US08549225B2
A method for efficiently using a large secondary cache is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, such a method may include accumulating, in a secondary cache, a plurality of data tracks. These data tracks may include modified data and/or unmodified data. The method may determine if a subset of the plurality of data tracks makes up a full stride. In the event the subset makes up a full stride, the method may destage the subset from the secondary cache. By destaging full strides, the method reduces the number of disk operations that are required to destage data from the secondary cache. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also disclosed herein.
US08549224B1
In an analyzer device, a method for identifying a logical unit (LUN) of a data storage system as a candidate for migration to a second storage group is presented. The method includes receiving, by the analyzer device, a set of data associated with activity of the LUN of a first storage group, comparing, by the analyzer device, a performance metric value of a performance metric of the set of data, associated with the LUN, to a performance metric threshold associated with the performance metric, and when the performance metric value corresponds to the performance metric threshold, categorizing, by the analyzer device, the LUN as a candidate for storage on the second storage group, the second storage group distinct from the first storage group and having a disk type different from that of the first storage group.
US08549221B2
In a first management unit for a redundant array of independent disks (RAID management unit), a shared-class setting unit receives a shared-class setting command, for example, from a host computer. If the shared-class setting command includes information about the first RAID management unit and a second RAID management unit, a shared management-information creating unit creates shared management information, writes the created shared management information onto a first disk, notifies the second RAID management unit corresponding to a second disk about the shared management information, and gives an instruction to write the shared management information onto the second disk. The second RAID management unit then writes the notified shared management information onto the second disk.
US08549220B2
Method, system, and computer program product embodiments for, in a computing storage environment for destaging data from nonvolatile storage (NVS) to a storage unit, identifying working data on a stride basis by a processor device are provided. A multi-update bit is established for each of a plurality of strides in a modified cache, wherein the multi-update bit is adapted to indicate a corresponding stride is part of at least one track in a working set that refers to a group of frequently updated tracks. The plurality of strides are scanned based on a schedule to identify tracks for destaging. An operation to destage is performed on a selected track identified during the scanning, if the multi-update bit of a selected stride on the selected track is set to indicate the selected track is part of the working set and if the NVS is about 90% full or greater.
US08549218B2
A content-addressable memory (CAM) for managing the reallocation of erasable objects within a non-volatile memory is conceptually separated into two tables: a first table provides verification of whether or not a logical address has been reallocated and, if so, a second table provides the physical address of the reallocated erasable object.
US08549210B2
A system and computer program product for mirroring virtual machines from a primary host to a secondary host. The system includes a processor tracking changes for each of a plurality of memory pages and processor states for one or more primary host virtual machines. Responsive to an occurrence of a checkpoint, the primary host virtual machines are stopped. A determination is made if each of the memory pages is frequently changed. In response to the memory page being frequently changed, the frequently changed memory page is marked as being writeable and copied to a buffer. In response to the memory page being infrequently changed, the infrequently changed memory page is marked as being read only. The one or more primary host virtual machines are resumed. A copy of the memory pages, the buffer and changes to the processor states are transmitted to the secondary host.
US08549209B2
A composite memory device including discrete memory devices and a bridge device for controlling the discrete memory devices. The bridge device has memory organized as banks, where each bank is configured to have a virtual page size that is less than the maximum physical size of the page buffer. Therefore only a segment of data corresponding to the virtual page size stored in the page buffer is transferred to the bank. The virtual page size of the banks is provided in a virtual page size (VPS) configuration command having an ordered structure where the position of VPS data fields containing VPS configuration codes in the command correspond to different banks which are ordered from a least significant bank to a most significant bank. The VPS configuration command is variable in size, and includes only the VPS configuration codes for the highest significant bank being configured and the lower significant banks.
US08549208B2
A cache memory having enhanced performance and security feature is provided. The cache memory includes a data array storing a plurality of data elements, a tag array storing a plurality of tags corresponding to the plurality of data elements, and an address decoder which permits dynamic memory-to-cache mapping to provide enhanced security of the data elements, as well as enhanced performance. The address decoder receives a context identifier and a plurality of index bits of an address passed to the cache memory, and determines whether a matching value in a line number register exists. The line number registers allow for dynamic memory-to-cache mapping, and their contents can be modified as desired. Methods for accessing and replacing data in a cache memory are also provided, wherein a plurality of index bits and a plurality of tag bits at the cache memory are received. The plurality of index bits are processed to determine whether a matching index exists in the cache memory and the plurality of tag bits are processed to determine whether a matching tag exists in the cache memory, and a data line is retrieved from the cache memory if both a matching tag and a matching index exist in the cache memory. A random line in the cache memory can be replaced with a data line from a main memory, or evicted without replacement, based on the combination of index and tag misses, security contexts and protection bits. User-defined and/or vendor-defined replacement procedures can be utilized to replace data lines in the cache memory.
US08549201B2
A method comprises maintaining, in a first electronic device, a list of one or more electronic devices associated with a user, receiving, in the first electronic device, a first command, in response to the first command, forwarding a command to block interrupts on one or more electronic devices on the list of electronic devices. Other embodiments may be described.
US08549199B2
A data processing apparatus and method for setting priority levels for transactions is provided. The data processing apparatus has a shared resource for processing transactions, and at least one master device for issuing the transactions to the shared resource. The at least one master device provides a plurality of sources of the transactions, and each of the transactions has a priority level associated therewith. Arbitration circuitry is used to apply an arbitration policy to select a transaction from amongst multiple transactions issued to the shared resource, the arbitration policy using the priority level associated with each of the multiple transactions when performing the selection. Adaptive priority circuitry is associated with at least one of the sources, the adaptive priority circuitry monitoring throughput indication data for previously issued transactions from the associated source, and for each new transaction from the associated source, setting the priority level to one of a plurality of predetermined priority levels dependent on the throughput indication data. Through such a mechanism, the adaptive priority circuitry sets the lowest priority level from amongst the plurality of predetermined priority levels that will enable a specified target throughput to be achieved. The adaptive priority circuitry hence uses a feedback mechanism to control the priority level assigned to each new transaction from a source in order to target a specified throughput for the source, and through this mechanism finds the lowest priority necessary to achieve the throughput objectives independent of the activity of other sources within the system.
US08549198B2
One aspect relates to a communication protocol for communicating between one or more entities, such as devices, hosts or any other system capable of communicating over a network. Another aspect relates to a system architecture that permits more than one slave system (e.g., a slave device) to be connected to a master system (e.g., a master device) in a communication system implementing a master/slave protocol. In one aspect, a pass-through device is provided that facilitates communication and authentication to one or more downstream slave devices. Yet another aspect relates to a star-based configuration of slave devices coupled to the master, and protocols for communicating and authenticating slave devices. Another aspect relates to a protocol that allows communication between entities without a priori knowledge of the communication protocol. In such a protocol, for example, information describing a data structure of the communication protocol is transferred between communicating entities. Further, an authentication protocol is provided for providing bidirectional authentication between communicating entities. In one specific example, the entities include a master device and a slave device coupled by a serial link. In another specific example, the communication protocol may be used for performing unbalanced transmission between communicating entities.
US08549196B2
Performance counters may be operable to collect one or more counts of one or more selected activities, and registers may be operable to store a set of performance counter configurations. A state machine may be operable to automatically select a register from the registers for reconfiguring the one or more performance counters in response to receiving a first signal. The state machine may be further operable to reconfigure the one or more performance counters based on a configuration specified in the selected register. The state machine yet further may be operable to copy data in selected one or more of the performance counters to a memory location, or to copy data from the memory location to the counters, in response to receiving a second signal. The state machine may be operable to store or restore the counter values and state machine configuration in response to a context switch event.
US08549193B2
A data transmission method is provided, which includes: obtaining a current queue length of a queue corresponding to an output port; when the current queue length meets a back-pressure requirement, determining a back-pressure priority corresponding to the current queue length according to the current queue length and a mapping relationship between a preset queue length and the back-pressure priority, and generating back-pressure information, where the back-pressure information inhibits a line card from sending data with a data priority less than or equal to the back-pressure priority to the output port; and sending the back-pressure information to a line card.
US08549191B2
A method and apparatus are provided for serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) hot unplug. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a connection of a SATA storage device to a SATA host interface by monitoring physical (PHY) layer signals derived from SATA communication terminals, by a controller of the host interface. The detection being based on phase locked loop (PLL) response of the PHY layer signals. The method further includes detecting disconnection of the SATA device based on the PLL response and outputting a notification, by the controller, when the PLL response indicates that the SATA device has been disconnected.
US08549185B2
A computer program product is provided for performing an input/output (I/O) processing operation at a host computer system. The computer program product is configured to perform: obtaining a transport command word (TCW) at a channel subsystem for an I/O operation, the TCW including an address of a transport command control block (TCCB) having a transport command area (TCA) configured to hold a first plurality of device command words (DCW) and control data associated with respective DCWs, the first plurality of DCWs including a transfer TCA extension (TTE) DCW that specifies a TCA extension, the TCA extension configured to hold one or more DCWs and control data associated with respective DCWs; gathering the TCCB from one or more locations specified in the TCCB address and transferring the TCCB to the control unit; gathering the TCA extension specified by the TTE DCW; and transferring the TCA extension to the control unit.
US08549183B2
A method and apparatus for enhancing/extending a serial point-to-point interconnect architecture, such as Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) is herein described. Temporal and locality caching hints and prefetching hints are provided to improve system wide caching and prefetching. Message codes for atomic operations to arbitrate ownership between system devices/resources are included to allow efficient access/ownership of shared data. Loose transaction ordering provided for while maintaining corresponding transaction priority to memory locations to ensure data integrity and efficient memory access. Active power sub-states and setting thereof is included to allow for more efficient power management. And, caching of device local memory in a host address space, as well as caching of system memory in a device local memory address space is provided for to improve bandwidth and latency for memory accesses.
US08549182B2
Communication with adapters of a computing environment is facilitated. Control instructions specifically designed for communicating data to and from adapters are provided to facilitate the communication. The instructions explicitly target the adapters. Information provided in an instruction is used to steer the instruction to an appropriate location within the adapter, such as a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) or Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) adapter.
US08549172B2
A method, computer program product and network management server for distributing software. The network management server receives a request to deploy an application on a designated target client station at a designated scheduled time. The network management server determines whether to deploy the application on the designated target client station at the designated time based on the resource state of the systems involved in the deployment of the software (e.g., processor usage of the network management server, processor usage of the target client station) as well as the environmental conditions (e.g., bandwidth usage, time of day pricing for connectivity at scheduled time, work orders on the target client station). By taking into consideration the dynamic resource state of the systems involved in the deployment of the software as well as the environmental conditions, software may be deployed on the client stations by the network management server more effectively.
US08549171B2
A method is disclosed for high-speed processing of structured application messages in a network device. According to one aspect, a network device receives a set of message classification rules that have been prepared beforehand by a system administrator or customer. The system analyzes the message classification rules to determine what part(s) of the message are necessary to classify a message according to the message classification rules. This allows the system to consider only the relevant parts of the message and ignore the rest of the message. The system extracts the portion of the message necessary for classifying the message and classifies the message using the values of the extracted information and the message classification rules. A unique sequence of operations is implied by the message classification and those operations must then be applied to the message.
US08549160B2
A Personal Media Relay (PMR) is used to retransmit data in a system for point-to-point data streaming over a TCP/IP network. It is “Personal” because it is downloadable by end-users will onto their own personal computers (PCs) in order to help their other devices (e.g. a mobile device) send or receive data. The user installs the PMR, which is a software application, onto a personal computer (PC) that is perhaps more powerful and accesses higher Internet bandwidth than the Sender. Subsequently, the user streams data from the Sender to the PMR, which resends the live streaming data to potentially many Viewers. During PMR installation and configuration, users are given the option of allowing others to utilize their PMR as well for rebroadcasting streaming data.
US08549158B2
A method and system for conducting communications over a network is provided. An embodiment includes a server that is connectable to a client machine via a virtual private network that includes a VPN concentrator. The client machine and the VPN concentrator are configured to delay renegotiation of the VPN link in the event that an important stream is being carried over the VPN link.
US08549156B1
A method and apparatus for enabling a user to invite one or more participants in a SoIP network to join a shared video session hosted by the user are disclosed. The present method allows a user to order and store video selections in the network that the user can access later using a personal password. In one embodiment, for all the other users who are invited to join the shared video session, the network provides another one time password that the invited users can use to access the shared video session.
US08549153B2
A method and device of session control are used to resolve the problem that when there is a failure in the session control function bound with the user, the UE can not re-login in time or the session can not be continued. In the flow of the user initial login, an address information of P-CSCF bound with the user in HSS is saved, so that when the user is called, an available S-CSCF can get the address information of P-CSCF bound with the called user from the HSS, and inform the user to do re-initial login according to the address information of P-CSCF or complete the session continuation; further, the address information of the user in D-HSS is saved, so that when the user is called, an available A-CSCF can get the address information of the called user from the D-HSS, and inform the user to do re-initial login according to the address information of the called user or complete the session continuation.
US08549151B2
A method is described for transmitting a multimedia stream from a first end-terminal to a second end-terminal. The first and second end-terminal are connected to at least one gateway for enabling the multimedia stream to be transmitted from the first end-terminal to the second end-terminal. The method comprising the steps of: the first end-terminal inviting the gateway to set up a first multimedia session between the first end-terminal and the gateway, the first multimedia session being controlled by a first protocol; the gateway notifying—in response to the invitation—the second end-terminal of the pending invitation; the second end-terminal setting up—in response to the notification—a second multimedia session between the second end-terminal and the gateway, the second multimedia session being controlled by a second protocol; the gateway setting up—in response to the invitation—the first multimedia session; and transmitting a multimedia stream from the first end-terminal to the second end-terminal. The first protocol may be SIP, the second protocol may be RTSP.
US08549144B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for a common configuration framework for applications to configure database objects and resources. configuration interfaces are maintained for a plurality of different database types, wherein each configuration interface implements a database configuration operation with respect to a database of one database type. A configuration request is received from an application indicating a database type, database name, and a database configuration operation. A determination is made of one of the configuration interfaces for the requested database type to implement the requested configuration operation with respect to the database having the database name. The determined configuration interface is invoked with the requested database name to perform the requested configuration operation with respect to the database name.
US08549142B2
A network of replicated servers providing a service includes a plurality of server replicas. A leader is elected from among the plurality of server replicas for coordinating ordering of operations among the plurality of server replicas. A view change protocol is executed by the plurality of server replicas after the election of the leader. Each iteration of the view change protocol corresponds to a unique view number. The server replicas are directed by the view change protocol to cooperate to order operations by exchange of information associated with particular view numbers. The information is prioritized in accordance with the view numbers. The non-leaders monitor the response time of the leader and elect a new leader when it is determined that the monitored length of time is greater than a threshold value that is dependent upon current network conditions.
US08549136B2
For the operation of at least one non-safety-critical application process and at least one safety-critical application process, the invention proposes a data processing and transmission system with a data transmission network, at least one non-safety-related network element linked to the non-safety-critical application process and connected to the network, and with at least one safety-related network element linked to the safety-critical application process, as well as with at least one master unit connected to the network, and a server unit connected to the network separately from the master unit, wherein the safety-related server unit controls the at least one safety-critical application process, specifically by processing safety-relevant data necessary for controlling the safety-critical application process and by organizing the transmission of the safety-relevant data over the network by means of at least one of the network elements and/or the master unit.
US08549133B2
A system for monitoring the reliability of a network includes a network management system that gathers information relating to modules, nodes and paths in the network. The information includes the configuration, history and status of the modules and paths, and the failure states of the paths and the modules responsible for any failed paths. Based on the information, a reliability monitoring tool produces output that includes the condition of network paths and the actual reliability of one or more paths. Embodiments of the invention include storage arrangements that store the module and path information, in which case the output may include time-based reliability of network paths. The output may be available via the Internet. Methods of monitoring the reliability of a network are also provided.
US08549124B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for discovering network paths between network devices in a distance-vector network are provided. The method may include providing a node model of network devices in a distance-vector network. The node model may include a network address corresponding to a network device. The network address may be used to query the network device for routing information. This routing information may be used to identify another network address corresponding to a second network device, and to identify a path from the first network device to the second network device. These devices and the path therebetween may be mapped in the node model. Finally, the second network device may be queried for subsequent routing information to identify and map subsequent devices and paths.
US08549123B1
A logical-server manager provides for deployment of a logical server to a real server so a network identity of said logical server and a network identity of said real server are conformed.
US08549111B2
One problem with web-based information is that it is typically presented without being personalized or tailored to fit a particular user's needs and requirements. Another problem relates to calls such as telephone calls, video calls or other multimedia calls made between two or more call members. Here it is often required to provide detailed information during the call. By storing a plurality of web pages and associating each of those web pages with information about one or more potential calls, it is possible to select one of those web pages for provision to a particular call member. For example, a user may store a web page for provision to family members, another for customers, and another for new enquiries. Information about a call is obtained and used to select an appropriate one of the stored web pages. This selected web page is then provided to the call member which is for example a wireless terminal with a web browser arranged to display the web page. The web pages may be stored on a web server or alternatively on the terminal used by the call member to take part in the call.
US08549102B2
A method and apparatus for managing bookmark information of a media server through a network based on the UPnP AV standard is disclosed. If a request for bookmarking a content item is made, a bookmark item is created and the created bookmark item is linked to the content item by adding the ID of the created bookmark item to the property information of the content item and recording the ID of the content item to be bookmarked in the created bookmark item.
US08549095B2
Systems and methods for distributed, decentralized storage and retrieval of data in an extensible SOAP environment are disclosed. Such systems and methods decentralize not only the bandwidth required for data storage and retrieval, but also the computational requirements. Accordingly, such systems and methods alleviate the need for one node to do all the storage and retrieval processing, and no single node is required to send or receive all the data.
US08549091B1
A client playback architecture for a media content distribution system is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the client playback architecture is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) based architecture. The RDMA based architecture enables the client playback device to obtain media content from a central server in real-time or in substantially real-time as the media content is needed for playback at the client playback device. More specifically, the playback device includes RDMA enabled playback circuitry operating to perform RDMA transfers for select media content, buffer the media content received as a result of the RDMA transfers, and provide the media content for presentation to one or more associated viewers via one or more audio/video interfaces.
US08549077B2
In one aspect, a method related to data management. In addition, other method, system, and program product aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and/or text forming a part of the present application.
US08549072B2
A social networking system contains information describing information about users of the social networking system and about various connections among the users. When a user of the social networking system accesses an external website, the external website may send the user a web page containing markup language with instructions to retrieve information associated with a user from a social networking system. The client device processes the annotations and sends a request for social information related to the user to a social networking system, subject perhaps to privacy settings in the social networking system. The user's browser uses the information obtained from the social networking system in response to the request to render the markup language document for display on the user's computer system. This process allows the external website to use information from the social networking system to enhance the user's experience on the external website.
US08549068B2
A terminal includes: a wireless communication unit configured to receive service information; a controller configured to provide control to perform re-searching or display a menu for searching for service information after the terminal enters a service zone; and a display unit configured to visually display service information under the control of the controller.
US08549063B2
A system comprises a service anchor apparatus having a unit configured to hold an original of an application program for providing a service; an end-user accommodation apparatus having a unit configured to connect with a terminal of an end user; and a relay apparatus located on a route between the service anchor apparatus and the end-user accommodation apparatus. The system creates, via the relay apparatus, a copy of the application program in the end-user accommodation apparatus, the original of the application program being held by the service anchor apparatus, and the end-user accommodation apparatus runs the copy of the application program, thereby providing the service to the terminal of the end user.
US08549057B1
An embodiment of a method for control of signal level is disclosed. In such an embodiment, a number for a pre-cursor set, a number for a cursor set, and a number for a post-cursor set are set corresponding to a weighted contribution of a pre-cursor symbol, a weighted contribution of a cursor symbol, and a weighted contribution of a post-cursor symbol, respectively, for the signal level. A number associated with a high-impedance set is determined. The number associated with the high-impedance set is determined by subtracting the number for the pre-cursor set, the number for the cursor set, and the number for the post-cursor set from a total available amount of units. The high-impedance set provides no weighted contribution to the signal level. Data is transmitted using the signal level set responsive to the pre-cursor set, the cursor set, and the post-cursor set.
US08549053B2
A method of increasing the number of applications for enrollment at an educational institution including the profiling of an educational institution's candidate database and inquiry pool against its particular enrollment objectives and personalized communication with selected candidates. The method also provides candidates who are interested in an educational institution with an opportunity and selected incentives to electronically access, complete and submit partial or complete applications for admission. The method also provides for personalized follow-up communications with selected candidates and for the monitoring, compilation and reporting of applications received using the method.
US08549047B2
Techniques for providing feed-based case management on an online social network. A user interface that includes a publisher and an information feed is provided. Information associated with a record is received and the record is updated in a database system. A feed item associated with the database system update is generated and provided in the information feed. The feed item includes one or more actionable selections providing a reference to the publisher. Selection of one of the one or more actionable selections causes the publisher to be operable to receive further information associated with the record. The record is capable of being updated based on the further information. In some implementations, the record is a case and the user interface serves as a single interface for all interactions required in solving the case.
US08549043B2
A method of adding an element to a data structure may include atomically associating the element with the data structure if the element is not associated with the data structure. The element may be prepared for insertion into a location in the data structure. The method may also include atomically inserting the element into the location in the data structure if another element has not been inserted into the location.
US08549037B2
Embodiments of the inventive concept reduce the burden of creating litigant sources of evidence or other evidentiary materials in connection with litigation in a court of law. Designation of at least one document file included in digital document information is accepted and designation of a language into which the designated document file is translated is accepted. The document file, the designation of which is accepted, is translated into the language the designation of which is accepted. A common document file representing the same content as that of the designated document file is extracted from digital document information recorded in a recording unit. Translation-related information representing that the extracted common document file is translated by invoking a translated content of the translated document file is generated, and, based on the translation-related information, a litigant-related document file is output.
US08549036B2
This document discusses, among other things, an information technology (IT) enterprise manager system. In one example, the system includes data groups organized into IT Services, IT Resources, and IT Consumers data groups. The IT Resources data group may include one or more of an IT Applications data group, an IT Assets data group, an IT Staff Data group, and an IT Vendors data group. The IT Consumers data group may include one or both of a Business Processes data group and an IT Clients data group. Information in one data group may use a link to other information in another data group. In one example, the system provides tools and methods for managing a portfolio IT projects through various phases of their lifecycles, such as during project definition, establishing a business case for the project, project design and implementation, and/or project wrap-up. For example, the system may provide user interface displays and report generation that permit the user to compare different projects, such as using business value, probability of success and/or other factors for performing the comparison.
US08549033B2
The usefulness and the performance of advertisements are improved by allowing businesses to better target their ads to a responsive audience. Location information is determined (or accepted) and used. For example, location information may be used in a relevancy determination of an ad. As another example, location information may be used in an attribute (e.g., position) arbitration. Such location information may be associated with price information and/or ad performance information. Ad performance information may be tracked on the basis of location information. The content of an ad creative, and/or of a landing page may be selected and/or modified using location information. Finally, tools, such as user interfaces, may be provided to allow a business to enter and/or modify location information, such as location information used for targeting and location-dependent price information. The location information used to target and/or score ads may be, include, or define an area.
US08549030B2
Methods and apparatus to enhance queries in an affinity domain are disclosed herein. An example method of providing a query service in an affinity domain includes receiving a query including one or more template identifiers that indicate conformance with a standard related to content of a document; generating an expression including the one or more template identifiers to define a search of a registry; performing the search of the registry according to the expression, wherein the search is configured to identify documents including the one or more template identifiers; and conveying the identified documents to an entity associated with the query.
US08549028B1
Various embodiments of the present invention are related to incident tracking systems and methods. A method allows for receiving input that specifies an incident at a facility, defining a search area adjacent to a position of the incident, and displaying one or more other incidents that occurred at the facility within the search area. A further method allows for dynamically plotting, each time a search area is changed on a map of a facility and an associated date range is indicated, positions on the map within the search area so as to indicate where incidents have occurred at the facility within the date range. Another method allows for receiving input that specifies a name of a person associated with an incident at a facility, and automatically flagging the person as being of interest if the person has been involved in one or more other incidents at the facility.
US08549023B2
A method and apparatus for resorting a sequence of sorted strings, wherein the sequence of sorted strings is obtained by sorting a plurality of strings based on a first character collation standard and the resorting is based on a second character collation standard. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes: comparing the first character collation standard with the second character collation standard to obtain a change of the character collation standard; and resorting the sequence of sorted strings based on the change of the character collation standard. The method of the present invention takes the change of the character collation standard and its affection to the sequence of sorted strings into consideration, and can resort the sequence of sorted strings quickly and thus save time for resorting.
US08549015B2
A method of distinguishing nociceptive pain from neuropathic pain includes providing a series of questions for answering by the patient. Each of the answers by the patient are given a numerical value within a nociceptive pain category and a neuropathic pain category. The values within the two categories are then summed, with the resultants potentially modified using a series of one or more equations. The ratio of the neuropathic pain to the nociceptive pain is then calculated. The ratio provides a value for the physician to diagnose the patient as suffering from nociceptive pain, neuropathic pain, or both nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Embodiments of the present invention include a system for assisting a physician to identify whether a patient's pain is nociceptive pain or neuropathic pain.
US08549000B2
Systems and methods for compressing indices are described. In one aspect, a plurality of items are selected where each item has an entry in an inverted index and each item entry comprises a listing of articles that the item appears in. At least a first item entry and a second item entry are determined for compression and the second item entry is compressed into the first item entry resulting in a compressed first item entry.
US08548996B2
Ranking content items is disclosed. A user input is received from each of one or more users indicating an opinion of the user with respect to a content item included in a plurality of content items. Based at least in part on a number of users from whom user input has been received, a degree is determined to which a ranking of the content item relative to one or more other content items in the plurality of content items is determined by user input.
US08548994B2
A method, a system and a computer program of reducing overheads in multiple applications processing are disclosed. The method includes identifying resources interacting with each of the applications from a set of applications and grouping the applications from the set of applications, resulting in at least one application cluster, in response to the identified resources, wherein overheads associated with re-initialization of agents assigned to the identified resources are reduced. The method further includes assigning an agent corresponding to each of the identified resources and initializing the agent corresponding to each of the identified resources. The method further includes identifying parameters associated with the identified resources, pre-processing the identified parameters for each of the identified resources, and also includes selecting a clustering means for the clustering.
US08548992B2
A graphical user interface and digital content processor for the management of digital data. The graphical user interface is characterized by two treeview controls capable of transforming the screen display of items under management by acting as a filtering mechanism for the category value pairs inherent in every item under management. The treeview controls folders, or nodes, transform the screen display of data under management to filter by the category values represented by the treeview controls' folders when selected.
US08548991B1
A system records browsing activity of a user using a browser. The system determines browsing statistics from the recorded browsing activity and graphically displays the browsing statistics to the user via the browser.
US08548987B2
A system and method for applying a first filter and a second filter, such as a recommendation and a constraint filter, to a plurality of items, including determining a cost of applying the first filter and the second filter to the plurality of items, and determining an order of applying the first and second filters based on the cost of applying the first and second filters.
US08548985B2
Methods and apparatus for optimizing an abstract query are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention allow an abstract database to optimize an abstract query composed from a set of logical fields. Each logical field includes a field name and an access method used to map the logical field to an underlying physical representation of the data. After a user composes an abstract query and submits it for execution, a runtime component and optimization component may be configured to resolve the abstract query to a physical query of the underlying physical data source using an access method associated with each logical field. In addition, as the runtime component builds a query consistent with the schema of the underlying database, an optimizing component may modify the query using any suitable optimization techniques. Different optimization techniques include optimizations based on logical field metadata, optimizations based on the underlying physical data repositories referenced by an access method and optimizations based on the relationships between logical fields or underlying data structures.
US08548982B2
In embodiments, methods and systems for controlling access to custom objects are provided. These techniques for controlling access to custom objects can enable embodiments to utilize a key for the protection of the security of data that is to remain private while not compromising efficiency of a query. The key for a requested custom object is identified and then used so that only an appropriate portion of a custom entity share table is searched to locate access information. It is then determined whether the user can access at least a portion of the custom object, and the appropriate and allowed data is sent to the user.
US08548980B2
A method, computer program product, and system are provided for accelerating a query in a database system. For example, an embodiment of the method may include generating a data structure identifying a set of rows that satisfy conditions local to a table prior to an evaluation of a query and modifying the query based on the data structure. In addition, the method may include repeating the steps with respect to generating the data structure and modifying the query, if one or more additional local conditions are inferred from modifying the query based on the data structure.
US08548975B1
A system graphically plots articles. The system executes one or more search queries to search stored articles and receives results of the executed one or more search queries, where the results identify selected articles of the stored articles. The system further designates a graphical marker for each of the selected articles and plots each of the graphical markers on a graphical display.
US08548974B2
A method of providing Internet search results to a user on a mobile platform. Search terms are received from the user via a web portal. Information pertaining to the user and/or to the platform is used to identify a marketplace relevant to the user. A search engine is selected based on the identified marketplace. The search terms are submitted to the selected search engine.
US08548960B2
A method to use music data or metadata of music data regardless of an offset discrepancy including steps of: determining code values according to a volume transition in every certain period starting from a coding start position on a time axis in music data; and generating a characteristic pattern indicating a characteristic of a volume transition of the music data using a series of the code values determined over plural periods. The code value can be configured to indicate whether an average volume in a certain period is increased or decreased from an average volume in a previous period, for example.
US08548953B2
A method and apparatus for removing duplicated data in a file system utilizing the concept of storage tiers. A synthetic namespace is created via file virtualization, and is comprised of one or more file systems. Deduplication is applied at the namespace level and on all of the file systems comprising the synthetic namespace. All files in a file system in a higher storage tier whose contents are identical to at least one other file in the synthetic namespace are moved to a destination file system in a lower storage tier. For each set of duplicated files that are moved from the original servers, a single instance copy of the file is left behind as a mirror copy. Read access to a duplicated file is redirected to its mirror copy. When the first write to a duplicated file is received, the association from the duplicated file stored in the destination server to its mirror copy that is stored in the origin server is discarded. Access to the “modified” duplicated file will then resume normally from the destination server.
US08548952B2
Embodiments may recover from faults by forming a new set of rows by removing rows associated with faulting save operations and repeating the saving and forming operations using the new set of rows until a set of rows that can be saved from the known start state without fault is determined. When the subset of successful rows is found, embodiments are able to provide assurance that no side effects (i.e., code or operations triggered by saving of a data to a particular location) have been executed on behalf of any of the failed rows (side effects from custom PL/SOQL code included) by deferring execution of triggers until an entire set of rows can be saved and committed.
US08548950B2
Disclosed is a method and system for archiving data. A server computer (or any computing device) receives data transmitted over a network from a client computer, wherein at least some of the data was previously collected by a scientific instrument during an experiment. After receiving the data, the server computer updates (e.g., creates) an index for the received data, archives the received data, and automatically transmits a notification to the client computer that the received data has been archived.
