US08548712B2
An acceleration-based method and device for the safety monitoring of a drive is provided. In the method a setpoint torque is calculated in a safety function as a function of the position of the accelerator pedal. An expected vehicle acceleration is determined, as a function of the setpoint torque, in the safety function. An actual vehicle acceleration is determined, preferably by an acceleration sensor. A fault situation may be detected by comparing the actual vehicle acceleration and the expected vehicle acceleration. A device, preferably included in the vehicle electronics, is configured to implement the acceleration-based method.
US08548705B2
A method for controlling an automated clutch, which comprises a hydraulic clutch actuating system having a hydrostatic actuator, the pressure of which is detected. The method includes using the pressure of the hydrostatic actuator to adapt the characteristic curve of the clutch.
US08548703B2
A method to determine excessive clutch slippage in a transmission coupled to an engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit power to an output member through selective application of torque-transfer clutches includes monitoring rotational velocities of the electric machine, engine and output member, monitoring a transmission operating range state, determining a clutch slip based upon monitored rotational velocities for one of the torque-transfer clutches intended to be synchronized based upon the transmission operating range state, and indicating a runaway slip event if the clutch slip is in excess of a threshold slip level through a threshold slip duration.
US08548695B2
A method is provided for emergency unlocking of an automatic transmission in a vehicle. The transmission may be unlocked from a blocked state for protection against unauthorized use, by an emergency unlocking unit. Upon actuation of the emergency unlocking unit, the automatic transmission cannot be operated in a forward driving mode.
US08548694B2
Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle.
US08548690B2
A blade control system of the present invention includes a distance calculating part, a blade load obtaining part and a lift cylinder controlling part. The distance calculating part is configured to obtain distance between a designed surface and a cutting edge of a blade. The blade load obtaining part is configured to obtain blade load acting on the blade. The lift cylinder controlling part is configured to execute a dozing control when the aforementioned distance is greater than a first distance. Further, the lift cylinder controlling part is configured to execute a dozing control when the aforementioned distance is less than a second distance.
US08548689B2
A system for detecting pitch of a machine caused by operation of a machine implement is provided. The system may include an inclination sensor for sensing inclination of the machine and producing inclination data representing inclination of the machine over time. An acceleration sensor for sensing acceleration of the machine and producing acceleration data representing acceleration of the machine over time can be provided. A controller in communication with the inclination and acceleration sensors respectively receives the inclination and acceleration data. The controller can be configured to process the inclination data so as to detect a sudden inclination change and to process the acceleration data so as to detect a sudden acceleration change. The controller can be further configured to determine a machine pitch condition upon concurrently detecting a sudden inclination change and a sudden acceleration change.
US08548687B2
A vehicle seat power track for an automobile vehicle seat which includes a sensor arrangement to detect the seat position along the track relative to a front airbag apparatus and generate a signal to control the apparatus of the airbag. The vehicle seat power track also includes brackets configured to reduce horizontal movement of the track components.
US08548686B2
An automatic crash notification system may include a crash detection system configured to detect a crash of a vehicle, a wireless communication system configured to wirelessly transmit a message to and wirelessly receive a message from a remote location in conformance with the IEEE 802.16 standard, and a processing system configured to transmit notice of a crash over the wireless communication system to the remote location in conformance with the IEEE 802.16 standard in response to detection of the crash by the crash detection system. The wireless communication may be configured to wirelessly transmit a message to and wireless receive a message from the remote location using WiMAX. The automatic crash notification system may include a memory system containing a first prerecorded message that includes one or more words that mean that the remote location has received notice of a crash and a user communication system configured to deliver words to an occupant of the vehicle. The processing system may be configured to cause the first prerecorded message to be communicated over the user communication system in response to receipt by the wireless communication system of an acknowledgement from the remote location that the remote location has received notice of the crash, but which does not include the first prerecorded message.
US08548681B2
A power steering device is mounted on a vehicle and includes a torque applying unit and an applied friction torque changing unit. The torque applying unit sets an applied friction torque applied to a steering wheel based on a real steering angle and a target steering angle, and performs a control of applying the applied friction torque to the steering wheel. The applied friction torque changing unit changes the applied friction torque based on a load condition of the vehicle.
US08548680B2
An articulated machine and method of operation, the articulated machine having a first frame with a first traction device and a steering apparatus that controls a steering angle thereof, the first frame pivotally coupled to a second frame at an articulation joint, the second frame having a second traction device, a steering sensor configured to provide a steering signal indicative of the steering angle, and an electronic controller configured to automatically control an articulation angle based on the steering signal.
US08548671B2
A method and apparatus for automatically calibrating vehicle parameters is described. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a parameter value during vehicle operation; comparing the measured parameter value to an actual parameter value to identify at least one vehicle parameter bias as an actual measurement error; and modifying at least one vehicle parameter based on the at least one vehicle parameter bias.
US08548663B2
A method and system of reducing an occurrence of hydraulic pressurization loss during the transition from gas-powered engine operation to electric motor operation in a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes maintaining operation of the gas-powered engine while initiating an auxiliary pump with its associated electric motor. A master timer is initiated. Once the auxiliary pump exceeds a minimum speed threshold, a delay time period is determined during which operation of the auxiliary pump is tested. If the auxiliary pump does not stall during the delay time period and the master timer has not yet expired, the gas-powered engine is allowed to shut-off.
US08548658B2
A method for the fail-safe operation of a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and additional vehicle assemblies. A substitute measure that then still allows the vehicle to be operated under emergency running conditions is initiated if a vehicle assembly fails. A performance quantity that is characteristic of the driving-dynamics situation in which the vehicle finds itself is recorded prior to initiating the substitute measure, and is compared to at least one limit value. The substitute measure is initiated if the limit value is exceeded or not attained. A device which includes a device for implementing such a method is also provided.
US08548647B2
A vehicle control apparatus includes: a communication device installed in a vehicle to receive, from outside the vehicle, information relating to another vehicle; and a control device installed in the vehicle to perform travel control on the vehicle using information relating to the vehicle and the information relating to the other vehicle, wherein the control device modifies a control type of the travel control in accordance with either a condition relating to the travel control currently underway or a condition of the vehicle currently being subjected to the travel control.
US08548642B2
A control device for controlling a drive force that acts on a vehicle includes a first controller for controlling the drive force, and a second controller for sending to the first control means a limit of the drive force. The second controller has an input unit for inputting the drive force outputted from the first controller, and a calculation unit for calculating a limiting drive force for limiting the drive force. In the case that a first value obtained by subtracting the drive force from the limiting drive force is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the calculation unit outputs a second value that is greater than the limiting drive force.
US08548639B2
This disclosure is related to systems and methods for temperature monitoring of electronics, such as a controller or processor within a data storage device. In one example, a controller may be configured to determine an operation to perform and determine a temperature of electronics associated with executing the operation. The controller may then delay execution of the operation when the temperature is greater than a threshold.
US08548632B1
An irrigation controller includes a first processor and a memory for storing programming executable by the first processor. The irrigation controller further includes circuitry that enables a communication link that allows direct communication between the first processor and a sensor unit containing a second processor and a plurality of environmental sensors each capable of generating an actual component of ET data. At least one manually actuable control is operably connected to the first processor for inputting further ET-related information selected from the group consisting of plant type, soil condition, growth stage and sprinkler precipitation rate. The irrigation controller further includes programming that enables the first processor to calculate optimum watering schedules based upon the actual ET data and the ET-related information including increases and decreases in the frequency and/or length of ON times for at least one station.
US08548609B2
A method for designing a drilling pattern for rock cavity excavation and a software product implementing the method. The drilling pattern is created by means of a design program. The drilling pattern defines several starting points of drill holes in a navigation plane, end points of the drill holes on the bottom of a round and further the directions and lengths of the drill holes. The face of the round is designed to have a desired shape by determining the locations of the end points for the desired face profile. A three-dimensional face profile is entered into the design program, which subsequently places end points to the face profile automatically.
US08548606B2
An apparatus for managing tasks in an industrial plant comprises a task generator for generating at least one task to be performed in the industrial plant; a task scheduler for assigning a priority to each of the at least one task by analyzing the information of the plant; and a communication module for exchanging task information with a mobile device. The information of the plant may comprise static information and dynamic information of the plant. Preferably, the at least one task may comprise an event task dynamically generated by the task generator.
US08548593B2
A system for delivering signals between a pulse generator and tissue includes a lead having a lead body and one or more lead electrodes at a distal end of the lead body. The one or more electrodes are electrically connectable to the pulse generator at a proximal end of the lead body via one or more conductors extending through the lead body. A converter, which is removably securable to the distal end of the lead body, includes one or more converter electrodes. Each converter electrode is connected to an electrical contact that is arranged on the converter to electrically connect the converter electrode to at least one of the one or more lead electrodes.
US08548588B1
A system, operatively connectable both to a cardiac-rhythm-management (CRM) subject, and to a CRM device associated with that subject, and an associated method, operable, in relation to received-and-processed, real-time, CRM-subject-specific, simultaneous ECG and heart-sound information, and other information including measurement time markers where available, for blocking, under all circumstances during the ventricular relative refractory period lying within each of successive CRM-subject cardiac cycles occupying a span of such cycles, the ventricular pacing activity of the subject-associated CRM device—the beginning and ending of such blocking in each cardiac cycle being system-defined to lie preferably, and respectively, (a) within the real-time, ventricular depolarization window in the cycle, and (b) at the time of the real-time, S2 heart-sound, plus or minus any user-defined time-delta.
US08548585B2
Various method embodiments detect a concurrent therapy, where the concurrent therapy includes a plurality of therapy pulses. Detecting the concurrent therapy includes detecting at least one electrical pulse, extracting at least one characteristic from the at least one electrical pulse, comparing the at least one characteristic of the detected pulse to at least one characteristic of therapy pulses, and detecting that the concurrent therapy is being applied if the at least one characteristic of the detected pulse favorably compares to the at least one characteristic of the therapy pulses.
US08548579B2
The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to: (a) determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments employed in accessing a surgical target site; (b) assess the pathology (health or status) of a nerve or nerve root before, during, or after a surgical procedure; and/or (c) assess pedicle integrity before, during or after pedicle screw placement, all in an automated, easy to use, and easy to interpret fashion so as to provide a surgeon-driven system.
US08548576B2
A system and method for correlating health related data for display. The system includes a medical device recording data and a display producing device which correlates the data and simultaneously displays different types of data or displays two sets of the same type of data along with the circumstances at which the two sets of data were recorded. Such displays aid a physician in prescribing and ascertaining the efficacy of cardiac therapies.
US08548571B2
The present invention relates to methods and devices for predicting restenosis, and for treating atherosclerosis to prevent or reduce the incidence of restenosis. Methods of predicting restenosis in a stenosed peripheral artery may include quantitative histology of the vessel. For example, a method of treating a stenosed artery (and particularly a peripheral artery) may include the steps of determining a level of hypercellularity and one or more of the lipid-richness and extent of inflammatory cell inclusion in the tissue. An index of restenosis based on the hypercellularity and lipid richness and/or extent of inflammatory cell inclusion in the tissue may be determined. Systems for treating or preventing restenosis may include one or more imaging modalities for imaging tissue regions and determining the level of hypercellularity and one or more of the degree of lipid-richness and the extent of inflammatory cell inclusion in the tissue region.
US08548567B2
The present invention relates to a system for performing and monitoring minimally invasive interventions with an x-ray unit, in which at least one x-ray source and one x-ray detector can traverse a circular track through an angle range, an ECG recording unit, an imaging catheter, a mapping unit with a mapping catheter and an ablation unit with an ablation catheter. The system comprises a control and evaluation unit with interfaces for the units and catheters, which enable an exchange of data with the control and evaluation unit. The control and evaluation unit is designed for processing measurement or image data which it receives from the catheters and units, and for controlling the catheters and units for the capture of the measurement or image data. The workflow from the examination through to the therapy, particularly with regard to the treatment of tachycardial arrhythmias, is covered completely and continuously by the proposed system.
US08548566B2
A rendering method uses volumetric data (202) indicative of the interior of an object to render a surface (102). Locations in the volumetric data (202) having a first parameter are identified. Regions on the rendered surface (102) which are located in proximity to the identified locations are highlighted, for example by using different visuals.
US08548565B2
A method for use during a procedure on a body. The method generates a display representing relative positions of two structures during the procedure. The method comprises the steps of storing an image data set in memory, the image data set representing the position of the body based on scans taken of the body prior to the procedure; reading the image data set stored in the memory, the image data set having a plurality of data points in known relation to a plurality of reference points for at least one of the two structures; placing one or more magnetic field sensors in known relation to the reference points of the two structures; generating a magnetic field; detecting the magnetic field with the magnetic field sensors; ascertaining the locations of the sensors based upon the magnetic field detected by the sensors and processing the locations of the sensors to generate a displaced image data set representing the relative position of the two structures during the procedure; and generating a display based on the displaced image data set illustrating the relative position of the two structures during the procedure.
US08548556B2
The present invention provides a bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus for determining composition data of a human body, the apparatus including a plurality of electrodes and measuring circuitry which inject, through two electrodes, alternating current into the body, and which determine, with two other electrodes on different limbs, the resulting voltages, and which determine therefrom the impedance of body segments. In one apparatus, two hand contact bodies are disclosed, each of which includes a hand seating surface for placement of a hand inner surface thereon, each hand seating surface includes an electrically insulating separating wall extending over a part of the length of the hand seating surface, the separating wall being adapted to project into the space between middle and ring finger when a hand is placed on the hand seating surface, and on both sides of the separating wall an electrode is included.
US08548536B1
A smart phone case with carry stand that includes a carry stand centrally disposed on a rear surface of a polymeric case, the carry stand including a parallelepiped member having an aperture centrally disposed therethrough, said aperture configured to removably receive a finger of a user therethrough whereby a user may securely grasp the smart phone case with carry stand with one hand, and wherein an outside edge of the carry stand, disposed parallel the rear surface of the case, contacts an extant horizontal surface when the smart phone case with carry stand is placed on said horizontal surface to prop the smart phone case with carry stand angularly upon said horizontal surface and enable hands free viewing of an extant cellular phone used in conjunction with the present device.
US08548535B2
In one embodiment, a mobile communication terminal is equipped with a first control unit for execution a communication, a second control unit for executing an application program, and a timer unit for generating an interrupt signal when a count value equals a timer value set by the first control unit. The second control unit transmits first information including sleep time to the first control unit and changes to a sleep state. The first control unit sets a timer value in the timer unit in response to the first information and transmits to the second control unit second information for waking the second control unit when the interrupt signal is generated by the timer unit.
US08548533B2
A wireless headset has improved immunity to RF electromagnetic interference produced from wireless communications devices. A headset body is adapted to be worn by a user and includes a microphone and earpiece. An antenna receives wireless communication signals and passes them to RF and audio circuitry mounted within the headset body. The RF and audio circuitry include a Bluetooth module operatively connected to the antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals, an audio CODEC connected to the Bluetooth module, and audio connection lines connected between the CODEC and the earpiece and between the CODEC and the microphone. A filter is connected into each of the audio connection lines at the earpiece and microphone and operative for reducing the RF coupling from a mobile wireless communications device.
US08548529B1
A method and apparatus of modifying user content data on a mobile station are disclosed. One example method of displaying customized content data on a mobile station may include receiving the content data at the mobile station, and modifying the content data for a user of the mobile station to view the content data based on predefined viewing preferences of the user. The modified content may then be displayed on a display interface of the mobile station allowing the user to view the content based on their specified preferences.
US08548528B2
A mobile terminal including a touch pad; a first display unit including a transparent display; a second display unit including a non-transparent display disposed below the transparent display; and a controller configured to selectively control the first and second display units to operate in a dual-operation mode by controlling at least a portion of the first display unit to be transparent and not display information and controlling the second display unit to display information that can be viewed through the at least the portion of the first display unit that is transparent.
US08548526B2
One embodiment is directed to a system for providing wireless coverage and capacity for a public land mobile network within a building. The system comprises a pico base station comprising multiple transceiver units. The pico base station is installed in the building. The system further comprises a plurality of antennas located within the building. The plurality of antennas are located remotely from the pico base station. The pico base station is communicatively coupled to the public land mobile network. The pico base station is communicatively coupled to the plurality of antennas.
US08548525B2
Systems and methods which utilize antenna pattern or antenna beam scanning techniques to provide communication of payload traffic are shown. A base station radio is provided wireless communication links with a plurality of stations for communication of payload traffic between the base station and stations using a succession of antenna patterns. The antenna patterns are scanned in succession, such as randomly, quasi-randomly, sequentially, or according to a schedule. An antenna pattern scheduler may be used to implement antenna pattern scanning and traffic timing. Cooperative scheduling with respect to a plurality of base stations may be provided. Selection of the plurality of antenna patterns used by a base station is preferably adjusted from time to time, such as based upon environment, usage patterns, etcetera.
US08548523B2
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for changing alert setting of a communication device are provided. An operative connection of a communication device to a connected device is detected. Based on the operative connection to the connected device, it is determined whether an alert setting for the communication device should be changed. In response to determining that the alert setting should be changed, the alert setting for the communication device is automatically changed. The connected device is a network interface, a power adapter, and/or a headset.
US08548516B1
A smart antenna system is provided for communicating wireless signals between a mobile device and a plurality of different fixed base stations using different channels and different beams, said smart antenna system comprising a control subsystem, a radio transceiver and an antenna subsystem coupled to each other and adapted to perform scanning of different combinations of base stations, channels and beams using one or more test links established with one or more of said different fixed base stations, said one or more test links using at least some of the different channels and the different beams, select a first combination of base station, channel and beam based on the scanning, and establish a first operating link for transmitting a wireless signal to the selected base station using the selected channel and beam.
US08548510B2
A method and apparatus are provided wherein a mobile device operates some of the time on a first network and some of the time on a second network, and wherein while handling traffic of a defined type over the first network, the mobile device selectively tunes away to the second network to see if there are any messages. The method and apparatus allow a mobile device with a single transceiver to receive CMAS alerts transmitted over a 1xRTT network while minimizing disruption to ongoing delay sensitive data applications operating on a 1xEV-DO network.
US08548507B2
An apparatus and a method for receiving system information in a mobile communication terminal are provided. In the method, system information including scheduling information for at least one additional system information is received from a base station. Whether validity of the system information is determinable is determined. If it is determined that the validity of the system information is not determinable, system information including scheduling information for at least one additional system information is received again from the base station.
US08548505B2
A method and system for leaving and retrieving messages at specific coordinate way points within a commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) provider network are disclosed. Users carry or transport interface devices for communicating over the network and are able to record and view messages at specific coordinate locations while traveling in the network. The location of the device is calculated by the device or by the network while the device is powered on and within the physical boundaries of the network, or through a combination of both. Messages can be made available to network subscribers when their interface devices come within an area centered about a physical coordinate location. Personalized messages can also be left by subscribers at any coordinate point within the boundaries of the network. Access of information about an asset is facilitated when a technician comes within a physical proximity threshold relative to the asset.
US08548501B2
Embodiments of the present invention recite a system having Doppler-based control of a mobile device. In one embodiment, at least one measured Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Doppler frequency shift measurement corresponding to a GNSS signal measured at a mobile electronic device is received. The speed of the remote device is then determined based at least in part upon the GNSS Doppler frequency shift measurement. An operation of the remote device is then controlled from the base station when the speed of the remote device exceeds a speed threshold.
US08548499B2
The last known location of a lost or stolen device can be determined based on the device's last communication with a wireless data network. A portable device can be set up to communicate its location to a server after it obtains a wireless connection to a wireless data network and registers a most recent location with the server. A device can be set up to communicate its location based on at least one of communication with wireless data network hardware or portable device GPS location determined after the device obtains a wireless connection to a wireless data network. Location is stored until a subsequent location is registered in the server. The server can be programmed to send at least one of “lost” message, ringtone, lock code and wipe command to a lost or stolen portable device. The server can be programmed to provide map location information for the last known location of the lost portable device.
US08548498B2
This invention concerns a process and a system for providing location information for a wireless unit in a wireless network to a location-based service provider, using a data network. In particular, the location information is provided to the location-based service provider without necessarily providing the identity of wireless unit, e.g., a subscriber's wireless identification number, to the service provider. In this regard, a subscriber's identification number may be hidden from the positioning service provider via a process in which an alias is used instead of the subscriber's normal identity. The subscriber's number may further be concealed from the service provider via a process wherein encrypted information is used instead of the subscriber's normal identity.
US08548496B2
A wireless communication apparatus includes a body, a first antenna, a second antenna, a sensor, a wireless transceiver, and a switch. Both of the first antenna and the second antenna are disposed in or on the body. The sensor is electrically connected to the first antenna and the second antenna for sensing whether an object is close to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna to provide a sensing result. The wireless transceiver has a main antenna connection port. The switch is coupled to the wireless transceiver, the first antenna, and the second antenna for selecting one from the first antenna and the second antenna to be electrically connected to the main antenna connection port of the wireless transceiver according to the sensing result.
US08548495B2
A system and method for determining a position of a mobile wireless device using wireless local area network access points (APs). In one embodiment, a mobile wireless device includes an AP positioning system configured to estimate a position of the device based on locations of APs disposed about the device. The AP positioning system is configured to: 1) access an AP database; and 2) provide, to the database, one or more medium access controller (MAC) addresses and an area of interest value. The AP positioning system is also configured to retrieve, from the database: 1) location information for each AP having a provided MAC address, or located within the area of interest; and 2) at least one of: signal parameters for the APs nearby the device, a geographic area within which each MAC address can be received, and an indication of a scan type to used for identifying APs.
US08548482B2
A radio communication device and a method for controlling frequency selection. In an embodiment of the invention, a radio communication device may include a first radio modem circuit, a first medium access control circuit assigned to the first radio modem circuit, a second radio modem circuit, a second medium access control circuit assigned to the second radio modem circuit, and a control interface circuit configured to control the first medium access control circuit and the second medium access control circuit.
US08548480B2
A method of optimizing the use of radio resources in a mobile radio communication system during a combinational multimedia session involving circuit switched and packet switched sessions between user terminals, the method comprising: disabling an in-sequence delivery option of packets between radio network control nodes of the radio access network(s) serving the user terminals for said packet switched session.
US08548475B2
An electronic device has wireless communications circuitry that supports communications using multiple radio access technologies. The electronic device may gather information such as data rate values, power consumption values, and other data for a currently active radio access technology and an alternative radio access technology. The electronic device may automatically switch between the currently active radio access technology and the alternative radio access technology based on a value of a data rate efficiency metric. The data rate efficiency metric may represent how efficiently each radio access technology is capable of using power to convey a given amount of data per unit time. The data rate efficiency metric may be evaluated using measured power consumption data, measured data rate values, and operating parameters such as signal strength and transmitted power parameters.
US08548471B2
A user apparatus in a mobile communication system includes: a unit configured to receive a downlink control signal using a frequency of a residing cell; and a unit configured to perform cell search using a frequency different from the frequency of the residing cell during an interval between reception timings of the downlink control signal in response to an occurrence of a predetermined event for different frequency measurement in the user apparatus or a base station apparatus. When the reception timing interval of the downlink control signal is not longer than the threshold reported from the base station apparatus, and when the predetermined event for different frequency measurement occurs in the user apparatus or the base station apparatus, different frequency measurement is performed in a cycle, different from the reception timing interval, reported from the base station apparatus.
US08548458B2
The present invention relates to the communications field and discloses a method, a device, and a system for measuring and reporting an automatic neighbor relation (ANR), which are capable of completing an ANR function during a radio link failure (RLF), therefore saving measurement time and improving network performance. The solution is: when an RLF occurs, receiving a radio resource control (RRC) link reestablishment failure message, where the RRC link reestablishment failure message carries control information instructing a user equipment (UE) to perform an ANR measurement; performing the ANR measurement according to the control information in the RRC link reestablishment failure message to obtain an ANR measurement result; and after receiving an RRC link establishment response message, reporting the ANR measurement result by using an RRC link establishment complete message.
US08548452B2
Mobile device usage may be monitored and restricted by pushing enabling/disabling events from an administrator the device. The events impose a certain set of rules that can “lock” certain features provided by the device, according to permissions and pre-established policies, for a certain period of time. Such restricted periods may coincide with meetings or other events in which distractions should be kept to a minimum or be during regular, predetermined time periods. Preferably, the rules include conditional locks that allow a user to use a feature a reasonable number of times before the lock is activated to place the onus on the user for minimizing such distractions, while enabling the user to maintain access to such a vital communication tool. Cancel packets may also be used to not only control but to monitor the application of the rule sets and when certain conditions are breaches, which provides an employer with sufficient information to use in auditing device usage or in reprimanding users for misuse of a privilege such as the use of mobile data communications devices.
US08548433B1
Voice messaging services are used to provide messages for recipients associated with terminated network-based instant connect communication sessions. A first device engages in a communication session with a second device. The communication session between the two devices terminates and the first device records locally a voice message addressed to the second device. The message may be stored on the first device and transmitted to the second device after another communication session is established between the two devices. Alternately, the voice message may be transmitted to a message server and forwarded to the second device at a later time.
US08548429B2
A cellular communication device has one or more access modes which allow reading and writing of data, for example to change its settings, for example passwords and even the entire operating system and also permitting access to personal information such as the user's telephone book. To prevent cloning and like illegal access activity, the device is configured by restricting access to such data access modes using a device unique security setting. The setting may be a password, preferably a one-time password, or it may be a unique or dynamic or one time configuration of the codes for the read and write instructions of the data mode. There is also disclosed a server, which manages the security settings such that data mode operates during an active connection between the device and the server, and a secure communication protocol for communicating between the server and the cellular device.
US08548427B2
A system and method to enable a transfer of multimedia content between mobile telecommunication devices while maintaining the multimedia traffic within a wireless local network. Multimedia content may be sent from one of the mobile telecommunication devices and delivered to another one or more of the mobile telecommunication devices. The multimedia transfer is facilitated and monitored by a secure agent located within the local network. The secure agent maintains a record of the multimedia content sessions and transmits such information to a billing component. The billing component utilizes the record of content transfer to assess a fee or other charge on the sending device, the receiving device(s), or both sending and receiving devices. In some embodiments, such a charge may include a credit or other reward that is provided to sending devices or receiving devices for implementing a local transfer of multimedia content.
US08548426B2
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to communicate with the mobile phone of a user to confirm the identity of the user using a user terminal separate from the mobile phone for subsequent payment requests from the user terminal to be fulfilled using the account identifier.
US08548417B2
Method, system, and computer program product example embodiments of the invention are disclosed to provide multi-network secure video teleconferencing (VTC) for VTC endpoints. The embodiments of the invention include a sequencer that controls the sequence of operations when moving a video teleconferencing terminal between secure networks. The sequencer receives commands to initiate the operation from an initiator, such as a user-initiated button press from a control console or a user-initiated request from an Internet interface, or for a scheduled operation from a scheduling interface. The sequencer then issues commands to a secure database of terminal configuration data and a control isolator to both transfer a video teleconferencing terminal to a new secure network to begin a conference and to remove a video teleconferencing terminal from a secure network to end a conference.
US08548410B2
The method and apparatus described herein address problems associated with conventional wireless receivers configured for intra-band carrier aggregation. The disclosed solution applies the received signal to a single front-end amplifier, which may comprise a low-noise amplifier, and divides the amplified signal into two or more processing paths, where each path is associated with a different local oscillator frequency corresponding to a different reception band. To compensate for the impact of the additional processing paths on the amplifier performance, a negative resistor unit applies a negative resistance to the output of the front-end amplifier when two or more processing paths are active.
US08548409B2
A receiver front end includes a plurality of in-phase and quadrature phase receive processing blocks operable at first and second frequency bands and further includes a plurality of filtering and amplification blocks disposed within a corresponding ingoing signal path, a plurality of received signal strength indicator (RSSI) blocks coupled to receive an ingoing analog signal from a corresponding plurality of nodes disposed throughout the ingoing signal path, each of the plurality of RSSI blocks producing a signal strength indication, and wherein a baseband processor is operable to receive a selected signal strength indication and to produce at least one gain setting to at least one amplification block within the in-phase or quadrature phase receive processing blocks. In operation, the baseband processor receives a signal strength indication from each RSSI block to determine a total amount of gain and appropriate gain distribution within the receive signal path.
US08548404B2
A system for implementing linearization of a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) in a base station, as well as various component circuitry for implementing said system. By means of a smart partitioning of the signal processing for predistortion between the analog domain and the digital domain, a more linear relationship between the digital input data and the output RF signal is achieved. Linearization of the PA's output signal is obtained using a mixed-signal apparatus. The digital baseband signal enters the RF signal source. The RF signal source comprises an in-band predistortion circuit, a micro-controller and digital modulator. The output of the digital modulator is an RF signal that enters the PA module. The PA module is composed of the PA and the RF power amplifier linearizer (RFPAL). The RFPAL comprises an RF predistortion circuit, and RF signal analyzer and a microcontroller.
US08548400B2
Systems and techniques are described for applying a polar bias modulation having a phase component and an amplitude component to a signal amplified by a power amplifier. The power amplifier (PA) has a plurality of amplifier gain stages and is configured to amplify an input to create an amplifier output signal. The input to the power amplitude is phase modulated based upon the phase component of the polar bias modulation, but need not be amplitude modulated. Amplitude modulation is provided by logic that includes a detector configured to receive an indication of the amplifier output as a feedback signal, a control module configured to generate a control signal based upon both the feedback signal and the amplitude component of the polar bias modulation, and a bias circuit configured to adjust a bias signal associated with at least one of the plurality of amplifier gain stages in response to the control signal. Such a modulation scheme may be readily applied in enhanced data rate for global service mode (GSM) evolution (EDGE) applications, as well as in other environments that make use of polar modulation.
US08548398B2
The present disclosure relates to envelope power supply calibration of a multi-mode RF power amplifier (PA) to ensure adequate headroom when operating using one of multiple communications modes. The communications modes may include multiple modulation modes, a half-duplex mode, a full-duplex mode, or any combination thereof. As such, each communications mode may have specific peak-to-average power and linearity requirements for the multi-mode RF PA. As a result, each communications mode may have corresponding envelope power supply headroom requirements. The calibration may include determining a saturation operating constraint based on calibration data obtained during saturated operation of the multi-mode RF PA. During operation of the multi-mode RF PA, the envelope power supply may be restricted to provide a minimum allowable magnitude based on an RF signal level of the multi-mode RF PA, the communications mode, and the saturation operating constraint to provide adequate headroom.
