US07674039B2
A reclosable vacuum storage bag that can be hermetically sealed by flat resealable means that extend across the full width of the bag. The flat resealable means are designed to provide a barrier to prevent ambient air from leaking into the evacuated interior volume of the bag. The storage bag is also provided with a plastic zipper. The flat resealable means can be arranged on the product side of the zipper, on the user side of the zipper, or in between two zippers installed in the storage bag.
US07674037B2
A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a cooling structure defined therein for cooling a heat pipe to be tested. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion and has a cooling structure defined therein for cooling the heat pipe. A receiving structure is located between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the heat pipe therein. At least a temperature sensor is attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure for detecting temperature of the heat pipe. An enclosure encloses the immovable portion and the movable portion therein and has sidewalls thereof slidably contacting at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion.
US07674035B2
A method for calibrating a digital temperature sensor circuit, the circuit comprising an analogue temperature sensing means, an internal reference voltage source and an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC is arranged to receive respective signals from the analogue temperature sensing means and the reference voltage source and output a digital signal indicative of the ambient temperature. The method comprises the steps of determining the value of the internal reference voltage outputted by the reference voltage source, comparing it with the desired reference voltage value, and adjusting the reference voltage source in response to the result of the comparison step. Such an electrical voltage mode calibration can significantly reduce production costs, as it can be performed much faster than a traditional thermal calibration. The method can be applied to a sensor that produces a PTAT voltage that has to be compared to a temperature-independent bandgap reference voltage.
US07674030B2
A lighting system is described. One embodiment of the lighting system includes a light guide, a first lighting device, and a second lighting device. The light guide receives light along a transmission interface. The first lighting device has a first plurality of lighting elements coupled to a first substrate between a first pair of reflector walls. The first substrate and the first pair of reflector walls define a first exposed side of the first lighting device. The second lighting device has a second plurality of lighting elements coupled to a second substrate between a second pair of reflector walls. The second substrate and the second pair of reflector walls define a second exposed side of the second lighting device configured to match the first exposed side of the first lighting device. Using lighting devices without sidewalls illuminates a diffusion panel so that there are no dark spots.
US07674028B2
Various embodiments comprise light recycling films comprising an array of parallel ridges and grooves that form prisms that selectively reflect or transmit light. In some embodiments, the light recycling film may be used in displays that include spatial light modulators comprising a plurality of pixels. The light recycling film can limit the field-of-view of the display and enhance the luminance within that field-of-view. Various embodiments comprising multiple arrays of ridges and/or grooves can enhance uniformity of illumination of the pixels in the spatial light modulator and reduce Moiré effects.
US07674025B2
The exterior rearview mirror has a mirror head, which is provided with a mirror glass and with at least one illuminant, which radiates light through at least one light permeable section to the exterior. Furthermore, the exterior rearview mirror has a mirror base. In order to provide the exterior rearview mirror, so that the light function is performed in an optimum manner through the simple provision of the mirror, at least part of the housing of the mirror head and/or of the mirror base is comprised of at least two plastic layers, having different light permeability. In the light permeable section, the plastic layer with the lower light permeability is missing, or it only has such thickness, that the light emitted by the illuminant radiates to the exterior with sufficient light intensity. The plastic layer with higher light permeability can be used as a light pane for the illuminant disposed behind it. The plastic layer with lower light permeability can be provided to provide the transparent section with a proper color.
US07674011B2
An LED lamp includes a heat dissipation device and a plurality of LED modules. The heat dissipation device includes a heat conductive member and a fin unit. The LED modules are attached to a top surface of a first plate of the heat conductive member. The heat conductive member comprises a plurality of posts embedded in the top surface of the first plate. Peripheries of the first and second plates are in a hermetical conjunction with each other to form a chamber containing phase-changeable working fluid therein. The first plate has a plurality of receiving recessions which are depressed downwardly from the top surface thereof and respectively receive the posts. Screws are used to extend through the LED modules to threadedly engage in the posts thereby to intimately mount the LED modules on the top surface of the first plate of the heat conductive member.
US07674005B2
In an embodiment, a recessed light fixture includes a structural reflector and two end caps that form a light fixture housing. A first, second and third optics areas are provided. At least one first light source type is mounted near the first optics area. A second light source type is mounted near the second optics area and the second light source type is mounted near the third optics areas, the second light source type having a light output level substantially lower than the light output level of the first light source type. A diffuser is configured to sealably mount to the light fixture housing so as to substantially seal an interior portion of the light fixture. In operation, the light fixture can be switch between an ambient mode and an examination mode while providing a cost effective and attractive design.
US07673999B2
A backlight unit for a display device includes a frame; a first circuit board extending along one end of and on a first surface of the frame; lamps over the frame, one end of each of the lamps disposed on the first circuit board; a first line on the first circuit board and connected to the one end of each of the lamps; and a first inverter on a second surface of the frame and connected to the first line via a first hole through the frame.
US07673996B2
An image projection apparatus includes: an imaging portion that takes an image of an object; an optical element that is disposed halfway on an optical path between the object and the imaging portion, and that branches the optical path; a projection portion that projects image light onto the object through the optical element; a dust prevention cover that includes an opening on an optical axis between the object and the optical element, and that covers at least the optical element to protect the optical element from dust; and a transparent dust prevention member that is provided in the dust prevention cover to close the opening, and that has a reflection surface preventing reflection light, which is obtained by receiving the image light from the projection portion and reflecting the image light, from being incident on an entrance pupil of the imaging portion.
US07673988B2
A micro-fluid jetting device and a method of ejecting fluid mixtures onto a substrate. The micro-fluid jetting device includes a housing containing a logic circuit and fluid reservoirs for at least two different fluids. A micro-fluid ejection head is attached to a first end of the housing. The ejection head is in electrical communication with the logic circuit and the fluid reservoirs. At least two channel members are provided for directing fluid from the reservoirs to a plurality of fluid ejection nozzles in a nozzle plate member. The ejection nozzles for each of the at least two different fluids are arranged in the nozzle plate member so that adjacent ejection nozzles are in flow communication with different fluids. A power source in electrical connection with the micro-fluid ejection head is provided in the housing for activating the micro-fluid ejection head for jetting the fluids therefrom.
US07673974B2
A droplet discharging head includes a first drive unit and a base coupled to the first drive unit. The base includes a portion defining a first cavity, a portion defining a first discharging port, and a portion defining a first through hole through which the portion defining a first cavity and the portion defining a first discharging port communicate with each other. The droplet discharging head also includes a plurality of first electrode branches and a plurality of second electrode branches. The plurality of first electrode branches and the plurality of second electrode branches are disposed alternately apart from each other on a periphery of the portion defining a first discharging port, and extend on a surface of the portion defining a first through hole.
US07673969B2
In one aspect, the invention features assemblies for depositing droplets on a substrate during relative motion of the assembly and the substrate along a process direction. The assemblies include a first printhead module and a second printhead module contacting the first printhead module, each of the printhead modules including a surface that includes an array of nozzles through which the printhead modules can eject fluid droplets, wherein each nozzle in the first printhead module's nozzle array is offset with respect to a corresponding nozzle in the second printhead module's nozzle array in a direction orthogonal to the process direction.
US07673960B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program for calibration of a printer having a printed head with multiple dies creates linearization tables that compensate for different drop weight uniformities printed by die-to-die boundaries. The linearization tables are provided to a calibration routine to create an actual linearization table for ink printed by a die-to-die boundary of the print head. The calibration routine creates an actual linearization table by determining a measurement related to drop weight uniformity when the die-to-die boundary of the print head prints the ink. Based on this measurement, a pre-built linearization table is selected for compensating output drop weight and for allowing printing with a substantially uniform drop weight across the die-to-die boundary of the print head.
US07673959B2
There is provided an inkjet printing apparatus which executes a proper recovery operation in accordance with the demounting time period of an ink tank and information of the ink tank. In the inkjet printing apparatus of this invention, the demounting time period and information of the ink tank are used as parameters for determining the condition of a recovery operation after the ink tank is once demounted and thereafter mounted again. Since recovery is done in consideration of the degrees of ink evaporation and an increase in viscosity, wasteful ink consumption can be suppressed while a necessary recovery operation is performed.
US07673958B2
A method for forming an image with at least one linear array of imaging elements. Defective ones of the imaging elements associated with a particular color are detected. A first defective imaging element compensation operation is performed for portions of the image data that are associated with a first predetermined number or fewer adjacent defective imaging elements. A different second defective imaging element compensation operation is performed for portions of the image data that are associated a second predetermined number or more adjacent defective imaging elements.
US07673951B2
A track shoe fastened on a chain of the caterpillar vehicle includes a body and a buffer block. The body includes an first surface adjacent to the chain, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a third surface, a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, a groove defined on the second surface and through the third surface and the fourth surface, and the holes defined through the first surface and the second surface to communicate with the groove. The buffer block includes an embedded portion capable of being embedded within the groove of the body, and multiple lock holes defined through the buffer block to respectively communicate with the holes of the body. The buffer block is secured on the body through the embedment between the embedded portion and the groove, and secured on the chain by the fastening members within the holes and the lock holes.
US07673946B1
A hub apparatus for a bicycle wheel with improved aerodynamic mechanism is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a hub body having a parabolic shape. The hub body is disclosed approximately about a center plane of the bicycle wheel and has a plurality of retaining holes for retaining one end of bicycle spokes.
US07673943B2
A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle, including a stationary bracket and a movable bracket provided integral with a seat cushion and seat back, respectively. The movable bracket is equipped with a driving device. A speed-reduction unit is provided including an input shaft, a stationary member and a movable member. A forward-inclination mechanism is provided including a lock plate, an engaging-disengaging device and a restrictive device. The engaging-disengaging device is adapted to bring the lock plate and the movable bracket into one of an engagement state and a disengagement state. The movable bracket is connected to the stationary bracket through the speed-reduction unit and the forward-inclination mechanism. The seat reclining apparatus is further provided with a limit switch for powering off the driving device when the movable bracket and the lock plate are brought into the disengagement state.
US07673933B2
A seating unit comprises: a base; a seat; a backrest; at least one ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and ottoman; an ottoman power unit attached to the base and to the reclining mechanism; and a backrest power unit attached to the base and to the reclining mechanism. The reclining mechanism is configured to move the seating unit from the upright position to a TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally disposed in front of the seat, and from the TV position to a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is reclined relative to the seat. The ottoman power unit is configured to drive the seating unit between the upright and TV positions. The backrest power unit is configured to drive the seating unit between the TV and fully reclined positions.
US07673932B2
A headliner and bracket cooperate to define a trim edge around a vehicle sunroof. The bracket may include a lip the wraps around an edge of the headliner and trim associated with the headliner.
US07673931B2
The invention relates to a working vehicle which can improve a workability of a maintenance, inspection and the like with respect to a portion around an engine, and can tilt up a rear hood together with a tilt-up floor. An upper side of an engine (not shown) can be covered in a rear end portion side of a floor (35). A hinge mechanism (38) is arranged between a front end portion of the floor (35) and a rev-frame (25), and the floor (35) can be tilted up via the hinge mechanism (38). A rear hood (32) is coupled by hinge to a first support column (15) of a mounting bracket (4) supporting the floor (35), and is structured so as to be freely opened and closed. It is possible to tilt up the floor (35) in a state of attaching the rear hood (32), by canceling a fixed state of the mounting bracket (4) to a supporting and fixing member such as a counter weight (2) or the like.
US07673928B2
An integrated rear spoiler and hinge cover that covers a flip-glass window hinge that is not attached to the flip glass window hinge and rotates from a fully closed position to a fully open position substantially simultaneously with the flip-glass window hinge.
US07673921B2
A tonneau cover device comprises a front tonneau cover that is comprised of boards and provided on a front side of a vehicle body, a rear tonneau cover that is comprised of a rollable type of member and provided on a rear side of the vehicle body, and a slide mechanism that moves a rear end of the front tonneau cover and a front end of the rear tonneau cover substantially vertically. Accordingly, there can be provided the tonneau cover device of a vehicle, which is provided so as to extend substantially horizontally above the baggage compartment at the vehicle-body rear portion, which can pull the tonneau cover upward according to the opening-closing movement of the back door, facilitate loading of baggage when the back door is opened, and improve appearances of the back door.
US07673919B2
An apparatus may include an elongate piece of first material having flexible qualities with a flexible strip of second, more rigid, and bendable material enclosed within the first material. The apparatus may be twist-tied around equipment for relatively easy transport or may also be used to secure items in place.
US07673913B2
A golf ball retrieval tool including an elongated handle which carries at one end a cage. The cage has a first section located near the elongated section and a second section located distally from the handle and connected to the first section. The first cage section has a first opening opened in a first tool orientation to freely receive a golf ball. The second section includes a downwardly open second opening which forms a ball seating. When the tool is in the first cage orientation, the handle extends obliquely downwards beneath the horizontal plane of the cage. The cage further includes a roof structure which in response to pressing the cage generally vertically against a ball generates on the ball a wedging action such as to drive the ball into the second section where the ball can be received in the ball seating.
US07673911B2
A safety type quick connector has a body, a socket base, a moving base, a pushing assembly, an outer sleeve, multiple springs, multiple first balls and second balls. The socket base is connected to the tubular body and has an inserting end, a connecting end, multiple ball slots and ball bores. The moving base is movably mounted in the socket chamber and has a closed end, an open end, a sealing flange, multiple ball holes and at least one vent. The sealing flange is formed around the closed end and abuts against and closes the connecting end of the socket base. The pushing assembly is movably mounted in the moving base. Accordingly, the moving base can be kept stationary when a plug is inserted into the connector and pushes the pushing assembly to move, and this can keep air from leaking.
US07673910B2
An extendable fluid transport apparatus for conveyance of a fluid to a remote surface. A rigid fluid tube (300) receives fluid and is in fluid communication and interconnection with a flexible flex tube (400) which is in fluid communication and interconnection with a connection means proximal a telescoping tube (200) second end for conveyance of a fluid, including paint, to a distant surface. The telescoping tube (200) is slidably received into a casing (100). The flex tube is received through a casing slot (120) and a telescoping tube slot (240) into the telescoping tube.
US07673895B1
A converter apparatus for connecting a fifth wheel-type trailer to a towing vehicle having a ball hitch extending above a bed thereof, the apparatus including a horizontal first body member; a clamping mechanism releasably securing the first body member to the ball hitch; a mounting member having a horizontal second body member fixedly secured perpendicularly to and above the first body member, a pair of horizontal arm members perpendicular to and extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of the second body member, and a pair of horizontal arm extension members extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of each of the arm members; a fifth wheel hitch mechanism; and securing mechanisms releasably securing the fifth wheel hitch mechanism to the arm extension members of the arm members.
US07673894B2
A trailer hitch includes multiple hitch connectors for connecting the trailer to a towing vehicle in different ways. The trailer hitch includes multiple connectors at distal ends of the hitch body. The trailer hitch can be position such that either end is facing the towing vehicle. Mounting plates secure the trailer hitch to the trailer frame and may be adjustable vertically to raise or lower the height of the trailer hitch with respect to the trailer frame.
US07673889B2
An apparatus for transporting and handling a cargo platform is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having a cradle beam that receives the cargo platform. The cradle beam supports a lower surface of the cargo platform. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism operably associated with the cradle beam and actuates to securely fasten the cargo platform to the frame when the cargo platform is rested upon the cradle beam. The apparatus also includes a plurality of wheel assemblies for wheeling the frame along a ground surface.
US07673887B2
A self-loading tow dolly is described. The inventive tow dolly permits components of the dolly to be easily removed and replaced. The inventive tow dolly also reduces overall weight by using aluminum slotted hubs mated with 8-inch aluminum slotted wheels and by employing dissimilar materials that do not require welding and improves lubrication by providing strategically placed lubricant ports and lubricant reservoirs for rotating components.
US07673883B2
The invention concerns a method and a device for the adjustment of wheel camber in commercial vehicles, particularly wheeled construction vehicles used for earthworks, particularly on uneven ground. The camber angle is set inventively and automatically by means of a camber cylinder and a wheel pivot unit, as a function of at least one of the driving parameters. For this purpose, the driving parameters, e.g. the axle swing angle, the steering lock angle, the lateral force on the vehicle wheels on the front axle and the absolute inclination of the construction vehicle are detected by sensors, the output signals of which are fed to an electronic control unit as input parameters. The camber angle sets itself as a function of the setting signal from the electronic control unit by means of a camber cylinder and a wheel pivot unit, in accordance with specified control strategies. As well as the self-setting wheel camber adjustment system, the camber cylinder is embodied so that it can still be operated manually.
US07673879B2
An arm support mountable onto a video machine housing has a first portion configured for resting on a console of the video game machine without blocking the machine's interactive controls. An optional second portion is unitary connected to the first portion and extends downwardly therefrom, partially extending along the front of the machine. The contact surfaces of the support are soft and pliant, allowing reduction of stress on the user's hands, wrists and arms. An optional food support tray is secured to the first portion and provides support for auxiliary items within easy reach of the user.
US07673875B2
Based on the type of sheet and the detection result of double feed, carrying a sheet is stopped. Carrying of a predetermined type of sheet is not stopped even when double feed is detected. The predetermined type of sheet is a sheet having air space inside thereof (an envelope, an OHP sheet, Kent paper, or the like).
US07673855B2
In one aspect, a steam humidifier is disclosed. The steam humidifier includes a tank for containing water to be heated to generate steam and a water connection manifold that has a manifold chamber in fluid communication with a water supply passage and a water drain passage. The steam humidifier further includes a rotary valve that is configured to control a fluid passage between the tank and the manifold chamber and that is further configured to control the position of one or more locking features. The rotary valve is rotatable between a first locked position and a second unlocked position. In the first locked position, the fluid passage between the tank and the manifold chamber is open and the one or more locking features are engaged with a structure of the steam humidifier. In the second unlocked position, the fluid passage between the tank and the manifold chamber is closed and the one or more locking features are disengaged from the structure of the steam humidifier. Other aspects are disclosed.
US07673854B2
A foam-forming unit is disclosed. The foam-forming unit includes a mixing chamber communicating with the outlet of a pump for the purpose of mixing liquid and air, and includes a dispensing part provided with an outflow channel with a foam opening for dispensing foam, wherein the outflow channel is in communication with the mixing chamber. Further, a first foam-forming element is included, arranged in the outflow channel such that the foam flowing through the outflow channel passes through the foam-forming element at least twice. The dispensing part is further provided with a spout element in which is located the final part of the outflow channel and the foam opening. Finally, the outflow channel includes a cavity after the first passage through the first foam-forming element, which cavity lies before the spout element as seen in flow direction.
US07673846B2
A pressure regulating valve includes a body having an outer surface, the interior of the body defining an inlet chamber adapted to receive a fluid at a process pressure, and an outlet chamber. The body includes at least one inlet passage communicating with the inlet chamber and the outer surface, and at least one outlet passage communicating with the outer surface and the outlet chamber. A reference housing is adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a fluid at a predetermined reference pressure. An annular membrane is disposed between the body and the reference housing, so as to circumscribe the inlet and outlet passages. The membrane is arranged such that, when the reference pressure is higher than the process pressure the membrane engages at least one outlet passage, and when the process pressure is higher than the reference pressure, the membrane is not engaged with the outlet passage.
US07673845B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a leveling assembly configured to be secured to an appliance. The leveling assembly supports the appliance on a floor, and includes a base having a column integrally connected to a ledge, which is integrally connected to a stem. The assembly also includes a spring positioned around the stem, and a sleeve secured to the stem and positioned around the spring. The spring exerts equal and opposite forces into the sleeve and the ledge, respectively.
US07673834B2
A vortex ring generator adapted to be associated with a body subjected to fluid flow, the vortex ring generator being adapted to produce a fluid flow in the form of a vortex ring with the fluid flow moving over the body from the vortex ring generator.
US07673830B2
A tape cartridge is provided having an improved fit between a reel hole and a drive shaft of a drive. A reel hole that fits with a drive shaft provided in a drive for rotationally driving a reel is formed in the reel. The drive shaft includes a fitting shaft that fits with the reel hole and a guide shaft that enters the reel hole before the fitting shaft and has an outer dimension increasing toward the fitting shaft. A chamfered portion is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the reel hole. The chamfered portion is constituted by an inclined face joining an inner peripheral face of the reel hole to the surface in which the reel hole is formed. When the reel hole is viewed from a side facing an opening portion of the reel hole, a portion of the reel hole that fits with the fitting shaft has a polygonal shape, and the inclined face contains a portion in which the width of the inclined face varies along an edge of the polygonal shape.
US07673821B2
A gyratory crusher includes a crushing head on which a first crushing shell is mounted, and a frame on which a second crushing shell is mounted. The second crushing shell defines, together with the first crushing shell, a crushing gap. The gyratory crusher includes a space adapted to hold a liquid. The space is defined by a piston and a cylinder, any one of the piston and the cylinder being formed at least partly of a substantially vertical shaft around which the crushing head is arranged. The space is adapted to form, together with the liquid, a cushion, thereby enabling the cushion to serve as a thrust bearing and transmit vertical forces from the crushing head to the frame.
US07673813B2
A portable spray apparatus (1) is provided to selectively discharge liquid spray medium and solid dust medium with a blower airflow (7) generated by a blower (6). An adaptor (8) is provided which has at least a channel section (9) of a liquids channel (10) for the liquid spray medium and a channel section (11) of a solids channel (12) for the solid dust medium. The adaptor (8) is releasably connected to a supply vessel (4). The liquids channel (10) and the solids channel (12) open into the blower airflow (7). Various built-in positions of the supply vessel (4) and of the adaptor (8) are freely selectable relative to each other and to the blower unit (3) by the operator. In one built-in position, the liquids channel (10) is connected via its channel section (9) to an interior space (13) of the supply vessel (4) and, in another built-in position, the solids channel (12) is connected to this interior space (13) via the channel section (11) thereof.
US07673808B2
A thermostatic cartridge regulates hot and cold fluids to be mixed, and a mixer tap one such cartridge. The cartridge includes two disks which are used to adjust the flow of hot and cold fluids and which each include a passage for hot fluid, a passage for cold fluid, and a passage for a mixture of both. The disks are movably joined to one another. One of the disks is connected in rotation to a member for controlling the flow of the mixture, while the other is fixed. In order to do without a turbulator in the cartridge, the flow section for the mixture through the disks, which is defined by stacking passages for the mixture in the joining plane of the disks, varies according to the configuration of the control member. The majority of the thermo sensitive part of a thermostatic regulation element is positioned upstream of the disk joining plane in the direction of flow of the mixture.
US07673795B2
Generating a series of digits corresponding to a personal identification number (PIN) of a user for unified messaging access to personal information management (PIM) data. Data involved in the generation of the series of digits along with the series of digits are stored for subsequent use during authentication of the user and PIN updates.
US07673792B2
A system for performing a money transfer receive transaction includes a receive transaction staging device which provides a recipient with access to a financial services institution in order to receive transaction details from the recipient. The system also includes a data base for storing transaction details and a receive control code, wherein the transaction details include a receive amount, and wherein the receive control code corresponds to the transaction details stored on the data base. The system further includes a receive transaction fulfillment device in communication with the data base to retrieve the receive control code and the transaction details from the data base based on the receive control code. The data base verifies the receive control code and authorizes the receive transaction fulfillment device to issue cash or another negotiable instrument corresponding to at least a portion of the receive amount.
US07673787B2
Featured is a case storage container formed from cardboard material. The case storage container includes a rectangular base unit having a base length and a base width with a front wall folded upwardly along a folded front edge of the base length, a back wall folded upwardly along a folded back edge of the base length having a pair of holes running lengthwise and centered upon the back wall forming a handle for one hand to carry the storage container and wherein the back wall includes at least one cover slot and integral cover secure flap extending from within the at least one cover slot, an outer cover panel extension to the front wall having a pair of cover widths and a pair of cover lengths folded in a spaced and parallel relationship to the rectangular base along a folded top edge of the front wall and having at least one cover tuck flap with an integral cover secure slot both cooperating with the at least one cover slot and integral cover secure flap respectively, an inner cover panel extension to the back wall having a pair of widths and a pair of lengths folded along a folded top edge of the back wall and directly under the back wall also having a pair of holes running lengthwise and centered therewith forming a reinforcement for the handle for the storage container, a pair of front side panels each extending laterally and inwardly along a scored side edge of the front wall and having side panel tab on the top edge of each front side panel, a pair of back side panels each extending laterally and inwardly along a scored side edge of the back wall and having side panel tab on the top edge of each front side panel and a pair of end walls each extending upwardly along the base widths.
US07673783B2
A medical agent dispensing system can be provided that may be structured for use with a surgical severing/stapling instrument that is designed for severing and stapling tissue. The dispensing system may include at least one storage reservoir structured for storing at least a component of a medical agent; a gear pump casing in communication with the storage reservoir; a screw pump auger positioned within the gear pump casing capable of rotational manipulation to move the medical agent through the gear pump casing; and, at least one agent tube in communication with the gear pump casing. The agent tube may be structured for communication with a least one agent port formed in a staple cartridge of the surgical instrument for dispensing the medical agent therethrough.
US07673782B2
A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.
US07673781B2
A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling device. The stapling device has an actuator that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil that is moveable between open and closed positions. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a first plurality of staple drivers. Each staple driver has an upper staple supporting surface for supporting one of the staples such that, when actuated, each staple driver drives the staple into the anvil. The upper staple supporting surface supports staples of different wire diameters in an upright position.
US07673780B2
An articulation joint for use in connection with a surgical instrument that has a portion that must be passed through a trocar or similar structure and then articulated relative to another portion of the instrument received within the trocar. Various embodiments of the articulation joint provide structures for increasing the moment arm between the actuator and the pivot point between the proximal and distal tube segments interconnecting a handle assembly of the surgical instrument to a surgical implement such as an end effector of an endocutter.
US07673778B2
The invention is directed to a pill cutter that has a protected cutting edge. The pill cutter includes a guard, a base, and a cover. The components are arranged such that the guard slides over the cutting edge when the pill cutter is in an open position and the guard exposes the cutting edge when the pill cutter is in a closed position. The invention is also directed at a method for assembling the pill cutter and a method of using the pill cutter to cut a pill or tablet.
US07673775B2
An apparatus for dispensing and mixing fluids from multiple cartridges into a removable container, based on the user input through the provided interface. The user interface allows viewing and adjusting of the mix to be dispensed prior to the actual dispensing. The apparatus is capable of dispensing fluids that have a wide range of viscosities, and that are sticky or that solidify quickly due to the evaporation of the volatile substances they contain.
US07673768B2
A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate portion extending radially outward from the annular countersink, a step portion extending radially upward and outward from the arcuate portion, a first transitional portion extending radially outward from the step portion, a second transitional portion extending radially outward and upward from the first transitional portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the second transitional portion.
US07673763B1
A locking cap and container is provided for a container having an opening surrounded by a neck with container threads thereon that are sized and located to threadingly engage cap threads formed on a skirt of the cap. A shaped distal end is formed on a distal end of the container threads and a barb is formed on the distal end of the cap threads. A resilient locking tab extends from the container, and is located below the shaped distal end and spaced apart from the shaped distal end a distance sufficient to allow passage of the barb beyond the shaped distal end but sufficiently close to resiliently urge the barb into overlapping rotational alignment with the shaped end. The shaped end is configured to lockingly engage the barb when the tab holds them in alignment. Pushing down on the cap pushes the thread against the locking tab and allows disengagement of the barb from the shaped distal end and movement of the barb past the shaped distal end to unlock the cap.
US07673756B2
This invention relates to a modular purification system having a disposable sump assembly and an improved flow distribution plate. The system is readily adaptable to a variety of configurations without the need for repiping or replumbing of the installation, and lends itself to the use of multiple purification techniques.
US07673738B2
A steerable, retractable power drive unit (SRPDU) is provided for installation into a transport vehicle for moving cargo in mutually perpendicular directions, such as a doorway area where containers need to move both laterally and longitudinally in a cargo vehicle. The SRPDU rotates upon application of an external command, to orient the drive unit in the required direction and to drive the cargo containers. Embodiments include an SRPDU comprising a stationary support for fixedly attaching to a vehicle structure, and a rotating support rotatably mounted to the stationary support. A drive assembly is movably mounted to the rotating support, the drive assembly comprising a roller and a first electronically controlled electric motor for rotating the roller. A lift assembly mounted to the drive assembly has a second electronically controlled electric motor for moving the drive assembly relative to the rotating support from a retracted position substantially within the rotating support to an extended position with the roller in driving abutment against the cargo. A rotation drive assembly has a third electronically controlled electric motor on the rotating support for rotating the rotating support relative to the stationary support. An electronic controller controls the first, second and third motors.
US07673735B2
In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.
US07673717B2
An anti-theft device includes a first steering column, a second steering column, a clutch and an actuating unit. The first steering column is connected to a steering wheel. The second steering column is connected to a universal joint. The actuating unit moves the clutch between a first position for connecting the first steering column to the second steering column and a second position for disconnecting the first steering column from the second steering column.
US07673713B2
A dual purpose mobile machine is disclosed. The mobile machine may have a power source configured to propel the mobile machine and generate electrical power for use offboard the mobile machine. The machine may also have a work tool driven by the power source.
US07673712B2
A power transmission system for a working vehicle comprises: a vehicle frame; a prime mover mounted on the vehicle frame; a pair of left and right drive wheels; a pair of left and right transaxles juxtaposed on the vehicle frame, wherein each of the left and right transaxles includes a single axle for individually driving each of the left and right drive wheels in forward and rearward directions; a working device; and a working power clutch unit disposed between the left and right transaxles so as to clutch on/off power transmitted from the prime mover to the working device. The working power clutch unit includes: a driving side rotary mechanism for receiving power from the prime mover; the driving side rotary mechanism having one or more first rotors interlocking with each other; a driven side rotary mechanism for outputting power to the working device, the driven side rotary mechanism having one or more second rotors interlocking with each other; and a hydraulic clutch drivingly interposed between the driving side rotary mechanism and the driven side rotary mechanism, and incorporated in the working power clutch unit.
US07673708B2
A ball-activated mechanism adapted to be incorporated in a drillstring and to control the activation, and de-activation of a downhole tool. The mechanism includes a ball seat that receives surface launched activation balls and moves to activate or deactivate the downhole tool, an indexable latching device, and a linearly displaceable actuator co-operable with the indexable latching device, the actuator allowing pressure fluid communication to activate the tool when the actuator is in its activating position. Upon launch of a first activation ball, the ball seat moves so that the latching device carries out indexing movement to a latched position and moves the actuator moves to its activating position so that the downhole tool can be activated. Upon launch of a second activation ball, the latching device undergoes return movement and returns the ball seat to its first position and the actuator moves to deactivate the downhole tool.
US07673704B2
A coring device includes a primary and a secondary bit that drill a first and second depth into a formation, respectively. The first and second bits are positioned on telescopically arranged mandrels that are rotated by a suitable rotary drive. The coring tool also includes a drive device that extends the first bit and the second bit a first depth into the formation and extends only the second bit a second depth into the formation. In arrangements, the actuating device can include a first hydraulic actuator applying pressure to extend the second bit into the formation and a second hydraulic actuator applying pressure to retract the second bit from the formation. The advancement and retraction of the first and second bits can be controlled by a control unit that uses sensor signals, timers, preprogrammed instruction and any other suitable arrangement.
US07673698B2
A gardening hand tool for digging holes is provided. The tool further comprises a pair of shovel blades aligned parallel to each other and are pivotally attached to the bottom of a shaft member. A handle is attached to the upper end of a shaft member and is pivotally connected to the shovel blades.
US07673697B2
A sod-laying machine having a low center of gravity and a seated operator position adjacent the roll of sod being placed. The superior visibility available to the operator makes it possible to place the sod more accurately and with less need for subsequent adjustment than has been possible previously. The machine has sod roll lifting arms that can be spaced apart to lift and place rolls having any of the common large sod roll widths. The machine can be configured to lay sod that is rolled with either the grass side or the dirt side outermost. Propulsion, roll lifting and roll width adjustment is hydraulic with continuously variable speed drive. Turf scuffing is minimized by trailing caster wheels and independently controllable drive wheels mounted close to the location of the sod roll.
