US08577496B1
An approach is provided to move an object across a surface using a grid of vertically-adjustable low friction transfer modules. A first set of transfer modules is selected from the grid, with the first set of modules being underneath the object. Back-side and front-side sets of modules are identified from the selected first set of modules, with the back-side sets being toward the back of the object opposite to the horizontal direction and the front-side sets being toward the front side of the object that faces the horizontal direction. The back-side and front-side sets are vertically adjusted so that the average of the back-side sets of vertical heights is higher than the average of the front-side sets of vertical heights. The vertical adjustment of the transfer modules causes the object to move across the tops of the transfer modules in the horizontal direction.
US08577485B2
A method for processing an audio signal, comprising: receiving the audio signal; and processing the received audio signal, wherein the audio signal is processed according to a scheme comprising: comparing a size information of at least two blocks of A+1 level with a size information of a block of A level corresponding to the at least two of A+1 level; and, determining the at least two blocks of A+1 level as an optimum block if the size information of the at least two blocks of A+1 level is less than the size information of the block of A level is disclosed. A method for processing an audio signal, comprising: receiving the audio signal; and processing the received audio signal, wherein the audio signal is processed according to a scheme comprising: comparing a size information of a block of A level with a size information of at least two blocks of A+1 level; and, determining the block of A level as an optimum block if the size information of the block of A level is less than the size information of the at least two blocks of A+1 level is disclosed.
US08577478B2
A device may include a primary antenna configured to be located external to a subject and at least one processor in electrical communication with the primary antenna. The at least one processor may be configured to cause transmission of a primary signal from the primary antenna to an implantable device, wherein the implantable device includes at least one pair of modulation electrodes. The at least one processor may be further configured to adjust one or more characteristics of the primary signal to generate a sub-modulation control signal adapted so as not to cause a neuromuscular modulation inducing current at the at least one pair of modulation electrodes when received by the implantable device and to generate a modulation control signal adapted so as to cause a neuromuscular modulation inducing current at the at least one pair of modulation electrodes when received by the implantable device.
US08577470B2
In many aspects, the invention relates to systems and methods for providing memory therapy by modulating neural firing rhythms, in particular in Alzheimer's patients. The stimulation of neurons is controlled through a feedback process whereby neuron firing rhythms are altered based on naturally occurring electrical and chemical activity in the brain. Neurons in the nucleus basalis and dentate gyrus may be targeted in order to establish neural signaling pathways and establish communication between these regions.
US08577467B2
A device for delivering energy as a function of degree coupling may include an external unit configured for location external to a body of a subject and at least one processor associated with the implant unit and configured for electrical communication with a power source. The device may further include a primary antenna associated with the at least one processor. The processor may be configured to determine a degree of coupling between the primary antenna and a secondary antenna associated with the implant unit, and regulate delivery of power to the implant unit based on the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna.
US08577466B2
An implant unit configured for implantation into a body of a subject may include an antenna configured to receive a signal. The implant unit may also include at least one pair of modulation electrodes configured to be implanted into the body of the subject in the vicinity of at least one nerve to be modulated, the at least one pair of modulation electrodes being configured to receive an applied electric signal in response to the signal received by the antenna and generate an electrical field to modulate the at least one nerve from a position where the at least one pair of modulation electrodes does not contact the at least one nerve.
US08577464B2
A device according to some embodiments may include a housing configured for location external to a body of a subject. The device may also include at least one processor associated with the housing and configured to communicate with a circuit implanted in the subject within proximity to a tongue of the subject, wherein the circuit is in electrical communication with at least one electrode, receive a physiological signal from the subject via the circuit, and send a control signal to the implanted circuit in response to the physiological signal, wherein the control signal is predetermined to activate neuromuscular tissue within the tongue.
US08577457B2
Techniques are described for detecting lead-related conditions for implantable electrical leads. In some of the described embodiments, an implantable electrical lead assembly is provided with a coupling member for connecting a conductor and associated insulator(s) to an electrode/sensing element. The implantable medical device controls and performs a measurement of an electrical property of the electrical lead during periods when the conductor is decoupled from the electrode/sensing element. An indication of a lead-related condition is derived based on the measured electrical property. The lead-related condition may be associated with an insulator of a lead body of the electrical lead.
US08577451B2
Methods and systems for assessing brain activity and collecting information related to a patient's condition and brain electrical activity are provided.
US08577450B1
Methods and systems for mapping cardiac electrical activity employ a cardiac catheter having a plurality of spines mounted at the distal end, each spine having a plurality of electrodes. Electrical signal data are obtained from the heart via the electrodes, and respective intracardiac locations and orientations of the spines are sensed. An electroanatomic map of the heart is derived from the signal data, and presented as a graphic representation of the respective intracardiac locations and orientations of the spines, with distinctive graphical indicia of at least portions of the spines. The method is further carried out by displaying the electroanatomic map, and responsively to the displayed electroanatomic map, adjusting at least one of the locations and orientations of at least one of the spines.
US08577442B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image generating unit. The data acquisition unit sets a delay time from a reference wave based on heart rate information or peripheral pulse wave information previously acquired from an object and acquires MR signals by an imaging scan with a delay time and in synchronization with a blood flow beat. The delay time represents a time phase for image data acquisition timing in synchronization with the beat. The image generating unit generates a blood flow image based on the magnetic resonance signals.
US08577440B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensor designs or shapes configured to facilitate placement of sensor electrodes and, thus, proper positioning of the sensors on patients. According to certain embodiments, a sensor may include a substrate that includes multiple electrodes, where a first electrode is configured to be placed on a patient's temple and a second electrode is configured to be placed on a patient's forehead directly above a patient's eyebrow. The sensor may include a particular shape and a fixed distance between the first and second electrodes to facilitate proper angling and positioning of the first and second electrodes as well as the other electrodes (e.g., third and fourth electrodes). Other embodiments may include a method for positioning the sensor on the patient, including a monitor with help screens.
US08577414B2
A method and apparatus for establishing communication between a plurality of communication devices and a communication network using a single subscription is provided. The method receives a first request from a second communication device to get a subscription identity and capabilities of subscription for accessing the communication network using subscription of the first communication device. The method then sends the first request to a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) associated with the first communication device. Thereafter, the method receives a response from the USIM including subscription identity, access protection keys and capabilities of the subscription. Then the method generates unique key for the second communication device based on the response received from the USIM. The method then sends the response along with the generated unique key to the second communication device to establish communication between the second communication device and the communication network using the subscription of first communication device.
US08577411B2
A mobile terminal 20 receives a scene notification message via a communication network 10. The scene notification message at least includes scene identification information for identifying a scene corresponding to a part of a broadcast program, broadcast identification information on the time-difference broadcast of the scene, and URL information for accessing a server in which scene data is stored. Based on the scene notification message, the mobile terminal 20 receives a time-difference broadcast if it is a time at which the scene can be viewed by the time-difference broadcast and, if not, accesses a server 48, in which the data of the scene is stored, to acquire the data of the scene.
US08577409B2
A mobile terminal and broadcast controlling method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes receiving a broadcast control information on a broadcast content from an external terminal, identifying the broadcast content corresponding to the received broadcast control information using a broadcast relevant information, setting the received broadcast control information on the identified broadcast content, and controlling an output operation of the identified broadcast content according to the set broadcast control information.
US08577402B2
An apparatus including a processor, a computer readable storage medium, and a lookup memory. The computer readable storage medium generally contains computer executable instruction that when executed by the processor perform operations involving fixed point multiplication. The lookup memory generally stores values used in the fixed point multiplication. The values stored in the lookup memory are approximated based upon a predetermined value to prevent overflow in the fixed point multiplication.
US08577397B2
A wireless communication system includes a first base station; one or more second base stations having transmission power lower than the first base station; a mobility management apparatus for managing a location of a mobile terminal in a location registration area accommodating the first base station and the one or more second base stations. The mobility management apparatus includes a selecting unit that selects at least one of the second base stations transmitting a paging signal from among the one or more second base stations, and a paging unit that transmits a paging signal to the mobile terminal via the first base station accommodated in the location registration area, and the at least selected one of the second base stations.
US08577393B2
A system and method are provided to obtain and use time zone information as presence in instant messaging. The time zone information is obtained by a user's mobile device and is sent to other mobile devices corresponding to the user's contacts. The time zone information of a contact may be displayed on the user's IM application, including the contact list and instant messaging conversation window. The location of the mobile device may also be provided. The user uses the time zone and location information to discern the status of a contact. Rule-based decisions that rely on the time zone information are also used to affect the operation of the instant messaging application.
US08577384B2
A method for exchanging, between a mobile terminal and a base station, system information via a broadcast control channel (BCCH), which is a logical channel between a radio link control (RLC) layer and a medium access control (MAC) layer, and a broadcast channel (BCH) and a downlink shared channel (DL_SCH), which are transport channels between the MAC layer and a physical layer. The method includes: receiving a block of first system information from the base station in a predetermined frame of the BCH; and after the block of first system information is received, receiving a first block of second system information from the base station in a predetermined frame of the DL_SCH configured to carry system information and other data, the first block of second system information including schedule information relating to a second block of second system information.
US08577383B2
A method for exchanging system information via a broadcast control channel (BCCH), which is a logical channel between a radio link control (RLC) layer and a medium access control (MAC) layer, and a broadcast channel (BCH) and a downlink shared channel (DL_SCH), which are transport channels between the MAC layer and a physical layer. The method includes: receiving a block of first system information from the base station via the BCH; after the block is received, receiving a first block of second system information from the base station via the DL_SCH configured to carry system information and other data, the first block including schedule information; and after the first block is received, receiving a second block of second system information from the base station via the DL_SCH in accordance with the schedule information included in the first block.
US08577379B2
Systems and techniques are disclosed relating to communications. The systems and techniques include receiving an origination request for a call, determining whether the call is allowed on each of a plurality of wireless networks as a function of the origination request, and originating the call over a network selected from a plurality of networks. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08577372B2
Base stations notify the mobile terminal of area information that represents communication areas; a mobile terminal decides a handover destination base station based on position information of the mobile terminal and the area information concerning which the base stations notify the mobile terminal and transmits a handover request to the base station; the base stations request a base station with which the mobile terminal is communicating for communication information of the mobile terminal if the base stations receive the handover request that the mobile terminal transmits; the base stations notify a base station of the communication information of the mobile terminal if the base stations are requested for the communication information of the mobile terminal; and the base stations perform a handover process for the mobile terminal based on the communication information if the base stations acquire the communication information concerning which the base station notifies the base stations of the communication information of the mobile terminal.
US08577366B2
Provided is a scheme of a base station to avoid interference with a macrocell, wherein the base station prompts a terminal to perform handoff from the macrocell by using a pilot beacon. The base station of a mobile communication system includes a transmission unit for transmitting the pilot beacon such that a mobile terminal detects the base station, a registration unit for registering information on mobile terminals to use the base station or users corresponding to these mobile terminals, and a control unit for controlling the transmission unit to stop transmission of the pilot beacon if all mobile terminals registered with the registration unit perform location registration to the base station, based on information on mobile terminals which perform location registration to the base station or corresponding users and based on the information on the mobile terminals registered with the registration unit or the corresponding users.
US08577351B2
A mobile device with enhanced telephone call information and a method of using same are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method of providing enhanced phone call information on a mobile communication device, comprising: receiving an incoming call on the device; identifying a contact name in an address book stored in a memory of the device in accordance with a phone number associated with the incoming call when the contact name is not provided with the incoming call; identifying a contact name in a remote contact source in accordance with a phone number associated with the incoming call when the contact name is not provided with the incoming call and not found in the address book stored in a memory of the device; and displaying the identified contact name in a user interface screen on a display screen of the device.
US08577330B2
Techniques for determining data requirements for cellular phone use within one or more cells of a cellular network. A central processing repository receives user information identifying a cellular phone user within a cell of the network. In response, the central processing repository accesses usage profile information. The usage profile information specifies historical data usage in the cell for a given location and time. The central processing repository determines, based on the usage profile information, a current mode of operation and a probability that the current mode of operation will change. The central processing repository provides the current mode of operation and probability of mode change to a cell tower of the cell.
US08577327B2
An autonomous active medical implantable device, with a power supply and a wake-up circuit that responds to receipt of specific pulses transmitted through the interstitial tissues of the body. A transmitter device (40) generates trains of modulated pulses applied to electrodes (22, 24), and a receiver (50) processes (e.g., filter, amplify and demodulate) pulses collected on electrodes (22′, 24′). The receiver circuits (50) are selectively activated from a dormant (sleep) state in which they are not powered by a power source (34), to an operational (active) state in which they are powered and able to process (e.g., filter, amplify and demodulate) the collected pulses. A specific wake-up pulse train, configured in a predetermined characteristic pulse pattern, triggers passive wake-up circuits (66) in the receiver (50) to switch the receiver circuits from the sleep state to the operational state.
US08577322B1
A single-ended-to-differential mixer includes a differential pair amplifier, a passive current source, a cancellation sub-circuit, and a mixer. The differential pair amplifier is configured to receive a single-ended input signal. The differential pair amplifier includes a first input, a second input, a first output, and a second output. The passive current source is connected between (i) the differential pair amplifier and (ii) a reference potential. The cancellation sub-circuit is connected to each of the first input, the second input, the first output, and the second output of the differential pair amplifier. The cancellation sub-circuit is configured to at least partially cancel a non-linearity of the differential pair amplifier. The mixer is connected to each of the first output and the second output of the differential pair amplifier.
US08577316B2
Mechanically tuned radios and related methods are disclosed that utilize ratiometric time measurements to detect settings for mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The radio systems and methods disclosed make a first time measurement associated with a mechanically adjusted circuit, make a second time measurement associated with the mechanically adjusted circuit, determine a setting for the mechanical adjustment mechanism based upon a ratio associated with the first and second time measurements, and utilize the setting to select a tuning frequency for signals received by the radio. More generally, ratiometric time measurements can be used to determine a setting for a mechanical adjustment mechanism for a mechanically adjusted circuit, and this setting can be used to at least part control a desired operational feature of a device.
US08577315B2
Operating a radio receiver can include identifying a set of stations that broadcast a radio program using different frequencies or different transmission protocols at substantially the same time. Broadcast signal strength, or some other signal quality metric, of broadcast signals from the stations can be evaluated, and the radio receiver can be tuned to one of the stations in the set of stations based on the evaluation.
US08577303B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for transmitting a channel sounding signal from a user terminal in a multiple antenna system. In the method, a channel for each of a plurality of antennas is estimated. The receiving signal power of each of the antennas is calculated using the channel information obtained through the channel estimation. The antenna with the highest RX signal power is selected. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the signal reception performance of the user terminal.
US08577288B2
The present invention relates to a transfer system for providing wireless data transfer, electrical power transfer and navigation between a mobile subsea vehicle and a deployed subsea station that uses acoustic and electromagnetic carrier signals for wireless communication and navigation. An inductive connector is provided for power transfer between mobile subsea vehicle and a deployed subsea station without conductive contact.
US08577282B2
A method for reporting multi-address information comprises a step wherein each of mobile stations (UE) obtains the positional information relating to the mobile stations (UE) and manages information relating to the obtained positional information, a step for reporting multi-address information provided with an electronic signature to each of the mobile stations (UE), a step wherein each of the mobile stations (UE) verifies the multi-address information by use of the electronic signature provided to the received multi-address information, a step wherein each of the mobile stations (UE), when the verifying is successful, compares positional information contained in the multi-address information with the positional information being managed, and a step wherein each of the mobile stations (UE) performs processing in response to the multi-address information on the basis of the result of comparing.
US08577280B2
A computer-implemented method of overseeing and adjusting the instruction and evaluation of a student with respect to one or more topics of study within a classroom. The subject matter of an academic course is studied and broken down into a plurality of discretely defined behavioral performances designed to be readily and objectively recognized as being mastered or not by a student. One or more of the discretely defined behavioral performances are then selected, with the aid of a first computerized database system, as learning objectives for the week. At the end of the week, a student is subsequently evaluated on these objectives. Results of the evaluation are then transferred to a second computerized database system, which organizes the collected data into an interactive learning management report that can be configured by a reviewer in real time to display a variety of levels of detail.
US08577279B2
A method and a device are provided. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving an indication of selection of a key from a keyboard, including at least one of a polysemous symbol and a compilation symbol; and displaying a scene related to the selected at least one of a polysemous symbol and a compilation symbol. In at least one embodiment, the device includes a keyboard including a plurality of keys including polysemous symbols; and a display to display, on at least a portion thereof and in response to receiving an indication of selection of a key including at least one of a polysemous symbol and a compilation symbol, a scene related to the selected at least one of a polysemous symbol and a compilation symbol.
US08577275B2
An image carrier unit includes an image carrier that carries a toner image developed with a developer containing a toner on a surface thereof before the toner image is transferred to a transfer member in a transfer region; a supply section that supplies a lubricant containing a fluorocarbon resin to a surface of the image carrier such that the weight fraction of the fluorocarbon resin contained in the lubricant supplied after a period of time has elapsed since a predetermined point in time is higher than the weight fraction of the fluorocarbon resin contained in the lubricant supplied at the predetermined point in time; and a removing member that is disposed in contact with the surface of the image carrier and that removes the developer remaining without being transferred to the transfer member from the surface of the image carrier.
US08577272B2
A fixing device includes: a conveying unit that conveys a recording material with an image formed thereon toward a predetermined conveying direction so as to cross a fixing area where the image is heated to be fixed; a laser light source that has an irradiation area as the fixing area slantingly extending relative to a predetermined image arrangement reference direction along a width direction of the recording material crossing the conveying direction of the recording material, and irradiates the irradiation area with laser light; and a reflecting member that is provided so as to surround the irradiation area and has a reflecting face that reflects reflected light from the irradiation area so that the irradiation area is again irradiated with the reflected light.
US08577266B2
An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an endless belt that travels circularly by a drive member and has an outer peripheral surface on which an image is formed; a tension applying member around which the endless belt is trained and that applies tension to the endless belt by pressing an inner peripheral surface of the endless belt; a detection member that detects the image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt; a support member to which the detection member is attached and that movably supports the detection member with respect to an apparatus main body; and a positioning member that positions the detection member with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt at a portion pressed by the tension applying member.
US08577264B2
A developing device includes: a developing tank for storing a developer containing a toner and a magnetic carrier, the developing tank including, inside thereof, a first developer carrying path; and a first stirring carrying member that rotates so that the first stirring carrying member carries the developer included in the first developer carrying path while stirring the developer. A toner supply opening is formed in a developing tank cover. An upper part of an inner wall surface of a side in which a developer sinks which inner wall surface faces downward rotation of the first stirring carrying member inclines from a direction perpendicular to a horizontal surface toward the first developer carrying path. An angle α made by (i) a tangential line of the upper inner wall surface at a position of the upper inner wall surface which position is at a height of a top part of an outer circumference of the first stirring carrying member and (ii) a horizontal line is not less than 100° but not more than 150°. This makes it possible to properly stir a supplied toner with an existing developer without applying excessive stress on the developer.
US08577261B2
A belt member is supported by a plurality of rollers and moves in a predetermined moving direction. A detecting unit detects a displacement of the belt member in its width direction. A correcting unit moves a second end of a first roller from among the rollers in either one of a forward direction and a backward direction while fixing its first end based on a result of detecting the displacement of the belt member such that a tilt of a rotating shaft of the first roller is changed to correct a meandering of the belt member. An adjusting unit adjusts a fixing position of the first end.
US08577258B2
A positioning guide is configured to guide a rotational axis of a photosensitive body when a process cartridge is mounted on a main body, and to determine a position of the rotation axis of the photosensitive body with respect to the main body in a mounting state in which the process cartridge has been mounted on the main body. A photosensitive body drive gear is configured to be capable of rotating in a forward and reverse direction and to transmit a rotational drive force to the photosensitive body in the mounting state. A regulating member is configured to be in a lock state and an unlock state. In the lock state, the regulating member prohibits the rotational axis of the photosensitive body from moving in the mounting/removing direction. The rotational axis of the photosensitive body is released from the regulating member in the unlock state.
US08577255B2
An image forming apparatus may include a main body, an endless belt, and a drum unit. The drum unit may support a black photosensitive drum and color photosensitive drums in a mounting direction. The black photosensitive drum may include a first axis in an axial direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. Each color photosensitive drum may have a second axis extending parallel to the axial direction. The black photosensitive drum may be disposed at a position nearest to a first end of the drum unit. A second end of the drum unit may be pivotable about the first axis between initial and pivot positions. The photosensitive drums contact the endless belt when the drum unit is in the initial position. The black photosensitive drum contacts the endless belt and the color photosensitive drums are separated from the endless belt when the drum unit is in the pivot position.
US08577251B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a frame that includes a pair of standing walls spaced apart from each other, and a linking section linking the pair of standing walls; and an intermediate transfer section that includes support rolls extending between the pair of standing walls and supported by the pair of standing walls, and an intermediate transfer belt held by the support rolls and circulating. The apparatus further includes built-in bodies, at least, into each of which a photoreceptor roll having a shaft with protruding both ends and rotatable around the shaft is incorporated, and which are arranged along the intermediate transfer belt while being supported in a state that the both ends of the shaft penetrate the pair of standing walls, and each of which is fixed to a first standing wall of the pair of standing walls by a screw.
US08577244B2
A developing cartridge includes: a housing including a developing chamber and a developer accommodating chamber; a developing roller including a developing roller shaft; a supply roller including a supply roller shaft; a developing electrode, which is provided on an outer side of one sidewall of the housing, which is electrically connected to the developing roller shaft, and which includes a developing protrusion protruding parallel to the developing roller shaft at a position different from the developing roller shaft; and a supply electrode, which is provided on the outer side of the one sidewall, which is electrically connected to the supply roller shaft, and which includes a supply protrusion protruding parallel to the supply roller shaft at a position different from the supply roller shaft. The developing protrusion and the supply protrusion are arranged in an arrangement direction of the developing chamber and the developer accommodating chamber.
US08577239B2
An image forming apparatus including a transfer section for transferring a toner image formed on an image bearing member onto a sheet by pressure contact of the sheet against the image bearing member with a transfer member; a cleaning section having a cleaning blade to remove residual toner on the image bearing member; and a control section for controlling a rotation of the image bearing member so as to carry out a return action of a blade configuration which stops or reverses the rotation of the image bearing member, when the rotation amount reaches a predetermined value, wherein the control section additionally carries out the return action when the rotation amount reaches a value smaller than the predetermined value, in a case where a size of a sheet in a current job is larger than a size a sheet having been passed through in a previous job.
US08577235B2
An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable drum, a charging section for charging the drum, a latent image forming section, a potential detector, a phase detector, and a controller. The charging section includes a first carrying member and a second carrying member for carrying electroconductive magnetic particles. The second carrying member is disposed downstream of said first carrying member. The latent image forming section forms a latent image on the drum, and is disposed downstream of the charging section. The potential detector detects a surface potential of the drum, and is disposed downstream of the charging section. The phase detector detects information relating to a rotational phase of the second carrying member. The controller controls voltages applied to the first carrying member and to the second carrying member, on the basis of a result of detection by the potential detector and a result of detection by the phase detector.
US08577233B2
A method for color printing includes the steps of determining a voltage level of electrical power supplied to an electrophotographic printing device having multiple colors of toner, the voltage level defining a fusing capacity, and selecting a color table, stored in memory, defining a maximum toner application level for each color of toner, based upon the fusing capacity.
US08577230B2
A fixing device includes a fixing unit, a shearing unit, a detection unit, and a controller. The fixing unit fixes a toner image in place on a printed surface of a recording medium. The shearing unit is disposed downstream from the fixing unit along the media conveyance path to at least partially shear toner from the fixed toner image, so as to create a shorn image area that exhibits a different image density than that of an intact, unshorn image area on the printed surface of the recording medium. The detection unit is disposed at least partially downstream from the shearing unit along the media conveyance path to measure the image densities of the shorn and unshorn image areas. The controller is operatively connected to the fixing unit and the detection unit to adjust one or more operational parameters according to a difference between the measured image densities.
US08577225B2
Provided is an optical receiver which accurately demodulates an optical signal obtained by the differential phase shift modulation method. The optical receiver includes: an interferometer which branches the inputted optical signal into two parts and gives a one-bit phase difference to the resultant two optical signals so that the two optical signals after addition of the phase difference are made to interfere each other to output two output lights; reflection means which reflects one of the output lights from the interferometer so as to return to the interferometer; detection means which detects the return light which has been reflected by the reflection means and propagates through the interferometer in the different direction from the inputted optical signal, for output; and phase difference control means which adjusts the phase difference given by the interferometer according to the intensity of the return light detected by the detection means.
US08577212B2
A handheld dental camera performs three-dimensional, optical measurements. The camera includes a light source that emits an illuminating beam, a scanning unit, a color sensor, and a deflector. The scanning unit focuses the illuminating beam onto a surface of an object to be measured. The surface of the object reflects the illuminating beam and forms a monitoring beam, which is detected by the color sensor. Focal points of wavelengths of the illuminating beam form chromatic depth measurement ranges. The scanning unit stepwise displaces the chromatic depth measurement ranges by a step width smaller than or equal to a length of each chromatic depth measurement range, so that a first chromatic depth measurement range in a first end position of the scanning unit and a second chromatic depth measurement range in a second end position are precisely adjoined in a direction of a measurement depth, or are partially overlapped.
US08577209B2
An exemplary method for managing a first storage space and a second storage space utilized by a video playback operation includes: during a first time period, accessing the first storage space for data associated with a first processing operation included in the video playback operation, and accessing the second storage space for data associated with a second processing operation included in the video playback operation; and during a second time period, accessing the first storage space and the second storage space for data associated with the first processing operation. The first processing operation is different from the second processing operation. The second storage space is dedicated to buffering data associated with the second processing operation during the first time period.
US08577205B2
A digital video recorder (DVR) system with an integrated DVD recording device accepts TV input streams in a multitude of forms. Analog TV streams are converted to an MPEG formatted stream for internal transfer and manipulation, while pre-formatted MPEG streams are extracted from the digital TV signal and presented in a similar format. Indexes within the MPEG stream are determined and saved at predefined intervals and are stored on a hard disk along with the MPEG program material and used to create navigation packets when writing to a DVD inserted in an integrated DVD player/recorder. When a program is requested for display from the hard disk or the integrated DVD player/recorder, the program material are extracted from the appropriate source and reassembled into an MPEG stream which is sent to a decoder. The decoder converts the MPEG stream into TV output signals and delivers the TV output signals to a TV monitor. User control commands are accepted which affect the flow of the MPEG stream allowing the user to view stored programs with special functions: reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play. The user can select program material stored on the hard disk to be written to a DVD and can also select program material stored on a DVD to be transferred to the hard disk.
US08577204B2
A remote video editing system is provided for editing a video from a remote location without the need to locally save the video every time an edit is made. Briefly described, one embodiment, among others, includes the steps of analyzing characteristics of the video and embedding the information into the video; storing the video and the embedded information at an editing server; receiving edit instructions from a client at the editing server; creating a project file containing the edit instructions received; and editing the video based on the project file.
US08577200B2
There is provided a content editing apparatus, content editing method and program capable of easily and rapidly extracting sections corresponding to a reproducing operation of content data.The content editing apparatus includes an operation input processing unit 104 into which a reproduction operating command of content data is input by a user and a record controlling unit 108 for recording operation data corresponding to the reproduction operating command input into the operation input processing unit along with a reproduction position of the content data in a recording medium.
US08577198B2
A fiber distribution hub (FDH) provides an interface between an incoming fiber and a plurality of outgoing fibers. The FDH includes a cabinet, at least one door pivotably mounted to the cabinet, and a frame pivotably mounted within the cabinet. The doors wrap around the sides and the front of the cabinet to provide access to both the front and sides of the frame when the doors are open. The frame can pivot out of the cabinet through the open doors to enable access to the rear of the cabinet and the rear side of the frame. The frame includes a termination region and a splitter region. The frame can include a storage region and/or a pass-through region.
US08577191B2
A transceiver comprising a CMOS chip and a plurality of semiconductor lasers coupled with the CMOS chip may be operable to communicate optical source signals from the plurality of semiconductor lasers into the CMOS chip. The source signals may be used to generate first optical signals that may be transmitted from the CMOS chip to optical fibers. Second optical signals may be received from the optical fibers and converted to electrical signals for use by the CMOS chip. The optical source signals may be communicated from the semiconductor lasers into the CMOS chip via optical fibers in to a top surface and the first optical signals may be communicated out of a top surface of the CMOS chip. The first optical signals may be communicated from the CMOS chip via optical couplers, which may comprise grating couplers.
US08577189B2
A light guide includes a core made of material having translucency and an optical path conversion mirror for reflecting the signal light from the optical element and converting the optical path of the signal light formed on at least the core. The signal light is transmitted through the core by the reflection at the optical path conversion mirror. The optical path conversion mirror surface has an inclination angle α formed with a bottom surface of the core changing in the X-direction in a cross-sectional shape in which the core is cut at a YZ plane, the Y-direction being an optical axis direction of the optical element, the Z-direction being an advancing direction of the signal light of the light guide, and the X-direction being a direction perpendicular to both the Y-direction and the Z-direction.
US08577187B2
A system, a method and computer-readable media for processing raw image data with a graphics processing unit (GPU). Raw image data generated by an imaging sensor is received. A set of instructions for demosaicing the raw image data is communicated to the GPU. The GPU is enabled to demosaic the raw image data by executing the set of instructions.
US08577178B2
An image processing device includes: a transformation ratio calculation unit which calculates transformation ratio of an image after transformation, the image after transformation being obtained by transforming an original image under predetermined rule; a filter coefficient calculation unit which calculates filter coefficients based on the transformation ratio; and a pixel value calculation unit which calculates the pixel value of each pixel in the image after transformation using the filter coefficients and outputs the pixel value of the image after transformation as image data after transformation.
US08577171B1
A method for correcting an image made from a system having a plurality of settings wherein the system has optical artifacts which vary according to the settings. The method includes acquiring one reference image of a substantially uniform subject with the system at a first setting. Acquiring a second reference image of the uniform subject with the system at a second setting. Storing both reference images and correcting a subject image acquired by the system by using either the first reference image or the second reference image, depending on the setting at which the subject image was acquired. The method is capable of acquiring and storing multiple reference images and storing them with assignment to multiple settings.
US08577161B2
A reproduction apparatus includes a reproduction unit that reproduces plural moving image data having different frame rates from a recording medium, an output unit that outputs the reproduced moving image data to a display device, a setting unit that sets one of a first and a second reproduction modes, and a control unit that controls the output unit to select some of frames of the reproduced moving image data and output moving image data of the selected frames according to an instruction for high-speed reproduction. In the first reproduction mode, the control unit selects frames at a predetermined frame interval according to reproduction speed for the high-speed reproduction. In the second reproduction mode, the control unit selects frames at a frame interval determined based on the reproduction speed for the high-speed reproduction and a frame rate of the reproduced moving image data.
