US08626313B2
In a piezoelectric sensor, a method for the manufacture thereof, and an implantable lead embodying such a piezoelectric sensor, a layer of piezoelectric material, having aligned, polarized dipoles, is applied to a tubular supporting substrate, the layer of piezoelectric material having at least one electrode at an outer surface thereof and at least one electrode at an inner surface thereof. The piezoelectric material is applied on the inner circumference of the tubular supporting substrate.
US08626312B2
A neural stimulation system automatically corrects or adjusts the stimulus magnitude (stimulation energy) in order to maintain a comfortable and effective stimulation therapy. Because the changes in impedance associated with the electrode-tissue interface can indicate obstruction of current flow and positional lead displacement, lead impedance can indicate the quantity of electrical stimulation energy that should be delivered to the target neural tissue to provide corrective adjustment. Hence, a change in impedance or morphology of an impedance curve may be used in a feedback loop to indicate that the stimulation energy needs to be adjusted and the system can effectively auto correct the magnitude of stimulation energy to maintain a desired therapeutic effect.
US08626308B2
A transcutaneous energy transfer system for an implantable medical device. The system comprises an internal coil assembly implantable in a recipient; and an external data coil assembly positioned in a housing worn by the recipient. The data coil assembly is configured to be inductively coupled to the internal coil assembly in order to transcutaneously transfer data to the internal coil assembly. One or more elements of the data coil assembly are physically adjustable with respect to the housing to alter the inductive coupling.
US08626296B2
An implantable medical device includes an acoustic transducer for intra-body communication with another medical device via an acoustic couple. The acoustic transducer includes one or more piezoelectric transducers. In one embodiment, an implantable medical device housing contains a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) device and an acoustic communication circuit. The acoustic communication circuit includes an error detection circuit configured for detecting an error rate associated with demodulated incoming acoustic signals and a frequency selection circuit configured for adjusting a carrier frequency of outbound acoustic signals. The acoustic transducer is electrically connected to the acoustic communication circuit to function as an acoustic coupler and physically fastened to a wall of the implantable housing, directly or via a supporting structure.
US08626288B2
Various embodiments intermittently deliver a sympathetic stimulus, including deliver a sequence of stress-inducing pacing pulses adapted to increase sympathetic tone during the stress-inducing pacing. The stress-inducing pacing results in a parasympathetic reflex after the sequence of stress-inducing pacing. The embodiment further delivers neural stimulation to elicit a parasympathetic response or a sympathetic response in a coordinated manner with respect to the sequence of stress-inducing pacing pulses. The neural stimulation is timed to elicit the parasympathetic response after the sequence of stress-inducing pacing pulses and concurrent with at least a portion of the parasympathetic reflex to the sequence of stress-inducing pacing to enhance a parasympathetic effect of the parasympathetic reflex, or to elicit the sympathetic response during the sequence of stress-inducing pulses to provide a larger sympathetic stimulus, resulting in an enhanced parasympathetic reflex in response to the large sympathetic stimulus.
US08626286B2
Electrocardiogram wave data in which a component of cardiac massage is removed from the electrocardiogram wave data is generated, so that the electrocardiogram wave at the time of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is identified. An electrocardiogram wave processing system of obtaining and processing the electrocardiogram wave data includes a wave identification unit that identifies an electrocardiogram wave from the obtained electrocardiogram wave data, a feature selection unit that selects a feature pattern including a feature when a cardiac massage has been performed with respect to the electrocardiogram wave data identified by the wave identification unit, a generation unit that generates a component of the cardiac massage using the feature pattern selected by the feature selection unit, and a removal unit that removes, from the obtained electrocardiogram wave data, the component of the cardiac massage generated by the generation unit.
US08626279B2
The present invention relates to methods for predicting the risk for ventricular arrhythmias in a subject who has previously suffered a myocardial infarction (MI) or suffers from a primary cardiomyopathy, said method comprising measuring the myocardial mechanical dispersion in said subject and estimating the risk for ventricular arrhythmias based on said measurements. Similar the invention relates to a method for evaluating whether a subject is a candidate for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy.
US08626278B2
Method and system for discriminating and monitoring atrial arrhythmia based on cardiogenic impedance
A medical device is provided that comprises a lead assembly. The lead assembly includes at least one intra-cardiac (IC) electrode, an extra-cardiac (EC) electrode and a subcutaneous remote-cardiac (RC) electrode. The IC electrode is configured to be located within the heart. The EC electrode is configured to be positioned proximate to at least one of a superior vena cava (SVC) and a left ventricle (LV) of a heart. The RC electrode is configured to be located remote from the heart. An extra-cardiac impedance (ECI) module is configured to measure extra-cardiac impedance along an ECI vector between the EC and RC electrodes to obtain ECI measurements. An arrhythmia monitoring module is configured to declare a potential atrial arrhythmia to be an atrial arrhythmia based on the hemodynamic performance determined from the ECI measurements. The hemodynamic performance assessment module is further enabled to compare a current ECI pattern with a prior baseline ECI waveform.
US08626275B1
ECG apparatus comprises an ECG input for obtaining ECG signals; a high frequency analyzer configured for obtaining high frequency QRS components from a QRS complex within said ECG signals and identifying therein at least one reduced amplitude zone—RAZ—present within a given QRS complex; and a RAZ quantifier configured for obtaining a quantification of said at least one RAZ region within said QRS complex.
US08626273B2
White light and excitation light are applied to an internal body part. An electronic endoscope captures a normal image of the internal body part irradiated with the white light, and a special image of autofluorescence emitted from living body tissue of the internal body part irradiated with the excitation light. An object distance detector detects an object distance between a CCD and an inspection area of the internal body part based on the normal image. A binning processing section applies a binning process to the special image. There are two types of binning processes, i.e. an intensity adjustment process and a resolution adjustment process. In the intensity adjustment process, the binning number is increased with increase in the object distance. In the resolution adjustment process, the binning number is decreased with increase in the object distance. Which process to perform is determined by operation on a processing type selector.
US08626269B2
An intracorporeal marker includes a fibrous unitary marker body having bioabsorbable fibers compressed into a compressed configuration, and bound in the compressed configuration by a polymer binding agent. The intracorporeal marker may be incorporated into an intracorporeal marker delivery device having a delivery cannula which has a distal tip, an inner lumen and a discharge opening in communication with the inner lumen. The compression and binding occur prior to insertion of the fibrous unitary marker body into the inner lumen of the delivery cannula. The fibrous unitary marker body is slidably disposed within and pushable through the inner lumen of the elongated delivery cannula proximal to the discharge opening.
US08626261B2
Provided are an electrode for a living body and a device for detecting bio-signals using the electrode. The electrode includes an insulation sheet that has at least one via hole, an electrode unit formed in the at least one via hole, and a guiding unit for guiding the attachment of a signal processing unit.
US08626252B2
An input unit for an electronic device comprising a body, a first switch adjacent a first location of the body, a second switch adjacent a second location of the body, and a third switch adjacent a third location of the body. When the body moves in a first direction to a first position, the third switch generates a signal to activate a first operational mode and the first and second switches generate signals to perform first and second functions when the body moves in a second direction different from the first direction. When the body moves in the first direction to a second position, the third switch generates a signal to activate a second operational mode and the first and second switches generate signals to perform third and fourth functions when the body moves in the second direction.
US08626250B2
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a terminal body including a battery; a solar cell disposed on one surface of the terminal body, and configured to convert light energy into electric energy to supply power to the battery; a plurality of luminous elements arranged on one surface of the solar cell; and a controller configured to control the luminous elements to display visual information and to execute a predetermined operation based on a selection of predetermined displaying luminous elements among the plurality of luminous elements.
US08626246B2
A communication system has a control computer, one or more concentrators and one or more access device each having a badge application that communicates wirelessly with the one or more concentrators. The access device with the badge application provides the user with a communications device that permits the user to initiate telephone calls and conferences, receive telephone calls, receive pages and be located within a particular environment.
US08626244B2
There is provided a communication device including: a first radio communication unit capable of radio communication in accordance with a first communication method; and a second radio communication unit capable of radio communication in accordance with a second communication method using a higher frequency band than the first communication method, wherein the first radio communication unit transmits an instruction signal instructing to learn a beam directionality to another communication device, and the second radio communication unit transmits a beam reference signal used for learning a beam directionality to said another communication device after completion of transmission of the instruction signal by the first radio communication unit and before reception of a response signal to the instruction signal.
US08626243B2
This invention provides a mobile communication system which expanded the operation limitation of the heretofore adopted mobile communication systems and improved the spectrum efficiency greatly. A data transmission method for use in the mobile communication system of the present invention includes means for channel pluralizing by which to expand the Shannon limit and means for interference reduction by which to expand the interference limit. More specifically, a transmitting module comprises M units of modulators and L units of transmitting antennas, generates L units of signals by multiplying M units of modulated signals by a complex matrix consisting of M×L units of elements, and transmits the L units of signals from the L units of transmitting antennas.
US08626239B2
A base station apparatus includes a transmitting unit which transmits control information with an area as a unit, which area is in multiple numbers and each of which area is divided from a coverage area; a storing unit which stores control information corresponding to the divided area; and a determining unit which determines an order of distribution for each of the divided areas. The determining unit includes either or both of a unit which randomly determines the order of distribution for each of the divided areas and a unit which determines an order of distribution for distributing the same information with another base station apparatus.
US08626231B2
A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a controller to process a travel assistance request for communication through a satellite and terrestrial mobile communication network. Data related to multiple assistance providers can be received in response to the request. At least one criterion can be processed for the assistance providers based on, for example, historical trip data. The assistance providers can be graphically represented for user selection based on the criterion. Data related to a selected assistance provider can be displayed, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. In another embodiment, the travel assistance request can be communicated to a service center through the network. The service center can communicate data related to an assistance provider, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. A rating of the assistance provider can be communicated to a specified community-of-interest through the network.
US08626229B2
The present invention relates to a centralized power allocation method in a wireless telecommunication system comprising at least a first couple of terminals, consisting of a first transmitting terminal and a first receiving terminal, and a second couple of terminals, consisting of a second transmitting terminal and a second receiving terminal. A control node partitions the interference diagram between the communication of the first couple and the communication of the second couple, into different areas, each area being associated to a type of processing of the interference. The control node calculates the minimum power curve for each communication in each said area. The power values to be allocated are given by the coordinates of the point of intersection of both curves in said diagram.
US08626227B2
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method and system for allocating power in a transmission system may be provided. A method may include determining a channel quality for each of a plurality of subcarriers, wherein the channel quality for each individual subcarrier is equal to the signal-to-interference and noise ratio for the individual subcarrier divided by the power allocated to the subcarrier. The method may also include allocating power to a subset of the plurality of subcarriers, wherein each individual subcarrier of the subset has a channel quality greater then each individual subcarrier not of the subset. The method may further include transmitting a signal on each of the individual subcarriers of the subset.
US08626225B2
A method for reporting power headroom-related information for a plurality of aggregated carriers. The method includes reporting the power headroom-related information for a number of the aggregated carriers that is less than or equal to the total number of aggregated carriers.
US08626219B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data in a multi-carrier mobile communication system are provided, in which a Mobile Station (MS) reports to a Base Station (BS) a number of Carrier Components (CCs) over which the MS can simultaneously receive data, receives from the BS monitoring CC set information indicating as many monitoring CCs as the reported number of CCs or fewer monitoring CCs than the reported number of CCs, and receives data based on the monitoring CCs indicated by the monitoring CC set information from the BS.
US08626217B2
To optimize transmission periods corresponding to kinds of feedback information, and minimize a reduction in system throughput caused by disagreement of the transmission period with the optimal period, by setting transmission frequencies individually with flexibility corresponding to the kinds of feedback information for a mobile station apparatus to transmit to a base station apparatus, in a wireless communication system in which a mobile station apparatus B measures reception quality of a signal received from a base station apparatus A, and transmits feedback information generated based on the reception quality to the base station apparatus A, the base station apparatus A allocates resources of transmission timing corresponding to the kinds of feedback information, and the mobile station apparatus B transmits a plurality of kinds of feedback information to the base station apparatus using the allocated resources.
US08626209B1
Systems, methods, and an article of manufacture for forwarding messaging service messages within a mobile communications network are shown and described. In some instances, upon receipt of a messaging service message a network element responds with a different destination for the received message and a command to resolve the location of the different destination. The resolution may occur by a network element that is different from the receiving network element.
US08626199B2
A method for a PC to realize an A-GPS in a PC technology field is provided. The method includes: a. the PC controlling a wireless network module of the PC to connect with a network to initiate a GPS positioning session; b. a location server transmitting GPS auxiliary information to the PC; c. the PC acquiring information of a current satellite according to the GPS auxiliary information. The method enables the A-GPS function to be applicable for the PC to provide positioning and navigation services to the PC. A corresponding A-GPS server can be connected to acquire the information of the current satellite based on the GPS auxiliary information with the network function provided by the wireless network module of the PC to accelerate the speed for acquiring data of the current satellite, and then current position information of the PC can be accurately calculated.
US08626187B2
Methods, program products, and systems for monitoring geofence exits using wireless access points are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can detect one or more entry gateways that are wireless access points selected for monitoring a geofence. The mobile device can determine that the mobile device is located in the geofence based on the detection. The mobile device can monitor the entry gateways and one or more exit gateways, which can be wireless access points observable by the mobile device when the mobile device is in the geofence. When the mobile device determines, after a number of scans using a wireless processor, that the entry gateways and exit gateways are unobservable, the mobile device can use an application processor to determine whether the mobile device has exited from the geofence.
US08626181B2
An apparatus and a method for allocating a dedicated access zone to a Relay Station (RS) in a multihop relay Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) communication system are provided. A communicating method of the RS includes relaying communications between a Base Station (BS) and a Mobile Station (MS), determining whether a dedicated resource is necessary for the communications with the MS, when the dedicated resource is necessary, generating a dedicated access zone request message which comprises necessary bandwidth information and transmitting the dedicated access zone request message to the BS.
US08626178B2
In embodiments of the present invention, improved capabilities are described for a home audio-visual system that is at least in part controlled through a mesh network, wherein the home audio-visual system produces at least two effects. Each of the at least two effects may be controlled through separate mesh network nodes responsive to user initiated instructions. Each of the separate mesh network nodes may be adapted to receive the user initiate instructions through a channel management operation. The home audio-visual system may be associated with a channel management operation that is associated with one or more nodes of the mesh network to effect the communication of the information.
US08626177B2
A method of transmitting at least one data stream using superposition coding (SPC) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. More specifically, a method includes receiving feedback information from at least two access terminals (ATs), assigning the at least two ATs as a first AT or a second AT based on the feedback information, wherein the first AT has a smaller path loss than that of the second AT, and the second AT has a larger path loss than that of the first AT, channel coding the at least one inputted data stream by a channel coding scheme, modulating the at least one data stream using layered modulation scheme, allocating wireless resources to symbols of the first AT and the second AT, and transmitting the symbols to at least one of the first AT and the second AT according to the allocated wireless resources.
US08626173B2
When a handover request for performing a handover of a terminal (70) from a macro cell C1 to a CSG cell C2 is received from an SeNB 10 (S8), a base station (TeNB) (40) of the CSG cell C2 transmits a handover response in accordance with a handover enabled/disabled state (S12). The handover response includes an identifier of the terminal (70) in the CSG cell C2. Upon receiving the response, the SeNB (10) notifies the identifier to the terminal (70) (S14). The TeNB (40) repeatedly transmits a dedicated signal containing a handover command via a dedicated channel set using the identifier at an interval shorter than a gap period (S18). Accordingly, whether or not access is permitted can be judged promptly and a smooth handover can be realized.
US08626170B2
Embodiments herein relate to a method in a first communication device with an adaptive neighboring cell relations function. The first communication device receives (42) a measurement report of a possible neighboring cell candidate of a second communication device from a user equipment camped/connected within a first cell served by the first communication device and determines (44) to set up an inter node connection to the second communication device serving the possible neighboring cell candidate indicated in the received measurement report. The firs communication device then initiates (46) to set up the inter node connection to the second communication device by sending a connection request comprising a geographical position of the first communication device.
US08626165B1
A rule server detects a condition pertaining to a switch of a user device to a preferred wireless carrier, and sends a message to the user device indicating a switch to the preferred wireless carrier.
US08626161B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate enabling multiple address access between two or more networks. A home agent can update a binding cache with a particular proxy binding update (PBU) to include two or more network gateway IP addresses associated with a user equipment (UE) within two or more networks or systems. When the UE in idle mode moves between networks or systems to which registration has occurred, an attachment procedure is not performed since the home agent includes the network gateway IP addresses related to such UE. Thus, inter-system idle mode mobility is enabled without having to perform a full attachment, re-registration, or de-registration based on the network location of the UE.
US08626151B2
A system and methodology that facilitates dynamically determining an end-to-end response of a network prior to the selection of a technology for an application, is provided. Moreover, a user equipment (UE) can perform a proactive latency-based end-to-end technology survey to select appropriate technologies for different applications based in part on application requirements, UE and network infrastructure capabilities, network load, concurrent uses, or other factors as determined by the service provider. The results of the survey can be compared with pre-established criteria, as broadcast by the network operator, to determine a network that can be utilized to support an application at a particular location, or to determine whether fallback to another technology provides better quality and/or efficiency can be performed.
US08626147B2
System and method for remotely managing mobile devices. A virtual instance mobile device is maintained for each physical mobile device to be managed. Each virtual instance mobile device is executable in a computer runtime environment and includes a hardware emulation component configured to emulate the hardware components of the corresponding physical mobile device and a software emulation component corresponding to the software components of the physical mobile device, which is executable within the context of the hardware emulation component. Synchronization between the virtual instance mobile devices and their corresponding physical mobile devices is maintained, and data obtained from the physical mobile devices is stored. The physical mobile devices are remotely managed by utilizing their corresponding virtual instance mobile devices respectively.
US08626141B2
Methods and apparatus enable a mobile device to suggest available applications or features in which a user may be interested to the user based upon the user's past and current mobile device usage patterns. The mobile device may monitor the specific application/features used and their frequency of use. The mobile device may determine other available applications/features that the user may be interested in using based upon the frequency of use of applications or features and information which indicates a likelihood of user interest in one application or feature based upon usage of another application or feature. Applications or features determined to be potentially of interest to the user may be presented to the user in the form of suggestions to be added to the user interface menu so that the user can elect to accept or rejection the suggestion to modify the menu.
US08626139B2
Systems and methods of connection control for wireless mobile communication devices enabled for communication via a plurality of communication connections are provided. Connection control information associates software applications with communication connections. When a connection request specifying a requested connection is received from a software application, it is determined whether the requested connection is permitted by the connection control information. Where the requested connection is permitted by the connection control information, the requested connection is opened. If the requested connection is a first connection opened by the software application, then the software application is associated with the requested connection in the connection control information.
US08626134B2
A method is provided for passing information through a network during overload and subsequent actions to reduce congestion. An exemplary method includes receiving an origination request from a mobile device of a calling party, detecting an overload condition, transmitting a message request to a terminating network element associated with a called party in response to the origination request during the overload condition, receiving an acknowledgement of receipt of the message request, and denying the origination request. In this manner, high resource requests (e.g. a voice call) may be converted into lower resource requests (e.g. text or voicemail messages), or the resource request may be deferred to a more appropriate time.
US08626133B2
An alert system is provided. The alert system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory is computer-readable storage media configured to store instructions that are operable to be executed by the processor. The memory stores instructions that may be executed to determine a physical location of a contact in a contact list or a user managing the contact list; determine a physical location associated with a task in a task list; compare the physical location of the contact with the physical location associated with the task; determine when the physical location of the contact matches the physical location associated with the task; and transmit an alert message indicating the contact and the task.
US08626129B2
A wireless communication network that is in communication with a mobile device, perhaps a cell phone, includes a call message system and a configurable component. The configurable component is configured to include a first mode that puts a call to the mobile device in a hold state for a first time period when the first mode is activated a first time. The configurable component is configured to also include a second mode that puts the call in communication with the call message system when the second mode is activated. The configurable component may activate the second mode when signaled to do so from the call.
US08626128B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for enforcing device settings for mobile devices. Generally, a computer system enforces appropriate mobile device settings (e.g., policy and/or configuration settings) prior to permitting a mobile device to access maintained data. The computer system receives a request from a mobile device. The computer system determines that current mobile device settings are not appropriate for accessing the maintained data. The computer system sends device settings, representing a new mobile device configuration that is appropriate accessing the maintained data, to the mobile device. The computer system receives an indication that the mobile device is configured in accordance with the device settings. The computer system permits the mobile device to access the maintained data in response to receiving the indication that the mobile device is configured in accordance with the device settings.
US08626121B2
A mobile telecommunication device that is associated with a mobile telecommunication subscription periodically produces a status report with at least one detail about the mobile telecommunication device and an identification of the subscription associated with the mobile telecommunication device; and sends the status report to a tracking element. The tracking element receives periodical status reports from a set of mobile telecommunication devices, each status report having at least one detail about respective mobile telecommunication device and an identification of the subscription associated with the mobile telecommunication device. The tracking element further monitors the received status reports and determines whether a reporting trigger is met.
US08626120B2
Techniques are provided to automate at least some of the information gathering required for check-in using a mobile device. A user may enter at least some required information using a mobile application on a mobile device. The mobile application may convert the entered data into a Quick Response (“QR”) code or other type of readable form that may be read or received by a device at the location of check-in. The information entered may be stored in the mobile device's memory and may be modified for future check-ins. A user would enter the location of check-in and present the mobile phone containing the information previously entered by the user to a reader at the location. The reader reads the information which may be transmitted to the location's database. Using the information submitted, the user may be checked in automatically.
US08626113B2
A communication system and method thereof are configured to provide a service including a communication network including a charging entity and a service provision node. A user terminal is configured to transmit a session control message to the charging entity identifying a service provision threshold determined by a user of the user terminal for a session of the service requested by the user of the user terminal. Monitoring means is configured to monitor provision of the session and, if the provision of the session exceeds the service provision threshold, to notify the service provision node to performs a predetermined action upon receipt of the notification.
US08626099B2
A direct downconversion receiver architecture having a DC loop to remove DC offset from the signal components, a digital variable gain amplifier (DVGA) to provide a range of gains, an automatic gain control (AGC) loop to provide gain control for the DVGA and RF/analog circuitry, and a serial bus interface (SBI) unit to provide controls for the RF/analog circuitry via a serial bus. The DVGA may be advantageously designed and located as described herein. The operating mode of the VGA loop may be selected based on the operating mode of the DC loop, since these two loops interact with one another. The duration of time the DC loop is operated in an acquisition mode may be selected to be inversely proportional to the DC loop bandwidth in the acquisition mode. The controls for some or all of the RF/analog circuitry may be provided via the serial bus.
US08626098B1
A transconductance comparator includes a comparator having an output of a detector configured to sense an amplitude of an output of a Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA) of a receiver as a first input and a reference amplitude level as a second input. The comparator generates an error signal based on the first input and the second input. The transconductance comparator also includes a transconductance amplifier having a differential voltage input based on the error signal generated through the comparator and generating an output current. The transconductance amplifier includes current sources associated with programmable current limits thereof and differential pairs associated with the current sources, one or more of which is implemented with a size mismatch between transistors thereof to eliminate an offset error due to a mismatch between the current limits, thereby enabling programmability of an attack time and a decay time during automatic gain control of the VGA.
US08626091B2
Radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry, which includes an envelope tracking power supply and an RF power amplifier (PA), is disclosed. The RF PA operates in either a first operating mode or a second operating mode, such that selection of the operating mode is based on compression tolerance criteria. During the first operating mode, the RF PA receives and amplifies an RF input signal using a first compression level. During the second operating mode, the RF PA receives and amplifies the RF input signal using a second compression level, which is greater than the first compression level. The envelope tracking power supply provides an envelope power supply signal to the RF PA. The envelope power supply signal provides power for amplification.
US08626090B2
A radio frequency transmitter comprises an amplifier, an antenna port, an isolator adapted to isolate an output of the amplifier from an interfering signal of the antenna port, a linearization loop and a transmission line comprising a first part (coupling a signal source to an input of the amplifier), a second part (coupling the output of the amplifier to an input of the isolator) and a third part (coupling an output of the isolator to the antenna port). The linearization loop is adapted to reduce non-linearity of the isolator and comprises a first directional coupler coupled to the third part of the transmission line, a loop impedance, and at least one further linearization loop element adapted to adjust a linearization signal and to feed the adjusted linearization signal to the transmission line. The radio frequency transmitter also comprises an interference reducing circuit adapted to reduce an influence of the interfering signal on the linearization loop. The circuit comprises a variable gain and phase shifter, and second and third directional couplers. The variable gain and phase shifter is coupled to the third part of the transmission line via the second directional coupler, which extracts a compensation signal from the transmission line, and is adapted to adjust amplitude and phase of the compensation signal based on the amplitude and phase of the interfering signal passing through the loop impedance. The third directional coupler couples the variable gain and phase shifter to the loop feed line and feeds the adjusted compensation signal thereto.
US08626087B2
A wireless process communication adapter includes a housing having a first end and a second end. A field device coupling is attached to one of the first and second ends. Adapter circuitry is disposed within the housing and the adapter circuitry is coupled to a plurality of wires that pass through the field device coupling. A wire retainer is engaged upon the plurality of wires to maintain the wires in a fixed position. An encapsulation material encapsulates the adapter circuitry, the wire retainer, and the plurality of wires.
US08626082B2
This disclosure relates to linearization in polar modulators of wireless communication devices and associated methods, to attain linear amplification and high power efficiency during transmission.
US08626081B2
The invention relates to devices and methods for signalling control information associated with transmission of data over a wireless channel. A second communication device receives (S2) data from a first communication device, wherein the data comprises an indication of recommended precoders and a recommendation of a first transmission rank to possibly use during transmission. The second communication device determines (S4) a second transmission rank to use for transmitting data, and transmits (S6) a confirmation message to the first communication device. The confirmation message comprises a confirmation that transmission of data from the second communication device is using at least parts of each recommended precoder associated with a frequency resource that falls within the transmission of data and an indicator of the second transmission rank to use.
US08626055B2
A mobile broadcast system for delivering a notification event for generation of a notification message for information provisioning to a subscriber receiving a broadcast service is provided. The mobile broadcast system includes a first apparatus for managing subscriber information of the broadcast service, handling generation of at least one notification message according to at least one notification event, and generating a response message indicating generation end of the notification message; and a second apparatus for sending a notification event message for requesting generation of the notification message to the first apparatus according to the at least one notification event, receiving the response message in response thereto, and then handling delivery of the notification message over a broadcast channel or an interaction channel.
US08626052B2
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a reverse-feeding unit. The reverse-feeding unit includes a frame which forms a first feeding path along which a printing medium is fed and a second feeding path which is branched off from the first feeding path, a guide plate which rotates between a first position in which the printing medium fed along the first feeding path is supported and a second position in which the supported printing medium is directed towards the second feeding path, and a plate driving unit which comprises an actuator which actuates the guide plate, a driving source which drives the actuator, and an electronic clutch which selectively transmits a driving force of the driving source to the actuator.
US08626048B2
An image heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material, comprising a base layer; a heat generation layer, provided on the base layer, for generating heat by being supplied with electric power; an electrode layer, provided outside of the heat generation layer with respect to a widthwise direction and having an electric resistance which is smaller than that of the heat generation layer, for supplying the electric power to heat generation layer; an elastic layer provided on the electrode layer and having a length longer than that of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction; and a parting layer provided on the elastic layer and having a length which is substantially equal to the length of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction.
US08626047B2
A fixing device includes: a fixing belt in an endless form; a fixing roller; a separating roller for separating, from the fixing belt, a paper sheet onto which a developer is fixed and fused; a heating roller for heating the fixing belt; a pressurizing roller for forming a fixing nip portion between the fixing belt and the pressurizing roller; a first lever to which the fixing roller and the separating roller are fixed, the first lever pivoting around a first supporting point used as the center point; a second lever to which the fixing roller and the heating roller are fixed, the second lever pivoting around a second supporting point used as the center point; a first spring for biasing the first lever; and a second spring for biasing the second lever.