US08548948B2
A method for maintaining access information for individual data portions within a file. Generally, the system disclosed herein provides a method for procuring and maintaining various access information specific to data portions within a file. Thus, by providing specific access information to a file data portion the access manager allows a process to perform processing on the individual file data portion. Consequently, the process can operate more efficiently since it is no longer required to access and perform processing on the entire file.
US08548947B2
Systems and methods are disclosed that collect information for entries in a list. Multiple versions of the entries are maintained in a version object base. The elements are determined to be removable based on whether the elements are private versions or master versions.
US08548945B2
A database table within a database to persist within a cache as a cached table can be identified. The database can be a relational database management system (RDBMS) or an object oriented database management system (OODBMS). The cache can be a database cache. Database transactions within can be logged within a log table and the cached table within the cache can be flagged as not cached during runtime. An asynchronous replication of the database table to the cached table can be performed. The replication can execute the database transactions within the log table upon the cached table. The cached table can be flagged as cached when the replication is completed.
US08548936B2
According to one embodiment, a property extraction apparatus includes a state transition machine conversion unit, storage unit, state transition machine contraction unit, and property conversion unit. The state transition machine conversion unit converts an input property into a state transition machine configured by a plurality of transition functions expressed using a plurality of transition labels. The storage unit stores contraction rules that allow to remove a non-input transition. The state transition machine contraction unit contracts the state transition machine by converting a transition label corresponding to a signal to be ignored into a non-input transition in the state transition machine in accordance with contraction instruction information which represents the signal to be ignored, and rewriting the transition functions by applying the contraction rules that allow to remove the non-input transition. The property conversion unit which converts the state transition machine after the contraction processing into an output property.
US08548931B2
A system and method for authenticating a physical address submitted in an online communication is disclosed. An online communication comprising a physical address to be verified is received. A verification identification (VID) is requested and received. A transaction verification document (TVD) comprising an indicia indicative of the VID is generated. An electronic copy of the TVD is transmitted. Verification data produced in response to dispatch of a physical embodiment of the TVD is received, wherein the physical embodiment is generated from the electronic copy. The physical address is authenticated based at least in part on the verification data.
US08548928B1
A system and method for providing search assistance over a communications network to an employer or a job seeker advertising positions at or applying to positions at higher education learning institutions. The method enables an employer to submit information about their open positions into categorized online system accessible to persons looking for employment in higher education. The categories are specially selected to reflect current market conditions in higher education. Employers utilize a specialized posting system to make their postings. Postings are viewed and polished prior to being made available to job seekers to ensure proper categorization, content, and completeness.Job seekers may view posted positions by entering search criteria into a search engine to produce a list of jobs matching the criteria. Job seekers may also browse listed positions by clicking through a series of categories that describe an academic discipline or administrative department. The system and method also provides tools which allow the job seeker to upload resumes, curriculum vitae, cover letters, and other relevant documents and connects the job seeker to a docketing system to schedule events related to the job seeking campaign.
US08548925B2
Improved computer-implemented techniques for providing relevant information to mobile electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, usage of mobile electronic devices can be monitored and usage data can be formed. The usage data can then be used to perform an action. The action can operate to provide more relevant information, such as digital (e.g., online) information or rewards, to the user. In one embodiment, usage of mobile electronic devices can be monitored and users of such mobile electronic devices can be provided with rewards based on their usage. Another aspect pertains to monitoring locations of a mobile electronic device for a duration of time and then providing location-specific information based on the locations of the device.
US08548922B2
System and method for a private and secure payment system between two parties using a central system
A private and secure payment system has a portable wireless device belonging to party A with a payment function and a central system that is used to effect a private and secure payment transaction to a party B. At time of payment transaction from party A to party B, a party B identification and a payment amount is entered into the wireless device, a data record including at-least the party B's identification, the payment amount and the wireless device identification is transferred over the global network to the central system. The central system assembles payment transaction records from the party A pre-stored bank account data, to a central system bank and from the central system bank to a party B's bank account identification for submission to an automated clearing house and receives a payment approval record and sends a notification to the party A and party B's e-mail addresses.
US08548911B2
Methods and apparatus according to the invention are directed towards providing a client support in the wake of a disaster impacting a locale. Support may include transporting support-means to the locale, authenticating identification of the client, interfacing with an entity administering an account for the client, and facilitating access by the client to the account. The methods and apparatus may also provide support of non-account-related disaster-relief efforts associated with the locale.
US08548908B2
Methods, systems, and machine readable media are disclosed for utilizing mobile electronic devices in various types of financial transactions. According to one embodiment, a system for supporting mobile commerce applications can include a management and control layer. The management and control layer can be adapted to control communications to and from mobile wallet applications. The system can also have a gateway services layer communicatively coupled with the management and control layer and a plurality of content provider systems communicatively coupled with the gateway services layer. The content provider systems can be adapted to provide financial transaction content or services related to the mobile commerce functions of the mobile wallet applications via the management and control layer and gateway services layer.
US08548907B1
A system and method for converting any and all types of paper money orders into electronic money orders, for retrieval subject to authorization. It allows a customer to make online purchases of goods and services, or pay bills, with an electronic money order. Electronic money orders can be used by a customer online to purchase goods and services from online vendors. The customer will be able to keep his or her electronic money order account active by adding any and all types of paper money orders to the account.
US08548901B1
The present invention relates to various methods, software programs, and systems for managing one or more liabilities. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, software programs, and systems for managing debt in the form of at least one credit issued by a borrower.
US08548891B1
A method for funding the purchase or construction of a real or personal property through issuing preferred stock is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a computer that is programmed to forecast multi-year financial results of a consolidated company, receiving inputs relating to market variables, and generating outputs forecasting incremental cash flow, earnings, and balance sheet liabilities to the consolidated company. The method further includes determining whether to issue common stock and preferred stock for financing a stock issuer's purchase or construction of the financed property by comparing the outputs with financial results attributable to leasing the financed property from an unrelated third party or purchasing the financed property using proceeds of a third party loan secured by the financed property.
US08548888B2
A method and apparatus for displaying a financial asset risk-return profile is disclosed. The method includes determining the length of a period; computing an integer number of intervals in a date range set, an interval being an integer multiple of the length of the period; for each interval, computing the number of interval sub-sets in the date range set, each interval sub-set spanning the time spanned by a corresponding interval; for each interval, computing a metric of the interval sub-sets; and for each interval, displaying the computed metric. The displayed financial asset risk-return profile includes a total return component and a hold time component of risk.
US08548887B2
A method of evaluating the performance of a family of target date funds. A model of the family is constructed using realized rates of return (“returns”) for an evaluation period for each of the funds. The returns for each fund are assigned to the periods of the model corresponding to the periods during which the return was realized by the fund. An estimate of the wealth generated by the family may be determined as a function of the returns assigned to the model and a pattern of contributions. A benchmark portfolio may be selected and used to construct a model of the benchmark portfolio having the same number of periods as the model of the family. The model of the benchmark and the pattern of contributions may be used to determine wealth generated by the benchmark portfolio, which may be compared to the estimate of wealth generated by the family.
US08548882B2
A method and associated system comprise obtaining historical auction data, determining, from the historical auction data, a first parameter that is a function of a joint bid distribution and a density function related to the joint bid distribution, selecting a bidder, obtaining a value distribution for the selected bidder, and solving an equation. The equation may include the first parameter and the selected bidder's value distribution, and not the value distribution of other bidders. The equation computes a bid value associated with the selected bidder for a given bid.
US08548868B1
The present invention is a method and apparatus for buyers to specify goods and services then aggregate demand to reduce price and minimize seller surplus. This enables consumers and small organizations to specify and obtain goods and services on terms usually available only to large organizations. An author can draft a RFQ or RFP then solicit comments and endorsements from opinion leaders who influence demand. The author will then publish the RFQ or RFP globally to prospective buyers to solicit binding commitments then offer the RFQ or RFP globally to prospective sellers to solicit binding bids. As the bid price declines the number of buyers will increase motivating a further reduction in bid price. The author can accept or reject each bid or make a counter-offer. If a bid is accepted, payment is exchanged for the specified goods and services.
US08548866B2
Various embodiments include a method and system to request supplemental trust information (STI), from over a network, from a third party trust provider. The requesting uses a first predetermined criterion from an item listing that describes a particular item that is offered for sale on a network-based marketplace. The STI includes history information for the particular item that is generated by the third party trust provider. The system then stores and presents at least a portion of the STI.
US08548864B2
A method, a computer program product, and an apparatus for managing transmission of information are provided. A determination is made as to whether a pattern in a set of patterns is present in the information to be transmitted by a first user. Responsive to a determination that the pattern in the set of patterns is present in the information to be transmitted, the information is inhibited from being transmitted by the first user. A request is sent to a mobile device of a second user for an approval of the information to be transmitted. Responsive to receiving the approval of the information to be transmitted from the second user, the information is transmitted.
US08548863B2
A system and method permits the selection of services from multiple cloud vendors. The system receives parameters relating to a plurality of services offered by a plurality of vendors in a plurality of cloud computing environments. The parameters relate to an actual cost charged by each of the vendors and a cost relating to an environmental impact of each of the vendors. The system calculates a value for each of the vendors as a function of the received parameters, and selects one or more vendors as a function of the calculated value. The system outputs to a display device one or more of the selected vendors and the calculated values for each of the vendors. In another embodiment, the system establishes a communication connection with one or more of the cloud computing environments, and invokes one or more applications or services from the one or more cloud computing environments.
US08548858B2
A system and method for detecting fraud when facilitating a payment transaction over a global wide area network. The method comprises receiving a sale information, receiving a payment information from a buyer, and analyzing a transaction information for fraud. If the analyzing indicates fraud, an enhanced transaction information is communicated to a human for fraud analysis. In one embodiment, the method comprises performing rule-based analyses to determine whether the transaction appears to be fraudulent. Rule-based analyses may include suspect data rules and velocity rules. Velocity rules generally determine whether there has been excessive activity that may lead to a conclusion that the transaction may be fraudulent. Suspect data rules are used to determine whether the billing, shipping, selling addresses, telephone numbers, and account numbers, and other data are in a syntactically correct format and whether they exist. In one embodiment, the method further comprises performing simple screening of the transaction information. In one embodiment, the method further comprises seeking approval from a third party such as a financial institution based on the payment information. The method may be implemented as part of a system that includes personal computers, server computers, and other personal computing devices, some of which may communicate over the Internet, and others which may communicate via dedicated communication lines.
US08548856B2
An apparatus, a system and a method for displaying a visual signal that requests a good and/or service are provided. The system and the method have a communication device having a screen to display a signal that requests the good and/or the service. The signal may be, for example, a logo, a text, a picture, a color, and/or a shape. The signal may describe, characterize or otherwise relate to the good and/or the service requested by a user. Further, the communication device may access, connect to and/or be in communication with a database storing the signal. The communication device may input information into the database relating to a user of the communication device. The communication device may design, modify and/or transmit the visual using a server and/or a network. The communication device may have a memory for storing and/or accessing the signal. The screen of the communication device may emit the signal.
US08548855B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for generating and utilizing photo advertisements (“ads”). In one embodiment, a photo check-in process is performed for a user located within a geographic check-in zone which results in a photo advertisement that is utilized as a photo check-in for the user. In another embodiment, a photo advertisement is posted as a status update for a user via a social networking service. In another embodiment, photo advertisements are created by users and stored for subsequent use in serving ad requests.
US08548853B2
A peer-to-peer advertisement platform is provided to ubiquitously promote products or services supplied by advertisers across content-based applications executing on nodes in a peer-to-peer network. The peer-to-peer advertisement platform may include a registration component to register nodes in the peer-to-peer advertising platform, an advertisement submission component to receive advertisement data from the advertisers, and a distribution component to distribute the advertisement data to the nodes registered in the peer-to-peer advertisement platform. The peer-to-peer advertisement platform also includes a money sharing component to reward nodes based on a contribution level assigned to the node. Accordingly, the peer-to-peer advertisement platform stores the advertisement data locally at the plurality of nodes registered in the peer-to-peer advertising platform and shares a portion of the revenue generated from the advertisement data with the nodes registered in the peer-to-peer advertising platform.
US08548852B2
Effective virtual reality environments including in-store virtual reality environments such as supermarket aisles, store shelves, cooler displays, etc. are generated using frameworks and customer layout information. Marketing materials are integrated with the virtual reality environment while introducing imperfections and/or other cues of realism to create a virtual reality environment representation. Imperfections may include misaligned marketing materials, product label blemishes, packages placed slightly askew, etc. Sensory experiences output to the user via the virtual reality environment representation elicit interactivity with a user and user movements, motions, and responses are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the marketing materials and/or the virtual reality environment representations.
US08548850B2
A method, system, and program for providing consumer healthy habits incentives are provided. A consumable item, consumed by an individual, is detected. A health factor is detected for the consumable item. An electronic incentive is selected for the individual according to the health factor, such that the individual is encouraged to consume a healthy selection of consumable items. An electronic incentive may be further specified according to the personal health history, exercise history and consumption history of an individual.
US08548848B1
Systems and methods for pre-loading and displaying intervening content, such as advertisements, on a mobile device during latency periods, such as when an advertiser landing page is requested by that device, are provided herein. Intervening content may be pre-loaded on to the device and associated with one or more particular advertisements such that selecting/interacting with the associated advertisement triggers intervening content display during known or detected periods of latency. In some cases, a latency threshold or thresholds may determine one or more types of content to present, and/or a content presentation sequence.
US08548841B1
A method for comparing a hospital's existing supply expenses to another hospital's existing supply expenses is described. The method includes determining a number of patient cases (Ci) associated with each diagnosis related classification (DRCi) from a plurality of DRCis, receiving a supply mix index weight (SMIi) value for each DRCi from the plurality of DRCis, and determining, with a processor, a weighted supply mix index value for each of the plurality of DRCis based on the SMIi value for each DRCi and the Ci for the corresponding DRCi. The method also includes determining an overall HCP supply mix index (HCPSMI) for the hospital based on the sum of the weighted supply mix index value for each of the plurality of DRCis and the sum of Ci for each of the plurality of DRCis, and outputting the HCPSMI for the hospital. Other methods, systems, and machine-readable media are also described.
US08548837B2
A method and system is provided to manage and track changes in enterprise architectures. The invention provides a hierarchical visual management tool to manage and update relational information within an enterprise in a controlled fashion. The relationship may be maintained in a database and displayed via graphical user interface. Enterprise assets are categorized into such categories as goals, customer values or requirements, capabilities, resources, and the like. A hierarchy is constructed so that relationships between these various categories are identified and captured using the invention. Weights may be assigned to each element of the categories so that any proposed change to an enterprise architecture may be viewed so that a value can be ascertained and compared between other values of other proposed changes. In this manner, tracking and management of evolutionary changes to an architecture may be accomplished using relational information.
US08548836B2
Disclosed is a business driven learning solution and related methods for managing the learning and training needs of a sales-oriented organization in a manner that is in responsive to dynamic business needs. The invention employs modules of interrelated and interdependent business processes for the identification and prioritization of learning needs, the selection of learning approaches, the development of learning content, the coordination and delivery of learning instruction, and the overall management and administration learning efforts. Embodiments of the inventions disclosed include sales training objects to provide a template for sales training that is focused on a solution, and how to position and sell the solution, rather than on the products that make up the solution. As a result, the sales force is educated, understands the customers' business requirements, and is able to craft specific value propositions to a given customer with respect to that solution. Thus, the training is customer-centric as opposed to product-centric.
US08548833B2
In the present invention, an insurance product, rating system and method generally relates to a rating and pricing system for quantifying the risk that the annual savings will not fall below specified levels associated with implementing and maintaining economic improvements. The product, system and method can be applied to various industries, including, power generation, petro-chemical, manufacturing and refining facilities. Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for determining optimal risk acceptance values associated with implementing an economic improvement plan for a facility.
US08548826B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon for protocol driven image acquisition are provided. In embodiments, a protocol is received by an image capturing device. The protocol comprises orders from a clinician, a workflow for capturing at least one image, or a combination thereof. At least one field for receiving metadata to be associated with the at least one image allows structured documentation to begin on the image capturing device. The at least one image and associated metadata are communicated to a medical information system. A patient is identified by the metadata or an existing patient to device association and the at least one image is associated with an electronic medical record for the patient.
US08548823B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for modifying neuropsychiatric treatment plans based on efficacy of treatment. A current treatment plan comprising a first set of therapies to treat a set of neuropsychiatric conditions and portions of the medical literature associated with the set of neuropsychiatric conditions is retrieved. A set of brain scans of the patient is analyzed to determine a set of changes over time associated with the set of neuropsychiatric conditions. The portions of the medical literature and the set of changes are analyzed to determine a patient rate of response to the treatment plan. If the patient rate of response falls below a threshold expected rate, a set of alternative treatments for the patient is identified. A modified treatment plan is generated using the set of alternative treatments.
US08548820B2
Methods, systems, and products target advertisements to users. Clickstream data is received and compared to a purchase history. When a common attribute is determined, an advertisement associated with the attribute is retrieved and targeted to a user.
US08548812B2
A method and apparatus for detecting use of an utterance. A voice session including voice signals generated during a conversation between a first participant and a second participant is monitored by a speech analytics processor. The speech analytics processor detects the use of an utterance. A speech recognition processor channel selected from a pool of speech recognition processor channels and is coupled to the voice session. The speech recognition processor provided speech recognition services to a voice-enabled application. The speech recognition processor channel is then decoupled from the voice session. The speech analytics processor continues to monitor the conversation for subsequent use of the utterance.
US08548806B2
A voice recognition device, a voice recognition method and a voice recognition program capable of appropriately restricting recognition objects based on voice input from a user to recognize the input voice with accuracy are provided. The voice recognition device includes a first voice recognition processing unit for executing processing of assigning weights of a first ratio to a sound score and a language score calculated for the input voice and recognizing the voice using the obtained scores to determine a type of a domain representing the control object based on a result of the processing, and a second voice recognition processing unit, using the domain of the determined type as a recognition object, for executing processing of assigning weights of a second ratio to the sound score and the language score calculated for the input voice, the weight on the sound score being greater in the second ratio than in the first ratio, and recognizing the voice using the obtained scores to determine the control content of the control object based on a result of the processing.
US08548804B2
This invention relates to generation of a sample error coefficient suitable for use in an audio signal quality assessment system. The invention provides a method of determining a sample error coefficient between a first signal and a similar second signal comprising the steps of: determining a first periodicity measure from the first signal; determining a second periodicity measure from the second signal; generating a ratio in dependence upon said first periodicity measure and said second periodicity measure; and determining a sampling rate error coefficient in dependence upon said ratio.
US08548795B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for translating a document in an input language into an output language comprising: a) for each document fragment for which a translation is readily available, translating said document fragment based on said readily available translation; and b) for each remaining untranslated fragment for which a translation is not readily available, translating said untranslated fragment based on a model-based machine translation technique. A translation is readily available if a search reveals at least one matching translation for the document fragment in a translation database.
US08548789B2
A method for modeling a nuclear reactor core that follows the history of each fuel pin and employs fuel pin flux form factors to explicitly track each fuel pin's fluence and burnup along its axial length and uses this information to obtain fundamental data for each fuel rod, i.e. fuel rod cross-sections, for each fuel pin segment. The data obtained for the fuel pins segments are employed to adjust the fuel pin flux form factors to match the real fuel pins' history so that the fuel rod power distribution can be precisely calculated based on the fuel rod cross-sections and the flux form factors.
US08548785B2
A CO2 sequestration site is evaluated by incorporating a consistent petrophysical framework having uncertainties expressed in the form of probability density functions of wellbore measurements, by systematically propagating the uncertainties in generating probability density functions or cumulative distribution functions of the parameters used in a reservoir simulation, by using the reservoir simulation to transform the first set of parameters into output variables with uncertainties, and by using the output variables and uncertainties to generate an answer product from which uncertainty levels of performance metrics can be ascertained.
US08548784B2
A method to predict tars and tar sands in petroleum exploration and production in a subsurface volume by building a viscoelastic property model of the volume using rock behavior including tars together with seismic inversion to derive a lithology volume identifying tars.
US08548783B2
Systems and methods are provided for use in predicting sand production in a geomechanical reservoir system. Computation of the sand production predictions can include solving a system of partial differential equations that model the geomechanical reservoir system. Systems and methods also are provided for use in operating a geomechanical reservoir system based on the sand production prediction for controlling sand production in the geomechanical reservoir system.
US08548779B2
The invention relates to a method for determining a position for and positioning a detection device (E) of a navigation system. First, a computer simulation of a system is done that comprises a robot (R) which has first markers (M1) of a navigation system or first prominent points, a three-dimensional object (P) which has second markers (M2) of the navigation system or second prominent points, and a detection device (E) of the navigation system. Various positions of the robot (R), the object (P), and/or the detection device (E) are simulated, and the quality of the detectability of the first markers (M1) or the first prominent points on the robot (R) and/or the second markers (M2) or the second prominent points on the object (P) are automatically determined for the simulated positions by means of the detection device (E). The determined qualities and the corresponding simulated positions and/or the simulated position having the highest or at least a sufficiently high determined quality is/are output.
US08548775B2
A method for designing a device and/or bio material for implanting in tissues of the human or animal body, comprising the acquisition of a digital image of the structure of the recipient tissue and its breakdown and processing in fractal elements that enable the classification of the type of tissue and the design of the device and/or biomaterial so as to achieve an optimal coupling for the purposes of the integration and the stability of the implant in the tissue. An automatic and simplified procedure is also described, based on the analysis of the image of the tissues with a view to providing indications on the most suitable device and/or biomaterial to choose for a implant.
US08548772B2
An automatic method for identifying biological samples that are collected using the wrong blood preservative for subsequent analytical testing. The method also provides for identification and/or suppression of certain analytical test results that are substantially or partly adversely affected. The invention is particularly suited for use in point-of-care medical diagnostic testing.
US08548766B2
A method that compensates gyroscopes comprises rotating a sensor platform with three gyroscopes, three accelerometers and three magnetometers thereon; determining a first rotation vector Og based upon the rotation sensed by at least one of the three gyroscopes; determining a second rotation vector Om vector based upon the rotation sensed by the three accelerometers and the three magnetometers; and determining a compensation gain and a compensation bias for the at least one gyroscope based upon the first rotation vector and the second rotation vector.
US08548760B2
An apparatus and a method for detecting a nonlinearity in a cable plant and for determining cable length to a source of the nonlinearity are disclosed. Upstream signal peaks are detected by averaging upstream signal waveforms. The upstream signal peaks are generated at the source of the nonlinearity from naturally occurring downstream signal peaks propagating in the cable plant. The downstream signal peaks occur due to constructive superposition of the downstream channel signals. Acquisition of the upstream signal waveforms is triggered by the downstream signal peaks. The cable length to the source of nonlinearity is determined from a time delay between the downstream signal peaks and the upstream signal peaks.
US08548753B2
A process fluid flow measurement device includes a fluid flow member having an inlet with a first diameter and a throat with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. A first process fluid pressure tap is disposed proximate the inlet and a second process fluid pressure tap is disposed proximate the throat. A differential pressure sensor is operably coupled to the first and second process fluid pressure taps. Differential pressure measurement circuitry is coupled to the differential pressure sensor to provide a differential pressure signal related to a difference in pressure between process fluid pressure at the first and second taps. A process fluid velocity measurement device is positioned in the throat to measure a velocity of process fluid flowing therethrough and provide a fluid velocity indication. The differential pressure sensor signal and the fluid velocity indication are used to provide a calculated indication of fluid flow. This calculated indication can be relative to multiphasic fluids such as two-phase or three-phase fluids.
US08548750B1
Path classification and estimation method and system used in combination with a computer and memory for prognosticating the remaining useful life of an asset by classifying a current degradation path of a current asset as belonging to one or more of previously collected degradation paths of exemplary assets and using the resulting classifications to estimate the remaining useful life of the current asset.
US08548746B2
The present invention relates to methods for monitoring differential expression of a plurality of genes in a first filamentous fungal cell relative to expression of the same genes in one or more second filamentous fungal cells using microarrays containing Trichoderma reesei ESTs or SSH clones, or a combination thereof. The present invention also relates to computer readable media and substrates containing such array features for monitoring expression of a plurality of genes in filamentous fungal cells.
US08548737B2
A navigation apparatus comprises a map display control unit that displays a map on a display monitor, a voice information outputting unit that outputs voice information related to traveling of a vehicle, and a highlighting unit that highlights a part of the map that corresponds to the voice information in synchronization with output of the voice information by the voice information outputting unit.
US08548735B2
Location information is used to build a database of locations having associated audio, video, image or text data. In some implementations, a device includes a touch-sensitive display and collects data associated with a geographic location of interest. The geographic location of interest can be displayed on a map using an indicator. A touch selection of the indicator provides access to the data through an interface displayed on the touch-sensitive display. One or more locations of interest can be displayed and grouped together by an attribute.
US08548732B2
A travel-estimated road, which a vehicle is estimated to travel, intersects with a cross road at an intersection. A search area shaped of a sector centering on the intersection is defined to have a central angle to include an extending direction of the cross road. An arc intersecting point is then defined where an outer circumference arc of the search area intersects with the cross road. A display position of the road name of the cross road on a road map is determined based on a line segment between the intersection and the arc intersecting point. Thus, the road name of the cross road can be displayed in a position, which is in proximity to the travel-estimated road so as to allow a user to clearly recognize that the displayed road name indicates the cross road irrespective of the configuration of the cross road.
US08548731B2
A navigation system is described comprising at least a first and a second navigation device (201A, 201B) that each is capable of determining an initial estimation (P1A, P1B) of their own position,—the first navigation device (201A) having a facility (225A) for transmitting its relevant navigation information (P1A) to the second navigation device (201B),—the second navigation device (201B) having a facility (225B) for receiving the relevant navigation information (P1A),—at least one of the first and second navigation device (201A, 201B) having a facility (210A, 210B) for providing a proximity signal (Spr, S′pr) that indicates whether the first and second navigation device are within proximity of each other,—the second navigation device having a dead reckoning facility (210B) for calculating the initial estimation (P1B) of its position and a facility (250B) for improving an accuracy of estimating its own position using relevant navigation information (P1A) provided by the first navigation device (201A) for positions for which the proximity signal (Spr) was given.
US08548726B2
A marker system and method are provided that can determine a shape and an axial location of a rotationally symmetrical hole in an instrument having a plurality of instrument markers.
US08548719B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for identifying a first location, at time one, of a plurality of automobiles using cell phone tower triangulation to locate a cell phone within each of the plurality of automobiles, identifying a second location, at time two, for each of the plurality of automobiles using cell phone tower triangulation to locate the cell phone within each of the plurality of automobiles, calculating a vehicle speed for each of the plurality of automobiles using the first and second locations already identified, and creating a traffic condition measure for a route in proximity to the first and second locations. The computer program product may repeat this process in real-time to calculate a real-time traffic condition measure that may be a traffic density measure the computer program product may use to predict a travel time.
US08548717B2
A method for performing an intake manifold injection for at least one combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, at least one intake valve being connected to an intake port, at least one exhaust valve and at least one injector being assigned to at least one combustion chamber, fuel being injected into the at least one intake port by the at least one injector during an injection time, the injection time being started after the closing of the at least one exhaust valve and terminated before the closing of the at least one intake valve for performing the method.
US08548714B2
According to this invention, artificial force gradient means (9a) of a throttle control lever (4) for a turbo-engine comprise means (17) for adjusting the intensity of the artificial force gradient.
US08548709B2
A radar sensor detects a traveling state of a host vehicle. An inter-vehicle control ECU gives the amount of operation for the predetermined amount of control of the host vehicle so that the traveling state of the host vehicle detected by the radar sensor becomes a predetermined state. The amount of operation given by the inter-vehicle control ECU is reduced as a kind of restriction when the amount of operation given by the inter-vehicle control ECU becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value. As a result, it is possible to reduce the dependence of the driver on the device.
US08548704B2
This invention is a lock-up clutch control device for an automatic transmission, comprising lock-up clutch control means for controlling a slip amount of the lock-up clutch to a target slip amount. When a variation rate in a required load of an engine reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the target slip amount is increased at a predetermined increase rate, whereupon the target slip amount, having been increased by target slip amount increasing means, is reduced at a predetermined reduction rate. At this time, the predetermined reduction rate is set to decrease as an operating condition when the variation rate of the required load reaches or exceeds the predetermined threshold approaches an operating condition in which an increase rate of a rotation speed on the automatic transmission side of a torque converter relative to an increase in the required load is low.
US08548699B2
A control system for a transmission includes a pressure control module and a pressure adapt module. The pressure control module operates a hydraulic control system of the transmission at a target pressure during steady-state operation of the transmission. The target pressure is based on first and second learned pressures for different predetermined first and second torque ranges. The pressure adapt module selectively adjusts at least one of the first learned pressure and the second learned pressure based on a first pressure at which a slip condition of the transmission occurs. The first and second learned pressures define a learned pressure gain and offset. When adjusting the first and second learned pressures, the pressure adapt module limits increases and decreases in the learned pressure gain offset based on a predetermined pressure gain and offset. A method is also provided.
US08548693B2
A control device for a work machine on a construction vehicle is provided so that a bucket cylinder is stopped at a target position, with high accuracy achieved in a bucket cylinder length, and with chock held down to a low level. A bucket cylinder length detection section refereces a cylinder length detection table on the basis of a boom angle and a bell crank angle, thereby detecting a bucket cylinder length. A bucket attitude control section controls the bucket cylinder length so that a target position will be reached. Feedback control is performed until a set value which is set short of a target value is reached. After the bucket cylinder length reaches the set value, open loop control is performed until the target value is reached.
US08548676B2
A vehicle braking device including a braking operation judging unit that judges that a braking operation is input when a fluid pressure detected by a pressure detecting sensor is not smaller than a threshold value set in advance in a process of a first mode in which it is judged that the device normally operates, and judges that the braking operation is input when judging that wheel deceleration of a tire detected by a wheel speed detecting sensor is larger than a threshold value in a process of a second mode in which it is judged the pressure detecting sensor does not normally detect a pressure or it is judged that a failure occurs in the fluid pressure, and a control unit puts a brake lamp arranged on a vehicle body into a lighting state from a non-lighting state when it is judged that the braking operation is input.
US08548674B2
The present invention is directed toward a cellular phone that connects to an existing vehicle data link to perform the functions of an off-board device, such as a scan tool, for displaying diagnostic information relating to vehicles. In addition, the cellular phone connects to a starter/charger system and/or a battery to perform the functions of a starter/charger/battery testing device. Such a device allows a user to connect the cellular phone to a data link connector located in a vehicle, download software to either an adaptor or the cellular phone, retrieve information relating to diagnostic tests on the vehicle and view the results on the cellular phone display, and/or communicate the results to another person or device.
US08548673B2
A system for assessing a toll on a vehicle traveling past a toll station in which a tag mounted on the vehicle transmits an output signal having data representative of the fuel consumption of the vehicle and the identity of an account associated with the tag. A receiver at the toll station receives the output signal from the tag and provides the received data to a processor. The processor then calculates a toll which varies as a function of the data and thus of the fuel consumption of the vehicle and then assesses that toll to the account.
