007305B2 |
Optical navigation system and method of estimating motion with optical lift detection
An optical navigation system and method of estimating motion uses a plate with an aperture, a photodetector and an optical system for optical lift detection. The optical system is configured to direct an input light to a target surface through the aperture of the plate and to direct the input light reflected from the target surface and transmitted back through the aperture of the plate toward the photodetector to be detected by the photodetector for lift detection. |
| US09007304B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for gesture-based user input detection in a mobile device
Methods and apparatuses are provided that may be implemented in a mobile device to: determine whether the mobile device is in a gesture command input ready state based, at least in part, on a display portion of the mobile device remaining in a horizontal viewable position for a threshold period of time; with the mobile device in a gesture command input ready state, determine whether a detected movement of the mobile device represents a gesture command input; and in response to the determined gesture command input, affect a user perceivable output. |
| US09007300B2 |
Method and system to control a process with bend movements
Various embodiments include devices, methods, circuits, data structures, and software that allow for control of a process through detecting of movements in bends in a flexible display device. In an example, a method for controlling a process through bend movements can include detecting movement of a bend in a deformable display panel and modifying a process running on a computing device response to detecting the movement of the bend. |
| US09007299B2 |
Motion control used as controlling device
Techniques for using a motion sensitive device as a controller are disclosed. A motion controller as an input/control device is used to control an existing electronic device (a.k.a., controlled device) previously configured for taking inputs from a pre-defined controlling device. The signals from the input device are in a different form from the pre-defined controlling device. According to one aspect of the present invention, the controlled device was designed to respond to signals from a pre-defined controlling device (e.g., a touch-screen device). The inputs from the motion controller are converted into touch-screen like signals that are then sent to the controlled device or programs being executed in the controlled device to cause the behavior of the controlled device to change or respond thereto, without reconfiguration of the applications running on the controlled device. |
| US09007298B2 |
Display control mode
A method updates an image displayed on an electronic display. The image can include a first region having multiple lines and a second region also having multiple lines. The method includes driving the pixels of the first and second regions according to one or more frames. In a first frame, driving the pixels of the first and second regions is done by scanning the lines of the regions from a first end of the first region to a second end of the second region, the second end opposite the first end along a scanning direction. In a second frame, driving the pixels of the first and second regions is done by scanning the lines of the regions from the first end to the second end, and the scanning begins before the scanning according to the first frame reaches the second end. |
| US09007297B2 |
Information handling devices with touch-based reflective display
Devices, methods and products are described that provide information handling devices with touch-based reflective display. One aspect provides an information handling device including one or more processors; a display device; and a touchable control area having one or more configurable areas, said one or more configurable areas providing both reflective display and accepting touch-based input; wherein said touchable control area is disposed in place of at least a portion of a standard component of said information handling device, other than said display device, and provides functionality equivalent thereto in one or more configurations. Other embodiments are described. |
| US09007294B2 |
Shifting register, gate driving apparatus and display apparatus
A shifting register, a gate driving apparatus and a display apparatus comprising the shifting register. The shifting register comprises a latch (21), a transmission gate (22), a first TFT (T1), a second TFT (T2), a third TFT (T3) and a first inverter (23), the first TFT (T1), having a gate connected to a reset (Reset) of the shifting register, a drain connected to a drain of the second TFT (T2) and an input (M) of the latch (21) respectively; the second TFT (T2), having a gate connected to an input (Input) of the shifting register, the third TFT (T3), having a gate connected to the inverting output of the latch (21), a drain connected to an input of the first inverter (23); an output of the transmission gate being connected to a drain of the third TFT (T3), an input of the transmission gate being connected to a clock signal input (CLOCK); the drain of the third TFT (T3) being connected to a non-inverting output (Output_Q) of the shifting register, an output of the first inverter being connected to an inverting output (Output_QB) of the shifting register. The shifting register achieves a signal shift with only one latch (21). |
| US09007293B2 |
Display, television set and liquid crystal television set
This display includes a driving voltage output portion outputting a driving voltage when receiving a display-on signal. The driving voltage output portion includes a delay circuit portion provided between a first switching element and a second switching element for delaying output timing for the driving voltage with respect to input timing for the display-on signal by delaying switching of the second switching element. |
| US09007292B2 |
Driver circuit and driver cell generating drive signal for display panel
A driver circuit for driving a display panel is formed on a substrate and is organized into two families of sections. Each section includes a logic circuit, a level shifter, a decoder, an operational amplifier, and an output pad. In the first family, each section is laid out in the stated sequence (logic circuit, level shifter, decoder, operational amplifier, output pad). In the second family, each section is laid out in a different sequence: output pad, operational amplifier, logic circuit, level shifter, decoder. The output pads in the two families of sections are located on opposite sides of the substrate, and every output pad is adjacent to the operational amplifier to which it is connected. This arrangement reduces signal-to-signal variations in the output characteristics of the driver circuit and improves the slew rate of the output signals. |
| US09007289B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a first gate line; a common voltage line separated from the first gate line; a data line insulated from and crossing the first gate line and the common voltage line; a first switching element connected to the first gate line and the data line; a second switching element connected to the first gate line and the data line; a first liquid crystal capacitor connected to the first switching element; a second liquid crystal capacitor connected to the second switching element; a third switching element connected to the first switching element; an assistance capacitor connected to the third switching element and the common voltage line; and a shielding electrode extending in the same direction as the first gate line and connected to the first switching element. |
| US09007288B2 |
Digitally controlled voltage generator
A digitally controlled voltage generator is disclosed for use in applications requiring fine resolution voltage control, such as generating a common voltage for a liquid crystal display. A constant resistance digital to analog converter (DAC) is configured to provide appropriate voltage steps by tuning bias resistors to generate desirable reference voltages for the DAC. The bias resistors are configured to be tuned after placement and routing steps in an integrated circuit design. |
| US09007284B2 |
Liquid crystal display element, liquid crystal display device, and display method employed in liquid crystal display element
Picture element electrodes (30) and common electrodes (36) are provided in one of two substrates facing each other. Each picture element (20) has a plurality of sub picture elements (22). In a range in which a signal voltage of an image signal is low, a display is carried out only in a first sub picture element (22a) having narrower electrode spacing, whereas in a range in which the signal voltage of the image signal is high, a display is carried out in both of the first sub picture element (22a) and a second sub picture element (22b) having wider electrode spacing. |
| US09007283B2 |
Pixel and organic light emitting display device using the same
A pixel and display having the pixel are disclosed. The pixel includes transistors along a leakage path from a storage capacitor. The pixel also includes transistors to apply a reference voltage to the leakage path to minimize leakage. |
| US09007277B2 |
Transparent display assembly
In embodiments of a transparent display assembly, a display device includes a display panel system that is located between a first display surface and a second display surface, and the display panel system displays an image. The image is viewable through the first display surface and through the second display surface, where the second display surface and the first display surface are viewable from opposite sides of the display device. The display device also includes a multi-mode panel located between the first display surface and the second display surface. The multi-mode panel is operable to permit the image being viewable through the first and second display surfaces, and further operable to prevent the image from being viewable through the first display surface or the second display surface. |
| US09007275B2 |
Distributed antenna system robust to human body loading effects
The invention relates to an antenna system comprising a ground-plane (1100) and at least two antenna elements (1101) connected to a common input/output port (1106) for said antenna system. Each of said antenna elements (1101) comprise one driven point (1102). The antenna system further comprises means (1103) for transmitting the signal from the antenna elements (1101) towards said common input/output port (1106), and a combining means (1105) to interconnect the signals to said common input/output port (1106). Further, the system comprises at least one phase shifting element (1104) placed between at least one of said driven points (1102) and said combining means (1105) and arranged to provide a phase shift that minimizes the sum of the reflection coefficients of said at least two antenna elements (1101) measured at said common input/output port (1106). |
| US09007274B2 |
Reconfigurable mobile phone bulit-in antenna and implementation method thereof
A reconfigurable mobile phone built-in antenna and its implementation method are disclosed. The antenna comprises an antenna main structure, an additional ground area, a ground area printed on one surface of a printed board, an electronic switch and an antenna feeding point and a grounding point printed on the other surface of the printed board, the antenna main structure comprises a wiring structure of the antenna, a feeding spring piece in contact with the antenna feeding point and a grounding spring piece in contact with the grounding point, and the additional ground area is positioned under the wiring structure; the electronic switch is used for disconnecting the additional ground area with the ground area on one surface of the printed board when the antenna works at low-frequency frequency band and connecting the additional ground area with the ground area on when the antenna works at high-frequency frequency band. |
| US09007273B2 |
Semiconductor package integrated with conformal shield and antenna
A semiconductor package integrated with conformal shield and antenna is provided. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor element, an electromagnetic interference shielding element, a dielectric structure, an antenna element and an antenna signal feeding element. The electromagnetic interference shielding element includes an electromagnetic interference shielding film and a grounding element, wherein the electromagnetic interference shielding film covers the semiconductor element and the grounding element is electrically connected to the electromagnetic interference shielding layer and a grounding segment of the semiconductor element. The dielectric structure covers a part of the electromagnetic interference shielding element and has an upper surface. The antenna element is formed adjacent to the upper surface of the dielectric structure. The antenna signal feeding element passing through the dielectric structure electrically connects the antenna element and the semiconductor element. |
| US09007272B2 |
Method and apparatus for the alignment of a 60 GHz endfire antenna
A portable unit with an endfire antenna and operating at 60 GHz makes an optimum communication channel with an endfire antenna in an array of antennas distributed over the area of a ceiling. The portable unit is pointed towards the ceiling and the system controlling the ceiling units selects and adjusts the positioning of an endfire antenna mounted on a 3-D adjustable rotatable unit. Several transceivers can be mounted together, offset from one another, to provide a wide coverage in both azimuth direction and elevation direction. These units can be rigidly mounted as an array in a ceiling apparatus. The system controlling the ceiling array selects one of the transceivers in one of the units to make the optimum communication channel to the portable unit. The system includes the integration of power management features by switching between Wi-Fi in favor of the 60 GHz channel. |
| US09007264B2 |
Methods and systems for tracking objects or people within a desired area