US08626046B2
The image heating apparatus includes a rubber layer and a resin tube layer on a metal core. The rubber layer includes a solid rubber layer having a thermal conductivity in a thickness direction of 0.16 W/(m·K) or more and 0.40 W/(m·K) or less, and a self-bonded silicone rubber layer that contains a filler of 5 vol % or more and 40 vol % or less, and has a thermal conductivity in an axial direction of 2.5 W/(m·K) or more and a thickness of 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less, the filler having a length of 0.05 mm or more and 1 mm or less and a thermal conductivity in a length direction of 500 W/(m·K) or more, so that a pressure roller to moderate temperature rise in a non-sheet feeding area when a small sized recording material has undergone sheet feeding can be easily manufactured.
US08626042B2
Provided is a detecting apparatus including an illumination optical system for emitting an image bearing member with a light beam emitted from a light source unit, an imaging optical system including an imaging optical element for imaging an image on the surface of the image bearing member, a light receiving unit for detecting the image on the image bearing member which has been imaged by the imaging optical system, and a calculation unit for detecting image information on the image on the image bearing member from a detection signal received from the light receiving unit. In the detecting apparatus, at least one optical plane of the imaging optical element is configured to refract an imaging system principal ray after passing therethrough in a direction of farther becoming apart from the light source unit than the imaging system principal ray before passing through the optical plane.
US08626041B2
This invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of effectively suppressing an AC color registration error, and a control method thereof. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus according to this invention controls driving of a transfer belt so that the speed of surface of the transfer belt at the transfer position comes close to a constant speed. The image forming apparatus also controls driving of a photosensitive drum so that the error between the speed of surface of the photosensitive drum and that of the transfer belt at the transfer position becomes almost 0. Further, the image forming apparatus controls the exposure timing in accordance with fluctuations of the speed of surface at the exposure position so that the exposure interval in the sub-scanning direction on the photosensitive drum comes close to a constant interval.
US08626034B2
A development device includes a developer container, a developer bearer to carry developer to a development range, a partition dividing at least partly the developer container into a supply compartment and a collecting compartment, with an end portion of the partition facing a circumferential surface of the developer bearer, a developer supply member in the supply compartment to supply the developer to the developer bearer, and a developer collecting member in the collecting compartment above the developer supply member, to receive the developer from the developer bearer. An opening is formed in a downstream end portion of the partition in a developer conveyance direction of the developer collecting member to cause the developer to fall to the supply compartment, and a width of the opening in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction increases toward downstream in the developer conveyance direction of the developer collecting member.
US08626031B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a developing device; and a movable member for rotationally moving the developing device. The movable member includes a rotation shaft member, a first member which is engaged with the rotation shaft member at one end portion, a second member which is engaged with the rotation shaft member at the other end portion, a first guide portion, and a second guide portion. The apparatus further includes a first swingable supporting member for rotatably supporting the movable member at the one end portion; a second swingable supporting member for rotatably supporting the movable member at the other end portion; an urging portion for urging the movable member toward the image bearing member; a first preventing member for preventing movement of the first member; and a second preventing member for preventing movement of the second member.
US08626030B2
A charging device capable of improvement in charging uniformity on an object to be charged, an image forming apparatus having the charging device, and a discharge electrode forming method are provided. The charging device has a discharge electrode which is disposed in an interior space of a shield case, has a plurality of projections aligned in one direction from which a stream of ions is generated, the projections each being so constituted that a widthwise direction thereof makes a predetermined angle with respect to a first imaginary plane including an arrangement direction C of the projections on a second imaginary plane which includes the arrangement direction C and is perpendicular to the first imaginary plane in order that streams of ions generated from the projections that are arranged adjacent to each other in a lengthwise direction of the shield case can overlap each other when viewed in a widthwise direction of the shield case.
US08626027B2
An image heating apparatus includes: an excitation coil; an image heating member for generating heat using a magnetic flux from the excitation coil to heat an image on a recording material; a magnetic core; image heating member; a core supporting member; magnetic core; a back-up member; a pressing member forming a nip between the back-up member and itself with the image heating member therebetween; a stay member; an apparatus side plate; a first positioning portion for determining a position of the stay member relative to one of the apparatus side plates; and a second positioning portion, provided at a central portion of the stay member, for determining a position of the core supporting member relative to the stay member.
US08626026B2
An image forming device includes: a main casing; a plurality of photosensitive bodies; a first roller; a second roller; an endless belt; a plurality of primary transfer members; a cleaning unit; and a secondary transfer member. The cleaning unit is configured to collect residual toner remaining on the endless belt, and detachable from and attachable to the main casing. The secondary transfer member is provided at the cleaning unit such that the secondary transfer member is detachable from the main casing upon detachment of the cleaning unit from the main casing and attachable to the main casing upon attachment of the cleaning unit to the main casing.
US08626019B2
A power switch structure for an apparatus, including a recess provided in a side surface of the apparatus and having a distal sloped face facing a front side of the apparatus and a proximal sloped face surface, and a power switch, inclined with respect to the side surface of the apparatus, positioned on the distal sloped face surface to face the front side of the apparatus.
US08626007B2
A heating device and an image forming apparatus which make it possible to improve the degree of freedom in design to enhance the accuracy of detecting the state of a to-be-heated member, and easily reduce cost. An induction heating coil generates magnetic flux by flow of electric current therethrough. Ferrite cores formed of a magnetic material form magnetic paths. The fixing belt generates heat by the action of the magnetic flux generated by the induction heating coil 101. An antenna is disposed in an area at a location opposite to the fixing belt 120 with the ferrite cores therebetween, for detecting magnetic flux passing through the area. A control circuit determines whether or not the state of the fixing belt has changed, based on a result of detection by the antenna.
US08626004B2
A detecting apparatus includes: a transmission member that is provided facing a conveying path on which a medium is conveyed and that transmits light from the medium being conveyed on the conveying path; a detecting section that detects the medium or an image on the medium from the light which is transmitted through the transmission member, wherein the light is received by a light-receiving member of the detection section; an opposing member that is provided on an opposite side of the conveying path from the transmission member and has at least a first opposing surface that faces the transmission member; and a guide member provided at a downstream side of the opposing member in the conveying direction, and guides the medium downstream in the conveying path. The opposing surface is closer to the detecting section at a downstream side than at an upstream side thereof in the conveying direction.
US08626003B2
A printing apparatus includes non-transparent doors and/or drawers on a body of the printing apparatus. The non-transparent doors and drawers allow access to internal areas of the body of the printing apparatus. A processor is within the body of the printing apparatus, and the processor controls actions of the printing apparatus. Also, at least one internal graphic user interface display is within the body of the printing apparatus. The internal graphic user interface display is operatively connected to the processor, and the internal graphic user interface display is positioned to be observable only when the non-transparent doors and drawers are open.
US08626002B2
A method and system for optoelectronic receivers for uncoded data are disclosed and may include amplifying received electrical signals in a signal amplifier comprising differential gain stages with signal detectors coupled to the outputs. First and second output voltages may be tracked and held utilizing the signal detectors. A difference between the tracked and held value may be amplified in a feedback path of the gain stage, which enables the dynamic configuration of a decision level. The received electrical signals may be generated from an optical signal by a PIN detector, an avalanche photodiode, or a phototransistor. The electrical signal may be received from a read channel. The feedback path may comprise digital circuitry, including an A/D converter, a state machine, and a D/A converter. The detectors may comprise envelope detectors utilized to detect maximum or minimum voltages. The signal amplifier may be integrated in a photonically-enabled CMOS chip.
US08626001B2
There arises a problem that power consumption increases along with an increasing throughout of an FEC function effective in speeding up of a transmission speed. FEC function information necessary for a system is prepared, and multiple FEC functions are properly used according to a selected transmission line, etc.
US08625994B2
The present invention provides a directionless reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) system. The present invention provides a scalable all-optical switching element that includes a combination of 1×N wavelength selective switches (WSS), 1×N splitters/combiners, optical amplifiers, and tunable filters to provide a fully non-blocking solution which can be deployed in a scalable manner. The 1×N splitters are configured to split multiples copies of a plurality of drop wavelengths which can be amplified and sent to a tunable filter which selects out a particular wavelength for drop. The 1×N combiners are configured to combine multiple add wavelengths for egress transmission.
US08625990B2
An optical line terminal (OLT), a remote node (RN) unit, and an optical transmission method and a system thereof are provided. The method includes following steps. Power splitting is performed respectively on a part or all of M optical signals which have different wavelengths and are generated by M light sources, thus forming a first group of optical signals including first split optical signals and a second group of optical signals including second split optical signals. Both the first group of optical signals and the second group of optical signals have N different wavelengths. Cross routing is performed on the first group of optical signals and the second group of optical signals to form N carrier groups of signals that need to be provided to N optical network units (ONUs). Therefore, problems in the prior art such as a great number of light sources, high costs, and low reception quality, low power efficiency or high costs of the light sources are solved, so that the number of light sources in the network is reduced, transmission quality of signals is improved, and system costs are reduced.
US08625988B2
An optical switch and switching system includes a large scale switching device with a first input, a second input, a first output, and a second output. A small scale switching device includes a third input, a fourth input, and a third output, wherein the third input of the small scale switching device is coupled to the first output of the large scale switching device and the fourth input of the small scale switching device is coupled to the second output of the large scale switching device. A controller establishes a cross connect in the large scale switching device between the second input and the second output. The small scale switching device switches from the third input to the forth input upon establishment of the cross connect in the large scale switching device.
US08625986B2
A method and system to economically monitor an optical OOK signal that can detect perceptible changes in signal quality and identify the type of optical impairment causing the change. The invention requires a new and novel combination of known techniques to create an eye diagram of the transmitted pulse in a wavelength division multiplexing systems and then removing the noise from the eye diagram. Economy of operation is achieve by using asynchronous sampling techniques for generating the eye diagram. The resulting “cleaner” eye diagram is then analyzed to identify any changes in performance. In the preferred embodiment, the analysis is conducted on histograms generated from eye diagram, the histograms are computed at a number of points across the optical signal pulse period.
US08625982B2
A housing assembly includes a housing, a camera bezel and a retaining structure. The housing includes a plurality of latching elements. The retaining structure is fixed to the camera bezel, the retaining structure including a plurality of retaining elements corresponding to the latching elements. Each retaining element is bent to latch with one of the latching elements so the camera bezel is fixed to the housing.
US08625981B2
An imaging apparatus includes: an image-pickup lens; a shutter partitioned into a plurality of sections along a first direction and allowed to open and close for each of the plurality of sections; a stop adjusting an amount of light; and a drive section driving the shutter and the stop. The drive section controls the shutter in such a manner that any one of the sections of the shutter is opened and the remaining sections are closed, and drives the stop in such a manner that passage of a flux of light through the open section is limited to a larger extent in a second direction than in the first direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction.
US08625979B2
A lens barrel and a photographing apparatus comprising the lens barrel include: a lens module that comprises at least one lens and moves along an optical axis of the at least one lens; a shake correction module arranged near the lens module; at least one fixing member that is disposed between the lens module and the shake correction module and fixes the shake correction module in response to being pressed by the lens module; a frame on which the at least one fixing member is installed; and at least one elastic member that elastically mounts the at least one fixing member on the frame.
US08625976B2
A method of heating or cooling a room of a building includes providing supplemental warmer or cooler air to the room with an inline duct supplemental heating and cooling device mounted along an air duct that supplies the room with air from a main furnace or cooling unit associated with the building. A thermostat is used to set a desired temperature for the room, and a controller of the supplemental heating and cooling device is in communication with the thermostat, and activates an electric heater and/or fan as appropriate to warm or cool the room as needed. When the device is used to cool the room, the fan may be operated to draw cooled air through the duct from the main cooling unit and/or from other areas in the building that are linked via ductwork.
US08625962B2
Content reproducing apparatus includes a synchronization control section that transmits synchronization control signals including information specifying a program to a program executing section which generates bitmap data of an image to be overlaid with content data and stores the bitmap data in a plurality of buffer memories. The synchronization control section also synchronizes reproduction of content data with (i) generation of bitmap data in the program executing section, and (ii) output of stored bitmap data by an output control section on the basis of respective first and second timing information indicative of first and second time points in a time period during which content data is reproduced. A method for reproducing content utilizing the content reproducing apparatus, a non-transitory content recording medium for causing the apparatus to carry out the method, and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing a control program for causing the content reproducing apparatus to practice the method also are provided.
US08625957B2
A reproduction apparatus is disclosed. A display section displays a screen. A reproduction section reproduces a video signal recorded on a record medium. A display control section selects one of three display screens. A first display screen displays a picture corresponding to an externally input video signal or a video signal that is reproduced by the reproduction section and information about the video signal in different areas. A second display screen displays setup states of a plurality of keys as a key set that are capable of selecting a plurality of functions, and a picture corresponding to an externally input video signal or corresponding to a video signal that is reproduced by the reproduction section in different areas. A third display screen displays only a picture corresponding to an externally input video signal or corresponding to a video signal that is reproduced by the reproduction section.
US08625953B2
An optical fiber ribbon holding member capable of readjusting a position of an optical fiber ribbon without requiring a heating operation is provided. A holding member main body that has a U-shaped cross section and a space to which a plurality of optical fiber ribbons can be accommodate in a laminated state, and a lid body an opening surface of which has a reverse U-shaped cross section are employed. A latch structure is formed on wall portions of a lid body and a holding member main body, and engages to each other when the lid body covers the holding member main body. Heating operation is not required, and the optical fiber ribbons are held by only a simple operation of covering the lid body, so that the operation of holding the optical fiber ribbons is easily performed and readjustment of the position of the optical fiber ribbons can be performed.
US08625934B2
A method of detecting displacement with sub-pixel accuracy includes the steps of: capturing a first array image and a second array image; interpolating the first array image to form a reference image; interpolating the second array image to form a comparison image; comparing the reference image with the comparison image so as to obtain a displacement. The present invention also provides an apparatus for detecting displacement with sub-pixel accuracy.
US08625927B2
A computer-implemented method for determining correspondence between images includes: receiving images in a computer system; performing iterations using the computer system to find respective mappings for each patch of pixels in the images to a patch in another one of the images such that the mappings have minimal patch distance, the iterations including at least: (i) evaluation of a nearby-pixel mapping in a current image, (ii) evaluation of a randomly selected mapping in the current image, and (iii) evaluation of a randomly selected mapping in another one of the images; and generating a mapping record that results from the iterations.
US08625926B1
Systems and methods are provided for processing image data captured by a device. In one implementation, a system is provided to process primary image data based on motion of the device during generation of the image data, as detected by a secondary image sensor. In another implementation, a method is provided for processing image data by generating primary image data, generating secondary image data, calculating, using the secondary image data, at least one motion vector based on motion of the device during generation of the primary image data, processing the primary image data based on the at least one motion vector, and outputting the processed primary image data.
US08625918B2
An image processing apparatus includes a quantizer configured to quantize orthogonal transform coefficients of the difference in block units between a coding target picture and a prediction image, a predictor configured to conduct parallax prediction utilizing correlations between the coding target picture and a picture whose view differs from the coding target picture, and a quantization controller configured to determine a protected area that protects image quality from the parallax prediction results, and reduce the quantization step size of the quantizer for quantization of the protected area.
US08625914B2
There is provided an image processing system and an image processing method able to suppress block distortion in the case of decoding image data encoded in unit of blocks. A controlling unit selects a filtering content to be applied to the block image data based on the encoding types of the block image data to be filtered, and a filtering unit applies filtering to the block image data to be processed according to the filtering content selected by the controlling unit.
US08625909B2
An image encoding apparatus includes a band division unit configured to perform frequency band division for generating coefficient data of each of a plurality of frequency bands from image data of a block unit and, with regard to the frequency band division, to perform frequency band division of the coefficient data of the low-band component after rearranging a spatial position with respect to coefficient data of a low-band component obtained by frequency band division, and an encoding unit configured to perform encoding of the coefficient data of each of the plurality of frequency bands.
US08625907B2
A database of images may be accessed. A feature set may be computed for each image, respectively. Each feature set includes feature integers quantized from interest points of a corresponding image. An initial set of clusters of the feature sets is found based on min hashes of the feature sets. Given the clusters of feature sets, descriptors for each of the clusters are computed, respectively, by selecting feature integers from among the feature sets in a cluster. The clusters are then refined by comparing at least some of the feature sets with at least some of the cluster descriptors, and based on such comparing adding some of the feature sets to clusters whose feature descriptors have similarity to the feature sets.
US08625898B2
First, a plurality of vertices of a contour of an object or of a design are detected from an image. Then, a predetermined number of division points are generated on each of sides connecting the plurality of detected vertices, so as to divide each side of at least one pair of two opposing sides into unequal parts. Then, a plurality of sample points are determined on the basis of straight lines connecting the division points on the two opposing sides to one another, and on the basis of pixel values of the sample points, it is determined whether or not a predetermined object or design is displayed in an area surrounded by the plurality of vertices in the image.
US08625889B2
A method for automatic food recognition by using portable devices equipped with digital cameras. With this system, it is possible to identify a previously established food menu. To this purpose, a semi-automated method of segmentation is applied to delineate the regions in which each type of food in an image of a plate of food, captured by a user. Pattern recognition techniques are used in images, integrated into a system whose goal is to label each type of food contained in the photo of a plate of food. No type of preprocessing is performed to correct deficiencies in capturing the image, just using the auto-focus component present in the portable device to capture a clear image.
US08625876B2
A technique for use in automatic validation of a media item involves accessing a template that comprises multiple one-class classifiers, each corresponding to one of multiple classes to which the media item might belong, and then applying each of the one-class classifiers to an image of the media item to generate a result set for each of the multiple classes. The result set for each media class is then analyzed to assess whether the media item belongs to that class.
US08625875B2
A document processing system comprising one or more document scanning devices that extract information from document images that uniquely identify a document. The system further comprises a central processor remotely connected to the document scanning devices. The central processor is configured to receive the document images and the extracted information from the document scanning devices and is further configured to execute a correction routine configured to adjust errors in the extracted information from the document image.
US08625873B2
Provided is a medical image processing apparatus allowing the generation of image data by changing the reconstruction conditions in correspondence with the positional relation of an observation target based on the projected data chronologically acquired by an X-ray CT scanner. The medical image processing apparatus includes a photographing unit, a reconfiguration processing unit, an extracting unit, and an analyzing unit. The photographing unit scans the flexible site of the living body configured from multiple parts in order to acquire projected data. The reconfiguration processing unit carries out reconfiguration processing on the projected data and generates image data of the flexible site regarding the plurality of timing points. The extracting unit extracts the plurality of components configuring the flexible site from the respective image data. The analyzing unit obtains the positional relation of the plurality of components.
US08625862B2
An image data apparatus comprises a view angle defining section for defining a plurality of view angles relative to an object of examination, an image data preparing section for preparing a plurality of three-dimensional image data for the plurality of view angles from four-dimensional image data of the object of examination and a display control section for displaying moving images of the three-dimensional image data of the object of examination on a monitor screen under the condition that the view angles are fixed.
US08625860B2
In one embodiment an electronic device comprises an input/output module, a memory coupled to the input/output module, and logic to store a first image of a face in the memory module, associate an identity with the first image of a face, subsequently collect a second image of a face, determine a correlation between features on the first image of a face and the second image of a face, and store the correlation between the first image and the second image. Other embodiments may be described.
US08625858B2
A pattern recognition method, applicable to input information including a plurality of regions, includes obtaining a certainty at which each region of the input information includes a pattern, selecting one or more regions having a relatively high-level certainty among the plurality of regions, and performing pattern detection processing on the selected region or regions.
US08625853B2
A parking lot information system comprising a digital camera for obtaining an image of parking spaces in the parking lot where each parking space is marked with a visual identifier, a computer coupled to the digital camera for identifying available parking spaces by recognizing the identifiers marking the available parking spaces, and a display coupled to the computer for displaying information on the available parking spaces.
US08625840B2
Described are a method and an apparatus for generating a forecast weather image such as a forecast weather radar image. The method uses filters to approximate viscous alignment and to thereby determine displacement fields having meaningful structure. In various embodiments a power-law energy spectrum is utilized for deformations in the displacement field through the application of a set of Gabor filters. The Gabor filters are applied in a sequential manner to gradient error images and values of modes of motions corresponding to the Gabor filters are determined. The values are used to generate the displacement field which can then be applied to an existing weather image to generate a forecast weather image.
US08625832B2
Packages for electronic amplification include a packaged microphone device that includes a housing and an acoustic transducer disposed therein. The housing includes an exterior top surface and an exterior bottom surface that includes electrical terminals disposed thereon. The package microphone device can include a flexible substrate having a top portion, a bottom portion and a flexible middle portion. The flexible middle portion is folded around the housing such that the top portion at least partially overlays and attaches to the exterior top surface of the housing and the bottom portion at least partially overlays and attaches to the exterior bottom surface of the housing.
US08625831B2
A hearing aid earpiece (1) is provided, that is custom fitted to the individual shape of the ear canal of a user and manufactured in a rapid prototyping process. The earpiece comprises a sound conduit (3) that is adapted for conveying an acoustic signal from an acoustic inlet port towards an acoustic outlet port and wherein the sound conduit is looped such that at least one geometrical plane will intersect the sound conduit at least three times thereby providing a length of the sound conduit exceeding a largest outer dimension of the hearing aid earpiece. The invention also relates to a hearing aid comprising such a hearing aid earpiece and a method for manufacturing such an earpiece.
US08625827B2
A hearing-aid device comprising a housing and circuitry module, wherein the circuitry module comprises a battery, a microphone, and a receiver, and the circuit module is inserted in the hearing aid housing. The hearing aid device further comprises a retractable battery sleeve, wherein a battery slot is exposed when the battery sleeve is retracted, and a battery can be inserted into the battery slot from either side of the battery slot with either polarity. The hearing aid housing may comprise an ear-tip, wherein a microphone is mounted in the hearing aid housing near the ear-tip and the microphone receives sounds through at least one sound inlet located on a side surface of the hearing aid housing. The ear-tip additionally comprises three flanges decreasing in size toward the flange closest to the ear canal, and the hearing aid can be inserted into the ear canal in any orientation.
US08625826B2
An apparatus and a method for background noise estimation use a first and a second hearing device for binaural supply of a hearing impaired person. In each case the hearing devices have a first and a second omnidirectional microphone and the two microphones of each hearing device are connected to each other electrically in order to form a first and/or a second monaural directional characteristic. The first and/or second microphone of the first hearing device is connected together wirelessly with the first and/or second microphone of the second hearing device to form a binaural directional characteristic. To estimate the background noise, the level of an output signal from the first and/or the second directional microphone having a monaural directional characteristic is combined with the level of an output signal from the directional microphone having a binaural directional characteristic. Background noise estimation is thereby enhanced in the case of binaural supply.
US08625819B2
Methods and devices for voice operated control are provided. The method can include measuring an ambient sound received from at least one Ambient Sound Microphone, measuring an internal sound received from at least one Ear Canal Microphone, detecting a spoken voice from a wearer of the earpiece based on an analysis of the ambient sound and the internal sound, and controlling at least one voice operation of the earpiece if the presence of spoken voice is detected. The analysis can be a non-difference comparison such as a correlation analysis, a cross-correlation analysis, and a coherence analysis.
US08625818B2
A switch can be configured to receive a first signal at a first input and provide an output signal at an output, depending on a state of the switch. A switch state change can be delayed until an indication of a requested switch state different than a current switch state is received and the first signal reaches a threshold.
US08625809B2
A switch control circuit monitors a signal produced by a MEMS or other capacitor microphone. When a criterion is met, for example when the amplitude of the monitored signal exceeds a threshold or the monitored signal has been clipped or analysis of the monitored signal indicates clipping is imminent or likely, the switch control circuit operates one or more switches so as to selectively connect one or more capacitors to a signal line from the microphone, i.e., so as to connect a selected capacitance to the signal line to attenuate the signal from the microphone and, therefore, avoid clipping. The switches may be MOSFET, MEMS or other types of switches co-located with the microphone in a common semiconductor package. Similarly, the capacitors, a circuit that processes the signals from the microphone and/or the switch control circuit may be co-located with the microphone in a common semiconductor package.
US08625807B2
A multi-carrier data communication is selectively operable in one of different communication modes which result in differently structured communication signals, the communication being configured for processing a data item intended to be transmitted to generate different transmission candidate data; selecting one of the transmission candidate data for transmission; selecting one of the communication modes based on the selected data item; and transmitting the selected data item using the selected communication mode.
US08625802B2
The present invention discloses methods, devices, and media for secure key management in a non-secured, distributed, virtualized environment with applications to cloud-computing security and management. Methods include the steps of: receiving an encryption request for protecting an original key at a first encryption location in a network computing-environment; initially encrypting the original key with a first location-specific secure-key, located at a second encryption location, to create a location-specific initially-encrypted key; and finally encrypting the location-specific initially-encrypted key with a second location-specific secure-key, located at a third encryption location, to create a finally-encrypted key which may then be used in any way in a cipher-location; wherein the locations are regions of memory located in computing devices operationally connected to the network computing-environment; and wherein each of the location-specific secure-keys is protected from compromise by any owner of other location-specific secure keys using an appropriate technique in the respective locations.
US08625801B2
An authentication associated suite discovery and negotiation method for ultra wide band network. The method includes the following steps of: 1) adding a pairwise temporal key PTK establishment IE and a group temporal key GTK distribution IE in an information element IE list of an initiator and a responder, and setting a corresponding information element identifier ID, and 2) an authentication associated process based on the authentication associated suite discovery and negotiation method. The authentication associated suite discovery and negotiation method for ultra wide band network provided by the present invention can provide the discovery and negotiation functions of a security solution to the network so as to satisfy all kinds of application requirements better when multiple pairwise temporal key PTK establishing plans or multiple group temporal key GTK distributing plans co-exist.
US08625794B2
A white-box cryptographic system (600) is presented for performing a key-dependent cryptographic operation, such as AES. The system comprises a network of a plurality of look-up tables (640) arranged for collectively performing the cryptographic operation, the network being adapted for a particular cryptographic key. By sending a key substitute (664) which represents to the network a further cryptographic key a key translation unit can arrange the effect of the network on the cryptographic operation such that is adapted for a further cryptographic key. In this way the system can be updated to use the further key instead of the particular key.
US08625793B2
A method for a server to initiate resynchronization with an access terminal, when synchronization has been lost, that cannot be exploited by attackers is provided. The server may provide the access terminal with a secret key that is only known to the access terminal and the server. The access terminal may store the secret key in a secure storage device to prevent the secret key from being hacked. If the server determines that synchronization has been lost, the server may send a resynchronization message to the access terminal with the secret key attached. The access terminal retrieves the stored secret key from the secure memory device and compares it to the secret key attached to the resynchronization message. If there is a match, the access terminal may initiate a secure communication link with the server to reestablish synchronization.
US08625792B2
Methods and apparatus to reduce channel switching time. A method for channel switching includes bundling entitlement control messages (ECMs) to generate bundled ECMs that comprise decryption keys associated with a first content channel and one or more additional content channels, respectively, and transmitting the bundled ECMs with the first content channel. An apparatus for channel switching includes key acquisition logic configured to receive bundled ECMs that comprise decryption keys associated with a first content channel and one or more additional content channels, respectively, processing logic configured to receive a request to render a second content channel that is part of the one or more additional content channels, and decryption logic configured to utilize a selected decryption key obtained from the bundled ECMs to decrypt the second content channel.
US08625785B2
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are herein described that provide for an identity-based cryptosystem using a highly secure biometric model through which both access and data transmission are effectively made very secure. Through implementation of generating and securely storing biometric data as syndrome vectors tolerance is provided for the inherent variability of biometric data. In addition, to insure that the biometric data is not duplicated by adversaries who might gain access to the syndrome generation algorithm and the biometric data, present aspects, provide for keeping the private key more secure and making the cryptosystem user-identity dependent. As such the systems, apparatus and computer program products herein disclosed provide end-to-end authentication of end users using secure biometry, which constitute the symmetric and/or asymmetric identity-based cryptosystem.