US08577156B2
Systems and methods for using visual attention modeling techniques to evaluate a scene from multiple perspectives.
US08577149B2
Sentence data corresponding to headword data is retrieved from a data group including sentence data in the form of text data in accordance with a user's operation, and is displayed as a sentence image on a display screen. The display screen can be edited in accordance with a coordinate point output from coordinate input means. An edited sentence image is transmitted to other apparatuses.
US08577141B2
Disclosed is a method of enhancing contrast of an image by using a Bezier curve. Histogram distribution is calculated based on an image that has been photographed or read out from a storage medium, the type of the image is determined according to the contrast state of the image, the movement directions of control points of a 3-D Bezier curve is determined according to the type of the image, and the movement distances of the control points of the 3-D Bezier curve are calculated based on the number of luminance values of the histogram distribution. Two control points of the 3-D Bezier curve are moved based on the movement directions and the movement distances of the control points, and the 3-D Bezier curve is created by using the two moved control points and two fixed control points. The contrast of the image is enhanced by applying the Bezier curve.
US08577139B2
A method for true-orthoimage color correction is provided. Aerial images and digital elevation models (DEMs) are used for balancing colors in orthoimages or true-orthoimages. Seam lines between images are also smoothed. Thus, color distinction between images is rectified and orthoimage quality is greatly enhanced.
US08577137B2
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and a program that are capable of more easily identifying an area of a subject in an image.A luminance information extraction unit 21 through to a motion information extraction unit 25 extract predetermined information from an input image and create an information map indicating feature quantities of features possessed by an area of a subject of the input image.Furthermore, the luminance information extraction unit 21 through to the motion information extraction unit 25 subtract an average value of the pixel values of the pixels of the entire information map from the pixel value of each pixel of the created information map so as to normalize the information map. As a result, the information map can be normalized, and noise can be removed with a simple process when compared to a case in which the information map is normalized using a DOG filter. A subject map creation unit 26 linearly combines each information map, and creates a subject map indicating the likelihood of an area being a subject in each area of an input image. The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus.
US08577136B1
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for presenting product stock information. In some implementations, an image of a portion of a retail store is received from a camera and analyzed to divide the image into macroblocks. Each of the macroblocks can be associated with one or more product facings associated with products placed on a shelf in the retail store. A color from the macroblock is optionally identified and compared to a product color or a shelf color to determine a stock level of the product. In some implementations, a reporting module presents the stock level in a graphical user interface to a user.
US08577127B2
A three-dimensional sense adjusting unit displays three-dimensional images to a user. If a displayed reaches a limit of parallax, the user responds to the three-dimensional sense adjusting unit. According to acquired appropriate parallax information, a parallax control unit generates parallax images to realize the appropriate parallax in the subsequent stereo display. The control of parallaxes is realized by optimally setting camera parameters by going back to three-dimensional data. Functions to realize the appropriate parallax are made into and presented by a library.
US08577125B2
The present invention provides a technique to generate an accurate connected image even in a monotonous pattern using design data as constrained conditions. A reference position is roughly determined through matching between the design data and image data, matching between neighboring images is performed using the amount of mismatch from the design data as a searching range and a connected image is generated at high speed and accurately. The image generation method of the present invention is an image generation method for inspecting an electronic device pattern using a scanning electron microscope and is constructed of a design data file that stores design data describing layout information of an electronic device pattern by inputting the data, a plurality of divided pieces of image data obtained by imaging the electronic device pattern at different imaging positions, and image connecting means for connecting the plurality of divided pieces of image data into one image using the plurality of divided pieces of image data and the design data of a file of the design data (see FIG. 1).
US08577124B2
A pattern inspection apparatus can be provided, for example, in a scanning electron microscope system. When patterns of a plurality of layers are included in a SEM image, the apparatus separates the patterns according to each layer by using design data of the plurality of layers corresponding to the patterns. Consequently, the apparatus can realize inspection with use of only the pattern of a target layer to be inspected, pattern inspection differently for different layers, or detection of a positional offset between the layers.
US08577122B2
A method for testing moving products having at least two layers, such as cigarette packages wrapped with film, wherein at least one layer of the product, namely an inner layer which is arranged further inwards, is covered at least regionally by at least one, at least partially transparent product layer, namely an outer layer which is arranged further outwards, wherein the outer layer of the product is illuminated under an angle of incidence of about 35°, with light, in which the light that is reflected at this layer comprises at least 70%, at least 90%, or at least 95%, of linearly s-polarized light, the s-polarized component of the light reflected by the outer layer and/or of the light reflected by the inner layer and/or the p-polarized component of the light reflected by the outer layer and/or of the light reflected by the inner layer are recorded in each case using at least one suitable electrooptic recording element in the form of an image or partial image of the product and wherein the recorded s-polarized and/or the recorded p-polarized light component are evaluated in order to be able to draw conclusions relating to features of the outer layer and/or of the inner layer.
US08577119B2
A wafer surface observing apparatus for inspecting a peripheral portion of an object has (A) a lens system and a CCD camera for taking images of the peripheral portion of the object, (B) storage for storing image data about the taken images, and (C) display for displaying the image data stored in the storage device. In particular, the present apparatus can have functions of rotating the object placed on a prealignment portion, recording images of one full outer periphery of an end portion of the object by the lens system and CCD camera into the location where the orientation flat portions or notched portions of the object are placed in position, accepting the images into the storage device, and displaying the images on a CRT.
US08577117B2
A method and apparatus for evaluating a soiling level of a media item, such as a banknote. The method comprises receiving an image of a media item including a plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity. Two sets of pixels are created, where each pixel in the first set has a higher intensity than each pixel in the second set. A representative intensity value from the first set and a representative intensity value from the second set are calculated. A soiling value from the ratio of the representative intensity value of the second set to the representative intensity value of the first set is calculated. The media item is captured if the soiling value fulfils a capture criterion.
US08577110B2
A problem inherent to radiographic images, which may occur when an independent component analysis technique is applied to energy subtraction carried out on radiographic images, is solved to achieve separation of image components to be separated with higher accuracy. As preprocessing before the independent component analysis, a spatial frequency band which contains the components to be separated is extracted, pixels of the radiographic images are classified into more than one subsets for each radiographic image based on a value of a predetermined parameter, and/or nonlinear pixel value conversion is applied to the radiographic images based on a value of the predetermined parameter. Alternatively, nonlinear independent component analysis is carried out according to a model using the predetermined parameter.
US08577105B2
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe, a location sensor that detects a location of the ultrasound probe, and a location calculation device configured to calculate a location of echo data in a first three-dimensional coordinate system having a certain point as an origin based on the probe location. A deformation calculation device performs a deformation calculation to deform a shape of the body tissue in either an ultrasound image or a medical image captured by a medical imaging apparatus other than the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to a shape of the body tissue of the other image. A display image control device performs a coordinate conversion between the coordinate system of the ultrasound image and a coordinate system of the medical image and displays a deformed image based on the deformation calculation and the other image about a same cross-section on a display device.
US08577103B2
Computer-implemented methods of reconstructing an image object for a measured object in object space from image data in data space include causing a computer to execute instructions for providing zonal information separating the object space into at least two zones, providing at least two zonal image objects, each zonal image object being associated with one of the at least two zones, reconstructing the image object using a data model derived from forward projecting the zonal image objects into data space, wherein the contribution of each zonal image object to the data model is weighted according to a zonal scaling factor, and outputting the image object.
US08577098B2
An image processing apparatus comprising: a first detection unit adapted to detect a first subject from an object image; a first extraction unit adapted to extract a first feature amount for identifying an attribute of the first subject; a second extraction unit adapted to extract a second feature amount for detecting the second subject; a first storage unit adapted to store the first feature amount; and a second storage unit adapted to store the second feature amount, wherein when the first detection unit detects the first subject, the first extraction unit extracts the first feature amount and the first storage unit stores the amount, and when the first detection unit cannot detect the first subject, the second extraction unit extracts the second feature amount and the second storage unit stores the amount.
US08577091B2
A method and apparatus for authenticating a biometric scanner involves estimating unique intrinsic characteristics of the scanner (scanner pattern), that are permanent over time, and can identify a scanner even among scanners of the same manufacturer and model. Image processing and analysis are used to extract a scanner pattern from images acquired with the scanner. The scanner pattern is used to verify whether the scanner that acquired a particular image is the same as the scanner that acquired one or several images during enrollment of the biometric information. Authenticating the scanner can prevent subsequent security attacks using counterfeited biometric information on the scanner, or on the user authentication system.
US08577087B2
A survey controller receives response records from response processing systems, wherein the response records comprise a selection of response records each identifying a separate response of at least one consumer to a particular stimulus within a consumer environment detected from a three-dimensional movement of the at least one consumer captured within the consumer environment. The survey controller stores response records in a response database. The survey controller calculates, from the selection of response records stored in the response database, statistics associated with the particular stimulus within the consumer environment. The survey controller stores, by the survey controller, the calculated statistics.
US08577080B2
An object contour detection method includes: allowing an image sensor to sense respectively a plurality of images of an object by moving a lens with a shallow depth of field at a plurality of positions repeatedly, meanwhile, record the plurality of positions of the lens and the plurality of images one-to-one corresponding to the plurality of positions; removing respectively unclear areas in the plurality of images to obtain a plurality of clear images, and obtaining a plurality of displacement quantities of depth of field depending on a displacement quantity between each two adjacent positions in the plurality of positions; and extending a depth of the front image to reach the corresponding displacement quantity of depth of field and then combine the front image with the rear image in sequence, allowing the plurality of clear images to combine into a stereoscopic image corresponding to the object contour.
US08577063B2
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone devices and methods for packaging the same include a package housing, an interior lid, and an integrated MEMS microphone die. The package housing includes a sound port therethrough for communicating sound from outside the package housing to an interior of the package housing. The interior lid is mounted to an interior surface of the package housing to define an interior lid cavity, and includes a back volume port therethrough. The MEMS microphone die is mounted on the interior lid over the back volume port, and includes a movable membrane. The back volume port is configured to allow the interior lid cavity and the MEMS movable membrane to communicate, thereby increasing the back volume of the MEMS microphone die and enhancing the sound performance of the packaged MEMS microphone device.
US08577059B2
An audio system includes a level controller receiving an input audio signal from an audio medium. The level controller includes a gain adjust module producing an output audio signal based on the input audio signal. A filter arrangement is communicatively coupled to the level controller. The filter arrangement receives the output audio signal and divides the output signal into a plurality of filtered signals. Each of the filtered signals corresponds to a respective frequency band. A multiband dynamics controller is communicatively coupled to the filter arrangement. The multiband dynamics controller receives the filtered signals and applies a respective gain characteristic to each of the filtered signals to thereby produce a plurality of gain adjust signals. The gain adjust signals are combined into a multiband dynamics controller output signal.
US08577043B2
An encryption communications appliance provides data encryption management for a data storage library. The appliance is coupled to an encryption-capable storage device, a data storage library controller within the data storage library and with an encryption key manager (EKM). The encryption command communications appliance intercepts encryption key requests from the data storage device and transparently forwards the requests to the EKM. The appliance also forwards transparently communications between the library controller and the data storage device.
US08577038B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for generating a pseudo-random number which is unpredictable and which has a small memory work area, and also a method and apparatus for encrypting data, for each predetermined amount, based on the generated pseudo-random number. A seed is divided into a predetermined number of blocks, new blocks are created by calculating an exclusive-OR of the blocks being different from each other, and the new blocks are merged to generate a new pseudo-random number. The data is encrypted for each determined amount based on the generated pseudo-random number. At this time, a pseudo-random number to be used for the succeeding encryption is generated by using as a seed a predetermined amount of random number of the pseudo-random number used for the preceding encryption of the predetermined amount of data.
US08577031B2
An integrated circuit (1) is provided with function modules (2) which comprise a central processing unit (4) for treating data and executing a program and a cache memory (5). Until now, it was complicated and costly to ensure the manipulation security of the modules. The function modules (2) comprise an encoding unit (6) for data encoding and decoding.
US08577019B2
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to detect echo during teleconferences are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes collecting first signal data for a first teleconference leg of a teleconference, collecting second signal data for a second teleconference leg of the teleconference, computing an echo detection metric from the first and second signal data, and comparing the echo detection metric to a threshold to determine whether an echo is likely present on the first teleconference leg of the teleconference.
US08577018B1
This disclosure relates to using agent queues for a contact center. An agent queue profile includes parameters to configure an agent queue for each agent that is assigned to the agent queue profile. An agent queue profile manager is programmed to assign a given agent to the agent queue profile to define a corresponding agent queue for the given agent. The agent queue profile manager can also define parameters for the agent queue profile. A distribution module can control distribution of a transaction in the corresponding agent queue based on rules and can control handling of the transaction in the corresponding agent queue based on the agent queue profile.
US08577017B2
A contact center is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. The contact center proposed herein provides the ability to, among other things, selectively interrupt a contact center agent in an AUXILIARY state. This enables the contact center to accommodate sudden influxes of work items without substantially increasing customer wait time.
US08577013B1
A system comprises a connection accessible to one or more incoming nodes, a call transfer interface for connecting the connection with the incoming nodes to a call transfer module capable of communicating with the incoming nodes, a distributed network of two or more provider nodes interfacing with the call transfer module through a router, the router connected to the call transfer module and provider nodes connected to the distributed network, said provider nodes connected to the incoming nodes through the router connected to the call transfer module connected to the call transfer interface and routed by the router in accordance with a provider node priority.
US08577011B1
A distributed call pickup group system comprises a call manager having an extension module. The extension module further comprises a group pickup module, a group pickup call stack, a backup group pickup module and a monitoring group pickup module. The extension module controls and manages the functionality associated with the group pickup feature. The group pick module advantageously allows any extension regardless of its location in the system or the switch to which it is connected to be included within a pickup group. The backup group pickup module provides fault tolerance for the pickup functionality such that if a particular switch and its associated group pickup module fail, a backup group pickup module is identified and made operational. The present invention also includes a variety of methods including a method for creating a group pickup list, a method for performing through pickup and a method for backing up group picked up.
US08577005B2
The present invention is directed to methods for a called party to report unwanted telephone calls to jurisdictional authorities. These calls may be unwanted, unlawful, or other calls. In the methods of the present invention, the called party dials a code comprised of a series of digits, which triggers the switching node associated with the called party to generate a series of messages, at least one of which encompasses the originating telephone number of the unwanted call. At least one of the messages is directed to the proper reporting authority such that the called party reports the unwanted event. Called parties can take further actions, such as including additional messaging or blocking subsequent calls from the calling party number. The reporting authority can take further action as well, such as matching the called party number with subscriber or geographic information.
US08577004B2
A probability that one or more contacts may be selected is determined. The probability that one or more contact may be selected may be determined based on one or more information types stored in a device and which may be used by a prediction engine module to determine the probability that one or more contacts may be selected by a user. Such information types may include location information of the user and location information associated with contacts in a contact list; distance to a particular location; time, both absolute and relative to times associated with calendar entries, and the like. High probability contacts may be assembled and displayed in a predictive contact list.
US08577001B2
Computer-implemented systems and methods for controlling the blocking of telephone calls are disclosed. A person, for example, bothered by calls from a prison inmate may desire to block future call attempts from that inmate or even desire to block all calls from the confinement/correctional institution at which the inmate is housed. To reduce accidental and fraudulent call blocking, various techniques are used to verify that the party requesting the block is, in fact, the party in control of the telephone number requested to be blocked. Embodiments herein enable call blocking using systems that require little or no human interaction to process a block request, reduce or eliminate accidental blocks via a callback confirmation process, create a documentation trail via the use of a profile and PIN system used for the processing of a block, and/or reduce fraudulent blocks by parties other than those authorized to do so via CNAM (Caller ID) verification.
US08576994B2
Managing shared voice messages across the multiple voice messaging systems of the various recipients of a message. A server may act as a gateway and may interact with the multiple voice messaging systems and multiple user devices of the recipients. The server may retrieve voice messages from the sender voice messaging system and may transmit the voice message to the disparate voice messaging systems of the recipients with or without user assistance. The voice messages may be transcoded as necessary. the server then may determine the status of the voice message in the voice messaging systems of the recipients and may update the message status in the sender's and the recipients' voice message systems accordingly.
US08576991B2
A logic history can be provided for every request or call instance through a distributed computing system that uniquely traces its entire path, end-to-end, in-band within the messaging for the system. The end result is a single true representation of what occurred with no post computational inference. Accordingly, unique logic history codes are not forced across the system. Rather sub-components that are logic history enabled can use codes that have meaning and applicability to itself. Unique logic history codes are not forced across the system, which in practice would be brittle. Rather each sub-component that is logic history enabled can use codes that have meaning and applicability only to itself. This allows the system to be flexible and lets sub-components change and redefine their logic and logic history traces without impacting the rest of the system.
US08576980B2
Disclosed is a computer implemented method of interrogating volumetric data, the method including the steps of: defining a reference surface relative to the volumetric data; providing an interrogation window lying in a movable interrogation plane intersecting the reference surface and the interrogation window intersecting the volumetric data, said interrogation plane having a pole lying in it about which pole said interrogation plane is rotatable, wherein movement of the interrogation plane provides a corresponding movement of the interrogation window; for each movement of the interrogation plane, determining the point of intersection of said pole and said reference surface, determining the relative angle of rotation of said interrogation plane about said pole and determining the angle of inclination of said pole to said reference surface; and on the basis of said determinations, providing a sectional image through the volumetric data corresponding to the position of the interrogation window within the volumetric data. Also disclosed is a computer system for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, the system includes a processor for performing the steps of the method and a visual display for displaying said sectional image.
US08576976B2
Apparatus for supporting radioactive fuel assemblies, such as spent nuclear fuel. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus, which can be in the form of a fuel basket, fuel rack, or the like, in which hexagonal storage tubes are used not only for their internal cells but are also strategically patterned to create resultant cells with their outside surfaces. In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus having flux traps surrounding each cell wherein the size of the flux traps decrease with distance from the center of the storage grid.
US08576974B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus for inspecting weld zones in a reactor pressure vessel, the inspection apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic probe 6 for emitting an ultrasonic wave; a probe holding unit 60 for holding the ultrasonic probe 6 such that a ultrasonic wave transmitting surface of the ultrasonic probe 6 is kept in direct contact with or at a constant distance from the outer surface of the reactor pressure vessel 1; a pressing unit 50 for pressing the probe holding unit 60 parallel to a central axis of a control rod drive housing 8 against the reactor pressure vessel; and a rotator 40 for rotating the probe holding unit 60 and the pressing unit 50 about the central axis of the control rod drive housing 8.
US08576950B2
Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus including: a reception section configured to receive a signal modulated by a predetermined system defined by a predetermined standard; a decoding section configured to decode transmission parameters included in the received signal; an acquisition section configured to acquire from among sequentially decoded transmission parameters the parameters used in a demodulation process performed on the received signal; and a control section configured such that if the acquired transmission parameters used in the demodulation process on the received signal are different from the sequentially decoded transmission parameters, then the control section controls the demodulation process on the received signal based on newly decoded transmission parameters.
US08576945B1
A system for and method of amplifying a modulated input signal can include separating the input signal into a first amplitude component signal and a first amplitude composite signal (e.g., an amplitude only component signal). The method further includes subtracting the first amplitude composite signal from the input signal to provide a difference signal. The method also includes amplifying the difference signal asymmetrically with respect to the first amplitude composite signal. The method can also include adding the difference signal and the first amplitude composite signal after asymmetric amplification. The power amplifier supply voltage can be powered as a function of the first amplitude component signal. The mathematical operations can be performed in the digital domain.
US08576944B2
A signal transmitting apparatus for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system comprises a compandor, a predistortor, a power amplifier and a feedback module. The compandor is configured to compress and expand a transmitted signal. The predistortor is configured to perform a predistortion operation on output signals of the compandor. The power amplifier is configured to amplify output signals of the predistortor. The feedback module is configured to adjust parameters of the compandor and the predistortor based on a feedback signal.
US08576941B2
Digital predistorter circuits with selectable basis function configurations are described. In some embodiments, an input scaling block is introduced prior to a basis function generator structure. The input scaling factor is based on the input signal's average power. In other embodiments, configurable connection coefficients are used to construct the orthogonal basis functions. Multiple sets of tap weights for the predistorter are maintained, each set corresponding to a given basis function configuration. In an example method for pre-distorting an input signal to compensate for distortion introduced by an electronic device, a statistic characterizing the input signal is calculated, and one of a pre-determined set of basis function configurations is selected, based on the statistic. A set of pre-distortion model weights corresponding to the selected basis function configuration are determined, after which the selected basis function configuration and the corresponding set of pre-distortion model weights are applied to the input signal.
US08576939B2
A slicer can receive a communication signal having a level or amplitude that is between two discrete levels of a multilevel digital communication scheme. The slicer can compare the communication signal to a plurality of references such that multiple comparisons proceed essentially in parallel. A summation node can add the results of the comparisons to provide an output signal set to one of the discrete levels. The slicer can process the communication signal and provide the output signal on a symbol-by-symbol basis. A decision feedback equalizer (“DFE”) can comprise the slicer. A feedback circuit of the DFE can delay and scale the output signal and apply the delayed and scaled signal to the communication signal to reduce intersymbol interference (“ISI”).
US08576931B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing throughput in a wireless communication system by reducing the amount of overhead transmitted to certain user terminals. Overhead due to control information may be reduced for these certain user terminals by selecting a low repetition factor. Overhead may be further reduced for these certain user terminals by selecting a modulation/coding scheme with a higher data rate for transmitting the control information. The selection may be based on channel conditions associated with the user terminals, such as signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios (SINRs).
US08576929B2
A Powerline Communications (PLC) device includes a processing module, memory coupled to the processing module, and a PLC interface coupled to the processing module. The PLC device transmits a plurality of PLC queries, two of the plurality of PLC queries complying with differing and incompatible PLC communication standards. It then receives a plurality of responses from a plurality of other PLC devices, two responses received from respective PLC devices complying with two differing and incompatible PLC communication standards. The PLC device then directs each of the two PLC devices to transmit communications of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards in an attempt to avoid PLC communication conflicts. The PLC device may establish non-PLC communications with a remote communications device. The PLC device may bridge communications between remote PLC devices and between a remote PLC device and a remote non-PLC device.
US08576927B2
A frame formed of a plurality of code words encoded with an encoding mode in which two different types of code words are assigned one-to-one to two smallest quantization intervals is checked to determine whether it contains just the two types of code words assigned to the two smallest quantization intervals, and lossless encoding is applied to the frame containing just the two types of code words. A code obtained by this lossless encoding is decoded with a decoding method corresponding to the lossless encoding.
US08576916B2
Techniques for reducing bus traffic during texture decoding of a video bitstream are provided. In one configuration, a wireless communication device (e.g., cellular phone, etc.) comprises a processor configured to execute instructions operative to decode and separate in a bitstream macroblock (MB) information and residual packet data. The residual packet data is used to generate codec-independent non-zero MB-packets having a universal order that is codec independent. The codec-independent non-zero MB-packets and MB information are then used for reconstructing pixels of a respective frame of the video bitstream.
US08576914B2
A video coding/decoding system, method and computer program product employ an integer transform matrix for transforming to/from transform coefficients and residual pixel data in moving pictures by a set of semi-orthonormal basis vectors. The basis vectors are derived from conventional DCT or KTL matrixes, but relaxes to some extent the requirements for orthogonality, norm equality and element size limitation. In this way improved coding efficiency and lower complexity compared to previously used integer transforms are possible.
US08576908B2
Quality settings established by an encoder are adjusted based on information associated with regions of interest (“ROIs”). For example, quantization step sizes can be reduced (to improve quality) or increased (to reduce bit rate). ROIs can be identified and quality settings can be adjusted based on input received from a user interface. An overlap setting can be determined for a portion of a picture that corresponds to an ROI overlap area. For example, an overlap setting is chosen from step sizes corresponding to a first overlapping ROI and a second overlapping ROI, or from relative reductions in step size corresponding to the first ROI and the second ROI. ROIs can be parameterized by information (e.g., using data structures) that indicates spatial dimensions of the ROIs and quality adjustment information (e.g., dead zone information, step size information, and quantization mode information).
US08576897B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product for a method of operating an analog-to-digital converter of a transceiver which includes a transmitter and a receiver, the receiver including the analog-to-digital converter. The method includes determining a maximum conversion rate of the analog-to-digital converter, wherein the determining step includes determining a temperature of the analog-to-digital converter, and selecting a conversion rate of the analog-to-digital converter, based on the determined maximum conversion rate and a frequency of an unwanted signal component of the receiver, such that the selected conversion rate places an alias response of the unwanted signal component to a frequency range which is substantially non-overlapping with a wanted signal component of the receiver.
US08576894B2
Systems and methods for improving the performance of direct-sequence spread-spectrum communication systems. In one embodiment, a system comprises at least one communication channel that utilizes two different orthogonal spreading codes and corresponding portions of the available orthogonal code space. Portions of the data processed by the communication channel are demultiplexed into different streams and covered with corresponding, different orthogonal spreading codes. The streams covered by the different orthogonal codes are then combined and transmitted via the same communication channel. One embodiment utilizes at least two different Walsh codes of different lengths (+− and ++−−) in order to make use of the three quarters of the Walsh space not utilized by low-rate legacy channels.
US08576892B2
A communication apparatus and method for operating a communication apparatus are provided. The communication apparatus is configured to determine whether a sub-frequency band causing interference is present among sub-frequency bands included in a reception frequency band group, and to send to another communication apparatus an interference avoidance request signal which requests the other communication apparatus to transmit signals by use of remaining sub-frequency bands except the sub-frequency band causing interference, leading to simpler and more efficient interference avoidance.
US08576889B2
A method of producing a radiation-emitting component is provided. A far field radiation pattern is predetermined. From the predetermined radiation pattern a refractive index profile for the radiation-emitting component is determined in a direction extending perpendicularly to a main emission direction of the component. A structure is determined for the component, such that the component includes the previously determined refractive index profile. The component is configured according to the previously determined structure.
US08576888B2
Dual laser-power-level control and calibration system for burst-mode and continuous-mode transmitter
Dual laser-power-level control and calibration system for burst-mode and continuous-mode transmitter. A first signal path receives a transmit signal that also drives the transmit laser, and a second signal path receives the output of a monitor diode. The first and second signal paths include filtering so that the two signal paths have a similar frequency response. The upper and lower excursions in both signal paths are compared, and the power levels of the optical transmitter are adjusted based on those comparisons. Embodiments with one control loop and two control loops are disclosed.
US08576886B2
A laser diode drive includes a first photo diode connection terminal to connect a first photo diode that detects light emission amounts of multiple laser diodes, multiple second photo diode connection terminals to connect multiple second photo diodes that detect light emission amounts of the respective multiple laser diodes, multiple APC controllers to control the light emission amounts of the multiple laser diodes based on monitor currents from the first photo diode or the second photo diodes, multiple switches to connect and disconnect the respective APC controllers with a monitor current path formed between the first photo diode connection terminal and the multiple APC controllers, and a detector to detect whether or not the first photo diode is connected to the first photo diode connection terminal and cause all of the switches to disconnect when the first photo diode is not connected to the first photo diode connection terminal.
US08576874B2
Methods and apparatus to provide a virtual network interface. In an aspect, a method includes receiving a request to access content on a Non-IP network, wherein the request comprises an IP address and a quality of service (QoS) profile associated with the content, mapping the IP address and the QoS profile into a Non-IP network content identifier, and obtaining the content from the Non-IP network based on the Non-IP network content identifier. In an aspect, an apparatus includes an application interface configured to receive a request to access content on a Non-IP network, wherein the request comprises an IP address and a QoS profile associated with the content, mapping logic configured to map the IP address and the QoS profile into a Non-IP network content identifier, and processing logic configured to obtain the content from the Non-IP network based on the Non-IP network content identifier.
US08576872B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate mitigating a hidden node condition in a wireless mesh network wherein nodes utilize a request-to-send/clear-to-send (RTS/CTS) protocol in conjunction with an asynchronous hybrid automatic repeat request protocol. For instance, a node may contend for a set of subcarriers by sending an RTS signal over the desired subcarriers, and may receive a CTS signal over the contended subcarriers, wherein the CTS signal indicates which subcarriers the node may transmit data over. If another node has won the contention for a particular subcarrier, requesting node may adjust a power level at which it transmits an RTS or a data packet in order to permit the requesting node to utilize the subcarrier without interfering with the winning node.
US08576871B2
A collision avoidance method for subscribers to fight for a right to speak of a multi-party conversation in a digital intercommunication system includes: sending a frame of instructions from the transmitting subscriber to the receiving subscribers for declaring a beginning of a fight for phase; in a subset of frame moments during the fight-for phase, sending maintenance information by the transmitting subscriber to the receiving subscribers; in another subset of the frame moments during the fight-for phase, broadcasting a request for the right to speak by the receiving subscribers intending to obtain the right to speak in turn, the fight-for phase not closing until at least one of the receiving subscribers sends out a request message; hearing the request message, ceasing fighting for the right to speak by the other receiving subscribers; and the receiving subscriber obtaining the right to speak as a new transmitting subscriber and beginning to speak.
US08576866B2
Line cards receive control packets and perform a hierarchical rate limiting on those control packets. A set of identifier keys are extracted from the control packets and the protocol of those control packets are determined. At a first level, the control packets are rate limited per unique set of identifier keys per protocol. Those packets which fail the first rate limiting level are dropped. Those packets which pass the first rate limiting level are rate limited at a second level per protocol type. Those packets which fail the second level rate limiting are dropped while those packets which pass the second level rate limiting are sent to the control card for further processing.
US08576864B2
A host Ethernet adapter (HEA) and method of managing network communications is provided. The HEA includes a host interface configured for communication with a multi-core processor over a processor bus. The host interface comprises a receive processing element including a receive processor, a receive buffer and a scheduler for dispatching packets from the receive buffer to the receive processor; a send processing element including a send processor and a send buffer; and a completion queue scheduler (CQS) for dispatching completion queue elements (CQE) from the head of the completion queue (CQ) to threads of the multi-core processor in a network node mode. The method comprises operatively coupling an Ethernet adapter to a multi-core processor system via a processor bus, selectively assigning a first plurality of packets to a first queue pair for servicing in an endpoint mode, running a device driver on the multi-core processing system, the device driver controlling the servicing of the first queue pair by dispatching the first plurality of packets to only one processor core of the multi-core processor system, selectively assigning a second plurality of packets to a second queue pair for servicing in a network node mode; and the Ethernet adapter controlling the servicing of the second queue pair by dispatching the second plurality of packets to multiple processor threads.