A method for tracking the object includes providing a motion detector on a first radio frequency device and detecting the motion of the first radio frequency device, transmitting radio frequency location signals from the first radio frequency device to a second radio frequency device with time intervals between the transmissions, decreasing the time intervals between the transmissions from the first radio frequency device to the second radio frequency device in response to the detection of motion by the motion detector, and periodically determining a separation distance between the first radio frequency device and the second radio frequency device based on the radio frequency location signals transmitted from the first radio frequency device to the second radio frequency device. |
| US09007263B2 |
Phase rotation techniques in a multi-user wireless communication environment
A mechanism for mitigating inter-user interference in a multi-user wireless communication environment is disclosed. A first network device determines a plurality of steering matrices, associated with a corresponding plurality of subcarriers, for each of at least a subset of destination devices associated with the first network device. A phase difference between corresponding steering vectors of each pair of consecutive steering matrices of the plurality of steering matrices associated with each of the subset of destination devices is determined and phase rotation is performed to maintain phase continuity between the consecutive steering matrices. One or more pre-coding matrices are calculated based on at least a subset of the plurality of steering matrices associated with the subset of destination devices. The one or more pre-coding matrices are applied to data to be transmitted to the subset of destination devices to mitigate interference between each of the subset of destination devices. |
| US09007262B1 |
Diversified doppler for single platform geolocation
The described invention allows for rapid geolocation of one or more RF emitters using a single moving collection platform. Inaccuracies of conventional frequency of arrival (FOA) geolocation methods are overcome by solving simultaneously for emitter location and a potential emitter drift associated with an observed emitter frequency. Certain embodiments may utilize particle filtering algorithms to recursively update multimodal state densities that are typical of solutions involving both unknown emitter location and nonstationary emitter carrier drift. Moreover, certain properties of particle filters may be exploited to provide a geolocation solution given a complex multimodal state space composed of emitter location and a non-stationary emitter frequency required for FOA. |
| US09007259B1 |
Flight line noise tester
Phase noise analyzing system that analyzes phase noise in radio frequency (RF) signals provided by a device under test when coupled thereto includes a low noise receiver that receives at a first input, signal from the device under test when coupled thereto, a low noise synthesizer that provides output to the receiver, a frequency domain analyzer that receives output from the receiver, a time domain analyzer that receives output from the receiver, a switching system that controls signal flow to and from the receiver, the synthesizer, the frequency domain analyzer and the time domain analyzer, and a computer that controls the switching system to perform the analysis of phase noise in signals provided by the device under test. |
| US09007253B2 |
Successive-approximation-register analog-to-digital converter and method thereof
A main ADC (analog-to-digital converter) for converting an analog input signal into a digital data, and an auxiliary ADC for converting the same analog input signal into an auxiliary digital data, wherein: the main ADC is a successive-approximation-register (SAR) ADC of a first resolution with a first conversion speed; the auxiliary ADC is of a second resolution with a second conversion speed; the second resolution is lower than the first resolution but the second conversion speed is higher than the first conversion speed; and the main ADC generates the digital data by undergoing a process of successive approximation comprising a plurality of steps including a fast-track step that is based on a value of the auxiliary digital data. |
| US09007249B2 |
Amplifier, fully-differential amplifier and delta-sigma modulator
An amplifier includes a front-end gain stage and an AC-coupled push-pull output stage. The AC-coupled push-pull output stage includes a first transistor, having a source, a drain and a gate, wherein the source of the first transistor is coupled to a first voltage level; a second transistor, having a source, a drain and a gate, wherein the source of the second transistor is coupled to a second voltage level, the gate of the second transistor is coupled to the front-end gain stage, and the drain of the second transistor is coupled to the drain of the first transistor to form an output terminal of the amplifier; an AC-coupled capacitor, which is a passive two terminal electrical component coupled between the front-end gain stage and the gate of the first transistor; and a resistance component, coupling the gate of the first transistor to a bias voltage level. |
| US09007245B2 |
Semiconductor device having Analog-to-Digital Converter with gain-dependent dithering and communication apparatus
A semiconductor communication device reduces influence of noise that is produced by applying a dither signal. The semiconductor communication device includes a Delta-Sigma analog-to-digital converter that converts input analog signals to digital signals, a power detecting unit that detects signal power of the digital signals, a gain control unit that changes a gain setting of analog signals to be input to the Delta-Sigma analog-to-digital converter depending on the signal power of the digital signals, and a dither signal control unit that causes the Delta-Sigma analog-to-digital converter to selectively add the dither signal when the gain setting changes. |
| US09007244B2 |
Sampling rate based adaptive analog biasing
A mixed signal device includes an analog circuit and a digital circuit coupled to the analog circuit. The digital circuit includes a component that samples a signal at a sampling rate that is dynamically variable by the digital circuit based on the bandwidth of the incoming signal. The digital circuit is to automatically assert a signal to the analog circuit to change a bias current of the analog circuit based on a change to the sampling rate in the digital circuit. |
| US09007240B2 |
Disparity reduction for high speed serial links
System, computer program product, and computer-implemented method to improve a running disparity of an encoded bit stream in a distributed network switch, the distributed network switch comprising a plurality of switch modules including a first switch module, by receiving, at the first switch module, a raw data stream comprising a plurality of bits, receiving a bit sequence, encoding at least a first bit of the raw data stream using a corresponding at least a first bit of the bit sequence, transmitting the encoded first bit, inverting the first bit of the bit sequence, and encoding a second bit of the raw data stream using the inverted first bit. |
| US09007234B2 |
In-vehicle display apparatus and display method
An in-vehicle display apparatus includes a communication device and an in-vehicle device. The communication device acquires posted information and geographical location data indicating the destination of the posted information. Then, the communication device generates map data in which the posted information is displayed at a position specified by the geographical location data which is acquired together with the posted information. In addition, the communication device changes a method of displaying the posted information on the generated map data on the basis of the time elapsed from the posting of the information to the acquisition of the posted information and the category of the posted information. Then, the communication device transmits the map data in which the display method of the posted information is changed to the in-vehicle device. The in-vehicle device displays the received map data on, for example, a liquid crystal monitor. |
| US09007230B1 |
Method and system for determining storage device top cover compression effectiveness
A verification system including a block gage configured to connect to a voltage source comprising a ground terminal and a positive terminal, and to receive a top cover configured to mate with a base unit for a storage device. The block gage includes a plurality of pins, each of which being configured to: be electrically insulated from each other, form a completable circuit, be electrically connected to the positive terminal, and correspond in location and height to a top cover contact point in the base unit or a keep out point in the base unit. The block gage includes a spring mounted probe configured to be electrically connected to the ground terminal, wherein when the top cover contacts the spring mounted probe and a pin of the plurality of pins, a completable circuit for the contacted pin is completed, thereby indicating that the top cover contacted the contacted pin. |
| US09007225B2 |
Environmental sensing systems having independent notifications across multiple thresholds
Various devices, systems, and methods may be presented. A wireless device may include a smoke sensor configured to obtain measurement data regarding a level of smoke. The wireless device may operate in a sleep mode while the smoke sensor obtains the measurement data. The wireless device may determine, from the measurement data, whether the level of smoke has exceeded a warning threshold. In response to determining that the level of smoke has exceeded the warning threshold, the wireless device may communicate a warning indication. The wireless device may determine, from the measurement data, whether the level of smoke has exceeded an alarm threshold. In response to determining that the level of smoke has exceeded the alarm threshold, the wireless device may communicate an alarm indication, the alarm indication indicating that the alarm threshold has been exceeded. |
| US09007223B2 |
Particle detector, system and method
The invention provides use of one or more emitted beams of radiation (16), for example, laser beam(s), in combination with an image capturing means (14), for example, one or more video cameras and/or optical elements to detect particles (30), for example, smoke particles, located in an open space (12). |
| US09007221B2 |
Liquid cooling of rack-mounted electronic equipment
A server rack holds a number of modular servers configured for liquid cooling by passing a liquid coolant through interiors of the servers. Failure management of the cooling system is by management of the servers in segregated fault domains. Each fault domain comprises a number of the servers serviced by a dedicated coolant circuit that is segregated from the cooling circuits of the other fault domains. Potential liquid coolant leaks in a specific fault domain can be identified by monitoring liquid coolant levels in the respective coolant circuits. Each fault domain can include a separate, dedicated heat exchanger and a separate, dedicated coolant reservoir. |
| US09007220B2 |
Alertness sensing device
A head worn device for monitoring alertness and attention which includes a) sensors to monitor eyelid and eye movement, b) a motion sensor and c) data storage means for storing data from said sensors. The motion sensor is an accelerometer to provide data that allows the head position to be analyzed and to determine the direction of gaze. The device collects data from an accelerometer worn by the driver to detect if the vehicle is in motion and whether the head is tilted vertical plane. If the vehicle is not in motion data is not processed. When the direction of gaze is downward sensor signals from the eye movement sensors is ignored. However if the duration of downward gaze is greater than a predetermined minimum period and the vehicle is in motion, an alarm is triggered because the driver is inattentive. The device may be used to assess whether workers are sufficiently alert before they commence work. The method of measuring a subjects fitness for a particular task uses the alertness monitor or a video camera to monitor eye and eyelid movement with or without head movement data while the subject is tested with a series of tests that require the subject to follow predetermined images or lights. If the subject is unable to satisfactorily track the images the subject is not fit for work. |
| US09007217B1 |
Helmet with patch antennas to detect, prevent, and minimize head concussion
A helmet with wireless sensor system for monitoring of surrounding objects. The helmet with wireless sensor system comprises a wireless transceiver connected to a number of patch antennas to transmit a particular signal and receive reflected signals from surrounding objects, a processing unit that uses the information from reflected signal received by wireless transceiver to calculate the speed, distance, and direction of the object to determine when and where an impact will occur, and a number of inflatable/deflatable pads installed on the helmet and external to the helmet that will be activated prior to an impact. |
| US09007215B2 |
Systems and methods for a RFID enabled metal license plate
In the embodiments described herein, a RFID enabled license plate is constructed by using the license plate, or a retro-reflective layer formed thereon as part of the resonator configured to transmit signals generated by and RFID chip integrated with the license plate. Such an RFID enabled license plate can include a metal license plate with a slot formed in the metal license plate, and a RFID tag module positioned in the slot. The RFID tag module can include a chip and a loop, and the loop can be coupled with the metal license plate, e.g., via inductive or conductive coupling. In this manner, the metal license plate can be configured to act as a resonator providing increased performance. |
| US09007208B2 |