US07673694B2
The invention relates to an inertization device for establishing and maintaining an inertization level in a protective room. The inertization device has a controllable inert gas system for providing inert gas, a first supply pipe system connected to the inert gas system and the protective room to supply the inert gas to the protective room, and a control unit to control the inert gas system such that a presettable inertization level is established and maintained inside the protective room. In order to raise the inertization level inside the protective room rapidly to an accessibility level without requiring major structural measures, a valve controlled by the control unit is connected to the inert gas system and the first supply pipe system to supply the exhaust air prepared by the inert gas system as fresh air to the protective room.
US07673683B2
A well tool having a magnetically coupled position sensor. In operation of a well tool, relative displacement is produced between members of the well tool. A magnetically coupled position sensor includes one magnet assembly attached to a member for displacement therewith and another magnet assembly movably attached to the other member and magnetically coupled to the first magnet assembly for displacement therewith. The position sensor further includes a magnetically permeable material which increases a magnetic flux density between the magnet assemblies. In another position sensor, one magnet assembly includes a magnet having a pole axis, the other magnet assembly includes another magnet having another pole axis, and the pole axes are aligned with each other.
US07673681B2
Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. The tar sands formation may have one or more karsted zones. Methods may include providing heat from one or more heaters to one or more karsted zones of the tar sands formation to mobilize fluids in the formation. At least some of the mobilized fluids may be produced from the formation.
US07673661B2
A sensing system for a refrigerator dispensing system is used to sense the presence, positioning, height and shape of a container placed in a dispensing well. When the presence of the container is sensed in the dispensing well and the container is properly positioned relative to a dispensing nozzle of the well, a dispensing operation can be performed. The actual dispensing operation is regulated based on the height and shape of the container. In this manner, dispensing operations can only be performed when a container is appropriately arranged in the dispensing well and the dispensing operation will be timely terminated based the size and shape of particular container employed.
US07673655B1
A system and method for repairing and reinforcing a pipeline includes a pair of opposing composite wrap bands that are located on the external surface of the pipeline and positioned a predetermined horizontal distance from a defect area. A composite wrap is then applied over the bands to create a bridge that spans the bands and forms a cavity above the defect area. The bridge eliminates the need to clean the surface of the pipeline directly over the defect area. A second pair of bands located on the external surface of the bridge provides structural support. An actuator within the bridge monitors the pressure within the cavity and activates upon the presence of internal pressure, indicating a through-wall defect has occurred. A fitting may also be inserted into the bridge in order to pressurize the cavity and test the repair.
US07673653B2
A check valve is provided, including a first hose connector housing defining an entry passage extending into an entry space at least partially defined by an annular valve seat, a second hose connector housing coupled with the first hose connector housing and defining an exit passage, and a generally flexible perforated membrane disk positioned between the first and second hose connector housings such that the membrane disk selectively engages the valve seat.
US07673652B2
There is provided a circuit configuration which does not require an additional fail-safe mechanism caused by the addition of a changeover valve in a hydraulic pressure control device for an automatic transmission having a function to directly supply a line pressure and hold (lock) an engaging pressure by combinations of electromagnetic valves and changeover valves.A changeover valve 20 is disposed between an output port 12 and a feedback port 13 of a linear solenoid valve 10 of the hydraulic pressure control device for an automatic transmission. The changeover valve 20 operates depending on at least an output pressure from the output port, and is switched between (1) a first state (control mode) in which a pressure Pc corresponding to an indicator current is outputted through the linear solenoid valve 10 by bringing the output port into communication with the feedback port, and (2) a second state (lock mode) in which a line pressure PL is outputted through the linear solenoid valve 10 by bringing the feedback port 13 into communication with a drain passage EX and discharging oil from the feedback port.
US07673651B2
The device comprises a stationary body which has, defined inside it, a passage for a flow of liquid with at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening for the flow and in which at least one valve seat directed towards the outlet opening is defined in the vicinity of the inlet opening and in a middle portion of which a shaped transverse annular surface is formed. A movable body is arranged in the passage and co-operates in the manner of a flow throttling member with the transverse annular surface so as to define for the liquid flowing from the inlet opening to the outlet opening a flow cross section variable depending on the pressure of the liquid at the inlet of the support body. The movable body co-operates moreover in the manner of a obturator with the seat and a return spring tends to push it against this seat away from said shaped annular surface.
US07673643B2
A collapsible canopy frame is provided that includes elongated side poles each having a side and an end; and a plurality of wheel assemblies each having a mounting post and a wheel. The mounting post of each wheel assembly is supported on and extends transverse to a corresponding one of the elongated side poles.
US07673640B2
A crutch-like mobility assist device includes a vertical support assembly, a footer assembly attached to a lower connection member of the vertical support assembly, and a tiltable underarm support mechanism connected to an upper connection member of the vertical support assembly, the tiltable underarm support mechanism including a base plate which is rotatable relative to the vertical support assembly, a saddle, and two damper devices between the base plate and the saddle which enable the saddle to tilt forwardly and rearwardly, as well as laterally relative to the vertical support assembly. The tiltable underarm support mechanism is itself usable on crutches of conventional construction.
US07673639B2
A washing arm and a dishwasher having the washing nozzle are provided. The washing arm includes a first arm capable of rotating by wash liquid flowing therethrough, and a second arm rotating with respect to the first arm through wash liquid supplied from the first arm.
US07673636B2
A loose powder container is provided. The powder container includes a cap and a receptacle for storing the loose powder. The cap includes a brush integrated into the cap. The cap also comprises two sections, such that, in an initial position an upper section is aligned with respect to a lower section of the cap. Clockwise rotation of the upper section in order to misalign it with the lower section of the cap, results in the brush protruding from the cap. The brush is completely protruded when the upper section of the cap is re-aligned with the lower section of the cap upon a 180 degree rotation in the clockwise direction. The fully protruded brush is twirled around to pick loose powder through a perforated layer comprised in the receptacle. The brush is retracted upon anti-clockwise rotation of the upper section, to align it in the initial position with the lower section.
US07673625B2
A toy projectile launching device for launching toy projectiles includes a spring shaped as a hollow hemisphere that is capable of being at least partially inverted from a primary normally convex position to a secondary at least partially inverted loaded position. Upon release, the spring snaps back to the primary position, thereby launching the toy projectile.
US07673620B2
A cylinder head cover, on which a breather chamber wall and control valve device are mounted is not enlarged while the capacity of a breather chamber is increased. For an internal combustion engine, control valve devices, which control the operation of a hydraulic valve stop mechanism that serves as a cylinder stop mechanism, and an outer chamber wall of a breather chamber wall that forms a breather chamber into which a blow-by gas flows, project in a predetermined direction and are mounted on the outer surface of a top wall of a cylinder head cover. When viewed in the predetermined direction, the outer chamber wall has an overlap section that overlaps with a part of the control valve device. Therefore, the overlap section is covered in the particular direction by the control valve device.
US07673618B2
A control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of estimating a property of fuel accurately even when the engine is in an operating condition other than idling. An in-cylinder pressure sensor detects an amount of change in pressure in a cylinder #1 of the engine as a pressure change amount. An ECU calculates an amount of heat released in the cylinder #1 as a heat release amount, according to the pressure change amount. A vehicle speed sensor, a crank angle sensor, and an accelerator pedal opening sensor detect load on the engine. The ECU estimates a cetane number of fuel based on the calculated heat release amount and the detected load on the engine.
US07673617B2
The invention relates to an internal-combustion engine, notably an indirect-injection supercharged engine, that can run with a burnt gas scavenging stage, comprising at least a cylinder (10) including a combustion chamber (12), non-carbureted air intake passage (16) with an air intake valve (24), carbureted air intake passage (14) with a carbureted air intake valve (22), burnt gas exhaust passage (28) with an exhaust valve (32), an exhaust camshaft (36) for controlling the exhaust passage (28), an intake camshaft (44) for controlling the air intake passage (16) and the carbureted air intake passage (14).
US07673609B2
In an internal combustion engine in which air-intake valves reciprocate in parallel to the direction of reciprocal motion of pistons, an air-intake structure of an internal combustion engine includes an outward projection of the air-intake port that is reduced to achieve a downsizing of a cylinder head. An air-intake structure includes air-intake valves that are supported by a cylinder head having integrally formed air-intake ports so as to reciprocate in parallel with the direction of reciprocal motion of the pistons. Fuel injection devices are formed integrally with a throttle body on intake manifolds to be connected to the air-intake ports. The air-intake ports extend toward the cylinder head cover along a recess formed on the outer surface of the cylinder head that is connected to the intake manifolds at positions just before reaching the identical plane to a mating surface between the cylinder head and the cylinder head cover.
US07673603B2
When an engine operates at low engine speed, the tip end of a cam nose of an intake cam is at a second position. As the engine speed increases and exceeds a first engine speed, the tip end of the cam nose of the intake cam moves to a first position. When the engine operates at high engine speed, the tip end of the cam nose of the intake cam is at the first position. As the engine speed decreases and becomes lower than a second engine speed smaller than the first engine speed, the tip end of the cam nose of the intake cam moves to the second position different from the first position.
US07673601B2
A valve lifter assembly for deactivating a cylinder in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter assembly is provided with a plunger movably disposed within a bore of a main body member to controllably isolate the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve of the engine. The plunger is normally locked in an extended position to transmit cam lift to reciprocatingly operate the valve. At least one locking pin is moveably disposed within the plunger to engage an inner annular groove of the main body member. Pressurized oil is provided to dislodge the locking pins from the annular groove and allow the plunger to move within the main body member, thereby isolating the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve. The deactivating lifter is preferably disposed within the recess conventionally provided for hydraulic valve lifters.
US07673598B2
The invention relates to an electric camshaft adjuster for adjusting and securing the phase angle of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine with respect to its crankshaft, having a three shaft gearing which is embodied as a harmonic drive (19, 19′) of sleeve design, and a drive wheel (1) which is fixed to the crankshaft and has a first ring gear (2) as well as an output component (4) which is fixed to the camshaft and has a second ring gear (5) arranged next to the first ring gear (2) and an adjustment shaft (10, 10′, 10″, 10′″) which can be driven by an electric adjustment motor, with a wave generator (17, 17′, 17″) which has means for elliptically deforming a flexurally elastic, externally toothed sleeve (18).A way of improving a harmonic drive of sleeve design is for the expenditure on the construction of the harmonic drive (19, 19′) to be lowered by changes to the wave generator (17, 17′, 17″), and for the axial installation space thereof to be lowered by integrating the ring gears (2, 5) into the drive wheel (1) and output component (4) which are pushed axially one into the other.
US07673585B1
A decorative cat litter box enclosure having a furniture like appearance with a pivotal ramp having a lip on three side and a mesh-like material extending between the sides so that when the ramp is closed the interior ramp edge arcs over the litter box depositing any captive litter from the cat's paws back into the litter box. Also provided is a based positioned hinged door to access the litter box which has a plastic liner and drawstring that work in conjunction with an extendable retractable latch located on the exterior front that when extended prevents removal of the litter box while the drawstring is used to close the plastic liner bag. The latch is then retracted and the litter bag is removed for disposal. Also provided on the exterior surface are a plurality of hooks for attaching accessory items as desired by the user which may include dust pan, brush and rubber gloves along with attachable removable food and water dishes. Other decorative elements may be included such as interior scenic landscapes in bright colors and a plant placed on the exterior top of the housing.
US07673571B2
The present planter unit, and planter implements using the present planter unit, include first and second discs and first and second pathways. The first and second discs may be generally planar and in a non-overlapping relation. As the planter unit is towed through a field, the first disc creates a first trench in the seedbed and the first pathway deposits a first material in the first trench. Subsequently, the second disc creates a second trench which is continuous with the first trench and partially fills the first trench. A second material is deposited in the second trench by the second pathway.
US07673563B2
In the case of a sheet-transporting gripper configuration in a sheet-processing machine, e.g. printing machine, it is provided that a low-mass gripper housing contains thin side walls enclosing a gripper shaft such that imaginary extensions of leaf springs provided intersect at a point on a straight line which passes through gripper tips and a gripper-shaft axis. The point of intersection is located on the far side of the gripper-shaft axis, as seen from the gripper tips.
US07673562B2
A structure and method of using a reusable master printing plate is described. In one embodiment, the method uses an electric field to control a series of microvalves. The microvalves control a fluid flow that raises or lowers selected regions on a flexible printing surface to create a desired relief pattern. After creating the relief pattern, the pattern is fixed and used for printing. After completion of printing, the relief pattern is removed from the master printing plate and the printing plate may be reused by applying a new pattern.
US07673553B2
An improved barrel link for consistently and reliably placing a barrel of a semi-automatic pistol into battery is disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention extends the width of the barrel link beyond that of the receiving channel of the barrel lug legs so as to substantially equal the exterior dimension of the barrel lug. In addition, the portions of the barrel link extending beyond the width of the channel of the barrel lug are designed to provide multiple points of contact with the front face of the barrel lug in both vertical and horizontal positions so as to reliably and consistently place the barrel into battery. The additional width of the barrel link and additional contact between the link and barrel lug aids in stabilizing lateral and rotational forces prolonging the life of the weapon.
US07673552B2
The present invention relates to a countermeasure system having a substantially vertical launch tube that is at least generally rotatable about a vertical reference axis that extends through and along a length of the launch tube. This rotation capability of the launch tube may be used to affect an aiming of an associated countermeasure cartridge at least generally disposed therein. One or both the launch tube and countermeasure cartridge of this countermeasure system are generally equipped with a rotation inhibitor for substantially preventing independent rotation of the countermeasure cartridge relative to the launch tube at least when the countermeasure cartridge is disposed within the launch tube. The present invention is also designed to enable the associated countermeasure cartridge to be pitched over to a predetermined pitch angle (relative to the reference axis of the launch tube) to affect a desired flight path after launch of the countermeasure cartridge.
US07673550B2
A formable fiber-reinforced composite having an inner core of fiber-reinforced composite surrounded by a sheath of fiber-reinforced composite material. The inner core of fiber-reinforced composite has a plurality of longitudinally extending fibers disposed in a resin matrix material and formed in the shape of a rod. The sheath has woven or braided fibers impregnated with a resin matrix material in the form of a sleeve. A method of manufacturing the formable fiber-reinforced composite material is provided. The longitudinally extending fibers in resin matrix material is cured to provide a solid rod. A sheath is placed around the rod. The rod with sheath is treated (e.g., heat, chemical solution, or both) to remove the resin matrix material. Thereafter, the rod and sheath are impregnated with a resin matrix material. The resin is left uncured or partially cured to provide a formable fiber-reinforced composite material. The formable material may be flattened.
US07673549B2
The present invention relates to a guide rail assembly for securement of a tube cutting apparatus for cutting of boiler tube walls to a fixed point on a tube wall, while allowing lateral repositioning of a cutting tool relative to the tube wall. The assembly includes a guide rail having a convex surface along which a carriage having a cutting device may be fixedly positioned by mating friction engagement of a concave surface of pairs of linear guide blocks secured to the carriage with the convex surface of the guide rail.
US07673541B2
Colored razor blades are provided. Methods for manufacturing such blades are also provided, including methods involving depositing an oxide coating prior to heat treatment of the blade material and heat treating under conditions selected to enhance the color of the coating.
US07673540B2
A debris apparatus and method are provided for collecting small particle debris such as dust and dirt from a transmission apparatus. The transmission apparatus can include a housing having a drive shaft channel for receiving a drive shaft. The debris pocket can include one or more radial ribs, which can be spaced apart when there are two or more, disposed peripherally along an inner wall of the drive shaft channel. The debris pocket can collect small particle debris so that at least a portion of the debris is prevented from further movement along the drive shaft channel where it could potentially interfere with desirable rotational movement of the drive shaft.
US07673538B2
Provided is a pedal system that can adjust control pedals on the basis of driver's physical conditions. The adjustable pedal system includes a support bracket that includes a guide groove formed in a substantially vertical direction and a predetermined hole, and is connected to a vehicle; a linear actuator that includes a drive arm linearly movable in a substantially vertical direction and applies a driving force to the drive arm; and a pedal arm. The pedal arm has a hinge hole that is connected to the drive arm by a first pin, a sliding slot that is connected to the predetermined hole by a second pin and is formed to be inclined with respect to the guide groove, and a pedal. The hinge hole is connected to the drive arm by a first pin, and the sliding slot is connected to the predetermined hole by a second pin and is formed to be inclined with respect to the guide groove. In this case, the portion of the pedal arm near the sliding slot slides with respect to the second pin, so that the position of the pedal arm can change.
US07673534B2
The power take-off (10) applied on industrial vehicles eliminates noisiness generated by play between cogs of transmission cogwheels (14,19) when the p.t.o. is functioning non-operatively. Thanks to a special geometry of the cog directions of the cogwheels (19, 14) in the transmission gearings, play between cogs is eliminated when there is no power transmission. The play is re-established when the p.t.o. is functioning operatively, by overcoming elastic (21) means acting axially on the gearings (14), and by thus returning the gearings (14) into a normal operative position.
US07673532B2
Pipetting device for metering liquids comprising a piston actuating rod, at least one receiver for a piston head arranged on one end of the piston actuating rod and which is defined by an abutment surface for the piston head in the axial direction of the piston actuating rod, and comprises a through-opening for a piston rod opposing said piston head and a base for supporting the piston head surrounding the through-opening, at least one cylinder with a hollow space, at least one seat for holding a pipette tip, at least one through-channel connecting the hollow space of a cylinder to a through-hole in a seat and at least one piston arranged longitudinally displaceably in a cylinder with a piston rod extending through the through-opening of a receiver and a piston head at the end of the piston rod arranged in the receiver, which is positioned on the base with a lower face facing the piston rod and comprises a resilient body projecting beyond the upper face facing away from the piston rod, which does not bear against the abutment surface in an elastically compressed manner or bears against the abutment surface in a partially elastically compressed manner.
US07673530B2
A method and system of a capacitive sensor based structure and method with tilt compensation capability is disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor includes, a series of nested cantilever beams (e.g., may face each other in alternating form such that each subsequent cantilever beam is inside and oppositely facing a respective outer cantilever beam) in an upper surface of a tilt correction assembly, a spacer coupled to a contact zone of a lower surface of the tilt correction assembly, and a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface substantially parallel to the first conductive surface, wherein the spacer to cause at least one of the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface to deflect when a force is applied to a force measuring assembly above the sensor.
US07673519B1
A pressure sensor includes a first set of electrodes, a second set of electrodes, and a common electrode. The first and second sets of electrodes overlie an insulative surface, wherein the first set of electrodes represent sense capacitor bottom electrodes and the second set of electrodes represent reference capacitor bottom electrodes. The second set of electrodes is configured in an interleaved arrangement with the first set of electrodes, wherein the geometry of individual electrodes of the first set of electrodes substantially matches the geometry of individual electrodes of the second set of electrodes. In addition, the common electrode represents a sense and reference capacitor top electrode that is (i) overlying, (ii) spaced from, and (iii) configured in connection with the first and second sets of electrodes to form a common pressure cavity, wherein the common electrode includes first portions corresponding to sense membrane portions and second portions corresponding to reference membrane portions, further wherein an area of a sense membrane portion is greater than an area of a reference membrane portion.
US07673518B2
A compact absolute and gage pressure transducer consists of two sensors made from the same silicon wafer and adjacent each other on the wafer. The transducer contains a common header with a first and a second input port for receiving a first and a second pressure, respectively. The second port is directed through a reference tube into the hollow of a housing to apply pressure from the reference tube to the common sensor arrangement. The first port is directed from another surface of the housing to direct pressure to both sensor devices. One sensor operates as a gage sensor producing an output proportional to the difference between input pressures and the other sensor produces an absolute output. The sensor chip is associated with a sensor header which includes an alignment pin extending therefrom, and a guide plate with an aperture for accommodating an alignment pin.
US07673517B2
A sensor and a method for sensing a change in mass of a reflective microbeam in a sensor, the sensor having a reflective layer disposed on a substrate and spaced apart from the reflective microbeam. The microbeam receives amplitude modulated laser energy at a first wavelength and is photothermally excited into resonance at the frequency of amplitude modulation, the reflective microbridge and the reflective layer receive optical energy at a second wavelength and reflect the optical energy toward a receiver. A change in reflectivity of the microbeam at different frequencies is determined. A change in reflectivity indicates a change in resonant frequency of the microbeam. Mass of the microbeam changes when a chemoselective material on the microbeam sorbs a target chemical.
US07673512B2
An angular velocity sensor includes a base portion, three arm portions that extend as one piece from the base portion to an approximately same direction, a piezoelectric film formed on one surface of each of the arm portions, drive electrodes for excitation formed on the piezoelectric films of at least two outer arm portions, and detection electrodes for angular velocity detection formed on the piezoelectric film of at least a center arm portion. Among the three arm portions, the two outer arm portions are excited in phase, and the center arm portion is excited in opposite phase with the two outer arm portions. The drive electrodes excite the arm portions in a first direction vertical to surfaces on which the piezoelectric films are formed. The detection electrodes detect a vibration in a second direction parallel to the surfaces on which the piezoelectric films of the arm portions are formed.
US07673508B2
A thermal-type fluid flow sensor technology for measuring more precisely the temperature of the heater for an improved sensibility of detecting flow measurements. The thermal-type fluid flow sensor for measuring the air flow rate includes a heating resistive element formed on the semiconductor substrate through a first insulating layer, temperature-measuring resistive elements for heating resistive element for measuring the temperature of the heating resistive element, upstream and downstream temperature-measuring resistive elements for detecting the temperature of air on the upstream side and the downstream side of the air heated by the heating resistive element, and an air temperature measuring resistive element for measuring the temperature of the air heated by the heating resistive element, and at least the temperature-measuring resistive element for the heating resistive element is disposed in the upper layer or lower layer of the heating resistive element.
US07673502B2
A belt (3) of a continuously variable transmission comprises a pair of endless rings (2a) and plural elements (1) held between the pair of endless rings (2a). The endless rings (2) are formed of plural laminated thin plates (2a). A prestress in a compression direction is applied beforehand to the surfaces of the thin plates (2a) by a nitriding treatment. In this process, a defect part (2b) is formed as a hollow in the thin plate (2a) due to scatter in the nitriding treatment. This invention measures the depth of the defect part (2b), and if the measured depth exceeds a predetermined tolerance value, it is determined that the prestress is insufficient. Due to this determination method, a highly precise inspection of the thin plates (2a) forming the endless rings (2) can be performed in a short time.
US07673499B2
A rheometer comprises a container for receiving a material sample to be investigated, and a rotary driven rotor which can be immersed at least partially into the material sample. At least sections of an inner wall of the container are provided with a profile in order to prevent formation of a sliding layer between the material to be investigated and the inner wall. The profile is thereby formed by at least one, in particular, several profiling elements which are exchangeably held on the container.
US07673496B2
A device and method for measuring the back pressure in chemical reactor tubes includes many automated features. Inflatable tube seals may be automatically inflated. The device may measure several tubes at once. It may transmit data electronically to a remote computer for analysis and graphic display.
US07673492B2
The invention is a rebar bender that is installed in the trailer hitch of a vehicle and used to bend rebar (up to #5) at any angle and length. The rebar is bent using this tool and the strength of the person bending the rebar.
US07673487B2
There is provided a method for forming a hollow shaft with a flange directly in sheet metal. This method is a method for forming a hollow shaft having a flange portion 17 at the end thereof based on stamping performed on sheet metal 20. The method includes forming an upright portion 14 which is upright with respect to the surface of the sheet metal 20 by using a burring punch 320 and a burring die 310, and bending outward the free end portion of the upright portion 14 radially with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical portion by using a bending punch and a bending die. Here, the formed hollow shaft has the upright portion 14 protruding upright with respect to the surface and the flange portion 17 radially extending from the end of the upright portion.
US07673480B2
A washing machine including a water tub, a housing and a water vacuum break. The water tub is mounted in the housing. The housing includes an outer wall having a plurality of slots therein. The water vacuum break partially extends over a portion of the water tub. The vacuum break includes at least one retaining protrusion and at least one retaining snap associated with the at least one retaining protrusion. The at least one retaining protrusion extends over a portion of the outer wall and the at least one retaining snap has an edge that engages a portion of one of the plurality of slots.
US07673479B2
A seal assembly includes a ring component for coupling a seat component to a shaft. The ring component includes a first portion having an annular shape and configured to have a sealed engagement with the shaft. The ring component also includes a second portion having a flange extending radially outwardly therefrom. The ring component is configured to receive the seat component between the flange and the first portion and thus form a seal seat assembly. The flange is configured to mechanically lock the seat component relative to the ring component when the seal seat assembly is disposed on the shaft.
US07673469B2
A refrigerator with an ice dispenser includes a spiral type time delay unit for controlling the opening and closing of an ice duct. A duct cap opens and closes an ice duct formed in the refrigerator. A rotating shaft of the time delay unit is operably connected to the duct cap. Foldaway catching members on a rotating shaft intersect with a threaded cylindrical body. The catching members fold back to allow a quick opening of the ice duct. The catching members then interact with the threaded cylindrical body as the ice duct closes to delay the closing process.
US07673462B2
Method and apparatus (thermal controller) for controlling a thermoelectric device to affect the temperature of an internal thermal zone in a hard disk drive to enable a first heat transfer from an internal heat transfer interface included in a thermal interface to an exterior heat transfer interface thermally coupling to the exterior of said hard disk drive, and applying to enable a second heat transfer from the exterior heat transfer interface to the internal heat transfer interface. The thermoelectric device may include the thermal controller. An external cover may include the thermal controller. The hard disk drive includes the thermal controller directing the thermoelectric device. Systems including at least one of the hard disk drives. Manufacturing these apparatus and these apparatus as products of these processes are part of the invention.
US07673439B2
An agricultural machine for grouping windrows together or for windrowing products lying on the ground includes a main frame supporting a central gathering and windrowing device and two side gathering and windrowing devices connected to support arms that extend laterally during work. Each of the side support arms is articulated relative to the main frame on a substantially vertical axis about which it is foldable at an angle of approximately 90° for transport and each of the side gathering and windrowing devices is articulated on its support arm around a substantially horizontal axis about which it is foldable upwards at an angle of approximately 90° to obtain a reduced machine width for transport.
US07673438B2
A method of forming, filling, and sealing a flexible pouch with a guide pocket includes the steps of forming the pouch, and forming a first crease and second crease in the pouch that each projects outwardly and extends longitudinally from the upper edge, tapering in the direction of the lower edge. The method further includes the steps of opening and filling the pouch with the product and closing the pouch by sealing the upper edge transversely through the guide pocket, such that the first and second crease is eliminated as the upper edge is sealed.
US07673433B2
A variety of a damage-tolerant monolithic structures are disclosed, such structures having a substantially-planar element integral with or welded to one or more stiffening elements. Each stiffening element can includes a first stiffening flange having a generally rail-like structure running along the length of the planar element and one or more webbings connected to the planar element and extending away from the planar element to the stiffening flange, wherein each webbing includes a row of integral holes running along the length of the webbing, the holes being in a shape designed to hinder the propagation of a crack in the monolithic structure.
US07673432B2
This invention provides double-skin tubular structural members having fiber-reinforced polymer outer tubes, steel or otherwise generally metallic inner tubes and generally a bound aggregate such as concrete in between the tubes.
US07673425B2
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there are provided various exemplary embodiments of covers, systems and methods for covering boards and deck components. In one exemplary embodiment, a cover generally includes an upper portion and generally downwardly extending side portions. The cover's upper and side portions are configured to generally cover at least the top and sides of the outdoor deck component. The cover's side portions may include through-holes to allow venting of moisture from an area between the cover and the outdoor deck component when the cover is positioned on the outdoor deck component.
US07673422B2
A building module has an open-ended box structure and comprises a plurality of interconnected coaxial module segments. Each segment is moulded as an open-ended box structure from a composite material. The segments are held together by elongate tie bars that form part of a lifting frame and extend substantially along the length of the module. The lifting frame comprises end frames that are embedded in end segments of the modules and that are connected to each other by the tie bars.
US07673418B2
A horticultural irrigation system comprising a plant growth container. The plant growth container comprises a receptacle for a plant growth medium, a reservoir, a container inlet, a float valve and an outlet means. The container inlet supplies water to the reservoir. The float valve is adapted to close the container inlet when the water in the reservoir reaches a pre-determined level. An outlet means allows the passage of water from the reservoir to the receptacle.
US07673416B2
Planting pots and a multi-compartment tray are provided, the pots and tray having a self-orienting configuration for urging the pots into proper alignment when same are placed within compartments of the tray. The pots include angled recesses disposed radially about the bottom portion of the pots. The compartments of the tray include angled protrusions disposed radially about the bottom portion of the compartment. The angled recesses of the pot engage with the angled protrusions of the compartment when the pot is placed in the compartment to urge the pot into proper alignment. A plurality of slots are included along an upper portion of each pot for allowing optional identification tags to be inserted thereinto. The identification tags, in addition to logos, artwork, or other indicia, if included, are positioned by the self-orienting configuration of the pots and tray to face in a desired direction.
US07673409B2
A sign holder arrangement for the support of a sign from an overhead support. The holder arrangement comprises an upper sign holder assembly clamped upon an upper edge of the sign and a lower sign holder assembly clamped upon a lower edge of the sign. At least one outer support clip is disposed peripherally around the upper sign holder. The clip has a cable attached thereto and to the overhead support to hold the sign therefrom.
US07673408B2
An assembly including a substantially transparent front panel and a partially translucent screen with a partially reflective front surface positioned to face a rear side of the front panel and spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance. A first image is defined on the rear side for reflection by the front surface to provide a virtual image thereof. A back wall is positioned behind the screen and displays a second image on an exposed surface thereof facing the rear surface of the screen. The exposed surface is spaced apart from the front surface of the screen by the predetermined distance. The virtual image is located substantially in the plane of the exposed surface so that the virtual image appears to be positioned behind the screen.
US07673404B2
An electric steam iron includes a housing, a water tank within the housing, a bottom plate to which the housing is secured, a heating device in the bottom plate for heating the bottom plate, a boiling chamber inside the bottom plate, and a further independent steam boiler above the bottom plate, and having an inlet in fluid communication with the water tank and an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the boiling chamber, such that steam from the steam boiler will be supplied to the boiling chamber in the bottom plate and further heated by the high temperature of the bottom plate, so that little drops in the steam will be fully boiled, thereby providing a high purity of the steam sprayed out of the bottom plate.
US07673398B2
A shoe for sports that includes a shoe upper portion that is adapted to cover a user's foot, a ground friction device that is adapted to increase friction on a ground and an outer sole that is adapted to surround the user's foot together with the shoe upper portion. The outer sole includes one or more through holes, a top surface that supports the user's foot and a bottom surface. The ground friction device is assembled to the outer sole by being inserted into the through holes. The through hole includes a hole threaded portion, a lower end that is adjacent to the bottom surface of the outer sole and an upper end that is adjacent to the top surface of the outer sole.
US07673389B2
Cold plate apparatuses and methods of fabrication are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronics component. The fabrication approach includes: forming a tube with a first metal and having first and second ends with a heat transfer region disposed therebetween; positioning the heat transfer region of the tube within a mold and casting a heat sink member around the tube by contacting a second metal in molten form over the tube, wherein the first and second metals react peritectically to form an alloy layer between the tube and the heat sink member, and a metallurgical bond is formed between the tube and heat sink member with cooling of the molten second metal; and controlling casting of the heat sink member to minimize a thickness of the alloy layer to enhance a heat transfer characteristic of the metallurgical bond formed between the tube and the heat sink member.
