US08423158B2
An implantable multi-channel electrode is described. An ear implant electrode with a cylinder shaped electrode body has opposing top and bottom end surfaces. Electrode contacts are dispersed across the bottom end surface to provide electrical interaction with nearby auditory nerve tissue.
US08423136B2
Devices configured for and methods for inducing fibrillation in a patient using a controlled current AC signal applied via electrodes of an implanted ICD. In some embodiments, the AC signal is applied as a series of alternating constant current pulses. Some embodiments make use of a specialized H-bridge circuit for applying the AC signal. A low-side current controlling portion of an ICD's circuitry may make up part of the specialized H-bridge circuit. Further embodiments include devices embodying these methods.
US08423134B2
Methods for treating a patient and further to devices for performing such treatment, e.g., methods and devices to perturb at least one physiological system and deliver therapy to the patient based on the effects of such perturbation. For example, a method for using an implantable medical device is disclosed that involves delivering electrical stimuli to an efferent nerve associated with the selected organ. Afferent electrical activity is monitored during delivery of electrical stimuli to the efferent nerve, the monitored afferent electrical activity includes an indirect component of a compound action potential (CAP). A status of the selected organ is assessed based upon the indirect component. A determination is made as to whether to deliver therapy to the selected organ in response to assessing the status of the selected organ.
US08423126B2
Monitoring thermal conditions to vary operation of an ultrasonic needle tip of a surgical instrument
A method and apparatus to operate a surgical instrument in response to a thermal condition being detected that warrants curtailment of further operation. When the thermal condition is reached, command signals are generated that cause a needle of the surgical instrument to either have its vibrational speed slowed, have its vibrational movement stopped, or have it withdrawn from its relative position. The detection is of infrared radiation wavelengths and is carried out with either a thermal imaging device of a thermal recognition device. A corresponding temperature of the detected infrared radiation wavelengths is compared to a critical temperature to determine whether the thermal condition has been reached.
US08423122B2
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for localizing an in vivo imaging device by means of a single magnetic source coil assembly and a single magnetic detector coil assembly. This invention also relates to methods and apparatus to enable the use of a single magnetic source coil assembly to also transmit and receive information, images, and controls signals, as well as for the coil assembly to be used in DC-DC voltage conversion. A user interface with a display provides the user with the option of viewing selected images captured by the in vivo imaging device.
US08423117B2
A system and method to process an acquired image to differentiate a portion of subject anatomy to protect relative to a portion of anatomy to receive treatment is provided. The system includes a controller with program instructions to perform the steps of receiving an instruction to indicate a zone interest of the imaged anatomy to protect associated with treatment of the subject anatomy; calculating a first set of image elements associated with a first circulatory network in communication to supply a first zone of interest to treat and not in communication to supply a second zone of interest to protect; calculating a second set of image elements of the acquired image associated with a second circulatory network in communication to supply the second zone of interest to protect; and creating a display that differentiates the second set of image elements from a remainder of the acquired image.
US08423114B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure additional analyte or non-analyte related signal. Such measurements may provide a background and/or sensitivity measurement(s) for use in processing sensor data and may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data.
US08423110B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides an imaging device having a light source, a photo-sensor and a scanning assembly. In some embodiments, the light source is fixedly mounted in the first end of an elongated sheath and is adapted for illuminating a target, and the photo-sensor is mounted on the scanning assembly, also in the first end of the elongated sheath, and is adapted to detect light energy from the target. In other embodiments, the light source is movably mounted and the detector is held stationary. In other embodiments, both the light source and the photo-sensor are movably mounted. The scanning devices synchronously capture light energy from each of a plurality locations on the target, the light energy resulting from illumination by the light source, and synchronously digitizes the output from the photo-sensor from each of the plurality of locations on the target to generate an image of the target.
US08423103B2
An energy efficient data center incorporating superconducting power transmission cables coupled with cryogenically cooled semiconductor inverters and converters, used to supply power to cryogenically operated or room-temperature computers and servers. Other options and features include a lighting system whose performance is enhanced by the cold temperatures, fiber optic connections operated at cryogenic temperatures, integrated renewable energy power sources, advanced energy storage technologies, cryogenically operated computers, and a number of other cryogenic hardware. The operating temperature of the cryogenic components can be anywhere in the range between 0 K and 200 K, with other components operating above 200 K.
US08423098B2
A sliding mechanism (20) used in a portable electronic device is described. The magnetic forces created between facing similar poles of a first magnetic component (24) and a second magnetic component (25) drives the cover section (22) to the open or closed position. Two third magnetic components (26) are received and secured in the sliding slot (214) and stably secure the cover section (22) in the open or closed position.
US08423093B2
The invention provides for a method of controlling discontinuous reception between a mobile radio communications network device and a mobile radio communications device within a mobile radio communications network and including the step of controlling magnitude of the discontinuous reception period in a manner responsive to the velocity of movement of the mobile radio communications device within the network such that a decrease in velocity can lead to an increase in the discontinuous reception period employed by the devices.
US08423091B2
A portable telephone is characterized in that it includes a ringing mechanism (1) including at least one sound element (10) and at least one actuator member (8) able to come into mechanical contact with the sound element (10) so as to make it produce a sound, and electronic elements of control of the ringing mechanism.
US08423086B1
A method, system, and computer-readable storage media is provided for consolidating an operating status of a mobile device. APIs and applications operate in the mobile device to collect various data associated with the operation of the mobile device. The mobile device can be configured by a user or a service provider system to determine which data to collect. The collected data is consolidated through calculations resulting in a single value or variable that indicates the operating health of the mobile device. A visual representation of the single value or variable is provided in a display at the mobile device to illustrate the health of the mobile device to the user.
US08423085B2
The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a displaying function in a housing unit thereof that is rotatable or can be opened/closed, and facilitates effective use of the displaying capacity in the lateral direction that the horizontally oriented screen elongated in the horizontal direction has. An electronic apparatus (a portable terminal apparatus 2) having a displaying function in a housing unit thereof that can be opened/closed or is rotatable, including a displaying unit 18 that displays a vertically oriented screen or a horizontally oriented screen 176, and a controlling unit (a CPU 90) that, when text information or information including a text is displayed in the displaying unit, sets a displaying column (a text displaying column 178) in the full lateral width that the horizontally oriented screen has and can be displayed, in the horizontally oriented screen 176 set on the displaying unit, and causes the information to be displayed in the displaying column.
US08423083B1
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a scanning device for use with a mobile device are described herein. The scanning device may include an image capture module to capture surface images of a medium to be scanned and a positioning module to determine positioning information based at least in part on navigational images and the captured surface images. A mobile device may include one or more features of the scanning device including the image capture module and the positioning module. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08423074B2
A mobile station (MS) transmits a first data flow to a first group of base stations with a first power offset, transmits a second data flow to a second group of base stations, and further transmits a pilot signal. A radio network controller (RNC) controls the power of the pilot signal power based on reception errors of the second data flow, calculates the first power offset based on signaled required level of the first power offset from base stations (BTS) of the first group which calculate the required level of the first power offset based on an occurrence of retransmission, and signals the calculated first power offset to the mobile station.
US08423069B2
A cell access control method and a user terminal are provided, the method includes: obtaining, by a user equipment (UE), cell access information through a pilot channel and/or a synchronization channel; determining a current cell is a macro base station cell or an HNB cell according to the cell access information; determining, when the current cell is an HNB cell, whether the UE is allowed to access the HNB cell according to HNB information of the cell access information, if the UE is allowed to access the HNB cell, performing the access processing, if the UE is not allowed to access the HNB, abandoning the access. A UE is provided accordingly.
US08423064B2
Systems and methods for using distributed processing in conjunction with blind source separation techniques for signal processing and acquisition in sensor network environments are provided. In the distributed blind source separation framework, sensors each perform some processing of sensor signals rather than transmitting such signals over long distances, and/or outside of the sensor network, to be processed at a central location. Sensors attempt to own a source signal, and a source signal can only be owned by one active sensor. Sensors that own a source signal broadcast the source signal directly or indirectly so that it is perceived by users. Sensors receive information from other sensors in their sensor neighborhood, including the observed signals of the other sensors and the estimated source signals of the sources owned by the other sensors. This allows all owning sensors to extract the respective source signals associated with the sources they own and all redundant sensors to check if there are any non-owned source signals present.
US08423058B2
Registering a client computing device for online communication sessions. A registration server receives a message that has a push token that is unique to the client computing device and a phone number of the client computing device from an SMS (Short Message Service) transit device, which received an SMS message having the push token from the client computing device and determined the phone number of the client computing device from that SMS message. The registration server associates the push token and the phone number and stores it in a registration data store, which is used for inviting users for online communication sessions.
US08423055B2
A method of using an intercom on a cordless telephone during an active call. The active call is put on hold while the intercom is in use. Once the call is re-activated, the intercom is shut off. This system may be designed for a cordless telephone with one handset or a plurality of handsets.
US08423053B2
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal network and a method for mobile terminals to receive text messages, the method comprising a network server pages a mobile terminal and determines whether text messages can be sent; if the mobile terminal is in the Packet Transfer state, it does not respond to the paging by the network server; if the network server does not receive a response from the mobile terminal, it terminates the paging until receiving position update information from the mobile terminal. After updating the position, the mobile terminal sends position update information to the network server; the network server continues to page the mobile terminal so as to take an action to send text messages. When a mobile terminal is switching in the Packet Transfer state, it can receive and send text messages promptly and rapidly, which ensures that users can receive text messages promptly.
US08423051B2
A method and system for improving performance of a positioning system during a continuous positioning process. The method is applied in a mobile communication positioning system, and mainly comprises the following steps: during the continuous positioning process, a mobile positioning center sends a mobile station state inquiring request to a home location register, the home location register receives the request and returns a mobile station current state response, the mobile positioning center performs positioning process or terminates positioning process to the mobile station based on the current state of the station. The present method can avoid circumstances where the continuous positioning has terminated while the positioning center and the positioning entity fails to release resources in time. Also, it can continuously track a subscriber in special industrial application, which avoids the circumstance of inability to continue previous continuous positioning after restart of a subscriber terminal.
US08423046B2
Techniques are described for collecting and providing information regarding mobile network performance. In one example, a device includes a mobile device interface configured to receive data sets from mobile devices, each of the data sets comprising a geographic position value identifying a geographic position of a corresponding mobile device and a signal quality value representative of signal quality for the corresponding mobile device at the geographic position, a computer-readable storage medium configured to store the data sets, a request interface configured to receive a request for signal quality data at a requested geographic position, and means for providing an aggregate location value representative of an average signal quality at a location including the requested geographic position, wherein the aggregate signal quality value comprises an aggregation of signal quality values of the data sets that also have geographic position values contained within the location.
US08423045B2
The present invention provides for an improved presence system, which can automatically and unobtrusively factor in the location of a person being monitored when creating presence information for dissemination to subscribers. Presence tags can be distributed at different locations, which may bear on the relative availability of the monitored person for communications. A mobile terminal associated with the monitored person is configured to automatically obtain tag information from the presence tags and deliver location-based state information to the presence server without human interaction. The presence server will process the location-based state information and any other applicable state information to create presence information for the person being monitored, and then deliver the presence information to subscribers.
US08423040B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for managing radio resources according to a traffic pattern of user equipment. The apparatus may include a memory, a QoS level setup unit, a transition condition setup unit, and a radio resource manager. The memory may be configured to collect and store quality of service (QoS) information of the user equipment. The QoS level setup unit may be configured to determine a QoS level of the user equipment based on the QoS information in the memory. The transition condition setup unit may be configured to set transition conditions associated with the user equipment based on the determined QoS level of the user equipment. The radio resource manager may be configured to manage radio resources associated with the user equipment by initiating transition between a first radio resource control (RRC) state and a second RRC state according to the setup transition conditions of the user equipment.
US08423039B2
A system and method that provide dynamic reconfiguration of communication resources in a multi-transceiver configuration. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise communicating a first portion of a first communication using a plurality of transceivers. A determination may be made to reallocate at least one of the plurality of transceivers for a second communication. A second portion of the first communication may be communicated using the plurality of transceivers less the reallocated transceiver(s), and the second communication may be communicated using at least the reallocated transceiver(s). Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise communicating a first communication utilizing a first transceiver and a second communication utilizing a second transceiver. A determination may be made to utilize the first and second transceivers in a MIMO configuration to communicate next information. The next information may then be communicated utilizing the first and second transceivers in a MIMO configuration.
US08423035B1
A method is provided for dynamically allocating capacity to uplinks and downlinks in a communication network. In the method, base stations of the communication network are apportioned into groups. Each of the base stations communicates over an uplink and a downlink with communication devices. For each of the groups, a first indication of utilization of the uplink for each of the base stations of the group is received. Also received is a second indication of utilization of the downlink for each of the base stations of the group. A capacity allocation between the uplinks and the downlinks of the base stations of the group is determined based upon the first and second indications. The capacity allocation is then employed for each of the base stations of the group.
US08423033B1
A method and system for allocating bandwidth in a wireless communication system arranged as a tree structure having a plurality of nodes that are each either a subscriber node or a base station node. A given one of the base station nodes within the tree structure directly serves a plurality of child nodes including at least one child base station node that itself directly serves at least one child subscriber node. The method of bandwidth allocation includes (i) determining a total number of descendant subscriber nodes of the given base station node and (ii) using the total number descendant subscriber nodes of the given base station node as a basis to proportionally allocate a quantity of data bandwidth at the given base station node among the total number of descendant subscriber nodes of the given base station node.
US08423022B2
Method for operating one or more cells (10) of a cellular mobile network, each cell (10) being identifiable by an emitted cell identifier (CSG_ID) use being limited/limitable to closed subscriber groups by the cell (10) having a corresponding identifier (CSG_ID) and the cell terminals (UE1, UE2, UE3) being registered in the respective cell (10) for use of the cellular mobile network services only after a positive matching with a positive list of authorized cell identifiers (CSG_ID1, CSG_ID2, CSG_ID3) which are stored in the cell terminal (UE1, UE2, UE3), the cell (10) emitting one or more further cell identifiers (CSG_ID2, CSG ID3) in parallel in addition to a first cell identifier (CSG_ID1), and that registration in the cell (10) and use of network services can take place by a first closed subscriber group to which a first group of cell terminals (UE1) belongs, whose respective positive lists contain the first cell identifier (CSG_ID1), and that registration in the cell (10) and use of network services can take place by one or more further open or closed subscriber groups to which one or more other groups of cell terminals (UE2, UE3) belong whose positive lists contain one or more of said one or more further cell identifiers (CSG ID2, CSG ID3).
US08423018B2
The present invention relates to a method for managing roaming of a mobile equipment of a subscriber, when the mobile equipment is roaming. The method comprises the steps: to store a first list customized for each subscriber, the first list comprises information regarding the visited countries, number of times a certain country have been visited, and for how long time the country have been visited; to store a second list customized for each subscriber, the second list comprises information about preferred operators for a part of the countries on the first list; to receive a roaming signal from the Home Location Register when the mobile equipment is roaming into another network or monitor a roaming signal intended for the Home Location Register; in response to the roaming signal, to update the first list; if the first list has changed above a predetermined threshold value, to update the second list; and to send the updated second list to the mobile equipment.
US08423016B2
In one embodiment, a scheme is disclosed for providing operator-differentiated messaging to a user equipment (UE) device that is operable in wide area cellular network (WACN) bands as well as in wireless access network bands (e.g., GAN bands and/or UMA bands). A network node (e.g., a GAN controller (GANC) or UMA network controller (UNC)) is equipped with logic for resolving service requirements as well as network information gathered by the UE device. Based thereon, a response message is transmitted to the UE device, the response message including supplementary fields for carrying operator-differentiated information in free-form text.
US08423015B2
A relay method is disclosed in a cellular communication system including an access node for providing an access service using resources of a licensed band to a particular terminal among a plurality of terminals with a partial licensed band of the full frequency spectrum, and a relay station for relaying communication between the terminal and an access node. The relay method includes performing base station-led resource allocation on a licensed band for a terminal and a relay station located in a service area of the base station, and performing relay station-led resource allocation on the licensed band and an unlicensed band for a terminal located in a service area of the relay station.
US08423014B2
Method and apparatus to monitor MQoS of wireless mobile devices is described. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method to monitor the health of 3G mobile devices and provide a status check of such health to network technicians, supervisors, and management. In one aspect, mobile devices on the network perform measurement of MQoS factors that are reported to a quality of service backend. The MQoS data is combined to show current and historical network status. In another aspect, alarms may be set to notify specific managers when manager programmable conditions occur, such as low system performance, or specific error conditions occur. Reports may be generated summarizing and illustrating performance in tabular and graphical form. Parameters used for testing and monitoring mobile devices may be input to specific mobile devices or groups of mobile devices in a system. In one aspect, customer care or call centers may be enabled to request specific tests from specific mobile devices and utilize the overall network status to diagnose and/or resolve customer issues.
US08423013B2
A method in a mobile station including configuring the mobile station for carrier aggregation on at least a primary serving cell and a secondary serving cell, configuring the mobile station to perform measurements of cells operating on at least the primary carrier frequency and the secondary carrier frequency, refraining from triggering a measurement report when a neighbor cell operating on the primary carrier frequency is better than the primary serving cell only if a signal level of the primary serving cell is better than a first threshold, and triggering a measurement report when a neighbor cell operating on the secondary carrier frequency is better than the secondary serving cell only if the signal level of the primary serving cell is worse than a second threshold.
US08423008B2
A network access node eNB sends to a user equipment UE a pattern of subframe measurement restrictions and an indication of how to utilize the pattern for measuring subframes. The indication may select from among: the UE's own-cell measurements; the UE's neighbor-cell measurements; both same and neighbor-cell measurements, and no measurement restrictions. The eNB may generate the pattern from an almost-blank subframe ABS pattern for the UE's own-cell and of its neighbor-cell. The pattern and indication may be sent in separate RRC messages, or if sent in one message there is a second indication sent in a second RRC message instructing the UE to terminate utilizing the pattern and indication for restricting its subframe measurements. Embodiments are particularly useful for inter-cell interference mitigation eICIC for the LTE-Advanced system.
US08423004B2
A system and method for delivering geographically restricted content, including but not limited to over-air broadcast programming, to a recipient over a computer network, namely the Internet. The content is only delivered over the computer network if the recipient's computer or network device requesting the content over the network is verified to be located in the geographically restricted area. A conventional tuner is employed by the recipient's computer to receive one or more over-air signals having a broadcast range deemed to be synonymous with the geographically restricted area for the requested content. If the tuner is able to receive such over-air signal(s), the requested content is delivered over the network to the recipient's computer. This is because the recipient is known to be physically located in the geographically restricted area by the ability of the tuner to receive the over-air signal(s).
US08422992B2
A mobile terminal capable of being tracked and located is disclosed, comprising a built-in card and a security system module which are connected with each other. The security system module generates a short message used for tracking and locating when receiving an incoming call request or a short message sent by the built-in card, wherein the short message at least carries an identification of a cellular tower interacting with the built-in card and information of current signal intensity, and the short message is sent into the built-in card; the built-in card sends the received incoming call request or the short message to the security system module and periodically sends the short message used for tracking and locating generated by the security system module to the set security number. A corresponding method is also provided. The security system is good at cover-up to bring the advantages of security and saving electricity.
US08422989B1
A computer system comprises a communication interface and a processing system. The user interface is configured to receive a plurality of communications requesting location information for a plurality of mobile devices engaged in communication sessions with a communication network. The processing system is configured to generate a plurality of records associated with the plurality of communications wherein the plurality of records comprises user information expressed in an initial format, process the plurality of records with a plurality of keys to encode the user information to generate encoded user information, and process the encoded user information to verify that the encoded user information satisfies the initial format. Upon determining that the encoded user information satisfies the initial format, the communication interface is configured to transfer the encoded user information for analysis.
US08422987B2
A method and wireless device augment and manage, respectively, emergency alert messages with additional emergency information. An emergency alert message is determined to have been sent (404) to one or more wireless devices (102) in a given area. The emergency alert message is analyzed (406) to determine a type of emergency associated with the emergency alert message. Optionally, a current location of at least one wireless device (102) within the given area is determined. A message is generated (412), based at least in part on the type of emergency and logistics of the given area, including additional emergency information for augmenting the emergency alert message. The message that has been generated is transmitted to the at least one wireless device (102). This message is, optionally, adjusted based on the location of the device and the logistics of the given area.
US08422974B2
An antenna module with a detector and an associated canceller is disclosed. The detector may also detect interference and spurs. In one embodiment, an antenna module can include: an antenna configured to receive an electromagnetic signal in a signal path; an amplifier configured to amplify the received electromagnetic signal, and to provide the amplified signal at a first node; a filter configured to receive the amplified signal from the first node, and to provide a filtered signal output therefrom; and a noise canceller and a detector integrated in the signal path at the first node.
US08422973B2
There is provided a bidirectional transmission coil capable of miniaturizing a structure and carrying out reliable transmission of a data signal. A transmitting coil L1 generates a magnetic flux of a transmission signal by a high frequency signal applied thereto. A receiving coil L2 is arranged to be positioned concentrically with the transmitting coil L1, for inducing a reception signal by the magnetic flux from outside. A first cancel coil Lac is connected to the transmitting coil L1 in series so as to be led-out from a middle of the transmitting coil L and is led-in to the lead-out part. The first cancel coil Lac is arranged so as to sandwich the receiving coil L2 between the first cancel coil Lac and the transmitting coil L1, wherein the magnetic flux in a direction opposite to the magnetic flux from the transmitting coil L1 is generated in the receiving coil L2.
US08422966B2
A transmission power calibrating method and a system are provided for a wireless apparatus. The wireless apparatus are controlled by a computer host to be tested at several channels and gains, and a simplified transmission power calibration table is established accordingly. The simplified transmission power calibration table is compared with each of complete transmission power calibration tables in a database. A match is detected between a first complete transmission power calibration table and the simplified transmission power calibration table. When the match is detected, a mapping table is obtained from the first complete transmission power calibration table and stored in a memory of the wireless apparatus. When the match is not detected, the wireless apparatus is controlled by the computer host to establish a second complete transmission power calibration table from which the mapping table is obtained and the mapping table is stored in the memory of the wireless apparatus.
US08422959B2
A compensation method for radio frequency module performance, it is adding a module monitoring circuit and a radio frequency power detection circuit to an existing radio frequency module, meanwhile replacing an existing hardware compensation circuit with a radio frequency digital controlled attenuator. The method replaces hardware method by a method of combining software of the module monitoring circuit and hardware such as module monitoring circuit, radio frequency digital controlled attenuator and radio frequency power detection circuit, as well as intelligently compensates the radio frequency module by using data obtained by predefined table or formula/algorithm, so as to adjust each characteristic index of the device accurately and easily, thus to improve performance of the radio frequency module and further meet the requirement of working stability of the radio frequency module. The present invention further provides a radio frequency module improved by such method. As such radio frequency module can be automatically debugged and tested by tools such as computer, so production efficiency will be improved.
US08422956B2
A wireless communication device and method wherein the device determines pathloss between the wireless communication device and the neighboring non-serving cell in response to an order from a serving cell, determines a maximum acceptable transmit power of the wireless communication device based on the pathloss, and limits a transmit power of the wireless communication device, based on a maximum acceptable transmit power, while the wireless communication device is connected to the serving cell.
US08422951B2
Systems and methods for wireless signal communication in flight vehicles are disclosed. In an embodiment, a system includes a first portion that generates a first wireless zone. A second portion is decoupleable from the first portion and generates a second wireless zone. The first wireless zone and the second wireless zone communicate flight-related information while the first portion and the second portion are coupled, and discontinue the communication subsequent to the separation of the first portion from the second structural portion. In another embodiment, a method includes establishing a first wireless zone in a first portion of a flight vehicle, and establishing a second wireless zone in a second decoupleable portion of the flight vehicle. Flight-related information is communicated between the first wireless zone and the second wireless zone while the first portion and the second portion are coupled, and communication is discontinued after decoupling.
US08422950B1
A system for enabling wireless near-field hot-spot communication between a wide variety of wireless ground-position-indicating personal communication devices being utilized within a zone and a further communication network outside of the zone.
US08422949B1
Systems and methods are disclosed for making content elements available for use at a public computing kiosk operated by a first-party operator. The public computing kiosk can receive a wireless communication from a hand-held device utilized by a second-party end user located in close physical proximity to the public computing kiosk. The wireless communication can include information identifying a third-party provider of the hand-held device with the third-party provider and the first-party operator being different entities. The public computing kiosk can transmit a request to a computing system including information identifying the third-party provider of the hand-held device, receive a transmission including a set of content descriptors, and display the set of content descriptors to the second-party end user. The public computing kiosk can also accept selection of content descriptors and execute at least one content element corresponding to at least one content descriptor.
US08422944B2
A personal function pad includes a surface that receives and supports a wireless terminal without making a direct electrical contact with the wireless terminal, and a near field communications (NFC) module that receives a first NFC signal from the wireless terminal and responsively transmits a second NFC signal to the wireless terminal. The second NFC signal modifies a setting and/or initiates a function of the wireless terminal. A wireless terminal according to some embodiments includes a controller and an NFC communications module. The NFC module transmits a first NFC signal and receives a second NFC signal in response to the first NFC signal. The controller modifies a device setting and/or to initiates a device function of the wireless terminal in response to the second NFC signal.
US08422929B2
A disclosed fixing device includes a fixing material application unit applying a fixing material to a fixing material carrier, a transfer unit transferring the fixing material onto a recording medium, a cleaning blade cleaning the fixing material carrier after the fixing material is transferred onto the recording medium, and a lubricant agent application unit disposed on a downstream side of the cleaning blade on the fixing material carrier and applying a lubricant agent to the fixing material carrier. Further, before a fixing operation is started, the lubricant agent application unit applies the lubricant agent to the fixing material carrier, and the fixing material carrier moves in a direction opposite to a direction when the fixing operation is performed and to a position where the applied lubricant agent is adhered to the cleaning blade.
US08422925B2
In a transfer-fixing device for transferring and fixing a toner image on a transfer-fixing side of a recording medium, a transfer-fixing member carries the toner image. A pressing member presses against the transfer-fixing member to form a nip between the transfer-fixing member and the pressing member through which the recording medium passes. A heat transmission member is provided upstream from the nip in a recording medium conveyance direction to heat the transfer-fixing side of the recording medium while guiding the recording medium to the nip. A heating member is connected to the heat transmission member to heat the heat transmission member. A biasing member biases the recording medium guided by the heat transmission member against the heat transmission member.
US08422921B2
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing units respectively including developer inlets, the developing units are arranged side by side in a first direction, a plurality of developer containers to contain developers to be supplied to the plurality of developing units and respectively including developer outlets, the developer units are arranged side by side in the first direction to face the plurality of developing units, and a plurality of developer supplying paths respectively to connect the developer inlets to the developer outlets, wherein the plurality of developer containers include first and second developer containers, and a position of the developer outlet of the second developer container is different from position of the developer outlet of the first developer container.
US08422915B2
A developing cartridge and a developing device capable of preventing developer leak which may occur during replacement of a developer containing unit, and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body where a transfer path for a printing medium is formed, and a developing device for developing a visible image. The developing device may include, for example, developing cartridge, a developer containing unit, which contains a supply of developer therein, and which is detachably disposed in the developing cartridge to form a developer transfer path fluidly communicating with the developing cartridge, and a shutter unit which closes the developer transfer path when the developer containing unit is removed from the developing cartridge.
US08422910B2
A sealing member for unsealably sealing a toner opening of a toner or developer container mountable to an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, a sealing member has a base member, a first coupling engagement portion and a second coupling engagement portion protruding away from the base member axially, a central member protruding away from the base member axially, wherein the central member has a cylindrical portion defining an opening therein, and at least one supporting member projected radially outwardly from the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, wherein the central member is formed to be concentric with the base member axially and positioned between the first coupling engagement portion and the second coupling engagement portion.
US08422908B2
A developing device includes a toner storage area containing toner, a developing portion in which a developing roller is installed, and a housing including a toner supply window to connect the toner storage area and the developing portion. A pair of rails is disposed on the toner supply window to extend in a lengthwise direction of the developing roller, and a blocking member including a blocking portion is provided to open and close the toner supply window when the blocking member is removed from and inserted into the pair of rails from outside of the housing, respectively.
US08422901B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism and an image fixing unit. The image forming mechanism forms a toner image on a recording sheet. The image fixing unit fixes the toner image onto the recording sheet. The image fixing unit includes a magnetic flux generator, a heat member, a magnetic flux adjuster, and a controlling member. The magnetic flux generator generates a magnetic flux. The heat member is heated inductively by the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generator. The magnetic flux adjuster reduces the magnetic flux active on the heat member to form a heat reduction area in an outer circumferential surface of the heat member in a width direction thereof. The controlling member moves the magnetic flux adjuster to change the heat reduction area.
US08422897B2
By using a black-image forming device, an abrasive pattern is formed on a sheet conveying belt so that toner is input to a contact section where a cleaning blade is in contact with the sheet conveying belt. After the toner is input to the contact section where the cleaning blade is in contact with the sheet conveying belt and then the sheet conveying belt makes one or more revolutions, a process control is performed in which Y, M, and C toner patterns and B toner pattern are transferred onto the sheet conveying belt.
US08422894B2
The problem of the present invention is to appropriately control execution of calibration corresponding to an occurrence situation of a partial toner-low state. In order to solve the above problem, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes output unit for outputting an image for detecting a partial toner-low state to a print region, determining unit for determining the partial toner-low state based upon a read result of the image outputted by the output unit, and control unit for controlling execution of calibration adjusting a reproduction characteristic in outputting the image using the toner, based upon a result of the determination by the determining unit.
US08422893B2
A developer of an image-forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a housing comprising a waste toner container in which waste toner removed from the photoconductor is contained, and a recessed portion depressed downwardly in a center portion of an upper wall of the waste toner container, the center portion corresponding to a center portion of the photoconductor in a lengthwise direction to move toner away from the center portion.
US08422887B2
A system for redundancy in Ethernet passive optical networks (EPONs) facilitates fast recovery from failure (less than 50 msec), path redundancy of the fiber optic network, and location redundancy of the OLTs. An optical networking unit (ONU) in a normal state monitors input communications, and when the input communications are quiet for a predetermined minimum length of time, the ONU transitions to a lenient state in which: the ONU accepts old and new security keys; upon receiving a packet: the ONU updates an ONU timestamp based on the packet's timestamp; and the ONU transitions to the normal state of operation. While the ONU is in the lenient state if a packet is not received for a predetermined given length of time the ONU transitions to a deregistered state. In this system, main and standby OLTs do not require synchronization of security parameters or synchronization for differences in fiber lengths.
US08422874B2
A position controller for an optical element of an optical system includes a first movable member supported by a support member to be movable relative thereto in a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis, a second movable member holding the optical element and supported by the first movable member to be movable relative thereto in a second direction nonparallel to the first direction, an electromagnetic actuator that produces a driving force for moving at least the second movable member in the second direction, and an insertion/removal drive mechanism for moving the second movable member between an anti-shake driving position, where a position control for the second movable member can be performed using the electromagnetic actuator, and a removed position where the second movable member is positioned outside a range of the position control that uses the electromagnetic actuator.
US08422873B2
An imaging apparatus whose posture is easily adjustable is provided. The imaging apparatus is configured to include an inclination detector detecting a degree of inclination of one of the imaging apparatus and an image captured by the imaging apparatus relative to a horizontal direction orthogonal to a direction of gravity; a display unit; a first inclination indicator unit allowing the display unit to display an indicator to indicate the degree of inclination according to a detection result from the inclination detector; a second inclination indicator unit notifying via sound according to a detection result from the inclination detector that the degree of inclination is over a predetermined value; and a selector unit allowing at least one of the first and second inclination indicator units to operate.