Self-configuring system for real-time health monitoring of manufacturing equipment
Data is received that comprises at least one data stream derived from each of a plurality of sensors that each characterize one or more attributes of equipment components. Thereafter, using the received data and a density-based clustering algorithm that produces micro-clusters for each pair of sensors, correlated sensors having component correlations above a pre-defined threshold are identified. It can then be determined that data from two or more correlated sensors triggers at least one alert event. Subsequently, data is provided that characterizes the at least one alert event. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US09007201B2 |
Method for self-testing notification appliances in alarm systems
A method for self-testing notification appliances in an alarm system, including the steps of measuring ambient noise at a notification appliance, comparing the measured ambient noise to a threshold ambient noise level, and performing a self-test of the notification appliance if the measured ambient noise does not exceed the threshold ambient noise level. The method may further include the step of recording a fail result for the notification appliance if the measured ambient noise exceeds the threshold ambient noise level. Performing the self-test of the notification appliance may include the steps of activating a notification feature of the notification appliance, measuring output of the notification feature, comparing the measured output to a predefined value, recording a pass result for the notification appliance if the measured output exceeds the predefined value, and recording a fail result for the notification appliance if the measured output does not exceed the predefined value. |
| US09007196B2 |
Cost effective auto-actuation door check
A system for controlling movement of a motor vehicle door includes at least one sensor that detects a distance from the vehicle to an object near the vehicle. The sensor is also configured to provide input to an automatic parallel parking system of the vehicle. The system may include at least one ultrasonic sensor on each side of the vehicle to detect the distances to objects on opposite sides of a vehicle. The system utilizes a plurality of detected distances and vehicle positions or velocities to determine a location of the detected object relative to the vehicle. The system selectively actuates the door brake to prevent the vehicle door from contacting the detected object as the door is opened. |
| US09007195B2 |
Remote FOB integrated in a personal convenience device
A combined personal convenience and remote fob device is provided for use with a transportation vehicle. The personal convenience device includes a housing and is adapted to perform a non-transportation related convenience function. The remote fob device is supported within the housing and is capable of performing at least one of an active remote keyless entry function, an active remote start function, a passive entry function, a passive start function, and an immobilizer function. |
| US09007194B1 |
Vehicular anti-theft device
The vehicular anti-theft device is a generally planar matt that includes a plurality of pressure sensors used to detect the presence of a weight thereon, and which is configured for placement under a tire of a vehicle. The matt includes a control panel to input a code to able and disable the alarm function. The alarm function is designed to detect a change in the weight associated with theft of a respective vehicle. The matt may include an array of solar cells on a top surface, which provides alternative means of powering the alarm function. The alarm includes a speaker to emit an audible alarm or alternatively cellular telephone capability in order to signal an alarm via a text message, phone message, or e-mail. |
| US09007190B2 |
Steering wheel sensors
A sensor for installation on a steering wheel includes a pressure sensitive material mounted on a base material of the steering wheel. The pressure sensitive material is configured to provide an electrical signal to a controller when pressure is applied. The controller provides a command to a vehicle system based on the electrical signal. The pressure sensitive material has at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance based on the amount or type of pressure that is applied to the material. The electrical signal is based on the at least one of a variable resistance and a variable capacitance. |
| US09007183B2 |
Terminal having radio frequency function and method of processing information of the terminal
Provided are a terminal having a radio frequency identification (RFID) function and a method of processing information of the terminal for allowing intuitive interaction between a screen manipulation and an RFID manipulation with respect to using an RFID related service. The method of processing the information of the terminal including a screen and an RFID recognition unit, includes detecting a screen area corresponding to a position of the RFID recognition unit disposed at a predetermined position of the screen; displaying an RFID icon at a position of the detected screen area; recording information in an RFID tag based on the RFID tag contacting the RFID icon, and recognizing the information from the RFID tag the RFID tag contacting the RFID icon. |
| US09007180B2 |
Anti-collision system and method for reducing the collision of data transmitted by RFID tags
Provided are an anti-collision system and method which address the mobility of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. An RFID reader may transmit an identification start command to identify a plurality of RFID tags in an identification area of the RFID reader. The RFID tags compare the number of collisions of each RFID tag receiving the identification start command with a collision threshold Cth and attempt to be identified in a binary tree section of a frame or in a framed slotted ALOHA (FSA) section of the frame based on the comparison. |
| US09007177B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating behavior pattern
A method for generating a behavior pattern based on information from radio frequency identification tags is disclosed. The method includes identifying a plurality of radio frequency identification tags, generating a radio frequency identification group that corresponds to the plurality of radio frequency identification tags, receiving behavior information that corresponds to the radio frequency identification group from a user device, matching the radio frequency identification group with the behavior information, generating a behavior pattern corresponding to the matched radio frequency identification group and the behavior information, and storing the behavior pattern in a database. |
| US09007176B2 |
Portable electronic apparatus and control method of portable electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, a portable electronic apparatus which generates random number and makes response at timing associated with the generated random number, including, a reception unit which receives initial response request from external device, recognition unit which recognizes total time frame number set in external device based on initial response request received by reception unit, random number generation unit which generates random number, communication detection unit which detects communication performed in another portable electronic apparatus, determination unit which monitors one time frame by using communication detection unit based on total time frame number recognized by recognition unit and random number generated by random number generation unit, and determines whether response to initial response request is to be transmitted to external device based on detection result obtained by communication detecting unit, and transmission unit which transmits response to external device based on determination result obtained by determination unit. |
| US09007168B2 |
System and method for enrollment of a remotely controlled device in a trainable transmitter
A wireless control system is configured to be trainable to control any number of remotely controlled devices. The system can be configured to gather and learn information relating to a signal transmitted by the original transmitter in a manner that is blind to a user of the system. The system can be designed to learn signals automatically such that fewer steps are necessary for a user to train the system to control a particular remotely controlled device. The system can train to remotely controlled devices in this manner with little or no user action required. |
| US09007163B2 |
Device for protection from overvoltages with split thermal disconnectors
A device for protecting an electrical installation from surges. The device includes a protective component for protecting from overvoltages and two thermal disconnectors. Each thermal disconnector includes a respective mobile contact suitable to move from a closed position to an open position to disconnect the protective component from the electrical installation, and a respective thermosensitive element for making the mobile contact move from the closed position to the open position when the temperature of the protective component exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US09007162B2 |
Laminated “Y”-core transformer
A “Y”-shaped transformer includes a “Y” shaped magnetic core that includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion both include a plurality of “Y”-shaped laminates stacked on top of one another and bent to form a plurality of core limbs. A plurality of input windings are wound around each of the plurality of core limbs. A plurality of output windings wound are wound around each of the plurality of core limbs. |
| US09007161B2 |
Method of manufacturing ceramic electronic component, ceramic electronic component, and wiring board
A method of manufacturing a ceramic electronic component prevents variations in characteristics even when the ceramic electronic component is embedded in a wiring board. Ceramic green sheets containing an organic binder having a degree of polymerization in a range from about 1000 to about 1500 are prepared. A first conductive paste layer is formed on a surface of each of the ceramic green sheets. The ceramic green sheets are laminated to form a raw ceramic laminated body. A second conductive paste layer is formed on a surface of the raw ceramic laminated body. The raw ceramic laminated body formed with the second conductive paste layer is fired. |
| US09007160B2 |
Laminated inductor
A laminated inductor includes a laminate constituted by multiple insulator layers, and a coil conductor formed in a spiral shape inside the laminate; wherein the coil conductor has conductor patterns formed on the insulator layers, and via hole conductors that penetrate through the insulator layers and electrically connect the multiple conductor patterns; wherein conductor patterns formed on some insulator layers each represent a C-shaped pattern that includes the four corners and has an open part on one side, of a roughly rectangular shape, while a conductor pattern formed on other insulator layer(s) represents a line-shaped pattern corresponding to the open part of one side of the aforementioned C-shaped pattern of the roughly rectangular shape; and wherein an insulator layer on which the C-shaped pattern is formed, and insulator layer(s) on which the line-shaped pattern is formed, adjoin each other at least in one part of the laminate. |
| US09007158B2 |
Reactor
To provide a reactor with which resin can fully be packed between a core and a coil with ease, and in which the core can easily be handled when the reactor is manufactured.The reactor includes: a coil 10 formed with paired coil elements 10A and 10B that are made of a spirally wound wire, the coil elements being coupled to each other in a paralleled state; internal core portions 22 that are fitted into the coil elements 10A and 10B to structure a part of an annular core 20; and exposed core portions 24 that are exposed outside the coil elements 10A and 10B to couple the internal core portions 22 to each other, to thereby form the rest of the annular core 20. The reactor includes an external resin portion that covers at least a part of an assembled product 1A made up of the coil 10 and the core 20. An interval between the inner end face 24f of the exposed core portion 24 and the end face of the coil 10 is 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm, whereby the resin can easily be packed between the coil 10 and the core 20. |
| US09007157B2 |
Magnetic assembly
A magnetic assembly for use in a housing of an electronic device can include a first and a second magnet and a magnetic shield. The magnetic shield can reduce magnetic flux density from the first and the second magnets that can appear on the outside of the housing. A magnetic hinge assembly can include magnets configured to correlate with the first and second magnets. The magnetic hinge can magnetically attach to the housing by cooperating with the first and second magnets with magnets that can be included in the magnetic hinge. |
| US09007155B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay including an electromagnet, a movable contact actuated by the electromagnet, and a fixed contact disposed opposite to the movable contact and capable of contacting and separating from the movable contact. The electromagnetic relay further includes a backstop for stopping movement of the movable contact in a direction separating from the fixed contact, and a backstop positioner for setting the backstop at a position for defining a predetermined contact gap between the fixed contact and the movable contact. In a state where movement of the movable contact is stopped by the backstop, different-sized contact gaps are defined between the fixed contact and the movable contact, depending on the position of the backstop set by the backstop positioner. |
| US09007154B2 |
Hinged armature bearing for magnetic tripping device