US08548389B2
A test method is for determining RF sensitivity of an RF receiver for a plurality of channels extending over a frequency band(s) using an RF source coupled to the RF receiver by an RF communications link. The plurality of channels may include channels having a predictable RF sensitivity and a channel(s) having a non-predictable RF sensitivity. The test method may include measuring an RF sensitivity for one or more of the channels having the predictable RF sensitivity, and generating a partial RF sensitivity function for the channels having the predictable RF sensitivity based thereon. The method may further include measuring an RF sensitivity for the channel(s) having the non-predictable RF sensitivity. Additionally, an overall RF sensitivity function may be generated for the plurality of channels based upon the partial RF sensitivity function, and based upon the measured RF sensitivity for the channel(s) having the non-predictable RF sensitivity.
US08548375B2
A wireless repeater includes a gain control metric computation block to compute a gain control metric for use in controlling the variable gain of the repeater. The gain control metric is computed by downsampling the gain control input signal to the gain control metric computation block and also downsampling the computed correlation and normalization terms. The gain control metric may be further enhanced by filtering the computed metric values using linear or non-linear filtering.
US08548371B2
Systems for producing bound electrophotographic prints are provided. In one aspect there is provided a system with a print engine having a printing module to form a toner image on a receiver, a fuser with a heater that heats the toner image to fuse the toner image to a receiver to form a print, a stacking system that stacks the print and a sheet in a stacking area with the fused toner image between the print and the sheet. A heating system has a heat source that applies a heat along an edge of the stack, and a controller that causes the toner image to have toner in a binding area proximate to the heated edge of the stack and in an image area that is separated from the binding area by a separation area. A portion of the heat applied at the edge of the stack heats the binding area to cause toner in the binding area to fuse for a second time and a residual portion of the heat applied heats the separation area, but the separation area does not heat the image area to an extent sufficient to fuse toner in the image area.
US08548369B2
An image forming apparatus which includes a main body, an image forming unit to form an image on a printing medium, a plate to open and close a first side of the main body; a pickup unit which includes a driven gear to rotate in forward and backward directions, a pickup roller to receive a driving force from the driven gear to pick up the printing medium disposed on the plate, and a support frame to rotatably support the pickup roller and to interlock with the forward and backward rotations of the driven gear to move toward and away from the plate, a driving source to drive the image forming unit and the driven gear, and a blocking gear disposed between the driven gear and the driving source, to prevent the support frame, spaced apart from the plate, from moving toward the plate.
US08548368B2
In a method for fusing a recording material on a medium, a fusing element is radiated close to and upstream from a fuse nip. Thus, the heat that is provided has very little time to penetrate the fusing element and thus remains at a surface of the fusing element. Therefore, the fusing element does not need to be heated thoroughly, which would require a substantial amount of time. Consequently, in the method, heat may be provided on demand and an energy efficient fuse method is thus provided.
US08548365B2
The image forming apparatus includes an endless and movable transfer material bearing belt, a transfer member, an opposing member and a belt guide member, wherein a conveyance direction of the transfer material in a first area is substantially the same as a conveyance direction of the transfer material in a second area, the first area corresponding to a nip area formed by the opposing member and the transfer member and the second area corresponding to an area in which the belt guide member bringing the transfer material bearing belt and the image bearing belt come into contact with each other. By the virtue of the present invention, a transfer material is restrained from scraping off the leading end of a toner image before the leading end of the toner image enters a transfer nip portion, while suppressing spattering of the toner image on the upstream of the transfer nip portion.
US08548364B2
A developing device includes: an magnetic field generating unit that generates an magnetic field; and a cylindrical developer holder, to which a voltage is applied, that surrounds the magnetic field generating unit and rotates, the cylindrical developer holder: having an outer circumferential surface having a plurality of grooves that extend in a direction of a rotational axis, the outer circumferential surface being capable of holding developer including a magnetic substance by using the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit, an electrical resistance of an inner wall surface of each of the grooves being higher than an electrical resistance of the magnetic substance included in the developer; and supplying the developer to an image holder that holds an electrostatic latent image.
US08548361B2
A developing device includes a developer carrying member for carrying a developer; a first feeding portion for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member while feeding the developer along the developer carrying member; a second feeding portion, communicating with the first feeding portion at end portions thereof, for feeding the developer in a direction opposite to a developer feeding direction of the first feeding portion while collecting the developer from the developer carrying member; and a partition wall portion for partitioning the first and second feeding portions. The partition wall portion includes an opposing portion opposing the developer carrying member with a spacing. A surface roughness of at least the opposing portion is larger than that of the developer carrying member.
US08548346B2
According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus and method to use a fuser speed algorithm to engage a web print media to a rotatable image carrier (PR) during transfer of toner to paper without additional parts or tight web requirement. The fuser speed algorithm can drive the web through a sheet fed printer efficiently by only using the fuser nip as the main drive. The fuser speed algorithm leverages the advantage of fuser speed to enable the required speed and tension at transfer for proper engagement, then release tension to create slack web at transfer so the PR drives create a buckle zone prior to the fuser system. The fuser speed algorithm drives the fuser at the nominal desired speed which is slower than PR speed to maintain the buckle zone.
US08548344B2
An image forming apparatus include an image bearing member, a developing container receiving a developer, a developer carrying member for carrying and conveying the developer, a developer feed member for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member, a detection device for detecting an amount of developer in the developing container by detecting an electrostatic capacitance between the developer carrying member and the developer feed member, and a control device for changing a rotational speed of the developer feed member into a plurality of speeds corresponding to the plurality of image forming speeds. The control unit controls the rotational speed of the developer feed member prior to the execution of a detection operation of the detection device so as to be faster than the slowest speed of said plurality of speeds.
US08548341B2
A control unit temporarily stops an image carrier when transfer of an image formed using a developer to a recording medium ends. Thereafter, the control unit controls a drive source to intermittently drive the image carrier N times. A measuring unit measures an amount of rotation of the image carrier when the image carrier is intermittently driven. A determination unit determines an amount of rotation for stop instruction issuance that will be applied to a next drive. The amount of rotation for stop instruction issuance is based on an amount of inertial rotation measured from when a stop instruction is issued until when the image carrier stops rotating, and a target amount of rotation for each time the image carrier is driven.
US08548339B2
A cartridge includes an engagement gear which includes a first engaging portion and is configured to selectively rotate. The cartridge also includes a rotational body which includes a second engaging portion, and a center axis of the rotational body is aligned with a center axis of the engagement gear. Moreover, the cartridge includes an extension portion which is positioned offset from a center of rotation of the rotational body. The engagement gear and the rotational body are configured to selectively be positioned in one of a first state in which the second engaging portion and the first engaging portion are separated from each other, and a second state in which the second engaging portion engages the first engaging portion. The rotational body is configured to rotate with the engagement gear when the engagement gear rotates and the engagement gear and the rotational body are in the second state.
US08548324B2
The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for adjusting a service of optical synchronous digital hierarchy network, and the method comprises: at first configuring the input time-slot space-division cross path to the time-division module after adjustment in space-division module and the time-division cross path of the time-division module after adjustment; and configuring the output time-slot space-division cross path from the time-division module after adjustment in space-division module; deleting the original cross path formed by the time-division module before adjustment. The apparatus comprises: a first configuration unit used to configure the input time-slot space-division cross path to the time-division module after adjustment in space-division module and the time-division cross path of the time-division module after adjustment; a second configuration unit configuring the output time-slot space-division cross path from the time-division module after adjustment in the space-division module; deleting the original cross path formed by the time-division module before adjustment.
US08548316B2
Provided is an apparatus and method of controlling light intensity of a camera. The method of controlling light intensity of a camera includes generating a code value for correcting a positional error of the camera to store the positional error in a memory, and then, reflecting the code value for correcting the positional error to generate a code value upon auto-focusing. Next, after measuring a distance to a subject through displacement of a camera lens according to the auto-focusing, light intensity of a flash is adjusted according to the distance to the subject.
US08548296B2
[Object] To promptly decode and reproduce content of any encoding formats.[Solving Means] If a TV (1) judges that it cannot decode content to be viewed by a user, the TV (1) asks another apparatus such as a game apparatus (3) or PC (4) whether it can decode the content via a high-speed data line (150) capable of performing bidirectional IP communication in expanded HDMI and transmits the content and decoding request command thereof to an apparatus which has answered that it can perform decoding, via the high-speed data line (150). The game apparatus (3) or the PC (4) which has received the decoding request decodes the content and transmits the decoded content as a baseline signal to the TV (1) via TMDS channels in expanded HDMI so that the content is reproduced.
US08548289B2
Embodiments of a display comprising pixels formed from suitably tethered deformable membrane-based MEMS subsystems are provided that include the means to dynamically alter the in-plane tension, and thus the effective spring constant, of the deformable membrane being ponderomotively propelled between active and inactive optical states, said dynamic alteration being effected by exploiting transverse piezoelectric properties of the deformable membranes. Manipulating the spring constant can reduce the actuation force required to turn pixels on, thus significantly reducing the operational voltages for the display composed of an array of such subsystems. Since display power rises with the square of the pixel drive voltage, such architectures give rise to more power efficient display systems.
US08548282B2
A fiber-inline MZI device for temperature sensing or refractive index (RI) sensing, the device comprising: a section of a Photonic Crystal Fiber (PCF) having at least two air holes infiltrated with a liquid analyte to form a waveguide channel, the liquid analyte forming rods in the PCF; wherein the rods leave an interference fringe pattern in the transmission spectrum when light is injected into the PCF, and fringe dips are tracked over a wide wavelength range in order to sense the temperature or refractive index.
US08548279B1
A method, system and computer program product for matching images is provided. The images to be matched are represented by feature points and feature vectors and orientations associated with the feature points. First, putative correspondences are determined by using feature vectors. A subset of putative correspondences is selected and the topological equivalence of the subset is determined. The topologically equivalent subset of putative correspondences is used to establish a motion estimation model. An orientation consistency test is performed on the putative correspondences and the corresponding motion estimation transformation that is determined, to avoid an infeasible transformation. A coverage test is performed on the matches that satisfy orientation consistency test. The candidate matches that do not cover a significant portion of one of the images are rejected. The final match images are provided in the order of decreasing matching, in case of multiple images satisfying all the test requirements.
US08548278B2
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.
US08548269B2
A method is disclosed for stitching together first and second sets of images from three or more image sensors. The first set of images are combined into a composite left view of the panorama, and the second set of images are combined into a composite right view of the panorama. When properly stitched together, the left and right views may be presented as a stereoscopic view of the panorama. A stitching algorithm is applied which removes any disparity due to the parallax in the combined left images and in the combined right images.
US08548264B2
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder. The decoder is configured to obtain at least one motion vector of a block other than the current block. The other block is associated with at least one reference picture indicated by a reference index for a set of multiple reference pictures. The decoder is configured to compare picture output order information of the picture to be decoded with picture output order information of the at least one reference picture, and is configured to predict the motion vector for the current block using said at least one motion vector, based on the comparison.
US08548258B2
Disclosed is an image based human machine interface which comprises an image acquisition assembly which may acquire one or more of two-dimensional images of a user, wherein substantially each image may be associated with a different point in time. The human machine interface further comprises a processing unit which may classify one or more groups of pixels as either background or foreground.
US08548254B2
Up and down directions of an image are to be precisely judged without a special equipment installed in an image pickup device. An object candidate detecting means detects object candidates from an input image and their angles in the input image. A similarity calculation means calculate the degree of similarity between each detected object candidate and each object stored in advance. An input image angle calculating means judges up and down directions of the input image based on the calculated similarity of each object candidate and the angle of the input image. The input image angle calculating means carries out weighting for the angle of each object candidate in the input image based on its similarity and calculates slant angles with respect to the up and down directions of the input image by using the weighted angles.
US08548239B1
Methods for interacting with an electronic document are provided wherein: a) positional input information and its associated data such as symbols or commands that communicate operations that can be applied to elements, such as a selection or an addition of characters or graphics lines, at locations within the electronic document, along with b) relevant insertion locations as variables or pointers associated with executable operations indicative of a plurality of potential locations in the electronic document, potential locations which are accessible by executable operations and at which the communicated operations can be applied to elements, are utilized to: 1) correlate values of the positional input with locations in the electronic document at which to apply the communicated operations to elements, 2) edit the electronic document, and 3) group a plurality of input data into consolidated operations and the locations at which to apply them to elements.
US08548237B2
A local image patch identified in an image is divided into respective sub-patches of respective image forming elements. For each of the respective image forming elements in the local image patch, a respective ordinal rank of the image forming element is determined, and respective contributions of the image forming element to a particular one of the respective sub-patches containing the image forming element and to one or more other ones of the respective sub-patches neighboring the particular sub-patch are ascertained. Each ordinal rank corresponds to a respective dimension of an ordinal rank feature space. For each of the respective sub-patches of the local image patch, a respective histogram of ascertained contributions of the image forming elements in the ordinal rank feature space is built. A respective feature vector representing the local image patch is generated from the respective histograms built for the sub-patches of the local image.
US08548234B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for simultaneously reducing various kinds of noises in an image output from an image sensor equipped to a camera. The image noise reducing method includes: determining a color reference value, which corresponds to a corrected value of the color value of a current pixel, based on the difference values between the color value of the current pixel among pixels of an image and the color values of neighboring pixels around the current pixel; determining unified filter kernel coefficients, which represent the weights of the current pixel and the neighboring pixels, based on the similarities between the determined color reference value and the color values of the neighboring pixels; and reducing a noise in the color value of the current pixel by weighted-averaging the color value of the current pixel and the color values of the neighboring pixels using the unified filter kernel coefficients.
US08548232B2
An image processing apparatus includes a circumstance vector generation unit configured to acquire information indicating circumstances, to digitize the information, and to generate a circumstance vector, a conversion parameter calculation unit configured to weighted-add several conversion parameters specified by the circumstance vector among a plurality of previously prepared conversion parameters for image conversion, and a converted image generation unit configured to perform image conversion using the conversion parameters obtained by the weighted-adding with respect to an original image to be processed so as to generate a converted image.
US08548231B2
First order predicate logics are provided, extended with a bilattice based uncertainty handling formalism, as a means of formally encoding pattern grammars, to parse a set of image features, and detect the presence of different patterns of interest implemented on a processor. Information from different sources and uncertainties from detections, are integrated within the bilattice framework. Automated logical rule weight learning in the computer vision domain applies a rule weight optimization method which casts the instantiated inference tree as a knowledge-based neural network, to converge upon a set of rule weights that give optimal performance within the bilattice framework. Applications are in (a) detecting the presence of humans under partial occlusions and (b) detecting large complex man made structures in satellite imagery (c) detection of spatio-temporal human and vehicular activities in video and (c) parsing of Graphical User Interfaces.
US08548226B2
In stereo matching based on standard area matching, in order to suppress a decrease in matching accuracy, it is effective to adaptively change a matching area in accordance with the local properties of an image. However, this requires high calculation costs. Thus, the present invention provides a stereo image processing apparatus including an image pickup unit 101 configured to take a plurality of image data using a plurality of cameras, an image memory 102 configured to store the plurality of image data taken by the image pickup unit 101, a calculated disparity storage unit 105 configured to store disparity data determined based on the plurality of image data, a matching area control unit 103 configured to set a matching area for each pixel based on the plurality of data read from the image memory 102 and the disparity data read from the calculated disparity storage unit 105, and a disparity calculating unit 104 configured to perform matching on the image data based on the plurality of image data read from the image memory 102 and the matching area for each pixel set by the matching area control unit 103 to calculate disparity data.
US08548224B2
An inspection method for inspecting a device mounted on a substrate, includes generating a shape template of the device, acquiring height information of each pixel by projecting grating pattern light onto the substrate through a projecting section, generating a contrast map corresponding to the height information of each pixel, and comparing the contrast map with the shape template. Thus, a measurement object may be exactly extracted.
US08548219B2
Photometric and morphometric features derived from multi-mode imagery of cells in flow are used as a cell analyzer to determine if a marker corresponding to a cancer cell or precancerous cell is present in the population of cells imaged. An imaging system simultaneously acquires a plurality of images for each cell passing through the field of view of the imaging system. Acquiring a plurality of different images (i.e., bright field, dark field, and fluorescent images) facilitates the determination of different morphological and morphometric parameters. Simultaneously acquiring the plurality of images enables relatively large populations of cells to be rapidly imaged, so that relatively small numbers of cancer cells in a large population of cells can be detected. Initially, known cancer cells are imaged to enable a marker to be identified. Then, a sample that may include cancer cells is imaged to determine if the marker is present.
US08548217B2
In a method for correction of distortions in image data in a diffusion imaging, the image data are acquired with an imaging MRT measurement for a predetermined diffusion weighting and map a predetermined image segment. A diffusion model for the image segment is determined. Output image data are determined for the image segment such that the output image data are essentially free of distortions caused by diffusion weighting. Reference image data are estimated for the predetermined diffusion weighting for the image segment based on the output image data and the diffusion model. The acquired image data are compared with the reference image data and the acquired image data are corrected based on the comparison.
US08548213B2
A method and system for detecting a guiding catheter in a 2D fluoroscopic image is disclosed. A plurality of guiding catheter centerline segment candidates are detected in the fluoroscopic image. A guiding catheter centerline connecting an input guiding catheter centerline ending point in the fluoroscopic image with an image margin of the fluoroscopic image is detected based on the plurality of guiding catheter centerline segment candidates.
US08548212B2
The present invention provides a fingerprint recognition apparatus and a fingerprint recognition method adapted for the apparatus. The method includes steps of: performing an image processing function for fingerprints of a user and generating an image formed by a number of ridges; scanning the image according to a scanning frequency and selecting a number of scanning lines; acquiring a cross point formed between each ridge of fingerprint and each scanning line; acquiring a tangent line; generating a graph between each cross point and each corresponding slope value; determining whether the graph is similar to one of the stored at least one graph to obtain a determination result; and outputting a recognition result of the fingerprints of the user associated with the determination result.
US08548205B2
An image processing device connected with an image formation device configured to output image on a recording medium, includes a data obtaining unit configured to obtain map image data representing a basic map image showing a user-designated geographic area at a user-designated scale, an area identifying unit configured to identify a basic image formation area and a surplus area, the basic map image being formed on the basic image formation area, the surplus area being an area within the image forming area but the basic map image is not formed. The image processing device further includes an additional data obtaining unit configured to obtain map image data necessary for covering an enlarged image formation area including the basic image formation area and at least part of the surplus area, from the map image data provider. The map image can be formed based on the updated map image data.
US08548197B2
A method (10) for estimating a carrier's movement relative to an environment (20) with respect to which the carrier moves, the carrier having at least one navigation sensor and one vision sensor producing 2D images of the environment installed, The method (10) includes the following steps: i) (12) identifying, in images acquired by the vision sensor, characteristic elements of the images representing characteristic elements of the environment, ii) (14) calculating, based on characteristic elements of a triplet of images acquired at different times, at least one condensed measurement representative of characteristics of the carrier's movement during the acquisition of the triplet's images, iii) (16) estimating the movement by a navigation filter, based on navigation measurements made by the navigation sensor and on the at least one condensed measurement. A computing device for a navigation system of a carrier is also described.
US08548191B2
A transducer magnet for a low profile loudspeaker transducer is provided having a voice coil, surround suspension, diaphragm, and top plate. The transducer magnet may include a first magnet assembly, including an annular outer magnet having an outer perimeter, an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The inner diameter defines a vacant circular center within the annular outer magnet, and the difference in length between the diameter of the circular inner magnet and the inner diameter of annular outer magnet define an annular first magnet assembly air gap. The annular outer magnet includes one or more channels extending inwardly from the outer perimeter of the annular outer magnet to the first magnet assembly air gap, which is configured to receive the voice coil. The channels are configured to pass hookup wires from the voice coil to an external device from the transducer magnet.
US08548183B2
The equipment size of a hearing device is intended to be reduced. Therefore, a hearing device, in particular an ITE hearing aid, is proposed with a shell having a user-specific shape, a faceplate for closing-off the shell and an electronic component which is attached to the faceplate using a support. The support is individually formed taking into account the shape of the shell, and/or a position of the support on the faceplate is individually determined taking into account the shape of the shell. As a result of the individual support, it is possible to cut down on installation space and therefore the shell can be shortened. In particular, the support can be formed integrally with the faceplate in order to simplify the production method.
US08548181B2
An inflatable ear piece is formed for insertion and placement in an external auditory canal. The ear piece has an inflatable balloon that may be selectively inflated and deflated. When the balloon is inflated, it expands and braces against the walls of the auditory canal. The ear piece has a receiver module with a sound generator and a connection to an exterior device. The sound waves generated in the receiver module are guided to the ear drum via a carrier which also holds the balloon. A pump and valve is provided for inflating, or selectively deflating, the balloon. The pump is connected by way of a micro tube that projects centrally inside the sound channel of the balloon carrier and its tip projects into a radial projection or a bridge across the sound channel. The receiver and balloon modules may be connected in any rotational orientation.
US08548180B2
To provide a hearing aid system (1000) performing dichotic-listening binaural hearing aid processing which improves the clarity of speech and maintains the spatial perception ability. Each of first and second hearing aid devices (1100, 1200) includes a sound pickup unit (1110, 1210) and an output unit (1120, 1220) outputting a sound indicated by a suppressed acoustic signal. The hearing aid system (1000) includes: a first band suppression unit (1300) generating the suppressed acoustic signal indicating the sound outputted from the output unit (1120), by suppressing a signal in a first suppression-target band out of the acoustic signal outputted from the sound pickup unit (1110); and a second band suppression unit (1400) generating the suppressed acoustic signal indicating the sound outputted from the output unit (1220), by suppressing a signal in a second suppression-target band out of the acoustic signal outputted from the sound pickup unit (1210). The suppressed acoustic signals indicating the sounds outputted respectively from the output units (1120, 1220) include, in common, a signal in a non-voice band included in the acoustic signal.
US08548175B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for recognizing an earphone of a portable terminal that includes an interface unit which is connected to the earphone; a controller which performs a switch operation by determining whether a switch key of the earphone is inputted, according to a change of a current of a first port and a voltage of a second port, when the connection of the earphone is sensed; and an audio processing unit that outputs an audio signal to the earphone under the control of the controller.
US08548173B2
A sound volume correcting device includes: a variable gain unit controlling a gain of an input audio signal on the basis of a gain control signal; a voice average level detector detecting an average level of a human voice signal in the input audio signal; and a gain control signal generator generating the gain control signal for controlling the gain of the input audio signal using the average level of the human voice signal detected by the voice average level detector as a reference level and supplying the generated gain control signal to the variable gain unit.
US08548161B2
In the field of cryptography there is a need to reduce the time taken to cryptographically transform data text while maintaining the low memory requirements associated with conventional square-and-multiply modular exponentiation.A method of cryptographically transforming data text c comprises the step of generating an integer representation m of the data text c according to m=cd where d is a predetermined exponent. The step of generating the integer representation m includes generating a sequence of intermediate numbers, each intermediate number being based on two or fewer earlier numbers in the sequence. Generating a sequence of intermediate numbers includes retrieving a pre-stored instruction to determine which two or fewer earlier numbers in the sequence a given intermediate number is based on and the functional manipulation of the or each earlier number required to generate the given intermediate number.
US08548157B2
A method of managing incoming calls is disclosed and includes receiving a telephone call. Further, the method includes offering a caller a bypass option to bypass an automated help application and placing the telephone call in a queue for a next available customer service agent. The method can also include prompting the caller for payment when the caller selects the bypass option. Further, the method can include indicating a current wait time when the bypass option is declined. Moreover, the method can include offering the caller an instant service option to directly connect the caller to a customer service agent. The method can also include prompting the caller for payment when the caller selects the instant service option and directly connecting the telephone call to a customer service agent.
US08548149B2
An answering service answers calls on behalf of called parties when callers place incoming calls to the called parties and the called parties are unable or unwilling to answer the incoming calls directly. A dynamic shield is employed to detect and respond to unwanted (“junk”) calls from nuisance callers. The dynamic shield includes: a detection module that detects patterns from calls received at the answering service and, for each of one or more nuisance callers, identifies the nuisance caller from the detected patterns; a database module within which the detection module creates and stores a caller record corresponding to the identified nuisance caller; and a shield module operating with reference to the caller record in the database module to screen out further junk calls from the identified nuisance caller.
US08548147B2
A teleconference server may calculate a fully qualified number (FQN), which specifies a string of numbers that, if dialed by an calling party, will establish a call with a called party. The fully qualified number may include, for example, an external access code, an international access code, a country code, a national destination code, and/or a subscriber number. In order to determine a calling party and a called party, the teleconference server may access data regarding a scheduled call. The teleconference server may determine a fully qualified number based on the relationship between the called party and the calling party. The teleconference server may send the fully qualified number to the calling party, which may then initiate a scheduled call with the called party by dialing the received fully qualified number.
US08548144B2
Apparatus, system, and methods for automated call initiation. In some implementations, the method for automated call initiation includes initiating an automated call to a destination using a communication line, initiating a call status determination that automatically determines when a person answers the call, and sending an audio signal generated at the destination to an agent and/or assigning the automated call to an agent during the call status determination. The agent may thereby be able to monitor the call and assume a natural response to the person without unnatural delay as the conversation begins.
US08548143B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for inbound call identification and management. One of the systems includes one or more repositories that can include data representing call action policies and data representing attributes associated with the caller devices and the callee devices; and one or more computing devices that include a call identifier (“IDer”) configured to characterize the attributes of the caller devices to form characterized attributes, a call management system controller configured to match the characterized attributes against routing criteria specified in the data representing the call action policies, and a call management system router configured to route calls from the caller devices to the callee devices responsive to a match between the characterized attributes and the routing criteria.
US08548129B2
Enhanced message notification is provided by an enhanced notification function element and a subscriber preference profile database. The enhanced notification function element queries the subscriber preference profile database to obtain subscriber communication terminal capabilities information, which it uses to select a message notification technology. The enhanced notification function element may then format an enhanced notification that is delivered to a communication terminal through a delivery system architecture appropriate for the selected message notification technology. The enhanced notification may contain: a message type indicator; an identifier of the party leaving the message; a date and time that the message was deposited; multimedia objects; and other enhanced information. The enhanced notification function element may also query a terminal roaming status database in order to determine if the enhanced message should be sent when the terminal is roaming. The enhanced notification function element ma also provide content adaptation for the enhanced notification.
US08548127B2
A method includes initiating a call from an interactive voice response (IVR) system to a first device associated with a user in response to a request. The method includes receiving voice input data at the IVR system via the call. The method also includes performing a search of a media content database based at least partially on the voice input data. The method further includes sending search results identifying media content items based on the search of the media content database to a second device associated with the user.
US08548125B2
Method and user terminal for handling a call over a communications network between a first user terminal, usable by a first user, and at least one other user terminal, usable by a respective at least one other user, wherein a client is executed at the first user terminal for participation in the call. The client determines a condition of a respective at least one network connection used in the call between the first user terminal and the at least one other user terminal over the communications network. The client also determines that the call has been dropped, and responsive to the determination that the call has been dropped, the client automatically attempts to re-establish the call in dependence upon the determined condition of the at least one network connection.
US08548124B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to a cathode cup (20) comprising a receptacle for holding an electron emitter (21), wherein the cathode cup is provided at least in the area facing the electron emitter (21) with a surface comprising a plurality of cavities (23). Further, the invention provides an electron source and an x-ray system comprising such a cathode cup (20).
US08548111B2
A sampler circuit comprises a plurality of series-connected sampler cells and a detector circuit. Each successive stage comprises twice the number of sampler cells, in parallel, as the previous stage, and is clocked at half the sampling frequency of the previous stage. Each sampler cell comprises two parallel branches of series-connected clocked inverters. A clocked inverter is operative to invert an applied signal during one phase of an applied sampling clock, and to render a high impedance output during the other sampling clock phase. Successive clocked inverters are clocked with opposite (i.e., positive/negative) versions of the sampling clock. The detector circuit examines the outputs of the last stage of sampler cells, and may for example comprise an OR function to detect a state transition in an applied input signal. The sampler circuit exhibits immunity to metastability and low power consumption.
US08548107B1
A method for detecting multi-user signals including conducting a first energy burst detection detecting a first plurality of user signals as a first energy burst, attempting to decode a user signal from the first plurality of signals within the first energy burst, cancelling out a first user signal from the first energy burst if the first user signal is successfully decoded from the first energy burst, determining a second user signal to be discarded if the second user signal is not successfully decoded from the first energy burst, conducting a second energy burst detection detecting a second plurality of signals as a second burst, and iteratively cancelling out the first user signal successfully decoded from the first energy burst from the second energy burst, wherein the second energy burst detection is conducted when all user signals within the first energy burst are either cancelled out or determined to be discarded.
US08548106B2
Provided is a method that includes dynamically adjusting a GPS signature code to minimize the interference (e.g., the cross-correlation interference) experienced due to one or more other GPS signals. Further provided is a method that includes adjusting the complexity of an adaptive solution to reduce the time and processing power associated with tracking a GPS signal.
US08548105B2
Techniques for performing joint time-frequency automatic gain control (AGC) by a receiver are described. In an aspect, the receiver may transform time-domain samples with a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to obtain frequency-domain symbols and may detect for saturation of the frequency-domain symbols. The receiver may adjust a gain based on whether saturation is detected and may apply the gain prior to the FFT. In one design, the receiver may use a nominal value for a setpoint if saturation is not detected and may reduce the setpoint if saturation is detected. The receiver may adjust the gain based on the setpoint, which may determine the average power of the time-domain samples. In another design, the receiver may determine the gain based on a gain offset and may vary the gain offset based on whether saturation is detected. For both designs, the receiver may apply the gain on digital samples and/or an analog signal prior to the FFT.
US08548103B2
Disclosed are a method and apparatus of adaptive transmission signal detection based on a signal-to-noise ratio and a Chi-squared distribution for decoding a reception signal in the form of multi-streams into a transmission signal, the method comprising: receiving a reception signal vector; estimating a channel matrix of a channel that the reception signal vector experienced; performing QR decomposition based on the estimated channel matrix; calculating dimensions of divisional spaces adaptively on the basis of a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or a signal-to-interference noise ratio (SINR); detecting a maximum likelihood point having a maximum likelihood value among lattice points within each divisional space obtained on the basis of results from performing the QR decomposition and calculating dimension of the divisional spaces; and recovering a transmission signal vector based on the detected maximum likelihood points.
US08548097B1
Methods and systems are provided for coarse phase estimation for highly-spectrally efficient communications. An example method may include, equalizing, in a receiver, a received inter-symbol correlated (ISC) signal to generate an equalized ISC signal. A phase adjustment signal may be generated based on an ISC feedback signal. The ISC feedback signal may be generated using a sequence estimation process and a non-linearity function. A phase of the equalized ISC signal may be adjusted using the generated phase adjustment signal, to generate a phase adjusted partial response signal. The phase adjustment signal may be generated based on a phase difference between the equalized ISC signal and the partial response feedback signal. At least one ISC vector may be generated by buffering samples of the phase adjusted ISC signal.