US08422868B2
An imaging device includes a storage unit that sequentially stores a plurality of frame images based on an imaging signal from an imaging sensor that images light from a subject, a moving image data generation unit that generates slow motion moving image data that is to be played at a second frame rate lower than a first frame rate that represents the number of frame images stored per unit time in the storage unit, based on the plurality of frame images stored in the storage unit during a predetermined time period, a still image data generation unit that generates at least one piece of still image data based on at least one frame image of the plurality of frame images stored in the storage unit during the predetermined time period, and a record control unit that associates the slow motion moving image data generated by the moving image data generation unit and the still image data generated by the still image data generation unit and records the slow motion moving image data and the still image data in a recording medium.
US08422867B2
A digital broadcast media recording apparatus has means for determining if a program which is scheduled to be broadcast has already been recorded, and, if it has been, for deciding if the program which is scheduled to be broadcast should be recorded based on a comparison of the attributes of the digital signal representing the scheduled program and corresponding attributes of the digital signal representing the recorded program. If it is determined that the scheduled program should be recorded, a control means gives an instruction which causes a recording unit to record the broadcast digital system representing the scheduled program when it is broadcast. Optionally, the digital signal representing the recorded program can be deleted once the digital signal representing the scheduled program is recorded. An identifier is used to determine whether the scheduled program is the same as a recorded program. This means that if the attributes of the digital signal representing the scheduled program are considered to be more desirable than the attributes of the digital signal representing the recorded program, the scheduled program can be stored on a storage media instead of, or as well as, the recorded version of the program.
US08422857B2
A display control apparatus: in a virtual three-dimensional space in which is disposed a three-dimensional model of an object contained in a moving image picked up by performing successive imaging operations once by using an imaging device, draws a plurality of thumbnail images extracted from the moving image to the respective positions of the imaging device at the time when the thumbnail images were picked up and draws information that relates the thumbnail images in order in which they were picked up, thereby generating a bird's eye-display image which provides a bird's-eye-view drawing of the virtual three-dimensional space containing the three-dimensional model and the thumbnail images; and causes a display unit to display the bird's eye-display image.
US08422856B2
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface.
US08422854B2
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface.
US08422853B2
An information signal processing method is provided which is destined for processing feature data and making summary (digest) playback and various chapter data-based operations efficiently to attain a high effectiveness of the summary (digest) playback or chapter processing with the feature data. The method includes an information signal processing method, comprising the steps of making first predetermined recording of first predetermined information recorded in a predetermined recording medium into the recording medium or another recording medium so that the first predetermined information becomes second predetermined information corresponding to a predetermined setting of processing when in a predetermined mode of operation; and making, along with the first predetermined recording, second predetermined recording of third predetermined information so that the third predetermined information becomes fourth information when it is possible to detect that the third predetermined information associated with the first predetermined information has been recorded when in the predetermined mode of operation.
US08422850B2
An apparatus and a method, which make it possible to collect a plurality of the contents authored for DVD to record easily them on a large-capacity information record medium and to increase a data rate in reproducing the recorded contents, perform the processes of: creating source packets from a disk image file; collecting them to form arrangement units 320; collecting them to form ECC clusters; collecting sectors of the DVD to form a sector group, thereby storing it while bringing it into correspondence with a predetermined number of source packets; adding a control packet to this to form units of conversion; collecting them to bring them into correspondence with an integral number of the arrangement units 320; and storing a cluster-number, at which a leading sector of the sector group of the DVD is stored in the control packet; wherein the source packets are brought into correspondence so that a leading portion of the file system area coincides with both a leading portion of the arrangement unit and a leading portion of the error correction cluster and the disk image file is recorded using units of the length so that the length causes a boundary of the units of conversion to coincide with a boundary of the ECC clusters.
US08422838B2
An optical path changing member is assembled at ends of optical fibers and placed to face a substrate including an optical input/output terminal having optical axes inclined with respect to optical axes of the ends. The optical path changing member is made of a transparent material and includes a member body having a reflection surface for optically connecting the ends to the optical input/output terminal. The member body has optical fiber insertion holes and an end placement portion to which the insertion holes are open and in which the end faces of the optical fibers are placed. The reflection surface is formed so that light entering from the end faces of the optical fibers into the member body will be internally reflected toward the optical input/output terminal in the member body. The end placement portion is filled with an adhesive by which the ends are fixed to the member body.
US08422832B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating data for annotating images automatically. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an input image, identifying one or more nearest neighbor images of the input image from among a collection of images, in which each of the one or more nearest neighbor images is associated with a respective one or more image labels, assigning a plurality of image labels to the input image, in which the plurality of image labels are selected from the image labels associated with the one or more nearest neighbor images, and storing in a data repository the input image having the assigned plurality of image labels. In another aspect, a method includes assigning a single image label to the input image, in which the single image label is selected from labels associated with multiple ranked nearest neighbor images.
US08422831B2
An information management apparatus includes a characteristic-amount management unit managing a characteristic amount; a characteristic-amount association unit maintaining an association with a similar characteristic amount for each of the characteristic amounts; a space index management unit managing a space index for the characteristic amounts managed by the characteristic-amount management unit; a partial space determination unit determining a partial space in the space index to which a first characteristic amount belongs in accordance with a request for retrieving a characteristic amount similar to the first characteristic amount; and a similarity determination unit calculating similarity between the first characteristic amount and a second characteristic amount and between the first characteristic amount and a third characteristic amount associated with the second characteristic amount by the characteristic-amount association unit, and determines which characteristic amounts are similar to the first characteristic amount by comparing the calculated similarity and a predetermined threshold.
US08422828B2
Image processing apparatus and image processing method including an image separation processing section for separating an inputted image signal into a transparent image portion having transparency and a background image by detecting a pixel data common among a plurality of frames within the inputted image signal; a frame interpolator that performs frame interpolation using the separated background image; and a composition processing section for combining the frame-interpolated background image with the separated transparent image portion, wherein the frame interpolation is performed only to the background image so that the influence on the frame interpolation of the transparent image portion is reduced.
US08422824B2
An image transformation method for use in a computer program product and an image display device is provided. In the image transformation method, a two dimensional image and a corresponding depth image are acquired first. A motion process is performed on the two dimensional image to obtain a plurality of motion images according to the depth image and a plurality of gain values. Then, a plurality of view images are provided and an interpolation process is performed on each motion image to obtain the corresponding view image. Finally, a synthesis process is performed on the view images to obtain a three dimensional image.
US08422821B2
A method for selectively transforming a multi-dimensional input array comprising D dimensions includes segmenting the input array into a number of sub-arrays with a computing system; determining a D-dimensional convolution of the input array at only selected points in each the sub-array, the convolution being a function of a product of D one-dimensional kernels; determining partial convolutions at each dimension iteratively, an iterative determination of one of the partial convolutions being determined, in part, from a previous iterative determination; collecting transformed sub-array values to form a transformed input array; and storing the transformed input array.
US08422820B2
Methods for identifying and quantifying recurrent and deterministic patterns in digital images are provided. The methods, which are based on Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA), generate similarity or dissimilarity distance matrices for digital images that may be used to calculate a variety of quantitative characteristics for the images. Also provided are methods for identifying and imaging spatial distributions of time variable signals generated from dynamic systems. In these methods a time variable signal is recorded for a plurality of area or volume elements into which a dynamic system has been sectioned and RQA is used to calculate one or more RQA variables for each of the area or volume elements, which may then be used to generate a two or three dimensional image displaying the spatial distribution of the RQA variables across the system.
US08422809B2
Image encoding apparatus 10 according to the present invention is an image encoding apparatus 10 for dividing image signals into blocks, performing an orthogonal transform of each block, reading resultant orthogonal transform coefficients to obtain a coefficient string, and performing entropy coding, which has block selector 14 for selecting a size of a block for the orthogonal transform, out of a plurality of blocks of different sizes; coefficient string divider 12 for, when a block of a size larger than a minimum size is selected by block selector 14, dividing a coefficient string in the block into a plurality of coefficient strings of a length equal to that of a coefficient string in a block of the minimum size; and encoder 13 for performing entropy coding adapted to the coefficient string in the block of the minimum size. This substantializes the image encoding apparatus capable of achieving efficient entropy coding in the orthogonal transform of variable sizes.
US08422796B2
Eliminating the need for a user to provide settings of a thumbnail image every time a document is scanned by detecting a format of a document by analyzing fields of the document, determining which of the fields are to be included in a thumbnail image of the document and positions of the fields to be included in the thumbnail image based on the format, and generating the thumbnail image accordingly.
US08422794B2
A system for automatically selecting a template and a number of secondary images for display with a primary preselected image based on analyzing the primary image's attribute information and comparing the template's required image attributes and secondary image's attribute information. The attribute information is used to evaluate and arithmetically score a compatibility of the images and template so that a best compatibility fit can be obtained when displaying the image.
US08422781B2
A method for creating an appearance model of an object includes receiving an image of the object and creating a hierarchical appearance model of the object from the image of the object. The hierarchical appearance model has a plurality of layers, each layer including one or more nodes. Nodes in each layer contain information of the object with a corresponding level of detail. Nodes in different layers of the hierarchical appearance model correspond to different levels of detail.
US08422764B2
An apparatus and method of reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) image from two-dimensional (2D) images are disclosed. Three dimensional (3D) data may be reconstructed in an x-ray generation tube at a limited angle, and repeatedly updated for each pixel. A median from among each pixel of reconstruction data may be selected. Backprojecting may be performed using a search direction weight calculated using a reprojection image and residual image. A 3D image satisfying a Level 1 (L1) norm fidelity and sparsity constraint of the reconstruction data may be reconstructed.
US08422759B2
An edge code histogram of a model generated in a model image is registered. A target region with respect to the input image is set. An edge code histogram for the target region is generated. A relative positional relationship between the edge code histogram of the model and the edge code histogram for the target region is sequentially changed, and a degree of coincidence between the edge code histograms at each relative position is calculated. A possibility that the region that matches the model is contained in the set target region from the sequentially calculated degree of coincidence between the edge code histograms is evaluated. Then a candidate point having a possibility of matching the model in the input image is specified while sequentially changing the position of the target region with respect to the input image and repeating steps above for each target region.
US08422754B2
A medical imaging system for processing an original medical image is provided. The system includes a seed generator for receiving the original medical image representing an original blood vessel and to generate coarse seeds on a basis of vesselness feature in respect to every pixel of the original blood vessel represented by the medical image, and a seed processor for receiving the coarse seeds and for processing the coarse seeds to select a set of refined seeds on a basis of the regression profile for each of the coarse seed by using random forest classification, such that the set of refined seeds are selected from the coarse seeds such that the set of refined seeds adapted to lie on a corrected blood vessel.
US08422753B2
A method and system for automatic extraction of personalized left atrium models is disclosed. A left atrium chamber body is segmented from a 3D image volume. At least one pulmonary venous ostium is detected on the segmented left atrium chamber body. At least one pulmonary vein trunk connected to the left atrium chamber body is segmented based on the detected pulmonary venous ostia.
US08422745B2
A method of constructing an image representing the distribution of a categorical physical property representative of an underground zone having applications for petroleum reservoir development. A first training image representative of a geometrical structure of the categorical property is constructed. Training images representative of the distributions of several auxiliary properties are then constructed from the first training image. A probability law of the categorical property and a probability law of each auxiliary property are determined, from each training image, for a given pixel according to the values of the neighboring pixels. A probability law of the categorical property is calculated from these laws and from the images representative of the distribution of the auxiliary physical properties in the zone, and for each pixel of the image to be constructed. Finally, the value of the categorical property is determined by carrying out a random selection for the calculated probability law.
US08422740B2
The present disclosure relates to methods for determining a liquid front position of a liquid on a surface of an assay test strip placing a liquid on the surface of the test strip; and acquiring one or more signals from the surface of the test strip at one or more times, comparing the one or more acquired signals to a threshold, wherein the liquid front position is a position on the surface of the test strip where a signal is greater than or less than a threshold (e.g., fixed or dynamic threshold). Such methods may be used to determine the liquid front velocity of a liquid on a surface of an assay test strip and the transit time of a liquid sample to traverse the one or more positions on the surface of the assay test strip.
US08422738B1
A method involves adapting a vessel detection algorithm based upon received synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image data and associated metadata, detecting one or more vessels within an image tile of the SAR image data by iteratively applying the adapted vessel detection algorithm to successive portions of the image tile, discarding a detected vessel if a false alarm is determined, extracting one or more features from the detected vessels that are not discarded, and generating one or more output products based upon the extracted features.
US08422733B2
A system for managing storage space on an electronic storage medium is provided in which a file format for stored data allows for progressive deletion of low-significance data, for example in a video or audio file, while allowing the remaining portions of the file to be subsequently retrieved. The file format allows for the ready deletion of low-significance data without having to open, edit and subsequently rewrite the data. Furthermore, rules-based algorithms for the deletion of low-significance data allow a user to store and progressively delete such low-significance data in accordance with time parameters, available storage space and the like, without having to delete the full file.
US08422727B2
An electro-acoustical transducer of the present invention includes: a diaphragm of an elongated shape; a first magnet of a parallelepiped shape which is situated at a side of one principal surface of the diaphragm such that long sides thereof are in parallel with long sides of the diaphragm, and which is polarized in a short side direction to form a magnetic gap; a second magnet of a parallelepiped shape which is situated next to the first magnet in the short side direction of the diaphragm, such that long sides thereof are in parallel with the long sides of the diaphragm, and which is polarized toward a direction in a manner opposite to the first magnet so as to form a magnetic gap; and a coil of an elongated ring shape which is situated on the diaphragm such that long sides thereof are situated in the magnetic gaps.
US08422720B2
A loudspeaker assembly arranged in a surrounding surface of a multimedia apparatus, wherein the loudspeaker assembly including a transducer unit, the transducer unit being located at the back side of the multimedia apparatus. The transducer may be configured so to radiate sound away from the apparatus in directions from primarily upward to primarily backward relative to the apparatus. Each of the one or more transducer units are driven as active speakers with means for amplification per each transducer unit.
US08422711B2
A speaker box assembly includes two speaker boxes, two line-winding means, a switch, and a power supply unit. Each of the two speaker boxes is provided on its surface with an outlet hole. One of the two speaker boxes is provided on its surface with a connector jack. The two line-winding means are provided in the two speaker boxes respectively. Each of the line-winding means has a line-winding box and an electrical line. The line-winding box is located inside the speaker box. The inner end of the electrical line is connected to the line-winding box, and the outer end of the electrical line is connected to a connector member. The connector member and the electrical line pass through the outlet hole selectively. The connector member in one of the speaker boxes is inserted into the connector jack on the other of the speaker boxes.
US08422709B2
A hearing aid (200) comprises at least one microphone (210), a signal processing means (220) and an output transducer (230). The signal processing means is adapted to receive an input signal from the microphone. The signal processing means is adapted to apply a hearing aid gain to the input signal to produce an output signal to be output by the output transducer, and the signal processing means comprises means for adjusting the hearing aid gain by a direct transmission gain calculated for the hearing aid. The invention further provides a method and a system for reducing noise, as well as a computer program product.
US08422705B2
A programmable hearing aid including means for receiving and transmitting data wirelessly from and to a portable module being in proximity to said hearing aid. Said portable module has means for transmitting audio signals, fitting data or special instructions to the hearing aid processor and including means for receiving data transmitted from said hearing aid, including data representing a monitoring of real-time signal processing parameters in the hearing aid. A preferred embodiment of the hearing aid/portable module combination utilizes Miller-coded direct sequence spread-spectrum radio signal transmitters and receivers for transmitting and receiving data between the heading aid and the portable module. This enables remote controlling or monitoring of, transmitting audio to, or programming of a hearing aid without the need for external connectors.
US08422703B2
A microphone includes a diaphragm assembly supported by a substrate. The diaphragm assembly includes at least one carrier, a diaphragm, and at least one spring coupling the diaphragm to the at least one carrier such that the diaphragm is spaced from the at least one carrier. An insulator (or separate insulators) between the substrate and the at least one carrier electrically isolates the diaphragm and the substrate.
US08422702B2
A micromini condenser microphone having a flexure hinge-shaped upper diaphragm and a back plate, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided.The method includes the steps of: forming a lower silicon layer and a first insulating layer; forming an upper silicon layer to be used as a back plate on the first insulating layer; forming a plurality of sound holes by patterning the upper silicon layer; forming a second insulating layer on the upper silicon layer; forming a conductive layer on the upper silicon layer having the sound holes, and forming a passivation layer on the conductive layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the passivation layer; depositing a diaphragm on the sacrificial layer, and forming a plurality of air holes passing through the diaphragm; forming electrode pads on the passivation layer and a region of the diaphragm; and etching the sacrificial layer, the passivation layer, the conductive layer, the upper silicon layer, the first insulating layer and the lower silicon layer to form an air gap between the diaphragm and the upper silicon layer.Consequently, due to the flexible diaphragm, a manufacturing process using semiconductor MEMS technology may improve the sensitivity of the condenser microphone and reduce the size of the condenser microphone, thereby enabling integration into a portable terminal.
US08422701B2
A distributed audio signal processing system having a plurality of linked audio signal processing units is disclosed. Each audio signal processing unit has physical channels for receiving and sending local audio signals and a high bandwidth interface for exchanging audio signals with other linked audio signal processing units. Each of the physical channels of each of the audio signal processing units are mapped to a corresponding global channel. The audio signal processing system provides a tightly integrated, distributed signal processing matrix where any input signal or physical channel on any one of the signal processing units can be exchanged with any other of the linked audio signal processing units, thereby providing maximum flexibility for selecting signals to mix and determining how to process the signals.
US08422689B2
A system, and an apparatus of speaker, and a method for forming a virtual audio is provided. An audio source is processed by a second audio source processing program according to parameters which are entered by the user, and filtered to be a high frequency audio signal. The audio source with orientation is outputted by the orientation speaker.
US08422687B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for key management in a communications network. In this method, a public key authentication scheme is carried out between a security controller and a plurality of nodes to establish a plurality of node-to-security-controller (NSC) keys. The NSC keys are respectively associated with the plurality of nodes and are used for secure communication between the security controller and the respective nodes. Other methods and devices are also disclosed.
US08422683B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for requesting a proof of a security policy in a client system. Additionally, a system, method, and computer program product are provided for proving a security policy to an interrogator system.
US08422677B2
A storage virtualization apparatus comprises a judgment portion. The judgment portion judges whether encryption functions are present in an external storage subsystem having an external logical volume identified based on a write request received from a higher-level device. When the result of the judgment is negative, the storage virtualization apparatus uses its own encryption functions to encrypt the data of the write request before transmission to the external storage subsystem, but when the result of the judgment is positive, the storage virtualization apparatus transmits the data of the write request as-is to the external storage subsystem, without using its own encryption functions to perform encryption.
US08422669B2
An apparatus includes a data storage to store a window table storing a table value with an index value mapped to the table value, the index value having same number of bits as a window width, the table value being a sum of a basic table value and a non-zero table correction value, the basic table value being obtained by multiplying a point G on an elliptic curve. An arithmetic processor generates the index value by reading from a scalar value at a bit position assigned to each bit of the window with the window being shifted, reads the table value from the window table according to the index value, and performs a doubling operation and an addition operation using the read table value. A corrector performs a correction on arithmetic results with a specific correction value responsive to the table correction value.
US08422663B1
An echo reduction method stores a received audio information stream. A sound detection flag is activated following detection of locally generated sound. Output based on the received audio information stream is muted in response to the activating the sound detection flag. Rendering status of the received audio information stream is saved, in response to the activating the sound detection flag, to reduce loss of audio information. At least a portion of the stored received audio information stream is rendered following inactivation of the sound detection flag.
US08422662B2
Splitter wall plates for digital subscriber line (DSL) communication systems and methods to use the same are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a splitter to separate a digital subscriber line (DSL) signal from a plain old telephone signal (POTS) signal, and a switch to selectively couple a VoIP signal received via a first jack or the POTS signal to a second jack.
US08422654B1
Methods and products are provided for facilitating a conference call. One embodiment includes receiving an incoming call from a participant who is to participate in the conference call but who does not have authority to start the call, identifying a chairperson who does have authority to start the conference call, and automatically notifying the chairperson that the participant is waiting for the conference call to begin.
US08422649B2
Techniques are disclosed for using Ethernet Layer 1 as a means for transporting audio, control, and status signals between telephones and an aggregator device in a telephone system. Techniques are also disclosed for using the aggregator to determine whether a telephone supports only Ethernet Layer 1, and for using the aggregator to communicate with the telephone using an appropriate protocol based on the results of the determination.
US08422648B2
A method for providing text messaging services to subscribers in a telecommunications network is presented. Each of the subscribers has subscriber equipment that includes a telephone and television equipment. The method includes receiving first key stroke data corresponding to at least one text character associated with a text message, the first key stroke data having been input by the subscriber on a telephone, and providing first text prediction data, obtained from a lookup of the first key stroke data in a text prediction database, for display via the television equipment, the first text prediction data including predicted text for the text character in the text message being created.
US08422641B2
Devices, systems, and methods for recording call sessions over a VoIP network using a distributed record server architecture are disclosed. An example recording device for recording segments of a call session includes a record server configured to receive an agent voice data stream and an external caller voice data stream from an agent telephone station, and a file repository configured to store voice data and call data associated with each recorded segment of the call session. The recording device is configured to tag recorded segments of each call session, which can be later used by a third-party application or database to check the status and/or integrity of the recorded call session.
US08422640B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting emergency messages is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device, of a communication system, having a controller element to send a selection of types of emergency alert messages to be transmitted to one or more associates of a subscriber corresponding to the communication device; and receive an emergency alert message of a public emergency alert system for a zone of coverage, wherein the subscriber is in the zone of coverage and wherein the emergency alert message is transmitted to one or more associate communication devices of each of the one or more associates according to the selection of types of emergency alert messages to be transmitted. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08422637B2
A multi X-ray generating apparatus which has a plurality of electron sources arranged two-dimensionally and targets arranged at positions opposite to the electron sources includes a multi electron source which includes a plurality of electron sources and outputs electrons from driven electron sources by selectively driving a plurality of electron sources in accordance with supplied driving signals, and a target unit which includes a plurality of targets which generate X-rays in accordance with irradiation of electrons output from the multi electron source and outputs X-rays with different radiation qualities in accordance with the generation locations of X-rays. The generation locations and radiation qualities of X-rays from the target unit are controlled by selectively driving the electron sources of the multi electron source.
US08422633B2
The invention refers to an X-ray beam device for X-ray analytical applications, comprising an X-ray source designed such as to emit a divergent beam of X-rays; and an optical assembly designed such as to focus said beam onto a focal spot, wherein said optical assembly comprises a first reflecting optical element, a monochromator device and a second reflecting optical element sequentially arranged between said source and said focal spot, wherein said first optical element is designed such as to collimate said beam in two dimensions towards said monochromator device, and wherein said second optical element is designed such as to focus the beam coming from said monochromator device in two dimensions onto said focal spot.
US08422629B2
A method and apparatus for counting seedlings. A seedling moves through a seedling counter, which comprises a spectral energy emitter and a spectral energy detector. When the spectral energy detector detects a sufficient attenuation of the spectral energy for a sufficient amount of time, the spectral energy detector indicates the presence of a seedling. The spectral energy detector detects irregularities in the received spectral energy to indicate faults in the apparatus. In one embodiment, the seedling counter is adapted to use X-ray energy.
US08422628B2
Provided is a medical X-ray CT imaging apparatus including: a base (22); a support part (30) including a support arm part (30) that supports an X-ray source (36) and an X-ray detector (37) so as to be opposed to each other, and a rotation support part that supports the support arm part (32) in a rotatable manner with respect to the base (22); and a rotary drive part that rotatively drives the support part (30). At least one of the base (22) and the rotary support part (40) includes a cavity (48) forming a space around a rotation axis (A). The cavity (48) is provided with a cylindrical body (60) disposed in a rotatable state with respect to the support part (30).
US08422626B2
A computed tomography apparatus for geological resource core analysis, more particularly to a computed tomography apparatus for geological resource core analysis in that it can conveniently utilize a computed tomography apparatus for industrial use, the movement between the CT beam transmitter and the detector is decreased, thereby performing an accurate measurement and breaking down infrequently, and especially, it can easily perform a CT scan on a cylinder type (or rod shape) sample having a very long major axis such as a geological resource core sample.
US08422625B2
A motion control method is disclosed for controlling a relative scan feed motion of an object bearing device toward a scanner unit of a computed tomography system. Here, scan motion control signals are generated parallel to the scan feed motion for controlling the scan feed motion, which scan motion control signals are derived from variable input data obtained in parallel during a scan procedure. In at least one embodiment, the variable input data includes motion signals which represent the object motion cycle determined with the aid of an electrocardiogram, and the speed of the scan feed motion is reduced if an extrasystole is detected. Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the invention relates to a motion control module suited to this and/or an image processing actuation method and/or an image processing actuation module for actuating an image processing system.
US08422619B2
To provide a clock frequency divider circuit that generates a clock signal enabling an expected proper communication in communication with a circuit operating by a clock having a different frequency. A clock frequency division circuit according to the present invention generates an output clock signal obtained by dividing a frequency of an input clock signal into N/S by subtracting (S−N) clock pulses from S clock pulses of the input clock signal based on a frequency division ratio defined as N/S. The clock frequency division circuit generates a control signal used to preferentially subtract a clock pulse at a timing other than a communication timing of data communication performed by a target circuit using the output clock signal among S clock pulses of the input clock signal. Further, it generates the output clock signal by subtracting a clock pulse of the input clock signal according to the generated control signal.
US08422618B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus and system for repairing and/or maintaining a position of a first component in relation to a second component. The first and second components may be located within a reactor pressure vessel of a nuclear powerplant. The apparatus and system may attach at least one bearing plate to a horizontal surface of the first component. The apparatus and system includes structure to apply a pre-load to the first component. This may assist in maintaining the position of the first component relative to the second component.
US08422612B2
A communication terminal apparatus receives a management signal at a bit rate A and a data signal at a bit rate B (B=A×M) through the same line. The communication terminal apparatus includes a signal regenerating unit, a management signal converting unit, a timing control unit, and a data signal obtaining unit. The signal regenerating unit regenerates a signal transmitted through the line as a signal of a bit rate C (C=A×N). The management signal converting unit converts N bits of the regenerated signal into the management signal of one bit. The timing control unit controls timing for obtaining a data signal based on the management signal. The data signal obtaining unit obtains the data signal according to timing control of the timing control unit.
US08422609B2
In one embodiment, a (hard-drive) read channel has a (DFIR equalization) filter, whose tap coefficients are adaptively updated. A reset controller monitors an (LLR) signal generated downstream of the filter to automatically determine when to reset the filter, e.g., by reloading an initial set of user-specified tap coefficients. For LLR values, the reset controller determines to reset the filter when the reset controller detects that too many recent LLR values have confidence values that are too low. When implemented in a hard-drive read channel, the reset controller can reset the filter one or more times during read operations within a sector of the hard drive.
US08422603B2
A signal receiving apparatus for receiving signals is provided. The signal receiving apparatus includes a correlation-value computation section configured to sequentially compute a correlation value representing a correlation between the received signal and a series of known symbols while sliding the series of known symbols for every symbol included in the received signal, a maximum-value detection section configured to detect a largest correlation value among the correlation values computed by the correlation-value computation section for one frame of the received signal, and a correlation-value storage section configured to store each of the correlation values at one of a predetermined number of storage locations, before and after the largest correlation value is detected by the maximum-value detection section.
US08422590B2
A differential signal receiver 106 implements intra-pair skew compensation for improving data transfer on a differential channel. In an embodiment, the receiver implements sampling by—multiple clocks with different phases such that the signals of the differential channel may be separately or individually time adjusted to account for skew between them so that they may be differentially compared for data resolution. In one embodiment, a positive sampler and negative sampler are controlled by distinct clock signals to permit, at different times, sampling and holding of the positive and negative signals representing a data bit on the differential channel. A differential decision circuit may then differentially resolve the data using a latter one of the distinct clock signals. Timing generation circuitry for producing the offset clocks may include a skew detector that permits dynamic adjustment of the different clock signals according to skew associated with the signals of the differential channel.
US08422589B2
The present invention is directed to a transmitter and method for transmitting data in a digital communication system, the method comprising generating an original symbol by mapping the bits of the original bit sequence using a modulation constellation, generating at least one counter part symbol from the original symbol or from at least one counter part bit sequence generated from the original bit sequence where a combination of the original symbol and the at least one counter part symbol forms a quasi pilot symbol.
US08422586B2
Methods and apparatus for serial channel operation are disclosed. An N+1-level signaling scheme is used to transmit N staggered but overlapping NRZ sub-sequences concurrently on a serial channel. Each sequence has a bit rate R and an essential bandwidth of R Hz. The combined bit rate of the channel is N×R, but due to a lack of correlation between the sub-sequences, the essential bandwidth remains approximately R Hz. The signaling scheme also contains redundancy that allows some errors to be detected and/or corrected. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08422585B2
Although orthonormal space-time coding matrices provide for optimal communication system performance in that associated correlation matrices include no non-zero off-diagonal elements, unity code rate orthonormal coding matrices are difficult to identify for arbitrary communication network equipment. According to embodiments of the present invention, non-orthonormal space-time coding matrices, for which associated correlation matrices include non-zero off-diagonal elements, are used to encode data symbols. The non-orthonormal space-time coding matrices are more easily determined, and undesirable effects of the non-zero off-diagonal components are reduced by selecting a coding matrix from among a number of such matrices. For example, a particular space-time coding matrix may be selected from a number of generated space-time coding matrices based on a number of non-zero off-diagonal elements or a power of a trace of the associated correlation matrices.
US08422579B1
A square array of signal points forming a 22n-QAM signal constellation, where n=3, 4, is modified by relocating the inner most 22n/16 and outer 22n/16 constellation points to specific positions, resulting a modified-square constellation with a reduced peak to average power ratio (PAPR) at the modulator output relative to that of the square constellation while resulting in a receiver sensitivity that is degraded by less than the decrease in the modulator's PAPR and hence less than the possible improvement at the transmitter in average transmitted power.
US08422576B2
A method for receiving signals in a multi-carrier multiple access system is provided. The method includes receiving signals from at least one base station wherein each signal has a base station identifier, processing the signals to identify each base station by using the base station identifier, performing a channel estimation using the processed signals, combining the processed signals using information obtained from the channel estimation and decoding the combined signals. Also, an apparatus for receiving signals in a multi-carrier multiple access system includes a serial-to-parallel converter for converting a serial signal including a base station identifier from at least one base station to parallel signals, a Fast Fourier transformer for transforming the parallel signals, a parallel-to-serial converter for converting the parallel signals to a serial signal, a despreading processor for despreading frequency domain signals using the base station identifier from at least one base station, a channel estimator for compensating a channel variation between the at least one base station and a mobile station, a signal combiner for combining signals from base stations and a decoder for decoding the combined signal.
US08422569B2
Provided is an encoding device which divides an input signal into a low-range component and a high-range component and encodes the components in separate encoding units. The encoding device can improve quality of a decoded signal. The encoding device (101) includes: a band division process unit (201) which subjects an input signal to a band division process so as to obtain a lower intermediate-range component lower than a first frequency and a high-range component higher than the first frequency; a low-range encoding unit (202) which suppresses a portion of the lower intermediate-range component higher than a second frequency so as to obtain a low-range component and encodes the low-range component so as to obtain low-range encoded information; an intermediate-range correction unit (203) corrects the intermediate-range component higher than the second frequency among the suppressed lower intermediate-range component so as to obtain a corrected intermediate-range component; an intermediate high-range encoding unit (204) which encodes the corrected intermediate-range component and the high-range component so as to obtain intermediate high-range encoded information; and a multiplexing unit (205) which multiplexes the low-range encoded information and the intermediate high-range encoded information so as to obtain encoded information.
US08422568B2
A method and system provides for execution of calibration cycles from time to time during normal operation of the communication channel. A calibration cycle includes de-coupling the normal data source from the transmitter and supplying a calibration pattern in its place. The calibration pattern is received from the communication link using the receiver on the second component. A calibrated value of a parameter of the communication channel is determined in response to the received calibration pattern. The steps involved in calibration cycles can be reordered to account for utilization patterns of the communication channel. For bidirectional links, calibration cycles are executed which include the step of storing received calibration patterns on the second component, and retransmitting such calibration patterns back to the first component for use in adjusting parameters of the channel at first component.