A hinged armature arrangement, for a magnetic tripping device of an electrical switching device, includes a yoke, a hinged armature and a hinged armature spring for embodying a spring force on the hinged armature. The hinged armature is mounted at a first end in a hinged armature bearing. The hinged armature bearing includes a contact surface and a stop surface. The hinged armature spring is arranged on the hinged armature such that at least one first part of the spring force acts against a magnetic force, which is exerted on the hinged armature when a current path is energized. In a particular embodiment, the contact surface and the stop surface are arranged at an angle α of less than 90° relative to one another. |
| US09007153B2 |
Protection device with a sandwiched cantilever breaker mechanism
The present invention is directed to a protective electrical wiring device that includes at least one first stop member disposed proximate at least one first conductor. The at least one first stop member is configured to limit the movement of the at least one first conductor when the circuit interrupting assembly moves between the reset position and the tripped position such that a gap is established between the plurality of circuit interrupting contacts in the tripped state, the gap being substantially greater than or equal to a predetermined distance. |
| US09007151B2 |
High-frequency signal transmission line and electronic apparatus
An easily bendable high-frequency signal transmission line includes a dielectric body including a protection layer and dielectric sheets laminated on each other, a surface and an undersurface. A signal line is a linear conductor disposed in the dielectric body. A ground conductor is disposed in the dielectric body, faces the signal line via the dielectric sheet, and continuously extends along the signal line. A ground conductor is disposed in the dielectric body, faces the ground conductor via the signal line sandwiched therebetween, and includes a plurality of openings arranged along the signal line. The surface of the dielectric body on the side of the ground conductor with respect to the signal line is in contact with a battery pack. |
| US09007149B2 |
Common mode filter with multi spiral layer structure and method of manufacturing the same
A common mode filter with a multi spiral layer structure includes a first coil, a second coil, a third coil connected in series with the first coil, a fourth coil connected in series with the second coil, a first material layer and a second material layer. The second coil is disposed between the first and third coils, and the third coil is disposed between the second and fourth coils. At least one of the first and second material layers comprises magnetic material. The first, second, third, and fourth coils are disposed between the first and second material layers. |
| US09007147B2 |
Branching filter, and wireless communication module and wireless communication device using same
Provided are a branching filter capable of well branching two electrical signals having a wide frequency band, and a wireless communication module and wireless communication device using same. The branching filter is provided with an input terminal (11), a first output terminal (12a), a second output terminal (12b), a first line conductor (14a) which is electromagnetically coupled to a resonator (13a) of an input stage so as to interconnect the input terminal (11) and the first output terminal (12a), a capacitor (15a) which interconnects the first line conductor (14a) and ground, and a second line conductor (14b) which is electromagnetically coupled to a resonator (13b) of an output stage and is connected to the second output terminal (12b), wherein a low pass filter is configured from the first line conductor (14a) and the capacitor (15a), and a band pass filter is configured from the first line conductor (14a), the second line conductor (14b), and a plurality of resonators. The branching filter eliminates the need for a phase circuit and thus is capable of well branching two signals having a wide frequency band. |
| US09007141B2 |
Interface for communication between voltage domains
In one or more embodiments, circuitry is provided for isolation and communication of signals between circuits operating in different voltage domains using capacitive coupling. The capacitive coupling is provided by one or more capacitive structures having a breakdown voltage that is defined by way of the various components and their spacing. The capacitive structures each include three capacitive plates arranged to have two plates located in an upper layer and one plate located in a lower layer. A communication signal can be transmitted via the capacitive coupling created between the lower plate and each of the upper plates, respectively. |
| US09007132B2 |
Oscillation signal generator
An oscillation signal generator includes a quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator (QVCO), a phase corrector and a frequency adjusting circuit. The QVCO provides multiple oscillation signals having difference phases. The phase corrector selects one of the oscillation signals as a first oscillation signal and outputs the first oscillation signal from a first output terminal, and selects one of the oscillation signals as a second oscillation signal and outputs the second oscillation signal from a second output terminal. A phase difference between the first and second oscillation signals satisfies a predetermined relationship. The frequency adjusting circuit is coupled to the phase corrector, and generates a quadrature signal and an in-phase signal according to the oscillation signals. The frequency of the oscillation signals is a non-integral multiple of the frequencies of the quadrature and in-phase signals. |
| US09007128B2 |
Method and apparatus for power amplifier linearization
In an embodiment, a circuit includes a variable group delay configured to delay a wideband input signal to obtain a delayed input signal; a wideband operational amplifier configured to determine an error signal based on a difference between the delayed input signal and a linearized power amplifier output; a feedback amplifier configured to amplify the error signal to obtain an amplified error signal; and a directional combiner configured to combine the amplified error signal with the power amplifier output to obtain the linearized power amplifier output. |
| US09007126B2 |
Multi-mode amplifier system
A multi-mode amplifier system includes a supply converter and a multi-stage amplifier. The supply converter is configured to generate a plurality of varied supply signals according to an output power mode. The multi-stage amplifier is configured to generate an RF output signal from an RF input signal according to the varied supply signals. |
| US09007124B1 |
Tile array PA module using quadrature balanced PA MMICs
A system for power amplification is presented. A tile array power amplifier (PA) module for use in a phased array includes a module with a radio frequency (RF) side and a direct current (DC) side, a top edge, a left edge a bottom edge and a right edge. Four PA dies are mounted in each quadrature of the RF side of the module. RF input connectors are mounted on the RF side to bring RF inputs to the PA dies. RF output connectors are mounted to the DC side to output amplified signals from the PA dies. The PA dies are formed, in part, with gallium nitride (GaN) and are mounted to the module in such a way that the tile array PA module is able to generate about 100 watts of RF power and dissipate about 200 watts of heat while amplifying signals over 10 GHz. |
| US09007122B2 |
Digital power gating with state retention
A digital power gating system for performing power gating to reduce a voltage of a gated supply bus to a state retention voltage level that reduces leakage current while retaining a digital state of a functional circuit. The power gating system includes gating devices and a power gating control system. Each gating device has current terminals coupled between a global supply bus and the gated supply bus, and a control terminal controlled by a bit of a digital control value. The power gating control system successively adjusts the digital control value to reduce a voltage of the gated supply bus to the state retention voltage level. Adjustment gain and/or adjustment periods may be changed, such as when the digital control value reaches certain values or when the gated supply reaches certain voltage levels. Various parameters are programmable to adjust for particular configurations or to achieve desired operation. |
| US09007121B2 |
Charge pump device
A charge pump device is disclosed. The charge pump device includes a driving stage, for generating a driving signal corresponding to a driving capability; a charge pump circuit, for generating an output voltage according to the driving signal; a comparing circuit, comprising a first comparator for comparing the output voltage and a first reference voltage to generate a first comparing result; an overload detection circuit, for generating a detection result according to at least one of the first comparing result and the output voltage; and a driving capability control circuit, coupled between the overload detection circuit and the driving stage for controlling the driving capability corresponding to the driving signal according to the detection result. |
| US09007120B2 |
Charge pump device
A charge pump device includes a charge pump circuit, for generating an output voltage according to a driving signal, a comparing circuit, for generating a comparison result according to the output voltage and a reference voltage, a detecting circuit, for detecting a frequency range of a ripple of the output voltage according to the comparison result and generating a detection result, and a driving stage, for generating the driving signal according to the comparison result, and adjusting a driving capability corresponding to the driving signal according to the detection result. |
| US09007117B2 |
Solid-state switching device having a high-voltage switching transistor and a low-voltage driver transistor
According to an embodiment, a solid-state switching device includes a high-voltage switching transistor including a source, a drain and a gate, and being adapted for switching a high voltage on the basis of a switching signal, and a switching driver circuit operationally connected to the high-voltage switching transistor, the switching driver circuit including a low-voltage driver transistor including a source, a drain and a gate, connected in series to the high-voltage switching transistor and being adapted for transferring the switching signal to the high-voltage switching transistor, wherein the high-voltage switching transistor is arranged source-down on top of the drain of the low-voltage driver transistor. |
| US09007115B2 |
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit includes a clock control unit configured to selectively output an external clock or a delayed clock acquired by delaying the external clock as an input clock in response to a divided clock generated by dividing the external clock, when a test mode is entered; and an internal circuit operating in response to the input clock. |
| US09007114B2 |
Semiconductor device including clock signal generation unit
A semiconductor device for stably generating a clock signal from a strobe signal includes a processor, a clock signal generation unit receiving a first strobe signal and a second strobe signal to generate the clock signal, and a data reception unit receiving at least one data signal to provide the received data signal to the processor. The clock signal generation unit may comprise a strobe comparator comparing a voltage of a first input terminal with that of a second input terminal to output logic high or logic low, a first switch selectively connecting one of a first and a second signal line to the first input terminal, a second switch selectively connecting one of the second signal line and a reference line to the second input terminal, and a voltage stabilizing circuit pulling up/down at least one of a voltage of the first and the second signal line. |
| US09007110B1 |
Register circuits and methods of storing data in a register circuit
A register circuit adapted to store data is described. The register circuit comprises a master-slave flip flop coupled to receive the data to be stored by the master-slave flip flop at an input; and a delay element coupled to the master-slave flip flop, the delay element receiving a reference clock signal and generating a slave clock signal the slave clock signal which is delayed relative to a master clock signal. A method of storing data in a register circuit is also described. |
| US09007108B1 |
Frequency multiplier jitter correction
A system and method are provided for frequency multiplication jitter correction. The method accepts an analog reference signal having a first frequency, and using the analog reference signal, derives a system clock signal having a second frequency, greater than the first frequency. A PLL using a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is one example of a frequency multiplier. The method samples the amplitude of the analog reference signal using the system clock signal and converts the sampled analog reference signal into a digitized reference signal. In response to comparing the digitized reference signal to an ideal digitized reference signal, the phase error correction for the system clock signal is derived. The phase error correction at a first instance of time can be applied to the digitized data signal, previously converted from an analog data signal sampled at a first instance of time with the system clock signal. |
| US09007106B2 |
Jitter suppression in type I delay-locked loops
In one embodiment, a delay-locked loop (DLL) for synchronizing a phase of a periodic digital output signal with a phase of a periodic digital input signal includes a deskew element responsive to the periodic digital input signal to the DLL and the periodic digital output signal from the DLL for suppressing jitter in the periodic digital output signal by synchronizing transitions in the periodic digital output signal with transitions in the periodic digital input signal and generating a final jitter-suppressed periodic digital output signal. |
| US09007105B2 |