US08548096B2
Embodiments of user equipment and methods for determining IQ imbalance parameters are described. In some embodiments, a method for determining in-phase (I) and Quadrature (Q) imbalance (IQ imbalance) parameters based on a known signal in a dual-carrier receiver using at least one controllable frequency offset includes receiving a known signal modulated onto a first radio frequency (RF) carrier frequency and a second RF carrier frequency different than the first RF carrier frequency; downconverting the known signal to a baseband signal for the first and second carriers by conversion from the respective RF carrier frequencies to an intermediate frequency (IF) using a common RF local oscillator (LO) and by further conversion from IF to baseband using carrier specific IF LOs, wherein as a controllable frequency offset is used as a part of the conversion from at least one of RF to IF and IF to baseband through the LOs; removing any controllable frequency offset from the baseband signal for the first and second carriers to produce representations of the received signals of the first and second carriers; and deriving IQ imbalance parameters for each representation of the received signals of the first and second carriers using a least square estimate.
US08548091B2
A transmit chain comprises a transmit path with a quadrature up-converter which up-converts quadrature signal components to RF. An observation path samples a portion of the RF signal and a quadrature down-converter down-converts the RF signal to baseband quadrature signal components. A local oscillator signal source provides the up-converter and the down-converter with a local oscillator signal and is operable in two states. In a second of the states the local oscillator signal is applied to the up-converter and the down-converter and a phase shift is made to the signal applied to up-converter or the down-converter compared to the first of the states. A processor monitors properties of the down-converted signal while the local oscillator signal source is operating in the first state and the second state. The processor calculates a correction to apply to the baseband observation signal to correct for errors introduced by the observation path. The processor also calculates a correction to apply to the input signal to correct for errors introduced in the transmit path.
US08548082B2
A contention-based multi-antenna access request transmission/receiving procedure in MIMO OFDM/OFDMA systems is provided to reduce access latency. A mobile station encodes and transmits an access request over a shared access channel using multiple transmitting antennas, while a base station receives and decodes a number of access requests using multiple receiving antennas. Each access request comprises an access indictor and an access message. In a first MIMO scheme, the mobile station transmits the access indicator as preambles, while the access message is encoded by SFBC/STBC to obtain spatial diversity. At the receive side, the access indicator is exploited as pilots for channel estimation. The access message is decoded using SFBC/STBC decoding algorithm. In a second MIMO scheme, the mobile station performs precoding/beamforming for each of the transmitting antenna to obtain beamforming gain, while the base station performs virtual beam matching based on the detection results of the access indicators.
US08548069B2
A data transmission system comprises: a pair of transmission lines connecting a plurality of apparatuses; a bridge termination resistor connected between the transmission lines and having a resistance value matching a differential impedance of the transmission lines; a first switch connecting the bridge termination resistor to the transmission lines when being turned on, and disconnecting the bridge termination resistor from the transmission lines when being turned off; pull-up/down resistors connected between the transmission lines and a fixed voltage node, and having resistance values respectively matching characteristic impedances of the transmission lines, the fixed voltage node being a power supply or a ground; and second switches connecting the pull-up/down resistors between the transmission lines and the fixed voltage node when being turned on, and disconnecting the pull-up/down resistors from the transmission lines when being turned off.
US08548065B2
In a motion compensated prediction process, a parametric interpolation filter (PIF) device is provided that takes into account the time-variant statistics of video sources, the filter being represented by a model determined by five parameters instead of by individual coefficients. The parameters are calculated and coded on a frame-by-frame basis to minimize the energy of the prediction error for each frame. The model design is based on the fact that high frequency energy of an HD video source is mainly distributed along the vertical and horizontal directions of a frame. A PIF device with the method according to the invention overcomes this obstacle because it represents each filter using only five parameters, all of which are encoded using sufficiently high precision without substantially increasing overhead.
US08548058B2
Provided is an image coding apparatus including a decoding unit 102 decoding first coded data to generate a decoded picture and decoding information containing motion vectors and including a coding unit 104 coding, in a second coding scheme, the decoded picture generated by the decoding unit 102, to generate second coded data including a coded picture and coding information containing motion vectors. The image coding apparatus also includes a basic motion information generating unit 105 generating basic motion information from either the decoding information or the coding information, wherein the coding unit 104 determines a search range for estimating motion vectors of the decoded picture, according to the basic motion information generated by the basic motion information generating unit 105, estimates motion vectors of the decoded picture in the determined search range, and generates the second coded data including the coded picture and coding information containing the estimated motion vectors.
US08548044B2
Described herein is a rate controller in a video system. The rate controller is comprised of a bit count estimator and a quantization selector. The bit count estimator receives an input to an encoder and generates a bit count estimate. The bit count estimate is an approximation of a bit count at an output of the encoder. The quantization selector sets a quantization value based on the bit count estimate.
US08548042B2
A video bitrate control method and apparatus that control a generated bitrate of a picture to be encoded, based on an initial value of an allocation bitrate that is previously given to each picture are provided, wherein a difference between an allocation bitrate and an actually generated bitrate of a picture that has been encoded is obtained as an error bitrate, one of a maximum value and a minimum value of the allocation bitrate is selected for a plurality of subsequent pictures, as an allowable correction range, based on the sign of the error bitrate, the maximum value and the minimum value of the allocation bitrate being calculated based on the initial value of the allocation bitrate and a previously given constant, a difference between the allowable correction range and the allocation bitrate is obtained for the plurality of pictures, as an allowable variation bitrate, the ratio of the sum of allowable variation bitrates and the error bitrate is obtained as an update rate, a variation bitrate for the allocation bitrate is calculated for the plurality of pictures based on the allowable variation bitrate and the update rate, and the allocation bitrate of each of the plurality of pictures is updated based on the variation bitrate.
US08548038B2
In described embodiments, a Serializer-Deserializer (SerDes) receiver includes a pattern detector that allows for detection of insufficiently randomized pattern periods and low activity periods. A freeze of equalization adaptation during these periods might occur by embedding disqualifying patterns into adaptation data. Some embodiments also allow for detection of long intervals of freeze, and so delay a freeze de-assertion in order for a clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit of the receiver to regain lock to the serial data. Embedding freeze information in the receive data allows for precise synchronization of receive data and freeze.
US08548032B2
A method and apparatus for detecting a radar signal is provided. The method includes collecting a plurality of pulses based on a reference time or a reference pulse collection count, classifying the plurality of pulses into groups based on similarity of pulse widths, classifying the groups into a short-pulse type and a long-pulse type and calculate the number of groups in each type, and determining whether a radar signal exists based on a number of groups in each type.
US08548027B2
The embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus for transmitting multi-ary error-correcting codes, an apparatus for receiving multi-ary error-correcting codes, a data transmission system, and relevant methods to simplify operations. The apparatus for transmitting multi-ary error-correcting codes includes: a multi-ary channel encoder, adapted to perform multi-ary coding for source data frames of a user to obtain encoded sequences; a symbol mapper, adapted to perform symbol mapping for the encoded sequences to obtain symbol sequences; and a spreading and interleaving unit, adapted to spread and interleave the symbol sequences. Moreover, a corresponding apparatus for receiving multi-ary error-correcting codes, a data transmission system, and relevant methods are provided.
US08548013B2
This fiber laser is provided with: a signal light source that outputs a signal light; a rare earth-doped fiber that amplifies and outputs the signal light from the signal light source; a Raman amplifying fiber that is routed as a portion of an optical transmission path in order to output the output light from the rare earth-doped fiber to an outside thereof; and a wavelength selecting element that is provided in the optical transmission path from the Raman amplifying fiber to the signal light source and does not allow transmission of a Stokes light that is generated in the Raman amplifying fiber.
US08548004B2
A packet communication apparatus that carries out packet communication with a second packet communication apparatus via a logical connection through header processing of compressing or decompressing a packet header, the apparatus managing a first state machine of a first header processing state concerning a first packet flow of the connection and a second state machine of a second header processing state concerning a second packet flow of the connection; and controlling a state transition of a third state machine that is one of the first state machine and the second state machine on the basis of a state transition of a fourth state machine that is the other of the first state machine and the second state machine.
US08548003B2
Systems and methods for transporting data between two endpoints over an encoded channel are disclosed. Data transmission units (data units) from the source network are received at an encoding component logically located between the endpoints. These first data units are subdivided into second data units and are transmitted to the destination network over the transport network. Also transmitted are encoded or extra second data units that allow the original first data units to be recreated even if some of the second data units are lost. These encoded second data units may be merely copies of the second data units transmitted, parity second data units, or second data units which have been encoded using erasure correcting coding. At the receiving endpoint, the second data units are received and are used to recreate the original first data units.
US08547994B2
A communication network comprises a first central digital subscriber line (DSL) unit having at least one application port and a plurality of DSL ports; a first remote DSL unit having at least one application port and at least one DSL port, wherein the first remote DSL unit is communicatively coupled to the central DSL unit via a first single independent DSL pair having a first EOC channel; and a second remote DSL unit having at least one application port and at least one DSL port, wherein the second remote DSL unit is communicatively coupled to the central DSL unit via a second single independent DSL pair having a second EOC channel; wherein the at least one application port in the central DSL unit is communicatively coupled to an application port in at least one of the first remote DSL unit and the second remote DSL unit.
US08547993B1
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented for performing asynchronous communications involving using an asynchronous interface to send signals between a source device and a plurality of client devices, the source device and the plurality of client devices being part of a processing unit capable of performing graphics operations, the source device being coupled to the plurality of client devices using the asynchronous interface, wherein the asynchronous interface includes at least one request signal, at least one address signal, at least one acknowledge signal, and at least one data signal, and wherein the asynchronous interface operates in accordance with at least one programmable timing characteristic associated with the source device.
US08547991B2
The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for transmitting an overload message. By detecting, after determining a latest transmit slot for an overhead message to be transmitted, whether there is an idle paging slot between a current slot and the latest transmit slot, the method transmits the overhead message to be transmitted in the idle paging slot or in the latest transmit slot, such that, when scheduling overhead messages, a paging scheduling module of the base station system not only can meet the requirement of transmitting each overhead message at least once in one overhead message period as required in CDMA2000 protocol, but also automatically schedule the next overhead message when there is an idle slot in the paging channel, thus making the best use of the idle slots of the paging channel and shortening the actual transmission period for overhead messages, without affecting the transmission of other messages in the paging channel.
US08547982B2
The wireless sensor network with energy efficient protocols includes a network of external sensors in communication with a data sink. The network utilizes an algorithm integrating a modified S-MAC (an algorithm for medium access control) protocol for decreasing energy usage in operating the node and associated sensors. A routing protocol is further integrated into the algorithm, the routing protocol being based upon cluster head rotation.
US08547981B2
The embodiment discloses a connection oriented packet network using an MPLS-type label switching technology. The network uses a very fast hardware-oriented self-routing protocol that can expose a path right-of-way and program a connection between a calling and called party at wire speed. The embodiment requires no provisioning and is well suited for mobile and ad-hoc networks. The system and method taught can be applied to other data networks where performance guarantees are important.
US08547975B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for analyzing network traffic data to generate complex statistics associated with the network traffic in real-time through parallel processing and data pipelining. In one implementation, a system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions that cause the processor to generate a plurality of program instances, wherein a first program instance observes the network traffic and uses a plurality of execution threads to distribute portions of the network traffic to additional program instances tasked with generating statistics associated with the network traffic. In other embodiments, a plurality of additional execution threads to the first program instance are tasked with generating the statistics. In either case, the generated statistics are placed into a data pipeline organized into time intervals of generated statistics, wherein the computation of higher-order statistics are computed as the lower-order time intervals are processed.
US08547970B2
The present disclosure provides a receiver including a demodulation circuit adapted to demodulate data and control information attached to the data, and an extraction circuit adapted to extract some data from entire control information, wherein the demodulation circuit performs demodulation according to the extracted some data.
US08547967B2
A method for rerouting IP (Internet Protocol) telephony call information includes, during an active IP telephony call made by a first IP telephony phone for originating IP telephony calls over an IP network, with a boundary element, actively detecting a network failure condition in the IP network which indicates a switchover to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) network and generating a failure notification; and with a server for receiving the failure notification, generating a dynamic switchover instruction generated that is sent to the first IP telephony phone, the dynamic switchover instruction initiating automatic switchover of the active IP telephony call to a PSTN network. A method for rerouting IP (Internet Protocol) telephony call information includes, with a server, monitoring an IP network for route failures; and with the server, generating a switchover instruction when an active IP telephony call is interrupted by a route failure. The switchover instruction initiates automatic switchover of the active IP telephony call to a fallback call routed through a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The switchover instruction includes information which identifies the fallback call as a replacement for the active IP telephony call.
US08547965B2
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to provide uniform resource identifier (URI) portability for communication networks are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a first communication session initiation message identifying a called party, identifying a URI associated with the called party, querying a global URI database based on the URI to identify a domain name associated with a service provider network based on the URI, and sending a second communication session initiation message including the URI to the service provider network via the domain name.
US08547964B2
There is provided herein a system and method for automatic configuration of data routings for use with electronic data such as phone calls, faxes, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, when more than one carrier might potentially terminate the transmission, the carriers are ordered based on some screening criterion (e.g., transmission price). Data transmissions are then assigned to the carriers based on the sorting order, with the second place and lower carriers (e.g., the higher priced carriers) not being selected unless the first carrier cannot complete the transaction. The switch instructions necessary to implement this scheme may be generated automatically.
US08547962B2
A session controller configured to be coupled to a communications network is disclosed. The session controller is configured to receive an indication of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) registration request at a first time from an endpoint having a third-party registration, and to receive a signaling message from the endpoint at a second time later than the first time. The session controller is further configured to forward an indication of the VoIP registration request and a signaling message to an application server, such that at least a portion of the topology of the communications network beyond the session controller is hidden to the endpoint.
US08547957B2
A part can receive a communication that originates externally of the part, that conforms to a predetermined communications protocol, and that contains payload information consistent with the protocol but subject to a security provision supplemental to the protocol. The part extracts the payload information from the security provision.
US08547946B2
A method for communication includes receiving at a wireless access point (AP) a directed probe request from a client specifying a service set identifier (SSID) for which the AP was not configured prior to receiving the directed probe request. In reply to the directed probe request, the AP transmits a probe response to the client using the specified SSID.
US08547941B2
An apparatus and method for improving WLAN spectrum efficiency and reducing interference by flow control comprising determining if at least one data packet is entering a receive buffer; determining if the utilization of the receive buffer is greater than an overflow threshold; determining if a wireless device is in power save mode, wherein the wireless device comprises the receive buffer, a WLAN transceiver and a send buffer for storing packets from an interface module to the WLAN transceiver; determining if the send buffer is empty; setting a power management bit to “1” in either a top-most packet in the send buffer or a NULL packet; and using the WLAN transceiver for transmitting either the top-most packet or the NULL packet to an access point.
US08547930B2
A problem is to provide a base station apparatus, a mobile communication system and a priority setting method for easing abrupt decrease of the transmission speed when performing handover between wireless systems in which transmission speeds are different, and the problem is solved by providing priority higher than normal to a terminal that comes from a second wireless system, by handover, in which transmission speed is greater than a first wireless system.
US08547923B2
A method for multiplexing a data information stream, including a systematic symbol and a non-systematic symbol, and a control information stream of at least three types in a wireless mobile communication system is disclosed. The method includes mapping the data information stream to a resource area so that the systematic symbol is not mapped to a specific resource area to which the control information stream is mapped, and mapping the control information stream to the specific resource area.
US08547921B2
The present invention relates to a frame structure and method for supporting a relay. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for transmitting a preamble from a network supporting a relay includes transmitting a first preamble for establishing synchronization with at least one of a mobile station and a relay station, and transmitting a second preamble including supplemental information for accurately establishing synchronization with at least one of the mobile station and the relay station.
US08547919B2
The present invention relates to a method for allocating communication bandwidth between a first terminal of a plurality of terminals and a network device. Wireless communication between the first plurality of terminals and the network device is carried out using a plurality of carrier channels. The communication defines a first bandwidth. The method comprises the steps of receiving the request for change of bandwidth from the first terminal, evaluating current load on carrier channels in use by the first terminal, evaluating priority between all terminals using the carrier channels currently in use by the first terminal, evaluating capacity of all carrier channels available to the first terminal, and allocating a second bandwidth between the network device and the first terminal by allocating a new number of carrier channels. The present invention further relates to a network device and a device for communication.
US08547913B2
Methods and apparatus for correcting quantization errors in signal reception based on estimated network loading including solutions for preserving cellular network performance in low noise, high interference environments. In one embodiment, a data channel is amplified with respect to other signals based on network load during periods of relatively low network utilization. Dynamic modification of the data channel's power level is configured to overcome quantization errors, rather than the true noise floor (which is insignificant in low noise environments). Such solutions provide both the fidelity necessary to enable high degrees of unwanted signaling rejection, while still preserving data channel quality.
US08547912B1
A method of assigning a single packet address to a wireless communication device in a communication system comprising a first wireless network and a second wireless network comprises, in the wireless communication device, transferring a first network service request to a router in the first wireless network, wherein the first network service request includes a first network user identifier; in the router, transferring an authorization request to an authorization system, wherein the authorization request includes the first network user identifier; in the authorization system, determining whether the wireless communication device associated with the first network user identifier comprises dual-mode functionality, and determining whether a session for the second wireless network exists based on the first network user identifier; and in the router, transferring a first network service response to the wireless communication device, wherein the first network service response includes a packet address for the second wireless network.
US08547911B2
A method is provided for channel scanning in a wireless communications system, for the identification of one or more narrow-band channels present in a certain frequency band and which can be used for connection between a wireless communications device and a communications network. The method includes: applying a FFT function to at least one signal corresponding to a given frequency band, providing for a set of coefficients each being representative of a frequency, analyzing the coefficients so as to detect at least one frequency region having at least one predetermined feature, and determining at least one channel position, by considering that each of the at least one frequency region having at least one predetermined feature is a guard band of one of the at least one channel.
US08547909B1
Dynamic assignment of channel elements for operating as failover Overhead Channel Group channel elements. Preferred methods include configuring channel elements on a primary channel card to serve as an overhead channel group for each carrier in each sector, and, in the event of a primary channel card failure, dynamically configuring failover channel elements on an additional channel card to serve as an overhead channel group. These failover channel elements are preferably not reserved, and are merely channel elements that are not otherwise presently assigned to process traffic. Preferred methods also provide criteria for selecting which CEs to re-assign to the OCG.
US08547906B2
A wireless network includes leaf nodes (such as wireless sensors or other wireless devices) and infrastructure nodes (such as access points). The leaf nodes communicate data messages to the infrastructure nodes. The infrastructure nodes communicate the data messages to gateway infrastructure nodes, which transmit the data messages over a wired network. The leaf nodes may communicate data messages to multiple infrastructure nodes in various ways. For example, the leaf nodes may transmit multiple messages, one at a time, to multiple infrastructure nodes. The leaf nodes may also broadcast a single message to multiple infrastructure nodes. In addition, the leaf nodes may communicate a single message containing a group identifier (such as a multi-cast group address) associated with multiple infrastructure nodes. In this way, communications from the leaf nodes may be more reliable. This may be particularly useful, for example, in networks such as 802.11-based networks.
US08547898B2
An apparatus and method for estimating an absolute power level in a Multiple Users Reusing One Single time slot (MUROS) system are provided. The absolute value of power level of the MUROS user is received by the MUROS user from a Base Transceiver Station (BTS). The MUROS user also determines the mean value of its own signal strength. The absolute value of power level of the other user paired with the MUROS user is estimated using the received absolute value of power level of the MUROS user and the determined mean value of signal strength. The estimated absolute value of power level of the other user and the absolute value of power level of the MUROS user are further used by the MUROS user to estimate its channel. Information about the estimated channel of the MUROS user is provided to the BTS by the MUROS user and the BTS uses this information to allocate power to the two users which are paired for MUROS.
US08547897B2
A communication system and method that allows a transmitter segment (ground end of uplink segment) to dynamically combine power from a plurality of propagation channels (transponders) to improve power levels of signals being transmitted, without affecting the receiver segment (user end of downlink segment) and the propagation segment (space segment), and without modifying propagation apparatus configurations (satellite). Specifically, the transmitter segment generates mixtures of input signals by using Wavefront-Multiplexing and transmits wavefront-multiplexed (WFM) signals through propagation channels to a receiver segment that coherently separates the mixtures of received WFM signals by using adaptive equalization and Wavefront-De-Multiplexing. The WFM signal mixtures allow an operator, or automated system, at the transmitter segment to dynamically allocate equivalent channel (transponder) powers according to continuously changing market demands by dynamically including change of relative input powers into ratios of the WFM signal mixtures being transmitted.
US08547895B2
A method of a Relay Station (RS) transmitting and receiving a signal in a wireless communication system including the RS, comprising receiving frame configuration information about an RS frame from a Base Station (BS), configuring a downlink (DL) access zone in which a signal is transmitted to a relay Mobile Station (MS) connected to the RS and a DL relay zone in which a signal is received from the BS in the RS frame on the basis of the frame configuration information, comparing a time necessary to switch an operation from the DL access zone to the DL relay zone and a propagation delay time taken to receive the signal from the BS, configuring some symbols of the DL access zone or the DL relay zone as a transition time according to a result of the comparison, transmitting the signal to the relay MS in the DL access zone, and receiving the signal from the BS in the DL relay zone.
US08547891B2
A method for improving link efficiency in multicast transmissions is described. A data packet is sent to a multicast server. The data packet is processed. A copy of the data packet is transmitted from the multicast server to a multicast internet protocol (IP) address associated with one or more access terminals. The copy of the data packet is multicast to each of the one or more access terminals using a channel dedicated for multicast traffic that is associated with each of the one or more access terminals.
US08547890B2
A system for power saving in communication with a plurality of sensor apparatuses that are located in-body or on-body to sense bioinformation, a management apparatus that performs synchronization by transmitting a beacon signal to the plurality of sensors at each predetermined period, and a sensor apparatus that includes a sensor receiving a first beacon signal, grasps how much time remains until the second beacon signal is received when the sensor is activated to sense the bioinformation, and determines the operation state of the sensor based on the grasped time are provided.
US08547889B2
A method of exchanging messages for link recommendation in a receiving device of a wireless network comprises receiving a first data packet from a transmitting device; and transmitting link recommendation information to the transmitting device, the link recommendation information including transmit power control (TPC) information for controlling transmission power to be used for a second data packet in the transmitting device.
US08547886B2
A method and a user terminal for implementing an uplink resource grant (ul grant) are provided. The method includes a user terminal receiving an ul grant from a base station, the ul grant including an uplink resource index; the user terminal identifying from the received uplink resource index, a corresponding group of at least one uplink subframe, by referring to a pre-defined relationship between the uplink resource index and the corresponding group, the received uplink resource index having one of a plurality of values, the pre-defined relationship correlating each value of the uplink resource index with a respective one of a plurality of groups, each group having a unique uplink subframe grouping; and sending to the base station, by the user terminal, data on each of the at least one uplink subframes in the identified group.
US08547884B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for communicating in a wireless communications system utilizing a plurality of frequency bands for downlink (DL) transmission and a plurality of frequency bands for uplink (UL) transmission. In an embodiment, a mobile device receives a DL signal via a DL frequency band. The DL signal contains DL-UL frequency-band association information. The DL signal is decoded to obtain the DL-UL frequency-band association information which is used to determine a UL frequency band for UL transmission. The mobile device configures its radio-frequency (RF) circuitry to operate in the UL frequency band for UL transmission.
US08547882B2
A wireless communication apparatus for performing transmission and reception by using a Time Division Duplexing method is disclosed. The wireless communication apparatus includes a receiving part configured to output a timing signal based on a received timing signal, a transmitting part configured to transmit a timing signal based on the timing signal received by the receiving part, a control part configured to increase a reception opportunity for the receiving part to receive the timing signal and decrease a transmission opportunity for the transmitting part to transmit the timing signal as the accuracy of the timing signal received by the receiving part becomes lower.
US08547878B2
Described embodiments provide for scheduling packets for transmission by a network processor. A traffic manager generates a scheduling hierarchy having a root scheduler and N scheduler levels. The network processor generates tasks corresponding to received packets. A finite state machine (FSM) enqueues the received task in the associated queue. The queue has a corresponding scheduler level M, with a corresponding parent scheduler at each of M−1 levels in the scheduling hierarchy, where M is a positive integer less than or equal to N. Nodes at each of the N scheduling levels send messages only with one node at a relative next higher level and with one or more nodes at a relative next lower level. Each node in the scheduling hierarchy updates corresponding statistics and control indicators based on messages received from the node at the next higher level and the one or more nodes at the next lower level.
US08547865B2
Techniques for selecting rates for data transmission on eigenmodes of a MIMO channel are described. An access point transmits an unsteered MIMO pilot via the downlink. A user terminal estimates the downlink channel quality based on the downlink unsteered MIMO pilot and transmits an unsteered MIMO pilot and feedback information via the uplink. The feedback information is indicative of the downlink channel quality. The access point estimates the uplink channel quality and obtains a channel response matrix based on the uplink unsteered MIMO pilot, decomposes the channel response matrix to obtain eigenvectors and channel gains for the eigenmodes of the downlink, and selects rates for the eigenmodes based on the estimated uplink channel quality, the channel gains for the eigenmodes, and the feedback information. The access point processes data based on the selected rates and transmits steered data and a steered MIMO pilot on the eigenmodes with the eigenvectors.
US08547853B2
In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system includes an access point and a station in communication with the access point. The station selectively implements adaptive periodic Power-Save (APPS)-Polling logic for communications between the station and the access point. The APPS-Polling logic is configured to determine a timer value for periodic PS-Polling by monitoring a periodicity of arrival packets for at least a threshold amount of time.
US08547848B2
A method of controlling traffic flow through a service node located within a packet network, which traffic flow originates at a plurality of sending nodes and is destined for a receiving node. The service node is one of a multiplicity of service nodes configured in a tree or other acyclic structure, e.g. of an overlay network. The method comprises receiving a challenge from said receiving node or a downstream service node, generating and caching a further challenge, and combining that further challenge with the received challenges to generate a modified challenge. The modified challenge is then sent to a sending node or to an upstream service node. Subsequently, a request is received, destined for said receiving node and originating at a sending node. A solution accompanying said request is validated using the cached further challenge, and the request forwarded towards said receiving node only if the solution is valid. Otherwise, the request is dropped.
US08547836B2
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of dual-mode wireless communication. Some embodiments include a wireless dual-mode transceiver capable of operating at first and second wireless communication modes during first and second time periods, respectively, wherein at the first communication mode the transceiver is capable of performing wireless-local-area-network communications over a wireless-local-area-network link, and wherein at the second communication mode the transceiver is capable of performing wireless video communications over a wireless video communication link. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08547834B1
A method, system, and medium are provided for improving communication between a mobile device and a wireless network in embodiment of the invention. Based in part on expected locations for a mobile device and network availability, predictions can be made regarding the future quality of service available for the mobile device. This prediction can allow actions to be taken to mitigate any change in the quality of service.
US08547828B2
A first network element is coupled to a second network element via a first path of a first point-to-point network, the first network element is coupled to a third network element via a second path of the first-point-to-point network, the second network element is coupled to a fourth network element via a first path of a second point-to-point network, and the third network element is coupled to the fourth network element via a second path of the second point-to-point network. The paths of the first point-to-point network are configured as paths of a first linear protected switching connection and the paths of the second point-to-point network are configured as paths of a second linear protected switching connection such that traffic communicated between the first network element and the fourth network element via the first paths may be switched over to the second paths.
US08547826B2
A monitoring apparatus for monitoring packet communication by a plurality of information processing apparatuses. The monitoring apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving packets transmitted from the plurality of information processing apparatuses, a storage unit for storing a first identification value of a first packet and a first transmission source address of the first packet, and a processing unit for comparing a second identification value of a second packet with the first identification value of the first packet when a second transmission source address of the second packet matches the first transmission source address of the first packet to detect duplication of IP addresses when a difference between the first identification value and the second identification value exceeds a predetermined value.
US08547825B2
Techniques are disclosed for managing a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards, switch modules and a management controller. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards and the switch modules may be operatively connected to the midplane. The switch modules may be configured to switch network traffic for the one or more server cards. The management controller may be configured to manage the switch modules via the fabric interconnect.
US08547823B2
A method of managing a signal over a symbol period includes supplying samples of the signal at beginning and end portions of the symbol period. The method further includes suppressing the supply of samples of the signal at a middle portion of the symbol period.
US08547818B2
An information storage medium configured to store: a version corresponding to a specification; an extended part version; a first revision number of maximum recording speed; a record revision number of minimum recording speed; first information relating to a first recording power corresponding to the first revision number; and second information relating to a second recording power corresponding to the record revision number, wherein a byte position of the version corresponding to the specification, a byte position of the extended part version, a byte position of the first revision number, and a byte position of the record revision number are smaller than byte positions of the first and second information.
US08547807B2
A medium processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on a medium introduced from an outside; a power supply that can supply a first power supply voltage to the medium processing apparatus while the information processing apparatus is operating, whereas being able to supply a second power supply voltage to the medium processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus is shut down; and a power supply controller that supplies the second power supply voltage from the power supply to the medium processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus is shut down while the medium is in the medium processing apparatus, whereas stopping the supply of the second power supply voltage to the medium processing apparatus once the medium is removed from the medium processing apparatus which has been supplied with the second power supply voltage, are provided.
US08547797B2
A seismic survey is conducted by positioning an array of remote acquisition units (RAUs). Each of the RAUs records seismic data derived from one or more geophones in digital form in local memory. The data is collected by a harvester unit traversed across the survey territory as by an aircraft using point-multipoint communications, and subsequently transferred from the harvester unit to a central control unit.
US08547796B2
A seismic survey is conducted by positioning an array of remote acquisition units (RAUs) (10). Each of the RAUs (10) records seismic data derived from one or more geophones in digital form in local memory. The data is collected by a harvester unit traversed across the survey territory as by an aircraft (24) using point-multipoint communications, and subsequently transferred from the harvester unit to a central control unit (26).
US08547794B2
First-order free-surface multiples recorded in VSP data or reverse VSP data are processed using VSP/CDP method to produce an image of the subsurface. This image produces a larger coverage than that obtained in 3-C 3-D processing of reflection data acquired in the VSP.
US08547792B2
A method of processing seismic data including convolving at least first and second seismic data traces or respective portions of at least first and second seismic data traces to forma composite trace. The travel time of an event may then be determined in the composite trace. This provides an improved method compared to the prior art technique of picking the travel time of an event individually in each one of a number of seismic data traces and averaging the individual picked travel times.
US08547787B2
A technique includes distributing particle motion sensors along the length of a seismic streamer. Each particle motion sensor is eccentrically disposed at an associated angle about an axis of the seismic streamer with respect to a reference line that is common to the associated angles. The sensors are mounted to suppress torque noise in measurements that are acquired by the particle motion sensors. This mounting includes substantially varying the associated angles.