US08422567B2
According to an aspect of the embodiment, a signal transmission apparatus includes a sine wave output unit that outputs a sine wave to a transmission path, network analyzers and that analyze signals on the transmission path, an S parameter measurement unit that measures S parameters based on the analysis, a selection unit that selects a plurality of combinations of an amplitude, an emphasis characteristic, and an equalization characteristic based on the S parameters, measurement units that measure a BER or an eye opening of the transmission path for the plurality of combinations, and a setting unit that extracts single combination based on the measurement and that sets the amplitude, the emphasis characteristic, and the equalization characteristic to a transmission unit and a reception unit.
US08422563B2
A caption formatting method and computing system that receives an input video stream that includes a sequence of input transport stream packets. The method locates user data in the sequence of input transport stream packets, where the user data includes input caption data compliant with an input caption data format. The method extracts EIA-608 captions and EIA-708 captions from the input caption data, and formats the EIA-608 captions as caption data compliant with SCTE-20 format. The method creates a sequence of output transport stream packets based on the sequence of input transport stream packets, where the sequence of output transport stream packets include the caption data compliant with SCTE-20 format and the input caption data. The method sends an output video stream from the computing device, where the output video stream includes the sequence of output transport stream packets.
US08422558B2
The present invention provides an improved motion estimation encoder for digital video encoding applications. In one example embodiment, the improved encoder receives a raw image in the form of a current frame and estimates the macroblock motion vector with respect to a reference frame. The encoder then performs an initial local search around an initial motion vector candidate derived from spatio-temporal neighboring macroblock parameters. The encoder then compares the user-defined complexity scalable sum of absolute difference between the original and the associated reference macroblock against an adaptive threshold value for motion estimation convergence. The encoder introduces a global full search around a candidate from a coarser level, in case an initial local search fails. The encoder then selects an inter encoding mode for coding the current macroblock, when the first local search is successful, otherwise the encoder selects the inter or intra encoding mode for encoding the current macroblock by comparing variances of the original and difference macroblocks.
US08422554B2
A method for decoding a wireless transmission in a communication system, particularly for mobile communications, comprising a plurality of receiver stations communicatively coupled to a common decoder station, wherein the receiver stations transmit digital representations of received user signals to the common decoding entity. These digital representations are initially transmitted to the common decoder station in coarse granularity, and in case the decoder station cannot decode the transmitted digital representations of one or multiple user signals, the decoder requests a refined digital representation of the received signals from at least one receiver station.
US08422552B2
An entropy coding apparatus. In a specific embodiment, the entropy coding apparatus includes a renormalization process and an encode-decision process that communicates with the renormalization process. The encode-decision process is adapted to run in parallel with the renormalization process without the renormalization process being nested therein. In a more specific embodiment, the entropy coding apparatus includes an entropy encoder that is H.264 compliant. The encode-decision process includes a first mechanism for pre-computing certain parameters to eliminate the need to nest the renormalization process within the encode-decision process. The renormalization process and the encode-decision process are components of a Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) module.
US08422543B2
Communication signal compensation systems and methods are operable to compensate communication signals communicated to media devices using an agile equalizer over a coaxial cable communication system. An exemplary embodiment receives a first compensation control signal from a first media device, compensates a received first communication signal based upon the first compensation control signal, communicates the first compensated communication signal to the first media device over the first coaxial cable; receives a second compensation control signal from a second media device, compensates a received second communication signal based upon the second compensation control signal, and communicates the second compensated communication signal to the second media device over the second coaxial cable. The first compensation control signal defines compensation for communication signals communicated over a first coaxial cable. The second compensation control signal defines compensation for communication signals communicated to the second media device over a second coaxial cable.
US08422529B2
A tunable laser light source having emission wavelengths in a visible or an adjoining spectral region includes a rotationally disposed laser substrate having more than one emission wavelength, a drive unit coupled to the laser substrate, a pulsed light source having a pulse transmitter, a trigger device, and a signal-delay unit. The trigger device, the signal-delay unit and the pulse transmitter are sequentially connected downstream of the drive unit.
US08422521B2
A laser device of an equal-energy pulse synchronous with motion includes: a resonant cavity, outputting a plurality of pulses with stable pulse-width and energy; a beam switch modulator, selectively enabling one of the pulses to pass; a beam energy modulator, adjusting the energy of the pulse according to a power feedback signal; an optical power sensor, sensing the energy and the pulse-width of the pulse; a motion controller, providing processing motion information; an optical feedback controller, outputting the power feedback signal to the beam energy modulator according to the energy of the pulse and the processing motion information; a trigger controller, measuring a time difference between time when the pulse is triggered and time when the optical power sensor detects the pulse, and correcting a turn-on time point of the beam switch modulator. The processing quality is therefore stabilized, and the device is applicable to various laser industrial processes.
US08422500B2
The two types of virtual local area networks (VLANs) may be defined: p-bits-Inferred-scheduling class VLAN (p-VLAN); and VLAN-ID-Only-Inferred-scheduling class VLANs (v-VLAN). As such, upon receipt of an Ethernet frame, the type of VLAN associated with the Ethernet frame may be determined. The type of VLAN provides the receiving node with an indication of a method of determining a scheduling class. A p-VLAN supports multiple scheduling classes. For a p-VLAN, the scheduling class and drop precedence for the received Ethernet frame may be determined based on a “service map” that describes the relationship between the p-bits and forwarding treatment. A v-VLAN supports a single scheduling class. As such, the scheduling class for a received Ethernet frame may be determined based on the VLAN-ID of the received Ethernet frame. The described VLAN QoS information may be configured or signaled across the network. Advantageously, the methods may be applied in connectionless, connection-oriented and path-oriented Ethernet networks.
US08422499B2
A device, system and method for controlling the flow of multicast data packets from sources sending data to hosts requesting the data. In one implementation, a router is situated in a data network between sources that send multicast data packets directed to a multicast group and hosts requesting to receive the multicast data packets. The router has one or more network interfaces in the direction of the hosts and stores for each network interface, each multicast group address and each host at least one data record arising from one or more data requests made by the hosts which includes multicast group and source information. The router stores executable instructions to receive messages originating from a host, update the status of the data sources for that host and implement the actions according to one or a combination of Tables 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 disclosed herein.
US08422488B2
A method and a HSS server allow the implicit registration of more than one IMS Private User Identity (IMPI), or the implicit registration of more than one contact address, or both, upon explicit registration of a subscriber with a given IMPI/IMPU (IMS Public User identity) pair and a given contact address. In particular, the method includes configuring subscriber data for the subscriber at the HSS with at least one implicit registration set selected from: a set of IMPIs associated with a given IMPI or with a given IMPU, and a set of contact addresses per IMPI basis; downloading from the HSS towards the S-CSCF the implicit registration set; and building up a corresponding data model therein.
US08422482B2
A wireless communication system has transmission apparatus transmitting a wireless signal based on a transmission unit and reception apparatus. The reception apparatus includes plural reception devices receiving the wireless signal to obtain the informational signals and output-controlling device selecting any informational signal from the informational signals. The reception device has communication-quality-detecting device that detects communication quality of the wireless signal, a memory storing the informational signal, and synchronization-detection-storage-controlling device that detects the synchronization signal and controls the memory to store the informational signal based on a detected result of the synchronization signal. The output-controlling device reads the informational signals out of the memories with the signals being synchronized after the reception devices have detected the synchronization signals, selects the reception device having satisfactory communication quality based on a detected result of the communication quality, and outputs the informational signal read out of the selected reception device.
US08422478B2
To obtain maximum throughput in accordance with characteristics of a propagation path, a radio transmission device having a plurality of transmitting antennas (18a, 18b) for transmitting a transmission signal in units of sub-carriers by performing spatial multiplexing or without performing spatial multiplexing is provided that includes a sub-carrier modulation part 11 modulating the input transmission signal for each sub-carrier, a transmission signal allocation part 13 allocating the transmission signal modulated for each of the sub-carriers to each of the transmitting antennas, and a transmission control part 12 that determines a multiplexing number for performing spatial multiplexing for each sub-carrier based on information received from another radio communication device as an opposite party, and outputs the determined multiplexing number to the sub-carrier modulation part and the transmission signal allocation part.
US08422476B2
An improved method for conveying data and synchronization information in a telecommunication system is disclosed. The method uses a cyclically permutable code, to which a repetitive structure has been imposed, for carrying the data and synchronization information. The decoding procedure at the receiver then uses this repetitive structure of the code to reduce complexity by first evaluating, by use of hypotheses Hx, the repetitive codeword structure of received codewords and choosing a hypothesis corresponding to the repetitive codeword structure. Then the decoding procedure performs diversity combining of codeword elements of the codewords in accordance with the chosen hypothesis. The received codewords are further detected by comparing the diversity combined codeword elements to all possible codewords fulfilling the hypothesis.
US08422472B2
A method and system for operating cells in a network where macro cells and home cells coexist are provided. The method includes determining a first set of neighbor macro Base Stations (BSs) located within a predefined reference distance from a new macro BS to be newly installed, determining a second set of neighbor macro BSs having a cell region overlapping a region of a serving cell served by the new macro BS, detecting at least one sector including a contact with the cell region of the new macro BS within a cell region of each of the neighbor macro BSs in the second set, determining a neighbor cell set including the detected at least one sector, generating an initial Neighbor Relation Table (NRT) by mapping information about each of neighbor cells included in the neighbor cell set, IDentifiers (IDs) of neighbor macro BSs serving the neighbor cells, and a Physical Resource Cell IDentifier (PCID) allocated to each of the neighbor macro BSs, and providing the initial NRT to the new macro BS as neighbor BS information.
US08422470B2
A communication system comprises a main communication device including a first communication unit executing wireless communication by a first method (mainly for voice data communication) and a second communication unit executing wireless communication by a second method (for communication of data other than voice data at a higher transfer rate) and an auxiliary communication device (operating on a secondary battery) including first and second auxiliary communication units executing wireless communication with the first and second communication units by the first and second methods, respectively. Whether communication of data (except voice data) should be executed by the first method or by the second method is determined based on the amount of the data. When the first method is selected, the data is segmented in prescribed data units and the communication of the segmented data is executed by the first communication unit and the first auxiliary communication unit by the first method.
US08422468B2
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for allocating a plurality of logical channels within each wideband channel specified by the IEEE 802.15.3c standard. Each logical channel can utilize the same wideband channel, but the logical channel can also utilize a narrowband channel (i.e., a low data rate (LDR) channel) for control and signaling. The logical channel may function as a common mode channel for multi-mode operations. A piconet controller (PNC) within a piconet can utilize the LDR for beaconing, association, and for assigning Channel Time Allocations (CTAs). Inside a CTA period, multiple devices in the piconet can communicate using a single-carrier mode, an OFDM mode, or some other mode.
US08422466B2
The invention provides a method, an apparatus, and a computer program for supporting multiple connections to a network or a plurality of networks. Support for multiple connections is enabled by establishing a connection of a first type to a network, receiving a request for a connection of the first type, registering a virtual connection as a response to receiving said request, receiving a request for establishing a connection of a second type through the virtual connection, associating the virtual connection with the connection of the first type, and establishing the connection of the second type through the connection of the first type.
US08422463B2
A node is configured for transmitting a data packet over a wireless network. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of a payload in the data packet. The controller is further configured to receive data to be transmitted over the wireless network, to determine a signal quality indicator for the wireless network, and to adjust the amount of the data included in the payload based on the signal quality indicator.
US08422447B2
Systems (200) and methods for providing voice communications over a cellular network (204, 212). A call setup message is communicated from a first communication device (FCD) to a second communication device (SCD) on a first communications channel (FCC) in a cellular network (CN) at a first data transfer rate (FDTR). In response to the call setup message, a stimulator packet is communicated to the CN on FCC at FDTR. The stimulator packet includes data of an amount that equals or exceeds a threshold value. In response to the stimulator packet, FCD (202, 214) and CN transition from a first channel mode to a second different channel mode. In the second channel mode, data is transmitted on a second communications channel (SCC) in CN at a second data transfer rate (SDTR) different than FDTR.
US08422446B2
A wireless communication device configured for controlling power for contention based uplink transmissions is described. The wireless communication device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory. The wireless communication device receives one or more power control parameters and performs contention based power control for uplink transmissions. The contention based power control is different from dynamic scheduled grant power control. The wireless communication device sends a contention based uplink transmission.
US08422442B2
There is provided a radio communication apparatus that performs communication in a plurality of different radio communication systems independently of one another and is capable of normally performing data communication with interference in the data communication avoided. The radio communication apparatus includes modems respectively corresponding to DECT communication and GSM communication respectively utilizing close frequency bands for transmitting/receiving data, and is configured so that communication time slots not used for time division multiplex domestic radio communication or for time division multiplex subscriber channel radio communication may be adjusted between the modems by a modern controller 208 for avoiding simultaneous communication timing.
US08422438B2
The invention relates to the design of power sequences for use in a group of sub-areas of a wireless communication system. Each power sequence defines for one of the sub-areas transmission power values for transmissions using a respective one of a plurality of medium access units. For each of the sub-areas of the group, reception quality values are determined for transmissions between an access station serving the sub-area and mobile stations located at an edge of the sub-area. The reception quality values allow meeting system. The reception quality values are then converted for each of the sub-areas into transmission power values of a power sequence.
US08422433B2
A base station apparatus includes a determining unit that determines whether a direct link has been established between the base station apparatus and another base station apparatus, when a mobile device makes a request to switch a communication recipient from the base station apparatus to the other base station apparatus; a link information acquiring unit that acquires, indirectly from the other base station apparatus, link information necessary for establishing the direct link to the other base station apparatus, when the determining unit determines that no direct link to the other base station apparatus has been established; and a link requesting unit that requests the other base station apparatus to establish the direct link to the base station apparatus, based on the link information of the other base station apparatus acquired by the link information acquiring unit.
US08422432B2
Enhanced frame preambles facilitate co-channel co-existence in a wireless communication environment by having at least one preamble characteristic that connotes channel-sharing information regarding the wireless communication environment. In an exemplary embodiment, a downlink subframe is received in one or more wireless communication signals in a wireless communication environment. A preamble is detected in the downlink subframe, and at least one characteristic of the preamble is ascertained. Channel-sharing information for the wireless communication environment is determined based upon the at least one characteristic of the preamble. In another exemplary embodiment, a channel is scanned to detect secondary preambles being transmitted on the channel. A current preamble configuration, including a permutation of preamble location and preamble content corresponding to the secondary preambles, is determined, which connote channel-sharing information. A next available preamble location may be adopted based on the current preamble configuration.
US08422429B2
A base station includes a transmit path circuitry to select one of a first UCI multiplexing method that allows a subscriber station to simultaneously transmit PUSCH and PUCCH and a second UCI multiplexing method that does not allow the subscriber station to simultaneously transmit PUSCH and PUCCH. The transmit path circuitry also transmits a higher layer signal indicating the one selected UCI multiplexing method, and transmits one or more uplink grants. Each of the uplink grants schedules a PUSCH in an UL CC for a subframe n, and each of the uplink grants carries a CQI request. The base station also includes a receive path circuitry to receive an aperiodic CSI report on the PUSCH in the uplink component carrier i when only one of the uplink grants scheduling a PUSCH in an uplink component carrier i carries a CQI request having a value from a set of values.
US08422420B1
When wireless systems are in communication with each other, transmit power levels can vary based on a distance between the communicating wireless systems. The transmit power levels may be varied by taking into consideration optimal values of performance indicators such as SNR. However, because a transmitting wireless system typically does not receive information that describes a communication channel as seen by a receiving wireless system, the transmitting wireless system may not be able to accurately determine when, whether, and by how much to reduce the transmit power without impairing signal reception ability at the receiving wireless system. Functionality can be implemented on the transmitting wireless system to vary the transmit power level based on comparing a percentage of packets transmitted at a maximum packet transmit rate with one or more thresholds. Such a variation of the transmit power levels can help reduce power consumption and ensure performance is not compromised.
US08422419B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for providing a WLAN service using multiple channels. The wireless local area network (WLAN) service apparatus includes a service request receiver configured to receive service request information from a first wireless terminal accessed through a first channel, a data receiver configured to receive data from a first access point accessed through a second channel according to the service request information, a data transmitter configured to transmit the data to the first wireless terminal in a predetermined service area, and an access controller configured to control the first wireless terminal and the first access point to be accessed through different channels.
US08422417B2
A method for communicating with multiple network nodes is provided in which each node of a network has a wireless link that allows data to travel to and from the nodes in parallel, thereby taking advantage of the inherent broadcast capabilities of wireless media. The wireless link may be used in parallel with a point-to-point, land-based network linking the nodes. The method may be used for multicasting or broadcasting data on a network. Specifically, the method may be used to maintain a network cache, a routing database and quality of service in a manner that is more efficient and reliable than previous methods that use serial protocols over point to point network links.
US08422414B2
A wireless millimeter wave backplane network and method comprises a first circuit board that has a first module thereon, wherein the first circuit board is coupled to a high speed backplane. The network includes a first communication node that is coupled to the first module and which is disposed on the first circuit board. The network includes a second circuit board that has a second module thereon, wherein the second circuit board is coupled to the high speed backplane. The network includes a second communication node that is coupled to the second module and disposed on the second circuit board, wherein the first and second modules wirelessly communicate using millimeter wave electromagnetic radiation with one another via the first and second communication nodes.
US08422411B2
A wireless communication system frame structure configurable to serve to half-duplex user terminals or a mixture of half-duplex and full-duplex user terminals based on a grouping of the user terminals according to one or more criteria. In one embodiment, user terminals are switched from one group to another. A user terminal signaling mechanism is also provided.
US08422406B2
A system and method that allows different participants in a conference call to be identified at a receiving terminal includes watermarking speech data when the uplink information from the terminals of the participants is received at the telecommunications network. The speech data is then combined at a conference bridge in the network and is transmitted in the downlink to the receiving terminal. The receiving terminal uses the watermarks to identify from which of the participants the received speech data originated and is operable to reproduce the speech data from the respective participants at different positions in a 2D or 3D space to help the user of the receiver terminal to identify contributions made by the respective participants.
US08422405B2
A mobile switching center platform includes a circuit-switched switch to establish circuit-switched communications sessions on behalf of at least one wireless terminal. The mobile switching platform further includes interfaces having functionalities defined by an architecture that provides packet-switched multimedia subscriber services, wherein at least one of the interfaces is to enable the mobile switching center platform to communicate with a packet-switched subscriber access network through which the mobile switching center platform establishes packet-switched communications sessions with at least one terminal device.
US08422404B2
A method for transmitting a packet including a packet data fragment and packet information with a transmission device, the method includes determining a concatenated quantity of packets based on size of the packet data fragment, generating a concatenated packet including packet data fragments corresponding to a plurality of first packets, wherein a number of the packet data fragments is determined based on the concatenated quantity, and packet information corresponding to the first packets, and transmitting the concatenated packet in any one of a plurality of communication cycles.
US08422397B2
A gateway device at a user premises edge of a wide area network implements a method for rapidly routing a media session. for an application layer service. The gateway device receivers a request from a first endpoint device to create the media session with a second device. The request includes an application layer identifier for the second device. The method involves accessing a routing table within the gateway device using the application layer identifier and obtaining, from the internal routing table a network layer address for communication with the second device. The gateway device then creates a route for the media session for the application layer service via bi-directional network layer communications through at least one of its interfaces using the network layer address.
US08422392B2
A system and method for optimal allocation of bandwidth in a multichannel transmission channel. In an embodiment, a system may allocate a specific amount of bandwidth in the transmission channel in order to maximize the value of the data that is transmitted on a per-channel basis. Typically, a transmission channel has enough bandwidth to accommodate the minimum bandwidth for all data across all channels. The excess bandwidth may be allocated in an optimal manner so as to provide additional bandwidth for the most valuable channels. The maximum allocation of bandwidth is a point in which allocating additional bandwidth to a channel does not yield any additional value. Such an allocation may be accomplished using an iterative analysis of the available bandwidth and a microeconomic-based analysis of the subjective value of each channel.
US08422388B2
A method for gracefully extending the range and/or capacity of voice communication systems is disclosed. The method involves the persistent storage of voice media on a communication device. When the usable bit rate on the network is poor and below that necessary for conducting a live conversation, voice media is transmitted and received by the communication device at the available usable bit rate on the network. Although latency may be introduced, the persistent storage of both transmitted and received media of a conversation provides the ability to extend the useful range of wireless networks beyond what is required for live conversations. In addition, the capacity and robustness in not being affected by external interferences for both wired and wireless communications is improved.
US08422386B2
An abnormal traffic detection apparatus for detecting an abnormal traffic toward a communication apparatus by using information on traffics passing through a switch, comprising destination IP address counting units (C1 to C4) configured to store amount information on amount of traffics as an amount information table corresponding to each communication apparatus, a traffic separating unit (21) for registering amount information on a new destination IP address in the amount information table corresponding to the destination IP address, each time a traffics having the new destination IP address passes through the switch, and storing the amount information in the amount information table corresponding to each communication apparatus, and abnormal traffic judging units (J1 to J4) for detecting an abnormality of the traffic amount flowing through the switch on the basis of the amount information stored in the amount information table.
US08422379B2
A resilient load balancing method uses fixed paths and a fixed path-splitting strategy to enable ingress routers to efficiently reroute traffic after a failure. An off-line management system computes a set of fixed paths and a set of splitting ratios for routing demand from ingress routers to egress routers, with sufficient capacity to meet demands under each failure scenario. That data is then used by the ingress router to reroute demand after observing a failure.
US08422376B2
According to the invention, a delivery network for assisting delivery of content objects over an Internet is disclosed. The delivery network includes a network outlet, an interface and a routing function. The network outlet is coupled to a plurality of full-route networks, where each of the plurality of full-route networks is capable of delivering content objects to a plurality of terminal networks. The plurality of terminal networks include a terminal network, where the plurality of terminal networks are coupled to a plurality of end user computers. The interface receives content objects for delivery to the plurality of end user computers. The routing function routes content objects in at least two modes, where a first mode routes content objects based upon a first route path from the network outlet to the terminal network, and a second mode routes at least some content objects using a second route path from the network outlet to the terminal network. The first route path is chosen based upon delivery efficiency. Switching from the first mode to the second mode is triggered when at least of a portion of the first route path reaches a predetermined level of use. The first and second route paths are different, and the second route path is less efficient than the first route path.
US08422373B2
In an exemplary embodiment a method includes monitoring traffic in one or more cells; determining that the traffic in one of the cells is congested; and responsive to the determining, initiating a rate change for at least one ongoing connection within the cell. Apparatus and computer programs are also determined for both a user equipment and a network node.
US08422363B2
A method and apparatus for realizing service protection are provided. The method includes the following steps: determining paths corresponding to automatic protection switching (APS)/protection communication channel (PCC) overhead bytes that are available to all nodes in a service protection trail; selecting a path for service protection from the determined paths corresponding to the APS/PCC; and using the selected path for implementing the service protection. Therefore, it is ensured that several service protections using APS/PCC may coexist in an optical transport network (OTN) and different kinds of service protection can be easily distinguished from one another.
US08422356B2
A base station used in a mobile communications system which uses orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) for downlink is disclosed. The base station includes: a unit which provides a reference signal; a unit which multiplexes a control signal and the reference signal, and generates a transmit symbol; and a unit which inverse Fourier transforms the transmit symbol and wirelessly transmits the transformed transmit symbol, wherein a first sequence including a random code sequence and a second sequence belonging to an orthogonal-code sequence group are multiplied with the reference signal, mutually different ones of the orthogonal code sequences are used in the respective multiple sectors belonging to the same cell, and different ones of the random code sequences are used in the respective two or more cells.
US08422347B2
A method for determining a phase difference of a tracking error signal is provided. The method includes: predetermining a plurality of phase differences, measuring MPP and SPP signals, establishing a phase difference curve by use of an amplitude ratio between (MPP+SPP) and (MPP−SPP), measuring MPP and SPP signals for a tracking error signal under test, calculating the amplitude ratio (MPP+SPP)/(MPP−SPP), and comparing with the phase difference curve to promptly determine the phase difference.
US08422342B1
A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drive are described. The EAMR disk drive includes a media, a slider having a trailing face and an air-bearing surface (ABS), at least one distributed feedback (DFB) layer and at least one EAMR transducer on the slider. The DFB laser(s) each includes a plurality of quantum wells, a laser coupling grating, at least one reflector, and a cavity in the at least one DFB laser. The DFB laser(s) for providing energy to the media. The EAMR transducer(s) includes at least one waveguide, a write pole, at least one coil for energizing the write pole, at least one grating, and may include a near-field transducer. The grating(s) include a coupling grating for coupling the energy from the at least one DFB laser to the waveguide(s). The waveguide(s) direct the energy from the at least one grating toward the ABS.
US08422341B2
An apparatus 100 according to the present invention is designed to read and/or write data from/on an information recording medium 1 using near-field light. The apparatus 100 includes: a light source 3 for emitting laser light; a condensing section 7 for producing the near-field light based on the laser light; a detecting section 22, 23 for detecting the relative positions of the condensing section 7 and the information recording medium 1; and a control section 14 for controlling the position of the condensing section 7. In starting a gap servo operation, the control section 14 controls the position of the condensing section 7 so that the gap servo operation is started at a different location on the information recording medium 1 from any other location where the gap servo operation has ever been started.
US08422336B2
An operating method adapted in an ultra-sound sensor is provided. The method includes the steps of emitting an ultra-sound wave, receiving a crosstalk signal within a crosstalk measuring window, determining whether the crosstalk signal is larger than a crosstalk threshold and triggering a crosstalk application if the crosstalk signal is smaller than the crosstalk threshold.
US08422335B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for imaging the subsurface structure of a target area by using waveform inversion. In the apparatus and method, the subsurface structure of a target area is estimated using waveform inversion of a seismic signal in the frequency domain, the Laplace domain, or the Laplace-Fourier domain, and an objective function is defined by applying a weighting function such that the objective function makes a different contribution for each frequency, each Laplace damping constant, or each Laplace-Fourier damping constant. The objective function is not limited to a particular type of objective function and a weighting function can be automatically determined when a gradient vector for each frequency, each Laplace damping constant, or each Laplace-Fourier damping constant is normalized. In addition, a gradient direction for all frequencies can be defined by applying another weighting function to the sum of respective gradient vectors for all frequencies, all Laplace damping constants, or all Laplace-Fourier damping constants, wherein the weighting function can also be automatically determined by normalization.
US08422324B2
A test mode signal system includes: a test mode block for generating a plurality, N, of test mode signals; a test mode send block, for generating and outputting a pulsed signal according to a command signal, and for multiplexing the N test mode signals in sets according to the pulsed signal and outputting the multiplexed pairs of test mode signals over M signal wires wherein M is less than N, such that each signal wire carries a multiplexed set of the N test mode signals; and a test mode receive block, for receiving the multiplexed sets of N test mode signals and the pulsed signal and demultiplexing each multiplexed set of N test mode signals according to the pulsed signal.
US08422322B2
A method for repairing degraded field effect transistors includes forward biasing PN junctions of one of a source and a drain of a field effect transistor (FET), and a body of the FET. Charge is injected from a substrate to a gate region to neutralize charge in the gate region. The method is applicable to CMOS devices. Repair circuits are disclosed for implementing the repairs.
US08422321B2
Memory arrays ARY0 and ARY1 each include a regular area 108 and spare area 110. Fuse circuits FS0 and FS1 each store a relief address. Relief determination circuits RJ0 and RJ1 are provided so as to correspond to the fuse circuits FS0 and FS1, respectively. The relief determination circuits RJ0 and RJ1 each determine whether a designation address is the relief address or not. An access control circuit AC specifies an access destination from the memory array ARY0 or ARY1 according to the determination results. When it is determined by the relief determination circuit RJ0 that the designation address corresponds to the relief address, the access control circuit AC selects one of the memory arrays ARY0 and ARY1 according to CX13T<1:0> and selects the spare area 110 included in the selected memory array ARY as an access target.
US08422318B2
A semiconductor device, including a plurality of control signal generation units each generating a control signal that is enabled when a column enable signal and a row enable signal are enabled, and a plurality of local sense amplifiers each sensing and amplifying data transmitted via a pair of local input/output (I/O) lines and then outputting the amplified data via a pair of global I/O lines, in response to a read or write signal and a corresponding control signal.
US08422311B1
A EPROM erasing apparatus and method for erasing an EPROM(s). The EPROM(s) is erased using light emitted from an ultraviolet light emitting diode.
US08422284B2
One embodiment of the present invention includes a three dimensional memory array having a plurality of memory elements coupled to form the array through a single top lead and a single bottom lead, each memory element including a magnetic free layer in which non-volatile data can be stored, wherein each memory element possesses unique resonant frequencies associated with each digital memory state, thereby enabling frequency addressing during parallel write and read operations, each memory element further including a fixed layer and a spacer formed between the free layer and the fixed layer.
US08422276B2
Methods are presented for fabricating an MTJ element having a uniform vertical distance between its free layer and a bit line and, in addition, having a protective spacer layer formed abutting the lateral sides of the MTJ element to eliminate leakage currents between MTJ layers and the bit line. Each method forms a dielectric spacer layer on the lateral sides of the MTJ element and, depending on the method, includes an additional layer that protects the spacer layer during etching processes used to form a Cu damascene bit line. At various stages in the process, a dielectric layer is also formed to act as a CMP stop layer so that the capping layer on the MTJ element is not thinned by the CMP process that planarizes the surrounding insulation. Subsequent to planarization, the stop layer is removed by an anisotropic etch of such precision that the MTJ element capping layer is not reduced in thickness and serves to maintain uniform vertical distance between the bit line and the MTJ free layer.
US08422269B2
A control circuit applies a first voltage to selected one of first lines and applies a second voltage having a voltage value smaller than that of the first voltage to selected one of second lines, such that a certain potential difference is applied across a memory cell disposed at an intersection of the selected one of the first lines and the selected one of the second lines. A current limiting circuit sets a compliance current defining an upper limit of a cell current flowing in the memory cell, and controls such that the cell current flowing in the memory cell does not exceed the compliance current. The current limiting circuit comprises a current generating circuit and a first current mirror circuit. The current generating circuit generates a first current having a current value equal to a current value of the cell current at a certain timing multiplied by a certain constant. The first current mirror circuit mirrors the first current to a current path supplying the first voltage to the first lines.
US08422268B2
A memory element (3) arranged in matrix in a memory device and including a resistance variable element (1) which switches its electrical resistance value in response to a positive or negative electrical pulse applied thereto and retains the switched electrical resistance value; and a current control element (2) for controlling a current flowing when the electrical pulse is applied to the resistance variable element (1); wherein the current control element (2) includes a first electrode; a second electrode; and a current control layer sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode; and wherein the current control layer comprises SiNx, and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises α-tungsten.
US08422266B2
Various embodiment include optical and optoelectronic devices and methods of making same. Under one aspect, an optical device includes an integrated circuit having an array of conductive regions, and an optically sensitive material over at least a portion of the integrated circuit and in electrical communication with at least one conductive region of the array of conductive regions. Under another aspect, a film includes a network of fused nanocrystals, the nanocrystals having a core and an outer surface, wherein the core of at least a portion of the fused nanocrystals is in direct physical contact and electrical communication with the core of at least one adjacent fused nanocrystal, and wherein the film has substantially no defect states in the regions where the cores of the nanocrystals are fused. Additional devices and methods are described.
US08422256B2
A control system for parallel connected inverter legs energized by a power source and configured for servicing a load is disclosed. The invention facilitates the number of running inverter legs to adaptively react to changes in the load by dynamically switching various inverter legs “on” or “off” in response to variations in load demand, while continuing magnetization of an output transformer connected with an “off” inverter leg via a back-feed from another output transformer of an “on” inverter leg, greatly improving the dynamic response to load changes. This design enables a fast reaction to load changes with “off” inverter legs transitioning to on-line operation instantaneously.