Hitless switching phase-locked loop
A PLL includes an oscillator, multiple time-to-digital converters (TDCs) and a system for the remaining functionality. The TDCs measure the oscillator's phase against respective multiple reference clocks. The system compares the respective measured phases with respective desired phases to obtain phase error signals. One is selected to close the loop. The others are monitored and adjusted when not equal to zero. When a new reference clock must be used, the loop is changed from including the old phase error signal to the new. The old phase error was zero because the loop was in lock, the new phase error is zero because it was monitored and adjusted. Therefore, upon switching the loop from the old to the new phase error signal, the loop remains locked and switching is hitless. |
| US09007103B2 |
Switch circuit arrangements and method for powering a driver circuit
In various embodiments, a switch circuit arrangement may include a switch circuit, a driver circuit and a supply circuit. The driver circuit may be configured to control the switch circuit. The supply circuit may be configured to power the driver circuit. The supply circuit may include a first circuit configured to modify an output impedance of the supply circuit to have a first impedance when the driver circuit controls the switch circuit to be in a conducting state and to have a second impedance when the driver circuit controls the switch circuit to change from a non-conducting state to the conducting state. |
| US09007096B1 |
High-speed analog comparator
An apparatus relating generally to voltage conversion includes an amplifier coupled to receive an input voltage and a reference voltage. First and second converters are coupled to the amplifier to receive a bias voltage. The first converter includes a first transconductor coupled to receive the bias voltage to adjust a first tail current, and a first differential input. A first inverter of the first converter has a first feedback device coupled input-to-output to provide a first transimpedance amplifier load. The first inverter is coupled to the first transconductor. The second converter includes a second transconductor coupled to receive the bias voltage to adjust a second tail current, and a second differential input. A second inverter of the second converter has a second feedback device coupled input-to-output to provide a second transimpedance amplifier load. The second inverter is coupled to the second transconductor. |
| US09007094B2 |
Clock-tree transformation in high-speed ASIC implementation
A method includes providing a first clock tree including a root clock and a plurality of levels of integrated clock gates (ICGs) under the root clock. The plurality of levels of ICGs in the first clock tree is flattened to generate a second clock tree including a plurality of ICGs in a same level under the root clock. A fake module is formed to reserve a region between the root clock and the plurality of ICGs. The fake module includes the root clock as a first input, and a first plurality of outputs coupled to clock-inputs of the plurality of ICGs. A skew balancing is performed on the second clock tree using a clock tree synthesis (CTS) tool to generate a third clock tree, wherein no buffers are inserted into the fake module, and wherein buffers are inserted by the CTS tool under the plurality of ICGs. |
| US09007091B2 |
Dual-port positive level sensitive preset data retention latch
In an embodiment of the invention, a dual-port positive level sensitive preset data retention latch contains a clocked inverter and a dual-port latch. Data is clocked through the clocked inverter when clock signal CKT goes high, CLKZ goes low, preset control signal PRE is low and retention control signal RET is low. The dual-port latch is configured to receive the output of the clocked inverter, a second data bit D2, the clock signals CKT and CLKZ, the retain control signals RET and RETN, the preset control signal PRE and the control signals SS and SSN. The signals CKT, CLKZ, RET, RETN, PRE, SS and SSN determine whether the output of the clocked inverter or the second data bit D2 is latched in the dual-port latch. Control signals RET and RETN determine when data is stored in the dual-port latch during retention mode. |
| US09007084B2 |
Support structure for installation of a component assembly housed in a rotating, translating carriage chassis
A support structure for installation of a component assembly housed in a rotating, translating carriage chassis, the support structure including: a stationary rail that includes a shaft extruding perpendicular to the stationary rail; a rotating rail adapted to receive a carriage chassis rail, the rotating rail parallel to the stationary rail when the rotating rail is in a non-rotated position, the rotating rail including a shaft receptacle that receives the shaft, the rotating rail configured to rotate about the shaft and relative to the stationary rail; and a translation mechanism attached to the rotating rail, the translation mechanism enabling the carriage chassis rail to translate parallel to and along the rotating rail. |
| US09007081B2 |
Jig for use in semiconductor test and method of measuring breakdown voltage by using the jig
A jig for use in a semiconductor test of the present invention includes; a base on which a probe pin and an insulating material are provided such that the probe pin is surrounded by the insulating material in plan view; and a stage arranged to face a surface of the base on which the probe pin and the insulating material are provided. The stage is capable of receiving a test object placed on a surface facing the base. When the test object is placed on the stage and the base and the stage move in a direction in which they get closer to each other, the probe pin comes into contact with an electrode formed on the test object, and the insulating material comes into contact with both the test object and the stage. |
| US09007078B2 |
Pixel array module with self-test function and method thereof
A pixel array module with a self-test function including a test circuit unit, a plurality of test lines, and a pixel array is provided. The test circuit unit provides the self-test function. The test lines are connected between the test circuit unit and the pixel array. The pixel array is connected to the test circuit unit through the test lines and includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a transistor. Each transistor has a first terminal and a second terminal. Regarding each of the pixels, a driving signal of the transistor is transmitted from the first terminal to the second terminal thereof under a normal mode, and a test signal of the transistor is transmitted from the second terminal to the first terminal thereof under a test mode. Furthermore, a self-test method of the foregoing pixel array module is also provided. |
| US09007072B2 |
Capacitor sensor capable of controlling sensitivity
There is provided a capacitor sensor capable of controlling sensitivity, wherein the capacitor sensor measures the magnitude and direction of a shear force applied to the sensor, as well as the magnitude of a normal force applied on the surface of the sensor, and consists of a single cell including a pattern electrode capable of varying its shape to control the sensitivity of the sensor. |
| US09007071B2 |
Inductive proximity sensor
Present techniques provide an inductive proximity sensor having a multi-receiver coil assembly and an evaluator circuit configured to receive a differential signal from the multi-receiver coil assembly to determine the presence of a target. The multi-receiver coil assembly includes two receiver coils in a differential coil arrangement and a transmitter coil configured to emit an electromagnetic field and induce a voltage on each of the receiver coils. The voltage difference between the two receiver coils is transmitted as a differential signal to the evaluator circuit. Targets which approach the inductive proximity sensor disrupt the electromagnetic field and change the induced voltages on each of the receiver coils, thereby changing the differential signal. The evaluator circuit processes the differential signal to determine whether the changes indicate that a target is present. |
| US09007066B2 |
Measuring isolated high voltage and detecting isolation breakdown with measures for self-detection of circuit faults
A system for making high voltage measurements to measure a voltage of a battery pack and detect of an isolation fault. The system includes a first resistive divider comprising at least a first resistive element and a second resistive element. The system also includes a second resistive divider comprising the second resistive element and a third resistive element. The system also includes a plurality of switches comprising a first switch and a second switch coupled between the second resistive element and the battery pack. The system further includes a controller configured to control the plurality of switches to operate in first mode to measure the voltage of the battery pack based on a voltage produced by the first resistive divider, and to control the plurality of switches to operate in at least a second mode to detect an isolation fault based on a voltage produced by the second resistive divider. |
| US09007065B2 |
Battery monitoring apparatus
A battery monitoring apparatus for monitoring a battery condition of an assembled battery. In the apparatus, a control unit transmits, to a monitoring unit that is powered by the assembled battery and monitors its battery condition, a first mode-switching instruction signal for instructing the monitoring unit to transition from a normal mode to a dark-current mode. Subsequently, the control unit transmits to the monitoring unit a second mode-switching signal for instructing the monitoring unit to transition from the dark-current mode to the normal mode, and acquires an increased count value of a timer circuit in the monitoring unit for a time period from transmission of the first mode-switching instruction signal to transmission of the second mode-switching instruction signal. When it is determined that the increased count value is greater than an abnormality diagnosis criterion value, then the control unit determines that the dark-current mode of the monitoring unit is malfunctioning. |
| US09007064B2 |
Non-destructive evaluation methods for electric joints
In one embodiment, a method of evaluating electric joints includes: partially separating a terminal portion from a busbar portion of a joint formed between a battery cell terminal and an interconnector busbar; and measuring electric resistance between the terminal portion and the busbar portion. In another embodiment, the step of measuring includes connecting the terminal portion of the joint to a first clip of a first polarity and connecting the busbar portion of the joint to a second clip of an opposing polarity. |
| US09007056B2 |
Monitoring device and monitoring method for rotary encoder
Disclosed is a monitoring device for a rotary encoder electronically connectable to the monitoring device. A pulse generating unit generates a comparison pulse signal by extracting a portion corresponding to a specific phase range from a first pulse included in a first pulse signal output from the rotary encoder. The rotary encoder detects rotation of a rotating body and outputs the first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal having a phase difference from each other. A determining unit determines an abnormality of the rotary encoder, based on a state of a pulse of the comparison pulse signal at a specific timing of a second pulse included in the second pulse signal. |
| US09007055B2 |
Self-pinned spin valve magnetoresistance effect film and magnetic sensor using the same, and rotation angle detection device
Provided are a self-pinned spin valve magnetoresistance effect film, a magnetic sensor using the same, and a rotation angle detection device. The self-pinned spin valve magnetoresistance effect film has a strong coupling magnetic field in a pinned layer, a small reduction in the change in resistance, and superior resistance to magnetic fields without reducing the coercive force in a first ferromagnetic layer, which is a pinned layer in the film, even when exposed to a strong external magnetic field. By inserting a non-magnetic layer between a ground layer and a pinned layer to form the spin valve magnetoresistance effect film, the self-pinned spin valve magnetoresistance effect film having superior resistance to magnetic fields, a magnetic sensor using the same, and a rotation angle detection device are obtained. |
| US09007051B2 |
Electric current detection circuit
An electric current detection circuit for detecting an electric current flowing to a load includes a voltage generation circuit, a plurality of comparators, and a reference voltage shift circuit. The voltage generation circuit includes a plurality of resistors coupled in series and generates different voltages by dividing a reference voltage with the resistors. The comparators determine a current level of the electric current flowing to the load using the voltages generated by the voltage generation circuit as threshold values. The reference voltage shift circuit shifts the reference voltage. The electric current flowing to the load is detected based on the current level determined by the plurality of comparators before shifting the reference voltage and the current level determined by the plurality of comparators after shifting the reference voltage. |
| US09007047B2 |
Vehicle buck power conversion control apparatus and method
The present invention relates to a vehicle buck power conversion control apparatus and method, which improves control performance of power conversion even when load current is changed by further considering input current varied according to the load current in controlling a pulse width modulation signal by using an existing fixed chopping wave. |
| US09007046B2 |
Efficient high voltage bias regulation circuit