US08576859B2
Systems, methods, devices, and processors are described for packet clustering and frame formation in ACM systems. A stream of packets may be received at a gateway. During each cycle, a group of packets from the stream may be fetched according to QoS parameters. The group of packets may be clustered according to modcode to produce a packet list. In some embodiments, packets may be arranged and grouped according to transport steam identifier and modcode to produce a packet list. The packet lists may be clustered sequentially from lower order modcode to higher order modcode. Various frame packing techniques are also described.
US08576853B2
Link-level data communications implemented in switching apparatus comprising modular switches disposed within a modular computer cabinet that includes modular computer systems; the switching apparatus configured as two layers of switches, the first layer switches coupled to one another for communications by inter-switch links, each second layer switch coupled for communications to the modular computer systems; all the switches stacked by a stacking protocol that shares administrative configuration information among the switches through the inter-switch links and presents all the switches as a single logical switch; the switching apparatus including ports coupling the apparatus to networks and to service applications and terminating applications on the modular computer systems; and sending the packet from network to modular computer system to which the packet is directed, or from modular computer system to network to which the packet is directed, the packet traversing none of the inter-switch links among the first layer switches.
US08576849B2
The invention discloses a method and system for realizing transmission of message between an extended processor and a switch chip. The switch chip amends the destination MAC of the received first message to be transmitted to the extended processor as the first destination MAC, and then transmit the first message to the extended processor, wherein the first destination MAC corresponds to the service physical port of the switch chip for receiving the first message; the extended processor can resolve the first destination MAC to learn that the first message comes from the service physical port. The method and system of the invention can realize transmission of message between the extended processor and the switch chip.
US08576830B2
A mobile device receives a signal comprising a PSS and performs multiple frequency hypothesis testing (MFHT) on the received signal. The mobile device starts MFHT by applying different initial frequency offsets in corresponding MFH branches. Timing drift in MFHT is compensated based on corresponding initial frequency offsets. In this regard, a PSS correlation process is performed on the received signal in each MFH branch. Resulting PSS correlation data is buffered and processed in corresponding PSS timing hypothesis buffers. The timing position of samples is updated in the PSS timing hypothesis buffers based on corresponding initial frequency offsets. Energy associated with the PSS transmissions may be accumulated utilizing corresponding PSS correlation data at updated sampling positions. The received PSS is detected based on a maximum accumulated energy associated with the PSS transmissions. Information that comes from the detected PSS is utilized by the mobile device to camp on a corresponding cell.
US08576823B2
A network element may provide a plurality of user equipments with a dedicated pilot sequence for uplink reference signal transmission. A user equipment may, after receipt of a dedicated pilot sequence, spread the pilot sequences using a block spreading method.
US08576817B2
A communication system where radios without a normally available communication pathway to a spectrum management system (referred to as spoke radio devices) communicate with the spectrum management system by joining a network established by a hub radio device that has a prior registration with the spectrum management system. Once joined, the spoke may seek registration with the spectrum management system and, if appropriate, obtain a spectrum allocation from the spectrum management system. Also, once registered, spoke radio devices may form a network of their own.
US08576816B2
Method for transmitting data in a transmission system, the data being transmitted in the form of packets including a compressed header field and a data field and according to a format suited to the transmission system comprising the following steps: recovering the data packet to be transmitted including a compressed header and useful data, identifying the header part from the useful-data part, applying a corrector coding which is selected at the level of the header, and providing the resulting new packet to the link layer, while also communicating the protection mode used, generating the link header according to the transmission format of the relevant transmission system integrating the mode of protection used, and the adaptation of the CRC checksum of the link layer, on reception, performing the error corrector decoding in two steps.
US08576813B2
In an ad hoc mode based on IEEE802.11 standard, when a wireless terminal performs a power save operation to create a network, and a network identifier identical to that of the network to be created is present, the wireless terminal does not join the network. When the wireless terminal is to join the network, and the network identifier identical to that of the network which the wireless terminal is to join is not present, the wireless terminal does not join any network. In this method, reliable connectivity can be obtained in the ad hoc mode which is not defined in the IEEE802.11 standard in detail.
US08576809B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for facilitating distributed transmissions among a plurality of access terminals. An access point may send an initial indicator count for each access terminal to follow a respective number of indicators when transmitting during a transmission opportunity. An access terminal may receive its respective initial indicator count, and may send a transmission after detecting a number of indicators equal to the assigned initial indicator count. A continuation indicator count may also be sent to each access terminals, where the continuation indicator count specifies a number of indicators each access terminal is to wait after sending a preceding transmission and before sending a subsequent transmission.
US08576808B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for analyzing a wide frequency band with respect to signal power levels in specified narrow frequency bands, detecting narrow band signal power levels received in the specified narrow frequency bands, determining an average composite wideband power level from the narrow band signal power levels, and determining an adaptive threshold from the narrow band signal power levels for detecting narrow band interferers in the wide frequency band. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08576804B2
Beamforming feedback frame formats within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A transmitting wireless communication device (TX) transmits a sounding frame to one or more receiving wireless communication devices (RXs) using one or more antennae and one or more clusters. Any antenna/cluster combination may be employed in communications between TXs and RXs. The one or more RXs receive/process the sounding frame to determine a type of beamforming feedback frame to be provided to the TX. Any one of a variety of beamforming feedback frame types and a types of information may be contained within a respective beamforming feedback frame including various characteristics of the respective communication channel between the TX and each of the various RXs. A common beamforming feedback frame format may be supported and employed by all such wireless communication devices (e.g., TX and RXs) when performing MU-MIMO operation such as in accordance with IEEE 802.11ac/VHT.
US08576803B2
A communication system includes sector units composing base stations, and mobile subscriber stations each being in sectors corresponding to the sector units. The mobile subscriber stations transmit channel estimation signals to the sector units corresponding to the sector and sector units corresponding to sectors contiguous to the sectors. A sector unit that corresponds to the sector forms, based on a channel estimation signal received from the mobile subscriber station in the sector corresponding to the sector unit and channel estimation signals received from the adjacent mobile subscriber stations in the sectors contiguous to the sector, a transmission beam that is directed to the mobile subscriber station but is not directed to the adjacent mobile subscriber stations to transmit data to the mobile subscriber station. By configuring the system in such a manner, interference from contiguous sectors can be avoided.
US08576802B2
A method and apparatus for improving unbalance of service at a cell edge in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). A method of an Access Point (AP) for improving unbalance at service of a cell edge in a WLAN includes monitoring for a continuous decrease of a signal strength of a station over a predefined duration, determining if the station is to handover, when the continuous decrease of the signal strength occurs, and decreasing a transmit power of the AP, when it is determined that the corresponding station is to handover.
US08576800B2
A system and method for providing connectivity between mobile devices and access points of a network without redundant solicitation of communication by the mobile device at each access point is described. The method involves receiving a data packet at a first access point in a control group; transmitting the data packet from the first access point to the mobile device; determining if the mobile device acknowledges receipt of the data packet; responsive to determining that the mobile device failed to acknowledge receipt of the data packet, forwarding the data packet to a second access point; and transmitting the data packet from the second access point to the mobile device.
US08576796B2
The present invention solves these problems with a new proxy binding update request and proxy binding acknowledgment messages having new indicators and identification information. Namely, the home agent/local mobility anchor will exchange proxy binding update messages and proxy binding acknowledge messages that include information such as mobile node identification (MN-ID), home network prefix (HNP), but can also include selective information fields such as, access type, handover indicator (HO), and interface identification (interface ID) By including new access type, indicator, and identification information, the local mobility anchor can respond to a binding update request message with a better understanding of the new connectivity request from the mobile node.
US08576792B2
A method for processing and transmitting data packet is disclosed. The method includes receiving a data packet with a first Redundancy Version (RV) from a serving cell, receiving a data packet with a second RV different from the first RV from a collaborative cell, and combining and decoding the data packets received from the serving cell and the collaborative cell.
US08576789B2
A method and apparatus for allocating a ranging channel for a synchronized mobile station in a wireless communication system is provided. A base station (BS) allocates the ranging channel for the synchronized mobile station in a first subframe and a first subband. An index of the first subframe and an index of the first subband are determined respectively based on an index of a second subframe and an index of a second subband in which a ranging channel of a non-synchronized mobile station is allocated.
US08576787B2
Block spreading generating partial orthogonality is applied for the uplink control channel for E-UTRA. For instance, a problem of maximizing the multiplexing capacity leads to numerology causing odd-length sequences which do not have the favorable property of even-length sequences (partial orthogonality). The consequence of this is poor performance in cases of high Doppler effects. Maximal multiplexing capacity is taught without loss of performance at high Doppler by modifying an earlier scheduling request scheme. The earlier SR multiplexing scheme has a number of parallel SR resources per slot equal to 12*7=84. In one example, the spreading factor of block spreading is changed to an even number, e.g., from 7 to 6. This enables usage of the partial orthogonality properties of CAZAC sequences and as a result inter-code interference in the case of high Doppler is reduced. Other ways to generate partial orthogonality are shown with similar results.
US08576779B2
A radio communication apparatus including: a radio communication interface; and a processor; the processor being configured to detect a first radio communication apparatus and a second radio communication apparatus based on a piece of address information received by the radio communication interface; and to select one of a first layer and a second layer as a forwarding layer, in which a packet is forwarded to a next forwarding address according to the radio communication apparatus of the next forwarding address corresponding to a destination address of the packet.
US08576777B2
A method for transmitting subframe grouping information is provided. The method includes updating a grouping information field of a media access control (MAC) message, which a serving base station periodically broadcasts to a mobile station (MS), using subframe grouping information determined by a target base station, and periodically transmitting the MAC message to the MS. The method provides downlink signaling for supporting variable Transmission Time Intervals (TTIs) of a base station when handover is performed, thereby minimizing service delay of each mobile station and enabling efficient utilization of resources.
US08576775B2
A method and system for multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) detection and channel decoding comprising: decomposing a channel complex gain matrix into a unitary matrix and an upper right hand triangular matrix; providing a received signal to a complex conjugate transpose of the unitary matrix, thereby creating a plurality of signals; normalizing a last of the plurality of signals; channel decoding the normalized last of the plurality of signals, thereby recovering a last codeword signal; encoding the last codeword signal; utilizing the encoded last codeword signal to recover a second last codeword signal; and repeating the utilizing until all codeword signals are recovered. Also, a method and system for providing an imbalanced modulation and coding scheme for successive interference cancellation.
US08576773B2
In some embodiments a wireless access point receives digital television content. The digital television content is transmitted in a wireless manner over a wireless network of the wireless access point. The wireless access point may be integrated into a television that redistributes the digital television content. Other embodiments are claimed.
US08576760B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for control of an idle mode in a wireless device. In particular, the idle mode duty cycle of a preamble transmission by an access point (AP), as an example, is variably or adaptively set in response to determined conditions of the wireless neighborhood. The conditions determined include the whether or not other wireless devices are present in the vicinity of sensing wireless device, as well as the state of those devices present, such as whether they are in an idle mode or an active mode.
US08576750B1
The subject matter of this disclosure can be implemented in, among other things, a method. In these examples, the method includes receiving a request to join a conference call from a user, and determining whether the user is allowed to join the conference call based on an access policy configurable by a moderator of the conference call. The method may also include upon determining that the user is allowed to join the conference call, connecting the user to the conference all, determining a set of permissions granted to the user for participating on the conference call based on the access policy, and outputting a user interface to the user or sending a message to another computing device to cause the other computing device to output the user interface to the user, wherein the user interface includes a set of conference call management options based upon the set of permissions granted to the user.
US08576747B2
In a distributed-control cognitive radio network, each secondary user (200) in a network broadcasts parameters (125) that indicate the minimum quiet-period sensing demand for regular quiet-periods that the device requires for reliable detection of a primary user (290). Each device (200) in the network adjusts its quiet-period sensing rate to accommodate the highest minimum sensing demand (155, 160), thereby providing optimal efficiency relative to quiet-period support while assuring that all devices (200) in the network are provided at least their minimum quiet-period sensing demand (150). Both the interval between regular quiet-periods and the duration of these quiet-periods are negotiated among the devices on the network (155). A quiet-period index (140) is used to synchronize all of the devices to a common time base. Techniques are also provided for efficient coordination of on-demand quiet-period requests, and for supporting different quiet-period schedules for multiple classes of primary users.
US08576744B2
A system and method to intercept traffic at standard interface points as defined by Cellular/Wireless networks (GSM/GPRS, 3G/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA, CDMA, WIMAX, LTE), emulate the respective protocols on either side of the interception point, extract user/application payloads within the intercepted packets, perform optimizations, and re-encapsulate with the same protocol, and deliver the content transparently is disclosed. The optimizations include but are not limited to Content Caching, prediction & pre-fetching of frequently used content, performance of content-aware transport optimizations (TCP, UDP, RTP etc.) for reducing back-haul bandwidth, and improvement of user experience. An additional embodiment of the current invention includes injecting opportunistic content (location based, profile based or advertisement content) based on the information derived while monitoring control plane protocols.
US08576742B2
Communication in a dominant interference scenario may be supported by performing inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC). Resource coordination/partitioning may be performed to allocate resources to a serving Node B located near the vicinity of a strong interfering Node B. The interfering Node B may avoid transmitting on the allocated/protected resources, possibly except for a common reference signal (CRS). A UE can then communicate with the serving Node B on the protected resources in the presence of the interfering Node B and may observe no interference (possibly except for the CRS) from the interfering Node B. When CRS tones of an interferer may collide with control/data tones of a serving cell, CRS interference cancellation (CRS IC) or puncturing of interfered resource elements (REs) may be appropriate. Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques, where the UE may dynamically switch between CRS IC and RE puncturing based on certain parameters.
US08576735B2
Provided is a broadcast system that assigns a communication channel to a program and broadcasts data for the program to terminals, the broadcast system including a broadcast management device and a communication access network device. The management device calculates as a score a measure of viewing requests from users of the terminals for a plurality of programs, and determines a program to actually broadcast on the communication channel based on the score. The communication access network device transmits program data on a communication channel according to the determination of the broadcast management device.
US08576731B2
A network diagnostic component or device that is placed in-line between a first and second node. The diagnostic component or device is used to compress a random data signal. For example, the first node may communicate with the second node using a random data signal that includes random data units that represent a first data unit. In some embodiments, the random data signal may be of the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (“SAS”)/Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (“SATA”) protocol. The network diagnostic component may receive the random data signal and associate at least one random data unit with identifier that is indicative of the first data unit. This random data unit may be recorded in a memory. A representation of the random data units that are different from the random data unit associated with the identifier is also recorded in the memory.
US08576723B2
Techniques for incrementing counters in an efficient manner. In one set of embodiments, counter logic circuits are provided that can operate at higher frequencies than existing counter logic circuits, while being capable of being implemented in currently available field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or fabricated using currently available process technologies. The counter logic circuits of the present invention may be used to increment statistics counters in network devices that support line speeds of 40 Gbps, 100 Gbps, and greater.
US08576720B2
A method of load balancing zero-bandwidth Traffic Engineering Label Switching Paths (0-bw TE LSPs) in a communication network having a plurality of network nodes and a plurality of network links connecting the nodes. The method may be implemented in a centralized Path Computation Element (PCE) or in an ingress router. Each equal cost path from a source node to a destination node is identified from network topology information. A probability of selecting each equal cost shortest path is determined using an iterative Global Load balancing Algorithm (GLA) and each 0-bw TE LSP is provisioned with a specific probability such that the 0-bw TE LSPs are uniformly distributed over all network links.
US08576713B2
Port units, methods, and computer readable storage media for testing a network are disclosed. A traffic generator may generate and transmit test traffic over a network under test, the test traffic including a plurality of interleaved packet streams, each traffic stream associated with one of a plurality of flow control groups. A traffic receiver may receive flow control packets from the network under test. The traffic generator may be configured to stop transmission of all packet streams associated with one or more paused flow control groups when the traffic receiver receives a flow control packet identifying the one or more paused flow control groups.
US08576712B2
A method and apparatus for providing a reliable Voice Extensible Markup Language (VXML) over packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network are disclosed. For example, a service provider may utilize a plurality of content servers that can be accessed by at least one telephony browser. The telephony browser can reach the content browsers directly as well as through a shared server that may load balance among the content servers. When a request for a VXML content, e.g., a VXML application, is received, the telephony browser sends the request to the shared server. If the request fails or a response is not received prior to expiration of a predetermined time interval, then the telephony browser sends a second request directly to one of the content servers that is capable of providing the requested content.
US08576709B2
A system and method for monitoring dropped packets are provided. A method for communications device operations includes receiving a sequence of packets from a transmitting station, where each packet in the sequence of packets includes a protocol layer packet for each protocol layer of multi-layered network. The method also includes determining if a packet in the sequence of packets has been dropped by the transmitting station, where the determining is based on at least two sets of sequence numbers associated with different protocol layers of packets in the sequence of packets. The method further includes updating a packet discard counter based on the determining.
US08576708B2
In one embodiment, certain SRLGs associated with members of a bundle are deemed to be “risk-free SRLGs”, i.e., SRLGs whose failure may not substantially impact the capacity of the bundle to carry traffic in a computer network. In a bandwidth unaware embodiment a number of active members of the bundle is identified for each SRLG, and a bandwidth aware embodiment further specifies an available bandwidth capacity for each SRLG to determine risk-free SRLGs. A backup path or tunnel may be established and utilized to protect a communication link as long as the SRLGs shared are deemed to be risk-free SRLGs.
US08576705B2
A method and computing device receives data packets on an upstream bonding group in full service mode, where the upstream bonding group includes a set of channels and each channel has a transmission quality. The method detects that a select channel in the set of channels is impaired when the transmission quality of the select channel is below a threshold value, and transitions the receiving of the data packets from full service mode to partial service mode by disabling data grant scheduling on the select channel. The method monitors the select channel using a spectrum management method while the receiving of the data packets is in partial service mode. The method transitions the receiving of the data packets from partial service mode to full service mode when a result from the spectrum management method indicates that the select channel can transmit data packets error free.
US08576695B2
A method for generating a preamble of a frame for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication begins by, for each transmit antenna, generating a carrier detect field. The method continues by, for a first grouping of the transmit antennas, generating a first guard interval, and at least one channel sounding field. Continuing, the method applies cyclical shift prior to transmission via the first grouping of the transmit antennas. When the MIMO wireless communication includes more than the first grouping of the transmit antennas, for another grouping of the transmit antennas. For the another grouping of the transmit antennas, generating at least one other channel sounding field. The method proceeds by generating the first guard interval prior to the at least one other channel sounding field, and applying another cyclical shift prior to transmission via the another grouping of the transmit antennas.
US08576685B2
A high-NA and thin objective lens which prevents occurrence of a crack during lens molding and can stably be molded is provided. The present invention is directed to an objective lens having an optical surface having power which is not negative. The objective lens is a single lens and is formed such that a flat portion which is provided at an outer peripheral portion and perpendicular to the optical axis is closer to a disc surface than the position of the top of an exit-side surface of the objective lens and such that the rate of change in sag of the exit-side surface is continuous across the entire region.
US08576679B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for correctly controlling content recorded on an optical disc. An apparatus 600 for using content recorded on an optical disc 601, wherein the optical disc 601 includes a control information area 602 composed of partial areas 603a-603n, each being for recording control information indicating that use of the content is not permitted, the apparatus 600 comprises: a position information holding unit 612 holding therein position information indicating one of the partial areas 603a-603n that is allocated for the apparatus 600 to record the control information; a reading unit 613 reading information within the control information area 602; a judgment unit 614 judging whether use of the content is permitted, with use of the information read by the reading unit 613 and the position information; and a usage control unit 615 using the content when use of the content is judged to be permitted.
US08576671B1
A TAMR (thermal assisted magnetic recording) equipped DFH (dynamic flying height) type slider ABS design, when operating in a HDD (hard disk drive) produces exceptional low pressure/stiffness for improved touch down detection and back-off efficiency as well as wear and damage reduction due to the improved capabilities as well as reduction in heat transfers. The supplementation of the slider with multiple heaters, three herein, disposed about the write-head in the cross-track direction provides the slider with enhanced dynamic stability that would normally not be achievable with the exceptional low pressure/stiffness.
US08576668B2
An environmental monitoring system including at least one underwater measurement device and a transmitter for transmitting data from the measurement device to an above water station using a magnetically coupled antenna.
US08576656B2
A latency counter includes an input selecting circuit that selects one of a plurality of signal paths and supplies an internal command to the selected signal path, a shift circuit that switches a correspondence relation between the signal paths and a latch circuit, and an output selecting circuit that causes the internal command taken in the latch circuit to be output. The input selection circuit includes a timing control circuit allocated to each of the signal paths. The timing control circuit includes an SR latch circuit that is set by the internal command and is reset in response to deactivation of a corresponding count value. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress shortening of an active period of the internal command that is output from the input selecting circuit.
US08576655B2
A semiconductor memory includes a bit cell having first and inverters forming a latch. First and second transistors are respectively coupled to first and second storage nodes of the latch and to first and second write bit lines. Each of the first and second transistors has a respective gate coupled to a first node. Third and fourth transistors are coupled together in series at the first node and are disposed between a write word line and a first voltage source. Each of the first and second transistors has a respective gate coupled to a first control line. A fifth transistor has a source coupled to a second voltage source, a drain coupled to at least one of the inverters of the latch, and a gate coupled to the first node. A read port is coupled to a first read bit line and to the second storage node of the latch.
US08576654B2
A non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of memory blocks. Each of memory blocks includes a main area including a plurality of first memory cells having a phase-change material and a spare area including at least one second memory cell for storing initial information about the plurality of first memory cells. In the non-volatile memory device, a circuit of the at least one second memory cell is cut off according to the initial information, and the initial information is defective block information that is information about a defect of the plurality of memory blocks.
US08576653B2
In an exemplary hidden refresh method for a pseudo SRAM, a system clock is received. A duty-on period of the system clock signal is adapted for performing a data access operation such as write or read operation. A refresh clock signal subjected to the control of the system clock signal is generated. A duty-on period of the refresh clock signal is non-overlapped with the duty-on period of the system clock signal. A refresh control pulse then is triggered by a starting edge of the duty-on period of the refresh clock signal to activate a word line, for performing a refresh operation.
US08576652B2
A semiconductor memory device has an operation mode in which a read/write operation is performed in response to a command supplied externally in synchronization with a clock, and a power-down mode in which no external read/write command is accepted. The semiconductor memory device performs a refresh operation in response to an externally supplied signal during the power-down mode. A memory system has a plurality of the semiconductor devices and a memory controller. The memory controller outputs a control signal during the power-down mode, and the plurality of semiconductor devices perform a refresh operation in response to the control signal during the power-down mode.
US08576634B2
The degree of integration and the number of rewriting of a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory element are improved. A first MONOS nonvolatile-memory-element and a second MONOS nonvolatile-memory-element having a large gate width compared with the first MONOS nonvolatile-memory-element are mounted together on the same substrate, and the first MONOS nonvolatile-memory-element is used for storing program data which is scarcely rewritten, and the second MONOS nonvolatile-memory-element is used for storing processed data which is frequently rewritten.
US08576629B2
Disclosed is an operating method of a nonvolatile memory device, which includes programming the first selection transistors of the plurality of cell strings and programming the plurality of memory cells of the plurality of cell strings. The programming the first selection transistors comprises supplying a first voltage to a first bit line connected with a first selection transistor to be programmed and a different second voltage to a second bit line connected to a first selection transistor to be program inhibited; turning on the second selection transistors of the plurality of cell strings, and supplying a first program voltage to a selected first selection line among a plurality of first selection lines connected with the first selection transistors and a third voltage to an unselected first selection line among the plurality of first selection lines.
US08576626B2
A memory system includes a memory and a memory controller operating to control the memory. The memory includes a random accessible memory including a memory cell array operable in a random access mode, a NAND flash memory, and a selection circuit making the memory controller operate either one of the random accessible memory or the NAND flash memory.
US08576624B2
Dynamically determining read levels on chip (e.g., memory die) is disclosed herein. One method comprises reading a group of non-volatile storage elements on a memory die at a first set of read levels. Results of the two most recent of the read levels are stored on the memory die. A count of how many of the non-volatile storage elements in the group showed a different result between the reads for the two most recent read levels is determined. The determining is performed on the memory die using the results stored on the memory die. A dynamic read level is determined for distinguishing between a first pair of adjacent data states of the plurality of data states based on the read level when the count reaches a pre-determined criterion. Note that the read level may be dynamically determined on the memory die.
US08576622B2
In one embodiment, the method for reading memory cells in an array of non-volatile memory cells includes reading data from a memory cell using a set of hard decision voltages and at least a first set of soft decision voltages based on a single read command.
US08576620B2
A semiconductor device includes: a source line; a bit line; a word line; a memory cell connected to the bit line and the word line; a driver circuit which drives a plurality of second signal lines and a plurality of word lines so as to select the memory cell specified by an address signal; a potential generating circuit which generates a writing potential and a plurality of reading potentials to supply to a writing circuit and a reading circuit; and a control circuit which selects one of a plurality of voltages for correction on a basis of results of the reading circuit comparing a potential of the bit line with the plurality of reading potentials.
US08576612B2
A memory cell includes a storage element, a write circuit coupled to the storage element and a read circuit coupled to the storage element. At least a portion of the storage element and at least a portion of the write circuit are fabricated using a thicker functional gate oxide and at least a portion of the read circuit is fabricated using a thinner functional gate oxide.
US08576606B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment herein includes a memory cell array. The memory cell array includes memory cells each provided between a first line and a second line and each including a variable resistor. A control circuit applies through the first and second lines a voltage necessary for a forming operation of the memory cell. A current limiting circuit limits a value of a current flowing across the memory cell during the forming operation to a certain limit value. The control circuit repeats an operation of applying the voltage by setting the limit value to a certain value and an operation of changing the limit value from the certain value, until forming of the memory cell is achieved.
US08576605B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a memory cell array configured by plural memory cells each including a variable resistor and each provided between first and second lines. A control circuit applies to a memory cell through the first and second lines a writing voltage for writing data or a reading voltage for reading data. A sense amplifier circuit senses data retained in a memory cell based on a current flowing through the first line. In a data writing operation, the control circuit applies a writing voltage to each of n number of memory cells configuring one unit such that the memory cells may be supplied with different resistance values. In a data reading operation, the sense amplifier circuit compares level relationship of the resistance values of n number of memory cells configuring one unit and reads out n! patterns of data from the one unit.
US08576603B2
Method for conversion of a Flash memory cell on a first semiconductor device to a ROM memory cell in a second semiconductor device, the first and second semiconductor device each being arranged on a semiconductor substrate and each comprising an identical device portion and an identical wiring scheme for wiring the device portion to the Flash memory cell and to the ROM memory cell, respectively; the Flash memory cell being made in non-volatile memory technology and comprising an access transistor and a floating transistor, the floating transistor comprising a floating gate and a control gate; the ROM memory cell being made in a baseline technology and comprising a single gate transistor, which method includes manipulating a layout of at least one baseline mask as used in the baseline technology; the manipulation including: incorporating into the layout of the at least one baseline mask a layout of the Flash memory cell, and converting the layout of the Flash memory cell to a layout of one ROM memory cell by eliminating, from the at least one baseline mask, a layout for the floating transistor from the layout of the Flash memory cell and designating the layout of the access transistor of the Flash memory cell as a layout of the single gate transistor of the ROM memory cell.
US08576600B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory array configured to include memory cells for storing input data and Code Address Memory (CAM) cells for storing setting data used to set an operation condition; an operation circuit configured to perform a CAM read operation by supplying a read voltage to the CAM cells, perform a test operation for detecting unstable CAM cells in each of which a difference between a threshold voltage and the read voltage is smaller than a permitted limit, from among the CAM cells, and perform an erase operation or a program operation for the unstable CAM cells; and a controller configured to control the operation circuit so that the program operation for storing the setting data in the unstable CAM cells is performed if the number of unstable CAM cells detected in the test operation is greater than a permitted value.
US08576595B2
A biased current-limit circuit for limiting a maximum output power of a power converter includes an oscillator for generating a pulse signal and an oscillation signal. A waveform generator generates a waveform signal in response to the oscillation signal. A sample-hold circuit is used to sample the waveform signal to generate a hold signal in response to a switching signal. The sample-hold circuit further samples the hold signal to generate a current-limit threshold in response to a second-sampling signal. A current comparator is utilized to compare a current-sensing signal with the current-limit threshold to limit a maximum on-time of the switching signal.
US08576587B2
A predictive synchronous rectification controller for controlling at least one synchronous rectification switch is provided. The synchronous rectification controller has a ramp generator, a peak sampling unit, and an output control unit. The ramp generator receives a synchronous signal and generates a ramp signal accordingly. The peak sampling unit generates a predicted reference voltage signal by retrieving a peak voltage of the ramp signal. The output control unit compares the ramp signal with the predicted reference voltage signal to generate a synchronous rectification control signal to control a conducting state of the switch.
US08576581B2
The present invention relates to a circuit (300) for controlling the current in an electrical control member (110) comprising a bridge provided with four terminals (105, 106, 107, 108) and comprising four control switches (AH, AL, BH, BL), a power source (109), PWM control means for at least two of the four switches. The control circuit exhibits a first state in which said first (AH) and fourth (BL) switches are closed and said second (BH) and third (AL) switches are open, a second state in which said second (BH) and third (AL) switches are closed and said first (AH) and fourth (BL) switches are open and at least one of the following two states: a third state in which said third (AL) and fourth (BL) switches are closed and said first (AH) and second (BH) switches are open and/or a fourth state in which said first (AH) and second (BH) switches are closed and said third (AL) and fourth (BL) switches are open. A particularly interesting application of the invention lies in the field of controlling the current for the actuators used for “camless” systems in motor vehicles.
US08576578B2
A robust printed circuit board (PCB) that includes at least two power layers that are used in providing power to components connected to the PCB. The power layers may be a power plane layer and a ground plane layer. The power plane layer is situated such that its edge is pulled back a second distance from the planar edge of the PCB. The ground plane layer is situated such that its edge is pulled back a first distance from the planar edge of the PCB. The second distance and the first distance are different, and as a result, the planar edges of the power plane layer and the ground plane layer respectively do not coincide.
US08576577B2
The invention relates to avionics equipment including a motherboard (108), at least one daughterboard (150) and, for each daughterboard, two supporting slides (116) attached directly to the motherboard and bearing the daughterboard. The invention also includes at least one mechanical connecting part (122A to 122D, 128A, 128B) between the motherboard (108) and at least one of the following: a backplane board (112) connected to an avionic connector (124), an avionic connector (124) and the rear face (106) of the avionics equipment.
US08576566B2
Carrier device for placement of thermal interface materials. At least some embodiments are systems including a first electrical component that defines a first surface at a first elevation relative to an underlying structure, a second electrical component that defines a second surface at a second elevation relative to the underlying structure, a metallic member configured to conduct heat from the electrical components, and a carrier between the electrical components and the metallic member. The carrier includes a third and fourth surface configured to mate with the first and second surfaces, respectively, a first aperture through the third surface, and a second aperture through the fourth surface. The system further includes a first thermal interface material coupled between the first electrical component and the metallic member through the first aperture, and a second thermal interface material coupled between the second electrical component and the metallic member through the second aperture.