US08548660B2
A method for allocating energy within a vehicle comprises calculating an energy forecast for the vehicle based upon a plurality of strategy variables in a vehicle controller. The plurality of strategy variables includes driver profile information, GPS information, ESS information, environment information, accessory information, and system default parameters. The controller calculates a charging strategy based upon the energy forecast and the plurality of strategy variables and determines a control strategy for energy allocation based upon the strategy variables, energy forecast, and charging strategy. The energy is allocated to the vehicle systems based upon the control strategy.
US08548657B2
A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a generator motor, a capacitor, and a driving force assisting unit. Further, the control device includes a switching unit that selects an appropriate traveling range from a plurality of traveling ranges including at least a normal traveling range and a charging priority range for preferentially charging the capacitor and switches the range, and a threshold value increasing unit that increases, when the charging priority range is selected by the switching unit, the predetermined determination threshold value as compared to when the normal traveling range is selected by the switching unit.
US08548656B1
An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) uses a model of propulsive efficiency to achieve high values of propulsive efficiency over a range of forward velocities, giving a lowered energy drain on the battery. Externally monitored information, such as that on flow velocity, is conveyed to an apparatus residing in the vehicle's control unit, which in turn signals the locomotive unit to adopt kinematics, such as fin frequency and amplitude, associated with optimal propulsion efficiency. In an embodiment, the model of propulsive efficiency is generated from a multilayer perception neural network model using data from aquatic species, such as undulatory fin propulsion in the knifefish (Xenomystus nigri), and a sensitivity analysis is used to lower the number of required inputs. Power savings could protract vehicle operational life and/or provide more power to other functions, such as communications.
US08548646B1
A distributed hardware system for unmanned vehicles is provided, comprising a plurality of electronic hardware modules in communication via a vehicle control network. Each module is enabled to: communicate with one another, issue requests for information from a central control module, and transmit data over the network in a common format to perform respective tasks; and at least one of: independently sense one or more of: a respective status of the distributed hardware system and at least one respective environmental parameter; and independently control the respective function of a vehicle. A portion of the modules can enabled to: be removed and inserted from the distributed hardware system as plug and play modules; and determine when at least one of the modules is removed/inserted from the distributed hardware system and transition to a corresponding state. The system also includes a power management system which includes capacity monitoring and hot-swap capabilities.
US08548645B2
A keyless ignition start system in which authentication of a coded key fob is carried out twice, first to activate the ignition switch to allow starting the engine and second at the time when the brake pedal is depressed to put the car in a drive gear. The two step authentication prevents driving off a car which has been started without having the key fob for security purposes and also to avoid inconvenient situations that can otherwise occur.
US08548644B2
A communication method is implemented in an on-board network between a master station (M) and a plurality of slave stations (S1, S2, S3, S4), of the type of those compatible with the standard Local Interconnect Network (LIN) protocol in which data frames are sent by the slave stations on a serial bus in response to the sending by the master station of identifiers representative of the required content of the frames. All or part of each of the specific data frames attached to the same predetermined identifier is formed sequentially by each of the slave stations. This enables an optimisation of the load on a LIN network, thus enabling use of this economical standard for all “passenger compartment functions”, and in particular for the management of AFS type advanced lighting systems.
US08548643B2
An information providing device for a vehicle is provided in which when the subject vehicle (VA) transmits to a base station (20) subject vehicle information including the position, speed of travel, and direction of travel of the subject vehicle (VA), moving object information including the position, speed of travel, and direction of travel of a detected vehicle (VB), and time information including the time at which the above has been obtained, the base station (20) calculates the probability of the presence of the detected vehicle (VB) on map data based on each of the above-mentioned pieces of information and transmits to the subject vehicle (VA) prediction information about the detected vehicle (VB) present in an intersection, including the subject vehicle position, based on the subject vehicle position and the probability of the presence of the detected vehicle (VB). This enables the avoidance of an intersection collision with the detected vehicle (VB) by issuing an alert or warning to an occupant of the subject vehicle (VA) based on the prediction information. During this process, since it is unnecessary for the detected vehicle (VB) to include the same equipments with the subject vehicle (VA), it is possible for the subject vehicle (VA) to avoid an intersection collision with all the detected vehicle (VB) including a vehicle which has no device such as inter-vehicle communication means and, moreover, since it is unnecessary to provide infrastructure for each intersection, realization is possible at a low cost.
US08548633B2
A heat sink for a handheld device is formed as a one piece chassis for supporting heat-producing circuits inside the device while having heat radiating surfaces outside the device. In another embodiment a battery pack control circuit under microprocessor control allows battery packs having different battery chemistries and characteristics to be interchanged in the same device without switches or adapters. Control of operating modes of the device despite changes in the battery pack including battery chemistry, state of charge, available voltage, or desired operating mode are automatic. The microprocessor measures the battery pack characteristics, using look up tables in a suitable program to adjust the circuit operating modes. The microprocessor also responds to sequential switch contact closures in setting operating modes.
US08548629B2
The invention relates to an X-ray device (2) for a medical workplace (1, 21). The X-ray device (2) comprises a robot (R) with a plurality of axes (9), a control device (10) for controlling the axes (9) for movement of the robot (R), and a fastening device (8), and a support device (11) disposed at the fastening device (8), said support device comprising an X-ray radiation source (12) and an X-ray radiation receiver (14). A 3D model (15, 15a) of the robot (R) and the support device (11) provided is stored in the control device (10), said 3D model modeling the spatial extension of the robot (R) and the support device (11) during movement of the robot (R). The 3D model (15,15a) also models the spatial extension of at least one other device (3, 4, R2) of the medical workplace (1, 21) and/or of a living organism (5) located within the medical workplace (1, 21). The control device (10) recognizes a potential collision of the X-ray device (2) with the other device (3, 4, R2) and/or the living organism (5) based on the 3D model (15,15a) and prompts the robot (R) to take action to avoid the potential collision.
US08548626B2
A method and device for manipulating an object is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a gripping device configured to grasp the object includes a housing, a jamming material inside the housing, a first actuator to actuate the jamming material, a first pressure activation device disposed on a first outer portion of the housing and configured to exert a constricting force on the first outer portion of the housing, and a second actuator to actuate the first pressure activation device. After the end effector is pressed against the object, the second actuator actuates the first pressure activation device to exert an inward force on the first outer portion of the housing and the first actuator actuates the jamming material to grasp the object.
US08548625B2
An optical vend sensing system for use in vending machines employs a row of light emitters on one side of a region through which a vend product passes during delivery and a row of light detectors on the opposite side. Each detector is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of the emitters, and is capable of receiving light from any of more than one of the emitters when that emitter is activated. The emitters are individually activated in sequential, round-robin fashion and multiple detectors are monitored for each emitter when activated. Interruption of detectible beams between an activated emitter and one of the multiple emitters monitored for the activated emitter. Power applied to an activated emitter is calibrated in steps to a minimum level sufficient to ensure detection by all monitored detectors of light emitted by an activated emitter, plus a safety margin.
US08548623B2
Dispensing devices and systems for oral transmucosal administration of small volume drug dosage forms to the oral mucosa are provided. The dispensing device may be a single dose applicator (SDA), or an electromechanical device comprising a means for patient identification such as a wrist worn RFID tag and annular bidirectional antenna together with a lock-out feature.
US08548620B2
Customization systems and methods are described in relation to performance devices and apparatus using a closed-loop feedback process for exploration, design and improvement of devices including performance devices. Crowdsourced knowledge bases, iterative improvements and centralized statistical, semantical and other technical analyses are employed to modify a baseline design. A baseline model defining modifications to a base device necessary to obtain a master device including modifications calculated to improve performance of the master device over the base device. Manufacturing instructions including CNC code can be produced and used to causes the production machine to manufacture the customized device. A design-to-order system is described as having of a simplified user interface, a queuing system, CAD/CAM capability and a repository of stored baseline models.
US08548619B2
A maintenance system for an assembly comprises a storage medium containing an as-built computer-aided design model of the assembly, a displaying means for displaying the as-built computer-aided design model, a metrology device for measuring a location of at least one characteristic of the assembly and creating as-built data regarding the location, and a replacing means for replacing a part of the assembly with a replacement part. The replacing means determines the location for the replacement part on the assembly by analyzing the as-built computer-aided design model and the data created by the metrology device.
US08548616B2
A digital audio device has a plurality of input ports that are provided with a plurality of digital audio signals. A plurality of extraction parts extract a clock signal from the digital audio signal, when the clock signal is superimposed in the digital audio signal provided to corresponding input ports. A first selection part selects the extracted clock signal as a word clock when the clock signal is extracted by any one of the plurality of the extraction parts. A frequency storage part stores a frequency of the clock signal selected by the first selection part. An internal clock generator outputs a clock signal having a frequency as specified. A second selection part selects the clock signal output from the internal clock generator as a word clock when no clock signal is extracted by the plurality of the extraction parts, the frequency of the clock signal output from the internal clock generator being set to the frequency stored in the frequency storage part. A reception part receives the digital audio signals provided to the plurality of the input ports in synchronization with the word clock selected by one of the first selection part and the second selection part.
US08548613B2
There are provided systems and methods for an interactive device for interaction with a user of a media device, wherein the interactive device and the media device are operable to communicate with a server having a memory storing a plurality of states including a present state of the media device playing a media. The interactive device comprises a peripheral hardware for interaction with the user of the media device and a processor configured to establish a communication with the server, obtain the present state of the media device from the server, select an action in response to the present state of the media, and execute the action using the peripheral hardware for interaction with the user of the media device. The interactive device can operate independently of the server or with several interactive devices connected to the server.
US08548603B2
A medical device for placing a medical lead in the human body using minimally invasive techniques is described. One lead includes a lead body connected to a lead head having an aperture for providing fiber optic access to the interior of a helical electrode. The fiber optic shaft may be disposed within or along-side a drive shaft releasably coupled to the head to rotate the head. The drive shaft and lead body may be delivered using a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter can be advanced though a small incision to the target tissue site, and the site remotely visualized through the fiber optic scope extending through the lead head aperture. Some catheters include a distal mapping electrode readable from the catheter proximal portion or handle. The lead head can be rotated, rotating the helical electrode into the tissue, and the catheter, drive shaft, and fiber optic probe removed. In one use, epicardial pacing leads are placed on the posterior surface of the heart, aided by visualization and mapping to obtain optimal electrode placement and patient outcome.
US08548600B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.
US08548598B2
Provided is a nerve stimulation apparatus that is capable of performing effective nerve stimulation depending on a therapeutic purpose without adversely affecting a heart. Further provided is a nerve stimulation apparatus including: a stimulation-pulse output unit that outputs a stimulation pulse; a cardiac-event detector that detects a cardiac event; and a controller that controls the stimulation-signal output unit so as to output, during a cardiac refractory period, the nerve stimulation signal having an intensity that corresponds to the heart rate obtained on the basis of the cardiac event detected by the cardiac-event detector.
US08548597B2
Methods and devices for inductively coupled implants on the human or animal body are disclosed. An external coil assembly to be used with the implant has a transmitting coil and one or more receiving coils. The number of the receiving coils, their distance from the transmitting coil and their shape is chosen to reduce the influence of a noise signal received by the external coil assembly.
US08548596B2
A therapy program is modified to decompose an electrical stimulation signal defined by the therapy program into a plurality of sub-signals based on a comparison between an energy associated with the stimulation signal and a threshold value. An electrical stimulation signal defined by a therapy program may be decomposed into a plurality of subsignals when an electrical stimulation energy of the stimulation signal exceeds the maximum energy output of the medical device or of a channel of the medical device. The energy associated with each one of the subsignals may be less than the energy threshold value of the medical device.
US08548595B1
An exemplary method of managing cochlear implant fitting software includes a cochlear implant fitting subsystem maintaining data representative of a cochlear implant fitting software package comprising a plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, maintaining data representative of a plurality of independent licensing heuristics corresponding to the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features, and selectively enabling or disabling each cochlear implant fitting feature within the plurality of cochlear implant fitting features in accordance with the corresponding independent licensing heuristic. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.
US08548581B2
A method is generally described which includes producing a sound from a sound device capable of producing sound. The sound device is in communication with a sound data source. The sound data source is associated with at least one set of sounds. The method also includes detecting motions, by a feedback sensor device, the motions associated with the user. Further, the method includes providing information from an information source including information associated with at least one characteristic of the at least one set of sounds and providing the information to a control program configured to receive data representative of the detected motions and to receive the information. Further still, the method includes generating, by the control program, control data based on the data representative of the detected motions and the information. The control program is configured to receive data representative of the detected motions and to receive the information. The control program has a control algorithm configured to generate control data based on the data representative of the detected motions and the information. Further still, the method includes running the control program by a controller configured to output control signals based on the control data and adjusting parameters of at least one of the controller, the feedback sensor, the sound source, the information, or the control algorithm, by an adaptive system. Yet further still, the method includes delivering current from the current source to the vestibular system of the user in response to the control signals, by a vestibular stimulation device.
US08548574B2
Implementations and techniques for hybrid 2-D ECG data compression based on wavelet transforms are generally disclosed. In accordance with some implementations, a method for compressing electrocardiogram (ECG) data may include receiving a one-dimensional (1-D) ECG signal, generating a two-dimensional (2-D) ECG data array from the 1-D ECG signal, wavelet transforming the 2-D ECG data array to generate wavelet coefficients including a low frequency subband, a first intermediate frequency subband, a second intermediate frequency subband, and a high-frequency subband, and encoding the wavelet coefficients to generate compressed ECG data. Encoding the wavelet coefficients may include subjecting the low frequency subband, the first intermediate frequency subband, the second intermediate frequency subband, and the high frequency subband to different encoding schemes.
US08548572B2
Catheterization device and method of using are provided for uniquely illuminating the distal end of the device in order to visualize the end-point location and orientation and to track the movement of the catheterization device within passageways in the body. Use of the present invention by tracking in real time with an imaging device sensitive to visible to near infrared light. The invention allows the insertion and tracking of substantially any catheterization type device, for substantially any procedure requiring vascular access, such as in the placement of a PICC line, for heart catheterization or angioplasty, or for urinary track catheterization, or other bodily access procedure. The invention permits a technician to determine placement, orientation and movement of the device noninvasive equipment, without subjecting the patient to the hazards associated with ionizing radiation, radio frequency energy or significant thermal energy.
US08548570B2
The invention is directed to methods and systems of hyperspectral and multispectral imaging of medical tissues. In particular, the invention is directed to new devices, tools and processes for the detection and evaluation of diseases and disorders such as, but not limited to diabetes and peripheral vascular disease and cancer, that incorporate hyperspectral or multispectral imaging.
US08548564B2
According to various embodiments, a sensor may be placed on a patient chest adjacent to a desired position of a distal end of a tracheal tube. The sensor may be configured to emit an electromagnetic field into the patient and detect perturbations to that field caused by the presence of the tracheal tube. As the tube is inserted within the trachea, the sensor may detect the tube when the distal end passes within range of the sensor, indicating that a proper insertion depth has been reached. In certain embodiments, multiple sensors may be placed along the chest adjacent to the trachea to determine a distance between the tube and an anatomical structure. The distance information may provide an indication as to whether the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea.
US08548559B2
A method for locating a guide wire axis on a femoral neck comprises the steps of tracking a position and orientation of a femur; registering a frame of reference with respect to the position and orientation of the femur from a first registration probe mounted onto the femur in a predetermined configuration, the frame of reference having preoperative planned data pertaining to the femoral neck; digitizing femoral neck data with respect to the position and orientation of the femur from a second registration probe positioned onto the femoral neck at desired orientations; calculating a position and orientation of the guide wire axis with respect to the position and orientation of the femur as a function of the preoperative planned data and the femoral neck data.
US08548558B2
An electrode for selective attachment to at least one of a garment and a subject, is provided and includes a conductive member defining a first side and a second side; a conductive composition disposed on the first side of the conductive member, wherein the conductive composition has a first adhesive strength; a contact layer disposed on the second side of the conductive member, wherein the contact layer includes a pressure sensitive adhesive portion and a conductive hydrogel portion, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive portion has a second adhesive strength that is greater than the adhesive strength of the conductive composition; whereby the electrode is adherable to the garment and to the subject such that the conductive composition is adhered to the subject and the pressure sensitive adhesive portion is adhered to the garment, wherein removal of the garment from the subject results in removal of the electrode from the subject.
US08548551B2
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US08548541B2
This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and/or system for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display and a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor having an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver. The apparatus includes an encasement that covers at least part of the mobile computing device and enables operation of the touch screen display, an optically transmissive member coupled with the encasement and positioned to overlay the proximity sensor; and a gasket having at least one transecting element to control an angle of light transmission through the optically transmissive member and to or from the proximity sensor, and to inhibit light from the infrared transmitter from being received by the infrared receiver prior to transmission through the optically transmissive member.
US08548538B2
The invention is directed at a headset for a mobile communication device having a multi-button control and is implemented with a standard headset jack. The multi-button control is decoded by a microprocessor after which an encoded signal is then transmitted from the processor to the handset. In this manner, by using the standard jack, no additional hardware is required on the handset.
US08548531B2
A custom ringtone provisioning device is configured to determine user selectable audio options available for generating a digital audio recording based on ringtone capabilities of a mobile communication device of a user, display the available user selectable audio options for the user to select, generate the digital audio recording using the user selectable audio options selected by the user, and transmit the generated digital audio recording to a server for the server to convert the generated digital audio recording into a customized ringtone for use by the mobile communication device in alerting the user of incoming communications.
US08548530B2
A mobile terminal and an operation control method thereof in which a delay time of the screen lock execution is controlled according to the type of application, are discussed. The mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an input unit configured to receive a user input; an execution controller configured to execute screen lock if the user input is not received for a first delay time; and a change controller configured to extend the first delay time to a second delay time based on the user's gaze information.
US08548527B2
The present invention provides a mobile communication terminal that can execute, by designation by an application program, novel image conversions that cannot be executed in the conventional mobile communication terminal.The mobile communication terminal 20 includes application program execution managing means 211, displaying means 12, image display controlling means 213 and image conversion processing means 214. The image conversion processing means selectively executes, based on conversion-contents designating information received from the application program execution managing means, at least one drawing-type image conversion process of an enlargement process, a contraction process, and a pseudo semi-transparent process for partial hiding by use of a transmissive mask pattern, for the image data subject to image conversion process stored in the image data storage means 211b. The application program execution managing means 211 sends conversion-contents designating information designated by an application program in execution to the image conversion processing means, generates the drawing data from image data after a conversion process returned from the image conversion processing means, and stores the same in the drawing data storage unit 211a.
US08548512B2
A base station for a mobile communication system includes a speed detecting unit configured to detect the moving speed of a user device based on a signal received from the user device and indicating the moving speed; and a determining unit configured to select, based on the moving speed detected by the speed detecting unit, a wideband channel quality indicator indicating reception quality of an entire system frequency band allocated to the mobile communication system, or a combination of the wideband channel quality indicator and one or more channel quality indicators of subbands in the system frequency band as channel quality information that needs to be reported from the user device to the base station.
US08548508B2
A method of identifying telematics calls includes the steps of receiving at a vehicle telematics unit a paging message used to connect a call over a wireless carrier system; determining at the vehicle telematics unit if the paging message used to connect the call includes a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) or a Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID); and establishing the call and, if the vehicle telematics unit determines that the paging message includes the MEID, entering into a mode in which the vehicle telematics unit uses a modem for receipt and transmission of data.
US08548503B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing location-based communication services, such as location-based chat sessions and location based-data feeds. Access to a chat session or data feed may be provided to a user of a mobile device when the current location of the mobile device is determined to be within a predetermined geographic region. In one implementation, the chat session or data feed relates to content provided by members of a group or social network. In other implementations, the content related to chat session or data feed is provided by members of the general public.
US08548494B2
Various technologies pertaining to localizing multiple mobile computing devices in an indoor environment are described. Pairs of microphone arrays are selectively positioned in an indoor environment. A localization service assigns a frequency and schedule to a mobile telephone, and the mobile telephone begins outputting vibrations at the assigned frequency and in conformance with the assigned schedule. The microphone arrays sense the vibrations, and angles between the microphone arrays, respectively, and the mobile computing device are computed based upon the sensed vibrations. Such angles are subsequently employed to compute the location of the mobile computing device in the indoor environment.
US08548491B2
A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) enabled mobile device comprising an Internet protocol (IP) interface may be operable to determine a reference position based on a registered public IP address associated with the GNSS enabled mobile device and range uncertainty for the registered public IP address. The GNSS enabled mobile device may identify the registered public IP address associated with the GNSS enabled mobile device and a packet travel time to reach the registered public IP address utilizing a network trace test. The GNSS enabled mobile device may be operable to determine the range uncertainty for the identified registered public IP address and validate the registered public IP address for a reference position based on the determined range uncertainty. The GNSS enabled mobile device may be operable to acquire a latitude/longitude associated with the validated registered public IP address for the reference position.
US08548485B2
Systems and methods are provided for adaptively transmitting information to a plurality of nodes in a local area of a base station. The base station receives channel quality information from one or more of the nodes within the local area, selects a transmission rate for a downlink transmission corresponding to the lowest channel qualities, and simultaneously transmits a message to the nodes at the selected transmission rate.
US08548484B2
A method of resource reservation request and resource reservation in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A method of resource reservation request of a mobile station in a wireless communication system with femto cells comprises transmitting a resource reservation request message to a macro base station to request a femto cell base station not to use resource used by the mobile station if interference from the femto cell base station is over a threshold; and receiving a resource reservation response message from a macro base station.
US08548470B2
A network element is disclosed. The network element has a processor programmed to promote sending an event mechanism to promote a handoff between disparate telecommunications networks. The event mechanism comprises a mobility event comprising a mobility information element and a mobility state element. The mobility information element comprises a type element and a mobility parameters element.
US08548459B1
A technique enables robust and reliable replacement of field hardware. The technique involves providing a set of instructions to a user from a smart phone. The set of instructions directs the user to perform a field hardware replacement operation at a field hardware installation site. The technique further involves, in accordance with the set of instructions, collecting field hardware data from the field hardware installation site using the smart phone prior to performing the field hardware replacement operation. The technique further involves receiving additional field hardware data regarding the field hardware installation site using the smart phone after performing the field hardware replacement operation.
US08548454B2
A method for reducing the number of unsuccessful service change attempts of a first mobile terminal is presented. The mobile terminal (1, 1a, 1b, 420) is connectable via a mobile network to a further terminal by establishing a call connection for providing a first service or by establishing a call connection for providing a second service. The method comprises the following steps performed by the first mobile terminal (1, 1a, 1b, 420): receiving (S21) a first indication signal (202) indicating that a service change towards the second service is temporarily unavailable from a mobile network node (31, 310) administrating an established call connection for providing the first service, and in response to receiving the first indication signal (202) refraining (S22) from requesting a service change towards the second service until reception of a further indication signal (204) from the mobile network node (31, 310) indicating that a service change is available again.
US08548448B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for managing communications on telecommunication devices utilizing communication categories are provided. A subset of contacts accessible by a telecommunication device are associated with one or more communication categories. Each communication category can be associated with a set of communication activities. Based on a selection of a specific contact, a telecommunication device can generate a display having display objects representative of communication categories associated with the selected contact. Additionally, based on a selection of a communication category, the telecommunication device can further generate a display including display objects representative of a set of communication activities corresponding to the selected communication category.
US08548440B2
Disclosed is an event information display apparatus and method for a mobile terminal, which collects information of sent/received/missed call events, sent/received message events, schedule events, alarm events, wake-up call events, memo events, D-day events, etc. that are recorded in a mobile terminal, and then displays the collected event information as indicators on a timeline, thereby enabling easy checking and management of various types of events.
US08548434B2
An apparatus may include a housing that is configured to support a picture, a sensor that is configured to receive an input and that is associated with the picture, a communication module that is configured to communicate with a remote device and to retrieve audio messages from the remote device, a speaker that is configured to play the audio messages, an electronics control module that is configured to control playing of the audio messages that are designated as being associated with the picture in response to selection of the sensor, and a power module.
US08548424B1
A wireless mobile telecommunications network tags an image or other multimedia message that it receives from wireless user equipment (UE) with geographical information indicating the location of the UE. The network can determine the UE location using a conventional method such as those used in Location-Based Services.
US08548416B2
A two-terminal semiconductor device is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Two wiring patterns are respectively connected to terminals of the semiconductor device, and two electrode pads are respectively connected to the wiring patterns for connecting a signal input/output circuit formed on a separate substrate. Two parallel wiring patterns are respectively connected to the wiring patterns, and two reactance-circuit connection electrode pads are respectively connected to the parallel wiring patterns for electrically connecting a reactance circuit formed on the separate substrate separately from the signal input/output circuit.
US08548413B2
A noise suppression apparatus comprising: a complex signal generation unit configured to convert an intermediate frequency signal into a complex signal having a real part and an imaginary part, the intermediate frequency signal being obtained by frequency-converting a reception signal; a noise detection unit configured to detect whether or not variation in level of the complex signal is greater than a predetermined threshold value, to detect generation of noise; and a noise suppressing unit configured to suppress level of the complex signal if the variation in level is greater than the predetermined threshold value.
US08548407B2
An antenna assembly, a receiver, and a system configured to superimpose a first received signal from a first antenna and an intermediate signal based on a second received signal from a second antenna onto a single cable. The antenna assembly includes a mixer and an adjustable local oscillator (ALO) that frequency shift the second received signal to generate the intermediate signal. The output frequency of the ALO is controlled by a control signal superimposed on the single cable that is output by the receiver. With this arrangement, a plurality of antennas or antenna elements can be connected to a receiver using a single coaxial cable. Such an arrangement is particularly desirable to manufacturers of automobiles and other vehicles. Also, the receiver can detect if the output frequency of the ALO needs to be adjusted, and so close-loop control of the output frequency is possible.
US08548401B2
An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier, a detecting unit which detects a power output from the amplifier, a control unit which controls a saturation point of the amplifier with respect to a Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) obtained by a detection output of the detecting unit.
US08548399B2
The present invention relates to a method for adapting transmission parameters in a transmitter Tx in communication with at least one antenna 27; 38; 47; 57; 77, 88. The method comprises: transmitting a signal from the transmitter Tx measuring at least one reflection coefficient S11 of said signal for each antenna 27; 38; 47; 57; 77, 88, and adapting the transmission parameters based on the measured reflection coefficient S11. The antenna could be a transmit antenna and/or a receive antenna. In a preferred embodiment antenna calibration may be performed by measuring propagation time for each individual transmitter chain 481, 482; 781, 782, and compensate for differences in time delay between the individual transmitter chains 481, 482; 781, 782 to assure that the signal is transmitted simultaneously from all transmit antennas.
US08548395B2
A push-to-talk switch can have a switch that does not produce an audible sound when actuated. For example, the push-to-talk switch can comprise a membrane switch or a capacitive switch that produces less than 0 dB(A) of wideband sound when actuated. The switch can be actuated by pushing a diaphragm. Sound damping material can be used to mitigate audibility of the switch. Because the push-to-talk switch is substantially silent, it can be used in applications such as covert operations and battle situations where the sound of actuating the switch could have life threatening consequences.
US08548394B2
An intraoral cavity control system having a shape adapted to be positioned between the palate in the roof of the mouth and the tongue comprising, a control interface to receive control input from an organ of the mouth, a wireless transmitting and/or receiving means for transmitting an electrical output signal from the control system and/or for receiving an electrical input signal from an external unit, a control element for processing the control input from the control interface into said electrical output signal transmitted by the transmitting means and for processing said electrical input signals establishing a communication between the external unit and the control element, a power source for providing electrical power to said control system wherein the wireless transmitting and receiving means are further provided with an antenna that is arranged to extend from within a first volume of the oral cavity bound by the medial surface of the teeth and being arranged within a second volume of the oral cavity bound between the medial surface of the teeth and the lateral boundaries of the vestibule of the oral cavity.
US08548393B2
An electronic apparatus includes: a clock generation section which generates and outputs a clock of a frequency according to a state; and an MPU and a DSP which, being supplied with the clock generated by the clock generation section, execute processes at a processing speed synchronized with the clock. The electronic apparatus further includes: a load prediction section which predicts a DSP load based on a DSP application to be executed now out of DSP applications installed by being coded for processing by the DSP as well as on a frequency of a clock currently being outputted from the clock generation section; and a load allocation section which allocates part of processes of the DSP application to be executed now to the MPU, based on the load predicted by the load prediction section and thereby makes the MPU execute the part of processes.
US08548392B2
A communication device includes a receiver, a transmitter and an interruption module. The receiver receives an allocation signal indicating a first period usable by the communication device and a second period usable by a plurality of communication devices including the communication device. The transmitter transmits a transmission signal in the first period. If the transmission of the transmission signal is completed within the first period, the interruption module interrupts at least a part of power supply to the receiver in the second period. If the transmission of the transmission signal is not completed within the first period and directivity of radio waves used by a second communication device includes a direction of the communication device in a communication period allocated before the second period, the transmitter transmits the transmission signal in the second period.
US08548390B2
Aspects of compensating for transmitter output power may comprise sampling an on-chip transmitter circuit temperature at various time instants and determining a feedback temperature compensation value. At least one digital-to-analog converter may be adjusted by utilizing the feedback temperature compensation value, which may correspond to the sampled temperature. The digital-to-analog converter may be an I-component digital-to-analog converter and/or a Q-component digital-to-analog converter. At least a portion of the on-chip transmitter circuit may be characterized to determine power output dependence of the on-chip transmitter circuit on temperature variation of the on-chip transmitter circuit. Based on this characterization, a feedback temperature compensation value that may correspond to the sampled temperature may be used to adjust the digital-to-analog converter. The feedback temperature compensation value may be, for example, from a lookup table or an algorithm.
US08548386B1
A first angle of arrival of a first signal from a second communication device to a first communication device is determined. A second angle of arrival of a second signal from a third communication device to the first communication device is determined. A first beam pattern for an antenna array is determined using (i) the first angle of arrival of the first signal and (ii) the second angle of arrival of the second signal. The first beam pattern is for communicating with the second communication device. A second beam pattern for the antenna array is determined using (i) the first angle of arrival of the first signal and (ii) the second angle of arrival of the second signal. The second beamforming pattern is for communicating with the third communication device.
US08548377B2
A method is presented for communicating data in a multibeam satellite system utilizing frequency re-use. The method comprises establishing uplink service beams and downlink service beams between a satellite and a plurality of subscriber terminals. A plurality of the uplink service beams are transmitted to the satellite by re-using at least one common uplink frequency channel. A plurality of the downlink service beams are transmitted from the satellite by re-using at least one common downlink frequency channel. The method further comprises establishing at least one uplink feeder beam and at least one downlink feeder beam between the satellite and a gateway terminal. The at least one uplink feeder beam is transmitted to the satellite by further re-using the at least one common uplink frequency channel. The at least one downlink feeder beam is transmitted from the satellite by further re-using the at least one common downlink frequency channel.