US08625770B1
A method and apparatus for monitoring a network element in a communications network are described. In one example, an alarm message from the network element when a change in rate associated with at least one of a central processing unit (CPU) utilization or a memory usage by the network element exceeds a predefined threshold. An instruction is subsequently sent to the network element to reduce the change in rate associated with the at least one of the CPU utilization or the memory usage.
US08625766B2
Methods and apparatuses for detecting current presence and/or determining capabilities of subscribers, and enabling users of communication devices to initiate communication sessions with other communication devices of selected ones of the subscribers, in selected manners, based at least in part on current presence and/or capabilities of the other subscribers, are described herein. In various embodiments, the initiating is performed without or substantially without further input from an initiating user on the other communication device.
US08625763B2
A user accesses a destination such as a call center. The call center generates a record for insertion into the user's personal address book, with a telephone number of the center and metadata concerning a transaction. To place a later call on the same matter, the user selects, either using his telephone or via a separate terminal, the address book entry and the call is made. The center receives the user's telephone number via the calling line identity (CLI) and translates this into a data address so that it can “pull” the metadata from the personal address book. Alternatively the server can translate the center's telephone number into a data address to “push” the metadata to the center.
US08625758B2
The invention concerns a method for sponsoring a communication service, wherein said communication service is made available directly, in particular to a user of said communication service, and wherein a rule, in particular applicable for charging a sponsor of said communication service, is determined dynamically.
US08625752B2
A system and method for enabling two computer systems to communicate over an audio communications channel, such as a voice telephony connection. Such a system includes a software application that enables a user's computer to call, interrogate, download, and manage a voicemail account stored on a telephone company's computer, without human intervention. A voicemail retrieved from the telephone company's computer can be stored in a digital format on the user's computer. In such a format, the voicemail can be readily archived, or even distributed throughout a network, such as the Internet, in a digital form, such as an email attachment. Preferably a computationally efficient audio recognition algorithm is employed by the user's computer to respond to and navigate the automated audio menu of the telephone company's computer.
US08625751B2
A method is disclosed that receives an incoming call at an electronic device, where the incoming call includes caller identification information. Further, the method determines whether a personal address book stored remotely from the electronic device includes an entry associated with the caller identification information. Additionally, an audio alert associated with the entry is inserted into a multimedia data stream, where the audio alert is determined based at least in part on the entry.
US08625736B2
An X-ray CT apparatus has: a plurality of X-ray detection elements arranged in a matrix form; a QV amplifier unit having a plurality of QV amplifiers; a first connection unit connecting the plurality of X-ray detection elements and the QV amplifier unit; an AD converter unit having a plurality of AD converters; and a second connection unit connecting the QV amplifier unit and the AD converter unit. The plurality of X-ray detection elements and the QV amplifier unit are connected and the QV amplifier unit and the AD converter unit are connected so as to make different at least one of a signal processing characteristic of the QV amplifier unit and signal a processing characteristic of the AD converter unit for each X-ray detection element of the plurality of X-ray detection elements or for each of an adjacent plurality of X-ray detection elements.
US08625735B2
The present invention is directed toward an X-ray scanner that has an electron source and an anode. The anode has a target surface with a series of material areas spaced along it in a scanning direction. The material areas are formed from different materials. The electron source is arranged to direct electrons at a series of target areas of the target surface, in a predetermined order, so as to generate X-ray beams having different energy spectra.
US08625725B2
A LIN receiver circuit includes filtering circuitry receiving an input signal and producing a filtered signal, a first comparator comparing the filtered signal to a threshold voltage, and a driver block producing the receiver output signal. The receiver circuit further includes an input comparator, signal-adjusting circuitry, and deglitching circuitry. The input comparator detects a low voltage on the input signal, and the signal-adjusting circuitry drives the filtered signal to a particular value to shorten the length of a glitch at the output of the first comparator. Meanwhile, the deglitching circuitry detects and removes the glitch to produce a deglitcher output signal. The deglitcher output signal is received by the driver block, which outputs the receiver output signal, wherein the receiver output signal contains no glitches, and is delayed by no more than 7.5 μs, thus providing immunity to ISO pulses.
US08625724B2
A wireless communications method is provided. The method includes analyzing one or more channel conditions from a wireless communication and automatically adjusting a frequency tracking loop gain or a time tracking loop gain in view of the channel conditions.
US08625723B2
A method and apparatus for performing demapping in a wireless communication system utilizing a modulo operation are disclosed. The demapping method of a receiver in a wireless communication system includes receiving an input signal and first information indicating whether a first modulo operation is performed on the input signal from a transmitter; if the first information indicates execution of the first modulo operation, performing a second modulo operation of the input signal, and acquiring a reception signal; generating a maximum function value having a highest probability that the reception signal corresponds to a candidate constellation point of an extended constellation; and generating a log-likelihood ratio (LLR) using the generated maximum function value.
US08625717B2
A wireless transmission device of the present invention includes n (where n is an integer of two or more) transmission antennas and a delay imparting section for delaying transmission signals supplied to the n transmission antennas by a maximum delay time (n−1)T or less based on a delay time T dependent upon a communication signal, which indicates whether to transmit the transmission signals by way of frequency diversity or multiuser diversity.
US08625699B1
Systems and techniques relating to processing multiple data streams transmitted over a wireless channel are described. A described technique includes obtaining data streams to be transmitted over a wireless channel using spatially diverse transmission; and applying rotations to the data streams in connection with interleaving the data streams. Applying the rotations can include using rotation values with respective data streams, the rotation values forming a sequence such that the rotation values plotted against stream indices oscillate in relative value within the sequence when a number of the data streams to be transmitted is greater than two. The rotations can include frequency rotations. The interleaving can include performing permutations, the permutations including a first permutation and a second permutation. Applying the rotations can include applying the frequency rotations after the second permutation.
US08625693B2
Methods for a transmitter station and a receiver station to perform beamforming in a wireless communication system, and a transmitter station and a receiver station to perform the corresponding method, are provided. The method for the transmitter station to perform beamforming in the wireless communication system includes estimating and tracking a long-term averaged and normalized channel correlation matrix between the transmitter station and a receiver station, determining beamforming coefficients based on the tracked long-term averaged and normalized channel correlation matrix, and communicating with the receiver station using the determined beamforming coefficients, wherein the receiver station also estimates and tracks the long term averaged and normalized channel correlation matrix, and determines beamforming coefficients based on the tracked long-term averaged and normalized channel correlation matrix.
US08625689B2
Embodiments of the invention provide time-domain link adaptation in power line communications. In one embodiment, the cyclic prefix length and position is adjusted with an OFDM symbol to overlap a periodic impulse noise pulse, thereby allowing the data carried in the symbol to be detected at a receiver. The cyclic prefix may be adjusted to provide a pattern that yields an integer number of OFDM symbols in one zero crossing period. The data rate used for the symbols overlapping the zero-crossing period may be zero or very low. A high data rate may be used for symbols outside the zero-crossing period because those symbols will not be affected by the periodic impulse noise.
US08625686B2
A window position optimization for a pilot-aided OFDM system is disclosed. A method of reducing aliasing in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, using window optimization and pilots comprises receiving an RF signal including a pilot, generating a channel frequency response estimate, interpolating the channel estimate to calculate a pilot carrier frequency response, and dynamically selecting a window to capture a channel impulse response to prevent aliasing.
US08625683B2
A serial data transmission system, includes a transmitting terminal for transmitting a data, a receiving terminal for receiving the data transmitted by the transmitting terminal, a first connecting capacitor connected between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal, and a second connecting capacitor connected between the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal, wherein the transmitting terminal comprises a transmitting terminal driver unit and an amplitude detection unit connected with the transmitting terminal driver unit, the transmitting terminal driver unit outputs a pair of differential signals, the amplitude detection unit detects an amplitude variation of the differential signals output by the transmitting terminal driver unit, and outputs an indication signal indicating whether the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal are properly connected with each other. A serial data transmission method is further provided.
US08625682B2
A method and apparatus for non-linear prediction filtering are described. The method may include performing motion compensation to generate a motion compensated prediction using a block from a previously coded frame. The method may also include performing non-linear filtering on the motion compensated prediction in the transform domain with a non-linear filter as part of a fractional interpolation process to generate a motion compensated non-linear prediction. The method may also include subtracting the motion compensated non-linear prediction from a block in a current frame to produce a residual frame, and coding the residual frame.
US08625676B2
System and methodologies are provided herein for reconstructing a video signal from multiple video streams. Various aspects described herein can utilize a least square estimate (LSE) algorithm to jointly decode multiple video bitstreams that are generated from a common original video sequence at different bit rates. As described herein, the LSE algorithm can reconstruct an original video sequence by determining and computing a weighted sum of collocated video information reconstructed from different video bitstreams. The weights applied can be adaptively determined to minimize the mean square error (MSE) of the reconstructed video sequence as compared to the original.
US08625673B2
Systems and methods of determining motion vectors, such as for video encoding, are disclosed. In one example, motion vectors are determined for a current frame, using sampled pixel information from a reference frame. Sampled pixel information is obtained using a sampling pattern. The sampling pattern, in one example, includes subsampling pixels at different rates for horizontal and vertical directions. The subsampling rate can differ, based on an amount of motion represented by a matching block (e.g., the farther a match is found away from an origin of the block, the more subsampling can be done). In another example, a full pixel resolution is maintained proximal an original location of the block; as distance increases in one or more directions, subsampling can begin and/or increase. Sampled pixels can be stored. Interpolation of the sampled pixels can be performed and the sampled and resulting interpolated pixels can be used for comparison.
US08625663B2
A method for determining digital video data includes receiving digital data comprising a plurality of digital images, wherein each digital image is encoded in a first color space, determining a plurality of color-graded digital images in response to the plurality of digital images and in response to color grading input data, wherein each color-graded digital image is encoded in a second color space, and wherein the second color space is associated with HD video, encoding each color-graded image with a compression encoding substantially independent of integer pixel translation of the plurality of color-graded digital images to form encoded image data package, storing the encoded image data package in a tangible media, and determining the digital video data for a video display device in a remote server in response to the encoded image data package.
US08625656B2
Techniques for deriving channel estimates with different channel estimation filters are described. In one scheme, a filter selection metric is determined for a signal to be recovered, a channel estimation filter is selected based on the filter selection metric, and a channel estimate is derived with the selected channel estimation filter. In another scheme, a first channel estimate is derived with a first channel estimation filter having a first filter response, a first signal is recovered with the first channel estimate, and interference due to the first signal is estimated and removed. A second channel estimate is derived with a second channel estimation filter having a second filter response that is different from the first filter response.
US08625653B2
A wireless apparatus includes a millimeter-wave communication interface configured to exchange information within a millimeter-wave communication network, an UWB communication interface and circuitry configured to activate the UWB interface for communicating location indication to the communication network according to an UWB communication standard. The location indication is intended for locating the wireless apparatus within the network.
US08625649B2
A surface emitting laser includes a stepped structure having a step between a first region and a second region, the stepped structure provided in an emission area located in an upper portion of the upper mirror. The surface emitting laser includes a light shielding member provided in a third region between the first region and the second region. The light shielding member is not provided in a portion of the first region and a portion of the second region.
US08625648B2
An edge emitting semiconductor laser (1) is specified, comprising an n-side waveguide region (21) and a p-side waveguide region (22); an active zone (20) for generating electromagnetic radiation; at least one reflection layer (24) in the n-side waveguide region (21), wherein the active zone (20) is arranged between the two waveguide regions (21, 22), the thickness of the n-side waveguide region (21) is greater than that of the p-side waveguide region (22), the refractive index of the reflection layer (24) is less than the refractive index of the n-side waveguide region (21) adjoining the reflection layer (24).
US08625646B2
A semiconductor device includes a submount; a semiconductor laser mounted on the submount via solder in a junction-down manner. The semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor laminated structure containing a p-n junction, on the semiconductor substrate, and an electrode on the semiconductor laminated structure and joined to the submount via the solder. A high-melting-point metal or dielectric film is located between the submount and the semiconductor laminated structure and surrounds the electrode.
US08625639B2
An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a signal multiplexing unit for multiplexing a plurality of transmission signals, each in a different frequency band and not containing a DC component, and a power signal supplied from a DC power supply and generating a multiplexed signal, a single signal cable through which the multiplexed signal generated by the signal multiplexing unit is transmitted, and a signal separating unit for separating the multiplexed signal transmitted through the signal cable into signals, each in a frequency band of one of the plurality of transmission signals, and a signal in a frequency band of the power signal.
US08625632B2
Messages containing interference vectors are transmitted efficiently to user equipments over a downlink channel. A pre-coding indicator channel is used for transmission in an over-the-air packet-based communication system. A table of pre-coding matrix indices or pre-coding vector information is transmitted to user equipments configured in a spatially multiplexed multiple user MIMO configuration. The UEs receive the pre-coding vector information that allows them to determine the pre-coding vectors used to communicate in the downlink direction from a MIMO base station to other MIMO UEs in the cell or system. The UEs use this information to actively suppress inter-user interference.
US08625631B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for employing pilot-reuse for training in the downlink of a wireless communication network. In one embodiment, the method comprises coordinating assignment of pilot codes across base stations in the topology and coordinating assignment of codes across base station-user terminal pairs, including assigning, from a set of pilot codes, a subset of codes to each cell in the topology, and assigning codes in each subset of codes to user terminals in said each cell based on cell dependent criteria; receiving waveforms from user terminals transmitting their assigned pilots; obtaining channel estimate information for channels between base station antennas and user terminals to which the base station is transmitting, the channel estimates based on the received waveforms; and transmitting to user terminals based on the channel estimate information.
US08625622B2
In response to a detected loss of previously transmitted information by an apparatus communicating with a remote device (e.g., using TCP), the rate of transmission of information is increased by the apparatus in response to attributing the detected loss of previously transmitted information as not being caused by congestion. This attribution of the packet loss is typically determined based on roundtrip delays between sent information and received corresponding acknowledgments, which may be used directly or indirectly, such as by estimating network queuing delays based on the measured roundtrip delays.
US08625618B2
An apparatus for controlling health care in a health care system is provided. The apparatus for controlling health care in a health care system includes a communication unit configured to transmit and/or receive a sensed biological signal, a determination unit configured to determine whether the health care system comprises, in addition to a first gateway through which the sensed biological signal is transmitted and/or received, at least one second gateway through which the sensed biological signal can be transmitted and/or received, and determine which gateway the sensed biological signal is to be transmitted and/or received through in response to the health care system comprising the second gateway, and a communication control unit configured to control a transmitting and/or receiving function of each gateway according to a result of the determining.
US08625613B2
A cable modem and a priority setting method thereof receive signaling packets from telephone interfaces and local area network (LAN) interfaces, and preset the signaling packets from telephone interfaces as VoIP packets with a first priority and the signaling packets from the LAN interfaces as LAN packets with a second priority. The cable modem and the priority setting method pick out RTP packets from the VoIP and LAN packets, and classify the RTP packets as VoIP RTP packets and LAN RTP packets. The cable modem and the priority setting method determine whether all of the IP phones are on-hook, and update the LAN RTP packets from the second priority to the first priority in response to all of the IP phones being on-hook. The cable modem and the priority setting method allocate bandwidths for the signaling packets corresponding to the first priority and the second priority.
US08625606B2
A wireless telecommunication system, an apparatus (e.g., base station, eNB) and a method are described herein for selecting a target cell to handover a user equipment such that the user equipment would continue to receive a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) service or would be able to receive a MBMS service they where interested in receiving.
US08625602B2
An arrangement and method in a communication system such as an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) radio receiver for reducing the impact of interference from an intermittent interfering signal transmitted by an interfering system which may be co-located with the OFDM system or may be remotely located. Each OFDM symbol in a received OFDM signal includes a guard interval (GI), a middle portion, and a last portion identical to the GI. The arrangement determines which portion of each OFDM symbol is contemporaneous with the interfering signal and time-shifts a fast Fourier transform (FFT) window in the OFDM receiver to minimize or eliminate FFT processing of samples of the OFDM symbol that are contemporaneous with the interfering signal, thereby minimizing the impact of the interfering signal.
US08625596B1
A multi-chassis network device may automatically detect whether cables connected between chassis devices are correctly inserted. The device may insert, into a first data stream output from a first port of the device, control information identifying the first port. The device may receive, from a second data stream received by the first port of the device, second control information identifying a second port, at another device connected to the device via a cable. The device may determine, based on the second control information, whether the connection of the first port to the second port, via the cable, is valid and cause, when the connection of the first port to the second port is determined to not be valid, the device to output an indication that the connection is not valid or to reconfigure the device to make the connection of the first port to the second port valid.
US08625595B2
Techniques are provided for a switch to assign proxy FCIDs to endpoint device so that the endpoint devices may achieve FCID mobility by retaining their originally assigned FCIDs. At a switch in a network, e.g., a Virtual Storage Area Network (VSAN), a fabric login request is received from a first endpoint device that is associated with a first FC identifier (FCID) that was previously assigned to the first endpoint device by another switch in the VSAN. The fabric login request is responded to with the first FCID. The first endpoint device is assigned a second FCID associated with a domain of the switch where the endpoint device is directly attached to, and the second FCID is used as a proxy FCID within the VSAN for the first endpoint device. A frame is received from the first endpoint device with a source FCID comprising the first FCID and a destination FCID comprising an FCID for a second endpoint device. The source FCID in the frame is overwritten with the second FCID. The frame is forwarded to the second endpoint device.
US08625592B2
A blade switch for increased interface scalability is provided. The blade switch may address interface scalability by having each of the switch linecards manage its interfaces locally and may use the concept of virtual and local interfaces for intelligent forwarding. The blade switch may appear as a single network switch having a single bridge ID from the network perspective during operation and from the customer perspective during configuration.
US08625584B2
A smart card is used with a network based system to providing portable telecommunication and computing services. In an exemplary embodiment the smart card holds a user authentication code and user telephony account information. The smart card transfers the user authentication code and the account information to one of a plurality of geographically dispersed card readers which are each connected to a local telephony device. When the smart card is plugged into a first card reader, telephone calls directed to the smart card user's follow-me telephone number are received at a first local telephony device. When the smart card is plugged into a second smart card reader, telephone calls directed to the follow-me telephone number are received at a second telephony local device. Hence the user is enabled to receive and place calls using any of the geographically dispersed telephony devices as though they were his/her own personal landline or cellular telephone supplied by his/her telephony services provider.
US08625579B2
Method and apparatus for enabling customer premise public branch exchange service feature processing
A method and apparatus for enabling customer premise Public Branch eXchange (PBX) service feature processing to be performed in a service provider network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a signaling message associated with a user by an application server deployed in a communication network, and accesses a customer premise Internet Protocol (IP) Public Branch eXchange (PBX) to retrieve customer premise IP PBX based service logic and data associated with the user by the application server. The method forwards an updated signaling message by the application server to a Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) network element for completing a service feature associated with the service logic and data in the communication network.
US08625577B1
A method and apparatus for enabling a packet network based service feature to record verbal notes or other spoken (or even artificially generated audio) information on behalf of a subscriber while in a conversation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present method allows a subscriber to effectively self-record or verbally transcribe desired portions of a conversation without the fear of privacy invasion.
US08625574B2
A network communications method utilizing a network watermark for providing security in the communications includes creating a verifiable network communications path of nodes through a network for the transfer of information from a first end node to a second end node; verifying the network communications path of nodes, by the first end node, before communicating by the first end node information intended for receipt by the second end node; and once the network communications path of nodes is verified by the first end node, communicating by the first end node, via the verified communications path of nodes, the information intended for receipt by the second end node; wherein the network watermark represents the verifiable network communications path of nodes.
US08625573B2
There are provided a communication device, a base station, a communication system, and a communication method that make it possible to yield a diversity effect by cooperative relay without involvement of disproportionateness in data received by an eNB even when one of parties has unsuccessfully exchanged data. After received an ACK signal from a repeater 1, a repeater 2 which has transmitted a NACK signal in procedure 7 transmits data S2 to the eNB by use of its own resource, thereby making its own resource available for the repeater 1 (the repeater 2 does not use its own resource, and the repeater 1 uses the resource of the repeater 2). In procedures 8, the repeater 1 has received the NACK signal from the repeater 2 and subsequently transmits data S1 to the eNB by use of its own resource. Subsequently, the repeater 1 which has received the MACK signal in procedure 9 determines that the resource of the repeater 2 is available and transmits data P1 to the eNB by use of the resource of the repeater 2. In procedure 10, the repeater 1 transmits previously-generated data P2 to the eNB by use of its own resource.
US08625572B2
Systems and methods provide a network's synchronization status to a terminal when the terminal receives a transmission from the network. This network synchronization status can be indicated in accordance with various methods including, but not limited to the following: with a status flag in a network message; in a network capability indication; in a network's positioning capability indication; cell/network time relation information; in a time relation information of different Radio Access Technologies; and implicitly with another parameter and/or by a request for a certain measurement. When the network's synchronization status is determined, accurate time information/time assistance data can be maintained at the terminal.
US08625564B2
A radio communication apparatus that performs radio communication with another communication apparatus includes an antenna unit, a contact detecting unit that detects contact with the another communication apparatus, a first modulating and demodulating unit for performing communication in a state in which the radio communication apparatus is remote from the another communication apparatus, a second modulating and demodulating unit for performing communication in a state in which the radio communication apparatus is in contact with the another communication apparatus, and a control unit that performs control to perform radio communication with the another communication apparatus via the antenna unit by selecting the first modulating and demodulating unit while the contact detecting does not detect contact with the another communication apparatus and selecting the second modulating and demodulating unit when the contact detecting unit detects contact with the another communication apparatus.
US08625561B2
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to wireless local area network devices. A described technique includes configuring separate radio pathways, which are operable for either contiguous or non-contiguous frequency transmissions, to collectively produce a composite signal in a contiguous frequency mode; generating, via first and second radio pathways, first and second frequency segments of the composite signal in accordance with a segment bandwidth, the second frequency segment being contiguous with the first frequency segment in a frequency domain; applying, via the first and second radio pathways, first and second cyclic shift delay (CSD) phase shifts to the first and second frequency segments to produce first and second output signals, respectively. The first and second CSD phase shifts are equivalent to CSD phase shifts that correspond to a contiguous non-composite signal having a single frequency segment.
US08625554B2
A mobile station includes a transmission chain capable of communicating via an uplink transmission to at least one base station in a Multiple Input Multiple Output wireless network. The mobile station includes a plurality of transmit antenna and a transmitter coupled to the plurality of transmit antenna. The transmitter includes a layer mapper that maps data and uplink control information to at least one layer. The mapping is performed prior to Discrete Fourier Transform precoding such that the data and uplink control information are multiplexed and interleaved. The transmitter is configured to simultaneously transmit the data and uplink control information on at least one of a plurality of transmission layers.
US08625552B2
A computing device for provisioning a wireless device for connection to a wireless network via a legacy access point. The wireless device supports a wireless protected setup protocol for obtaining the network profile of the network. A user requests the computing device discover wireless devices for provisioning. In response to the user input, the computing device is configured as a soft access point and broadcasts a beacon signal indicating that the access point supports a wireless protected setup protocol, such as Wi-Fi Protected Setup. A request for provisioning is then received by the computing device from the wireless device. A network profile is transmitted from the computing device to the wireless device in accordance with the wireless protected setup protocol. The wireless device may use the profile to connect to the network via the legacy access point using the network profile.
US08625551B2
A system and method for mobility support of a mobile node having a home network in a heterogeneous roaming environment is presented. The method comprises the steps of authenticating the mobile node in a visited network and obtaining an address for the mobile node in the visited network, establishing a security connection between a functional component in the visited network and an agent in the home network, creating a home address for the mobile node, and using the home address to generate a SIP signaling address, a SIP media address, and a non-SIP media address, such that SIP non-media is transmitted using the security connection to the SIP signaling address, SIP media is transmitted using the security connection to the SIP media address, and non-SIP media is transmitted using the security connection to the non-SIP media address.
US08625550B2
Provided are a mobile communication terminal and a method capable of transmitting an image during the execution of a mobile messenger service. A host terminal acquires image data in response to a request for image transmission and creates a first transmission packet of the image data. The first packet is sent to a client terminal through a packet data communication network at a specified period. Additionally, when receiving a second transmission packet of image data from the client terminal, the host terminal decodes and displays the received second packet.
US08625544B2
The present invention comprises a plurality of timely organized ad hoc data communications networks and a method for data communication. A network from the plurality of networks includes media-independent communications links and plurality of network nodes, where a network node in the plurality could be coupled to at least one other network node via a media independent communication link, and a plurality of access points, where each access point in the plurality is coupled to at least one other access point via another media-independent communications link. The network communicates during a data collection cycle that includes a broadcast interval, a time-slotted communications interval and a random access time-slotted communications interval. The plurality of network nodes are arranged in a self-assigned hierarchy where one or more nodes in the plurality of network nodes can be assigned more than one time slot to transmit the network information messages.
US08625536B2
For each radio base stations (2A to 2C), a communication control device (1) collects information on the number of unused EPS bearers passing through the radio base station, and transmits the numbers to the radio base stations (2A to 2C). Further, based on the received number of unused EPS bearers, the radio base stations (2A to 2C) perform control to select, as a connection destination radio base station of a radio terminal (3), the radio base station other than the radio base station having unused EPS bearers passing through is not larger than a predetermined number.
US08625527B2
A method and a system for maintaining session continuity, in which the system includes a Handover Source Function (HOSF), a Handover Destination Function (HODF), a Handover Anchor Function-Control Plane (HOAF-CP) and a Handover Anchor Function-User Plane (HOAF-UP). The method includes a first user establishing a connection through the HOSF with the HOAF-CP and the HOAF-UP which correspond to a second user, so as to establish a session with the second user. The method further includes that, during session handover, the HODF that corresponds to the HOSF establishing another connection with the HOAF-CP and HOAF-UP though which the first user continues the session with the second user, so as to maintain the session continuity. When access address or access technology of the terminal changes, or even the terminal changes during a session, the method and the system can logically replace the connection before the handover with a new connection to ensure the session continuity.
US08625509B2
A method of, at a base station, transmitting spread signals in a wireless communication system includes spreading a plurality of signals using a spreading code with a predetermined spreading factor, multiplexing a plurality of spread signals to construct one or more spread signal groups, mapping the one or more spread signal groups to one or more specific Control Channel Elements (CCEs) set within one or more Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and transmitting the spread signals to User Equipments (UEs) through the one or more CCEs.
US08625505B2
A method for controlling transmission resources for transmission and re-transmission of packets of a plurality of automatic repeat request processes comprises allocating, for each of the plurality of automatic repeat request processes, a transmission resource for transmission of a packet of the automatic repeat request process. The method further comprises allocating transmission resources as one or more re-transmission opportunities for re-transmission of the packet of at least two of the automatic repeat request processes such that at least two of the at least two automatic repeat request processes share transmission resource for at least one of the re-transmission opportunities. The method also comprises transmitting at least one control message indicating the allocated transmission resources. An electronic device for controlling transmission and retransmission of packets of a plurality of automatic repeat request processes is also described.
US08625504B2
A radio communication system converts a time domain signal into a plurality of frequency signals to be allocated onto a plurality of subcarriers to be transmitted. The radio communication system changes a method of allocating the plurality of frequency signals onto the plurality of subcarriers based on transmission power information.
US08625489B2
There is provided a content output apparatus including a wireless communication unit for transmitting an acquisition request for content data based on a position of the content data in an output order, a communication control unit for investigating whether or not acquisition of the content data is possible, before transmitting the acquisition request, and an output control unit for rearranging the output order according to a result of the investigation.