US08547779B2
An interleaved memory circuit includes a memory bank including at least one first memory cell for storing a charge representative of a first datum, the first memory cell being coupled with a first word line and a first bit line. The interleaved memory circuit further includes a local control circuit coupled with the memory bank. The interleaved memory circuit further includes a global control circuit coupled with the local control circuit, an interleaving access including a clock signal having a first cycle and a second cycle for accessing the first memory cell, where the second cycle is capable of enabling the local control circuit to trigger a first transition of a first read column select signal RSSL for accessing the first memory cell.
US08547775B2
The semiconductor memory device includes plural core chips that are allocated with different chip identification information from each other and an interface chip that controls the plural core chips. The interface chip receives address information to specify memory cells and commonly supplies a part of the address information as chip selection information for comparison with the chip identification information to the plural core chips. As a result, since the controller recognizes that an address space is simply enlarged, the same interface as that in the semiconductor memory device according to the related art can be used.
US08547769B2
Multiple dies can be stacked in what are commonly referred to as three-dimensional modules (or “stacks”) with interconnections between the dies, resulting in an IC module with increased circuit component capacity. Such structures can result in lower parasitics for charge transport to different components throughout the various different layers. In some embodiments, the present invention provides efficient power distribution approaches for supplying power to components in the different layers. For example, voltage levels for global supply rails may be increased to reduce required current densities for a given power objective.
US08547767B2
A chip includes a memory array and a refresh counter. The refresh counter is configured to receive refresh trigger signals. The refresh counter is configured or configurable to initiate a refresh of the memory array only once per i of the received refresh trigger signals where i is a number greater than 1.
US08547763B2
A memory cell includes a selection transistor on a substrate and an antifuse on the substrate. The selection transistor includes a first gate connected to a read word line, a first gate insulation layer that insulates the first gate from the substrate, a first source region connected to a bit line, and a first drain region, an impurity concentration of the first drain region being lower than an impurity concentration of the first source region. The antifuse includes a first electrode connected to a program word line and a second electrode connected to the selection transistor.
US08547758B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a page buffer configured to store data received from selected memory cells in response to a read command, a first register configured to store first data received from the page buffer in response to a first control signal, a second register configured to store second data received from the page buffer in response to a second control signal, a data I/O circuit configured to, while the first or second data is outputted from the first register or the second register, respectively, input third data received from the page buffer to the other one of the first and second registers, and a control logic configured to sequentially supply the first control signal and the second control signal in outputting the first and second data.
US08547755B2
Various discussed approaches include an improved grouping of edge word lines and center word lines of an erase group during erase verify and erase sub-operations of an erase operation. In another approach, changed voltage levels of edge word lines to address the over-erase issue of the erase group, and also improve erase time performance. Another approach uses dummy word lines.
US08547752B2
A method of reading data in a non-volatile memory device. The method includes reading a plurality of memory cells of a first page in a memory cell array using a first read level, reading a plurality of memory cells of a second page adjacent to the memory cells of the first page using a second read level, determining whether a state of each memory cell of the first page has been changed based on the first read level to verify a threshold voltage of each memory cell of the second page based on the second read level, and revising the state of each memory cell of the second page according to a result of the determination.
US08547747B2
A non-volatile memory device is provided, including a substrate formed of a single crystalline semiconductor, pillar-shaped semiconductor patterns extending perpendicular to the substrate, a plurality of gate electrodes and a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers alternately stacked perpendicular to the substrate, and a charge spread blocking layer formed between the plurality of gate electrodes and the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers.
US08547743B2
A read error is determined that affects a page of solid-state, non-volatile memory. The page is associated with a selected word line that crosses a plurality of NAND strings coupled to respective grounds and bit lines. Word lines of the memory are ordered from a lower end proximate the ground to a higher end proximate the bit lines. Cumulative background charges each associated with one of the memory cells of the page are determined. The cumulative background charges are based on charge levels of respective cells of a plural subset of the word lines that are lower in order than the selected word line. A recovery operation is performed on the page using the cumulative background charges.
US08547739B2
Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for a memory cell having a floating body. A memory cell may include a transistor over an insulation layer, the transistor including a source, and a drain. The memory cell may also include a floating body including a first region positioned between the source and the drain, a second region positioned remote from each of the source and drain, and a passage extending through the insulation layer and coupling the first region to the second region. Additionally, the memory cell may include a bias gate at least partially surrounding the second region and configured for operably coupling to a bias voltage. Furthermore, the memory cell may include a plurality of dielectric layers, wherein each outer vertical surface of the second region has a dielectric layer of the plurality adjacent thereto.
US08547736B2
A method of generating a non-reversible state at a bitcell having a first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ includes applying a program voltage to the first MTJ of the bitcell without applying the program voltage to the second MTJ of the bitcell. A memory device includes a bitcell having a first MTJ and a second MTJ and programming circuitry configured to generate a non-reversible state at the bitcell by applying a program signal to a selected one of the first MTJ and the second MTJ of the bitcell.
US08547733B2
A magnetic random access memory according to the present invention is provided with: a magnetic recording layer including a magnetization free region having a reversible magnetization, wherein a write current is flown through the magnetic recording layer in an in-plane direction; a magnetization fixed layer having a fixed magnetization; a non-magnetic layer provided between the magnetization free region and the magnetization fixed layer; and a heat sink structure provided to be opposed to the magnetic recording layer and having a function of receiving and radiating heat generated in the magnetic recording layer. The magnetic random access memory thus-structured radiates heat generated in the magnetic recording layer by using the heat sink structure, suppressing the temperature increase caused by the write current flown in the in-plane direction.
US08547725B2
A method of programming a nonvolatile memory cell. The nonvolatile memory cell includes a diode steering element in series with a carbon storage element The method includes providing a first voltage to the nonvolatile memory cell. The first voltage reverse biases the diode steering element. The carbon storage element sets to a lower resistivity state.
US08547723B2
A semiconductor device with a memory unit of which the variations in the operation timing are reduced is provided. For example, the semiconductor device is provided with dummy bit lines which are arranged collaterally with a proper bit line, and column direction load circuits which are sequentially coupled to the dummy bit lines. Each column direction load circuit is provided with plural NMOS transistors fixed to an off state, predetermined ones of which have the source and the drain suitably coupled to any of the dummy bit lines. Load capacitance accompanying diffusion layer capacitance of the predetermined NMOS transistors is added to the dummy bit lines, and corresponding to the load capacitance, the delay time from a decode activation signal to a dummy bit line signal is set up. The dummy bit line signal is employed when setting the start-up timing of a sense amplifier.
US08547722B2
An integrated circuit device includes first to Nth circuit blocks CB1 to CBN, a first interface region disposed along a fourth side and on the D2 side of the first to Nth circuit blocks CB1 to CBN, and a second interface region disposed along a second side and on the D4 side of the first to Nth circuit blocks CB1 to CBN. A local line LLG formed using a wiring layer lower than an Ith layer is provided between the adjacent circuit blocks as at least one of a signal line and a power supply line. Global lines GLG and GLD formed using the Ith or higher wiring layer are provided along the direction D1 over the circuit block disposed between the nonadjacent circuit blocks as at least one of a signal line and a power supply line.
US08547715B2
A converter system comprises a DC to AC converter, a maximum power point tracking device, and an array-side control. The DC link converts DC from a photovoltaic array to AC for a grid. The maximum power point tracking device is coupled to the array. The array-side control, which is coupled to the DC to AC converter and the device, prevents overvoltage in the DC bus of the DC to AC converter using array voltage and current data from the device and DC bus voltage data from the DC to AC converter during a grid transient by adjusting a maximum power point of the array to increase array voltage.
US08547713B2
A power conversion system includes a first power converter converting AC to DC, a second power converter converting DC to AC, a current detector detecting output current of the second power converter, a pulsation detector detecting a pulsating component associated with the AC to DC conversion of the first power converter from a pulsating component contained in at least any one of effective power, power, and apparent power of the second power converter, a voltage corrector outputting a correction amount correcting at least one of phase, frequency, and amplitude of a voltage output from the second power converter based on the pulsating component from the pulsation detector, and a voltage controller outputting a voltage instruction to be output from the second power converter based on the correction amount from the voltage corrector, wherein the second power converter converts DC to AC based on the voltage instruction from the voltage controller.
US08547702B2
A multi-piece board includes a frame and multiple wiring boards connected to the frame. The frame and each of the wiring boards are positioned with a clearance. The frame and/or each of the wiring boards has an end portion having a first notch portion on a surface side adjacent to the clearance. The end portion of the frame and/or each of the wiring boards has a second notch portion formed on the opposite surface side with respect to the surface side of the first notched portion adjacent to the clearance. The clearance between the frame and each of the wiring boards is filled with an adhesive agent.
US08547683B2
In a method for manufacturing a laminated ceramic electronic component, after a plating layer for an external terminal electrode is formed by applying copper plating to an end surface of a component main body at which respective ends of a plurality of internal electrodes primarily including nickel are exposed, when a heat treatment at a temperature of about 800° C. or more is applied in order to improve adhesion strength and resistance to moisture of the external terminal electrode, voids may occur in the plating layer. The step of applying a heat treatment at a temperature of about 800° C. or more to a component main body with plating layers formed thereon includes not only a step of maintaining a top temperature of about 1000° C. or more but also a step of maintaining a temperature of about 600° C. to 900° C. at least once before the step of maintaining the top temperature.
US08547680B2
There is provided an ignition system which is capable of surely operating by electric energy stored in a capacitor for ignition while separating an igniter from electric circuits for communication and ignition without producing improper operation through static electricity and noise and is compact and excellent in the productivity.
US08547674B2
A hardware overvoltage disconnecting circuit wherein a DC power supply module is disconnected from a power network when the AC power network is in the state of overvoltage. The circuit includes a disconnecting relay and a voltage detection circuit. The disconnecting relay is connected in series between an AC power network and a power factor correction circuit of a power supply module. A first sampling terminal of the voltage detection circuit samples the voltage of the AC power network between the AC power network and the disconnecting relay, and an output of the voltage detection circuit is connected to a control terminal of the disconnecting relay. When the AC power network is in the state of overvoltage, the disconnecting relay is disconnected and the power supply module is disconnected from the AC power network. When the voltage of the AC power network is normal, the disconnecting relay is connected.
US08547668B2
A method for controlling power generation equipment, including bringing a generator online into a shared power bus environment, is described. The method includes determining whether the shared power bus is currently active, and whether a voltage determination fault is present with respect to a specific generator. Where the shared power bus is inactive and no fault is present, the generator is brought online in response to a load request. Where the shared power bus is active, the generator is synchronized with the shared power bus before the generator is brought online.
US08547666B2
Embodiments of the present invention aim suppress the generation of spin torque noise in a current perpendicular to plane magnetoresistive head. According to one embodiment, when sensing current is applied to a current perpendicular to plane magnetoresistive head from a free layer toward a first pinned layer, a configuration wherein the relative angle between the magnetization of a second pinned layer and the magnetization of the free layer is in the range of 70 to 80 degrees is used. Further, when sensing current is applied to a current perpendicular to plane magnetoresistive head from a first pinned layer toward a free layer, a configuration wherein the relative angle between the magnetization of a second pinned layer and the magnetization of the free layer is in the range of 100 to 110 degrees is used.
US08547659B1
A method and system for providing a magnetic recording head is described. The magnetic recording head has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The head includes a first coil, a second coil, a main pole, and a third coil. The first coil has a first plurality of turns and is configured to carry a first write current in a first direction. The second coil has a second plurality of turns and is configured to carry a second write current in a second direction. The main pole is between the first coil and the second coil. The third coil has a third plurality of turns configured to carry a third write current in a third direction.
US08547656B2
In one embodiment, a magnetic data storage system includes a main pole power supply adapted for supplying an excitation current to a main pole coil, a microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) device including a spin-torque oscillator (STO) element, the STO element having a field generation layer (FGL) and a polarization layer, a timing-control circuit adapted for determining a duration of a main pole magnetic moment inversion process and signaling a start of the main pole magnetic moment inversion process, and a current-regulating circuit comprising an STO power supply adapted for supplying current to the STO element, wherein the STO power supply prevents degradation of a single rotating magnetic domain structure in the FGL into a closure magnetic domain structure in the FGL. Other systems and methods for preventing degradation of the single rotating magnetic domain structure in the FGL into a closure magnetic domain structure are described for more embodiments.
US08547647B2
A lens barrel of the present invention includes: a fixing frame having a plurality of cam grooves that are formed an inner circumferential surface of the fixing frame and also having a protrusion provided between any adjacent two of the cam grooves among a plurality of the cam grooves; and a drive frame having cam followers that are provided to an outer circumferential surface of drive frame, are engaged with the cam grooves, and are movable along the cam grooves. With this configuration, when an external force is applied to the drive frame, an end portion of the drive frame comes into contact with the protrusion to prevent the cam followers from coming out of the cam grooves.
US08547635B2
Eyewear for viewing three-dimensional (3D) images is disclosed. In some embodiments, the eyewear can include lenses that include circularly polarizing filters. The right lens can block light that is circularly polarized in a first direction, and the left lens can block light that is circularly polarized in a second, opposite direction. The circularly polarizing filters can be attached to a surface (e.g., the front surface) of a lens body using an adhesive or by lamination. The lenses can have one or more surfaces that conform to the surface of a sphere, a cylinder, or another geometric shape. In some embodiments, the surface of the lens to which the circularly polarizing filter is applied is cylindrical. In some embodiments, the lenses can have a tapered thickness to provide for optical correction of the lenses.
US08547634B2
The invention is directed to an optical arrangement for photomanipulation of a sample comprising a sample holder for receiving the sample, an illumination device comprising an illumination light source and an illumination beam path for illuminating the sample with a light sheet. It further comprises a detection device for detecting light that is radiated from the sample and imaging optics which image the sample on the detection device by means of an imaging objective in an imaging beam path, wherein the light sheet is substantially planar in the focus of the imaging objective, and wherein the imaging objective has an optical axis which intersects the plane of the light sheet at an angle different from zero. Further, the arrangement also has means for photomanipulation of the sample.
US08547629B2
An optical amplification device which includes first and second optical amplifiers, and a controller. The first optical amplifier receives a light and amplifies the received light. The second optical amplifier receives the light amplified by the first optical amplifier, and amplifies the received light. When a level of the light received by the first optical amplifier changes by Δ, the controller controls a level of the light received by the second optical amplifier to change by approximately −Δ. In various embodiments, the controller causes the sum of the gains of the first and second optical amplifiers to be constant. In other embodiments, the optical amplification device includes first and second optical amplifier and a gain adjustor. The gain adjustor detects a deviation in gain of the first optical amplifier from a target gain, and adjusts the gain of the second optical amplifier to compensate for the detected deviation.
US08547624B2
An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system comprises a master control circuit and user input circuits for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of slave window control circuits coupled to the master control circuit, user input circuits and the variable transmittance windows. Each slave window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit and/or user input circuits. Also disclosed are novel methods for the manufacture of an electrochromic device used in variable transmittance windows. Novel structural features for improving heat transfer away from the windows, shielding the window from external loads, and improving the electrical performance of the windows are also disclosed.
US08547619B2
A MEMS mirror is disclosed having thickness correlated with the intensity profile of an impinging optical beam, so as to reduce moment of inertia of the MEMS mirror while preserving optical quality of the reflected beam. It is the mirror edges that contribute the most to the moment of inertia, while it is generally the mirror center that contributes the most to a reduction of the quality of an optical beam reflected from the mirror. Accordingly, by providing a mirror having laterally varying thickness matched to the local variation of the intensity of the optical beam, the quality of the latter may be preserved while the moment of inertia of the mirror may be significantly reduced. The thickness of MEMS mirrors may be varied continuously or stepwise; in one direction or in two mutually orthogonal directions.
US08547618B2
A scanning type image display apparatus includes a light source unit for emitting a laser beam, a scanning mirror for scanning the laser beam two-dimensionally in a first direction and a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a control unit for controlling driving of the scanning mirror. The control unit drives the scanning mirror such that a scanning frequency in the first direction is higher than a scanning frequency in the second direction, and varies a scanning amplitude in the first direction by varying the scanning frequency in the first direction in synchronization with a period of the scanning frequency in the second direction.
US08547609B2
Methods and systems herein provide for the color conversion of image data. Such color conversion includes receiving the image data from an input imaging device and generating a CMYK to CIELab model for conversion of the image data to a color gamut of an output imaging device. From there, a table of CMYK color values and corresponding CIELab color values is generated based on the model. The color conversion then includes mapping the CIELab color values of the image data to a CIELab color gamut of the output imaging device such as a printer. The color conversion also includes comparing the mapped CIELab color values to the CIELab color values of the table to retrieve corresponding CMYK color values and processing the retrieved CMYK color values (e.g., via multidimensional optimization) to convert the CIELab color values of the image data to the CIELab color values of the output imaging device.
US08547606B2
An optical scanning apparatus capable of suppressing a track error is provided. The apparatus includes a swing mirror supported by a torsional vibration system having a first natural frequency and a second natural frequency that is a double of the first natural frequency, and a driving unit applying a swing torque to the vibration system. The apparatus can detect passage of an optical beam at two locations and output track information of the swing mirror, and perform feedback control. When the feedback control is performed, the apparatus sequentially switches target tracks of scanning in a forward and a backward direction, the phases of the second natural frequency of the target tracks being mutually reversed, calculates an amount of offset compensation based on a difference between the predetermined target track and the track for each scanning in the forward and backward direction, and reflects the amount in the feedback control.
US08547600B2
A printing setting apparatus is disclosed that includes a first part to establish a connection to a printing apparatus; a second part to make a setting with respect to printing of printing data; a third part to add a first ground pattern to the printing data in response to the second part making a first setting for adding the first ground pattern; a fourth part to obtain information indicating whether a second setting for adding a second ground pattern is made in the printing apparatus; and a fifth part to disable the second part from accepting the first setting in response to the fourth part obtaining the information indicating that the second setting is made in the printing apparatus, and enable the second part to accept the first setting in response to the fourth part obtaining the information indicating that the second setting is not made in the printing apparatus.
US08547589B2
A method for processing a batch of scanned images is provided. The method comprises processing the scanned images into documents; for documents comprising multiple pages maintaining a page-based coordinate system to specify a location of structures within a page and joining the pages to form a multi-page sheet having a sheet-based coordinate system to specify a location of structures within the multi-page sheet; performing a data extraction operation to extract data from each document, said data extraction operation comprising a page mode wherein structures are detected on individual pages using the page-based coordinate system and a document mode wherein structures are detected within the entire document using the sheet-based coordinate system.
US08547583B2
A system and method by which to implement revenue sharing between printer vendors and network service providers or operators. In one example, a method for providing printing access to a mobile device may include acts of requesting information from a printer, receiving the information at a mobile device, providing the information to a communications subsystem of a mobile network operator, based on the information, acquiring a printing capability of the printer, sending the printing capability from the communications subsystem to the mobile device, and upon receipt of the printing capability, if the printing capability is enabled, sending a print request from the mobile device to the printer. A corresponding apparatus may be used to implement the method, which may be provided as instructions encoded on a computer readable medium.
US08547582B2
An approach is provided that prints print jobs based on energy demand data. The print job manager, which is a software application running on an information handling system receives a print request, the print request including a print job. The print job manager retrieves energy demand data. The energy demand data corresponds to a power grid that is a power source for a printer accessible from the information handling system. If the energy demand data indicates a a non-elevated energy demand, then the print job is printed on the printer. On the other hand, if the energy demand data indicates an elevated energy demand, then the print request is stored in a storage and the process waits until the energy demand is not elevated, at which time the print job is printed on the printer.
US08547567B2
An image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units includes: a first power management unit configured to perform power management; a plurality of components under the power management, provided in each function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function; and a second power management unit provided for each function unit. The second power management unit is configured to determine whether each component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, to stop supplying power to the component satisfying the first predetermined condition, if the component satisfies the first predetermined condition, to determine whether the plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, and to change the first predetermined condition in content, if the second predetermined condition is satisfied. The first power management unit sets to a power saving mode the function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.
US08547563B2
Methods and systems provide a user with an option, on a graphic user interface of a printing device, for scanning a self-illuminated display of a portable device (such as a cell phone, PDA, camera, etc.). In response to the user selecting the option for scanning a self-illuminated display of their portable device, the illumination source of the printing device is deactivated and the responsiveness of the light sensor of the printing device is increased. The process of increasing of the responsiveness of the light sensor changes the responsiveness to an increased level above a base level that is used when the illumination source is active. Then, while the illumination source is deactivated and while the responsiveness of the light sensor is at the increased level, the light sensor is used to scan the self-illuminated display of the portable device to acquire an image displayed on the self-illuminated display of the portable device.
US08547552B2
A method for detecting a target analyte associated with nano-sized gold- and/or silver-containing detecting labels in a microarray of samples. The labels indicate presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample. The method includes sequentially illuminating at least two sample groups with at least two different monochromatic light beams. The sample groups include (a) a first sample group containing at least one sample potentially containing the target analyte, and (b) a second sample group serving as positive control or negative control. The method also includes (ii) detecting intensity of light reflected, absorbed, or emitted from each of the sample groups when illuminated with each of the monochromatic light beams. (iii) recording groups of values associated with the intensity reflected, absorbed, or emitted light. (iv) comparing the groups of values associated with the sample groups; and (v) determining the presence of the target analyte based on the comparison.
US08547544B2
A multichannel photometric measurement apparatus according to one embodiment includes: a single signal generator for generating an initial signal, the initial signal containing a harmonic component for collectively generating a plurality of modulation signals; a light emitting device including a plurality of light sources that are respectively drivable by each of the plurality of modulation signals having different frequencies; a light detector for detecting a plurality of kinds of light emitted from the light emitting device; and discriminating means for discriminating a detected signal output from the light detector per frequency domain of each of the different frequencies for each of the modulation signals.
US08547539B2
A system and method for detecting breakage, rupture or malfunctioning of a pipe or cable structure, including sensing elements for monitoring the structure and placed in, on or around the structure for monitoring the breakage, rupture or malfunctioning of the structure. The sensing elements provide sensing data regarding events related to breakage, rupture or malfunctioning and are placed near the structure so as to perform a breakage, rupture or malfunction detection function, and within a distance sufficient to obtain a measureable strain, tension, torsion, vibration, acceleration, and/or temperature response signal based on the breakage, rupture or malfunctioning of the structure. One of the sensing elements is based on Coherent Rayleigh Noise (CRN) sensing techniques, and the system is configured to interpret the sensed data for determining the breakage, rupture or malfunctioning of the structure.
US08547536B2
The quality control of vaccines is an important step in the release of vaccines to patients. Problems when dealing with vaccines include stability, batch-to-batch consistency and contamination. The invention provides a method of analyzing the composition of a protein-containing sample by electromagnetic spectroscopy, and derivatizing the obtained spectrum to obtain a derivative spectrum of the sample. The derivative spectrum may optionally be compared to a reference spectrum, to assess stability, contamination etc. relative to the reference. The derivative analysis technique allows the separation and discrimination between the spectral contributions of different components, thereby allowing differences in the spectra to be assigned to particular groups of the protein, or particular contaminants etc.
US08547535B2
A component measurement apparatus includes a laser that emits non-collimated laser light, an objective lens that condenses the non-collimated laser light emitted from the laser in order for the laser light to illuminate internal tissue of an object of measurement without collimating the laser light, a half mirror that redirects reflected light reflected by the internal tissue of the object of measurement and refracted by the objective lens, a pin hole through which the reflected light redirected by the half mirror passes, a light-receiving element that receives the reflected light having passed through a pin hole, and a data analyzer section that measures a component of the object of measurement in accordance with data output from the light-receiving element.
US08547533B2
Composite probes for super resolution optical techniques using super resolution via transiently activated quenchers (STAQ) include a donor moiety and an acceptor moiety joined by a linker, wherein the acceptor moiety, when excited by incident radiation, is excited to a state which, for example, absorbs in the donor emission region, such that the acceptor moiety in its excited state quenches at least a portion of the donor moiety emission. Other transiently activated quenching mechanisms and moieties could accomplish the same task by reducing donor population. Also disclosed are methods for irradiating a selected region of a target material including the composite probe, wherein the composite probe enables improved resolution by point spread function modification and/or nanoscale chemical reactions.
US08547531B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for imaging a target area. Light is emitted from a device and separated into individual rays of light. These rays are then directed to a target area where they are reflected and returned to a receiving device. The time of flight for the individual rays of light is calculated to determine the range and shape of objects in the target area.
US08547528B2
When a transition from a first state where one stage is positioned at a first area directly below projection optical system to which liquid is supplied to a state where the other stage is positioned at the first area, both stages are simultaneously driven while a state where both stages are close together in the X-axis direction is maintained. Therefore, it becomes possible to make a transition from the first state to the second state in a state where liquid is supplied in the space between the projection optical system and the specific stage directly under the projection optical system. Accordingly, the time from the completion of exposure operation on one stage side until the exposure operation begins on the other stage side can be reduced, which allows processing with high throughput. Further, because the liquid can constantly exist on the image plane side of the projection optical system, generation of water marks on optical members of the projection optical system on the image plane side is prevented.
US08547517B2
A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate that includes gate and data lines crossing each other to define a pixel region, and a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode in the pixel region; an opposing substrate that faces the array substrate and includes a black matrix corresponding to a boundary of the pixel region, and a color filter layer filling a region surrounded by the black matrix; a patterned spacer on the black matrix and having a diamond shape in plane; and a liquid crystal layer between the array substrate and the opposing substrate, wherein the patterned spacer corresponds to a crossing portion of the gate and data lines, and vertices of the diamond shape of the patterned spacer are on the gate and data lines.
US08547511B2
A liquid crystal display panel includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction orthogonally crossing with the first direction. A first alignment pattern is formed in the counter electrode. The first alignment pattern faces the pixel electrode and extending in the first direction. A second alignment pattern is formed in the counter electrode. The second alignment pattern also faces the pixel electrode and extends in the second direction intersecting with the first alignment pattern. An expanding alignment portion is arranged at the intersecting portion of the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern. The first and second alignment patterns are formed of alignment slits or alignment protrusions arranged in the counter substrate.
US08547510B2
A liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by controlling an orientation direction of a liquid crystal mixture with respect to each pixel, includes a first common electrode which is formed on a first substrate; a second common electrode which is formed on a second substrate and includes a predetermined opening; and a pixel electrode which is formed on the second substrate, wherein the first substrate faces the second substrate so that the liquid crystal mixture with positive dielectric anisotropy is sandwiched between the first common electrode and the second common electrode, and wherein the orientation direction of the liquid crystal mixture changes mainly in a face parallel to the substrate according to an electric field generated from electric potential of the first common electrode, the second common electrode, and the pixel electrode.
US08547507B2
A reflective liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided for efficiently preventing white coordinates from being yellowish. The LCD includes a substrate having red color filters, green color filters, and blue color filters. The blue color filters have an overall area smaller than that of the red color filters and the green color filters while blocking green light better than the red color filters and blocking red light better than the green color filters.
US08547503B2
By providing a pixel electrode layer in a center of a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a first common electrode layer and a second common electrode layer, a structure in which the following two optical elements are stacked can be obtained: a first liquid crystal element including the first common electrode layer, the liquid crystal layer, and the pixel electrode layer; and a second liquid crystal element including the pixel electrode layer, the liquid crystal layer, and the second common electrode layer.
US08547489B2
The present invention provides a 3D display panel and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises the following steps: forming a liquid crystal layer between a first substrate and a second substrate; arranging a first polarizer at an outer side of the first substrate; arranging a second polarizer at an outer side of the second substrate; forming an alignment layer on a transparent substrate; forming a half wave layer on the alignment layer; arranging the half wave layer, the alignment layer and the transparent substrate at an outer side of the first polarizer in sequence; and forming a quarter wave layer at an outer side of the transparent substrate. The present invention can enhance the yield and display quality of the 3D display.
US08547479B2
A display apparatus includes a conversion unit for converting first video data having a first frame rate to second video data having a second frame rate which is “n” times as high as the first frame rate (“n” being an integer of two or larger), and a display unit for displaying the second video data. When the first video data is video data of two successive frame images having different brightnesses, the conversion unit performs a first frame rate converting process for converting the first video data to the second video data by outputting a frame image group made of two successive frame images in the first video data “n” times in a row at the second frame rate. Consequently, the frame rate converting process can be performed without causing a deterioration of a visual effect such as an HDR effect, and a viewing environment comfortable for the user can be realized.
US08547475B2
Image data is processed to facilitate focusing and/or optical correction. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an imaging arrangement collects light data corresponding to light passing through a particular focal plane. The light data is collected using an approach that facilitates the determination of the direction from which various portions of the light incident upon a portion of the focal plane emanate from. Using this directional information in connection with value of the light as detected by photosensors, an image represented by the light is selectively focused and/or corrected.
US08547473B2
A surrounding area is imaged onto a detector of a detector device. An optical system produces an imaging beam path and a panel, which is arranged in the imaging beam path, shadows a subarea of the image of the surrounding area on the detector. In order to mask out an object which would dazzle the detector device, while nevertheless being able to monitor the surrounding area, the panel is illuminated in a subarea, and the transmission of the panel in the subarea is reduced by the illumination in the entire frequency range in which the detector is sensitive. The illuminated subarea of the panel shadows the selected subarea of the image.
US08547470B2
An optical element according to the present invention includes: an optical surface at a center portion thereof; and a spacer section having a predetermined thickness on an outer circumference side of the optical surface, wherein a bottom portion for positioning an adhesive is provided on a further outer circumference side of the spacer section with a tapered portion interposed therebetween.
US08547467B2
An image processing apparatus includes an operation receiving unit; and a control unit configured to perform a normal mode display process of displaying icon images of kinds corresponding to an operation status of the apparatus in a display unit and an icon description display process of displaying an icon selection image for selecting an icon image that is being displayed in the display unit upon reception of an operation input to activate an icon description mode by the operation receiving unit during the normal mode display process in the display unit and displaying a description image for an icon image selected upon reception of an operation input by the operation receiving unit while the icon selection image is being displayed in the display unit.
US08547462B2
An anti-eclipse circuit for an imager is formed from pixel circuitry over the same semiconductor substrate as the imaging pixels. More specifically, two adjacent pixel circuits are modified to form an amplifier. One input of the amplifier is adapted to receive a reset signal from one of the pixel circuits while another input is adapted to be set at a predetermined offset voltage from the output of the amplifier. The amplifier is preferably a unity gain amplifier, so that the output of the amplifier set to a voltage level equal to the predetermined offset from the voltage level of the reset signal. Accordingly, the anti-eclipse circuit outputs a reference voltage at predetermined level from the reset voltage of a pixel and does not need to be calibrated for fabrication related variances in reset voltages.