US08422254B2
A Voltage Source Converter having at least one phase leg connected to opposite poles of a direct voltage side of the converter and comprising a series connection of switching cells has inductance means comprising a plurality of inductors built in in said series connection of switching cells and connected in series with these cells by being connected to terminals thereof.
US08422253B2
A circuit regulator is used to generate a pulse-width-modulation signal, so as to control a power to be selectively input or not input to a primary side of a switching power supply. The circuit regulator includes a synchronous timing pulse generation circuit, outputs a starting pulse after performing signal process of time delay, timing pulse regulation, and synchronization control on a pulse-width-modulation signal and a discharging time signal of a secondary side, and accordingly effectively controls a pulse starting time of the pulse-width-modulation signal. Therefore, the synchronous timing pulse generation circuit can be applied to the circuit regulator, so as to further effectively prevent an inductor current of the switching power supply from entering a Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM).
US08422251B2
A circuit for operating a household appliance, wherein the circuit includes a switched-mode power supply for converting the power supply of a public power supply network into direct supply voltage. The circuit also includes a controller that is connected to the switched-mode power supply for being supplied with the direct supply voltage and for controlling processes of the household appliance. An EMC filter is provided to protect the public supply network from interference signals from the household appliance. The EMC filter includes a condenser that is connected between a phase conductor pole and a neutral conductor pole of the public power supply network; a bleeder resistor that is connected in parallel with the condenser; and a switch that can be activated by the controller to connect the condenser and the bleeder resistor to the neutral conductor pole.
US08422236B2
Provided are a pin module and a universal serial bus (USB) device. The USB device includes: a substrate including a first side and a second side, the second side opposite to the first side; at least one memory chip mounted on the first side of the substrate; at least one controller chip mounted on the first side of the substrate; a plurality of first planar electrodes formed on the second side of the substrate; a plurality of second planar electrodes formed on the second side of the substrate; and a sealing material housing the memory chip, the controller chip, the first planar electrodes, and the second planar electrodes, wherein the sealing material exposes one sides of the first planar electrodes and the second planar electrodes.
US08422229B2
A heat sink for use with a heat generating component includes a molded cooling block including a molded cooling passage for receiving a cooling medium. The cooling block is configured to be positioned in sufficient heat transfer relationship with respect to the heat generating component so that the cooling medium receives heat from the heat generating component.
US08422215B2
A handheld electronic device includes first, second and third bodies, first and second pivot members pivot to the first body and a gear set. The second body having a pillar is slidably disposed on the first pivot member. The third body having a rack is slidably disposed on the second pivot member, the second body stacked between the first and third bodies. The gear set is disposed on the first body and coupled with the pillar and the rack. When the third body moves relatively to the first body along a first operation direction for driving the second body to move relatively to the first body along a second operation direction opposite to the first operation direction to be exposed by the third body, the first and second pivot members rotate relatively to the first body to drive the second and third bodies to tilt relatively to the first body.
US08422213B2
An electronic device includes a main body, a display body, two adjustment assemblies, and a support assembly. The display body is movably positioned on the main body. Each adjustment assembly includes a guide shaft fixed on the main body, a slide member slidable relative to and along the guide shaft, and a rotary member. One end of the rotary member rotatably connects with the slide member, and the other end of the rotary member is rotatably connected to the display body. The support assembly is disposed on the main body to support and maintain the display at predetermined angles relative to the main body.
US08422212B2
An electronic device includes a display unit and a main unit having a separable module and a base. The separable module is provided along two opposite shorter edges with a plurality of hooking elements, and has at least one carrier member located on one side of the separable module. The base includes a plurality of retaining slots corresponding to the hooking elements, and at least one magnetic element located on one side of the base facing toward the carrier member. To cover the separable module onto the base, first cause the carrier member to be magnetically attracted to the at least one magnetic element and align the hooking elements with the retaining slots, and, then, move the separable module for the hooking elements to engage with the retaining slots, so that the separable module is held to the base.
US08422208B2
An electronic device with a stand fixing mechanism is provided. The electronic device includes a main body, a stand, and a stand fixing mechanism. The stand is fixed in the main body to support the main body. The stand fixing mechanism includes a first connection member within the main body and a second connection member at one end of the stand. The first connection member defines a first cutout and a third cutout. A first and a second protruding member protrude from the second connection member. The first cutout receives and the second cutout correspondingly receive the first and second protruding member when the stand is fixed to the main body, a securing force applied to the first protruding member by the first cutout is greater than that applied to the second protruding member by the second cutout. An electronic device applying the stand fixing mechanism is also provided.
US08422205B2
An electronic device includes a housing and an electronic module. The housing includes a transparent main body, a masking layer partially adhered to the transparent main body, and a cover. A bare area is exposed forming the masking layer to define a transparent window. The housing defines a receiving chamber and an open end communicating with the receiving chamber. The electronic module includes a touch display screen. The electronic module is received in the receiving chamber, the touch display screen aligns to the transparent window, and the cover seals the open end. The present disclosure further discloses a housing for the electronic device and a method for making the housing.
US08422202B2
A method for manufacturing a capacitor that enables a capacitor having a high degree of conductivity and minimal leakage current to be obtained with a high level of productivity. A method for manufacturing a capacitor (10) according to the present invention includes an electrolytic oxidation step of forming a dielectric layer (12) by electrolytically oxidizing the surface of an anode (11) composed of a valve metal, a cathode positioning step of positioning a cathode (13) composed of a conductor in an opposing arrangement on the surface of the dielectric layer (12), a solid electrolyte formation step of forming a solid electrolyte layer (14) between the dielectric layer (12) and the cathode (13) using a conductive polymer solution containing a π-conjugated conductive polymer and a polyanion, and an application step of performing a treatment in which a direct current voltage is applied between the anode (11) and the cathode (13).
US08422197B2
The instant article of manufacture is made by applying optical energy to one or more layers of nanoparticulate materials under predetermined conditions to produce a nanostructure. The nanostructure has layers of optically fused nanoparticles including a predetermined pore density, a predetermined pore size, or both. The predetermined conditions for applying the optical energy may include a predetermined voltage, a predetermined duration, a predetermined power density, or combinations thereof.
US08422188B2
An ESD protection device that has low capacitance, excellent discharge characteristics, and improved heat resistance and weather resistance is provided. A functional layer 31, which is a composite having a conductive inorganic material 33 discretely dispersed in a matrix of an insulating inorganic material 32, is disposed between electrodes 21 and 22 disposed on an insulating substrate 11 and facing but spaced apart from each other.
US08422178B2
A control circuit for controlling an arc suppression circuit includes a serial communication link communicating a serial signal therethrough. The control circuit includes a microprocessor having a serial input communicating with the serial communication link. The microprocessor generates a control output signal in response to the serial signal. The control circuit further includes the arc suppression circuit having an electrical contact and operating in response to the control output signal to reduce an arc at the electrical contact.
US08422173B2
A dual pole linear actuator includes a dual pole magnet assembly that is moved by providing a bi-directional analog DC control signal to a dual wound coil. The dual pole magnet assembly includes a permanent magnet that is flanked by top and bottom pole pieces. The dual wound coil is assembled to an actuator housing with a top part of the coil being wound in one rotary direction, while the bottom part of the coil is wound in the opposite rotary direction.
US08422162B2
Provided are a method, servo channel, and tape drive for determining a reference waveform used by a correlator in a servo channel. Sequences of servo signal samples are provided from read servo signals read from a servo pattern on a recording medium. A determination is made of a reference waveform based on the sequences of servo signal samples and the reference waveform is forwarded. Interpolated servo signals are generated. The interpolated servo signal samples and the forwarded reference waveform are received to generate correlation output samples. Position and velocity information are calculated from the correlation output samples.
US08422151B2
The wide-angle imaging lens module includes four lenses arranged from an object side to an image side in a sequence of: the first lens, having a positive refractive power, a convex surface on the object side and at least one aspheric surface; a diaphragm; the second lens, having a positive refractive power, a concave surface on the object side and at least one aspheric surface; the third lens, having a positive refractive power, a concave surface on the object side and at least one aspheric surface; the fourth lens, having a negative refractive power, a convex surface on the object side and at least one aspheric surface. The first and the second lenses perform a symmetry concave, providing the wider field of view angle and the larger aperture. A structural design that allows lenses to restrain better aberrations performances of aspheric surfaces further provides high-definition and high imaging qualities.
US08422139B2
In order to attain an imaging lens whose resolution performance is totally excellent, the imaging lens is in a shape of rotation symmetry in an optical effective aperture, and an image height-MTF property of the imaging lens is designed such that a maximum MTF value of a peripheral region where the image height is greater than zero is greater than an MTF value of a center region where the image height is zero in at least one of a sagittal direction and a tangential direction. This makes it possible to totally maintain an excellent resolution performance of a product even in a case where the performance of the product becomes unstable due to a tolerance that occurs at the time of manufacturing the product.
US08422136B2
An electronic element wafer module is provided, comprising: an electronic element wafer arranged with a plurality of electronic elements having a through hole electrode; a resin adhesion layer formed in a predetermined area on the electronic element wafer; a transparent cover member covering the electronic element wafer and fixed on the resin adhesion layer; and a plurality of resin optical elements adhered and fixed on the transparent cover member to be integrated in such a manner to correspond to the respective plurality of electronic elements.
US08422130B2
A portable magnifying instrument useful for colposcopy is provided which may include in combination an optical system capable of providing a distortion free clear continuously varying 10× to 15× magnification of a three-dimensional wide object; an integrated energy efficient, low powered and intensity controlled illumination system; a power pack and mounting. The optical system may have an eyepiece lens system and an objective lens system. The illumination system may have a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) connected to the power pack; mounted in such a manner that the angle between the LEDs is maintained with respect to the optical axis of the lens system and that the light beam from the said LEDs impinges on the wide object to be observed at the focus of the said lens system.
US08422126B2
Provided are infrared reflective films comprising a substrate and at least one infrared reflective layer comprising an aminium radical cation compound in a crystalline state and an organic polymer, wherein the infrared reflective layer has a reflectance peak in the infrared region from 1250 nm to 1700 nm. Such infrared films are stable in their optical properties against degradation by light and moisture. Also provided are solar control window films, security markings, and other optical articles comprising such infrared reflective films. Further provided are methods for making such infrared reflective films.
US08422124B2
A spectrum-sliced seed light module for a wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM PON) is provided. The seed light module includes an optical amplifier to amplify seed light, an optical wavelength filter to transmit broadband light, which is output in opposite direction to an output direction of the seed light, at periodic frequency intervals, and a reflective mirror to reflect light which is spectrum-sliced through the optical wavelength filter to the optical wavelength filter.
US08422118B2
A PLC-type delay demodulation circuit includes a planar lightwave circuit that is provided on one PLC chip and demodulates a DQPSK signal. The planar lightwave circuit includes a Y-branch waveguide that branches a DQPSK-modulated optical signal into two optical signals and first and second MZIs that delay the branched optical signals by one bit. The length of a short arm waveguide of the first MZI is different from the length of a short arm waveguide of the second MZI, and the length of an optical path from the Y-branch waveguide to output ports of the first MZI through the short arm waveguide of the first MZI is equal to that of an optical path from the Y-branch waveguide to output ports of the second MZI through the short arm waveguide of the second MZI.
US08422108B2
An interferometric modulator (Imod) cavity has a reflector and an induced absorber. A direct view reflective flat panel display may include an array of the modulators. Adjacent spacers of different thicknesses are fabricated on a substrate by a lift-off technique used to pattern the spacers which are deposited separately, each deposition providing a different thickness of spacer. Or a patterned photoresist may be used to allow for an etching process to selectively etch back the thickness of a spacer which was deposited in a single deposition. A full-color static graphical image may be formed of combined patterns of interferometric modulator cavities. Each cavity includes a reflector, and an induced absorber, the induced absorber including a spacer having a thickness that defines a color associated with the cavity.
US08422107B2
An optical scanning device includes an optical scanning element which has a reflection mirror and is configured to perform reciprocating scanning of an optical flux radiated from a light source by resonance oscillations of the reflection mirror; a photo detector which is arranged at a position which a portion of the optical flux scanned by the optical scanning element in a reciprocating manner passes in both outgoing-path scanning and incoming-path scanning, and is configured to output a pulse signal having a predetermined width at a point of time that the scanned optical flux is detected; and the reference signal generator which is configured to detect timing between rising edge timing of one pulse signal and falling edge timing of the other pulse signal out of two pulse signals continuously outputted from the photo detector, and to generate the reference signal based on intermediate timing between the edge timings.
US08422105B2
A display apparatus for displaying an information screen and an operation screen concerning an apparatus to which the display apparatus is connected, is disclosed, including: a screen display request receiving part, a display component creating part, and a display component drawing part. The screen display request receiving part receives a screen display request from the apparatus. The display component creating part creates a display component to display at a screen, in response to the screen display request received by the screen display request receiving part. The display component drawing part draws the display component created by the display component creating part.
US08422098B2
A document data capturing device includes a sheet supply tray for carrying documents, a sheet discharge tray located below the sheet supply tray, and a document conveying mechanism including a conveying path along which documents are guided from the sheet supply tray to the sheet discharge tray. The document data capturing device includes a first data-capturing unit and a second data-capturing unit which scan respective sides of a document conveyed by the document conveying mechanism. The first data-capturing unit and the second data-capturing unit are each configured with a reduction-optics scanning mechanism. The conveying path along which a document to be scanned by the first and second scanning mechanisms is conveyed is formed to surround the second reduction-optics data-capturing unit. Thus, the device can be made compact.
US08422085B2
There are provided an image reader with high resolution capability for images in a high density range and an image forming apparatus. An image reader 2 comprises a reflected light reading unit (11, 12, 13, 14, 10) for irradiating a surface to be read of an original sheet with a light and reading the amount of the reflected light and a transmitted light reading unit (15, 12, 13, 14, 10) for irradiating the original sheet with a light and reading the amount of the transmitted light, and calculates the density of an image of the original sheet based on the amount of the reflected light read by the reflected light reading unit and the amount of the transmitted light read by the transmitted light reading unit.
US08422083B2
A calibration mechanism is positioned in a scanning device having a scanning module for scanning a document. The scanning module defines a scanning line perpendicular to a scanned area of the document. The calibration mechanism includes a calibration unit, a supporting unit supporting the calibration unit, and a driving unit. The calibration unit is positioned to face the scanning module and aligned with the scanning line. The driving unit drives the calibration unit to move close to the scanning module and away from the scanning module along the scanning line. The scanning module obtains great brightness value by scanning the calibration unit, if the calibration unit is close to the scanning module. The scanning module obtains small brightness value by scanning the calibration unit, if the calibration unit is far from the scanning module.
US08422082B2
A method for modifying an input digital image having three color channels, to form a modified digital image suitable for use by an inkjet printer having reduced ink bleed artifacts comprising computing a transformed digital image containing at least a black color channel and a color dependent scale factor channel, computing a filtered black color channel using a convolution operation, and forming the modified digital image in response to the corresponding pixel values of the color dependent scale factor channel and the filtered black color channel, so that when the modified digital image is used to produce a printed image on an inkjet printer there are reduced ink bleed artifacts.
US08422079B2
It is determined whether the pixel of interest in image data to be processed belongs to area 1 not close to a scan line changing point where a scan line changing process is done (S101). If the pixel of interest belongs to area 1, an error diffusion process is performed using an error diffusion matrix for area 1 (S102). If the pixel of interest belongs to area 2 close to the scan line changing point, the error diffusion process is performing using an error diffusion matrix for downward scan line changing for area 2 when the scan line changing process is changing to a lower line, or an error diffusion matrix for upward scan line changing for area 2 when the scan line changing process is changing to an upper line.
US08422078B2
A method of converting a RIPped K-only page or pixels to composite black in a digital print engine is included which executes the conversion process during current job workflow, while detecting the K-only page or pixels for billing purposes as K-only, and printed out as composite black.
US08422071B2
Reproduction can be adjusted according to the degree of achromatopsia and the color distribution of an image, and color reproduction approximate to the vision of normal persons is provided to achromates. Different textures are added to respective regions (similar and hardly indistinguishable regions) which have different colors but conduce to similar result of light-reception by a light receiving device according to the differences of the original colors. The textures include a pattern of angle, hatching, or contrast each different according to the difference of the original color.
US08422070B2
The image processing apparatus is provided with: a reception unit that receives image information; an acquisition unit that acquires target information on a targeted level of an image forming material used at image formation based on the image information received by the reception unit; and a determination unit that determines a content of processing for reducing the image forming material for each portion of the image information received by the reception unit in accordance with the target information acquired by the acquisition unit.
US08422069B2
An image forming device may be provided with a setting data storage device, a preview image creation device, and an output device. The setting data storage device may be capable of storing a plurality of patterns of setting data. The preview image creation device may create, for each pattern of setting data stored in the setting data storage device, a preview image to which the pattern of setting data is reflected. The output device may output the plurality of preview images created by the preview image creation device.
US08422068B2
An image processor is connectable with a storing medium storing still image data corresponding to a still image and moving image data corresponding to a moving image, the moving image data including a plurality of sets of frame image data corresponding to a plurality of frame images respectively. The image processor includes an outputting unit, an extracting unit, and index image producing unit, and a layout unit. The outputting unit outputs an image list having a first layout area having a first layout size and a second layout area having a second layout size. The extracting unit extracts at least two sets of frame image data from the plurality of sets of frame image data. The index image producing unit produces a first index image from the still image data and a plurality of second index images from the extracted frame image data. The layout unit lays out the first index image in the first layout area and the plurality of second index images in the second layout area.
US08422067B2
An image forming apparatus has an image data reading section that reads image data formed on a document, an image processing section that separates regions where effective information is present from the read image data so as to determine, for every separated region, a shape of a see-through preventing pattern and a position at which the see-through preventing pattern is formed, and an image printing section that prints the determined see-through preventing pattern at a part on a back surface of a recording sheet on which the document is printed, on the basis of the information of the determined position at which the see-through preventing pattern is formed, the part corresponding to any of the regions where the effective information of the document is present.
US08422063B2
An image forming apparatus associating user identification information with printing jobs and carrying out the printing jobs previously stored, obtains specifying information that specifies the user identification information when a portable recording medium that stores the specifying information is set; requests an authentication part to authenticate the user by using the specifying information; permits logging in of the user when the user has been authenticated; obtains a job list of the printing jobs associated with the user identification information when the user has been authenticated; displays the job list on a display part; receives a selection of one or more printing jobs from the job list; causes printing data of the one or more printing jobs to be printed; and requests stopping of the printing when it is detected that the portable recording medium is unset.
US08422059B2
An information processing apparatus capable of freely and dynamically defining a releasing procedure of a using limitation of an apparatus and an deleting procedure for information held in an apparatus by a manager. An acquisition unit acquires information about an expiration date of the apparatus. A first determination unit determines whether the expiration date expires based on the acquired information. A limitation unit limits use of the apparatus when the expiration date expires. A registration unit registers a specific processing procedure executed by the apparatus as work flow information. A second determination unit determines whether the work flow information has been registered. A third determination unit determines whether a user instructs an execution of the processing procedure when the work flow information has been registered. An execution unit executes the processing procedure under the use limited condition, when the user instructs the execution of the processing procedure.
US08422048B2
An image forming apparatus associates a plurality of pieces of user information with a single user identifier, and furthermore, stores keys corresponding to keys that are used for signing in association with the respective pieces of user information. Furthermore, when a user uses the image forming apparatus, jobs for which user information attached to the jobs matches user information that is identified when the user uses the image forming apparatus are extracted, signature verification is performed on respective pieces of signature data attached to the extracted jobs, using the keys held in a user information table, and jobs that are successfully verified are further extracted and listed.
US08422045B2
One aspect of the present invention can include an image forming apparatus having an access portion configured to access an external storage medium, a file specification portion configured to specify a file to be a printing object, from files stored in the storage medium, a printing portion configured to execute, in accordance with printing conditions, data development processing of the file specified by the file specification portion and execute processing of printing to a printing medium on the basis of the developed data obtained by the data development processing, a printing history storage portion configured to store printing conditions used in the printing processing executed by the printing portion as printing history information. This aspect of the present invention can further include an acceptance portion configured to accept a printing history use instruction, and a printing control portion configured to, when the printing history use instruction is received and a file is specified by the file specification portion, cause printing processing of the specified file to be executed by the printing portion in accordance with the printing conditions stored as the printing history information.
US08422043B2
In a watermarked document printing apparatus, secret information is divided, error correction encoding is performed to each divided pieces of information, and the secret information is converted into a pattern image and embedded in paper. In a watermarked document reading apparatus, after extracting signals from the pattern image on the paper, a reading error is detected by decoding the error correction code for each divided pieces of information, and the portion where the reading error exists is read again. The scanning process is performed again only to the portion where the decoding cannot be performed due to the temporal malfunction of the scanner or the like. Therefore, the pattern image can efficiently be obtained.
US08422038B2
An information processing apparatus includes: a display unit which displays images; an input unit through which an instruction is input from outside; a page image display processing unit which causes the display unit to display at least two page images each representing a print page; a page image moving unit which moves the at least two page images displayed on the display unit by the page image display processing unit, on the basis of the instruction input through the input unit from the outside; and a condition setting unit which sets a printing condition, on the basis of a positional relationship between at least two page images that are moved by the page image moving unit.
US08422030B2
An intensity modulating element for a probe having a plurality of light emitters for phase-shift analysis and measurement is disclosed. The intensity modulating element comprises a plurality of columns of a plurality of grating elements formed by two opposing patterns.
US08422020B2
The variable spectroscopic element includes a pair of optical substrates 21-22, four sensors 31-34, four piezoelectric elements 41-44, and a control section. The sensors 31, 33 are arranged to form symmetry with respect to the center axis, which links gravity centers of mutually facing surfaces of the optical substrates 21-22, and so are the sensors 32, 34. The control section calculates, from signals of the sensors 31-34, a distance x between the gravity centers of the mutually facing surfaces, and angles θ, φ each of which is formed by a plane perpendicular to the center axis and the facing surface of the movable substrate 22, to drive the piezoelectric elements 41-44 on the basis of the distance x, the angles θ, φ, and to carry out feedback control and feed forward control with respect to at least one of the distance x, the angle θ, and the angle φ.
US08422016B2
An apparatus for color sensing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a set of color sensor tolerances for a Non-Contact color sensor device; and a Contact color sensor device, conforming to the set of color sensor tolerances.
US08422009B2
In a foreign matter inspection apparatus comprising: irradiating unit for irradiating inspection light to an inspection area of an article to be inspected; intensity detecting unit for detecting intensity of either reflected light or scattered light, which is generated from the inspection area by irradiating thereto the inspection light; position detecting unit for detecting a position of either the reflected light or the scattered light within the inspection area; and deciding unit for deciding whether or not a foreign matter is present within the inspection area; the foreign matter inspection apparatus is comprised of: display unit capable of displaying thereon both a threshold image in which the threshold value is indicated over an entire area of the inspection area, and a detection sensitivity image indicated by being converted from the threshold image.
US08422008B2
An electrical machine component monitoring system includes a light source that provides an optical signal through a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic sensing component positioned on the electrical machine component or at a standoff distance from the electrical machine component to obtain a responsive optical signal representative of a condition of the electrical machine component. The system further includes a photodetector to receive the responsive optical signal from the fiber optic sensing component and to convert the responsive optical signal to an electrical signal. A processing circuitry is also provided in the system for determining information regarding dirt on the electrical machine component by analyzing the electrical signal.
US08422003B2
A device is disclosed for the classification of a transparent component of a material flow using an optical detector unit, with allocatable optical axis which is directed toward the material flow, at least one illumination unit for illuminating the material flow from a space over the material flow, in which the optical detector unit is also contained, and a classifier, which classifies the component based on information which is recorded from the component using the optical detector unit, and a decision criterion. A retroreflector is provided at least longitudinally relative to the optical axis of the detector unit, downstream from the material flow in the viewing direction of the detector, the illumination unit provides at least two light sources, with first light source emitting light of a first type and a second light source emitting light of a second type.
US08422001B2
Method of measuring the velocity of an aircraft at a given instant, by laser Doppler anemometry, by performing the steps of acquiring a backscattered signal on at least three oriented line-of-sight axes, and calculating the spectrum of the backscattered signal on each of the line-of-sight axes. Further, acquiring an additional backscattered signal on at least one additional line-of-sight axis (X4) not coincident with one of the three first line-of-sight axes (X1, X2, X3), and calculating the spectrum of the backscattered signal on the additional line-of-sight axis (X4). Several candidate velocity vectors ({right arrow over (V)}c) and of the projections of the candidate vectors on at least one line-of-sight axis (X1, X2, X3, X4) are calculated. The consistency of the candidate vectors ({right arrow over (V)}c) is calculated as a function of their projections and as a function of each spectrum of the corresponding backscattered signal on the respective calculation axis (X1, X2, X3, X4). The measured velocity vector ({right arrow over (V)}c) is chosen from among the candidate velocity vectors ({right arrow over (V)}c).
US08421998B2
An aperture diaphragm plate is provided to define a light flux on a pupil plane of an optical system or a plane or surface disposed in the vicinity of the pupil plane. An aperture, which is formed in the aperture diaphragm plate, has a three-dimensional shape corresponding to an optimum pupil shape of the optical system. It is possible to improve the imaging characteristic brought about by the optical system by providing the optimum pupil shape of the optical system.
US08421984B2
The electrode structure layer includes a transparent insulating film formed of a semiconductor oxide or a semiconductor nitride, the transparent insulating film being formed so as to separate a surface of the liquid crystal and a surface of a color filter layer facing each other; and a first transparent conductive film and a second transparent conductive film both formed of an oxide semiconductor, the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film being formed on both sides of the transparent insulating film. The color filter layer includes a first region formed of one colored layer; and a second region formed of at least two laminated colored layers. The second region has a convex portion, the convex portion being formed of the at least two laminated colored layers, and the convex portion retains a gap formed between the first substrate and a second substrate.
US08421978B2
A liquid crystal display panel including an active device matrix substrate, an opposite substrate, and a liquid crystal layer is provided. The active device matrix substrate includes a first substrate, an active device array, a padding device, first connecting electrodes, and shielding electrodes. The padding device is disposed on active devices and data lines of the active device array. The first connecting electrodes are located above the active devices and electrically connected to the active devices. The shielding electrodes are located above the data lines and electrically connected to a common voltage. The opposite substrate includes a second substrate, first electrodes, an insulating layer, second electrodes having slits and opposite to the first electrodes, spacers corresponding to the active devices, and second connecting electrodes covering the spacers to directly contact with the first connecting electrodes and electrically connected to the first electrodes or the second electrodes.
US08421977B2
A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate including a pixel electrode which is disposed in each of pixels, a counter-substrate which is disposed to be opposed to the array substrate and includes a counter-electrode which is common to a plurality of the pixels, and a liquid crystal layer which is held between the array substrate and the counter-substrate. The pixel electrode includes a first major electrode portion having a strip shape, and the counter-electrode includes second major electrode portions each having a strip shape, the second major electrode portions being disposed in parallel to the first major electrode portion in a manner that the first major electrode portion is interposed between the second major electrode portions and that the first major electrode portion and the second major electrode portions are alternately arranged.
US08421969B2
An electrooptic device includes a first substrate, a second substrate which is arranged so as to be opposed to the first substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes which are provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, a dielectric multilayer film which is formed so as to cover the plurality of pixel electrodes and in which a plurality of dielectric layers are laminated, and a sealing member which is arranged around a pixel region on which the plurality of pixel electrodes are provided and bonds the first substrate and the second substrate to each other. In the electrooptic device, at least one dielectric layer of the plurality of dielectric layers is formed so as not to overlap with a sealing region on the first substrate, on which the sealing member is arranged.
US08421966B2
A liquid crystal display including a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display panel is provided. A spectrum of the backlight unit has relative maximum brightness peaks at wavelength between 460 nm to 480 nm, between 505 nm to 525 nm, and between 610 nm to 630 nm. The liquid crystal display panel is disposed above the backlight unit. The liquid crystal display panel has a red color filter layer (Rx, Ry, RY), a green color filter layer (Gx, Gy, GY), a blue color filter layer (Bx, By, BY) and a yellow color filter layer (Yx, Yy, YY), wherein under the backlight source, the red color filter layer, the green color filter layer, the blue color filter layer and the yellow color filter layer satisfy following conditions: Rx≧0.654; Ry≦0.330; Gx≦0.253; Gy≧0.605; Bx≦0.136; By≦0.146; Yx≦0.408; Yy≦0.534; 0.83≦RY/GY≦0.87; 0.86≦GY/BY≦0.92; 0.83≦BY/YY≦0.87 and 1.5≦YY/RY≦1.55.
US08421965B2
The present invention provides a color liquid crystal panel in an e-mode of an IPS mode, which has a multi-gap structure, and in which a contrast in an oblique direction is enhanced.
US08421950B2
The present disclosure relates to the present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display device adapting a guide panel having a reinforced structure. A liquid crystal display panel according to the present disclosure comprises: a liquid crystal display panel; a light guide plate disposed under the liquid crystal display panel; an LED light source disposed one side of the light guide plate; a cover bottom housing the LED light source and the light guide plate; and a guide panel supporting the liquid crystal display panel, and wraping the LED light source and the light guide plate at outside, wherein the guide panel has an outer vertical surface and a support rib apart from the outer vertical surface inward to form a space for holding a vertical surface of the cover bottom. With simple structure on the guide panel, the reliability of the liquid crystal display panel is enhanced remarkably.
US08421938B2
A pixel array is located on a substrate and includes a plurality of pixel sets. Each of the pixel sets includes a first scan line, a second scan line, a data line, a data signal transmission line, a first pixel unit, and a second pixel unit. The data line is not parallel to the first and the second scan lines. The data signal transmission line is disposed parallel to the first and the second scan lines and electrically connected to the data line. Distance between the first and the second scan lines is smaller than distance between the data signal transmission line and one of the first and the second scan lines. The first pixel unit is electrically connected to the first scan line and the data line. The second pixel unit is electrically connected to the second scan line and the data line.
US08421933B2
A three-dimensional liquid crystal shutter glasses includes a frame and two lenses, where the frame includes two sub-frames, the two lenses can be deposed on the two sub-frames in any one of a plurality of specific angles, respectively, and the plurality of specific angles are for a user to watch a plurality of types of monitors whose images have different polarization directions.
US08421928B2
The present invention relates to a system for scene change detection including a decoder decoding input digital video data into video data compressed by a single codec or uncompressed video data in a codec-independent format, a normalizer normalizing the video data decoded by the decoder in a temporally and spatially uniform format, and a scene change detector computing a mode ratio for each frame of the normalized video data through a mode determination, and determining, when a frame has a mode ratio higher than a preset threshold value, that a scene change has occurred at the frame. The decoder decodes video data compression-coded by various video codecs into uncompressed video frames.
US08421927B2
A display device includes a display panel, a light source module and a skin-color detector. The display panel has a plurality of sub pixel units, and the sub pixel units include red sub pixel units, green sub pixel units, blue sub pixel units and white sub pixel units. The light source module is disposed at a side of the display panel and the light source module includes a white light source and a yellow light source distributed in the white light source. The skin-color detector is electrically connected to the display panel, wherein the skin-color detector detects the skin-color area proportion of an image signal of the display panel.
US08421925B2
A display device and a color adjustment method thereof and a method for displaying video signals are provided. The display device includes a video signal receiver, a scaling engine, a color engine, an output stage, and a panel. The video signal receiver receives the video signals. The scaling engine is coupled to the video signal receiver to modulate the resolution of the video signal. The color engine is coupled to the scaling engine, which includes a local adjusting unit. The local adjusting unit adjusts hue, saturation, or intensity of a group of pixels, and thereby increase the quality of images. The output stage is coupled to the color engine, which outputs the adjusted video signals. The panel is coupled to the output stage, which displays the adjusted video signal.