US08548376B2
A method of operating a relay station is provided. The method includes: receiving a beacon signal transmitted by a user equipment; measuring the beacon signal and transmitting a measurement result to a base station; and receiving routing information for the user equipment determined based on the measurement result, wherein the routing information indicates whether the user equipment communicates with the base station via the relay station or communicates with the base station directly. Accordingly, data can be transmitted through a proper path according to a channel state between the user equipment and the base station or the relay station in a wireless communication system employing the relay station, and thus cooperative transmission can be easily achieved between the base station and the relay station, which results in increase of efficiency of using radio resources.
US08548363B2
A developing device includes a developer accommodating chamber containing a developer; a developer carrying member for carrying the developer to develop an electrostatic image; a feeding belt for feeding the developer toward the developer carrying member by rotation of the driving roller in a stretched state in which the feeding belt is stretched by a driving roller and a follower roller; and a switching mechanism for switching the feeding belt from a loosened state in which the feeding belt is looser than in the stretched state to the stretched state.
US08548362B2
A toner stirring member includes a stirring blade made of a flexible sheet having a first insertion hole, and a rotation shaft having a nipping section for nipping an edge the flexible sheet such that the flexible sheet can be inserted into and pulled out from the nipping section. An inclining projection on the rotation shaft is inserted into the first insertion hole. The flexible sheet is nipped by the nipping section, and the inclining projection is inserted into the first insertion hole, so that the stirring blade is fixed to the rotation shaft. The inclining projection has a first inclining surface that inclines in a direction in which the flexible sheet is pulled out from the nipping section.
US08548360B2
A toner cartridge converting device is provided with a driving module to change gaps between a photoreceptor drum and respective toner cartridges using a positioning groove formed in a radial direction of the photoreceptor drum. Each fixing rod of the toner cartridges can slide into the positioning groove and slide out of the positioning groove with following the displacement of the groove, so that the converting operation to the toner cartridges can be finished. Due to the configuration space required by the driving module is smaller, and the quantity of elements is less than the conventional driving unit and easy in repair and maintenance, so that the structure of the driving module is simplified and the repair cost is reduced.
US08548356B2
An electrophotographic (EP) printer has two toner bottles. Each has a supply volume and a waste volume separated so that toner can pass from the waste volume to the supply volume, and has a status recorder with waste and supply states. An imaging member receives toner from the supply volume of a second toner bottle in a supply receptacle, and an imaging member applies the toner to a receiver to form a print image. A cleaning device removes toner from an imaging members and transporting the removed toner to the waste volume of a first toner bottle in a waste receptacle. A toggle changes the state of the status recorder of the first toner bottle in the waste receptacle to the supply state, so that the waste toner in the waste volume of the first toner bottle is made available to be used as supply toner in the supply receptacle.
US08548355B2
A method is for manufacturing a support member for supporting a rotary member having a shaft. The support member is detachably assembled in an image-forming device. The support member has a pair of side plates opposed to each other through the rotary member. Each of the side plate receives the shaft of the rotary member. The method includes forming the pair of side plates through a punching process using the same die.
US08548352B2
A developer container, which contains a developer to be supplied to a developing chamber in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developer container including: a partition wall partitioning the container from the chamber; a conveying member conveying the developer to an opening in the partition wall to supply the developer to the chamber; a sealing member attached to a wall surface of the partition wall to cover the opening; an extending portion extending from the sealing member to an outside of the container, wherein, when the extending portion is pulled, the sealing member is separated into a remaining portion and a removal portion, and a free end of the remaining portion is positioned below an upper edge of the opening; and a spacing holding member disposed between the wall surface of the partition wall and the sealing member to hold a spacing between the wall surface and the sealing member.
US08548351B2
An image-forming device includes a plurality of developing units, an endless belt, and a cleaning unit. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning member and a conveying unit. The cleaning member contacts the endless belt to clean toner remaining on the endless belt. The conveying unit includes a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, and a first relaying member. The first relaying member relays the remaining toner conveyed by the first conveying unit to the second conveying unit, and has a relay-axis. The cleaning member pivots about the relay axis to move between a contacting position for contacting the endless belt and a separating position for separating from the endless belt.
US08548350B2
There is provided a pre-cleaning brush roller being a pre-cleaning member which is disposed on an upstream of a normally-charged-toner cleaning brush roller and an oppositely-charged-toner cleaning brush roller in a surface moving direction of an intermediate transfer belt, is applied with a voltage having a polarity opposite to a normal charge polarity of toner, and electrostatically removes the toner having the normal charge polarity.
US08548345B2
A secondary transfer facing roller includes a roller part that has a through-hole penetrating in a rotary shaft line direction at a rotation center position, and a penetrating shaft member penetrating the through-hole of the roller part and spinning the roller part on a surface of the penetrating shaft member. Eccentric cams are fixed to both end regions that are not located in the roller part, so as to rotate integrally with the penetrating shaft member. A position regulating cam and an abutting roller form a gap between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer roller immediately before a transfer sheet enters a transfer nip part. While the gap is formed, current flows between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer roller via the position regulating cam and the abutting roller.
US08548342B2
An image forming apparatus including a replaceable unit to participate in an image forming job, and a consumer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM) unit mountable to the replaceable unit.
US08548333B2
The present invention provides for a transceiver comprising a transmitter portion and a receiver portion. The transmitter portion includes a laser, the laser providing an optical signal having one of a plurality of wavelengths. The optical signal from the laser is modulated to create a first wavelength-division multiplexed signal at an output of the transceiver. The optical signal from the laser is also used by a demultiplexer to demultiplexer a second wavelength-division multiplexed signal at an input of the transceiver. The use of the optical signal from the laser in both modulation and demodulation of wavelength-division multiplexed signals results in a transceiver having fewer discrete components resulting in a compact design and reduced costs.
US08548332B2
An indirect optical free-space communications system provides broadband transmission of high-speed data in transportation vehicles such as aircraft. The system includes a transmitter with a light source that can be modulated and a receiver with a photo detector, adapted to receive light that is emitted from the transmitter and to convert it into an electric signal. The transmitter and the receiver are directed onto at least one common surface, which reflects the light emitted from the transmitter before it reaches the receiver. The free space communications system is cellular and includes several cells, each of which has a transmitter and at least one corresponding receiver. The cells are configured in such a way that crosstalk with a respective adjoining cell is prevented. The cells are thus independent of one another.
US08548328B2
A Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Network (GPON), including an enhanced Optical Line Termination (OLT) and Optical Network Units (ONUs), provides enhanced features, e.g., features defined in XG-PON. One or more of the ONUs are enhanced ONUs. The enhanced OLT communicates with the ONUs via downstream frames and upstream bursts, each downstream frame and upstream burst being compliant with a GPON framing format. The enhanced OLT transmits downstream frames to the ONUs, the downstream frames including downstream sub-frames with at least one downstream sub-frame being an overhead sub-frame that includes information of the enhanced features. The enhanced OLT receives upstream bursts from the ONUs, the upstream bursts including upstream sub-frames, each upstream sub-frame including an upstream identifier field that indicates to the enhanced OLT whether the upstream sub-frame is an overhead sub-frame. The enhanced OLT and the enhanced ONUs perform network operations to provide the enhanced features specified in the overhead sub-frame.
US08548322B2
A channel power estimator for estimating the power of each channel in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal, comprising filter means to select and output a sub-band of an incoming WDM signal, function application means to apply a weighting function at least once to the output from the filter means and then output the weighted signal to reconstruction means, storage means for storing optical characteristic data on at least the function application means, wherein the reconstruction means calculates an estimation of the power distribution of the incoming WDM signal using the weighted signal and the optical characteristic data.
US08548320B2
A method for monitoring wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) signal for detecting signal drift of objective signals, including generation of one or more objective signals and a guard signal. The guard signal has a wavelength that is within a range defined by a guard channel. The first and second objective signals and the guard signal are wavelength-division multiplexed to generate a wavelength-division multiplexed signal. The first objective signal, the second objective signal, and the guard signal are assigned to a first multiplexed objective channel, a second multiplexed objective channel, and a multiplexed guard channel, respectively. The wavelength-division multiplexed signal is received by a monitor and then the error rate of the multiplexed guard channel is determined.
US08548319B1
A camera lens shade assembly includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. The elongated member includes a plurality of attached ball and socket members and is bendable such that first and second ends are positionable with respect to each other. An attachment member is attached to the first end of the elongated member. The attachment apparatus is removably coupled to an image capturing device. A shade is attached to the second end of the elongated member. The shade is positionable relative to a lens of the image capturing device to inhibit light from a selected light source from directly entering the lens.
US08548318B2
A dust-screening member is shaped like a plate as a whole, and has at least one side that is symmetric with respect to a virtual axis on a surface of the member. A vibrating member is adjacent to one side of the dust-screening member, arranged on the surface along the one side, and configured to produce, at the surface, vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to the surface. A drive unit is configured to drive the vibrating member to produce the vibration on the surface, such that peak ridges of the vibration form a closed loop and an area including a center of the closed loop is surrounded by a node area having almost no vibrational amplitude. When a thickness of the dust-screening member is assumed to be tg and a thickness of the vibrating member is assumed to be tp, tg/tp has a dimension of 0.8.
US08548311B2
Methods and apparatus for processing substrates and controlling the heating and cooling of substrates are described. A radiation source providing radiation in a first range of wavelengths heats the substrate within a predetermined temperature range, the substrate being absorptive of radiation in a second range of wavelengths within the first range of wavelengths and within the predetermined temperature range. A filter prevents at least a portion of radiation within the second wavelength range from reaching the substrate.
US08548310B2
According to one embodiment, a capturing apparatus includes a capturing unit configured to capture a moving image video, a storage unit configured to store the moving image video captured by the capturing unit, an operation unit configured to include a plurality of keys used to instruct playback of the moving image video stored in the storage unit, a skip playback unit configured to play back the moving image video while skipping the moving image video at predetermined time intervals every time a predetermined operation is made on the operation unit, and a playback control unit configured to switch the time intervals skipped by the skip playback unit based on the total playback time period of the moving image video.
US08548301B2
A record carrier is described carrying a video signal and at least one additional information signal, such as graphics or audio. The at least one additional information signal is meant to be reproduced simultaneously with said video signal. The record carrier further carries scheduling information indicating in which order parts of the at least one additional information signal or video signal have to be read from said record carrier. The scheduling information enables a reproducing device according to the invention to read parts of the video signal and the additional information signals such that no buffer overflow or underflow occurs. The size of the buffers in the apparatus can be reduced by means of the scheduling information.
US08548291B2
One aspect provides an optical device. The optical device includes a first and a second array of optical couplers, a plurality of waveguides and a plurality of pump couplers located over a surface of a substrate. The optical couplers of the first array are able to end-couple in a one-to-one manner to the optical cores of a first multi-core fiber having an end facing and adjacent to the first array and the surface. The optical couplers of the second array are able to end-couple in a one-to-one manner to optical cores having ends facing and adjacent to the second array. The plurality of optical waveguides connects in a one-to-one manner the optical couplers of the first array to the optical couplers of the second array. Each optical waveguide has a pump coupler connected thereto between the ends of the waveguide.
US08548283B2
An optical structure includes an optical waveguide and at least one photonic crystal structure. The optical structure also includes a structural portion mechanically coupled to the optical waveguide and the at least one photonic crystal structure such that a region substantially bounded by the structural portion, the optical waveguide, and the at least one photonic crystal structure has a specified volume.
US08548275B2
An image processing method applied to an image processing device is capable of implementing bitstream stitching technique after interrupting image processing process. The image processing method includes steps of processing the i-th slice of N slices in an image to generate a plurality of first processed data; storing the first processed data in a memory unit; once an interrupting request is generated according to a requested process, storing stitching information associated with the last first processed data after processing the i-th slice; stopping processing the image and executing the requested process according to the interrupting request; continuing to process the (i+1)-th slice of the N slices to generate a plurality of second processed data after the requested process is finished; and storing the second processed data after the last first processed data in the memory unit according to the stitching information.
US08548273B2
An image display apparatus which displays an image includes: an image input unit which accepts an input of an image used for display; an image processing unit which carries out image processing including sharpness processing to uniformly sharpen an entire image area and super-resolution processing to selectively sharpen an image enlarged by interpolation of pixels, on the image accepted by the image input unit; an image display unit which displays the image processed by the image processing unit; and a sharpness setting unit which reduces the intensity of the sharpness processing in accordance with an increase in the intensity of the super-resolution processing and increases the intensity of the sharpness processing in accordance with a reduction in the intensity of the super-resolution processing.
US08548255B2
Various methods for visual search stability are provided. One example method includes determining a plurality of image matching distances for a captured object depicted in a video frame, where each image matching distance being indicative of a quality of a match between the captured object and a respective object match result. The example method further includes including, in a candidate pool, an indication of the object match results having image matching distances in a candidate region, discarding the object match results having image matching distances in a non-candidate region, and analyzing the object match results with image matching distances in a potential candidate region to include, in the candidate pool, indications of select object match results with image matching distances in the potential candidate region. Similar and related example methods and example apparatuses are also provided.
US08548253B2
Disclosed is a computer implemented method (200) of processing a bitmap image (110) including at least one shape defined by at least one line (113-115). The method processes the image to form a plurality of boundaries, each boundary representing an enclosed path (410-424). The boundaries also define at least one enclosed region (425-429) representing a graphical object. Line elements are detected (310) together with associated regions (430-465) in the graphical object. The method determines line statistics (325) corresponding to at least one of the boundaries of the object based on the detected line elements and performs shape recognition (1010) on at least one of the boundaries based on said line statistics. The method recognizes (1020,1045) at least one part of the object as a shape and stores a description of the shape.
US08548245B2
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.
US08548244B2
Techniques are described to employ image recognition techniques to content. In an implementation, one or more images are identified in content using a signature derived from the one or more images. Metadata associated with the content is then supplemented based on the identified one or more images.
US08548241B2
Described herein is a method for segmenting a document image into a picture component, a special or significant picture component, and a non-picture component. The non-picture component is compressed and may include character blocks. Separately, picture components are compressed with a lossy algorithm or with a preliminary defined compression ratio. Subsequently, the compressed picture component, significant picture component and the compressed non-picture component are saved in memory or in a storage location so that the document image may be recomposed based on the compressed picture component or compressed significant picture component and the compressed non-picture component.
US08548235B2
A signal processing apparatus includes a first image memory that stores input moving images, a noise reduction section that outputs noise-free images, an image switching section that selects and outputs one image of the input moving image and the output of the first image memory, and a freeze control section that reads, images corresponding to two or more screens including the screen with the smallest amount of blur of each screen of the input moving image based on a separated luminance signal and necessary to remove noise from the first image memory, causes the image switching section to output the images, and causes noise-free images using the images corresponding to the two or more screens including the screen with the smallest amount of blur to be consecutively outputted.
US08548228B2
The disclosed multi-view image coding/decoding device first obtains depth information for an object photographed in an area subject to processing. Next, a group of pixels in an already-coded (decoded) area which is adjacent to the area subject to processing and in which the same object as in the area subject to processing has been photographed is determined using the depth information and set as a sample pixel group. Then, a view synthesis image is generated for the pixels included in the sample pixel group and the area subject to processing. Next, correction parameters to correct illumination and color mismatches in the sample pixel group are estimated from the view synthesis image and the decoded image. A predicted image is then generated by correcting the view synthesis image relative to the area subject to processing using the estimated correction parameters.
US08548227B2
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for compressing image data used in an image generating apparatus for generating a free-viewpoint image. According to the invention, the apparatus has a selecting unit that selects one image as a first image, and defines other images as second images, a projective transformation unit that generates a projected depth map of a second image from a depth map of the first image, a subtracting unit that creates a difference map of the second image, and a storage unit that stores the depth map of the first image and the difference map of the second image. Here, the difference map is a difference between a depth map of the second image and the projected depth map of the second image, and the depth map indicates a depth value of each pixel of a corresponding image.
US08548225B2
In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving a set of three dimensional (3D) points estimated from a plurality of images; selecting a subset of the 3D points that, as a group, provide at least a desired amount of constraint on each of a plurality of camera parameters; and performing non-linear optimization over the selected subset of 3D points to recover the plurality of camera parameters and the 3D points. The selected subset excludes one or more 3D points in the set.
US08548220B2
Disclosed is a medium recognition apparatus for determining the type of a medium by using color information obtained by scanning the inserted medium, as well as a method for determining the type of a medium by using the apparatus. Color information and size information obtained by scanning only a partial region of a medium image, the hue of the medium image scanned by the image sensor, or RGB channel color information scanned by the color sensor is compared with pre-stored reference information to determine the type of the medium. This guarantees that the type of the medium is determined quickly and accurately based on simple comparing results.
US08548218B2
A system and method of reconstructing an image through solution of a data fitting problem, wherein the data fitting problem is not susceptible to efficient solution as a whole, is disclosed, which may comprise gathering, via a computing device, k-space image data, selecting a data fitting problem solution algorithm for the k-space data, decomposing the data fitting problem solution into a plurality of sub-problem solutions each susceptible to efficient solution separately for the k-space data, obtaining, via the computing device, the plurality of sub-problem solutions for the k-space data, and reconstructing, via the computing device, the image based upon a weighted average of the plurality of sub-problem solutions for the k-space data. The image may be a magnetic resonance image. The data fitting problem may comprise a minimization of a plurality of linear terms of a least square data fitting solution. The image may comprise under-sampled k-space image data.
US08548216B2
A method is disclosed for noise reduction of CT image data and an image processing system is disclosed. An object under examination is scanned and at least two CT image datasets are created, each being undertaken on the basis of a different x-ray generation process. Subsequently, the image datasets are split up into at least two split-up image datasets, with a lowest local frequency band and at least one high local frequency band. In at least one embodiment, this is followed by the determination of the noise in at least one of the image datasets for each x-ray spectrum and calculation of at least one new image dataset using an unchanged split-up image dataset in each case with the lowest frequency band and an image dataset created from a noise-minimized weighted combination of split-up image datasets, which originate from the scans with different x-ray energy spectrums.
US08548198B2
Techniques are disclosed for identifying anomaly object types during classification of foreground objects extracted from image data. A self-organizing map and adaptive resonance theory (SOM-ART) network is used to discover object type clusters and classify objects depicted in the image data based on pixel-level micro-features that are extracted from the image data. Importantly, the discovery of the object type clusters is unsupervised, i.e., performed independent of any training data that defines particular objects, allowing a behavior-recognition system to forgo a training phase and for object classification to proceed without being constrained by specific object definitions. The SOM-ART network is adaptive and able to learn while discovering the object type clusters and classifying objects and identifying anomaly object types.
US08548196B2
A method of recognizing a user's dynamic organ for use in an electric-using apparatus includes comparing a background image and a target image, which are inputted through an imaging element, to detect a candidate region including portions of the target image that are different between the background image and the target image; scanning the candidate region using a window; generating a HOG (histograms of oriented gradients) descriptor of a region of the target image that is scanned when it is judged that the scanned region includes a dynamic organ; measuring a resemblance value between the HOG descriptor of the scanned region and a HOG descriptor of a query template for a gesture of the dynamic organ; and judging that the scanned region includes the gesture of the dynamic organ when the resemblance value meets a predetermined condition.
US08548194B1
An altitude estimating system for use in a movable device, comprising: (i) circuitry for detecting, for each frame of a plurality of time frames, a set of present features external from the movable device; (ii) circuitry for providing, from a set of present features detected in a first frame, a set of predicted features that represent a prediction of location of the set of present features for a second frame that follows in time the first frame; (iii) circuitry for creating a set of correlated features by correlating a set of the predicted features for the second frame with a set of present features detected for the second frame; and (iv) circuitry for providing an estimated altitude in response to the set of correlated features.
US08548193B2
A method for electronically magnifying a target object with an imaging device. The method includes obtaining a full view image of the target object, where the full view image is focused. The method further includes moving the imaging device in proximity to a portion of the target object and obtaining a key image of the portion of the target object. The method further includes matching the key image to a corresponding portion of the full view image. The method further includes magnifying the corresponding portion of the full view image and displaying the magnified portion of the full view image.
US08548189B2
An exemplary positioning structure for a portable electronic device includes a support element, a metal element, and a ring seal. The support element defines an opening. The metal element is attached to the support element. The metal element includes a projection and a depression. The opening and the depression receives the speaker. The ring seal is placed around the projection.
US08548187B2
A sound producing structure for headphones comprises an enclosure composed of a box and a perforated cover for sealing the box, the box defining a compartment for accommodating a low-frequency ceramic speaker therein, the low-frequency ceramic speaker being suspended between two opposing interior surfaces of the box respectively via a spring means, two ceramic speakers respectively mounted to a top interior surface and a bottom interior surface of the box respectively via a mounting means, the two ceramic speakers being slantingly mounted and facing toward the perforated cover. The low-frequency ceramic speaker and the two ceramic speakers can work together to deliver sounds of different frequency bands to produce a multi-channel sound effect. In addition, the sound producing structure can be employed to design a thinner headphone for increasing portability.
US08548184B2
This invention provides an acoustic waveguide with a continuous least-energy-surface formed from an upper vertical control curve, a lower vertical control curve, right horizontal control curve and a left horizontal control curve. In addition, a circular throat end and a non-elliptical closed control curve form a mouth such that the continuous least-energy-surface is coincident with the six control curves.
US08548182B2
This auxiliary member for a hearing aid comprises a main body case (1) having an insertion hole (3) of a hearing aid (2) on a top face, a hearing aid accommodating space (1A) provided to the portion corresponding to the insertion hole (3) inside this main body case (1), a holding member (15) that holds the hearing aid (2) accommodated in this hearing aid accommodating space (1A), a manipulation component (11) for manipulating this holding member (15), and an opening component (16) for opening a battery case (5) of the hearing aid (2) accommodated in the hearing aid accommodating space (1A).
US08548179B2
This hearing aid fitting device (1) comprises a client data storage section (10) that stores a plurality of hearing ability data and hearing adjustment result data for each of hearing ability data, a close user determination section (11) to which the client data storage section (10) and a hearing ability input section (12) are connected on the input side, a clustering section (13) that is connected to the output side of the close user determination section (11), a representative characteristic determination section (14) that is connected to the output side of the clustering section (13), an initial adjustment candidate selector (15) that is connected to the input side of the representative characteristic determination section (14), and a fine tuner (16) that is connected to the output side of the representative characteristic determination section (15).
US08548177B2
Methods and systems are provided herein for signal source tracking. A signal emitted over time from a moving source is a collection of small sub-signals that were emitted by the source at different positions along its path. If the source is traveling at a slower speed than the signal, the sub-signals will arrive at a given sensor in the same order that they were released. By identifying the locations and times of the releases of several of these sub-signals, the path and velocity of the moving source can be estimated.
US08548169B2
A communication apparatus that encrypts a plurality of pieces that constitute a part of data and transmits the encrypted pieces stores an encrypted piece that is one of the pieces encrypted by another communication apparatus, and first decryption key information used for decrypting the encrypted piece, while keeping the encrypted piece and the first decryption key information in correspondence with each other. Further, the communication apparatus generates temporary information that can be different at each time of generation, further performs an encrypting process on the encrypted piece based on the temporary information, and outputs a new encrypted piece. The communication apparatus transmits the new encrypted piece, the first decryption key information that is stored in correspondence with the encrypted piece, and second decryption key information used for decrypting the encrypting process.
US08548163B2
In computing point multiples in elliptic curve schemes (e.g. kP and sQ) separately using, for example, Montgomery's method for the purpose of combining kP+sQ, several operations are repeated in computing kP and sQ individually, that could be executed at the same time. A simultaneous scalar multiplication method is provided that reduces the overall number of doubling and addition operations thereby providing an efficient method for multiple scalar multiplication. The elements in the pairs for P and Q method are combined into a single pair, and the bits in k and s are evaluated at each step as bit pairs. When the bits in k and s are equal, only one doubling operation and one addition operation are needed to compute the current pair, and when the bits in k and s are not equal, only one doubling operation is needed and two addition operations.
US08548162B2
At CRYPTO 2003, Rubin and Silverberg introduced the concept of torus-based cryptography over a finite field. The present invention extends their setting to the ring of integers modulo N, thus obtaining compact representations for cryptographic systems that base their security on the discrete logarithm problem and the factoring problem. This can result in small key sizes and substantial savings in memory and bandwidth. However, unlike the case of finite field, analogous trace-based compression methods cannot be adapted to accommodate the extended setting of the invention when the underlying systems require more than a mere exponentiation. The invention finds particular application in a torus-based implementation of the ACJT group signature scheme. Also provided is a processor.
US08548156B2
A method for automatic call distribution includes receiving an incoming call for distribution through an automatic call distributor and identifying an agent to handle the incoming call. The method includes transitioning the agent to a transition state to reserve the agent for handling the incoming call. The transition state prevents the agent from participating in a lower priority call.
US08548155B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to message response systems for customer service environments and provide a method, system and computer program product for dynamic message context driven application assembly in a customer service agent productivity suite of applications. In one embodiment of the invention, a message context driven application assembly method for a customer service agent productivity suite can be provided. The method can include determining a context of an inbound message in a message list of an agent user interface for the customer service agent productivity suite; selecting at least one application based upon the determined context; providing an activatable reference to the at least one application in the agent user interface; and, displaying the agent user interface to provide access to the at least one application through the activatable reference.
US08548153B2
Customer communications can be controlled in accordance with customized rules. An initial menu includes options to modify an existing rule or create a new rule for controlling customer communications. An initial selection criteria menu includes options to indicate whether the new customized rule will be built using a preexisting template or starting from initial blank rule criteria. A list of preexisting templates for creating new customized rules can be provided, and input to populate a selected template can be accepted. Initial blank rule criteria for creating new customized rules can also be provided, including initial criteria and rule conditions for selected initial criteria. Communications are processed in accordance with the stored new customized rule.
US08548151B1
A method for migrating from an old communication switch to a new communication switch is provided according to the invention. The old communication switch interfaces between a packet telephony network and a circuit switched telephony network. The method includes configuring the old communication switch to signal the new communication switch and swinging one or more logical links from the old communication switch to the new communication switch until all logical links between the circuit switched telephony network and the old communication switch have been swung.
US08548146B2
A method is for managing connections on a conference bridge. The method includes determining a first noise level associated with a connection between a conference port and a conference server while there is no substantial contribution to the first noise level by a participant's device, determining a second noise level associated with a connection between the participant's device and the conference port while there is no substantial contribution to the second noise level by the participant's device, and determining whether the participant's device should be allowed to be connected to the conference bridge or whether at least one corrective action should be performed based on at least one of the first and second noise levels. Corresponding computer-readable mediums and systems are disclosed.
US08548141B2
Techniques for transfer error recovery are described. A system may comprise a context generator module operative to record context information for a first call session between a first call terminal and a call system resource, and store the context information with a context identifier in a context table. The system may include a transfer error context module to couple to the context generator module, the transfer error context module operative to generate transfer error context information having the context identifier. The system may include a call transfer module to couple to the transfer error context module, the call transfer module operative to send the transfer error context information to the first call terminal for use in case of a transfer failure event. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08548136B2
A communication apparatus includes: a first determining unit that determines whether specific identification information designated as a transmission destination of object data to be transmitted is identification information assigned to an internal device within a LAN including the communication apparatus; a deciding unit that decides a specific guaranteed band to be used for transmission of the object data, from a plurality of guaranteed bands, based on the determination result; and a first communication unit that transmits the object data by performing IP communication using the specific identification information and the specific guaranteed band. If the specific identification information is the identification information assigned to the internal device, the deciding unit decides the specific guaranteed band using a first deciding method. If the specific identification information is not the identification information assigned to the internal device, the deciding unit decides the specific guaranteed band using a second deciding method.
US08548133B1
A hosted list service provider (“HLSP”) provides list management services for compliance purposes. The HLSP receives electronic consent information from an enterprise that may comprise a telephone number and stores the same in at least one database, to facilitate retrieving the electronic consent information for a particular telephone number. A telephone number list is provided to a call center, which can originate calls for a calling campaign using the telephone numbers on behalf of the enterprise. After the campaign is completed, the call center may provide data to the HLSP indicating which callers have requested to opt-out, and the HLSP updates its databases appropriately. The HLSP may process the telephone number data against other databases, and may inform the enterprise of called parties that have requested a change of status. Follow up communication can occur to the called party to confirm or re-establish consent for subsequent calls.
US08548131B1
Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication device. The communication device comprises a processor. Further, the communication device comprises a memory coupled to the processor. The memory comprises a database comprising at least one visual Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menu associated with at least one IVR system. Further, the memory comprises instructions executable by the processor for sending a first section of a data packet to a second communication device. The first section comprising first information is sent based on a visual IVR menu associated with the second communication device. Further, the memory comprises instructions executable by the processor for receiving an acknowledgement message from the second communication device based on the first section of the data packet. Furthermore, the memory includes instructions executable by the processor for sending a second section of the data packet to the second communication device based on the acknowledgement message. The second section comprises second information.
US08548121B2
Provided is an X-ray analyzer that is capable of reducing measurement time necessary for mapping analysis by measuring only regions on a sample targeted by a measurer with minimal action. A superimposition process of a mapping image and image data of the sample is performed, and a position corresponding to an irradiation point is determined. Based on the result, the image is displayed, and measurement execution regions are designated on the displayed image and hence a sample moving mechanism moves at high speed in regions excluding the designated regions.
US08548118B2
A CT system includes a gantry, an x-ray source configured to project x-rays toward an object, an x-ray detector positioned to receive x-rays from the x-ray source that pass through the object, a generator configured to energize the x-ray source to a first voltage and to a second voltage that is distinct from the first voltage, and a controller configured to cause the gantry to position the source and generator at a circumferential position during an imaging session, pass the object through the opening during the imaging session, cause the generator to energize the x-ray source to the first voltage and to the second voltage, acquire imaging data while the generator energizes the x-ray source to the first voltage and to the second voltage while the rotatable gantry is at the circumferential position, and generate an image using the imaging data.
US08548114B2
A jet pump sensing line support clamp may be used for sensing line repair, replacement, and damage prevention or reduction. The clamp may affix to jet pump sensing line supports and confine the individual jet pump sensing lines. The clamp may provide for further access or securing of the lines in the support through the clamp. Methods of installing the clamp may include attaching and tightening the clamp against the sensing lines.
US08548109B2
Clock compensation for GPS receivers. A receiver in accordance with the present invention comprises a Radio Frequency (RF) portion, and a baseband portion, coupled to the RF portion, wherein the baseband portion comprises a crystal, an oscillator, coupled to the crystal, wherein the oscillator generates a clock signal based on a signal received from the crystal, a counter, coupled to the oscillator via the clock signal, a comparator, coupled to the counter, a controller, at least one logic gate, coupled to the comparator and the controller, and a combiner, coupled to the at least one logic gate, the controller, and the counter and producing an accurate clock signal therefrom.