US08576564B2
Operability of an electronic apparatus while grasping it in the hand is improved, and display panel visibility is improved. The electronic apparatus includes a main body part, a display device, and a handle portion. The handle portion includes first and second leg portions having first ends connected to the main body part, and a grip portion to which second ends of the leg portions are connected. The handle portion has a shape such that the grip portion is positioned on the back surface side relative to the main body part thickness direction centerline that is at an equal distance from the front surface and the back surface.
US08576562B2
An information handling system includes a base portion with a moveable first latch member. A display portion is moveable relative to the base portion. A first side of the display portion includes a first side latch engagement member and a second side of the display portion includes a second side latch engagement member. The display portion includes a first latch member actuator that is operable, in response to positioning the first side of the display portion adjacent the base portion, to move the first latch member adjacent the first side latch engagement member to resist movement of the display portion relative to the base portion and, in response to positioning the second side of the display portion adjacent the base portion, to move the first latch member adjacent the second side latch engagement member to resist movement of the display portion relative to the base portion.
US08576561B2
This is directed to an electronic device enclosure. The enclosure includes an outer periphery member forming an outer surface of a device, and to which an internal platform is connected. Electronic device components can be assembled to one or both surfaces of the internal platform. The enclosure can include front and back cover assemblies assembled to the opposite surfaces of the outer periphery member to retain electronic device components. One or both of the cover assemblies can include a window through which display circuitry can provide content to a user of the device.
US08576556B2
An electronic book device integrated with a magnetic pen rack, including a leather cover, a rack, a magnetic pen, a LED light source module, and an electronic book. The rack, of rectangular outline and having an opening at one side, is fixed on the leather cover so as to form a rectangular space for accommodating the electronic book. The rack includes: at least one bolt, used for fixing the electronic book; a first groove, used for accommodating the magnetic pen, the first groove having a first metal contact part for electrically connecting the magnetic pen with the electronic book; and a second groove, used for accommodating the LED light source module, the second groove having a second metal contact part for electrically connecting the LED light source module with the electronic book.
US08576554B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a power supply containment device for a computing system. According to one embodiment, the power supply containment device includes a main housing and a clamp portion coupled to the main housing. The clamp portion is configured to extend perpendicularly from the main housing so as to securely hold a power supply between the clamp portion and main housing of the containment device.
US08576553B2
Embodiments are directed towards a support structure for electronic displays with a counterweight that is directed towards maintaining a center of gravity for the support structure, display, and counterweight over the support structure. Embodiments further disclose mechanisms for indirectly coupling the display and providing for counterweight rotations.
US08576550B2
A keyboard fixing structure for fixing a keyboard in an opening of a housing is disclosed. The keyboard fixing structure includes an engaging portion, a first fixing portion, a first flexible connecting portion, a second fixing portion and a second flexible connecting portion. The engaging portion presses a first side of the keyboard in the opening. The first fixing portion is fixed on the housing, and the first flexible connecting portion is connected to the first fixing portion and the engaging portion. The second fixing portion is fixed on the housing, and the second flexible connecting portion is connected to the second fixing portion and the engaging portion. The first flexible connecting portion and the second flexible connecting portion cooperatively provide resilient force to the engaging portion in a first direction for driving the engaging portion to press the first side of the keyboard.
US08576548B2
A vehicle is provided that includes a shelter thereon that includes electronics therein. The shelter includes ports on the exterior thereof that permit data and power exchange between the vehicle and another similarly configured vehicle. The vehicle further includes dedicated wiring raceways that separate wiring having different uses.
US08576538B2
A multilayered body includes capacitor conductors and an internal conductor, which together define a capacitor. A first external electrode is connected to one of the capacitor conductors via a set of lead electrodes. A second external electrode is connected to the other capacitor conductor via another set of lead electrodes. The internal conductor faces the capacitor conductors.
US08576536B2
A device is provided for protecting an electronic printed circuit board, which includes at least two layers. The device includes on a layer, at least one conductive part uniformly spread on an insulator layer, the entirety comprising the conductive part and the insulator layer forming a capacitive support presenting a uniform electrical field. The capacitive support is placed roughly on the whole surface of one of the layers of the multi-layered electronic printed circuit board. The capacitive support is configured to deliver a reference capacitance. A capacitive measurement microprocessor detects a variation in capacitance. A transmitter is configured for transmitting a piece of information representing the variation in capacitance when an absolute value of a difference between the measured capacitance and the reference capacitance exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US08576535B2
An ion-generating device has a positive electrode pair and a negative electrode pair. The positive electrode pair and the negative electrode pair are disposed in a casing with a space interposed therebetween, such that an induction electrode in the positive electrode pair and an induction electrode in the negative electrode pair are separated from each other. It is thereby possible to obtain an ion-generating device and an electrical apparatus, capable of efficiently emitting both of positive ions and negative ions to an outside of the device, and easily achieving reduction in size and thickness.
US08576532B2
A device for providing transient voltage suppression on a Power over Ethernet system is provided. The device includes a transient voltage suppression module. The transient voltage suppression module includes a circuit module, which includes a circuit board and input and output connectors. One or more transient voltage suppression modules may be mounted to a frame to form a transient voltage suppression patch panel, which, in turn, may be mounted to a rack for use in a telecommunications room. The circuit board combines a frequency-variable impedance connected between conductors in a pair and a voltage-variable impedance connected to the frequency-variable impedance, where the voltage-variable impedance is also connected to a chassis and/or an electrical ground.
US08576525B2
A serial surge suppression and overload protection optimization device has an input terminal, an output terminal and multiple surge suppression units. The surge suppression units are serially connected between the input terminal and the output terminal. Each surge suppression unit has two parallel inductors and multiple surge absorbing elements. Each surge absorbing element is connected to an output end of one of the parallel inductors and has a fuse serially connected therewith. When surge energy is excessively large, the fuse melts to separate the surge absorbing element from a main power loop without causing a short circuit within the main power loop due to the meltdown of the fuse. The optimization device is used with an automatic overload protection unit to normally supply power to equipment connected to the output terminal thereof and ensure electrical safety protection with a bypass circuit design thereof.
US08576522B2
An electrical system includes a generator; a generator control unit connected to the generator; and a shunt regulator connected to an excitation output of the generator control unit, wherein the shunt regulator is configured to overload the excitation output of the generator control unit in the event of an overvoltage condition in the electrical system, such that an output voltage of the generator does not exceed a predetermined ceiling voltage during the overvoltage condition.
US08576519B1
A current-perpendicular-to-the-plane magnetoresistive sensor has magnetic damping material located adjacent either or both of the sensor side edges and back edge to reduce the effect of spin transfer torque. The damping material may be Pt, Pd, Os, or a rare earth metal from the 15 lanthanoid elements. The damping material may be an ultrathin layer in contact with the sensor edges. An insulating layer is deposited on the damping layer and isolates the sensor's ferromagnetic biasing layer from the damping layer. Instead of being a separate layer, the damping material may be formed adjacent the sensor edges by being incorporated into the material of the insulating layer.
US08576515B2
An apparatus includes a non-metallic interlayer between a magnetic data storage layer and a heat sink layer, wherein interface thermal resistance between the interlayer and the heat sink layer is capable of reducing heat flow between the heat sink layer and the magnetic data storage layer. The apparatus may be configured as a thin film structure arranged for data storage. The apparatus may also include thermal resistor layer positioned between the interlayer and the heat sink layer.
US08576509B1
A disk drive is disclosed wherein during a write operation a write fly height actuator is configured with a pre-heat value and a read fly height actuator is configured with a read value. When the head is over a target data sector, the write fly height actuator is configured with a first write value and the read fly height actuator is configured with a second write value, and data is written to the target data sector. When the head transitions from writing data to the target data sector to reading a servo sector, the write fly height actuator is configured with the pre-heat value and the read fly height actuator is configured with a read value. After reading the servo sector, the write fly height actuator is configured with the first write value and the read fly height actuator is configured with the second write value.
US08576504B2
The motor driving apparatus includes a motor driving a driven member, and a controller performing, from a start of driving of the motor, acceleration drive of the motor on the basis of a predetermined acceleration pattern with open-loop control, and then perform, in response to increase of a driving speed of the motor or the driven member to a predetermined speed, drive of the motor with feedback control. The controller changes the predetermined acceleration pattern and the predetermined speed depending on a magnitude of a load acting on the motor or the driven member.
US08576492B2
A zoom lens system comprising: a positive first lens unit; a negative second lens unit; a positive third lens unit; and one or more subsequent lens units, wherein in zooming, the first to third lens units are moved along an optical axis to perform magnification change, a lens unit α which is one of the subsequent lens units does not move during zooming, but moves during transition from an imaging state to an accommodated state, and the conditions: 0.8
US08576490B2
A changeable liquid lens array and a method of manufacturing the same. The changeable liquid lens array includes a substrate, a plurality of partition walls arrayed on the substrate and having a fluid travel path, cells defined by the plurality of partition walls, a first fluid comprised in the cells, a second fluid arranged on the first fluid, a first electrode arranged on at least one side surface of each of the partition walls, and a second electrode disposed to be separate from the partition walls. A shape of an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid changes based on a voltage that is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08576486B2
An optical element includes a base and a large number of structures arranged on the surface of the base, the structures being projections or depressions. The structures are arranged at a pitch shorter than or equal to a wavelength of light in a use environment. An effective refractive index in the depth direction of the structures gradually increases toward the base and has two or more inflection points.
US08576480B2
An optical amplifier using the evanescent light to control the optical output level is provided. The optical amplifier includes: a waveguide path transmitting an optical signal; an optical amplification unit formed on the waveguide path and amplifying the optical signal by an excitation light; an irradiation unit irradiating the excitation light to the optical amplification unit; an optical detection unit generating an electric signal which corresponds to a detected light; a branching unit branching an evanescent light being the optical signal outputted from the optical amplification unit and leaked outside the waveguide path, and focusing the evanescent light on the optical detection unit; a wavelength detection unit detecting a wavelength multiplicity of the optical signal based on the detected evanescent light; and a light amount adjustment unit adjusting a light amount of the excitation light irradiated by the irradiation unit based on the wavelength multiplicity.
US08576468B2
A scanning projector includes a MEMS device with a scanning mirror that sweeps a beam in two dimensions. Actuating circuits receive scan angle information and provide signal stimulus to the MEMS device to control the amount of mirror deflection on two axes. The period of movement on one or both axes may be modified to effect changes in line density in a resultant display.
US08576465B2
A method of calibrating a printing device includes storing current calibration data in the printing device; and modifying each incoming print job using the calibration data stored in the printing device. A printing device having a calibration function includes a memory storing current calibration data in the printing device; and an operator, executed by the printing device, configured to modify each incoming print job using the calibration data stored in the printing device.
US08576463B2
An automatic document feeder includes an original feed table that has a detection hole and on which a bundle composed of a plurality of originals is set; and an original detection sensor that detects the original on the original feed table. The original detection sensor is a reflective optical sensor having a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and disposed under or inside of the original feed table to detect the original though the detection hole. The detection hole includes a light-emitting side portion corresponding to the light-emitting unit of and a light-receiving side portion corresponding to the light-receiving unit of the original detection sensor, the light-emitting side portion and the light-receiving side portion having planar shapes different from each other. The original feed table includes a light-shielding portion that is provided above the light-receiving unit of the original detection sensor, and has a slanted surface overhanging the light-receiving unit.
US08576460B2
An image reading device includes a light source; a light guiding member; an imaging optical system that reflects the light, which faces a first direction from the object, in a second direction intersecting the first direction by a reflective plane disposed in the first direction of the object, that makes the light, which is reflected by the reflective plane, converge toward the second direction by an emission portion disposed in the second direction of the reflective plane, and that images an erect equal-magnification image of the object in the second direction of the emission portion; and an optical sensor that is disposed in the second direction of the emission portion of the imaging optical system, and detects the erect equal-magnification image that is imaged by the imaging optical system, in which the light guiding member is disposed at an object side of the emission portion in the first direction.
US08576456B2
Systems and methods of ensuring the erasure of transient documents are disclosed. The systems and methods include an imaging device that sends a transient document with a pre-printed image into an erase cycle to attempt to remove the image from the document. After the erase cycle, a scanner scans the transient document and converts the transient document into a digital image. A processor compares bit depths of individual bits of the digital image to a bit depth threshold. Depending on the comparison and a number of completed erase cycles, the transient document enters an additional erase cycle, completes as sufficiently erased, or is rejected as not sufficiently erased.
US08576452B2
An image processing apparatus includes a dividing unit configured to divide image data into pieces of print scan image data for the plurality of print scans, a quantization unit configured to quantize the pieces of print scan image data, and a generation unit configured to generate pieces of print data for the plurality of print scans on the basis of the quantized pieces of print scan image data. In a case where a density represented by the pieces of print scan image data is a low density, the quantization unit quantizes the pieces of print scan image data so that they are mutually exclusive in the plurality of print scans.
US08576448B2
A method for generating a clustered halftone representation of a continuous-tone image for printing includes applying a search technique. In the search technique, evaluation of a similarity between an initial halftone and the continuous-tone image includes application of an initialization filter to an initial error image that represents a difference between the initial halftone and the continuous-tone image. Evaluation of a similarity between each updated halftone, formed by modifying a previously-evaluated halftone, and the continuous-tone image includes application of an update filter that is different from the initialization filter to an updated error image that represents a difference between the updated halftone and the continuous-tone image. Relating computer program product and data processing system are also disclosed.
US08576434B2
A printer may judge whether a first type of communication with the print mediation server. The printer may execute the first type of communication and receive a predetermined notification in a case where it is judged that the first type of communication is executable. The printer may, (A) execute, when the predetermined notification is received a second type of communication so as to acquire specific address information, in the case where being judged that the first type of communication is executable and (B) execute, even if the predetermined notification is not received, the second type of communication at a predetermined timing so as to acquire the specific address information in a case where it is judged that the first type of communication is not executable. The printer may acquire the specific print data and print an image represented by the specific print data.
US08576426B2
In accordance with the acceptance of an output instruction to output a single file containing a plurality of images from a user, at least one of the images contained in the file specified to be output based on the output instruction is output. At that time, control is performed so that at least one image is selected from among images associated with each other of the images contained in the file specified to be output based on the output instruction and the selected image is output.
US08576423B2
An image processing device is provided. The image processing device includes a scanner to scan an image formed on a sheet, a first image obtainer to read and obtain a first image being a processible image formed in a first area, the first area being allocated on the sheet, a second image obtainer to read and obtain a second image formed in a second area, the second area being allocated on the sheet separately from the first area, a judging unit to judge as to whether the second image obtained by the second image obtainer is qualifies a predetermined authentication criteria and is identical to a predetermined identifying image, and a function controller to activate a predetermined function of the image processing device, which processes the processible image obtained by the first image obtainer, when the judging unit judges that the second image is identical to the predetermined identifying image.
US08576421B2
Disclosed is a printer for performing a process on the basis of received print data, the process including feeding a print sheet for a page, printing on the fed sheet, and ejecting the printed sheet. The printer includes a controller that allows a sheet for a succeeding page to be ejected without being printed when allowing the sheet for the succeeding page to be fed before completion of the process on another sheet for a preceding page which is in progress and then recognizing the end of a print data block corresponding to the succeeding page.
US08576406B1
A method of constructing a non-imaging beam transformer includes reducing a tailored illumination function from a predetermined light source to a source point response illumination function; calculating a plurality of transformation pairs for the predetermined light source, the transformation pairs identifying the radii of illumination of the light source at given source output angles; determining a desired lighting profile for light output at a region of interest to be illuminated by the beam transformer; determining a surface profile of a surface of the beam transformer such that for given output angles of the light source, the transformation pairs at those output angles are satisfied to correspond to the desired lighting profile; and constructing the beam transformer having the surface profile determined based on the transformation pairs. The method can include characterizing a specific angular output distribution of a light source to calculate the transformation pairs.
US08576402B2
A system for optical navigation includes a light source and an imaging system. The light source illuminates a navigation surface. The navigation surface reflects light from the light source. The imaging system is located approximately within a path of the reflected light. The imaging system includes a lens, a mask, and an image sensor. The lens receives reflected light from the navigation surface. The lens focuses a specular portion of the reflected light to a focus region. The mask is located at approximately the focus region. The mask filters out substantially all of the specular portion of the reflected light and passes at least some of a scatter portion of the reflected light outside of the focus region. The image sensor generates a navigation signal based on the scattered portion of the light that passes outside the focus region and is incident on the image sensor.
US08576400B2
Herein are disclosed optoelectronic methods and devices for detecting the presence of an analyte. Such methods and devices may comprise at least one sensing element that is responsive to the presence of an analyte of interest and that may be interrogated optically by the use of at least one light source and at least one light detector.
US08576399B2
A method for turbidity measurement in a measured medium uses a turbidity sensor, which comprises at least a first and a second emitter and at least a first and a second detector. The first and the second emitters are excited one after the other to produce light signals directed into the measured medium; wherein each light signal travels along a first propagation path through the measured medium to the first detector, and is converted by such into a first detector signal; and travels along a second propagation path through the measured medium to the second detector, and is converted by such into a second detector signal. A turbidity value is ascertained based on the first and the second detector signals; wherein, by means of at least one additional detector, to which at least one of the light signals travels along an additional propagation path, an additional detector signal is ascertained, and, on the basis of the additional detector signal, the turbidity value is checked as regards its plausibility.
US08576393B2
Method and apparatus for detection and characterization of defects, and working order assessment of fab processing operation.
US08576392B2
An optical fiber crack detector that includes a plurality of FBG sensors positioned within one or more fibers that are operable to reflect a defined wavelength of an optical input beam. The crack detector includes a light source for generating the optical input beam that propagates down the optical fiber and interacts with the FBG sensors. A wavelength of the optical beam that is reflected by the FBG sensors is detected, and if a crack in the component damages the fiber between an FBG sensor and the detector circuit, where one or more of the reflected signals are not received, the detector knows that a crack has occurred. By strategically placing a plurality of the FBG sensors along the fiber, a crack that damages the fiber in multiple locations between multiple FBG sensors, or in multiple fibers, can provide an indication of the length of the crack.
US08576389B2
An OTDR device and method for characterizing one or more events in an optical fiber link are provided. A plurality of light acquisitions is performed. For each light acquisition, test light pulses are propagated in the optical fiber link and the corresponding return light signals from the optical fiber link are detected. The light acquisitions are performed under different acquisition conditions, for example using different pulsewidths or wavelengths. Parameters characterizing the event are derived using the detected return signal from at least two of the plurality of light acquisitions.
US08576382B2
According to a present invention embodiment, safety is enhanced for a non-eye-safe limited-range laser sensing system. The laser sensing system typically has an operating range limited to a well-defined spatial interval. A range measurement is utilized to control emissions of the non-eye-safe laser. In particular, when the range to a target is outside the designed spatial interval defining the operating range of the laser sensing system, transmission of the non-eye-safe laser beam is disabled or rendered non-hazardous. In other words, the transmission of the non-eye-safe laser beam is disabled in response to no detection of a hard target within the operating range of the laser sensing system, or when an object is detected between the laser sensing system and the spatial interval that defines the operating range. The target distance may be tracked to change the location (and possibly, width) of the adaptive spatial interval defining the operating range.
US08576378B2
An illumination optical system comprises a first polarization control unit which is located between a light source and a pupil of an illumination optical system, and a second polarization control unit which is located between the first polarization control unit and the pupil, wherein a region on the pupil includes a plurality of partial regions which are classified into a first group including a partial region having a largest area, and a second group including a partial region different from the partial region having the largest area, and the second polarization control unit controls a polarization state in the partial region which belongs to only the second group.
US08576368B2
A driving circuit for a liquid crystal display, the driving circuit being an integrated circuit having electrode pads disposed on a surface of the integrated circuit, bumps formed on the electrode pads, a conductive adhesive layer formed on the bumps and conductive particles having an outer conductive layer and an elastic polymer inner portion deposited on the conductive adhesive layer. The driving circuit is mounted on a TFT array substrate and bonded to pads provided on the substrate. The conductive particles reduce electrical connection resistance that would otherwise arise due to height differences between bumps in a plurality of bumps, and prevents electrical open defects and an electrical short defects.
US08576358B2
The present invention relates to a polarization layer for an LCD and a manufacturing method thereof that improve light transmittance and polarization performance of a polarization layer by controlling a pre-tilt angle of an alignment layer. The manufacturing method of the present invention includes forming an alignment layer treated by inorganic alignment, forming a liquid crystal mixture including a dichroic dye, a liquid crystal monomer, a photo-initiator, and a gelator on the alignment layer, irradiating light to the liquid crystal mixture for photo-polymerizing it, and forming a color filter (CF) or a thin film transistor (TFT) on the polymerized and solidified liquid crystal mixture. Accordingly, the polarization layer manufactured by the present invention has the high light transmittance thereby increasing the polarization efficiency and realizing the liquid crystal display of high quality compared with the conventional polarization layer by the rubbing alignment.
US08576357B2
In a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example an LCD monitor or an LCD-TV, a number of light management films, including a diffuser layer, lie between the light source and the LCD panel to provide bright, uniform illumination. In some embodiments, the diffuser layer is attached to the lower side of the LCD panel. Some, or all, of the light management layers may be attached together as a laminated stack of films. In some embodiments, the diffuser layer is formed with a recessed region on one side and another optical film positioned within the recessed region.
US08576356B2
A liquid crystal display device and a method for driving the same are provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a first liquid crystal layer selectively driven by a first electric field in a first direction; and a second liquid crystal layer selectively driven a second electric field in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction.
US08576353B2
A liquid crystal display includes a light guide plate that guides incident light, a first point light source assembly including first point light source elements that provide the light to the light guide plate and a first support substrate having the first point light source elements, the first point light source assembly being disposed at one side of the light guide plate, a second point light source assembly including second point light source elements that provide the light to the light guide plate and a second support substrate having the second point light source elements, the second point light source assembly being disposed at the other side of the light guide plate, a liquid crystal panel assembly disposed on the light guide plate that displays image information, and a lower container that accommodates the light guide plate, first and second point light source assemblies, and liquid crystal panel assembly.
US08576352B2
A backlight module includes a light guide plate and at least two groups of light sources. The light guide plate includes at least two independent light guide modules optically isolated from each other. Each group of light sources is located corresponding to an independent light guide module and controlled independently. A liquid crystal display using the backlight module is also related.
US08576339B2
An image processing apparatus having multi-window display mode for displaying a plurality of images and single-window display mode for displaying one image on the display screen, including receiving units which receive broadcast signal and acquiring image signals relating to programs, and acquisition unit which acquires program information of the programs, and memory unit which stores program information of a selected program, and control unit which selects display mode for an image, and the control unit exerts control such that if the multi-window display mode is selected, a comparison is made at predetermined timing between the program information about the selected program and program information about newly selected program, and the display mode is switched from multi-window mode to single-window mode according to the comparison result.
US08576328B2
An image pickup apparatus uses an image pickup device. A manual focus adjusting unit is configured to control a focus lens in response to a user's input operation. An edge detecting unit is configured to detect edge components from an image signal obtained by the image pickup device and to output detection levels of the detected edge components. A color signal replacement unit is configured to replace a signal of a pixel corresponding to the detection level with a predetermined color signal when the detection level satisfies a predetermined condition. A display unit is configured to display an image based on an output image signal from the color signal replacement unit.
US08576325B2
Methods and systems for generating still images and video by capture of images projected by light passing through a display screen are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes controlling light emitting components of a display screen to activate in a sequence for displaying a sequence of images. For example, in an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display screen, the method may include controlling a subset of the display screen OLEDs to activate in sequence to display a sequence of images. The displayed sequence of images may appear to a viewer of the display screen to be a still image or a video. The method may control light emitting components different subsets of the LEDs to be activated in the sequence, such that different areas of the display screen display images in each part of the sequence.
US08576308B2
An image processing method and an image processing apparatus are provided. In the image processing method, each of a plurality of original images is divided into K bands, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. A plurality of local motions of each band in any two adjacent of the original images are calculated, and a global motion of each band is calculated according to the local motions of the band. A horizontal component velocity and a vertical component velocity of each band are generated according to the global motion and a capturing time difference. A plurality of transformation matrixes corresponding to the bands are generated according to the horizontal component velocities, the vertical component velocities, a row readout time, and the width of a valid area. One of the two adjacent original images is transformed according to the transformation matrixes to generate a compensated image.
US08576307B2
To convert a pixel value obtained from a non-reference photoelectric conversion characteristic into a pixel value obtained from a reference photoelectric conversion characteristic without variation, and to prevent generation of fixed pattern noise in an image. An image sensor 3 is constituted of pixels having photoelectric conversion characteristics, in which a linear characteristic is on the low luminance side with respect to an inflection point, and a logarithmic characteristic is on the high luminance side with respect to the inflection point. A conversion information storage 68 stores, as conversion information, coefficients “c”, “d”, “e”, and “f” of two kinds of linear functions (y=c·log(x)+d, and y=e·log(x)+f), which are approximation equations expressing the logarithmic characteristic of each of the pixels, where y designates a pixel value, and x designates a luminance value of incident light. A linear converter 64 converts a pixel value obtained from the logarithmic characteristic into a pixel value obtained from the linear characteristic by using the approximation equations specified by the coefficients.
US08576303B2
Disclosed herein are a method, system, and computer program product for creating a scene model of a scene, for separating a background and a foreground of at least one frame in an image sequence depicting the scene. The method includes the following steps, dependent upon a stability measure associated with the scene model being less than a stability threshold: (i) capturing a frame in the image sequence (305); (ii) recording the captured frame to a stored video sequence (335), dependent upon a recording session being active (330); (iii) updating an initial scene model, based on the captured frame (340); (iv) determining the stability measure associated with the scene model (340); and (v) providing a feedback, dependent upon the stability measure being less than a stability threshold (370). Then, dependent upon the recording session being active, the method captures at least one subsequent frame in the image sequence and records each captured subsequent frame to the stored video sequence (335). Finally, the method produces a scene model (380) that distinguishes background from foreground in the scene, based on the updated initial scene model.
US08576301B2
A digital camera is disclosed which has a first recording medium for recording captured images and a second recording medium, different from the first recording medium, for recording images obtained after editing the captured images. Since the edited images are recorded on the second recording medium, it is easy to sort out a desired image.
US08576294B2
An imaging apparatus includes a sensor array, readout apparatus, and control circuit. The readout apparatus includes first LPFs arranged in correspondence with signal lines, an analog multiplexer, and a second LPF. The cut-off frequencies of the first and second LPFs can be switched on two stages, and the control circuit switches the cut-off frequencies of the first and second LPFs in accordance with the imaging mode.
US08576290B2
The actuator disclosed herein comprises a coil, a magnet and a magnetism detection element. The magnet is configured to move a predetermined distance relative to the coil via a magnetic force generated when current is passed through the coil. The magnet includes a first polarization line perpendicular to the direction in which the magnet moves relative to the coil, and a second polarization line parallel to the first polarization line. The magnetism detection element is configured to detect the position of the magnet. The coil faces the first polarization line and the magnetism detection element faces the second polarization line. The length from the second polarization line to a first end of the magnet is equal to or more than 1.25 times the predetermined distance. The first end of the magnet is closer to the magnetism detection element than to the coil.
US08576289B2
Blur correction device (100) includes: a blur information generation unit (203) which generates blur information based on sensor data indicating camera motion; a blur correction unit (204) which corrects blur in a captured image, based on the blur information, to generate a candidate corrected image; an evaluation value calculation unit (205) which calculates an evaluation value indicating a blur correction level for the candidate corrected image; a termination judgment unit (206) which judges whether the blur correction should be terminated, based on a predetermined condition; and a blur information updating unit which updates the blur information, when the blur correction should not be terminated. When the blur information is updated, the blur correction unit (204) corrects the blur, based on the updated blur information, to generate a new candidate corrected image. When the blur correction should be terminated, the termination judgment unit (206) determines the corrected image from the candidate corrected images, based on the evaluation value.
US08576285B2
An image processing apparatus is provided that combines image data captured by multiple cameras and displays the resulting image of surroundings of the vehicle to monitor monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle. The image processing apparatus includes: an image memory; a camera-image acquisition unit; a projection surface geometry manager that manages projection surface geometry information including a set of three-dimensional coordinates for a projection surface that is virtually formed to surround the vehicle; a viewing movement controller that determines viewing information so that a viewpoint and a viewing direction relative to the projection surface are continuously transited according to a given viewing transition regulation; an image converter that projects and combines the image data on the projection surface, and converts the combined image data into two-dimensional image data; a display unit that displays the two-dimensional image data; and a periodic rendering trigger generator that generates a trigger signal to start an image conversion process by the image converter.
US08576283B1
In one embodiment, a chain of custody management application is configured to receive electronic recordings and physical evidence data, associate them with a security event, and automatically create and embed a hash value that aids in the authentication of both the electronic recordings and the physical evidence. A case management system may create a case record for an incident, present a form to the user, and prompt the user to electronically associate an electronic recording and physical evidence to the case record. The case management system optionally issues a call to a verification system which, in this example, automatically creates a first hash value from the electronic recording data and a second hash value from the physical evidence data. The hash values may then be embedded in an electronic case record form that may be printed on demand for use by government authorities.
US08576273B2
A Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) cascaded system is provided, which includes a plurality of MCUs under the management of a service management center. The cascade manner between the MCUs in the system is a reticulated cascade. A communications method for an MCU cascaded system, an MCU, and a service management center are also provided. In the embodiments of the present invention, because the connection and networking mode of MCUs in a cascaded system is changed, a transmission path passing the least MCUs can be selected according to a connection situation between the MCUs. Therefore, transmission delay and decrease of video and audio quality due to multiple forwarding by MCUs can be effectively avoided, and thus the media stream transmission time is reduced, and the play quality of the media stream is guaranteed in an overall manner.
US08576267B2
An optical writing device stores pieces of dithering information indicating dithering patterns whose densities are different, each piece of dithering information including pieces of identification information associated with pixels of the corresponding dithering pattern, and stores pieces of pixel setting information in which pieces of colored/colorless information indicating each of the pixels is colored or colorless are associated with the pieces of identification information, the pieces of colored/colorless information being set based on a resolution of a light source for forming an electrostatic latent image. The optical writing device also includes a control unit configured to arrange the same dithering patterns in a way that the dithering patterns form a pattern with a given size, and cause the light source to emit light based on information generated by setting the pixels of each of the same dithering patterns to be colored or colorless in accordance with the pixel setting information.