US08421910B2
R, G and B LEDs are used as a light source of an electronic flash. Electric energy is supplied to a capacitor to the LEDs. A system controller controls light emitting amounts of the LEDs so that a color temperature of the electronic flash light becomes a color temperature that has been manually set with a color temperature setting switch or a color temperature of a light source determined by color temperature sensors.
US08421909B2
In an exposure control apparatus for exposure control of a vehicle-mounted camera which captures successive images of a scene ahead of the vehicle, two different regions (sets of picture elements) in each image are selected for use in measuring the brightness of an object such as a preceding vehicle and the brightness of the road surface, respectively. The camera exposure is controlled based upon both of these brightness measurement results.
US08421908B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an actuator allowing a control of displacement and configured to offer a high degree of freedom in designing, and a drive device and an imaging device including the actuator. To achieve the object, an actuator is adopted including a movable part deformable in accordance with heat generation and a control section controlling the amount of deformation of the movable part. In the actuator, the movable part is structured with a plurality of portions including a base portion, a force generating portion, and a heat generating portion being stacked, the force generating portion generating force in accordance with heating, the heat generating portion generating heat in accordance with a current supply. The control section controls the amount of deformation of the movable part by controlling the current supply to the heat generating portion based on an electrical resistance in the heat generating portion.
US08421902B2
A display processing apparatus which makes it possible to set auto bracketing values while confirming a whole range of shooting conditions configurable for correction in which possible shooting condition corrections are taken into account. An exposure correction value is set based on an instruction from a user for correcting a preset value of exposure. Auto bracketing value auto bracketing shooting are set based on an instruction from the user. A process is carried out for displaying a scale for indicating values of the exposure correction value and the auto bracketing values, indicators indicative of a range of exposure correction values that can be set and are arranged in a manner associated with the scale, and indicators indicative of a range of auto bracketing values that can be set and are arranged in a manner associated with the scale and the first indicators.
US08421898B2
The present invention relates to a method for detecting and showing quality of a preview or stored picture in an electronic imaging device, which comprises the steps of determining whether the electronic imaging device is operated in a preview mode or a file mode; detecting at least four features of the preview or stored picture; determining whether each of the features of the preview or stored picture is normal or not; and displaying the preview or stored picture and at least one of four graphical indicators on a LCD screen of the electronic imaging device when it is determined that the feature corresponding to the graphical indicator is not in a normal status. Thus, a user is able to easily identify the features of the preview or stored picture in a graphical way on the LCD screen in a real time while reviewing the preview or stored picture.
US08421886B2
A digital camera includes: an imaging unit that obtains image data by capturing an image of a subject; a recording control unit that records the image data obtained by capturing the image of the subject into a plurality of recording media; a speed detection unit that detects access speeds at each of the plurality of recording media; and a selection unit that selects the recording media, into which image data are to be recorded by the recording control unit, based upon each of the access speeds having been detected, wherein: at least one of the plurality of recording media is an exchangeable recording medium.
US08421884B2
A GPS device with a display function includes a GPS recorder and a display screen. The GPS recorder has a GPS casing that encloses one part of the display screen and only a display area of the display screen is exposed. The display screen is electrically disposed on the GPS recorder, and the display screen displays pattern in order to show time information and the position information that have been captured by the GPS recorder. In addition, the GPS recorder has a memory disposed therein for storing the time information and the position information.
US08421880B2
An image processing apparatus includes: a difference calculation unit that calculates a difference value of a feature amount of image data of a predetermined region between a present frame and a past frame; a first counting unit that counts number of times when an absolute value of the difference value exceeds a threshold during a predetermined period of time; a second counting unit that counts number of times when the difference value of the image data have different plus-minus signs between a present frame and a past frame during a predetermined period of time; and an identification unit that identifies a light source frequency by comparing the output of the second counting unit with a predetermined value when the output of the first counting unit exceeds a predetermined value.
US08421876B2
An electronic apparatus and an image capturing apparatus are provided. The image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing module and a processing module. The image capturing module captures an image having a plurality of pixels. The processing module looks up a table to process a rotation calibration or a tilt calibration toward the pixels to output a calibrated image.
US08421869B2
A camera system for outputting deblurred still images includes a portable handheld camera device comprising an image sensor for recording an image; a two-dimensional accelerometer for detecting an angular velocity of the camera system relative to an external environment and to produce an angular velocity output indicative thereof; a linear image sensor for sensing data provided on an encoded card inserted into the camera system, the encoded card containing instructions for the manipulation of the image; and a processor for receiving the image from the image sensor, receiving the angular velocity output from the two-dimensional accelerometer, and processing the image in accordance with the instructions sensed from the encoded to deblur any blurred pixels present in the image in consideration of the angular velocity output.
US08421867B2
A projection device includes: a light source; a modulation element that modulates light from the light source; a projection optical system that projects light modulated by the modulation element; a drive unit that drives the projection optical system; and a control unit that drives the light source and the drive unit in a complementary manner when driving the drive unit while turning on the light source.
US08421858B2
An inspection machine capable of inspecting optical property and electrical property of a light emitting device is provided. The inspection machine includes a substrate table, a probe mechanism, a heating apparatus, a cooling apparatus, an image-sensing apparatus, a temperature-sensing apparatus and a moving mechanism. The probe mechanism is capable of moving toward the light emitting device to contact therewith. The heating apparatus is capable of heating the light emitting device within a first temperature range. The cooling apparatus is capable of cooling the light emitting device within a second temperature range. The image-sensing apparatus senses a light emitting image provided from the light emitting device. The temperature-sensing apparatus senses the present temperature of the light emitting device. The image-sensing apparatus is disposed on the moving mechanism. The moving mechanism is capable of moving the image-sensing apparatus. An inspecting method and an inspecting system for the inspection machine are also provided.
US08421849B2
A lighting control device includes: an irradiation light generation unit that receives an irradiation light signal; coating correcting means for correcting the irradiation light signal so that an irradiation target object can be coated with irradiation light; and an irradiation light projection unit that projects the irradiation light by using the corrected irradiation light signal. The irradiation light includes coating light that coats the irradiation target object, and background light that becomes a background of the irradiation target object. The lighting control device includes: a first coating correction unit that corrects the irradiation light signal so as to cut an outline of the coating light in conformity with a shape of the irradiation target object; and a second coating correction unit that corrects the outline of the coating light in response to a positional relationship between an origin position of the irradiation target object and the irradiation light projection unit.
US08421848B2
A stereoscopic video viewing limiter extracts factor information related to different factors affecting a viewer of a stereoscopic video display from a video signal, generates corresponding effect coefficients representing the degree of effect on the viewer, integrates the effect coefficients as the viewer watches the stereoscopic video image, compares the integrated values with respective thresholds determined according to the viewer's tolerances for each of the factors, and generates a viewing limitation signal when the tolerances are exceeded. The viewing limitation signal is used to limit viewing to a two-dimensional video image instead of the stereoscopic video image. When several viewers watch the same stereoscopic video display, separate viewing limitation signals are generated, tailored to the viewers' individual stereoscopic viewing tolerances, permitting each viewer to enjoy the stereoscopic video display as long as possible without adverse effects.
US08421843B2
This image processing system comprises: a device (PRJ, SI1) for projecting a first light beam (FL1) to form a first image (I1) on a screen (ECR) on which a second light beam (FL2) coming from an observation area (ZO) forms a second image (I2) and a device (CAM, SI1) for acquiring a third image (I3) formed on the screen (ECR) and corresponding to the superimposition of the second image (I2) and at least a portion (I1′) of the first image (I1). This system further comprises control means (CTR) for: obtaining a first signal (S1) representing the portion (I1′) of the first image (I1), obtaining a second signal (S2) representing the third image (I3), and calculating a third signal (S3) by subtracting at least part of the first signal (S1) from the second signal (S2) to form an image (I2′) representing the observation area (ZO).
US08421839B2
A method and corresponding system for communicating over a network using a first device and a peripheral device, wherein the first device comprises a user interface and a network interface for connecting to the network, and the peripheral device has a local connection to the first device, the local connection being independent of the network. The method comprises receiving data packets from the network at the network interface of the first device and forwarding the received data packets from the first device to the peripheral device via the local connection. A client engine of a communication client is executed on a processor of the peripheral device to process the received data packets. Processed data packets are sent from the peripheral device to the first device via the local connection such that data contained in the received data packets is conveyed to a user of the first device using the user interface of the first device.
US08421835B2
An exposure device configured to perform exposure using a plurality of light beams and capable of stabilizing image density without increasing circuit size. The exposure device has a first light source for emitting a first light beam and a second light source for emitting a second light beam. The exposure device exposes a photosensitive drum such that areas exposed to the respective first and second light beams at least partially overlap each other. A first drive current having a predetermined value and a second drive current are supplied to the respective first and second light sources. A photodiode detects the intensities of the respective first and second light beams or the sum of the intensities. The second drive current is controlled based on a detection result from the photodiode such that the sum of the intensities becomes equal to a target intensity.
US08421832B2
A surface property modifying sheet cartridge includes two reels that are disposed in parallel with a predetermined interval, a surface property modifying sheet that is provided in a tensioned state between the two reels in a manner such that end parts thereof are respectively fixed to the two reels and are wound respectively around the two reels, and a case part configured to store the two reels and the surface property modifying sheet. In the surface property modifying sheet cartridge, the case part includes a penetrating part that exposes a part of the surface property modifying sheet positioned between the two reels.
US08421828B2
A display device and modulation scheme for applying image data to an imager. The display may use a modulation scheme wherein spacing of row write actions on the rows creates gray scale modulation, wherein one row spacing between sequential row write actions is at a first distance while another row spacing between sequential row write actions is at a distance greater than said first distance. The modulation scheme may create a series of write pointers that create a corresponding series of write planes. In some embodiments, modulation efficiency is increased allowing the use of lower frequency imaging circuits to achieve the same display image.
US08421827B2
A field sequential liquid crystal display maintains its white color point through compensation values to at least one color light emitting diode that illuminates the display. The compensation values may be impedances to control the current or pulsing of the current source according to a pulse width modulation technique. A degradation curve may be used to calculate extrapolate the theoretical forward voltage of the light emitting diode. Additional complexity arises from the need for calculating uptime for multiple light emitting diodes of different colors. Brightness levels may also be factored in. Additional processing of a display element may be provided when a grey scale image is being generated.
US08421825B2
A plurality of screen aspects is acquired; each screen layout is optimized; switching of the screen aspects is supported; and visibility and functionality of the display screen are improved. An electronic device (portable terminal apparatus) including a display function in a rotatable and/or openable/closable case includes a displaying unit that displays a vertically elongated vertical screen or a horizontally elongated horizontal screen and a controlling unit (CPU) that changes screen layouts correspondingly to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen displayed on the displaying unit. The change in the screen layout corresponding to the vertical screen or the horizontal screen includes a change in arrangement of icons.
US08421819B2
A display control device used to govern non-content regions in a display space, and selectively determine data for display in the non-content regions is described. The display control device can identify the non-content regions, and determine types of data that can be filled in the non-content regions. Once determined, the fill data can be presented in the non-content regions concurrently with an image frame.
US08421811B2
This invention relates to a system and method for customizing the appearance of a vehicle. Users can display customized designs, colors or promotional information on the vehicle for free or on a fee basis. The system also allows users to use a detection device to detect the colors or patterns of other objects and then display substantially the same color or pattern on the vehicle.
US08421810B2
A color look-up table includes a plurality of images recorded on a film. Each of the images being recorded on a separate picture of the film and containing at least a first level and a second level. The first and second levels having different pixel color values and are arranged to form a detectable geometric pattern on each of the pictures. The first field and a second field having detectable boundaries assigned to characterize distortions on the film.
US08421803B2
This invention facilitates monitoring operation for checking whether or not quality of a substrate deteriorates as well as operation for identifying a cause of deterioration in quality. Identification information of constituent elements related to measurement target sections (pads) on a component-mounted substrate is arranged into hierarchal structure data. A first axis is arranged with the measurement target sections associated with this arrangement. A second axis is arranged with information (identification information of lots and squeegees) representing production conditions of the substrates according to an order of the substrates being processed. A two-dimensional area defined by the first axis and the second axis is set. A color map is generated, in which measured data of the measurement target sections on the substrates are arranged in colors at corresponding positions within the two-dimensional area. Specifically, in the respective measured data, values in a preferable range is displayed in white, values larger than the preferable range is displayed in red-like color, and values smaller than the preferable range is displayed in blue-like color.
US08421801B2
Systems, methods, and computer readable media embodying such methods provide for allowing specification of per-ray clipping information that defines a sub-portion of a 3-D scene in which the ray should be traced. The clipping information can be specified as a clip distance from a ray origin, as an end value of a parametric ray definition, or alternatively the clipping information can be built into a definition of the ray to be traced. The clipping information can be used to check whether portions of an acceleration structure need to be traversed, as well as whether primitives should be tested for intersection. Other aspects include specifying a default object that can be returned as intersected when no primitive was intersected within the sub-portion defined for testing. Further aspects include allowing provision of flags interpretable by an intersection testing resource that control what the intersection testing resource does, and/or what information it reports after conclusion of testing of a ray.
US08421800B2
A method for displaying objects in a CAD system, and corresponding CAD system and computer program product. The method includes loading a graphic model with a plurality of model elements including edges and faces in a CAD system and receiving a selection of a display technique to be used on the graphic model. The method also includes classifying each model element as important or unimportant. The method also includes hiding a first subset of the unimportant model elements according to the selected display technique and adjusting the transparency of a second subset of the unimportant model elements according to the selected display technique, so that the important model elements are clearly visible with relation to the unimportant model elements. The method can produce a simplified graphic model that is displayed by the CAD system.
US08421799B2
A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.
US08421797B2
A remote control system and a remote control apparatus allow a human operator to remotely control a mobile body easily even if the system uses a low-speed communications link. The remote control system includes a remote control apparatus, in which a CPU selects old information based on both old information and the latest mobile body information from a mobile body, and determines a virtual view point V. The CPU generates a three-dimensional environmental image K and the virtual view point V based on the selected old information, and also generates a mobile body model M, a reference point B and a clipping center point based on the latest mobile body information and data regarding a mobile body model M, in a global coordinate system GC. The CPU calculates an angle of view based on a distance d between the virtual viewpoint V and the reference point B, makes a perspective projection of the three-dimensional environmental image K and the mobile body model M from the virtual view point V toward the clipping center point to obtain a projected image, makes a clip from the projected image based on the angle of view thereby making a composite image, and converts the composite image into a display image of a predetermined size. The resulting display image is displayed on a monitor.
US08421795B2
The game apparatus generates an image of a virtual space viewed from a virtual camera as a reference image. The game apparatus then calculates a blurring value indicative of a blurring degree of the image. The blurring value is calculated so as to become greater than a reference value in the case where a movement amount of the virtual camera is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, and to become smaller than the reference value in the case where the movement amount of the virtual camera is smaller than the predetermine amount. The game apparatus blurs an image outside a predetermined area of the reference image such that the blurring degree increases in accordance with an increase of the blurring value. The predetermined area is determined, from among an image area of the reference image, so as to include a position of a focus point of the virtual camera. Accordingly, a blurred image is displayed on a display apparatus.
US08421794B2
The disclosure describes an adaptive multi-shader within a processor that uses one or more high-precision arithmetic logic units (ALUs) and low-precision ALUs to process data based on the type of the data. Upon receiving a stream of data, the adaptive multi-shader first determines the type of the data. For example, the adaptive multi-shader may determine whether the data is suitable for high-precision processing or low-precision processing. The adaptive multi-shader then processes the data using the high-precision ALUs when the data is suitable for high-precision processing, and processes the data using the high-precision ALUs and the low-precision ALUs when the data is suitable for low-precision processing. The adaptive multi-shader may substantially reduce power consumption and silicon size of the processor by implementing the low-precision ALUs while maintaining the ability to process data using high-precision processing by implementing the high-precision ALUs.
US08421791B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged on a substrate in a matrix, a source driver circuit to supply source signals to source lines connected to each pixel arranged in a column direction and a gate driver circuit to supply gate signals to respective gate lines connected to pixels arranged in a row direction. A control circuit outputs an array control signal for a partial display to a receiver circuit that receives a partial display start address to specify a gate line for starting a partial display and a partial display end address to specify a gate line for ending the partial display. A decoder circuit outputs a control signal to control a range of the gate lines driven by the gate driver circuit.
US08421784B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a display for receiving m-bit display data includes a display driver including a switched capacitor digital/analogue converter including an n-bit input, where m is not greater than n. The upper plates of the capacitors of the switched capacitor digital/analogue converter may be connected, in the zeroing phase, to one of a plurality of reference voltages. The choice of which reference voltage is connected to the upper plates of the capacitors of the switched capacitor digital/analogue converter in the zeroing phase is independent of the input n-bit digital code, and is determined by a signal internal to the display. The output voltage range from the converter in a decoding phase may be a first range in which output voltages are above and below one reference voltage or it may be a second range in which output voltages are above and below another reference voltage, depending on which reference voltage was selected in the preceding zeroing phase.
US08421783B2
A variation in threshold may be suppressed by structuring an analog switch by a MOS transistor and forming a signal synchronized to a clock by making the clock which is a common signal in continuity or discontinuity. An object of the present invention is to reduce the variation in the signal synchronized to the clock by the variation in threshold of the MOS transistor in a circuit which is synchronized to the clock.
US08421781B2
A shift register has a plurality of shift register units coupled in series. Each shift register includes a pull-up circuit, an input circuit, a pull-down circuit, a compensation circuit, an input end, an output end and a node. Each shift register unit receives an input voltage at the input end and provides an output voltage at the output end. The input circuit transmits the input voltage to the node based on a first clock signal. The pull-up circuit provides the output voltage based on a second clock signal and the voltage level of the node. The pull-down circuit selectively connects the node with the output end according to a third clock signal. The compensation circuit is coupled to the input circuit, the pull-down circuit and the node for maintaining the voltage level of the node based on the second and third clock signals.
US08421777B2
A stylus comprises a housing, a stylus body and a retaining structure. The housing has a receptacle defined therethrough. The retaining structure is configured to provide a mechanism for the stylus body to latch in the receptacle of the housing. The retaining structure includes a set of retaining members and a set of retaining slots that engage the retaining members.
US08421771B2
A position-detecting device detects a position pointed to by a position-pointing instrument and includes an operation panel detecting the position pointed to by the position-pointing instrument; and a manipulation-detecting unit located at at least one of the interior and the exterior of the operation panel, and detecting a manipulation by a second instrument other than the position-pointing instrument, or detecting a manipulation by both the position-pointing instrument and the second instrument.
US08421747B2
Object detection and user setting techniques are described. In an implementation, an object placed on a surface of the client is detected by the client. A determination is made as to which of a plurality of users correspond to the detected object. One or more user settings are located that correspond to the determined user.
US08421743B2
A flat panel display for reducing damage to a panel assembly from a falling impact is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display includes: 1) a liquid crystal panel assembly configured to display an image and 2) a backlight assembly including i) a light source configured to provide light to the liquid crystal panel assembly, ii) a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) configured to provide power for the light source to generate the light, and iii) a light guide panel configured to guide the light received from the light source. The display may further include 1) a mold frame surrounding the flexible printed circuit board, 2) a chassis accommodating the mold frame and 3) a weight unit formed in at least one of the chassis and mold frame, wherein the weight unit is formed at a place that is eccentric with respect to the center of the liquid crystal panel assembly.
US08421740B2
A liquid crystal panel displays an image from image signals. A backlight device is disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel, and is divided into a plurality of regions. The backlight device comprises light sources in each of the regions. The light sources are positioned to emit light onto the liquid crystal panel. A histogram detector detects an image signal gradation distribution for each region and to produce a histogram therefrom. An image gain calculator calculates a gain from the detected gradation distribution of the histogram detector, and controls light emission from each light source in each region of the backlight device. A light emission luminance calculator controls the light emission luminance of each light source based on a maximum luminance of the light sources and based on an inverse number of the gain calculated in the image gain calculator.
US08421735B2
Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display device in which an image can be correctly seen even though a screen is rotated. The liquid crystal display device includes a storage unit for storing a plurality of screen change signals, and a timing controller for dividing image data of one horizontal line externally supplied thereto into k odd sub-image data and k even sub-image data, and sequentially outputting the k odd sub-image data and sequentially outputting the k even sub-image data.
US08421727B2
A transmitter circuit includes a driver circuit including a non-inverting output terminal and an inverting output terminal for outputting a signal current, which has a loop direction that changes based upon an input signal, to the non-inverting output terminal and the inverting output terminal and an output-waveform control circuit for detecting a waveform edge of the input signal and responding by increasing the signal current temporarily. The output-waveform control circuit includes a first inverter circuit receiving a non-inverted input signal, a first capacitor including one end connected to an output terminal of the first inverter circuit and another end connected to the inverting output terminal, a second inverter circuit receiving an inverted input signal, and a second capacitor including one end connected to an output terminal of the second inverter circuit and another end connected to the non-inverting output terminal.
US08421725B2
The present invention discloses a flat display device and a manufacture method thereof. The flat display device includes a flat display module, a front cover, an auxiliary support, a back cover set, and a circuit board. The back cover set includes a sub-cover and a main back cover, wherein the circuit board is disposed on the inner surface of the sub-cover. The front cover has a display opening for an active area of the flat display module to be exposed outside the display opening and present images through the display opening. The main back cover includes a opening for part of the sub-cover to pass through and be exposed outside the opening.
US08421723B2
In a stereoscopic display apparatus having optical directory elements (21) such as lenticular elements an overdrive voltage, e.g. obtained by introducing a resonant impedance (22) in one of the switching states, enhances switching speed between the 2D and the 3D state.
US08421722B2
A method of transmitting data from a timing controller to a source driving device in a liquid crystal display is disclosed. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) providing a setup/hold time; (b) transmitting a test pattern from the timing controller to the source driving device using the setup/hold time; (c) returning an acknowledge signal from the source driving device to the timing controller when the test pattern is successfully received by the source driving device; (d) providing a new setup/hold time and repeating Steps (b) and (c) using the new setup/hold time when the test pattern is not successfully received by the source driving device; and (e) transmitting the image data from the timing controller to the source driving device using the new setup/hold time upon receipt of the acknowledge signal. Therefore, the use of the setup/hold time adjustment pins is eliminated.
US08421721B2
A light emitting diode (LED) driving apparatus is provided, which includes a power conversion circuit for receiving and converting an input power so as to generate a DC voltage to simultaneously drive a plurality of LED strings arranged in parallel; and a plurality of current regulation chips each having a single regulation channel and respectively corresponding to the LED strings, wherein an ith current regulation chip is only used for regulating a current flowing through an ith LED string, where i is a positive integer.
US08421720B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) and circuit architecture thereof are proposed. Power signal lines, data signal lines, and control signal lines are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and a thin film substrate. The thin film substrate is connected to a LCD panel by using a COF bonding. These circuits can be transferred onto a conductive glass of the panel and subsequently onto source driver chips of the thin film substrate of the COF. Therefore, a position which needs the least time for power signal lines, data signal lines, and control signal lines to transmit to all of the circuits of the panel on the PCB can be calculated in order to achieve the best design.
US08421717B2
An active matrix type display apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of pixels (50) disposed in a matrix arrangement. Each of the pixels (50) includes a light-emitting element (9) which emits light in response to a supplied current, a signal line (13) connected to a signal line drive circuit (23) which supplies a luminance signal corresponding to a luminance of light emission of the light-emitting element (9), the luminance signal being a current signal, a driver element (6) which controls a current value of the luminance signal supplied to the light-emitting element (9), a luminance signal retention capacitor (8) which retains, as a luminance signal voltage, a potential difference generated between a drain electrode and a source electrode of the driver element (6) when the luminance signal is supplied to the driver element (6) via the signal line (13), and a threshold voltage detection and addition unit (20) which detects a threshold voltage of the driver element (6) and causes a voltage obtained by adding the luminance signal voltage being retained in the luminance signal retention capacitor (8) to the detected threshold voltage to be applied at a gate electrode of the driver element (6).
US08421715B2
A light emitting element has a property that a resistance value (internal resistance value) thereof changes according to the ambient temperature. Specifically, assuming that the room temperature is a normal temperature, when the ambient temperature becomes higher than the normal temperature, a resistance value is decreased, and when the ambient temperature becomes lower than the normal temperature, a resistance value is increased. Therefore, when the ambient temperature changes or degradation is caused with time due to the aforementioned property of the light emitting element, luminance varies. The invention provides a display device where an effect of current fluctuation of a light emitting element, which is caused by the change in ambient temperature and degradation with time, is suppressed. The display device comprises a monitoring element, to which a current is supplied from a current source. A voltage applied to the monitoring element is applied to a light emitting element.
US08421712B2
A liquid crystal display part includes a seven segment display group and first and second switches. If the first switch “on”, a display provided by the seven segment display group is switched to a normal direction display having an upward orientation. In addition, if the second switch is “on,” then the display provided by the seven segment display group is switched to an inverse direction display having a downward direction. In addition, a first character pattern that indicates the unit of the measurement value is displayed for the normal direction display, and a second character pattern that indicates the unit of the measurement value is displayed for the inverse direction display. A cover is openably, closably, and rotatably provided to the liquid crystal display part, and the display direction of the measurement value is switched according to the position of the cover.
US08421708B2
An image display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display includes a first display panel comprising i) a first image display portion configured to display a first image and ii) a light transmissive portion formed outside the first image display portion and configured to display a second image. The display further includes i) a second display panel spaced apart from the first display panel and configured to generate the second image and ii) an image shift unit configured to shift the generated second image toward the light transmissive portion of the first display panel so that the shifted second image is projected through the light transmissive portion.
US08421700B2
A device comprising a metallic conical portion, said conical portion substantially hollow having a vertex end and a base end, a first cylindrical portion disposed annularly about the base end of the conical portion, a metallic second cylindrical portion coupled to the vertex of the conical portion, said cylindrical portion having a threaded aperture, and an antenna feed coupled to the threaded aperture. The device may have a patch disposed on an insulator portion connected to the second cylindrical portion, said patch and insulator portion each having an aperture, and a metallic ground portion connected to the insulator portion, said ground portion having an ground aperture, and a threaded screw disposed through the ground aperture, the patch, the insulator aperture and into the threaded aperture. An RF feed may be created by coupling the threaded aperture to a conductive material disposed on the insulator portion.
US08421697B2
This disclosure provides an antenna device, which includes a waveguide having a rectangular cross-section and formed with a plurality of slots in at least one side face thereof. The plurality of slots are arranged in a tube axis direction. At least one of the plurality of slots is formed with a predetermined inclination angle from a plane perpendicular to a tube axis direction of the waveguide.
US08421691B2
A vehicular glass antenna is provided. The antenna includes an AM broadcast wave receiving antenna having a plurality of horizontal strips and at least two vertical strips with an AM feed point between the vertical strips on the uppermost horizontal strip or through a line extending from the uppermost horizontal strip, and two FM broadcast wave receiving antennas extending from two FM feed points provided above uppermost horizontal strip of the AM antenna along a part of an outermost portion of the AM broadcast wave receiving antenna. The FM antennas extend in opposite clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The FM antennas have a substantially U-shape surrounding the ends of the AM antenna horizontal strips on their respective sides, and include a second horizontal strip adjacent to the horizontal strips of the AM antenna to achieve capacitive coupling.
US08421686B2
A system comprising at least one antenna and a circuit, wherein the circuit is at least in part not a semiconductor chip or a die. The at least one antenna and the circuit are arranged on a package. Alternatively described is a system comprising at least one antenna and at least one circuit, wherein the at least one antenna and the at least one circuit are arranged on a package, wherein the at least one circuit performs a radio-frequency and optionally a base-band and/or a digital functionality.
US08421684B2
An antenna is described. The antenna includes a planar circular structure. The antenna also includes a radiating element located at the center of the planar circular structure. The antenna further includes one or more parasitic elements located on a contour around the radiating element. The parasitic elements are aligned in parallel direction with the radiating element. The parasitic elements protrude from the planar circular structure. The antenna includes switches separating each of the one or more parasitic elements from ground. A switch in a first position creates a short between a parasitic element and ground. A switch in a second position creates an open circuit between the parasitic element and ground.
US08421682B2
An apparatus including a cover defining an exterior surface of the apparatus and including a first conductive cover portion; an antenna, connected to a feed point and configured to operate in at least a first resonant frequency band; a first conductive member; a second conductive member; and wherein the first and second conductive members are configured to couple with the first conductive cover portion, the combination of the first and second conductive members and the first conductive cover portion are operable in a second resonant frequency band, different to the first resonant frequency band and are configured to be contactlessly fed by the antenna.
US08421674B2
The invention relates to a localization system for determining a state of a device that can move on a floor, comprising a floor transceiver system having a plurality of floor transceivers which each have floor antennas for marking position points within the plane of the floor, and a transceiver tablet which is connected to the movable device and has a transmitting/receiving surface which is located opposite the floor and is suitable for continuously determining the position of at least two floor antennas within the transmitting/receiving surface simultaneously.
US08421670B2
The present invention provides a position estimation apparatus, mounted at mobile object, including: an acquisition section that acquires transmission source information transmitted from each plural information transmission sources including, information relating to a position of information transmission source, information relating to a distance between information transmission source and mobile object, and information relating to a relative velocity of mobile object with respect to information transmission sources; a trajectory calculation section that calculates, over predetermined duration, a trajectory of mobile object by integrating velocity vectors of mobile object obtained based on transmission source information; and an estimation section that estimates, as a position of mobile object, a position for which trajectory is translated such that a difference between, distances between a plurality of points at different times on trajectory and respective information transmission sources, and acquired distances between respective information transmission sources and mobile object, is minimum.
US08421663B1
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is disclosed operable to convert a sensor signal to a digital value. A differential amplifier responsive to the sensor signal and a reference signal generates a first analog signal representing a first offset above the reference signal and a second analog signal representing a second offset below the reference signal. A first oscillator generates a first output frequency dependent on the first analog signal, and a second oscillator generates a second output frequency dependent on the second analog signal. A difference between the first output frequency and the second output frequency is generated, and the digital value representing the sensor signal is generated in response to the difference.
US08421661B1
The present invention relates to a time digital converter, and more particularly, to a noise-shaping time to digital converter (TDC) that has a 1-bit output and uses a delta-sigma modulation method. The noise-shaping time to digital converter (TDC) that has the 1-bit output and uses the delta-sigma modulation method in accordance with the present invention eliminates the need for a large number of D flip-flops or counters and a plurality of delay units connected in series to one another because the time to digital converter is fabricated such that a delay element has a resolution of the effective delay time in a semiconductor process, unlike the conventional time to digital converter. Therefore, the time to digital converter of the present invention has an advantage in that an extremely high resolution and high linearity can be achieved with an efficient circuit configuration and low power consumption.
US08421659B2
A trim DAC wherein the digital input bits to the trim DAC are controlled by a state machine to produce an analog output that is within a least significant bit of the digital input bits. An undersize factor between digital input bits is used to assist in finding a trim solution for major transitions of the digital input bits. Trim solutions are stored in a nonvolatile memory associated with the state machine to be used in creating an accurate analog output.
US08421658B1
A Successive-Approximation Register Analog-to-Digital Converter (SAR-ADC) predicts compensation values for use in a future cycle. A compensation value is applied to capacitors in a calibration Y-side capacitor array to compensate for capacitance errors in a binary-weighted X-side capacitor array. Two compute engines pre-calculate predicted-0 and predicted-1 compensation values for a next bit to be converted. At the end of the current cycle when the comparator determines the current bit, the comparator also controls a mux to select one of the two predicted compensation values. Thus the compensation value is available at the beginning of the next bit's cycle, eliminating a long calculation delay. The compensation value for the first bit to be converted, such as the MSB, is calculated during calibration. Compensation values for other bits are data-dependent. Calibration values are accumulated during calibration to generate the first conversion compensation value for the first bit to be converted.
US08421655B2
An entropy encoder block for use in a context adaptive encoder and an entropy decoder block for use in a context adaptive decoder are provided.