US07673388B2
This is a method of forming a fracture start portion of a ductile metal part on an inner circumferential face of a through hole by irradiating laser to an opposing position of the inner circumferential face of the thorough hole of the ductile metal part having a predetermined through hole and by forming a large number of recess portions separated with a predetermined distance at a predetermined interval from one opening to the other opening of the through hole, in which a recess part is formed, instead of by focusing the laser exactly onto the inner circumferential face of the through hole, by irradiating it onto the inner circumferential face of the through hole while defocusing from the inner circumferential face of the through hole by a predetermined amount as well as by supplying an assist gas to a position of the laser irradiation, and the laser is moved linearly at a predetermined speed from one side opening to the other side opening on the inner circumferential face of the through hole while irradiating the laser onto the inner circumferential face of the through hole at a predetermined pulse.
US07673382B2
A method of forming an external electrode of an electronic component involving: a paste preparation step, a removal step, an element preparation step, a contact step, and a formation step. A jig with a groove into which an element forming the electronic component can be inserted is prepared. A conductive paste is filled in the groove, and then removed, so as to leave the conductive paste along a first wall surface of the groove and remove the rest. Then, element immediately above the groove is located, and inserted into the groove and moved toward the first wall surface. Finally, the element is moved along the first wall surface and toward the aperture in a state in which the ridgeline of the element is kept in contact with the first wall surface, and moved away from the first wall surface so as to separate the ridgeline from the first wall surface.
US07673380B2
A method for making a rotor for a permanent magnet motor, the method, in at least certain aspects, including connecting a series of a plurality of guides to a hollow rotor body, the guides spaced-apart and extending longitudinally of the rotor body, the rotor body being generally cylindrical with an interior surface, applying a plurality of magnets to the interior surface of the rotor body, and emplacing a shunt structure over the plurality of magnets to inhibit inter-magnet action during rotor assembly.
US07673379B1
A method of producing a stent-balloon assembly is disclosed which includes providing a stent having a polymeric component; exposing the stent to a relative humidity of 20% to 100%; and crimping the stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly. The polymeric component could be at least part of the material from which the stent is made or could be a constituent of a coating for the stent, such as a drug delivery coating. In lieu of or in addition to the application of humidity, a plasticizing agent can be applied to the polymeric component. A crimping device is also disclosed which allows the stent to be exposed to humidity during the crimping process.
US07673368B2
A floor care apparatus has a housing, including a wall, for storing a dust bag. The dust bag is angled relative to the wall and pressure sensors fill the space between the wall and dust bag. During use, as dust fills the bag, the bag expands and impinges upon a first of the pressure sensors and subsequently upon a second of the pressure sensors thereby indicating a filling of the bag with dust. A processor, connected to each of the pressure sensors, sorts a relative difference between signals of the sensors during dust filling. A visual indicator displays to users the relative fullness of the dust bag. To achieve angular disposition between the wall and dust bag, tapers, angular walls, ribs or combinations thereof are contemplated.
US07673366B2
An input disk and a clutch disk are supported by an output shaft in such a manner that the input disk is rotatable relative to the output shaft, and the clutch disk is non-rotatable relative to and is axially movable relative to the output shaft. When a large load torque is exerted about the output shaft, relative rotation between the input disk and the clutch disk occurs. A connecting rod has one end connected to a worm wheel, and is reciprocally swung through rotation of the worm wheel. A rotatable lever has one end, which is connected to the other end of the connecting rod, and has the other end, which is engaged with and is secured integrally with the gear teeth of the input disk.
US07673353B1
A bed enclosure comprises a frame having a pair of end frame members. Each of the end frame members includes an arched top portion and straight vertical portions extending downwardly from the arched top portion. The frame includes longitudinal frame members on front and back sides of the frame that are coupled to end frame members wherein the frame includes a bottom frame used to receive a mattress. A pair of roll-up sidewalls each having a handle for rolling up or rolling down the sidewalls to gain access to an interior of the bed enclosure, each sidewall includes plurality of longitudinal rails that is coupled to the frame. The end of each rail is received in respective slots formed in the frame members and each of the sidewall resembles accordion walls which permits a user to enter or exit the bed enclosure.
US07676846B2
The present invention enforces digital rights within the confines of a content license by validating an entity certificate. Cryptographic information within a entity certificate is utilized to unlock protected content and authenticate the entity certificate. The entity certificate includes personal credentials, which have information that the entity is unwilling or uncomfortable to share publicly. For example, the personal credentials may include private information, or information associated with a personal object that cannot consume the protected content, or both.
US07676844B2
Based on user identification data transmitted together with a compressed data from a portable reproducing apparatus, if an apparatus recognizes that a user who purchased and downloaded the compressed data is the same as a user who owns the apparatus, the audio apparatus stores and holds the compressed data after reproducing the signal from the compressed data by the decoder unit and the data processing unit. Alternatively, if it recognizes that the user who purchased and downloaded the compressed data is not the same as the user who owns the apparatus, it removes the compressed data after reproducing the signal from the compressed data by the decoder unit and the data processing unit.
US07676843B1
Systems and methods that enable execution of applications at appropriate trust levels are described. These systems and methods can determine appropriate trust levels by comparing applications' permitted trust levels with their requested trust levels. These systems and method can determine applications' permitted trust levels by comparing applications' execution locations with their published locations. Applications can also be executed at a restricted trust level at which potentially dangerous operations are prohibited.
US07676841B2
Described are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for mitigating against a cyber attack on a network. An indication is received from an intrusion detection system that an event has occurred representing a threat to the network. Upon receiving the event from the intrusion detection system, automated processes determine a port associated with the threat and automatically block the port.
US07676838B2
Methods and systems for secure communications are provided. Secure end-to-end connections are established as separate multiple secure connections, illustratively between a first system and an intermediate system and between a second system and an intermediate system. The multiple secure connections may be bound, by binding Internet Protocol Security Protocol (IPSec) Security Associations (SAs) for the multiple connections, for example, to establish the end-to-end connection. In the event of a change in operating conditions which would normally require the entire secure connection to be re-established, only one of the multiple secure connections which form the end-to-end connection is re-established. Separation of end-to-end connections in this manner may reduce processing resource requirements and latency normally associated with re-establishing secure connections.
US07676823B2
A subscriber or other user is provided with access to a subscription service of a signal distribution system at a roaming location remote from a home location of the user. The subscription service comprises a plurality of selectable channels available to the user at the home location. In one aspect of the invention, a request for initiation of a roaming session is received, and responsive to initiation of the roaming session, at least one user interface is generated for presentation on a device at the remote location. The generated user interface is configured to provide access at the remote location to one or more of the channels available to the user at the home location, and represents an at least partial alteration of a normal user interface that would otherwise be presented on the device at the remote location in the absence of the roaming session.
US07676818B2
A disk unit comprising a limit switch, the limit switch being adapted to operate when a tip of a guide arm pivots to excess in a centripetal direction relative to a predetermined position at which it should stop while supporting a side portion of a small-diameter disk, the guide arm functioning to conduct a large- or small-diameter disk being conveyed to a predetermined position while supporting a side portion of the disk, a disk unloading operation being started upon operation of the limit switch to permit discharge of a disk of a deformed shape. The disk unit is a slot-in type disk unit permitting automatic loading and drive of two types of disks different in diameter, wherein a disk of a deformed shape inserted by mistake is discharged automatically to prevent damage of a recording surface of the disk and a mechanical damage of the disk unit.
US07676800B2
A method and related apparatuses facilitate the compression of firmware modules that follow a portable executable (PE) format. An example method includes an operation of storing a firmware module in memory, wherein the firmware module follows a PE format, thus having subdivisions that include an MS-DOS header. The method also includes an operation of flattening the firmware module by replacing existing content within at least one field within the MS-DOS header with fill data that is more compressible than the existing content. For example, fill data may be loaded into an MS-DOS stub field within the MS-DOS header. Alternatively, the method may flatten the firmware module by ensuring that fill data occupies all fields within the MS-DOS header except for an lfanew field and an e-magic field. In some embodiments, additional or alternative operations to flatten the firmware module may be performed, such as loading fill data into one or more fields within an optional file header of the firmware module.
US07676797B2
Software managing long names in an application programming interface receives a request to perform a requested operation on one or more fields, the application comprising a first operation operable to perform the requested operation on at least one field type. The software determines whether the field type of any of the fields is incompatible with the first operation. If the field types of the one or more fields are compatible with the first operation, then the software performs the requested operation on the one or more fields using the first operation. If the software determines that the field type of at least one of the fields is incompatible with the first operation, then it converts the request into a call for a second operation operable to perform the requested operation on the one or more fields and performs the requested operation using the second operation.
US07676785B2
Architecture that integrates an unmanaged application as a hosted application into a design environment in a coherent yet usable manner such that the developer can use the hosted application's native functionality yet leverage rich productivity features provided by the IDE. The IDE includes a hosting component that comprises an application adaptor for providing an interface from the unmanaged application to the IDE. The IDE further includes a designer framework that provides user access to designer capabilities of the IDE. The host adaptor interfaces to the designer framework either directly and/or through an integration interface. Thus, the developer/user can then access the native functionality of the unmanaged application as well as the IDE functionality. This provides rich integration between the development environment and the hosted application, the end result of which is the designer interacting with the IDE.
US07676782B2
An efficient method for mapping a logic design on Field Programmable Gate Arrays involves a determination of the minimum required square grid of FPGA logic blocks for mapping the design, providing a compensation factor on the minimum square grids, selecting the maximum value among the compensated square grids for reducing the mapping time; and implementing a legalization adjustment to ensure mapping of said compensated design.
US07676779B2
A system for logic block timing analysis may include a controller, and storage in communication with the controller. The storage may provide delay-versus-conesize values of a logic block. The system may further include a fitting module to provide a delay-cone based upon the delay-versus-conesize values of the logic block. The system may also include a conesize parser that uses the delay-cone to provide delay values through the logic block. The conesize parser may be used to validate the design of the logic block by comparing the delay-cone with a desired cycle time.
US07676774B2
According to one embodiment, a system LSI verification system that verifies a processor module included in a system LSI, the system comprising: a circuit description storage that stores description data that describes a design of the processor module; a verification task generator that generates a verification task file based on the description data and a verification environment specification file in which specifications of a verification environment are described; a test program storage that stores a test program including an environment command function for starting the verification task; and a logical simulator that performs a logical simulation according to the test program.
US07676768B1
An electronic design automation (EDA) tool alters a user's netlist to provide timing success for distribution of asynchronous signals. Distribution networks are used with the addition of pipeline registers before and/or after the distribution buffer. Or, a tree of pipeline registers is inserted between the asynchronous source and the destination registers. Or, any number of distribution networks are stitched together and pipeline stages may be inserted before and/or after each distribution buffer. Or, beneficial skew is utilized by introducing a delay component that skews a clock signal. The skewed clock signal drives a pipeline register that is inserted before a distribution buffer in order to improve timing margin. Any of various compilation techniques may be used within the EDA tool to solve the problem of distributing high-speed, high-fanout asynchronous signals. The technique has utility for high-performance FPGAs and structured ASIC families, as well as for low-cost FPGAs and other types of logic devices.
US07676760B1
An access log analyzer processes an access log to identify file access information associated with accessed regions of one or more files. Based on information in the access log as well as information potentially retrieved from the other sources such as a file system or disk on which the files are stored, the access log analyzer initiates display of a respective graphical representation for each of the one or more files. In addition to displaying the graphical representations themselves, the access log analyzer displays visual renderings at relative locations in association with the graphical representations to identify accessed regions of the one or more file as indicated by the file access information in the access log. Accordingly, a user can view a visual depiction of the contents of a disk access log and easily identify respective access patterns associated with the one or more files.
US07676757B2
Mechanisms are disclosed that enable a user to customize selection elements of a GUI. For example, menu entries in a GUI can be customized so that the user can specify the font, the language, character sets, color, and other attributes of the text of one menu item (or less than all menu items); to have the ability to selectively activate multimedia options associated with selected menu items (e.g., to play a sound whenever the cursor/pointer passes over a particular menu item); and/or to assign an animation sequence that is unique to selected menu items. The menu item properties are defined by the user, using, for example, a dialog box that allows specification of the attributes. When the application is installed, a default set of menu item properties is defined by the software manufacturer, which can be further customized by the user.
US07676742B2
A system and method for processing of markup language information, such as extensible markup language (XML) based control information is disclosed. The system comprises a compression sender entity and a decompression receiver entity. The sender entity uses its internal, binary representation derived from textual XML-based protocol header and encodes the binary representation as a tag-length-value (TLV) binary value. The TLV binary value is embedded as encoded data in a specifically marked comment, which may be detected by the receiver entity. The receiver entity builds up an internal, binary data structure based on the encoded data representing the original XML data. The system avoids the usage of string data to represent a small set of well known strings and uses a more compact binary encoding which reduces space and time to process the data.
US07676740B2
An object instance is serialized to a serial format, such as an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) document, based on a mapping between an arbitrary annotated source code file and a schema. The arbitrary annotated source code contains at least one programming type that describes a shape of an object instance and the schema describes a format of a document having a serial format. The mapping defines a correspondence between the shape of the object instance and the format of the document having the serial format. Subsequently, an object instance is converted to the serial format by converting public properties, public fields and method parameters of the object instance to a document having the serial format based on the mapping. Once the mapping is defined, an XML document can also be converted to an object instance based on the mapping.
US07676738B2
Software is disclosed that creates a way of controlling alterations to cell contents of a data flow network so they can easily be turned on and off as separate layers. These layers can then be grouped as scenarios. Scenarios allow different layers of formula changes to be easily added and removed from the model.
US07676737B2
A system for outputting a media stream and supplemental media streams is provided. A media stream manager outputs the media stream and associated supplemental media streams on a media stream output device. A timing module generates triggering events in conjunction with the output of the media streams according to event data. The media stream manager monitors for and detects the triggering events during the output of the media streams. Upon detecting a triggering event, the media stream manager determines which supplemental media streams are associated with the triggering event and iteratively outputs each associated supplemental media stream to the media stream output device. Supplemental media streams are output either synchronously or asynchronously according to previously determined information. A supplemental media stream that is output asynchronously to the media stream suspends the media stream and the timing of the media stream while the supplemental media stream is output.
US07676736B2
The programmable decoder, such as a Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE) decoder (e.g. a Viterbi decoder) may include a programming input for a plurality of programmable trellis parameters, and a programmable device, such as an FPGA, connected to the programming input and implementing a continuous phase modulation (CPM) decoder including at least one trellis structure defined based upon the plurality of programmable trellis parameters. The plurality of programmable trellis parameters may include a number of trellis structures, a number of trellis states for each trellis structure, and a number of branches for each trellis state. Also, the trellis structure may include a reverse-state trellis structure.
US07676732B2
A method for retransmitting coded bits by a transmitter in response to a retransmission request from a receiver in a mobile communication system. The method comprises determining a modulation technique to be used at retransmission as a modulation technique having a lower modulation order than a modulation technique used at initial transmission; determining a puncturing pattern according to an HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) type, and selecting as many coded bits as the number of coded bits that can be symbol-mapped by the determined modulation technique, among the coded bits punctured by the determined puncturing pattern; and symbol-mapping the selected coded bits by the determined modulation technique, and transmitting the symbol-mapped coded bits to the receiver.
US07676717B2
An electronic circuit includes configurable cells with a test input and an output. The configurable cells are capable of being connected to one another in a chain in a predefined order via the test inputs and the outputs to form a test shift register if they receive a chaining command signal. A connection control module disconnects the test input from at least one configurable cell if the connection control module receives an invalid identification key. The connection control module leaves disconnected the test input from the at least one configurable cell, or applies a constant potential on the test input of the at least one configurable cell, or connects the test input of the at least one configurable cell at an output of a random-data generator.
US07676710B2
A memory device has an error documentation memory array that is separate from the primary memory array. The error documentation memory array stores data relating to over-programmed bits in the primary array. When the over-programmed bits in the primary array are erased, the error documentation memory array is erased as well, deleting the documentation data relating to the over-programmed bits.
US07676706B2
Deviation of expected response times is used to characterize the health of one or more backend machines invoked by an application to process a request. Performance data generated in response to monitoring application execution is processed to select backend response time data. The selected data is processed to predict future values of a time series associated with backend response time. The predicted response time values are compared to actual response time values in the time series to determine a deviation from the predicted value. Deviation information for the time series data of response times is then reported to a user through an interface in a simple manner.
US07676703B2
A failure diagnosis system includes a first database, a second database, an observation-information acquiring unit, a determination-probability calculating unit and an occurrence-probability calculating unit. A first cause-and-effect network stored in the first database stochastically represents a relationship between failure-type candidates and first observation information, which have cause-and-effect relationships with the failure-type candidates. Each second cause-and-effect network stored in the second database stochastically represents relationships between second observation information and failure-cause candidates. The observation-information acquiring unit acquires the first and second observation information from a diagnosed system. The determination-probability calculating unit calculates a determination probability of each failure-type candidate based on the first observation information and the first cause-and-effect network. The occurrence-probability calculating unit calculates occurrence probabilities of the failure-cause candidates for each failure-type candidate based on the second observation information and the second cause-and-effect networks.
US07676699B2
Use of configuration information to specify particular conditions under which trace events are to be logged. When accessing trace events generated by various modules, configuration data is referred to specifying condition(s) under which the trace events should be logged. If the log condition(s) are satisfied, the trace events are logged. Otherwise, they may be discarded. Thus, the number of trace events in the log may be significantly reduced to those trace events that satisfy conditions of interest to an evaluator.
US07676697B2
A programmable delay is added to the data and clock data paths in order to cancel the effect of the clock insertion delays. This programmable delay is adjusted dynamically at runtime to optimize the performance of the interface.
US07676695B2
A set of fault records representing faults previously detected in an enterprise computer system is received and analyzed. The analysis comprises a variety of analytical operations and results in a report provided to a user, the report particularly including a set of fault sources identified as highly important to address, with respect both to the system as a whole and to particular categories of faults.
US07676690B2
Two or more electronic devices each include an output engine and an output device for presenting data, including mirrored data. A consumer electronic device receives a request from a mirroring device for mirrored data or transmits a request for customer service to the mirroring device. Thereafter, the consumer electronic device provides the mirrored data to the mirroring device. The mirroring device may be similar or different from the consumer electronic device. The mirroring device presents the mirrored data to a user of the mirroring device. Alternately or additionally, the mirroring device analyzes the mirrored data to identify problems with the consumer electronic device. The consumer electronic device and/or the mirroring device can transmit identifiers associated with the other device over a network connection to determine whether the other device is online.
US07676675B2
Architecture for generating and maintaining a terminal services connection from an external client to an internal intranet client behind a firewall and/or router. The external user is first authenticated after which the external client is passed to a remote user portal. A listing of available internal computers is presented to the external client user, the selection of one that initiates an intranet server to create a listening socket thereon, and a socket on the selected internal client. The server creates a thread that manages the terminal services connection between the external client and the internal client by listening for traffic and forwarding the traffic between the ports.
US07676673B2
A method of enforcing a network security policy including mandatory access control (MAC), discretionary access control (DAC) and integrity control for a secure information network, includes operating a transport guard within a memory partition logically between a protected application running in the partition and a networking stack, and defining ports for the transport guard including (i) an application port for forwarding data to and receiving data from the application, (ii) a data port for receiving data addressed to the application from the networking stack, and for sending data originating from the application to the stack, and (iii) a control port for supplying configuration data to the transport guard. The configuration data corresponds to MAC, DAC and integrity control policies specified by the network for the protected application. The transport guard limits data flow between its protected application and the data ports accordingly.
US07676666B2
A baseboard management controller (BMC) of a blade server module in an information handling system may operate as a virtual system BIOS firmware hub that may have automatic firmware updating through a TFTP transfer from a chassis management controller (CMC) or for rack/tower servers from a remote assistant card (RMC). The system BIOS may be stored in a RAM drive or a ROM of the BMC. Valuable printed circuit board real estate and hardware for a firmware hub is no longer necessary since the BMC may have the capacity to act as a virtual system BIOS firmware hub in addition to its other functions.
US07676652B2
Within a system supporting execution of variable length instructions a program is stored within discrete memory regions with a variable length instruction spanning a gap between two such discrete memory regions. When execution is attempted of such a variable length instruction spanning a gap, an abort handler is initiated which serves to copy the end portion of one of the memory regions together with the start portion of the other memory region into a separate fix-up memory region where these may be concatenated such that the whole of the variable length instruction will appear in one place. Execution of that variable length instruction from out of the fix-up memory region can then be triggered. This execution is constrained by the setting of a single step flag which causes the hardware to only execute the single instruction which span the gap before returning control to a single step exception handler which can then restore program flow to the point in the following memory region after the variable length instruction which spanned the gap.
US07676647B2
A processor device is disclosed that includes a register file with a combined condition code register for scalar and vector operations. The processor device utilizes the combined condition code register for scalar and vector operations. Further, a compare operation can store resulting bits in the combined condition code register and a conditional operation can utilize the combined condition code register bits for evaluating a condition.
US07676646B2
A Wide Register Set (WRS) is used in a packet processor to increase performance for certain packet processing operations. The registers in the WRS have wider bit lengths than the main registers used for primary packet processing operations. A wide logic unit is configured to conduct logic operations on the wide register set and in one implementation includes hardware primitives specifically configured for packet scheduling operations. A special interlocking mechanism is additionally used to coordinate accesses among multiple processors or threads to the same wide register address locations.The WRS produces a scheduling engine that is much cheaper than previous hardware solutions with higher performance than previous software solutions. The WRS provides a small, compact, flexible, and scalable scheduling sub-system and can tolerate long memory latencies by using cheaper memory while sharing memory with other uses. The result is a new packet processing architecture that has a wide range of cost/performance points, based on desired scheduling requirements.
US07676643B2
The data interface device accesses a memory operating in synchronization with a clock. A board clock and selective data capturing improve the operating rate of a memory interface and time-synchronize data flow from memory to memory controller with a internal clock produced by the memory controller; or time-synchronize data flow from the memory controller with the board clock. The internal clock is passed through a sequential path of an output pad of the memory controller, the memory, and an input pad of the memory controller and then re-inputted into the memory controller thereby the feedback clock is generated. The selective data capturing uses a register part for storing data inputted into the memory controller. The register part for storing the data is configured by double registers that are operated in an alternative manner according to a correlation between the inputted data and the feedback clock.
US07676642B2
A method for initializing a control device of a memory, the control device executing commands for accessing the memory transmitted to the memory by a control signal, the method comprising steps of detecting the switching on of the memory and of at least partially initializing the control device following the switching on of the memory. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises steps of detecting a specific event in the control signal, and of at least partially initializing the control device following the detection of the specific event.
US07676625B2
A plurality of PCIe switch complexes are interposed between a plurality of I/O devices and a plurality of microprocessor complexes. Each PCIe switching complex comprises a plurality of PCIe switches wherein each switch possesses at least one non-transparent port. The non-transparent port is used to cross-couple each PCIe switch creating an active matrix of paths between the HBAs associated with each I/O device and each microprocessor. The paths between each HBA (I/O device) and each microprocessor are mapped using a recursive algorithm providing each I/O device with direct memory access to each microprocessor.
US07676621B2
A computer system is disclosed that includes: a communications bus implemented in accordance with an Inter-IC bus specification; a bus controller coupled to the communications bus; a send machine coupled between a host processor and the bus controller; and a first-in first-out (FIFO) buffer coupled to the send machine and coupled between the host processor and the bus controller.
US07676618B2
A resource and partition manager of the preferred embodiments includes a lock mechanism that operates on a plurality of locks that control access to individual I/O slots. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to obtain a lock on an I/O slot when transferring control of the I/O slot to a logical partition that is powering on and when removing the I/O slot from a logical partition that is powering off. The resource and partition manager uses the lock mechanism to remove control of an I/O slot from, or return control to, an operating logical partition in order to facilitate hardware service operations on that I/O slot or on the physical enclosure in which it is contained.
US07676602B2
Systems, methods, devices and techniques can be used in networks including resilient packet ring networks and other types of ring topology networks to adjust the flow of data traffic to MAC clients associated with stations on the network. In one example, adjusted fairness rates and/or messages associated with a network communication protocol are used to reduce traffic destined for a particular station and/or a MAC client associated with that station. In another example, station MAC clients or other components implement virtual destination queues and transmit information associated with the rate at which they receive data. The information and queues are used to reduce traffic destined for a particular station and/or a MAC client associated with that station.
US07676601B2
A system for delivering data objects containing data subject to periodic updates to a plurality of clients is disclosed and which is configured to connect to at least one input data stream which carries a specific type of data objects, such as objects related to financial product offerings, and also establish a communication session with various clients. Each client has an associated profile which indicates data stream to which the client has subscribed and further contains rules related to how data in the streams should be treated. When an object is received on a data stream, a local data cache is updated and the rules specified by clients subscribing to that data stream are executed to determine whether information about the object should be forward to the various subscribing client. In a particular configuration, the data channels are provided by one or more information managers which pre-process raw data from source data providers, format and type the data, and broadcast it on appropriate channels in substantially real time.
US07676595B2
A protocol associated with an Internet protocol version six (IPv6) network address included within a network packet provides both unicast and anycast addressing, while having the same bit locations and bit functions associated with a top-level aggregation identifier, a next-level aggregation identifier, and a site-level aggregation identifier. A prefix associated with the three most significant bits of the network address identifies the network address as being a unicast address, an anycast address, or both a unicast and an anycast address. The prefix that identifies the network address as being both a unicast and an anycast address allows routers to have smaller routing tables.
US07676593B2
A network relay apparatus installed with a TCP shaper has a packet converter that changes an ACK number of a confirmation reply packet in response to downstream data transmitted from a WAN side host to a lower value while transferring the packet.
US07676575B2
When downloading a Java™ application AP from a server 40, a scheme and a transmission port number used by server 40 when downloading Java™ application AP are stored in addition to a host name of server 40. Then, when the Java™ application AP accesses a resource on the Internet, the host name of a resource to be accessed, and a scheme and a destination port number are compared with the stored host name, scheme, and transmission port number. The network access is permitted only when the compared items agree with each other.
US07676573B2
A stateful cache layer is created at a mobile device client that tracks the state on both the mobile device and management service. The states are synchronized between the mobile device and the management service on every management session. Through the statefulness of the cache layer, unauthorized changes on the mobile device are detected and accordingly handled such as internal correction or reporting to the management service for actionable instructions. A cache layer on the management server is configured to identify organizational policy changes that affect specific devices and initiate unsolicited immediate management sessions to update the configuration to the specific devices.
US07676568B2
Presently disclosed is a method and apparatus for monitoring and diagnosing a content delivery network (CDN) by examining received content elements that have been marked with one or more identifiers. Diagnosing is accomplished by using all or part of one or more of the identifiers associated with errored or corrupted content elements to determine which network elements or connection paths are faulty. The identifiers may contain content-, server-, or receiver-specific data that denotes, respectively, the source of the content, the links associated with one or more of the servers utilized in the network, and/or data associated with the receiving computer system. Both marking and diagnosing may be performed at any location within the CDN or at any host computer connected to the CDN or receiver. The marking may also be dynamically reconfigured in order to facilitate diagnosis.
US07676561B1
Determining server capabilities during a discrete time period, or interval, allows for more efficient processing of client requests. Updating a proportional server capability load balancing information encoding at intervals allows a load balancer to handle client requests without the overhead of determining current server capabilities. Decision-making can be reduced to quick selection of one of a group of servers without considering the server's capability, since the server's capability has previously been considered when collecting the load balancing information.
US07676557B1
An event to initialize a portlet palette within a user interface having an open portal to which the portlet palette is associated can be detected. The portlet palette can be a user interface control that includes a portlet set of at least one portlet. The portlet palette can be configured so that a selection of a portlet from the portlet set causes the portlet to be added to the open portal. A set of portlets can be automatically determined from a set of stored portlets that are relevant to the open portal based upon previously defined programmatic rules and contextual information associated with the open portlet. The portlet palette can be dynamically populated with the determined set of portlets. The populated portlet palette can be presented within the user interface.
US07676555B2
A system and method for efficient control and capture of dynamic database content for rapidly providing a user with a highly relevant collection of documents related to a query. The system and method for efficient control and capture of dynamic database content includes a computer system with a storage means for facilitating the retention and recall of dynamic database content and a communications means for facilitating bi-directional communication of the computer system with local or distributed networks; an executory module operationally coupled to the computer system for controlling the storage means and the communications means as well as directing the system for the efficient control and capture of dynamic database content to a plurality of pre-selected Internet sites; and a capture module which is in communication with the executory module and facilitates selection of the plurality of Internet sites associated with a query submitted by a user of the system.
US07676553B1
A system and method facilitating incremental web crawl(s) using chunk(s) is provided. The system can be employed, for example, to facilitate a web-crawling system that crawls (e.g., continuously) the Internet for information (e.g., data) and indexes the information so that it can be used as part of a web search engine.The system facilitates incremental re-crawls and/or selective updating of information (e.g., documents) using a structure called a chunk to simplify the process of an incremental crawl. A chunk is a set of documents that can be manipulated as a set (e.g., of up to 65,536 (64K) documents). “Document” refers to a corpus of data that is stored at a particular URL (e.g., HTML, PDF, PS, PPT, XLS, and/or DOC Files etc.)A chunk is created by an indexer. The indexer can place into a chunk documents that have similar property(ies). These property(ies) include but are not limited to: average time between change and average importance. These property(ies) can be stored at the chunk level in a chunk map. The chunk map can then be employed (e.g., on a daily basis) to determine which chunk(s) should be re-crawled.
US07676550B1
A multiple access presence agent that collects and stores presence information on a presentity from presence contributors is configured to define access rules for each of the presence contributors, in which the access rules define respective rights and privileges of the presence contributors to the presence information of the presentity. The multiple access presence agent is further capable of authenticating one of the presence contributors to determine the access rules associated with that presence contributor, and in response to a valid authentication, enabling access to the presence information of the presentity by that presence contributor based on the access rules associated with that presence contributor.
US07676544B2
A file sharing system connected to both a telephone network and a data communication network includes a telephone conversation state monitoring part for recording information for identifying speakers having a telephone conversation for each telephone conversation in a recording part as telephone conversation state data, a sharing space generating part for generating a file sharing space to a file sharing server for each telephone conversation, and recording information for identifying a file sharing space and information for identifying a speaker in a recording part in such a manner that they are associated with each other, and an access control part enabling access from a communication terminal by the speaker associated in the association data, among accesses from the communication terminals with respect to the file sharing Space. Because of this, the file sharing system allows a file to be shared with a party on the other side during a telephone conversation even without using a terminal with a particular function added thereto.
US07676539B2
Provided are methods, apparatus or computer programs for collaborative problem solving and/or automated discovery and dynamic integration of capabilities in a distributed, multidisciplinary work environment. A set of software-implemented agents distributed across a network are used to identify agents and resources on the network that are capable of performing required tasks. The agents collaborate to generate a plan comprising a task allocation and task execution sequence in which tasks are allocated to selected ones of the agents and identified resources, and then the selected agents and resources execute the allocated tasks in accordance with the generated plan. Services (such as processing functions and knowledge) provided by hardware and software resources in a network are represented as ‘capabilities’ of an associated agent. The functions implemented by each agent are also represented as ‘capabilities’. The abstract ‘capabilities’ can be published and then discovered and dynamically integrated to solve domain specific problems.
US07676533B2
An FFT conversion instruction based on a single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) technique is executed to reduce the number of cycles for software to perform conversion processing used in an FFT computation. In an embodiment, the FFT conversion instruction implements two instances of a conversion operation, i.e., 2-way SIMD, over two sets of complex points at once. A control register or variant opcode controls an inverse flag to control the behavior of the conversion process. In an embodiment, the control register contains a control bit to select between forward and inverse FFT context.
US07676516B2
A database network router (DNR) in a database network includes a client access module and a database resource manager that communicate with each other using a common software interface. The client access module communicates with clients including application servers and external database servers; and the database resource manager communicates with the database servers. The DNR also includes a protocol manager for handling multiple database protocols. The database network router also includes local data cache storage to store commonly used data objects, results of parsed query statement, non-optimized query statements, and optimized alternatives and assigns a priority to each client on log-in. The DNR provides a method for connections pooling, a method for balancing the load in a database networks and a method for synchronizing the data stored in cache memory with the database network and method for synchronizing the data stored in cache memory with the database to insure data reliability. The DNR also provides a method for monitoring and optimizing data queries to improve the performance of the database network. The DNR also provides a method to migrate from an old to a new version of the database.