US08547460B2
A solid-state imaging element includes a pixel array unit having pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel including a photoelectric conversion element, and a pixel drive control unit capable of controlling driving of the pixel array unit so as to perform a read or reset access operation of the pixel array unit in accordance with specified address information. The pixel drive control unit is capable of setting a desired region in the pixel array unit as a window region to be accessed. The pixel drive control unit includes a function for performing, concurrently with access to the window region and output processing, read or reset access on at least one adjacent outer row that is adjacent to the window region.
US08547448B2
An image processing device for displaying a planar map which can be easily viewed by a user without increasing the amount of processing. A planar map generating device (103) is provided with: an image acquisition section (301) for acquiring images wherein objects are imaged and the three-dimensional coordinates of the objects can be calculated; a coordinate acquisition section (302) for extracting the upper surface of a first object existing on a reference surface from the images to acquire the coordinates of the feature point of the extracted upper surface; and a first planar map generating section (303) for generating a first planar map by adjusting the size and position of the upper surface so that the values of the coordinates equivalent to the direction perpendicular to the reference surface become the same as those of the reference surface by using the acquired coordinates.
US08547440B2
In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes: capturing, by a camera, first image data for at least one first image, where the first image data is captured with an optical image stabilizer of the camera deactivated; capturing, by the camera, second image data for at least one second image, where the second image data is captured with the optical image stabilizer of the camera activated; obtaining an optical image stabilizer correction based on a comparison between the first image data and the second image data; and applying the optical image stabilizer correction to the second image data in order to correct at least one effect of the optical image stabilizer on the second image data.
US08547434B2
Disclosed is an integrated multi-view surveillance system which integrates multiple surveillance camera images of an area into a large-coverage image of the area in order to monitor the area. The system includes a first camera, a second camera, a third camera, an image processing device, and a display device. The image processing device includes a first defining component, a first synthesis component, a second defining component, an adjusting component, a transforming component, a third defining component, and a second synthesis component.
US08547432B1
A surveillance system for observing a scene clandestinely includes a concealment device having a wall at least part of which is formed from a glass or plastic that appears substantially opaque to the human eye but is permeable to the passage of infrared light, and a camera positioned within the concealment device at the visually opaque wall to enable viewing or recording of the scene.
US08547429B2
A hotspot searching apparatus manufactures a small number of chips or regions on a semiconductor wafer under respectively different manufacturing process conditions, compares SEM images of their external appearances to output a point having large differences as a narrow process window, that is, a process monitoring point that should be managed in mass production, the narrow process window having a narrow manufacturing process condition (exposure condition) in the manufacturing of the semiconductor wafer, and sets the point as a measurement point by a CD-SEM apparatus, such that it extracts and determines plural circuit pattern parts having a narrow manufacturing process margin as the process monitoring point in a short time and a process monitoring point monitoring performs shape inspection or shape length measurement in detail at high resolution.
US08547420B2
An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes: a photographing section that can photograph a subject from a plurality of viewpoints with parallax, and can photograph a 2D moving image of the subject obtained by photographing from at least one of the viewpoints and a 3D image of the subject obtained by photographing from the plurality of the viewpoints; a recording section that records the 2D moving image and the 3D image; a subject situation determination section that determines a timing suitable for photographing the 3D image while photographing the 2D moving image; and a photographing control section that controls the photographing section so as to photograph the 3D image when the subject situation determination section determines that the timing is suitable for photographing the 3D image.
US08547414B2
The present invention is a video production and control system that uses a touch screen display and user interface, managed by a controller, for video switching. The system is used to select Preview and Program video feeds from a set of video input feeds. The video source configuration for some of the feeds may have been selected using touch screen video source control technology. Over time, the user can use the touch screen controls to switch which feeds are then designated as the Preview and Program feeds. The evolving Program signal is sent to a Program output connection for consumers of the Program, possibly after some reformatting. The current Program feed may be promoted from the current Preview feed. User controls determine the type of transition, such as cut or crossfade, that will apply to a transition from Preview to Program.
US08547413B2
Embodiments relate to a display apparatus that can perform video communication and a method of controlling the display apparatus. The display apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a camera for acquiring video data and outputting the video data at a predetermined resolution; a network monitoring unit for detecting an available bandwidth of a network for transmitting video communication data; a resolution adjusting unit for adjusting the output resolution of the camera in accordance with the detected available bandwidth; and a communication unit for transmitting video data outputted from the camera to an external device.
US08547410B2
An exposure device includes a plurality of light emitting elements provided on a substrate, a plurality of hologram elements multiplexing-recorded in correspondence with the plurality of light emitting elements, respectively, such that, when the plurality of light emitting elements are made to emit light in the recording layer arranged on the substrate, a plurality of condensing points having light components emitted from two or more light emitting elements and condensed on one point, is formed, and a condensing point row extending in a predetermined direction is formed on the face to be exposed, and a driving unit that drives the plurality of light emitting elements, respectively.
US08547408B2
A thermal transfer printer comprises a print head drive mechanism that is configured to reciprocally move a print head parallel to movement of a carrier ribbon past the print head. A controller is configured to control the print head drive mechanism to move the print head in a first direction along the carrier ribbon to transfer ink material from the carrier ribbon to a substrate to print a first portion of an image on a first area of the substrate. The controller is also configured to control movement of the print head in a second direction opposite to the first direction as the carrier ribbon and substrate are also moved in the second direction to position the print head relative to the carrier ribbon so that a second portion of the image is printed on a second are of the substrate adjacent to the first area of the substrate.
US08547405B2
A gamma voltage generation circuit is provided. The gamma voltage generation circuit includes a resistor string, a first switch, and a second switch. The resistor string includes a plurality of resistors connected in series. An output terminal of the first switch is coupled to a first end of the resistor string. An output terminal of the second switch is coupled to a second end of the resistor string. The first switch selects and outputs one of a first high reference voltage and a second high reference voltage to the first end of the resistor string according to a control signal. The second switch selects and outputs one of a first low reference voltage and a second low reference voltage to the second end of the resistor string according to the control signal.
US08547402B2
Methods, systems, and related computer program products for processing and displaying computer-aided detection (CAD) information associated with medical breast x-ray images, such as breast x-ray tomosynthesis volumes, are described. An interactive graphical user interface for displaying a tomosynthesis data volume is described that includes a display of a two-dimensional composited image having slabbed sub-images spatially localized to marked CAD findings. Also described is a graphical navigation tool for optimized CAD-assisted viewing of the data volume, comprising a plurality of CAD indicator icons running near and along a slice ruler, each CAD indicator icon spanning a contiguous segment of the slice ruler and corresponding in depthwise position and extent to a subset of image slices spanned by the associated CAD finding, each CAD indicator icon including at least one single-slice highlighting mark indicating a respective image slice containing viewable image information corresponding to the associated CAD finding.
US08547399B2
An image processing apparatus which includes a extension width determination unit for determining a extension width based on a depression time of the cursor at a reference position on an image display unit where a releasing operation of the cursor was performed, which is a time during which the cursor had been kept depressed until the releasing operation was performed, and an ornament piece arrangement unit for arranging the plurality of ornament pieces at positions radially extended away from the reference position with the extension width determined by the extension width determination unit.
US08547394B2
An electro-optic display device includes a display matrix of display pixels. Each display pixel may include two or more first sub-pixels and a second sub-pixel. Each first sub-pixel may have two or more display states and a color filter. The second sub-pixel may have two or more display states and a white filter. The first sub-pixels may be arranged in rows and columns in a repeating pattern, and each first sub-pixel may be horizontally adjacent and vertically adjacent to one or more second sub-pixels. In addition, a display controller may include a data switch, a color correction module, an image filtering module, a color linearization module, an image dithering module, and a saturation adjustment module. The modules may be configured to perform operations at first and second pixel resolutions.
US08547385B2
Various systems and methods are described for accessing a shared memory in a graphics processing unit (GPU). One embodiment comprises determining whether data to be read from a shared memory aligns to a boundary of the shared memory, wherein the data comprises a plurality of data blocks, and wherein the shared memory comprises a plurality of banks and a plurality of offsets. A swizzle pattern in which the data blocks are to be arranged for processing is determined. Based on whether the data aligns with a boundary of the shared memory and based on the determined swizzle pattern, an order for performing one or more wrapping functions is determined. The shared memory is accessed by performing the one or more wrapping functions and reading the data blocks to construct the data according to the swizzle pattern.
US08547382B2
A video graphics system, graphics processor, and method of reducing memory bandwidth consumption include logic that groups binary data of a block of pixels into bit-planes. Each bit-plane corresponds to a different bit position in the binary data of the block and includes a bit value from each pixel in the block at that corresponding bit position. An encoding, associated with the block of pixels, represents which ones of the bit-planes are constant-value bit-planes having binary data comprised of a same bit value from every pixel in the block and which of the bit-planes are mixed-value bit-planes. Logic accesses memory storing the block of pixels to process the binary data of each mixed-value bit-plane and accesses memory storing the encoding to process the binary data of each constant-value bit-plane when a processing operation is performed on the block of pixels.
US08547376B2
A computer-implemented system for representing a production environment comprises a modeling module that creates a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a production environment. The system also includes a view module that renders a graphical depiction of at least a portion of the three-dimensional model from a reference point that is based at least in part upon a location. Methods of using the system are also provided.
US08547373B2
The present invention relates to a back light unit for a liquid crystal display device, which can improve safety and reliability of the back light unit; and a method for fabricating the same.The back light unit for a liquid crystal display device includes lamps for supplying a light to a liquid crystal display panel, a printed circuit board of a non-conductive plastic having sockets mounted thereto for supplying a high voltage to the lamps, a cover bottom fastened to the printed circuit board, having the lamps received therein, and a hook shaped projection formed as one unit with the printed circuit board for placing in a hole in the cover bottom for fastening the printed circuit board to the cover bottom.
US08547370B2
In a voltage generating circuit and a display apparatus, a driving voltage generator receives an input voltage to output a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage that is inversely proportional to a temperature in response to a feedback voltage. A temperature compensator generates the feedback voltage as a function of the temperature and the second driving voltage and applies it to the driving voltage generator. A gate-on voltage generator pumps the second driving voltage to generate a gate-on voltage, and a gamma voltage generator outputs a plurality of gamma voltages, each having a different voltage level that is disposed between the first driving voltage and a ground voltage. The gate-on voltage, which is inversely proportional to the temperature, is applied to the gate driver, and the gamma voltages, which are maintained at constant levels, prevent the response speed of the display apparatus from varying with temperature.
US08547368B2
A display driving circuit of the present invention includes: a source driver (20) which outputs a source signal; a gate driver (30) which outputs a gate signal for turning on a switching element on a row; and a CS driver (40) which outputs a CS signal (CSOUT) whose electric potential is switched in a predetermined direction (low to high or high to low) in accordance with a polarity of the source signal. A CS driver (CSn) on an n-th row outputs a CS signal (CSOUT) to the n-th row in accordance with a gate signal (GLn) for the n-th row outputted from a gate driver (Gn) provided on the n-th row. This makes it possible to provide a display driving circuit which enables CC driving with a simple configuration.
US08547367B2
A method of restoring a timing controller includes generating an error condition signal from a timing controller by checking abnormality of an image signal and a control signal provided from an image board, feeding back the error condition signal to the image board, and restoring the timing controller based on the error condition signal.
US08547364B2
An electronic device comprises a display for displaying data stored on said electronic device; input means; sensing means for sensing the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device; and control means for controlling the data displayed on said display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to said device. The input means includes a source of electromagnetic radiation for directing an infrared conical beam onto the display. The sensing means can sense the elliptical eccentricity of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the angle at which it strikes the display, and can sense the area of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the display to determine the distance of the input means from the display.
US08547358B2
An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a calculation unit that calculates, when state quantities of an object are changed by changing a predetermined parameter specifying a space in which the object is present in accordance with a contact quantity detected by a detection unit, the state quantities of the object after the change based on a dynamic model using the predetermined parameter, physical quantities of the object stored in a storage unit, and the state quantities of the object stored in the storage unit and updates the state quantities of the object stored in the storage unit with the calculated state quantities of the object after the change.
US08547348B2
A method and apparatus for selecting an item on a display screen with a touch interface by touching the display screen with a finger or stylus-type device. The touch point on the screen is detected, and a touch radius is established with respect to the touch point. When selectable items are detected to be displayed at least partially within the touch radius of the touch point, they are partially activated by altering the manner in which they are displayed. Upon detection of another touch point selecting a partially activated item, that item is fully activated and the other partially activated items are deactivated.
US08547346B2
An information output device includes a touch panel chassis having a touch panel with a medium on which a coordinate value based on a predetermined rule and a dot pattern signifying a code value are printed. The medium is placed on the touch panel with a surface on which the dot pattern is printed facing the touch panel. The device includes a coordinate recognition unit for recognizing a position on the medium of the touch panel. The device also includes an imaging unit for imaging via an imaging portion disposed on a predetermined location in the touch panel chassis. The device further includes a control unit for computing the coordinate value, the code value, and an orientation signified by the dot pattern and for inputting coordinate information from the coordinate recognition unit of the touch panel. An output unit outputs multimedia information according to an instruction from the control unit.
US08547343B2
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus comprises a display module and an antenna module. The display module is adapted to display a plurality of function icons. When the antenna module detects the approaching of an input device, such as the finger of the user or a metal element, the display module displays an indicator. The indicator is able to overlap at least one of the plurality of function icons, and the user can conveniently and correctly choose the function icon he or she needs without touching the display apparatus.
US08547340B2
A personal user control device suitable for use in cooperation with information systems, such as vehicle information systems, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The personal user control device provides a user-friendly interface system for interacting with the information system. Unlike conventional control devices, the user interface system includes no dedicated buttons and provides a customizable environment for interacting with the information system. When in communication with the information system, the personal user control device can automatically detect system status information, such as available system functionality, available viewing content, and/or a current system operation mode, of the information system and provides a user interface system that instinctively adapts for use with the information system in light of the detected system status information. The personal user control device thereby provides a versatile and intuitive manner for interacting with the information system.
US08547323B2
System(s) and methode s) are provided to regulate backlighting in a light emitting diode (LED)-based display through a sequence of alternate pulse-width-modulation (PWM) frame or sub-frame insertions. Alternate PWM frames or sub-frames can be black or non-black. A plurality of pixels in the display is partitioned into at least one zone including one or more rows of pixels; the at least one zone determines sub-frame period based on refresh frequency of the display. A sequence of alternate PWM sub-frames includes at least one alternate sub-frame and at least one normal sub-frame. Alternate PWM frames or alternate PWM sub-frames include a phase delay during which a backlight unit is turned off, and a PWM sequence in which the backlight unit is turned on with a finite duty cycle for the remainder of the PWM frame or sub-frame.
US08547320B2
In conventional liquid crystal display controllers, the display is reduced in the stand-by state but the liquid crystal display duty is not changed, i.e., even the common electrodes of the rows that are not producing display are scanned, and the consumption of electric power is not decreased to a sufficient degree in the stand-by state. A liquid crystal display controller includes a drive duty selection register capable of being rewritten by a microprocessor, and a drive bias selection register. When the display is changed from the whole display on a liquid crystal display panel to a partial display on part of the rows only, the preset values of the drive duty selection register and of the drive bias selection register are changed, so that the display is selectively produced on a portion of the liquid crystal display panel at a low voltage with a low-duty drive.
US08547314B2
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, a gray scale correction circuit, a control circuit, and a data driver. The gray scale correction circuit provides a corrected red, green, blue (RGB) data set corresponding to a white image element. The control circuit receives an original RGB data set, and selectively outputs one of the original RGB data set and a corrected RGB data set according to a gray scale value of the of the original data set. The data driver provides a gray scale voltage to the liquid crystal panel according to the output RGB data set of the control circuit.
US08547313B2
A driving apparatus includes a voltage applying unit, a light irradiation unit and a resistance control unit. The voltage applying unit forms a voltage applying circuit together with a pair of electrode layers of a photo-addressing type display element. The voltage applying unit applies a voltage between the pair of electrode layers. The light irradiation unit irradiates the photo-addressing type display element with addressing light. The resistance control unit controls a resistance to a current which flows in a direction to reduce a potential difference between the pair of electrode layers to be larger than that during a period in which the voltage applying unit is applying the voltage.
US08547311B2
A dual-image flat display device includes a first and a second substrates parallel with each other, a liquid crystal layer having liquid crystal molecules, and at least a pixel disposed on the second substrate. The pixel includes pluralities of sub-pixels arranged side by side along a first direction. Each sub-pixel has a first azimuthal angle domain and a second azimuthal angle domain, wherein the first and second azimuthal angle domains are arranged side by side along a second direction in the sub-pixel, and the second direction is not parallel with the first direction. The azimuthal angles of liquid crystal molecules in the first and second azimuthal angle domains have an included angle less than 180°.
US08547305B2
An organic electroluminescent display device includes an organic electroluminescent diode receiving a driving voltage and a first ground voltage; first and second driving thin film transistors for providing a driving current to the organic electroluminescent diode, each of the first and second driving thin film transistors receiving one of the driving voltage and the first ground voltage; a first switching thin film transistor receiving a data voltage and switched by an nth scan signal to output the data voltage; a second switching thin film transistor switched by a current providing signal to provide the one of the driving voltage and the first ground voltage to the second driving thin film transistor; a third switching thin film transistor receiving a second ground voltage and switched by a selection signal to output the second ground voltage to an output terminal of the first switching thin film transistor; a fourth switching thin film transistor disposed among an output terminal of the second switching thin film transistor, a gate terminal of the first driving thin film transistor and a gate terminal of the second driving thin film transistor and switched by the selection signal; and a first capacitor disposed among the output terminal of the first switching thin film transistor, the gate terminal of the first driving thin film transistor and the gate terminal of the second driving thin film transistor, wherein “n” is a positive integer.
US08547304B2
An electro-optical device includes a pixel column, a first and second data lines, and a first and second output circuits. The pixel column including pixel portions are arranged in a first direction. The first and second data lines extend in the first direction. The first and second output circuits output data voltages to different pixel portions of the pixel column through the first and second data lines, respectively.
US08547302B2
An organic light emitting display apparatus minimizes brightness reduction and power consumption increase, and can remove motion blurring. The organic light emitting display apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, each including an organic light emitting device and a pixel circuit, a data driving unit to apply a data signal to data lines connected to the pixels, a scan driving unit to apply a selection signal to selection scan lines connected to the pixels, an emission signal generating unit to generate a first emission signal, an emission duty controlling unit to calculate basic information to reduce motion blurring and to generate an emission duty control signal based on the basic information, a logic gate to output a second emission signal by receiving the first emission signal and the emission duty control signal, and an emission driving unit to apply the second emission signal to emission scan lines connected to the pixels.
US08547286B2
Metamaterial antennas provide spatially varying electromagnetic coupling that enables impedance matching conditions for different operating frequencies of the MTM antennas so that such antennas can operate at different frequencies for wideband applications, including ultra wideband applications.
US08547271B2
A method and apparatus for analog-to-digital conversion. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) includes M ADCj, j=1, 2, . . . , M. Each ADCj comprises a number of cells each of which comprises a first switch, a second switch, a current sink and an inverter. An inverter of a cell in an ADCj changes state in response to a current associate with an input signal of the ADCj exceeding a threshold, thus switching on the next cell. Each ADCj is enabled to perform analog-to-digital conversion on a residual current of a previous ADCj-1 after the previous ADCj-1 has completed its analog-to-digital conversion and has been disabled.
US08547269B2
An apparatus comprises: a coarse voltage level comparator that generates a coarse voltage level comparison; a folder, a fine analog to digital (ADC) comparator coupled to an output of the folder, wherein an output of the fine ADC is cyclical; an up encoder coupled to an output of the fine ADC encoder, the up encoder configured to output a first value if the cyclical output of the fine ADC is in a defined downward transition; and a fold information generator coupled to an output of the up encoder, wherein the fold information generator is configured to generate a determination as to in which fold an analog voltage occurs.
US08547268B2
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide digital-to-analog conversion of signals while minimizing switching related errors. Digital to analog converter (DAC) cells may be arranged to include one or more operating states in addition to binary output states, and may employ a switching technique to “dump” the DAC cell between binary outputs. Further, an array of DAC cells may include a partial set of redundant DAC cells for implementation of the switching technique.
US08547265B2
A power supply apparatus is provided for a test apparatus configured to supply a power supply signal to a DUT. An A/D converter performs analog/digital conversion of an analog observed value that corresponds to a power supply signal so as to generate a digital observed value. A digital signal processing circuit generates, by means of digital processing, a control value adjusted such that the digital observed value received from the A/D converter matches a predetermined reference value. A D/A converter performs digital/analog conversion of the control value, and supplies the resulting value to the DUT as the power supply signal. A digital signal processing circuit is configured to be capable of changing the content of its signal processing.
US08547262B2
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.
US08547257B2
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) function in which digital error correction is provided. Parallel ADC stages are synchronously clocked to convert an analog input signal into digital words; at least one of the digital outputs is encoded according to an error correction code. Decision logic circuitry decodes a code word comprised of the concatenation of the digital outputs from the parallel stages, to derive a digital output from which the digital output word corresponding to the analog input signal can be derived. The decision logic circuitry can provide an error signal used to correct the state of one or more bits of the digital output from one of the ADC stages, for the case of a systematic code; alternatively, the decision logic circuitry can directly decode the code word to provide the digital output. The architecture may be applied to stages in a pipelined ADC.
US08547253B2
A method of indicating a proximity value representative of the distance between a key fob (202) and a vehicle (102) includes transmitting (304, 406, 504) at least one locate signal from the key fob (202) to the vehicle (102), transmitting (364, 468, 562) at least one response signal from the vehicle (102) to the key fob (202) in response to the at least one locate signal, performing (362, 462, 510) RSSI measurements of either the at least one locate signal or the at least one response signal, and displaying (318, 412, 514) the proximity value on the key fob (202) based on the RSSI measurements.
US08547252B2
A method of generating a terrain avoidance warning for a rotary wing aircraft including generating an avoidance trajectory including a proximal segment representative of a transfer time and an avoidance curve including at least one distal segment of a conic section curve following on from the proximal segment, wherein the proximal segment extends in continuation from a predicted trajectory over a distance representing an applicable reaction time, the applicable reaction time being minimized as a function of a route sheet for the aircraft, and wherein the generating includes calculating the at least one distal segment as a function of an instantaneous maneuverability of the aircraft.
US08547249B2
The present invention relates to a method for avoiding a collision between a vehicle and another traffic participant. According to the inventive method, a cell phone carried by the traffic participant sends a signal including a position of the traffic participant. A processing unit processes the signal including the position of the traffic participant for a position or evaluation history. The processing unit determines an estimation of a future position of the traffic participant on the basis of the position or evaluation history. The processing unit evaluates a likelihood of a collision between the vehicle and the traffic participant on the basis of the estimated future position of the traffic participant and an estimation of a future position of the vehicle. An acceleration of the traffic participant is sensed by an acceleration sensor of the cell phone. This acceleration sensor is multifunctionally used by using the sensor also for a manipulation of the operating state of the cell phone by moving the cell phone. An action for avoiding a collision is automatically initiated in case that a distance of the future position of the traffic participant and the vehicle is smaller than a safety distance. According to the invention, the safety distance depends on the acceleration which is sensed by the acceleration sensor of the cell phone.
US08547247B1
A method on a mobile computing device for detecting, locating and tracing buried assets, is provided. The method includes reading, from one or more sensors communicatively coupled with the mobile computing device, a plurality of analog radio frequency signals from a buried asset, and amplifying the plurality of analog signals. The method further includes converting the analog signals to a plurality of digital signals, encoding the digital signals for transmission, so as to produce a plurality of encoded digital signals, and transmitting the plurality of encoded digital signals to a server via a communications network. The method further includes receiving, from the server, buried asset data including depth measurement data and electrical current measurement data for one or more buried assets, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the analog radio frequency signals, and displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface of the mobile computing device.
US08547246B2
A system for communicating with a slickline tool is disclosed. The system includes a closed-loop electrical circuit including a surface module, a forward path, a tool, and a return path. The forward path includes a slickline cable.
US08547244B2
A touch-sensitive input device provides improved visual feedback at (or near) the point and time of contact. As the user touches a touch-sensitive screen or pad, a portion of the screen or pad changes in visual appearance to indicate that the input has been received. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is localized to an area proximate to the point of contact. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating an area proximate to and centered around the point of contact. In another embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating one or more illuminable elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the touch-sensitive pad.
US08547237B2
The present invention relates to a creature-machine hybrid detector system capable of autonomously detecting illicit and hazardous materials. This hybrid detector comprises of an explosives detecting creature trained in the art of detecting illicit and hazardous materials that is additionally outfitted with a battery operated lightweight and portable electronics-based detector machine ensemble capable of real-time characterizations of vapor, liquid and gaseous phase materials towards which the creature displays a positive alert response, two-way wireless video, data, voice, location and image connectivity, a creature-heartbeat detector, and the capacity for interaction to remote personnel within the field of operations through a hand-held display or to a central control unit. Such a detector will combine the autonomous search-and-detect capability of a detector creature trained in the art of detection of illicit and hazardous materials with the multi-perspective material identification and characterization capability of electronics-based detector machines and instruments and will have superb advantages over currently available biological or electronic detection systems.
US08547221B2
Conventionally, people have to go to the place where a measurement instrument for health data is, to obtain health data and the like. Further, even when using a portable measurement instrument, people have to manage data by themselves, thus health data cannot be managed rapidly. According to the invention, a modulating circuit, a demodulating circuit, a logic circuit, a sensor circuit, and an antenna circuit are provided over an insulating substrate, thereby data sensed by the sensor circuit is transmitted wirelessly. According to the invention, health data on the living body (for example a human body) is sensed and can be rapidly detected.
US08547220B1
A system is provided for establishing a compliance zone and monitoring interactions therewith. The system includes a compliance zone designator and a wearable device. The compliance zone designator transmits an ultrasound signal to establish the compliance zone. The ultrasound signal may be encoded with information on the compliance zone. The compliance zone designator is configured for placement at a location in which the compliance zone is desired. The wearable device is separate from the compliance zone designator. The wearable device includes a compliance zone recognition component configured to recognize the compliance zone and identify one or more pre-defined interaction criteria for the compliance zone. When the wearable device is within the compliance zone, the compliance zone recognition component recognizes the compliance zone and identifies the interaction criteria of the compliance zone. Based on the interaction criteria the wearable device determines and records compliance with the interaction criteria. The recorded data is optionally used to set off real-time alerts. The recorded data is also optionally used in subsequent analysis and documentation of compliance with protocols.
US08547217B2
A belt lock for a seat belt that has a locking mechanism that is arranged in a belt lock housing. The locking mechanism includes a component that changes location from a first end position into a second end position when the locking mechanism is actuated, and in doing so interacts with a status detector. The status detector is designed as an electrical switching system. The component that changes location is a mandrel that can be moved axially when the locking mechanism is actuated and that is provided with an electrically conductive contact region and forms a component of the electrical switching system.
US08547215B2
An information presentation apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a stimulator device located on a steering wheel of the vehicle and configured to generate stimulation at multiple sites on the steering wheel to provide skin sensation to a driver gripping the steering wheel; a direction information acquisition device configured to acquire direction information; and a controller configured to cause, in accordance with the acquired direction information, the stimulator device to successively generate the stimulation through the plurality of sites on the steering wheel to invoke an apparent movement that appears to the driver as if the skin sensation moves in a way indicative of a direction according to the direction information.
US08547207B2
A tag communication method includes providing a tag reader operating at a first frequency and having transmit and receive antenna ports, providing a frequency converter module having transmit and receive plugs adapted to directly mate with the transmit and receive ports, and directly mating the transmit plug with the transmit port and the receive plug with the receive port. A transmit signal at the first frequency is received from the reader by the converter module by way of the directly mated transmit plug and converted to a second frequency differing from the first frequency to provide a converted transmit signal which is transmitted to the tag. A receive signal is received from the tag at the second frequency and converted to the first frequency to provide a converted receive signal which is applied by the conversion module to the reader by way of the directly mated receive plug.
US08547205B2
An anonymous authentication method based on a pre-shared key, a reader-writer, an electronic tag and an anonymous bidirectional authentication system are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: 1) a reader-writer sends an accessing authentication requirement group to the electronic tag; 2) after the electronic tag receives the accessing authentication requirement group, an accessing authentication response group is constructed and sent to the reader-writer; 3) after the reader-writer receives the accessing authentication response group, an accessing authentication confirmation group is constructed and sent to the electronic tag; 4) the electronic tag carries out confirmation according to the accessing authentication confirmation group.
US08547204B2
An information processing apparatus includes: a first connection section to which a first power-supply device is connected; a second connection section to which a second power-supply device is connected; a setting determiner that determines whether or not identification information is to be set for each power-supply device on the basis of connection states and setting control information; an authenticator that selectively obtains, when the setting determiner determines that identification information is not to be set, identification information from the power-supply devices connected to each connection section and that authenticates the obtained identification information; an identification-information setter that causes, when the setting determiner determines that identification information is to be set, unique identification information to be set for each power-supply device; and a processor that selectively performs executable power-supply-related processing on the basis of a result of the authentication or the identification-information setting and of processing control information.
US08547202B2
An RFID tag and a method of operating the RFID tag are provided. The RFID tag comprises a memory block that stores at least one predetermined authorization code associated with an RFID reader. In this method, according to the predetermined authorization code and an approval request transmitted from the RFID reader, it is determined by the RFID tag whether the RFID reader is authenticated. When the RFID reader is not authenticated, the RFID tag is controlled to not respond to a subsequent request transmitted from the RFID reader. As a result, the risk that data in the RFID tag may be illegally acquired by an unauthorized RFID reader is reduced.
US08547191B2
Damping device to impose a reaction to the displacement of a manual operating device (28), said device comprising at least one chamber containing the magneto-rheological fluid, one or two means of generating a variable magnetic field (6.1, 6.2) in the magneto-rheological fluid so as to modify its apparent viscosity, one element (4) free to move in translation capable of shearing the magneto-rheological fluid and designed to be mechanically connected to the manual operating device (28), said mobile element (4) comprising a blade with a longitudinal axis (Y) comprising holes and/or recesses and/or projections.
US08547183B2
There is provided a voltage controlled oscillator that is compact and can be manufactured at low cost. The voltage controlled oscillator is structured to include: a resonance part including a variable capacitance element and an inductance element, the variable capacitance element having a capacitance that varies according to a control voltage for frequency control input from an external part, and a series resonant frequency of the resonance part being adjusted according to the capacitance; an amplifying part amplifying a frequency signal from the resonance part; and a feedback part including a capacitance element for feedback and feeding the frequency signal amplified by the amplifying part back to the resonance part to form an oscillation loop together with the amplifying part and the resonance part, wherein the amplifying part is provided in an integrated circuit chip, and the resonance part and the capacitance element for feedback are formed as circuit components separate from the integrated circuit chip. The circuit components are selected according to an oscillation frequency.