US08421654B2
A method of decoding a data signal includes progressively constructing a decoding tree, implementing at least two iterations of the following steps: selecting at least one child node of a current node belonging to a selection interval; storing the child nodes in a first stack; deleting the current node from the first stack; selecting a new current node from the first stack; and if the new current node is a leaf node, storing the path between the root node and the leaf node, in the second stack, and deleting the leaf node from the first stack; otherwise, return to the step of selecting a child node for the new current node. Moreover, the method assigns a probability of likelihood to the bits of at least one symbol of the data signal, taking account of the paths stored in the second stack, and determines a probabilistic estimation of the signal.
US08421649B2
Aircraft attitude systems are provided, in which a representative system includes: an instrument face having a bank angle scale, a bank status indicator, a pitch angle scale and a pitch status indicator; the bank angle scale being fixed in position relative to the instrument face and being operative to present increments of bank angle of an aircraft; the bank status indicator being operative to move relative to the bank angle scale such that a current aircraft bank angle is indicated; the pitch angle scale being fixed in a vertical orientation relative to the instrument face and being operative to present increments of pitch angle of an aircraft; the pitch status indicator being operative to move relative to the pitch angle scale such that a current aircraft pitch angle is indicated.
US08421641B2
An object detection system, controller, and method using sub-sampling for detecting a presence of an object at the location. An electrode arranged near the location radiates an electric field that corresponds to an electrode signal that arises in response to an excitation signal. When the excitation signal is coupled to the electrode and the electric field is radiated, the electrode exhibits an electrode impedance indicative of the presence of an object. The presence of an object is detected by analyzing the electrode signal using sub-sampling. Traditionally, such electrode signals have frequencies, high enough to warrant the use of expensive high-frequency signal processing devices. Sub-sampling is a way of sampling and processing the electrode signal such that the signal processing to detect the object can be performed by a lower cost general purpose microprocessor.
US08421640B1
An automatic signaling system to prevent a tractor from being accidently lifted with the cargo by a ship to shore gantry crane. The embodiment includes multiple sensors to detect a lifted condition and radio output upon a lifted condition. The radio output channel is determined by an automatic identification system that identifies the crane the tractor is under. Upon receiving a lifted signal the cranes hoist will be stopped and disabled but will still allow lowering until the lifted signal stops.
US08421635B2
A patient bed with a multimedia system is disclosed. A patient can access a net work through the multimedia system, and to join a net meeting to chat with other patients. The multimedia system can also provide a consolidated platform of medical information for a doctor or a nurse. An input device of the patient bed may have a touch pad, which allows the patient to control the position of patient support through finger gesture.
US08421628B2
An asset protection system maintains a radio frequency field or signal in a monitored area. Assets have tags attached to them and are placed in the monitored area. The tags have a mechanism to attach them to the objects and have electronic components on board including a microprocessor, motion detector, radio frequency circuitry, audible alarm generator and in some cases, a passive EAS element. The tags are normally idle in the monitored area, but when the motion detector indicates that a tag is being moved, the RF circuitry checks for a signal or field at an expected frequency. If the tag does not detect a signal, the tag electronics determine that the tag has left the monitored area and generate an audible alarm. If a signal is detected, the tag returns to an idle state once it stops moving. The tags may also alarm if tampered with.
US08421625B2
A method and apparatus for determining a digital signature from an article. A coherent light source directs a beam to illuminate the article and a detector arrangement collects data points from light scattered from many different parts of the article to collect a large number of independent data points, typically 500 or more. By collecting a large number of independent signal contributions specific to many different parts of the article, a digital signature can be computed that is unique to the area of the article that has been scanned. This measurement can be repeated whenever required to test authenticity of the article. Using this method, it has been discovered that it is essentially pointless to go to the effort and expense of making specially prepared tokens, since unique characteristics are measurable a in a straightforward manner from a wide variety of every day articles.
US08421624B2
A home security system includes a plurality of monitoring assemblies each comprising a data communication device, a light, a video camera, a transmitter, a sensor, a loudspeaker, a warning device, an identification device, a projector, an adjustment device for adjusting angles of the light, the video camera, and the projector, and a power supply; a fixed controller comprising a data communicating device and a data storage device; and a hand-held portable controller comprising a wireless communication module and an equipment set module. The fixed controller is adapted to activate the monitoring assemblies. The hand-held, portable controller is adapted to remotely activate the monitoring assemblies.
US08421614B2
A mechanism is provided for providing reliable redundant data communications. The mechanism issues a request for data to a set of powered elements using a set of secondary communication channels in response to a reduction in a level of communications being detected. The set of secondary communication channels comprises one or more alternating current power lines and the request is sent as data injected onto the alternating current power lines to the set of powered elements. The mechanism receives the data using the set of secondary communication channels from the set of powered elements, analyzes the data to determine a set of recovery actions to restore the level of communications, and issues the set of recovery actions to the set of powered elements using the set of secondary communication channels.
US08421610B2
Provided are a touch screen and a method of operating the same. The touch screen includes a detecting part, a control part, and a tactile feedback part. The detecting part detects object's approach or contact. The control part receives a signal of the detecting part to output a feedback signal. The tactile feedback part receives the feedback signal of the control part to provide a tactile feedback to a contact position using a magnetic force. The tactile feedback uses the magnetic force of a magnetic dipole.
US08421607B2
A personal alert device for use with a wireless communications device is provided. In at least one embodiment, the personal includes: a housing configured for discreet, inconspicuous use by a wearer; a vibrator mechanism disposed within the housing; a processor disposed within the housing, the processor configured to pair uniquely and wirelessly communicate with a mobile communications device within a defined distance to the mobile communications device, operative to receive a mobile communications signal from the mobile communications device, and further configured to activate the vibrator mechanism to alert the wearer discreetly to the presence of the mobile communications signal; and a power source disposed within the housing. In at least one embodiment, the personal alert device is a fashion accessory article that is worn under an item of apparel and directly adjacent to the body of the wearer to remain unseen.
US08421603B2
An electronic apparatus is designed so that a change in state of the operation key leads to a predetermined processing operation. In the electronic apparatus, a first detector detects operation keys being touched among a plurality of operation keys. A second detector detects an operation key being subjected to an operation of changing the state thereof among the operation keys. A device of notification signal generation generates a notification signal for providing the user with an explanation about processing corresponding to the operation key currently touched based on a detection result of the first detector. A first control device brings a hardware module and/or a software module, which corresponds to the operation key subjected to the change of the state thereof to an operation of changing a state is performed, into an execution state. The operation keys may be formed on a remote control transmitter.
US08421584B2
An over-current protection device includes a conductive composite having a first crystalline fluorinated polymer, a plurality of particulates, a conductive filler, and a non-conductive filler, wherein the plurality of particulates include a second crystalline fluorinated polymer. The first crystalline fluorinated polymer has a crystalline melting temperature of between 150 and 190 degrees Celsius. The plurality of particulates including the second crystalline fluorinated polymer are disposed in the conductive composite, having a crystalline melting temperature of between 320 and 390 degrees Celsius and having a particulate diameter of from 1 to 50 micrometers. The conductive filler and the non-conductive filler are dispersed in the conductive composite.
US08421581B2
A system for testing a push-button switch is provided. The system for testing a push-button switch includes a switch test device. The switch test device has a flexible tab attached to a pushing member at an end of the flexible tab. A sensor is attached to the flexible tab. The sensor generates a signal that changes relative to a deformation of the flexible tab. A data collection system is connected to the switch test device and receives signals from the sensor.
US08421574B2
According to a first aspect, a secondary side of contactless power transmission apparatus includes: a holding member which is physically separated from a primary side; a magnetic layer; a shield layer for shielding electromagnetic noise; and a heat insulation layer. The secondary coil is a planar coil and supported by the holding member, and at least the magnetic layer is laminated on one side of the planar coil and unified with the planar coil. According to a second aspect, the secondary side of the apparatus includes a plurality of magnetic layers. Each permeability of the magnetic layers is different from each other, and each of the magnetic layers forms a magnetic path with the primary side.
US08421568B2
A solenoid arrangement having an armature member that is segmented to help minimize the radial force due to eccentricity of the armature member. The solenoid arrangement has a magnetic coil that when energized will create magnetic flux in the flux path. A pole piece is partly circumscribed by the armature member. Inner and outer air gaps are located about the armature member. Eccentricity of the armature member results in a decrease in one of the air gaps and a corresponding increase in the other. Radial gaps segment the armature member to interrupt the circumferential flux path about the armature member to inhibit magnetic flux from swirling to the side nearest the pole piece and to distribute magnetic flux substantially evenly. The radial force acting on the armature member is reduced resulting in reduced friction between solenoid components while substantially preserving the desirable level of axial force.
US08421563B2
The invention relates to an arrangement of stringed solenoid drives (1, 2, 3), particularly for solenoid valves, wherein each solenoid drive comprises a magnetic circuit with a yoke (4), moveable armature (5), and an excitation coil (6) arranged on the yoke. The magnetic circuits of neighboring solenoid drives have pre-magnetization with the same polarity and at least approximately the same strength. Due to the pre-magnetization, the magnetic potential difference between neighboring magnetic circuits is reduced. The pre-magnetization is thus carried out with the same polarity as the excitation by current flow in the excitation coil.
US08421560B2
In a boundary acoustic wave resonator, apodization weighting is performed on an IDT electrode so that an intersecting width decreases as a location moves outward in a boundary acoustic wave propagation direction. An inner side of a first busbar includes inclined portions that are disposed a predetermined distance from an envelope portion B1 on the side of the first busbar. An inner side of a second busbar includes inclined portions that are disposed a predetermined distance from an envelope portion on the side of second busbar. The sum of the numbers of electrode fingers and dummy electrodes that a straight line extending from the end of at least one of electrode fingers in the boundary acoustic wave propagation direction crosses before reaching the side of the first busbar or the side of the second busbar is equal to or greater than 5.
US08421559B2
The present invention relates to the field of acoustic wave devices, and particularly to that of transducers capable of operating at very high frequencies, from a few hundred MHz to several gigahertz, and its subject is more particularly an interface acoustic wave device including at least two substrates and a layer of ferroelectric material, the latter being contained between a first electrode and a second electrode and having first positive-polarization domains and second negative-polarization domains, the first and second domains being alternated, wherein the assembly constituted by the first electrode, the layer of ferroelectric material, and the second electrode is contained between a first substrate and a second substrate.
US08421557B2
A solid electrolytic capacitor is formed by stacking flat solid electrolytic capacitor elements. Negative electrode sections of a part of the solid electrolytic capacitor elements and negative electrode sections of the remaining part of the solid electrolytic capacitor elements are led out so as to be faced to each other, and are connected to the first and second negative electrode lead frames which are independent to each other, respectively. Two of negative electrode sections are insulated from each other in the solid electrolytic capacitor.
US08421550B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an impedance matching component and a hybrid wave-absorbing material. The impedance matching component is disposed between a first medium and a second medium, and comprises a plurality of functional sheet layers. Impedances of the functional sheet layers vary continuously in a stacking direction of the functional sheet layers, with the impedance of a first one of the functional sheet layers being identical to that of the first medium and the impedance of a last one of the functional sheet layers being identical to that of the second medium.
US08421549B2
The present disclosure discloses an impedance matching component disposed between a first medium and a second medium, which is formed by stacking a plurality of homogeneous metamaterial sheet layers in a direction perpendicular to surfaces thereof. Each of the metamaterial sheet layers comprises a substrate and a plurality of man-made microstructures attached thereon. A first and last metamaterial sheet layers have impedances identical to those of the first and second media respectively. The man-made microstructures attached on the first metamaterial sheet layer have a first pattern, the man-made microstructures attached on the last metamaterial sheet layer have a second pattern, and the man-made microstructures attached on intermediate ones of the metamaterial sheet layers have patterns that are combinations of the first and second patterns, with the first pattern becoming smaller continuously and the second pattern becoming larger continuously in the stacking direction of the metamaterial sheet layers.
US08421543B2
A crystal oscillator includes a cover, a crystal blank and an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip. The cover has a surface, a cavity formed in the surface, a plurality of conductive contacts and a conductive sealing ring. The conductive contacts are disposed on the surface, and the conductive sealing ring is disposed on the surface and surrounds the conductive contacts. The IC chip is connected to the conductive contacts and the conductive sealing ring, and forms a hermetic chamber with the cover and the conductive sealing ring. The crystal blank is located in the hermetic chamber, and is electrically connected to the IC chip. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a crystal oscillator is also provided.
US08421540B1
The system contains a first input receiving a signal from the amplifier input. A second input receives a signal from the amplifier output. A gain modification device is connected to the second input thereby reducing an amplitude of the signal from the amplifier output. A difference element connected to the gain modification device and the first input subtracts one of the first input and the second input from the other of the first input and the second input and outputting a difference voltage. A comparator, connected to the difference element and a threshold voltage source, compares the difference voltage to a threshold voltage. A disabling device is connected to the comparator and an output stage of the amplifier, wherein an output stage of the amplifier is disabled when the threshold voltage exceeds the difference voltage.
US08421539B2
A power amplifier includes a plurality of amplification paths in which at least one amplification path is selectively enabled and disabled, wherein each amplification path includes an output impedance modification element and an output phase shift element that is operable independently from the output impedance modification element, and wherein the output impedance modification element in each amplification path provides selective impedance for each amplification path.
US08421537B2
An electronic circuit includes: a first transistor having a control terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal; a second transistor having a control terminal connected to the second terminal of the first transistor, a first terminal, and a second terminal connected to a DC power supply; a plurality of DC paths that are mutually independent of each other and supply DC currents from the first terminal of the second transistor to the second terminal of the first transistor; and distributed constant lines connected in series with the plurality of DC paths.
US08421536B2
Apparatus and methods for electronic amplification are provided. In one embodiment, a method amplifying a differential input voltage signal using a first NMOS transistor and a second NMOS transistor is provided. The method includes controlling a drain-source voltage of the first NMOS transistor using a first high voltage NMOS transistor and a first high voltage PMOS transistor. The first high voltage NMOS and PMOS transistors are electrically connected in parallel and to a drain of the first NMOS transistor. The method further includes controlling a drain-source voltage of the second NMOS transistor using a second high voltage NMOS transistor and a second high voltage PMOS transistor. The second high voltage NMOS and PMOS transistors are electrically connected in parallel and to a drain of the second NMOS transistor.
US08421525B2
The semiconductor circuit device includes a power line receiving first voltage; each of internal circuits being provided with different operating voltages by the operation mode; a power supply circuit connected with one of internal circuits and the power line to provide second voltage lower than the first voltage to the one of internal circuits; and a control circuit controlling the power supply circuit in accordance with each of the operation modes, wherein when a change of a operation mode is performed, if a operating voltage after the change of a operation mode is higher than a operating voltage before the change of a operation mode, firstly the control circuit controls the power supply circuit to supply a second voltage higher than the operating voltage and secondly the control circuit controls the power supply circuit to supply the operation voltage after the change of a operation mode to the internal circuit.
US08421524B2
Improvements in the efficiency of two charge pump designs are presented. As a charge pump switches between modes, capacitances are charged. Due to charge sharing between capacitances, inefficiencies are introduced. Techniques for reducing these inefficiencies are presented for two different charge pump designs are presented. For a clock voltage doubler type of pump, a four phase clock scheme is introduced to pre-charge the output nodes of the pump's legs. For a pump design where a set of capacitances are connected in series to supply the output during the charging phase, one or more pre-charging phases are introduced after the reset phase, but before the charging phase. In this pre-charge phase, the bottom plate of a capacitor is set to the high voltage level prior to being connected to the top plate of the preceding capacitor in the series.
US08421520B2
A fuse circuit includes an electric fuse coupled to a first voltage source; a low resistance unit coupled to the electric fuse and having a junction which is capable of breaking down; and a switching unit coupled between the low resistance unit and a second voltage source.
US08421506B2
An output buffer with process and temperature compensation comprises an enable terminal, a clock generator, a PMOS threshold voltage detector, an NMOS threshold voltage detector, a first comparator, a second comparator, a first compensation code generator, a second compensation code generator and an output buffer stage, wherein the output buffer stage has an output stage, the output buffer stage means for controlling a drive current generated by the output stage, wherein the output stage has a first voltage output terminal, and the modulated drive current is capable of compensating slew rate of the first voltage output terminal.
US08421505B2
A drive circuit of first and second switches includes a first series circuit having a capacitor and a primary winding of a transformer and connected to both ends of a pulse signal generator, a first secondary winding of the transformer to apply a voltage to a control terminal of the first semiconductor switch based on the pulse signal, the first secondary winding being wound in a direction opposite to the primary winding, a second secondary winding of the transformer to apply a voltage to a control terminal of the second semiconductor switch based on the pulse signal, the second secondary winding being wound in the same direction to the primary winding, and a third semiconductor switch that turns on when the pulse signal is stopped, to shorten an ON period of the first semiconductor switch.
US08421498B2
A semiconductor device capable of achieving desirable communication behavior through a bus regardless of whether or not a pull-up resistor is connected on a bus line. The semiconductor device includes external pull-up determination unit and internal pull-up setting unit. The external pull-up determination unit applies a pull-down voltage through an internal pull-down resistor to the bus line, and determines whether an external pull-up resistor external to the semiconductor device is connected on the bus line on the basis of the voltage level of the bus line when the pull-down voltage is applied to the bus line. The internal pull-up setting unit stops application of the pull-down voltage, and applies a pull-up voltage through an internal pull-up resistor to the bus line if it is determined that no external pull-up resistor is connected on the bus line. The internal pull-up setting unit stops application of the pull-down voltage if it is determined that the external pull-up resistor is connected on the bus line.
US08421495B1
A plurality of digital circuits are manufactured from an identical circuit design. A power controller is operatively connect to the digital circuits, and a non-volatile storage medium is operatively connected to the power controller. The digital circuits are classified into different voltage bins, and each of the voltage bins has a current leakage limit. Each of the digital circuits has been previously tested to operate within a corresponding current leakage limit of a corresponding voltage bin into which each of the digital circuits has been classified. The non-volatile storage medium stores boundaries of the voltage bins as speed-binning test data. The power controller controls power-supply signals applied differently for each of the digital circuits based on which bin each of the digital circuit has been classified and the speed-binning test data.
US08421488B1
A locater tool for positioning a support device for supporting a test probe head or a test probe tip, the locater tool including a template, means for indicating a support device position associated with the template, and means for indicating an achievable probing zone on a surface having connection points when the support device is in the support device position. The locater tool may be a device-attachable locater tool or a pre-positioning locater tool.
US08421485B2
A particle detection device (10) included substrates (1, 4), insulating members (2, 3), supporting member (5), and electrodes (6, 7). The insulating member (2) is provided on a principal surface of the substrate (1) and has a recess. The insulating member (3) is provided so as to make contact with the insulating member (3) and the substrate (4). The substrate (4) is formed on a principal surface of the supporting member (5). The electrode (6) is formed on a surface, which is opposite to the surface where the insulating member (2) is formed, of the substrate (1). The electrode (7) is formed on the surface (5A), the side surface (5B), and the rear surface (5C) of the supporting member (5) so as to be connected to the substrate (4). Accordingly, the detection device 10 includes a gap (8) surrounded by the insulating members (2, 3). The substrate (1) is connected to the substrate (4) with the insulating members (2, 3) and the supporting member (5) (quartz). In one embodiment, the insulating member (3) consist of quantum dots. Detection of the particles is either optically or electrically.
US08421472B2
A testing apparatus for testing a welding apparatus is disclosed. The testing apparatus includes a receptacle, a fault indicator, and a power supply. The receptacle includes a grounding socket and a plurality of power sockets. The power supply is electrically coupled to the grounding socket, the fault indicator, and at least one of the plurality of power sockets. When a plug of the welding apparatus is matingly coupled to the receptacle, the fault indicator indicates whether an electrical resistance between a grounding prong of the plug and at least one of a plurality of power prongs of the plug is below a predetermined threshold.
US08421463B2
A magnetic resonance system uses a shielded superconducting magnet to produce a dsv useful for specialist imaging in an overall short magnet system at field strengths 1.5 Tesla and above. The magnet includes at least a first central coil C1, which has a length of at least 25% of the overall length of the magnet, and is used in concert with a series of symmetric primary coils, at least one set of which carry current in a direction opposite to that of the central coil. Force balancing is advantageously used in the design of the coils. The primary coils are shielded by at least one shielding coil, which carries current in a direction opposite to the majority of the primary coils. The magnet resonance system can be used for orthopedic imaging.
US08421459B2
A system and method for reducing blurring artifacts in multi-spectral MR imaging near metal include an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. A computer is also included and programmed to acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, each 3D MR data set acquired using a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. The computer is also programmed to reconstruct a subimage for each of the plurality of 3D data sets, apply a de-blurring correction to each of the subimages, and generate a composite image based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.
US08421457B2
Embodiments of the current invention include a magnetic resonance system including a magnetic resonance device and a substance to be introduced to a subject in accordance with a treatment. Further embodiments of the current invention include a method of using a magnetic resonance system including administering a substance to a subject and providing magnetic resonance to the subject.
US08421451B2
An assembling structure is provided which is capable of greatly reducing the material cost, is easy-to-assemble, and can be made smaller. The sensor body is provided on a lower face with a protrusion, which comes into contact with an upper face of the busbar when the sensor body is mounted on the busbar. The busbar is provided with a through-hole passing through the busbar in a vertical direction. A leading end of the protrusion, which passes through the through-hole when the sensor body is mounted on the busbar, is heat-fused and adheres to the circumference of the through-hole.
US08421450B2
A current detection device that detects a current flowing through a target bus bar based on a magnetic flux in the periphery of the target bus bar, the target bus bar being at least one of a plurality of bus bars arranged in parallel. An adjacent bus bar is configured by including a first extending section that is arranged on a first direction side on one side of an orthogonal direction with respect to a magnetic flux detection plane, and extends in a first extending direction parallel to a magnetic flux detection plane, and a second extending section that is bent at one end portion of the first extending section in the first extending direction toward the first direction side, and extends in a second extending direction that crosses the magnetic flux detection plane. A detection portion of the target bus bar overlaps with the first extending section.
US08421449B2
An eddy-current flaw detection device comprises a magnetic element group of which a specified number of magnetic elements are evenly spaced in each of at least two rows around the surface of a column shaped casing that can be inserted into a conductive pipe, with one row being located at a different position from the other row by ½ the even spacing in the row direction, and switching circuits for switching the magnetic elements in the respective row at time-division. The elements of one row function as magnetic field excitation elements, the elements of the other row function as magnetic field detection elements, and the eddy-current flaw detection device performs eddy-current flaw detection of the conductive pipe by detecting magnetic field excited by magnetic field excitation element by two magnetic field detection elements located at different positions from the magnetic field excitation elements by 3/2 the even spacing.
US08421442B2
A current transformer is provided. The current transformer comprises an inner magnetic core having a central opening, an outer sense core circumscribing the inner magnetic core, at least one pair of conductors extending through the central opening and positioned symmetrically with respect to a center point of the inner magnetic core, and one or more coils disposed on the inner magnetic core, the outer sense core, or both, in a magnetically balanced configuration relative to a magnetic neutral axis of the inner magnetic core.
US08421441B2
A current-controlled semiconductor device is provided which corrects fluctuations of both gain and offset of a current detection circuit to thereby enable high-accuracy current detection within a single-chip IC. The current-controlled semiconductor device is provided on the same semiconductor chip with a MOSFET, two constant current sources, and a current detection circuit which detects a current of the MOSFET and currents of the constant current sources. Further, the constant current sources are equipped with an external connecting terminal for measuring their current values. A correction measured-value holding register holds therein the current values of the constant current sources, which have been measured from outside.
US08421428B2
A bias voltage is compared with a voltage difference in a detecting element according to the present invention. A bias voltage unit is coupled to the detecting element, so that they have a common voltage level to avoid noises when the circuit is operating. Accordingly, the erroneous detection caused by the noise interference can be avoided. Hence, a detecting element with a low resistance, such as an MOEFET, can be used in the present invention to decrease power consumption arisen from current detection and to further increase conversion efficiency.
US08421426B2
An embodiment of a driving device is proposed for supplying at least one regulated global output current to a load. The driving device includes programming means for programming a value of the global output current within a global current range. Reference means are provided for supplying a reference voltage, which has a value corresponding to the value of the global output current. Conversion means are then used for converting the reference voltage into the global output current. In the driving device according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the conversion means include a plurality of conversion units for corresponding partial current ranges, which partition the global current range. Each conversion unit is adapted to convert the reference voltage into a partial output current that contributes to the global output current, with the partial output current that is within the corresponding partial current range. The driving device further includes control means for selectively enabling the conversion units according to the partial current range wherein the global output current falls and for controlling the reference voltage so as to swing in a partial voltage range for each partial current range (with the partial voltage ranges that are at least partly superimposed).
US08421425B1
A current detector for an output load includes a high side power transistor; a low side power transistor coupled to the high side power transistor; and a controller coupled to the high and low side power transistors to provide cycle by cycle control of the conduction of the high and low side power transistors, wherein if the controller detects zero or negative current in the output inductor, using a dead time between when the low side power transistor turns off and before the high side power transistor turns on, the low side power transistor is held off during the entirety of the next switching cycle.
US08421423B2
A generator (100) includes a generator winding (103) and an excitation winding (104), and a field winding (102). To converge an output voltage of the generator winding (103) to a target, a field current is varied by increasing/decreasing an energization duty ratio of a switching device (110) connected to the field winding (102). In a duty ratio zero determination unit (2) and a duty ratio zero continuation determination unit (3), when an output duty ratio continues for a predetermined time with duty ratio zero, a duty ratio increase amount restriction unit (4) restricts an upper limit of the duty ratio to a predetermined upper limit when the field current increases. A duty ratio restriction unit (21a) for restricting the duty ratio by a maximum value determined based on a voltage of a smoothing capacitor (113) in place of the determination of the duty ratio being zero may be provided.
US08421422B2
A power supply device comprising: a magneto generator including a rotor including a magnet forming a magnetic field; a rectifying unit rectifying an alternating current of the generator to a direct current and supplying to an electrical load; a voltage detection unit detecting a voltage of the electrical load; an opening unit interrupting electrical conduction of an output of the generator; short-circuiting units electrically short-circuiting the output; a torque supplying device supplying torque to the rotor; a voltage control unit selectively performing one of opening-control of controlling on/off switching of the opening unit and short-circuit-control of controlling on/off switching of the short-circuiting units to control the voltage of the electrical load to a predetermined value in accordance with the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit; a switching control unit switching and controlling between the above two controls in accordance with an operating state regarding rotation of the rotor.
US08421416B2
A battery charger and method for a rechargeable battery pack which includes various elements in series with the cells to be charged, including but not limited to current control FETs, a fuse, current sense resistor, and internal series impedance of the series connected cells to be charged. The charging current Ichg flowing through these series elements reduces the voltage applied to the cells, thus lengthening charging time. A compensation voltage Vcomp, which when added to the nominal charging voltage for the series connected cells overcomes these voltage drops, facilitates more efficient charging while avoiding over-voltage damage to the cells. Three voltages representing substantially all of the voltage drops reducing the charging voltage on the cells, are summed, and the result is a compensation voltage which is utilized to change the nominal charge voltage for the battery to overcome these voltage drops.
US08421414B2
This invention relates to a mobile electronic device and a power management method of a battery module thereof. The mobile electronic device includes a battery module, a charging/discharging module, and a control module. The charging/discharging module is coupled with the battery module. The control module is coupled with the battery module and the charging/discharging module. When the power supply is coupled with the mobile electronic device and the system time is not within a maintenance period, the control module controls the charging/discharging module to maintain capacity of the battery module within a first capacity range. When the power supply is coupled with the mobile electronic device and the system time is within the maintenance period, the control module controls the charging/discharging module to maintain the capacity of the battery module within a second capacity range.
US08421406B2
A charge control circuit includes a first acquisition unit that acquires a total discharge electric quantity of a lead storage battery, the total discharge electric quantity being separated into a first discharge electric quantity which is a discharge electric quantity of a discharge current having a current value of less than a predetermined level, and a second discharge electric quantity which is a discharge electric quantity of a discharge current having a current value of not less than the predetermined level, a computing unit that obtains a first and second charge electric quantities corresponding to the first and second discharge electric quantities respectively, and a charge electric quantity required for charging the lead storage battery as a sum of the obtained first and second charge electric quantities, and a charge control unit that controls a charge of the lead storage battery based on the charge electric quantity.
US08421405B2
It is possible to prevent charge of an incompatible secondary cell while suppressing the size of a mobile electronic device and a secondary cell without increasing power consumption so as to prevent damage of the secondary cell or the mobile electronic device by charge. A detachable secondary cell (30) supplies power to a mobile electronic device (2). The mobile electronic device (2) includes: a cell terminal (60) which outputs and inputs power to/from the mounted secondary cell (30); non-contact information extraction means (20) which performs a magnetic field communication; a loop antenna (26) which transmits/receives a signal using an electromagnetic wave by the non-contact information extraction means (20); and control means (22) which acquires particular information outputted from the non-contact information extraction means (20) and controls charge of the secondary cell (30) according to the acquired particular information. The loop antenna (26) is arranged in the cell terminal (60).
US08421404B2
A power feeding control apparatus includes a housing for accommodating at least a relay unit arranged on power feeding lines to open and close the power feeding lines, a control circuit for controlling the relay unit, a leakage current detection circuit for detecting leakage current in an electric vehicle and a power supply circuit for generating a control electric power. The apparatus further includes a power source side connector removably connected to a socket of an external power source, a vehicle side connector removably connected to a power receiving connector of the electric vehicle and a first and a second board that the power supply circuit and the control circuit are mounted, respectively. A power feeding line block provided separately from the first and the second board and having metal plates constituting the power feeding lines. The metal plates are insertion-molded in the power feeding line block.
US08421402B2
A method and apparatus provides charging information regarding devices such as a portable terminal with a solar cell. The solar cell charges the battery of the portable terminal with the highest charging efficiency at an optimal charging angle. The optimal charging angle is determined according to the location information regarding the portable terminal and time information. When the solar cell performs a charging process with the highest charging efficiency, the portable terminal provides a user with an average charging efficiency and the help containing a user's manual of the solar cell. The average charging efficiency is determined according to environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, weather conditions, etc.
US08421401B2
A battery charging device with multiple power sources comprises a battery device having a battery; a power input adjusting and charging circuit connected to an external power source; a power charging control circuit for detecting voltages of the battery; a power charging device of an Ethernet power supply device having an input connected to a Ethernet power supplying device and having an output connected to a charging circuit; the charging circuit being connected to the battery device; a power charging control device for an Ethernet power supply device for controlling a charging voltage of the charging device to increase to a uniform charging voltage; and an inter-control device having a driver and a switch device; the driver being installed to the power input adjusting and charging circuit, and the switch device being installed to the power charging control device for an Ethernet power supply device.
US08421396B2
A motor controlling device includes an encoder to output pulse signals with a predetermined angle interval as a rotor of a motor is rotated. An energized phase of the motor is sequentially switched by detecting a rotation position of the rotor based on a value of counting the signals. An initial drive controlling portion executes an initial drive to switch the energized phase with a predetermined pattern after the device is activated so as to learn a relationship among the count value, the rotation position and the energized phase. An initial drive prohibiting portion prohibits the execution of the initial drive until a predetermined time is elapsed after the initial drive is finished.
US08421395B2
A synchronous motor including therein a three-phase inverter and position sensors, having a unit for calculating a digital input current value from the analog output of an input current detection circuit that detects the input current flowing into the DC input terminal of the three-phase inverter, and a digital feedback speed control unit for adjusting the amplitudes and frequency of the AC voltages outputted from the three-phase inverter in such a manner that the motor speed calculated by a motor speed calculation unit 41 on the basis of the outputs of the position sensors approaches a speed command value received by a communication reception unit from outside the synchronous motor. The synchronous motor further includes therein a communication transmission unit for transmitting the input current value and the motor speed to outside the synchronous motor.