US07676512B2
When a certain file is updated, a document management server determines whether a “registration state information mail” is set for that file, and after that, performs “self information mail” setting processing. Computer requests the document management server to transmit an electronic file, and prints and displays the electronic file according to an operation definition corresponding to the file format of the received electronic file. MFP inquires whether the document to be displayed is an electronic file stored in the document management server or an electronic file recorded on an external storage medium. Further, in response to an operation of a touch panel, MFP changes a magnifying power of display data, and rotates an image to change the direction by setting the central position of the rotation to a display center of an image being currently displayed.
US07676508B2
I/O request data for user-mode programs is recorded into a log, which later allows the I/O requests to be replayed. By substantially exact replay, tests are performed with different versions/combinations of kernel components using the same I/Os as when recorded. A user-mode record/replay program and kernel-mode filter driver record a program's I/O requests, such as data I/O request packet (IRP) data received by the filter driver. While recording, tests exclude IRPs not directly resulting from program requests. Recorded I/O request data is maintained in log file records. At replay time, the records are read and corresponding I/O requests sent towards the storage volume as if requested by the original program. Tables are maintained for information relevant to the replay context, such as file handles, file IDs, and short names that vary from the record context. Substitution from the tables allows I/O requests to be replayed as originally issued.
US07676502B2
A method and system of recovery point data view shift through a direction-agnostic roll algorithm is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a data view around a recovery point, and shifting the data view around the recovery point through a direction-agnostic roll algorithm that uses at least one of a roll-forward algorithm to shift the data view to a time before the recovery point and a roll-backward algorithm to shift the data view to a time before the recovery point. A data integrity may be determined to be consistent at the recover point by examining data and meta-data associated with the recovery point. The recovery point may be associated with at least one of an automatically generated event, a user definable event, and a prepackaged event. A marker data may be generated at the recovery point to enable the direction-agnostic roll algorithm to reduce a recovery time objective when an algorithm is applied.
US07676501B2
A system and method enable reliable tamper detection for printed documents. Embodiments determine whether tampering has occurred and, if detected, isolate it to a specific section, such as a single page of a multi-page document. Embodiments render classes of documents tamper evident with cryptographic level security, where such security was previously unavailable, for example, documents printed using common printers without special paper or ink. Embodiments enable proving the date of document content without the need for expensive third party archival, including documents held, since their creation, entirely in secrecy or in untrustworthy environments, such as on easily-altered, publicly-accessible internet sites. Embodiments can extend, by many years, the useful life of currently-trusted integrity verification algorithms, such as hash functions, even when applied to binary executable files. Embodiments can efficiently identify whether multiple document versions are substantially similar, even if they are not identical, thus potentially reducing storage space requirements.
US07676498B2
The illustrative embodiment provides a computer implemented method, a data processing system, and a computer program product for managing user roles. A customization application receives a request to modify a user role for an application. In response to the request, the customization application allows a user to modify a set of features associated with the user role to form a set of customized features. A role database stores the set of customized features for the user role. The user roles in the role database are available for use by a plurality of users of the application.
US07676497B2
A report publication system includes a first set of report management servers defining a first cluster supporting a common report management architecture. A first set of client machines operate in accordance with the common report management architecture. The first client machines are configured to access the first cluster. A second set of report management servers defines a second cluster supporting the common report management architecture. A second set of client machines operate in accordance with the common report management architecture. The second client machines are configured to access the second cluster. A first client machine of the first set of client machines invokes a report on the first cluster to form a published report with a designated destination address. The published report is exchanged between the first cluster and the second cluster via the Internet in accordance with the destination address. A second client machine of the second set of client machines accesses the published report through the second cluster.
US07676494B2
A computer reservation system matches vehicle ratings using a central database. Vehicle information and rental equipment information are stored in the central database. A user specifies a vehicle description including make, model, and year of the vehicle on a website. The central database is searched based on the vehicle description to find related vehicle information including physical characteristics of the vehicle. The rental equipment in the central database is identified which is compatible with the vehicle as determined by a comparison of the rental equipment information to the vehicle information. The physical characteristics of the vehicle are compared to physical characteristics of the rental equipment to determine compatibility between the vehicle and the rental equipment. The compatible rental equipment is displayed on the website for the user.
US07676492B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus for migrating a database of a workflow processing system from a current version to a new version by serializing the data into serialized objects and then deserializing the objects into the new version of the database. The current version of the database may include elements of data associated with base features and extension features of the workflow processing system. The new version of the database is initially generated to include only base features associated with a new version of the programmed instructions of the system. Deserializing the serialized objects into the new version of the database is effective to merge the object types of the information in the current version of the database into the object type of the new version of the database.
US07676491B2
A method for accessing a file system and for subsequently presenting to a user a list of files in store, where files in the list are identified by names derived from the contents of the files. the method is suitable for use in a reprographic apparatus, for access to a file system on a removable storage device and for displaying on the operator screen of the apparatus, the list of files on the storage device, the files being available for selection for printing by the operator.
US07676490B1
A computer implemented system for project prediction is provided. The system includes a data manager to obtain historical project data. The system also includes an analyzer to analyze the historical project data to generate models for a proposed project cycle time. Additionally, the system includes a user interface to select one model for the proposed project cycle time, wherein the selected model includes linear sub-models corresponding to a historical data range, and apply proposed project data to one linear sub-model corresponding to a proposed data range to predict the proposed project cycle time. Furthermore, the system captures proposed project data and obtains additional project data to update the selected model. The models provide for the accurate prediction of cycle times, or project costs, in an enterprise development environment.
US07676481B2
A system and method for serialization and/or de-serialization of file system item(s) and associated entity(ies)is provided. A file system “item” comprises a core class which can include property(ies). Through serialization, a consistent copy of the item and associated entity(ies), such as fragment(s), link(s) with other item(s) and/or extension(s),if any, can be captured. The serialization system includes an identification component that identities entity(ies) associated with an item and a serialization component that serializes the item and associated entity(ies). The serialization component can further serialize a header that includes information associated with the item and associated entity(ies). The header can facilitate random access to the item and associated entity(ies). The serialization system can expose application program interface(s) (API's) that facilitate the copying, moving and/or transfer of an item and its associated entity(ies) from one location to another location.
US07676479B2
A system and method for updating versions of content stored in a storage device. The system includes an update module for obtaining a conversion element and a small delta, and a converted old items generator for generating converted old items by applying the conversion element to items of an old version. The system further includes a data entries generator for generating data entries based on the modified data entries and on the converted old item, and a new version generator for generating a new version of content by applying the commands and the data entries to the old version.
US07676476B2
The subject invention pertains to a system and method of incorporating collation information into data types. In particular, the subject invention provides for parameterizing data types with collation information such that a comparison between two different collations generates a static-type error rather than a run-time error. Additionally, the invention affords for conveniently working with localized data types to allow generic parameterization over collations as well as ordinary types. In the context of strings, the present invention enables concurrent use of strings in multiple languages and facilitates the correct handling thereof.
US07676474B2
Systems and methods are provided for finding a log file generated by an application during an execution of the application on at least one computer node. The computer node is one of a plurality of computer nodes of a distributed computer that has a computer-readable storage medium that contains therein both a plurality of log files and meta data describing attributes of the log files. In one implementation, a method includes receiving at least one attribute describing a log file that has been generated by the computer node of the distributed computer. The meta data is searched to identify one or more log files described by the received attribute. Locations of the identified log files in the computer-readable storage medium are presented based on the results of the searching step.
US07676469B1
A system and method for updating a source copy of an ordered list (the source list) comprising a plurality of list items according to modifications made to the order of the list items in a local copy of the ordered list (the local list) is provided. Each list item includes an order value. The order of the list items is determined according to the order values. To update the source list, the list items that have been moved in the local list are identified and placed on a temporary list, retaining the ordinal position in the local list. For each list item in the temporary list, the list item is placed back in the local list and its order value is set according to the average of the previous list item's order value and the subsequent list item's order value. The list item is then written to the source list.
US07676468B2
An apparatus to identify patterns in a multi-dimensional database is described. In particular, a computer-readable medium to direct a computer to function in a specified manner is provided. The computer-readable medium comprises instructions to automatically identify a plurality of patterns associated with data comprising the multi-dimensional database and instructions to indicate the plurality of patterns that are identified. Exemplary patterns that can be identified include an outlier pattern, a step pattern, a random pattern, a trend pattern, and a periodic pattern.
US07676461B2
Creating and executing a distributed stream processing operator graph based on a query. The operator graph includes movable stream algebra operators for processing events received from high volume data streams. The operators are partially compiled and distributed to computing devices for completion of the compilation and subsequent execution. During execution, the operators maintain minimal state information associated with received events via an expiration time assigned to each of the event instances. Additional events are generated and aggregated by the operators for communication to a service responsible for the query.
US07676459B2
A computer system creates and maintains an index for tracking information relating to individuals. Such information can include, but is not limited to, social security numbers, names, address information, credit bureau identification numbers, and credit history information on individuals. The invention employs logical rules to this information in order to create and maintain a set of files for each individual. The logical rules can include social security rules, geography rules, and address ranking rules. The invention is designed to evaluate slight variations in information very carefully in order to insure that appropriate files are assigned the same index identification number or that appropriate records are assigned separate and different index identification numbers as a situation warrants. The present invention is designed to maintain numerous files for each individual being tracked instead of merging and purging files as is done in the conventional art.
US07676448B2
A method for controlling the update installation behavior of a computing device according to installation attributes is presented. When present, a mandatory installation attribute associated with a software update causes the installation process executed on the computing device to disallow a user to selectively not install the software update. A priority installation attribute causes the computing device to request a higher amount of network bandwidth for obtaining the software update's content for installation on the client computing device. A deadline installation attribute associated with the software update causes the computing device to permit a user to selectively not install the software update until an associated deadline passes, at which time the software update is installed without further user interaction. A zero system interruption (ZSI) installation attribute causes the computing device to automatically install the software update without user interaction if the computing device is properly configured.
US07676441B2
In a hierarchical neural network having a module structure, learning necessary for detection of a new feature class is executed by a processing module which has not finished learning yet and includes a plurality of neurons which should learn an unlearned feature class and have an undetermined receptor field structure by presenting a predetermined pattern to a data input layer. Thus, a feature class necessary for subject recognition can be learned automatically and efficiently.
US07676426B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for managing Risk by associating a biometric profile with other data relevant to a Risk subject. Computerized systems can receive informational data that relates generally to Risk variables and relate the information to known biometric profiles. Compiled information can be situated and conveyed to a compliance department and be able to demonstrate to regulators that a financial institution has met standards relating to Risk containment.
US07676406B2
A guaranteed physical delivery futures contract and method and system for consolidating same are disclosed. The method includes guaranteeing physical delivery for future positions of market participants having open first-nearby time positions of a particular size, making additions to or subtractions from open first-nearby time positions of market participants that are less than the particular size and offsetting the additions to and subtractions from market participants' open first-nearby time positions with opposite positions in a second-nearby time. The system includes one or more servers and communications links, the communications links for receiving position data, including open positions, and the servers are configured to make additions to or subtractions from open first-nearby time positions less than a certain size and adjust market participant second-nearby time positions based on the additions to or subtractions from open first-nearby time positions. In certain embodiments, the underlying commodity is crude oil and the particular size is the size of a cargo shipment, about 600,000 barrels.
US07676405B2
Systems and methods are described for forecasting media play on a broadcast station. The technique involves collecting media play data from a broadcast station for a period just ended. The collected media play data is used to update historical media play data for the broadcast station. The updated historical media play data is then used to forecast spot inventory for the broadcast station for a next time period.
US07676404B2
This invention concerns an improved forecasting and routing system for scheduling propane and other consumable deliveries as well as service deliveries to end consumers by one or more trucks in a multi-stop environment. The invention utilizes information regarding weather history and the consumption history of individual consumers to calculate their future expected demand, and the variability on that demand when sufficient delivery history is available. Customers lacking sufficient delivery history use the consumption of similar customers as a surrogate. This information serves to determine the near optimal set of successive days within which to replenish or service each customer. Knowing this demand the system assembles deliveries into daily truck delivery routes that maximize the consumables delivered per hour. The system is designed for use in cooperation with a computer having memory and incorporates item, customer, weather, and routing information databases.
US07676401B2
A data distribution system includes a plurality of data sources each capable of transmitting a data item, and a data vending machine capable of receiving the data item from the plurality of data sources and selling the received data item to a user. The data vending machine includes a data selecting apparatus operated by a user to select a desired data item, a data source selecting apparatus connected to the data selecting apparatus for selecting, among the plurality of data sources, one that holds the data item selected by the data selecting apparatus, in accordance with a specific standard, a data receiving apparatus connected to the data source selecting apparatus for receiving selected data item from the data source selected by the data source selecting apparatus, and a data updating apparatus to which an external storage device is detachably mounted, for writing the data item received by the data receiving apparatus to the external storage device.
US07676394B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for receiving data associated with a mobile content, calculating an expected value of the mobile content based at least in part on the data received, and determining a bid amount for a sponsorship of the mobile content based at least in part on the expected value.
US07676389B2
A computerized method for natural gas distribution compliance management is provided. The method includes maintaining a database identifying a plurality of compliance events and a plurality of resources. A computer system is provided including a main computer and a remote computer adapted to communicate with the main computer. The main computer retains at least a portion of a main program and the database. The remote computer retains a remote program operative to display and modify a remote portion of the compliance events and a remote portion of the resources of the database. The database is periodically scanned to identify at least one of the compliance events requiring a response and to identify at least one of the resources to respond to the compliance event requiring the response. Compliance events are matched and scheduled with the resource to respond to the compliance event.
US07676377B2
A system, method, and software product analyzes transportation infrastructure that includes roadways and bridges. Condition indicators are associated with each roadway and bridge, and costs involved with first repairing each bridge and roadway at different points in time considering the condition indicators are determined and compared. Costs involved with maintaining the bridges and roadways are determined and compared. Priority values are associated with each roadway and bridge. Predetermined condition parameters and secondary predetermined condition parameters associated with the priority values are compared to the condition indicators to determine if the roadways and bridges are in need of repair or in definite need of repair. Aggregate costs are determined and compared to current and projected budgets.
US07676373B2
Displays a character string representing content of speech in synchronization with reproduction of the speech. An apparatus includes: a unit for obtaining scenario data representing the speech; a unit for dividing textual data resulting from recognition of the speech to generate pieces of recognition pieces of recognition data; a unit for detecting in the scenario data a character matching each character contained in each piece of recognition data for which no matching character string has been detected to detect in the scenario data a character string that matches the piece of recognition data; and a unit for setting the display timing of displaying each of character strings contained in the scenario data to the timing at which speech recognized as the piece of recognition data that matches the character string is reproduced.
US07676369B2
The present invention is a conversation control apparatus for carrying out conversation control based on both speech content and conversation state and information acquired from outside, and carrying out natural responses. This apparatus comprises a conversation database storing a plurality of items of conversation topic specifying information, a conversation control unit for selecting a reply sentence using conversation topic specifying information determined using the conversation history and conversation information, and an environment recognition unit for acquiring environment recognition information, wherein the environment recognition unit generates event information based on acquired environment recognition information, and the conversation control unit selects a reply sentence based on the event information.
US07676368B2
The present invention is intended to perform text-to-speech conversion by replacing URLs and electronic mail addresses included in the text data of electronic mail by registered predetermined words. A mail watcher application control section executes the processing for converting electronic mail received by a MAPI mailer into speech data. The mail watcher application control section outputs URLs and electronic mail addresses included in the text data of electronic mail supplied from the MAPI mailer to a URL and mail address filter to replace them by registered predetermined names. Of the entered texts, the URL and mail address filter compares the URL or mail address included in the entered text with those registered in the URL and mail address table. If a the URL or mail address of the entered text is found matching, the URL and mail address filter replace it by the registered name and outputs it to the mail watcher application control section.
US07676364B2
For improving the accuracy of a speech recognition system, for the specific task of speech-to-text (dictation style speech) translation, a constrained dictation methodology using speak-and-spell mode is disclosed. The invention is perfectly suited for modern day “text-messaging” applications wherein the number of words being dictated is very small (limited by the 140-160 characters message length constraint). Additionally, the invention adds a control on the way users interact with machines, thereby making the speech recognition task easier and improving system accuracy.
US07676350B2
In an optimum design method comprising a first solution determining step of solving an optimization problem of a first evaluation function for a state variable vector with a design variable vector being as a parameter, and a second solution determining step of solving an optimization problem of a second evaluation function for the design variable vector and the state variable vector thus obtained, the second solution determining step includes the steps of computing a gradient vector of the second evaluation function for the design variable vector, computing a first coefficient based on a value of a norm of the gradient vector, computing a search vector based on the first coefficient, computing a second coefficient, and updating the design variable vector based on the second coefficient. The second coefficient computing step includes the first solution determining step, the first solution determining step is executed as an iterative method based on the gradient vector, and the state variable vector is not initialized during iteration. The optimum design method is precisely adaptable for structural changes.
US07676343B2
A transfer circuit that transmits a signal includes an electrical signal sending section that sends a sending signal, a current to light converting section that converts the sending signal to an optical signal, an optical signal transmitting section that transmits the optical signal, a photo-electric converting circuit that converts the optical signal to an electrical signal, and an electrical signal receiving section that detects a data value of the electrical signal. The photo-electric converting circuit includes a level measuring section that compares the intensity of the electrical signal and a predetermined reference level to detect a data value of the electrical signal, and a measurement controlling section that controls the reference level. The electrical signal receiving section includes a receiving circuit that detects a data value of the electrical signal, and a timing controlling section that controls latch timing at which the receiving circuit detects the data value.
US07676341B2
A magnetic sensor control device has an input section, a selection section, a calculation section, and a setting section. The input section inputs a plurality of magnetic data each having 3 components sequentially output from a 3-dimensional (3D) magnetic sensor. The selection section selects 4 magnetic data satisfying a predetermined 4-point selection condition from the plurality of the input magnetic data. The calculation section calculates a center point equally distant from 4 points corresponding to the 4 selected magnetic data. The setting section sets 3 components representing the center point as an offset of the magnetic data.
US07676335B2
A method includes monitoring the voltage of a power source connector for charging a battery. A determination is made that the battery has entered a transition phase based on sensing an abrupt change in the voltage. In response to determining that the battery is in the transition phase, a capacity of the battery is determined based on a transition phase battery capacity model that defines the battery's capacity as a function of the battery's voltage.
US07676331B2
A compressor drive torque estimating device suppresses a discrepancy between an estimated drive torque, which is based on a torque estimating device of a compressor, and an actual drive torque of the compressor. The discrepancy is due to delay in switching between employment of the torque estimating device and the actual drive torque of the compressor in judging the compressor torque. Thus, even in a transitional state immediately after the start of compression, the idling speed of an engine driving the compressor is controlled based on an accurate estimate of the compressor torque, to improve the stability of the engine idle speed.
US07676319B2
The present invention provides an intake air amount control apparatus for an engine and a control method of an intake air amount of an engine, in which, when the atmospheric pressure exceeds a threshold value, a target lift amount of an intake valve is determined based on a target intake air amount and an electronically controlled throttle is controlled to generate a target boost pressure. On the other hand, when the atmospheric pressure does not exceed the threshold value because of a vehicle traveling at a high altitude, the target lift amount of the intake valve is fixed to a maximum lift amount and the opening angle of the electronically controlled throttle is determined in response to the target intake air amount. Consequently, an actual intake air amount is controlled to be brought to the target intake air amount thereby generating negative pressure necessary for exhaust gas recirculation.
US07676317B2
The invention relates to a method for the cylinder-selective control of an air/fuel mixture to be burnt in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, in which the lambda values for different cylinders or groups of cylinders are separately sensed and controlled, and also relates to a multi-cylinder internal engine suitable for carrying out the method. In accordance with the invention, the lambda values of the individual cylinders or groups of cylinders are simultaneously controlled to different required values using an integrating I-control proportion with variable integrator slope and/or a differentiating D-control proportion.
US07676307B2
A control system for a vehicle (10) is described for use in conjunction with the safety system (44) of the vehicle (10). A tire sensor or plurality of tire sensors generates tire force signals. The tire force signals may include lateral tire forces, longitudinal (or torque) tire forces, and normal tire forces. Based upon the tire force signals, a safety system (44) may be activated. The tire force sensors may be used to monitor various conditions including but not limited to sensing a roll condition, wheel lift detection, a trip event, oversteering and understeering conditions, pitch angle, bank angle, roll angle, and the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle.
US07676301B2
Systems and methods for detecting and analyzing elevated temperatures at a component rack to identify and characterize air recirculation anomalies. In one embodiment, temperatures are sensed in proximity to an air intake of the component rack. Temperature sensors communicate with a workstation having system management software including a thermal management component for analyzing air intake temperatures. Predefined temperature differentials (PTD) are established, corresponding to expected temperature differentials between the selected locations in the absence of any appreciable recirculation. The PTD provides a threshold for comparing with “actual” temperature differentials (ATD) to identify the presence and/or mode of recirculation. If an ATD exceeds a corresponding PTD for a predefined time interval, a signal is output. The mode of recirculation, such as left-side, right-side, or dual-surface recirculation, may be determined using as few as four temperature sensors positioned at a zone of interest (ZOI).
US07676299B2
The present disclosure provides a medication dispenser having a refrigerated compartment and a plurality of access doors that provide access to a limited portion of the refrigerated compartment. A plurality of turntables are rotatably disposed within the refrigerated compartment. The turntables receive at least one medication in a predetermined location, and each turntable aligns with an access door. The dispenser further includes a computer system that receives input selecting a first medication to be dispensed and outputs a first signal in response to the input. A controller is operably coupled to the refrigerated compartment and receives the first signal from the computer system. The controller outputs a second signal to rotate a turntable such that the first medication is positioned adjacent an access door, and the controller outputs a third signal to unlock the adjacent access door.
US07676291B2
A hand microphone and an adaptor module form an assembly which is a peripheral device for a personal computer. The hand microphone is used to control dictation functions to be carried out by the PC. Two separate analog control signal channels are output from the hand microphone and applied, respectively, as X- and Y-axis inputs for the game port on the PC. Control signals carried in the two signal channels are generated by actuating control switches mounted on the hand microphone.
US07676278B2
First and second mobile carriers are accessible to individual cells defined in a storage. The first and second mobile carriers move along overlapped paths. First and second controller circuits are connected to the first and second mobile carriers, respectively. The second controller circuit is also connected to the first mobile carrier. Even when a defect occurs in the first controller circuit, the transport mechanism allows the second controller circuit to take over the control on the first mobile carrier from the first controller circuit. The control on the first mobile carrier serves to avoid interference between the first mobile carrier and any obstacle on the path. If the first mobile carrier is removed from the path of the second mobile carrier, the second mobile carrier is allowed to keep operating. The operation of the transport mechanism can be kept without any interruption.
US07676265B1
An implantable cardiac stimulation device provides bichamber pacing and dynamic bichamber and single chamber sensing. The device includes a sensing circuit that senses activity of a heart, a lead system coupled to a plurality of chambers of the heart, and a cardiac rate circuit that determines a cardiac rate of the heart. A control circuit causes the lead system to couple the sensing circuit to corresponding chambers of the heart to enable bichamber trigger pacing when the cardiac rate is below a given rate and to a single chamber of the heart when the cardiac rate is above the given rate to enable enhanced tachycardia sensing.
US07676261B2
A method for enhancing pace pulses is presented. The method includes providing a set of digital electrocardiogram data comprising a plurality of pulses, wherein each pulse is of a generally constant width. Furthermore, the method includes differentiating the plurality of pulses to generate a plurality of pairs of differentiated pulses, wherein each pair of differentiated pulses is separated by the generally constant width of the corresponding pulse. In addition, the method includes enhancing the plurality of pairs of differentiated pulses. Systems and computer-readable medium that afford functionality of the type defined by this method are also provided by the present technique.
US07676256B2
A combined imaging apparatus having a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with at least one transmitting coil for exciting the matter of a body under examination or of a part thereof and at least one coil for receiving the signals transmitted by the body under examination or a part thereof, as well as an electronic unit for processing the received signals to create a diagnostic image and including a device for supporting and/or guiding at least one diagnostic and/or therapeutic tool. The combined apparatus further including an echographic imaging apparatus.
US07676254B2
A system and method identifies different components of the pain experience (nociceptive (tissue damage), neuropathic (nerve damage) and psychological) and their relative contributions by the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure absolute and relative concentrations of metabolites in specific brain regions in the central nervous system or brain. The system and method can be used as a diagnostic tool for the assessment of the relative contribution of different aspects of the pain experience as well as monitoring of response to interventions directed at modifying these components.
US07676252B2
A filter circuit includes an input terminal configured to input an input signal; first to ith blocks which have first to ith resonators as transmission lines having first to ith resonance frequencies; a power divider configured to distribute the input signal to the first to ith blocks; a power combiner configured to combine signals which have passed through the first to ith blocks to obtain a combined signal; and an output terminal configured to output the combined signal, wherein a jth block includes a phase adjustment unit which provides a signal of the jth block with a phase difference within a range of {(180±30)+(360×n)} degrees from a signal of a (j+1)th block, and a resonator having a large amount of group delay has a greater line width than a resonator having a small amount of group delay.
US07676241B2
A wireless access point and multiple wireless terminals exchange point-to-point transmission power control parameters. The wireless access point gathers parameters based on transmissions received from each of the wireless terminals. Each wireless terminal gathers parameters based on transmissions received from each of the other wireless terminals and from the wireless access point. In one operating mode, the parameters gathered by the wireless devices are forwarded to the wireless access point, and, based on all received and local parameters, the wireless access point adjusts its own transmission power and sends control signals to the wireless terminals directing transmission power adjustment. In another mode, all parameters are exchanged between every wireless terminal and the access point so that each can independently or cooperatively make transmission power control decisions. Transmission power control parameters include received signal strength, error rates, estimated battery life, availability of unlimited power, active versus sleep mode ratios, anticipated bandwidth utilization, coding schemes available, deterministic/non-deterministic requirements, encryption and security requirements, quality of service requirements, mobility, etc. Gathering of parameters involves both retrieval of preset parameters from memory and generating parameters based on received transmissions (including test packets).
US07676238B2
Mobile radio equipment and a transmission rate controlling method thereof for reducing the rate of transmission between the mobile radio equipment and a base station when the transmission rate is beyond the capability of the application function of the mobile radio equipment to thereby use the resources of the radio base station effectively. A radio transmitter/receiver receives data or radio signals via an antenna. A transmission system function CPU converts or customizes the data to a data format acceptable to an application function CPU. Subsequently, the transmission system function CPU inputs the data via a data input/output section into a data input/output section of the application function CPU. A decoder 16 is fed with the data input to the data input/output section. After that, the data is decoded by the decoder, and output from an input/output section according to the format of the decoded data.
US07676237B2
Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products route communication based on an urgency priority associated with a sender of the communication. The method involves receiving incoming communication, identifying the sender, determining an urgency priority designation associated with communication, and routing the incoming communication according to routing instructions associated with the urgency priority designation. Prior to receiving the incoming communication, the method may further involve receiving a selection to configure routing of communication based on one or more urgency priority designations, rendering urgency priority options and routing options that provide routing instructions, receiving routing instructions associated with each urgency priority designation, and receiving and recording the urgency priority designation associated with the sender. Still further, the method may involve offering the sender routing options based on the urgency priority designation and receiving a selection of one of the routing options from the sender.
US07676236B2
An ad hoc network with distributed hierarchical scheduling is disclosed. In one aspect, stations in a network mesh detect interfering neighbor stations and form interference lists. Stations transmit their interference lists. Scheduling stations schedule allocations for child stations in response to interference lists, received remote allocations, or a combination thereof. Coordination messages are transmitted including frame structure, allocations, and interference lists, among others. In another aspect, an ad hoc mesh network may be organized into a tree topology. In an example wireless backhaul network, this matches traffic flow. Distributed, hierarchical scheduling is provided where parents schedule communication with children while respecting already scheduled transmissions to/from interferers and to/from interferers of their respective children. Procedures to construct interference constraints for distributed, hierarchical scheduling are described, resulting in efficient scheduling and reuse in an ad hoc wireless network, without centralized scheduling. Various other aspects are also disclosed.
US07676234B2
Methods (200, 400) and systems (300, 500) in a wireless communication network for routing a short message to a local destination are provided. A wireless communication network (104) has a list of predefined short message destinations, receives a short message having a message destination from a wireless mobile communication device (102), compares the message destination with the list of predefined short message destinations, and if the message destination matches a predefined short message destination of the list of predefined short message destinations, routes the short message to a local destination (106) corresponding to the matching predefined short message destination of the list of predefined short message destinations.
US07676228B2
A method, system and memory are provided for enabling interoperability. A communication session between different communication systems, such as radio systems, operating using different protocols is initiated by receiving a scenario identifier from one of the user devices. An interoperability server receives the scenario identifier and accesses interoperability data to obtain the connection information corresponding the scenario matching the scenario identifier. The data includes scenarios for communication sessions and the connections required for each scenario. Once the interoperability server obtains the connection information, the communication session is initiated.
US07676223B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a communications session with a mobile device is provided. The method comprises selecting a plurality of base stations, where at least a portion of the base stations are adapted to operate as a secondary agent, and wherein the secondary agent is capable of communicating with a mobile device. Substantially similar data is then delivered to a plurality of the secondary agents, and a first one of the secondary agents is selected as a first serving secondary agent to communicate with the mobile device. The first serving secondary agent transfers the data to the mobile device during the communications session.
US07676218B2
System and method for detection of a rouge wireless access point in a wireless communication network
Described are a system and method for detecting an unauthorized access point accessing a communication network. An authorized access point and/or an authorized mobile unit detects a beacon generated by a transmitting access point. The beacon includes identification information of the transmitting access point. A computing arrangement verifies the identification information of the transmitting access point with a preexisting database of the communication network. The preexisting database includes data corresponding to identification information of a plurality of authorized access points. The computing arrangement initiates a tracking procedure to determine a location of the unauthorized access point where the verification of the transmitting access point identification information with the preexisting database fails.
US07676208B2
An exemplary automatic gain control device includes: a radio frequency receiver for receiving a plurality of first signals through a plurality of antennas, respectively controlling gains of the plurality of first received signals, and outputting the plurality of the first signals having the controlled gain as a plurality of second signals; a signal saturation detecting unit for outputting a saturation index determination value when the number of plurality of second signals that are greater than a threshold value is greater than a predetermined number; and a gain controlling unit for comparing power values of the plurality of second signals to detect one power value, and outputting a gain value determined based on a detected power value and a saturation index determination value to the radio frequency receiver.
US07676197B2
A computing platform includes a wireless interface and other devices that may cause interference to the wireless interface. The other devices may change frequencies of operation or data rates to steer signal spectrum away from current wireless channels and reduce interference to the wireless interface.
US07676196B2
A telecommunications system provides service to a cellular device located within a radio-frequency (RF) shadow of a communication station. The system may include a line-of-sight (LOS) antenna located in a line of sight of the station and a shadow antenna in communication with the LOS antenna and located within a line of sight of the RF shadow. The LOS antenna receives a transmitter signal from the station, and the shadow antenna receives a cellular signal from the cellular device. The LOS antenna also receives the cellular signal from the shadow antenna and, in turn, transmits the cellular signal to the station. Similarly, the shadow antenna receives the transmitter signal from the LOS antenna and, in turn, transmits the transmitter signal to the RF shadow. Accordingly, the cellular device is able to receive the transmitter signal T, and the station is able to receive the cellular signal. The telecommunication system may include a plurality of shadow antennas each for receiving the transmitter signal from the LOS antenna and for transmitting the transmitter signal to the RF shadow along a respective and unique transmission axis.