US08547175B2
Provided is an output circuit capable of allowing a more sufficient output current to flow. When a drain current of a PMOS transistor (12) is large, a PMOS transistor (13) operates in the non-saturation region. At this time, gate voltages of NMOS transistors (14 and 17) have risen to around a power supply terminal voltage. Therefore, a gate-source voltage of an NMOS transistor (17) increases, and a sufficient output current flows.
US08547170B1
Techniques are disclosed for radiation sensors that generate current signal to provide flexible placement of one or more integration intervals between resets of an integration capacitor. With flexible timing, an embodiment of the present invention provides several modes of operation including: multiple stray light blanking interval to occur during the integration cycle; range gating for LIDAR applications; time-delay-integration (TDI) with multiple short integration periods between frame resets; and hyper-resolution gating that provides better resolution than is normally possible with a fixed gate width. Numerous variations will be apparent in light of this disclosure.
US08547169B2
A system and method are disclosed for reducing the kickback disturbance in an electronic circuit. The system is based on the coupling of a programmable noise filter between bias blocks. In one embodiment the programmable noise filter includes capacitors, resisters and switches and forms a C-R-C circuit structure. By selecting the resistance and capacitance values and the status of the switches, the performance of the programmable noise filter is determined. Also disclosed is a system and method to reduce kickback disturbances comprising N+1 bias blocks, N programmable noise filters, and a bias reference generator, wherein N is equal to or greater than one.
US08547165B1
A voltage reference is produced from PTAT, CTAT, and nonlinear current components generated in isolation from each other and combined to create the voltage reference.
US08547155B2
A latch device and related layout techniques are provided to reduce soft error rates caused by radiation or other exposure to ionized/charged particles. The latch device comprises a pair of cross-coupled inverters forming a storage cell. A pair of clock pass transistors is coupled to the pair of cross-coupled inverters. The pair of clock pass transistors is configured to receive as input a clock signal. On both true and complement sides of the latch device, a channel-connected region is formed between one of the pair of cross-coupled inverters and one of the pair of clock pass transistors. Each channel-connected region is configured to have a reduced Linear Energy Transfer (LET) cross-section. The reduced LET cross-section results in a reduced soft error rate.
US08547153B2
A delay locked loop in accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept may include a delay signal generation part generating a first delay signal having a first phase and a second delay signal having a second phase by delaying a reference signal on the basis of a delay control signal; a phase synthesizing part generating at least one third signal having a third phase using the first delay signal and the second delay signal; and a phase detection part generating a control code by comparing the reference signal with each of the first delay signal, the second delay signal and the third signal.
US08547151B2
A die stack of an integrated circuit includes a plurality of dies. Each die in the die stack includes a phase lock loop (PLL). The PLLs in each of the dies share a loop filter and other corresponding circuits.
US08547145B2
A power-up signal generation circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes a driver configured to generate a power-up signal in response to a first voltage. The power-up signal generation circuit may also comprise a power control unit configured to provide the first voltage or a second voltage as a power supply voltage to the driver in response to the power-up signal.
US08547140B1
Disclosed is a high-swing voltage-mode transmitter or line driver. The transmitter can operate over a wide range of supply voltages. Increasing the available output swing merely involves increasing the supply voltage; the circuit adapts to maintain the desired output impedance. This allows for a tradeoff between output amplitude and power consumption. Another advantage of the proposed architecture is that it compensates for process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) and mismatch variations so as to keep rise and fall times matched. This feature reduces common-mode noise and hence EMI in systems in which the transmitter is used.
US08547132B2
A circuit board includes an active device, a signal pad on a surface of the circuit board, at least one passive device electrically connecting the active device to the signal pad, and at least one test pad on the surface of the circuit board and electrically connected to a connection point between the active device and the at least one passive device. When a first passive device and a second passive device and a first test pad and a second test pad are provided, the first passive device and the second passive device are connected in series between the active device and the signal pad in this order, the first test pad is connected to a connection point between the active device and the first passive device, and the second test pad is connected to a connection point between the first passive device and the second passive device.
US08547129B2
A connector test system includes a number of adapters, a number of testers, and a motherboard. Each tester is connected to a corresponding one of the adapters. The motherboard is configured for connecting to the connector. The motherboard includes a number of pins arrayed in a 9 by 10 matrix. The pins includes a number of signal input pins and a number of grounding pins, each signal input pin is connected to a corresponding adapter.
US08547123B2
A test slot assembly is provided for testing a storage device. The test slot assembly is configured to receive and support a storage device, or a storage device supported by a storage device transporter. The test slot assembly also includes a conductive heating assembly. The conductive heating assembly is arranged to heat a storage device by way of thermal conduction.
US08547122B2
A plurality of devices under test (DUT) are arranged in a strip tester having a temperature controlled heater block. Each DUT has a respective set of electrical test probes and a thermally conductive test probe for electrically and thermally coupling, respectively, of the strip tester to the DUTs. Temperature measurement of each of the plurality of DUTs is performed by a temperature measuring device. The temperature measuring device can be part of the test board of the strip tester and will be in thermal communications with the DUT through the thermally conductive test probe, or temperature of the DUT can be measurement with an RTD embedded in the thermally conductive test probe, thereby providing faster thermal response time.
US08547114B2
An apparatus and method for converting a capacitance measured on a sensor element to a digital code. The apparatus may include a switching capacitor as a sensor element of a sensing device, and a sigma-delta modulator coupled to the sensor element to convert a capacitance measured on the sensor element to a digital code. The switching capacitor is in a feedback loop of the sigma-delta modulator. The method may include measuring a capacitance on a sensor element of a sensing device using a sigma-delta modulator, and converting the capacitance measured on the sensor element to a digital code.
US08547106B2
A circuit protection system includes a processor, a current sensing device having a first node and a second node, a current sensing circuit connected to the first node and the second node, the current sensing circuit operative to output a voltage indicative of a current sensed by the current sensing device to the processor, and a connection verification portion connected to the first node, the second node, and the processor, the connection verification portion operative to induce a current through the current sensing device.
US08547100B2
An imaging system comprises: a magnetic resonance scanner (30) having a cylindrical bore (36) defining a cylinder axis (DA), the magnetic resonance scanner having a gradient coil (10, 10′) defining an isocenter (64) within the bore and an isoplane (66) passing through the isocenter and oriented transverse to the cylinder axis; a ring of radiation detectors (60a, 60b, 60′) arranged concentric with the cylindrical bore and configured to detect radiation emanating from within the bore; and a generally annular electronic circuit board (62, 62′) arranged concentric with the cylindrical bore and centered on the isoplane, the generally annular electronic circuit board operatively connected with the ring of radiation detectors to generate electrical signals indicative of detection of radiation by the ring of radiation detectors.
US08547094B2
A method is disclosed for determining an attenuation map for use in positron emission tomography and for the use of homogeneity information relating to the magnetic resonance magnetic field, in particular for the purpose of determining shim settings, within the scope of a single magnetic resonance image recording. In at least one embodiment of the method, a first and a second image data record are firstly recorded with a three-dimensional gradient echo sequence during a first and a second echo time, respectively, with the phase difference between the water and the fat signal amounting to zero during the first echo time and amounting to 180 degrees during the second echo time. The attenuation map is determined from fat/water ratios obtained from the image data records by way of a Dixon technology, in particular a 2-point Dixon technology. In at least one embodiment, all voxels with a signal intensity below a first threshold value are excluded at least for the second image data record by using a mask and only the non excluded voxels of the first and second image data record are taken into consideration in order to determine the homogeneity information from the phase differences of adjacent voxels.
US08547092B2
A “proton precession magnetometer sensor capable of all-direction measurement” according to the present invention, in which frequency of current induced in a coil by flowing and then breaking current in the coil is measured to calculate strength of an external magnetic field, is characterized in that the coil is a toroid coil. Alternatively, the coil may be achieved by two solenoid coils connected perpendicularly, or N solenoid coils connected in the form of a polygon, where N is an integer of 3 or more. The proton precession magnetometer sensor is capable of measuring the external magnetic field in all directions since there is no dead band, and is convenient since there is no need of adjusting the sensor to a certain direction when measuring magnetic force. Further, the present invention will bring accumulation of key original technology applicable to various cases in practice through development of improved impedance matching and power consumption optimization in future practice.
US08547090B2
A method is disclosed for increasing the sensitivity of a solid state electronic spin based magnetometer that makes use of individual electronic spins or ensembles of electronic spins in a solid-state lattice, for example NV centers in a diamond lattice. The electronic spins may be configured to undergo a Zeeman shift in energy level when photons of light are applied to the electronic spins followed by pulses of an RF field that is substantially transverse to the magnetic field being detected. The method may include coherently controlling the electronic spins by applying to the electronic spins a sequence of RF pulses that dynamically decouple the electronic spins from mutual spin-spin interactions and from interactions with the lattice. The sequence of RF pulses may be a Hahn spin-echo sequence, a Can Purcell Meiboom Gill sequence, or a MREV8 pulse sequence, by way of example.
US08547089B2
A method of non-destructively testing a magnetisable conducting object surrounded by a magnetisable layer wherein the field strength of a primary magnetic field that is applied exterior to the magnetisable layer is abruptly changed. A vanishing secondary magnetic field generated by eddy currents induced by the changed field strength of the primary magnetic field is received and the temporal field strength of the received secondary magnetic field is analysed for deriving characteristics of the magnetisable conducting object. Furthermore, a transient tertiary magnetic field exterior to the magnetisable layer when the field strength of the primary magnetic field abruptly changes is applied wherein the orientation of the primary and tertiary magnetic field, respectively, are mutually opposite.
US08547084B2
A voltage reference selector, used in conjunction with a multi-meter, allows user selection of a reference voltage used by the multi-meter from three different reference voltages of an electrical control panel when taking electrical measurements from the electrical control panel via the multi-meter. A portable voltage reference selector is electrically connected to a multi-meter and temporarily electrically connected to voltage reference points of an electrical control panel for taking electrical measurements from the control panel with the multi-meter. In this form, a test lead from the multi-meter obtains electrical measurements from the control panel. A permanent voltage reference selector is permanently connected to voltage reference points of an electrical control panel and is electrically connectable to a multi-meter for taking electrical measurements from the control panel with the multi-meter. In this form, a test lead of the voltage reference selector obtains electrical measurements from the control panel.
US08547075B1
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit (e.g., FPGA) has two voltage regulators sharing stability and filter capacitors. A switch is located between each plate of each capacitor and a common voltage reference (e.g., ground) such that one of the two voltage regulators can be selectively connected to ground via the stability and filter capacitors.
US08547071B2
In a rotary electric machine, a load-dump protector turns on a switching element as a low-side rectifying element for at least one of plural-phase stator windings when the output voltage exceeds a first threshold voltage due to load dump. The load dump protector determines a turnoff timing of the switching element as the low-side rectifying element for the at least one of the plural-phase stator windings after the output voltage, which exceeded the first threshold voltage once, falls below a second threshold voltage. The second threshold voltage is set to be lower than the first threshold voltage. The load dump protector turns off, at the determined turnoff timing, the switching element as the low-side rectifying element for the at least one of the at least two-phase stator windings.
US08547070B2
A method for manufacturing and operating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a first capacitor node, a second capacitor node, a first capacitor electrode, a second capacitor electrode, a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is coupled between the first capacitor electrode and the first and second capacitor nodes such that the first switch has a first position that couples the first capacitor electrode to the first capacitor node and a second position that couples the first capacitor electrode to the second capacitor node. The second switch is coupled between the second capacitor electrode and the first and second capacitor nodes such that the second switch has a first position that couples the second capacitor electrode to the first capacitor node and a second position that couples the second capacitor electrode to the second capacitor node.
US08547068B2
A protection circuit module (PCM) for a secondary battery including a bare cell is provided. The PCM includes: a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB); and control circuitry mounted on the FPCB via adhesive material and configured for electrical coupling to the bare cell through the FPCB. The control circuitry is adapted to control charging and discharging of the bare cell.
US08547067B2
A circuit arrangement that has an energy source that can provide a charging voltage for charging an electrical energy storage unit in a charging circuit when it is connected to an energy supply, wherein it is possible to represent the charging voltage using an alternating quantity, and that has a capacitor circuit having a first capacitor element, a first valve element, and the energy source, wherein the first capacitor element is charged by the energy source via the first valve element if the charging voltage is negative, so that, if the charging voltage is positive, the voltage over the first capacitor element has the same orientation in the capacitor circuit, in terms of sign, as the charging voltage, and the voltage over the capacitor element.
US08547060B2
A battery pack and a method of controlling the battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery cell and a capacitor connected in parallel to the battery pack. Accordingly, the battery power and the distance travelled by an electric transport device that requires an instantaneous high power output, such as an E-bike, may be increased.
US08547044B2
A method for determining the angular position of a synchronous machine having a magnetically anisotropic rotor includes an (m) iteration stage and an (n) iteration stage. The (m) iteration stage encompasses: generating an (m) magnetic field of an (m) angular direction and acquiring an (m) peak value of the current pulse generated by the (m) voltage pulse; and providing at least two further (m+i) peak values in different (m+i) angular directions that differ from the (m) angular direction. The (n) iteration stage includes: ascertaining the angular directions (n) and (n+1) in which the two highest or the two lowest peak values from a peak value group occur; and providing an (n) angular direction, which resides between the (n+1) angular direction and the (n+2) angular direction, as an angular position output.
US08547042B2
A method and device for determining the motor moment constant kM of an electric motor by measuring motor parameters on the running motor. For reduction of the previously considerable measuring effort it is proposed that firstly the generator voltage UEMK produced by the motor is measured, and in that the motor moment constant kM is calculated by division of the generator voltage UEMK and the speed of rotation fMot of the motor, taking into consideration at least one further constant. The method and the device are suitable for DC motors and for 3-phase synchronous motors.
US08547041B2
A power conversion device comprises a power conversion unit of a three phase full bridge type including upper arm switching devices and lower arm switching devices, and a controller that outputs drive signals to these switching devices. This power conversion device forms alternately a first interval in which the upper arm switching devices and the lower arm switching devices are switched to ON for different phases, and a second interval in which, for all phases, either the upper arm switching devices or the lower arm switching devices are switched to ON, according to electrical angle.
US08547034B2
In at least one embodiment, an electronic system includes a controller, and the controller provides compatibility between an electronic light source and a trailing edge dimmer. In at least one embodiment, the controller is capable of predicting an estimated occurrence of a trailing edge of a phase cut AC voltage and accelerating a transition of the phase cut AC voltage from the trailing edge to a predetermined voltage threshold. In at least one embodiment, the controller predicts an estimated occurrence of the trailing edge of the phase cut AC voltage on the basis of actual observations from one or more previous cycles of the phase cut AC voltage.
US08547028B2
A constant current power supply device according to the present invention includes: an error amplifier to amplify an error signal of an error voltage between a voltage of a current detection resistor and a reference voltage, and a second control circuit to sample and hold the error signal in an ON period of the external signal, output the error signal to a first control circuit, hold the error signal just before the external signal is turned from ON to OFF, increase an amplification ratio of the error amplifier by a predetermined magnification ratio in an OFF period of the external signal, and output the increased error signal to the first control circuit.
US08547020B2
A radiofrequency plasma generating device including: a supply circuit including a switch controlled by a control signal for applying a voltage on an output of the control circuit at a control frequency; at least two plasma-generating circuits connected in parallel at the output of the supply circuits, each circuit having its own resonance frequency and being capable of generating plasma when a high voltage level is applied to the output of the supply circuit at a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the plasma generation circuit; and a supply control device determining the control frequency from the resonance frequencies of the plasma generation circuits to selectively control each circuit according to the control frequency used.
US08547010B2
Disclosed is a color adjusting arrangement comprising: i) a first wavelength converting material arranged to receive ambient light and capable of converting ambient light of a first wavelength range into light of a second wavelength range, and/or reflecting ambient light of said second wavelength range, said second wavelength range being part of the visible light spectrum; and ii) a complementary wavelength converting material arranged to receive ambient light and capable of converting part of said ambient light into light of a complementary wavelength range, which is complementary to said second wavelength range, and arranged to allow mixing of light of said second wavelength range and said complementary wavelength range; such that light of said second wavelength range that is emitted and/or reflected by said first wavelength converting material and light of said complementary wavelength range is mixed when leaving the color adjusting arrangement towards a viewing position, the light leaving the color adjusting arrangement thereby appearing less colored, i.e. having a color point substantially near the black body line. The invention thus allows an undesirable colored appearance of a semiconductor-phosphor based light source to be at least partly extinguished or neutralized.
US08547007B2
An electron emitting element of the present invention includes an electron acceleration layer between an electrode substrate and a thin-film electrode. The electron acceleration layer includes a binder component in which insulating fine particles and conductive fine particles are dispersed. Therefore, the electron emitting element of the present invention is capable of preventing degradation of the electron acceleration layer and can efficiently and steadily emit electrons not only in vacuum but also under the atmospheric pressure. Further, the electron emitting element of the present invention can be formed so as to have an improved mechanical strength.
US08547006B1
A multi-beam electron gun provides a plurality N of cathode assemblies comprising a cathode, anode, and focus electrode, each cathode assembly having a local cathode axis and also a central cathode point defined by the intersection of the local cathode axis with the emitting surface of the cathode. Each cathode is arranged with its central point positioned in a plane orthogonal to a device central axis, with each cathode central point an equal distance from the device axis and with an included angle of 360/N between each cathode central point. The local axis of each cathode has a cathode divergence angle with respect to the central axis which is set such that the diverging magnetic field from a solenoidal coil is less than 5 degrees with respect to the projection of the local cathode axis onto a cathode reference plane formed by the device axis and the central cathode point, and the local axis of each cathode is also set such that the angle formed between the cathode reference plane and the local cathode axis results in minimum spiraling in the path of the electron beams in a homogenous magnetic field region of the solenoidal field generator.
US08546998B2
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for minimizing and compensating for cracking in piezoelectric devices so as to maintain long term functionality of the devices. Compensation for cracking is achieved by applying solid conductive electrodes over the entire surface of the piezoelectric device and extending the electrodes beyond the perimeter of the piezoelectric device. In this way electrical connections are maintained even in the presence of cracking. Cracking of the piezoelectric device is limited by minimizing the local bending moment of the piezoelectric device by way of applying insulative support materials that may vary in thickness.
US08546994B2
An automotive dynamoelectric machine that achieves disposing of permanent magnets and thickening of field coil wire by ensuring outlet space for field coil lead wires. In the dynamoelectric machine, trough portions are formed on portions of yoke portions between respective circumferentially adjacent claw-shaped magnetic pole portions. Magnet holders are disposed so as to span over all of the trough portions on a pole core body at a rear end excluding a predetermined trough portion, and permanent magnets are held in each of the magnet holders. A field coil lead wire is led out from the rotor so as to pass through the trough portion over which a magnet holder is not disposed.
US08546992B2
The present invention provides an improved insulation structure for winding of motor stator, which is an improved design of structure for providing effective insulation for stator winding and improving winding volume. A stator piece that is arranged inside a motor body forms arrayed holes for wire winding. The holes receive insulation plates that are configured to correspond to the shape of the holes to be fit therein. Opposite ends of the stator piece receive end rings to fix and assemble thereto. End tabs formed at edges of the insulation plates are arranged to fit into and cover edge surface of a winding slot of each of the holes to realize complete coverage of the insulation for stator winding thereby ensuing operation safety when the motor is activated and put into operation.
US08546988B2
A magnetic gear arrangement having a first gear member for generating a first magnetic field and a second gear member for generating a second magnetic field. An interpole member is provided between the first and second gear members for coupling the two magnetic fields and controlling the gear ratio between the two gear members. The interpole member includes a unitary body of magnetizable material and associated control wiring, and is arranged such that when current is passed through the wiring, space regions of the unitary body are magnetized by an electrically-induced magnetic field. Discrete interpoles, the number and spacing of which define the gear ratio, are then formed in the unitary body between adjacent magnetized regions.
US08546980B2
There is provided a radio-frequency module and a radio communication system capable of supporting multiple bands at low cost or small size. A high-frequency power amplifier device includes a power amplifier circuit unit for GSM and a control circuit outputting antenna switch control signals with a VSW1 level or a VSW2 level in response to a mode setting signal for selecting GSM or W-CDMA. The VSW2 level is generated by boosting the VSW1 level using a clock signal from an oscillation circuit. When GSM is selected by the mode setting signal, the high-frequency power amplifier device stops the oscillation circuit and outputs the antenna switch control signals of the VSW1 level to an antenna switch device. When W-CDMA is selected by the mode setting signal, the high-frequency power amplifier device outputs the antenna switch control signals of the VSW2 level to the antenna switch device, using the oscillation circuit.
US08546978B2
According to an aspect of an embodiment, an electric circuit device includes: a first and second voltage supply units to be applied with a first and second voltages, respectively; a first capacitor connected to the first voltage supply unit; a first switch connected between the first voltage supplying unit and the first capacitor; a first load circuit connected to the second voltage supply unit; a second switch connected between the second voltage supply unit and the first load circuit; a third switch connected to connect the first capacitor with the first load circuit; and a switch controller for turning on either the third switch or the first switch, and for turning off the third switch while the second switch is turned on.
US08546976B2
A system for supplying electric power from an AC power source to ships, each of the ships moored at a respective berth of a quay, the system including a rectifier, having an AC and DC side, for converting AC electric power from the AC power source to DC power, the AC side arranged to be connected to the AC power source, and a plurality of ship connection arrangements for supplying electric power to a respective ship, each of the ship connection arrangements placed at one of the berths and including an inverter configurable to output AC power at a first or a second frequency and a ship connector for connecting the ship. A DC distribution network connected to the DC side of the rectifier and the rectifier is placed at a distance from the quay and each of the inverters is connected to the DC distribution network is also contemplated.
US08546969B2
The ribbon drive generation apparatus is comprised of a ribbon-like curved shape, composed either of metal or other suitable material, attached to a containment tube, peripheral rings, shaft, or porous central tube, with the complete apparatus being contained in a tube having a constant diameter for the length of the tube. The ribbon can be peripherally mounted to the containment tube and optionally to a central porous tube. In this form the containment tube rotates and can form part of a rotor for a generator apparatus. The optional central porous tube can also be used as a bearing surface or, if attached to the inside edge of the ribbon, a power take-off shaft.
US08546968B2
A wind turbine generator, an active damping method thereof, and a windmill tower in which vibrations of the wind turbine generator itself or the windmill tower can be reduced at low cost are provided. The acceleration is detected with an accelerometer attached to the nacelle. In an active damping unit, a pitch angle of windmill blades for generating a thrust is calculated on the basis of the acceleration, and the pitch angle is output as a blade-pitch-angle command δθ* for damping. In a pitch-angle control unit, a pitch angle of the windmill blades for controlling the output, and the pitch angle is output as a blade-pitch-angle command θ* for output control. The blade-pitch-angle command δθ* for damping is combined with the blade-pitch-angle command θ* for output control using a subtracter. The pitch angle of the windmill blades is controlled on the basis of the resulting blade-pitch-angle command after combining.
US08546964B2
A reciprocal vibration type generator includes a cylindrical housing, a coil set seat, and a coil set surrounding an end of the coil set seat, such that an annular space is formed between the coil set seat and an inner wall of the housing, and a cylindrical space extends into the coil set seat. A motion block has a cup-shaped structure from which extends an outer magnetic member, a center column from which extends a columnar magnet, and an inner annular space formed between the cup-shaped structure and the center column. The coil set seat and coil set extend into the inner annular space, the center column and columnar magnet extend into the cylindrical space, and the outer magnetic member extends into the annular space to enable axial reciprocating movement of the motion block relative to the coil set.
US08546952B2
A 3D integrated circuit including a first wafer and a second wafer is provided. The first wafer includes a first conduction pattern. The second wafer includes a second conduction pattern which is electrically connected to the first conduction pattern. A displacement between the first wafer and the second wafer is determined by a resistance of the first conduction pattern and the second conduction pattern.
US08546949B2
An insulating film is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A wiring trench formed in the insulating film reaches partway in a thickness direction of the insulating film. A via hole is disposed at an end of the wiring trench. A barrier metal film covers inner surfaces of the wiring trench and via hole. A bottom of the wiring trench and a sidewall of the via hole are connected via an inclined plane. A length of a portion of the inclined plane having an inclination angle range of 40° to 50° relative to a surface of the semiconductor substrate is equal to or shorter than a maximum size of a plan shape of the via hole, in a cross section which is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the wiring trench, passes a center of the via hole and perpendicular to the surface of the semiconductor surface.
US08546947B2
A chip structure comprises a substrate, a first built-up layer, a passivation layer and a second built-up layer. The substrate includes many electric devices placed on a surface of the substrate. The first built-up layer is located on the substrate. The first built-up layer is provided with a first dielectric body and a first interconnection scheme, wherein the first interconnection scheme interlaces inside the first dielectric body and is electrically connected to the electric devices. The first interconnection scheme is constructed from first metal layers and plugs, wherein the neighboring first metal layers are electrically connected through the plugs. The passivation layer is disposed on the first built-up layer and is provided with openings exposing the first interconnection scheme. The second built-up layer is formed on the passivation layer. The second built-up layer is provided with a second dielectric body and a second interconnection scheme, wherein the second interconnection scheme interlaces inside the second dielectric body and is electrically connected to the first interconnection scheme. The second interconnection scheme is constructed from at least one second metal layer and at least one via metal filler, wherein the second metal layer is electrically connected to the via metal filler. The thickness, width, and cross-sectional area of the traces of the second metal layer are respectively larger than those of the first metal layers.
US08546934B2
A method for manufacturing semiconductor devices is disclosed. A semiconductor wafer is provided having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A first glass substrate is provided which has at least one of cavities and openings at the bonding surface. The first glass substrate is bonded to the first surface of the semiconductor wafer such that the metal pads are arranged within respective cavities or openings of the first glass substrate. The second surface of the semiconductor wafer is machined. At least one metallisation region is formed on the machined second surface of the semiconductor wafer.
US08546923B2
Method for manufacturing a rigid power module with a layer that is electrically insulating and conducts well thermally and has been deposited as a coating, the structure having sprayed-on particles that are fused to each other, of at least one material that is electrically insulating and conducts well thermally, having the following steps: manufacturing a one-piece lead frame; populating the lead frame with semiconductor devices, possible passive components, and bonding corresponding connections, inserting the thus populated lead frame into a compression mold so that accessibility of part areas of the lead frame is ensured, pressing a thermosetting compression molding compound into the mold while enclosing the populated lead frame, coating the underside of the thus populated lead frame by thermal spraying in at least the electrically conducting areas and overlapping also the predominant areas of the spaces, filled with mold compound.
US08546912B2
A semiconductor device such as an ID chip of the present invention includes an integrated circuit using a semiconductor element formed by using a thin semiconductor film, and an antenna connected to the integrated circuit. It is preferable that the antenna is formed integrally with the integrated circuit, since the mechanical strength of an ID chip can be enhanced. Note that the antenna used in the present invention also includes a conducting wire that is wound round circularly or spirally and fine particles of a soft magnetic material are arranged between the conducting wires. Specifically, an insulating layer in which fine particles of a soft magnetic material are arranged between the conducting wires. Specifically, an insulating layer in which fine particles of a soft magnetic material are included is arranged between the conducting wires.
US08546906B2
A method and an electronic device structure comprising at least one access lead to adapted to be connected to an electrical circuit; at least one substrate region; at least one semiconductor die positioned on the substrate; the at least one semiconductor die being operatively connected to the at least one access lead; a dielectric region extending below the at least one semiconductor die; the dielectric region being formed by creating a cavity in the at least one substrate region; whereby the dielectric region operates to reduce electric field stresses produced by the at least one semiconductor die to thereby reduce the possibility of material failure and voltage breakdown. The method of making an electronic device structure comprises providing at least one substrate region; providing at least one semiconductor die located on the at least one substrate region; removing a portion of the at least one substrate region to provide a dielectric region within the substrate extending below the at least one semiconductor die; whereby the dielectric region within the at least one substrate region operates to reduce electric field stresses produced by the at least one semiconductor die to thereby reduce the possibility of material failure and voltage breakdown.
US08546904B2
To provide an integrated circuit with functionality under environment with temperature lower than a working condition, the integrated circuit is designed to include a heating element incorporated with signal pins on a carrier, such as a lead frame, that supports a chip die and controlled by a heating control unit to increase temperature of the chip die. The heating control unit provides voltage for the heating element when a detecting unit detects that the temperature of the chip die falls below a predetermined temperature and a power control unit provide operation power for the chip die when the temperature of the chip die detected by the detecting unit reaches or falls above the predetermined temperature.
US08546895B2
An electronic device includes a substrate provided with a passing opening and a MEMS device including an active surface wherein a portion of the MEMS device is integrated sensitive to chemical/physical variations of a fluid. The active surface of the MEMS device faces the substrate and is spaced therefrom, the sensitive portion being aligned to the opening. A protective package incorporates at least partially the MEMS device and the substrate, leaving at least the sensitive portion of the MEMS device, and the opening of the substrate exposed. A barrier element is positioned in an area which surrounds the sensitive portion to realize a protection structure for the MEMS device, so that the sensitive portion is free.
US08546892B2
It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to reduce leakage current between a source and a drain in a transistor including an oxide semiconductor. As a first gate film in contact with a gate insulating film, a compound conductor which includes indium and nitrogen and whose band gap is less than 2.8 eV is used. Since this compound conductor has a work function of greater than or equal to 5 eV, preferably greater than or equal to 5.5 eV, the electron concentration in an oxide semiconductor film can be maintained extremely low. As a result, the leakage current between the source and the drain is reduced.
US08546886B2
A device includes a p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) device and an n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) device at a front surface of a semiconductor substrate. A first dielectric layer is disposed on a backside of the semiconductor substrate. The first dielectric layer applies a first stress of a first stress type to the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first dielectric layer is overlying the semiconductor substrate and overlapping a first one of the PMOS device and the NMOS device, and is not overlapping a second one of the PMOS device and the NMOS device. A second dielectric layer is disposed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The second dielectric layer applies a second stress to the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second stress is of a second stress type opposite to the first stress type. The second dielectric layer overlaps a second one of the PMOS device and the NMOS device.
US08546885B2
An integrated circuit fabrication is disclosed, and more particularly a field effect transistor with a low resistance metal gate electrode is disclosed. An exemplary structure for a metal gate electrode of a field effect transistor comprises a lower portion formed of a first metal material, wherein the lower portion has a recess, a bottom portion and sidewall portions, wherein each of the sidewall portions has a first width; and an upper portion formed of a second metal material, wherein the upper portion has a protrusion and a bulk portion, wherein the bulk portion has a second width, wherein the protrusion extends into the recess, wherein a ratio of the second width to the first width is from about 5 to 10.