US08421390B2
A fan motor control device for controlling the soft start of a fan motor is disclosed. The fan motor control device comprises a converter, a starting capacitor, and a controller. The converter sends out a control signal to the controller based on an input pulse-width modulation signal. The starting capacitor is coupled between a voltage source terminal and a controlled terminal of the controller. Thereby, based on an input voltage to the controlled terminal, the controller controls the soft start of the fan motor. For the soft start period, the magnitude of the input voltage is determined by the base working voltage outputted via the voltage source terminal. While for normal operation, based on the input voltage to the controlled terminal, the controller controls the speed of the fan motor, with the magnitude of the input voltage determined by the control voltage outputted by the converter.
US08421387B2
A method controls a motor, especially for opening and closing a door. The motor is controlled by a pulse width-modulated switching signal that is divided into a specifiable number of pulse width-modulated control signals for actuating a bridge circuit to a corresponding number of functional channels. The functional channels are switched off independently from each other by at least one or more switch-off signals on at least one switching circuit of a number of independent switching circuits corresponding to the number of functional channels.
US08421386B2
A control apparatus controls an inverter (electric power converter circuit) which is connected for selectively applying a plurality of voltage levels to each phase of a polyphase rotary machine. In each of successive control periods, the apparatus determines the inverter operation state (combination of respective voltage levels applied to the phases) to be set for the succeeding control period, by performing prediction calculations based on a model of the rotary machine, for each of a plurality of candidates for the next operation state, to select an optimum candidate. The candidates are restricted to those operation states whereby the voltage level of no more than one of the phases will be changed, at changeover to the operation state of the next control period.
US08421378B2
A terminal apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium capable of achieving reduction of power consumption by appropriately controlling lighting of a display unit are provided.A CPU lights or extinguishes a display unit after the end of an interrupt event in accordance with a lighting state (lighting, dim-lighting, being unlighted) of the display unit when the occurrence of the interrupt event is detected. It is therefore possible for the CPU to perform appropriate display control according to the lighting state when an interrupt event occurs.
US08421373B2
A light-mixing multichip package structure includes a substrate unit, a light-emitting unit, a frame unit, and a package unit. The light-emitting unit includes at least one first light-emitting module with red light-emitting chips and at least one second light-emitting module with blue light-emitting chips. The frame unit includes at least one first continuous colloid frame and at least one second continuous colloid frame respectively surrounding the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module. The package unit includes a transparent colloid body and a phosphor colloid body respectively covering the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module. Hence, when the red light source generated by matching the red light-emitting chips and the transparent colloid body and the white light source generated by matching the blue light-emitting chips and the phosphor colloid body are mixed with each other, the CRI of the light-mixing multichip package structure can be increased.
US08421354B2
The present invention relates to a photocathode having a structure to dramatically improve the effective quantum efficiency in comparison with that of a conventional art, an photomultiplier and an electron tube. The photocathode comprises a supporting substrate transmitting or blocking an incident light, a photoelectron emitting layer containing an alkali metal provided on the supporting substrate, and an underlayer provided between the supporting substrate and the photoelectron emitting layer. Particularly, the underlayer contains a beryllium oxide, and is adjusted in its thickness such that a thickness ratio of the underlayer to the photoelectron emitting layer falls within a specific range. This structure allows to obtain a photocathode having a dramatically improved quantum efficiency.
US08421352B2
In an EL element having an anode, an insulating film (bump) formed on the anode, and an EL film and a cathode formed on the insulating film, each of a bottom end portion and a top end portion of the insulating film is formed so as to have a curved surface. The taper angle of a central portion of the insulating film is set within the range from 35° to 70°, thereby preventing the gradient of the film forming surface on which the EL film and the cathode are to be formed from being abruptly changed. On the thus-formed film forming surface, the EL film and the cathode can be formed so as to be uniform in thickness, so that occurrence of discontinuity in each of EL film and the cathode is prevented.
US08421346B2
Provided is a composite material which makes it possible to provide a light-emitting element having at least one of the following characteristics by applying the composite material to the light-emitting element: low voltage driving, high emission efficiency, and a long life (high reliability). The composite material includes a hydrocarbon compound and an inorganic compound which exhibits an electron-accepting property with respect to the hydrocarbon compound. The hydrocarbon compound has a molecular weight of greater than or equal to 400 and less than or equal to 2000, where one or more aryl groups are bonded to a fluorene unit.
US08421344B2
An organic light emitting element and method for manufacturing an organic light emitting element. A first electrode is formed from a metal alloy that includes a first metal material that exhibits a carrier-injection property upon oxidation, and a second metal material that is light-reflective and electrically conductive, a precipitate of the first metal material forming on at least part of a surface of the first electrode, and a metal oxide layer being formed in the precipitate. A functional layer contacts the surface of the first electrode and includes at least a light-emitting layer configured to accept a carrier injected by the first electrode. A second electrode is disposed opposite the first electrode with the functional layer therebetween and has a polarity different from a polarity of the first electrode.
US08421343B2
Provided are an organic light emitting display device which can be simultaneously used as a mirror and a display screen in an external display device such as a mobile phone, and a manufacturing method for the organic light emitting display device. In one embodiment, an organic light emitting display device includes a first substrate and first transistors formed on the first substrate. A first organic light emitting diode is electrically connected to each of the first transistors. A second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. Second organic light emitting diodes are formed on the second substrate. In the organic light emitting display device, a cathode electrode of each of the second organic light emitting diodes is formed of a reflective material.
US08421339B2
An organic electroluminescent device includes: a pair of electrodes; a first light-emitting region that is disposed between the pair of electrodes, and that emits light when a voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes such that one of the pair of electrodes serves as an anode; and a second light-emitting region that is disposed between the pair of electrodes, and that emits light when a voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes such that the other of the pair of electrodes serves as an anode.
US08421334B2
A surface light-emitting element radiates light emitted to a side of a surface light-emitting device. The surface light-emitting device includes: a polygonal transparent substrate, and a light-emitting element disposed on one face of the transparent substrate. The light-emitting element is a laminated body including a transparent electrode which is positively charged and functions as an anode, a negative electrode which becomes negatively charged and functions as a cathode opposite the transparent electrode, and a light-emitting layer between the transparent electrode and a negative electrode. Lengths of respective sides and a thickness of the transparent substrate have a relationship that if b denotes the thickness of transparent substrate, dividing the lengths of the respective sides by 4b results in values ranging from 0.5 (inclusive) to 10 (inclusive).
US08421326B2
An electrode including metal oxides and a plurality of 12CaO.7Al2O3 particles, a method of preparing the electrode, an electronic device including the electrode, and, in particular, an organic light emitting device including the electrode. The electrode has low resistance, high optical transmittance, and a low work function.
US08421319B2
A bearing holder mounting structure which allows a motor to be manufactured with a small number of parts without needing complex processing, and such motor are provided. A rotor 1 having a pair of bearings 5A and 5B and a washer 28 mounted thereon is inserted into an opening portion 23a of a motor housing 7 such that a rotor member 11 of the rotor 1 is received in a receiving concave portion 23. A bearing holder 9 is disposed on a bottom wall portion 29a of a fitting recessed portion 29 such that a flange portion 37 of the bearing holder 9 abuts on the bottom wall portion 29a of the fitting recessed portion 29. A retaining fitting 33 is then pressed into the fitting recessed portion 29 such that six engaging pieces 41 are located at positions slightly deviated from positions of six lead-out groove portions 31. With this arrangement, leading ends 41a of the six engaging pieces 41 are bitten in an inner peripheral wall portion 29b of the fitting recessed portion 29 due to resilient force by which the six engaging pieces 41 return to an original state from a warped state.
US08421316B2
The invention provides a transducer for converting between mechanical and electrical energies. The transducer comprises an EAP laminate with a layer of an elastomer material arranged between two electrode layers, each electrode layer comprising a second layer of a plastically deformable material, e.g. metal or a thermoplastic material, and a third layer of an electrically conductive material. Due to the layer of plastically deformable material, the electrode layers can be shaped into various shapes which can provide anisotropic characteristics of the transducer.
US08421308B2
In an ultrasonic actuator, piezoelectric layers and internal electrode layers are stacked. External electrodes are formed on a principal surface exposed to an outside of the outermost piezoelectric layer. Side electrodes connected to the internal electrode layers and the external electrodes are formed on side surfaces of a body including the piezoelectric layers and the internal electrode layers. A first divided electrode and a first external electrode are connected together by a plurality of side electrodes. A second divided electrode and a second external electrode are connected together by a plurality of side electrodes. A minus electrode layer and a third external electrode are connected together by a plurality of side electrodes.
US08421293B2
Improvement of torque densities, miniaturization and weight saving for outer rotor type motors or permanent-magnet-field-type DC motors can be efficiently achieved by high-energy densification of a magnet. However, torque pulsation or armature reaction gives negative influences thereto. Further, in application of a slotless (coreless) structure eliminating the torque pulsation or the armature reaction, the magnetic resistance of motor magnetic circuits will be enhanced. For solving the above problems, there is provided an annular magnet that is opened in a reverse direction relative to the opening direction of a U-shaped segment fabricated in constantly-directed magnetic fields, the annular magnet having an anisotropic distribution where angles relative to inner peripheral tangent lines can be continuously changed in the range of approximately 0 to 90 degrees, and having energy density (BH)max of 160 to 186 kJ/m3.
US08421289B2
A holder of a surface mount motor includes a holder body that is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of a motor casing and that is mounted on a circuit board, an extending portion that extends rearward from a rear end of the holder body in a direction of a rotational axis of a shaft, and a stopper that extends in a width direction of the extending portion at a rear end of the extending portion and that is press-fitted into a recess provided in a bracket fixed to the motor casing.
US08421285B2
For providing a permanent magnet type generator that has a limited inside temperature rise gradient even if the capacity thereof is increased and permits to reduce the size thereof, the present invention provides a ventilation means that increases the inner gas (air or cooling wind) quantity that is caused circulated via the heat exchanger causing to flow outer air is increased more at a region facing the outer air exhaust side in the heat exchanger than at the outer air inlet side.
US08421282B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a technique for easily controlling the output characteristic of a brushless motor in a power tool by adjusting the number of turns of a coil that forms a stator winding. A power tool has a brushless motor which includes a rotor 133 having a permanent magnet, a cylindrical stator, and three-phase stator windings which are installed on an inner circumferential side of the stator and rotationally drive the rotor. A plurality of slots are formed in an inside surface of the stator at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction. Each of the three stator windings is formed by a plurality of coils wound through the slots of the stator and connected to each other. The total number of turns of the coils wound through the slots in each phase is the same in the three phases and not a multiple of the number of the slots in each phase.
US08421275B2
An apparatus is provided that includes first and second switches in line between an appliance and terminals of the appliance that are connectable to a power source. The first switched is configured to open and close based on closing and opening of a door of the appliance, and the second switch is configured to open and close based on the mode of the appliance. Thus, the appliance may be connected to the power source when the first switch or the second switch is closed, and disconnected from the power source when both the first switch and the second switch are open. The apparatus further includes a third switch connected to the second switch and configured to control the second switch to close upon actuation of the third switch by a user, where actuation of the third switch may cause the appliance to enter an operational mode.
US08421257B2
A complete fully-automated airborne wind energy generation system with three major components; a ground-based energy trailer anchored to the ground containing a reel, motor/generator, motor controller with regenerative braking, a low-friction capstan, and a microcontroller; an ‘aerie’ elevated launch and landing platform free to weathervane in the wind, with a tether flag deployment and collection device; a statically and dynamically stable rotor-glider with variable pitch rotor blades enabling jump-launch, on-board weather and load sensors, microcontroller, and cell or satellite phone data connections to a centralized database; and a high-strength low-weight tether connecting all the components together.
US08421254B2
The hydroelectric generator system can include a structure supporting a plurality of watermill units and having an enclosed internal volume and a plurality of lower openings, a stabilizer reservoir having an internal volume and positionable above a center of gravity of the system and an aperture, and connection tubes providing internal fluid flow communication between the stabilizer reservoir and the internal volume of the structure; wherein air can be extracted from the internal volume of the structure via the stabilizer reservoir, and blown into the internal volume of the structure via the stabilizer reservoir, to lower or raise the hydroelectric generator system in water, respectively.
US08421252B1
A solar wind chime includes a chime and a striker suspended from a body. A solar energy system is carried by the body and includes a solar energy collection system configured to recharge a rechargeable electrical power source. An electrical subsystem conductively couples to the rechargeable electrical power source.
US08421249B2
The present invention relates to an epoxy resin composition for semiconductor encapsulation, including the following ingredients A to E: A: an epoxy resin; B: a silicone mixture containing the following ingredients b1 and b2, with a weight ratio of the ingredients b1 and b2 being from 5/95 to 25/75 in terms of b1/b2: b1: a silicone compound having an amino group in both ends thereof and having a weight average molecular weight of from 600 to 900, and b2: a silicone compound having an amino group in both ends thereof and having a weight average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 20,000; C: a phenol resin; D: a curing accelerator; and E: an inorganic filler containing the following ingredients e1 and e2: e1: a crystalline silica, and e2: a fused silica.
US08421245B2
A substrate with an embedded stacked through-silicon via die is described. For example, an apparatus includes a first die and a second die. The second die has one or more through-silicon vias disposed therein (TSV die). The first die is electrically coupled to the TSV die through the one or more through-silicon vias. The apparatus also includes a coreless substrate. Both the first die and the TSV die are embedded in the coreless substrate.
US08421238B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a through-via penetrating the semiconductor substrate. The through-via has a stacked structure of a first conductive film formed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate closer to the first surface, and a second conductive film formed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate closer to the second surface. An insulating layer is buried inside the semiconductor substrate. The first conductive film is electrically connected to the second conductive film in the insulating layer.
US08421208B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor integrated circuit device (1). In the semiconductor integrated circuit device (1), a semiconductor integrated circuit (5) is formed on a center of the surface of a semiconductor substrate (3), and a plurality of electrode terminals (71, 73, . . . ) are provided on the surface of the semiconductor substrate (3). A protection film (9) is provided on the surface of the semiconductor substrate (3) such that the surfaces of the electrode terminals (71, 73) are exposed. The electrode terminals (71, 73, . . . ) include an electrode terminal (73) having a thin portion (74). The surface of the thin portion (74) is located below the surfaces of the electrode terminals except for the electrode terminal (73) having the thin portion (74) among the electrode terminals (71, 73, . . . ).
US08421203B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a package substrate having a foldable segment, a base segment, and a stack segment; connecting a base substrate connector directly on the base segment; connecting a stack substrate connector directly on the stack segment; mounting a base integrated circuit over the base segment with the base substrate connector outside a perimeter of the base integrated circuit; and folding the package substrate with the stack segment over the base segment and the stack substrate connector directly on the base substrate connector.
US08421190B2
A method of manufacturing a group III nitride semiconductor substrate includes the growth step of epitaxially growing a first group III nitride semiconductor layer on an underlying substrate, and the process step of forming a first group III nitride semiconductor substrate by cutting and/or surface-polishing the first group III nitride semiconductor layer. In the growth step, at least one element selected from the group consisting of C, Mg, Fe, Be, Zn, V, and Sb is added as an impurity element by at least 1×1017 cm−3 to the first group III nitride semiconductor layer. A group III nitride semiconductor substrate having controlled resistivity and low dislocation density and a manufacturing method thereof can thus be provided.
US08421184B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer formed on a first surface; a diode having a first electrode and a second electrode; a control pad; a control electrode electrically coupled with the control pad; and an insulation member. The first electrode is formed on a second surface of the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode is formed on the first surface. Current flows between the first electrode and the second electrode. The control pad is arranged on the first surface so that the pad inputs a control signal for controlling an injection amount of a carrier into the first semiconductor layer. The insulation member insulates between the control electrode and the second electrode and between the control electrode and the semiconductor substrate.
US08421181B2
A Schottky barrier diode comprises a first-type substrate, a second-type well isolation region on the first-type substrate, and a first-type well region on the second-type well isolation region. With embodiments herein a feature referred to as a perimeter capacitance well junction ring is on the second-type well isolation region. A second-type well region is on the second-type well isolation region. The perimeter capacitance well junction ring is positioned between and separates the first-type well region and the second-type well region. A second-type contact region is on the second-type well region, and a first-type contact region contacts the inner portion of the first-type well region. The inner portion of the first-type well region is positioned within the center of the first-type contact region. Additionally, a first ohmic metallic layer is on the first-type contact region and a second ohmic metallic layer is on the first-type well region. The first ohmic metallic layer contacts the second ohmic metallic layer at a junction that makes up the Schottky barrier of the Schottky barrier diode.
US08421175B2
A wafer level packaged integrated circuit includes an array of contacts, a silicon layer and a glass layer. The silicon and glass layers are bonded together to form a bonding material layer therebetween. The bonding material layer includes gaps between the silicon layer and the glass layer at areas where no bonding material is present. An array of contacts is adjacent the semiconductor layer on a side thereof opposite the bonding layer. The wafer level packaged integrated circuit is provided with additional bonding material layer portions within the gaps and aligned with at least some of the contacts. When the wafer level packaged integrated circuit is configured as an image sensor or display having a pixel array, the additional bonding material layer portions are not used in an area of the pixel array.
US08421168B2
This document discusses, among other things, a conductive frame, a silicon die coupled to the conductive frame, the silicon die including a vibratory diaphragm, the die having a silicon die top opposite a silicon die bottom, with a silicon die port extending through the silicon die to the vibratory diaphragm, with a silicon die terminal in electrical communication with the conductive frame and an insulator affixed to the conductive frame and the silicon die, with the insulator extending through interstices in the conductive frame to a conductive frame bottom of the conductive frame, and around an exterior of the silicon die to the silicon die top, with the insulator physically affixed to the silicon die and to the conductive frame, with the silicon die port exposed and with a conductive frame terminal disposed at the conductive frame bottom in electrical communication with the silicon die terminal.
US08421167B2
There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a MEMS device, and technique of fabricating or manufacturing a MEMS device, having mechanical structures encapsulated in a chamber prior to final packaging. The material that encapsulates the mechanical structures, when deposited, includes one or more of the following attributes: low tensile stress, good step coverage, maintains its integrity when subjected to subsequent processing, does not significantly and/or adversely impact the performance characteristics of the mechanical structures in the chamber (if coated with the material during deposition), and/or facilitates integration with high-performance integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the material that encapsulates the mechanical structures is, for example, silicon (polycrystalline, amorphous or porous, whether doped or undoped), silicon carbide, silicon-germanium, germanium, or gallium-arsenide.
US08421166B2
A method for forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. A substrate including a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer sequentially formed thereon is provided. An offset spacer is formed on sidewalls of the gate dielectric layer and the gate electrode layer. A carbon spacer is formed on a sidewall of the offset spacer, and the carbon spacer is then removed. The substrate is implanted to form a lightly doped region using the gate electrode layer and the offset spacer as a mask. The method may also include providing a substrate having a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer sequentially formed thereon. A liner layer is formed on sidewalls of the gate electrode layer and on the substrate. A carbon spacer is formed on a portion of the liner layer adjacent the sidewall of the gate electrode layer. A main spacer is formed on a sidewall of the carbon spacer. The carbon spacer is removed to form an opening between the liner layer and the main spacer. The opening is sealed by a sealing layer to form an air gap.
US08421163B2
A power module comprises: first and second terminals; first and second switching elements having a first electrode and a second electrode which is connected to the second terminal; first and second wirings respectively connecting the first electrodes of the first and second switching elements to the first terminal; and a third wiring directly connecting the first electrode of the first switching element to the first electrode of the second switching element, wherein parasitic inductances of the first and second wiring are different or switching characteristics of the first and second switching elements are different.
US08421160B2
A semiconductor device that includes a gate structure on a channel region of a semiconductor substrate. A first source region and a first drain region are present in the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the gate structure. At least one spacer is present on the sidewalls of the gate structure. The at least one spacer includes a first spacer and a second spacer. The first spacer of the at least one spacer is in direct contact with the sidewall of the gate structure and is present over an entire width of the first source region and the first drain region. The second spacer of the at least one spacer extends from the first spacer of the at least one spacer and has a length that covers an entire length of a first source region and a first drain region.
US08421155B2
A semiconductor device includes a first device isolation insulating film formed in a semiconductor substrate, a first well having a first conductivity type, defined by the first device isolation insulating film, and shallower than the first device isolation insulating film, a second device isolation insulating film formed in the first well, shallower than the first well, and defining a first part of the first well and a second part of the first well, a gate insulating film formed above the first part, a gate electrode formed above the gate insulating film, and an interconnection electrically connected to the second part of the first well and the gate electrode, wherein an electric resistance of the first well in a first region below the second device isolation insulating film is lower than an electric resistance of the first well in a second region other than the first region on the same depth level.
US08421153B2
A first semiconductor layer extends from the element region to the element-termination region, and functions as a drain of the MOS transistor. A second semiconductor layer extends, below the first semiconductor layer, from the element region to the element-termination region. A third semiconductor layer extends from the element region to the element-termination region, and is in contact with the second semiconductor layer to function as a drift layer of the MOS transistor. A distance between a boundary between the first semiconductor layer and the field oxide film, and the end portion of the third semiconductor layer on the fifth semiconductor layer side in the element region is smaller than that between a boundary between the first semiconductor layer and the field oxide layer and an end portion of the third semiconductor layer on the fifth semiconductor layer side in the element-termination region.
US08421148B2
A trench metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor or UMOSFET, includes a buried region that extends beneath the trench and beyond a corner of the trench. The buried region is tied to a source potential of the UMOSFET, and splits the potential realized across the structure. This effectively shields the electric field from the corners of the trench to reduce gate oxide stress, and resultantly improves device performance and reliability.
US08421137B2
A device includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure and a cap layer in contact with the MTJ structure. The device also includes a spin-on material layer in contact with a sidewall portion of the cap layer and a conducting layer in contact with at least the spin-on material layer and a portion of the MTJ structure. The cap layer has been etched to expose a portion of an electrode contact layer of the MTJ structure. The conducting layer is in electrical contact with the exposed portion of the electrode contact layer of the MTJ structure.
US08421133B2
A detector module, in particular for super-resolution satellites, contains a multi-chip carrier. At least one TDI-CCD detector and at least one CMOS chip are arranged on the multi-chip carrier, and are electrically connected to one another. The CMOS chip contains at least the digital output electronics for the TDI-CCD detector.
US08421126B2
Semiconductor structures. The semiconductor structures include two silicon-on-insulator wafers having devices fabricated therein and bonding them back to back utilizing the buried oxide layers or bonding them back to back utilizing an inter-substrate dielectric layer and a bonding layer between the buried oxide layers. The structures include contacts formed in the upper wafer to devices in the lower wafer and wiring levels formed on the upper wafer. The lower wafer may include wiring levels. The lower wafer may include landing pads for the contacts. Contacts to the silicon layer of the lower wafer may be silicided.
US08421124B2
An NPN bipolar junction transistor is disclosed that exhibits a collector-to-emitter breakdown voltage greater than 10 volts and a beta greater than 300. The large value of beta is obtained by fabricating the transistor with an extra N-type layer that reduces recombination of electrons and holes.
US08421096B2
A pixel structure and a manufacturing method thereof and a display panel are provided. An electrode material layer, a shielding material layer, an inter-layer dielectric material layer, a semiconductor material layer and a photoresist-layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. The semiconductor material layer, the inter-layer dielectric material layer, the shielding material layer and the electrode material layer are patterned using the photoresist-layer as a mask to form a semiconductor pattern, an inter-layer dielectric pattern, a shielding pattern and a pixel electrode. A source/drain electrically connected to the pixel electrode and covering a portion of the semiconductor pattern is formed on the pixel electrode. A channel is another portion of the semiconductor uncovered by the source/drain. A dielectric layer covering the source/drain, the semiconductor pattern, the inter-layer dielectric pattern, the shielding pattern and the pixel electrode and a gate disposed on the dielectric layer above the channel are formed.
US08421086B2
A silicon carbide semiconductor device having an active layer with reduced defect density which is formed on a substrate made of silicon carbide, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate made of silicon carbide and having an off angle of not less than 50° and not more than 65° with respect to a plane orientation {0001}; a buffer layer, and an epitaxial layer, a p-type layer and an n+ region each serving as an active layer. The buffer layer is made of silicon carbide and formed on the substrate. The active layer is made of silicon carbide and formed on the buffer layer. The micropipe density is lower in the active layer than in the substrate. The density of dislocations in which the direction of a Burgers vector corresponds to is higher in the active layer than in the substrate.On the film forming conditions in the step of forming the buffer layer, the composition and the flow rate of the material gas is determined such that the value of the C/Si ratio representing a ratio of carbon atoms to silicon atoms in the material gas used for forming the buffer layer is smaller than the value of the C/Si ratio in the step of forming the active layer.
US08421084B2
An organic light emitting display includes a gate electrode on a substrate, an active layer insulated from the gate electrode, source and drain electrodes that are insulated from the gate electrode and contact the active layer, an insulating layer between the active layer and the source and drain electrodes, a light blocking layer that is on the active layer and that blocks light of a predetermined wavelength from the active layer, and an organic light emitting device that is electrically connected to one of the source and drain electrodes.
US08421083B2
In a bottom-gate thin film transistor using the stack of the first oxide semiconductor layer and the second oxide semiconductor layer, an oxide insulating layer serving as a channel protective layer is formed over and in contact with part of the oxide semiconductor layer overlapping with a gate electrode layer. In the same step as formation of the insulating layer, an oxide insulating layer covering a peripheral portion (including a side surface) of the stack of the oxide semiconductor layers is formed.
US08421081B2
The first transistor includes first and second electrodes which are a source and a drain, and a first gate electrode overlapping with a first channel formation region with an insulating film provided therebetween. The second transistor includes third and fourth electrodes which are a source and a drain, and a second channel formation region which is provided between a second gate electrode and a third gate electrode with insulating films provided between the second channel formation region and the second gate electrode and between the second channel formation region and the third gate electrode. The first and second channel formation regions contain an oxide semiconductor, and the second electrode is connected to the second gate electrode.
US08421080B2
A thin-film transistor array device includes: a driving TFT including a first crystalline semiconductor film including crystal grains having a first average grain size; and a switching TFT including a second crystalline semiconductor film including crystal grains having a second average grain size that is smaller than the first average grain size. The first crystalline semiconductor film and the second crystalline semiconductor film are formed at the same time by irradiating a noncrystalline semiconductor film using a laser beam having a Gaussian light intensity distribution such that a temperature of the noncrystalline semiconductor film is within a range of 600° C. to 1100° C., and the first crystalline semiconductor film is formed such that the temperature of the noncrystalline semiconductor film is within a temperature range of 1100° C. to 1414° C. due to latent heat generated by the laser irradiation.
US08421078B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate includes gate lines, data lines intersecting with the gate lines, a plurality of TFTs, pixel electrodes, and a common electrode insulating the gate lines, the data lines, the TFTs, and the pixel electrode. Each pixel electrode is connected to one of the gate lines and one of the data lines via one of the TFTs. A layer stack including an insulating layer and a passivation layer is sandwiched between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode.
US08421072B2
A device and a method of thermal management. In one embodiment, the device includes an integrated circuit, including: (1) a conductive region configured to be connected to a voltage source, (2) a transistor having a semiconductor channel with a controllable conductivity and (3) first and second conducting leads connecting to respective first and second ends of said channel, wherein a charge in the conductive region is configured to substantially raise an electrical potential energy of conduction charge carriers in the semiconductor channel and portions of said leads are located where an electric field produced by said charge is substantially weaker than near the semiconductor channel.
US08421064B2
Provided are an organic-light-emitting-diode (OLED) flat-panel light-source apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same. The device includes an anode and a cathode, to which externally applied power is supplied, disposed on a substrate, an organic emission layer (EML) interposed between the anode and the cathode and configured to emit light due to power supplied through the anode and the cathode, and a subsidiary electrode layer including a plurality of subsidiary electrodes bonded to the anode or the cathode and configured to supply power to the anode or the cathode or electrically insulated from the anode or the cathode and configured to supply power to other emission regions.
US08421061B2
It is an object of the present invention to reduce variations in behavior of each memory element. In addition, it is another object of the present invention to obtain a semiconductor device, on which the memory element is mounted, which is superior in terms of performance and reliability. A memory element of the present invention includes in its structure a first conductive layer; a semiconductor layer; an organic compound layer; and a second conductive layer, where the semiconductor layer and the organic compound layer are interposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and the semiconductor layer is formed to be in contact with the first conductive layer and/or the second conductive layer. With such a structure, variations in behavior of each memory element are reduced.
US08421055B2
The invention relates to a monolithic integrated semiconductor structure comprising a carrier layer on the basis of doped Si or doped GaP and a III/V semiconductor disposed thereupon and having the composition GaxInyNaAsbPcSbd, wherein x=70-100 mole-%, y=0-30 mole-%, a=0.5-15 mole-%, b=67.5-99.5 mole-%, c=0-32.0 mole-% and d=0-15 mole-%, wherein the total of x and y is always 100 mole-%, wherein the total of a, b, c and d is always 100 mole-%, and wherein the ratio of the totals of x and y on the one hand, and of a to d on the other hand, is substantially 1:1, to methods for the production thereof, new semiconductors, the use thereof for the production of luminescence diodes and laser diodes or also modulator and detector structures, which are monolithically integrated in integrated circuits on the basis of the Si or GaP technology.
US08421046B2
In a method for keeping clean a sensor window of an optical sensor for detecting value documents and/or at least one property of value documents which is disposed with at least one portion in a beam path of the sensor, a gas film attached to a surface of the portion is generated on the portion of the sensor window from gas moving relative to the portion.
US08421039B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for varying the cross-sectional shape of an ion beam, as the ion beam is scanned over the surface of a workpiece, to generate a time-averaged ion beam having an improved ion beam current profile uniformity. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of an ion beam is varied as the ion beam moves across the surface of the workpiece. The different cross-sectional shapes of the ion beam respectively have different beam profiles (e.g., having peaks at different locations along the beam profile), so that rapidly changing the cross-sectional shape of the ion beam results in a smoothing of the beam current profile (e.g., reduction of peaks associated with individual beam profiles) that the workpiece is exposed to. The resulting smoothed beam current profile provides for improved uniformity of the beam current and improved workpiece dose uniformity.
US08421034B2
Provided is a fluoroscopy apparatus comprising a white-light-image generating section that generates a white-light image of observation target, a fluorescence-image generating section that generates a fluorescence image of the observation target, a fluorescence-image correcting section that normalizes the fluorescence image with the white-light image, a displacement calculating section that calculates the displacement of the observation target from a plurality of white-light images generated at time intervals, a region-size calculating section that calculates the size of a region having a fluorescence intensity higher than or equal to a predetermined threshold value from the fluorescence image, and a control unit that controls the fluorescence-image correcting section so that, when the displacement of the observation target relative to the size of the region is larger than or equal to a predetermined proportion, normalization of the fluorescence image is stopped.
US08421032B2
A disinfecting device having an outlet (2, 42) for a flowing liquid, particularly water, and a UV irradiator (6), preferably a UV-C radiator (16) or one or more UV-C emitting light emitting diodes, and an electric power supply (7), such as a battery, turbine driven generator or a solar module, for supplying the UV irradiator with up to 25 V alternating voltage or up to 60 V direct voltage. The outlet may be constructed with a reflective interior, and a controller for regulating liquid temperature, liquid pressure and/or liquid flow rate and/or an aerator (14) for introducing air into the flowing liquid may be integrated into the device, which may be a plumbing fixture such as a water spigot.
US08421031B2
The objective is to obtain a particle beam therapy system that can suppress the effect of a leakage dose. There are provided a scanning nozzle that irradiates in a predetermined direction a particle beam emitted from an accelerator; an irradiation control unit that controls operation of the irradiation nozzle in such a way that the particle beam of a predetermined dose is sequentially irradiated onto each of a plurality of spots set in a planar direction in an irradiation subject; and a control unit that on/off-controls emission of the particle beam from the accelerator. The irradiation control unit makes the irradiation nozzle scan in a diluting manner the particle beam onto a predetermined area in the irradiation subject, in a predetermined period after a time point when emission is switched from ON to OFF, or in a period from the time point when emission is switched from ON to OFF to a time point when the particle beam is cut off.