US07676193B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for tuning a broadcast processing system by using channel data from an interactive information source. The broadcast processing system interfaces with a broadcast medium and may include an interfacing apparatus that interfaces to the broadcast medium for extracting an appropriate broadcast signal and for tuning the broadcast processing system. The viewer uses a mobile terminal that communicates with the interactive information source over a first wireless communications path. The viewer may interact with the web site by navigating through the associated web pages in order to obtain broadcast information about the selected program, in which the broadcast information may be sent to the mobile terminal over the first wireless communications path. The broadcast information is processed by the wireless terminal in order to obtain the channel data. Consequently, the channel data may be sent to the broadcast processing system in order to tune the broadcast processing system to the selected program.
US07676192B1
A scanning radio and method using a receiver, a channel memory and a display in conjunction with a frequency and linked descriptor database. The frequency and linked descriptor database is queried using a geographic reference to produce a list of local radio channels that includes a list of frequencies with linked descriptors. The list of radio channels is transferred into the channel memory of the scanner, and the receiver is sequentially tuned to the listed frequencies recalled from the list of radio channels while the corresponding linked descriptors are simultaneously displayed.
US07676187B2
An improved fuser includes a fuser member, a pressure member that forms a nip with the fuser member through which copy sheets pass to have images fused thereon and an air knife to assist in peeling copy sheets from the fuser member. The air knife has a device connected to it that blocks entrained airflow between the fuser and air knife to reduce fuser cooling and power loss.
US07676186B2
In accordance with a replacing mechanism of the present invention, a toner cartridge is replaced from a main body of an image forming apparatus by performing, in a substantially same timing, an operation of closing a toner pouring opening with a cover by a levering action; and an operation of displacing the toner cartridge from the main body of the image forming apparatus to an operator side, the toner cartridge being provided with a flange portion. The toner cartridge cannot be pulled out unless the toner pouring opening is fully closed by the shutter member.
US07676171B2
A method for printing images on at least one substrate using an apparatus having a plurality of print modes, wherein at least one of the print modes is a monochrome printing mode and another of the print modes is a color printing mode, the method comprising: printing a first portion of the images in a first of the print modes; determining whether the images being printed in the first mode meet a predetermined criteria; switching the apparatus into a second of the print modes when the images then being printed in the first print mode meet the predetermined criteria; and printing a second portion of the images using the apparatus in the second of the print modes after the switching.
US07676168B2
A fixing device of the invention switches ON a heater lamp of the press roller in a fixing device in a color print mode. In a monochromatic mode, power comparable to the power consumption of the heater lamp can be supplied additionally to an exciting coil on the heat roller side when a heater lamp 3 stays OFF. An amount needed for the heat roller can be therefore added flexibly to the exciting coil. During a warm-up, power comparable to power consumption of the option can be supplied additionally to the exciting coil on the heat roller side.
US07676167B2
An apparatus for forming an image according to the present invention includes a coverage rate finder, a developing unit, and a control unit. The coverage rate finder finds the coverage rate of the image. The developing unit holds developer in it and includes a stirring means for stirring the held developer at a stirring speed. The developing unit supplies the stirred developer to a surface of an image carrier. When the apparatus forms the image consecutively on sheets of paper, the control unit changes the stirring speed in proportion to the coverage rate. When the apparatus forms an image with a higher coverage rate consecutively on sheets of paper, the control unit makes the stirring speed higher.
US07676159B2
A process for all-optically switching an incoming optical signal having at least a data packet is provided. The data packet including at least an address bit in its header, and the process includes receiving the data packet; processing the header optically; storing the decision made during the processing of the header; and switching the whole incoming data packet dependent upon the decision.
US07676158B2
Certain aspects of a method and system for optimum channel equalization between a host Serializer-Deserializer (SerDes) and an optical module may compensate and reduce dispersion loss along an electrical transmit path of a transmitter and an optical transmit path coupled to the transmitter via pre-emphasis. The data degradation as a result of the dispersion loss along the electrical transmit path of the transmitter and the optical transmit path coupled to the transmitter may be recovered by equalizing signals received via an electrical receive path of a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter.
US07676155B2
In a wavelength allocation method in a wavelength division multiplexing network, a 3R wavelength converter having a limited wavelength conversion range is disposed according to a wavelength conversion band of each node, at least one path set between transmitting/receiving nodes is selected, routing paths corresponding to the number of the selected at least one path set between the transmitting/receiving nodes having a request for a new optical path generation are extracted, it is determined whether there is a wavelength consecutive segment set that satisfies a maximum transmission distance for guaranteeing transmission quality of an optical signal and that includes one consecutive wavelength among the extracted routing paths, and a path using a first-fit wavelength is selected from paths of each wavelength consecutive segment and the wavelength is allocated when determining that there is a wavelength consecutive segment set.
US07676153B1
A digitally controlled optical delay apparatus providing optical signal delays electrically selectable in the picosecond to nanosecond range by way of selectable signal path lengths. Path lengths are incremented in physical length and path delay time according to digital ratios. The delay element includes micro-miniature path changing mirrors controlled in path length selecting positioning by input signals of logic level magnitude. Fiber optic coupling of signals to and from the delay element and a combination of fixed position and movable mirror included optical signal path lengths are included.
US07676151B2
A film cartridge type digital camera is provided and includes: a film cartridge type case having a compatible shape with a film cartridge into which a film camera is loaded; and an imaging device loaded into the film cartridge type case in a curved state.
US07676149B2
System for backlight detection using brightness values of subareas in focus area and method therefor
A system for backlight detection using the brightness values of the subareas in a focus area and method therefor are provided, which are applicable to an image capture device. The focus area is divided into a plurality of subareas and the brightness values of each of the subareas are calculated. Then, the brightness values of each of the subareas are converted into 0 and 1 codes, and then the codes are combined to generate the codes representing the entire focus area. The status values corresponding to each of the codes are determined with reference to a backlight detection table established in advance, so as to determine whether an object to be shot is in a backlight condition.
US07676142B1
The invention is related to methods and apparatus that can advantageously alter a playback rate of a multimedia presentation, such as a video clip. One embodiment of the invention permits a multimedia presentation to be sped up or slowed down with a controlled change in pitch of the sped up or slowed down audio. In one embodiment, this controlled change in the pitch permits the sped up or slowed down audio to retain a same sounding pitch as at normal playback speeds. In one embodiment, a duration is specified and playback of the video clip is advantageously sped to complete playback within the specified duration. In another embodiment, a finish by a time is specified, and the playback of the video clip is advantageously sped to complete playback by the specified time.
US07676127B2
In a PON system, an OLT periodically transmits a channel resource information block specifying a carrier wavelength and a spreading code on a first downstream channel to which a spread-spectrum spreader having a first spreading code is applied; one of ONUs receives the channel resource information block with a spread-spectrum despreader having the first spreading code and transmits a connection request to the OLT, using the carrier wavelength and the spreading code specified by the channel resource information block; the OLT having received the connection request transmits a new channel resource information block specifying a carrier wavelength and a spreading code to be used on an upstream data channel to the requester ONU through the first channel; and the requester ONU transmits data, using the carrier wavelength and the spreading code specified by the new channel resource information block.
US07676117B1
A system analyzes multiple images to identify similar images using histograms, image intensities, edge detectors, or wavelets. The system retrieves labels assigned to the identified similar images and selectively concatenates the extracted labels. The system assigns the concatenated labels to each of the identified similar images and uses the concatenated labels when performing a keyword search of the plurality of images.
US07676116B2
An information processing system stores image files formed by an image forming apparatus in a desired storage position in an information processing terminal through simple operations. The information processing terminal, in accordance with an instruction to incorporate an image file, sends to the image forming apparatus information that includes at least identification information by which to identify a storage destination for the image file, a file name for the data file corresponding to a selected icon and storage position information that indicates the storage position in a folder of a directory in the storage destination in which the data file is to be stored. The image forming apparatus registers the information, and causes a selection key for the registered information to be displayed. A new selection key is created for information to be displayed when new settings information is registered based on the information sent from the information processing terminal.
US07676110B2
A method of automatically determining a need to service a digital image acquisition system including a digital camera with a lens assembly includes analyzing pixels within one or more acquired digital images according to probability determinations that such pixels correspond to blemish artifacts. It is automatically determined whether a threshold distribution of blemish artifacts is present within one or more of the digital images. A need for service is indicated when at least the threshold distribution is determined to be present.
US07676105B2
According to some embodiments, a set of images may be determined, including at least one training image and at least one image to be provided to a viewer. A reduced training image may be created based on the training image, and at least one enlarging parameter may be calculated based on a portion of the training image and a corresponding portion of the reduced training image. The enlarging parameter may then be used to facilitate an enlargement of a reduced image to be provided to the viewer.
US07676104B2
A Bezier curve constituting outline font data represents a curve by four coordinate values of a start point, an end point, and two control points. The curve is represented by two coordinates of the start point and the end point in collinear approximation, and by three coordinates of the start point, an intersecting point of two lines, and the end point in bi-linear approximation. In curve pattern approximation, when 32 curve patterns are prepared, the curve is represented by 5-bit data of two coordinates of the start point and the end point, and a pattern number. By effectively employing these three kinds of processes, it is possible to represent a Bezier curve constituting the outline font data with a reduced data volume.
US07676102B2
An image compression apparatus is provided which includes an image dividing section that divides 3D image data into a plurality of units of data, 3D image data being composed of a plurality of frames, a pixel selection section that sequentially selects a pixel in one of the plurality of units as a target pixel in a predetermined order and selects pixels located within a predetermined range near the target pixel as reference pixels, a prediction error calculation section that calculates a prediction value of a target pixel value which is a pixel value of the target pixel, according to the pixel values of the reference pixels and calculates a prediction error which is a difference between the prediction value and the target pixel value, and an entropy coding section that performs entropy coding of the prediction error in each of the plurality of units.
US07676101B2
A process burden for code processing is reduced by the present system and method while possibly avoiding the lowering of image quality. When compensating for motion prediction by using a multi-reference frame while sequentially changing the pixel-based sizes of motion compensating blocks, a size-reduced block is generated depending upon a motion compensating block having the greatest pixel-based size to be taken as the uppermost layer among the pixel-based sizes. Thereafter, motion vector search ranges are determined respectively within the reference frame images, on the basis of a plurality of size-reduced reference images reduced in size respectively corresponding to the size-reduction ratios of the size-reduced blocks and the size-reduced blocks. Using the determined search range, an optimal motion vector is detected while sequentially changing the pixel-based sizes of the motion compensating blocks. This can detect a motion vector by only a limited search range within the reference frame image.
US07676097B2
A digital image encoding device, which encodes digital image data using a discrete wavelet transform, includes a coefficient bit shift processing unit that performs bit shift processing on a wavelet coefficient after the discrete wavelet transform. The coefficient bit shift processing shifts the wavelet coefficient to a lower bit side by a predetermined number of bits to truncate a lower bit, and reduces the number of effective bits to create a new wavelet coefficient.
US07676093B2
An image reading and processing method which is capable of automatically obtaining image data with high resolution along the proper contour of an original. First image reading is carried out on the original at a first resolution to obtain image data. The contour area of an image of the original 7 is detected based on the image data obtained by the image reading. Second image reading is carried out on the original at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, over an area 51 having outer edges thereof shared by the contour area 41, to obtain image data. The contour of the image of the original is detected in the contour area 41, based on the image data obtained by the second image reading. Image data of an image portion inside the detected contour of the image of the original is extracted from the image data obtained by the second reading.
US07676092B2
An apparatus is disclosed for providing data into a template document, the template document having a number of portions for completion by a user. The apparatus comprises: a verbal input device (72) arranged to receive and record a verbal passage, the verbal passage including information for a specific one of the portions of the template document; and a handwriting input device (70) arranged to decode handwritten information corresponding to the verbal passage, the handwritten information including identification of the specific portion of the template document. The apparatus also includes a data processing and storage device (78,82) arranged to: associate the verbal passage with the handwritten information based on the timings of the verbal passage and the handwritten information; determine from the verbal passage and the handwritten information the data to be provided into the specific portion of the template document; and associate the data with the specific portion of the template document.
US07676091B2
A method of improving an image or a set of images, by transforming an intensity histogram thereof is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) fitting the intensity histogram to a sum of a plurality of localized functions; (b) using the plurality of localized functions to define a plurality of localized intensity histograms; (c) for each localized intensity histogram, performing at least one image enhancement procedure, thereby providing a plurality of improved localized intensity histograms; and (d) combining the plurality of improved localized intensity histograms, thereby transforming the intensity histogram of the image. In various exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises detecting clutter and/or an outline of at least one region in the image or set of images.
US07676086B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for modifying images characterized in that it includes the ability to assign colour intensity values to pixels exposed during image manipulation operations comprising: means for using the color intensity values of remaining pixels in the original image, and means for assigning color values to the exposed pixels that are similar to those of the surrounding pixels so that the exposed regions blends smoothly with the surrounding region. The instant invention also provides a configured computer program product for carrying out the above method.
US07676077B2
Various methods and systems for utilizing design data in combination with inspection data are provided. One computer-implemented method for determining a position of inspection data in design data space includes aligning data acquired by an inspection system for alignment sites on a wafer with data for predetermined alignment sites. The method also includes determining positions of the alignment sites on the wafer in design data space based on positions of the predetermined alignment sites in the design data space. In addition, the method includes determining a position of inspection data acquired for the wafer by the inspection system in the design data space based on the positions of the alignment sites on the wafer in the design data space. In one embodiment, the position of the inspection data is determined with sub-pixel accuracy.
US07676075B2
Disclosed is a system and method for generating quantitative imagery of demyelination in the spinal cord. The method includes acquiring a magnetization transfer weighted (MTw) MR image of the spinal column, identifying a reference region of interest within the image corresponding to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), averaging the signal intensity corresponding to the reference region of interest, and computing a ratio, on a voxel-by-voxel basis, of the signal intensity of each voxel by the averaged reference signal intensity. In doing so, normalized MTw images are obtained such that detrimental artifacts such as motion-induced errors, coil loading, and RF coil sensitivity variations are obviated.
US07676071B2
A method for illuminating a specimen or a region of the specimen (region of interest, ROI), the information indicating whether and in what manner a specific point on the specimen is to be illuminated, being stored in a data memory under a specific address. A change in the position, orientation, and/or shape of the specimen is captured, and a transformation of the coordinates of the image points to be illuminated is derived therefrom; memory addresses are uniquely assigned to the transformed coordinates; and, on the basis of the memory addresses, the data memory is accessed, and its contents is read out in order to control the light source.
US07676063B2
A real-time low frame-rate video compression system and method that allows the user to perform face-to-face communication through an extremely low bandwidth network. The system and method employs novel eye tracking and blink detection techniques in order to select images for transmission. Experimental results show that the system is superior to more traditional video codecs for low bit-rate face-to-face communication.
US07676062B2
Vehicle including a compartment receivable of an object and a system for tracking the object includes at least one imaging device each arranged to receive an image of a portion of the compartment containing the object and a control unit coupled to each imaging device and which controls the imaging device to obtain a first set of images without the object and at least one second image including the object. The control unit analyzes the second image(s) in consideration of the first set of images to derive information about the object. This information may be the type, size and/or position of the object or a part thereof. The information may be used to control vehicular components which have a variable use based on the type, size or position of the object or part thereof.
US07676061B2
A laser safety system providing a system for checking the presence, focus and integrity of a laser beam focusing lens is disclosed. The laser safety system checks the focusing lens properties by capturing an image of a target by viewing the target through the focusing lens from along the laser beam path. An initial, known good, image is compared to an image captured immediately before enablement of the laser beam source to determine if the focusing lens is present, focused and is not damaged. The system may also utilize a mask projected onto the target as well as a low-power visible light laser directed along the path of the processing laser to determine the focusing lens properties. The system can also provide target recognition.
US07676050B2
Protective facilities in microphone inputs of a hearing device should be able to be exchanged in a more user-friendly manner. For this purpose, provision is made for a cover fixture for at least one microphone input of a hearing device with an essentially acoustically permeable protective facility to protect the at least one microphone input against solid particles. The cover fixture can be fixed to the surface of the hearing device in a friction-fitted or form-fitted manner. The cover fixture can however also be designed in one piece with the upper shell of the hearing device.
US07676049B2
A reconfigurable audio-video surround sound receiver (AVR) and method provide flexible surround speaker placement and a low cost simulated surround sound implementation. A processing circuit within an audio device or audio/visual (AV) device such as an audio-video receiver (AVR) generates signals for surround and main channel speakers that provide selectable operation between speaker placement in ordinary surround sound installation, or in a simulated surround sound installation with speakers placed at one end of a listening room. An electronic network within the audio device selects between a normal surround sound mode, in which the surround information is provided to surround channel outputs and main channel information is supplied to main channel outputs, or a simulated surround mode in which the main and surround channel outputs receive surround channel information in a phase-controlled relationship, directing the surround information away from a direct path toward the listening area, to diffuse the surround information.
US07676040B2
A method, a system and a computer program for changing an encryption key of data encrypted by a first key and stored on an archive server (40), wherein a conversion is applied to the data, generating recrypted data decryptable by means of a second key, the conversion being generated on a second server (30) and associated with the first key and the second key via a functional operation and transferred from the second server (30) to the archive server (40) via a transfer channel (38).
US07676035B2
The solution described herein provides an innovative use of remote services technology integrated with service personnel onsite at the point of service, such as a consumer repair outlet, to provide a pool of technical support resources to service a widely distributed resource need, such as support and repair resource needs of a chain of consumer outlets or an aggregated group of single proprietor consumer outlets. With this solution, qualified technical resources are provided from a central location to service a widely distributed retail environment. This is on-demand online remote support service is called or referred to as “support from a spigot.” The distribution method enables the delivery of higher quality, more reliable and overall lower cost services. Instead of requiring dedicated technical resources at each location, lower skilled labor may be deployed at the location to enable the remote technical support services process.
US07676034B1
A communications management system comprising an input for receiving a communications classification; a database of skill weights with respect to the communications classification; a database of agent skill scores; and a processor, for computing, with respect to the received communication classification, an optimum agent selection, the processor directly controlling a routing of the information representing the received call.
US07676024B2
An apparatus includes: an imaging unit 7, an X-ray detecting unit 90, outputting, upon irradiation of X-rays, an X-ray detection signal over the irradiation period; an operation controlling unit 13, generating a trigger indicating an imaging start timing based on the X-ray detection signal and using the trigger to perform operation controlling of the imaging unit 7; and a signal cable L1, containing, within a tube 11, one or a plurality of each of a detection signal line L11, transmitting the X-ray detection signal, a controlling signal line L12, transmitting a controlling signal for drive control of the imaging unit 7, and an image signal line L13, transmitting image signals, resulting from imaging by the imaging unit 7, and in the signal cable L1, the detection signal line L11 is disposed at an inner central portion of the tube 11 and the other signal lines are disposed so as to surround the detection signal line L11. The occurrence of malfunctions in the X-ray imaging apparatus is thereby reduced.
US07676017B2
A vacuum actuated and sustained ammonia feed system for the pH adjustment of power plant condensate and boiler feed water is described. This system can provide a safe means of providing anhydrous ammonia for pH adjustment to the condensate/feed water system of a power plant.
US07676015B2
Methods and systems for reactor lattice depletion are disclosed. One exemplary method, among others, comprises the steps of defining a reactor eigenvalue, the reactor eigenvalue being a specified ratio of actual neutron production to loss in the reactor; producing a lattice eigenvalue, the lattice eigenvalue being an estimated ratio of neutron production to loss in the lattice; and adjusting a boundary condition of the lattice to cause convergence of the lattice eigenvalue and the reactor eigenvalue in order to produce at least one physics parameter.
US07676013B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer system capable of maintaining synchronization of the data during the operation of apparatus by performing the periodical adjustment for a DLL circuit without using a method of 8B10B. In a transmitting apparatus, a control portion switches a selector to start a readjustment for the DLL circuit in a receiving apparatus, if a counter indicates a readjustment interval time. In performing there adjustment for the DLL circuit, a pattern generator sends a pattern making a signal waveform a stationary wave through the selector for a certain time, and if the signal is made stationary, a readjustment pattern is sent to the DLL circuit. The DLL circuit resets the sampling timing, based on this readjustment pattern. The selector switches the normal data A and the readjustment pattern to be sent to the DLL circuit.
US07676011B2
A data recovery apparatus and method for receiving at least an original clock and at least an original data stream output from a transmitter to output at least one recovery data are provided. The original data stream and the recovery data respectively include N steps in a period T of the original clock, wherein N is an integer larger than 0. The data recovery apparatus includes a sampling unit and a processing unit. The sampling unit samples the original data stream according to the original clock, wherein the sampling unit samples the corresponding data of the original data stream at least three times with T/(4N) sample period in each step. The processing unit receives and compares the sampled result output from the sampling unit, and recovers the sampled result to the recovery data according to the compared result.
US07676008B2
A system and method for obtaining a frequency error estimate representing the difference between a reference frequency and the frequency of a space-time transmit diversity signal is disclosed herein. The method includes taking the correlation of total sums, comprised of partial sums taken in defined first and second intervals, to represent the frequency error as the imaginary component of the correlation function.
US07675999B2
Various embodiments of methods and apparatus to remove or reduce phase noise in a baseband signal at a receiver are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07675998B2
The invention relates to a method for determining the sampling instant of a clock signal (ti) for a circuit for determining symbols (Se) from a digitized signal (sd, S) which is coupled to at least one quadrature signal pair of a modulation method (QAM), wherein the digitized signal is converted to polar signal coordinates (R, α) with a radial component (R).
US07675995B2
A device for transmitting information in a communications signal is envisioned. The information is modulated, at least in part, with a first angle-related characteristic. The device has a digital conversion circuit operable to convert information to be broadcast into a digital form. A constellation mapper is coupled to the digital conversion circuit, and is operable to convert the digital information into information associated with a constellation. A trajectory generation circuit generates samples denoting a trajectory within the constellation for the information. A transition analysis circuit determines a change in value of an angle-related characteristic in a transition between two samples, and a threshold detection circuit detects whether the change in value fails to meet a particular threshold. An angle-related characteristic distribution circuit can then distribute a portion of the change in value associated with the transition to at least one other transition.
US07675994B2
A flexible digital transmission system that improves upon the ATSC A/53 HDTV signal transmission standard. The system includes a digital signal transmitter for generating a first Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard encoded 8-VSB bit stream and, for generating an encoded new robust bit stream for transmitting high priority information bits, wherein symbols of the new bit stream are capable of being transmitted according to a transmission mode including: a 2-VSB mode and a 4-VSB transmission mode. The standard 8-VSB bit stream and new bit stream may be simultaneously transmitted over a terrestrial channel according to a broadcaster defined bit-rate ratio. The transmission system includes a control mechanism for generating information needed for encoding robust packets at a transmitter device. It also includes a mechanism for encoding control parameters and multiplexes the generated information with the standard and robust bit-streams for transmission. A receiver architecture is additionally provided to decode standard and robust bit-streams transmitted by the transmitter device.
US07675985B1
A digital channelizer unit is proposed for a satellite digital payload capable of processing multiple digital input signals. The input signals are downsampled and converted to complex baseband signals for processing with the digital channelizer unit. Each complex baseband signal is then channelized into multiple channels. A routing module rearranges the channels, which are then reconstructed as new complex baseband signals. The new complex baseband signals are upsampled to a higher data rate and converted to digital passband signals.
US07675969B2
A system and method for adaptively controlling the encoded data rate in a data compression system. The system and method sets up alternative encoded bit streams for each segment of data and selects the alternative that would produce the bit rate closest to a predetermined target bit rate for transmission. Each segment of video input is quantized based on a set quantization settings to produce a plurality of quantized segments. Each quantized segment is then variable rate encoded to produce an alternative encoded bit stream. The data rate that would be required to transmit each alternative encoded bit stream is determined and compared with a predetermined target bit rate, which is set according to the transmission rate buffer status. The selected encoded bit stream is provided to the transmission rate buffer in preparation for transmission. Having processed one segment of data, the system and method then updates its parameters for processing the next segment of data. An updated target bit rate is determined based on the rate buffer status at this point. A rate versus quantization index model is derived according to the data rates of the encoded streams and the corresponding quantization indices. A new set of weighting mask functions is then produced in accordance with the model and the quantization indices. The new set of quantization indices is to be used for processing the next segment of data.
US07675967B2
A data communication transceiver, such as a PCM or xDSL modem, is operable in a training-while-working mode in which it both trains and communicates user data. In some embodiments, upon initiation of a data communication session, the transceiver operates in a startup training mode in which partial training occurs that is sufficient to enable low rate data communication; the transceiver then enters the training-while-working mode in which it communicates user data and completes training. When training is completed, the transceiver enters a data mode in which it communicates user data but does not train. In some embodiments, if in the data mode conditions arise requiring retraining or making retraining desirable, the transceiver enters the training-while-working mode and retrains while continuing to communicate user data.
US07675960B2
A method for generating code sequences having good correlation properties comprising steps of selecting a code length comprising a number of chips, selecting a ruler which defines the position of non-zero values within the chips, and overlaying the non-zero values with an amplitude pattern.
US07675959B2
Thus, as shown by an exact electrodynamic computation of EMBF and the estimations described above of the velocity of turbulent flows arising due to their effect, application of amplitude- and frequency-modulated helically traveling (rotating and axially traveling) electromagnetic fields in metallurgical and chemical technologies and foundry can considerably increase the hydraulic efficiency of MHD facilities, intensify the processes of heat and mass transfer in technological plants, significantly increase their productivity, considerably decrease energy consumption for the production of metals, alloys, cast articles, and chemical products, and improve their quality.
US07675951B2
A semiconductor laser driving apparatus controls a semiconductor laser to output a prescribed intensity of laser light. The semiconductor laser driving apparatus includes at least two semiconductor laser driving circuits each outputting a prescribed amount of current to the semiconductor laser when operated, and a control circuit selectively transmitting a control signal and controlling one or more semiconductor laser driving circuits to operate in accordance with a prescribed intensity of laser light to be irradiated from the semiconductor laser.
US07675943B2
A media source, including a sending unit that sends out time-stamped media data packets to one or more receiving media sinks. A timestamp of one of the time-stamped media data packets indicates a time of creation of the one of the time-stamped media data packets. The media source also includes a determining unit that determines a play-out time offset. The media source additionally includes a transmission unit that sends out the play-out time offset to the one or more receiving media sinks once for all time-stamped media data packets of a session.
US07675939B2
The present invention is intended to realize high-speed and stable communication. A multi-flow RTP divides the data of one RTP session into pieces that can be transmitted through UDP ports through respectively and supplies the divided pieces of data to these ports. An RTCP controls the UDP ports through to transmit the divided data and controls a TCP port to transmit control information for reconstructing the divided data. UDP ports through receive the divided data and supplies the received data to a multi-flow RTP. An RTCP obtains the control information from the TCP port and supplies it to the multi-flow RTP. The multi-flow RTP reconstructs the divided data according to the control information and supplies the reconstructed data to the player, which reproduces the reconstructed data. The present invention is applicable to a stream data distribution system, for example.
US07675935B2
An apparatus is provided for facilitating communication between, for example, a configuration tool in a process control system and a wireless field device (such as a wireless sensor or actuator). The configuration tool and the wireless field device use different protocols, and the apparatus converts between the different protocols. The protocol used by the configuration tool could include HART. From the perspective of the wireless field device, the apparatus could appear to support the application protocol of the wireless field device. From the perspective of the configuration tool, the apparatus could simulate a HART multiplexer. This may allow a user to use the configuration tool to configure, commission, and monitor the wireless field device, even when the user does not know or understand the protocol used by the wireless field device.
US07675914B2
The present invention improves the reliability and safety of communication in a communications system wherein communication is relayed. When an on-premise terminal 100 sets relay information, such as NAT information or the setting information of a packet filter, in a gateway 110, the relay information is set after confirming whether the NAT information for which a setting attempt is being made duplicates the NAT information of another on-premise terminal 101. The same applies to the case of deleting relay information. If the NAT information is duplicate, then interference with the communication of the other on-premise terminal 101 is prevented by modifying the relay information for which a setting attempt is being made, specifically the port number of the gateway 110 on a global network 001.
US07675913B2
A packet, cell or other data segment received in a physical layer device from a link layer device via an interface bus is processed to determine a port address for the data segment in the physical layer device. The port address, which may be an MPHY address, is determined using a combination of a first address value obtained from a link layer address portion of the data segment and a second address value obtained from a payload portion of the data segment. The data segment is stored in a memory location identified by the port address. The memory location may comprise a particular queue of the physical layer device.
US07675909B2
A method and apparatus are provided for horizontally slicing a multi-stage switching fabric having transmission inputs and transmission outputs to and from the switch fabric. The switching fabric includes switch elements arranged in at least first and second stages, each switch element having element inputs and outputs with each switch element being configured to join one of the element inputs with an associated one of the element outputs. The switch fabric includes a first logic device that contains a stage-1subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage. The first logic device also contains a stage-2 subset of the switch elements arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the second stage. The switch fabric includes a second logic device that contains a stage-1 subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage. The second logic device also contains a stage-2 subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the second stage. The first and second logic devices are physically discrete from one another.
US07675893B2
A physical frame is constructed, the physical frame including a medium access control super-frame payload which in turn includes a plurality of medium access control frames. With respect to the constructed physical frame, virtual carrier sense information is set in the plurality of medium access control frame so that a result of carrier sense is identical to another by virtual carrier sense based on the plurality of medium access control frames in the medium access control super-frame payload. The physical frame in which the virtual carrier sense information has been set is transmitted to a destined communication apparatus.
US07675892B2
A sub-access point (AP), system, and method for adjusting a power level of a transmission signal, and more particularly, in which the power level of a transmission signal output from the sub-AP is adjusted based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) readings and frame error rate (FER) of a main AP, thereby eliminating shadow areas and minimizing interference between the main AP and the sub-AP. The sub-AP includes a reception unit which receives a beacon frame and a data frame from a main AP, a RSSI checking unit which checks an RSSI of the main AP, a FER checking unit which checks an FER, and a control unit which determines a power level at which a transmission signal is to be transmitted based on the identified RSSI and the identified FER and causes a transmission signal to be output at the determined power level.
US07675890B2
A load balancing method for a wireless local area network (LAN) which has a plurality of access points is provided in the present invention. The load balancing decision is made by a load balancing module according to traffic conditions and bandwidth availability of each traffic priority class based on a corresponding class of service. The load balancing module is a centralized module which the load balancing decision is determined by the centralized module, or is determined through information exchanges among distributed load balancing modules of the access points. The load balancing decision also takes into consideration of VLANs per VLAN tag basis. Each of the VLANs is defined with the corresponding traffic priority class.
US07675887B2
On the basis of a spreading factor obtained by despreading a control channel of received data by a control channel despreading unit, a spreading factor determination unit determines a transmission rate of the received data. User data subjected to despreading processing at a user data despreading unit is demodulated by a demodulator and temporarily stored in a demodulated data memory. The user data read from the demodulated data memory is decoded by a decoder, whereas the result of decoding by the decoder is supplied to a delay measurement unit, where a delay time relative to the above processing, of the user data is detected. A channel resource management unit manages the number of available resources at all times or in a constant cycle on the basis of transmission rates of respective radio channels detected by the spreading factor determination unit and delay processing times of the respective radio channels detected by the delay measurement unit.
US07675881B2
An interface for connecting networks includes an interworking function provided between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a public mobile land network (PLMN) to provide communication interactions between the PLMN and the WLAN. The interworking function includes a dual-protocol stack, which interfaces the WLAN protocols and PLMN protocols to provide seamless communications between the WLAN and the PLMN such that an increase in available service bandwidth provided for users of the PLMN is maintained.
US07675878B2
This application describes an enhanced passive scanning method for a wireless local area network, including the steps of transmitting at least one of a beacon signal or a gratuitous probe response in a WLAN channel by an access point. The gratuitous probe response is a supplemental beacon signal that is transmitted at intervals between the occurrence of regular beacon signals, but contains only essential information to allow mobile station manage roaming and timing.