US08546880B2
An anti punch-through leakage current MOS transistor and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A high voltage deep first type well region and a first type light doping region are formed in a second type substrate. A mask with a dopant implanting opening is formed on the second type substrate. An anti punch-through leakage current structure is formed by implanting the first type dopant through the dopant implanting opening. A doping concentration of the first type dopant of the high voltage deep first type well region is less than that of the anti punch-through leakage current structure and greater than that of the high voltage deep first type well region. A second type body is formed by implanting a second type dopant through the dopant implanting opening. A gate structure is formed on the second type substrate.
US08546877B2
A transistor structure that improves an ESD withstand voltage is offered. There is formed a P-type insulating isolation layer that divides an N-type epitaxial layer into a plurality of regions and isolates neighboring regions from each other. A diffusion layer doped with high concentration N-type impurities and an electrode extraction layer are formed in a surface of the epitaxial layer between a low impurity concentration drain layer and the insulating isolation layer. The diffusion layer and the electrode extraction layer are connected with a drain electrode. When an excessive positive surge voltage is applied to a source electrode, a parasitic diode that makes a current path including the diffusion layer and the electrode extraction layer is turned on to shunt an ESD current from the source electrode to the drain electrode, in addition to other parasitic diodes included in a conventional structure.
US08546872B2
According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, first, second, third and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures, each having memory strings stacked in a first direction perpendicular to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and each extending to a second direction parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first part connected to first ends in the second direction of the first and second fin-type stacked layer structures each other, a second part connected to first ends in the second direction of the third and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures each other, a third part connected to second ends in the second direction of the first and third fin-type stacked layer structures each other, and a fourth part connected to second ends in the second direction of the second and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures each other.
US08546868B2
A MONOS type non-volatile semiconductor memory device which is capable of electrically writing, erasing, reading and retaining data, the memory device including source/drain regions, a first gate insulating layer, a first charge trapping layer formed on the first gate insulating layer, a second gate insulating layer formed on the first charge trapping layer, and a controlling electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer. The first charge trapping layer includes an insulating film containing Al and O as major elements and having a defect pair formed of a complex of an interstitial O atom and a tetravalent cationic atom substituting for an Al atom, the insulating film also having electron unoccupied levels within the range of 2 eV-6 eV as measured from the valence band maximum of Al2O3.
US08546867B2
A technique capable of improving the reliability of a non-volatile memory semiconductor device is provided and, in particular, a technique capable of supplying electricity without fail to a memory gate electrode of split gate transistor is provided.One end of an electricity supply line ESL is arranged over a terminal end TE1 and the other end thereof is arranged over a terminal end TE2, and further, the central portion of the electricity supply line ESL is arranged over a dummy part DMY. That is, the terminal end TE1, the terminal end TE2, and the dummy part DMY have substantially the same height, and therefore, most of the electricity supply line ESL arranged from over the terminal end TE1 to over the terminal end TE2 via the dummy part DMY is formed so as to have the same height.
US08546866B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention including, a first gate electrode formed above a semiconductor substrate via a first insulating film, having a projecting part which projects in upper direction with a certain width; a second gate electrode formed beside a side surface of the first gate electrode via a second insulating film; two side walls having insulation properties formed on a side surface of the second gate electrode and a side surface of the projecting part respectively; and a silicide layer formed on an upper surface of the projecting part and a part of a surface of the second gate electrode, wherein a width of the projecting part is smaller than a width of the first gate electrode below the projecting part.
US08546863B2
A memory cell, the memory cell comprising a substrate, a nanowire extending along a vertical trench formed in the substrate, a control gate surrounding the nanowire, and a charge storage structure formed between the control gate and the nanowire.
US08546860B2
This disclosure relates to an active pixel cell including a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure. The active pixel cell further includes a photodiode neighboring the STI structure, where a first stress resulted from substrate processing prior to deposition of a pre-metal dielectric layer increases dark current and white cell counts of a photodiode of the active pixel cell. The active pixel cell further includes a transistor, where the transistor controls the operation of the active pixel cell. The active pixel cell further includes a stress layer over the photodiode, the STI structure, and the transistor, and the stress layer has a second stress that counters the first stress exerted on the substrate, and the second stress reduces the dark current and the white cell counts caused by the first stress.
US08546849B2
Some exemplary embodiments of high voltage cascoded III-nitride semiconductor package utilizing clips on a package support surface have been disclosed. One exemplary embodiment comprises a III-nitride transistor attached to a package support surface and having an anode of a diode stacked over a source of the III-nitride transistor, a first conductive clip coupled to a gate of the III-nitride transistor and the anode of the diode, and a second conductive clip coupled to a drain of the III-nitride transistor. The conductive clips are connected to the package support surface and expose respective flat portions that are surface mountable. In this manner, reduced package footprint, improved surge current capability, and higher performance may be achieved compared to conventional wire bonded packages. Furthermore, since a low cost printed circuit board (PCB) may be utilized for the package support surface, expensive leadless fabrication processes may be avoided for cost effective manufacturing.
US08546843B2
Light-emitting devices are provided, the light-emitting devices include a light-emitting structure layer having a first conductive layer, a light-emitting layer and a second conductive layer sequentially stacked on a first of a substrate, a plurality of seed layer patterns formed apart each other in the first conductive layer; and a plurality of first electrodes formed through the substrate, wherein each of the first electrodes extends from a second side of the substrate to each of the seed layer patterns.
US08546837B2
A light emitting device having a vertical structure, a package thereof and a method for manufacturing the same, which are capable of damping impact generated in a substrate separation process, and achieving an improvement in mass productivity, are disclosed. The method includes growing a semiconductor layer having a multilayer structure over a substrate, forming a first electrode on the semiconductor layer, separating the substrate including the grown semiconductor layer into unit devices, bonding each of the separated unit devices on a sub-mount, separating the substrate from the semiconductor layer, and forming a second electrode on a surface of the semiconductor layer exposed in accordance with the separation of the substrate.
US08546835B2
Disclosed is a light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a body, a plurality of electrodes in the body, a light emitting chip installed in the body and electrically connected to the electrodes to generate light, and a thermo electric cooler module electrically connected to the electrodes and formed at a lower portion of the light emitting chip to cool the light emitting chip.
US08546834B2
An LED package improved in efficiency and brightness. In the package, a body has a mounting part thereon. A plurality of light emitting diode chips are mounted on the mounting part. The mounting part has a cross-section upwardly convexed with a non-planar top portion so that at least two adjacent ones of the light emitting diode chips have opposing side surfaces facing a different direction from each other.
US08546833B2
An exemplary LED package includes first and second electrodes, an LED die and an encapsulation. An inner wall of each first and second electrode includes a first oblique plane. The LED die is surrounded by and electrically connected to the first and second electrodes. The LED die includes an outputting surface. The encapsulation is filled between the first electrode ant the second electrode and covers the LED die, and includes opposite first and second outer surfaces, wherein the second outer surface acts as an outputting surface of the LED package. A reflective layer is coated on the first outer surface of the encapsulation. The first oblique plane of the electrode structure is light reflective and extends aslant from the outputting surface of the LED die towards the outputting surface of the LED package along a direction away from the LED die.
US08546832B2
A thin-film light emitting diode includes an insulating substrate, a reflective metal electrode on the insulating substrate forming a current spreading layer, and an epitaxial structure on the electrode.
US08546831B1
A reflection convex mirror structure is applied to a vertical light-emitting diode (LED) which comprises a P-type electrode, a permanent substrate, a binding layer, a buffer layer, a mirror layer, a P-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer, an N-type semiconductor layer and an N-type electrode that are stacked in sequence. Between the P-type semiconductor layer and the mirror layer, a filler and a mirror are disposed right below the N-type electrode. The filler is made of a transparent material and has a convex surface facing the light-emitting layer. The mirror is formed on the convex surface of the filler. By utilizing the filler and the mirror to form the reflection convex mirror structure, excited light is reflected towards two sides, so that the excited light can dodge the N-type electrode without being shielded to increase light extraction efficiency.
US08546826B2
A light-emitting module includes a supporting element, a number of optoelectronic semiconductor components mounted on the supporting element for the generation of electromagnetic radiation, and a metallic connecting layer by means of which the optoelectronic semiconductor components are supplied with operating voltage. An insulation layer is arranged in a region of the optoelectronic semiconductor components between the supporting element and the metallic connecting layer. The metallic connecting layer forms a light shade for the optoelectronic semiconductor components, so that the electromagnetic radiation is only emitted in a specified direction.
US08546819B2
A method of fabricating a vertical light emitting diode including: growing a low doped first semiconductor layer on a sacrificial substrate; forming an aluminum layer on the low doped first semiconductor; forming an AAO layer having a large number of holes formed therein by anodizing the aluminum layer; etching and patterning the low doped first semiconductor layer using the aluminum layer as a shadow mask, thereby forming grooves; removing the aluminum layer remaining; sequentially forming a high doped first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer on the low doped first semiconductor layer with the grooves; forming a metal reflective layer and a conductive substrate on the second semiconductor layer; separating the sacrificial substrate; and forming an electrode pad on the other surface of the low doped first semiconductor layer, the electrode pad filled in the grooves and in ohmic contact with the high doped first semiconductor.
US08546814B2
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a plurality of body regions of a second conductivity type, each formed in a region extending from the surface of the semiconductor layer to a halfway portion of the same in the thickness direction, and each spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction; source regions of the first conductivity type, each formed on the surface layer part of each body region and spaced away from the edges of each body region; a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer; and gate electrodes formed on the gate insulating film. In the semiconductor layer, trenches extending between two neighboring source regions are formed by digging from the source of the semiconductor layer, the inside surface of the trenches are covered by the gate insulating film, and the gate electrodes comprise surface-facing parts, which face the surface of the semiconductor layer, and buried parts, which are buried in the trenches.
US08546811B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor in which miniaturization is achieved while favorable characteristics are maintained. The semiconductor includes an oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate electrode overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer provided between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate electrode, and an insulating layer provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer. A side surface of the oxide semiconductor layer is in contact with the source electrode or the drain electrode. An upper surface of the oxide semiconductor layer overlaps with the source electrode or the drain electrode with the insulating layer interposed between the oxide semiconductor layer and the source electrode or the drain electrode.
US08546804B2
It is an object to provide a technique to improve electric characteristics after a high-temperature treatment even when a high melting point metal barrier layer is not formed. A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode formed on a transparent insulation substrate, a semiconductor layer having a Si semiconductor active film and an ohmic low resistance Si film having an n-type conductivity, being formed in this order on the gate electrode with a gate insulation film interposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer, and the source and drain electrodes directly connected to the semiconductor layer and containing at least aluminum (Al). At least nitrogen (N) is contained in a first region that is in the vicinity of an interface between a side surface of the SI semiconductor active film and the source and drain electrodes.
US08546801B2
Provided is a semiconductor apparatus which may check a state of connection of a penetrating electrode in a semiconductor substrate with ease. A semiconductor apparatus manufacturing method includes: forming in a semiconductor substrate at least three kinds of the through-holes each having a large area, a middle area, and a small area of openings; forming a conductive layer on an inner surface of the at least three kinds of the through-holes having different areas of the openings to form the penetrating electrodes; and measuring resistance values of the penetrating electrode including the through-hole having the large area of the opening and the penetrating electrode including the through-hole having the small area of the opening among the three kinds of the penetrating electrodes to determine states of connection of the penetrating electrodes.
US08546791B2
A light emissive or photovoltaic device comprising: a cathode structure for injecting electrons, the cathode structure having one or more constituent regions; an anode structure for injecting holes, the anode structure having one or more constituent regions; and an organic light emissive component located between the anode structure and the cathode structure; the refractive indices and the thicknesses of the or each constituent region of the cathode and anode structures and of the light emissive component being such that the emission or absorption spectrum of the device is substantially angularly dependent.
US08546785B2
A memristive device includes a first electrode and a second electrode crossing the first electrode at a non-zero angle. An active region is disposed between the first and second electrodes. The active region has defects therein. Graphene or graphite is disposed between the active region and the first electrode and/or between the active region and the second electrode.
US08546780B2
According to one embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes a first wiring extending in a first direction, a second wiring extending in a second direction, and a variable resistance memory cell which is disposed at an intersection between the first wiring and the second wiring so as to be held between the first wiring and the second wiring and includes a variable resistive element and a rectifying element. In a space between the variable resistance memory cells adjacent to each other, at least a periphery of the variable resistive element is evacuated or filled with a gas.
US08546776B2
To prevent reflective optical elements (2) for EUV lithography from becoming electrically charged as they are irradiated with EUV radiation (4), an optical system for EUV lithography is proposed, having a reflective optical element (2), including a substrate (21) with a highly reflective coating (22) emitting secondary electrons when irradiated with EUV radiation (4), and a source (3) of electrically charged particles, which is arranged in such a manner that electrically charged particles are applied to the reflective optical element (2), wherein the source (3) for the charge carrier compensation is exclusively a flood gun applying electrons to the reflective optical element (2).
US08546774B2
Treatment planning methods are provided that determine the variability of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) along a beam line and calculate, among other things, what intensity of hadron beam such as a proton or a carbon ion beam should be applied to achieve a desired biological dose at treatment site of a patient afflicted with a medical condition. Typically, three or four RBE values at three or four corresponding spacially-dispersed intervals along the beam line are calculated. In one embodiment, two RBE values for the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) region of the treatment site; one for the proximal section and one for the declining distal section is calculated. A third and different RBE value may be determined for the distal edge region of the SOBP. A fourth value may also be calculated for a pre-SOBP region.
US08546773B2
A radiotherapy technique for providing a radiation source having a radiation path that intersects a treatment area, activating the radiation source, and moving the radiation source in three dimensions about the treatment area, wherein the radiation source is continually directed substantially toward an isocentric point within the treatment area.
US08546772B2
A system and method for imaging biological samples on multiple surfaces of a support structure are disclosed. The support structure may be a flow cell through which a reagent fluid is allowed to flow and interact with the biological samples. Excitation radiation from at least one radiation source may be used to excite the biological samples on multiple surfaces. In this manner, fluorescent emission radiation may be generated from the biological samples and subsequently captured and detected by detection optics and at least one detector. The detected fluorescent emission radiation may then be used to generate image data. This imaging of multiple surfaces may be accomplished either sequentially or simultaneously. In addition, the techniques of the present invention may be used with any type of imaging system. For instance, both epifluorescent and total internal reflection methods may benefit from the techniques of the present invention.
US08546770B2
There is provided a charged particle beam device which has a mechanism adjusting the shape of an ionic liquid droplet to be adhered to a sample and the thickness of a film of the ionic liquid, in such a manner that they are suitable for various types of observations by an electronic microscope and the like, and for processing using ion beams. The charged particle beam device is characterized in that it includes an ionic liquid holding member having an opening, an ionic liquid supplying unit for filling an ionic liquid into the opening, an observation unit for observing an adhesion state of the ionic liquid, and charged particle beam generating units for radiating charged particle beams, and can adjust the thickness of an ionic liquid droplet to be filled in the opening, when the charged particle beam device observes a sample in a state where it is floating in the ionic liquid by being dispersed into the ionic liquid or on a surface of the ionic liquid.
US08546767B2
A multi-beam pattern definition device (102) for use in a particle-beam processing or inspection apparatus is configured to be irradiated with a beam (lp,bp) of electrically charged particles so as to form a number of beamlets to be imaged to a target. An aperture array means (202) comprises at least two sets of apertures (221, 222) for defining respective beamlets (b1-b5), wherein the sets of apertures comprise a plurality of apertures arranged in interlacing arrangements and the apertures of different sets are offset to each other by a common displacement vector (d12). An opening array means (201) has a plurality of openings (210) configured for the passage of a subset of beamlets corresponding to one of the sets of apertures but lacking openings (being opaque to the beam) at locations corresponding to the other sets of apertures. A positioning means shifts the aperture array means relative to the opening array means in order to selectively bring one of the sets of apertures into alignment with the openings in the opening array means.
US08546763B2
In a positron CT device of this invention, a cross range calculation section determines a cross range of a coincidence LOR as a virtual line that connects two detectors for performing coincidence and a pixel, and a system matrix calculating section determines a system matrix by calculating elements in the system matrix within the cross range upon calculating of the system matrix. Thereafter, a reconstruction section creates a distribution image of positrons as an image based on the system matrix. Consequently, improvement in speed of image reconstruction may be realized.
US08546762B1
Time-domain measurements are carried out using arrangements and methods. A transmitter generates electro-magnetic pulses upon receipt of pulses of an optical pulse source. A coherent detector detects the electro-magnetic pulses or an evoked electro-magnetic signal. A delay line periodically changes the optical path length between the optical pulse source and the coherent detector and/or the electro-magnetic transmitter by periodically moving an optical element of the delay line. A position sensor determines the position of the optical element and smoothes the data generated by the position sensor. The coherent detector detects the electro-magnetic signal evoked by the electro-magnetic pulses. Pulses of the optical pulse source trigger the coherent detector. The time-dependency of the electro-magnetic pulses and/or of the electro-magnetic signal evoked by the electro-magnetic pulses are determined using signals of the coherent detector upon receipt of the electro-magnetic pulses and/or of the electro-magnetic signal and the smoothed position sensor data.
US08546756B2
A system and a method for material analysis of a microscopic element, the method comprising: illuminating an area that includes at least a portion of the microscopic element by a charged particle beam, detecting particles that are generated in the area in response to the charged particle beam and analyzing the detected particles to provide an indication about a material characteristic of the microscopic element, wherein the operation of illumination is implemented as a sequence of displacement compensation determination periods, each provided between consecutive material analysis periods, the method further comprising evaluating during a displacement compensation determination period, a displacement of the charged particle beam with respect to the microscopic element and during a consecutive material analysis period applying a spatial adjustment measure as required, thereby compensating for a drift of the charged particle beam.
US08546749B2
Methods and related systems are described for the detection of nuclear radiation. The system can include a scintillator material that intrinsically generates radiation and a photodetection system coupled to the scintillator material and adapted to generate electrical signals based on light emitted from the scintillator material. A processing system adapted and programmed to receive the electrical signals, to generate a count rate reference value based at least in part on electrical signals generated in response to the light emitted from the scintillator material due to the intrinsically generated radiation.
US08546745B2
An optoelectronic position measurement device having a code carrier that carries at least one optically registered position code and that is illuminated with optical radiation from a radiation source. At least one portion of the optical radiation is registered by at least one registration element, by means of which a signal dependent on the position code can be created and a position of the code carrier relative to the registration element can thus be registered. the code carrier is movable relative to the registration element with a degree of freedom. the optical radiation couples into the code carrier and is guided at least partially in a beam path in the interior of the code carrier lying in the extension level of the code carrier. The decoupling of the optical radiation occurs in a decoupling zone such that the registration element is illuminated by a substantially homogenous intensity distribution.
US08546738B2
A physical information acquiring method of acquiring physical information for a predetermined purpose on the basis of change information that is acquired under predetermined detection conditions for a physical quantity using an portion for physical quantity distribution detection. The portion for physical quantity distribution detection includes a detector that detects change information corresponding to a change in a physical quantity made incident on the detector and has unit components that output unit signals based on the change information detected by the detector arranged in a predetermined order. In the physical information acquiring method, a carrier signal is converted into a signal related to a frequency on the basis of the change information detected by the detector. The physical information for a predetermined purpose is acquired using the signal related to a frequency.
US08546736B2
A modular artillery projectile and method of engaging a target. A modular artillery projectile may include a payload module, a guidance module coupled to the payload module and a rear module coupled to the guidance module. The payload module may be selected from a plurality of interchangeable payload modules containing different payloads. The guidance module may include a transverse propulsion system to propel the modular artillery projectile transversely to a longitudinal axis of the modular artillery projectile, a global positioning system receiver, and a control system to control the transverse propulsion system responsive to the global positioning system receiver to guide the modular artillery projectile to a predetermined target position.
US08546732B2
A heating plate for a substrate support assembly in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, comprises multiple independently controllable planar heater zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the planar heater zones. Each planar heater zone includes one or more heater elements made of an insulator-conductor composite. A substrate support assembly in which the heating plate is incorporated includes an electrostatic clamping electrode and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the heating plate include bonding together ceramic sheets having planar heater zones, power supply lines, power return lines and vias.
US08546722B2
A laser processing apparatus 1 includes a processing light source 3 emitting processing light; an observation light emitting unit 4 emitting observation light; optical fibers 19 conducting light having a plurality of wavelengths generated at an electronic component 2; a detecting unit 5 detecting the light conducted by the optical fibers 19; and a control unit 31 controlling a light emitting state of the processing light emitting unit 3. The optical fibers 19 are categorized into four groups, and disposed so as to surround an optical fiber 18 conducting the processing light. The optical fibers 19 categorized into the four groups are capable of conducting the observation light to the electronic component 2 every group.
US08546716B2
A gas-blast circuit breaker is disclosed which includes a first contact and a second contact which can move relative to one another along a longitudinal axis. A blowout volume is arranged around the first contact. The blowout volume can be connected via a gas channel to an arc zone, in order to blow out an arc which is struck when the first contact is disconnected from the second contact. The blowout volume can be bounded radially on an outside by a separating element which separates the blowout volume from a low-pressure area. A flow opening, which allows a gas exchange, can lead in a radial direction from the low-pressure area into the blowout volume.
US08546711B2
A pneumatic switch (1) having a diaphragm (3) and a switching mechanism operationally connected to the diaphragm (3), the switching mechanism comprises a prestressing element which can be adjusted.
US08546710B2
An automatic transmission switch includes a fixed member provided with a fixed-side contact, and a movable member provided with a movable-side contact. The movable-side contact includes an intermittent contact portion with respect to the fixed-side contact. The contact portion extends along a moving direction of the movable member. The movable member is connected to an automatic transmission, and if the movable member is turned according to a switching operation of a shift lever, the movable member brings the fixed-side contact and the movable-side contact into contact with each other and separates them from each other. The movable-side contact is fixed to the movable member. The fixed member is provided with a coil spring which biases the fixed-side contact toward the movable-side contact.
US08546708B2
A switch including a triggering member that is adapted to come to bear on two peripheral fixed contacts to make a first switchpath and that is deformable to make an electrical connection between these two fixed contacts and a central fixed contact to make a second switchpath consecutively to making the first switchpath. The triggering member may occupy an initial high rest position and a final low switching position toward which it is moved by an actuating member against a return force exerted by a spring that is disposed between the support for the contacts and the triggering member.
US08546705B2
This invention provides a device for preventing the influence of conducting material from point detection of projected capacitive touch panel. The device includes a first sensing layer having a plurality of first axial conductive lines isolated from each other and electrically connected to a plurality of first outside-connection conducting wires correspondingly, a second sensing layer having a plurality of second axial conductive lines isolated from each other and electrically connected to a plurality of second outside-connection conducting wires correspondingly, a signal driving line electrically connecting to the first and the second outside-connection conducting wires to provide a first sensing signal, and a sensing unit electrically connecting the first and the second outside-connection conducting wires to sense the sensing signal on the first and the second axial conductive lines. Wherein, the second sensing layer is on a dielectric layer, the first sensing layer, and a substrate in sequence.
US08546704B1
A precise-count high-volume preform delivery system. The system employs a soft-drop conveyor system that is used to deliver preforms into a container or another location. An automatically-controlled preform counting system counts preforms before they are delivered to the conveyor, to allow the number of preforms delivered by the conveyor to be determined.
US08546701B2
A method of creating an active electrode that may include providing a flex circuit having an electrode made of a first material and providing a first mask over the flex circuit, the first mask having an offset region and an opening that exposes the electrode. The method may also include depositing a second material over the offset region and the opening, the second material being different from the first material and providing a second mask over the second material, the second mask having an opening over a portion of the second material that is over the offset region.
US08546694B1
A cord management device is provided for storing excess length of electrical cord neatly in a compact space. The device provides a housing having a first open end and a second open end. The first open end and the second open end are each configured for passing a cord therethrough whereby a medial portion of the cord is positioned in the housing. The housing includes a medial portion and a medial opening positioned in the medial portion of the housing. A first access door is pivotally coupled to the housing for selectively closing over the medial opening in the medial portion of the housing.
US08546689B2
A power system including an uninterruptible power system (UPS) and a maintenance bypass panel (MBP) The UPS has an input to receive input power and an output to provide output power. The MBP has an input to receive the output power provided by the UPS and an output to provide the input power to the input of the UPS. A busbar is configured to couple one of the input of the UPS to the output of the MBP and the output of the UPS to the input of the MBP. The busbar has a first region to couple to one of the input and the output of the UPS, a second region to couple to one of the input and the output of the MBP, and a measurement region. A cover shields the busbar from inadvertent contact and includes a small diameter aperture to permit access to the measurement region of the busbar.
US08546682B2
A photoelectric converter in which an intermediate layer is provided between a first photoelectric-conversion-layer including a first p-type-semiconductor-layer and a first n-type-semiconductor-layer and a second photoelectric-conversion-layer including a second p-type-semiconductor-layer and a second n-type-semiconductor-layer. The intermediate layer includes an n-type-transparent conductive-oxide-film in contact with the first n-type-semiconductor-layer and a p-type-transparent-conductive oxide-film in contact with the second p-type-semiconductor-layer respectively having a bandgap equal to or higher than 1.5 electron volts. A width of a low carrier concentration region in a film thickness direction, in which a concentration of a free carrier formed near at least one of an interface on which the p-type-transparent-conductive-oxide-film comes into contact with the n-type-transparent-conductive-oxide-film and an interface on which the p-type-transparent-conductive-oxide-film comes into contact with the second p-type-semiconductor-layer is equal to or lower than 1×1018 cm−3, is equal to or less than 5 nanometers.
US08546677B2
An optoelectronic pickup for a musical instrument includes at least one light source which directs light to impinge a string of the musical instrument in at least one photoreceiver located to detect the reflected light, so as to generate an electrical signal that is responsive to string vibrations. A number of different filter approaches are disclosed that can control undesired effects of spurious light. The filter approaches may be structure-based, signal processing-based, and/or optics-based.
US08546668B1
A novel maize variety designated X95B333 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X95B333 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X95B333 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X95B333, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X95B333. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X95B333.
US08546653B2
A soybean cultivar designated S090130 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S090130, to the plants of soybean S090130, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S090130, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S090130 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety S090130, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S090130, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S090130 with another soybean cultivar.
US08546651B2
The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid PS 14727140 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid PS 14727140 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08546650B2
The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid PS 14763462 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid PS 14763462 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08546649B2
A white wall rocket cultivar, designated 40-0801185-B, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of white wall rocket cultivar 40-0801185-B, to the plants of white wall rocket cultivar 40-0801185-B, and to methods for producing a white wall rocket plant by crossing the cultivar 40-0801185-B with itself or another white wall rocket cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a white wall rocket plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic white wall rocket plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to white wall rocket cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from white wall rocket cultivar 40-0801185-B, to methods for producing other white wall rocket cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from white wall rocket cultivar 40-0801185-B and to the white wall rocket plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid white wall rocket seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 40-0801185-B with another white wall rocket cultivar.
US08546648B2
The present invention provides thermostable polypeptides related to Arabidopsis Rubisco Activase polypeptides. Nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention are also provided. Methods for using the polypeptides and nuclei acids of the invention to enhance resistance of plants to heat stress are encompassed.
US08546646B2
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for altering the levels of seed proteins in cereal grain. The invention is directed to the alteration of seed protein levels in plant grain, resulting in grain with increased digestibility/nutrient availability, improved amino acid composition/nutritional value, increased response to feed processing, improved silage quality, and increased efficiency of wet milling.
US08546644B2
The invention discloses a recombinant gene which enhances the ability of fish to tolerate low dissolved oxygen (DO) stress and the use thereof. Carp β-actin gene promoter is used as a promoter and Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene is used as a target gene, so as to construct the recombinant Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene driven by carp β-actin promoter. The modeling organism zebrafish is used as the research object, and the recombinant gene is microinjected into zygotes of zebrafish. After PCR screening and 156 h low DO stress test, transgenic fish are obtained with a survival rate of 92%, which is significantly different from the survival rate of 65% of the control fish group. The vhb transgenic zebrafish obtain hypoxia tolerance. When the recombinant gene is applied to the economically farmed species, i.e., blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), it enhances their hypoxia tolerance as well. Such genetically improved breeding technique may be widely used for breeding new excellent farmed species with the hypoxia tolerance.
US08546642B2
An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, includes a top sheet and a back sheet with a resilient, composite absorbent core sandwiched therebetween. To decrease the stiffness, the absorbent core includes an outer line and an inner line on each side of a longitudinal centerline. The outer line includes a plurality of slits having spaces therebetween, and the outer line extends convexly when viewed from the longitudinal centerline. The plurality of slits in the absorbent core impart better bending ability of the absorbent article, particular for stiff airlaid absorbent cores.
US08546638B2
An absorbent article comprises a signal element having a body-facing surface, a garment-facing surface, a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a z-direction. The signal element includes a water-soluble polymeric buffering film and a stimulation material. The water-soluble polymeric buffering film comprises a water-soluble base polymer. In some aspects, the stimulation material comprises a temperature change agent, and the signal element exhibits a surface temperature change of at least +/−2° C. In some aspects, the signal element exhibits a stimulation effect over at least two aqueous insults.
US08546636B1
A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.
US08546635B1
Methods and apparatuses for preparing upgraded pyrolysis oil are provided herein. In an embodiment, a method of preparing upgraded pyrolysis oil includes providing a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil stream having an original oxygen content. The biomass-derived pyrolysis oil stream is hydrodeoxygenated under catalysis in the presence of hydrogen to form a hydrodeoxygenated pyrolysis oil stream comprising a cyclic paraffin component. At least a portion of the hydrodeoxygenated pyrolysis oil stream is dehydrogenated under catalysis to form the upgraded pyrolysis oil.
US08546634B2
There is provided a method for production of a conjugated diene from a monoolefin having four or more carbon atoms by a fluidized bed reaction. The method for production of a conjugated diolefin includes bringing a catalyst in which an oxide is supported on a carrier into contact with a monoolefin having four or more carbon atoms in a fluidized bed reactor in which the catalyst and oxygen are present, wherein the method satisfies the following (1) to (3): (1) the catalyst contains Mo, Bi, and Fe; (2) a reaction temperature is in the range of 300 to 420° C.; and (3) an oxygen concentration in a reactor outlet gas is in the range of 0.05 to 3.0% by volume.
US08546631B2
Disclosed is a method for removing unsaturated aliphatic compounds from a hydrocarbon feed stream by contacting the hydrocarbon feed stream with activated carbon to produce a hydrocarbon effluent stream having a lower unsaturated aliphatic content relative to the hydrocarbon feed stream. The hydrocarbon feed stream comprises an aromatic compound, a nitrogen compound, and an unsaturated aliphatic compound.