US08548099B2
A device for reading information recovers signals exchanged on a digital data communications bus (4a, 4b) and processes these signals clips (5a, 5b) connect to multiplexed networks without a wire (galvanic) connection yet are configured for recovering the signals transmitted on the digital data communications bus.
US08548094B2
A transmission device includes an RQAM modulating unit that has an S/P that divides a transmitting signal indicating information to be transmitted into a first signal and a second signal, a mapping unit that maps the first signal into a first in-phase component and a second in-phase component and the second signal into a first orthogonal component and a second orthogonal component by a predetermined mapping system, a P/S that generates a first modulated signal including the first in-phase component and the first orthogonal component and a second modulated signal including the second in-phase component and the second orthogonal component, an IFFT that transmits the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal, a DAC, an LPF, a Mixer, a BPF, and a LOCAL OSCILLATOR.
US08548092B2
A method and apparatus for reducing a Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR) using peak windowing is provided. In the apparatus, an absolute value calculator calculates an absolute value of an input signal, a subtractor subtracts a predetermined clipping threshold level from the absolute value, a smoothing unit performs smoothing on the subtracted signal according to a predetermined smoothing scheme and outputs a first smoothed signal, an adder adds the first smoothed signal to the clipping threshold level, an inverse calculator outputs a second smoothed signal by multiplying the clipping threshold level by an inverse of the added signal, and a multiplier outputs a final PAPR-reduced signal by multiplying the input signal by the second smoothed signal. The method and apparatus address an overcompensation problem while processing signals having a large bandwidth and a high data rate without delay, thereby minimizing the clipping influences on Bit Error Rate (BER) and Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR) performances.
US08548089B2
A system and method for packet communication is disclosed. Echo in a received symbol stream may be reduced to produce an echo-reduced symbol stream. The echo-reduced symbol stream may be buffered and aligned according to a deskew signal to produce a deskewed symbol stream. The deskewed symbol stream may be decoded to produce a decoded packet.
US08548080B2
Disclosed is a digital broadcasting transmission/reception system having an improved reception performance and in a signal-processing method thereof. A digital broadcasting transmitter comprises a TS stream generator for inputting robust and normal packets having stuff bytes in predetermined positions and generating dual TS stream by inserting the robust packets between the normal packets; a randomizer for randomizing the dual TS stream; a stuff byte exchanger for replacing the stuff bytes of a randomized data streams from the randomizer to a predetermined known data; and an encoder for encoding a data streams to which the known data is inserted. Accordingly, the present invention detects the known data from a signal received from a reception side and uses the detected known data for synchronization and equalization, so that the digital broadcasting reception performance can be improved at poor multipath channels.
US08548070B2
In a communications system for differential signals, a driver circuit is connected to a receiver circuit by a pair of differential signal lines. When data is not being transmitted, the differential signal lines are maintained at a predetermined electric potential, and when data is to be transferred, a differential signal is output at predetermined electric potentials. The receiver circuit switches between a power-down state and a normal state when detecting states of the electric potentials of the differential signal lines.
US08548063B2
A device and method for receiving a compressed video bit stream, and providing decoded video pixels and associated video attributes synchronously to a video processor are disclosed. A compressed video bit stream is received and decoded. The decoded pictures have associated video attributes. A subset of the video attributes is provided to a video processor interconnected to a display. The video attributes are provided synchronously with the picture or pixel data so that the attributes are available to video processor before the associated picture is displayed.
US08548047B2
The quantization parameter QP is well-known in digital video compression as an indication of picture quality. Digital symbols representing a moving image are quantized with a quantizing step that is a function QSN of the quantization parameter QP, which function QSN has been normalized to the most significant bit of the bit depth of the digital symbols. As a result, the effect of a given QP is essentially independent of bit depth a particular QP value has a standard effect on image quality, regardless of bit depth. The invention is useful, for example, in encoding and decoding at different bit depths, to generate compatible, bitstreams having different bit depths, and to allow different bit depths for different components of a video signal by compressing each with the same fidelity (i.e., the same QP).
US08548043B2
Disclosed herein is a signal transmitting device including a multiplexing section configured to generate a B/R ch by alternately multiplexing image signals read from B pixels and R pixels among image signals read and input in units of a predetermined number of samples in each of the first line and the second line from said image pickup element in an active region corresponding to a C ch in HD-SDI together with start code of one of SAV and EAV, and generate a G ch by multiplexing, in order, image signals read from G pixels in an active region corresponding to a Y ch in HD-SDI together with said start code; and an 8B/10B encoder configured to output serial digital data converted by 8B/10B-encoding the active regions on the B/R ch and the G ch having data structures corresponding to said HD-SDI and an auxiliary data region including SAV, EAV, LN, and CRCC.
US08548039B2
In a video scalable encoding method, based on encoding information of an immediately-lower image region in an immediately-lower layer, which is present at spatially the same position as an encoding target image region, a data structure of the weight coefficient, that includes a proportional coefficient and an offset coefficient, is determined. When the immediately-lower image region performed interframe prediction in the immediately-lower layer, the method identifies an immediately-lower layer reference image region that the immediately-lower image region used as a prediction reference for motion prediction, and calculates the weight coefficient by applying a weight coefficient that the immediately-lower image region used in weighted motion prediction to a DC component of an image region in the upper layer, which is present at spatially the same position as the immediately-lower layer reference image region, and assuming a result of the application as a DC component of the immediately-lower image region.
US08548024B2
A semiconductor laser module includes a semiconductor laser unit and a light selecting unit. The semiconductor laser unit includes a semiconductor laser substrate and a plurality of distributed reflector semiconductor laser devices formed on the semiconductor laser substrate in an array. Each of the distributed reflector semiconductor laser devices is configured to emit a laser light of a different wavelength from an output facet. The light selecting unit includes a light selecting device substrate and a light selecting device formed on the light selecting device substrate. The light selecting device is configured to selectively output a laser light emitted from a distributed reflector semiconductor laser device. The semiconductor laser unit and the light selecting unit are attached to each other in such a manner that the light selecting device is optically coupled to the distributed reflector semiconductor laser devices.
US08548012B2
A capability is provided for reducing or even eliminating redundant traffic in cellular wireless networks. A method is provided for encoding a target packet in a manner for reducing redundancy of information in the target packet. The method includes identifying a region of the target packet that matches a region of a stored packet, removing, from the target packet, the identified region of the target packet from the target packet, and inserting, within the target packet, an encoding key comprising a hash of the stored packet. A method is provided for reconstructing a packet from an encoded packet that is encoded in a manner for reducing redundancy of information in a network. The method includes identifying an encoding key within the encoded packet, wherein the encoding key comprises a hash of a stored packet, retrieving the stored packet using the hash of the stored packet, removing the encoding key from the encoded packet, and inserting information from the stored packet within the encoded packet.
US08548006B2
A data transmission method using a space time block code (STBC) scheme is provided. The method includes generating a modulation symbol by performing coding and constellation mapping on an information bit, generating a frequency-domain symbol by performing discrete Fourier transform (DFT) on the modulation symbol, generating a single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbol by performing inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) after mapping the frequency-domain symbol to a subcarrier, and transmitting the SC-FDMA symbol on a slot basis.
US08548005B2
A TD-SCDMA receiver is provided that includes a joint detection (JD) block receiving a first input signal from a channel estimation block for signal detection. A short channel detection (SCD) block receives the first input signal and detecting the presence/absence of an AGWN-like channel based on the first input signal from the channel estimation block. The SCD block switches the JD block between 1× and 2× oversampling rates by sending to the JD block a second input signal.
US08548001B2
A method for controlling at least one message including at least one command and response corresponding to the at least one command is disclosed. The method comprise generating a concatenated command by combing multiple commands from a sender, the multiple commands having same priority, transmitting the concatenated command from the sender to a receiver, generating a concatenated response message corresponding to the concatenated command by combining multiple responses from the receiver and transmitting the concatenated response message from the receiver to the sender.
US08547999B2
A method comprising receiving a data frame, encapsulating the received data frame into a reflected frame message (RFM) encapsulated frame, and if the received data frame causes the RFM encapsulated frame to exceed a maximum service data unit size, either the data frame is truncated or the data frame is split into two smaller frames and those two smaller frames are encapsulated by two separate RFM frames, wherein if a truncation flag is set to true, the data frame is truncated and the truncated data frame is encapsulated in one RFM.
US08547986B2
A system and method is disclosed for resource block-specific control signaling in a communication system. Communication data is transmitted using a transmission channel comprising a plurality of resource blocks defined by allocating time-frequency slots in a transmission resource. Resource block control information is transmitted in a “feed-forward” manner to a user end (UE) or group of UEs using channels physically mapped into scheduled resource blocks (RBs) for that user or group of users. Embodiments of the invention provide an RB-specific control channel that comprises RB control elements that are embedded within scheduled resource blocks. The invention, therefore, reduces the amount of control information that must be transmitted by common or shared control channels.
US08547985B2
The disclosure is a network interface controller (NIC) capable of sharing buffers, which is coupled to a host and a network to make the network connection. The NIC includes a transmitting buffer, a transmitting controller, a receiving buffer, and a receiving controller. The transmitting controller controls the transmitting buffer to transmit the transmission data provided by the host to the network. The receiving controller controls the receiving buffer to transmit the reception data received from the network to the host, and determines a storage capacity of the receiving buffer. When the storage capacity is smaller than a set value, the receiving controller transmits a request signal to the transmitting controller, the transmitting controller generates a response signal according to the request signal and a status signal corresponding to the transmitting buffer, and the receiving controller controls whether reception data is stored in the transmitting buffer according to the response signal.
US08547984B2
A method for managing packets, including: identifying a first plurality of packets from a first packet source having a first weight; identifying a second plurality of packets from a second packet source having a second weight; obtaining a first weight ratio based on the first weight and the second weight; obtaining an error threshold and a first error value corresponding to the second packet source, where the error threshold exceeds the first error value; forwarding a first packet from the first packet source in response to the error threshold exceeding the first error value; incrementing the first error value by the first weight ratio; forwarding a first packet from the second packet source, after incrementing the first error value and in response to the first error value exceeding the error threshold; and decrementing the first error value.
US08547983B2
A broadband gateway may provide energy management service within a home network. The energy management service may enable reducing and/or enhancing energy consumption within the home network. The energy management service may comprise managing one or more devices in the home network by the broadband gateway. The energy management service may be performed based on energy-related information associated with devices, and the information may be stored by the broadband gateway. At least some of the energy-related information may be acquired from the managed devices. The energy management service may comprise controlling and/or configuring the managed devices, and/or communications between the managed devices within the home network. The broadband gateway may track actual energy usage by the managed devices. Information corresponding to energy-related activities and/or usage may be displayed via a user interface. The information may also be reported to entities external to the home network.
US08547980B2
A method of moving a receiving window in a wireless mobile communication system, wherein the AM RLC of the transmitting side sends information of the last discarded SDU regardless of continuity of the discarded SDUs. The AM RLC of the receiving side checks whether all SDUs from the start point of the receiving window up to the last discarded SDU are successfully received, delivers the SDUs that are successfully received to an upper layer, and discard only those SDUs that are not successfully received.
US08547976B2
An apparatus or method for upstream label allocation on LANs for multipoint (MP) label switched paths (LSPs). In one embodiment of the method, a first router receives a first incoming labeled data packet, wherein the first incoming labeled data packet comprises a first data packet and one or more first labels. The first router creates a first outgoing labeled data packet, wherein creating the first outgoing labeled data packet includes the step of swapping the one or more first labels of the first incoming labeled data packet with a context label and a forwarding label, wherein the first outgoing labeled data packet comprises the first data packet, the context label, and the forwarding label. Ultimately, the first router transmits the first outgoing labeled data packet to second and third routers via a LAN.
US08547969B2
A method and apparatus are described for providing non-packet switched service to a target radio access technology (RAT) network. A circuit switched (CS) service notification message is received by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). If the WTRU has been allocated a valid temporary mobile subscriber identity (TMSI), a paging response message including the valid TMSI is transmitted after an inter-system change is performed from a source RAT network to a target RAT network. The CS service notification message is for terminating a CS call request. The source RAT network may be a long term evolution (LTE) network, and the target RAT network may be a third generation partnership project (3GPP) network. Alternatively, if the WTRU has not been allocated a valid TMSI, a paging response message including an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) that identifies the WTRU is transmitted after the inter-system change.
US08547963B2
An internet phone integrating system includes a PC, a VoIP phone, a softphone, an HID signal-transmitting unit, and a media transmitting unit. The VoIP phone provides an HID inputting signal. The softphone provides an HID outputting signal and a media controlling signal and decodes an audio coding streaming to a media data flow. The HID signal-transmitting unit receives the HID outputting signal from the softphone and sends the HID outputting signal to the VoIP phone, and receives the HID inputting signal from the VoIP phone and sends the HID inputting signal to the softphone. The media transmitting unit receives the media controlling signal and media data flow from the softphone and sends the media controlling signal and media data flow to the VoIP phone, and receives the media data flow from the VoIP phone and sends the media data flow to the softphone.
US08547961B2
A method of creating a network-initiated secondary packet data service instance includes sending a content request for application data from a mobile station to an application function through an access network. The method further includes sending a request for a secondary packet data service instance from the application function to a policy function, and evaluating the request for a secondary packet data service instance and determining one or more operational attributes from the evaluation. The method also includes creating the secondary packet data service instance between the application function to the mobile station by arranging one or more network components as a function of the one or more operational attributes. The method further includes transmitting the application data from the application function to the mobile station via the secondary packet data service instance.
US08547960B2
A communication system is provided. In one embodiment, a communication system includes communicant nodes. Each node includes a local clock, a transmitter/receiver circuit and a control circuit. The local clock is adapted to clock operations of the communication node. The transmitter/receiver circuit is adapted to selectively transmit and receive communication signals. The synchronization circuit is adapted to synchronize the local clock with a received communication signal from another communication node to establish communications between the communication nodes. The control circuit is adapted to control the transmitter/receiver circuit and the synchronization circuit. The control circuit is also adapted to process communication signals and to direct communications between the communication nodes without re-synchronizing the local clock until the clock drift between communication nodes makes communications unreliable.
US08547955B2
Embodiments of a system and method for managing feedback in a MU-MIMO system. An access point can announce one or more of mobile stations that are to receive downlink information in a first frame. The access point can also send a sounding package to the one or more mobile stations and receive feedback from the one or more mobile stations according to the feedback schedule. The feedback may be based on the reception of the sounding package.
US08547952B2
The present invention related to a method and an arrangement for selecting an enhanced transport format combination used for maximizing power utilization efficiency and power limitation avoidance in a communication network system comprising a communication network entity communicating with a plurality of user equipments on uplink and downlink channels over a radio interface. A power consumption for an acknowledgement/negative acknowledgement transmission and a channel quality indicator transmission is determined on an uplink channel during an enhanced dedicated channel transmission. Thereby, a transport format combination is selected based on said determined power consumption.
US08547949B2
A method for generating an uplink transmission burst includes using one or more symbols to define the uplink transmission burst, and forming a preamble portion and a payload portion for the uplink transmission burst. The preamble portion is formed using at least a portion of one or more of the symbols, such that the preamble portion includes a signature that is defined in a predetermined signature set. The payload portion is formed using at least a portion of one or more of the symbols. Typically, at least a portion of the preamble portion and at least a portion of the payload portion are formed using the same symbol.
US08547948B2
A system maintains quality of service of a wireless network. The system includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer configures a directional antenna to transmit and receive in particular sectors based on antenna gain, transmission power, and beam width. The second layer communicates a direction and range to the first layer. The third layer maintains information summarizing connectivity between a plurality of nodes. The third layer determines whether to extend the range of the signal from a predetermined default range to an extended range.
US08547947B2
When a wireless communication network is built in an ad hoc mode, it is possible to appropriately build the wireless communication network regardless of start timings of wireless communication functions of image capturing apparatuses. In order to achieve the object, there is provided the image capturing apparatus which is capable of building a wireless communication network by wirelessly connecting to another image capturing apparatus in an ad hoc mode, and which is capable of switching between a function as a creator and a function as a joiner, including a start unit configured to start as the creator, a unit configured to execute a scan process, and a unit configured to determine based on a result of the scan process whether to function as the creator and to function as the joiner, and to control the image capturing apparatus in accordance with the determination result.
US08547945B2
The present invention provides bearer processing methods, in one bearer processing method, the serving gateway receives a bearer processing message from a mobility management unit, wherein the bearer processing message carries a message source mark for identifying a sending entity of the bearer processing message; the serving gateway acquires the message source mark in the bearer processing message, and judges the sending entity of the bearer processing message according to the message source mark, and performs the bearer processing according to the result of the judgment. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible for the serving gateway to distinguish the sending entity of a message, so as to perform the subsequent related bearer processing.
US08547943B2
A first device may communicate by joining a wireless mesh network that includes at least one wireless device configured to operate a wireless routing protocol, discovering a group of other wireless devices configured to participate in the wireless mesh network, and accessing an interest metric for a second wireless device in the group of other wireless devices. The interest metric is based in part on a network topology from the wireless mesh network. The interest metric is related to an interest threshold and it is determined whether relating the interest metric to the interest threshold supports enabling messaging communications. If so, messaging communications may be enabled.
US08547938B2
A method and apparatus taught herein provide for transfer of a data flow between two mobile nodes from a cellular connection supported by a cellular communication network to a non-cellular, ad-hoc connection between the mobile nodes. In one embodiment, a network node configured for operation in the cellular communication network detects that the two mobile nodes have moved within an ad-hoc communication range and transfers the data flow from the cellular connection to the ad-hoc connection responsive to the detection. The network node may include a control circuit to perform the detection, and a communication interface to send control signaling to effectuate the transfer. As a non-limiting example, the network node is a base station in the cellular communication network.
US08547936B2
A method of providing a handover service to a mobile communication terminal supporting multi-modal communications, and a mobile communication terminal for performing the method are provided. More particularly, a method of eliminating an interruption of a data transmission service occurring during a handover between different communication networks, and a terminal for performing the method are provided. A method of providing a handover service of a mobile communication terminal supporting multi-modal communications can include: transmitting and receiving data to/from a corresponding node via a first access network and a second access network while simultaneously maintaining an association with the first access network and the second access network, determining a point in time of completing a handover registration, and releasing an association with the first access network after the point in time of completing the handover registration.
US08547928B2
A multi-subframe scheduling method includes receiving Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) information which is sent by a base station and includes time domain resource indication information. The time domain resource indication information is used to indicate information of multiple subframes scheduled by the PDCCH information. Data is transmitted and received, according to the PDCCH information, on the multiple subframes scheduled by the PDCCH information.
US08547925B2
Transmission method, system, transmitter, receiver and method for realizing information transmission
A transmission method includes: confirming a reference time; according to the bit property of the data to be transmitted and the reference time, inserting the time slice signal into a special time position of a data frame; transmitting the data frame in which the time slice signal has been inserted and the time slice signal. And a method for realizing information transmission includes: according to the information unit to be transmitted, the transmitter sets the time parameters of the signal transmission during a special time period; the receiver receives the information unit according to the property of the received signal in a determined time period. This invention also provides a transmission system, a transmitter and a receiver. This invention can transmit signaling and messages among multiple systems, in order to solve the signaling interaction problem in the processes of coexisting negotiation and quick switching of the multi-mode terminal in a multi-system or a mixed type network.
US08547924B2
A communications system for exchange of information between communications apparatuses by a multicarrier transmission mode using a plurality of subcarriers, includes a transmission data generator configured to generate frequency band information indicating which frequency band is to be used for transmission of data information between said communication apparatuses; a transmitter configured to transmit the frequency band information by using a specific frequency band which is set from among a plurality of frequency band assigned to the communications system, and to transmit data information by using at least one frequency band set from among said plurality of frequency bands; a receiver configured to receive the frequency band information by using the specific frequency band, whereby the specific frequency band among said plurality of frequency bands and at least one frequency band set among the plurality of frequency bands, other than the specific frequency band, are made variable to avoid overlap.
US08547917B2
A node of a radio access network includes a transceiver and a radio resource control unit. The transceiver is configured to facilitate communication with plural wireless terminals over a radio interface including transmissions on an uplink from the wireless terminals to the node and transmissions on a downlink from the node to the wireless terminals.The radio resource control unit configured to perform radio resource control functionality including layer three (L3) signaling between the node and the wireless terminals. The radio resource control unit includes an uplink scheduler configured to predict transmission of an uplink L3 message from the wireless terminals to the node and, for a particular wireless terminal, to generate, for transmission on the downlink, a grant message which in accordance with the prediction prioritizes a predicted L3 message of the particular wireless terminal relative to messages of others of the plural wireless terminals.
US08547916B2
Systems and techniques for communications include forming a data packet, selecting a plurality of transmission parameters for the data packet, generating information having one of a plurality of codes identifying the transmission parameters, and transmitting the data packet on a first channel and the information on a second channel. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08547915B2
A method for efficiently scheduling virtual resource blocks to physical resource blocks is disclosed. In a wireless mobile communication system, for distributed mapping of consecutively allocated virtual resource blocks to physical resource blocks, when nulls are inserted into a block interleaver used for the mapping, they are uniformly distributed to ND divided groups of the block interleaver, which are equal in number to the number (ND) of physical resource blocks to which one virtual resource block is mapped.
US08547907B2
Techniques for communicating with a user on a network include receiving acceleration data that indicates acceleration of a mobile network node associated with a user of a network. A communication state for the user is determined based at least in part on the acceleration data. The communication state indicates a type of network communication suitable for communicating with the user. Network communications with the user are based on the communication state. Among other uses, such techniques allow a network communicating with a human through a mobile node carried by the human to infer from stopped or unusual motions when the human's ability to receive or act on communications is impaired or otherwise affected.
US08547903B2
A method of performing communication in a wireless communication system is disclosed. In performing ranging, which is performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system supporting a normal scheme and a legacy scheme, the present invention includes selecting a specific ranging structure from a first ranging structure supporting the normal scheme and a second ranging structure supporting the legacy scheme, and transmitting a ranging signal using the specific ranging structure, wherein the first ranging structure and the second ranging structure are set to differ in at least one of a time resource, a frequency resource and a code resource.
US08547894B2
A transmitting method in a mobile communication system, which has a base and mobile station that performs radio communication with the base station in a cell of a radio communication area formed by the base station, and mixes, allocates unicast data and broadcast/multicast data to subframes in a radio frame, and transmits the radio frame as downstream data from the base station to the mobile station, by the base station, multiplexing cell-specific pilot signals corresponding to the unicast data to a first subframe to where data is allocated, while multiplexing cell-specific pilot signals to a second subframe to where data is allocated, where the number of the cell-specific pilot signals allocated to the second subframe is different from the number of the cell-specific pilot signals allocated to the first subframe; setting a difference between the various start phase of cell-specific pilot signals transmitted in the various subframes.
US08547893B2
A hybrid telecommunications system, method, and device are provided. The system may include a plurality of unidentified users, a broadcaster, a source of information content, and a packet or switched network. The users may each be equipped with a transreceiving device for receiving broadcast communications and generating communications of their own. According to the method, a broadcaster may receive a first communication, the first communication being directed to the broadcaster over a packet or switched network, from a user or a source of information content. The broadcaster, in turn, broadcasts the first communication to one or more unidentified users. One or more unidentified users who received the first broadcast communication may generate a second communication which is transmitted to the broadcaster. Upon receipt of the second communication by the broadcaster, the broadcaster may broadcast it to one or more unidentified users.
US08547887B2
A wireless mobile unit includes a first wireless interface configured to at least receive communication over a first wireless network. A second wireless interface is configured to provide for bidirectional communication over a second wireless network. An interface control is operative to control activation of the second wireless interface from an off state to an on state in response to a predefined radio frequency (RF) stimulus, the first wireless interface remaining in an on state regardless of the state of the second wireless interface.
US08547877B2
On a first network element to support rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP) for a plurality of virtual local area networks (VLANs) in a network, receiving a packet from a second network element in the network; identifying a VLAN associated with the packet by checking for a tag in the packet; determining whether the VLAN associated with a packet is a master VLAN or a client VLAN, wherein the master VLAN and client VLAN are in a group of VLANs with identical topologies, such that a spanning tree can be maintained for the group of VLANs that are represented by the master VLAN; deriving forwarding information from the master VLAN associated with the client VLAN, in response to determining that the VLAN is a client VLAN; and forwarding the packet according to the forwarding information derived from the master VLAN, whereby separate spanning trees for each group of VLANs serviced by the first network element are efficiently maintained.
US08547873B2
A method of configuring an ad-hoc wireless network between an authenticator and a plurality of wireless devices seeking authentication includes assigning a wireless device as the authenticator and receiving a first setup message transmitted from a first device seeking authentication to the authenticator and initiating a first handshake process between the authenticator and the first device seeking authentication. The method also includes receiving a second setup message transmitted from a second device seeking authentication to the authenticator. The second setup message is received by the authenticator prior to completion of the first handshake process. The method further includes initiating a second handshake process between the authenticator and the second device seeking authentication. The second handshake process is initiated prior to completion of the first handshake process. Moreover, the method includes completing the first handshake process and completing the second handshake process.
US08547872B2
Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, an intermediary networking device provides a service intermediary or intermediate connection between a network and one or more communications devices; implements a service policy set for assisting control of the intermediate networking device use of a service on the network, in which the service policy set includes one or more service policies, each policy being associated with either the intermediate networking device or a communications device; and monitors use of the service based on the service policy set; and in which the one or more of the communication devices include a service usage notification capability, and the implementation of the first service policy set is verified.
US08547867B2
A method, system and device are provided for avoiding in-device coexistence interference between different radio technologies deployed in adjacent bands on the same device by estimating and identifying Bluetooth component interference activation when configuring LTE and non-LTE components to provide an in-device coexistence operation mode.
US08547857B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate scheduling uplink transmissions. For instance, a time sharing scheme can be utilized such that differing mobile devices can be scheduled to transmit during differing time slots; however, it is also contemplated that a static scheme can be employed. Pursuant to an illustration, an interference budget can be combined with a time varying weighting factor associated with a base station; the weighting factor can be predefined and/or adaptively adjusted (e.g., based upon a load balancing mechanism). Moreover, the weighted interference budget can be leveraged for selecting mobile devices for uplink transmission (e.g., based at least in part upon path loss ratios of the mobile devices). Further, disparate interference budgets can be utilized by differing channels of a sector at a particular time. Also, for example, a base station can assign a loading factor to be utilized by wireless terminal(s) for generating channel quality report(s).
US08547850B2
A transport control server, a network system, and an aggregated path setting method for avoiding congestion on the bypass destination route when an aggregated path consisting of a group of paths was bypassed (diverted) to a bypass destination route. Edge nodes measure the traffic information flowing along each path and notify the transport control server. The transport control server calculates the available capacity of bypass destination routes for each aggregated path based on this traffic information. After receiving a path add request, the transport control server assigns additional paths to the aggregated path so that the aggregated path traffic band that was assigned additional paths, does not exceed the available capacity on the bypass path. The transport control server sends an aggregated path set message to the edge nodes. The edge node complies with the aggregated path set message received from the transport control server and sets the aggregated path.
US08547847B2
A method, computer program product, and device are provided for transparent separation of traffic. A communication interface is configured to transmit and receive traffic over a network. A stack is configured to dynamically identify the traffic as interactive traffic and non-interactive traffic. When the stack identifies the non-interactive traffic, the stack is configured to move the non-interactive traffic to a non-interactive queue.
US08547846B1
A packet is classified into a class. A priority value is assigned to the packet wherein packets in a flow are assigned priorities according to some probability distribution within some band. A determination is made, at a network device for a highest latency class, whether a sum of queued packet sizes of previously received packets having an equal or smaller latency class than the packet and larger or equal priority than the packet is larger than a threshold value. When the sum is larger, the packet is dropped, otherwise a determination is made whether a latency class of the packet is less than the latency class of the network device. When the latency class is not less, the packet is stored in a queue for the latency class. When the latency class is less, then the process is repeated until the packet is dropped or stored in a queue.
US08547841B2
A WLAN communication system and algorithm that adaptively changes the data transmission rate of a communication channel based on changing channel conditions. The WLAN communication system or algorithm has two modes being a searching mode and a transmission mode. Furthermore, the WLAN communication system or algorithm incorporates an additive increase, multiplicative decrease (AIMD) function into the rate adaptation algorithm.
US08547831B2
An example involves selecting a logical failover circuit comprising an alternate communication path for communicating data upon a failure of a dedicated logical circuit connecting a host device to a remote device. When a first logical circuit identifier of the dedicated logical circuit does not match a second logical circuit identifier of the logical failover circuit: the second logical circuit identifier of the logical failover circuit is renamed to identify the logical failover circuit using the first logical circuit identifier when the logical failover circuit is a dedicated logical failover circuit used to communicate only when the dedicated logical circuit fails, and the dedicated logical circuit is renamed to identify the dedicated logical circuit using the second logical circuit identifier when the logical failover circuit is used to communicate regardless of the failure of the dedicated logical circuit. The data is rerouted to the logical failover circuit without manual intervention.
US08547830B2
A disclosed example method involves determining a first quality of service parameter associated with a failed logical circuit, and a second quality of service parameter associated with a logical failover circuit. When the first quality of service parameter is equal to or less than the second quality of service parameter, data from the failed logical circuit is rerouted to the logical failover circuit without requiring authorization from a customer to communicate the data at the second quality of service parameter. When the second quality of service parameter is a lower level of quality than the first quality of service parameter, the customer is prompted for authorization to communicate the data via the logical failover circuit at the second quality of service parameter. When authorization is received, the data is rerouted to the logical failover circuit. When authorization is denied, the data is not rerouted to the logical failover circuit.
US08547827B2
At least one substitute path is provided in place of a plurality of existing paths of a network to reallocate traffic carried by the plurality of existing paths. The total bandwidth needed to carry the traffic of the plurality of existing paths is determined. A proposed route is generated from the available links in the network. A portion of the bandwidth of a proposed route may be allocated to the needed bandwidth when the bandwidth of a proposed route is greater than or equal to the needed bandwidth. When the bandwidth of the proposed route is less than the needed bandwidth, at least one further route is generated, and the needed bandwidth is divided among the proposed route and the at least one further route such that a minimum number of further routes are generated.
US08547822B2
A new frame structure applicable to the IEEE 802.16 OFDMA wireless waveform is described, for the purposes of increasing base station capacity, increasing subscriber link rates and extending base station range. The frame structure provides the necessary constructs so that advance signal processing technologies such as Stacked Carrier Spread Spectrum and adaptive antenna technology may be used in combination with these constructs in order to realize these gains. These concepts are equally applicable in other advanced wireless waveforms based on OFDM or OFDMA such as LTE or UMB.
US08547821B2
A method for investigating a signal in an OFDMA transmission is disclosed. The method comprises receiving the OFDMA transmission and obtaining a resource grid comprising resource elements of the transmission; determining a set of pairs of the resource elements, wherein the resource elements of the pair are disjoint; for each pair, comparing signals of the resource elements of the pair; determining a statistical test value based on the comparisons; and processing the statistical test value to obtain a desired output about the signal. A computer program for implementing the method, a receiver arrangement adapted to perform such investigation, and a communication apparatus using such receiver arrangement are also disclosed.