US08576253B2
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method for simulating grasping of a virtual object. Virtual 3D objects receive simulated user input forces via a 2D input surface adjacent to them. An exemplary method comprises receiving a user input corresponding to a grasping gesture that includes at least two simulated contacts with the virtual object. The grasping gesture is modeled as a simulation of frictional forces on the virtual object. A simulated physical effect on the virtual object by the frictional forces is determined. At least one microprocessor is used to display a visual image of the virtual object moving according to the simulated physical effect.
US08576240B2
A display apparatus includes a backlight unit generating light, a display panel including a plurality of pixels controlling transmittance of the light based upon pixel data, a timing controller compensating the pixel data, and a data driver driving the display panel based upon the compensated pixel data. The display panel includes a first area to which the light having a first brightness is supplied and a second area to which the light having a second brightness lower than the first brightness is supplied. The timing controller compensates for the pixel data supplied to at least one area of the first and second areas using a predetermined compensation value to reduce a brightness difference between the first and second areas.
US08576232B2
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for interfacing with a surface within a computer-aided drawing environment includes determining that a plurality of curves operable to define the surface constitute a P×1 surface condition. A P×1 surface condition is defined by a number of first curves equal to P and only one second curve. P is an integer greater than zero. The method also includes converting the P×1 surface condition into an N×M surface condition in response to determining that a plurality of curves constitute a P×1 surface condition. An N×M surface condition is defined by a number of third curves equal to N and a number of fourth curves equal to M. N and M are integers greater than one. The method also includes constructing an N×M surface under the N×M surface condition. The method also includes modifying the N×M surface to edit a drawing.
US08576230B2
A scientific electronic calculator includes a display unit which performs display by a plurality of dots and a CPU which displays X and Y axes on the display unit and displays scales on the X axis at predetermined scale intervals. The CPU displays a graph in a coordinate system determined by the X and Y axes moves the trace pointer on the graph dot by dot in an X-axis direction according to a user operation, and displays coordinate values of the trace pointer on the display unit, while displaying a trace pointer on the graph The CPU sets a numerical width of the X axis in such a way that a value obtained by dividing the numerical width of the X axis by a scale interval is one N-th of the number of dots in an X-axis direction, the N which is an integer, and displays the X axis.
US08576227B1
Systems and methods for estimating light transport between respective points includes selecting a plurality of first sub-paths extending the first point A. and selecting a plurality of second sub-paths extending from a second point B. A plurality of transport paths are constructed, wherein each one of the plurality of the first sub-paths is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of second paths, and wherein each transport path comprises one first sub-path and one second sub-path. Two or more of the transport paths are sampled, and a light transport value for each of the sampled transport paths is calculated to estimate the light transported between first point A and second point B.
US08576223B1
A method for viewing a 3D object is described. The method includes obtaining viewable data of a 3D object and displaying a portion of the 3D object based on a current view. The method also includes retrieving at least one identification label for items within the current view, defining a first axis within the current view, and selecting, from a plurality of positions along the first axis, a position that has a smallest angle between the selected position and a selected item. The method further includes displaying the identification label associated with the selected item at a point along a second axis within the current view between the selected position and the selected item. Systems and machine-readable storage media are also described.
US08576216B2
Method and apparatus for reducing driver energy consumption of drivers of a display device each supplied by an input codeword as e.g. for data drivers of a plasma display panel supplied by sequences of subfield data bits in form of a codeword comprising a predetermined number of bits are recommended, wherein the apparatus comprises a driver transition energy limitation circuit for toggling bits of the input codeword applied to the driver transition energy limitation circuit and providing a codeword reducing the driver energy consumption. A toggle map, which is generated from a combination of a transition map determining a bit in the input codeword if toggled reduces energy consumption and a flag map determining a number of least significant bits exceeding a cell energy limit value, is applied to an input codeword for the driver to toggle bits of said input codeword for reducing driver energy consumption without a perceivable image quality degradation. Method and apparatus are advantageously applicable for driver overheat protection and eco mode to reduce driver energy consumption without a perceivable image quality degradation.
US08576209B2
To provide a display device including a flexible panel that can be handled without seriously damaging a driver circuit or a connecting portion between circuits. The display device includes a bent portion obtained by bending an element substrate. A circuit for driving the display device is provided in the bent portion and a wiring extends from the circuit, whereby the strength of a portion including the circuit for driving the display device is increased and failure of the circuit is reduced. Furthermore, the element substrate is bent in a connecting portion between an external terminal electrode and an external connecting wiring (FPC) so that the element substrate provided with the external terminal electrode fits the external connecting wiring, whereby the strength of the connecting portion is increased.
US08576208B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for controlling stereo glasses shutters. In use, a right eye shutter of stereo glasses is controlled to switch between a closed orientation and an open orientation. Further, a left eye shutter of the stereo glasses is controlled to switch between the closed orientation and the open orientation. To this end, the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter of the stereo glasses may be controlled such that the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter simultaneously remain in the closed orientation for a predetermined amount of time.
US08576202B2
An acoustic touch apparatus is provided that includes a substrate capable of propagating surface acoustic waves, such as Rayleigh-type or Love-type waves. The substrate has a front surface, a back surface, and a curved connecting surface formed between the front surface and the back surface. The apparatus also includes at least one acoustic wave transducer and at least one reflective array, the acoustic wave transducer and the reflective array behind the back surface of the substrate. The acoustic wave transducer is capable of transmitting or receiving surface acoustic waves to or from the reflective array. The reflective array is capable of acoustically coupling the surface acoustic waves to propagate from the back surface and across the front surface via the curved connecting surface. Various types of acoustic touch apparatus with edge sensitive touch functions can be provided, according to specific embodiments.
US08576193B2
A touch sensor panel is disclosed having an array of co-planar single-layer touch sensors fabricated on a single side of a substrate. The sense (or drive) lines can be fabricated in a single strip as columnar or zig-zag patterns in a first orientation, and the drive (or sense) lines can be fabricated as rows of polygonal (e.g. brick-shaped or pentagonal) conductive areas in a second orientation. Each sense (or drive) line in the first orientation can be coupled to a separate metal trace in the border area of the touch sensor panel, and each polygonal area in the second orientation can also be coupled to a metal trace in the border area of the touch sensor panel. The metal traces can allow both the row and column lines to be routed to the same edge of the substrate for flex circuit attachment.
US08576190B2
The gap between a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate is greater in a terminal region in which a flexible printed circuit and anisotropic conductive films are inserted, than the gap between the first and second transparent substrates in a detection region. A guide portion which is used to guide an end of the flexible printed circuit at which the anisotropic conductive films are provided, into the gap between the first and second transparent substrates, is provided on the first or second transparent substrate.
US08576183B2
Devices and methods for minimizing a number of I/O pins needed to control LED and touch sense operations are described and disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a method comprises controlling at least one light emitting diode (LED) element via a single pin, and controlling at least one touch sense element via the single pin. In an embodiment, a touch-sensitive light emitting diode (LED) display device comprises at least one LED element, at least one touch sense element, and a controller integrated in an integrated circuit (IC) and coupled to the at least one LED element and the at least one touch sense element via a single pin. The controller is configured to communicate via the pin with the at least one LED element and the at least one touch sense element.
US08576181B2
Discloses are a mobile terminal having a proximity touch and a method for controlling a display screen thereof. A difference of recognition rates caused by a minute difference of capacitances generated when a human body approaches a touch screen depending on users can be calibrated to be suitable for each user. Also, in the state of the recognition rate being calibrated, operations of objects, i.e., icons, avatars and menus, displayed on a wallpaper and displaying effects on the wallpaper can variously be controlled according to a user's proximity touch, thereby allowing users to control the display screen more conveniently and accurately.
US08576170B2
A user input device includes a base that has a top surface. Flexibly attached to the base is a joystick. Character indicia are displayed on the base, and each indicium corresponds to a unique joystick position or motion sequence. The user input device has a processor and non-volatile memory that stores machine-readable instructions, that when executed by the processor, transmit a code associated with the unique joystick position or motion sequence.
US08576166B2
A character input method is implemented in a device with a plurality of keys. If a key is activated by a first operation matching a first input pattern, a first route is selected to traverse a plurality of characters corresponded by the key during presentation of the plurality of characters. If the first key is activated by a second operation matching a second input pattern, the plurality of characters corresponded by the first key are orderly retrieved and presented according to a second route in response to operations on the first key. The order for presenting two characters corresponded by the first key in the first route is reversed in the second route.
US08576157B2
Provided is a low-power image display device including a brightness determining unit that determines the brightness of image data applied from outside; a histogram analyzing unit that is connected to the brightness determining unit, calculates a cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the determined image data, and selects the brightness of the image data, corresponding to the number of pixels preset in the calculated CDF, as reference brightness; a brightness control unit that is connected to the brightness determining unit and the histogram analyzing unit and converts the image data such that the contrast of the image data is converted into contrast corresponding to the reference brightness; a data drive that is connected to the brightness control unit, receives the image data of which the contrast is changed, and converts the image data into an image output signal for displaying an image to the outside; a backlight control unit that is connected to the histogram analyzing unit and the data drive and generates a driving voltage for controlling the brightness of backlight to brightness corresponding to the reference brightness; and an image display unit that is connected to the data drive and the backlight control unit, receives the driving voltage generated from the backlight control unit and the image output signal, and displays an image by using the image data, of which the contrast is changed, and the backlight of which the brightness is changed.
US08576153B2
There is disclosed a liquid crystal display device and driving method are provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel where pixels are defined by gate lines and data lines that are arranged in a matrix shape. A gate driver is operable to supply a gate voltage to the liquid crystal display panel. A data driver is operable to supply a data voltage to the liquid crystal display panel. The pixels are each independently operable to be driven by drive voltages, which have different polarities from each other, and include first and second liquid crystal cells which realize the same gray level.
US08576140B2
Methods and systems for simultaneous local and contextual display comprise displaying a smaller, “local” image on a first surface using a first device having limited screen real estate. A second, larger, “contextual” image is simultaneously displayed on a larger second surface, which may comprise a projector screen or a separate computer monitor screen. The contextual image may be projected onto the second surface using the first device, or the first device may be coupled to a second device for displaying the contextual image. The local image comprises a subset of the contextual image such that a user may view both the fine detail of the local image using the first device and the context of the local image within the contextual image on the second surface.
US08576137B2
Antenna arrangement for a multi-radiator base station antenna, the antenna having a feeding network based on air filled coaxial lines (1, 2, 3), wherein each coaxial line comprises an outer conductor (8) and an inner conductor (4, 5, 6), wherein an adjustable differential phase shifter including a dielectric part (9) is arranged in the antenna and said dielectric part being movable longitudinally in relation to at least one coaxial line (1, 2, 3).
US08576136B2
Antennas for electronic devices such as portable computers are provided. An antenna may have a dipole structure in which one antenna element serves as a matching element and another antenna element serves as a radiating element. The antenna elements may be mounted on a substrate. The substrate may be mounted on a support structure that is attached to a grounding plate. The grounding plate may be grounded to a conductive housing portion of a portable computer. The antenna may be mounted within the conductive housing in the vicinity of an opening in the housing. The opening may be a slot opening that is used to accommodate optical disks or other storage media. Radio-frequency signals for the antenna may pass through the opening.
US08576132B2
A multiple beam reflector antenna includes at least one reflector, a plurality of feed horns for feeding the at least one reflector, and a metamaterial lens interposed between the plurality of feed horns and the at least one reflector. The metamaterial lens may provide an overlapping element distribution from at least two feed horns of the plurality of feed horns. In one embodiment, the metamaterial lens has an index of refraction between about zero and about one.
US08576129B2
A test fixture for performing RF testing. The test fixture includes a base plate configured to support an electronic device. The base plate defines a grid of grooves. The base plate further defines a cut-out configured to receiving an antenna in one or more positions. The test fixture further includes markers indicating positioning of the electronic device on the base plate.
US08576119B2
A mobile wireless communications device may include a circuit board, a dielectric extension extending outwardly from the circuit board, and wireless transceiver circuitry on the circuit board. The mobile wireless communications device may also include satellite positioning signal receiver circuitry on the circuit board, and an antenna on the dielectric extension and coupled to the satellite positioning signal receiver circuitry. A passive antenna beam pattern director is associated with the antenna and includes at least one electrically conductive director element in spaced apart relation from the antenna.
US08576117B2
A radar apparatus including a transmit/receive antenna having a plurality of channels, a comparator coupled to the antenna channels for providing receive signal sum and difference channels, a radar receiver, a coupler for coupling the sum and difference channels to the radar receiver, a radar transmitter for providing a signal to be transmitted, a coupler for coupling the transmitter to a cross-channel port of the comparator, and an adjuster for adjusting a phase length of at least one antenna channel so that when the apparatus is transmitting, the transmitted signals from the antenna channels have a specified relative phase relationship.
US08576113B1
A runway identification system and method utilizes a set of (reflectors or sources). The reflectors or sources can be located in proximity to the end of runway. The method receives electromagnetic energy from the reflectors or sources. A runway identification is determined from the electromagnetic energy. The runway identification can be displayed on a display in the aircraft. The reflectors can be corner reflectors, laser reflectors or other reflective optics.
US08576096B2
During operation of an encoder, a signal vector (x) is received. A first multi-precision operand (Ψ′k) will be generated based on the signal vector to be encoded. A mantissa operand and an exponent operand are generated. Both the mantissa operand and the exponent operand are representative of a second multi-precision operand that is based on the signal vector to be encoded. A portion of Ψ′k is selected to be modified based on the exponent operand. A part of Ψ′k is modified based on the mantissa operand to produce a modified multi-precision operand (Ψ′k+1). Finally, a multi-precision codeword is generated for use in a corresponding decoder.
US08576093B2
The invention relates to an aircraft navigational aid system with 3D display including an anti-collision device, with means of storing data representing obstructions, means for calculating a representation of the obstructions in a three-dimensional space and a device for displaying the obstructions data in three dimensions. The system includes means for augmenting the display of the representation of the area of hazardous obstructions with at least two indicator objects for the said area of hazardous obstructions disposed together in such a manner as to form a third object targeting the localization of the point in the area of hazardous obstructions closest to the aircraft. The invention also relates to the method of display of the indicator objects in a three-dimensional display.
US08576084B2
A flowmeter method and system. In an implementation, a signal is received from a flowmeter and a value is determined based on the signal. The value is compared to a threshold. A heartbeat value is provided when the value is greater than a threshold value. In some implementations, a flow rate of a fluid is based on the heartbeat value. In some implementations, the heartbeat value is monitored and an alarm is selectively generated based on the monitoring.
US08576077B2
In order to further develop a system (100) as well as a method for protecting at least one item to be secured, for example at least one piece of luggage, the system comprising at least one transponder device (50), in particular at least one electronic tag, being assigned to the item, and at least one monitor device (10, 20), in particular being based on short range radio frequency communication, with at least one transmitting unit (18, 28) for transmitting and/or for broadcasting and/or for multicasting, in particular periodically, at least one request (40, 42) to the transponder device (50), in such way that the monitor device (10, 20) can be carried with him by at least one user and that at the same time it can be discovered whether the item remains nearby the respective monitor device (10, 20), it is proposed that the transponder device (50) comprises at least one processing unit (52) for determining the number (N) of monitor devices (10, 20) being arranged within the range, in particular within the receiving and/or transmitting range, of the transponder device (50), and˜having transmitted and/or having broadcasted and/or having multicasted its respective request (40, 42) to the transponder device (50), within a certain time interval, and that the transponder device (50) is designed for transmitting and/or for broadcasting and/or for multicasting at least one response (60, 62) comprising the determined number (N) of monitor devices (10, 20) to the respective monitor device (10, 20) having transmitted and/or having broadcasted and/or having multicasted its respective request (40, 42) to the transponder device (50).
US08576067B2
A target receiver may receive a location-related specification and a time period-related specification, the time period-related specification specifying time period in which to check for the location-related specification. A location monitor may determine current location-related information. A time period monitor may determine current time-related information. An analyzer may determine whether a pair of the location-related specification and the time-period related specification is satisfied by the current-location information and the current time-related information. The analyzer may further provide notification as to whether the pair of the location-related specification and the time-period related specification is satisfied by the current-location information and the current time-related information.
US08576055B2
A collision avoidance assisting system for a vehicle, for expecting a risk of colliding upon a moving object (or a moving obstacle), including a pedestrian, more correctly, but without annoying a driver, excessively, by estimating the risk to be excessively high, comprises a moving object detecting means for detecting a moving object existing on periphery of the vehicle; a footway boundary detecting means for detecting a position and a configuration of a footway boundary object on periphery of the vehicle; a risk estimation means for estimating a risk that the moving object detected by said moving object detecting means collides on the vehicle; and an alarm means for calling an attention to a driver of the vehicle, upon basis of the risk of collision estimated by the risk estimation means, wherein the risk of collision between the moving object, which is detected by the moving object detecting means, and that vehicle is estimated by taking at least the position information of the moving object, the position information of the footway boundary object and conditions of the circumferences thereof.
US08576042B2
A miniature circuit breaker has a housing formed of a housing base of insulating material and a pot-like housing cover, which is or can be positioned onto the housing base. Two elongate and flat contact arms are partially embedded in the housing base parallel with respect to one another in terms of their longitudinal direction. A fixed contact is arranged at an inner end of a first one of the contact arms. A bimetallic snap-action disk with a free end, forming or bearing a moving contact, is fitted at an inner end of the second contact arm at a fastening point. The fastening point, the moving contact and the fixed contact are in this case on an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the contact arms.
US08576041B2
Radial fuses for protecting an electrical circuit include a nonconductive base provided with inverted flat faces sloped obliquely relative to one another that define a wider receiving area for installation of a fuse element. Restricted freedom of movement of the fuse element is accomplished, and greater fuse reliability is ensured.
US08576039B2
An inductor structure includes an even number of segments, each segment adjacent to two segments, each segment including a loop, each loop having a first end and a second end; and a crossover section adjacent to each segment, the crossover section coupling each of the first ends and second ends of the loops so as to cause current to circulate around the loop of each segment in an opposite rotational direction to the direction of current circulation in the loops of the segments adjacent to that segment.
US08576033B2
An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece and a coil assembly. The pole piece may be monolithically formed of a magnetically susceptible material and have a channel structure and a first flange member. The channel structure may have an annular inner side wall, an annular outer side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly couples the inner and outer side walls to one another on a first axial end of the pole piece. The channel structure may be open on a second axial end of the pole piece that is opposite the first axial end. The first flange member may be coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end and extend radially from the channel structure. The coil assembly may be fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side walls.
US08576032B2
An actuator including actuator base, bobbin, and pole piece forming a pocket for a ferromagnetic armature located therein. The actuator including a radial magnet and a solenoid coil constructed and arranged to cause a linear displacement of the armature upon application of a coil drive current from a control circuit. The actuator may include a flexible membrane that partially encloses the armature to form an armature chamber filled with an incompressible fluid. In a valve design, a fluid flow is stopped by driving the membrane against a valve seat. Pressure from the controlled fluid in the conduit is transmitted through the membrane to the fluid within the armature chamber so that the armature does not need to counteract force applied to the membrane by the conduit fluid's pressure. A fluid flow is opened by driving the membrane away from the valve seat.
US08576029B2
A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switch or array is provided. A first substrate (e.g., carrier substrate) includes an electrically conductive substrate region. An electrical isolation layer may be disposed over a first surface of the carrier substrate. Movable actuators may be provided. At least one substrate contact is electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of movable actuators so that a flow of electrical current is established during an electrically-closed condition of the MEMS switch array. A cover substrate may also be provided and includes an electrically conductive substrate region. The electrically conductive region of the carrier substrate is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive region of the cover substrate to define an electrically conductive path for the flow of electrical current during the electrically-closed condition of the switching array.
US08576022B2
Tuning a programmable power line filter, the power line filter including a live line, a neutral line, and a ground line connected to input terminals of the filter on an input side of the filter, the live line and the neutral line connected through inductors in the filter to output terminals on an output side of the filter, X-capacitors selectably connected through tuning switches between the live line and the neutral line, Y-capacitors selectably connected through tuning switches between the live line and ground and/or between the neutral line and ground, and a tuning control circuit connected to the tuning switches and selectably connected through one or more programming switches to the load, including measuring by the tuning control circuit the input impedance of the load and programming by the tuning control circuit the tuning switches in dependence upon the input impedance of the load.
US08576016B2
An electronic high frequency induction heater driver, for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses a zero-voltage switching oscillator that utilizes a full H-bridge topology with inductors between semiconductor switches wherein the semiconductor switches are synchronized within the bridge for function. The induction heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, multiplies a supply voltage through a self-oscillating series resonance, wherein one component of the tank resonator circuit comprises an induction heater coil magnetically coupled to an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.
US08576014B2
A device is provided having a local oscillator (LO) configured to generate a first signal having timing information, frequency information, phase information or combinations thereof. The device also includes a prioritizer comprising at least two inputs, each input configured to receive a respective second signal having timing information, frequency information, phase information or combinations thereof. The prioritizer is configured to determine an accuracy of at least one second signal of the at least two second signals in relation to a second signal assigned to be a most accurate of the at least two second signals. The prioritizer is also configured to order the at least two second signals from most accurate to least accurate. The LO is disciplined to correct an offset error of the LO relative to a most accurate second signal that is available to the device, based on the order of the at least two second signals.
US08576011B2
An amplifier with high power supply rejection is disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, an amplifier includes a first stage configured to receive a signal to be amplified, a second stage comprising an input transistor coupled to the first stage, and further comprising at least one additional transistor, and a voltage regulator configured to received a first supply voltage and generate a regulated supply voltage, the first supply voltage coupled to the at least one additional transistor, the regulated supply voltage coupled to the first stage and the input transistor of the second stage to improve power supply noise rejection of the apparatus.
US08575992B2
A switch is capable of performing switching, while reducing distortion with respect to amplitude of a high frequency signal. The switch includes: an input terminal to which a high frequency signal is input; a first switching unit connected between the input terminal and a first output terminal and selectively outputting the high frequency signal through the first output terminal; and a second switching unit connected between the input terminal and a second output terminal and selectively outputting the high frequency signal through the second output terminal. Each switching unit includes an impedance transformer installed on a signal line, a bipolar transistor having an emitter grounded, a collector connected to the signal line, and a base receiving current according to a control voltage applied thereto; and a bipolar transistor having a collector grounded, an emitter connected to the signal line, and a base receiving current according to the control voltage.
US08575980B2
A PLL circuit includes: the number-of-accumulated clocks detecting portion detecting the number of accumulated clocks of an oscillation circuit as a digital value; a periodicity detecting portion detecting periodicity of a digital value of a fractional portion of the number of accumulated clocks of the oscillation circuit with a first reference clock as a reference; a corrected value calculating portion calculating a corrected value; and an adding portion adding the corrected value to the fractional portion of the number of accumulated clocks with the first reference clock from the starting points of the periods of the periodicity.
US08575978B2
A coupling failure of a supply terminal or a ground terminal is easily detected. A diode is disposed between a supply terminal of a semiconductor device and a first I/O terminal so that the supply terminal is located on a cathode side, and the first I/O terminal is located on an anode side. A determination unit determines whether or not a voltage of the supply terminal is lower than a voltage of the first I/O terminal when a signal of high level equal to a supply voltage is input to the first I/O terminal.
US08575977B1
A comparator is disclosed. The comparator includes a mirror circuit that is electrically coupled to a first voltage source and a second voltage source. The first voltage source produces a first voltage and the second voltage source produces a second voltage. The comparator also includes a first positive metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistor electrically coupled to the first voltage source and an output terminal. The first PMOS transistor is biased by the mirror circuit. The comparator also includes a first negative metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) that is electrically coupled to a ground terminal and the output terminal. The first NMOS transistor is also biased by the mirror circuit. An electrical current flowing across the first NMOS transistor is mirrored from an electrical current flowing through the first PMOS transistor. A method to operate the comparator and a comparator system is also disclosed.
US08575966B2
A method of operating a charge pump of a phase-lock assistant circuit includes determining a first relative timing relationship of a phase of a data signal to a phase of a first phase clock. A second relative timing relationship of the phase of the data signal to a phase of a second phase clock is determined, and the first and second phase clocks have a 45° phase difference. An up signal and a down signal are generated in response to the first relative timing relationship and the second relative timing relationship. The charge pump circuit is driven according to the up signal and the down signal.
US08575962B2
An integrated circuit comprises logic circuitry having a plurality of signal paths. A signal path of the plurality of signal paths has a propagation delay greater than a propagation delay of any other signal path of the plurality of signal paths. The signal path includes a plurality of components. The plurality of components is provided with a higher power supply voltage than any other signal path of the plurality of signal paths.
US08575959B2
In accordance with the present invention there are provided herein asynchronous reconfigurable logic fabrics for integrated circuits and methods for designing asynchronous circuits to be implemented in the asynchronous reconfigurable logic fabrics.
US08575958B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein may cause an event trigger state machine associated with a programmable on-chip logic analyzer (POCLA) to transition to a programmable state at a programmable number of occurrences of a programmable set of events associated with a first subset of signals on a first subset of input signal paths. States associated with a second subset of signals on a second subset of input signal paths may be stored at a time relative to a transition to the programmable state if a set of storage criteria have been met. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US08575944B2
A primary device for inductive power transfer to a secondary device is disclosed. The primary device includes a primary coil, the primary device being configured to (i) operate in a first mode during which the primary coil transfers power through inductive coupling to the secondary device, and (ii) operate in a second mode during which a foreign object is detected. The primary device further includes a primary controller configured to operate the primary coil (i) using a first frequency during the first mode, and (ii) using a second frequency during the second mode. A method to detect a foreign object which is in proximity of an inductively coupled environment of a primary device is also disclosed.
US08575943B2
A calibrator apparatus for calibrating the performance of partial discharge measurements at electrical components, such as high voltage cables or transformators, comprises a housing (1) and an external electrode (4) to be mounted at the housing (1). A control unit (2) generates a defined charge pulse (QS) depending on a stray capacitance (CS) of the external electrode (4) against ground, which is supplied to the electrical component.
US08575912B1
The present invention discloses a circuit for generating a dual-mode proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current. The circuit includes a voltage stabilizing circuit to provide a voltage reference, and a load current control circuit comprising a first transistor to provide a first load current based on the voltage reference, a second transistor to provide a second load current based on the voltage reference, a first switch to control whether to allow the first load current to flow therethrough in response to different predetermined temperatures, and a second switch to control whether to allow the second load current to flow therethrough in response to the different predetermined temperatures. A resultant current resulting from at least one of the first load current or the second load current has different current magnitudes at the different predetermined temperatures.
US08575911B2
Stabilization of a switching voltage regulator employing V2 control against ripple oscillation instability when the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of an output capacitor is small is provided by providing both an external ramp and an internal ramp (only the latter of which requires an approximation of inductor current) in the control feedback path, preferably including both inner and outer feedback loops. Approximation of inductor current using such an arrangement is non-critical and may be estimated based on power input voltage. Drift of a circuit providing such an inductor current estimation is preferably avoided by adjusting control duty cycle or slew rate of the positive-going ramp portion of the estimated inductor current triangular waveform.
US08575909B2
A power supply is described. The power supply includes a synchronous sampled comparator. The synchronous sampled comparator includes a first input that receives a reference voltage. The synchronous sampled comparator also includes a second input that receives a feedback signal. The power supply also includes power field effect transistors (FETs). The power supply further includes an inductor coupled to the power FETs and coupled to the second input. The power FETs generate a power supply voltage using the inductor. The power supply voltage is a direct current (DC) power supply voltage.
US08575904B2
A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a switching signal generating circuit formed of a PMOS transistor, a resistor, and inverters which outputs an internal switching signal for switching an operating mode between a first operating mode and a second operating mode when an operating state satisfies a predetermined condition, a mode selection pad to which an external switching signal capable of selecting the first operating mode is input in priority to the internal switching signal, and a switching circuit formed of an OR circuit which switches the operating mode between the first operating mode and the second operating mode based on the external switching signal or the internal switching signal. An output from the switching signal generating circuit is input to the mode selection pad via a trimming fuse.
US08575899B2
A battery charger is disclosed that is configured to be connected to an external battery by way of external battery cables. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the battery charger is configured with automatic voltage detection which automatically determines the nominal voltage of the battery connected to its battery charger terminals and charges the battery as a function of the detected nominal voltage irrespective of the nominal voltage selected by a user. Various safeguards are built into the battery charger to avoid overcharging a battery. For battery chargers with user selectable nominal battery voltage charging modes, battery charger is configured to over-ride a user selected battery voltage mode if it detects that the battery connected to the battery charger terminals is different than the user selected charging mode.
US08575895B2
A device and method for rated voltage detection and charging of electric batteries. The method comprises the steps of measuring a terminal voltage of the battery having first or second rated voltages, comparing the terminal voltage to a number of threshold voltages between a minimum threshold voltage and a maximum threshold voltage, determining a condition of the battery, which can be ready to charge or fault, based on a comparison of the terminal voltage to the threshold voltages, determining that the rated voltage of the electric battery is the second rated voltage if the determined condition of the electric battery is ready to charge, conducting a pre-charge process if the determined condition of the battery is neither ready to charge nor fault, determining the rated voltage of the electric battery based on a response to the pre-charge process, and charging the electric battery according to the determined rated voltage.
US08575894B2
A system for balancing a plurality of battery pack system modules connected in series comprising: a plurality of battery pack system modules, wherein a high charge module of the plurality of battery pack system modules has a charge greater than a that of other modules. At least one zener diode connected in series with a current limiting resistor is connected in parallel to the plurality of battery pack system modules. A power source is in communication with a disconnect circuit of at least one of the battery pack system modules. The disconnect circuit is actuated when the battery pack system module reaches a predetermined state of charge. The zener diode enables current from the power source to bypass charged battery pack system modules to charge other battery pack system modules.
US08575893B2
A portable lighting device that is lightweight and features a space-efficient design includes a body containing a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. The body includes a pair of pivot arms that are spaced from one another. A lamp assembly includes a lamp assembly housing containing a light source that is powered by the Li-ion battery. The lamp assembly housing is pivotally connected to each of the pair of pivot arms and positioned there between. A handle includes a gripping portion that is spaced from the body so that a gripping space is defined between the gripping portion of the handle and the body. A removable bumper pad is positioned on the bottom of the body. The portable lighting device features recesses on opposite sides that are engaged by corresponding tabs on a charging rack. This prevents non-compatible lighting devices from being positioned on the charging rack.
US08575892B2
Provided is a charging apparatus for a moving robot including a charging terminal that is connected to a terminal for charging a battery of the moving robot; a power supply unit that supplies a charging voltage for charging the battery of the moving robot; a power switching unit that outputs a detection signal, depending on whether a voltage is applied from the charging terminal or not, and switches a current flow between the power supply unit and the charging terminal in accordance with an input control signal; and a control unit that responds to the detection signal so as to output the control signal.