US08625465B1
Principles of the invention are described for providing multicast virtual private networks (MVPNs) across a public network that are capable of carrying high-bandwidth multicast traffic with increased scalability. In particular, the MVPNs may transport layer three (L3) multicast traffic, such as Internet Protocol (IP) packets, between remote sites via the public network. The principles described herein may reduce the overhead of protocol independent multicast (PIM) neighbor adjacencies and customer control information maintained for MVPNs. The principles may also reduce the state and the overhead of maintaining the state in the network by removing the need to maintain at least one dedicated multicast tree per each MVPN.
US08625463B2
Techniques are disclosed for discovery and tracking of locations of devices attached to a computing system network. By way of example, an automated method for determining a location of a target element in a distributed network includes the following steps. One or more locations of one or more sample topology elements in the distributed network are learned. Location mappings are generated, the location mappings representing associations between the learned locations of the one or more sample topology elements and one or more network attributes. A location of a target element is estimated using the location mappings.
US08625460B2
A Fiber Channel Switch which enables end devices in different Fabrics to communicate with one another while retaining their unique Fiber Channel Domain_IDs. The Switch is coupled to a first fabric having a first set of end devices and a second fabric having a second set of end devices. The Switch is configured to enable communication by the first set of end devices associated with the first fabric with the second set of end devices associated with the second set of end devices using the unique Domain_IDs of each of the first set and the second set of end devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second fabrics are first and second Virtual Storage Array Networks (VSANs) respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the first fabric and the second fabric are separate physical fabrics.
US08625457B2
A method, system and computer-usable medium for discovering the topology of a network by using multiple discovery agents operating in parallel. A NodeList containing information about known nodes in a target network is received. The number (‘K’) of discovery agents to be used is determined, where 1<=K<=TotalNumberOfNodes). The nodes are partitioned into node groups, each of which has a group identifier respectively assigning it to a discovery agent ‘M’ where 1<=M<=K. A GraphList is created to hold information about known and discovered nodes. Each entry in the NodeList list is processed by its assigned discovery agent ‘M’, which sends probe messages to the target node to determine the node identifiers of discovered neighboring nodes.
US08625454B2
A method for improved distribution of data in a computing environment includes receiving data for distribution in the computing environment and receiving configuration data of the computing environment. The method also includes parsing the data for distribution using the configuration data into header information of a packet. The header information includes data offsets identifying a common data portion within the date for distribution, the common data portion being available to all nodes of the computing environment and identifying a first node of the computing environment and a particular-node data portion within the data for distribution, the particular-node data portion being available only to the first node of the computing environment. The method also includes broadcasting the header information of a packet to all nodes of the computing environment and broadcasting the data for distribution to all nodes of the computing environment in response to broadcasting the header information.
US08625451B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for non-intrusive mean opinion score (MOS) estimation based on packet loss pattern are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for non-intrusive mean opinion score estimation based on packet loss pattern includes receiving a packet data stream, measuring the packet loss for the received data stream, calculating a probability of packet loss based on the measured packet loss, and calculating an estimated mean opinion score based on the calculated probability of packet loss. In one embodiment, the estimated mean opinion score is calculated using a mathematical function that maps calculated probability of packet loss to mean opinion score. In one embodiment, the mathematical function is a polynomial having coefficients that are selected so that the polynomial closely models reference opinion scores for a range of packet loss probabilities. In one embodiment, the coefficients are determined using a least squares analysis of a dataset that includes reference opinion scores for each of a range of packet loss probabilities. In one embodiment, the reference opinion scores for each of a range of packet loss probabilities are calculated using an intrusive algorithm to analyze lossy data streams that exhibit particular packet loss probabilities and generate mean opinion scores for each of the respective packet loss probabilities.
US08625448B2
A system and method for validating network traffic routing within a blade chassis, involving generating a first packet for sending to a first packet receiver by a first route; inserting a first session identifier into a payload of the first packet, where the first session identifier identifies a first session of the first packet receiver; sending the first packet to a packet classifier; sending a first copy packet to a first expect queue, where the first copy packet is a duplicate of the first packet; receiving the first packet by the packet classifier; classifying the first packet by the packet classifier to obtain a first classified packet; extracting the first session identifier from the first classified packet to obtain a first extracted session identifier; and determining whether the first extracted session identifier matches the first session identifier.
US08625447B1
A communication transceiver transmits an overhead message including a version number associated with a first version of the overhead message. A processing system determines control channel occupancy and reverse noise generated by a plurality of wireless communication devices, compares the control channel occupancy to an occupancy threshold and the reverse noise to a reverse noise threshold, and updates the version number resulting in an updated version number if a criteria is met. The criteria is met if the control channel occupancy fails to exceed the occupancy threshold and the reverse noise exceeds the reverse noise threshold. The communication transceiver then transmits the overhead message including the updated version number if the criteria is met.
US08625442B2
A wireless communication system as described here employs control signaling for contention-based uplink access from user equipment devices to a base station. Contention-based access configuration is performed via physical downlink control channel signaling. Configuration data sent to the user equipment devices identifies multiple contention-based access zones, along with minimum power headroom values for each contention-based access zone. A probability factor may also be used to lower collision possibility by influencing whether the user equipment devices perform contention-based uplink access. An uplink grant message can be used to acknowledge contention-based transmission; contention resolution is achieved implicitly via the uplink grant.
US08625441B2
An instrument is disclosed that is capable of detecting and graphically displaying channel usage and the number of access points operating on each channel of interest. By using a module that counts the number of elapsed clock cycles, the total cumulative duration of detected frames, and the number of channel in-use cycles, the instrument can determine the percentage of time a channel is in use, the percentage of time of IEEE 802.11 usage on a channel, and the percentage of time of non-IEEE 802.11 usage on a channel. Further, channels are scanned for access point activity using a scanning algorithm that interleaves scanning channels at a first duration longer than the beacon interval and scanning channels at a second shorter duration.
US08625434B2
An inspection apparatus can be provided in a system with a workstation computer. In one embodiment, the inspection apparatus can include a user interface enabling the inspection apparatus to initiate, responsively to an action by an inspector, an IP based voice communication connection with an external computer of the system. In one embodiment, the inspection apparatus and the workstation computer can be in communication with a central server that can receive data collected by said the inspection apparatus and can receive data requests from the workstation computer.
US08625429B2
A scheduler is configured to schedule packets in a plurality of flows to a corresponding one of a plurality of interfaces. Each of the packets includes a flow identifier for identifying a corresponding one of the plurality of flows. The scheduler include memory having instructions for execution by the processor to implement a scheduling algorithm. The scheduling algorithm person as follows. Sections within a predefined range are assigned to corresponding ones of the plurality of interfaces. For each packet, a hash function is applied to the flow identifier to obtain a hash value that is evenly distributed within the predefined range. Additionally, for each packet, it is determined in which of the sections the hash value falls and the corresponding one of the plurality of interfaces is identified accordingly.
US08625401B2
An optical drive laser diode drive current has a High Frequency Modulation (HFM) signal superimposed to aid optical medium readability. The HFM signal is provided by an HFM oscillator interfaced with the laser diode drive current to provide the HFM signal with a frequency from within a predetermined range. A frequency controller varies the frequency of the HFM signal over time to reduce RF emissions associated with the HFM signal. For instance, the HFM signal frequency is varied in a swept sawtooth or triangle pattern. As another example, the HFM frequency is varied with random selections of frequencies from a predetermined frequency range.
US08625399B2
Amplitude and frequency of a high-frequency signal superposed on a reproduction laser beam are changed in accordance with a reproduction spot diameter on the surface of the recording layer upon discrimination of an optical disk in initial adjustment after insertion of the optical disk and change of a layer of a multi-layer optical disk. Further, the high-frequency signal is not superposed on the reproduction laser beam until end of the discrimination and change to a target layer upon discrimination of the optical disk and change of a layer of a multi-layer optical disk.
US08625398B2
A data recording and reproducing configuration in which both of BDMV standard compliant data and BDMV standard non-compliant data can be used is realized. A plurality of directories are set in a recording media, and a recording destination directory is selected according to the types of data. The BDMV standard compliant data is recorded in a BDMV directory, and the BDMV standard non-compliant data, for example, 1080/60p or 3D image data are recorded in a BDAV or BU directory. At the time of data reproducing process, a virtual file system in which the recorded data in the BDMV directory and the recorded data in the BDAV/BU directory are consolidated is constructed to achieve the reproducing process. With this configuration, the recording and reproducing of the BDMV standard compliant data and the BDMV standard non-compliant data are achieved.
US08625393B2
A portable diving apparatus, which comprises: (a) a water proof casing which comprises an external key pad; (b) a portable computing device within said water proof casing, said portable computing device comprises a diving module; (c) a pressure sensor which is mounted at least partially outside said water proof casing; (d) an adaptor within said water proof casing for receiving key pad entries from said key pad by means of first cable, and pressure indications from said pressure sensor by means of third cable, and for converting said key pad entries and said pressure indications to key pad data and pressure data respectively in a standard communication protocol, and transferring said data in said (wired or wireless) standard communication protocol into said portable computing device, wherein at least said pressure indications are processed by said diving module of said portable computing device and displayed as diver information on a display of said portable computing device.
US08625387B2
A method for selecting a signal arrival for determining an accurate position of seismic equipment includes the steps of transmitting a signal from a pinger; predicting a direct arrival and a reflected arrival of the signal at a receiver, wherein each arrival is the time between the transmission of the signal to reception of the signal; measuring arrivals of the signal at the receiver; selecting the measured signal arrival that is similar to the predicted direct arrival as a preliminary signal arrival; defining a confidence interval for the actual direct arrival of the signal based on the predicted direct arrival and the predicted reflected arrival; and finalizing the signal arrival, wherein the selected preliminary signal arrival is the finalized signal arrival if it is within the confidence interval.
US08625386B2
A non-volatile memory device includes first and second memory regions to store data and a memory control unit. Each of the first and second memory regions is configured by a plurality of physical pages. Each of the physical pages is configured by a plurality of regions corresponding to a plurality of logical addresses. The memory control unit performs control of batch erasing and batch writing on every physical page. When a first physical page in the first memory region includes a first region corresponding to a first logical address, which is a target to be written, and when a second physical page in the second memory region includes a second region corresponding to the first logical address, which is a target to be written, the memory control unit selects either the first physical page or the second physical page as a physical page for writing.
US08625384B2
A synchronous type semiconductor storage device includes an array unit which includes a cell array and sense amplifiers. The synchronous type semiconductor storage device includes a read/write pulse generator which generates a read pulse signal and a write pulse signal according to a clock signal, the clock signal defining one cycle time of a read operation and a write operation with respect to the array unit as one cycle. The synchronous type semiconductor storage device includes a secondary amplifier which is activated according to the read pulse signal to read out data stored in the sense amplifiers through the read/write line. The synchronous type semiconductor storage device includes a write driver which is activated according to the write pulse signal to write data in the sense amplifiers through the read/write line.
US08625383B2
A memory including a boost circuit configured to supply a voltage higher than a supply voltage to a word line. The boost circuit includes a first capacitor having a first capacitor dielectric thickness. The boost circuit further includes a transmission gate coupled to the word line and the first capacitor, the transmission gate having a gate-dielectric thickness that is greater than the first capacitor dielectric thickness.
US08625380B2
An internal voltage generating circuit includes a divided voltage generator configured to generate a divided voltage by dividing a feedback internal voltage level at a division ratio corresponding to an operation mode control signal, a voltage detector configured to detect a level of the divided voltage based on a reference voltage level, an internal voltage generator configured to receive a supply voltage as power source and generate the internal voltage in response to an output signal of the voltage detector, and an under-driving unit configured to under-drive an internal voltage terminal to a supply voltage in an under-driving operation region that is determined in response to the operation mode control signal.
US08625374B2
A sense amplifier for a series of cells of a memory, including a writing stage comprising a CMOS inverter, the input of which is directly or indirectly connected to an input terminal of the sense amplifier, and the output of which is connected to an output terminal of the sense amplifier intended to be connected to a local bitline addressing the cells of the series, and a reading stage that includes a sense transistor, the gate of which is connected to the output of the inverter and the drain of which is connected to the input of the inverter.
US08625372B2
A device and a method for a sense circuit have been disclosed. In an implementation, the sense circuit includes a sense amplifier and at least one decoupling device. The decoupling device is coupled to the sense amplifier through at least one reference line. The sense amplifier reads a data value and the decoupling device decouples the sense amplifier from a power supply during a read operation.
US08625364B2
According to example embodiments, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a multi-purpose register, a data output circuit, and a mode register. The memory cell array is configured to store data. The multi-purpose register is configured to store a data pattern. The data output circuit is configured to output the stored data during a first output mode and output the stored data pattern during a second output mode. The mode register is configured to set the first or second output mode according to a logic level of a portion of a content of the mode register.
US08625352B2
A method, system and apparatus for sharing internal power supplies in integrated circuit devices is described. A multiple device integrated circuit 200 including multiple integrated circuits 202-205 each having internal power supplies is contained in an enclosure 201. Integrated circuits 202-205 are described showing how to make external connection to internal power supplies. Connections 208-212 are provided to the internal power supplies of each of devices 202-205. Another embodiment 500 of the system provides for disablement of regulators in multiple integrated circuits 502, 503, and 504 by another integrated circuit 501 for power consumption reduction. The method FIG. 6 includes providing devices and connecting the internal power supplies together. An integrated circuit 501 with a power supply 400 adapted to the system and method with additional circuitry 308, 404 and 402 for disabling a regulator 306 is described.
US08625350B2
A non-volatile memory system includes one or more non-volatile memory cells. Each non-volatile memory cell provides a floating gate, a coupling device, a first floating gate transistor, and a second floating gate transistor. The coupling device is located in a first conductivity region. The first floating gate transistor is located in a second conductivity region, and supplies read current sensed during a read operation. The second floating gate transistor is located in a third conductivity region. Such non-volatile memory cell further provides two transistors for injecting negative charge into the floating gate during a programming operation, and removing negative charge from the second floating gate transistor during an erase operation. The floating gate is shared by the first floating gate transistor, the coupling device, and the second floating gate transistor, and extends over active regions of the first floating gate transistor, the coupling device and the second floating gate transistor.
US08625345B2
Apparatus and methods of operating memory devices are disclosed. In one such method, a first portion of the data states of memory cells are determined and transferred from a memory device while continuing to determine remaining portions of data states of the same memory cells. In at least one method, a data state of a memory cell is determined during a first sense phase and is transferred while the memory cell experiences additional sense phases to determine additional portions of the data state of the memory cell.
US08625342B2
A storage element includes: a storage layer which retains information by a magnetization state of a magnetic substance; a magnetization pinned layer having magnetization which is used as the basis of the information stored in the storage layer; and an interlayer of a non-magnetic substance provided between the storage layer and the magnetization pinned layer. The storage element is configured to store information by reversing magnetization of the storage layer using spin torque magnetization reversal generated by a current passing in a laminate direction of a layer structure including the storage layer, the interlayer, and the magnetization pinned layer, and when the saturation magnetization of the storage layer and the thickness thereof are represented by Ms (emu/cc) and t (nm), respectively, (1489/Ms)−0.593
US08625338B2
Asymmetric switching is defined for magnetic bit cell elements. A magnetic bit cell for memory and other devices includes a transistor coupled to an MTJ structure. A bit line is coupled at one terminal of the bit cell to the MTJ structure. At another terminal of the bit cell, a source line is coupled to the source/drain terminal of the transistor. The bit line is driven by a bit line driver that provides a first voltage. The source line is driven by a source line driver that provides a second voltage. The second voltage is larger than the first voltage. The switching characteristics of the bit cell and MTJ structure are improved and made more reliable by one or a combination of applying the higher second voltage to the source line and/or reducing the overall parasitic resistance in the magnetic bit cell element.
US08625332B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a cell array having a plurality of first wirings and a plurality of second wirings intersecting each other and memory cells disposed at intersections between the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings. The semiconductor memory device further includes a control circuit for selectively driving the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings. The control circuit applies a first voltage for a first operation to a first select wiring and applies a second voltage for a second operation different from the first operation to a second select wiring and applies a third voltage for the first and second operation to a third select wiring. The first operation is completed before the second operation is completed. The control circuit applies a fourth voltage for a third operation to a forth select wiring before the second operation is completed.
US08625322B2
A three-dimensional array read/write (R/W) memory elements is formed across multiple layers of planes positioned at different distances above a semiconductor substrate. It is preferable to operate the R/W elements with low current and high resistive states. The resistance of these resistive states depends also on the dimension of the R/W elements and is predetermined by the process technology. A sheet electrode in series with the R/W element and a method of forming it provide another degree of freedom to adjust the resistance of the R/W memory element. The thickness of the sheet electrode is adjusted to obtain a reduced cross-sectional contact in the circuit path from the word line to the bit line. This allows the R/W memory element to have a much increased resistance and therefore to operate with much reduced currents. The sheet electrode is formed with little increase in cell size.
US08625320B1
Quaternary CAM cells are provided that include a compare circuit having a discharge path between a match line and ground potential, the single discharge path consisting essentially of a single transistor. In an embodiment, the single transistor has a gate coupled to a pull-down node and the compare circuit includes first and second gating transistors connected in series between the pull-down node and a ground potential, the first gating transistor having a gate to receive a comparand bit, and the second gating transistor having a gate to receive a complemented comparand bit.
US08625318B2
A power converter of the present invention is configured to convert DC power generated by a power generator (1) into AC power. The power converter includes: a boost converter circuit (3) configured to boost an output voltage of the power generator (1); an inverter circuit (5) configured to convert an output voltage of the boost converter circuit (3) into AC power and to interconnect the AC power with a power system (2); a buck converter circuit (8) configured to perform power conversion of output power of the boost converter circuit (3) and to supply resultant power to an internal load (60); and a controller (9). The controller (9) is configured to control the output voltage of the boost converter circuit (3) to be lower than or equal to a second voltage value which is less than the maximum value of AC voltage of the power system (2), in a case of supplying output power of the power generator (1) to the internal load (60) via the boost converter circuit (3) and the buck converter circuit (8).
US08625317B2
The present invention provides an isolated switch-mode power supply device capable of sufficiently reducing power consumption in a standby mode. An isolated switch-mode power supply device includes: a capacitor that supplies control power for controlling switching of a switching element; a first control unit that includes a constant current supplying unit that controls switching of the switching element; a switching element that connects or disconnects the first control unit and the capacitor; a capacitance element unit having a capacitor to which a constant current is supplied from the constant current supplying unit, a capacitor charge voltage of the capacitance element unit changing according to an outputted voltage in the standby mode; and a second control unit that controls power supply to the first control unit by closing or opening the switching element during a switching pause period in the standby mode according to the capacitor charge voltage of the capacitor.
US08625311B2
In a switching power supply apparatus, a comparator outputs a first determination criterion signal based on a saw-tooth wave signal whose level fluctuates with a constant period and a detection voltage signal. An inverter subjects the first determination criterion signal to reverse processing, and outputs a second determination criterion signal. The comparator outputs a first switching judgment-use signal from a monitor signal and a threshold value, and the comparator outputs a second switching judgment-use signal from the monitor signal and the threshold value. An AND circuit outputs the first switching control signal from the first determination criterion signal and the first switching judgment-use signal, and the AND circuit outputs the second switching control signal from the second determination criterion signal and the second switching judgment-use signal.
US08625292B2
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons.
US08625283B2
There is provided an electronic device that includes a heatsink, a first dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and configured to provide electrical power to a field exciter, a second dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and configured to provide electrical power to a battery, a third dual IGBT coupled to the heatsink and common to the field exciter and the battery. The electronic device also includes a temperature sensor disposed in the heatsink, a cooling unit comprising a plenum and a variable source of air flow, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature reading from the temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a desired level of cooling for at least one of the dual IGBTs, wherein an air flow rate provided by the cooling unit is determined based on the desired level of cooling.
US08625279B2
According to one embodiment, a display device includes a housing, a circuit board device, a fan, a first wall portion, and a second wall portion. The housing includes an exhaust port. The circuit board device is housed in the housing and includes a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface, a first portion including the first surface, and a second portion including the second surface. The fan includes an ejection port and is housed in the housing at a position separated from the exhaust port to send cooling wind from the ejection port toward the first portion and the second portion. The first wall portion is located between the inner surface of the housing and the first portion, and constitutes a first ventilation path. The second wall portion is located between the inner surface of the housing and the second portion, and constitutes a second ventilation path.
US08625275B2
A heat dissipation apparatus includes a shaped and resilient connecting plate, and a first heat-dissipating plate and a second heat-dissipating plate clamping down on a storage device to dissipate heat.
US08625268B2
A sliding module includes a first section, a second section, a pivot plate, a hinge module and an assist lever. Two sides of the pivot plate are respectively rotatably connected to the first section and the second section. The hinge module is positioned on the second section. Two ends of the assist lever are respectively rotatably connected to the first section and the hinge module. The first section brings the assist lever to rotate relative to the hinge module, and elevates the pivot plate, the pivot plate and the assist lever bring the first section to move and rotate relative to the second section in a tilted orientation.
US08625263B2
A portable computer includes a main body, a display, and a wireless keyboard. The main body includes a keyboard supporting panel. The display is hinged to the main body. The wireless keyboard detachably attached on the keyboard supporting panel. The wireless keyboard is mechanically coupled to the main body and wirelessly communicatively coupled to the main body.
US08625262B2
A front cover includes a housing and a display window module. The housing defines an opening. The display window module includes a support plate and a liquid crystal display assembly. The support plate is integrally formed in the opening of the housing, and the liquid crystal display assembly is attached to the support plate.
US08625257B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a plug-in system having a lower part, on which busbars can be arranged, and an upper part which is made of electrically insulating material and is releasable from the lower part in a non-destructive manner on a top side arranged opposite the underside. Protective devices having electrical contacts can be arranged on the plug-in system. The upper part has openings through which the electrical contacts of the protective devices can make direct contact with the busbars. The openings are configured in such a manner that the plug-in system is shockproof to IP XXB. The upper part and lower part are latchable into one another or are screwable to one another in such a manner that the upper part is releasable from the lower part only from the underside of the plug-in system.
US08625253B2
A fluid cooled electrical capacitor assembly (10) includes a stack of honeycomb sheet-like structures (12) of dielectric material with an electrode (16) between each pair of honeycomb sheet-like structures. Alternate electrodes are electrically coupled together to each other and may be coupled to respective terminals of an electrical circuit. Fluid passages (20) in the honeycomb sheet-like structures provide a place for fluid (20a) to affect electrical characteristics of the capacitor assembly and/or to provide for cooling while preventing the fluid from contacting the electrodes. A method of assembling a capacitor assembly includes placing capacitor subunits including a dielectric honeycomb sheet-like structure and an electrode in parallel planar, overlying relation with the honeycomb. A method of cooling a capacitor assembly of dielectric honeycomb structure and electrodes includes directing a fluid through flow channels in the honeycomb structure.
US08625250B2
A compression-molded part has a conductive layer embedded in the part during molding of the part. The conductive layer is generally adjacent an outer surface of the part and is preferably formed from a mesh, a foil, a pulled screen, or multiple layers of conductive elements. The part is preferably optimized for use on the exterior of an aircraft for lightning-strike or EMI protection or for use as an antenna. Methods for forming the panels of the invention include placing the conductive layer against a mold surface of a compression mold, then forming the compression-molded part with the conductive layer embedded in the part.
US08625249B2
A control apparatus for an electromagnetic inductive load is a circuit in which a switching element that is PWM-controlled and the electromagnetic inductive load are connected together in series between a DC power supply and a ground. The control apparatus includes a current sensing unit which senses a regenerative current in an OFF time in a PWM driving operation, a current detecting unit which outputs a current detection signal when a sense current becomes smaller than a target current amount, a PWM signal generating unit which receives a clock signal and the current detection signal, and generates a PWM signal that is at a high or low level during a period from the current detection signal being smaller than the target current amount, to rising or falling of the clock signal, and a driving unit which controls to drive the switching element.
US08625247B2
The invention relates to a protective circuit (10) for the input-side protection of an electronic device (30) operating in the maximum frequency range from high-power interfering impulses in the working frequency range of the device (30), said protective circuit (10) between an input (11) and an output (18) comprising a first limiting circuit (12) having at least one gas discharge tube (GDT1, GDT2) for limiting high interference powers and a second limiting circuit (14, 16) disposed behind the first limiting circuit (12), said second limiting circuit having semi-conductor components (D1, . . . , D4) for limiting smaller interference powers. Protection from particularly high interference powers is achieved in that the first limiting circuit (12) comprises two gas discharge tubes (GDT1, GDT2) connected in parallel and preferably identical.
US08625242B2
A system includes a transmitter, a receiver, a isolation barrier, and a fuse. The isolation barrier is connected to the transmitter. The fuse is connected between the isolation barrier and the receiver. The isolation barrier prevents current flow from the transmitter to the receiver when a voltage across the isolation barrier is less than a first breakdown voltage. The isolation barrier short circuits when the voltage across the isolation barrier is greater than or equal to the first breakdown voltage. The fuse opens when the isolation barrier short circuits. When open, the fuse has a second breakdown voltage that is greater than the first breakdown voltage.
US08625228B1
A storage device includes a storage medium having a plurality of tracks of data. Reading apparatus for reading a current track of data that has been subject to previous encroachment to an extent from at least one adjacent track of data includes a write head that writes interfering data to the adjacent track of data while intentionally encroaching at least to that extent onto the current track of data, and circuitry that recovers data on the current track of data using the interfering data. A method for reading a current track of data, that has been subject to previous encroachment to an extent from at least one adjacent track of data, includes writing interfering data to the adjacent track of data while intentionally encroaching at least to that extent onto the current track of data, and recovering data on the current track of data using the interfering data.
US08625226B2
A method for selecting which tap coefficients of a programmable finite-impulse-response (FIR) equalizer to fix is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes performing an initial calibration to determine an initial value for each tap coefficient of a FIR equalizer. These initial values may be used to produce a first waveform. The method then performs an operation on the first waveform to produce a second waveform comprising multiple lobes. The second waveform is then analyzed to determine one or more lobes of the second waveform that have the largest area. The method then fixes coefficients of one or more taps that are closest to the lobe or lobes having the largest area. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.
US08625220B2
An interleave address generation circuit includes a plurality of linear feedback shift registers operable to generate addresses for permuting a data block in a first domain to a data block in a second domain on a subword basis. The interleave address generation circuit is operable to generate the lane addresses for each subword and the linear feedback registers configured to generate circulant addresses and sub-circulant address to map bits in each subword in the data block in the first domain to a corresponding subword in the second domain.
US08625210B2
A micro-lens module including a first lens group and a second lens group is provided. The first lens includes a first lens and a second lens arranged in sequence from the object side to the image side. The second lens is closest to the image side in the first lens group, and a surface of the second lens facing the image side is an aspheric surface. The second lens group includes a third lens and a fourth lens arranged in sequence from the object side to the image side. The first lens group is composed of a first complex lens. The first complex lens includes a plurality of lenses. The lenses are adhered to each other, and a refractive index of at least one lens in the lenses is different from refractive indexes of the other lenses.
US08625204B2
A zoom lens includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power. The first to fourth lens units are arranged in order from the object side to the image side. All of the lens units are moved during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. In the zoom lens, a number of lenses in each of the lens units, imaging magnifications on the telephoto end and the wide-angle end of the second lens unit and the third lens unit, a sum of thicknesses on the optical axis of the first lens unit and the second lens unit, and focal lengths of the entire zoom lens at a wide-angle end and at a telephoto end are appropriately set.
US08625203B2
The zoom lens is configured having, in order from an object, a first lens group (G1) having positive refractive power, a second lens group (G2) having negative refractive power, a third lens group (G3) having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group (G4) having positive refractive power. The distance between each lens group is changed upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, the third lens group (G3) has, in order from the object, a thirty first lens group (G31) having positive refractive power (positive lens group), and a thirty second lens group (G32) having negative refractive power (negative lens group), the thirty second lens group (G32) is moved so as to have components orthogonal to the optical axis, and the condition of the expression 2.6<|X1|/fw<8.0 is satisfied, where X1 denotes a moving distance of the first lens group (G1) upon zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state, and fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state.