A high voltage DC-DC voltage converted includes a charge pump section and an op-amp section. During ramp-up, the charge pump can drive the load and the op-amp is in a unity gain configuration until the output level reaches the regulation level. While under regulation, when the load current is small and the charge pump is typically inefficient, the charge pump portion can be disconnected from the load and idled, while the op-amp is reconfigures as a comparator to maintain the output. This allows for the pump portion to be optimized for the large currents while the op-amp portion can be used to also have high efficiency during the low current, regulation phase. |
| US09007039B2 |
Single inductor multiple output (SIMO) direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter and control method thereof
Provided is a single inductor multiple output (SIMO) direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter that may perform DC/DC conversion by transferring, to output nodes, input current that is input and thereby stored in a single inductor. An output selection unit of the SIMO DC/DC converter may select, from output nodes, a first output node to be supplied with current from a driving unit, and provide output voltage of the first output node and reference voltage of the first output node to a hysteresis comparison unit. The hysteresis comparison unit may control on-time and/or inductor peak current by determining whether the output voltage of the first output node is higher than the reference voltage of the first output node by at least a first threshold, and whether the output voltage of the first output voltage is lower than the reference voltage of the first output voltage by at least a second threshold. |
| US09007037B2 |
Multi-phase operation with single phase control
A multi-phase control system having multi-phase operation with single phase control includes a main control module, a lineman module, and an add-on lineman module. The main control module and the lineman module control, automatically or manually, the first phase and first phase tap changer of a multi-phase system. The add-on lineman module and the main control module control, automatically or manually, additional phases of the multi-phase system. In certain example embodiments, the multi-phase control system detects when a line voltage of an additional phase is de-energized and allows the tap changer of the additional phase to be powered by a line voltage of the first phase. In certain example embodiments, the tap changer of a de-energized phase is powered by an external power supply. |
| US09007030B2 |
Method of estimating battery remaining power in electric vehicle
A method of estimating remaining battery power in electric vehicles is provided. The method uses coulometric detection method to obtain remaining battery power and uses an open voltage method to modify the coulometric detection method when modified conditions are met as well as different battery characteristics and conditions when in use. The remaining battery power in electric vehicles can conduct a dispersion degree detection at every stage and when a detection value is larger than a preset value, a self-adjusting mechanism will be activated to modify the battery power. When the battery is charged for a longer period of time, a regression method is used to establish a modified equation to increase precision of estimating remaining battery power. |
| US09007029B2 |
Method and system for managing the state of charge of a lithium-ion cell module
The state of charge of a lithium-ion cell module including several cells is managed by observing changes in a cell's differential capacity curve exceeding or falling short of a preset limit value during a discharging or charging process of the cell. Each of the changes is a change which is specific for this particular cell and consistent with a specific state of charge of the cell, whereby the ordinal number of a differential capacity curve change is used as a basis for determining a state of charge of the cell consistent with the change or a difference in the states of charge between two or more cells. The thus determined state of charge differences between cells are then sought to be balanced by a balancing system adapted to balance a charge. |
| US09007027B2 |
Charge management for energy storage temperature control
Charging and discharging an energy storage device (ESD) generates heat and may prevent its temperature from dropping to unsafe levels. By monitoring and managing the charge and discharge of an ESD with respect to the periods of time in which demand charges are determined, the heating will have minimal adverse effect on demand charges. ESDs may also exchange energy in a controlled manner for heating purposes and reduce reliance on utility grid-based energy sources. ESD heating may also be made more efficient by offsetting the heating with load shedding during charging periods. Precharging the ESD while heating or preheating the ESD by charging and discharging can prevent new maximum demand levels from appearing and thereby limit increases in demand charges. |
| US09007024B2 |
DC power control to maximize battery charging time
Systems and methods are provided for managing the batteries and the power source as a single combined output to power the load, allowing the system to use power source with reduced maximum power output, reducing system cost and complexity. Furthermore, the switch matrix controller efficiently and dynamically manages the internal power transfer to minimize the charging/discharging cycle of the batteries while ensuring that the power source and the batteries meet changing load power demand. Finally, maximizing charging time and having independent control of each battery increase power efficiency, prolong the operational life of the battery, and increase overall system life. |
| US09007021B2 |
Installation structure for charging equipment in rear vehicle body
There is provided the installation structure for charging equipment in a rear vehicle body capable of enhancing rigidity of the rear vehicle body, performing roundabout installation of the outlet cable without applying large load to the cable, preventing deterioration of the charging equipment due to external factors, and readily installing the charging equipment. In the installation structure for charging equipment in a rear vehicle body, the charger 10 for charging a battery is disposed in the spare tire housing 3, the charging connector 11 connected to the charger 10 through the outlet cable 12 is disposed rearward of the vehicle in the spare tire housing 3 so as to supply power to the charger 10, the insertion hole 3b is formed in the peripheral wall 3a of the spare tire housing 3, the cover member 4 is joined to the rear floor panel 2 so as to form a closed cross section, the cover member 4 is disposed to extend from the peripheral wall 3a of the spare tire housing 3 toward the charging connector 11 so as to communicate the space defined by the closed cross section with the insertion hole 3b, and the outlet cable 12 is disposed so as to be inserted through the insertion hole 3b and the space defined by the closed cross section. |
| US09007019B2 |
Non-contact charging method
A non-contact charging method, in which a battery-powered device is set down on a charging platform, a power receiving coil in the battery-powered device is electromagnetically coupled to a power transmission coil in the charging platform, power is transmitted from the power transmission coil to the power receiving coil by electromagnetic induction, and a battery (52) in the battery-powered device is charged. The charging current of the battery is detected on the battery-powered device side, the transmission efficiency is detected from the detected charging current, the detected transmission efficiency is compared to an efficiency threshold value, it is determined that a foreign object is on the charging platform when the detected charging efficiency is less than the efficiency threshold value and it is determined that a foreign object is not on the charging platform when the detected charging efficiency is greater than the efficiency threshold value. |
| US09007013B2 |
Inverter control method and system for eco-friendly vehicle
Disclosed is an inverter control system and method for an eco-friendly vehicle, by which overall improvements can be obtained in terms of switching loss, electromagnetic performance, noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) performance, control stability, and so forth, when compared to a conventional case in which one fixed switching frequency and one fixed sampling frequency are used over the entire operation area. To this end, the inverter control method for an eco-friendly vehicle which generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal according to a switching frequency and a sampling frequency and controls ON/OFF driving of a switching element, in which a controller changes and sets the switching frequency according to a current motor speed, changes and sets a sampling frequency according to the switching frequency, and controls on/off driving of a switching element according to the switching frequency corresponding to the motor speed and the sampling frequency. |
| US09007010B2 |
System and method for calibrating offset of motor resolver
Provided is a system and method for calibrating an offset of a resolver in a motor of a vehicle. More specifically, a current is applied to the −d-axis of the motor, the Vq, Vd, Iq, and Id of the motor is measured and a power input to the motor is calculated by a controller, and when the input power is not within a predetermined range, the controller adjusts the offset of the resolver to a positive or negative value accordingly. |
| US09007008B2 |
Method for controlling the operation of an arrangement of at least two electric machines, and motor vehicle
A method for controlling the operation of an arrangement of at least two electric machines coupled to different wheels of a motor vehicle and connected to a battery which provides an actual minimum and maximum limiting current for the electric machines. Desired torques are provided for the electric machines by a drive control logic. A desired current resulting from the desired torque is ascertained for each electric machine, and the sum of the desired currents are compared with the maximum and minimum limiting current. If the sum lies outside an interval defined by the limiting currents, the desired currents are adjusted using at least one change rule such that the sum of the desired currents lies within the interval. Adjusted desired torques are determined from the adjusted desired currents and used to control the electric machines. |
| US09007007B2 |
Handheld machine tool
A handheld machine tool has a drive motor and a supplementary handle which is mounted on the housing of the handheld machine tool and is assigned a drive-torque limitation device, the drive-torque limitation device limiting the drive torque to a torque level below a maximum torque if the supplementary handle is not mounted on the housing. |
| US09007006B2 |
Pump system and method for operating the same
Provided is a pump system. The pump system includes an AC (alternating current) electric motor, a converter, a smoothing unit, an inverter, a volt/hertz pulse width-modulation controller, and a main controller. The AC electric motor operates a pump which is a load. The converter receives AC power and converts the AC power into DC (direct current) power. The smoothing unit smoothes a DC voltage converted by the converter. The inverter converts the DC voltage output from the smoothing unit into an AC voltage. The volt/hertz pulse width-modulation controller applies switching voltage to a semiconductor switching device of the inverter. The main controller changes an operating frequency according to a load detected when the Ac electric motor is in operation and puts the AC electric motor to a sleep mode after determining a load operation status. |
| US09007003B2 |
Method for controlling an inverter for driving a swing motor
The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling an inverter for driving a swing motor, and particularly, maximally generates braking torque of the swing motor upon generation of failure of the inverter by switching on/off a lower-phase switch or an upper-phase switch of the inverter in order to prevent an upper swing body from freely rotating which is generated when a semiconductor switch of the inverter is switched off upon the generation of over-current and over-voltage of the inverter that drives the swing motor, thereby being capable of protecting the inverter, rapidly stopping the upper swing body, and preventing the risk of accidents. |
| US09006998B2 |
Dimmable lighting devices and methods for dimming same
In a single lighting device including a large number of light-emitting elements (LEEs), the LEEs are divided into separately powered groups, and different combinations of the groups are fully energized to achieve the desired overall brightness. In some embodiments, the number of LEEs in each group has a binary relationship to the other groups. The resolution of the dimming is the brightness of the smallest group. In one example of five binary weighted groups of LEEs, 32 brightness levels can be achieved while the LEEs in the energized groups are fully ON. Thus, since there is no high frequency switching, there is substantially no power dissipation by the dimming control system, and there is limited noise or EMI created. The dimming control can be easily implemented with a logic circuit controlling a transistor switch for each group. |
| US09006997B2 |
Intensity control of LEDs interfacing three-way sockets
A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture is configured to interface a three-way socket and provide three levels of output light intensity. A detection unit determines whether one or both input voltages lines of the three-way socket are active and provides a control signal to an LED controller indicating which input voltage lines are active. The LED controller is configured to provide different output current levels to an LED bank based on whether one or both input voltage lines are active. By adjusting the output current level based on which input lines are active, the LED lighting fixture provides three output lighting intensity levels. LED lighting fixtures according to various embodiments can therefore serve as a direct replacement for three-way incandescent bulbs. |