US08547814B2
In a diffractive element, its grating pattern is so configured that a diffraction angle of a diffracted light beam of a light source that is subject to the first-order diffraction in a diffraction area is matched with an angle of a light beam passing through the diffractive area emitted from a light source and a light source position is matched with a light originating point of the light source that emits a light beam to be transmitted, and the center of light intensity distribution is matched with that of the light source passing through the diffractive element by inclining an optical axis of the light source. A position of the diffractive element is adjusted based on an electric current value generated when a reflected return path light beam of the light source is diffracted by the diffractive element and enters the light source.
US08547805B1
A thermal assisted magnetic recording head includes a dielectric waveguide that is configured to propagate propagation light a metal waveguide that is provided facing the dielectric waveguide and that couples to the propagation light propagating through the dielectric waveguide in a surface plasmon mode, thereby generating and propagating surface plasmon, a near-field light generator that is exposed on an air bearing surface facing a magnetic recording medium either at an end part of the metal waveguide or at a position facing the end part of the metal waveguide, and that generates near-field light from the surface plasmon, a magnetic pole for magnetic recording that is exposed on the air bearing surface, and a temperature sensor that is arranged inside the dielectric waveguide.
US08547800B2
There is provided a clock display device including: a central processing unit; a liquid crystal display section; a clock information generating section; a converting section that converts the clock information into character data for display at the liquid crystal display section; a direct memory access section that fetches the character data for display without going through the central processing unit, and transfers the fetched character data for display without going through the central processing unit; a display register that stores the character data for display; a programmable display allocating section that allocates correspondences between respective bits of the character data for display that is within the display register, and respective display segments of the liquid crystal display section; and a display control section that, on the basis of results of the allocation, visibly displays the clock information at the liquid crystal display section.
US08547798B2
The present invention allows the simple measurement of position and orientation with low cost setup and simple calibration using a small set of transmitting nodes and a simple handheld wand. This can be used in place of measuring tools such as non contact reflection based ultrasonic measurement tools or traditional tools such as tape measures and rulers where multiple high precision measurements are needed with minimal set up time. The present invention also provides true three dimensional output and orientation calculation.
US08547781B2
A seabed region (18) that lies under a seabed surface area of at least one square meter, is analyzed by an acoustic analysis of the region. Locations of the generation and detection of sound are precisely correlated to the location of a vertical drill hole in the sea bed by mounting an acoustic imaging apparatus (16) that holds acoustic transducers (44, 46), on a carriage (26) that is positioned with respect to the drill hole, using the drill hole as the horizontal position reference. The carriage of the acoustic imager apparatus is clamped to a post that lies in the drill hole. An arm (30 and/or 32) is supported on the carriage through a frame (28), with at least one acoustic generator (44) and one acoustic echo detector (46) mounted on the arm. The arm can be rotated to positions lying about the hole axis (14) to accurately scan a wide area.
US08547777B2
A NOR architecture for selecting a word line driver in a DRAM is disclosed. Complements of separately decoded addresses in the low, mid and high ranges are used to select a final word line driver. The output of the word line driver is at a potential negative with respect to ground for a deselected word line and a positive potential more positive than the power supply potential for a selected word line.
US08547770B2
Semiconductor apparatus includes first power supply line and second power supply line, first sub power supply line, first switch circuit, first logic circuit and first control circuit. First switch circuit is disposed between first power supply line and first sub power supply line, and controlled based on first signal. First logic circuit is disposed between first sub power supply line and second power supply line and comprises first input node and second input node receiving second signal and third signal respectively, and output node. First logic circuit outputs an active voltage associated with a logical level of second signal to output node in active state, and outputs a standby voltage associated with a voltage of second power supply line to output node regardless of the logical level of second signal in non-active state. First control circuit generates third signal based on first signal and fourth signal independent of first signal, and letting first logic circuit transit from non-active state to active state by providing third signal to second input node of first logic circuit.
US08547765B2
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory cells connected to a word line, sense amplifiers arranged correspondingly to the memory cells, and a sense-amplifier control circuit that activates the sense amplifiers in response to selection of the word line and temporarily reduces driving performance of the sense amplifiers in response to a request for writing of data to any one of the memory cells. With this configuration, inverted data can be quickly overwritten to the sense amplifier. Furthermore, because a collective control is executed on the sense amplifiers to be activated, instead of individually controlling the sense amplifiers to be activated, the circuit scale of the sense-amplifier control circuit can be reduced.
US08547759B2
To provide a semiconductor device including a temperature detection circuit that detects a temperature of the semiconductor device and outputs temperature information, a counter circuit that takes a count of repeated inputs of a refresh command and outputs count information, a comparison circuit that activates a match signal when the temperature information matches the count information, and a refresh control circuit that controls whether to perform a refresh operation according to activation of the refresh command based on the match signal. According to the present invention, a refresh cycle can be finely adjusted because the repeated inputs of the refresh command are thinned out based on the temperature information. With this configuration, power consumption caused by the refresh operation can be reduced.
US08547757B2
A method includes receiving a memory code identifying a number of logic zeroes and logic ones to be stored in a semiconductor memory, determining a number of bit cells of a first type that are to be coupled to a first bit line of the semiconductor memory from the memory code, and selecting a first keeper circuit from a plurality of keeper circuits based on the number of bit cells of the first type that are to be coupled to the first bit line. An electronic representation of a layout of the semiconductor memory is stored in a non-volatile machine readable storage medium.
US08547746B2
Voltage generation devices and methods are useful in determining a data state of a selected memory cell in a memory device. Voltages applied to an access line coupled to a selected memory cell can be determined at least partially in response to a sensed operating characteristic of the memory device, such as operating temperature, and to a particular data state to be determined in the selected memory cell.
US08547741B2
A NAND string of memory cells has stacks of split word lines (gates), with resulting increased bit density. Variants add a top assist gate to the NAND string, a bottom assist gate to the NAND string, or both a top assist gate and a bottom assist gate to the NAND string.
US08547738B2
Techniques for providing a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory cells arranged in an array of rows and columns. Each memory cell including a first region, a a second region, and a body region capacitively coupled to at least one word line and disposed between the first region and the second region. Each memory cell also including a third region, wherein the third region may be doped differently than the first region, the second region, and the body region.
US08547734B1
A method of writing to a magnetic memory cell that includes selecting a magnetic memory cell having a pair of MTJs, and based on whether the selected magnetic memory cell is an ‘odd’ magnetic memory cell or an ‘even’ magnetic memory cell and a state to which the selected magnetic memory cell is being written, setting a distinct bit line (BL), coupled to a first MTJ of the pair of MTJs or a second MTJ of the pair of MTJs, to a voltage level indicative of a certain state that causes current to flow through the pair of MTJs in a manner that causes the direction of current flow through one of the first or second MTJs to be in a direction opposite to that of the other one of the first or second MTJs to program the first and second MTJs in opposite states.
US08547732B2
In one embodiment, the invention is a hybrid superconducting-magnetic memory cell and array. One embodiment of a memory cell includes a magnetoresistive element and at least one superconducting element wired in parallel with the magnetoresistive element. In a further embodiment, memory cells of the disclosed configuration are arranged to form a memory array.
US08547728B2
A variable and reversible resistive element includes a transition metal oxide layer, a bottom electrode and at least one conductive plug module. The bottom electrode is disposed under the transition metal oxide layer. The conductive plug module is disposed on the transition metal oxide layer. The conductive plug module includes a metal plug and a barrier layer. The conductive plug is electrically connected with the transition metal oxide layer. The barrier layer surrounds the metal plug, wherein the transition metal oxide layer is made by reacting a portion of a dielectric layer being directly below the metal plug and a portion of the barrier layer contacting the portion of the dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer is formed on the bottom electrode. Moreover, a non-volatile memory device and methods for operating and manufacturing the same is disclosed in specification.
US08547726B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array in which memory cells each including at least a rectification element and a variable resistance element, which are connected in series, a peripheral circuit, a sense amplifier configured to sense the memory cells via the peripheral circuit, and a control circuit configured to control operations of the memory cell array and the sense amplifier. The control circuit is configured to boost a potential of a selected bit line, which is one of a first even bit line and a first odd bit line of a first side, by charge sharing of a second even bit line and a second odd bit line which are nonselected bit lines and physically neighbor the first even bit line or the first odd bit line of the first side, which is connected to a selected one of the memory cells.
US08547717B2
An N-level rectifier, wherein N is a number of voltage levels of the rectifier, includes an input; a plurality of switching devices connected in parallel, wherein the plurality of switching devices are connected to the input, wherein a number of the plurality of switching devices is equal to N−2; and a plurality of capacitors connected in series, wherein the plurality of capacitors are connected to the plurality of switching devices, wherein a number of the plurality of capacitors is equal to N−1, and wherein the plurality of capacitors are connected to an output of the N-level rectifier; wherein N is greater than three.
US08547704B2
A button structure and an electronic device using the same are provided. The button structure is disposed on a casing and comprises an elastic element and a button. The elastic element comprises a first support portion, a second support portion and a carrying portion. The carrying portion is connected between the first support portion and the second support portion. The first support portion and the second support portion lean on the casing. The button is disposed on the carrying portion.
US08547701B2
This publication discloses an electronics module and a method for manufacturing it. The electronic module includes at least one first embedded component (6), the contact terminals (7) of which face essentially towards the first surface of the insulating-material layer (1) and which is connected electrically by its contact terminals (7) to the conductor structures contained in the electronic module. According to the invention, a second embedded component (6′), the contact terminals (7′) of which face essentially towards the second surface of the insulating-material layer and which is connected electrically by its contact terminals (7′) to the conductor structures contained in the electronic module, is attached by means of glue or two-sided tape to the first component (6), and the contact terminals (7, 7′) are connected to the conductor structures with the aid of a conductive material, which is arranged in the insulating-material layer in holes (17) at the locations of the contact terminals (7, 7′). By means of the invention, it is possible to achieve a simple module construction comprising two component layers, which permits the manufacture of smaller electronic devices than previously.
US08547698B2
A cooling structure of a capacitor includes a snubber capacitor in which lead terminals are joined to external electrodes of a laminated ceramic electronic component; a circuit board which is for mounting the snubber capacitor and semiconductor switching elements; and a heat dissipation plate which is made of metal that dissipates the heat generated in the circuit board. The cooling structure of the capacitor is configured such that an insulating member having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity intervenes between the snubber capacitor and the heat dissipation plate.
US08547692B2
A modular processing module allowing in-situ maintenance is provided. The modular processing module comprises a set of processing module sides. Each processing module side comprises a circuit board, a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of processing nodes. Each processing module side couples to another processing module side using at least one connector in the plurality of connectors such that, when all of the set of processing module sides are coupled together, the modular processing module is formed. The modular processing module comprises an exterior connection to a power source and a communication system and at least one heatsink that couples to at least a portion of the plurality of processing nodes on one of the processing module sides and is designed such that, when a set of heatsinks in the modular processing module are installed, an empty space is left in a center of the modular processing module.
US08547689B2
A portable computer system is provided having a first unit with touch-sensitive LCD display screen and a detachable second unit having a keyboard. The first unit includes a support structure movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, which can support the first unit in an inclined position on a planar surface. The support structure can help support the first unit when mounted on the second unit, standing alone, or both.
US08547687B2
The invention relates to a power semiconductor device (100) cooling assembly for cooling a power semiconductor device (100), wherein the assembly comprises an actively cooled heat sink (102) and a controller (208; 300), wherein the controller (208; 300) is adapted for adjusting the cooling efficiency of the heat sink (102) depending on the temperature of the high current carrying semiconductor junction comprised in the power semiconductor device (100).
US08547682B2
In a multilayer ceramic electronic component including directly plated external electrodes, in an exposed area defined by exposed portions of a plurality of internal conductors, an area ratio of the exposed portions in an end section of the exposed area is smaller than an area of exposed portions in a center section of the exposed area.
US08547681B2
An electronic device package includes first and second electrodes of a package substrate. The first electrode has fingers formed from a first metal level and is configured to operate at a first DC potential. The second electrode has fingers formed from the first metal level interdigitated with the fingers of the first electrode. A via conductively connects the second electrode to a second metal level. The second metal level is configured to operate at a second DC potential. The first and second DC potentials are thereby capacitively coupled through the interdigitated electrodes.
US08547676B2
Provided are an overcurrent protection device and an overcurrent protection system which can provide time differences among the timings for executing the retry operations among a plurality of overcurrent protection devices connected to a common power supply. When a battery voltage (VBA) becomes a value equal to or lower than a threshold voltage after an FET (Q1) of an IC circuit (51-1) is turned on, all FETs (Q1) of the respective IC circuits are turned off, and a time until the battery voltage (VBA) reduces to a value lower than a threshold voltage after the turning-on of the FET (Q1) is clocked. When the time is smaller than 400 μsec, the count value N is incremented. Further, turning-on of the FETs (Q1) is repeated after the lapse of the standby time (Tp) set randomly. When the count value N reaches 7, the FET (Q1) of the IC circuit 51-1 is held in the turned-off state. Accordingly, only the load-driving circuit at which the dead short occurs can be stopped and the driving of the other load-driving circuits can be continued.
US08547672B2
A system and method for conditioning an alternating current (“AC”) power transmission for supply to a load circuit. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: a power conditioning circuit comprising a voltage surge protector for eliminating voltage spikes in the AC power transmission, an inrush current suppressor for limiting the current of the AC power transmission, a filter for reducing electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference of the AC power transmission, and a voltage sensing circuit for monitoring a voltage level of the AC power transmission; means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a source of AC power; outlet means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a load circuit; wherein the voltage sensing circuit monitors the AC power transmission in a rectified un-smoothed state after the AC power transmission has passed through the filter; and wherein upon the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the AC power transmission is prohibited from reaching the outlet means.
US08547671B2
The electronic device for protecting against a polarity reversal of a DC power supply voltage comprises, produced within one and the same integrated circuit, an N-channel main transistor (TP) mounted on the line of expected positive polarity of the power supply voltage and command means (MCM) for the main transistor comprising a charging pump circuit (CP), associated with a dynamic biasing circuit (MCTRL) for the substrate regions of active components connected to the main transistor.
US08547669B2
Systems, methods, and devices are presented for mitigating arc fault events in a photovoltaic system. An aspect of this disclosure is directed to a photovoltaic system for generating electrical power. The photovoltaic system includes one or more solar panels, and one or more shuttering assemblies, each of which is configured to selectively limit the quantity of light received by one or more of the solar panels. One or more sensing devices detect characteristics of an arc fault event in the photovoltaic system, and output signals indicative thereof. A control module is operatively connected to the shuttering assemblies and the sensing devices. The control module is configured to direct the one or more shuttering assemblies to reduce the quantity of light received by at least one of the one or more solar panels in response to the output signals indicating there is an arc fault event in the photovoltaic system.
US08547664B1
An actuator pivot bearing is disposed at least partially within a pivot bearing bore of a disk drive actuator. The actuator pivot bearing includes a fixed inner bearing shaft having a lower portion that is attached to the disk drive base. It may also have a rotatable outer bearing sleeve that is attached to the actuator body. The actuator pivot bearing also includes an adsorptive element (e.g. comprising activated carbon, silica gel, zeolites) disposed between the fixed inner bearing shaft and an inner surface of the pivot bearing bore. In certain embodiments, the adsorptive element may optionally be disposed within an actuator pivot bearing internal cartridge space. A restricted clearance between the rotating and fixed bearing components may partially block a diffusion path from the pivot bearing lubricant to the read head. The adsorptive element may be disposed adjacent that restricted clearance.
US08547662B2
An example magnetic writing head includes a main magnetic pole, a coil to generate an ampere magnetic field to magnetize the main magnetic pole to cause the magnetized main magnetic pole to generate a magnetic field, and a laminated body. The laminated body includes a first magnetic layer having a coercivity lower than the magnetic field applied by the main magnetic pole and a second magnetic layer having a coercivity lower than the magnetic field applied by the main magnetic pole.
US08547658B1
A data storage device assembly comprises a data storage device, a shock mount configured to couple to the data storage device, and an enclosure comprising first and second portions. The first enclosure portion may comprise a first pocket defining a first nesting surface, and a first plurality of ribs configured to contact a first portion of the shock mount over an aggregate first surface area that is less than a surface area of the first nesting surface. The second enclosure portion may be configured to mate with the first enclosure portion to enclose the data storage device therebetween. The second enclosure portion may comprise a second pocket defining a second nesting surface and a second plurality of ribs configured to contact a second portion of the shock mount over an aggregate second surface area that is less than a surface area of the second nesting surface.
US08547654B2
A lens device includes a fixed lens, a rotatable lens barrel, and a base. The fixed lens includes at least one cam groove which has an opening portion. The rotatable lens barrel is sleeved within the fixed lens. The rotatable lens barrel includes at least one cam follower. The cam follower enters the cam groove through the opening portion and moves along the cam groove. The base is assembled to the fixed lens. The base includes at least one protruding structure. The protruding structure extends to the cam groove through the opening portion.
US08547653B2
The present invention provides a miniaturized lens barrel and optical instrument. The lens barrel (1) is constituted to be provided with a lens (L2) which is retained in a retaining frame (82) pivotally supported by a shaft portion (83) parallel to the optical axis (A), and which moves between a first position and a second position in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis by rotation of the retaining frame about the shaft portion; a protuberance (85) formed to protrude in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; and a moving member (70) which is moveable with respect to the retaining frame and which includes a retaining face portion (70a) which, in a state where it abuts the protuberance, retains the lens in the first position, and a recessed portion (72) formed at one portion of the retaining face portion; and is constituted such that the protuberance moves between a state where it abuts the retaining face portion, and a state where it is accommodated in the recessed portion, in accordance with movement of the moving member, and the lens is retained in a second position in the state where the protuberance is accommodated in the recessed portion.
US08547652B2
The invention relates to a monolithic optical mount, which is divided by a plurality of cutouts into a stationary outer mount ring, a laterally adjustable inner mount ring, and manipulator units that are arranged with uniform offset from each other and formed by the remaining material connections. The cutouts have a uniform constant width and can therefore advantageously be produced by milling. The manipulator units have a simple geometrical design in the form of T- or L-shaped webs.
US08547650B2
The present invention provides an imaging lens assembly, comprising in order from an object side toward an image side, a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, a third lens element with positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, a fourth lens element with negative refractive power, a fifth lens element with positive refractive power, and an aperture stop positioned between an imaged object and the first lens element. The above lens arrangement shortens the total track length effectively, enabling a high performance imaging lens assembly with a wide field of view.
US08547646B2
A zoom lens includes, in a sequence from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power and comprising two lenses; a second lens group having a positive refractive power; a stop disposed on the image side of the second lens group; and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein: during zooming from a wide angle position to a telephoto position, an interval between the first lens group and the second lens group decreases, and an interval between the second lens group and the third lens group increases.
US08547645B2
A lens system including: a first lens group having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a positive refractive power; and a third lens group having a positive or negative refractive power, wherein the first lens group comprises four or less lenses, and the first through third lens groups are movable, independently, during focusing and have magnifications in a range from −1 to 0.
US08547639B2
An optical element includes a substrate including protruding structures on the surface and a hard coat layer formed on the substrate. An irregular shape is formed by the structures. An irregular shape resembling the irregular shape of the substrate is formed on a surface of the hard coat layer and is smoother than the that of the substrate. The size of bottoms of the structures changes at random within the range of the minimum distance Rm to the maximum distance RM (Rm: minimum value of the shortest distance from the center of gravity of the bottom of the structure to the rim of the bottom, RM: maximum value of the longest distance from the center of gravity of the bottom of the structure to the rim of the bottom). Neighboring structures have bottoms in contact or substantially in contact with one another. Rm and RM satisfy Rm/RM≦0.9.
US08547638B2
The specification and drawings present a new apparatus and method for providing color separation in an exit pupil expander system that uses a plurality of diffractive elements for expanding the exit pupil of a display in an electronic device for viewing by introducing a selectively absorbing area or areas in the exit pupil expander.
US08547637B2
The present invention provides an optical film composite that includes a linear, reflective polarizing film; a first polymeric substrate layer having birefringence, which is placed on the reflective polarizing film; and a second polymeric substrate layer placed beneath the reflective polarizing film, wherein the optical axis of the first polymeric substrate layer is oriented with respect to the transmission axis of the reflective polarizing film to have of 0° to 25° of an angular difference between the axes. The optical film composite can be employed in LCD devices to improve optical performance.
US08547628B2
The invention is directed to methods and compositions useful for improving the performance of electrophoretic displays. The methods comprise adding a conductive filler in the form of nanoparticles and having a volume resistivity of less than about 104 ohm cm into at least one electrode protecting layer of the display.
US08547612B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document as color image data including pieces of color component data; a dot-component removing unit that removes dot components by smoothing each color component data; a high-frequency-color identifying unit that identifies, of colors represented by dot-removed color component data obtained by the smoothing, a high-frequency color satisfying a predetermined high-frequency condition; an individual-density-conversion-information generating unit that generates, for each high-frequency color, individual-density conversion information for converting each color component data such that a color near the high-frequency color becomes substantially the same as the high-frequency color; and a color-component-data converting unit that converts, based on the individual-density conversion information, each color component data in a part of the color image data, the part being data in which a color represented by the dot-removed color component data is a color near the high-frequency color.
US08547608B2
A scanning apparatus includes: a transparent platen having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the first and second edges being separated along a scan direction; a frame including: a holder for the transparent platen; and a control panel located proximate the first edge of the transparent platen; a scan bar assembly including a scan element; a motor for moving the scan bar assembly along the scan direction; and a circuit board connected to the control panel, the circuit board including: a plurality of electrical components; a first edge located adjacent a side of the frame; and a second edge opposite the first edge, wherein the second edge of the circuit board is configured to overlap the first edge of the transparent platen.
US08547603B2
Transparency imaging systems and methods. One embodiment of the transparency imaging system comprises an imaging surface and a cover mounted adjacent the imaging surface. A media adapter is provided as part of the cover, and a chamber is formed in the media adapter. At least one template is receivable within the chamber formed in the media adapter, the at least one template loading the transparency media in the media adapter adjacent the imaging surface for an imaging operation.
US08547597B2
Dot patterns formed by two different half-tone processes of the plurality of tone processes for each color of CMYK and formed with/without the presence and absence of transparent toner overlap are created and test patches obtained by collecting the dot patterns are printed. The printed test patches are read to generate image data, and tone correction arithmetic is performed on the basis of the image data. Concentration in the case of the presence of transparent toner in a different half-tone process is predicted based on the dot patterns with the transparent toner overlap in the test patches and concentration in the case of the absence of transparent toner in a different half-tone process is predicted based on the dot patterns without the transparent toner overlap in the test patches. The tone correction arithmetic is performed based on the predicted values.
US08547578B2
A printer driver includes a job command generation module storage unit that stores therein a plurality of job command generation modules for generating a job command, a drawing command generation module storage unit that stores therein a plurality of drawing command generation modules for generating a drawing command to instruct a printer to print an image, a determining unit that determines a combination of the job command generation module stored in the job command generation module storage unit and the drawing command generation module stored in the drawing command generation module storage unit, a generation requesting unit that requests the determined job command generation module and drawing command generation module to generate a command, and a transmitting unit that transmits the generated job command and drawing command to the printer.
US08547577B2
A printing device includes at least one printing engine that has many sensors (first sensors and second sensors) and at least one engine controller operatively connected to the printing engine. The engine controller uses software to control operations of the printing engine. Also, at least one non-volatile memory is operatively connected to the engine controller. The non-volatile memory stores values used by the engine controller to control operations of the printing engine. At least one adapter card is operatively connected to the non-volatile memory and to the first sensors and second sensors. The first sensors correspond to the design of the controller and are items designed as original equipment of the printing device. To the contrary, the second sensors correspond to the design of the adapter card and are items designed to be installed in the printing device after the printing device is in post production, customer service. The adapter card receives feedback from the first sensors and the second sensors and the adapter card reads and modifies incoming print jobs before the print jobs are delivered to the controller.
US08547575B2
Systems and methods presented herein provide for printer discovery with a webpage such that a client device may print the webpage via a remote printing service. The client device retrieves a webpage with an internet browser. The webpage includes a printer detection module that detects printing devices of one data network and transfers their printing characteristics to a print server in another data network. The printer detection module is accessible through the webpage. The printer detection module allows for the selection of one or more of the printing devices. The client device transfers the webpage (or the URL of the webpage) to the print server to render the webpage for printing on the selected printing device. The print server renders the webpage according to the printing characteristics of the selected printing device and then transfers the rendered webpage to the selected printing device via the client device for printing.
US08547568B2
An approach is provided for securely printing electronic documents using a portable media. The approach is applicable to a wide variety of contexts and implementations and includes secure direct printing of electronic documents, secure direct printing of electronic documents with remote user authentication and secure printing of electronic documents with remote data management. The particular information provided on the portable media varies, depending upon the implementation. Furthermore, the approach provides varying degrees of security and may be used in conjunction with conventional printing of electronic documents.
US08547566B2
In a pull printing system, it is possible to perform an alternate print with appropriate security and in consideration of loads on a server while securing convenience of the user requesting a third party for the alternate print. An image processing apparatus in the pull printing system comprises a user authentication unit configured to confirm authority of an alternate process to a first user during login, a bibliographic information managing unit configured to acquire bibliographic information of print data stored in a storage server by a second user from a bibliographic information server for displaying the print data corresponding to the second user and a log information managing unit configured to acquire a log of an operation of the alternate process executed by the first user to the print data corresponding to the second user.
US08547564B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit, power supplier, power controller, memory, signal transmission unit and transmission timer. The image forming unit forms an image based on image data from a plurality of host devices. The power supplier supplies power to a power system including the image forming unit. The power controller controls the power from the power supplier to the power system. The memory stores a usage amount of each host device. The signal transmission unit transmits a response request to a host device having at least a predetermined usage amount. The transmission timer counts a first time period from a transmission of the response request. The power controller halts the power from the power supplier to the power system when determining, based on the first time period, that a reply to the response request is not transmitted from the specific host device for a predetermined period.
US08547559B2
A detection method of detecting a position of an uppermost substrate of a plurality of substrates stacked on each other includes applying illumination to a region covering a portion of an edge of the uppermost substrate and a portion of a lower substrate stacked with the uppermost substrate, identifying a position of the edge of the uppermost substrate based on a position of a step-like portion present in the region due to a step formed between the uppermost substrate and the lower substrate, and identifying a position of the uppermost substrate based on the position of the edge of the uppermost substrate.
US08547555B1
The present application is directed to a novel spectrometer configured with a built-in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and accessory compartment. In particular, an arranged sample analysis compartment provided by the spectrometer performs attenuated total reflectance analysis of a sample and includes a crystal, a tip configured to press the sample against the crystal, and a detector configured to detect light after reflection within the crystal. As part of the configuration, an actuator moves an optical element between a first position wherein the optical element receives modulated light and reflects the modulated light toward the crystal and a second position wherein the optical element does not receive the modulated light so as to instead allow an additionally configured optical component to receive the modulated light.
US08547551B2
A lithographic apparatus includes a vessel that encloses a component with a test surface to be probed for contamination control; and an optical probe configured to transmit and receive an optical probing beam. The vessel includes a first optical port configured to transfer the optical probing beam towards the test surface, and a second optical port configured to receive a reflected optical probing beam. The optical probe includes a light source configured to provide the optical probing beam, a polarization conditioner configured to provide a predefined polarization state to the probing beam, and a spectral analyzer. The polarization conditioner is preset to provide a minimal transmission for a minimal transmission wavelength, and the spectral analyzer is arranged to detect a wavelength shift of the minimal transmission wavelength in response to a polarization change due to the presence of contamination.
US08547547B2
The present invention is to provide an optical surface defect inspection apparatus or an optical surface defect inspection method that can improve a signal-to-noise ratio according to a multi-segmented cell method without performing autofocus operations, and can implement highly sensitive inspection. The present invention is an optical surface defect inspection apparatus or an optical surface defect inspection method in which an inspection beam is applied onto a test subject, an image of a scattered light from the surface of the test subject is formed on a photo-detector, and a defect on the surface of the test subject is inspected based on an output from the photo-detector. The photo-detector has an optical fiber bundle. One end thereof forms a circular light receiving surface to receive the scattered light. The other end thereof is connected to a plurality of light receiving devices. The optical fiber bundle is divided into a plurality of fan-shaped cells in the light receiving surface, and connected to the light emitting devices in units of the cells for performing the inspection based on the outputs of the plurality of cells.
US08547537B2
A device detects multi-spectral imaging by using scan elements. The device may include an illumination module and a detection module to detect light scattered from an object illuminated by the illumination module. The device may also include an array of light sources to produce light at a plurality of different wavelengths, and create a line of illumination with each of the different wavelengths. The light detection may be applied to authenticate and validate documents, such as banknotes moving along a document conveyer.
US08547524B2
A system for forming an integral image includes an optics system spaced between an active digital mask and the first side of an integral lens array, where the integral lens array has a light sensitive material layer spaced relative to the second side of the integral lens array. The active digital mask may provide the image directly to the integral lens array, or the image may be focused on a projection screen placed relative to the integral lens array. The active digital mask can vary the provided image to create a three dimensional image and to account for distortions caused by the optics system or curvature in the integral lens array and/or the light sensitive material. Edible materials may be used for the integral lens array and light sensitive material.
US08547520B2
An exposure apparatus comprises: a first detection apparatus, which detects the temperature of a liquid after the liquid contacts a prescribed object; and a processing apparatus that detects the relationship between the temperature of the liquid and the temperature of the object based on the detection result of the first detection apparatus.
US08547519B2
An immersion lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which liquid is provided between a projection system of the apparatus and a substrate. The use of both liquidphobic and liquidphilic layers on various elements of the apparatus is provided to help prevent formation of bubbles in the liquid and to help reduce residue on the elements after being in contact with the liquid.
US08547516B2
A driver circuit for use with a passive matrix or active matrix electro-optical display device such as a liquid crystal display is fabricated to occupy a reduced area. A circuit (stick crystal) having a length substantially equal to the length of one side of the matrix of the display device is used as the driver circuit. The circuit is bonded to one substrate of the display device, and then the terminals of the circuit are connected with the terminals of the display device. Subsequently, the substrate of the driver circuit is removed. The driver circuit can be formed on a large-area substrate such as a glass substrate, while the display device can be formed on a lightweight material having a high shock resistance such as a plastic substrate.
US08547508B2
A liquid crystal display device comprises an optically diffusively reflecting layer arranged to maximize utilization of incident light. The reflecting layer contains a thin metallic film with projections (14a) each having an unsymmetrical cross section to centralise reflected light in a specific azimuth direction (y). The range of viewing angles (θx-z, θy-z) into which a substantial portion of the incident light is reflected is broader in the specific azimuth direction (y) than in another direction (x). The director (5d) of liquid crystal molecules initiallly lies in a plane (y-z) parallel to the specific azimuth direction (y) to achieve retardation self-compensation.