US08421027B2
A charged particle analyzer (1) comprises a first non-imaging electrostatic lens (8, 9) for receiving charged particles having divergent, trajectories and for converting the said trajectories into substantially parallel trajectories. At least one planar filter (10) is provided for receiving the charged particles having the substantially parallel trajectories and for filtering the charged particles in accordance with their respective energies. A second non-imaging electrostatic lens (11) receives the energy filtered charged particles and selectively modifies their trajectories as a function of their energies. A charged particle detector (12) then receives the charged particles in accordance with their selectively modified trajectories.
US08421020B2
An infrared sensing device mounted in the faucet for a wash basin. The device includes a housing, an emitting lens for focusing the emitted infrared light, and a receiving lens for focusing the reflected infrared light. The optical center of the emitting lens is biased to cause the emitted light to deviate from the basin and from a water column flowing from the faucet.
US08421013B2
An electromagnetic wave transmission filter may include a substrate and one or more coils. The one or more coils may be at least partly disposed in an opening through the substrate. An electromagnetic camera may include an electromagnetic wave detector array, including a plurality of detector cells for detecting electromagnetic waves, and an electromagnetic wave transmission filter disposed in front of the electromagnetic wave detector array to provide each of the detector cells with an electromagnetic wave of a certain wavelength. The electromagnetic wave transmission filter may includes a substrate and a plurality of coils. At least one of the plurality of coils may be at least partly disposed in each of a plurality of openings through the substrate.
US08421012B2
A sensor for night vision applications is provided, wherein the sensor comprises a semiconductor absorption layer of composition that limits long wavelength response cutoff to between 1.25 to 1.4 μm wavelength. The selection of this cutoff frequency provides improved dark current performance, thereby requiring less cooling of the sensor. Consequently, energy consumption is reduced, as the sensor does not require active cooling, so that the sensor is particularly beneficial for mobile night vision applications where battery weight is of high importance.
US08421011B2
A glass pane (1) has an inner side (6) and an outer side (5) and a detector (10) located on the inner side (6) for electromagnetic radiation which, coming from the outer side (5), passes through the glass pane (1) and can be detected by means of the detector. The glass pane (1) is a composite pane, in particular a glass pane of composite safety glass of a motor vehicle, with an inner pane (3) and an outer pane (2), which are joined to each other with the aid of a film (4) arranged between the inner pane (3) and the outer pane (2). In order also to obtain a sufficient intensity of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the glass pane (1) and detectable by the detector (10) in glass panes with a small transmission coefficient, it is proposed that the beam path of the electromagnetic radiation leading to the detector (10) penetrate only the material of the outer pane (2) and pass through the plane of the inner pane (3) in the region of a continuous hole (7).
US08421009B2
A test structure and method thereof for determining a defect in a sample of semiconductor device includes at least one transistor rendered grounded. The grounded transistor is preferably located at at least one end of a test pattern designed to be included in the sample. When the test structure is inspected by charged particle beam inspection, the voltage contrast (VC) of the transistors in the test pattern including the grounded transistor is observed for determination of the presence of defect in the sample.
US08421007B2
An X-ray detection system has an electron beam irradiation portion, a diffraction grating, a splitter for distributing the direction of propagation of the diffracted X-rays such that an imaging plane for the diffracted X-rays is assigned to plural positions spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the direction of energy dispersion of the diffracted X-rays, and image sensors different in energy sensitivity disposed respectively at the positions to which the imaging plane is assigned.
US08421004B2
An apparatus for measuring radiation in a borehole penetrating the Earth, the apparatus includes: a downhole tool having a structure defining a cavity; and one or more radiation detection components integrated into the cavity and configured to measure the radiation. An apparatus conveyable through a borehole for measuring radiation downhole and a method of producing a downhole apparatus for measuring radiation are provided.
US08420994B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a light receiving section having a plurality of threshold voltage modulation pixel circuits each configured including a MOS transistor having a gate electrode connected to a supply terminal of a gate voltage of a vertical scanning circuit, and a source electrode connected to one end of each capacitor of a line memory group via a switching element, and a photodiode having an anode connected to a back-gate electrode of the MOS transistor and a cathode connected to a drain electrode thereof, and a buffer circuit having an input terminal connected to a supply line of a control voltage of the control voltage supply means adapted to supply the vertical scanning circuit with the control voltage, and an output terminal connected to the other end of each capacitor, and having a signal transfer characteristic the same as that of the pixel circuit.
US08420993B2
An optical signal generator includes a single-mode laser; a reflecting mirror to define another cavity different from a cavity of the single-mode laser, and reflect a part of output light from the single-mode laser to return the part of the output light to the single-mode laser; an intensity modulator provided between the single-mode laser and the reflecting mirror; and a phase adjuster, provided between the single-mode laser and the reflecting mirror, to adjust a frequency difference between a signal on state and a signal off state generated in accordance with intensity modulation by the intensity modulator.
US08420992B2
In microscopes, particularly laser scanning microscopes, for detecting light coming from a sample, it is known to protect detectors from excessively high light outputs by means of shutters in the detection beam path. Further, in order to measure the light output impinging on the detector when the detection beam path is closed, a portion of the light is coupled out of the detection beam path and directed to a monitor diode. Constructions of this kind are complicated and costly. In the microscope according to the invention, a monitor diode is arranged on the shutter in such a way that the monitor diode is situated in the detection beam path when the shutter is closed. This makes it possible in a simple manner to measure the light output in a microscope when the detection beam path is closed even without additionally coupling light out of the detection beam path.
US08420987B2
Provided are a thermistor with 3 terminals, a thermistor-transistor including the thermistor, a circuit for controlling heat of a power transistor using the thermistor-transistor, and a power system including the circuit. The circuit includes: a thermistor-transistor which comprises a thermistor having a resistance decreasing with an increase in temperature and a control transistor connected to the thermistor; and at least one power transistor which is connected to a driving device to control a supply of power to the driving device, wherein the thermistor-transistor is adhered to one of a surface and a heat-emitting part of the at least one power transistor and is connected to one of a base, a gate, a collector, and a drain of the at least one power transistor to decrease or block a current flowing in the at least one power transistor when the temperature of the at least one power transistor rises, so as to prevent the power transistor from heating up.
US08420986B2
A system, method, and computer-readable medium for controlling power applied to a heating element. A rectifier receives AC voltage supplied from an AC voltage supply and rectifies the AC voltage to DC voltage. A pulse-width modulation controller generates and transmits a pulse-width modulation signal, and a DC voltage modulator receives the DC voltage from the rectifier and the pulse-width modulation signal from the pulse-width modulation controller. Based on the pulse-width modulation signal, the DC voltage modulator supplies an analog DC voltage signal to the heating element. A feedback circuit reports the actual DC voltage applied to the heating element to a microcontroller and, if the actual DC voltage deviates from the DC voltage encoded in the pulse-width modulation signal, the pulse-width modulation controller modulates the pulse-width modulation signal to minimize or eliminate the deviation.
US08420973B2
A power-supply control device includes a high-frequency component detecting unit, a machining voltage level detecting device, a no-load time detecting device, and a pulse control device. The high-frequency component detecting unit detects a high-frequency component of discharge voltage at a machining gap. The machining voltage level detecting device detects a discharge voltage level at the machining gap. The no-load time detecting device detects delay time of discharge of the discharge voltage at the machining gap. The high-frequency component is compared with a reference value to obtain a first comparison result. The discharge voltage level is compared with a reference level to obtain a second comparison result. The pulse control device controls pulse off time based on the first comparison result and the detected delay time, and cuts off a discharge pulse based on the second comparison result.
US08420971B2
A switching chamber insulation arrangement and a circuit breaker having such a switching chamber insulation arrangement are provided. The switching chamber insulation arrangement provides improved heat dissipation in the area of the contact areas of switch contact poles. The switching chamber insulation arrangement includes a strut arrangement having a plurality of struts. Each strut has a first foot area, a second foot, area and a center area which is located between the first foot area and the second foot area, respectively. The struts are arranged along a circumference around a longitudinal extent axis of the strut arrangement. The strut arrangement has a first mechanical coupling area on a side of the first foot areas for coupling to a first pole of a circuit breaker, and a second mechanical coupling area on a side of the second foot areas for coupling to a second pole of a circuit breaker.
US08420956B2
In one embodiment, an adapter may include first and second mounting portions adapted to be attached to first and second mounting portions of an electrical device, and first and second spacers arranged to space the first and second mounting portion of the electrical device away from a building surface when the electrical device is mounted to an electrical box. In another embodiment, an adapter may include a ring to surround a body of a standard electrical device, and first and second slots to receive first and second mounting portion of the standard electrical device.
US08420954B2
The invention provides a printed circuit board and a method for fabricating the same. The printed circuit board includes a core substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface. A first through hole and a second through hole are formed through a portion of the core substrate, respectively from the first surface and second surfaces, wherein the first and second through holes are laminated vertically and connect to each other. A first guide rail and a second guide rail are, respectively, formed through a portion of the core substrate and connected to the second through hole, so that a fluid flows sequentially from an outside of the printed circuit board through the first guide rail, the second through hole and the second guide rail, to the outside of the printed circuit board.
US08420944B2
A connection structure of Flexible printed circuits comprising: first and second Flexible printed circuits, respectively, including a base formed of a resin, a plurality of wiring patterns arranged side by side on the base, a cover film formed of a resin to cover opposite sides of the wiring patterns to the base, and a connection portion in which the plurality of wiring patterns are not covered by the cover film, the connection portions of the first and second Flexible printed circuits being connected with each other. The wiring patterns in the connection portions include a large width portion which is larger in width than the wiring patterns covered by the cover film. The large width portions on the first Flexible printed circuit and the large width portions on the second Flexible printed circuit are connected to each other by means of soldering.
US08420929B2
A ground fault protection device includes an electrically-conductive main body defining a reservoir having a plurality of drainage ports, and having downwardly-extending, ground-penetrating electrodes configured for minimal ground penetration. The device has handles for manual lifting and transportation, plus grounding terminals for connection of grounding cables. The device may be installed at a desired field location by applying downward force to the device to press the electrodes into the earth, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the grounding terminals and the ground via the main body and the electrodes. Grounding cables may then be connected between the grounding terminals and structures or equipment requiring grounding. Optionally, the reservoir may be filled with water, which will drip through the drainage ports and moisten the soil surrounding the electrodes, thereby decreasing the soil's electrical resistance and consequently improving electrical conductivity between the electrodes and the soil.
US08420920B2
A hand tool for removing frets associated with guitars, banjos and other string instruments. The tool has a handle with a blade extending therefrom. At a distal end of the blade is a slot wider than a tang of a fret and smaller than a top of the fret. The tool is slid under the fret, thereby providing pressure both to raise the fret and at the same time also against the wood surrounding the tang to prevent undue breakage of the wood during removal of the fret.
US08420915B1
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPXO5745GT21, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPXO5745GT21, with plants of another corn plant. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPXO5745GT21, including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPXO5745GT21, and plants produced by these methods.
US08420914B1
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated NPIJ7011BT11/CRW604, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPIJ7011BT11/CRW604, with plants of another corn plant. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred NPIJ7011BT11/CRW604, including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line NPIJ7011BT11/CRW604, and plants produced by these methods.
US08420892B2
Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-9 elongases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these delta-9 elongases in plants.
US08420891B2
Disclosed is a method for introducing a foreign substance (3) into a cell (1) having a cell wall. The method comprises the steps of: providing a carbon nanotube (2) carrying at least one enzyme capable of decomposing a cell wall; supplying the carbon nanotube (2) and the foreign substance (3) into a treatment solution containing the cell (1); decomposing the cell wall of the cell (1) by the action of the enzyme carried on the carbon nanotube (2) upon the contact of the carbon nanotube (2) with the cell (1); and introducing the foreign substance (3) into the cell (1) through a site decomposed with the enzyme on the cell wall.
US08420888B2
The invention provides for identification and use of certain chloroplast transit peptides for efficient processing and localization of dicamba monooxygenase (DMO) enzyme in transgenic plants. Methods for producing dicamba tolerant plants, methods for controlling weed growth, and methods for producing food, feed, and other products are also provided, as well as seed that confers tolerance to dicamba when it is applied pre- or post-emergence.
US08420885B2
A small percentage of cells within an established solid tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise both to more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. Thus, solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell. We have developed a xenograft model in which we have been able to establish tumors from primary tumors via injection of tumor cells in the mammary gland of severely immunodeficient mice. These xenograft assay have allowed us to do biological and molecular assays to characterize clonogenic solid tumor stem cells. We have also developed evidence that strongly implicates the Notch pathway, especially Notch 4, as playing a central pathway in carcinogenesis.
US08420883B2
Disclosed is a method for maintaining and/or improving skin health in the area of a wearer covered by an absorbent article. The absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid pervious topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet, an absorbent core located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent article also includes skin care compositions thereon for maintaining and/or improving skin health.
US08420878B2
The present invention relates to a complex oxide catalyst of Bi/Mo/Fe and an oxidative dehydrogenation of 1-butene in the presence of a catalyst herein. A catalyst of the present invention is superior to the conventional Bi/Mo catalyst in thermal and mechanical stabilities, conversion and selectivity toward 1,3-butadiene, while showing a long-term catalytic activity.
US08420877B2
A method of producing an alkylaromatic by the alkylation of an aromatic with an alkylating agent, such as producing ethylbenzene by an alkylation reaction of benzene, is disclosed. The method includes using an H-beta catalyst in a preliminary alkylation reactor that is located upstream of the primary alkylation reactor. The H-beta catalyst used in a preliminary alkylation reactor can be regenerated and the regenerated H-beta zeolite catalyst can have a deactivation rate that is no more than 120% of the deactivation rate of a fresh H-beta zeolite catalyst.
US08420874B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel material having heat resistance which provides blue light emission, and a light-emitting element, a display apparatus, and an electronic appliance using the material. Aspects of the invention are a stilbene derivative represented by the following general formula (1), the light-emitting element in which a layer containing a light-emitting material interposed between two electrodes is included and the stilbene derivative is contained in the layer containing a light-emitting material, the display apparatus including the light-emitting element, and the electronic appliance including the display apparatus.
US08420869B2
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol by hydrogenation of the corresponding 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-dione in the vapor phase in the presence of a supported catalyst. The process is useful for the preparation of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol from 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione. The process can produce a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol product having a cis:trans isomer ratio of 1:1 or greater.
US08420865B2
The invention provides a novel peroxide scavenger comprising a phosphine compound represented by general formula [I]: wherein Z1 and Z2 each represents a cyclic group; Ar represents an arylene group; R represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group; Y represents phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), or bismuth (Bi); and R1, R2, and R3 each represents a cyclic group, particularly a peroxide scavenger that can scavenge peroxides such as reactive oxygen species which are generated in mitochondria upon exposure to oxidative stress and localized in mitochondria. The phosphine compound of the invention is oxidized by the peroxides localized in mitochondria to increase the fluorescence intensity, whereby the peroxides can be scavenged.
US08420862B2
Highly pure 2,3,5,6-tetraaminotoluene species are produced by chemically reducing undesirable oxidation byproducts. The 2,3,5,6-tetraaminotoluene species are then used in the manufacture of superior high-performance polybenzimidazole polymers.
US08420857B2
A process for separating soluble silica species such as monomeric silicic acid (or monosilicic acid) and low molecular weight soluble polymeric silica from impure water soluble compounds by membrane nanofiltration is provided. A process for separating soluble silica species and colloidal silica from impure water soluble compounds by reverse phase liquid chromatography is also provided.
US08420855B2
A compound of formula (I), wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, R1, R2, G1, G2, Q1 and Q2 are as defined in claim 1; or salts or N-oxides thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for preparing compounds of formula (I), to insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and nematicidal compositions comprising them and to methods of using them to combat and control insect, acarine, mollusc and nematode pests.
US08420854B2
The present invention provides an optical anisotropic material having a good light stability, and provides a di(meth)acrylate compound represented by the following formula (1) and a polymerizable liquid crystalline composition that are suitable for the production of the optical anisotropic material. Further, the present invention provides an optical element having a good light stability and an optical information writing/reading device using the same.
US08420846B2
Disclosed herein are novel intermediates and process for large scale production of (S)-3-[(1-dimethylamino)ethyl]phenyl-N-ethyl-N-methyl-carbamate (rivastigmine) or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts employing the novel intermediates. Further provided are methods for producing the novel intermediates thereof.
US08420843B2
The compound is a silane surface treatment agent and is useful for modifying the surfaces of silicon oxide and other metal oxides with hexafluorodimethyl carbinol functional groups. Additionally provided is a surface treatment procedure that effectively bonds it and other alkoxysilanes via homogeneous and heterogeneous amine catalysis onto metal oxide surfaces.
US08420842B2
This invention proposes a lanolin substitute, capable of absorbing up to at least twice its weight of water or aqueous solution or aqueous suspension. It forms true emulsions, stable over time with a capacity for water absorption superior to that of lanolin.It also possesses the known emollient, moisturizing and occlusive properties of lanolin.This substitute is usable in all the present and future areas of application of lanolin: in the cosmetics industry, dermatology, and in industrial applications (polishes, lubricants . . . ).It is obtained by hemi-synthesis from a mixture of unsaturated fatty acids, esters of unsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated hydrocarbons or unsaturated derivatives of the latter and compounds comprising or generating hydroxyl functions, such as glycerol, preferably without a catalyst and in an atmosphere devoid of oxygen.Classical thermal treatment or preferably treatment by dielectric heating.
US08420830B2
The present invention relates generally to novel macrocycles of Formula (I): or stereoisomers, tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or prodrugs thereof, wherein the variables A, B, C, D, L, M, W, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are as defined herein. These compounds are selective inhibitors of factor VIIa which can be used as medicaments.
US08420829B2
New methods for the preparation of bendamustine, and the pharmaceutical salts thereof, are described. Novel compounds useful for the preparation of bendamustine are also described.
US08420826B2
The present invention is directed to a fluorosilane represented by (L)3-Si—(CH2)n—(Z1)a—[C(X1)]x—(Z2)l-Q1-Rf where each n is independently an integer from 1 to 12; L is independently chosen from a hydrolysable or non-hydrolysable monovalent group; Rf is chosen from a C2-C12 perfluoroalkyl provided that: i) one fluorine atom of the perfluoroalkyl can be optionally replaced by hydrogen, and/or ii) the perfluoroalkyl can be optionally interrupted by at least one oxygen, methylene, or ethylene; Q1 is chosen from the group consisting of a C2-C12 hydrocarbylene optionally interrupted by at least one divalent organic group; X1 is chosen from O or S; —Z2 is —NH— and Z1 is from the group consisting of —O—, and —S—; each R1 is independently chosen from hydrogen, phenyl, or a monovalent C1-C8 alkyl optionally terminated by —C6H5, preferably H or CH3.
US08420824B2
The disclosure relates to a compound of formula (I): and salts thereof; wherein Ar, L, A, X, R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b, and R5 are as defined in the disclosure; compositions comprising said compounds, methods for their preparation, intermediates thereto, and the use thereof, particularly as drugs.
US08420823B2
[Problem] To provide compounds useful as preventives or remedies for circular system disorders, nervous system disorders, metabolic disorders, reproduction system disorders, digestive system disorders, neoplasm, infectious diseases, etc., or as herbicides.[Means for Solution] A long-chain fatty acyl elongase inhibitor comprising, as the active ingredient thereof, a compound or a pharmaceutically-active salt thereof of a formula (I): [wherein W represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl, etc.; X represents an aryl, a heteroaryl, etc.; n indicates 0 or 1; Z represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl, etc.; A1, A2, A3 and A4 each independently represent CH or N].
US08420815B1
The present disclosure relates to novel compounds that can be used as anti-cancer agents in the prostate cancer therapy. In particular, the invention relates to N-acyl derivatives of 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinolines having the structural Formula (I), stereoisomers, tautomers, racemics, prodrugs, metabolites thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or solvate thereof. The meaning of R1 is independently selected from H; C1-C6 Alkyl, cyclo-Alkyl or iso-Alkyl substituents; R2 is selected from C1-C6 Alkyl, cyclo-Alkyl or iso-Alkyl; substituted or non-substituted, fused or non-fused to substituted or non-substituted aromatic ring, aryl or heteroaryl groups. The invention also relates to methods for preparing said compounds, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.
US08420805B2
Process for preparing prophyrin derivatives, such as protoprophyrin (IX) and synthesis intermediates
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a porphyrin of formula (I), optionally in the form of a salt with an alkali metal and/or in the form of a metal complex: in which: R and R′ are as defined in claim 1, comprising: a step of condensation, in an acidic medium, between a dipyrromethane of formula (II): in which R′b is as defined above for (I), and a dipyrromethane of formula (III): in which R″ is as defined in claim 1, and also the compounds of formula (III).
US08420803B2
The invention relates to a continuous extrusion process for preparing cold water swelling phosphate-cross-linked starch derivatives, wherein the process consists of the subsequent steps of gelatinising an alkaline starch in a first zone (10) in the extruder; adding of POCl3 as cross-linking reagent in a second zone (11) in the extruder; cross-linking the obtained gelatinised starch by means of the POCl3 in the second and third zone (11, 12) in the extruder, and neutralising the obtained cross-linked gelatinised starch that is present in a fourth zone (13) in the extruder; recovering the obtained cross-linked, gelatinised starch in a fifth zone (14) in the extruder.
US08420800B2
It is to provide a novel head-and-neck tumor proliferation inhibitor, head-and-neck tumor metastasis inhibitor and pharmaceutical composition for treating a head-and-neck tumor. The present invention is characterized by using an inhibitory substance of a microRNA whose expression increases in a head-and-neck tumor and/or a promoting substance of a microRNA whose expression decreases in a head-and-neck tumor. Preferred examples of the microRNA whose expression increases in a head-and-neck tumor include miR-455-3p, miR-455-5p, miR-130b, miR-130b*, miR-801, miR-196a, miR-21 and miR-31. Preferred examples of the microRNA whose expression decreases in a head-and-neck tumor include miR-133b, miR-145 and miR-375.
US08420799B2
This application relates to therapeutic siRNA agents and methods of making and using the agents.
US08420795B2
Antibodies, and particularly human antibodies, are disclosed that demonstrate activity in the treatment of demyelinating diseases as well as other diseases of the central nervous system that are of viral, bacterial or idiopathic origin, including neural dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury. Neuromodulatory agents are set forth that include and comprise a material selected from the group consisting of an antibody capable of binding structures or cells in the central nervous system, a peptide analog, a hapten, active fragments thereof, agonists thereof, mimics thereof, monomers thereof and combinations thereof. The neuromodulatory agent has one or more of the following characteristics: it is capable of inducing remyelination; binding to neural tissue; promoting Ca++ signaling with oligodendrocytes; and promoting cellular proliferation of glial cells. Amino acid and DNA sequences of exemplary antibodies are disclosed. Methods are described for treating demyelinating diseases, and diseases of the central nervous system of humans and domestic animals, using polyclonal IgM antibodies and human monoclonal antibodies sHIgm22(LYM 22), sHIgm46(LYM46) ebvHIgM MSI19D10, CB2bG8, AKJR4, CB2iE12, CB2iE7, MSI19E5 and MSI10E10, active fragments thereof and the like. The invention also extends to the use of human antibodies, fragments, peptide derivatives and like materials, and their use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications, including screening assays for the discovery of additional antibodies that bind to cells of the nervous system, particularly oligodendrocytes.
US08420784B2
The invention relates to IL-1O Receptor alpha (IL-1ORα) antibodies and subsequences thereof, human and humanized IL-10 Receptor alpha (IL-IORα) antibodies and subsequences thereof, isolated and purified IL-10 Receptor alpha (IL-1ORα) antibodies and subsequences thereof, compositions including IL-10 Receptor alpha (IL-1ORα) antibodies and subsequences thereof, and methods that employ IL-10 Receptor alpha (IL-1ORα) antibodies and subsequences thereof. The invention includes among other things, methods of treating a pathogen infection, pathogen reactivation, and methods of vaccinating or immunizing against a pathogen infection, which include, for example, administering an IL-10 Receptor alpha (IL-1ORα) antibody or subsequence, to treat a pathogen infection, pathogen reactivation or for vaccination or immunization.
US08420782B2
The present invention refers to methods for selectively recognizing a base pair in a DNA sequence by a polypeptide, to modified polypeptides which specifically recognize one or more base pairs in a DNA sequence and, to DNA which is modified so that it can be specifically recognized by a polypeptide and to uses of the polypeptide and DNA in specific DNA targeting as well as to methods of modulating expression of target genes in a cell.
US08420777B2
Disclosed herein are compounds that inhibit Hsp90 interactions with IAP proteins, such as Survivin, XIAP, cIAP1, or cIAP2, and methods for identifying and using such compounds.
US08420776B2
The present invention features isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated G2BD nucleic acid molecules, which encode the binding site from the gp78 ubiquitin ligase that binds to the Ube2G2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme. The invention further provides isolated G2BD proteins and fusion proteins. Still further provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods, as well as screening assays utilizing compositions of the invention.
US08420763B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a fluorooxyalkylene group-containing polymer composition, which yields a coating having excellent adhesior to a substrate, good water- and oil-repellency, a low dynamic friction coefficient, good releasing property, good abrasion resistance and good stain resistance, and to provide a surface treatment agent comprising the same. The present inventors have found that a composition comprising a fluorooxyalkylene group-containing polymer having a fluorinated group and a hydrolyzable group at each terminal and a fluorooxyalkylene group-containing polymer having hydrolyzable groups at both terminals can form a coating which has excellent water- and oil-repellency, a low dynamic friction coefficient, good releasing property, good abrasion resistance, and good stain resistance.
US08420757B1
A polymer comprising a polymer backbone. The polymer backbone has a plurality of carbon atoms. There are two lipophobic carboxylate groups or carboxylic acid groups per repeating unit being coupled to separate carbon atoms of the backbone. The polymer may be used to recover metals by chelation and then burning away the polymer.
US08420748B2
The invention provides a process for preparing liquid, branched SiH-functional siloxanes by reacting a mixture of one or more low molecular weight SiH-functional siloxanes, one or more low molecular weight SiH-free siloxanes, one or more tetraalkoxysilanes, and optionally one or more trialkoxysilanes with addition of water and in the presence of a Brønsted-acidic ion exchanger, which is characterized in that the reaction is performed in one process step.
US08420743B2
A propylene-based copolymer is composed of 60 to 90% by weight of Component (A) that is a polymer component whose major structural unit is a structural unit derived from propylene and 10 to 40% by weight of Component (B) that is a propylene-ethylene copolymer component whose content of a structural unit derived from ethylene is 50 to 80% by weight, wherein the sum total of Component (A) and Component (B) is 100% by weight, wherein the ratio of the intrinsic viscosity of Component (B) ([η]B) to the intrinsic viscosity of Component (A) ([η]A)([η]B/[η]A) satisfies a formula: 1.3<[η]B/[η]A≦2.0, and the melt flow rate, measured at a temperature of 230° C. and a load of 21.18 N, of the copolymer is not less than 5 g/10 minutes and not more than 30 g/10 minutes.
US08420742B2
The present invention relates to an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer product comprising at least one α-olefin interpolymerized with ethylene and, characterized in at least one aspect, as having improved properties when utilized in a hot melt adhesive formulation. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing the interpolymer product wherein the process comprises employing two or more single site catalyst systems in at least one reaction environment (or reactor) and wherein the at least two catalyst systems have (a) different comonomer incorporation capabilities or reactivities and/or (b) different termination kinetics, both when measured under the same polymerization conditions. The interpolymer products are useful, for example, in applications such as hot melt adhesives, and also for impact, bitumen and asphalt modification, adhesives, dispersions or latexes and fabricated articles such as, but not limited to, foams, films, sheet, moldings, thermoforms, profiles and fibers.
US08420732B2
A polybenzimidazole solution comprises a polybenzimidazole dissolved in an ionic liquid excluding 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The ionic liquid may be a salt having a melting point less than or equal to 100° C. The salt having a cation (+) and an anion (−). The cation may be selected from the group consisting of: choline, ammoniums, phosphoniums, pyridiniums, pyrrolidiniums, morpholimiums, pyrazoliums, sulfoniums, imidazoliums. The anion may be selected from the group consisting of: halides, bis(triflyl)amide, CF3SO3−, hydroxides, nitrates, sulfates, acetates, cyanates, aluminates, borates, phosphates, phosphorates, alkylsulfates, tosylates.
US08420721B2
A polyolefin resin composition having a high crystallization temperature and excellent transparency is provided. The polyolefin resin composition comprises 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of a methylenebisanilide compound with respect to 100 parts by mass of a polyolefin resin, wherein the methylenebisanilide compound is represented by General Formula 1, wherein each of X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and X8 independently represents a hydrogen atom or C1-C10 alkyl which is optionally substituted or branched; and each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, C1-C21 alkyl which is optionally substituted or branched, C3-C12 cycloalkyl which is optionally substituted, or C6-C20 aryl which is optionally substituted.
US08420720B2
The present invention provides a rubber composition for a clinch, a chafer or a sidewall, which improves fuel economy, elongation at break, and abrasion resistance in good balance while maintaining good handling stability (hardness) and processability (extrusion processability) even if the amount of zinc oxide is decreased; and a pneumatic tire having a clinch, a chafer and/or a sidewall produced therefrom. The invention relates to a rubber composition for a clinch, a chafer or a sidewall, comprising: a rubber component; a compound represented by formula (I): wherein R1 to R4 each independently represent a C1-18 linear or branched alkyl group or a C5-12 cycloalkyl group; and zinc oxide, wherein the amount of the compound represented by formula (I) is 0.2 to 6 parts by mass and the amount of the zinc oxide is 1.0 part by mass or less, for each 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.
US08420715B2
An encapsulated colorant including a colorant and a polymer resin coating the colorant, where the polymer resin is prepared by polymerizing a polymer resin-forming composition including two or more polymerizable unsaturated monomers, and the content ratio of the two or more polymerizable unsaturated monomers is controlled to obtain a glass transition temperature of the polymer resin of −15 to 75° C. An ink composition including an encapsulated colorant, and an ink set comprising two or more types of the ink composition. The encapsulated colorant may have different glass transition temperatures to have a utility of high optical density when printing text, and high gloss when printing images.
US08420711B2
The present invention relates to polymeric compositions useful in the manufacture of biocompatible medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain monoethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group containing polycarbosiloxane monomers capable of polymerization to form polymeric compositions having desirable physical characteristics useful in the manufacture of ophthalmic devices.
US08420710B2
A radiation curable biobased coating, such as a UV/EB curable biobased coating, for flooring applications includes a biobased component comprising renewable and/or biobased materials. The biobased component is selected from the group consisting of a biobased resin, a biobased polyol acrylate, or a biobased polyol. The biobased component is blended with a coating formula. The coating formula includes at least one initiator. The radiation curable biobased coating contains at least about 5% weight of renewable materials or biobased content.
US08420700B1
A tamper resistant drug delivery system made of at least one lipid, at least one gelling agent and at least one sympathomimetic amine, such as for example pseudoephedrine, wherein the system gels in the presence of water or a solution containing water and ethanol, wherein the sympathomimetic amine releases into the digestive system when ingested, and wherein the weight ratio of gelling agent to lipid is less than 1:1.4.
US08420689B2
The present invention relates to novel cannabinoid receptor modulators, in particular cannabinoid 1 (CB1) or cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor modulators, and uses thereof for treating diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by a cannabinoid receptor.
US08420683B2
The present invention relates to 5-substituted hydantoins, a process for the preparation of 5-substituted hydantoins and the use of 5-substituted hydantoins in the preparation of enantiomerically enriched α-amino acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the preparation of pharmaceutically active products such as perindopril and ramipril using the novel 5-substituted hydantoins.