US07675877B2
An apparatus and a method for performing a time shift function according to a current call connection state are disclosed. If a user enters a call connection mode with another party while viewing digital broadcast signal, received digital broadcast signal is recorded. If the call connection mode is terminated, the digital broadcast signal stored from a start time of the call connection mode is reproduced and displayed. Therefore, although the user loses specific broadcast signal received during a call connection time, the user can continuously view the lost broadcast signal without any loss after the lapse of the call connection time.
US07675872B2
Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for displaying pictures. In one embodiment, there is presented a decoder system for decoding video data. The decoder system comprises a port and a transport processor. The port receives packets carrying encoded video data from a plurality of video streams. The transport processor adds a header to encoded video data from at least one of the packets. The header identifies a particular one of the plurality of video streams, wherein the at least one packet is from the particular one of the plurality of video streams.
US07675871B2
A method of and apparatus for communicating between a host and an agent. The method includes the step of performing a first transaction between a host controller and a hub. The hub is operable to perform a single transaction with an agent based on the first transaction. The method then includes the step of performing a second transaction between the host controller and the hub. The second transaction is based on the single transaction.
US07675870B2
An Internet Protocol Television (IP-TV) broadcasting service system and method using a physical layer multicast switch are provided. The system comprises: a head end which converts an Ethernet signal to a virtual concatenation group (VCG) signal of a synchronous digital hierarchy/synchronous optical network (SDH/SONET); a multicast switch which multicasts the VCG signal in a physical layer; and a tail end which receives the multicasted VCG signal through a Synchronous Transmission Module level n (STM-N) optical link and restores the VCG signal to the Ethernet signal. Therefore, high quality TV broadcasting can be provided in an IP multicast network.
US07675868B2
Systems and methods are described for enabling routers to coordinate via a back-channel communication medium. The information exchanged over the back-channel is used to increase the number of paths considered for the routers during route optimization. The Decision Makers may assert routes and prefixes to the routers under their control. This may be done via a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) feed. The Decision Makers, in turn, communicate separately with one another, in order to coordinate routing policy amongst themselves. This coordination may be performed over a back-channel, which may take the form of physical or logical connections between the Decision Makers.
US07675866B1
A method and system for analyzing resource needs for a configurable computing system representing the configuration in a tree structure. The tree structure has a plurality of nodes representing stored data. A first set of the nodes comprises childless nodes and a second set of the nodes comprises parent nodes. Each parent node has at least one child node. The method for analyzing comprises the steps of: (a) determining the worst case resource needs of the childless nodes during an execution cycle by evaluating the worst case values of any selected attributes that the childless node may have; (b) determining the worst case resource needs of the parent nodes during an execution cycle; and, (c) recursively applying the rules used for evaluating the worst case resource needs of the individual nodes, above, starting with a root node of the plurality of nodes, to determine the worst case resource needs of the entire tree structure.
US07675858B2
A communications system is arranged to provide a service to user equipment in accordance with mobility management information. The system comprises a session protocol server (S-CSCF) operable to control the state of a communications session for at least one user equipment in accordance with user profile data, a subscriber information database (HSS) for providing the user profile data for the session protocol server (S-CSCF), and a mobility server. The mobility server comprises a mobility manager operable to receive mobile dependent evaluation reports providing an indication of a current state for communicating with the user equipment and to form the mobility management information based on the evaluation reports. The mobility server includes an application programmer's interface operable to communicate call control signalling data between the mobility manager and the session protocol server (S-CSCF). The mobility manager is operable to notify the application program providing the service to the user equipment of the mobility management information in response to a subscription for the information from the application program, the subscription being provided via the session protocol server (S-CSCF) using the call control signalling data. By integrating the mobility server within the system, mobility management information provided by the mobility server can be integrated with other services provided by the system. As such, mobile users deploying application programs within the system, which subscribe to the mobility server, can benefit from added value provided by established system components and re-using established interfaces.
US07675853B2
To ensure an effective mechanism for disaster recovery, system migration and network enlargement, a communication system (FIG. 6) comprises a narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) having a plurality of network adaptors (302-306) interconnected to a switch (314-316) that provides access to a plurality of virtual channels (318-321) supported by a broadband network. The plurality of network adaptors (302-306) are also coupled to a plurality of trunks (308-312) that each support at least one of a plurality of different communication functions. At least two call servers (324-326) are independently coupled to the narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) and are arranged to control interconnection of trunks to virtual channels, while each of the at least two call servers is responsible for controlling interconnections of group of trunks that share a common communication function within each group. Communication system functionality is therefore separated between the at least two call servers.
US07675837B2
The present invention provides data storage devices, systems and methods. An example device includes: a storage medium for storing data in the form of marks; and at least one probe. The probe(s) and storage medium are operable to move relative to each other, with each probe comprising a tip facing the storage medium and having a force creating unit associated thereto. The force creating units are operable to create a force acting between the tip and said storage medium. The data storage device is operable to erase an indentation mark in the storage medium by way of controlling the force creating unit for creating at least one erase force pulse with a force rise time being less than or equal to the order of 1 microsecond.
US07675833B2
An optical disk apparatus includes an optical pickup and a disk-rotation driving unit configured to rotationally drive the optical disks. The optical pickup includes a first emission unit configured to emit a first wavelength beam; a second emission unit configured to emit a second wavelength beam; a third emission unit configured to emit a third wavelength beam; an objective lens configured to focus the first to third wavelength beams emitted from the first to third emission units, respectively, at a signal recording surface of an optical disk; a light-path combining unit configured to combine an optical path of the first wavelength beam emitted from the first emission unit and an optical path of the second and third wavelength beams emitted from the second and third emission units, respectively; and an aberration correcting unit provided on the optical path of the second and third wavelength beams.
US07675826B2
A write strategy calibration system for an optical media playback device comprises memory for storing a write strategy table. A control module generates a write signal to write a training pattern to an optical storage medium according to calibration data stored in the write strategy table. A write strategy analysis module receives a read signal indicative of the training pattern written to the optical storage medium and adjusts the calibration data according to the read signal.
US07675825B2
An optical disk unit of this invention includes a defocus detecting system for detecting a defocus of an objective lens, a thickness unevenness detecting system for detecting a thickness unevenness of a transparent resin layer provided nearest the objective lens of a recording medium, and a thickness unevenness correcting mechanism for changing the focusing characteristic of light impinging upon the objective lens based on a change in the thickness of the transparent resin layer detected by the thickness detecting system.
US07675814B2
A method and apparatus for generating an acoustic signal having a single mode of propagation along borehole walls. The method includes generating an n-pole (monopole, dipole, quadrupole, and so on) acoustic signal and calculating the tool position and borehole shape from the signals received at one or more receivers. If the tool contains matched sources and balanced receivers, is in the center of the borehole, and the borehole is circular, the pure, single mode acoustic signal will propagate along the borehole walls with a single mode of propagation. If the acoustic signal traveling along borehole walls does not have a single mode of propagation, the signal's amplitudes and time delays are adjusted to produce a second acoustic signal. The second acoustic signal's amplitudes and time delays are further adjusted until the signal traveling along the borehole walls has a single mode of propagation.
US07675812B2
A method for attenuating multiple reflections in seismic signals includes coherency filtering the seismic signals. The seismic signals are low pass filtered and high pass filtered seismic signals at a frequency selected such that substantially only multiple reflections exist in the seismic signals above the frequency. A mask is generated having unity value where the high pass filtered signal amplitude exceeds a selected threshold. The mask has unity zero value for all other filtered signals. The mask value is multiplied by the low pass filtered signals. The multiplied signals are added to the high pass filtered signals and a coherency filter is applied to remove remaining primary energy to generate a model of the multiple reflections. The multiple reflection model is subtracted from the coherency filtered seismic signals.
US07675809B2
An improved redundancy architecture for embedded memories in an ASIC chip includes one or more compiler-generated embedded memory instances. Each embedded memory instance has a universal register for storing an address of a defective subunit of the memory instance from a variety of sources. A control block is located on the ASIC chip outside of the memory instances. The control block has a defective memory register for storing an address of a defective memory subunit. The address of a defective memory subunit from the defective memory register in the control block is transferred to the universal interface register in the memory instance. In one embodiment, the control block includes fuses for storing a defective subunit address in binary form. A fuse array is located outside of the memory instances and contains laser fuses that represent address of defective subunits for each memory instance. Alternatively, the control block includes a BISTDR (built-in, self-test, diagnostic, and repair) system that provides an address of a defective memory subunit. Means are provided in the memory instances for comparing incoming memory addresses to address bits for defective memory subunits stored in each memory-instance register.
US07675808B2
An object is to realize high-capacity of a memory while reducing power consumption and making the power consumption even throughout the memory. A memory includes a plurality of memory block arranged to be symmetrically to each other. Also, a specific combination of signals among address signals supplied to the memory, a memory block including a memory cell to be read from or written to is specified. Further, signals supplied to other memory blocks than the above memory block is maintained at a constant value. Consequently, a wiring length of a bit line in a memory array can be shortened, and current consumption can be made to be even among data reading or writing from/to memory cells of a variety of addresses within the memory, at the same time as reducing load capacitance.
US07675804B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first semiconductor circuit, a second semiconductor circuit, a first control circuit and a second control circuit. The first and second semiconductor circuits are formed on a semiconductor substrate and operate using a voltage provided by an external power supply circuit as a power supply voltage. The first control circuit is formed on the semiconductor substrate and holds control information used to control the voltage generated by the external power supply circuit in accordance with operating performance of the first and second semiconductor circuits. The second control circuit controls a property of the first semiconductor circuit in accordance with the control information held by the first control circuit.
US07675800B2
When a main block address held in a memory refresh address counter coincides with an access block address corresponding to an access request, its counter value is transferred to a sub refresh address counter. Thereafter, a sub refresh address counter operates with priority over a main refresh address counter until its counter value reaches a final value. Consequently, an access operation and a refresh operation can be simultaneously executed without interfering with each other. As a result, it is possible to execute the refresh operation with a minimum increase in circuit scale and without any deterioration in access efficiency.
US07675796B2
Information stored in a nonvolatile storage device mounted to a semiconductor device is read by inputting an address signal or the like and by using a sense amplifier or the like. At this time, since a prescribed period of time is required, it is necessary to design a semiconductor device taking that delay into consideration. Also, a sense amplifier consumes an enormous amount of current. Further, since the number of reading bits is set, it is also necessary to read other unnecessary information when only 1 bit is to be read. A nonvolatile storage circuit is formed by a memory element that is formed by an electrical element having an electrically conducting or insulating means, a reset element, and a latch element. In the storage element, different information is stored in the latch element depending on whether the electrical element is electrically insulated or conductive, when the wireless chip is reset. With such a structure, a low power consumption wireless chip mounted with a nonvolatile storage device can be provided a low cost.
US07675790B1
A novel method and circuit are disclosed for providing an alternate function to a semiconductor device having a normal operating voltage range and an input pin for receiving an input signal of a voltage level within a normal signal voltage range, for selecting an alternate function, whose steps consist of determining, when a voltage is received at the input pin, whether the voltage is within a normal signal voltage range, enabling the performing of a primary function if the signal voltage is within a normal signal voltage range, and initiating an alternate function when the voltage is outside of the normal signal voltage range.
US07675788B2
A non-volatile electronic memory device may be monolithically integrated on a semiconductor and be of the Flash EEPROM type having a NAND architecture and including at least one memory matrix organized in rows and columns of memory cells. Advantageously, the matrix may include at least one portion having a different data storage capacity and a different access speed than another portion.
US07675784B2
The invention provides a semiconductor memory device which realizes high speed reading by automatically adjusting and optimizing charge and discharge timings even when a change in an operation environment such as a variation in an operation voltage, an operation temperature, a process parameter and so on occurs. First and second dummy bit lines are provided for a bit line, each having a wiring load twice the wiring load of the bit line. A first sense circuit sensing the voltage of the first dummy bit line is provided to control a charging time according to a first sense signal. A second sense circuit sensing the voltage of the second dummy bit line is further provided to control a discharging time according to a second sense signal. A sense amplifier sensing the voltage of the bit line is activated in response to the second sense signal.
US07675778B2
There is provided a memory array and methods for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, there is provided a string comprising a plurality of transistors. Each of the plurality of transistors includes: a charge storage node, a control gate, and at least one resistive element coupled to the string. The control gate of at least one of the plurality of transistors can be selectively coupled to a reference potential via a corresponding one of the at least one resistive element.
US07675769B2
In a semiconductor integrated circuit having a register file of a multiport configuration, a first holding circuit 20A is dedicated to a first functional block having one first write port section 21AW and two first read port sections 21AR1 and 21AR2. A second holding circuit 30B is dedicated to a second functional block having one second write port section 31AW and one second read port section 31BR. When it is necessary to read data held in the first holding circuit 20A from the second read port section 31BR, for example, a data interchange operation is performed as follows. After the data of the second holding circuit 30B is latched in a latch circuit 40, the data of the first holding circuit 20A is transferred to the second holding circuit 30B, and then the data of the second holding circuit 30B latched in the latch circuit 40 is transferred to the first holding circuit 20A. Thus, the area necessary to provide a register file is significantly reduced.
US07675760B2
A power supply (V1) for an electrical device comprising a transformer (X1) having primary and secondary windings. The primary winding is connectable to an AC voltage supply and circuitry on the secondary side is arranged to provide a DC output voltage for the electrical device. The power supply also comprises a switch (111—transistors Q1 & Q2) between the primary winding of the transformer and the AC supply, and a rectifier (Diode D6) for rectifying the AC voltage. The switch is arranged to switch on at some point as the rectified AC voltage increases, once it has reached a non-zero value, thereby providing a current flow through the primary winding and hence through the secondary winding when the switch (111—transistors Q1 & Q2) is switched off. The switch is further arranged to switch off before the rectified AC voltage starts to increase again.
US07675756B2
Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board with an embedded thin-film capacitor, and a method of manufacturing the same.Specifically, the present invention relates to a printed circuit board with an embedded thin-film capacitor, comprising a lower electrode formed on an insulating substrate; an amorphous paraelectric film formed on the lower electrode; a metal seed layer formed on the paraelectric film; and an upper electrode formed on the metal seed layer and having a surface roughness (Ra) of more than 300 nm; anda method of manufacturing a printed circuit board with an embedded thin-film capacitor, comprising forming a lower electrode on an insulating substrate; forming an amorphous paraelectric film on the lower electrode, using a low-temperature film formation process; forming a metal seed layer on the paraelectric film; and forming an upper electrode having a surface roughness (Ra) of more than 300 nm on the metal seed layer, using an electroplating method.
US07675749B2
A heat dissipating structure of a 1U power supply is installed in an industrial computer host system of a universal standard specification 1U for supplying electric power, and at least one wall of the power supply differentiates a retaining plane and a heat dissipating plane having a heat dissipating hole with a height difference, and a horizontal plane of the heat dissipating plane is lower than the retaining plane and forms an airflow passage with the computer host system for guiding a heat dissipated airflow through the airflow passage to improve the poor heat dissipation at both distal ends of the traditional 1U power supply due to the same height of the power supply and the computer host system or the proximity of both sides of the power supply with an installed electronic device such as a hard disk.
US07675731B2
A tunable and aimable artificial lightning producing device for tetanizing human voluntary muscle, disabling vehicular electronic ignition systems, and for pre-detonating wired explosives. A spark gap shaping apparatus controls a spark generated by a Tesla coil. A first stage directionalizer warps a normally spherical plasma field from the Tesla coil into an oval plasma field for confining the spark to within that shape. A second stage directionalizer converges multiple beams to successive points just ahead of a plasma field created by the first stage directionalizer without ionizing the beams, thereby maintaining ionization of a path of the spark. The spark is progressively arced to these points, thereby maintaining the path of the spark.
US07675725B2
A constant voltage output circuit has an output power transistor supplied with electric power form a first input power source and a control circuit supplied with electric power from a second input power source. Here, when the voltage from the first input power source is equal to or higher than a predetermined level Va, an overcurrent protection circuit and a short-circuiting protection circuit operate. Furthermore, yet another protection circuit is provided that operates even when the voltage from the first input power source is lower than the predetermined level Va.
US07675719B2
The present invention provides a current limiting module and a hybrid current limiter using different kinds of superconducting wires. The current limiting module includes a first superconducting wire that is wound in a predetermined direction, and a second superconducting wire that has quench characteristic different from the first superconducting wire and is wound to generate magnetic flux in a direction opposite to magnetic flux induced by the first superconducting wire. According to the present invention, inductance is generated due to unequal supply of fault current. Therefore, it is possible to prevent current from being suddenly increased, and to reduce the number of superconducting wires required to manufacture the current limiting module. Further, the hybrid current limiter does not need to include a separate coil for operating a fast switch.
US07675709B2
A magnetic write head structure that maximizes write field strength while minimizing stray fields. The write pole structure maximizes write field strength by minimizing saturation of the magnetic pole tips, and minimizes stray field writing by preventing magnetic fields from extending laterally from the sides of the magnetic pole. The write head structure includes a write pole having a pole tip configured with a stair notched shape and a steep shouldered base beneath the stair notched portion. This configuration maximizes the amount of flux that can be delivered to the pole tip while also avoiding stray fields. The magnetic pole can also be configured with wing shaped extensions that extend laterally from the pole tip region but which are recessed from the ABS by a desired amount. The magnetic write head structure can be manufactured by forming a magnetic pole with a raised portion, depositing a write gap material over the magnetic pole and then forming a magnetic pedestal over the magnetic pole and write gap, the pedestal having a width significantly smaller than the width of the raised portion of the magnetic pole, a first ion mill can then be performed to notch and trim the magnetic pole. Then a non-magnetic layer such as alumina can be deposited and a second ion mill performed to form a stair notched configuration. An alumina bump can be formed prior to ion milling to provide a mask for forming the laterally extending, recessed wings in the pole tip of the magnetic pole.
US07675708B2
A thin-film magnetic head substrate includes a ceramic base, an undercoat film of an aluminum oxide, and an intermediate layer, which is sandwiched between the ceramic base and the undercoat film and which is made of a material other than the aluminum oxide and an Al—Ti—O compound.
US07675706B2
Methods and apparatus for proximity detection of hard disk drive read heads are disclosed. A disclosed method comprises forming a first signal having a frequency, a first amplitude, and a first offset voltage, forming a second offset voltage substantially equal to the first offset voltage from the first signal, amplifying the amplitude of the first signal to cause the resonant signal to have a second amplitude greater than the first, and forming a second signal having a frequency indicative of the location of a read head relative to a platter of a hard disk drive.
US07675704B2
A preamplifier circuit for a disk drive system is disclosed. The preamplifier circuit has first and second inputs that sense the voltage on either side of a magnetoresistive (MR) head element, which presents a varying resistance according to the localized magnetic field at a nearby disk surface. The preamplifier circuit includes a programmable input impedance circuit, which presents an impedance in parallel to feedback impedance at each of the first and second inputs. The parallel impedance presented by the programmable input impedance circuit is controlled by controlling a current source in the programmable input impedance circuit; a higher current results in a lower input impedance.
US07675691B2
A zoom lens system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of lens units, in order from an object side to an image side, including at least: a first lens unit having positive optical power; a second lens unit having negative optical power; and a third lens unit having positive optical power, wherein magnification change is performed by changing an interval between the individual lens units, wherein the second lens unit, in order from the object side to the image side, comprises: a lens element A having negative optical power; a lens element B that has an aspheric surface and has negative optical power; and a lens element C having positive optical power, and wherein the second lens unit satisfies the following conditions (1): 1.85
US07675682B2
An optical film and a backlight unit having the same are disclosed. The optical film includes a base film and a first prism disposed on the base film, the first prism having a first peak height and a second prism disposed on the base film, the second prism having a second peak height. A difference between the first peak height and the second peak height is substantially 1 μm to 10 μm.
US07675681B2
A display device includes a lens array unit, a display unit which is configured such that a first substrate is attached to a second substrate that is disposed between the first substrate and the lens array unit, the display unit having a display area composed of matrix-arrayed pixels, a gap control layer which forms a predetermined gap between the display unit and the lens array unit, and a support member which fixes the display unit and the lens array unit on an outside of the display area of the display unit.
US07675667B2
Devices including EC monomers polymerized using chronoamperometry to deposit a very thin homogeneous layer followed by cyclic voltammetry to increase the density of the EC polymer film. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to specific web like configurations for a grid of conductive material deposited onto a transparent substrate. The web like configuration is based either on concentric circles, or on concentric ellipses. Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to an imaging system including a digital window that is disposed between a prism and a patterned analytic layer.
US07675662B2
In a system for authenticating information, a holographic element, including a first layer of optical information in a first coded pattern and a second layer of optical information in a second coded pattern is inserted into a reader. The reader includes an opening into which the holographic element may be positioned, a light source, a first detector positioned at a first predetermined distance from the location of the holographic element when the holographic element is positioned in the opening, and a second detector positioned at a second predetermined distance from the location of the holographic element when the holographic element is positioned in the opening.
US07675660B2
The first color difference between the second color space value showing the second color tone and the first color space value showing the first color tone is found when the first color tone is a target of color adjustment and the second color tone is a output of the target, the first color space value is corrected by a predetermined correction amount, the moved ratio of the predetermined correction amount to a moved amount which is derived from the second color space value and the third color space value showing the third color tone is found when the third color tone is a output of the first color space value with the predetermined correction amount, and the color adjustment is conducted based on the first color space value with a amount obtained correcting the first color difference with the moved ratio.
US07675650B2
A method of creating an ornamental representation of a natural flower or foliage, by digitally scanning one or more surfaces of one or more pieces of a natural flower or foliage and directly printing the scanned images on respective one or more surfaces of a medium. The printed pieces are then cut out of the medium, shaped to create the contour of a natural petal or foliage and composited to create an ornamental representation of the natural flower or foliage.
US07675646B2
Methods for evaluating whether to compress data sent to a print device receive bands of printing data. Each band of printing data comprises a plurality of lines of printing data. A subset of lines of printing data comprising less than all of the lines of printing data is selected and a compression methodology is applied to the subset of lines of printing data to produce a partial compression ratio. The partial compression ratio is extrapolated to a full compression ratio based on a previously performed hardware compression. Then, an evaluation of whether to use the compression methodology on all of the lines of printing data can be performed based on the full compression ratio.
US07675645B2
A print control apparatus carrying out a print control processing for print data undergoing a print processing in a print apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives print data; a processing unit that carries out image processing for the received print data, thereby generating image data; an image data analyzing unit that analyzes at least one draw object in the generated image data; a display control unit that displays object information relating to the draw object analyzed by the image data analyzing unit on a display unit; an object information change instruction receiving unit that receives a change instruction for the object information; an object information changing unit that changes object information relating to the draw object according to the change instruction for the object information received by the object information change instruction receiving unit; and a storage unit that stores image data and object information.
US07675638B2
Methods and systems are provided for a printer controller in a printing system to flexibly define conditions for notification to one or more recipients of intervention states of the printing system. The time delay for transmitting escalated intervention notification message may be dynamically determined in accordance with present operating parameters of the printing system. Other aspects provide that the recipients of such messages and the form of such messages may be dynamically determined in accordance with present operating parameters of the printing system. Policy rules may define the predicate conditions for determining the timeout values for escalation and for determining the message format and recipients.
US07675631B2
A method of measuring a dimension and/or position of an object located in a measuring field, includes projecting a fan-shaped reference wave onto a holographic optical element having a first interference pattern and a second interference pattern; forming a first parallel partial wave front from the fan-shaped reference wave using the first interference pattern, the first parallel partial wave front entering the measuring field; and forming a second parallel partial wave front from the fan-shaped reference wave using the second interference pattern, the second parallel partial wave front entering the measuring field; wherein the measuring field is located behind the holographic optical element, and the first parallel partial wave front and the second parallel partial wave front intersect in the measuring field. A method of making a holographic optical element is also disclosed.
US07675630B2
A system and method for selectively setting an optical navigation resolution utilizes a comparison of a comparison displacement value to a threshold value to set the optical navigation resolution to an effective resolution selected from a plurality of effective resolutions. The comparison displacement value is based on at least one of a first displacement value in a first direction and a second displacement value in a second direction, which were derived for estimating motion.
US07675624B2
This specification discloses various improvements in the field of SPR sensing systems. One improvement relates to a portable SPR sensing system, e.g., a system contained within a suitcase that can be hand-carried to a monitoring site. Another improvement relates to a portable, cartridge-based SPR sensing system. In this system, selected portions of the system's electrical and fluidics systems are allocated between a base unit and a removable/disposable cartridge. Other improvements relate to methods or protocols for operating an SPR sensing system. Such methods provide for the elimination of false positives and increased sensitivity, e.g., by using secondary antibodies with specificity for different target epitopes and by sensor element redundancy. In addition, protocols are provided for the detection of small molecules. Such protocols may employ a competition type assay where the presence of the analyte inhibits the binding of antibodies to surface immobilized analyte, or a displacement assay, where antibodies bound to the analyte on the sensor surface are displaced by free analyte.
US07675623B2
A device for origin of light absorbance used in an optical measuring instrument for measuring light absorption characteristics of a light diffusion sample. The device includes a light transmission terminal configured to irradiate a measurement light onto the light diffusion sample at a point of incidence of the light diffusion sample and a light diffusion plate through the interior of which the measurement light can be diffused and transmitted. A light receiving terminal is configured to receive the measurement light from the light diffusion sample for measurement at a point of detection of the light diffusion sample that is separate from the point of incidence. Optionally, the device can include a cleaning unit that cleans the light transmission terminal and light receiving terminal.
US07675618B2
A multiplexing spectrometer measures at least one parameter, such as temperature, pressure or stress. The system multiplexes the outputs of Bragg stack sensors deposited at the distant ends of optical fibers brought in contact or in close proximity to objects. The spectrometer detects the peaks of the optical signals returned from the Bragg stacks and converts them into corresponding values of the parameters of interest. The spectrometer includes an optical system that comprises an entrance slit, a diffraction grating as a light dispersing means. Multiplexing occurs on a two-dimensional solid state matrix photo detector detects and converts the light signals returned from the Bragg stack sensing elements into corresponding electrical signals, and a built-in look-up table to provides the values of the parameters of interest that correspond the spectral characteristics of the returned light signals.
US07675612B2
A laser measuring device (50) including a housing (56) with a laser device present therein for generating and projecting at least one laser beam (52, 54), perpendicular to an alignment surface (34) of the housing, or to a mount (14) that is connected to the housing. In order to enable an exceedingly precise alignment of a laser beam to the center point of an opening in a room boundary, such as the floor, without requiring costly adjustment operations, it is proposed that the alignment surface (34) be equipped with at least three synchronously adjustable positioning elements, which lie in a circle, through the center point of which the laser beam (54), which extends perpendicular to the alignment surface (34), or its extension, passes.
US07675607B2
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed having a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting a radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, the support including a support clamp constructed to clamp the patterning device to the support, and a bending mechanism constructed to apply a bending torque to the clamped patterning device, the bending mechanism comprising a force/torque actuator configured to act on the clamped patterning device without substantially reducing the clamping force exerted on the patterning device by the support clamp.
US07675598B2
An image display device includes a display panel, and a barrier including a plurality of transmissive portions and a plurality of blocking portions on the display panel, wherein the plurality of transmissive portions and the plurality of blocking portions are arranged in a matrix, wherein 3Nth rows and (3N−1)th rows include the plurality of transmissive portions and the plurality of blocking portions, N being a positive integer, (3N−2)th rows include the plurality of transmissive portions excluding the plurality of blocking portions, , and the transmissive and blocking portions are alternately arranged.
US07675595B2
A liquid crystal display panel (LCD) panel is provided. The LCD panel includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode layer and a plurality of liquid crystal domain arranging layers. The pixel electrode layer has a plurality of slits. The liquid crystal domain arranging layers are disposed near the pixel electrode layer. Each pixel is divided into a plurality of essentially closed liquid crystal domain fields by the arranging layers and the slits. Each liquid crystal domain field is formed by encircling at least one arranging layer and at least one slit.
US07675594B2
An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device, comprising first and second substrates attached to face each other; a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates; a first polarization film and a second polarization film on the first substrate and the second substrate, respectively, each of the first and second polarization films simultaneously performing an A-plate compensation film function and a polarization function, the first and second polarization films prevent light leakage in a horizontal direction; and a C-plate compensation film positioned on the second substrate, the C-plate compensation film prevents light leakage in a vertical direction.
US07675576B2
A video processing apparatus includes: a line-based data encoder for performing line-based data encoding on an input signal to generate a line-based data encoded signal; and a video signal controller coupled to the line-based data encoder for receiving a first video signal and the line-based data encoded signal, decoding the line-based data encoded signal to generate a second video signal, and choosing one of the first and second video signals to generate an output signal.
US07675564B2
A digital camera with a lens being automatically retractable and an automatic retraction method thereof are provided. After the digital camera is turned on, it can continuously capture images from the outside at a predetermined time interval, and convert the images into corresponding image characteristic values and then compare them. When the characteristic values of the current image differ from the previous one and reach a predetermined difference, the lens exposed outside is automatically retracted, so as to reduce damage to the lens due to falling or heavy shaking of the digital camera.
US07675563B2
A digital camera is characterized by an optical system for forming an optical image of a subject, conversion means for converting the formed optical image of the subject into a digital image, selection means for selecting a layout at the playback time of the digital image output by the conversion means, a display, determination means for determining the playback orientation of the digital image output by the conversion means with respect to the selected layout, display control means for combining an object indicating how to hold the digital camera at the ready in response to the determined playback orientation and a digital moving image output by the conversion means into one for display on the display in a state in which a still image record command can be entered, and image record means for storing a digital still image output by the conversion means in nonvolatile memory in association with the selected layout when a still image record command is entered.
US07675562B2
The image senor includes a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines crossing the plurality of row lines. A pixel is formed at respective crossings of the row and column lines. Each pixel generates a charge based on light incident thereon and selectively transfers the charge to an associated column line based on a signal received from an associated row line. Each column line has a column driver circuit associated therewith. The column driver circuit is configured to generate an output voltage based on the charge on the associated column line.
US07675558B2
An image capturing apparatus represented by digital camera 200 is capable of accessing at least two storage media. Each time one of the storage media becomes full, the image capturing apparatus switches the image data recording destination to the other storage medium. While one of the storage media is serving as the image data recording destination, image data in the other storage medium is transferred to a host unit by communication.
US07675557B2
An external storage device is connected to an image pickup apparatus provided with a first image storage medium capable of storing plural taken images and image display means, and adapted for backup of image information stored in the first image storage medium. The device includes a second image storage medium, a connection detecting unit, a reception unit, a transfer means, a conversion unit, and a second transfer unit. The transfer unit writes predetermined taken image information read from the first image storage medium into the second image storage medium and erases the predetermined taken image information from the first image storage medium according to a detection output of the connection detecting unit and an output of the reception unit. The conversion unit converts the predetermined taken image information into an image matching a display ability of the image display means. The second transfer unit writes the converted image information in the first image storage medium.
US07675550B1
A method for processing a source frame is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an intermediate frame by digitally processing the source frame, wherein the intermediate frame has an intermediate resolution and has an intermediate color space, (B) generating a video frame by down-sampling the intermediate frame, wherein the video frame has a video resolution lower than the intermediate resolution and has a video color space different than the intermediate color space, (C) generating a video stream by compressing the video frame with a video encoding technique and (D) generating a still picture by formatting the intermediate frame with a picture formatting technique, wherein (i) the still picture has the intermediate resolution and (ii) generating the still picture occurs substantially simultaneously with generating the video stream.
US07675547B2
An image pickup apparatus which is capable of enhancing the accuracy of shake correction. A shake-detecting sensor detects a shake of an apparatus body. A microcomputer computes a shake amount based on an output from the shake-detecting sensor. A camera signal processing circuit corrects motion of an image due to camera shake based on an output from the microcomputer. A rest-determining device determines, based on the output from the shake-detecting sensor, whether or not the apparatus body is at rest. A recorder records a picked-up image. A recorder vibration-determining device determines whether or not the apparatus body is vibrating due to vibration of the recorder. A cutoff frequency-setting device changes characteristics of the microcomputer based on a result of determination by the rest-determining device and a result of determination by the recorder vibration-determining device.