US08575889B2
A DC-DC voltage down-converter for an electronic device supplied by a battery and having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device capable of supplying electric power is provided. The DC-DC voltage down-converter includes a terminal coupled to a voltage supply line of the bus interface and operable to receive a input current from the another electronic device. The DC-DC voltage down-converter further includes an electric energy storage element coupled between the battery and the terminal, the electric energy storage element being operable to storage/release electric energy and a drive circuit arranged to control the storage/release of the electric energy storage element, so as to cause an electric power generated by the input current supplied by the another electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery. The DC-DC voltage down-converter still further includes a input current feedback control circuit coupled to the terminal and arranged to monitor a value of the input current and generate a corresponding input current indication; the drive circuit configured to control the storage/release of the electric energy storage element according to the input current indication.
US08575882B2
Solid state switches of inverters are controlled by timing signals computed in power layer interface circuitry for individual inverters. Multiple inverters may be placed in parallel with common three-phase output. Common control circuitry generates timing signals or data used to reconstruct the common signals and sends these signals to the power layer interface circuitry. A processor in a power layer interface circuitry used these signals to recomputed the timing signals. Excellent synchronicity may be provided between parallel inverters that each separately reconstruct the timing signals based upon the identical received data.
US08575876B2
An optical entire-circumference encoder includes a plurality of rotation slits provided to transmit light at an equal pitch radially around a rotation axis as a center in a rotation track. A plurality of fixed slits is provided to transmit light at an equal pitch in a plurality of regions radially around the rotation axis as the center in a fixed track. A plurality of light receivers is disposed in a vicinity of the rotation axis to receive a light guided by the light guide in the regions respectively. The fixed slits in one of the regions and the fixed slits in another region adjacent to the one of the regions among the regions in the fixed track are formed so that a phase difference by which a rotation direction of the rotor is determined occurs between light reception signals of the plurality of light receivers.
US08575873B2
Various embodiments of an electric motor and electronic control for an electric motor are disclosed. An exemplary electric motor comprises a single-phase brushless permanent magnet electric motor. In exemplary embodiments, the electronic motor control is configured to commutate an electric motor at a frequency other than line frequency, perform pulse width modulation, and drive the electric motor with a drive waveform that approximates the counter-electromotive force of the motor.
US08575867B2
A charged particle accelerator having a curvilinear beam trajectory maintained solely by a laterally directed, constant electric field; requiring no magnetic field. A method for controlling the trajectory of a charged particle in an accelerator by applying only a constant electric field for beam trajectory control. Curvilinear steering electrodes held at a constant potential create the beam path. A method for making a chip-scale charged particle accelerator involves integrated circuit-based processes and materials. A particle accelerator that can generate 110 KeV may a footprint less than about 1 cm2.
US08575864B2
A controller for controlling power to a light source includes a first sensing pin, a second sensing pin, a third sensing pin, and a driving pin. The first sensing pin receives a first signal indicating an instant current flowing through an energy storage element. The second sensing pin receives a second signal indicating an average current flowing through the energy storage element. The third sensing pin receives a third signal indicating whether the instant current decreases to a predetermined current level. The driving pin provides a driving signal to a switch to control an average current flowing through the light source to a target current level. The driving signal is generated based on one or more signals selected from the first signal, the second signal and the third signal.
US08575855B2
A hollow cathode lamp is described with an end cap, an anode, and a cathode. A data storage device is part of the end cap and communicates data to and from a computing device. The data communicated with the computing device may include identification information and usage information corresponding to the hollow cathode lamp. Additionally, a method is described that includes activating a power supply to a hollow cathode lamp and communicating data with a memory device located in the hollow cathode lamp. The data communicated with the memory device includes usage information about an amount of time the hollow cathode lamp has been in use.
US08575854B2
Power conversion apparatus includes a converter circuit, a control circuit, a simulation circuit and a sense circuit. The converter circuit includes a magnetic device for power conversion and a switching device, and is configured to convert power from a power supply into direct current power. The control circuit is configured to supply the converter circuit with a high frequency signal for turning the switching device on and off. The simulation circuit is configured to produce a simulation signal that simulates state or change of magnetic flux of the magnetic device. The sense circuit is configured to produce a signal which corresponds to at least one of the input and output of the converter circuit and is superposed on the simulation signal to form a superposed signal. The control circuit defines an on-period of the high frequency signal based on the superposed signal.
US08575852B2
A multi-lamp driving system includes a power stage circuit, a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, a plurality of transformer circuits, and an abnormal detection circuit. Each of the transformer circuits includes a first primary winding and a second primary winding connected in series and a first secondary winding and a second secondary winding respectively outputting AC power signals to drive at least one lamp. The abnormal detection circuit is connected to a junction of the first primary winding and the second primary winding of each of the transformer circuits, and determines if voltages of the junction of the first primary winding and the second primary winding of each of the transformer circuits are different to determine if the at least two lamps are normal. The abnormal detection circuit further generate control signals to control the PWM controller upon the condition that one of the at least two lamps are abnormal.
US08575850B2
An apparatus is disclosed for supplying power to a luminous load. The apparatus includes a transformer having a primary winding, and a control circuit adapted to generate an alternating current through the primary winding to develop an alternating voltage. The alternating current is based on a first signal derived from the input voltage, a second signal derived from the current, and a third signal varying substantially in-phase with the input voltage. The first and second signals are used to regulate the power delivered to the load, and the third signal is used to improve the power factor. A load interface circuit is provided to generate an output voltage for the luminous load based on the alternating voltage from the transformer. An over-temperature sensor may be provided to cause a reduction in power to the load when the ambient temperature exceeds a threshold.
US08575845B2
A method for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) is provided. Initially, the LED, which had been active, is deactivated, and a voltage for a current that corresponds to the persistence of the LED is generated. The voltage is then integrated so as to generate an integrated voltage, and the integrated voltage is compared to a threshold. When the integrated voltage is less than the threshold, the LED is then activated.
US08575840B2
A light source turn-on/off controller includes an input section of a turn-on/off timing signal, a PWM signal generating section for generating a pulse signal responding to a rise or a fall of the timing signal, a duty cycle of the pulse signal changing so as to simulate a rise or a fall of emission in turn-on or turn-off of a filament, an emission control section for controlling an emitting section responding to the pulse signal from the PWM signal generating section, and a storage section for storing a control data table for duty cycle control by the PWM signal generating section. The control data table includes a rise table to be referred to in the rise of emission and a fall table to be referred to in the fall of emission, and each of the rise table and the fall table indicates association between elapsed time from the rise or the fall of the timing signal and the duty cycle of the pulse signal, and a relationship between the tables indicates that they cannot be superposed on each other.
US08575836B2
A LED lamp including a cover with first and second transmissive regions that differently affect light emissions (e.g., with respect to diffusion, color, or other characteristics) transmitted therethrough. One or more apertures may be defined in a diffusive cover for a LED lamp to permit flow of air and escape of heat, and also to permit escape of directly emitted or reverse scattered light proximate to a base of the LED lamp. Multiple diffuser segments may be overlapped with intervening apertures.
US08575827B2
A display apparatus has an organic EL element which emits red color, an organic EL element which emits green color, and an organic EL element which emits blue color, in which a structure for improving light emission efficiency is provided only at the light emission side of the organic EL element which emits blue color.
US08575825B2
An energy harvesting and storage system includes an array of piezoelectric electrodes, in which the piezoelectric electrodes generate electrical energy from mechanical displacements of the piezoelectric electrodes; and an array of capacitor electrodes disposed in proximity to the piezoelectric electrodes, in which the array of capacitor electrodes stores a portion of the energy generated by the piezoelectric electrodes. An energy system includes a substrate including an array of micro-post electrodes connected to a cathode layer of the substrate; an isolation material covering the array of micro-post electrodes; and an anode layer including electrodes filling the remaining region between the isolation material-covered micro-post electrodes, in which the anode layer, electrodes, isolation material, micro-post electrodes, and substrate are monolithically coupled.
US08575824B2
A piezoelectric generator includes: a base body; and at least one piezoelectric transducer disposed on the base body, and including a first electrode, a piezoelectric body, and a second electrode, wherein the piezoelectric transducer includes a support section fixed to the base body, and a vibrating section disposed apart from the base body, having one end connected to the support section and the other end set as a free end, and vibrating due to a vibration applied externally, and a distance between the other end of the vibrating section and the base body is larger than a distance between the one end of the vibrating section and the base body.
US08575817B2
Rotor and stator segments for a generator and motor apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes: a pair of parallel, spaced apart stator segments, each stator segment comprising a stator winding set; and a rotor segment slidably coupled to the pair of stator segments, the rotor segment comprising a magnet and being dimensioned to fit between the parallel, spaced apart stator segments. The apparatus may include a support structure, the rotor segment being slidably coupled to the support structure and the stator segment being attached to the support structure. The apparatus may be a rim generator, wind turbine generator or other electrical machine. The stator winding set includes a stator winding, and may include other electrical or electronic components, including possibly a power factor capacitor, direct current filtering capacitor, supercapacitor, and one or more diodes. The stator winding set may be encapsulated within the stator segment.
US08575813B2
A rotor core for an induction motor. The rotor core includes a body that at least (i) extends axially from an outer surface of the body inward toward a central axis, (ii) extends from a first axial end to a second axial end, and (iii) defines a plurality of internal grooves. Further, each groove at least (iv) includes an opening at the outer surface of the body, (v) is defined by two opposing walls, (vi) extends from the first axial end to the second axial end, (vii) extends axially between the opening at the exterior surface and an inward end, and (viii) includes a body section. And wherein (ix) at least one wall of the opposing walls of the groove includes, in the body section of the groove, an extended segment forming a portion of increased breadth for the groove.
US08575811B2
A motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator has 2P poles wherein P is an integer greater than one. The rotor has a shaft, a rotor core and a commutator fixed to the shaft. The commutator has m segments where m is an even integer greater than P. Every two adjacent segments are electrically connected by a winding unit so that the rotor winding comprises m winding units with at least one of the winding units comprising P coils connected in series; and each coil of each winding unit is directly connected to a corresponding two segments.
US08575808B2
An electric motor includes a magnetic field induction device and an induced field device, rotating relative to one another, wherein the induction device comprises a set of two conducting coils around an axis, through which currents travel in the same direction, and a central part, placed between the two coils, comprising a superconducting element placed in a plane that is inclined relative to the axis of the coils, channeling the magnetic field produced by the coils on either side of the inclined plane.
US08575803B2
A reduced-size magnetic coupling device includes a first magnet group having a plurality of first magnets arranged on an interaction surface at equal intervals in the direction of the circumference about the rotation axis; a second magnet group having a plurality of second magnets arranged on an interaction surface at equal intervals in the direction of the circumference about the rotation axis and in positions in the vicinity of the rotation axis; and a third magnet group having a plurality of third magnets that are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis and in positions outward with respect to the second magnets. The third magnets have an area approximately equal to that of the second magnets. Each third magnet has a magnetic pole different from that of the second magnet that is positioned between the third magnet and the rotation axis.
US08575802B2
In accordance with the present invention, provided is starter motor including a robust end housing or casing for carrying a needle bearing arrangement. The needle bearing arrangement is generally elongated and includes a plurality of rotatable members or rollers which allows wear to spread amongst all its members, thus increasing the field service life of the starter motor. In one aspect, the needle bearing arrangement is one roller bearing. In another aspect, the needle bearing comprises two roller bearings. Also, the drive end housing is longer and larger in diameter to accommodate the larger needle bearing arrangement.
US08575800B1
An electric motor includes an upper housing, a lower housing including a flange for mounting the upper housing thereon and a cone-shaped portion extending away from the flange and the upper housing. The electric motor further includes a stator assembly formed of a first core having a first height and fitted into the upper housing, a rotor assembly rigidly joined to a shaft to rotate therewith within the stator assembly and formed of a second core having a second height, and a hub connected to a lower end of the shaft to rotate therewith in relation to the cone-shaped portion. The hub is configured to secure an operable implement to the electric motor. The second height is greater than the first height.
US08575778B2
A variable voltage converter (VVC) is configured to provide bidirectional voltage boost and buck from an input side to an output side. A VVC can include a voltage control portion and a battery charging portion. When incorporated into an inverter system controller (ISC) for a hybrid electric vehicle, the VVC can be configured to charge a battery during both high and low ISC dc bus voltage conditions. A VVC can be configured to receive power from an ac power source through a plug coupled to the VVC via a soft start rectifier. Accordingly, the VVC with integrated battery charger can be used to charge a battery for a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) from a standard ac electrical outlet.
US08575777B2
A battery management system (BMS) includes at least one sub-BMS and a main BMS. The at least one sub-BMS measures information about a battery, and generates an activation signal according to operating state. The main BMS receives the activation signal and determines the operating state of the at least two sub-BMSs. If the at least two sub-BMSs normally operate, the main BMS generates a synchronization signal and transfers the same to the sub-BMSs. The at least one sub-BMS measures the information about the battery according to the synchronization signal.
US08575773B2
A method for operating an electromechanical generator is provided, the method comprising: determining a magnetic field reference parameter based on an electromagnetic power reference representing a desired output of the electromechanical generator, determining a scaling factor for adjusting an air-gap magnetization level of the electromechanical generator to reduce loss in operating the electromechanical generator, modifying the magnetic field reference parameter with the scaling factor; and operating the electromechanical generator based on at least the modified magnetic field reference parameter.
US08575769B2
A semiconductor device has a first thermally conductive layer formed over a first surface of a semiconductor die. A second surface of the semiconductor die is mounted to a sacrificial carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the first thermally conductive layer and sacrificial carrier. The encapsulant is planarized to expose the first thermally conductive layer. A first insulating layer is formed over the second surface of the semiconductor die and a first surface of the encapsulant. A portion of the first insulating layer over the second surface of the semiconductor die is removed. A second thermally conductive layer is formed over the second surface of the semiconductor die within the removed portion of the first insulating layer. An electrically conductive layer is formed within the insulating layer around the second thermally conductive layer. A heat sink can be mounted over the first thermally conductive layer.
US08575755B1
Semiconductor devices are described that are configured to have a state of operation defined by a connection between at least one inner bump assembly and a selected outer bump assembly. In an implementation, the semiconductor device, which may be a wafer-level (chip-scale) package semiconductor device, includes an integrated circuit chip, a plurality of outer bump assemblies disposed on the chip, and one or more inner bump assemblies disposed on the chip so that the inner bump assemblies are at least partially surrounded by the outer bump assemblies. At least one of the inner bump assemblies is configured to be connected to a selected outer bump assembly to cause the integrated circuit chip to have a desired state of operation.
US08575752B2
A multi-layer TiN film with reduced tensile stress and discontinuous grain structure, and a method of fabricating the TiN film are disclosed. The TiN layers are formed by PVD or IMP in a nitrogen plasma. Tensile stress in a center layer of the film is reduced by increasing N2 gas flow to the nitrogen plasma, resulting in a Ti:N stoichiometry between 1:2.1 to 1:2.3. TiN films thicker than 40 nanometers without cracks are attained by the disclosed process.
US08575748B1
A device may be provided in a sealed package by aligning a seal ring provided on a first surface of a first semiconductor wafer in opposing relationship with a seal ring that is provided on a second surface of a second semiconductor wafer and surrounds a portion of the second wafer that contains the device. Forcible movement of the first and second wafer surfaces toward one another compresses the first and second seal rings against one another. A physical barrier against the movement, other than the first and second seal rings, is provided between the first and second wafer surfaces.
US08575737B2
Some exemplary embodiments of an advanced direct contact leadless package and related structure and method, especially suitable for packaging high current semiconductor devices, have been disclosed. One exemplary structure comprises a mold compound enclosing a first contact lead frame portion, a paddle portion, and an extended contact lead frame portion held together by a mold compound. A first semiconductor device is attached on top of the lead frame portions as a flip chip, while a second semiconductor device is attached to a bottom side of said paddle portion and is in electrical contact with said the first semiconductor device. The extended contact lead frame portion is in direct electrical contact with the second semiconductor device without using a bond wire. Alternative exemplary embodiments may include additional extended lead frame portions, paddle portions, and semiconductor devices in various configurations.
US08575717B2
Provided is a integrated circuit device and a method for fabricating the same. The integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate having a dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate and a passive element disposed over the dielectric layer. The integrated circuit further includes an isolation matrix structure, underlying the passive element, wherein the isolation matrix structure includes a plurality of trench regions each being formed through the dielectric layer and extending into the semiconductor substrate, the plurality of trench regions further including an insulating material and a void area.
US08575716B2
A method of forming memory array and peripheral circuitry isolation includes chemical vapor depositing a silicon dioxide-comprising liner over sidewalls of memory array circuitry isolation trenches and peripheral circuitry isolation trenches formed in semiconductor material. Dielectric material is flowed over the silicon dioxide-comprising liner to fill remaining volume of the array isolation trenches and to form a dielectric liner over the silicon dioxide-comprising liner in at least some of the peripheral isolation trenches. The dielectric material is furnace annealed at a temperature no greater than about 500° C. The annealed dielectric material is rapid thermal processed to a temperature no less than about 800° C. A silicon dioxide-comprising material is chemical vapor deposited over the rapid thermal processed dielectric material to fill remaining volume of said at least some peripheral isolation trenches. Other aspects are disclosed, including integrated circuitry resulting from the disclosed methods and integrated circuitry independent of method of manufacture.
US08575715B2
A storage system and method for forming a storage system that uses punch-through diodes as a steering element in series with a reversible resistivity-switching element is described. The punch-through diode allows bipolar operation of a cross-point memory array. The punch-through diode may have a symmetrical non-linear current/voltage relationship. The punch-through diode has a high current at high bias for selected cells and a low leakage current at low bias for unselected cells. Therefore, it is compatible with bipolar switching in cross-point memory arrays having resistive switching elements. The punch-through diode may be a N+/P−/N+ device or a P+/N−/P+ device.
US08575714B2
Provided is a backside illuminated semiconductor light-receiving device enhancing a frequency characteristic without deteriorating assembling operability. The light-receiving device includes a rectangular substrate; a light receiving mesa portion formed on a center portion of one side on a front surface of the substrate and includes a PN junction portion; a P-type electrode formed on the light receiving mesa portion and conductive with one side of the PN junction portion; an N-type electrode mesa portion formed on one corner portion of the one side; an N-type electrode pulled out to the N-type electrode mesa portion and conductive with the other side of the PN junction portion; a P-type electrode mesa portion and a dummy electrode mesa portion formed in a region including three other corner portions; and a dummy electrode formed on the dummy electrode mesa portion.
US08575712B2
A camera module includes a sensor die, a glass plate, peripheral spacer, an optical element, an outer surface having a shoulder extending in a direction substantially parallel to the sensor die, and a metal layer at least partially covering the outer surface. A method of manufacturing a camera module includes providing an assembly including a sensor dice wafer, a spacer wafer in front of the sensor dice wafer, and an optical element wafer in front of the spacer wafer. The method includes sawing a top cut, using a first saw blade of a first thickness, proceeding in a direction from the optical element wafer toward the sensor dice wafer, stopping before the sensor dice wafer is reached, and sawing a bottom cut, using a second saw blade of a second thickness, proceeding in a direction from the sensor dice wafer toward the optical element wafer.
US08575710B2
A capacitive semiconductor pressure sensor, comprising: a bulk region of semiconductor material; a buried cavity overlying a first part of the bulk region; and a membrane suspended above said buried cavity, wherein, said bulk region and said membrane are formed in a monolithic substrate, and in that said monolithic substrate carries structures for transducing the deflection of said membrane into electrical signals, wherein said bulk region and said membrane form electrodes of a capacitive sensing element, and said transducer structures comprise contact structures in electrical contact with said membrane and with said bulk region.
US08575705B2
A semiconductor device, including a device isolation layer arranged on a predetermined region of a semiconductor substrate to define an active region, the active region including a central top surface of a (100) crystal plane and an inclined edge surface extending from the central top surface to the device isolation layer, a semiconductor pattern covering the central top surface and the inclined edge surface of the active region, the semiconductor pattern including a flat top surface of a (100) crystal plane that is parallel with the central top surface of the active region and a sidewall that is substantially perpendicular to the flat top surface, and a gate pattern overlapping the semiconductor pattern.
US08575699B2
SOI structures with silicon layers less than 20 nm thick are used to form ETSOI semiconductor devices. ETSOI devices are manufactured using a thin tungsten backgate encapsulated by thin nitride layers to prevent metal oxidation, the tungsten backgate being characterized by its low resistivity. The structure includes at least one FET having a gate stack formed by a high-K metal gate and a tungsten region superimposed thereon, the footprint of the gate stack utilizing the thin SOI layer as a channel. The SOI structure thus formed controls the Vt variation from the thin SOI thickness and dopants therein. The ETSOI high-K metal backgate fully depleted device in conjunction with the thin BOX provides an excellent short channel control and lowers the drain induced bias and sub-threshold swings. The structure supports the evidence of the stability of the wafer having a tungsten film during thermal processing, during STI and contact formation.
US08575692B2
Adverse tradeoff between BVDSS and Rdson in LDMOS devices employing a drift space (52, 152) adjacent the drain (56, 156), is avoided by providing a lightly doped region (511, 1511) of a first conductivity type (CT) separating the first CT drift space (52, 152) from an opposite CT WELL region (53, 153) in which the first CT source (57, 157) is located, and a further region (60, 160) of the opposite CT (e.g., formed by an angled implant) extending through part of the WELL region (53, 153) under an edge (591, 1591) of the gate (59, 159) located near a boundary (531, 1531) of the WELL region (53, 153) into the lightly doped region (511, 1511), and a shallow still further region (66, 166) of the first CT Ohmically coupled to the source (57, 157) and ending near the gate edge (591, 159) whereby the effective channel length (61, 161) in the further region (60, 160) is reduced to near zero. Substantial improvement in BVDSS and/or Rdson can be obtained without degrading the other or significant adverse affect on other device properties.
US08575691B2
A method for fabricating a lateral-diffusion metal-oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a first region and a second region both having a first conductive type in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first region not contacting the second region; and performing a thermal process to diffuse the dopants within the first region and the second region into the semiconductor substrate to form a deep well, wherein the doping concentration of the deep well is less than the doping concentration of the first region and the second region.
US08575689B2
An SiC semiconductor device includes a substrate, a drift layer, a base region, a source region, a trench, a gate oxide film, a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The substrate has a Si-face as a main surface. The source region has the Si-face. The trench is provided from a surface of the source region to a portion deeper than the base region and extends longitudinally in one direction and has a Si-face bottom. The trench has an inverse tapered shape, which has a smaller width at an entrance portion than at a bottom, at least at a portion that is in contact with the base region.
US08575688B2
A vertical-current-flow device includes a trench which includes an insulated gate and which extends down into first-conductivity-type semiconductor material. A phosphosilicate glass layer is positioned above the insulated gate and a polysilicon layer is positioned above the polysilicate glass layer. Source and body diffusions of opposite conductivity types are positioned adjacent to a sidewall of the trench. A drift region is positioned to receive majority carriers which have been injected by the source, and which have passed through the body diffusion. A drain region is positioned to receive majority carriers which have passed through the drift region. The gate is capacitively coupled to control inversion of a portion of the body region. As an alternative, a dielectric layer may be used in place of the doped glass where permanent charge is positioned in the dielectric layer.
US08575679B2
Provided is an electrically erasable and programmable nonvolatile semiconductor memory device having a tunnel region; the tunnel region and the peripheral of the tunnel region are dug down to be made lower, and a depletion electrode, to which an arbitral potential is given to deplete a part of the tunnel region through a depletion electrode insulating film, is arranged in the lowered drain region.
US08575676B2
A semiconductor storage device according to the present invention includes: a semiconductor substrate; an embedded insulator embedded in a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate and having an upper portion protruding above a top surface of the semiconductor substrate; a first insulating film formed on the top surface of the semiconductor substrate; a floating gate formed on the first insulating film at a side of the embedded insulator, having a side portion arching out above the embedded insulator, and having a side surface made of a flat surface and a curved surface continuing below the flat surface; a second insulating film contacting an upper surface, the flat surface and the curved surface of the floating gate; and a control gate opposing the upper surface, the flat surface and the curved surface of the floating gate across the second insulating film.
US08575674B2
Disclosed is a ferromagnetic tunnel junction structure which is characterized by having a tunnel barrier layer that comprises a non-magnetic material having a spinel structure. The ferromagnetic tunnel junction structure is also characterized in that the non-magnetic material is substantially MgAl2O4. The ferromagnetic tunnel junction is also characterized in that at least one of the ferromagnetic layers comprises a Co-based full Heusler alloy having an L21 or B2 structure. The ferromagnetic tunnel junction structure is also characterized in that the Co-based full Heusler alloy comprises a substance represented by the following formula: Co2FeAlxSi1-x (0≦x≦1). Also disclosed are a magnetoresistive element and a spintronics device, each of which utilizes the ferromagnetic tunnel junction structure and can achieve a high TMR value, that cannot be achieved by employing conventional tunnel barrier layers other than a MgO barrier.
US08575668B2
A semiconductor device including at least one capacitor formed in wiring levels on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, wherein the at least one capacitor is coupled to an active layer of the SOI substrate. A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming an SOI substrate, forming a BOX layer over the SOI substrate, and forming at least one capacitor in wiring levels on the BOX layer, wherein the at least one capacitor is coupled to an active layer of the SOI substrate.
US08575661B2
A solid-state image pick-up device is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate main body which has an element forming layer and a gettering layer provided on an upper layer thereof; photoelectric conversion elements, each of which includes a first conductive type region, provided in the element forming layer; and a dielectric film which is provided on an upper layer of the gettering layer and which induces a second conductive type region in a surface of the gettering layer.
US08575660B2
According to one exemplary embodiment, a group III-V semiconductor device includes at least one transition layer situated over a substrate. The group III-V semiconductor device further includes a first strain-relieving interlayer situated over the at least one transition layer and a second strain-relieving interlayer situated over the first strain-relieving interlayer. The group III-V semiconductor device further includes a first group III-V semiconductor body situated over the second strain-relieving interlayer. The first and second strain-relieving interlayers comprise different semiconductor materials so as to reduce a strain in the first group III-V semiconductor body. The second strain-relieving interlayer can be substantially thinner than the first strain-relieving interlayer.
US08575659B1
A combinationally doped semiconductor layer, a double heterojunction bipolar transistor (DHBT) including a combinationally doped semiconductor layer, and a method of making a combinationally doped semiconductor layer employ a combination of carbon and beryllium doping. The combinationally doped semiconductor layer includes a first sublayer of a semiconductor material doped substantially with beryllium and a second sublayer of the semiconductor material doped substantially with carbon. The DHBT includes a carbon-beryllium combinationally doped semiconductor layer as a base layer. The method of making a combinationally doped semiconductor layer includes growing a first sublayer of the semiconductor layer, the first sublayer being doped substantially with beryllium and growing a second sublayer of the semiconductor layer, the second sublayer being doped substantially with carbon.
US08575650B2
An electron injected APD with an embedded n electrode structure in which edge breakdown can be suppressed without controlling the doping profile of an n-type region of the embedded n electrode structure with high precision. The APD comprising a buffer layer with a low ionization rate is inserted between an n electrode connecting layer and an avalanche multiplication layer. Specifically, the APD is an electron injected APD in which an n electrode layer, the n electrode connecting layer, the buffer layer, the avalanche multiplication layer, an electric field control layer, a band gap gradient layer, a low-concentration light absorbing layer, a p-type light absorbing layer, and a p electrode layer are sequentially stacked, and a light absorbing portion that includes at least the low-concentration light absorbing layer and the p-type light absorbing layer forms a mesa shape.
US08575648B2
A silicon carbide semiconductor device having a JFET or a MOSFET includes a semiconductor substrate and a trench. The semiconductor substrate has a silicon carbide substrate, a drift layer on the silicon carbide substrate, a first gate region on the drift layer, and a source region on the first gate region. The trench has a strip shape with a longitudinal direction and reaches the drift layer by penetrating the source region and the first gate region. The trench is filled with a channel layer and a second gate region on the channel layer. The source region is not located at an end portion of the trench in the longitudinal direction.
US08575647B2
A mesa-type bidirectional Shockley diode including a substrate of a first conductivity type; a layer of the second conductivity type on each side of the substrate; a region of the first conductivity type in each of the layers of the second conductivity type; a buried region of the first conductivity type under each of said regions of the first conductivity type, each buried region being complementary in projection with the other; and a groove arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the component on each of its surfaces, the component portion external to the groove comprising, under the external portion of the upper and lower regions of the second conductivity type, regions of the first conductivity type of same doping profile as said buried regions.
US08575640B2
A polarized white light emitting diode provides a polarized white light to decrease glare, and increase the extinction ratio. A LED chip is disposed in a cavity between a reflection substrate and a metallic wire-grid polarizing layer, and emits a first color light. The metallic wire-grid polarizing layer is disposed under and in contact with a transparent substrate. A phosphor layer covers over the LED chip, and is disposed in the cavity with an air gap between the phosphor layer and the metallic wire-grid polarizing layer. A second color light is generated by the first color light. The metallic wire-grid polarizing layer multiply reflects a portion of first color light in plural directions in the cavity to produce secondary excitations. The polarized white light transmits through the metallic wire-grid polarizing layer by mixing a portion of first color light with the second color light excited by the first color light.
US08575628B2
An organic light emitting display having first pixel power source lines receiving a pixel driving voltage from first power supply sources and second pixel power source lines arranged between the first pixel power source lines and receiving a pixel driving voltage from second power supply sources, the light emitting diode of each of a plurality of pixels included in an image display unit is divided into two, and the divided light emitting diodes are coupled to the different pixel power source lines so that brightness non-uniformity of the image display unit caused by the IR drops of the pixel power source lines is reduced or prevented.
US08575625B2
A semiconductor element mounting member is arranged to infiltrate a matrix metal into a porous body that is formed by sintering diamond particles being in direct contact with each other and that has an infiltration auxiliary layer selectively formed only on the exposed surface of each diamond particle. A production method includes a step at which a mixture of diamond particles, a powder of a chemical element out of which the infiltration auxiliary layer is made, and an ammonium chloride powder is compressed and molded, is then heated to 900° C. or more, and is formed into the porous body. A semiconductor device has a semiconductor element mounted on an element mounting surface of the semiconductor element mounting member with a connecting layer therebetween.
US08575615B2
A diode 201 includes a gate electrode 2, a gate insulating layer 5 provided on the gate electrode 2, at least one semiconductor layer 6, 7 provided on the gate insulating layer 5 and which includes a first region 6a and a second region 7b, a first electrode 10 which is provided on the first region 6a and which is electrically coupled to the first region 6a and the gate electrode 2, and a second electrode 12 which is provided on the second region 7b and which is electrically coupled to the second region 7b. The at least one semiconductor layer 6, 7 includes a channel region 6c which extends above the gate electrode 2 with the intervention of the gate insulating layer 5 therebetween, and a resistor region 7d which does not extend above the gate electrode 2. When the diode 201 is in an ON state, an electric current path is formed between the first electrode 10 and the second electrode 12, the electric current path including the channel region 6c and the resistor region 7d.