| US09006995B2 |
Controllable retrofit LED lamps and lighting system having an LED lamp
The invention relates to a retrofit LED lamp (17) comprising a carrier (18) having at least one light-emitting diode (LED) (29), further comprising a driver circuit (12) for supplying power to the LED (29) and a socket (20) for electrically and mechanically connecting to a conventional lamp holder, characterized in that the retrofit LED lamp (17) comprises a carrier frequency system or power line communication (PLC) unit (16) connected to the electrical contacts (3, 4) and designed for receiving and/or transmitting data via the socket (20). |
| US09006990B1 |
Light tube and power supply circuit
A replacement light tube for replacing a fluorescent light tube includes a bulb portion having a first end and a second end, a first end cap and a second end cap disposed at the first end and the second end, respectively, each configured to fit with a socket for the fluorescent light tube, a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed inside and extending between the first and second ends of the bulb portion, a pulse width modulator configured to receive power from a power source and modulate the received power to one of a first brightness level and a second brightness level, the second brightness level being different than the first brightness level and a current limiter comprising an inductive element coupled between the pulse width modulator and at least some of the plurality of light emitting diodes. |
| US09006982B2 |
Daylight harvest lighting control system
A system wherein a control panel is used to set brightness, select an operation sensor (occupancy or light level), and provide a selection of lights off or reduced light for night conditions. A sensor control mode or a manual control mode may be selected. A sensor module comprises an occupancy sensor and light sensor used to monitor the ambient light at predetermined intervals Absent interrupts from the control panel, the sensor module or the control module, the system is idle. Whenever the system is in an on state, light from light fixtures is adjusted to compliment daylight to produce the user set brightness, thus reducing energy consumption. In an active mode, at least some light remains on, instead of powering off, during periods of system “off”. A delay timer provides time until the light is reduced or turned off entirely. |
| US09006978B2 |
Driving circuit with an over-voltage protection device for modulating an electrical parameter of a driven device
A driving circuit with an over-voltage protection device for modulating an electrical parameter of a driven device includes at least a boost circuit, a signal processing circuit, an over-voltage protection device, a modulation device and a control circuit. The output terminal of the boost circuit is electrically coupled in series to a driven device, a transistor and a grounded feedback resistor sequentially, wherein the output terminal of the boost circuit is further electrically coupled to a voltage dividing circuit for outputting a voltage dividing signal. The signal processing circuit is provided for outputting a processing signal to the over-voltage protection device and the modulation device according to the voltage dividing signal and a modulation signal. The control circuit is provided for turning on the transistor or not according to an output signal of the over-voltage protection device and an output signal of the modulation device. |
| US09006973B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a substrate having opposed first and second main faces; a light emitting element mounted on the first main face of the substrate; and a driver integrated circuit (IC) formed in an area corresponding to a lower side of the light emitting element within the substrate, and adjusting the amount of current applied to the light emitting element. Since the circuit provided to drive a light emitting diode (LED) is integrated within the substrate, a compact light emitting device having an integrated structure can be obtained. |
| US09006972B2 |
Microplasma generator and methods therefor
A low-temperature, atmospheric-pressure microplasma generator comprises at least one strip of metal on a dielectric substrate. A first end of the strip is connected to a ground plane and the second end of the strip is adjacent to a grounded electrode, with a gap being defined between the second end of the strip and the grounded electrode. High frequency power is supplied to the strip. The frequency is selected so that the length of the strip is an odd integer multiple of ¼ of the wavelength traveling on the strip. A microplasma forms in the gap between the second end of the strip and the grounded electrode due to electric fields in that region. A microplasma generator array comprises a plurality of strongly-coupled resonant strips in close proximity to one another. At least one of the strips has an input for high-frequency electrical power. The remaining strips resonate due to coupling from the at least one powered strip. The array can provide a continuous line or ring of plasma. The microplasma generator can be used to alter the surface of a substrate, such as by adding material (deposition), removal of material (etching), or modifying surface chemistry. |
| US09006968B2 |
Mounting substrate and optical unit
A mounting substrate includes: a wiring substrate; and a plurality of optical elements mounted on a mounting surface of the wiring substrate, and each having a first electrode and a second electrode. The wiring substrate includes a support substrate, a plurality of first wires, and a plurality of second wires. The first wires and the second wires are provided within a layer between the support substrate and the mounting surface. The first wires are electrically connected with the first electrodes. The second wires are electrically connected with the second electrodes, and each have cross-sectional area larger than cross-sectional area of each of the first wires. |
| US09006964B2 |
Field emission cathode
The present invention relates to afield emission cathode, comprising an at least partly electrically conductive base structure, and a plurality of electrically conductive micrometer sized sections spatially distributed at the base structure, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of micrometer sized sections each are provided with a plurality of electrically conductive nanostructures. Advantages of the invention include lower power consumption as well as an increase in light output of e.g. a field emission lighting arrangement comprising the field emission cathode. |
| US09006961B2 |
Endshield
The invention relates to a bearing shield (5) for an electrical motor having a rotor and a stator, wherein the bearing shield (5) has a receptacle (25) for a bearing (400) for bearing a shaft of the rotor (100) and wherein the bearing shield is arranged in a housing (35) of an electrical motor, wherein the bearing shield has a current carrier (13, 23, 24, 60) which is configured to connect at least one coil (74) of the stator to a power connection or to another coil (74) of the stator. |
| US09006957B2 |
Power generation unit, electronic apparatus, transportation device, and method of controlling power generation unit
A power generation unit includes a deforming member (a beam) adapted to deform while switching a deformation direction, a first piezoelectric device provided to the deforming member (the beam), a second piezoelectric device provided to the deforming member (the beam), an inductor electrically connected to the first piezoelectric device, a switch disposed between the first piezoelectric device and the inductor, and a control section adapted to detect a voltage generated in the second piezoelectric device, and if the voltage detected has a level one of equal to and higher than a predetermined level, electrically connect the first piezoelectric device and the inductor to each other using the switch. |
| US09006951B2 |
Cogging torque reduction device for electrical machines
Electrical machines, for example transverse flux machines and/or commutated flux machines, may be “balanced” to achieve reduced overall cogging torque via utilization of one or more cogging torque reduction devices. Cogging torque reduction devices may be configured and/or otherwise customized in order to reduce and/or minimize cogging torque in an electrical machine, by generating a counteracting cogging torque waveform that at least partially counteracts and/or cancels the initial cogging torque waveform of the electrical machine. |
| US09006950B2 |
Synchronous rotary electric machine having a double excitation rotor
A machine (1) having a rotor (11) including permanent magnets (PM) and field coils (EC). The magnets are housed in first axial recesses (E1) distributed in a circumferential portion of the magnetic body, thus defining circumferential polar sections. The coils are housed in second axial recesses (E2) distributed in an intermediate portion of the magnetic body and defining polar teeth (RT). The circumferential polar section includes a third recess (E3) having a maximum width at the top thereof, and the ratio of the maximum width of the third recess to a pole width of the circumferential polar section has a value of around 0.13 mm to around 0.44 mm. |
| US09006945B2 |
Rotating electrical machine and rotating apparatus
This disclosure discloses a rotating electrical machine that is integrally formed with a reduction device having an input shaft and an output shaft and employs one of a field system and an armature as a rotor and the other of the field system and the armature as a stator, including a rotating shaft to which the rotor is fixed and that is coaxially connected to the input shaft of the reduction device, and a bearing support member configured to support bearings that rotatably support the input shaft of the reduction device, wherein the stator is provided to the bearing support member. |
| US09006944B2 |
Motor with a deformable limiting member
A motor includes a base, a rotor and a stator. The base includes a shaft tube having an open end and a closed end. A shaft supporting assembly is received in the shaft tube and includes a top portion. The rotor includes a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and the shaft includes a retaining groove. The stator includes a limiting member having a distal end. The limiting member defines an opening through which the shaft extends. The limiting member further includes a bottom facing the shaft supporting assembly. A gap and a supporting member are formed between the bottom and the top portion. The supporting member is closer to the shaft tube than to the shaft, and the gap is closer to the shaft than to the shaft tube. |
| US09006942B2 |
Generator main stator back-iron cooling sleeve
A main stator sleeve for a generator includes a sheet of material that includes an arcuate notch one two opposed edges such that a butt joint therebetween defines a pin aperture. |
| US09006940B2 |
Modular portable energy system
The present invention relates to modular portable energy systems, specifically solar energy systems or kits. In a first embodiment, a personal solar kit is provided. A portable shelter system with power generation capabilities is provided in a second embodiment. In a third embodiment, alternative power generation systems are provided. A multi-layered solar power generation device is provided in a fourth embodiment. In a fifth embodiment an energy network system is provided that can be used with any of the previous embodiments of the present invention. |
| US09006934B2 |
Power feeding apparatus, power receiving apparatus, wireless power feeding system and method for wireless transfer of power
A power feeding apparatus, power receiving apparatus, wireless power feeding system, and method for wireless transfer of power are provided. The power feeding apparatus includes an impedance detector, a controller, a power transmitter, a variable matching circuit, and a signal transmitter. The controller is configured to provide first control information and second control information based on an impedance detected by the impedance detector. The power feeding apparatus' variable matching circuit is configured to change a variable diameter of a power feeding coil according to the first control information. The power receiving apparatus includes a power receiver, a signal receiver, and a variable matching circuit. The power receiving apparatus'variable matching circuit is configured to change a variable diameter of a power feeding coil according to the second control information provided by the power feeding apparatus. |
| US09006933B2 |
Power system stabilization
A method of damping power system oscillations includes obtaining an AC measurement signal from a power system location and determining oscillation frequency values in the AC measurement signal. A plurality of single signal components are extracted from the AC measurement signal by subtracting a plurality of processed measurement signals from the AC measurement signal and a damping signal is generated based on the plurality of single signal components. Each of the plurality of processed measurement signals are generated by time delaying the AC measurement signal with a time delay associated with each of the oscillation frequency values other than the oscillation frequency value of the single signal component to be extracted. |
| US09006932B2 |
Power supply system and electronic device
A power supply system capable of inhibiting electricity loss and deterioration of each power supply device while realizing high stability in the case where electricity supply is performed by using a plurality of power supply devices is provided. A switching element corresponding to a power supply device having a higher inter-terminal voltage out of two power supply devices selectively becomes in ON state, and a switching element corresponding to a power supply device having a lower inter-terminal voltage selectively becomes in OFF state. Thereby, overload on a specific power supply device is prevented, and current flow between the different power supply devices is able to be prevented without generating needless electricity loss. Further, since electricity of the power supply device having a higher inter-terminal voltage is selectively outputted, variation between the respective power supply devices becomes allowable to some extent. |