US07675545B2
A camera module of image processing and a method for integrating the camera module with a host are described. The camera module has a display control interface, an image sensor, and a camera control circuit. The display control interface is used to control at least one display module. The image sensor is used to capture image and provide image data signals. The camera control circuit is used to control the camera module. The camera module bypasses the display data signals of a host to display control modules according to a bypass signal. The camera module also performs image processing according to the bypass signal and a command set.
US07675540B2
A sender produces a background video image 4 from a reference video image 1 and a depth map 3 and synthesizes the background video image 4 in a background buffer 5. A projection converting matrix 6 for synthesizing is calculated. A receiver receives the reference video image 1, the depth map 3 and the projection converting matrix 6. The receiver produces a free viewpoint video image 11 and a background video image 12. The background buffer 13 is dynamically renewed. The free viewpoint video image 11 and the image in the background buffer 13 are synthesized with each other, and the background video image in the concealed regions in the free viewpoint video image are complemented to obtain the complemented image 14.
US07675536B2
Multi-functional image forming devices that may include a base color laser printer comprising a front side, a back side, a top, and a bottom. The color laser printer may further include a media path, a laser printhead, and a plurality of image forming units. A scanning mechanism comprising a scan bed may be mounted on the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the media path includes a first section positioned within the base color laser printer and a second section that extends between the scanning mechanism and the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the scanning mechanism is pivotally mounted to the base color laser printer and movable to access the second section of the media path.
US07675535B2
A visible light characteristic changing layer formed from photosensitive or heat-sensitive material is formed in a location which can be viewed from a part of a label surface of an optical disk. The optical disk is set on a turntable of an optical disk unit while the label surface of the optical disk is directed downward. The optical disk and an optical pickup are moved mutually along the plane of the optical disk. In synchronism with the relative movement, the power of a laser beam output from the optical pickup is modulated in accordance with image data, such as characters or graphic images to be printed, and the laser beam is emitted onto the visible light characteristic changing layer. As a result of the visible light characteristic changing layer being exposed to the laser beam, a visible-light reflectivity of the visible light characteristic changing layer is changed, thereby forming a image corresponding to the image data on the label surface.
US07675529B1
Methods and apparatuses to scale components of user interfaces. To scale a view component according to an arbitrary transformation, which may be represented by a scaling factor, a coordinate transformation, or other parameters, at least one embodiment of the present invention determines a new transformation for the view component so that, when the new transformation is used, the boundaries of the view components are aligned with pixel lines (and/or, other conditions are satisfied). In one aspect of the invention, a method to scale a view component of a Graphical User Interface includes: adjusting first layout parameters (e.g., coordinates of an origin, a width, a height, a coordinate of a boundary, and others), which correspond to a first transformation to scale the view component, to generate second layout parameters for the view component; and computing a second transformation from the second layout parameters to scale the view component. In one example according to this aspect, the view component is scaled using the second transformation; and a Current Transformation Matrix (CTM) is set according to the second transformation. According to the second layout parameters, the boundaries of the view component are aligned with pixel lines.
US07675525B2
A method, graphics card, system, and data stream for generating a deep pixel display on a display device are provided. A first set of data relating to a region associated with a display is provided. The first set of data is processed to define a pixel definition. A second set of data relating to the first pixel is determined. At least one portion of the first set of data is rearranged to form at least a portion of the second set of data. A deep pixel is defined based upon the second set of data. The present invention also includes a system that includes a display controller that is adapted to define a deep pixel based upon rearranging the portion of the first set of data.
US07675524B1
A system and method for performing convolutions on image data using pre-computed acceleration data structures is disclosed. The method may include calculating intermediate convolution values for each of a plurality of blocks of pixels by performing an associative operation on the pixel values in each block. Each intermediate value may be associated with the block and indexed dependent on index values of pixels in the block. An image pyramid may include intermediate convolution values for multiple levels of acceleration by calculating intermediate convolution values for multiple block sizes. A convolution result for a kernel of an image may be produced by performing the associative operation on intermediate convolution values for non-overlapping blocks enclosed within the kernel and on pixel values associated with pixels in the kernel but not in one of the non-overlapping blocks. The methods may be implemented by program instructions executing in parallel on CPU(s) or GPUs.
US07675520B2
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system, method and computer program product for creating at least a two dimensional or three dimensional (3D) datastream from a video with moving objects is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of creating animated objects in 2D or 3D from video, may include: receiving video information which may include a plurality of frames of digital video; receiving and adding metadata to the video information, the metadata relating to at least one object in motion in the digital video; and interpreting the metadata and the video information and generating a datastream in at least 2D. In an exemplary embodiment, 2D, 3D or more dimensional data may be used to provide an animation of the event of which the video was made. In an exemplary embodiment, a 2D or 3D gametracker, or play reviewer may be provided allowing animation of motion events captured in the video.
US07675515B2
An apparatus for generating an analytical model of an object shape model including: a detail-mesh-model generating section generating a detail mesh model of the object shape model based on the object shape model; a maximum outer shape mesh model generating section generating a maximum outer shape mesh model corresponding to an outline of the object shape model based on the object shape model; a wall-thickness-region generating section generating a basic wall-thickness region, which extends inside the maximum outer shape mesh model from at least a part of surfaces of the maximum outer shape mesh model and which has a predetermined thickness; and an overlaying section generating said analytical model by using a result of overlaying the detail mesh model with the basic wall-thickness region. Easy simplification of an analytical model can reduce time required for numerical analysis to realize an effective designing process.
US07675505B1
A computer mouse accessory that rests on top of a computer mouse and holds the user's finger while working with the computer mouse and its buttons. The accessory has a body that fits the user's palm and finger support for user's finger while using a computer mouse.
US07675504B1
The invention herein primarily concerns computer interfaces, particularly those that may be used by senior citizens or others who are not familiar and even adverse to computers as they are utilized today. Applications of use to such persons are also disclosed, particularly in the areas of most concern to large segments of the population such as Health Maintenance and Medical, Home Control, and Communication (email and telephony). It is primarily based on TV cameras interfaced to computers via common interfaces such as USB2, Fire wire, or WiFi, which are used to sense common, and familiar paper pages and books of pages.
US07675499B2
In a display device with a buffer amplifier which receives an input signal on a positive input terminal, has an output terminal connected to a negative input terminal, and outputs a stabilized output signal, a switch for connecting the positive input terminal and the output terminal is provided. By switching the switch ON, the output of the buffer amplifier is set close to the input.
US07675497B2
A driving unit for a LCD device, including: a ramp signal generating unit for dividing a ramp signal into a first ramp signal and a second ramp signal; an input register unit for sequentially storing N-bit image data; a counter unit for outputting control signals by receiving bits of image data except for the most significant bit and counting based upon the received bits; a ramp signal selecting unit for selecting the first ramp signal or the second ramp signal according to the most significant bit and outputting the selected ramp signal upon receiving the most significant bit from the input register unit; and a switching unit for sampling the first ramp signal or the second ramp signal provided from the ramp signal selecting unit by the control signals of the counter unit and outputting the sampled ramp signal to data lines.
US07675496B2
An exemplary liquid crystal display (600) includes a liquid crystal panel, a scanning driving circuit (61), a compensation circuit (68), a control circuit (67), and a signal line driving circuit (62). The liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrates. The first substrate includes a plurality of scanning lines (63) that are parallel to each other and that each extend along a first direction, and a plurality of signal lines (64) that are parallel to each other and that each extend along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The scanning driving circuit is connected to the scanning lines, and continuously scans the same scanning lines twice in a frame time. The compensation circuit generates first signals. The control circuit generates gradation signals corresponding to the second frame image data.
US07675492B2
A display device includes: a plurality of pixels; a signal controller generating data accumulations for current image data for the pixels based on an accumulation of input image data, calculating modification coefficients according to the data accumulations, and modifying the current input image data based on the modification coefficients to generate modified image data; and a data driver generating data voltages corresponding to the modified image data and supplying the data voltages to the pixels.
US07675488B2
The present invention discloses a shift register circuit comprising a plurality of shift register units and a bus, wherein the bus couples to each shift register unit. Each shift register unit comprises a shift register, a first selector circuit, and a second selector circuit. The shift register has an input and an output. The first selector circuit is coupled to the input, while the second selector circuit is coupled to the output. The first selector circuit and the second selector circuit selectively couple to the bus or the next shift register unit.
US07675472B2
A vehicle-mounted antenna system includes a combined antenna apparatus that has a GPS antenna and a short-range wireless communication antenna. The GPS antenna is directional in a vertical direction and the short-range wireless communication antenna is directional in a horizontal direction. The combined antenna apparatus is mounted below an instrument panel of the vehicle by a mounting bracket in such a manner that the short-range wireless communication antenna is directional in the horizontal direction toward an interior of a vehicle. This approach ensures adequate performance of the short-range wireless communication antenna and standardizes a manner in which the short-range wireless communication antenna is mounted to the vehicle.
US07675469B2
An antenna device configured to be fed at a feed portion included in a printed board of a radio apparatus is provided. The antenna device has a feed element connected to the feed portion. The antenna device has a first parasitic element at least a portion of which is arranged close and electrically coupled to at least a portion of the feed element. The first parasitic element is loaded with a first frequency shifter. The antenna device has a second parasitic element at least a portion of which is arranged close and electrically coupled to at least a portion of the feed element. The second parasitic element is loaded with a second frequency shifter.
US07675466B2
Improved feed line networks for antenna arrays operating at millimeter wave frequencies are provided for constructing planar antenna arrays printed on the surface of a dielectric substrate. A planar antenna array includes an array of planar radiator elements interconnected through a feed line network of planar coplanar transmission lines that enable high-efficiency operation, at millimeter wave operating frequencies. For example, a feed network may be formed with a network of coplanar strip line transmission lines including one or more coplanar strip line (CPS) and one or more coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line, which are interconnected using balun structures, to enable high efficiency operation at millimeter wave frequencies.
US07675462B2
There is described a method for the alignment of an earth station antenna with a satellite antenna, wherein a reference signal, emitted by the earth station antenna is analyzed in a monitoring station, wherein the reference signal is used as a carrier for authentication information about the earth station.
US07675450B1
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to operate in high frequency and/or high resolution environments. The DAC has a segmented architecture comprising one or more least significant bit (LSB) thermometer sub-converters and one or more most significant bit (MSB) thermometer sub-converters. A binary converter can also be added. The LSB and MSB thermometer sub-converters include cell pairs with a main cell and a dummy cell. The main cell switches according to actual data, drawing power from a voltage source at each transition. To maintain a consistent voltage level at the output, the dummy cell creates a transition to draw power from the voltage source responsive to a lack of transition in the main cell. Each cell pair has a dedicated voltage source. Also, the MSB thermometer sub-converter can include a load matching circuit to match the parasitic capacitance of the LSB thermometer sub-converter at an output.
US07675449B2
A current steering digital-analog converter for converting a digital code into an analog signal, the converter including a substrate of semiconductor material, an array of current generators integrated in the substrate, a common summation node and switches controllable on the basis of the digital code for connecting and disconnecting the current generators to and from the common summation node. The current generators are adapted to provide the common summation node with currents having a multiple value according to a power of two compared to a unit current value provided to the summation node by a current generator of the array of generators. The current generator is divided into a base number of modular current generation elements in parallel to one another at least equal to two.
US07675447B1
A microcontroller has a compact 8-bit processor and a differential input sigma-delta ADC (SDADC). In a low-cost pyroelectric sensor motion detector application, a sensor output signal is supplied onto a second differential input of the SDADC. A first programmable internal reference voltage source supplies VREF1 via an internal signal path onto a first differential input of the SDADC. A second programmable internal reference voltage source supplies VREF2 onto a reference voltage input of the SDADC. VREF1 sets the center of the SDADC input sample window, thereby avoiding the need to provide an external AC blocking capacitor. VREF2 sets the size of the window. Proper window sizing and sample averaging and the high-resolution SDADC obviate the need for input signal amplification. Throughput requirements on the 8-bit processor are reduced by providing a hardware averager and associated DMA controller, thereby making the overall solution a low-cost, noise-insensitive, solution.
US07675436B1
An encoder includes a mapping module that receives input words including first input words and second input words. The mapping module maps the first input words to first output words that are run-length limited and have a digital sum that is equal to zero. The mapping module maps the second input words to second output words that are run-length limited and have one of a positive and a negative digital sum. An inverter module selectively inverts the second output words based on a cumulative digital sum of the second output words.
US07675425B2
A liquid discharging device includes: a discharge head mounting unit having first and second electrical terminals; a power source; a switch controlling connection between the power source and the electrical terminals; and a control unit controlling the switch; wherein a driving circuit driving a liquid discharge head is closed by attachment thereof to the mounting unit; the power source can selectively output multiple voltages; and the control unit selectively effects a state for supply of a discharge electrical power, in which electric power sufficient for a discharging actuator of the discharge head to discharge liquid is supplied thereto by controlling the switch, and a state for diagnosis, in which, wherein electric power insufficient for the discharging actuator to discharge liquid is supplied thereto by controlling the switch, and in which the voltage of at least one of the terminals is measured, and information of the state of the power source, discharging actuator, and driving circuit, is obtained.
US07675418B2
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates providing communication channels within a radio frequency identification (RFID) infrastructure. A radio frequency identification (RFID) network can include at least one device that can receive data from a tag. A mixed mode component can employ a synchronous command and an asynchronous event processing with the device.
US07675407B2
The instant invention includes a central security and alarm system that operates to protect a home or business and includes a personal safety device to communicate with a hearing-challenged end-user at the protected home or business. The system includes at least one alarm event detection device, and a central panel in communication with the personal safety device and the at least one alarm event detection device, the central panel comprising a processor for carrying out a method of communicating to the hearing-challenged end-user at the detection of alarm events via the personal safety device. The method includes detecting an alarm event at the home or business and notifying a designated, hearing-challenged end-user that the alarm event has occurred by causing a life safety device in the possession of the hearing challenged end-user to communicate the detected event by a mechanical communication signal.
US07675406B2
A field device in an industrial environment comprises a clock that is synchronized with a clock of at least one other field device. A timestamp generator component creates a timestamp for at least one of an alarm and an event created within the field device, the timestamp accords to the synchronized time. An alarm generator component analyzes data produced and/or consumed by the field device and generates an alarm and/or event based at least in part upon the analysis.
US07675405B2
Disclosed is a method and device for testing the measuring value of at least one filling level sensor arranged in a fuel tank. A plurality of measurements are taken by the filling level sensors and are each compared with a physical variable to determine whether the measurements are plausible. If, based on the comparison, the measurements from the sensors are not plausible, a warning signal is fed to a warning device and a warning information item is triggered by the warning device.
US07675397B2
A transformer includes: a multilayer board; one or more input conductive lines formed on the multilayer board, whose both ends connected to input terminals of a positive signal and a negative signal, respectively; one output conductive line formed adjacent to the one or more input conductive lines to form an electromagnetic coupling with the one or more input conductive lines, whose one end is connected to an output terminal and another end is connected to a ground; a power supply pad formed in an area of the one or more input conductive lines; and a harmonics remover formed between the one end and the another end of the output conductive line to remove harmonics components of a signal outputted from the output conductive line.
US07675391B2
A vertical coupling structure for non-adjacent resonators is provided to have a first and a second resonators, a dielectric material layer, a first and a second high-frequency transmission lines and at least one via pole. The first and the second resonators respectively have a first and a second opposite metal surfaces. The dielectric material layer is disposed between the opposite second metal surfaces of the first and the second resonators. The first and the second transmission lines are respectively arranged at sides of the first metal surfaces of the first resonator and the second resonator. The first high-frequency transmission line is vertically connected to the second high-frequency transmission line by the via pole.
US07675389B2
Three or more piezoelectric resonators having resonance frequencies different from one another are realized on the same substrate. First through third frequency adjustment layers of first through third piezoelectric resonators, respectively, provided on the same substrate 101 are formed by varying, among the frequency adjustment layers, the ratio of area (depressions 109 and 110) to be etched to area not to be etched.
US07675388B2
An acoustic resonator includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a barium strontium titanate (BST) dielectric layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the acoustic resonator is switched on as a resonator with a resonant frequency if a DC (direct current) bias voltage is applied across the BST dielectric layer. The acoustic resonator is also switched off in no DC bias voltage is applied across the BST dielectric layer. Furthermore, the resonant frequency of the acoustic resonator can be tuned based on a level of the DC bias voltage, with the resonant frequency increasing as the level of the DC bias voltage applied to the BST acoustic resonator increases.
US07675383B2
A switch circuit includes: a first input and output terminal; a first inductor connected with the first input and output terminal; a capacitor connected with the first inductor; a second input and output terminal connected with the capacitor; a first MEMS switch connected with one end of the capacitor; a second MEMS switch connected with the other end of the capacitor; and a second inductor connected between the first MEMS switch and the second MEMS switch, and satisfies a relationship of f=1/(2π√CL1)=1/(2π√CL2), where L1 is an inductance of the first inductor, L2 is an inductance of the second inductor, C is a capacitance of the capacitor, and f is a use frequency.
US07675382B2
A transistor single-pole-single-throw circuit device includes at least a transistor single-pole-single-throw circuit having a first transistor and a second transistor, and an inductor capacitor (LC) resonator having an inductor and a capacitor connected in series, allowing two ends of the LC resonator connected to the first source and the first drain of the first transistor, respectively. The transistor single-pole-single-throw circuit device adopts an LC resonator having an inductor and a capacitor connected in series to connect with the first source and the first drain of the first transistor. The inductor couples and resonates with a parasitic capacitance of the transistor, to reduce signal loss due to emerged parasitic capacitance when the conventional single-pole-single-throw circuit selects a switch transistor with a larger width.
US07675381B2
A wave filter is installed in a multimedia wideband router, and includes a circuit board having a first low-pass wave-filtering circuit, and a band-pass wave-filtering circuit; the band-pass wave-filtering circuit consists of a high-pass wave-filtering circuit and a second low-pass wave-filtering circuit; the first low-pass wave-filtering circuit is connected to the high-pass wave-filtering circuit; the circuit board further includes an input terminal, and a first switching component, which is movable to such a position as to electrically connect the input terminal and a joint between the first low-pass wave-filtering circuit and the high-pass wave-filtering circuit; the circuit board further includes two output terminals, which are connected to the first and the second low-pass wave-filtering circuits respectively; a second switching component is provided on the circuit board, which is movable to such a position as to electrically connect the high-pass wave-filtering circuit and the second low-pass wave-filtering circuit.
US07675379B1
Linear wideband phase modulation system. Apparatus is provided for linear phase modulation utilizing a phase-locked loop. The apparatus includes a limiting circuit that restricts a range of a modulation signal that is coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) associated with the phase-locked loop, and a linearizing circuit that reshapes the modulation signal to improve linearity.
US07675377B2
The present invention provides a voltage controlled oscillator having a wide frequency variation range and an oscillation frequency that shows favorable linearity with respect to control voltage. The present invention includes an amplifier circuit 21, a piezoelectric element 22 connected in parallel to the amplifier circuit 21 and forming a feedback loop, variable capacitive elements 24 and 25 respectively connected to an input terminal and an output terminal of the amplifier circuit 21 and having a capacitance value that is dependent on control voltage, and an analog operation circuit 26 that generates a control voltage Vcs based on an inputted control voltage Vc. In this arrangement, the control voltage Vc is applied to the variable capacitive element 24 and the control voltage Vcs generated by the analog operation circuit 26 is applied to the variable capacitive element 25.
US07675376B2
A voltage-controlled oscillator has a tuned circuit for controlling the oscillation frequency. The tuned circuit has a variable-capacitance element whose capacitance varies in response to a control voltage and a negative capacitance circuit whose impedance frequency characteristics have opposite characteristics to those of a normal capacitance, and which is connected to the variable-capacitance element. The configuration enables increasing the variation ratio corresponding to the control voltage of the combined capacitance composed of the variable-capacitance element and negative capacitance circuit, thereby broadening the oscillation frequency band.
US07675373B2
The voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit comprises a tank circuit, a first tuning section comprising first capacitor elements wherein each one of the first capacitor elements is individually utilizable for the tank circuit, and a second tuning section comprising second capacitor elements wherein each one of the second capacitor elements is individually utilizable for the tank circuit and the capacitance of each one of the second capacitor elements is continuously adjustable in a predetermined capacitance range in dependence on a tuning voltage.
US07675372B2
A configurable ring oscillator is operated in a first configuration so that an oscillating signal passes from a first node to a second node through a first signal path. A first measurement of an operational characteristic is made. The ring oscillator is operated in a second configuration where an oscillating signal passes from the first node to the second node through a second signal path. A second measurement is made. The first and second measurements are used to determine a circuit simulator parameter. If the first path has little interconnect and the second path has substantial interconnect, then the effect on circuit operation due to interconnect loading can be isolated from the effects on circuit operation due to variations in transistor performance. If the first and second paths are laid out to be identical, then the first and second measurements are usable to determine a circuit simulator mismatch parameter.
US07675368B2
A novel hybrid stochastic gradient adaptation apparatus and method for calibrating the gain of an RF or non-RF digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). The adaptation algorithm determines a true stochastic gradient between a forcing function and its corresponding system measure to estimate the system parameters being adapted. A momentum term is generated and injected into the adaptation algorithm in order to stabilize the algorithm by adding inertia against any large transient variations in the input data. In the case of adaptation of DCO gain KDCO, the algorithm determines the stochastic gradient between time varying calibration or actual modulation data and the raw phase error accumulated in an all digital phase locked loop (ADPLL). Two filters preprocess the observable data to limit the bandwidth of the computed stochastic gradient providing a trade-off between sensitivity and settling time.
US07675367B2
A design structure for an integrated circuit including a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit responsive to a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) frequency band selection circuit that provides automatic frequency band selection in real time to account for run-time variations, such as power supply and temperature variations over time. The PLL includes a charge pump and an LC tank circuit that provides the automatic frequency band selection based on a VCO control voltage signal supplied by the charge pump.
US07675363B2
PMOS transistors are interposed parallel to each other between a node, which is a first output part, and a power supply; and PMOS transistors are interposed in parallel to each other between a node, which is a second output part, and the power supply. Output voltages in time of a balanced state in which an input potential difference between an input voltage and a reference voltage is “0” are both set to a reference output common voltage by a replica circuit and a comparator. The reference output common voltage of the replica circuit is set so that the potential difference between the power supply voltage and the output common voltage becomes a value lower than a threshold voltage of the diode connected PMOS transistors.
US07675361B2
A class-D amplifier and a method of generating a multi-level output signal thereof are provided. The class-D amplifier includes a controlling logic circuit and an output module. The controlling logic circuit analyzes the amplitude of an input signal to generate a voltage modifying signal. A power supply provides a voltage according to the voltage modifying signal. The controlling logic circuit generates controlling signals according to the input signal. The output module generates an output signal to drive a load according to the voltage and the controlling signals. In other words, the resolution of the amplitude of the output signal is increased by modifying the voltage, and a signal to noise ratio is then increased.
US07675357B2
A multi-system module having a functional substrate includes a substrate comprising therein at least one control circuit units, and a plurality of main circuit units provided on one side surface of the substrate. The main circuit units are electrically connected to the control circuit unit, whereby the control circuit unit is used to manage the operation of the main circuit units. Via the above module structure, the substrate can improve the function of controlling multiple systems.
US07675353B1
A compact constant current generator that can operate with a positive supply voltage of 1.22 V (or lower) and minimize noise is provided. The constant current generator can include a bandgap reference circuit and a single gain stage. Notably, the bandgap reference circuit can advantageously generate differential node voltages. The gain stage can amplify those differential node voltages and generate a constant current having a temperature coefficient substantially equal to zero. Advantageously, this single gain stage can minimize the number of components, thereby resulting in a compact and efficient current generator.
US07675352B2
Systems and methods for generating reference voltages are provided. A representative system comprises a resistor circuit; a first switch coupled between a first end of the resistor circuit and a first power source; a second switch coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and a second power source; a third switch coupled to a second end of the resistor circuit; a fourth switch coupled to the second end of the resistor circuit; a first resistor coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and the first switch; a second resistor coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and the second switch; a third resistor coupled between the second end of the resistor circuit and the third switch; a fourth resistor coupled between the second end of the resistor circuit and the fourth switch; and a control circuit for controlling the switches.
US07675348B2
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus capable of controlling the substrate voltage of a MOSFET so that the drain current for an arbitrary gate voltage value in a subthreshold region or a saturated region will be free from temperature dependence and process variation dependence, thereby enhancing the stable operation thereof. The semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus includes: an integrated circuit main body having a plurality of MOSFETs on a semiconductor substrate; a monitor unit for monitoring at least one of the drain currents of the plurality of MOSFETs; and a substrate voltage regulating unit for controlling the substrate voltage of the semiconductor substrate so as to keep constant the drain current. The monitor unit includes a constant current source and a monitoring MOSFET formed on the same substrate as the plurality of MOSFETs, the substrate voltage regulating unit includes a comparison unit for comparing the source potential of the monitoring MOSFET with a predetermined reference potential with the drain terminal of the monitoring MOSFET and the drain terminals of the plurality of MOSFETs connected to ground, and the substrate voltage regulating unit feeds back the output voltage output based on the comparison result by the comparison unit to the substrate voltage of the monitoring MOSFET.
US07675340B2
A multiphase clock generator circuit for generating a plurality of output clock pulses that differ in phase on the basis of a reference clock pulse, has first and second divider circuits for dividing first and second reference clock pulses that differ in phase to generate output clock pulses, and a switch for forming an intermittent short between predetermined nodes of the first and second divider circuits, wherein the switch forms a short between the predetermined nodes with timing in which the predetermined nodes are brought to the same level in a normal operating state.
US07675338B2
A Duty Cycle Correction (DCC) circuit is provide in which pairs of field effect transistors (FETs) in known DCC circuit topologies are replaced with linear resistors coupled to switches of the DCC circuit such that when the switch is open, the input signal is routed through the linear resistors. The linear resistors are more tolerant of process, voltage and temperature (PVT) fluctuations than FETs and thus, the resulting DCC circuit provides a relatively smaller change in DCC correction range with PVT fluctuations than the known DCC circuit topology that employs FETs. The linear resistors may be provided in parallel with the switches and in series with a pair of FETs having relatively large resistance values. The linear resistors provide resistance that pulls-up or pulls-down the pulse width of the input signal so as to provide correction to the duty cycle of the input signal.
US07675323B2
A differential signal receiver according to the present invention includes a waveform shaping circuit selectively outputting an upper limit value having a first potential difference from a first power supply potential, and a lower limit value having a second potential difference from the upper limit value, from a first and a second output terminals according to a differential signal input, and an amplifier comparing voltages of the first and the second output terminals and outputting one of a voltage almost the same as the first power supply potential or a voltage almost the same as a second power supply potential.
US07675315B2
A low-impedance output stage which operates from a low voltage power supply. In an embodiment, the output stage contains an operational amplifier and two PMOS transistors used in a feedback configuration resulting in low output impedance. The output stage may also include a capacitor connected between the output terminal of the output stage and the input of the PMOS transistor providing the output, resulting in an overall output impedance which remains low even at higher frequencies, thus enabling use of the output stage to drive capacitive loads without causing resonance.
US07675312B2
A method and apparatus for performing on-chip voltage sampling of a weakly-driven node of a semiconductor device are disclosed. In some embodiments, the node is a floating node or is capacitively-driven. In some embodiments, it is involved in proximity-based communication. Sampling the node may include isolating the signal to be sampled using a source-follower amplifier before passing it to the sampling circuit. Sampling the node may include biasing the node to a desired voltage using a leaky transistor or other biasing circuit. In some embodiments, the biasing circuit may also be used to calibrate the sampler by coupling one or more calibration voltages to the node in place of a biasing voltage and measuring the sampler output. The sampler may be suitable for sub-sampling high frequency signals to produce a time-expanded, lower frequency version of the signals. The output of the sampler may be a current communicated off-chip for testing.
US07675303B2
Disclosed are a connector for measurement of electric resistance, by which necessary electrical connection is surely achieved even when a circuit board to be inspected is large in area and has a great number of small-sized electrodes to be inspected, and measurement is surely performed with high precision, and which can be produced at a low cost, and an electric resistance-measuring apparatus and an electric resistance-measuring method for circuit boards, which make use of this connector. The connector for measurement of electric resistance has a first electrode sheet, an anisotropically conductive elastomer sheet arranged on a back surface of the first electrode sheet and having through-holes formed corresponding to the electrodes to be inspected, and a second electrode sheet arranged on a back surface of the anisotropically conductive elastomer sheet. The first electrode sheet has an insulating sheet having through-holes formed corresponding to the electrodes to be inspected, a plurality of ring-like electrodes each formed on a front surface of the insulating sheet so as to surround the through-hole, and junction electrodes formed on a back surface of the insulating sheet, and the second electrode sheet has a plurality of core electrodes for inspection arranged corresponding to the electrodes to be inspected, and a plurality of core electrodes for connection arranged corresponding to the junction electrodes.
US07675289B1
A system for detection of linear underground anomalies passing under surface roads comprises an electromagnetic (EM) gradiometer mounted on a vehicle trailer. A transmitter is mounted to the front bumper of a car or vehicle towing the trailer and provides carrier synchronization information to the EM-gradiometer. An opportunistic radio station can be used as an illuminator. The transmitter or ground wave from an opportunistic radio station directs radio waves down into the ground where objects like linear underground anomalies and their equipment will produce reflections and scattered waves. These reflections will have phase angles and magnitudes that can be interpreted for characterizing information about the linear underground anomalies. Each EM-gradiometer measurement is tagged with GPS location information and then stored in a database. Subsequent passes over the same roadways and tracks are compared (change detection) to the earlier stored data. New linear underground anomalies and features become very obvious in these comparisons.
US07675284B2
A rotation angle detecting device includes a permanent magnet member, a pair of magnetic sensor elements disposed in a magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet member to provide a pair of output voltage signals when the magnetic field changes as the rotating object rotates; and a rotation angle calculating unit. The rotation angle calculating unit calculates a phase difference between the pair of output voltage signals from a magnitude of the output signal of one of the magnetic sensor elements when detecting a specific magnitude of the output signal of the other magnetic sensor elements whose phase angle is known.
US07675282B2
A circuit arrangement for voltage regulation including a first transistor coupled between a first node and a third node, a second transistor coupled between a second node and the third node, a third transistor coupled between the third node and an output node, and a control unit that can be coupled to the first transistor, that can be coupled to the second transistor, and is coupled to the third transistor, wherein the control unit is configured to steer the transistors such that a predetermined output voltage is provided at the output node when a supply voltage is provided at one of the first node and the second node.
US07675268B2
A battery maintenance system including a battery, an electrical pulsation device configured to supply electrical pulsation energy to the battery during at least one pulsation period, a battery charger configured to transfer electrical energy to the battery during at least one charging period and a schedule configured for scheduling operation of the electrical pulsation device and the battery charger such that there is substantially no overlap between the pulsation period and the charging period.
US07675262B2
Disclosed is a voltage regulator having input terminals for connection to a voltage supply, output terminals for supplying power to a circuit at a predetermined maximum supply voltage, and a voltage regulator circuit connecting the input and output terminals. The voltage regulator circuit has a first supply path connecting first input and output terminals, a second supply path connecting the other input and output terminals, and an active component arranged between the first input and output terminals. A feedback control loop connected to a control terminal of the active component is arranged to sense the voltage on the output side of the active component and, when the voltage is above the maximum supply voltage, limit the output voltage to the maximum supply voltage, and, when the voltage is below the maximum supply voltage, signal the active component to pass power from the input terminals to the output terminals.