US08575613B2
A method and structures are provided for implementing vertical transistors utilizing wire vias as gate nodes. The vertical transistors are high performance transistors fabricated up in the stack between the planes of the global signal routing wire, for example, used as vertical signal repeater transistors. An existing via or a supplemental vertical via between wire planes provides both an electrical connection and the gate node of the novel vertical transistor.
US08575610B2
An object is to alleviate the concentration of an electric field in a semiconductor device. A gate electrode and a drain electrode are provided not to overlap with each other, and an electric-field control electrode is provided between the gate electrode and the drain electrode over a top surface. Insulating layers are provided between the gate electrode and a semiconductor layer and between the electric-field control electrode and the semiconductor layer, and the insulating layer provided between the electric-field control electrode and the semiconductor layer has a larger thickness than the insulating layer provided between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer. Further, when the semiconductor device is driven, the potential of the electric-field control electrode may be higher than or equal to a source potential and lower than a gate potential, and for example, connection between the electric-field control electrode and the source potential enables such a structure.
US08575609B2
An organic light emitting display apparatus includes a substrate, a thin film transistor formed on the substrate and comprising an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, a first gate insulation layer arranged between the gate electrode and the active layer and including an opening portion, a first electrode arranged between the substrate and the first gate insulation layer to overlap the opening portion, an intermediate layer formed on the first electrode and including an organic light emitting layer, a second electrode formed on the intermediate layer, and a capacitor including a first capacitor electrode that is arranged between the substrate and the first gate insulation layer and a second capacitor electrode that is arranged on an upper surface of the first gate insulation layer.
US08575600B2
An OLED display includes a substrate, a first electrode on the substrate, an organic emission layer on the first electrode, a second electrode on the organic emission layer, an insulating layer substantially covering the second electrode and having an opening that exposes a center portion of the second electrode, and a power supply electrically coupled with the second electrode through the opening of the insulating layer and configured to supply power to the second electrode.
US08575593B2
A semiconductor light emitting device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The semiconductor light emitting device includes: first and second conductivity-type semiconductor layers; and an active layer disposed between the first and second conductivity-type semiconductor layers and having a structure in which a quantum barrier layer and a quantum well layer are alternately disposed, and the quantum barrier layer includes first and second regions disposed in order of proximity to the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer.
US08575591B2
Apparatus for forming a nanoscale semiconductor structure on a substrate by applying a carrier fluid
An apparatus applies a carrier fluid to a semiconductor substrate. The carrier fluid carries nanoparticles. The positions of a plurality of particles in the carrier fluid are manipulated by applying an electric field, removing the carrier fluid from the substrate so as to leave the nanoparticles on the substrate, and sintering the nanoparticles to form a region.
US08575587B2
A storage device includes: a plurality of first electrode wirings; a plurality of second electrode wirings which cross the first electrode wirings; a via plug which is formed between the second electrode wiring and the two adjacent first electrode wirings, and in which a maximum diameter of a bottom surface opposing the first electrode wirings in a direction vertical to a direction in which the first electrode wirings stretch is smaller than a length corresponding to a pitch of the first electrode wiring plus a width of the first electrode wirings; a first storage element which is formed between the via plug and one of the two first electrode wirings; and a second storage element which is formed between the via plug and the other one of the two first electrode wirings.
US08575586B2
A resistive memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The resistive memory device includes a lower electrode formed over a substrate, a resistive layer disposed over the lower electrode, an upper electrode formed over the resistive layer, and an oxygen-diffusion barrier pattern provided in an interface between the resistive layer and the upper electrode. The above-described resistive memory device and a method for manufacturing the same may prevent the out diffusion of oxygen in the interface of the upper electrode to avoid set-stuck phenomenon occurring upon the operation of the resistive memory device, thereby improving the endurance of the resistive memory device.
US08575577B1
Neutron optics based on the two-reflection geometries are capable of controlling beams of long wavelength neutrons with low angular divergence. The preferred mirror fabrication technique is a replication process with electroform nickel replication process being preferable. In the preliminary demonstration test an electroform nickel optics gave the neutron current density gain at the focal spot of the mirror at least 8 for neutron wavelengths in the range from 6 to 20 Å. The replication techniques can be also be used to fabricate neutron beam controlling guides.
US08575573B2
A structure for discharging an extreme ultraviolet mask (EUV mask) is provided to discharge the EUV mask during the inspection by an electron beam inspection tool. The structure for discharging an EUV mask includes at least one grounding pin to contact conductive areas on the EUV mask, wherein the EUV mask may have further conductive layer on sidewalls or/and bottom. The inspection quality of the EUV mask is enhanced by using the electron beam inspection system because the accumulated charging on the EUU mask is grounded.
US08575570B2
An apparatus for and method of performing orthogonal light sheet microscopy (OLM) and computer optical tomography (COT) simultaneously in a single device are provided. The dual-mode imaging microscope allows for the use of both OLM and COT in a single instrument. This dual-mode device will allow researchers to have access to both types of microscopy, allowing access to the widest possible selection of samples, and improved imaging results. In addition, the device will reduce the high costs and space requirements associated with owning two different imagers (OLM and COT).
US08575567B2
UV hard-surface disinfection system that is able to disinfect the hard surfaces in a room, while minimizing missed areas due to shadows by providing multiple UV light towers that can be placed in several areas of a room such that shadowed areas are eliminated and that can be transported by a cart that is low to the ground such that the towers may be loaded and unloaded easily by a single operator. The system is able to be controlled remotely, such that during activation of the system, no operator is present, and to automatically cut power to all towers in the event that a person enters the room.
US08575564B2
When the IMRT technology for a radiation therapy system utilizing an X-ray or the like is applied as it is to a particle beam therapy system having a conventional wobbler system, there is posed the problem that it is required to utilize two or more boluses. The objective of the present invention is to solve the problem of excess irradiation in IMRT by a particle beam therapy system. More specifically, the problem of excess irradiation in IMRT by a particle beam therapy system is solved by raising the irradiation flexibility in the depth direction, without utilizing a bolus.There is provided a particle beam irradiation apparatus (58) having a scanning irradiation system (34) that performs scanning with a charged particle beam (1) accelerated by an accelerator and being mounted in a rotating gantry for rotating the irradiation direction of the charged particle beam (1); the particle beam irradiation apparatus (58) comprises a columnar-irradiation-field generation apparatus (4) that generates a columnar irradiation field by enlarging the Bragg peak of the charged particle beam (1).
US08575560B1
This disclosure is directed to devices, integrated circuits, and methods for sensing cumulative radiation doses. In one example, a device includes a cell configured to be set to an initial resistance and to vary in resistance cumulatively in response to incident radiation. The device also includes an output terminal connected to the cell and configured to vary in voltage in response to the resistance of the cell. The device also includes a comparator configured to deliver an output signal in response to the voltage of the output terminal reaching a threshold voltage. The device also includes a cell charging circuit configured to reset the cell to the initial resistance in response to the output signal from the comparator. The device also includes a counter configured to count a number of times the comparator delivers the output signal.
US08575550B2
An apparatus for detecting radiation has a substrate, a protective housing fitting on the substrate, which has an electrically conductive material and a top facing away from the substrate, and that has an aperture therein. A stack is fitted on the substrate inside the protective housing and includes at least one detector substrate having at least one thermal detector element thereon that converts incoming thermal radiation into an electrical signal, at least one circuit carrier having at least one read circuit for reading out the electrical signal, and at least one cover that covers the detector element. The detector substrate is located between the circuit substrate and the cover. The detector substrate and the cover are arranged on each other such that the detector element of the detector substrate and the cover have at least one first stack cavity of the stack therebetween, the stack cavity being defined by the detector support and the cover. The circuit substrate and the detector substrate are arranged on each other such that the detector substrate and the circuit substrate have at least one second stack cavity therebetween, the second stack cavity being defined by the circuit substrate and the detector substrate. At least one of the first stack cavity and the second stack cavity is evacuated. The stack top that faces the substrate is accessible from outside of the protective housing.
US08575547B2
The present invention provides an electron beam measurement technique for measuring the shapes or sizes of portions of patterns on a sample, or detecting a defect or the like. An electron beam measurement apparatus has a unit for irradiating the patterns delineated on a substrate by a multi-exposure method, and classifying the patterns in an acquired image into multiple groups according to an exposure history record. The exposure history record is obtained based on brightness of the patterns and a difference between white bands of the patterns.
US08575539B2
A detector apparatus and method for detecting radiation emitted from a target comprising: a first transmissive polarizer (302) for polarizing radiation incident on the target; a second transmissive polarizer (304) for polarizing the radiation emitted from the target (303) and absorbing any remaining light polarized by the first polarizer; and at least one reflective polarizer (306) arranged between the first and second transmissive polarizers.
US08575537B2
A proximity sensor device is provided in compact unit that has the ability to sense or monitor in different directions, such as sensing or monitoring in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Methods are also provided. In an illustrative embodiment, the proximity sensor device includes a first transmitting/receiving pair and a second transmitting/receiving pair on a printed circuit board along with an IC to control the transmitters and receivers, as well as, in some embodiments, to provide signal filtering, amplification or other desired features.
US08575526B1
An interceptor system and method for dispensing of multiple kill vehicles, including, a carrier vehicle having a central carrier vehicle axis and axial propulsion integrated into the carrier vehicle, a payload adapter associated with the carrier vehicle for connecting a payload to a boost vehicle, the payload adapter being located aft of the carrier vehicle, and multiple kill vehicles mounted to the carrier vehicle radially around a circumference of the carrier vehicle.
US08575519B2
A gas igniter device includes a first synthetic material casing containing igniter and an electronic control and a terminal board integrally coupled to the first casing and in turn including a cable clamp. The terminal board includes a second synthetic box-shaped material casing including: a cup-shaped body provided with a first and a second opposite side opening and an inlet oriented essentially perpendicular to the side openings; and a closing lid of the inlet hingedly restrained onto a first side of the cup-shaped body; a first end of the first casing is provided with a pair of electric power contacts for the igniter and is snappingly and removably coupled in use to the cup-shaped body within a first side opening with the contacts arranged inside the cup-shaped body in position facing the inlet. The lid is snappingly coupling to a second side of the cup-shaped body and provided with a first clamp for an electric power cable insertable in use through the second side opening; a second clamp joined to the first being integrally carried by a bottom wall of the cup-shaped body in addition to a third clamp adjacent to the second side opening.
US08575518B2
A heating device comprises a heater having a first surface and a second surface, with the second surface being generally opposite of the first surface. The heater is configured to receive an electrical current and convert it to heat. The heating device additionally includes at least one heat transfer assembly positioned along the first and/or second surface of the heater. In one embodiment, the heat transfer assembly includes a plurality of fins that generally define a plurality of fin spaces through which fluids may pass. In some arrangements, the heating device comprises an outer housing that at least partially surrounds the heater and one or more of the heat transfer assemblies. Heat generated by the heater is transferred to the fins of the heat transfer assembly. In addition, fluids passing through the fin spaces are selectively heated when electrical current is provided to the heater.
US08575514B2
A light irradiation device and method for irradiating converged light with an object include a light source configured to output a light, a phase-modulating spatial light modulator, a controller, and a converging optical system. The phase-modulating spatial light modulator is configured to input the light outputted from the light source and to display a hologram modulating a phase of the light at each of a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally, and outputs the phase-modulated light. The controller is configured to cause the spatial light modulator to display a hologram such that the light outputted from the spatial light modulator is converged at a plurality of converging positions. The controller causes the spatial light modulator to display a first hologram and performs a feedback of the first hologram so as to modify the first hologram. The modifying of the first hologram is performed by measuring intensity of the light converged.
US08575511B2
The present invention provides a method of marking or inscribing a workpiece (3) with high-energy radiation, more particularly with a laser beam (1), the workpiece (3) being transparent for the radiation wavelength, and a polymer matrix (7) being disposed in the vicinity of the workpiece (3) in such a way that the radiation passes through the workpiece (3) before it impinges on the polymer matrix (7), characterized in that disposed between the polymer matrix (7) and the workpiece (3) is a film (15) of liquid which is in contact with the polymer matrix (7) and with the workpiece (3).
US08575508B2
The present invention provides a current switch including a blade-type movable contact configured to extend in a radial direction from a pivoting center and reciprocatingly move such that a free end of the movable contact draws a pivoting track, a fixed contact including energizing members separated from the movable contact and arranged to be opposed to and substantially in parallel to each other on both sides across a pivoting surface of the movable contact and an outer frame configured to cover at least the periphery of the energizing members, a movable arc contact provided in the movable contact, fixed arc contacts provided in the fixed contact, and permanent magnets arranged on the inside of the fixed contact or the movable contact to generate a magnetic field that crosses an arc generated between the movable arc contact and the fixed arc contacts.
US08575505B2
In an embodiment, there is disclosed a button for an operator control arrangement, wherein the button has a shaped body which is composed of a light-guiding material, the shaped body including an operating direction, a functional side which has a light entry region and an operating region, an operator control side which has a light exit region, a resilient projection which is integrally formed with the shaped body transverse to the operating direction, a force limiting element which is integrally formed with the shaped body transverse to the operating direction and is configured to absorb an excessive operating force, and a first projection which is integrally formed with the shaped body. Other embodiments of a button, an operator control arrangement and a domestic appliance are also disclosed.
US08575504B2
A switch is disclosed, in particular a switch disconnector for low voltages, including at least one cuboid pole housing; a switching shaft which runs transversely with respect to the side walls and disconnects contact elements which are resting on one another in order to open the switch; and an aperture opening formed in one wall of the pole housing. In order to prevent the risk of an electrical flashover to the rear wall, it is proposed in at least one embodiment, that the aperture opening is formed in a side wall, to which a channel is connected, which dissipates any overpressure that occurs in the pole housing in an end-face outlet direction.
US08575496B2
A multilayer printed wiring board including a layered capacitor section provided on a first interlayer resin insulation layer and a high dielectric layer and first and second layered electrodes that sandwich the high dielectric layer. A second interlayer resin insulation layer is provided on the first insulation layer and the capacitor section, and a metal thin-film layer is provided over the capacitor section and on the second insulation layer. An outermost interlayer resin insulation layer is provided on the second insulation layer and the metal thin-film layer. A mounting section is provided on the outermost insulation layer and has first and second external terminals to mount a semiconductor element. Multiple via conductors penetrate each insulation layer. The via conductors include first via conductors that electrically connect the first layered electrode to the first external terminals. Second via conductors electrically connect the second layered electrode to the second external terminals.
US08575481B2
The present invention has an object of providing an electronic apparatus storing container capable of facilitating mounting of an electronic apparatus and having improved productivity. The electronic apparatus storing container according to the present invention includes: a base including an electronic apparatus mounting area of a planar shape in which an electronic apparatus is mountable, and a packing groove formed in an outer peripheral portion of the electronic apparatus mounting area; a waterproof packing fit in a corresponding manner in the packing groove; and a case joined with the base with the waterproof packing sandwiched therebetween, the case storing the electronic apparatus mounted in the electronic apparatus mounting area. This improves the productivity of the electronic apparatus storing container.
US08575476B2
An alloy substrate formed on an alloy of Ni and Mo is formed by electroforming. The alloy substrate has graded composition in which alloy composition varies in a thickness direction thereof. A lower surface side is mainly composed of Ni, and a upper surface side is mainly composed of Mo. An upper surface of the alloy substrate is formed with a large number of minute and pyramidal unevenness having high light scattering property. A CIS light absorbing layer is formed on the upper surface of the alloy substrate, and an upper electrode is provided thereabove.
US08575469B2
A compact, high-performance thermoelectric conversion module includes a laminate having a plurality of insulating layers, p-type thermoelectric semiconductors and n-type thermoelectric semiconductors formed by a technique for manufacturing a multilayer circuit board, particularly a technique for forming a via-conductor. Pairs of the p-type thermoelectric semiconductors and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductors are electrically connected to each other in series through p-n connection conductors to define thermoelectric conversion element pairs. The thermoelectric conversion element pairs are connected in series through, for example, series wiring conductors. The thermoelectric semiconductors each have a plurality of portions in which the peak temperatures of thermoelectric figures of merit are different from each other. These portions are distributed in the stacking direction of the laminate.
US08575466B2
A ball plunger-style lateral connector assembly for electrical connections, comprising an electrically conductive connector body with an electrically conductive pin positioned in an aperture in a closed end of the body. A first end portion of the pin member extends at least partially into the interior area of the connector body. An electrically conductive connector plate is adjacent to the closed end of the connector body and engages the first end portion of the pin member and provides an electrical connection therebetween. An insulator sleeve may be disposed in the interior area of the connector body and adjacent to the sidewall of the connector body. An electrically conductive biasing member is disposed in the interior area of the connector body. The biasing member has a first end portion in engagement with the connector plate, and wherein the insulator sleeve is disposed between the biasing member and the connector body. An electrically conductive ball track is positioned within the interior area of the connector body and is in engagement with a second end portion of the biasing member. An electrically conductive ball is disposed in the open end portion of the connector body and is seated in the concave seating portion of the ball track. The ball is configured to roll within ball track during use of the lateral connector.
US08575458B1
A novel maize variety designated X00B152 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 X00B152 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00B152 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00B152, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00B152. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00B152.
US08575456B1
A novel maize variety designated X90B029 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 X90B029 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X90B029 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X90B029, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X90B029. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X90B029.
US08575455B1
A novel maize variety designated X03B499 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 X03B499 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03B499 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X03B499, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03B499. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03B499.
US08575452B2
The invention provides seed and plants of the tomato line designated PSQ 176-09PW0002. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line PSQ 176-09PW0002, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing a plant of tomato line PSQ 176-09PW0002 with itself or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of tomato line PSQ 176-09PW0002, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants.
US08575450B2
The present invention relates to tomato plants with increased concentrations of acylsugars, in particular increased concentrations of acylglucoses and/or acylsucroses. The present invention also provides methods for controlling thrips on tomato plants through the use of increased concentrations of acylsugars.
US08575437B2
The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid PS 14764212 POLL and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid PS 14764212 POLL 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.
US08575428B2
The present invention provides, inter alia, methods for increasing the production of biomass and/or seeds, and plants for use in such methods. The production of biomass and/or seeds by a plant can be increased by supplying glutathione to a plant into which a gene encoding a protein phosphatase 2C having characteristic consensus sequences has been introduced.
US08575427B2
The nucleotide sequence of a 992 bp region of cDNA and the nucleotide sequence of a 1973 bp (or a 1913 bp) of genomic DNA of the Gr-cm-1 gene were determined for G. rostochiensis. PCR primers and probes specific for G. rostochiensis and G. pallida were generated. PCR assays, including a real-time TaqMan PCR were used to identify G. rostochiensis and G. pallida and to differentiate G. rostochiensis from G. pallida. Transgenic hairy roots expressing Gr-cm-1 dsRNA were generated. There was a 52% reduction in the average number of females per root in the Gr-cm-1 dsRNA transgenic lines when compared with the infected control lines.
US08575424B2
Methods for introducing a functionalized linear nucleic acid cassette molecule of interest into a plant cell comprising a cell wall include use of nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the cell comprising a cell wall is a cultured plant cell. Methods include genetically or otherwise modifying plant cells and for treating or preventing disease in any plant, especially crop plants. Transgenic plants include a nucleic acid molecule of interest produced by regeneration of whole plants from plant cells transformed with functionalized linear nucleic acid cassette molecules.
US08575419B2
A feminine hygiene article for external use having on their body-facing surface at least one embossed wavy pattern and at least one non-embossed, preferably colored, wavy pattern. The embossed and non-embossed wavy patterns are chosen with specific geometric parameters so that a slight lateral or longitudinal shift does not affect the overall appearance of the body-facing surface.
US08575411B2
The invention relates to a process for converting aliphatic hydrocarbons having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms into aromatic hydrocarbons, which comprises the steps: a) reaction of a feed stream E comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the presence of a catalyst under nonoxidative conditions to give a product stream P comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen and b) electrochemical removal of at least part of the hydrogen formed in the reaction from the product stream P by means of a gastight membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least one selectively proton-conducting membrane and at least one electrode catalyst on each side of the membrane, where at least part of the hydrogen is oxidized to protons over the anode catalyst on the retentate side of the membrane and the protons are, after passing through the membrane on the permeate side, reacted with oxygen to form water over the cathode catalyst, with the oxygen originating from an oxygen-comprising stream O which is brought into contact with the permeate side of the membrane.
US08575408B2
The present invention involves a process for processing an acidic biorenewable feedstock comprising olefins, in which the acidic biorenewable feedstock is diluted with a deoxygenated feed to produce a diluted biorenewable feedstock and then is sent through a guard bed comprising a hydroprocessing catalyst to cause the olefins to be saturated with hydrogen and thereby to produce a treated biorenewable feedstock. This treated biorenewable feedstock can then be treated under standard hydroprocessing condition to produce an upgraded feedstock for transportation fuels.
US08575406B2
The present invention relates to a catalyst. The catalyst is used for converting acetic acid to ethanol. The catalyst comprises platinum, tin, a base metal selected from calcium and/or tungsten and a promoter metal selected from barium, potassium and/or cesium.
US08575405B2
To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal from the crude product.
US08575400B2
A (−)-stereoisomer of formula (I): wherein X is H or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, useful in the treatment or prevention of nausea and vomiting or for promoting an antiemetic effect.
US08575398B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an advantageous non-barbotage method for oxidation of hydrocarbons, that, when implemented in various embodiments thereof, provides significantly higher selectivity, a greater level of safety, lower capital costs, etc., than conventional oxidation processes utilizing the barbotage technique. The essence of the inventive non-barbotage oxidation process is ensuring that the oxidizing agent delivered to the process reactor undergoes continued contact only with exposed surfaces of the liquid phase of the hydrocarbons being oxidized configured as at least one of: formed liquid phase thin film(s), liquid phase continuous stream(s), and/or liquid phase globule (e.g., droplets, etc.) stream(s), preferably, with the surface area(s) of the exposed surface(s) being maximized to increase contact with an oxidizing agent being directed thereto, to ensure that the inventive oxidation reaction occurs at the border between liquid and gas phases, such that the oxidation reaction effectively occurs by way of contact of the oxidizing agent (e.g., oxygen) from the gas phase with exposed surface(s) of the liquid phase of the hydrocarbons being oxidized. The inventive non-barbotage oxidation process may be implemented in a single reactor, or in plural sequential reactors, and may be implemented both in a stand-alone configuration, and in combination with various conventional barbotage methods for oxidation of hydrocarbons.
US08575397B2
The present disclosure relates to a new polymerization process in which ethylenically unsaturated monomers are polymerised by a living radical polymerization process in the presence of an initiator and a catalyst. Polymers produced by this new process are also thought to be novel and may be used to derivatise biological molecules to improve their efficacy as therapeutic treatments. A preferred polymer is of formula The polymers are particularly suitable for derivatising proteins, such as interferon-α.
US08575396B2
A method for producing a polyamino-polyalcohol. The method comprises steps of: (a) combining an aminoalcohol of formula (I) with a nitro-diol of formula (II) to produce a nitro amino diol; and (b) contacting the nitro amino diol with a reducing agent capable of reducing aliphatic nitro groups.
US08575392B2
A charge-transporting varnish comprising a phenylamino-N,N′-diphenylquinonediimine derivative represented by the formula (1) as a charge-transporting substance. It becomes possible to provide a charge-transporting varnish comprising an oxidized oligoaniline, which has a high solubility in various organic solvents and also has a good filtration property because the varnish has no aggregation property. (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group; and R2 to R19 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, a silanol group, a thiol group, a carboxyl group, a phosphoric acid group, a phosphate ester group, an ester group, a thioester group, an amide group, a nitro group, a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, an organooxy group, an organoamino group, an organosilyl group, an organothio group, an acyl group, a sulfone group or a halogen atom.)
US08575387B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing carboxylic acids comprising the step of contacting an aromatic hydrocarbon comprising at least one group including an α C-atom that is oxidizable to a carboxylic group in liquid phase with an oxygen containing gas in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst with perovskite structure ABO3 with A being selected from at least one element of groups 1 to 3 of the Periodic Table, lanthanides or actinides, and B being selected from at least one element of the groups 4 to 15 of the periodic table or an oxygen-defective derivative of that catalyst having the formula ABO3−δ with 0<δ<1.
US08575385B2
This invention provides a process of making optically pure melphalan of the formula by hydroxyethylation, in a regioselective manner, of the aromatic amino group rather than the glycinic amino group.
US08575371B2
Glyceryl ether compounds prepared by the reaction of glycerol and olefin epoxides are disclosed. The compounds are renewable biomass-based surfactants useful as detergents and emulsifiers in formulations for cleaning, laundry, personal care, cosmetics, and industrial uses.
US08575368B2
This invention provides useful applications of cashew apple. This invention also provides a naturally occurring active ingredient having useful activities, such as alpha-amylase inhibitory activity, lipase inhibitory activity, and antibacterial activity against Propionibacterium acnes. The invention also provides a composition containing cashew apple-derived proanthocyanidin having excellent alpha-amylase inhibitory activity, lipase inhibitory activity, and antibacterial activity against Propionibacterium acnes, which is prepared by allowing a plant fiber-degrading enzyme (e.g., pectinase) to react with a cashew apple and concentrating the resultant with the use of an ultrafiltration membrane. Further, the invention provides a proanthocyanidin compound having a novel structure.
US08575359B2
The invention is in general directed to acid-sensitive linkers, and methods of use thereof, such as, for example, in drug delivery methods.
US08575358B2
Oxazolidinium compounds are formed by the reaction of a halohydrin or an epoxide with a secondary amine and an aldehyde or a ketone. The oxazolidinium compounds are formed directly and do not require the reaction of a pre-formed oxazolidine with an alkylating agent. The compounds are useful as gas hydrate inhibitors in oil and gas production and transportation. The oxazolidinium compounds have the structure: where R is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group containing from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, where R has an absence of aryl groups; R1 and R2 each independently have 1 to 20 carbon atoms, may be linear, branched or cyclic; linear, branched or cyclic groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms substituted with alkyl groups, aryl groups, alkylaryl groups, and aryl groups substituted with alkoxy groups, and X is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, bromine or iodine.
US08575353B2
Disclosed are novel compounds having the structure of Formula (I): which are useful for treating a human for dependence upon substances of addiction, for example addiction to a dopamine-producing agent such as cocaine, morphine, amphetamines, nicotine, and/or alcohol. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) and methods of using the compounds of Formula (I) in the treatment of addiction to a dopamine-producing agent.
US08575351B2
Disclosed herein is an active metabolite (“M20”) of a molecule that is useful as a thrombin receptor antagonist: Also disclosed are formulations of this compound, synthetic routes to this compound, and methods of treating a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including acute coronary syndrome and peripheral arterial disease, and of effecting secondary prevention, by orally administering the active metabolilte.
US08575339B2
This invention relates to novel compounds and hydrochloric acid salts thereof. More specifically, this invention relates to novel compounds and hydrochloric acid salts thereof derived from erlotinib. This invention also provides compositions comprising one or more compounds of this invention and a carrier and the use of the disclosed compounds and compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR) inhibitor, such as erlotinib.
US08575334B2
Disclosed is a method for separating anthocyanins depleted in phenolic mixture content from fruits or vegetables feedstock containing anthocyanins and phenolic mixtures. The first step is to contact the feedstock with a cation-exchange resin at low pH for a time period effective for the resin to selectively bind with the anthocyanins. Next, the non-bound phenolic mixture is separated from the resin for recovery. The bound resin is subjected to solvent wash to release the anthocyanins for recovery.
US08575326B2
A method for the early diagnosis of carcinomas of the anogenital tract, preferably of the cervical carcinoma, and the preliminary stages thereof is described. The method is based on the determination of the methylation status of segments of the gene regions of ASTN1 (astrotactin 1) and ZNF671 (zinc finger protein 671, transcription factor). A DNA methylation in the promoter region or the 5′-region of these genes is indicative for carcinomas of the anogenital tract or severe preliminary stages thereof. The present invention also relates to kits which permit the conduction of the diagnostic method according to the invention.
US08575325B2
The present invention provides a portable system for real-time population-scale HLA genotyping and/or allelotyping in a field environment and methods of such population-scale HLA genotyping. The individual components of the system are portable to and operable within a field environment thereby providing high throughput with real-time geno- or allelotyping. Also provided are HLA gene-specific primers and HLA allele-specific or single nucleotide polymorphism-specific hybridization probes. In addition the present invention provides a microarray comprising the hybridization probes. Further provided is a kit comprising the HLA gene-specific primers and the microarray.
US08575323B2
Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for transporting sugars across cell membranes using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.
US08575311B2
Described herein are conjugates of collagen peptides and metal binding agents and compositions resulting therefrom, useful in various tissue engineering and regeneration applications, in cell culture, cell adhesion, cosmetic surgery, construction of artificial skin substitutes, management of severe burns and burn surgery, reconstruction of bone and a wide variety of dental, orthopedic and surgical purposes, as drug delivery vehicles and in delivering populations of cells to a site of disease or injury.
US08575300B2
Disclosed herein is a telechelic diacrylate fluoropolymer and a process for manufacture of the fluoropolymer. The diacrylate copolymer is of formula CH2═CR′COO—(CH2)n—R—(CH2)n—OOCCR′═CH2, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of i) an oligomer comprising copolymerized units of vinylidene fluoride and perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), ii) an oligomer comprising copolymerized units of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, iii) an oligomer comprising copolymerized units of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), and iv) an oligomer comprising copolymerized units of tetrafluoroethylene and a hydrocarbon olefin, R′ is H or—CH3, n is 1-4 and wherein said oligomer has a number average molecular weight of 1000 to 25,000 daltons.
US08575294B2
Methods of producing a hybrid petro-plant oil polyol having a high bio-content by coupling a petro-chemical polyol with a plant oil based polyol is provided, including coupling an intermediate petro-polyol prepolymer with a plant oil polyol so as to synthesize a hybrid petro-plant oil polyol having a high bio-content and a hydroxyl number of between about 50 and 60.
US08575293B2
According to the present invention, a resin compound for optical material, comprising (a) an episulfide compound represented by a specific structural formula, (b) a xylylenedithiol compound and (c) a xylylenediisocyanate compound can be provided. In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, a resin compound for optical material having superb optical properties, a high density and a high thermal resistance can be provided. Also according to the present invention, an optical material obtained by curing the above-described resin compound can be provided.
US08575286B2
A polymer comprising recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and trifluoroethylene (TrFE), such polymer comprising end groups of formula —CF2H and/or —CF2CH3 in an amount of at least 60 mmoles per kg of VDF recurring units [polymer (F)], a process for its manufacture and the use thereof as ferroelectric, piezoelectric, dielectric or pyroelectric material in electric/electronic devices.