| US09006931B2 |
Static-electrical-field-enhanced semiconductor-based devices and methods of enhancing semiconductor-based device performance
Devices that include one or more functional semiconductor elements that are immersed in static electric fields (E-fields). In one embodiment, one or more electrets are placed proximate the one or more organic, inorganic, or hybrid semiconductor elements so that the static charge(s) of the electret(s) participate in creating the static E-field(s) that influences the semiconductor element(s). An externally applied electric field can be used, for example, to enhance charge-carrier mobility in the semiconductor element and/or to vary the width of the depletion region in the semiconductor material. |
| US09006929B2 |
Power supply device
A power supply device is provided. The power supply device includes: an AC power output unit storing and outputting an AC power; a rectifier unit rectifying an output of the AC power output unit; a DC output unit outputting an output from the rectifier unit as a DC power; and a standby power reduction unit detecting a signal regarding whether the AC power is inputted or not and discharging a standby power stored in the AC power output unit in response to the detected signal. |
| US09006927B2 |
Installation for producing electrical energy provided with means of energy storage and control method of such an installation
An installation for producing electrical energy and a control method of such an installation are described. The installation includes an energy storage. The installation includes an electrical energy generator that connects to a distribution network and the energy storage. The installation also includes a controller controlling the operation of the energy storage and the connection of the energy storage to the electrical energy generator and the network. The controller receives a set of information from the network or, energy storage, and the electrical energy generator, and from the network manager to control the supply of the electrical energy generator and a set of auxiliary equipment of the installation from the energy storage in the event of power failure. |
| US09006924B2 |
Electronic control device
An internal power circuit lowers a battery voltage supplied always from an external side to generate a standby power voltage. A timer continues to measure an elapse of time in a standby state, after a main relay is turned off and supply of a power voltage is interrupted. A measured time data of the timer is saved to a save register during a time measurement operation of the timer. When a stop condition for stopping the time measurement operation of the timer is satisfied, a control circuit stops the operation of the internal power circuit. When the main relay is turned on, the internal power circuit is activated to start its operation again by the control circuit so that the measured time data saved to the save register is restored to the timer. |
| US09006923B2 |
Electrical power supply system and method for an aircraft
An electrical power supply system and method for an aircraft. The system includes an electrical network including primary generators powering the electrical distribution channels, and an homopolar generator making it possible to create an artificial neutral. |
| US09006913B2 |
Cogeneration apparatus
A cogeneration apparatus includes an electrical generator, an engine for driving the generator, and a heat exchanger for using waste heat of the engine as a heat source, which are housed in a housing. The apparatus is provided with an internal fuel line for supplying fuel to the engine from outside, and power wiring for supplying electrical power generated by the electrical generator to the outside. The housing has a substantially V-shaped lead-out part capable of leading the fuel line and the wiring to outside of the housing. |
| US09006911B2 |
Method for forming patterns of dense conductor lines and their contact pads, and memory array having dense conductor lines and contact pads
A method for forming patterns of dense conductor lines and their contact pads is described. Parallel base line patterns are formed over a substrate. Each of the base line patterns is trimmed. Derivative line patterns and derivative transverse patterns are formed as spaces on the sidewalls of the trimmed base line patterns, wherein the derivative transverse patterns are formed between the ends of the derivative line patterns and adjacent to the ends of the trimmed base line patterns. The trimmed base line patterns are removed. At least end portions of the derivative line patterns are removed, such that the derivative line patterns are separated from each other and all or portions of the derivative transverse patterns become patterns of contact pads each connected with a derivative line pattern. |
| US09006901B2 |
Thin power device and preparation method thereof
A thin power device comprises a substrate having a first set of first contact pads at a front surface of the substrate electrically connecting to a second set of second contact pads at a back surface of the substrate, a through opening opened from the front surface and through the substrate exposing a third contact pad at the back surface of the substrate, a semiconductor chip embedded into the through opening with a back metal layer at a back surface of the semiconductor chip attached on the third contact pad, and a plurality of conductive structures electrically connecting electrodes at a front surface of the semiconductor chip with the corresponding first contact pads in the first sets of first contact pads. |
| US09006900B2 |
Semiconductor device with advanced pad structure resistant to plasma damage and method for forming the same
A connective structure for bonding semiconductor devices and methods for forming the same are provided. The bonding structure includes an alpad structure, i.e., a thick aluminum-containing connective pad, and a substructure beneath the aluminum-containing pad that includes at least a pre-metal layer and a barrier layer. The pre-metal layer is a dense material layer and includes a density greater than the barrier layer and is a low surface roughness film. The high density pre-metal layer prevents plasma damage from producing charges in underlying dielectric materials or destroying subjacent semiconductor devices. |
| US09006896B2 |
Chip package and method for forming the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a device region formed in the semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; a conducting pad structure located in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the device region, wherein the conducting pad structure comprises a stacked structure of a plurality of conducting pad layers; a support layer disposed on a top surface of the conducting pad structure; and a protection layer disposed on the second surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09006889B2 |
Flip chip packages with improved thermal performance
Systems and methods for improving thermal performance, such as thermal dissipation, of flip chip packages that include one or more flip chip dies are disclosed. In some embodiments, a thermal collection layer can be formed on a surface of a flip chip die. The thermal collection layer can be configured to dissipate heat generated by the flip chip die. In some variations, the thermal collection layer can be constructed using materials having high thermal conductivity. |
| US09006887B2 |
Forming sacrificial composite materials for package-on-package architectures and structures formed thereby
Methods of forming a microelectronic packaging structure are described. Those methods may include forming a solder paste comprising a sacrificial polymer on a substrate, curing the solder paste below a reflow temperature of the solder to form a solid composite hybrid bump on the conductive pads, forming a molding compound around the solid composite hybrid bump, and reflowing the hybrid bump, wherein the sacrificial polymer is substantially decomposed. |
| US09006886B2 |
Light emitting device package and lighting system including the same
A light emitting device package is disclosed. The light emitting device package includes a body, first and second lead frames disposed on the body, and a light emitting device connected to the first and second lead frames, wherein at least one of the first and second lead frames includes first and second regions having different thicknesses. |
| US09006884B2 |
Three dimensional semiconductor device including pads
A semiconductor device includes a substrate in which a cell region and a contact region are defined, a pad structure including a plurality of first conductive layers and a plurality of first insulating layers formed alternately with each other in the contact region of the substrate, wherein an end of the pad structure is patterned stepwise, portions of the first conductive layers exposed at the end of the pad structure are defined as a plurality of pad portions, and the plurality of pad portions have a greater thickness than unexposed portions of the plurality of first conductive layers. |
| US09006883B2 |
Semiconductor module with switching elements
In a semiconductor module, an upper arm switching element is integrated to a high-potential conductor coupled to a high-potential electrode of a power source, and a lower arm switching element is integrated to a load conductor coupled to a load. A first connecting conductor has a first end connected to the upper arm switching element and a second end connected to the load conductor. A second connecting conductor has a first end connected to the lower arm switching element and a second end connected to a low-potential conductor coupled to a low-potential electrode of the power source. At least one of the first connecting conductor and the second connecting conductor serves as a shunt resistor for detecting an electric current flowing in the at least one. |
| US09006881B2 |
Semiconductor device
An aspect of the present embodiment, there is provided a semiconductor device, including an insulating substrate, at least one semiconductor chip provided above the insulating substrate, a wiring terminal including a connection portion electrically connected to the semiconductor chip, a surrounding frame surrounding the semiconductor chip and the connection portion, an embedded material provided in the surrounding frame covering the semiconductor chip and the connection portion, and a pressing unit provided on a surface of the embedded material. |
| US09006880B1 |
Top port multi-part surface mount silicon condenser microphone
The present invention relates to a surface mount package for a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone die and methods for manufacturing the surface mount package. The surface mount package uses a limited number of components that simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs. The surface mount package features a substrate that performs functions for which multiple components were traditionally required, including providing an interior surface on which the MEMS microphone die is mechanically attached, providing an interior surface for making electrical connections between the MEMS microphone die and the package, and providing an exterior surface for surface mounting the microphone package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between the microphone package and the device's circuit board. The microphone package has a substrate with metal pads on its top and bottom surfaces, a sidewall spacer, and a lid. A MEMS microphone die is mounted on the substrate, and the substrate, the sidewall spacer, and the lid are joined together to form the MEMS microphone. |
| US09006877B2 |
Package for a micro-electro mechanical device
A package for a micro-electromechanical device (MEMS package) includes an inner enclosure having an inner cavity defined therein, and a fill port channel communicating with the inner cavity and of sufficient length to allow a quantity of adhesive to enter the fill port channel while preventing the adhesive from entering the inner cavity. |
| US09006876B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor apparatus includes: a package substrate on which a semiconductor device is disposed; a mounting board over which the package substrate is mounted; a first restraint that penetrates through the mounting board and the package substrate, and restrains deformation of the mounting board and the package substrate in a direction in which the mounting board and the package substrate are separated from each other; and a second restraint that is disposed between the mounting board and the package substrate, and restrains deformation of the mounting board and the package substrate in a direction in which the mounting board and the package substrate are closer to each other. |
| US09006875B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of fabricating the same
Provided is a semiconductor device and method of fabricating the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor device may be formed by forming a first welding groove along outside edges of one case of a pair of upper and lower cases, forming a first welding protrusion along outside edges of the other case, the first welding protrusion being formed to correspond to the first welding groove and having a volume larger than a volume of the first welding groove. The method may further include inserting the first welding protrusion into the first welding groove to enclose a memory module in an inner accommodating space of the upper and lower cases, melting the first welding protrusion so that a first portion of the first welding protrusion fills the first welding groove and a second portion of the first welding protrusion fills a space between welding portions of the upper case and the lower case, and solidifying the first and second portions of the first welding protrusion. |