US08625190B2
A regenerative amplifier according to one aspect of this disclosure is used in combination with a laser device, and the regenerative amplifier may include: a pair of resonator mirrors constituting an optical resonator; a slab amplifier provided between the pair of the resonator mirrors for amplifying a laser beam with a predetermined wavelength outputted from the laser device; and an optical system disposed to configure a multipass optical path along which the laser beam is reciprocated inside the slab amplifier, the optical system transferring an optical image of the laser beam at a first position as an optical image of the laser beam at a second position.
US08625168B2
Provided is a device that prevents unauthorized copying of a document to which copy inhibition information is added.
US08625167B2
A gradation pattern on the basis of the second data for the security of predetermined image data and the details data showing the detail information of a specific image of the image data is provided to a two-dimensional code on the basis of the first data for the security of the image data so that the data for the security of the image data is efficiently added to the image data in a limited space.
US08625160B2
A color adjustment method includes a color adjustment step to obtain an adjusted CMYK value from an output CMYK value using a color adjustment table. The color adjustment table is to convert the output CMYK value into the adjusted CMYK value and created based on first and third tables. The third table is created based on: a CMYK value determined by C, M and Y values and a K value found from the C, M and Y values, the CMYK value having a proportion of the K value to the CMYK value larger than the proportion used when a second table is created; and a relationship between the CMYK value and the output color value for the CMYK value. This relationship is obtained based on a relationship between an input CMYK value and the output color value of the first table.
US08625153B2
A multi-dimensional data registration integrated circuit is configured for driving array-arrangement devices. The array-arrangement devices comprise a plurality of first hierarchy sets, each which comprises a plurality of second hierarchy sets. The multi-dimensional data registration integrated circuit comprises a first hierarchy address selection circuit, a second hierarchy address selection circuit and a data supply circuit. The first hierarchy address selection circuit scans the first hierarchy sets, and selects a unit of the first hierarchy sets to activate it. The second hierarchy address selection circuit scans the second hierarchy sets. The data supply circuit writes a plurality of data into each designated unit of the second hierarchy sets according to the scanning sequence of the second hierarchy address selection circuit.
US08625147B2
A printing method for performing printing of paper having a user entry field, which is a region into which a user performs writing after printing is performed, includes setting a transparent recording material setting for the user entry field; and causing a printing unit to perform recording, by using a transparent recording material, for the user entry field for which the transparent recording material setting has been set.
US08625145B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for estimating usage of a print substance. The method comprises receiving a plurality of pixels of a page to be printed, and generating, for one of the plurality of pixels, a look-up address based on (i) pixel bits of the one of the plurality of pixels, and (ii) pixel bits of one or more other pixels proximal to the one of the plurality of pixels. The method further comprises estimating an amount of print substance deposited on the page at a location associated with the one of the plurality of pixels based on reference to a print substance amount in a table of print substance amounts, wherein the reference to the print substance amount in the table is made using the look-up address.
US08625144B2
A storage medium for storing a program that switches a plurality of printing apparatuses by changing a port of a logical printer for printout and is executed by a computer having a storage unit configured to associate the port with device settings for storing it, the computer comprising a reflecting unit configured to acquire the stored device settings corresponding to the changed port to reflect the stored device settings in the device settings held by the logical printer if the port is changed; and a changing unit configured to change print settings so as not to be inconsistent with the device settings to be reflected by the reflecting unit.
US08625133B2
A print data processing apparatus includes a first processor and a second processor. The first processor rasterizes a resource of print data corresponding to pages that precede an m-th page, in a case where a plurality of pages of print data share the resource, and generates intermediate data of the m-th page using the rasterized resource without generating any intermediate data of the pages that precede the m-th page. The second processor rasterizes a resource of print data corresponding to pages that precede an n-th page without using a resource rasterized by the first processor corresponding to pages that precede an m-th page and generates intermediate data of the n-th page using the rasterized resource without generating any intermediate data of the pages that precede the n-th page, wherein the n-th page is one of pages that follow the m-th page.
US08625121B2
The image reading device includes a light emitting portion, stick-like light guiding member, holding member and case member. An end portion the light guiding member is disposed to face the light emitting portion. The holding member holds the light emitting portion and the light guiding member. The holding member has first and second positioned portions. The first and second positioned portions are formed at one end part and another end part of the holding member in a main scanning direction, respectively. The holding member is attached to the case member. The case member has first and second positioning portions. The first and second positioning portions are formed integrally with the case member. The first and second positioning portions are configured to restrict the inserted first and second positioned portions from moving in a direction transverse to the main scanning direction, respectively.
US08625120B2
An MFP is provided with a scanner unit for optically reading a document image; a printer unit for printing image data; a CPU for controlling operation of the MFP according to an operating condition related to reading processing by the scanner unit and/or print processing by the printer unit; a CPU utilization monitoring portion for monitoring utilization of the CPU at the time of performing the reading processing and/or the print processing; and an operating condition restriction portion for restricting, when CPU utilization that is monitored by the CPU utilization monitoring portion is a predetermined value or more, the operating condition related to the reading processing and/or the print processing according to the CPU utilization.
US08625115B2
A print data processing method of an image forming apparatus that has a storage unit includes: setting at least one print speed enhancing mode; performing a pre-processing corresponding to the set print speed enhancing mode; and processing the print data by using a result of the pre-processing.
US08625114B2
An electronic device comprises a display system that displays a setting window for configuring setting items for each of functions of the electronic device, an input system through which information is inputted, a setting item information storing system that stores setting item information including location information for each of the setting items, a setting information storing system that stores setting information including information on an intended setting item and other setting items to be configured before configuring the intended setting item, a searching system that searches the intended setting item based on information inputted through the input system and the setting item information, a setting information generating system that generates the setting information, and a display control system that controls the display system to display the generated setting information and a setting window for each of the searched setting item and said other setting items.
US08625112B2
A thickness measuring system for measuring a thickness of a planar plate-shaped member on a conveyer belt includes a processor, a first distance measurer and a second distance measurer. The first distance measurer on one side of the conveyor belt can emit and receive a first light beam parallel to the conveyer belt for reflection off the planar plate-shaped member, and calculate a first distance between the first distance measurer and the plate-shaped member. The second distance measurer on the other side of the conveyor belt can emit and receive a second light beam and a third light beam for reflection off the planar plate-shaped member, and calculate a second distance between the first distance measurer and the plate-shaped member and a third distance between the second distance measurer and the plate-shaped member.
US08625111B2
An optical film thickness meter capable of measuring an optical film thickness and spectroscopic characteristics highly accurately, and a thin film forming apparatus with the optical film thickness meter are provided. The optical film thickness meter includes a light projector, a light receiver, a monochromator, and a reflection mirror having a reflection surface substantially perpendicularly to the optical axis of measurement light on the side opposite to an actual substrate. The actual substrate is disposed having a predetermined angle to the optical axis. The measurement light passes through the actual substrate twice, whereby a change in transmissivity can be increased, and control accuracy of thickness measurement is improved. Measurement errors caused by a difference in transmission positions is prevented. Since the measurement light which has not passed through the measurement substrate twice is not detected by the light receiver, the optical film thickness and spectroscopic characteristics is measured highly accurately.
US08625105B2
An apparatus measures the tread of a tire on a vehicle, in which a laser line generator (34) generates an elongate pattern of light. Mirrors (36) are arranged to reflect light from the laser line generator (34) onto the rolling surface of the tire. Mirrors (36, 38, 42) are arranged to reflect light from different regions of the rolling surface of the tire towards a camera (32). The camera images the regions of the rolling surface of the tire. The apparatus may be hand-held or arranged such that a tire to be aged is driven onto or over it.
US08625095B2
There is provided an automatic inspection apparatus and method for detecting stains on a polarizing plate using color difference analysis. The automatic inspection apparatus includes an inspection unit including at least one reference polarizing plate and a target polarizing plate or polarizing element mounted on the at least one reference polarizing plate; a light source unit disposed on one surface of the inspection unit and irradiating the inspection unit with light; an imaging unit disposed on the other surface of the inspection unit, imaging the target polarizing plate or polarizing element, and transferring an image thereof; and an arithmetic operation unit performing color difference analysis for individual inspection regions of the image of the target polarizing plate or polarizing element transferred by the imaging unit and detecting a blurred stain.
US08625080B2
An optoelectronic sensor (10) for the measurement of distances in accordance with the light transit time principle is provided having a light transmitter (12) for the transmission of a light signal, having a light receiver (16) for the reception of a remitted or reflected received signal and having an evaluation unit (18) which is made to satisfy a transition condition for the received signal by systematic selection of a transmission delay time for the transmission of the light signal at an observation time and to calculate the light transit time from the transmission delay time required for this. In this respect, a regulator (44) is provided which is made to adjust the transmission delay time such that the transition condition is satisfied at the observation time.
US08625079B2
The present invention relates to a range-finder comprising a laser pulse emission device and a device for detecting the pulses reflected by a distant object.The emission device is capable of emitting pulses of N distinct wavelengths, N being an integer greater than 1, with, for each wavelength, a pulse repetition frequency less than a predetermined threshold frequency.Thus, no given wavelength emission will be faced with the problem of distance ambiguity.
US08625076B2
A wafer edge exposure module connected to a semiconductor wafer track system. The wafer edge exposure module includes a wafer spin device, an optical system, a scanner interface module, and a controller. The wafer spin device supports a wafer for processing. The optical system directs exposure light on a respective edge portion of the wafer simultaneously to create a dummy track on the edge of the wafer. The scanner interface module sends and/or receives dummy edge exposure information from a scanner via a computer network. The controller receives the dummy edge exposure information from the scanner interface module and uses the exposure information to control the optical system.
US08625074B2
The present invention provides an exposure apparatus including a projection optical system configured to project a pattern of a reticle located on an object plane onto a substrate located on an image plane, a phase shift type mark mounted on a stage which holds the substrate, an image sensor which is set at one of a position of the object plane and a position optically conjugate to the object plane, and is configured to capture an image of the mark via the projection optical system, and a controller configured to control the stage based on an interval between edge images, formed by a pair of edge portions, in the image of the mark captured by the image sensor.
US08625069B2
An exposure apparatus the present invention comprises: an illumination optical system configured to illuminate an illumination area on an original with light from a light source; a projection optical system configured to project a pattern of the original onto a substrate; a first stage configured to hold the original; a second stage configured to hold the substrate; and a controller configured to control driving of at least one of the first stage, the second stage, and an optical element which forms the projection optical system so as to reduce variations in imaging characteristics of the projection optical system, based on a dependence of a transmittance of the pattern on a position in the illumination area.
US08625057B2
A color filter substrate for multi-view displaying including a substrate, a light shielding-layer, and a color filter layer is provided. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of concaves. The first surface is opposite to the second surface. The concaves are located at the first surface. The light-shielding layer disposed on the first surface of the substrate defines a plurality of light-transparent openings. The color filter layer has a plurality of sub-pixel areas including at least one first sub-pixel area and at least one second sub-pixel area. A first light is transmitted to a first viewer by passing through one of the light-transparent openings and one of the at least one first sub-pixel area, and simultaneously, a second light is transmitted to a second viewer by passing through the same one of the light-transparent openings and one of the at least one second sub-pixel area.
US08625051B2
The present invention discloses a backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD) using the same, which can achieve local dimming. The backlight module includes a light guide plate (LGP), which has a groove formed on a bottom. A cross-section of the groove can be arc-shaped. The backlight module further has a plurality of light sources disposed under the LGP at positions corresponding to the groove. The light sources can be two LED light bars. Light emitted from the light bars enters into the LGP and radiates from the LGP. The present invention does not require so many light sources, and thereby power consumption is reduced. The light sources are disposed under the LGP, so that heat can be dissipated through a back plate of the LCD.
US08625050B2
A light guide plate has a light incident surface configured to be arranged facing a point light source for introducing light from the point light source, a light outputting surface that outputs the light to an outside of the light guide plate, a light introducing section for confining the light from the point light source entered from the light incident surface, and a light guide plate main body having a thickness smaller than a maximum thickness of the light introducing section and being arranged to be continuous with the light introducing section, for outputting the confined light to the outside of the light guide plate from the light outputting surface by a light outputting element.
US08625049B2
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight and a cover. The backlight includes optical sheets that are configured to be mounted to the cover using a plurality of holes provided on the optical sheet that material to corresponding protrusions provided on the cover. The holes and protrusions are configured to reduce damage or misalignment to the optical sheet that may be caused by heat generated inside the liquid crystal display.
US08625047B2
A fluid ingress resistant interactive display device is disclosed herein. The device includes one or more gasket layers to serve as a fluid barrier to resist fluid from entering an interior of the device.
US08625041B2
An array substrate, liquid crystal display for the same and manufacturing method thereof are described. The array substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of contact pads, a passivation layer and transparent conducting layer. The substrate has a first display region, a second display region and a first non-display region. The contact pads are disposed in the first non-display region. The transparent conducting layer disposed in the passivation layer includes a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode and a plurality of comb electrode. The first pixel electrode and second pixel electrode are disposed in the first display region and the second display region wherein the widths of the first pixel electrodes either are equal to or approximate the widths of the second pixel electrodes. The comb electrodes are disposed in the first non-display region and connected to the contact pads.
US08625038B2
A data signal voltage on a signal line 102 is held in a voltage holding capacitor 106 through an n-type MOS transistor 103 switched on by a gate scan voltage, and supplied to an analog amplifier circuit 104-1. The analog amplifier circuit 104-1 is formed of an MOS transistor having a double gate structure, and the operating point thereof is set at an operating range in which dependence of Ids on Vds is substantially nullified. Even when Vds is varied due to a response of liquid crystal 109, Ids is substantially fixed. Accordingly, the pixel voltage which is substantially proportional to the data signal voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal 109.
US08625035B2
A display device includes a liquid crystal display screen, a transparent conductive layer, and a number of capacitances. The liquid crystal display screen includes an upper substrate and an upper electrode disposed on the upper substrate. The upper electrode includes a number of first conductive bands having the largest electrical conductivity in a first direction. The transparent conductive layer is disposed on the upper substrate, and the transparent conductive layer and the upper electrode are located at opposite sides of the upper substrate. The transparent conductive layer includes a number of second conductive bands having the largest electrical conductivity in a second direction. A number of capacitances are formed at intersections of the first conductive bands and the second conductive bands.
US08625033B1
Large-scale matching of videos is performed by matching a set of probe videos against a set of reference videos to determine if they are visually and/or aurally similar. The visual and audio fingerprints of all probe videos and reference videos are divided into subfingerprints, which are divided into LSH bands. The LSH bands of the probe videos are sorted in one list, and the LSH bands of the reference videos are sorted in another list. Then, the two sorted lists are linearly scanned for matching LSH bands. The matching LSH bands are sorted by probe video ID, and each probe video ID is searched to find matches between probe videos and reference videos. Further, an incremental matching process identifies matches as groups of new probe videos and/or new reference videos are added, without unnecessary repetition of matching old probe videos against old reference videos.
US08625030B2
The present invention includes an interactive computer system which provides television schedule information and displays an action pop-up listing actions which can be scheduled. In the preferred embodiment, a memory stores a computer program, image data, and received data. This data includes the television schedule information. A processor uses the computer program to organize the television schedule information into a desired format, display an action pop-up for a chosen program, and schedule an action listed in the pop-up when selected by the user. Icons are listed in various displays indicating actions scheduled for associated programs.
US08625021B2
Image capture with an image capture device that includes an imaging assembly having a tunable spectral response. A default capture setting is applied to the imaging assembly. Preview image data of a scene is captured using the imaging assembly with the default capture setting. A user interface includes a preview image based on the captured preview image data of the scene. A user designation of a region of interest (ROI) in the preview image is accepted, and a user selection of a targeted imaging property for the ROI is accepted. A revised capture setting for the spectral responsivity of the tunable imaging assembly is computed, by revising the default capture setting based on the targeted imaging property for the ROI as selected by the user. The revised capture setting is applied to the imaging assembly. Image data from the imaging assembly is captured using the revised capture setting.
US08625019B2
An image sensing apparatus includes a display control unit which controls an image display unit to display an image sensed by an image input unit. The image sensing apparatus also includes a signal strength detection unit which detects, from a sensed image, a luminance area formed from pixels satisfying a predetermined luminance condition, and a special area detection unit which detects, from a sensed image, an object area having a predetermined feature. The display control unit controls the image display unit to display an assist image representing the luminance area, so as to be superimposed on a sensed image. The display control unit changes the assist image display method between a case in which the luminance area and object area overlap each other and a case in which they do not overlap each other.
US08625014B2
An amplifier is provided. The amplifier includes a differential amplifier including a tail, a current mirror connected between output terminals of the differential amplifier and a power line receiving a supply voltage, and a first switching circuit for connecting and disconnecting one of the output terminals of the differential amplifier to and from the tail in response to a first switching signal.
US08625013B2
Certain cameras and systems described herein produce enhanced dynamic range still or video images. The images can also have controlled or reduced motion artifacts. Moreover, the cameras and systems in some cases allow the dynamic range and/or motion artifacts to be tuned to achieve a desired cinematic effect.
US08625010B2
A solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of pixels each including: a first holding portion for holding signal carriers from a photoelectric conversion portion; an amplifying portion for amplifying and reading a signal based on the signal carriers generated in the photoelectric conversion portion; and a carrier discharging control portion for discharging charge carriers in the photoelectric conversion portion to an OFD region, and having a carrier path between the photoelectric conversion portion and the first carrier holding portion, in which the solid-state imaging apparatus further includes a second carrier holding portion electrically connected with the first carrier portion in parallel through a first transfer unit, when viewed from an output node of the photoelectric conversion portion, thereby smoothing an movie imaging without causing discontinuous frame while suppressing generation of noise mixing into the charge carrier holding portion.
US08625005B2
A buffered scene-based non-uniformity correction method includes receiving a plurality of frames of video image data from an image detector; determining relative movement of a current image frame with respect to a previous image frame and responsive to a determination of substantial movement, adding the current image frame to a buffer memory sized to store a predetermined number of video frames; averaging pixel values of the frames in the buffer to determine a mean (or weighted mean) value for each pixel of a reference image; determining correction terms for each pixel of the current image frame by determining the difference between the current image frame pixel values and the corresponding reference image pixels; and correcting the current image frame using the correction terms. A scene-based non-uniformity correction system is also disclosed.
US08625001B2
A camera system includes an image sensor and a processing apparatus receiving image frames from the sensor before and after receipt of a user picture signal. The processing apparatus discards frames that do not meet a quality criterion such as under-exposed frames. Also, the processing apparatus compresses only a subset of remaining frames, specifically, those that meet a compression amount threshold. The remaining frames are presented to a user, who can select a representative frame as the “picture” that was taken.
US08625000B2
An image pickup apparatus capable of selecting an image more suited to a user from images that have been continuously taken. A face included in each of a plurality of images is chosen, and with respect to each of the images, an evaluation value for use in selecting one image from the plurality of images is calculated based on the face chosen in each of the images. An image with the highest evaluation value is selected, and when there are a plurality of images with the highest evaluation value, an image taken first is selected. The selected image is then recorded.
US08624993B2
An image processor detects an on-screen motion of a photographic subject in video image data generated by an image sensor provided in a camera body and outputs a photographic subject motion information. A sensor detects a motion of the camera body and outputs the detected motion as a camera body motion information. A scene decision encoding controller decides an image pickup condition of the video image data based on the photographic subject motion information and the camera body motion information, and performs an encoding amount regulation control suitable for the decided image pickup condition to an image compression processor.
US08624991B2
An apparatus includes a detection unit including a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a matrix and that are divided into at least first and second pixel groups, a signal processing unit including first and second readout circuits and first and second A/D converters, a power supply unit configured to supply the components included in the signal processing unit with respective biases, and a control unit configured to control at least one of the signal processing unit and the power supply unit. The control unit is configured to perform processing of altering an analog signal capable of being input into at least one of the first and second A/D converters or altering an A/D conversion characteristic of at least one of the first and second A/D converters.
US08624984B2
An electronic camera includes a wireless communication means for connecting to a wireless network; a transfer control means for transferring a captured image to a server through the wireless network connected by the wireless communication means; a power supply judgment means for judging whether or not power supply from outside has started; and a power source switching means for switching a power source of the electronic camera to ON or OFF. When the power source of the electronic camera has been switched to OFF by the power source switching means and if it has been judged by the power supply judgment means that supply of the power has started, the transfer control means transfers the captured image to the server, and when the power source of the electronic camera has been switched to ON by the power source switching means and if it has been judged by the power supply judgment means that supply of the power has started, the transfer control means prohibits transfer of the captured image to the server.
US08624975B2
The present invention refers to an audio module for a video surveillance system, a video surveillance system and a method for keeping a plurality of locations under surveillance. Video surveillance systems are widely used to monitor critical locations of public or private buildings or institutes like private homes, museums, prisons, factories, hazardous areas and so on from one or more central surveillance rooms. Commonly, the surveillance rooms are equipped with a plurality of monitors each displaying one of the critical locations or a mosaic display, which is divided in a plurality of cameos, whereby each cameo displays one of the critical locations. Additionally audio signals corresponding to the images displayed on the single monitors or cameos can be played. An audio module (1) for a video surveillance system (8) with a display screen (10) which is organized in a plurality of cameos (14, 15) is proposed, the audio module (1) comprising input channels (2) for audio-in-signals individually referring to the cameos (14, 15), an allocation table allocating the audio-in-signals to the cameos (14, 15) and output channels (3) for audio-out-signals whereby audio positioning means which are realized to generate the audio-out-signals as stereophonic and/or surround sound signals on the basis of the audio-in-signals and the allocation table.
US08624973B2
A method for measuring size of an object is provided. The method includes controlling a distance measurement unit to measure a vertical distance between an electronic device and the object in response to a measurement operation, controlling an image capturing unit to capture an image in front of the electronic device, which includes an image of the object in response to the measurement operation. Computing an actual size of the captured area according to the distance measured by the distance measurement unit and an angle of view of the image capturing unit. In addition, obtaining the image of the object from the captured image, and further computing the proportion of the image of the object in the captured image. Then computing the size of the object according to the proportion and the actual size of the captured area, and displaying the measured size of the object.
US08624970B2
The invention relates to a method for displaying route information for individuals located within a predetermined area, route information units being provided at a plurality of orientation points. The inventive method comprises the following steps: -an individual is identified and at least one destination is defined to which the individual is to be guided; -the individual is detected at least at one route information unit; -information on the route the individual has to take to the desired destination is displayed, the individual being identified in a contactless manner. The invention further relates to a device for displaying route information for individuals.
US08624963B2
Disclosed is a stereoscopic image display device and a method for manufacturing the same, which facilitates to improve picture quality and to realize wide viewing angle and high luminance of stereoscopic images by improving crosstalk of left-eye image and right-eye image, wherein the stereoscopic image display device comprises a display panel including lower and upper substrates which are bonded to each other, and are provided with a left-eye displaying area (LDA) for displaying a left-eye image of stereoscopic image, and a right-eye displaying area (RDA) for displaying a right-eye image of stereoscopic image; a light-guiding member formed in the upper substrate and overlapped with an interface between the left-eye displaying area (LDA) and the right-eye displaying area (RDA); and an optical-axis changing member formed on the upper substrate, wherein the optical-axis changing member includes a left-eye retarder corresponding to the left-eye displaying area, and a right-eye retarder corresponding to the right-eye displaying area.
US08624962B2
A computer implemented method for incorporating a representation of a participant into a virtual 3D environment substantially in real-time is provided. An image including a participant is captured by a camera. A contour of the participant is automatically determined. Depth data is automatically associated with the participant contour. A first virtual 3D representation of the participant is automatically generated by extruding the participant contour based on the associated depth data. An interaction between the first virtual 3D representation of the participant and a second virtual 3D representation of a second object is displayed.
US08624954B2
Video conferencing methods and systems that enable shared content to be displayed in a separate window within a screen or in a separate display are described. In one aspect, a method for establishing a video conference with shared content using a computing device includes capturing images of a first participant through a screen using a camera. The screen is located between the first participant and the camera. The method also includes projecting images of a second participant on the screen to be viewed by the first participant using a projector, and displaying shared content separate from the images of the second participant. The shared content is to be presented in different format than the images of the second participant presented on the screen.
US08624953B2
Particular embodiments generally relate to providing different censoring levels for audio-video streams. In one embodiment, an audio-video stream is received. Metadata including censoring information for the audio-video stream is also received. The audio-video stream and metadata may be sent by a source in separate streams. A first level of censoring associated with a first receiver is determined along with a second level of censoring for a second receiver. A first audio-video stream is generated for the first receiver with a first censor level and a second audio-video stream is generated for the second receiver with a second censor level. For example, the first audio-video stream may include censoring of faces and the second audio-video stream may be an audio-video stream without censoring or may censor some other part of the audio-video. The first audio-video stream and the second audio-video stream are then sent to the first and second receivers, respectively.
US08624932B2
A method of using stereo vision to interface with a computer is provided. The method includes capturing a stereo image, and processing the stereo image to determine position information of an object in the stereo image. The object is controlled by a user. The method also includes communicating the position information to the computer to allow the user to interact with a computer application.
US08624930B2
A method for rendering static labels in a mobile device in applications such as map applications. Panning increments are received for panning a previously rendered frame to a panned frame and a rendering region is defined based on the panning increments. Ones of the labels that overlap the region and that overlap with the panned frame by a threshold amount are determined. Geometry that overlaps the rendering region is rendered and a portion of the previously rendered frame is copied. The ones of the labels are rendered to provide the panned frame.
US08624926B2
The present invention relates to panning a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment. In an embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method pans a virtual camera in a three dimensional environment. In the method embodiment, a first point is determined on a three dimensional model in the three dimensional environment. According to the first point, the three dimensional model, and a position of a virtual camera in the three dimensional environment, a virtual surface is determined. A second point is determined on the virtual surface. Finally, a location of the three dimensional model is changed according to the first point and the second point.
US08624923B2
Image fusion based on a modified method of frame averaging for noise removal by partly averaging over images having a smaller resolution than the desired resolution of the de-noised image. The set of images which are summed for averaging out noise consists of two subsets. The first set of images has a resolution (in terms of number of pixels) being smaller than the resolution of the images in the second set. The resolution of the images in the second set is the resolution of the ‘high-definition’ de-noised output image. The lower resolution images are up-sampled by scaling their pixel numbers to that desired output image. The gradation of the first set images is also adapted to avoid intensity saturation (flare) due to sommation. Image fusing is also done in fourier space using the high frequency components from the higher resolution images and the lower ones from the lower resolution images.
US08624922B2
There is provided an image composition apparatus configured to produce a composite image in which a foreground image is overlaid on a part of a background image. The apparatus designates a pair of images used as the background image and the foreground image, when one image of the pair of images is a pictorial image with a certain pictorial style, obtains pictorial style information indicative of the pictorial style of the one image of the pair of images, converts the other image of the pair of images into a pictorial image with the pictorial style indicated by the pictorial style information, produces a composite image from a combination of the pictorial image corresponding to the one image of the pair of images and the pictorial image resulting from the conversion on the other image of the pair of images, and outputs the composite image.
US08624918B2
An electronic reader which includes a storage unit, and an input unit generating signals in response to user input. In addition, a processing unit detects the signals corresponding to the user input; controls the electronic reader to enter a reading mode, and displays a file according to the user input, records a length of duration time for which the electronic reader operates in the reading mode; determines the duration time and executes a variety of protective instructions and steps depending on the length of duration time for which the electronic reader operates in the reading mode. A control method is also provided.
US08624913B2
A display control apparatus controlling luminous intensity in a display screen so that luminous intensity of the display screen displayed at a first frame rate is higher than luminous intensity of the display screen displayed at a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate. The display control apparatus identifies pixels showing luminosity higher than a predetermined value in the image, and depending on location of the pixels showing luminosity higher than the predetermined value, the display control apparatus determines a region displayed at the first frame rate and a region displayed at the second frame rate.