US08575263B2
In a polycarbonate resin composition containing a polycarbonate resin and a polycarbosilane compound, the use of the polycarbosilane compound modifies the surface properties of the polycarbonate resin composition without adversely affecting the intrinsic characteristics of the polycarbonate resin, such as transparency, heat resistance, and mechanical properties, e.g., impact resistance. A polycarbonate resin composition containing 100 parts by mass of a polycarbonate resin, 0.001 to 1 part by mass of a metal salt compound, and 0.005 to 5 parts by mass of a polycarbosilane compound has significantly improved flame resistance and high transparency and causes markedly reduced outgassing and mold fouling, without losing impact resistance and heat resistance.
US08575245B2
The present invention provides polycarbonate compositions having a tunable decomposition temperature. Suitable cationic additives (e.g., phosphonium, phosphazene, quaternary ammonium, guanidinium, pyridinium, arsonium, etc.) are disclosed for lowering the decomposition temperature of polymer compositions. The invention further provides methods of preparing such polymer compositions with tunable decomposition temperatures.
US08575242B2
Coating of organic and inorganic pigments with acrylic resins, comprising a chemical compound consisting of particles of solid organic and inorganic substances, both defined as pigments, in that they are substances which absorb a fraction of the light and reflect the complementary part thereof, coated with acrylic and, optionally, aldehyde and/or ketone resins. The latter are deposited on the surface of the pigment by means of a process which envisages melting of the resin, consequent wetting and coating of the entire surface of the pigment with the resin in the melted state, the consequent cooling and subsequent step of grinding by means of mechanical systems operating in temperature conditions lower than 20° C., by means of cryogenic processes or granulate by means of a wet method with a water jet cutting action and separation of the granulates by the water on a vibrating screen and then dried on a spiral elevator. The product resulting from this invention will be used as a semifinished product for the coloring and pigmentation of powder paints and plastics as a monochromatic coloring material and or will also be used, after dissolving in a solvent, or in water with basic pH, as a pigmented paste or directly in solvent or water based resins in the liquid paints industry.
US08575230B2
Environmentally-friendly alternatives to organometallic antifoulants that are efficacious at preventing biofouling by organisms such as the zebra mussel. Preferred antifoulant compositions utilize compounds having a Lipophilic-Amide-Spacer-ElectroNegative (“LASEN”) structural motif, such as capsaicin, and compounds having a TetraHydroCannibinoid (“THC”) structural motif. The antifoulant compositions are non-toxic, and effective.
US08575229B2
A bioabsorbable blend comprising poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and a phosphorylcholine group-containing copolymer (PPCP) capable of enduring the mechanical strength of blood vessel walls and applicable for fabricating cardiovascular devices was developed. The blend acts as a scaffold to support blood vessel walls during vascular healing and undergoes biodegradation in vivo after vascular healing is complete. Furthermore, the blend can prevent the formation and adsorption of thrombi.
US08575222B2
The present invention relates to the use of nitric oxide releasing compounds for retarding or reversing muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne and Becker dystrophies.
US08575216B2
This invention relates to a method of treating acute myelogenous leukemia with TPA along with Dexamethasone and choline magnesium trisalicylate.
US08575210B2
The present invention relates to a compound derived from indole, especially a therapeutically useful compound, characterized in that it is selected from compounds of formula (I) in which R1 represents a halogen or a trifluoromethyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl group, R3 represents an isopropyl (1-methylethyl) group or a tert-butyl (1,1-dimethylethyl) group and n=3 or 4 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds of formula (I). Application: Treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and more particularly of Parkinson's disease.
US08575200B2
The invention relates to pyridine derivatives of Formula (I) wherein A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as described in the description, their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act as immunomodulating agents.
US08575199B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula IA″ and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula IA″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, and methods for treating or preventing a condition such as pain, UI, an ulcer, IBD and IBS, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula IA″ or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.
US08575192B2
The invention provides novel quinolinone-carboxamide 5-HT4 receptor agonist compounds. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat diseases associated with 5-HT4 receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08575191B2
The present invention provides methods of treating non-small cell lung cancer by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pyrroloquinolinyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione compound in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of an epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
US08575184B2
A compound of formula (I) wherein A, X, Y, Z, R1 and R24 are described herein. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of potassium channel function and in the treatment and prevention of arrhythmia, IKur-associated disorders, and other disorders mediated by ion channel function.
US08575182B2
Certain 6,9-disubstituted purine derivatives and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the general formula are provided wherein R6 and R9 are as defined in the specification. These 6,9-disubstituted purine derivatives and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are useful in compositions for treating mammalian cells, and especially human skin cells, in order to ameliorate the adverse effects of aging, treat skin disease states, treat immunological responses resulting from or associated with inflammation, and the like.
US08575180B2
The present invention provides an 8-oxoadenine compound having immunemodulating activities such as an interferon inducing activity and useful as an antiviral agent and antiallergic agent, which is represented by the following formula (1): [wherein the ring A represents a 6-10 membered aromatic carbocyclic ring and the like, R represents a halogen atom, an alkyl group and the like, n represents an integer of 0-2, Z1 represents alkylene, X2 represents oxygen atom, sulfur atom, SO2, NR5, CO, CONR5, NR5CO and the like, Y1, Y2 and Y3 represent independently a single bond or an alkylene group, X1 represents oxygen atom, sulfur atom, NR4 (R4 is hydrogen atom or an alkyl group) or a single bond, R2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, R1 represents hydrogen atom, hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group or a haloalkyl group] or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
US08575171B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating thyroid-related medical conditions. Many thyroid-related medical conditions exist that go undiagnosed and untreated. These conditions may be prevented and treated with reduced folates and vitamin B12. Administration of reduced folates and vitamin B12 will prevent or treat cerebrospinal folate deficiency, which is linked to thyroid-related medical conditions. Administration of reduced folates and vitamin B12 will also prevent or treat conditions associated with masked megaloblastic anemia and hypothyroidism, and other conditions brought upon through improper thyroid function. Additionally, it is commonplace to treat many thyroid conditions with anti-thyroid drugs or thyroid stimulating drugs. This practice alone is also responsible for causing, or not beneficially addressing, adverse conditions that can be prevented or treated through the methods and compositions discussed herein.
US08575170B2
Flurbiprofen analog compounds having an amino acid derivatized at the flurbiprofen alkanoic acid carboxyl group and terminating at an ester or amide group are effective in inhibiting cancer cells in vitro and inhibiting the growth of cancers in viva. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are particularly useful for the treatment of lung, pancreatic and head and neck cancers.
US08575167B2
The present invention aims to provide a novel SCD inhibitor.The present invention relate to SCD inhibitor comprising A compound represented by the formula (I) wherein R is an optionally substituted cyclic group or an optionally substituted carbamoyl group, provided that R is not an optionally substituted 7-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidyl group; ring A is an optionally further substituted pyridazine ring; R1, R2, R3, R4, R11, R12, R13 and R14 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent, or R1 and R11 in combination, R2 and R12 in combination, R3 and R13 in combination, or R4 and R14 in combination optionally form an oxo group, or R2 and R4 in combination optionally form a bond or an alkylene cross-linkage; m and n are each independently an integer of 0 to 2; ring B is an optionally substituted ring, provided that the two atoms constituting ring B, which are adjacent to the spiro carbon atom, are not oxygen atoms at the same time, or a salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof.
US08575162B2
The invention is directed to certain novel compounds. Specifically, the invention is directed to compounds of formula (I): and salts thereof. The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of kinase activity, in particular PI3-kinase activity.
US08575157B2
This invention relates to novel compounds of the Formula Ik, Im1, Im2, Im5, In1, In2, In5, lo1, lo2, lo5, Ip1, Ip3, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful for the therapeutic treatment of diseases associated with the modulation or inhibition of 11 β-HSD1 in mammals. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions of the novel compounds and methods for their use in the reduction or control of the production of Cortisol in a cell or the inhibition of the conversion of cortisone to Cortisol in a cell.
US08575156B2
Disclosed are compounds represented by Formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, enantiomers or diastereomers thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, enantiomers or diastereomers thereof and methods of inhibiting 11β-HSD1 activity comprising the step of administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. Values for the variables in Formula (I) are defined herein.
US08575155B2
A composition and method is provided for modifying sperm fertility in mammals for the purpose of biasing the gender in favor of male offspring. The composition includes an amount of a class of compounds of phenoxazine or phenothiazine, having the structure (FIG. 1) and ionic derivatives thereof, wherein R1 is H, a lower alkyl group or N(R3)2, R2 is N, S, O, and R3 is H or a lower alkyl group. A second component of the composition is an amount of a hexose sugar or the phosphorylated hexose esters of such. When mixed with living sperm prior to or at the time of insemination, the composition results in modified rates of conception and an alteration of the birth sex ratio.
US08575152B2
This invention relates to novel amino acid derivatives of formula (I) wherein the R groups have the following meanings: —R1 is —H or —(1-4C)alkyl; —R2 is —C(O)R15 or —S(O)2R15; —R3 is —H, —(1-4C)alkyl or —OR16; —R4 is —H, —(1-4C)alkyl or —OR16; —R6 is —H or —C(R16)NOR16; —R7 is —H, -halogen, -cyano; —(1-6C)alkyl, —(2-6C)alkenyl or —(2-6C)alkynyl, all optionally substituted with -amino, -hydroxyl or -halogen; —R8 is —H, -cyano, -halogen, -nitro; —(1-6C)alkyl, —(2-6C)alkenyl, —(2-6C)alkynyl or —O(1-6C)alkyl, all optionally substituted with -amino, -hydroxyl or -halogen; -(hetero)aryl, optionally substituted with -cyano, -halogen, —(1-4C)alkyl, —(1-4C)alkoxy, —(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl or -(hetero)aryl; —C(R16)NOR16; —C(O)N(R17)2; —C(O)R18, —C(O)OR19, —NHC(O)R20, or —NHS(O)2R21; —R9 is —H, -halogen, -cyano, or —(1-4C)alkyl, optionally substituted with -halogen; —R10 is —H or —(1-4C)alkyl; —R11 is —H; —R12 is —H, -cyano or —(1-4C)alkyl; —R13 is —H, —(1-4C)alkyl, -halogen or -formyl; —R14 is —H, -halogen, -cyano, —(1-4C)alkyl or -(hetero)aryl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of this invention are highly specific for the glucocorticoid receptor and may be used for treating inflammatory diseases.
US08575150B2
According to the invention there is provided a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof; wherein the variables are as defined herein. The compounds selectively attenuate the production of Aβ42 and hence are useful in treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.
US08575144B2
Inhibitors of the enzyme beta-lactamase are provided comprising compounds of formula (II) wherein R1 or R2 is a pyridyl group and R5 is a group of formula The compounds are adapted to inhibit beta-lactamase as produced by beta-lactam resistant bacterial strains. Methods of treatment of beta-lactam resistant bacterial infections in patients are provided.
US08575138B2
A method for providing neuroprotection to a patient in need of neuroprotection, comprising administering a neuroprotective-effective amount of a compound of formula I in which X is an oxygen atom or an ═N—OH group, R is selected from the group consisting of A is a hydrogen atom or together with B a carbon-carbon bond, B is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or together with A a carbon-carbon bond, C is a hydrogen atom or together with D a carbon-carbon bond, D is a hydrogen atom or together with C a carbon-carbon bond, E is a hydrogen atom or together with F a carbon-carbon bond, F is a hydrogen atom or together with E a carbon-carbon bond, or an addition salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid.
US08575136B2
Compounds of formula I are provided where X1 and X2 are independently selected from H or hydroxy protecting groups. Such compounds are used in preparing pharmaceutical compositions and are useful in treating a variety of biological conditions.
US08575125B2
The invention relates to a method for treating and/or preventing obesity and/or obesity-related disorders by administering to a subject in need thereof a selective inhibitor of cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor expression.
US08575121B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating cell senescence and cell proliferation using isoforms of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. The methods and compositions of the invention find use in inhibiting cancer cell growth or in generating populations of cells for tissue regeneration through the modulation of cell senescence and proliferation.
US08575116B1
Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for protecting against atrophy of pancreatic islets in a human with metabolic syndromes are disclosed. The method comprises administering to the mammal a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound having a chemical structure of formula (I) in an effective amount and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier: wherein R is H or COCH2COOH; m=3 or 4; n=0 or 1; o=2; and p=1 or 2.
US08575111B2
The present invention relates to the use of Ang-(1-7) and/or Ang-(1-7) receptor agonist and/or Ang (1-7) analogue in treating/restoring erectile dysfunction.
US08575103B2
Permeable Switch Region I and II peptides in the range of 9 to 25 amino acid residues in length are provided for specifically inhibiting signaling through Gα subunits. In addition, compositions and methods for inhibiting platelet aggregation and α11bβ3 integrin activation using the Switch Region I and II peptides are provided.
US08575102B2
The present invention provides conjugates encompassed by the following structure, wherein: D is a residue of an active agent bearing at least one amino group; and PEG-m is a methoxy end-capped poly(ethylene glycol), and further wherein the active agent is a coagulation factor having a molecular weight of greater than 100 kDa. Methods of making conjugates, and methods for administering conjugates, are also provided.
US08575098B2
The present invention relates to a biopolymer, bioactive and totally biocompatible, very fluid at ambient temperature, capable of gelling in a sudden manner at 37° C., forming a solid implant, structurally integral and continuous having high mechanical properties. The biopolymer comprises at least a bioactive domain capable of directing in a precise manner the formation of a solid or semisolid implant. Furthermore the invention relates to any of the nucleic acids encoding the amino acid sequence of the biopolymer, implants, pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles, uses thereof, and a method of synthesis thereof.
US08575083B2
A hand dishwashing detergent composition comprising a specific anionic surfactant system, a pearlescent agent and a rheology modifier, to provide superior grease cleaning combined with hand mildness.
US08575080B2
A lubricating oil composition for diesel engines, particularly a composition with low ashes and no metals. The lubricating oil composition has exceedingly high detergency and excellent antiwear so that it is suitably used for diesel engines equipped with an apparatus for after-treatment of exhaust gas. The lubricating oil composition contains a lubricating base oil which includes a component (A): 2 to 30% by mass, based on the total amount of the composition, of a succinimide compound having an alkenyl group or an alkyl group of a number average molecular weight of 80 to 500 or a boronic compound thereof; and a component (B): 0.5 to 30% by mass, based on the total amount of the composition, of a succinimide compound having an alkenyl group of a number average molecular weight of 800 to 3,500 or a boronic compound thereof.
US08575078B2
The present invention relates to a coating for elastomeric linear profiles, where the coating comprises solid lubricant embedded into a polymeric matrix. It also relates to a wiper blade for windscreen wipers, comprising this type of coating, and also to a process for the production of an elastomeric linear profile coated according to the invention. The polymeric matrix with embedded solid lubricant is obtained by polymerizing, in the absence of polymeric binders, a mixture comprising the solid lubricant and low-molecular-weight crosslinking agent. In one embodiment, the matrix is obtained from the thermal polymerization of the low-molecular-weight crosslinking agent hexamethoxymethylmelamine. Examples of solid lubricants are graphite and HDPE.
US08575077B2
An aqueous hydraulic fluid composition comprising (i) a salt of formic acid, and (ii) one or more lubricants such as a monovalent metal salt, ammonium, or amine salt of a dicarboxylic acid, is described in which the aqueous hydraulic fluid composition demonstrates increased thermal stability when exposed to elevated temperatures for a prolonged period of time while being able to tolerate the presence of 10% v/v synthetic seawater. The aqueous hydraulic fluid composition contains less than about 20% by weight (preferably none or substantially none) of an oil selected from the group consisting of mineral oils, synthetic hydrocarbon oils, and mixtures thereof. The hydraulic fluid preferably contains no glycols in some embodiments. The pH of the hydraulic fluid is preferably from 8 to 10 and is maintained by a buffer which preferably comprises borax in some embodiments.
US08575071B2
Provided herein is a method of reducing adapter dimer formation comprising contacting a sample comprising target nucleic acid sequences with 5′ and 3′ adapters in the presence of one or more hairpin oligonucleotides. Also provided is a method of preparing a library of nucleic acid sequences comprising contacting first adapter oligonucleotides with a sample comprising target nucleic acid sequences under conditions to form first ligation products, contacting the sample with one or more hairpin oligonucleotides that binds to the first adapter oligonucleotides, and contacting the sample with second adapter oligonucleotides under conditions to bind to the first ligation products and form second ligation products, wherein the second ligation products form the library of nucleic acid sequences.
US08575069B1
Peptides against neuropeptide Y (NPY), a biomarker associated with human performance and cognition, and methods of using the peptides to detect NPY.
US08575062B2
In a process for forming a bulk hydroprocessing catalyst by sulfiding a catalyst precursor in a co-precipitation reaction, up to 60% of the metal precursor feeds do not react to form catalyst precursor and stay in the supernatant. In one embodiment, at least a precipitant is added to the product mixture at a molar ratio of precipitant to metal residuals in the supernatant ranging from 1.5:1 to 20:1 to precipitate at least 50 mole % of metal ions in the residuals forming additional catalyst precursor. The remaining metal residuals can be recovered via any of chemical precipitation, ion exchange, electro-coagulation, and combinations thereof to generate an effluent stream containing less than 50 mole % of at least one of the metal residuals. In one embodiment, at least one of the metal residuals is recovered and recycled for use as a metal precursor feed in the co-precipitation reaction.
US08575055B2
Surface-modified zeolites and methods for preparing surface-modified zeolites are provided. A hybrid polymer formed from a silicon alkoxide and a metal alkoxide, a co-monomer, or both, is contacted with a zeolite suspension. The zeolite suspension comprises a sodium-, an ammonium-, or a hydrogen-form zeolite and a solvent. The hybrid polymer and zeolite suspension are contacted under conditions sufficient to deposit hybrid polymer on external surfaces of the zeolite to form a treated zeolite. Solvent is removed therefrom. The treated zeolite is dried and calcinated to form a dried and calcinated treated zeolite. Forming of the zeolite suspension and the contacting, removing, drying, and calcinating steps are provided in one selectivation sequence to produce a surface-modified zeolite from the ammonium-form zeolite and the hydrogen-form zeolite. If the dried and calcinated treated zeolite is a sodium-form zeolite, the sodium is exchanged with ammonium and then additionally dried and calcinated.
US08575044B2
Breathable, water resistant protective articles, such as garments, sleeping bags, and the like, which are readily packable into small volumes. The articles are constructed from an outer layer comprising a laminate of a textile bonded to a barrier layer, an insulation layer and an inner layer comprising an air permeable textile.
US08575033B2
Provided are processes for the low temperature deposition of silicon-containing films using carbosilane precursors containing a carbon atom bridging at least two silicon atoms. Certain methods comprise providing a substrate; in a PECVD process, exposing the substrate surface to a carbosilane precursor containing at least one carbon atom bridging at least two silicon atoms; exposing the carbosilane precursor to a low-powered energy sourcedirect plasma to provide a carbosilane at the substrate surface; and densifying the carbosilanestripping away at least some of the hydrogen atoms to provide a film comprising SiC. The SiC film may be exposed to the carbosilane surface to a nitrogen source to provide a film comprising SiCN.
US08575013B2
Semiconductor devices and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary fabrication method involves forming a pair of gate structures having a dielectric region disposed between a first gate structure of the pair and a second gate structure of the pair, and forming a voided region in the dielectric region between the first gate structure and the second gate structure. The first and second gate structures each include a first gate electrode material, wherein the method continues by removing the first gate electrode material to provide second and third voided regions corresponding to the gate structures and forming a second gate electrode material in the first voided region, the second voided region, and the third voided region.
US08575008B2
Creating a localized region of material having a target chemical composition by defining an electrical circuit on a substrate, and depositing on the electrical circuit one or more layers of materials having one or more chemical compositions. An electrical current pulse is applied to the electrical circuit to create a self-aligned localized region having the target chemical composition. Applying the electrical current pulse causes a portion of the one or more layers of materials to be heated, resulting in the target chemical composition.
US08575001B2
Embodiments of the present invention include methods of directly bonding together semiconductor structures. In some embodiments, a cap layer may be provided at an interface between directly bonded metal features of the semiconductor structures. In some embodiments, impurities are provided within the directly bonded metal features of the semiconductor structures. Bonded semiconductor structures are formed using such methods.
US08574989B2
The present application discloses a method of forming a semiconductor structure. In at least one embodiment, the method includes forming a polysilicon layer over a substrate. A mask layer is formed over the polysilicon layer. The mask layer is patterned to form a patterned mask layer. A polysilicon structure is formed by etching the polysilicon layer using the patterned mask layer as a mask. The polysilicon structure has an upper surface and a lower surface, and the etching of the polysilicon layer is arranged to cause a width of the upper surface of the polysilicon structure greater than that of the lower surface of the polysilicon structure.
US08574986B2
A method for fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes forming a substrate structure having a tunnel dielectric layer and a floating-gate conductive layer formed over an active region defined by a first isolation layer forming a first inter-gate dielectric layer and a first control-gate conductive layer over the substrate structure, forming a trench by etching the first control-gate conductive layer, the first inter-gate dielectric layer, the floating-gate conductive layer, the tunnel dielectric layer, and the active region to a given depth, forming a second isolation layer to fill the trench; and forming a second control-gate conductive layer over the resultant structure having the second isolation layer formed therein.
US08574981B2
Disclosed herein is a method of forming a semiconductor device. In one example, the method comprises forming layer of silicon germanium on a P-active region of a semiconducting substrate wherein the layer of silicon germanium has a first concentration of germanium, and performing an oxidation process on the layer of silicon germanium to increase a concentration of germanium in at least a portion of the layer of silicon germanium to a second concentration that is greater than the first concentration of germanium.
US08574980B2
A method of forming fully silicided NMOS and PMOS semiconductor devices having independent polysilicon gate thicknesses, and related device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising forming an N-type gate over a semiconductor substrate (the N-type gate having a first thickness), forming a P-type gate over the semiconductor substrate (the P-type gate having a second thickness different than the first thickness), and performing a simultaneous silicidation of the N-type gate and the P-type gate.
US08574978B1
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes firstly providing a gate structure disposed on a substrate and a first nitride material layer disposed on the gate structure, secondly performing a protective step to modify the first nitride material layer in the presence of oxygen, then forming a second nitride material layer on the substrate, and later performing a removal step to remove the second nitride material layer without substantially slashing the modified first nitride material layer.
US08574969B2
An integrated circuit fabrication apparatus is configured to fabricate an integrated circuit with at least one p-FinFET device and at least one n-FinFET device. A bonding control processor is configured to bond a first silicon layer having a first crystalline orientation to a second silicon layer having a second crystalline orientation that is different from the first crystalline orientation. A material growth processor is configured to form a volume of material extending through the first silicon layer from the second layer up to the surface of first layer. The material has a crystalline orientation that substantially matches the crystalline orientation of second layer. An etching processor is configured to selectively etch areas of the surface of the first layer that are outside of the region to create a first plurality of fins and areas inside the region to create a second plurality of fins.
US08574960B2
A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of first semiconductor die with a stress sensitive region. A masking layer or screen is disposed over the stress sensitive region. An underfill material is deposited over the wafer. The masking layer or screen prevents formation of the underfill material adjacent to the sensitive region. The masking layer or screen is removed leaving a cavity in the underfill material adjacent to the sensitive region. The semiconductor wafer is singulated into the first die. The first die can be mounted to a build-up interconnect structure or to a second semiconductor die with the cavity separating the sensitive region and build-up interconnect structure or second die. A bond wire is formed between the first and second die and an encapsulant is deposited over the first and second die and bond wire. A conductive via can be formed through the first or second die.
US08574943B2
Methods and materials used to manufacture a series of substantially identical solar cells which then can be assembled into arrays of various designs, as required, to achieve the desired electrical output. The invention is described with reference to producing dye solar cells.
US08574942B2
A method of preparing a silicon nanowire and a method of fabricating a lithium secondary battery including the silicon nanowire are provided. The method of preparing a silicon nanowire may include forming a catalyst layer including metal particles separated from one another on a silicon layer, selectively etching the silicon layer contacting the metal particles, and removing the metal particles.
US08574933B2
A technique is provided which can exactly recognize a chip to be picked up when picking up the chip from a wafer sheet in a process of die bonding a thin chip. A camera is coupled to one end of a lens barrel, an objective lens is attached to an opposite end of the lens barrel, and an image of a main surface of a chip is photographed through the objective lens. A surface-emitting lighting unit, a diffusing plate and a half mirror are internally provided between the lens barrel and the chip. Further, another lens barrel having a coaxial drop lighting function of radiating light to the main surface of the chip along the same optical axis as that of the camera is disposed.
US08574930B2
A tool cutting method which includes a correlation table preparing step of preparing a correlation table indicating the correlation between the brightness of light emitted from LED chips and the thickness of a sealing member, a brightness measuring step of measuring the brightness of light emitted from the LED chips by applying a voltage to the LED chips, a calculating step of calculating the thickness of the sealing member corresponding to the desired thickness from the brightness measured in the brightness measuring step and the correlation table, and a cutting step of cutting the sealing member by using a tool cutting unit after performing the calculating step to reduce the thickness of the sealing member to a finished thickness providing the desired brightness of light emitted from the LED chips.
US08574929B1
A method to form a monolithic 3D device including: processing a first layer including first mono-crystal transistors; transferring a second mono-crystal layer on top of the first layer including first mono-crystal transistors by using ion-cut layer transfer; and repairing the damage caused by the ion-cut by using optical annealing.
US08574928B2
Fabrication methods for MRAM are described wherein any re-deposited metal on the sidewalls of the memory element pillars is cleaned before the interconnection process is begun. In embodiments the pillars are first fabricated, then a dielectric material is deposited on the pillars over the re-deposited metal on the sidewalls. The dielectric material substantially covers any exposed metal and therefore reduces sources of re-deposition during subsequent etching. Etching is then performed to remove the dielectric material from the top electrode and the sidewalls of the pillars down to at least the bottom edge of the barrier. The result is that the previously re-deposited metal that could result in an electrical short on the sidewalls of the barrier is removed. Various embodiments of the invention include ways of enhancing or optimizing the process. The bitline interconnection process proceeds after the sidewalls have been etched clean as described.
US08574918B2
A sample injection part connected to a column to inject a sample into the column; a sample injection needle attachable to the sample injection part; a sample suction part connectable to the sample injection needle and configured to cause a predetermined amount of the sample to be drawn by suction into the sample injection needle upon connecting to the sample connection needle; a mobile phase supply part configured to supply the column with a mobile phase; a first switching valve for selectively connecting the sample injection needle to one of the sample suction part and the mobile phase supply part; and a second switching valve, including the sample injection part, for supplying the sample and the mobile phase to the column via the sample injection needle in the case of having the sample injection needle attached to the sample injection part and for supplying the mobile phase to the column via the first switching valve in the case of having the sample injection needle removed from the sample injection part are included.
US08574898B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling translation of a target gene to a detectable response gene. A version of the invention includes a translation-coupling cassette. The translation-coupling cassette includes a target gene, a response gene, a response-gene translation control element, and a secondary structure-forming sequence that reversibly forms a secondary structure masking the response-gene translation control element. Masking of the response-gene translation control element inhibits translation of the response gene. Full translation of the target gene results in unfolding of the secondary structure and consequent translation of the response gene. Translation of the target gene is determined by detecting presence of the response-gene protein product. The invention further includes RNA transcripts of the translation-coupling cassettes, vectors comprising the translation-coupling cassettes, hosts comprising the translation-coupling cassettes, methods of using the translation-coupling cassettes, and gene products produced with the translation-coupling cassettes.
US08574894B2
A molecular dispenser includes a molecular reservoir comprising a plurality of charged molecules; a nanopore proximate the molecular reservoir, the nanopore comprising a first set of locking electrodes configured to establish an electrostatic potential barrier therein and a second set of locking electrodes configured to establish a second electrostatic potential barrier therein; a first drag electrode arranged within the molecular reservoir; and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to apply an oscillating voltage across the first set of locking electrodes and a bias voltage to the first drag electrode to control flow of individually charged molecules from the molecular reservoir through the nanopore.
US08574893B2
A nucleic acid cleavage complex is disclosed, which includes: a nanoparticle, a nucleic acid cleavage reagent, and a polynucleotide chain specifically recognizing a sequence of a target nucleic acid and having a first terminal and a second terminal opposite to the first terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the nanoparticle, the second terminal is connected to the nucleic acid cleavage reagent, and the first terminal sequence and the second terminal sequence are base-paired to make the polynucleotide chain form a hairpin. Also, a method for using the nucleic acid cleavage complex is also disclosed.
US08574880B2
This invention relates to a method of immobilizing biocatalysts including protein and cells by co-precipitation with silicate or organosilicate matrices through the action of an organic template molecule. The organic template molecule is in general a polyamine such as polyethylenimine (PEI), or polypeptide compound bearing at least two or three basic residues selected from the group consisting of lysine, arginine, histidine, proline, hydroxyproline, N-methylhistidine, ornithine, taurine, δ-hydroxylysine, and δ-hydroxy-ω-N,N,N trimethyllysine. The invention is also directed to a silica biocomposite comprising co-precipitates of active biocatalysts, silica or organosilicates, and an N-containing organic template molecule. Such silica biocomposites are useful in biocatalysis, and other applications requiring an immobilized biocatalyst. Preferred biocatalysts for this invention are enzymes and whole cells.
US08574879B2
A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
US08574873B2
A process for the preparation of aqueous solutions of glucans having a β-1,3-glycosidically-linked main chain and side groups having a β-1,6-glycosidic bond by fermentation of fungal strains. The fungal strains secrete the glucans into the fermentation broth, in an aqueous culture medium, and the separation of the glucans from the fermentation broth is effected using asymmetrical filter membranes.
US08574862B2
Methods and compositions for measuring the amount of vitamin D derivatives are disclosed. Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) in combination with a modified ligand-binding domain of the vitamin D receptor (LBD-VDR) to measure vitamin D derivatives are also disclosed.
US08574857B2
The present invention relates to in vivo and in vitro methods, agents and compound screening assays for inducing anabolic stimulation of chondrocytes, including cartilage formation enhancing pharmaceutical compositions, and the use thereof in treating and/or preventing a disease involving a systemic or local decrease in mean cartilage thickness in a subject.
US08574849B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of Factor XIa or Tissue Factor (TF) activity in a sample using an antibody based clotting time prolongation assay. The invention provides methods for detection of FXIa or TF activity in a sample using a fluorogenic substrate. Further provided herein is a correlation between elevated levels of FXIa and/or TF with inflammation, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, aortic stenosis, stroke, or transient ischemic attack. The frequency of FXIa and TF activity was substantially lower in individuals with stable coronary artery disease and no history of myocardial infarction. No FXIa or TF activity was observed in healthy individuals.