US08547505B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes: a first panel having a display unit with a plurality of pixels and a non-display unit with a driving circuit to drive the pixels; a second panel facing the first panel; a liquid crystal layer between the first panel and the second panel; a transparent conductive layer at a surface of the second panel opposite to the surface of the second panel facing the first panel; and a first polarizing plate on the transparent conductive layer, the first polarizing plate including a main body unit covering a region corresponding to the display unit and an extension covering a region corresponding to a portion of the non-display unit.
US08547504B2
A plasmonic optical spectrum filtering device is provided that filters electromagnetic waves by optical resonance, for example, by selective conversion between the free-space waves and spatially confined modes in plasmonic nano-resonators. Frequency-selective transmission and reflection spectra are engineered and can be used as spectrum filters for display and imaging applications. A thin film stack color filter is further disclosed, which can be designed to either function as a transmission color filter with efficiency twice that of conventional colorant based color filter; or as a reflective color filter for display devices (e.g., used in an energy harvesting reflective display). In other variations, a novel reflective colored display is viewable under direct sunlight, and can simultaneously harvest both incident light and generate electrical power. Methods of making such plasmonic optical spectrum filtering devices are also provided.
US08547502B2
It is to provide a light source module capable of downsizing an edge-light type backlight in thickness and reducing the usage amount of resin. A method of manufacturing a light source module includes a process of preparing a substrate with a first reflector including a reflecting surface mounted thereon, a process of mounting a plurality of light emitting elements on the substrate, a process of mounting a wiring board having an electrode on the substrate, a process of connecting the electrode of the light emitting element and the electrode of the wiring board with metal wire, a process of mounting a second reflector having a reflecting surface on the wiring board, and a process of filling the space between the first reflector and the second reflector, with resin.
US08547498B2
A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, a light guide plate disposed below the liquid crystal panel, and a light source unit which emits light to at least one side surface of the light guide plate. The light source unit includes light source elements which are disposed adjacent to the at least one side surface of the light guide plate, and which emit light that is incident on the at least one side surface of the light guide plate. A printed circuit board is disposed adjacent to a lower surface of the light guide plate and supports the light source elements.
US08547497B2
A liquid crystal display module includes fastening members which fix a printed circuit board to a bottom chassis via support members including receipt parts into which the fastening members are inserted such that head parts of the fastening members are not protruded from an upper surface of the printed circuit board, thereby preventing the fastening members from damaging structures provided around the fastening members.
US08547493B2
An object is to reduce contact resistance between an oxide semiconductor layer and source and drain electrode layers electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor layer in a thin film transistor including the oxide semiconductor layer. The source and drain electrode layers have a stacked structure of two or more layers. In this stack of layers, a layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer is a thin indium layer or a thin indium-alloy layer. Note that the oxide semiconductor layer contains indium. A second layer or second and any of subsequent layers in the source and drain electrode layers are formed using an element selected from Al, Cr, Cu, Ta, Ti, Mo, and W, an alloy containing any of these elements as a component, an alloy containing any of these elements in combination, or the like.
US08547492B2
Provided is an active matrix substrate including a capacitance electrode (47a) electrically connected to a pixel electrode (17a), in which a storage capacitance wiring (18p) is formed in the layer between the capacitance electrode (47a) and the pixel electrode (17a), the capacitance electrode (47a) and the storage capacitance wiring (18p) overlap through a first insulating film and the storage capacitance wiring (18p) and the pixel electrode (17a) overlap through a second insulating film. With this configuration, in the active matrix substrate, the storage capacitance value can be increased without lowering the aperture ratio.
US08547487B2
The invention provides a display panel for displaying stereo images. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix formed by rows and columns, and a plurality of black strip patterns. A plurality of rows of pixels form a display group. Two adjacent display groups are used to display a first image and a second image, respectively. The black strip patterns are disposed to cover the regions between the two adjacent display groups.
US08547483B2
An image processing method includes receiving an image data including a first pixel, a second pixel and a third pixel, the second pixel being between the first pixel and the third pixel; calculating a difference between two initial chrominance values of the first pixel and two initial chrominance values of the second pixel to determine a first difference, and calculating a difference between the two initial chrominance values of the second pixel and two initial chrominance values of the third pixel to determine a second difference; comparing the first difference with the second difference to select either the first pixel or the third pixel as a target pixel; and determining two adjusted chrominance values of the second pixel according to at least two initial chrominance values of the target pixel.
US08547472B2
An image pickup device includes a signal processing unit which processes a signal generated by separating a luminous signal into wavelength components of two or more colors by use of a sensor unit including two-dimensionally arranged pixels to which a wavelength separating unit for separating light wavelengths is arranged at a front face of a photoelectric converting element which converts the luminous signal condensed by an optical lens unit into electric signals, wherein the optical lens unit includes at least one optical lens having different focusing positions in accordance with the wavelengths of the luminous signal, and the signal processing unit includes an outline signal generating unit which extracts an outline signal from an output signal of the sensor unit.
US08547447B2
Compensation is performed for an image capture device which includes an image sensor which has a tunable spectral response and which is tunable in accordance with a capture mask. The compensation is for spatial non-uniformity in color sensitivity of the image sensor. A default capture mask is applied to the image sensor, and a sample image is captured using the image sensor tuned by the default capture mask. Color of the sample image is analyzed to identify spatial non-uniformity in color sensitivity of the image sensor. A compensation capture mask is constructed. The compensation capture mask is constructed using calculations based on the identified spatial non-uniformity so as to compensate for spatial non-uniformity in color sensitivity of the image sensor. The compensation capture mask is stored in a memory of the image capture device for application of the compensation capture mask to the image sensor.
US08547437B2
A computerized method of video analysis that includes receiving several series of video frames generated by a number of image sensors. Each image sensor has its own field-of-view which can, but does not have to, overlap with another image sensor's field-of-view. The image sensors monitor a portion of a monitored environment. The computerized method also includes concurrently tracking, independent of calibration, multiple objects within the monitored environment as the objects move between fields-of-view, and multiple objects within one field-of-view. The tracking is based on the plurality of received series of video frames.
US08547396B2
Systems, methods, and computer storage media for generating a computer animation of a game. A custom animation platform receives game play data of the game and determines at least one scene based on the game play data. Then, one or more frames in the scene are set up, where at least one of the frames includes at least one non-game pre-production element of the game. Subsequently, the frames are rendered and the rendered frames are combined to generate a computer animation.
US08547395B1
A computer-implemented graphics system has a mode of operation in which primitive coverage information is generated by a rasterizer for real sample locations and virtual sample locations for use in anti-aliasing. An individual pixel includes a single real sample location and at least one virtual sample location. If the coverage information cannot be changed by a pixel shader, then the rasterizer can write the coverage information to a framebuffer. If, however, the coverage information can be changed by the shader, then the rasterizer sends the coverage information to the shader.
US08547365B2
Provided are a display device and method. The display device includes a plurality of data driving integrated circuits (ICs) configured to receive reception signals, each of which includes data and load signal information indicating an application starting time point of the data, and apply parallel data signals corresponding to the data at the application starting time points according to the load signal information included in the reception signals, and a display panel configured to display an image according to the parallel data signals, wherein at least two of the data driving ICs apply parallel data signals at different application starting time points.
US08547362B2
A stylus includes a stylus barrel, a electrically conductive stylus head connecting to the stylus barrel, a rod assembly and a shaft. The rod assembly includes a swing block and an elastic member connecting the end of the swing block. The rod assembly is assembled in stylus barrel, the shaft is secured on the stylus barrel and passes through the swing block, making the swing block enable to tilt about the shaft, an end of the stylus head rotatably connects the other end of the swing block relative to the elastic member, the other end of the stylus head exposed to the stylus barrel, the elastic member provides an elastic force to cause the stylus head return to the original position after the stylus is moved into a tilted position.
US08547360B2
A system includes a touch screen having multiple electrodes. The system also includes a processing unit configured to use the electrodes to (i) detect an object contacting the touch screen or within a first distance from the touch screen in a first mode and (ii) detect the object within a second distance from the touch screen in a second mode. The second distance is larger than the first distance. The processing unit can be configured to use the multiple electrodes in the first mode to perform capacitive touch screen sensing. The processing unit can also be configured to use the multiple electrodes in the second mode to perform electric field sensing.
US08547354B2
A method includes, at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface: concurrently displaying a first text entry area and an unsplit keyboard on the display; detecting a gesture on the touch-sensitive surface; and, in response to detecting the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface, replacing the unsplit keyboard with an integrated input area. The integrated input area includes a left portion with a left side of a split keyboard, a right portion with a right side of the split keyboard, and a center portion in between the left portion and the right portion.
US08547350B2
A force/displacement touch device, this invention employs a base-plane 32 and flexible mounting material to suspend, or “float,” a non-rigidly mounted touch-plane 12, and uses sensors at each mounting point 22 to measure Z-axis deflection of the floating touch-plane 12. The system adapts existing planes in typical LCD assemblies to implement touch screens. This floating touch detection system provides an accurate, sensitive, compact and low-cost solution. It mitigates XY friction to improve detection of Z-forces. This approach provides latitude in locating sensors 34, allows for additional mid-plane sensors, enables greater accuracy and resolution, and adds features such as “multi-touch” sensitivity. This touch system is defined as a unique and novel ‘floating’ co-planar assembly of a touch-plane 12 to a base-plane 32, which uses a flexible material 22 or medium to define a consistent resting air gap, and then senses and measures any deflection from the co-planar resting position, using any among a broad variety of sensor types.
US08547338B2
A display panel includes a plurality of pixels; a plurality of detection units formed in row and column directions that generate an element output signal when the display panel is touched; a detection signal processor that generates detection data based on the element output signal; and a touch determination unit that classifies the detection data in a row or column direction, that converts a row or column coordinate of a touch position or sustains a previous coordinate by comparing a reference value of each direction with the detection data, and that determines whether the touch has occurred according to the conversion number of the row or column coordinate. When the screen is continuously touched along a row or column direction, the touch or lack thereof and its position can be accurately determined by using the previous touch position information as current touch position information.
US08547337B2
According to the present invention, an alphabet input device of a mobile communication comprises a keypad input including a plurality of keys for inputting alphabets; a display for displaying alphabets inputted by said keypad input; an alphabet combiner for reading the alphabet corresponding to the input of the keypad input from pre-stored database and providing the display with said alphabet from said database; and, a controller coupled to said keypad input, said display and said alphabet combiner so as to control thereof, wherein said keypad input has a 3×4 matrix which includes numeric keys distinguished by the numbers ‘0’ to ‘9’ and function keys distinguished by the characters ‘*’ and ‘#’, and said numeric keys for ‘1 ’ to ‘9’ are assigned with a plurality of alphabet buttons for inputting alphabets, wherein said numeric key for ‘0’ is assigned with a space button for inputting a blank, wherein one of said function keys for ‘*’ and ‘#’ is assigned with a last button for successive inputting of the alphabet and a special character button for inputting a special character, wherein the other of said function keys that does not assigned with said last button and said special character button is assigned with a shift button, which performs a function of character input mode-setting and word-shifting for setting a character input mode so as to allow inputting of the capital/small letter of alphabet and for shifting a word inputted beforehand between the capital letter and the small letter, and a function of character-shifting for shifting characters inputted beforehand one at a time.
US08547329B2
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with a disambiguation routine that is operable to disambiguate text input. In addition to identifying and outputting representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input, the device is able to perform a spell check routine during input of a text entry, with the output from the spell check routine being visually integrated into the output from the disambiguation routine.
US08547328B2
A haptic interface system includes a cable based haptic interface device and a controller. The controller receives information related to movement of a grip in real-space and generates a stereoscopic output for a display device. The stereoscopic output includes images of a virtual reality tool whose motions mimic motions of the real-space grip.
US08547327B2
Object tracking technology, in which controlling an illumination source is controlled to illuminate while a camera is capturing an image to define an intersection region within the image captured by the camera. The image captured by the camera is analyzed to detect an object within the intersection region. User input is determined based on the object detected within the intersection region and an application is controlled based on the determined user input.
US08547325B2
An electronic display is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrofluidic chromatophore (EFC) pixel cells. The display comprises a controller executing the steps of: storing the present cell display properties of the pixel cells displaying the present image content, comparing the present cell display properties with next cell display properties of the pixel cells, determining still-image pixels displaying still-image content wherein the present cell display properties of the pixels are substantially identical to the next cell display properties of the pixels, and providing a still-image drive scheme. The still-image drive scheme involves addressing a voltage to another one pixel cell terminal of the still-image pixels, the still image voltage being derived from the stable supply voltage that stabilizes the cell display properties of the still-image pixels so as to display still-image content in an energy efficient manner.
US08547309B2
An OLED display including a display panel having a plurality of R, G, and B pixels formed and at least one of a high-potential and low-potential driving voltage supply line disposed; a data driving circuit; a gamma reference voltage generating circuit for generating gamma reference voltages for R, G, and B by dividing voltages of high-potential gamma power sources; a current estimating circuit for generating digital estimated current values for R, G, and B; a current sensing circuit for generating digital sensing current values for R, G, and B; and a gamma power source control circuit for controlling the high-potential gamma power sources by comparing the digital estimated current values for R, G, and B with the digital sensing current values for R, G, and B so that driving currents corresponding to the respective digital estimated current values flow in the respective R, G, and B pixels.
US08547296B2
A display controlling apparatus that is capable of communicating with an image processing apparatus that sends image data to the display controlling apparatus in response to a notification from the display controlling apparatus, includes the following elements: a sending unit configured to send the notification to the image processing apparatus; a first receiving unit configured to receive the image data sent from the image processing apparatus in response to the notification; and a first computing unit configured to compute a first time required to display the image data received by the first receiving unit. The sending unit sends a new notification to the image processing apparatus at a timing based on the first time computed by the first computing unit.
US08547290B2
A device for conveying signals for a mobile antenna positioner is provided. The device comprises a waveguide with a conductive structure including a first end connected to the antenna, and a second end connected to the mount of the positioner, wherein the waveguide has a continuous structure, each of its ends being attached by means allowing a range of movement of the waveguide in order to limit the bending forces of said guide and to reduce the force applied to the attachment means during the movements of the positioner. The device applies notably to communication systems with mobile antennas, and more particularly to the production of antenna stations comprising antenna positioners with a wide range of movement in relative bearing.
US08547282B2
A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna and a communication device using the same is provided. The MIMO antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements in which a feeding unit is formed at one end, and another end is connected to a ground, and a connection unit which connects the antenna elements.
US08547280B2
Provided is a radiator transition assembly for exciting a long slot radiator of an antenna, the transition assembly including a folded flexible circuit substrate including at least two folds forming a long slot radiator, an excitation circuitry configured to generate signals for exciting the long slot radiator, and a microstrip transmission line coupled to the excitation circuitry and positioned along the folded flexible circuit substrate, where the microstrip transmission line extends across an opening of the long slot radiator.
US08547278B2
A sensing device may include an antenna. The antenna may include a top wafer and a bottom wafer coupled to the top wafer. The antenna may further include an air cavity between the top wafer and the bottom wafer. The sensing device may further include a substrate and an interposer disposed between the antenna and the substrate.
US08547264B2
The invention provides a system of generation of multi-channel analog output signals, from a single analog input signal, and the controlled activation of peripheral devices responsive to the multi-channel analog output signals. A single-channel to multi-channel analog-to-analog converter is provided to convert the single analog input signal to multiple output channels. Uni-directional coupling is used for coupling and mixing the multi-channel outputs and transferring the mixed outputs to a data bus. Signals on the data bus are used to drive the multiple peripheral devices.
US08547242B2
A detecting circuit includes an indicating light, a switch component, and a control component. The indicating light indicates whether a voltage rail output by a power supply is within a predetermined voltage range. The switch component has a first terminal connected to the voltage rail, a second terminal connected to the indicating light, and a control terminal. The control component is connected to the control terminal of the switch component. The control component switches on the switch component to power on the indicating light when the voltage rail is within the predetermined voltage range, or switches off the switch component to power off the indicating light when the voltage rail is out of the predetermined voltage range.
US08547229B2
A multi-attach disposable security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a deactivatable security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism. Thus, the security tags combine the qualities of being non-ferrous, light-weight, low cost, deactivatable, secure, visually-deterring, and installable in two stages to the article it is meant to protect.
US08547227B2
A method of operating a radio frequency (RF) communication device includes internally storing energy received by the RF communication device, and using that energy to enhance communication by the RF communication device upon occurrence of a predetermined event. The energy received by the RF communication device may be energy transmitted by a shelf or other display unit that an object with the RF communication device is located on. The predetermined event may be any of a wide variety of events. The energy storage may be accomplished in a battery, capacitor, or other energy storage device. The use of energy to enhance communication may be used to provide increased power for sending, receiving, or detecting signals. The enhanced power may be provided continuously, and/or may include periods of power enhancement alternating with periods of non-enhancement.
US08547224B2
An infrastructure information collecting device collects measurement information including location information regarding a plurality of wireless access devices disposed in an indoor space based on an indoor map, and a positioning system generates information regarding a wireless communication infrastructure of the corresponding indoor space based on the thusly collected measurement information. The positioning system then provides the generated wireless communication infrastructure information to a terminal of which location is desired to be measured, and then the terminal measures its location based on the wireless communication infrastructure information and signals received from nearby wireless access devices.
US08547222B2
A monitoring system is provided, by which location data and possibly other information from a wireless personal tracking device carried by an individual is transmitted to an administrative hub for processing and action according to defined rules. Simultaneous monitoring of a plurality of individuals with diverse tracking units and effective event recording and reporting can be implemented.
US08547212B2
A telemetry system coupled to a vehicle can communicate with a remote site using the overhead control channels of a wireless network, such as a cellular mobile radiotelephone network. The telemetry system can monitor or control aspects of the vehicle's operations based on remote user input. The telemetry system can receive a command from a data processing center and, based on the command, perform an action at the vehicle such that a user can remotely interact with the vehicle.
US08547211B2
A route retrieval apparatus is disclosed. The route retrieval apparatus includes a storage component, a first correction component, a second correction component and a retrieval component. The storage component stores therein probe information to specify fuel consumption in each section, the probe information having been collected from probe vehicles. The first correction component corrects gradient information of each section based on the specified fuel consumption in the each section. The second correction component corrects a fuel cost of each section based on the gradient information corrected by the first correction component. The retrieval component retrieves, by using the fuel cost of the each section corrected by the second correction component, a route with a lowest total of the fuel costs from a departure point to a destination point.
US08547209B2
An alarm suspend system utilizes an alarm trigger responsive to physiological parameters and corresponding limits on those parameters. The parameters are associated with both fast and slow treatment times corresponding to length of time it takes for a person to respond to medical treatment for out-of-limit parameter measurements. Audible and visual alarms respond to the alarm trigger. An alarm silence button is pressed to silence the audible alarm for a predetermined suspend time. The audible alarm is activated after the suspend time has lapsed. Longer suspend times are associated with slow treatment parameters and shorter suspend times are associated with fast treatment parameters.
US08547206B2
A noncontact IC medium direction detecting apparatus (1), method, and computer readable medium are provided. The apparatus (1) includes: receiving means (10) capable of reading a noncontact IC medium (25) in different directional orientations; and information processing means (13) that controls the receiving means, the information processing means being arranged to perform: a first obtaining process of aiming a directional orientation toward a first direction to obtain a signal level of a signal received from the noncontact IC medium having predetermined identification information; a second obtaining process of aiming another directional orientation toward a second direction to obtain a signal level of a signal received from the noncontact IC medium; a composition process of subjecting the signal levels corresponding to the first and second directions to subtraction operation or division to obtain a composite signal level; and an existence direction operating process of obtaining a direction where the noncontact IC medium of interest exists from an operation using the composite signal level.
US08547203B2
The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit for holding a plurality of discrete items, including a signal emitting mechanism associated with each of the plurality of discrete items, an enclosed housing having at least one receptacle accessible by a user and having at least one of the plurality of items contained therein, a passive signal receiving mechanism in communication with the receptacle for receiving signals emanating from the signal emitting mechanism and a securement system configured to prevent unauthorized access to the dynamic control containment unit. A controller is in communication with the signal receiving mechanism and initiates actions based upon the signal content.
US08547200B2
A home appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The home appliance outputs product information as a predetermined sound signal and the sound signal is transmitted to a remote service center over a communication network so that the state of the home appliance is easily checked at the service center. Data associated with each operation of the home appliance is stored as product information according to the operation state of the home appliance. The product information is also stored when the operation is suddenly terminated and is then output as a sound signal so that it is possible to correctly check the state of the home appliance and to correctly diagnose an error that has occurred in the home appliance.
US08547195B2
A protection element and a secondary battery device employing the protection element are provided for stably retaining a flux on a soluble conductor at a predetermined position, so as to enable appropriate blowout of the soluble conductor in the event of an abnormality. The protection element has a soluble conductor which is disposed on an insulation baseboard, and which is connected to a power supply path of a device targeted to be protected, and which causes a blowout when a predetermined abnormal electric power amount is supplied. A flux is coated on a surface of the soluble conductor, and an insulation cover member is mounted on the baseboard and covers the soluble conductor. The protection element also includes a stepped portion for retaining the flux at a predetermined position in contact with the flux, and the stepped portion is formed opposite to the soluble conductor on an interior face of the insulation cover member.
US08547187B2
An impedance matching ground plane step, in conjunction with a quarter wave transformer section, in a printed circuit board provides a broadband microwave matching transition from board connectors or other elements that require thin substrates to thick substrate (>quarter wavelength) broadband microwave (millimeter wave) devices. A method of constructing microwave and other high frequency electrical circuits on a substrate of uniform thickness, where the circuit is formed of a plurality of interconnected elements of different impedances that individually require substrates of different thicknesses, by providing a substrate of uniform thickness that is a composite or multilayered substrate; and forming a pattern of intermediate ground planes or impedance matching steps interconnected by vias located under various parts of the circuit where components of different impedances are located so that each part of the circuit has a ground plane substrate thickness that is optimum while the entire circuit is formed on a substrate of uniform thickness.
US08547184B2
A high-frequency coupler includes a ground, a coupling electrode which faces the ground and is supported so as to be separated by a negligible height with respect to a high-frequency signal, a resonating unit for increasing a current flowing into the coupling electrode, a supporting unit which is connected to the resonating unit, and a short-circuiting unit which short-circuits the tip portions of the coupling electrode, in which an infinitesimal dipole constituted by a line connecting the center of the charges accumulated in the coupling electrode and the center of mirror-image charges accumulated in the ground is formed, and the high-frequency signal is transmitted toward a high-frequency coupler of a communication partner so that the angle θ formed in the direction of the infinitesimal dipole is substantially 0 degrees.
US08547176B2
A distributed power amplifier arranged to operate over a bandwidth. An input side with an input terminal is arranged to receive an input signal and connected to an input transmission line. An output side with an output terminal is adapted to deliver an output signal and connected to an output transmission line. A power splitter is connected to the input terminal, thus being arranged to divide the input signal in a first path to the input transmission line and in a second path to an input of an active matching circuit. The active matching circuit has an output connected to the output transmission line. The other end of the output transmission line is connected to the output terminal. A method to design a distributed power amplifier and to modify existing distributed power amplifiers.
US08547162B2
An output stage for a switched mode power supply has a high-side switch having a first power FET and a first speed-up FET monolithically integrated onto a first die. A low-side switch has a second power FET and a second speed-up FET monolithically integrated onto a second die. A semiconductor device has the power FET and the speed-up FET monolithically integrated in a “source-down” configuration. A method of operating an output stage of a switched mode power supply alternately turns on and off a high-side and a low-side switch and drives at least one of the switches with a speed-up FET monolithically integrated with the switch.
US08547141B2
A voltage to current converter comprising a composite amplifier arrangement having a common-base transistor for providing voltage to current conversion, the input current to common-base transistor is corrected to account for the temperature drift of the transistor and variations in the bias supply voltage.
US08547136B1
An integrated circuit (IC) with an Intellectual Property (IP) protection system is disclosed. The IC includes a memory array operable to store a key. The key is a sequence of binary bits. The IC also has an IP block operable to perform a function. The IP block is defined through the circuitry of the IC. The IP block is also operable to be activated with the key. The IC has an interconnection operable to couple the memory array to the IP block. The interconnection transfers the key from the memory array to the IP block. A method to configure and to operate the IC is also provided.
US08547131B2
A system and method for observing threshold voltage variations are provided. A ring oscillator circuit comprises a plurality of inverters arranged in a sequential loop, a plurality of test circuits having devices under test, each coupled between a respective one of the inverters and a power supply. Each test circuit has a bypass field effect transistor (FET) having a first channel coupled between the power supply and a respective one of the inverters responsive to an individual enable signal, and a FET device under test having a second channel arranged in parallel to the first channel. A method is described for determining the threshold voltage of the device under test by disabling, for one of the inverters in the ring oscillator, the first FET device such that the device under test is coupled between the power supply and the respective inverter and affects the operating frequency of the ring oscillator.
US08547128B1
A contact probe comprises conductively coupled plungers and a coil spring. The plungers have coupling means which enable them to be slidably and non-rotatably engaged. The spring is attached to the plungers in a manner that prevents rotation of the spring's ends. A desired magnitude of torsional bias is generated by twisting the spring a predetermined angle prior to attachment of the spring to the plungers. An additional torsional bias is generated by the tendency of the spring to twist when the spring is axially displaced. The resultant torsional bias rotatably biases the coupling means of the plungers against each other, generating contact forces for a direct conductive coupling between the plungers. The plungers are self-latching or are retentively attached to the spring using the torsional bias of the spring. Plungers with hermaphroditic coupling means can be fabricated from a sheet metal or a profiled stock by stamping or machining.
US08547121B2
A quality control process for determining the concentrations of boron and phosphorous in a UMG-Si feedstock batch is provided. A silicon test ingot is formed by the directional solidification of molten UMG-Si from a UMG-Si feedstock batch. The resistivity of the silicon test ingot is measured from top to bottom. Then, the resistivity profile of the silicon test ingot is mapped. From the resistivity profile of the silicon test ingot, the concentrations of boron and phosphorous of the UMG-Si silicon feedstock batch are calculated. Additionally, multiple test ingots may be grown simultaneously, with each test ingot corresponding to a UMG-Si feedstock batch, in a multi-crucible crystal grower.
US08547118B1
An apparatus includes multiple capacitive sensing elements coupled through a filter network. The apparatus can include a control device configured to excite the capacitive sensing elements with different scanning frequencies and determine capacitances corresponding to each of the capacitive sensing elements based on sensor responses to the excitation of the capacitive sensing elements with the different scanning frequencies and a configuration of the filter network.
US08547115B2
A touch sensing system including a touch input interface and a capacitance sensing circuit is provided. The touch input interface includes a plurality of sensing capacitors for outputting a capacitance under test and a reference capacitance. The capacitance sensing circuit includes a first sensing channel, a second sensing channel, and a difference comparing unit. During a first period of the sensing period, the first sensing channel senses the capacitance under test, and the second sensing channel senses the reference capacitance. During a second period of the sensing period, the first sensing channel senses the reference capacitance, and the second sensing channel senses the capacitance under test. The difference comparing unit outputs a difference according to the capacitance under test and the reference capacitance. Additionally, a capacitance sensing method is also provided.
US08547112B2
A system and method for monitoring a dielectric state of high voltage equipment. A leakage current is measured and compared to a programmed limit value. An alarm is activated if the leakage exceeds the limit value to indicate that insulation has seriously deteriorated. The leakage current measurement is verified using a comparison of individual leakage currents with a change in a vector sum of leakage currents.
US08547099B2
Method and apparatus for accurately adjusting the magic angle in NMR. The NMR probe has a uniform magnetic field coil assembly disposed to produce a uniform magnetic field H. The uniform magnetic field H is produced by controlling the currents flowing through the uniform magnetic field coil assembly. The vector sum of the external field B0 and the uniform field H is used to determine a new external magnetic field B0′.
US08547093B2
A method and system for performing speed correction on nuclear magnetic resonance logging data is provided. The speed correction performed can be done on a representation of echo data received by a logging tool, and then additively applied to the echo data. Such a process can reduce or remove the amplification of noise in the echo data that is common in conventional methods of speed correction.
US08547086B2
There is provided a coercivity performance determination device for a coercivity distribution magnet that is capable of determining, in a short period of time, with precision, and at as low a testing cost as possible, whether or not each part of one coercivity distribution magnet has a coercivity that is equal to or greater than the required coercivity. A coercivity determining device of the present invention comprises: a substantially C-shaped magnetic body; excitation means that generates a magnetic flow in the magnetic body; and a flux meter that measures the residual magnetic flux of the coercivity distribution magnet. Protrusions are provided at corresponding positions on two opposing end faces of the magnetic body, and the coercivity distribution magnet is held between the two protrusions to form an annular magnetic circuit. An external magnetic field generation means is formed by magnetic regions caused by the protrusions and non-magnetic regions comprising the air in the periphery thereof. An external magnetic field that is generated when magnetism flows through the protrusions is adjusted in such a manner that a reverse magnetic field, which comprises the sum of the external magnetic field and the demagnetizing field of the coercivity distribution magnet, corresponds to the coercivity required of each part of the coercivity distribution magnet. The residual magnetic flux when this has acted as the reverse magnetic field is measured with the flux meter to determine coercivity performance.
US08547085B2
An arrangement for measuring process parameters within a processing chamber is provided. The arrangement includes a probe arrangement disposed in an opening of an upper electrode. Probe arrangement includes a probe head, which includes a head portion and a flange portion. The arrangement also includes an o-ring disposed between the upper electrode and the flange portion. The arrangement further includes a spacer made of an electrically insulative material positioned between the head portion and the opening of the upper electrode to prevent the probe arrangement from touching the upper electrode. The spacer includes a disk portion configured for supporting an underside of the flange portion. The spacer also includes a hollow cylindrical portion configured to encircle the head portion. The spacer forms a right-angled path between the o-ring and an opening to the processing chamber to prevent direct line-of-sight path between the o-ring and the opening to the processing chamber.
US08547081B2
A reference voltage supply circuit is provided. The reference voltage supply circuit includes a first amplifier for amplifying a first input voltage and a fed back first reference voltage, a second amplifier for amplifying a second input voltage and a fed back second reference voltage, a reference voltage generator for generating the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage according to output signals of the first and second amplifiers and feeding the first and second reference voltages back to the first and second amplifiers, and a glitch remover turned on/off according to an input pulse signal to conduct or cut off current flowing between a power supply terminal and the ground.
US08547078B2
Methods are proposed for a buck boost voltage regulator to monitor the output voltage or both the inductor current and the output voltage of the buck boost voltage regulator to control the buck boost voltage regulator to reduce the switching times of the power switches of the buck boost voltage regulator to improve the light load efficiency of the buck boost voltage regulator.
US08547073B2
A DC power supply system delivers a DC output that has a neutral point and is higher than the input voltage of a single DC power supply, by a circuit with series-connected switching elements. The DC power supply system addresses the problem of imbalance between the voltage between a positive terminal and the neutral point and the voltage between a negative terminal and the neutral point. In operational control of the DC power supply system, a capacitor voltage between the neutral point and the positive terminal and a capacitor voltage between the neutral point and the negative terminal are compared, and four switching elements are operated to equalize the two capacitor voltages.