US08624907B2
Embodiments provide techniques for the analysis of graphics applications. For instance, an apparatus may include a graphics application program interface (API), a graphics engine, and a graphics analysis tool. The graphics analysis tool may receive multiple draw calls issued to the graphics API, and arrange the draw calls into multiple sequences, each sequence corresponding to a particular render target. From this information various analysis tasks may be performed. For instance, overdraw images may be generated. Such overdraw images may be enhanced to improve their dynamic range. Also, pixel histories may be generated based on corresponding pixel selections. The effect of draw calls on selected pixels may also be determined. Further, such tasks may be performed on a per render target basis.
US08624903B2
Described herein are processes and devices that modify a display quality of an area of a virtual universe. Some embodiments include operations to determine a number of avatars that occupy the area, determine a display quality of the area that can be reduced to conserve a computing resource that processes data to present the area and modify the display quality of the area proportionally to the number of avatars that occupy the area. The operations can further modify usage of a computing resource to process data to present the area in response to modification of the display quality of the area.
US08624899B2
A curve drawing system is described herein that rasterizes arc splines in the GPU of a computer for cubic Bezier drawing of strokes and thin features. The curve drawing system first converts a cubic Bezier representation into an arc spline representation. Then the curve drawing system uses a similar approach to Loop/Blinn modified to cause the pixel shader to perform a point-in-circular-arc test instead of a point-in-Bezier test. Calculating arc radius is a much simpler operation than the alternatives and can be easily and efficiently performed by the pixel shader. Since the stroke of an arc spline is also an arc spline, the drawing system provides a resolution-independent representation of strokes. Thus, the curve drawing system allows several previously difficult graphical features to be efficiently drawn by readily available legacy hardware and used in software programs that are designed to run on a wide variety of hardware.
US08624896B2
An information processing apparatus including: a plurality of data processing functional blocks each used for carrying out individual data processing; a flow control section configured to execute control of data flows among the data processing functional blocks; and a control section configured to carry out a setting process to set the data processing functional blocks and the flow control section. The control section acquires configuration information in accordance with a task list for data processing to be carried out; carries out the setting process to set the data processing functional blocks and the flow control section on the basis of the acquired configuration information; and constructs a data processing configuration adapted to various kinds of data processing to be carried out.
US08624894B2
A method to discard pixels early includes a first early depth test maintaining a depth value on a pixel to be discarded by a discard instruction, and a second early depth test updating the depth value on a pixel not to be discarded by the discard instruction. Because of the first and second early depth tests, a number of pixels to be processed by a pixel shading process may be reduced.
US08624891B2
Techniques are disclosed for performing image space reprojection iteratively. An insignificant parallax threshold depth is computed for a source image. Portions of the image having depth values greater than the insignificant parallax threshold depth may be shifted uniformly to produce corresponding portions of the reprojection (target) image. An iterative fixed-point reprojection algorithm is used to reproject the portions of the source image having depth values less than or equal to the insignificant parallax threshold depth. The fixed point reprojection algorithm quickly converges on the best pixel in the source image for each pixel in a target image representing an offset view of the source image. An additional rendering pass is employed to fill disoccluded regions of the target image, where the reprojection algorithm fails to converge.
US08624883B2
Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include systems, devices and/or methods enabling appearance comparison. The system, according to some demonstrative embodiments, may include at least one interactive imaging and display station. The station may include, for example, a mirror-display device capable of selectably operating in either or both a mirror mode or a display mode; an imaging device to capture one or more appearances appearing in a field of view in front of the mirror-display device; and/or an image control unit to select the mode of operation of the mirror-display device according to a user command. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08624882B2
A digital display device includes a display substrate; an array of pixels formed on the display substrate; an array of driving circuits located on the display substrate, each driving circuit electrically connected to one or more pixels for controlling a pixel current provided to each pixel; an array of computing circuits located on the display substrate, each computing circuit including circuits for signal or image processing and for communicating with neighboring computing circuits; a plurality of electrical conductors formed on the display substrate and connected to each of the driving circuits and digital computing circuits, wherein each computing circuit is connected with an electrical conductor to each of its neighbors in the array of computing circuits; and means for providing an image signal connected to one or more of the electrical conductors.
US08624879B2
A rotation sensing device comprises a capacitor module comprising an upper substrate and a lower substrate. The upper substrate comprises a plurality top plates mounted thereon, and the lower substrate comprises a plurality bottom plates mounted thereon. A pointing module comprises a pointer rotatably set between an upper substrate and a corresponding lower substrate. The pointer comprises a first portion. A detection circuit is electronically connected to the top plates and the bottom plates, and is configured for detecting pulses caused by a change of the capacitance resulting from movement of the first portion, determining a position change of the first portion relative to the initial position according the detected pulses, and determining a rotation orientation of the capacitor module according to the determined position change.
US08624877B2
An optical touch display apparatus includes a light-transmitting display panel, a backlight module, a visible light source, an invisible light source, an image sensing apparatus and a processing circuit. The light-transmitting display panel has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The first surface has a display area. The backlight module is disposed on the second surface. The image sensing apparatus is configured to sense an image above the display area. When a pointer is located in the display area and reflects invisible light which passes through the display area so that the image sensing apparatus senses the invisible light reflected by the pointer, the processing circuit calculates the position of the pointer related to the display area according to the image sensed by the image sensing apparatus. In addition, an optical operation apparatus is also provided.
US08624875B2
A touch panel includes a plurality of pixels each of which is provided with a photo sensor including a photodiode, a first transistor, and a second transistor. Each pixel performs first operation in which a potential of a photodiode reset signal line which is electrically connected to the photodiode is set so that a forward bias is applied to the photodiode, second operation in which a potential of a gate of the first transistor is changed by a photocurrent of the photodiode, and third operation in which a potential of a gate of the second transistor is changed and the photo sensor output signal line and a photo sensor reference signal line are brought into conduction through the first transistor and the second transistor so that the potential of the photo sensor output signal line is changed in accordance with the photocurrent.
US08624869B2
A touch panel includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate which are bonded by a frame-shaped seal member. One of a surface of the first transparent substrate and a surface of the second transparent substrate is a protrusion formation surface, and the other is a protrusion facing surface. On the protrusion formation surface, protrusions and a first resistive film are formed. The first resistive film includes first contact regions covering tops of the protrusions. On the protrusion facing surface, a second resistive film that includes second contact regions facing the first contact regions is formed. The protrusion formation surface or the protrusion facing surface includes a void region where the resistive film is not formed. Insulating spacers regulate a given distance between the first contact regions and the second contact regions. A space between the first and second transparent substrates contains an insulating liquid.
US08624862B2
A method for making a touch panel is provided. The method includes providing at least one array of carbon nanotubes, a first substrate, and a second substrate. The at least one array of carbon nanotubes is pressed by using a pressing device to form a carbon nanotube structure. A first electrode plate is formed on the first substrate and a second electrode plate on the second substrate. Two first-electrodes are located on opposite sides of the first electrode plate and two second-electrodes on opposite sides of the second electrode plate. The first electrode plate is spaced a distance from the second electrode plate such that the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer face each other.
US08624846B2
Disclosed herein is a display device including, a display section having a display surface, and capable of displaying information on the display surface, and a light storing section capable of receiving incident light including visible light, absorbing a part of the incident light, and outputting the part of the incident light as an afterglow including non-visible light, wherein a light sensor configured to detect an object to be detected on a side of the display surface on a basis of a non-visible light component of output light from the light storing section is disposed within the display section.
US08624841B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for displaying various types of touch screen keyboards at various positions according to an information input condition of a user. The method includes recognizing a point on a touch screen which a reference finger of at least one hand of a user touches, and displaying a touch screen keyboard including keys arranged according to the recognized point. Accordingly, a user-based touch screen keyboard which can be easily used, allow information to be quickly input, and reduce touch error, can be provided.
US08624840B2
The Smart Mouse technology is a computer mouse with its own computer, memory, Software, OS, networking and GUI. The Mousetop Window GUI is the viewport into the mouse and gateway between the mouse and computer(s). The mouse becomes a computer network where data can be stored and retrieved in the mouse buffer memory, mouse memory or between connected computer(s). Software and licenses can be served from the mouse allowing the sharing of software and licenses across multiple computers in proximity or remotely located. Shared cursor switching, drag and drop data and other interactive functions are available. Profile storage in the mouse allows for multiple configurations of networking or isolating the window. Concepts like keyboard switching, biometric access, child security and numerous other novel concepts are included with this technology. Added physical features like removable memory and connectivity to other hand held technology like iphone or ipad provide expanded communication functionality.
US08624839B2
Described herein are techniques related to a support surface (e.g., a mousepad) for imparting a tactile feedback (e.g., haptics) to a human-machine interactive (HMI) device (e.g., a mouse) supported thereon. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08624838B2
An electronic apparatus includes key operation means, control means, detection means, storage means and memory means. The detection means detects motion of the electronic apparatus. The storage means stores motion identification data obtained from detection data on a motion after a predetermined key operation in the key operation means after predetermined guidance information is outputted or data obtained by computing the detection data, in the memory means. The control means executes the specific process according to the comparison results between detection data obtained by detecting a motion of the electronic apparatus after the motion identification data is stored or data obtained by computing the detection data, and the motion identification data.
US08624836B1
A computer-implemented method is described that includes providing a watch defining a body and a watch face on a surface of the body, the body having one or more sensors arranged to sense user inputs in an area adjacent to the body. The method further comprises sensing a motion of an object in the area adjacent to, but not touching, the body using the one or more sensors and changing a display of a pointing element on a graphical user interface on the watch in coordination with the sensed motion.
US08624834B2
A pixel of a display apparatus includes at least a first transistor and at least a125 second transistor. A cell of transparent fluid including particles charged to have different polarities from each other is arranged between a pixel electrode and a common electrode. The first and second transistors are connected to the pixel electrode. The pixel is drivable according to pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) and pulse width modulation (PWM) such that a frame of an image is displayable using a single field.
US08624833B2
A method for one or more portions of one or more regions of an electronic paper assembly having one or more display layers includes, but is not limited to: obtaining and controlling display of one or more portions of one or more display layers of the electronic paper assembly regarding display of second information having one or more classifications in response to the first information associated with one or more changes in the one or more conformations of the one or more portions of the one or more regions of the electronic paper assembly. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08624829B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) driving circuit for driving a plurality of first lightbars and a plurality of second lightbars is provided. The LED driving circuit includes a first current mirror, a second current mirror and a control circuit. The first current mirror, if enabled, balances currents of the first lightbars. The second current mirror, if enabled, balances currents of the second lightbars. During a first period, the control circuit disables the second current mirror and adjusts the duration of enabling the first current mirror according to a dimming signal. During a second period, the control circuit disables the first current mirror and adjusts the duration of enabling the second current mirror according to the dimming signal. Therefore, only the first lightbars or the second lightbars are driven in each period.
US08624826B2
An outdoor readable liquid crystal display device (200) includes a liquid crystal panel (210), a backlight device (220) and a light source control device. The backlight device (220) includes a plurality of red light emitting diodes (220r), green light emitting diodes (220g) and blue light emitting diodes (220b). The light source control device is used to adjust the backlight device (220) based on the light intensity of ambient light. When the light intensity of ambient light is lower than a predetermined light intensity of the liquid crystal display device (200), the red light emitting diodes (220r), the green light emitting diodes (220g) and the blue light emitting diodes (220b) of the backlight device (220) are sequentially energized to emit lights at a predetermined time lag. When the light intensity of ambient light is higher than the predetermined light intensity, the red light emitting diodes (220r), the green light emitting diodes (220g) and the blue light emitting diodes (220b) of the backlight device (220) are energized to emit lights at the same time.
US08624825B2
A display apparatus according to example embodiments may include a light source; an all-in-one type light guide plate; a reflective plate; and a display panel. The all-in-one type light guide plate may include a light guide member and light emitting members, wherein the light guide member reflects light incident from the light source toward the light emitting members, and the light emitting members protrude from one side of the light guide member and emit light incident from the light guide member. The light guide member and the light emitting members may be integrally formed or individually combined to form an all-in-one type light guide plate. The display apparatus may form an image using light from a backlight unit and external light.
US08624823B2
A light source assembly includes a light source which emits light; a detector which detects the light and generates a light signal based on a property of the light; an operator operably connected to the detector and which receives the light signal and calculates a color coordinate of the light source based on the light signal; a comparator operably connected to the operator and which compares the color coordinate of the light source to a predetermined reference color coordinate; and a control unit operably connected to the comparator and which controls a pulse width modulation signal transmitted to the light source based on a result of the comparison of the comparator.
US08624818B2
Energy sharing circuits and related methods are disclosed herein. A high voltage can be selectively coupled to a first source line and a low voltage can be selectively coupled to a second source line during a first time period. During a subsequent time period, a first coupling switch is activated to inductively couple the first source line to the second source line and diode block the second source line from the first source line. During a subsequent time period, the low voltage is selectively coupled to the first source line and the high voltage is selectively coupled to the second source line. During a subsequent time period, a second coupling switch is activated to inductively couple the second source line to the first source line and diode block the first source line from the second source line.
US08624815B2
An LCD device being stably driven is disclosed. The LCD device includes: gate lines and data lines crossing each other; a gate driver applying gate scan signals to the gate lines; and a data driver applying pixel data voltages to the data lines. The data driver includes a multiplexer which includes first and second switches that allow a power supply terminal and a ground terminal to be alternatively connected.
US08624814B2
A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) includes a liquid crystal panel having gate lines, data lines and pixels. The pixels are grouped into pixel lines. The LCD further includes a data driver which performs line-inversion driving by applying a data voltage having a positive or a negative polarity to the pixels such that the pixels in each pixel line have a same polarity. The pixel lines are grouped into first and second pixel line groups. A polarity of the pixels in each pixel line of the first pixel line group is the same as a polarity of the pixels in at least one pixel line disposed on an immediately adjacent side thereof. A polarity of the pixels in each pixel line of the second pixel line group is opposite to a polarity of both pixels in pixel lines disposed on two immediately adjacent sides thereof.
US08624802B2
The variation of characteristics of transistors occurs. The present invention is a signal line drive circuit having a plurality of current source circuit corresponding to a plurality of wirings, a first and a second shift registers, a latch circuit, the foregoing plurality of current source circuits have capacity means and supplying means, respectively, characterized in that the foregoing capacity means converts a supplied current into a voltage according to a sampling pulse supplied from the foregoing first shift register, the foregoing supplying means supplies a current corresponding to the foregoing converted voltage according to a video signal, and the foregoing latch circuit operates according to a sampling pulse supplied from the foregoing second shift register.
US08624793B2
The disclosure describes installing an antenna canister in a portion of a concealed antenna pole at a location that is below a top of the pole while the antenna pole is erect and associated components to facilitate the procedure, as well as multi-piece vertical rods, pole mounting bracket assemblies and retrofit kits.
US08624785B2
A dual-band antenna includes a radiator unit. The radiator unit includes a base portion, an extension portion extending from the base portion, a connecting portion extending from the extension portion, a transition portion extending from the connecting portion, and a u-shaped portion extending from the transition section. The connecting portion, the extension portion, and the base portion define a first slot. The u-shaped portion defines a second slot.
US08624781B2
A system suitable for displaying a target. A first unit is arranged to generate a first information unit including the target's position relative to a first position. The first information unit is arranged to transfer the first information unit to a second unit existing at a second position which is separate from the first position. The second unit is arranged to generate a second information unit including the target's position relative to the second position, depending on the first information unit. The second unit is arranged to indicate the target's position to allow localization of the target.
US08624779B2
In a method of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) reference station integrity monitoring, network Real Time Kinematic (RTK) information is accessed for a location associated with a GNSS reference station. At least one aspect of GNSS information local to the location of the GNSS reference station is compared with a corresponding aspect of the network RTK information. The results of the comparing are monitored for indication of occurrence of compromise to operational integrity of the GNSS reference station.
US08624777B2
The present invention relates to a multiple carrier smoothing method for navigation satellite signals, in particular a three carrier smoothing method for Galileo signals. It provides a smoothed code solution, which is ionosphere-free to the first order and whose noise is reduced to sub-decimeter level. The method involves integer ambiguities, which can be resolved reliably. The sensitivity of the new method to receiver biases and ionospheric delays of the second order is small. The performance of the three carrier smoothing method allows to reduce the averaging interval to ⅕-th of its current standard value. The results refer to pseudo ranges and are geometry independent.
US08624774B2
The invention concerns a method and system of locating objects by means of UWB signals, the system including a search device (D1), incorporated in a portable apparatus (11) and provided with a pair of antennae (A1, A2), and at least one target device (D2) attached to an object sought (12). The target device (D2) includes, in addition to the transceiver (34, 35), a very low power consumption wake up receiver (46) which, when the target device is in a standby state, can receive a UWB wake up signal to switch on said device. This target device is arranged for measuring a time difference (tdiff) between the respective receptions of two locating signals respectively emitted by the two antennae (A1, A2) of the search device and for transmitting said time difference in a return signal that further contains, in a preferred variant, a signal processing time (trproc). Thus, it is not necessary for the two devices to be synchronized. Preferably, the search device (D1) is incorporated in a wristwatch (11) the two hands (51, 52) of which are used for indicating the direction or possible directions of the object sought (12).
US08624771B2
Wireless and other external connectivity technology is used in various ways to enhance or improve upon existing radar detector and police activity detection systems. External memory interfaces, such as SD cards or USB, provide external storage. Wireless interfaces such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, 802.11, and wireless personal area network communication protocols, allow a detector processor to interact wirelessly with external devices, such as a Bluetooth headset, a cellular network device providing a server connection, or toggle buttons used to indicate the presence of police activity at a current position. Further, radar detectors are upgraded to provide GPS capabilities, using the existing power/data connector of the radar detector.
US08624769B2
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts pixel voltages from a CMOS image into a digital output. A voltage ramp generator generates a voltage ramp that has a linear first portion and a non-linear second portion. A digital output generator generates a digital output based on the voltage ramp, the pixel voltages, and comparator output from an array of comparators that compare the voltage ramp to the pixel voltages. A return lookup table linearizes the digital output values.
US08624762B2
The present invention refers to a signal concentrator comprising: a parallel to serial conversion device comprising a plurality of parallel inputs and a serial output, a control unit comprising detection means adapted for detecting the activity of said plurality of parallel inputs of said parallel to serial conversion device, indication means adapted for indicating the active parallel inputs to the parallel to serial conversion device and controlling means adapted for setting an operating bitrate of the serial output in function of said activity of said plurality of parallel inputs.
US08624752B2
The invention relates to a safety means for a construction machine having a carrier unit and an actuation unit, which is adjustable with respect to the carrier unit, comprising at least one detecting means for detecting the current position of the actuation unit relative to the carrier unit, an indication means with which the current position of the actuation unit relative to the carrier unit can be indicated, and an evaluation unit, by means of which, depending on at least one input value, at least one adjustment range of the actuation unit can be determined, in which the actuation unit is adjustable at a given safety against tilting of the construction machine, whereby the adjustment range can be indicated together with the current position of the actuation unit by means of the indication means.
US08624747B2
A PeakPower Energy Management and Control System having one or more roll-lock snap-on current transformer power monitoring devices, each to avoid interrupting power when installing current and/or power monitors. Each roll-lock snap-on current transformer power monitoring device may be snapped onto existing power wires inside a power panel or near equipment being monitored without disconnecting any wires or turning off power. Each roll-lock snap-on current transformer power monitoring device may be utilized in standalone mode as well as within a PeakPower Energy Management and Control System in accordance with disclosed embodiments. Each roll-lock snap-on current transformer power monitoring device may communicate via the power lines (Power Line Controller) or communicate via wireless using an integrated microprocessor based RF transceiver.
US08624742B2
An apparatus and method for monitoring keyboard input are provided. The method includes monitoring input from the user over a predetermined interval, determining whether the amount of input over the predetermined interval has exceeded a predetermined threshold, and transmitting a warning to the user when the amount of input over the predetermined interval has exceeded the predetermined threshold.
US08624736B2
A status monitoring device for a fenestration unit is provided. The device is positioned in or on the fenestration unit and includes a panel position sensor and a lock status sensor. The device is capable of transmitting panel position data and lock status data to a remote device, trigger an audible alarm on the device or the remote device, trigger a visual alarm on the device or the remote device, or a combination of these.
US08624731B2
An information handling system status alert system includes an information handling system (IHS). The IHS includes a frame, a processor supported by the frame and a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor. The IHS additionally includes an operational display device coupled with the frame such that the operational display device is viewable from a first side of the frame. Furthermore, the IHS includes a status alert display device coupled with the frame such that the status alert display device is viewable from a second side of the frame, wherein the second side of the frame is substantially opposite the first side of the frame.
US08624729B2
A monitoring system having an ad-hoc network of wireless sensor stations. Each sensor station is provided with one or more sensors suitable for monitoring one or more physical parameters of interest and collecting information. The sensor stations are configured to process the collected information using appropriate distributed computational algorithms such that nearby sensor stations can exchange information with each other in the ad-hoc network to evaluate the situation in a specific location at a specific moment in time employing combined information of the nearby sensor stations in the area. The information is transmitted via the ad-hoc network to information consumers only if necessary, based on the evaluation.
US08624726B2
A method for transmitting a distress signal from a hand-held electronic device. The method including: generating electrical energy resulting from an impact force applied to an impact surface of the device; providing the generated power to a transmitter in the device; and transmitting the distress signal from the transmitter.
US08624722B2
An apparatus for providing and detecting information regarding a person, location, or object includes a power supply, a helicoil dipole antenna, a transmitter, a receiver configured to receive signals from remote transmitters at a designated frequency, a computer processor, and a memory device configured to store an identifier associated with the apparatus. Logic instructions embedded on the memory device are configured to compare an identifier decoded from received signals to the identifier associated with the apparatus. When the identifier decoded matches the identifier associated with the apparatus, the instructions decode a return frequency from the signal, and generate return signals. The return signals include the identifier associated with the apparatus, the transmitter is activated only when the transmitter transmits the return signals at the return frequency.
US08624719B2
A system and method for remote control of and notification by an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The system including a remote device, such as a smart phone, having a software configured to remotely control the EVSE and remotely retrieve and receive information from the EVSE. The smart phone may identify and connect to a communication network, automatically identify the EVSE, connect to the EVSE, and send the EVSE instructions for various functions of the EVSE, including charging, vehicle control, and reporting functions. The EVSE may execute the instructions received and return a confirmation to the remote device. The remote device may present the confirmation to a user.
US08624718B2
An electronic communication system provides text or voice messages to remote receiving devices, such as cell phones or PDA's. The remote receiving devices are equipped with velocity sensors, or position sensors from which velocity may be inferred. The remote receiving devices periodically report a velocity or current position to an alert signal control node of the communication system. The alert signal control node determines a most recent-determinable velocity for each receiving device before transmitting a message alert signal. If the velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold, the alert signal may be delayed until the velocity drops below the threshold. The system may be operated as a safety measure to prevent reception of distracting alert signals while driving, thereby silencing messaging devices at appropriate times.
US08624708B2
An item positioning system is provided. The item positioning system comprises a plurality of tag readers and a control device. The plurality of tag readers generate access signals respectively and receive a response signal from a target tag. The control device adjusts transmitting power of the access signals of the tag readers, and determines a position of the target item according to whether the tag readers receive the response signal.
US08624707B2
Information from one or more transmitters installed in a detection object area is received. The reception feature value of when a detection object is present in a predetermined position of the detection object area is measured. A reception pattern of when the detection object is present in the predetermined position is formed. The reception pattern is compared with reference reception patterns, and the presence position corresponding to the reference reception pattern most approximate to the reception pattern is acquired from a reference reception pattern database where the presence positions of the detection object and the reference reception patterns of when the detection object is present in the presence positions are associated with one another. The presence position of the detection object is estimated according to the acquired presence position. The estimated presence position of the detection object is associated with received detection object identification information.
US08624700B2
Devices and systems for power electronic circuits are provided. Embodiments of the present invention enable high density inductive energy storage by using electromechanical coupling between an electrically conducting inductive element and a mechanical resonator to passively store energy via both electromagnetic and mechanical mechanisms. A microelectromechanical inductor (MEMI) is provided utilizing a magnet and a conductor. In a specific embodiment, the MEMI includes a permanent magnet on a compliant layer centrally disposed within a spiral coil. In a further embodiment, a second coil is provided near the magnet to provide a resonating transducer.
US08624686B2
A micromechanical component and a method for providing the oscillation excitation of an oscillation element of a micromechanical component, the micromechanical component having a frame, which is connected to a carrier substrate by an outer suspension element, in which the frame being tiltable about a first axis and oscillatory about a second axis that is positioned perpendicular to the first axis, and in which the micromechanical component having an oscillation element that is connected to the frame by an inner suspension element, and is tiltable about the second axis, the outer suspension element being provided to be dimensioned in such a way that a first oscillation of the frame about the second axis and a second oscillation of the oscillation element about the second axis have a maximum coupling.
US08624685B2
Increasing loop gain is a common practice for reducing lock time of phase locked loops. Very high loop gains, however, often result in increasing the lock time or causing loop instability. For very high loop gains, delaying the feedback clock signal along the feedback path of a phase locked loop decreases lock time and prevents instability. A delay circuit may be used at any location along the feedback path of the phase locked loop.
US08624675B2
Method and system for providing automatic gate bias and bias sequencing for field effect transistors
A feedback gate bias circuit for use in radio frequency amplifiers to more effectively control operation of LDFET, GaNFET, GaAsFET, and JFET type transistors used in such circuits. A transistor gate bias circuit that senses drain current and automatically adjusts or biases the gate voltage to maintain drain current independently of temperature, time, input drive, frequency, as well as from device to device variations. Additional circuits to provide temperature compensation, RF power monitoring and drain current control, RF output power leveler, high power gain block, and optional digital control of various functions. A gate bias circuit including a bias sequencer and negative voltage deriver for operation of N-channel depletion mode devices.
US08624671B2
An amplifying circuit includes a first circuit component configured to receive and amplify first and second input voltages to generate an output voltage. The first circuit component is formed by a first amplifier and a second amplifier. A second circuit component is configured to provide a first offset current that is associated with a first input current of the first amplifier. The first offset current compensates for variation in the first input current. A third circuit component is configured to provide a second offset current that is associated with a second input current of the second amplifier. The second offset current compensates for variation in the second input current.
US08624660B2
In one aspect, the present invention exploits the termination conductances of a time-discrete harmonic mixer as another degree of freedom in configuring the mixer to meet given harmonic rejection performance requirements while using reduced number of unit cells. The values of these termination conductances are purposefully configured to introduce a desired non-linearity in quantization of the mixer transconductance by the unit cells. The non-uniform quantization produces a non-linear fitting of the transconductance levels to the transconductance points defining the target sinusoidal waveform. As a consequence of its termination conductance configuration, the contemplated mixer achieves levels of harmonic rejection with that would not be met if the reduced number of unit cells operated with uniform quantization. As a further advantage, the manipulated conductance values generally are lower than those used in conventional designs, e.g., on par with the maximum conductance of the mixer, as provided by mixer's set of unit cells.
US08624659B2
An exemplary embodiment of an analog multiplier may include a voltage controlled resistance circuit, a first transistor and a second transistor, where the resistance of the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a first input voltage. The current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit is based upon a second input voltage. The first transistor and the second transistor form a current mirror to mirror the current passing through the voltage controlled resistance circuit to provide a power supply control current to a wideband code division multiple access radio frequency power amplifier.
US08624652B1
Delay circuits are described for which the delay remains substantially constant within a desired range of variation of supply voltage and/or temperature.
US08624639B2
An integrated circuit chip includes: an internal circuit; a data output circuit configured to output a data packet of the internal circuit in response to a strobe signal; an oscillator configured to generate a first clock signal; a divider configured to divide the first clock signal and generate a second clock signal; and a strobe signal supply unit configured to supply the second clock signal as the strobe signal during an initial period of transmission of the data packet and supply the first clock signal as the strobe signal after the initial period.