US07675255B2
A storage drive implements a method for a BEMF voltage reduction during a deceleration period of an electric motor of the storage drive. In operation, the electric motor is disconnected from a power supply during an entirety of the deceleration period of the electric motor to prevent any flow of a BEMF current into the power supply, and the electric motor is connected to a power return during a segment or an entirety of the deceleration period of the electric motor to dissipate any BEMF voltage within the electric motor.
US07675246B2
A driving circuit includes at least one light-emitting device, a voltage regulator circuit, an analysis and decision circuit, and a selecting circuit. The voltage regulator circuit is coupled to the light-emitting device for providing a driving voltage to drive the light-emitting device. The analysis and decision circuit is coupled to the light-emitting device for determining whether the light-emitting device is open-circuited to generate a decision result. The selecting circuit is coupled between the analysis and decision circuit and the voltage regulator circuit for selecting a maximum forward bias voltage corresponding to the light-emitting device to generate a feedback signal according to the decision result and for transmitting the feedback signal to the voltage regulator circuit. The voltage regulator circuit adjusts the driving voltage according to the feedback signal.
US07675243B2
A two-end driven lamp controlling device includes a direct-current (DC) power supply, square wave switches, a square wave controller, a plurality of lamps, a plurality of starting transformers and a plurality of lamps commonly connective transformers, wherein the plurality of starting transformers or the plurality of lamps commonly connective transformers are disposed besides the plurality of lamps and the square wave switches are connected to the sides of the plurality of starting transformers or the plurality of lamps commonly connective transformers and to the DC power supply and can receive signals from the square wave controller. The present invention utilizes a circuitry design of a plurality of lamps, a plurality of starting transformers and a plurality of lamps commonly connective transformers so as to make the brightness of the plurality of lamps effectively homogenized and balanced and, moreover, to solve the problem of high cost for conventional devices, which use too many components for maintaining the brightness of the lamps.
US07675237B2
The subject of the present invention is a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD-) lamp (1) for generating and emitting an ultraviolet radiation with ignition aid comprising: a discharge gap (2) being at least partly formed and/or surrounded by at least an inner wall (5) and an outer wall (4), whereby at least one of the walls (4, 5) is a dielectric wall and at least one of the walls (4, 5) has an at least partly transparent part, a filling located inside the discharge gap (2), at least two electrical contacting means, a first mean for electrical contacting associated with the outer wall (4) and a second mean for electrical contacting associated with the inner wall (5), whereby at least one multifunctional means (3) is arranged adjacent to the discharge gap (2) functioning as guiding aid and as ignition aid.
US07675236B2
A discharge lamp disposed in a projecting device is provided. The discharge lamp includes a housing, a discharge vessel and an ultraviolet (UV) source. The discharge vessel having a first axis is filled with a gas and disposed in the housing. The ultraviolet source disposed at a predetermined distance from the first axis for exciting the gas so as to generate a beam.
US07675234B2
A plasma display panel and a manufacturing method of barrier ribs thereof are provided. The plasma display panel is divided into a display area and a non-display area located in the periphery of the display area. When discharge space is formed in the display area by barrier ribs, a plurality of honeycomb supporting structures are formed in the non-display area at the same time. The honeycomb supporting structures can increase the yield factor of assembling the substrates, and then the display quality of the plasma display panels can be improved.
US07675232B2
A self-luminescence display device, in which dispersion in display among a plurality of pixels, caused by dispersion in characteristics among drive thin-film transistors, is decreased and uniform display free of unevenness can be obtained. The device includes a plurality of pixels having current drive type luminescent elements, and parallel-connected n (n≧2) thin-film transistors to feed a drive current to the respective current drive type luminescent elements. The transistors are arranged in different pixels, respectively, for example, in a first region of pixels adjacent to one another along a first direction. A second region of dummy pixels can be provided on at least one side of said first region along said first direction.
US07675229B2
The objects of the present invention are to provide a self-emission panel capable of achieving low electrical resistance of upper electrodes by a simple configuration, and to provide a method of fabricating a self-emission panel capable of achieving low electrical resistance of upper electrodes by a simple process. A self-emission panel includes one or more self-emission elements, each of the self-emission elements has a first electrode (lower electrode) formed on a substrate directly or through other layers, a deposition layer (luminescent functional layer) including a luminescent layer formed on the first electrode (lower electrode), and a second electrode (upper electrode) formed on the deposition layer. A sealing member for sealing the self-emission elements has an opposing substrate with protrusions formed toward the substrate on the side facing the substrate. Conductive layers (wiring patterns) are formed on the protrusions as auxiliary wirings and electrically connected with the second electrodes (upper electrode.
US07675226B2
A high-frequency, high-voltage electron switch includes an electron source, a steering mechanism, a mask or anode plate, and a target. The electron source produces a beam of electrons with a voltage of at least about 1 kV that impinges upon the anode plate. The steering mechanism scans the electron beam across the anode plate at a scanning frequency of at least about 10 MHz. A hole or aperture is provided in the anode plate that allows the electron beam to pass through and produce a pulsed, high-voltage current in the target with a very high-frequency repetition rate and a very fast rise time. The pulsed, high-voltage current produced in the target can be used to cause a high-voltage source to turn on and off.
US07675222B2
A thin film piezoelectric actuator comprises a driving part at least one end of which is supported by an anchor portion. The driving part includes: a piezoelectric film, a first lower electrode provided under a first region of the piezoelectric film, a second lower electrode provided under a second region different from the first region of the piezoelectric film, a first upper electrode provided opposite to the first lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a second upper electrode provided opposite to the second lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a first connection part that electrically connects the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode via a first via hole formed in the piezoelectric film, and a second connection part that electrically connects the second lower electrode and the first upper electrode via a second via hole formed in the piezoelectric film.
US07675218B2
An electronic device comprising a power source, a piezoelectric actuator A, and a drive control apparatus 100 for controlling the driving of the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive control apparatus 100 is provided with a drive circuit 111 for supplying a drive signal SDR to the piezoelectric element of the vibrating body 12, a phase difference detection means 120 for detecting the phase difference indicating the vibration state of the vibrating body 12, a comparison voltage setting circuit 133 for correcting the target phase difference to be the target for the vibration state, and a drive frequency setting means 140 for comparing the phase difference with the target phase difference; and the piezoelectric actuator A can be driven with high efficiency independent of the drive voltage by modifying the drive frequency of the drive signal SDR so that the phase difference approaches the target phase difference based on the results of the above comparison.
US07675192B2
A control system for a vehicle powered by a fuel cell includes a voltage conversion device that communicates with the fuel cell through a voltage bus and a propulsion system that is selectively powered by the fuel cell through the voltage bus and that selectively generates a ripple current in the voltage bus. The voltage conversion device is regulated to selectively generate a counter-ripple current that reduces the ripple current.
US07675191B2
A device for the feeding of auxiliary operating facilities for a fuel-electrically driven vehicle with a combustion engine is stated, which device comprises a generator driven by the combustion engine and a rectifier connected with a generator on the AC voltage side, wherein the rectifier on the DC voltage side is connected with a first and a second connection of a DC voltage circuit. Alternatively, first and second rectifiers connected with the generator on the AC voltage side can be provided, wherein the first rectifier is connected on the DC voltage side with a first and a second connection of a first DC voltage circuit and the second rectifier on the DC voltage side with a first and a second connection of a second DC voltage circuit. Saving of space required and increased robustness and resistance to faults are achieved in that a first and a second step-down converter each is connected with the first and second connection of the DC voltage circuit, and that the first step-down converter is connected with a first DC voltage rail system for the feeding of first auxiliary operating facilities and that the second step-down converter is connected with a second DC voltage rail system for the feeding of second auxiliary operating facilities. As an alternative to the second step-down converter a further rectifier connected with the generator on the AC voltage side can also be provided, wherein then the first step-down converter is still connected with the first DC voltage rail system for the feeding of first auxiliary operating facilities and the further rectifier is connected with the second DC voltage rail system for the feeding of second auxiliary operating facilities.
US07675190B1
A coupling apparatus for facilitating communications of data signals over a low voltage electric power network is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a mains terminal configured to be connected to a low voltage electric power network carrying alternating current (AC) power and an appliance terminal configured to receive a male electric plug. The two terminals may be housed in a housing and connected via one or more inductive elements that attenuate high frequencies while allowing the AC power to pass through substantially unimpeded. Thus, interference caused by an appliance connected to the appliance terminal is filtered to prevent such interference from being conducted onto the low voltage electric power network. The apparatus also may include a third terminal that in some embodiments is electrically connected to the mains terminal to thereby output the data signals and AC power. In other embodiments, a modem may connect the third terminal to the mains terminal in which case the third terminal may communicate demodulated data to a communication device without outputting the AC power.
US07675188B2
A miniature hydro-power generation system includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing may receive a flow of liquid flowing in a first direction at a predetermined range of pressure. The flow of liquid may be decreased by a predetermined amount of pressure and increased by a predetermined amount of velocity and channeled to a hydro-generator included in the inner housing with an inlet nozzle. The flow of liquid may be channeled with the inlet nozzle to flow in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Upon transfer of kinetic energy in the flow of liquid to the hydro-generator, the inner housing may rotate in the second direction. The flow of liquid may then be channeled back to the first direction and out of the housing with an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle configured to increase the pressure and decrease the velocity of the flow of liquid to minimized non-laminar flow characteristics.
US07675186B2
An IC package mainly includes a substrate having slot(s), a chip, a protective encapsulant, a stiffening encapsulant, and a plurality of external terminals. The Young's modulus of the stiffening encapsulant is greater than the one of the protective encapsulant and the curing shrinkage of the stiffening encapsulant is smaller than the one of the protective encapsulant. The protective encapsulant is formed on one of the surfaces of the substrate for encapsulating the chip. The stiffening encapsulant protrudes from the other surface of the substrate where the external terminals are disposed. Moreover, the stiffening encapsulant is formed inside the slot and is contacted with the chip. Since the stiffening encapsulant is embedded and formed inside the slot, therefore, the contact area of the stiffening encapsulant with the substrate is increased to enhance the warpage resistance of the IC package.
US07675183B2
A semiconductor device, which is comprised of a copper wiring layer which is formed above a semiconductor substrate, a pad electrode layer which conducts electrically to the copper wiring layer and has an alloy, which contains copper and a metal whose oxidation tendency is higher than copper, formed to extend to the bottom surface, and an insulating protective film which has an opening extended to the pad electrode layer, is provided.
US07675172B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a printed circuit board includes a printed wiring board having a component mounting surface, a semiconductor package which is mounted on the component mounting surface of the printed wiring board by solder bonding using solder balls, and reinforcement portions which locally reinforce portions of the solder bonding of the semiconductor package at a plurality of locations on the component mounting surface of the printed wiring board, the reinforcement portions being formed of a resin material having parts entering the solder balls of the portions of the solder bonding.
US07675166B2
An integrated circuit package comprising an enclosure including a dielectric housing, a first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact. The dielectric housing, the first electrical contact, and the second electrical contact are configured to form a contact side of the enclosure. In addition, the first and second electrical contacts are sized to be substantially alignment insensitive for electro-mechanical connection to corresponding contacts of an end-use equipment. The enclosure encapsulates an integrated circuit die which is electrically coupled to the first and second electrical contacts. The alignment insensitive first and second electrical contacts may be electro-mechanically connected to corresponding contacts of an end-use equipment (e.g., a printer). Further, the integrated circuit package may be hosted by a peripheral device (e.g., a printer cartridge).
US07675164B2
A heat sink apparatus having a plurality of chips attached to a first surface of a flexible carrier and a plurality of heat sink fins. One or more additional chips may be attached to a second surface of the flexible carrier. The flexible carrier has at least one complementary fold, the complementary fold having a counterclockwise fold and a clockwise fold as seen from the side. A first chip back surface of a first chip and a second chip back surface of a second chip are in thermal contact with a particular heat sink fin, that is, sharing the same heat sink fin. Thermal contact between the chips and heat sink fins is effected by force, by thermally conducting adhesive, by thermal grease, or by a combination of force and/or thermally conducting adhesive and/or thermal grease.
US07675160B2
In some embodiments, an individual sub-assembly containing a ceramic interposer, silicon voltage regulator, and array capacitor is presented. In this regard, an apparatus is introduced having a table-shaped ceramic interposer containing conductive traces, a silicon voltage regulator coupled with contacts on a first surface of the ceramic interposer, and an array capacitor coupled with contacts on a second surface of the ceramic interposer. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US07675157B2
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit package. The method includes attaching a first surface of a semiconductor die to a thermally and/or electrically conductive substrate, forming a plurality of die connectors on a second surface of the semiconductor die, and encapsulating the semiconductor die and the plurality of die connectors in an encapsulant material. The method also includes removing a portion of the encapsulant material to expose one or more of the plurality of die connectors, thereby forming a routing surface. The method further includes forming a plurality of conductive traces on the routing surface. Each of the plurality of conductive traces is characterized by a first portion in electrical communication with one of the plurality of die connectors and a second portion in electrical communication with a package connector.
US07675155B2
The present invention provides a system and method for selectively stacking and interconnecting leaded packaged integrated circuit devices with connections between the feet of leads of an upper IC and the upper shoulder of leads of a lower IC while conductive transits that implement stacking-related intra-stack connections between the constituent ICs are implemented in multi-layer interposers or carrier structures oriented along the leaded sides of the stack, with selected ones of the conductive transits electrically interconnected with other selected ones of the conductive transits.
US07675152B2
Disclosed are methods and devices for providing improved semiconductor packages and POP IC assemblies using the improved packages with reduced warping. According to disclosed embodiments of the inventions, a packaged semiconductor device for use in a POP assembly includes an encapsulated region generally defined by the substrate surface. The encapsulant is provided with contact apertures permitting external communication with contacts on the substrate and coupled to an encapsulated chip. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in which the contact aperture sidewalls are angled within the range of approximately 10-30 degrees or more from vertical and in which the contact aperture is provided a gas release channel to permit gas to escape during reflow.
US07675144B2
A method of making a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a semiconductor chip is mounted on a lower conductor, with first solder material applied between the chip and the lower conductor. Then, an upper conductor is placed on the chip, with second solder material applied between the chip and the upper conductor. Then, the first and the second solder materials are heated up beyond their respective melting points. Finally, the first and the second solder materials are allowed to cool down, so that the first solder material solidifies earlier than the second solder material.
US07675139B2
A thin film capacitor including a substrate, a capacitor portion having an upper conductor, a lower conductor, and a dielectric thin film, and a resin protective layer for protecting the capacitor portion. A barrier layer is interposed between the capacitor portion and the resin protective layer. The barrier layer includes a crystalline dielectric barrier layer formed in contact with the capacitor portion and having the same composition system as the dielectric thin film, and an amorphous inorganic barrier layer formed on the surface of the crystalline dielectric barrier layer and composed of silicon nitride having non-conductivity. The inorganic barrier layer prevents deterioration in the properties of the dielectric thin film by blocking diffusion of the constituent elements of the inorganic barrier layer toward the capacitor portion.
US07675138B2
A first capacitor is formed on a substrate and connected to a first differential node of a differential circuit, and a second capacitor is formed on the substrate and connected to a second differential node of the differential circuit. A third capacitor is connected between the first differential node and the second differential node, and is formed at least partially above the first capacitor. In this way, a size of the first capacitor and/or the second capacitor may be reduced on the substrate.
US07675125B2
In a NAND type nonvolatile memory device, a first insulating layer covers a common drain region formed in a string active region and a peripheral active region. A second insulating layer covers the first insulating layer. A bit line plug penetrates the first and second insulating layers and is connected to the common drain region. A peripheral lower plug penetrates the first insulating layer and is connected to the peripheral active region. A peripheral upper plug penetrates the second insulating layer and is stacked on the peripheral lower plug.
US07675122B2
A contact connected to a word line is formed on a gate electrode of an access transistor of an SRAM cell. The contact passes through an element isolation insulating film to reach an SOI layer. A body region of a driver transistor and that of the access transistor are electrically connected with each other through the SOI layer located under the element isolation insulating film. Therefore, the access transistor is in a DTMOS structure having the gate electrode connected with the body region through the contact, which in turn is also electrically connected to the body region of the driver transistor. Thus, operations can be stabilized while suppressing increase of an area for forming the SRAM cell.
US07675115B2
A semiconductor device includes a Si substrate, an insulating film formed on onepart of the Si substrate, a bulk Si region grown on other part of the Si substrate other than the insulating film, Si1-xGex (0
US07675112B2
The semiconductor device includes a device isolation structure, a surrounded channel structure, and a gate electrode. The device isolation structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. The surrounded channel structure connecting source/drain regions is separated from the semiconductor substrate under the active region by a given distance. The gate electrode surrounds the surrounded channel structure.
US07675109B2
A method for fabricating a vertical channel transistor device is provided. An opening is formed in a dielectric stack comprised of a pad nitride layer and a pad oxide layer. A plurality of epitaxial silicon growth and dry etching processes are carried out to form drain, vertical channel and source in the opening. Subsequently, sidewall gate dielectric and sidewall gate electrode are formed on the vertical channel. The present invention is suited for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices, particularly suited for very high-density trench-capacitor DRAM devices.
US07675107B2
A semiconductor memory device, firstly, has both the thickness of a tunnel film and that of a top film provided thereon and configured to be in the FN tunneling region (4 nm or more). The data retention characteristics can be improved by configuring both the thickness of a tunnel film and that of a top film to have a thickness of in the FN tunneling region. Secondly, a high-concentration impurity region of a conductivity type the same as that of the substrate is provided in a substrate region arranged between assist gates provided adjacently to each other. The aforementioned high-concentration impurity region makes a depletion layer extremely thin when bias is applied to the assist gates. Hot holes generated between bands in the depletion region are injected into a charge storage region and the holes and electrons make pairs and disappear, enabling easy data erasing.
US07675102B2
Embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing an image sensor. According to embodiments, the method may include preparing a semiconductor substrate formed with a plurality of photodiodes, forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, forming a color filter layer on the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a planar layer on the color filter layer, and forming micro-lenses coated with fat-soluble polymer on the planar layer. Since the micro-lens is uniformly formed due to the fat-soluble polymer coated on the micro-lens, the photo-sensitivity and color reproduction of the image sensor are improved, resulting in the high-quality image sensor.
US07675093B2
Apparatus, systems and methods are described to assist in reducing dark current in an active pixel sensor. A potential barrier arrangement is configured to block the flow of charge carriers generated outside a photosensitive region. In various embodiments, a potential well-potential barrier arrangement is formed to direct charge carriers away from the photosensitive region during an integration time.
US07675091B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor wafer and method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor wafer is comprised of a semiconductor layer formed on an insulation layer on a base substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a surface region organized in a first crystallographic orientation, and another surface region organized in a second crystallographic orientation. The performance of a semiconductor device with unit elements that use charges, which are activated in high mobility to the crystallographic orientation, as carriers is enhanced. The semiconductor wafer is completed by forming the semiconductor layer with the second crystallographic orientation on the plane of the first crystallographic orientation, growing an epitaxial layer, forming the insulation layer on the epitaxial layer, and then bonding the insulation layer to the base substrate.
US07675087B1
A surface mount light emitting device includes a substrate, a chip set, a wire set and an encapsulator. The substrate includes a base plate with four corners and four electrode layers arranged on the corners, each electrode layer has a top electrode extended to the top surface of the base plate, a bottom electrode extended to the bottom surface of the base plate and a trace extended toward the center of the top surface of the base plate. The chip set includes two resistor chips and two light emitting chips, the resistor chips arranged on two of the traces extended from two diagonal corners, the light emitting chips respectively arranged on the other two traces extended from the other two diagonal corners. The wire set includes two fuse wires electrically connected the resistor chips to the light emitting chips. The encapsulator is encapsulating the chip set and the wire set.
US07675085B2
A radiation-emitting component (1) comprising a radiation source, a housing body (6), a radiation exit side (16), an underside (17) which is opposite the radiation exit side (16), a side surface (18) which connects the radiation exit side (16) and the underside (17), and at least one first contact region (2a, 3a). The first contact region (2a, 3a) extends along the side surface (18) and is in the form of a partial region of a carrier (23) that runs outside the housing body (6).
US07675083B2
An oxynitride-based fluorescent material is formed of what results from substituting Eu for part of M of a general formula M3Si2N2O4, wherein M denotes one or more elements selected from among Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba. The oxynitride-based fluorescent material can be produced by a method comprising mixing an oxide of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or Eu, or a compound of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or Eu enabled by heating to form an oxide, silicon nitride or a compound enabled by heating to form silicon nitride, and silicon oxide or a compound enabled by heating to form silicon oxide to obtain a mixture and firing the mixture in a vacuum or a non-oxidizing atmosphere at 1200 to 1900° C.
US07675071B2
Provided is a light emitting transistor comprising a first conductivity-type collector layer formed on a substrate; a second conductivity-type base layer formed on the collector layer; and a first conductivity-type emitter layer formed on the base layer. At least one of the collector layer, the base layer, and the emitter layer has a nanorod structure with a plurality of nanorods.
US07675069B2
For the purpose of emitting light in an ultraviolet short-wavelength region having a wavelength of 360 nm or shorter, it is arranged in InAlGaN in such that a ratio of composition of In is 2% to 20%, a ratio of composition of Al is 10% to 90%, and a total of ratios of composition in In, Al, and Ga is 100%.
US07675065B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) array panel includes a substrate, a first signal line formed on the substrate, a gate insulating layer formed on the first signal line and having a first contact hole exposing a portion of the first signal line, a first semiconductor formed on the gate insulating layer, a second signal line formed on the first semiconductor and the gate insulating layer and a drain electrode formed on the first semiconductor and separated from the second signal line. The TFT array panel further includes a conductor formed on the gate insulating layer and connected to the first signal line through the first contact hole, a passivation layer formed on the second signal line, the drain electrode, and the conductor, and having a second contact hole exposing the drain electrode and a pixel electrode formed on the passivation layer and connected to the drain electrode through the second contact hole.
US07675059B2
Disclosed herein is a copolymer, which may include side chains which may decrease the surface energy of an insulating layer, thereby improving the alignment of a semiconductor material, and side chains including photoreactive functional groups having an increased degree of cross-linking, thereby improving the characteristics of an organic thin film transistor manufactured using the same, an organic insulating layer composition including the copolymer, an organic insulating layer, an organic thin film transistor, an electronic device including the same and methods of fabricating the same. According to the copolymer of example embodiments, the surface energy of an insulating layer may be decreased, so that the alignment of a semiconductor material may be improved, thereby improving the threshold voltage and charge mobility and decreasing the generation of hysteresis at the time of driving the transistor.
US07675040B2
A radiation detector device can include a photosensor and a scintillation device coupled to the photosensor. The scintillation device can include a scintillator crystal enclosed within a casing. The scintillator crystal can be optically coupled to a window at an end of the casing. The scintillation device can include a dielectric gas inside at least part of the casing. The dielectric gas can be adapted to reduce or prevent static discharge within the scintillation device.
US07675030B2
A method for optically sampling characteristics of subsurface fluids within a wellhole using continuous, non-pulsed light transmitted downhole in optical fibers for both sampling and reference light channels for accurate attenuation compensation.
US07675024B2
Color filter arrays, methods of assembling color filter arrays, and systems containing color filter arrays. Color filter arrays are formed such that light entering through certain regions of the color filter array passes through multiple color filters to help prevent optical crosstalk and allow for tuning spectral responses.
US07675023B2
An image sensor and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The image sensor includes color filter layers having a photonic crystal for color separation. Since transmittance of the color filter layers is higher than that of a pigment or dye of an organic material and can easily be controlled in an unnecessary wavelength region, the image sensor having high sensitivity and good color reproduction can be fabricated.
US07675020B2
Input apparatus and methods are described. An object is illuminated with output light. Diffuse reflections of the output light from the object are captured. Diffuse reflection optical data is produced from the captured diffuse reflections. Specular reflections of the output light from the object are captured. Specular reflection optical data is produced from the captured specular reflections. A first set of motion measures indicative of movement in relation to the object is produced from the diffuse reflection optical data. A second set of motion measures indicative of movement in relation to the object is produced from the specular reflection optical data.
US07675017B2
Provided is an image capturing system, including an image capturing section that includes a plurality of first light receiving elements that receive light in a specified wavelength region and light in a first wavelength region, which is different from the specified wavelength region, and a plurality of second light receiving elements that receive light in a second wavelength region, which is different from the specified wavelength region; and a control section that controls a spectrum of the light received by the plurality of first light receiving elements. The control section, at a first timing, causes the plurality of first light receiving elements to receive light in a wavelength region including the first wavelength region from a subject and causes the plurality of second light receiving elements to receive light in the second wavelength region and, at a second timing, causes the plurality of first light receiving elements to receive light in a wavelength region including the specified wavelength region from the subject and causes the plurality of second light receiving elements to receive light in the second wavelength region.
US07675015B2
Provided is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The CMOS image sensor includes a pixel array unit having a matrix-type array of unit pixels, each unit pixel including a charge transfer element transferring charge collected in a photoelectric conversion element to a charge detection element. The charge transfer element also receives a boosted voltage signal higher than an external power voltage.
US07675002B2
A laser beam processing machine comprising a chuck table for holding a workpiece, a laser beam application device for applying a laser beam to the workpiece held on the chuck table, a processing-feed device for moving the chuck table and the laser beam application device relative to each other in a processing-feed direction (X-axis direction), and an indexing-feed device for moving the chuck table and the laser beam application device relative to each other in an indexing-feed direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the processing-feed direction (X-axis direction), wherein the laser beam application device includes a laser oscillation device for oscillating a laser beam, a first acousto-optic deflection device for deflecting the optical axis of a laser beam oscillated by the laser beam oscillation device in the processing-feed direction (X-axis direction), and a second acousto-optic deflection device for deflecting the optical axis of a laser beam oscillated by the laser beam oscillation device in the indexing-feed direction (Y-axis direction).
US07674996B2
A gassing insulator for the arc chute assembly of a circuit breaker includes a number of insulating members. The arc chute assembly includes first and second opposing sidewalls, and arc plates having first and second ends and first and second legs. Each insulating member includes a first side coupled to one of the first and second opposing sidewalls of the arc chute assembly, a second side disposed generally opposite the first side, a first end disposed at or about the first ends of the arc plates, and a second end disposed distal from the first end of the insulating member and extending toward the second ends of the arc plates. The first side of the insulating member overlays at least one of the first and second legs of the arc plates, in order to electrically insulate them. An arc chute assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.
US07674992B2
A mobile device operable with keys 14 having characters 16 engraved onto the surface of the keys. To provide back illumination, visual traces of the characters are provided by a plurality of holes 18 made to the keys to provide spot light outlets adapted to collectively define the traces. The holes can be drilled and the key caps can be made of steel or other metals. The grooves 16 can be closed by a translucent material such as resin to block the ingress of dirt into the holes 18.
US07674990B2
One aspect of the present invention provides a poke-through assembly for installation in a hole in a floor structure. The floor structure defines a floor in a first working environment and a ceiling in a second working environment. The poke-through assembly includes at least one intumescent member, a base plate and an intumescent enclosure. The intumescent member is disposed at least partially between the floor of the first working environment and the ceiling of the second working environment. The base plate supports and is disposed below the intumescent member for limiting the expansion of the intumescent member toward or into the second working environment. Another aspect of the present invention provides a poke-through assembly including an upper frame, at least one intumescent member and an intumescent cover. The intumescent member is disposed below the upper frame. The intumescent cover supports the intumescent member and circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the intumescent member, wherein expansion of the intumescent member is impeded by the cover.
US07674989B2
A wiring board for mounting a semiconductor element or electronic component having a plurality of wiring layers, an insulating layer provided between these wiring layers, and a via which is provided to the insulating layer and which electrically connects the wiring layers. In this wiring board, the cross-sectional shape of the via in the plane parallel to the wiring layers is obtained by the partial overlapping of a plurality of similar shapes (circles). Stable operation can be obtained in a semiconductor element by minimizing obstacles to increased density, effectively increasing the cross-sectional area of the via, and preventing the wiring resistance from increasing by making the cross-sectional shape of the via into a shape obtained by the partial overlapping of a plurality of similar shapes.
US07674985B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a printed wiring board assembly composed of a printed wiring board having a first component mounting portion provided on one surface of the printed wiring board, a second component mounting portion provided on the other surface of the printed wiring board having the second component mounting portion overlapped partially with the first component mounting portion, a large-scaled ball grid array component mounted on the first component mounting portion, a circuit component mounted on the second component mounting portion, and a supplementary component which is provided on the second component mounting portion of the printed wiring board having a first portion functioning as a heat-sink to remove heat generated from the circuit component and a second portion functioning as a reinforcement portion to reinforce the first component mounting portion.
US07674981B1
A geometrically-structured coaxial cable may prevent infiltration of water vapor and other contaminants by using a closed cell structure. The cable may be fabricated by wrapping bubble tape around its central conductor. Alternatively, plastic may be extruded through channels to create a plurality of layers. In either case, these layers are staggered in a zig-zag pattern to ensure that no radial spokes connect the inner and outer conductors of the coaxial cable without passing through a plurality of dielectric layers.
US07674979B2
The invention relates to a synthetic material end for a DC electric cable. In the invention, the synthetic material end includes a composite insert that is placed between the inner insulator and the outer insulating sleeve of the cable, the insert generally being in the form of a sheath surrounding the inner insulator over a partially-stripped portion of the cable, and being made up of a resistive portion of high resistivity, and of a semi-conductive portion of lower resistivity, the interface between said resistive and semi-conductive portions forming a deflector, the end of the resistive portion that is remote from the deflector being electrically connected to the central conductor of the cable, and the end of the semi-conductive portion that is remote from the deflector being electrically connected to the outer semi-conductor of the cable. Application to making connections to high-voltage electric cables.
US07674973B2
A conductor includes a central element having a length, a plurality of insulated strands disposed about the central element in at least first and second concentric layers, a layer of a dielectric material having a velocity of propagation disposed around the plurality of insulated strands. Each of the plurality of insulated strands has a conductive element and a layer of insulative material disposed around the conductive element and a length approximately equal to an inverse of the velocity of propagation of associated dielectric materials multiplied by the product of the length of the central element and the number one hundred.
US07674942B2
A zeolite catalyst is prepared by treating a zeolite with a phosphorus compound to form a phosphorus-treated zeolite. The phosphorus-treated zeolite is heated to a temperature of about 300° C. or higher and combined with an inorganic oxide binder material to form a zeolite-binder mixture. The zeolite-binder mixture is heated to a temperature of about 400° C. or higher to form a bound zeolite catalyst. The bound zeolite may exhibit at least two 31P MAS NMR peaks with maxima at from about 0 to about −55 ppm, with at least one peak having a maximum at from about −40 to about −50 ppm. Zeolites containing 10-oxygen ring pores that have been prepared in such a way may be used in aromatic alkylation by contacting the bound zeolite catalyst with an aromatic alkylation feed of an aromatic compound and an alkylating agent under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation.
US07674933B2
A method for modernizing a urea production plant including a urea synthesis reactor, a stripping unit and at least one condensation unit. The method includes providing: means in the condensation unit for substantially condensing at least a portion of a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase leaving the stripping unit; a second stripping unit; means for feeding a first portion of a reaction mixture flow comprising urea, carbamate and free ammonia in aqueous solution leaving the reactor to the first stripping unit; means for feeding a second portion of the reaction mixture flow leaving the reactor to the second stripping unit; and means for feeding at least a portion of a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase leaving the second stripping unit directly to the synthesis reactor. A de-bottlenecking of the high-pressure section downstream of the synthesis reactor may be achieved, improving production capacity.
US07674932B2
Disclosed is a method for the production of urea from natural gas, wherein a) natural gas undergoes partial oxidation or autothermal reformation with a gas containing oxygen in a first step and the raw synthesis gas thus arising, consisting essentially of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen, can be transformed by catalytic conversion of CO and H2O to form CO2 and H2, whereupon carbon monoxide and methane are removed in a multistep gas cleaning process and the hydrogen is converted into ammonia upon addition of nitrogen, and subsequently, b) the ammonia is recombined with the previously separated carbon dioxide in a second step and the ammonia is thus fully converted into urea.