US08547069B2
A safety switch of a secondary battery module for an electric vehicle includes a cutting member attached to one surface of one secondary battery cell in the secondary battery module for the electric vehicle configured by connecting at least two secondary battery cells and having a cutting body and a cut member attached to one surface of the other secondary battery cell while facing the cutting member and including a cut body configured to approach the cutting body of the cutting member and be cut by the approaching cutting body to electrically disconnect the secondary battery cells, when the secondary battery cells are expanded due to the swelling phenomenon.
US08547058B2
It is an object to provide a non-contact charging module that uses a magnet included in a counterpart-side non-contact charging module or does not use the magnet when aligning with the counterpart-side non-contact charging module is performed. An L value of a coil that is provided in the non-contact charging module is not changed. This non-contact charging module includes a planar coil portion where electrical lines are wound and a magnetic sheet that places a coil surface of the planar coil portion and faces the coil surface of the planar coil portion, and in the magnetic sheet, a hole portion is provided at the position corresponding to a hollow portion of the planar coil portion.
US08547055B2
A system and method for controlling the electrical power consumption of an accessory device. A power transmission unit is adapted to generate electrical power. The system comprises a first controller, a current sensor and a second controller. The first controller is adapted to control the operation of the accessory device. The current sensor is configured to measure an amount of current being charged and discharged to and from the battery and generate a signal that corresponds to the measured amount of current charged and discharged to and from the battery. The second controller is configured to receive the signal from the current sensor and generate flag signal in response to detecting that current is being charged to the battery. The first controller is further adapted to control the accessory device to consume increased power from the electrical power generated by the power transmission unit in response to the flag signal.
US08547046B2
A door closer with a self-powered control unit is disclosed. The control unit for the door closer includes a drive gear configured to rotate in response to movement of a door, and a chain arranged to cooperate with the drive gear to produce linear motion in response to rotation of the drive gear. At least one gear creates rotational motion from the linear motion of the chain to turn a generator and generate electricity to power the control unit. In some embodiments, a set of clutch gears is disposed between the chain and the gear creating the rotational motion from the chain so that only one direction of the rotational motion is transferred to the generator in response to movement of the door in any direction. The control unit can additionally include a power management circuit to store energy from the generator.
US08547040B2
A control apparatus of an electric vehicle, which is operable to be driven by supplying electric power from a battery to an electric motor to drive the electric motor and operable to perform regeneration charge, includes: a request torque calculating unit calculating a request torque of the electric motor; a motor control unit controlling the electric motor based on the request torque; and a torque suppression unit performing a feed forward control for setting the request torque based on a rotational angular speed of the electric motor so that an integrated value of a torque and a rotational angular speed of the electric motor at time when the electric motor is driven or the regeneration charge is performed is identical to an integrated value of the torque and the rotational angular speed stored at a point of time when the battery voltage or the battery current reaches the limit level.
US08547037B2
A liquid-cooled LED lighting device can be provided in which a temporal increase in the temperature of the tubing and the circulation pump when the LED light sources are turned off is prevented to ensure high reliability. The liquid-cooled LED lighting device can include an LED light source, a liquid cooling system including a heat receiving jacket and a radiator, an LED light source-driving power supply for supplying power to the LED light source, and a liquid cooling system-driving power supply for supplying power to the liquid cooling system. The LED lighting device can include a control unit, such as a timer circuit. The control unit can maintain supply of the power to the liquid cooling system for a predetermined period of time after supply of the power to the LED light source is stopped.
US08547033B2
A solid state lighting controller arranged for use with a single stage power factor correction switched mode power supply, a light emitting diode (LED) string and a current sense element arranged to sense current through the LED string, the solid state lighting controller constituted of: a current governor in series with the LED string exhibiting a governor differential amplifier and a governor electronically controlled switch responsive to the output of the governor differential amplifier, the current governor arranged to limit current flow through the LED string responsive to a current limit reference; and a feedback circuit exhibiting an error amplifier, the feedback circuit arranged to feedback a signal to the power factor correction switched mode power supply controller whose value is a function of the difference between the current through the LED string sensed by the current sense element and a target current signal.
US08547022B2
A lighting control system includes a plurality of luminaires each having a selectively powerable first light source and a selectively powerable second light source. The luminaires are powerable and controllable by a common AC power source. A signal receiving controller of each of the luminaires is electrically connected to the first light source and the second light source and selectively causes power to be routed to either the first light source or the second light source dependent on a control signal sent via the AC power source.
US08547018B2
A control system for vehicle headlights includes a navigation device and a control unit which controls the illumination characteristics of the headlights depending on geographic location information received by the navigation device. The illumination characteristics are adapted in compliance with predefined illumination settings if the acquired geographic location information shows that the vehicle headlights are being operated on public roads. The illumination characteristics are adapted with further consideration of illumination settings specified by the driver if the location information shows that the vehicle headlights are being operated on non-public roads.
US08547015B2
Optical films for enhancing light extraction from self-emissive light sources such as bottom-emitting or top-emitting OLEDs are disclosed. The extraction films typically include a flexible carrier film, and a first and second layer carried by the carrier film. The first or second layer has a nanovoided morphology and includes a polymer binder, and may also have a refractive index less than 1.35 or 1.3. An embedded structured surface of light extraction elements is formed between the first and second layers. The light extraction elements may be primarily diffractive elements adapted to be disposed within an evanescent zone of the OLED, or they may be primarily refractive elements adapted to be disposed outside the evanescent zone. The extraction film may also include a third layer, and a second embedded structured surface may be formed between the third layer and the first layer.
US08547014B2
An organic EL device includes an organic EL element that includes an anode having a reflective face, a cathode having a semi-transmissive reflective layer, and a functional layer, which is pinched between the anode and the cathode and includes at least an organic light emitting layer, and configures a color pixel that implements light emission corresponding to at least a red color. The color pixel configured by the organic EL element forms an optical resonator between the reflective face of the anode and the semi-transmissive reflective layer of the cathode. The color pixel corresponding to the red color has a film thickness profile of the functional layer in a convex shape in which a center portion is relatively thick, and a periphery portion is relatively thin or a concave shape in which the center portion is relatively thin, and the periphery portion is relatively thick.
US08546996B2
Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions.
US08546993B2
Devices and methods of use for brush holder assemblies are disclosed. Brush holder assemblies including a mounting block and a brush holder are disclosed. Also illustrated is a brush holder assembly including a first portion in sliding engagement with a second portion. In some embodiments the brush holder includes a channel, such that at least a portion of the mounting block is disposed within the channel of the brush holder.
US08546989B2
An electric motor includes a stator that has a stator winding wound on a stator iron core; a rotor having a rotating body with a rotating shaft in the center; a bearing for journaling the rotating shaft; and two conductive brackets for fixing the bearing. The rotating body holds a magnet such that the magnet faces the stator, and is fastened to the rotating shaft penetrating through the center of the rotating body. In the rotating body, a dielectric layer is formed between the rotating shaft and the outer circumference of the rotating body. The dielectric layer has a polygonal shape with the rotating shaft in the center. An electric device includes the thus configured electric motor.
US08546977B2
Systems and methods of voltage based switching of a power supply system current are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power supply system includes a power bus to supply electrical power to a system load. A power supply is coupled to the power bus. The power supply provides current to the power bus and generates a voltage α. In addition, the system includes an additional power supply coupled to the power bus. The additional power supply generates a voltage β that is lower than the voltage α. An oring module restricts the additional power supply from providing current to the power bus, until a power bus voltage θ is greater than a threshold voltage.
US08546967B2
A control system for controlling operation of a wind turbine, a wind turbine having such a control system and a method for controlling a wind turbine are disclosed. The control system comprises a first sensor device and a second sensor device, each being arranged for measuring the same control parameter used for controlling operation of the wind turbine. The first sensor device has a first set of operating failure conditions, and the second sensor device has a second set of operating failure conditions. The first set of operating failure conditions comprises at least one operating failure condition which does not form part of the second set of operating failure conditions. The system further comprises a third sensor device for detecting an operating failure condition of the first sensor device and/or of the second sensor device. The control system is adapted to select between controlling operation of the wind turbine on the basis of control parameters measured by the first sensor device or on the basis of control parameters measured by the second sensor device, based on measurements performed by means of the third sensor device. Thereby a redundant system for measuring the control parameter is obtained, allowing reliable measurements of the control parameter, even under conditions where the first sensor device fails.
US08546965B2
This invention involves a hydroelectric turbine system that is capable of producing electricity while sustaining a majority of the fluid flow or hydraulic pressure within the pipe line or pipe network driving the system. The system's objective is to shave as little pressure as possible from an enclosed pipe system that requires pressure to operate and function properly. More particularly, this invention relates to a hydroelectric turbine generator system wherein the system is specially designed and configured with an unique impeller and fluted turbine housing that enable a generator device to produce a particular amount of electric current and voltage, while yet minimizing flow restriction and pressure loss to the fluid pressure driving the system. Application of this technology includes all fluid flow or fluid transfer systems that require sustained pressure to move fluids like water or other materials from one location or point to another, through pipes, pipe systems or networks, regardless of distance or pipe size diameters. This invention, for example will be ideally suited for powering electronic control or monitoring systems in landscapes, parks, roadway easements, golf courses or public water transfer systems or other remote sites that may require power. Utilization of this invention provides an ecological and reliable energy production source, usually on a small scale, in remote locations where incorporating other forms of power supply may be less practical, impractical or impossible.
US08546960B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes: sealing a semiconductor chip with a sealing resin containing a filler; exposing a part of the filler; etching at least a part of the exposed filler; and forming a metal film at least at a part of a surface of the sealing resin including inner surfaces of holes formed at the surface of the sealing resin by the etching.
US08546957B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a package substrate having an outer pad at a substrate top side; forming a resist layer directly on the substrate top side, the resist layer having a resist top side with a channel array adjacent the outer pad exposed from the resist layer; mounting an integrated circuit having an active side facing the resist top side, the integrated circuit having a non-horizontal side adjacent the outer pad; and forming a dielectric between the active side and the resist top side, the dielectric having a fillet extended from the non-horizontal side to the substrate top side inside an inner extent of the channel array.
US08546954B2
A stacked semiconductor package has a first semiconductor package including a first package substrate and a first semiconductor chip mounted on the first package substrate, a second semiconductor package including a second package substrate and a second semiconductor chip mounted on the second package substrate, and a plurality of connections electrically connecting the first and second semiconductor packages. The connections are disposed on an outer region of the first package substrate outside the first semiconductor chip. The connections are disposed along opposite first longer sides and opposite shorter second sides of the first package substrate. The heights of those connections disposed along each longer first side gradually vary from a central to an outer region (i.e., the ends) of the longer first side.
US08546951B2
A 3D interposer (and method of making same) that includes a crystalline substrate handler having opposing first and second surfaces, with a cavity formed into the first surface. A layer of insulation material is formed on the surface of the handler that defines the cavity. The cavity is filled with a compliant dielectric material. A plurality of electrical interconnects is formed through the interposer. Each electrical interconnect includes a first hole formed through the crystalline substrate handler extending from the second surface to the cavity, a second hole formed through the compliant dielectric material so as to extend from and be aligned with the first hole, a layer of insulation material formed along a sidewall of the first hole, and conductive material extending through the first and second holes.
US08546950B2
A semiconductor package and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor package includes a substrate, a semiconductor element, a package body and a conductive part. The substrate has an electrical contact. The semiconductor element is disposed on the substrate. The package body covers the semiconductor element and defines a through hole from which the electrical contact is exposed. Wherein, the package body includes a resin body and a plurality of fiber layers. The fiber layers are disposed in the resin body and define a plurality of fiber apertures which is arranged as an array. The conductive part is electrically connected to the substrate through the through hole.
US08546941B2
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor chip having a first region and a second region; a dielectric layer formed on the first region and the second region of the semiconductor chip; a first elongated under-bump metallization (UBM) connector formed in the dielectric layer and on the first region of the semiconductor chip and having a first longer axis extending in a first direction; and a second elongated UBM connector formed in the dielectric layer on the second region of the semiconductor chip and having a second longer axis extending in a second direction. The first direction is different from the second direction.
US08546940B2
A lead frame substrate, including: a metal plate with a first surface and a second surface; a connection post formed on the first surface; wiring formed on the second surface; and a pre-molding resin layer, in which a thickness of the pre-molding resin layer is the same as a height of the connection post.
US08546932B1
A PoP (package-on-package) package includes a bottom package with a substrate encapsulated in an encapsulant with a die coupled to the top of the substrate. At least a portion of the die is exposed above the encapsulant on the bottom package substrate. A top package includes a substrate with encapsulant on both the frontside and the backside of the substrate. The backside of the top package substrate is coupled to the topside of the bottom package substrate with at least part of the die being located in a recess in the encapsulant on the backside of the top package substrate.
US08546930B2
Three dimensional integrated circuits with double sided power, coolant, and data features and methods of constructing same are provided. According to some embodiments, an integrated circuit package can generally comprise one or more semiconductor wafers and opposing end substrates. The semiconductor wafers can each have a top exterior surface and a bottom exterior surface. The plurality of semiconductor wafers can form a multi-dimensional wafer stack of die wafers such that adjacent wafers have facing surfaces. Each of the semiconductor wafers can comprise one or more channels formed through the wafers. A portion of the channels can extend generally between the top and bottom exterior surfaces of the semiconductor wafers. A portion of the channels can carry conductors for coupling the wafers and/or coolant for cooling the wafers. The opposing end substrates can be disposed proximate opposing ends of the multi-dimensional stack. The opposing end substrates can be configured to supply power, coolant, and data signals to opposing ends of the multi-dimensional wafer stack. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08546924B2
Package structures for integrating thermoelectric components with stacking chips are presented. The package structures include a chip with a pair of conductive through vias. Conductive elements are disposed one side of the chip contacting the pair of conductive through vias. Thermoelectric components are disposed on the other side of the chip, wherein the thermoelectric component includes a first type conductive thermoelectric element and a second type conductive thermoelectric element respectively corresponding to and electrically connecting to the pair of conductive through vias. A substrate is disposed on the thermoelectric component, wherein the thermoelectric component, the pair of conductive through vias and the conductive element form a thermoelectric current path. Therefore, heat generated from the chip is transferred outward through a thermoelectric path formed from the thermoelectric components, the conductive through vias and the conductive elements.
US08546920B2
A semiconductor-on-insulator structure includes a buried dielectric layer interposed between a base semiconductor substrate and a surface semiconductor layer. The buried dielectric layer comprises an oxide material that includes a nitrogen gradient that peaks at the interface of the buried dielectric layer with at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer. The interface of the buried dielectric layer with the at least one of the base semiconductor substrate and surface semiconductor layer is abrupt, providing a transition in less than about 5 atomic layer thickness, and having less than about 10 angstroms RMS interfacial roughness. A second dielectric layer comprising an oxide dielectric material absent nitrogen may be located interposed between the buried dielectric layer and the surface semiconductor layer.
US08546918B2
In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming islands by forming deep trenches within scribe lines of a substrate. The islands have a first notch disposed on sidewalls of the islands. A first electrode stack is formed over a top surface of the islands. The back surface of the substrate is thinned to separate the islands. A second electrode stack is formed over a back surface of the islands.
US08546915B2
An integrated circuit having a place-efficient capacitor includes a lower capacitor electrode having a surface area comprised of an inner surface area of a partial opening and a via opening formed in a patterned dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, a capacitor insulating layer overlying the lower capacitor electrode, and an upper capacitor electrode including a metal fill material filling the partial opening and the via opening and having a surface area that includes the inner surface area of the partial opening and via opening.
US08546913B2
A capacitance cell includes a substrate structure layer having pair diffusion regions, and an interconnect layer having pair of power supply lines. The capacitance cell also includes a capacitance composed of a first electrode, a dielectric member and a second electrode stacked together, and is formed in a frame shape and disposed in a space between the substrate structure layer and the interconnect layer so as to extend along an outer rim of the frame shape of a standard cell region in which a standard cell is arranged. The capacitance cell also includes a first substrate contact that electrically connects one of the pair of power supply lines to one of the diffusion regions externally of the standard cell region. The capacitance cell also includes a second substrate contact that electrically connects the other power supply line to the other diffusion region, externally of the standard cell region. The capacitance cell further includes a first capacitance contact electrically connecting the first electrode to the other diffusion region internally of the standard cell region, and a second capacitance contact electrically connecting the second electrode to the one power supply line internally of the standard cell region.
US08546903B2
There has been very little (if any) attention to address contamination diffusion within an integrated circuit (IC) because there are very few applications where a protective overcoat will be penetrated as part of the manufacturing process. Here, a sealing ring is provided that address this problem. Preferably, the sealing ring uses the combination of electrically conductive barrier rings and the tortuous migration path to allow an electronic device (i.e., thermopile), where a protective overcoat is penetrated during manufacture, to communicate with external devices while being isolated to prevent contamination.
US08546902B2
The present invention, in a photoelectric conversion device in which a pixel including a photoelectric conversion device for converting a light into a signal charge and a peripheral circuit including a circuit for processing the signal charge outside a pixel region in which the pixel are disposed on the same substrate, comprising: a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type for forming the photoelectric region, the first semiconductor region being formed in a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type; and a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type and a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type for forming the peripheral circuit, the third and fourth semiconductor regions being formed in the second semiconductor region; wherein in that the impurity concentration of the first semiconductor region is higher than the impurity concentration of the third semiconductor region.
US08546894B2
A technology capable of preventing the degradation of operation reliability of CMUT when a lower electrode for CMUTs arranged in an array is divided in order to control the CMUTs independently is provided. Also, a technology capable of preventing the formation of a convex or concave distortion in an insulating film (membrane) of the cavity is provided. For its achievement, a size of a lower electrode divided for independently controlling each CMUT is set to be larger than that of a cavity. Also, a size of an upper electrode of the CMUT is set to be larger than that of the cavity.
US08546890B2
An inverter structure is disclosed. The inverter structure includes an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor. Preferably, the NMOS transistor includes an n-type gate electrode and an n-type source/drain region, and the PMOS transistor includes a p-type gate electrode and a p-type source/drain region. Specifically, the n-type gate electrode and the p-type gate electrode are physically separated and electrically connected by a conductive contact.
US08546882B2
A terminal structure for superjunction device is disclosed. The terminal structure comprises from inside out at least one P type implantation ring and several P type trench rings formed in an N type epitaxial layer to form alternating P type and N type regions. A channel cut-off ring is formed at the border of the device. The P type implantation ring is formed adjacent to the active area of the device and covers at least one trench ring. A terminal dielectric layer is formed to cover the P type implantation ring and the trench rings. A plurality of field plates are formed above the terminal dielectric layer. Methods of manufacturing terminal structure are also disclosed.
US08546876B2
A device may include a first transistor, a second transistor, and a data element. The first transistor may have a column gate and a channel, and the second transistor may include a row gate that crosses over the column gate, under the column gate, or both. The second transistor may also include another channel, a source disposed near a distal end of a first leg, and a drain disposed near a distal end of a second leg. The column gate may extend between the first leg and the second leg. The channel of the second transistor may be connected to the channel of the first transistor, and the data element may be connected to the source or the drain. Methods, systems, and other devices are contemplated.
US08546871B2
A non-volatile memory cell includes a substrate, two charge trapping structures, a gate oxide layer, a gate and two doping regions. The charge trapping structures are disposed on the substrate separately. The gate oxide layer is disposed on the substrate between the two charge trapping structures. The gate is disposed on the gate oxide layer and the charge trapping structures, wherein the charge trapping structures protrude from two sides of the gate. The doping regions are disposed in the substrate at two sides of the gate.
US08546864B2
Some embodiments include a memory device and methods of forming the memory device. One such memory device includes a first group of memory cells, each of the memory cells of the first group being formed in a cavity of a first control gate located in one device level of the memory device. The memory device also includes a second group of memory cells, each of the memory cells of the second group being formed in a cavity of a second control gate located in another device level of the memory device. Additional apparatus and methods are described.
US08546856B2
In some embodiments, a gate structure with a spacer on its side may be used as a mask to form self-aligned trenches in a microelectronic memory, such as a flash memory. A first portion of the gate structure may be used to form the mask, together with sidewall spacers, in some embodiments. Then, after forming the shallow trench isolations, a second portion of the gate structure may be added to form a mushroom shaped gate structure.
US08546853B2
A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
US08546852B2
A semiconductor device includes: substrate region; a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode which are placed on a first surface of the substrate regions; an active area between gate and source placed between the gate electrode and the source electrode; an active area between gate and drain placed between the gate electrode and the drain electrode; an active area placed on the substrate region of the underneath part of the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode; and a non-active area placed adjoining the active area, the active area between gate and source, and the active area between gate and drain. Furthermore, width WA1 of the active area between gate and source is wider than width WA2 of the active area between gate and drain. Channel resistance of an active area between source and gate placed between a gate electrode and a source electrode is reduced, and high-frequency performance is provided.
US08546848B2
A nitride semiconductor device includes: a main semiconductor region comprising a first nitride semiconductor layer having a first band gap, and a second nitride semiconductor layer having a second band gap larger than the first band gap, a heterojunction being formed between the first nitride semiconductor layer and a the second nitride semiconductor layer such that two-dimensional electron gas layer can be caused inside the first nitride semiconductor layer based on the heterojunction; a source electrode formed on the main semiconductor region; a drain electrode formed on the main semiconductor region and separated from the source electrode; a third nitride semiconductor layer formed on the first nitride semiconductor layer and between the source electrode and the drain electrode; and a gate electrode formed on the third nitride semiconductor layer. The third nitride semiconductor layer has a third band gap smaller than the first band gap.
US08546845B2
The invention relates to a light emitting device, especially a LED comprising a green emitting material of the composition Sr5−y−z−aMySi23−xAl3+xOx+2aN37−x−2a:Euz:Cez1. This material has been found to have a narrow emission in the green wavelight range together with a good producibility and stability.
US08546844B2
There is provided n organic light-emitting diode luminaire. The luminaire includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting layer therebetween. The light-emitting layer includes a small molecule host material having dispersed therein a first dopant having a first emitted color and a second dopant having a second emitted color. The overall emission color is white.
US08546824B2
A light emitting device according to one embodiment includes: a board; plural first light emitting units each including a first light emitting element and a first fluorescent layer formed on the first light emitting element having a green phosphor; plural second light emitting units each including a second light emitting element and a second fluorescent layer formed on the second light emitting element having a red phosphor; the second fluorescent layers and the first fluorescent layers being separated in a non-contact manner with gas interposed there between; and plural third light emitting units each including a third light emitting element and a resin layer formed on the third light emitting element having neither a green phosphor nor the red phosphor, the third light emitting units being disposed between the first light emitting units and the second light emitting units.
US08546820B2
A display device includes an array of light emitting cells. Each of the light emitting cells includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light emitting layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode. Banks are above the first electrode that partition the organic light emitting layer to define each of the light emitting cells. The light emitting cells include a peripheral light emitting cell that is located in a peripheral region of the array. The banks include first and second banks that each border the peripheral light emitting cell. The first bank is closer to a periphery of the array than the second bank. An inclination angle of an innermost sidewall of the first bank that is adjacent the peripheral light emitting cell is greater than an inclination angle of an outermost sidewall of the second bank that is adjacent the peripheral light emitting cell.
US08546816B2
The invention relates to a light-emitting component, in particular an organic luminescent diode, having an electrode and a counter electrode and an organic region arranged between the electrode and the counter electrode and having an organic light-emitting region. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods for the production of such a component.
US08546808B2
The liquid crystal display device of this invention includes picture element regions each defined by a first electrode provided on a first substrate and a second electrode provided on a second substrate so as to oppose the first electrode via a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. In each of the picture element regions, the first electrode includes a solid portion and a nonsolid portion. The liquid crystal display device further includes a pair of polarizing plates disposed with polarization axes thereof crossing each other substantially perpendicularly. The polarization axis of one of the pair of polarizing plates is substantially parallel to a direction in which the solid portion extends. When a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, in each of the picture element regions, liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are in a radially-inclined orientation state.
US08546805B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for performing laser annealing in a manner that reduces or minimizes wafer surface temperature variations during the laser annealing process. The systems and methods include annealing the wafer surface with first and second laser beams that represent preheat and anneal laser beams having respective first and second intensities. The preheat laser beam brings the wafer surface temperate close to the annealing temperature and the anneal laser beam brings the wafer surface temperature up to the annealing temperature. The anneal laser beam can have a different wavelength, or the same wavelength but different orientation relative to the wafer surface. Reflectivity maps of the wafer surface at the preheat and anneal wavelengths are measured and used to select first and second intensities that ensure good anneal temperature uniformity as a function of wafer position.
US08546803B2
In an organic light-emitting display having superior image quality and device reliability, and a related method of manufacturing the organic light-emitting display, the organic light-emitting display comprises: a gate electrode formed on a substrate; an interlayer insulating film formed on the substrate so as to cover the gate electrode; and a transparent electrode formed on the interlayer insulating film. The interlayer insulating film comprises multiple layers having different refractive indices.
US08546799B2
An OLED apparatus including a substrate with a lower active layer thereon and including an oxide semiconductor for generating current in response to light; an etching prevention layer on an upper portion of the lower active layer and including a contact hole; a source/drain electrode on the etching prevention layer and electrically connected to the lower active layer through the contact hole; an upper charging electrode on the etching prevention layer and overlapping the lower active layer; a light emitting layer contacting the upper charging electrode for generating light; and a cathode electrode facing the upper charging electrode, wherein the light emitting layer is configured to be driven and emit light in response to a driving voltage applied to the upper charging electrode, and the lower active layer is configured to store current in the oxide semiconductor in response to the driving voltage applied to the upper charging electrode.
US08546798B2
A composite dielectric material doped with rare earth metal oxide and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The composite dielectric material is doped with nano-crystalline rare metal oxide which is embedded in silicon dioxide glass matrix, and the composite dielectric material of the nano-crystalline rare metal oxide and the silicon dioxide glass matrix is synthesized by the manufacturing method using sol-gel route. The dielectric value of the glass composite dielectric material is greater than that of pure rare metal oxide or that of silicon dioxide. In presence of magnetic field, the dielectric value of the composite dielectric material is substantially enhanced compared with that of the composite dielectric material at zero field.
US08546797B2
In a ZnO based compound semiconductor device, nitrogen (N) doped (Mg)ZnO:N layer is inserted as a diffusion barrier layer 9 between a ZnO based n-type layer 3 to which n-type dopants are doped and an active layer 4 or a p-type layer 5. The diffusion barrier layer 9 prevents diffusion of the n-type dopants to the active layer 4 or the p-type layer 5. Crystalline quality of the active layer 4 of the ZnO based compound semiconductor device is not deteriorated by the diffusion of the n-type dopants.
US08546796B2
A semiconductor device including a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, source/drain electrodes, and a channel-forming region that are disposed on a base is provided. The method includes the steps of forming a thin film by application of a mixed solution including a polymeric insulating material and a dioxaanthanthrene compound represented by structural formula (1) below; and subsequently drying the thin film to induce phase separation of the polymeric insulating material and the dioxaanthanthrene compound, thereby forming the gate insulating layer from the polymeric insulating material and the channel-forming region from the dioxaanthanthrene compound: wherein at least one of R3 and R9 represents a substituent other than hydrogen.
US08546793B2
A heterocyclic compound represented by Formula 1 below and an organic light-emitting device including the heterocyclic compound: wherein Ar1, Ar2, X, and R1 to R5 are defined as in the specification.
US08546790B2
The present invention is to provide a semiconductor device in which the step can be simplified, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed, and the decrease in yield can be suppressed. A semiconductor device of the present invention includes an antenna, a storage element, and a transistor, wherein a conductive layer serving as an antenna is provided in the same layer as a conductive layer of the transistor or the storage element. This characteristic makes it possible to omit an independent step of forming the conductive layer serving as an antenna and to conduct the step of forming the conductive layer serving as an antenna at the same time as the step of forming a conductive layer of another element. Therefore, the manufacturing step can be simplified, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed, and the decrease in yield can be suppressed.
US08546771B2
A method for identifying a photoluminescent material that, after excitation with excitation light, emits emission light having different wavelengths is disclosed. The method includes irradiating the photoluminescent material with the excitation light, detecting a temporal intensity curve of at least two emission light components having different wavelengths, which components are emitted from the photoluminescent material as a result of the excitation, calculating initial intensities of the emission light components at a common time, determining at least one intensity parameter by correlating the calculated initial intensities, determining at least one decay parameter value for each of the emission light components from a time progression of their intensity and identifying the photoluminescent material using the intensity parameter(s) and the decay parameter values. A device configured to identify the photoluminescent material includes an excitation light source, a receiving apparatus, an evaluation apparatus and a control apparatus that performs the photoluminescent material identifying method.
US08546768B2
A device for generating an ion beam includes a support; a liquid metal ion source connected to the support at the lower end of the ion source and surrounded by a cryogenic trap which is capable of preventing volatile chemicals from reaching the ion source; an ion extraction means for extracting the ions emitted by the source through an opening disposed near the upper end of the ion source; and means for generating a magnetic field in the opening of the extraction means, the generated magnetic field capable of preventing charged particles from reaching the ion source.
US08546766B2
Devices and Methods for sensing UV dosage of a fluid stream are described. In a first aspect, a device 22 has a first sensor arrangement 44 for measuring a flow speed of the fluid and a second sensor arrangement 50 for measuring an intensity of UV light radiation. A dosage calculation unit 36 calculates a dosage value from measurements of the sensor arrangements 44, 50. The first sensor arrangement includes a resistive electrical component 32 in thermal contact with the fluid. The electrical component 32 may be heated by an electrical current and has a temperature dependent electrical resistance. Thus, the first sensor arrangement may be used to determine the flow speed of the fluid from a cooling rate of the resistive electrical component 32. According to a second aspect, a device 70 includes at least one UV sensor component 76 for measuring an intensity of UV light irradiation. A data storage 82 for storing intensity or dosage values and an electrical power storage 88 are provided. The device is adapted to freely float within the fluid stream. As such, the device 70 may be inserted into a fluid flowing through a channel, and a dosage value may be determined from data stored in the data storage after the device 70 has passed through the channel.
US08546765B2
An x-ray detector and its pixel circuit are described, that allow to cover a large dynamic range with automatic selection of the sensitivity setting in each pixel, thus providing improved signal to noise ratio with all exposure levels. X-ray detectors are required to cover a large dynamic range. The largest exposure determines the required pixel capacitance. However, a large pixel capacitance gives a bad signal to noise ratio with small exposures e.g. in the dark parts of the image. This invention disclosure describes several approaches to provide automatic sensitivity selection in the pixels. This ensures that low signals are stored in a small capacitor or read out with a high sensitivity with corresponding good signal to noise ratio, while larger signals are stored in larger capacitors or are read out with lower sensitivity so that no information is lost.