US08624634B1
A method for generating a signal is provided, the method including: providing a first signal having a first signal frequency; providing a second signal having a second signal frequency or a third signal frequency, wherein the second signal frequency is higher than the third signal frequency; switching the second signal having the second signal frequency to the third signal frequency based on a predefined first signal event of the first signal; and returning the second signal having the third signal frequency to the second signal frequency in response to a predefined second signal event.
US08624622B2
The exemplary embodiments provide a resilient integrated circuit. An exemplary IC comprises a plurality of composite circuit elements, a state machine element (SME), and a plurality of communication elements. Each composite circuit element comprises an element interface and a selected circuit element which may vary by element type, and which may be configurable. The state machine element assigns various functions based on element type, such as assigning a first configuration to a first element type, assigning a second configuration to a second element type, and providing a first data link for the corresponding assignments. In response to detection of a fault or failure, the state machine element re-assigns the first configuration to another composite circuit element and creates a second data link for performance of the same function, providing for the IC to continue the same functioning despite defects which may arise during operation.
US08624620B2
A test system for testing a plurality of semiconductor chips formed on a semiconductor wafer includes: a test wafer on which a plurality of test circuits corresponding to the plurality of semiconductor chips are formed, each test circuit testing a corresponding one of the plurality of semiconductor chips based on test data provided to the test circuit; where each of the plurality of test circuits includes a nonvolatile and rewritable pattern memory for storing the test data such as pattern data and sequence data, and the test system writes the same test data to all the plurality of test circuits in parallel.
US08624615B2
The present disclosure includes various method, device, and system embodiments for isolation circuits. One such isolation circuit embodiment includes: a first transistor configured for connection to a supply voltage via a first terminal; a register connected to the first transistor; a second transistor in parallel with a resistor, wherein the second transistor is configured for connection to the first terminal, with a gate of the second transistor configured for connection to an output of the register; and wherein the second transistor is configured for connection to a second terminal, the second transistor having a state that depends on a status of the register.
US08624614B2
A burn-in method includes applying a stress current for applying thermal stress to a surface-emitting semiconductor laser, measuring an operation characteristic of the surface-emitting semiconductor laser to which the stress current is applied, and making a pass/fail decision on the surface-emitting semiconductor laser on the basis of the operation characteristic measured.
US08624611B2
A method is disclosed for monitoring galvanic isolation of a fuel cell device. At least one stack of fuel cells and at least one load circuit for fuel cells are arranged to an electrically freely floating configuration towards at least one structure near fuel cells. A controlled switching is performed via at least two switching points to at least one measurement element having known impedance in connection to the at least one structure. Measurements are performed from the measurement element to form voltage information. The voltage information and at least voltage information between switching points are processed to check floatages of fuel cells in relation to said at least one structure.
US08624610B2
A circuit has a first sense resistor circuit having components including a first-circuit active element to provide a sense resistance to sense a current in a load in series therewith, the sense resistance being established by an input command voltage. A second sense resistor circuit has components replicating the components of the first sense resistor circuit including a replicated active element, a resistance of the replicated active element also being established by the input command voltage. A precision resistor is coupled to the replicated active element to provide a load thereto. When the input command voltage establishes a voltage across the replicated active element, a voltage is established across the first-circuit active element in proportion thereto to command a desired current in the load.
US08624609B2
A two-dimensional position sensor is formed by drive electrodes (52) and sense electrodes (62, 64, 66) both extending in the x-direction and interleaved in the y-direction. The sense electrodes comprise several groups, two of which co-extend in the x-direction over each different portions of extent in the x-direction. The drive and sense electrodes are additionally arranged to capacitively couple with each other. In use, drive signals are applied to the drive electrodes and then the resultant sense signals received from the sense electrodes measured. The position of a touch or stylus actuation on the sensor is determined in the x- and y-directions as follows. In the x-direction, the position is determined by an interpolation between sense signals obtained from co-extending pairs of sense electrodes, and in the y-direction by interpolation between sense signals obtained from different sequences of drive signals applied to the drive electrodes.
US08624607B2
In one embodiment, a method includes, at a first input of a comparator, receiving from an analog multiplexer one of multiple first voltages. Each of the first voltages results at least in part from an interaction between an object and an electrode of each of one or more nodes of a capacitive touch sensor. The method includes, at a second input of the comparator, receiving a second voltage across a measurement capacitor that has a first terminal coupled to the second input of the comparator. The method includes charging the measurement capacitor at least in part through a measurement resistor coupled in series to the first terminal of the measurement capacitor and monitoring an output of the comparator during the charging of the measurement capacitor. The output of the comparator changes state when the second voltage becomes approximately equal to or greater than the one of the first voltages. The method includes determining an amount of time from a start of the charging of the measurement capacitor to a change in state of the output of the comparator.
US08624604B2
Apparatus is provided for determining the clearance between a member and a casing surface over and relative to which the member moves, e.g. in a gas turbine engine. The apparatus includes a main waveguide and a reference element that is provided at a position intermediate the proximal and distal ends, or at the distal end, of the waveguide. The transmitter/receiver is arranged to transmit an electromagnetic signal through the main waveguide and receive (i) a first portion of the electromagnetic signal reflected from the reference element, (ii) a second portion of the electromagnetic signal reflected from the casing surface, and (iii) a third portion of the electromagnetic signal reflected from the member, allowing the relative positioning of the reference element, the casing surface and the member to be simultaneously determined.
US08624603B2
A microwave sensor probe includes a probe housing, an emitter body coupled to the probe housing, and an emitter coupled to the emitter body. The emitter is configured to generate an electromagnetic field from at least one microwave signal. At least one electromagnetic absorbent member is configured to absorb at least one of a current transmitted through the emitter and an electromagnetic radiation generated by the emitter.
US08624599B2
An analysis system (1) for the analysis of a sample, comprises a gel permeation chromatograph (14) that is coupled with a nuclear magnetic resonance (=NMR) spectrometer. The chromatograph (14) has a gel permeation chromatography (=GPC) separating column system (6a) that is filled with porous particles (21). The NMR spectrometer is configured as a low-field NMR spectrometer (8) with a permanent magnet system (9) for generating a B0 field of the NMR spectrometer. The low-field NMR spectrometer (8) comprises a shim system (10) with which homogeneity of the B0 field of at least 0.5 ppm can be achieved in a right circular cylindrical sample volume (27) having a diameter of at least 5 mm and a length of at least 15 mm. The system permits the quantitative and qualitative chemical analysis of samples containing substances of different molecular size using a less expensive apparatus.
US08624591B2
Provided is an MRI apparatus. In the MRI apparatus, a data collection unit repetitively performs a tag mode of applying an RF wave to at least an upstream portion of an imaging area to perform fluid labeling of a fluid flown into the imaging area and, after a lapse of an inversion time from application of the RF wave, performing magnetic resonance data collection, while changing the inversion time. An image reconstruction unit reconstructs a plurality of tag images corresponding to a plurality of different inversion times based on the magnetic resonance data collected in the tag mode. A reference image generation unit generates a reference image based on the plurality of the tag images. A fluid image generation unit generates a subtraction image between each of the tag images and the reference image as a fluid image.
US08624586B2
A Hall effect measuring device under the hood of a motor vehicle includes a housing, a Hall effect sensor including a holed magnet and a chip arranged at the Gaussian zero point of the magnet, and a ferromagnetic target including a measurement surface in which the chip is securely attached to the magnet, and defines a measurement plane. The sensor and the ferromagnetic target are arranged to be imparted with a relative motion with respect to one another, the sensor being positioned in the housing and configured to measure the value of the magnetic field of the magnet, vertically in line with the chip, on a measurement axis perpendicular to the measurement plane based on relative translational motion and on relative rotational motion.
US08624576B2
Disclosed is a charge pump system having a charge pump with a switch control input, a voltage output terminal, a high voltage terminal coupled to a high voltage node and a low voltage terminal coupled to a low voltage node. Also included is a first buck/boost switch having a first terminal coupled to the voltage output terminal, a second terminal coupled to a first output node, and a first control terminal for receiving a first control signal. A second buck/boost switch includes a first terminal coupled to the voltage output terminal, a second terminal coupled to a second output node, and a control terminal for receiving a second control signal. Further included is a switch controller that is adapted to generate the first control signal and the second control signal such that voltage pulses output from the first output node and the second output node, respectively, are asymmetrical and coincidental.
US08624573B2
A power converter includes a zero-current detector having an adjustable offset voltage. The power converter includes a power converting unit and a switch driving circuit. The power converting unit generates a DC output voltage based on a pull-up driving signal, a pull-down driving signal and a DC input voltage. The switch driving circuit generates a first detection voltage signal based on the DC output voltage. The switch driving circuit includes a zero-current detector configured to adjust an offset voltage based on the first detection voltage signal and generate a zero-current detecting signal based on the offset voltage. The offset voltage and the zero-current detecting signal are associated with a current in the power converting unit. The switch driving circuit also includes a pulse-frequency modulating circuit configured to perform a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) to generate the pull-up driving signal and the pull-down driving signal based on the zero-current detecting signal.
US08624568B2
A voltage regulator controls a regulated output voltage (Vout) by feeding it back to a differential input stage (13) receiving a reference voltage (Vref) and applying an output (3) to a control electrode of a follower transistor (M4) that is coupled to an output stage (15) which generates the output voltage (Vout). The output stage operates pull-up (M7B) and pull-down (M5B) transistors in response to a signal (6A) produced by the follower transistor (M4) during normal regulation operation, and provides fast settling of the output voltage by turning on a transient pull-up transistor (M7A) or transient pull-down transistor (M5A) in response to the signal (6A) produced by the follower transistor (M4) during a fast increasing or decreasing transition, respectively, of the load current (IL). A filtering resistor (RFLT) is coupled between the output voltage and a common electrode of the transient pull-up and pull down transistors.
US08624567B2
A controller for a DC/DC converter includes multiple signal generators and a control circuit. The signal generators generate multiple pulse signals, each signal generator generating a corresponding pulse signal of the pulse signals and controlling the corresponding pulse signal to have a predetermined pulse width by counting a same preset number of cycles of a same oscillating signal. The control circuit selectively activates the signal generators according to an output of the DC/DC converter to generate the pulse signals.
US08624559B2
A method for controlling charging and discharging of a battery pack for an electric or hybrid vehicle to prevent overheating damage. Current flowing into or out of the battery pack is monitored, and root mean square (RMS) current is integrated over a time window and compared to a threshold to determine if power needs to be regulated in order to prevent damage to the cells in the battery pack. If the time-integrated RMS current exceeds the threshold, a closed-loop proportional-integral (PI) controller is activated to regulate power input or output. The controller will continue to regulate power until the time-integrated RMS current drops below the threshold. Various thresholds can be defined for different time windows. The gains used in the PI controller can also be adjusted to scale the amount of power regulation.
US08624558B2
An electricity supply apparatus includes a control device configured to calculate an amplitude of a control signal and to generate the control signal; an energy station configured to draw a current from a mains, to provide part of the drawn current to the load, to receive the control signal from the control device, and to vary the drawn current according to the amplitude; and a battery configured to recharge by drawing part of the drawn current and to discharge by supplying the load. The apparatus is characterized in that the control device is further configured to calculate the amplitude of the control signal also according to battery information relating to a recharge and/or a discharge condition of the battery.
US08624552B2
One aspect according to the present invention includes a battery pack and a shock absorbing device interposed between a battery cell holder and a case body and capable of keeping the battery cell holder and the battery cells not to directly contact with an inner surface of the case body.
US08624537B2
Telerobotic, telesurgical, and/or surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods employ surgical robotic linkages that may have more degrees of freedom than an associated surgical end effector n space. A processor can calculate a tool motion that includes pivoting of the tool about an aperture site. Linkages movable along a range of configurations for a given end effector position may be driven toward configurations which inhibit collisions. Refined robotic linkages and method for their use are also provided.
US08624533B2
An inverter includes a voltage command generator generating a voltage command value according to an externally specified voltage value, a PWM signal generator generating a PWM signal according to the voltage command value and frequency command value, and a switching unit generating a three-phase AC power according to the PWM signal. The voltage command generator decreases the voltage command value if the output current increases, to prevent the rotation speed of a prime move from suddenly changing. If the output current exceeds a preset upper current threshold, the voltage command value is clamped at a preset minimum output voltage, thereby securing the minimum output voltage for an increase in the output current.
US08624529B2
An automated control of a solar protection installation (INST), includes reflecting slats (B1, B2, B3) having parallel longitudinal axes, the slats having a face (F) provided with teeth (D) which flanks (F1), exposable to the light rays and called “useful” flanks, lie in parallel planes (P1, P2, P3, P4). The main direction of incidence (ASUN1; ASUN2) of the light rays on the slats is determined (CPU, CLK, ASUN) and a motor (MOT) is provided for tilting the slats at least substantially about their longitudinal axis. The slats are automatically tilted to orient the planes of the useful flanks depending on the main direction of incidence of the light rays.
US08624523B2
Control apparatus for controlling an aspect of an apparatus are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the control apparatus comprises a dimmer that includes a variable impedance. In certain embodiments of the invention, the dimmer may be a TRIAC dimmer having a voltage at a gate electrode of the TRIAC that is always below a trigger voltage for the TRIAC such that the TRIAC never turns on and the remaining components within the TRIAC dimmer can be used as discreet components in a larger circuit. In the control apparatus, the dimmer may be coupled to a signal generation circuit that may generate an output signal whose frequency (period) is dictated at least in part by an impedance of the variable impedance. The output signal may be used to control an aspect of an apparatus such as the intensity, color or color temperature for a lighting apparatus.
US08624514B2
A circuit includes a first active device is coupled between a third terminal and a second terminal. The first active device has a control terminal coupled a first terminal to receive a signal representative of a rectified input voltage. A second active device is coupled between the control terminal of the first active device and the second terminal. The second active device has a control terminal coupled to a fourth terminal. The second active device is coupled to be controlled in response to a bypass voltage at the fourth terminal. The first active device is coupled to be controlled in response to the rectified input voltage and the bypass voltage.
US08624509B2
A LED tube includes a translucent or fluorescent tube of substantially the shape and size of a fluorescence tube, inside which one or more LED components and a current control unit are installed. At both ends of the LED tube, there is a pair of contact pins for connecting the light element mechanically and electrically to the tube holders of the fluorescence tube lighting fixture. The tube lamp has a safety unit arranged to prevent a voltage from transferring through the tube lamp from its one end to the other until a voltage supplied from the corresponding tube holder of the lighting fixture to the pair of contact pins has been separately detected at each end of the tube lamp. Inside the LED tube, there is at least one optical line that is arranged to transfer a control or measurement signal associated with the safety unit from one end of the LED tube to the other without capacitive leakage currents.
US08624507B2
The present invention overcomes image defects such as the brightness inclination or smears by reducing the line resistance of a power source bus line which supplies electricity to organic EL elements. A plurality of pixels which are arranged in a matrix array is connected to power source lines, and the plurality of power source lines are connected to a power source bus line. Both ends of the power source bus line are connected to a power source part via a FPC. By supplying electricity to both ends of the power source bus line from the power source part, the line resistance of the power source bus line can be reduced.
US08624502B2
An ion source is disclosed including: a chamber disposed about a longitudinal axis and containing a gas, a magnetic confinement system configured to produce a magnetic field in a confinement region within the chamber, an electron cyclotron resonance driver which produces a time varying electric field which drives the cyclotron motion of electrons located within the confinement region, the driven electrons interacting with the gas to form a confined plasma. During operation, the magnetic confinement system confines the plasma in the confinement region such that a portion of atoms in the plasma experience multiple ionizing interactions with the driven electrons to form multiply ionized ions having a selected final ionization state.
US08624481B2
A display panel enabling constraint of void formation between substrates and minimizing the effect of any voids formed, has for at least one pixel, a distance between the element surface and the element opposing surface corresponding to each light-emitting element of the pixel that is smaller than a distance between the inter-pixel surface and the inter-pixel opposing surface in an inter-pixel area between neighboring pixels, and smaller than a distance between the inter-element surface and the inter-element opposing surface corresponding to the light-emitting elements, and on the element substrate, the distance between neighboring pixels is greater than a distance between neighboring light-emitting elements, and a distance between the inter-pixel surface and the inter-pixel opposing surface is greater than a maximum distance between the inter-element surface and the inter-element opposing surface.
US08624480B2
The distance between filamentary cathodes and a phosphor on an anode substrate can be reduced by shortening the distance between the filamentary cathodes and a grid. To obtain high luminance without loss of display quality, the present invention provides a vacuum fluorescent display (1) with a driver IC, comprising a display unit (3) provided with a phosphor layer on an anode substrate (2), a plurality of filamentary cathodes (5), a grid (4), a driver IC (6), and a filament support (7) for shielding the IC and supporting an end part of the filamentary cathodes. The end part of the filamentary cathodes is fixed to one short side of the vacuum fluorescent display at a long side of the filament support. Depressions are provided to a surface of the filament support, or slits are provided to the filament support.
US08624473B2
A method for improving welding strength between a ground electrode and a noble metal tip on a spark plug. A fusion zone is formed along at least a portion of the boundary between the ground electrode and the noble metal tip through fusion of a portion of the ground electrode and a portion of the noble metal tip.
US08624472B2
A ground electrode (27) and a noble-metal chip (32) are joined via a weld portion (42) formed by fusing and mixing an Ni alloy and a Pt alloy. A plurality of acicular or rhizoid microcracks (51) are formed in the weld portion (42). As viewed on a section of the weld portion (42), the average length of the microcracks is 50 μm to 500 μm, and the average aspect ratio (shorter dimension/longer dimension) of the microcracks is 0.05 or less. At least one of the Ni alloy used to form the ground electrode (27) and the Pt alloy used to form the noble-metal chip (32) contains as an additive at least one of elements belonging to Groups 3A and 4A of the Periodic Table and oxides of these elements.
US08624471B1
Microelectromechanical resonators include a resonator body anchored to a substrate by at least one tether containing a coupled-ring linear acoustic bandgap structure therein. The coupled-ring linear acoustic bandgap structure can include a plurality of piezoelectric-on-semiconductor rings connected together by a plurality of piezoelectric-on-semiconductor tether segments. A first electrode may also be provided, which extends on the resonator body and the coupled-ring linear acoustic bandgap structure. This resonator body, which may be suspended opposite a recess in the substrate, may include a semiconductor (e.g., silicon) body having a piezoelectric layer (e.g., AlN) thereon, which extends between the semiconductor body and the first electrode. The coupled-ring linear acoustic bandgap structure may be a periodic structure, where a pitch between each of the plurality of piezoelectric-on-semiconductor rings in the at least one tether is equivalent, or a non-periodic structure.
US08624469B2
A method and associated apparatus directed to a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) defining an air-backed cavity are provided. A first via defined by a device substrate and associated dielectric layer, and extending to the first electrode, is substantially filled with a first conductive material. A support member engaged with the device substrate defines a second via extending to the first conductive material. The second via has a second conductive material disposed thereon, forms an electrically-conductive engagement with the first conductive material, and extends outwardly of the second via to be accessible externally to the support member. A connective element extends through a third via defined by a connection support substrate and is in electrically-conductive engagement with the second conductive material, wherein one of the connective element and connection support substrate is bonded to one of the support member and second conductive material by a bonding material engaged therebetween.
US08624457B2
An increase of the magnetization current can be prevented during demagnetization and magnetization, and a variable speed operation can be achieved at a high power output over a wide range of from a low speed to a high speed. A rotor (1) is configured by a rotor core (2), a variable magnetic force magnet (3) and a fixed magnetic force magnet (4). A variable magnetic force magnet (3) and a fixed magnetic force magnet (4a) are overlapped in the magnetization direction thereof to form a series of magnets. The series of magnets is located within the rotor core at a position where the magnetization direction is in the direction of a d-axis. On either side of the series of magnets of the variable magnetic force magnet (3) and the fixed magnetic force magnet (4a), fixed magnetic force magnets (4b, 4b) are located at a position where the magnetization direction is in the direction of the d-axis. When the flux linkage of the variable magnetic force magnet is reduced, a current of an armature coil allows a magnetic field to act in the reverse direction to the magnetization direction of the variable magnetic force magnet. When the flux linkage of the variable magnetic force magnet is increased, a current of the armature coil allows a magnetic field to act in the same direction as the magnetization direction of the variable magnetic force magnet.
US08624451B2
A permanent-magnet synchronous motor of a draining pump is disclosed. It includes a permanent-magnet rotor for driving an impeller to rotate, a pump body for supporting the permanent-magnet rotor, a stator core and a stator coil. Among which, the stator coil is constructed with an enamelled aluminum wire winding which is coiled by an enamelled aluminum wire and sealed in a container. The invention applies the enamelled aluminum wire to the permanent-magnet synchronous motor of a draining pump. The winding of the stator coil and a welding part of its lead-out wire are sealed with plastic or epoxy resin which effectively isolate them from outside air, especially damp air. Therefore, the invention prevent the enamelled aluminum wire winding of the stator coil and the welding part of its lead-out wire from being oxidized in air and being corroded by the moisture, acid or alkaline matter in damp air.
US08624450B2
A linear vibration device is disclosed. The linear vibration device includes a housing, a plurality of elastic members received in the housing, each of the elastic member has a fastening portion connecting to the housing, an elastic arm extending from the fastening portion, and a mounting portion extending from the elastic arm, a moving unit suspended in the housing by the elastic members, a coil located below the moving unit, a supporting portion coupling to the elastic member, the supporting portion has a supporting plate covering at least a part of a top surface of the moving unit and a supporting arm extending downwardly from the supporting plate for pushing the mounting portion toward the positioning portion of the moving unit, the mounting portion has a fender defining a top part above the top surface of the moving unit for restricting the position of the supporting plate.
US08624441B2
A control circuit of a cycling switch for controlling an electronic equipment includes a switch loop, a first control loop and a second control loop. The switch loop generates a driving signal to drive the electronic equipment. The first control loop is electrically connected with the switch loop and the electronic equipment respectively, and generates a first control signal according to a variation of the driving signal. The second control loop is electrically connected with the first control loop and the electronic equipment respectively. The second control loop has a storage unit which charges and discharges according to the first control signal, so that the second control loop generates a second control signal. The second control signal is inputted to the first control loop and controls the electronic equipment. A control method applied to the control circuit of the cycling switch is also disclosed.
US08624436B2
Circuitry and method for maximizing power from multiple DC power sources mutually coupled in series and providing unequal DC currents. Current related to the difference between the unequal DC currents is diverted from the serially coupled sources, captured as magnetic field energy and then added to the DC current provided by the serially coupled sources.
US08624433B2
Apparatus and associated method and computer program products involve a highly efficient uninterruptible power distribution architecture to support modular processing units. As an illustrative example, a modular processing unit includes an corresponding uninterruptible power system in which only one AC-to-DC rectification occurs between the utility AC grid and the processing circuit (e.g., microprocessor) loads. In an illustrative data center facility, a power distribution architecture includes a modular array of rack-mountable processing units, each of which has processing circuitry to handle network-related processing tasks. Associated with each modular processing unit is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to supply operating power to the network processing circuitry. Each UPS includes a battery selectively connectable across a DC bus, and a AC-to-DC rectifier that converts an AC input voltage to a single output voltage on the DC bus. The regulated DC bus voltage may be close to the battery's fully charged voltage.
US08624432B2
An energy boost circuit adapted to provide power to a load is described. The circuit includes a pair of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for converting thermal energy from a heat source into electrical energy; a pair of capacitor banks arranged in parallel, each coupled to one of the TEGs for storing the electrical energy generated by the TEG; a power converter; a first switching element coupled between a first capacitor bank in the pair of capacitor banks and the power converter; a second switching element coupled between a second capacitor bank in the pair of capacitor banks and the power converter; and a monitor/controller coupled to the first and second switching elements and adapted to selectively switch the switching elements in order to provide a power boost to the load, where the monitor/controller automatically switches the switching elements based at least partly on charge levels measured at the capacitor banks.
US08624428B2
A power controller for electrically connecting recreational vehicles and travel trailers to a power pedestal including a primary circuit and a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) circuit, and a method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power controller includes an electrical housing configured to be installed in a mobile vehicle. A relay switch located within the power controller operates under the direction of a control circuit and, depending on the load conditions, is configured to switch between (i) a first circuit configuration that delivers power from a first electrical input to a first electrical output, and (ii) a second circuit configuration that delivers power from the first electrical input to the first electrical output and, in isolation, from the second electrical input to the second electrical output.
US08624425B2
A voltage adjustment system includes a power supply for providing an initial voltage signal, a plurality of buck converters for receiving the initial voltage signal and generating one adjustable output voltage signal respectively, a microcontroller for determining one adjustable output voltage signal to output and determining whether a variable voltage signal generated by a buck converter that outputs the adjustable output voltage signal is positive or negative, a display unit for displaying value of the adjustable output voltage signal that is outputted, a plurality of voltage control units corresponding to the plurality of buck converters, and a voltage variation adjustment circuit including two buttons. The variable voltage signal is added to the adjustable output voltage signal generated by the same buck converter. Selection of the two buttons causes the microcontroller to adjust absolute value of the variable voltage signal generated by the buck converter through the corresponding voltage control unit.
US08624418B2
A device for converting wave energy into electricity, the device including: a float; a guiding-accelerating wheel, the guiding-accelerating wheel including a wheel body including a casing, a wheel center, and a chamber; an impeller; and an electric generator, the electric generator including a rotor. The float is upward and downward movable in accord with a movement of wave. The guiding-accelerating wheel is connected to a lower part of the float. The wheel center is disposed inside the casing. A plurality of deflectors is annularly arranged between the casing and the wheel body, and the deflectors are inclined to a same direction. Water channels are formed by the casing, the wheel center, and every two adjacent deflectors, each water channel including a water outlet. The impeller is clamped on the guiding-accelerating wheel at a position corresponding to the water outlet of the water channel.
US08624406B2
Disclosed is a liquid crystal driver having a plurality of output cells (101), wherein operational amplifiers (105), which are components of the output cells (101), are connected to a power wire (109a) formed in the liquid crystal driver, which is a semiconductor element. Further, the semiconductor element is mounted on a substrate on which a bypass wire (201) has been formed. The bypass wire (201) is connected to the power wire (109a) through bumps (203) for each separate one of the operational amplifiers (105) of all of the output cells.
US08624401B2
A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first penetration electrode and a plurality of second penetration electrodes each penetrating the semiconductor substrate, a first terminal and a plurality of second terminals formed on a one side of the substrate, and a third terminal and a plurality of fourth terminals formed on an opposite side of the substrate. Each of the first and third terminals is vertically aligned with and electrically connected to first penetration electrode. Each of the second terminals is vertically aligned with an associated one of the second penetration electrodes and electrically connected to another one of the second penetration terminals that is not vertically aligned with the associated second terminal. Each of fourth terminals is vertically aligned with and electrically connected to an associated one of the second penetration electrodes.
US08624396B2
An apparatus comprises a first dielectric layer formed over a substrate, a first metal line embedded in the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer formed over the first dielectric layer, a second metal line embedded in the second dielectric layer, an interconnect structure formed between the first metal line and the second metal line, a first carbon layer formed between the first metal line and the interconnect structure and a second carbon layer formed between the second metal line and the interconnect structure.
US08624394B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body and a low K dielectric layer overlying the semiconductor body. A first portion of the low K dielectric layer comprises a dielectric material, and a second portion of the low K dielectric layer comprise an air gap, wherein the first portion and the second portion are laterally disposed with respect to one another. A method for forming a low K dielectric layer is also disclosed and includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor body, forming a plurality of air gaps laterally disposed from one another in the dielectric layer, and forming a capping layer over the dielectric layer and air gaps.