US08546627B2
The present invention is directed to renewable compositions derived from fermentation of biomass, and integrated methods of preparing such compositions.
US08546620B2
A process includes receiving a process stream including at least about 80.0% by weight propylene glycol, and contacting the process stream with an absorbent material to produce a product stream. The absorbent material is configured to preferentially absorb ethylene glycol relative to propylene glycol.
US08546617B1
A dioxaborinane compound, or salt thereof, where boron has two oxy substituents, each independently substituted with H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, —C(O)R3, —C(O)OR3, —C(O)NHR3, or the two oxy substituents, together with the oxygen atoms to which they are bonded, join to form a 5- or 6-membered ring; and R3 is H, alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl, where the alkyl and alkenyl are optionally interrupted with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms; and where boron also has the substituent -L-X1-PG1; where L may be absent, or alkylenyl, alkenylenyl, or arylene, where the alkylenyl and alkenylenyl are optionally interrupted with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms; X1 is absent, or is amino, oxo, thio, or phosphino; and PG1 is a polymerizable group. The dioxaborinane compound can be used as a wood preservative.
US08546610B2
A method for preparing a phenylalanine derivative having a quinazoline-dione ring represented by the following formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising the following steps (a), (b) and (c): (a) reacting an acyl phenylalanine derivative represented by the following formula (2): with a carbonyl group-introducing reagent and a specific anthranilic acid derivative to thus form the corresponding carboxy-asymmetric urea derivative; (b) converting the carboxy-asymmetric urea derivative into the corresponding quinazoline-dione derivative in the presence of a carboxyl group-activating agent: (c) if desired, substituting an N-alkyl group for the hydrogen atom bonded to the nitrogen atom present in the quinazoline-dione ring of the quinazoline-dione derivative using an N-alkylation agent and then deprotecting the resulting product, when the substituent R3′ which is a group corresponding to R3 is protected. According to this method, there can be obtained a phenylalanine derivative having a quinazoline-dione skeleton in a industrially favorably high yield.
US08546602B2
The invention is directed to 5,6-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-one compounds of Formula I wherein X is N, and A is and compounds used to synthesize the compounds of Formula I.
US08546601B2
A storage stable mixture containing 86 to 97% by weight of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile, 2 to 14% by weight of water, 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of HCN and having a pH of 1 to 4, measured using a pH electrode at 23° C. is provided. A method to produce the storage stable mixture and its use in manufacture of DL-methionine or 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid is also provided.
US08546600B2
The present invention provides a step-wise process for preparation of a bisphosphite. In step (a) the process prepares a phosphoromonochloridite in high yield, by contacting phosphorus trichloride with an aromatic diol in a slurry under reaction conditions and in the presence of a second aromatic diol to produce a mixture comprising the phosphoromonochloridite, the second aromatic diol, and excess PCl3. The slurry comprises less than 5 mole percent of a nitrogen base, and the organic solvent is selected for its low hydrogen chloride solubility. After removing the excess PCl3, a nitrogen base is added to effect condensation of the phosphoromonochloridite with the second aromatic diol to yield the bisphosphite. The invention particularly provides a process for preparing 6,6′-(3,3′,5,5′-tetra-tert-butylbiphenyl-2,2′-diyl)bis(oxy)didibenzo[d,f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepine by the above route.
US08546595B2
Halogen substituted metallocene compounds are described and comprise one or more monocyclic or polycyclic ligands that are pi-bonded to the metal atom and include at least one halogen substituent directly bonded to an sp2 carbon atom at a bondable ring position of the ligand, wherein the or at least one ligand has one or more ring heteroatoms in its cyclic structure. When combined with a suitable activator, these compounds show activity in the polymerization of olefins, such as ethylene and propylene.
US08546592B2
A process for the production of an olefin oxide, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in a reactor tube in the presence of a silver-containing catalyst, wherein the presence of water in the catalyst bed is controlled such that the ratio of the partial pressure of water (PPH2O) divided by the vapor pressure of water (VPH2O) is less than 0.006, preferably less than 0.004.
US08546578B2
This disclosure relates to compounds, reagents, and methods useful in the synthesis of aryl fluorides, for example, in the preparation of 18F labeled radiotracers. For example, this disclosure provides universal “locked” aryl substituents that result in StereoElectronic Control of Unidirectional Reductive Elimination (SECURE) from diaryliodonium salts. The reagents and methods provided herein may be used to access a broad range of compounds, including aromatic compounds, heteroaromatic compounds, amino acids, nucleotides, and synthetic compounds.
US08546571B2
A process for preparing the S or R enantiomer of a compound of formula A, the process comprising subjecting a compound of formula B to asymmetric hydrogenation in the presence of a chiral catalyst and a source of hydrogen, wherein: X is CH2, oxygen or sulphur; R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and signify hydrogens, halogens, alkyl, alkyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylamino or dialkylamino group; and R4 is alkyl or aryl, wherein: the term alkyl means hydrocarbon chains, straight or branched, containing from one to six carbon atoms, optionally substituted by aryl, alkoxy, halogen, alkoxycarbonyl or hydroxycarbonyl groups; the term aryl means a phenyl or naphthyl group, optionally substituted by alkyloxy, halogen or nitro group; and the term halogen means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
US08546564B2
Provided herein are compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, or mixtures thereof, wherein Z1, Z2, X1, X2, X3, R1, R2 R3, m and n are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutically acceptable compositions that include a compound of formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Also provided are methods for treating FAAH-mediated disorders comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition of the present invention.
US08546557B2
The invention provides compounds and methods for making adenosine-ribofuranoside tetraphosphate compounds. The compounds are contemplated to have activity at the P2Y receptor and may be used in the treatment of medical disorders such as cystic fibrosis and upper respiratory disorders.
US08546534B2
The present invention provides a particular branched chain-containing aromatic compound. The branched chain-containing aromatic compound of the present invention is easily-soluble in isopropyl acetate superior in liquid-separation operability, and can be used for a production method of peptide and the like, which provides a final product simply by extraction separation, without crystallization and isolation of each intermediate in each step.
US08546528B2
The invention is directed to peptides. Specifically, the invention is directed to peptides which bind skin and do not bind hair. Alternatively, the invention is drawn to peptides which bind hair and do not bind skin.
US08546527B2
The present invention provides a novel membrane protein molecular weight marker.
US08546524B2
Disclosed is an isolated or purified polypeptide or peptidomimetic comprising an amino acid sequence of a portion of a Smoothened (SMO) protein, wherein the portion comprises an amino acid sequence of any of the intracellular loops of the SMO protein, a functional fragment thereof, or a functional variant of either the portion or the functional fragment, wherein the functional fragment comprises at least 7 contiguous amino acids of the intracellular loops, and wherein the functional fragment or functional variant inhibits proliferation of a diseased cell, or a fatty acid derivative thereof. Related conjugates, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, and pharmaceutical compositions are further provided. Methods of inhibiting proliferation of a diseased cell, treating or preventing cancer, treating a neoplasm or psoriasis, and inhibiting the expression of genes involved in the Hedgehog signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the Hedgehog signaling pathway, are furthermore provided by the invention.
US08546519B2
The invention relates to polyketal compounds. The compounds are synthesized by the selective ketalization of oxocarboxylic acids, e.g. keto acids and semialdehydes, and esters thereof with tetrols and higher polyols that products two or more cyclic ketal ester moieties per molecule, wherein the cyclic ketal moieties are situated in a bis-, tris-, or polyketal conformation. The invention further relates to applications of these compounds and subsequent reactions thereof.
US08546516B2
A thermoplastic polymer composition comprises a combination of: 40 to 60 pbw, of a polyetherimides, polyetherimide sulfones, or combination thereof having a weight average molecular weight from 5,000 to 80,000 Daltons; 40 to 60 pbw of a polyethylene terephthalate, the polyethylene terephthalate having a diethylene glycol content from 0.1 to 4 wt %, based on the weight of the polyethylene terephthalate, an intrinsic viscosity that is more than 0 and less than 0.83 dl/g, and carboxylic acid end groups in an amount from 10 to 150 meq/Kg; from 0 pbw to 1 pbw, based on 100 pbw of the polymer composition of a stabilizer selected from phenol-containing stabilizers, phosphorus-containing stabilizers, or a combination thereof; and, based on the weight of the polyethylene terephthalate, 10 to 300 antimony; 0 to 300 ppm of cobalt; and 0 to 300 ppm of titanium; wherein the polymer composition is bisphenol A free.
US08546510B2
Provided are a crystalline resin cured product which shows high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, high heat resistance, low moisture absorption, and good gas barrier properties and a crystalline resin composite material produced therefrom. Further provided is a method for producing the crystalline resin cured product and the crystalline resin composite material. The crystalline resin cured product is obtained by the reaction of an aromatic diglycidyl compound or a diglycidyl resin with an aromatic dihydroxy compound or with a dihydroxy resin and it shows a heat of melting of 10 J/g or more in differential thermal analysis while the endothermic peak corresponding to the melting appears in the range of 120 to 320° C. The crystalline resin composite material is obtained by combining the crystalline resin cured product with a filler or a base material. The crystalline resin cured product has a unit represented by -A-O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—B—, wherein A and B are divalent aromatic groups.
US08546509B2
Functionalized particles having fully formed shells and cores comprising a polyurethane or polyurea matrix obtained by interfacial addition polymerisation of (i) at least one polyisocyanate derivative selected from the group of partially blocked polyisocyanates and polyisocyanates partially modified with fiber reactive groups and (ii) at least one polyamine or polyhydric alcohol, said functionalized particles being capable to chemically or physically bind to a substrate.
US08546504B2
The present invention relates to a process comprising extruding a blend of an first propylene polymer comprising a non-phenolic stabilizer and a non-irradiated second propylene polymer, wherein the irradiation of the first propylene polymer was conducted in a reduced oxygen environment, and the irradiated first propylene polymer and the non-irradiated second propylene polymer were blended at a temperature below the melting point of the first and second propylene polymers.
US08546495B2
Polyaniline is added into a glycidyl group- or isocyanate group-containing (meth)acrylate to obtain a polyaniline-added prepolymer, and then the obtained polyaniline-added prepolymer and another unsaturated group-containing monomer undergo additive copolymerization at their respective double bonds to obtain a polyaniline graft polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000.
US08546494B2
An isocyanate-terminated prepolymer having three components. The first component is 30-60 wt % polymerized residues of a first polyol containing a substituent of formula (I) attached via a carbon-carbon single bond to a saturated carbon atom in a fatty acid hydrocarbyl group; wherein R1 and R2 are esterified residues of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diols; and wherein the first polyol contains: (i) from 0.33 to 0.4 units of formula (I) per fatty acid hydrocarbyl group, and (ii) from 0 to 12 wt % esterified residues of at least one C4-C12 anhydride, C4-C12 diacid or C4-C12 lactone, not including units of formula (I) attached to a fatty acid hydrocarbyl group; and wherein the first polyol has a hydroxyl number from 75 to 150 mg KOH/g. The second component is 40-55 wt % polymerized residues of diphenyl methane diisocyanate. The third component is 0-20 wt % polymerized residues of a glycol having Mn from 300 to 3500.
US08546488B2
Cleavable, disulfide-coupled block copolymers as can be used in the preparation of nanoporous thin films, micellar configurations and related structures.
US08546487B2
The present invention provides an efficient delivery system for a nucleic acid, more specifically, a cationic poly(amino acid) that has a side chain having a plurality of different amine functional groups in a moiety including a cationic group and that has a hydrophobic group introduced into part of the side chain, and a polyion complex (PIC) of the poly(amino acid) and an oligo- or polynucleotide.
US08546486B2
Low VOC thermosetting polyester acrylic resins are made by esterification of unsaturated epoxide such as glycidyl methacrylate, and a polyacid which is the half-ester formed by reacting an acid or its anhydride with a polyol is disclosed. The obtained low viscosity resin is useful for making a low or zero VOC gel coat with excellent hydrolytic and weather resistance.
US08546482B2
This invention provides stable aqueous compositions including stable coating compositions, and methods of their production. The stable aqueous compositions and stable aqueous coating compositions comprise one or more emulsion-polymerized addition polymer, one or more carboxylesterase enzyme, and one or more carboxylesterase deactivating agent, such that the ester hydrolysis activity in the composition is less than 0.010 micromole/minute, and wherein the aqueous composition has a headspace volatile organic compound (VOC) content, as measured by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at 33° C., of less than 10 ppm of organic carboxylester with a normal boiling point of less than 150° C. and more than 50 ppm of mono-alcohol with a formula molecular weight of less than 76. The carboxylesterase enzyme is employed to minimize the free carboxylester content in the composition, thereby providing a low odor composition, and the carboxylesterase is deactivated in situ in order to minimize the residual carboxylesterase enzyme activity.
US08546481B2
An aqueous dispersion containing a graft copolymer satisfying (a) to (e) and water: (a) a graft rate is 1 to 150% by mass, (b) a weight average molecular weight is 500 to 400000, (c) a molecular weight distribution is 1.5 to 4, (d) a main chain containing a monomer unit having a hydrophilic group and (e) an α-olefin homopolymerization or α-olefin/ethylene copolymerization side chain, wherein a mesopentad ratio [mmmm] of the polymerization chain is 30 to 80 mole %.
US08546469B2
A glass fiber-reinforced polyester resin composition including: (A) about 30 to about 80 wt % of two or more kinds of polyester resin; (B) about 20 to about 70 wt % of a vinyl-based copolymer including an acrylic-based graft copolymer, a rubber modified vinyl-based graft copolymer, a copolymer of aromatic vinyl monomers and unsaturated nitrile monomers, or a combination thereof; and (C) about 10 to about 100 parts by weight of glass fiber, based on about 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the polyester resin (A) and the vinyl-based copolymer (B), wherein the polyester resin includes polyethylene terephthalate resin having crystallinity of about 40% or more, is provided.
US08546466B2
According to the invention, there is provided an image recording composition comprising a curable material capable of immobilizing a colorant material in a received ink and curable by an external stimulus.
US08546465B2
An aqueous ink for an inkjet, comprising a pigment, a polymer compound that coats the pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, wherein the polymer compound has a β-diketone group and a cationic salt-forming group, and also includes a cross-linked structure based on a siloxane linkage.
US08546462B2
A bone cement is provided that includes a solid component and a liquid component. The solid component and liquid component are mixed together to form the bone cement. After completion of the solid and liquid component mixing, the bone cement has an initial viscosity effective for manual application or manual injection onto or into a targeted anatomical location, e.g., bone, and the cement has stable viscosity range that over both time and temperature is effective for uniformly filling the targeted anatomical location, for example an osteoporotic bone or a fractured vertebral body, with minimal to no leakage of the cement from the targeted anatomical location. Additionally, both the initial viscosity and the stable viscosity of the bone cement are within a range that renders the bone cement effective for injection with a manually operated syringe or multiple syringes.
US08546453B2
The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical formulations containing propofol, methods for making such formulations, and methods for administering propofol at a pH above about 6.5, wherein the pain normally associated with propofol administration is reduced.
US08546444B2
Natural and synthetic compounds having a lactone structure methods for alleviation of pain, especially pain associated with disorders such as melanoma, leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, esophagus cancer, liver cancer, and lymphatic cancer. Initial studies have shown that patients can be taken off of morphine when the preferred alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone is administered in a dosage of between 60 and 120 mg/day intramuscularly.
US08546440B2
The present invention is concerned with novel substituted bicyclic imidazole derivatives of Formula (I) wherein R0, R1, R3, R4, X, A1, A2, A3, A4, Y1, Y2 and Y3 have the meaning defined in the claims. The compounds according to the present invention are useful as gamma secretase modulators. The invention further relates to processes for preparing such novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said novel compound as an active ingredient as well as the use of said compounds as a medicament.
US08546436B2
Crystalline polymorph forms of 2-(5-bromo-4-(4-cyclopropyl naphthalen-1-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylthio)acetic acid are described. Pharmaceutical compositions and the uses of such compounds, compound forms, and compositions for the treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions are also presented.
US08546435B2
The present invention provides novel triazole derivatives with improved receptor activity and bioavailability properties as ghrelin analogue ligands of growth hormone secretagogue receptors according to formula (I) that are useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathophysiological conditions in mammals, preferably humans, that are mediated by GHS receptors. The present invention further provides GHS receptor antagonists and agonists that can be used for modulation of these receptors and are useful for treating above conditions, in particular alcohol disorder, drug abuse, growth retardation, cachexia, short-, medium-, and/or long term regulation of energy balance, short-, medium-, and/or long term regulation (stimulation and/or inhibition) of food intake, intake of rewarding food, adipogenesis, adiposity and/or obesity, body weight gain and/or reduction, diabetes, diabetes type I, diabetes type II, tumor cell proliferation, inflammation, inflammatory effects, gastric postoperative ileus, postoperative ileus and/or gastrectomy (ghrelin replacement therapy).
US08546433B2
This invention is directed to methods of preventing, treating or managing cancer, preferably metastatic cancer, in a patient. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of an Axl inhibitor in combination with the administration of an effective amount of one or more chemotherapeutic agents.
US08546423B2
Disclosed herein are formulations of fluoroquinolones suitable for aerosolization and use of such formulations for aerosol administration of fluoroquinolone antimicrobials for the treatment of pulmonary bacterial infections. In particular, inhaled levofloxacin specifically formulated and delivered for bacterial infections of the lungs is described. Methods include inhalation protocols and manufacturing procedures for production and use of the compositions described.
US08546413B2
Pyrimidinylpyrrolopyridinone derivatives of formula (I) as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed; the compounds of the invention may be useful, in therapy, in the treatment of diseases associated with a disregulated protein kinase activity, like cancer.
US08546409B2
The invention provides methods that relate to a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hematological malignancies and inflammatory diseases. In particular, the method comprises administration of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising such compound admixed with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
US08546403B2
Described herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, which modulate the activity of store-operated calcium (SOC) channels. Also described herein are methods of using such SOC channel modulators, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions that would benefit from inhibition of SOC channel activity.
US08546397B2
A number of DNA methylation inhibitors are described. The DNA methylation inhibitors were identified using a two-component enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter system to screen a compound library containing procainamide derivatives. The DNA methylation inhibitors can be used for cancer therapy and prevention.
US08546387B2
The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds for treating proliferative disorders, cancer, etc., and more specifically to certain pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-8-substituted compounds, as described herein, which, inter alia, inhibit RAF (e.g., B-RAF) activity. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit RAF (e.g., BRAF) activity, to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity, to inhibit cell proliferation, and in the treatment of diseases and disorders that are ameliorated by the inhibition of RAF, RTK, etc., proliferative disorders such as cancer (e.g., colorectal cancer, melanoma), etc.
US08546379B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds of Formula (I): which act as 5HT2C receptor modulators. These compounds are useful in pharmaceutical compositions whose use includes the treatment of obesity.
US08546377B2
The present application relates to 1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydropyrazino[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepine, 1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydropyrazino[1,2-a][1,5]benzodiazepine, 2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,11b-octahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-d][2]benzazepine, 1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydropyrazino[1,2-a][1]benzazepine, 1,2,3,4,4a,5-hexahydro-7H-pyrazino[1,2-a][4,1]benzoxazepine, and 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1H-pyrazino[2,1-d][1,5]benzoxazepine, and 5,6,7,7a,8,9,10,11-octahydropyrazino[1,2-d]pyrido[3,2-b][1,4]diazepine derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X1, X2, X3, X4, Y1, Y2, and Y3 are as defined in the specification. The present application also relates to compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treating disease conditions using such compounds and compositions, and methods for identifying such compounds.
US08546374B2
A compound having Formula (I) or Formula (II) is disclosed as an P2X7 antagonist, wherein A, B, C, Y, Y, Z, m, v, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5, are as defined in the description. Methods and compositions for treating disease or condition modulated by P2X7 are also disclosed.
US08546368B2
Compounds of Formula (I) inhibit the PARP enzyme and are useful for treating a disease or a disorder associated with PARP. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I), methods of treatment comprising compounds of Formula (I), and methods of inhibiting the PARP enzyme comprising compounds of Formula (I).
US08546363B2
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of otic disorders with steroid, NSAID, and/or adenosine triphosphatase (“ATPase”) modulator agents. In these methods, the steroidal, NSAID, and/or ATPase compositions and formulations are administered locally to an individual afflicted with an otic disorder, through direct application of these compositions and formulations onto or via perfusion into the targeted auris structure(s).
US08546362B2
The present invention is directed to a composition for treating bacterial skin infections & skin inflammation, along with skin rejuvenation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical cream comprising a biopolymer, a corticosteroid and an antibacterial active ingredient. It discloses a composition for treating bacterial skin infections & skin inflammation, along with skin rejuvenation containing a) a biopolymer in the form of chitosan, b) a combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), neomycin sulphate & betamethasone valerate used in treating bacterial skin infections & skin inflammations, c) a cream base containing primary and secondary emulsifiers, waxy materials, co-solvents, acids, preservatives, buffering agents, anti oxidants, chelating agents, and humectants and d) water. The active ingredients, namely chitosan, a corticosteroid Betamethasone Valerate, and an antibacterial agent Neomycin Sulphate, are incorporated in cream base for use in treating bacterial skin infections and skin inflammation due to allergy & itching, & wounds on human skin involving contacting human skin with the above identified composition.
US08546355B2
A stable composition for removing unwanted molecules from a surface comprises functionally-available cyclodextrin, cyclodextrin-compatible surfactant, and cyclodextrin-incompatible surfactant. The compositions are suitable for capturing unwanted molecules from inanimate surfaces, including fabrics, including carpets, and hard surfaces including countertops, dishes, floors, garbage cans, ceilings, walls, carpet padding, air filters, and the like, and from animate surfaces, including skin, hair, and the like. The compositions can further comprise other cyclodextrin-compatible and -incompatible materials and other optional ingredients.
US08546353B2
The present invention relates to a combination of a hyaluronan oligomer and/or polymer and a factor capable of mobilizing stem cells. The present invention also relates to a method for altering the relative amounts of blood cells and/or the types of blood cells in a subject by administering the combination to the subject. Further, the present invention relates to a method for mobilizing stem cells to the bloodstream of a subject by administering the combination to the subject. Additionally, the present invention relates to a hyaluronan oligomer and/or polymer.
US08546348B2
Disclosed are methods for treating pain in a subject. The method includes upregulating expression of opioid receptors in the subject's dorsal root ganglion or trigeminal neurons. Also disclosed are methods of treating neuropathic and/or chronic pain in a subject. The method includes upregulating expression of μ-opioid or δ-opioid receptors in the subject's dorsal root ganglion or trigeminal neurons.
US08546347B2
The present invention relates to a composition for the treatment and improvement of diabetes comprising caveolin as an active ingredient and a method for treating diabetes using the same, more precisely a composition comprising caveolin-1 as an active ingredient for the treatment and improvement of type II diabetes which is age-dependent but not showing obesity symptom and a method for treating diabetes using the same. The treatment method and composition of the present invention is very effective in improving and treating diabetes by regulating insulin sensitivity by increasing caveolin level in muscle tissues of type II diabetes patient which is age-dependent but not showing obesity symptom.
US08546342B2
A composition of three compounds each selected from a selective re-uptake inhibitor of serotonin, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, such that all three compounds are different and are naturally occurring.
US08546339B2
Soothing cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition that includes at least one peptide as an active principle that activates human HMG-CoA reductase of general formula (I): R1-(AA)n-X1-Gly-Lys-X2-(AA)p-R2 and is chosen from among sequences SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 10, in a physiologically suitable medium is described. This novel peptide is designed to act as a soothing active principle capable of providing a solution to skin sensitivity in a cosmetic composition. The invention further applies to a cosmetic treatment method intended to combat skin irritations.
US08546337B2
Self-assembling peptide nanoparticles (SAPN) incorporating T-cell epitopes and/or B-cell epitopes are described. The nanoparticles of the invention consist of aggregates of a continuous peptidic chain comprising two oligomerization domains connected by a linker segment wherein one or both oligomerization domains incorporate T-cell epitopes and/or B-cell epitopes within their peptide sequence. These nanoparticles are useful as vaccines and adjuvants.
US08546333B2
Provided are method of generating a fiber from a globular protein such as albumin. Also provided are albumin fibers and fabrics and methods of using same for bonding a damaged tissue or for ex vivo or in vivo formation of a tissue.
US08546328B2
The present invention relates to a liquid pharmaceutical composition comprising a granulocyte colony stimulating factor polypeptide conjugated with a polymer, the composition having a pH value in the range of 4.5 to 5.5. The composition further comprises a surfactant and optionally one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. Further, the composition of the invention is free from tartaric acid or salts thereof and from succinic acid and salts thereof as buffering agents and does not contain amino acids as stabilizer. The composition has a good storage stability and is especially useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of disorders and medical indications where granulocyte colony stimulating factor preparations are considered as useful remedies.
US08546325B2
It has now been found that after administration to a diseased person or person that is at risk for developing such disease of a neutraceutical or pharmaceutical composition that comprises a) a lipid fraction comprising at least one of docosahexaneoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); b) a protein fraction comprising proteinaceous material from non-human origin which provide at least cysteine and/or taurine; and c) a mineral fraction comprising at least one of manganese and molybdene, the health of these persons improves. Membrane function of several types of mammalian cells improves, which allows efficient treatment of immune related disorders, such as allergy, autoimmune diseases, cancer, cognitive dysfunction and other diseases of the nervous system, neuropathies, such as diabetic neuropathies and neuropathic pains, neuronal damage during insulin resistance, and gut diseases and support of the development of gut and lung function during growth or recovery.
US08546315B2
A personal cleansing composition includes soap at a concentration of at least 10 weight percent of the composition; and talc having a primarily triclinic crystal structure, the talc being included at a concentration of between 0.1 and 15 weight percent of the composition. A method for enhancing lathering properties of a bar soap includes the step of molding a bar soap from such a composition.
US08546305B2
The invention relates to active compound combinations, in particular a fungicidal and/or insecticidal composition, comprising Isotianil (3,4-dichloro-N-(2-cyanophenyl)-5-isothiazolecarboxamide) and at least one further insecticide of the anthranilamide group and optionally one further insecticide of the neonicotinoids. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or pests of plants or crops, to the use of a combination according to the invention for the treatment of seed, to a method for protecting a seed and not at least to the treated seed.
US08546304B2
The present invention relates to plant-protecting active ingredient mixtures comprising, as active components, a neonicotinoid and one or two fungicides selected from pyraclostrobin and boscalid, in synergistically effective amounts and to a method of improving the health of plants by to the plants or the locus thereof by applying said mixtures.
US08546301B2
Multi-ply thermally printable constructs include a thermal print medium sandwiched between two opaque substrates that are temporarily bonded together to prevent information that is thermally printed through one of the substrates from being viewed until the substrates are separated. The thermal print medium, opaque substrates, and the means for bonding the substrates can take various forms for achieving particular objectives.
US08546296B2
An exhaust gas-purifying catalyst includes a substrate, and a catalytic layer supported by the substrate. The catalytic layer includes a support made of alumina, an oxygen storage material, an alkaline earth metal and/or a compound of alkaline-earth metal selectively supported by a surface of the support and dispersed on the surface of the support, and a precious metal supported by the surface of the support. A ratio of a number of moles of the alkaline-earth metal in the catalytic layer with respect to a volumetric capacity of the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst falls within a range of 0.0004 mol/L to 0.35 mol/L.
US08546295B2
A process for preparing shaped catalyst bodies whose active composition is a multielement oxide, in which a finely divided precursor mixture with addition of graphite having a specific particle size is shaped to the desired geometry and then treated thermally.
US08546289B2
A solid catalyst component for olefin polymerization in which the molar ratio of residual alkoxy groups to supported titanium is 0.60 or less is obtained by reacting the following compound (a1) with the following compound (b1) at a hydroxyl group/magnesium molar ratio of 1.0 or more, reacting the reaction mixture with the following compound (c1) at a halogen/magnesium molar ratio of 0.20 or more, reacting the resultant reaction mixture with the following compounds (d1) and (e) at a temperature of 120° C. or higher but 150° C. or lower, washing the reaction mixture with an inert solvent, reacting the reaction mixture with the following compound (e) again at the above temperature and washing the reaction mixture with an inert solvent, whereby there can be provided the solid catalyst component for olefin polymerization and a catalyst for olefin polymerization which have high polymerization activity and give an olefin polymer having a less residual Cl content and being excellent in stereoregularity and powder form and a process for producing an olefin polymer, (a1) an oxide of at least one element that is selected from Group II to Group IV elements and which supports an alcohol-free halogen-containing magnesium compound, (b1) an alcohol, (c1) a halogen-containing silicon compound, (d1) an electron-donating compound, and (e) a halogen-containing titanium compound.
US08546276B2
Disclosed are group IV metal-containing precursors and their use in the deposition of group IV metal-containing films {nitride, oxide and metal) at high process temperature. The use of cyclopentadienyl and imido ligands linked to the metal center secures thermal stability, allowing a large deposition temperature window, and low impurity contamination. The group IV metal (titanium, zirconium, hafnium)-containing f{umlaut over (υ)}m depositions may be carried out by thermal and/or plasma-enhanced CVD, ALD, and pulse CVD.
US08546257B2
Electrode arrays and methods of fabricating the same using a printing plate to arrange conductive particles in alignment with an array of electrodes are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor topography comprising an array of electrodes disposed upon a semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer residing upon the semiconductor topography; and at least one conductive particle disposed in or on the dielectric layer in alignment with at least one of the array of electrodes.
US08546251B1
A method of manufacturing a read only memory cell includes connecting electrically a drain of the transistor to the bit line with a first conductor and a via. The method also includes generating a logic zero at a source of the transistor by electrically connecting the source of the transistor to a ground line with the first conductor. Further, the method includes, programming the read only memory cell to logic zero. A method of manufacturing a read only memory cell includes connecting electrically a drain of the transistor to the bit line with a first conductor and a via. The method also includes, connecting electrically a source of the transistor to the drain with the first conductor. Further, the method includes programming the read only memory cell to logic one.
US08546248B2
A method of forming a polycrystalline silicon layer and an atomic layer deposition apparatus used for the same. The method includes forming an amorphous silicon layer on a substrate, exposing the substrate having the amorphous silicon layer to a hydrophilic or hydrophobic gas atmosphere, placing a mask having at least one open and at least one closed portion over the amorphous silicon layer, irradiating UV light toward the amorphous silicon layer and the mask using a UV lamp, depositing a crystallization-inducing metal on the amorphous silicon layer, and annealing the substrate to crystallize the amorphous silicon layer into a polycrystalline silicon layer. This method and apparatus provide for controlling the seed position and grain size in the formation of a polycrystalline silicon layer.