US08624392B2
A system and method for providing a post-passivation and underbump metallization is provided. An embodiment comprises a post-passivation layer that is larger than an overlying underbump metallization. The post-passivation layer extending beyond the underbump metallization shields the underlying layers from stresses generated from mismatches of the materials' coefficient of thermal expansion.
US08624388B2
In a manufacturing method of a package carrier, a substrate including a first metal layer, a second metal layer having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to each other, and an insulating layer between the first and second metal layers is provided. The second metal layer has a greater thickness than the first metal layer. A first opening passing through the first metal layer and the insulating layer and exposing a portion of the top surface of the second metal layer is formed. The first metal layer is patterned to form a patterned conductive layer. Second openings are formed on the bottom surface of the second metal layer. The second metal layer is divided into thermal conductive blocks by the second openings that do not connect the first opening. A surface passivation layer is formed on the patterned conductive layer and the exposed portion of the top surface.
US08624381B2
A semiconductor module, comprises a package molding compound layer comprising an integrated circuit (IC) device embedded within a package molding compound, the integrated circuit device and the package molding compound having a common surface. Structures are formed to connect the semiconductor module to an external board, the structures electrically connected to the integrated circuit device. A layer is formed on the common surface, the layer comprising at least one integrated antenna structure, the integrated antenna structure being coupled to the IC device.
US08624377B2
A first chip is mounted on a substrate and includes a plurality of bump pads located on an active surface of the first chip. A wire bonds a first bump pad to the substrate. An intermediate layer is disposed on a portion of the active surface of the first chip, and a via within the intermediate layer extends to a second bump pad. A second chip is disposed on the intermediate layer, and wherein the second chip includes a third bump pad located on an active surface of the second chip and aligned with the via formed in the intermediate layer. A corresponding bump is disposed on one or more of the second bump pad and the third bump pad, and within the via, wherein the corresponding bump electrically connects the second bump pad with the third bump pad.
US08624373B2
The invention relates to a miniature microwave component having: a microwave chip (18, 60, 140) encapsulated in an individual package (61) for surface mounting. A metal base (80) mounts the chip in the package via its rear face. The base has an aperture (82). At least two access ports are provided for the communication of electrical signals between the inside and the outside of the package. A contactless microwave access port (62), by electromagnetic coupling at the aperture in the base, ensures transmission of coupling signals at a working frequency F0. A subharmonic access port (110) via a contact, inputs, into the integrated circuit, a subharmonic frequency F0/n of the working frequency F0. The chip includes, among its electrical conductors, a coupling electrical conductor (96) connected to the electronic elements of the chip. The coupling conductor is placed at the contactless microwave access port (62) in order to transmit microwave signals by electromagnetic coupling at the working frequency F0.
US08624365B1
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor package structure comprising a leadframe; an interposer disposed on the leadframe, the interposer comprising a plurality of dielectric layers including at least (i) a first dielectric layer and (ii) a second dielectric layer; a semiconductor device disposed on the interposer; and a capacitor that is embedded within the interposer, wherein the capacitor is formed using at least (i) a first conductive area disposed on the first dielectric layer and (ii) a second conductive area disposed on the second dielectric layer. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08624364B2
An integrated circuit packaging system includes: a base integrated circuit package having a base integrated circuit on a base substrate thereof; a base barrier on the base substrate adjacent a base perimeter of the base substrate; a stack substrate over the base substrate, the stack substrate having a stack substrate aperture with the stack substrate having an inter-substrate connector thereon; a connector underfill through the stack substrate aperture encapsulating the inter-substrate connector, overflow of the connector underfill prevented by the base barrier; and a cavity formed of the stack substrate, the base integrated circuit package, and the connector underfill, the cavity horizontally offset from the base barrier.
US08624361B1
A device and method for forming nanostructures includes providing a monocrystalline semiconductor layer on a flexible substrate and stressing the substrate in accordance with a crystal cleave plane to initiate cracks in the semiconductor layer. The cracks are propagated on the crystal cleave plane through the semiconductor layer where the cracks are spaced by an intercrack distance as determined by applying a particular strain. The strain is released to provide parallel structures on the flexible substrate.
US08624359B2
A wafer level chip scale package (WLCSP) includes a semiconductor device including an active surface having a contact pad, and side surfaces. A mold covers the side surfaces of the semiconductor device. A RDL structure includes a first PPI line electrically connected to the contact pad and extending on the active surface of the semiconductor device. A UBM layer is formed over and electrically connected to the first PPI line. A seal ring structure extends around the upper periphery of the semiconductor device on the mold. The seal ring structure includes a seal layer extending on the same level as at least one of the first PPI line and the UBM layer. A method of manufacturing a WLCSP includes forming a re-routing laminated structure by simultaneously forming an interconnection line and a seal layer on the molded semiconductor devices.
US08624355B2
A semiconductor device includes an n-type first guard ring layer provided between an emitter layer and a collector layer on a surface side of a base layer, and having a higher n-type impurity concentration than the base layer, and an n-type second guard ring layer provided between the first guard ring layer and a buried layer, connected to the first guard ring layer and the buried layer, and having a higher n-type impurity concentration than the base layer. The first guard ring layer has an n-type impurity concentration profile decreasing toward the second guard ring layer side, and the second guard ring layer has an impurity concentration profile decreasing toward the first guard ring layer side.
US08624342B2
A microelectronic unit includes a semiconductor element having a front surface to which a packaging layer is attached, and a rear surface remote from the front surface. The element includes a light detector including a plurality of light detector element arranged in an array disposed adjacent to the front surface and arranged to receive light through the rear surface. The semiconductor element also includes an electrically conductive contact at the front surface connected to the light detector. The conductive contact includes a thin region and a thicker region which is thicker than the thin region. A conductive interconnect extends through the packaging layer to the thin region of the conductive contact, and a portion of the conductive interconnect is exposed at a surface of the microelectronic unit.
US08624340B2
In a plasma torch unit, copper rods forming a coil as a whole are disposed inside copper rod inserting holes formed in a quartz block so that the quartz block is cooled by water flowing inside the copper rod inserting holes and cooling water pipes. A plasma ejection port is formed on the lowermost portion of the torch unit. While a gas is being supplied into a space inside an elongated chamber, high-frequency power is supplied to the copper rods to generate plasma in the space inside the elongated chamber so that the plasma is applied to a substrate.
US08624333B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a fin. The fin includes first and second fin portions. The first fin portion extends substantially in a horizontal direction to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second fin portion extends substantially in a vertical direction to the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The fin has a channel region.
US08624326B2
A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first dielectric layer disposed over the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a buffer layer disposed over the substrate and between first and second walls of a trench of the dielectric layer. The semiconductor device further includes an insulator layer disposed over the buffer layer and between the first and second wall of the trench of the dielectric layer. The semiconductor device also includes a second dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer and the insulator layer. Further, the semiconductor device includes a fin structure disposed over the insulator layer and between first and second walls of a trench of the second dielectric layer.
US08624324B1
Methods and devices for connecting a through via and a terminal of a transistor formed of a strained silicon material are provided. The terminal, which can be a source or a drain of a NMOS or a PMOS transistor, is formed within a substrate. A first contact within a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate is formed over and connected to the terminal. A through via extends through the first ILD layer into the substrate. A second contact is formed over and connected to the first contact and the through via within a second ILD layer and a contact etch stop layer (CESL). The second ILD layer is over the CESL, and the CESL is over the first ILD layer, which are all below a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer and the first metal layer of the transistor.
US08624316B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device, including a substrate, a stacked layer body provided above the substrate, the stacked layer body alternately stacking an insulator and an electrode film one on another, silicon pillars contained with fluorine, the silicon pillar penetrating through and provided in the stacked layer body, a tunnel insulator provided on a surface of the silicon pillar facing to the stacked layer body, a charge storage layer provided on a surface of the tunnel insulator facing to the stacked layer body, a block insulator provided on a surface of the charge storage layer facing to the stacked layer body, the block insulator being in contact with the electrode film, and an embedded portion provided in the silicon pillars.
US08624314B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises an active area extending in a first direction, a contact plug located on a first portion of the active area, and a transistor located on a second portion adjacent to the first portion of the active area in the first direction. A width of a top surface area of the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than that of a top surface area of the second portion in the second direction.
US08624309B2
A sensor includes a substrate, a floating diffusion node in the substrate, a photodiode in the substrate laterally spaced apart from the floating diffusion region and a transfer transistor coupling the photodiode and the floating diffusion region. The sensor further includes a photodiode control electrode disposed on the photodiode and configured to control a carrier distribution of the photodiode responsive to a control signal applied thereto. The floating diffusion region may have a first conductivity type, the photodiode may include a first semiconductor region of a second conductivity type disposed on a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, and the photodiode control electrode may be disposed on the first semiconductor region. The photodiode may be configured to receive incident light from a side of the substrate opposite the photodiode control electrode. The transfer transistor may include a gate electrode on a channel region in the substrate and the photodiode control electrode and the transfer transistor gate electrode may be separately controllable. In further embodiments, the photodiode control electrode comprises an extension of the transfer transistor gate electrode.
US08624308B2
The invention provides a solid-state image pickup device and method for realizing a higher sensitivity and a higher S/N ratio especially in the low-luminance region while maintaining a wide dynamic range. Plural pixels are integrated in an array configuration on a semiconductor substrate with each pixel having photodiode PD, which receives light and generates and stores photoelectric charge, transfer transistor Tr1, which transfers such photoelectric charge from such photodiode, floating diffusion FD, which transfers such photoelectric charge through such transfer transistor, additive capacitive element Cs, which is set connected via the floating diffusion to the photodiode, capacitive coupling transistor Tr2, which combines or divides the capacitance of such floating diffusion and the capacitance of such additive capacitive element, and reset transistor Tr3, which is connected to such additive capacitive element or floating diffusion; and the capacitance of the floating diffusion is smaller than that of the photodiode.
US08624299B2
An arrangement of nonvolatile memory devices, having at least one memory device level stacked level by level above a semiconductor substrate, each memory level comprising an oxide layer substantially disposed above a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of word lines substantially disposed above the oxide layer; a plurality of bit lines substantially disposed above the oxide layer; a plurality of via plugs substantially in electrical contact with the word lines and, an anti-fuse dielectric material substantially disposed on side walls beside the bit lines and substantially in contact with the plurality of bit lines side wall anti-fuse dielectrics.
US08624295B2
A novel SRAM memory cell structure and method of making the same are provided. The SRAM memory cell structure comprises strained PMOS transistors formed in a semiconductor substrate. The PMOS transistors comprise epitaxial grown source/drain regions that result in significant PMOS transistor drive current increase. An insulation layer is formed atop an STI that is used to electrically isolate adjacent PMOS transistors. The insulation layer is substantially elevated from the semiconductor substrate surface. The elevated insulation layer facilitates the formation of desirable thick epitaxial source/drain regions, and prevents the bridging between adjacent epitaxial layers due to the epitaxial layer lateral extension during the process of growing epitaxial sour/drain regions. The processing steps of forming the elevated insulation layer are compatible with a conventional CMOS process flow.
US08624292B2
A light emitting device includes a silicon substrate having a (100) upper surface. The (100) upper surface has a recess, the recess being defined in part by (111) surfaces of the silicon substrate. The light emitting device includes a GaN crystal structure over one of the (111) surfaces which has a non-polar plane and a first surface along the non-polar plane. Light emission layers over the first surface have at least one quantum well comprising GaN.
US08624279B2
A light emitting diode (LED) substrate includes a sapphire substrate which is characterized by having a surface consisting of irregular hexagonal pyramid structures, wherein a pitch of the irregular hexagonal pyramid structure is less than 10 μm. A symmetrical cross-sectional plane of each of the irregular hexagonal pyramid structures has a first base angle and a second base angle, wherein the second base angle is larger than the first base angle, and the second base angle is 50° to 70°. This LED substrate has high light-emitting efficiency.
US08624275B2
A pixel in the panel includes sub-pixels 100a, 100b, and 100c. Non-light-emitting cells 100d and 100e are provided between the pixel and adjacent pixels on both sides thereof, respectively. The organic light-emitting layer of sub-pixel 100a and non-light-emitting cell 100d are separated by bank 105a. Similarly, the organic light-emitting layer of sub-pixel 100c and non-light-emitting cell 100e are separated by bank 105d; the organic light-emitting layers of sub-pixels 100a and 100b are separated by bank 105b; and the organic light-emitting layers of sub-pixels 100b and 100c are separated by bank 105c. Inclination angle θaa of sidewall 105aa of bank 105a adjacent to sib-pixel 100a and inclination angle θdc of sidewall 105dc of bank 105d adjacent to sib-pixel 100c are larger than other inclination angles θba, θbb, θcb, and θcc.
US08624272B2
An illumination assembly is provided which is capable of correcting a color temperature. The assembly includes a substrate with a plurality of coatings applied on a respective plurality of surface portions of a base material. A light emitting device includes one or more light emitting elements of a first color temperature mounted on surface portions of the substrate having a first color coating, and one or more light emitting elements having a second color temperature mounted on surface portions of the substrate having a second color coating. Light emitting elements are individually sealed with a resin containing an excitable phosphor, with a reflectance factor of the first color coating and a reflectance factor of the second color coating set corresponding to light emitted from the light emitting elements having the first and second color temperatures, respectively, with respect to a desired color temperature for the light emitting device.
US08624269B2
A radiation-emitting thin film semiconductor chip is herein described which comprises a first region with a first active zone, a second region, separated laterally from the first region by a space, with a second active zone which extends parallel to the first active zone in a different plane, and a compensating layer, which is located in the second region at the level of the first active zone, the compensating layer not containing any semiconductor material.
US08624268B2
A light emitting device package is provided. The light emitting device package comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of protrusions, an insulating layer on the substrate, a metal layer on the insulating layer, and a light emitting device on the substrate electrically connected to the metal layer.
US08624265B2
According to one embodiment, the semiconductor element includes a semi-insulating substrate which has a first first-conductivity-type layer. The semiconductor element includes a first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer contains non-doped AlXGa1-XN (0≦X<1). The semiconductor element includes a second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer contains non-doped or second-conductivity-type AlYGa1-YN (0
US08624262B2
A light emitting diode includes: an electrically conductive permanent substrate having a reflective top surface; an epitaxial film disposed on the reflective top surface of the permanent substrate and having an upper surface and a roughened lower surface that is opposite to the upper surface, the roughened lower surface having a roughness with a height of not less than 300 nm and a plurality of peaks which are in ohmic contact with the reflective top surface; an optical adhesive filled in a gap between the lower surface and the reflective top surface and connecting the epitaxial film to the permanent substrate; and a top electrode disposed on the upper surface and in ohmic contact with the epitaxial film.
US08624256B2
The present invention provides a display device which forms a drive circuit using a bottom-gate-type TFT made of poly-Si which generates a small leak current in a periphery of a display region. A gate electrode is made of Mo having a high melting point, and a gate insulation film is formed on the gate electrode. A channel layer constituted of a poly-Si layer is formed on the gate insulation film, and the poly-Si layer is covered with an a-Si layer. An n+Si layer is formed on the a-Si layer, and an SD electrode is formed on the n+Si layer. Although holes are induced in the poly-Si layer when a negative voltage (inverse bias) is applied to the gate electrode, the holes cannot pass through the a-Si layer and hence, no drain current flows. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a bottom-gate-type TFT using poly-silicon which generates a small leak current.
US08624252B2
The invention provides a manufacturing method of a substrate having a film pattern including an insulating film, a semiconductor film, a conductive film and the like by simple steps, and also a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device which is low in cost with high throughput and yield. According to the invention, after forming a first protective film which has low wettability on a substrate, a material which has high wettability is applied or discharged on an outer edge of a first mask pattern, thereby a film pattern and a substrate having the film pattern are formed.
US08624246B2
A display device and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, a display device includes a substrate having a pixel region, a transistor region and a capacitor region, a transistor arranged within the transistor region of the substrate and a capacitor arranged within the capacitor region of the substrate, wherein the capacitor includes a lower electrode arranged on the substrate, a gate insulating layer arranged on the lower electrode and an upper electrode arranged on the gate insulating layer and overlapping the lower electrode, the upper electrode includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer arranged on the first conductive layer, wherein the first conductive layer is opaque.
US08624244B2
A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode placed on the semiconductor layer and electrically connected with the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes a light-transmitting semiconductor film and an ohmic conductive film placed on the light-transmitting semiconductor film and having a lower light transmittance than the light-transmitting semiconductor film. The ohmic conductive film is formed not to protrude from the light-transmitting semiconductor film. The ohmic conductive film is formed in separate parts with a channel part between the source electrode and the drain electrode interposed therebetween. The source electrode and the drain electrode are connected to the light-transmitting semiconductor film through the ohmic conductive film.
US08624243B2
A display panel includes an insulation substrate having a display area and a peripheral area, wires disposed on the insulation substrate in the display area, first and second testing lines disposed on the insulation substrate and aligned substantially parallel to each other, and a diode unit disposed between the wires and one of the first testing line and the second testing line. The wires extend from the display area into the peripheral area and through diodes included in the diode unit, and the wires are electrically connected to the one of the first testing line and the second testing line.
US08624241B2
A semiconductor chip includes: a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface; a first test through silicon via (TSV) passing through the first substrate from the first surface to the second surface; and a conductive protrusion coupled to the first test TSV and protruding from the second surface.
US08624239B2
In a transistor, a drain electrode to which a high electric field is applied is formed over a flat surface, and an end portion of a gate electrode on the drain electrode side in a channel width direction and an end portion of the gate electrode in a channel length direction are covered with an oxide semiconductor with a gate insulating layer between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer, so that withstand voltage of the transistor is improved. Further, a semiconductor device for high power application, in which the transistor is used, can be provided.
US08624230B2
Disclosed is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device, which includes: an organic light emitting diode including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an emission layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a base substrate supporting the organic light emitting diode; and a sealing member disposed on the base substrate while covering the organic light emitting diode. Herein, the sealing member includes a fluorinated epoxy sealing material including a fluorinated epoxy resin.
US08624220B2
To provide a high-quality nitride semiconductor ensuring high emission efficiency of a light-emitting element fabricated. In the present invention, when obtaining a nitride semiconductor by sequentially stacking a one conductivity type nitride semiconductor part, a quantum well active layer structure part, and a another conductivity type nitride semiconductor part opposite the one conductivity type, the crystal is grown on a base having a nonpolar principal nitride surface, the one conductivity type nitride semiconductor part is formed by sequentially stacking a first nitride semiconductor layer and a second nitride semiconductor layer, and the second nitride semiconductor layer has a thickness of 400 nm to 20 μm and has a nonpolar outermost surface. By virtue of selecting the above-described base for crystal growth, an electron and a hole, which are contributing to light emission, can be prevented from spatial separation based on the QCSE effect and efficient radiation is realized. Also, by setting the thickness of the second nitride semiconductor layer to an appropriate range, the nitride semiconductor surface can avoid having extremely severe unevenness.
US08624214B2
A semiconductor device (100) of the present invention has a structure in which an interlayer insulating layer (115) is formed on an uppermost wire (114), contacts (116, 117) penetrate the interlayer insulating layer (115), a lower electrode (118a) of the resistance variable element is formed on the interlayer insulating layer (115) to cover the contact (116), and resistance variable layer (119) is formed on the interlayer insulating layer (115) to cover the lower electrode (118a) and the contact (117). The contact (116) and the lower electrode (118a) serve as a first terminal, while the contact (117) serves as a second terminal.
US08624213B2
An optocoupler circuit includes a switch connected in parallel with a photo LED, the photo LED having an anode and a cathode. The anode is connected to a power supply via a decoupling capacitor. The optocoupler circuit is arranged so that the switch turns on the photo LED when in the open position. When closed, the switch directs current flow through a series resistor to ground and shunts current flow away from the photo LED to turn off the photo LED. A second capacitor is connected to the cathode of the photo LED. The second capacitor is wired in series with a second switch and a current limiting resistor connected to ground. The first switch and second switch operate in complementary states to prevent the cathode connected capacitor from discharging. The disclosed optocoupler circuit provides the ability to function at increased levels of common mode voltage transients.
US08624208B2
An extreme ultraviolet light generation system is an extreme ultraviolet light generation system which is used with a laser apparatus and is connected to an external device so as to supply extreme ultraviolet light thereto, and the extreme ultraviolet light generation system may include: a chamber provided with at least one inlet through which a laser beam is introduced thereinto; a target supply unit provided to the chamber for supplying a target material to a predetermined region inside the chamber; a discharge pump connected to the chamber; at least one optical element disposed inside the chamber; an etching gas introduction unit provided to the chamber through which etching gas passes, the etching gas being introduced to etch debris of the target material which is emitted when the target material is irradiated with the laser beam inside the chamber and adheres to the at least one optical element; and at least one temperature control mechanism for controlling a temperature of the at least one optical element.
US08624204B2
A system for configuring and utilizing J electromagnetic radiation sources (J≧2) to serially irradiate a substrate. Each source has a different function of wavelength and angular distribution of emitted radiation. The substrate includes a base layer and I stacks (I≧2; J≦I) thereon. Pj denotes a normally incident energy flux on each stack from source j. In each of I independent exposure steps, the I stacks are concurrently exposed to radiation from the J sources. Vi and Si respectively denote an actual and target energy flux transmitted into the substrate via stack i in exposure step i (i=1, . . . , I). t(i) and Pt(i) are computed such that: Vi is maximal through deployment of source t(i) as compared with deployment of any other source for i=1, . . . , I; and an error E being a function of |V1−S1|, |V2−S2|, . . . , |VI−SI| is about minimized with respect to Pi (i=1, . . . , I).
US08624185B2
Disclosed are methods for preparing samples that include forming a first channel in a material by directing a first plurality of noble gas ions at the material, forming a second channel in the material by directing a second plurality of noble gas ions at the material, where the second channel is spaced from the first channel so that a portion of the material between channels has a mean thickness of 100 nm or less, and detaching the portion from the material to yield the sample.
US08624182B2
An electro-optical inspection apparatus prevents adhesion of dust or particles to a sample surface, wherein a stage on which a sample is placed is disposed inside a vacuum chamber that can be evacuated, and a dust collecting electrode is disposed to surround a periphery of the sample. The dust collecting electrode is applied with a voltage having the same polarity as a voltage applied to the sample and an absolute value that is the same or larger than an absolute value of the voltage. Because dust or particles adhere to the dust collecting electrode, adhesion of the dust or particles to the sample surface can be reduced. Instead of using the dust collecting electrode, it is possible to form a recess on a wall of the vacuum chamber, or to dispose on the wall a metal plate having a mesh structure to which a predetermined voltage is applied.
US08624181B1
A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS) includes an ion gate, an ion guide downstream of the ion gate, and a TOF analyzer downstream of the ion guide. The TOF MS is operated with an adjustable duty cycle to limit the amount of ions entering a TOF analyzer and avoid saturating a detector system of the TOF MS. The duty cycle is adjusted by controlling the ion gate. The ion guide emits ions as a continuous beam, without trapping the ions. The ion guide may be operated as a collision cell. The TOF MS may also include a mass filter upstream of the ion guide.
US08624176B2
A detector assembly includes a cap assembly configured to close an end of a detector housing that is configured to contain a sensor therein, the cap assembly has a radially expandable member configured to expand radially within the detector housing and lock the position of the cap assembly relative to the detector housing.
US08624174B2
A mirror structure is provided in which at least a portion of a wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror. In particular, a mirror structure is provided in which a Hartmann mask or a microlens array of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is integrated with a mirror to provide a very compact wavefront detector/corrector in a single device. Such a mirror structure may be used in a laser cavity to simplify adaptive optics in the cavity. Furthermore, a Hartmann Mask may be integrated with self deforming mirror comprising an active PZT layer bonded to a passive mirror substrate, wherein the Hartmann Mask comprises an array of apertures formed through the active PZT layer.
US08624171B2
A system and method for guiding a projectile is presented. A nozzle system includes a boom assembly body that can be attached to a rear end of a projectile. A gas tank in the boom assembly contains pressurized gas. Fins are attached to the boom assembly body to guide the projectile. A valve lets a pulse of gas out of the gas tank. A nozzle expels the pulse of gas to control an angle of attack and lift of the projectile to guide the projectile to a target.
US08624169B1
A heating appliance comprises a chamber portion defining a heating chamber, a lid portion, a heating apparatus to heat air in the heating chamber, a food temperature sensor to sense an internal temperature of an item located in the heating chamber, a user interface configured to receive designation of a desired time of completion of heating of the item from the user, and a control circuit configured to control the supply of power to the heating apparatus. The control circuit is in communication with the temperature sensor and the user interface. The control circuit may control the heating apparatus so that the internal temperature of the item reaches a predetermined temperature at the desired time of completion designated by the user. The control circuit may control the heating apparatus so that the internal temperature of the item is maintained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time before an end of the desired time of completion.
US08624168B2
A heating plate for a substrate support assembly in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, comprises multiple independently controllable planar heater zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the planar heater zones. Each planar heater zone uses at least one diode as a heater element. A substrate support assembly in which the heating plate is incorporated includes an electrostatic clamping electrode and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the heating plate include bonding together ceramic or polymer sheets having planar heater zones, power supply lines, power return lines and vias.
US08624167B2
A device for making a muffle, with which dental restoration parts can be produced with the aid of an embedding compound, at least one press blank and a pressing device, the device having a muffle base, a tubular sleeve surrounding the muffle base and at least one muffle insert which is arranged on the muffle base and can be separated from it. At least two cylindrical press-channel forming elements (16, 18, 20) extend parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another from a flat-formed portion of the muffle insert (12), which can be burned out at least with respect to the forming elements, which elements are formed in a closed manner, and in particular with thin walls, at least on one free end face opposite from the flat-formed portion (14).
US08624163B2
A titanium based welding flux that includes titanium dioxide and a moisture resistant agent. The titanium oxide includes purified titanium dioxide that includes little or no impurities that can act as nucleation sites for carbide formation in a weld metal. The moisture resistant compound includes a colloidal metal oxide.
US08624161B2
A constant voltage (CV) welding process power supply including a controller that implements a variable minimum current is provided. The controller is configured to periodically compute a running current value during a welding operation. The controller is also configured to periodically compute a minimum current value based on a difference between the running current value and a preset offset value, wherein the preset offset value remains constant throughout the welding operation.
US08624158B2
A manipulation system controllably moves a head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with energy waves from the head. The manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.
US08624153B2
A laser processing method which can efficiently perform laser processing while minimizing the deviation of the converging point of a laser beam in end parts of an object to be processed is provided.This laser processing method comprises a preparatory step of holding a lens at an initial position set such that a converging point is located at a predetermined position within the object; a first processing step (S11 and S12) of emitting a first laser beam for processing while holding the lens at the initial position, and moving the lens and the object relative to each other along a main surface so as to form a modified region in one end part of a line to cut; and a second processing step (S13 and S14) of releasing the lens from being held at the initial position after forming the modified region in the one end part of the line to cut, and then moving the lens and the object relative to each other along the main surface while adjusting the gap between the lens and the main surface after the release, so as to form the modified region.
US08624150B2
An apparatus and method for extending a plasma arc torch is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plasma torch adapter for relocating a mounting location of plasma torch consumables with respect to a plasma arc torch. The adapter is configured to be mounted between a plasma arc torch and the plasma torch consumables. The adapter is connectable to a consumable interface of the torch and includes a generally longitudinal body having a first end and a second end. The adapter includes a first connector at the first end of the body that is adapted to mate with the consumable interface. The adapter further includes a second connector at the second end of the body for mating with a set of plasma torch consumables, such that a second mounting location for consumables is established in a spaced relationship relative to the first connector, the mounting location adjacent the second connector.
US08624149B2
A plasma arc torch includes an annular baffle defining distinct faces A, B, C, and D. Faces A and C are opposite from each other, and faces B and D are opposite from each other. First passages for fluid flow extend between the faces A and C, and second passages extend between the faces B and D. The baffle is installable in an annular space between an inner wall and an outer wall, in either of two orientations. In a first orientation, the first passages are open to fluid flow and the second passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces B and D, and in a second orientation, flipped over relative to the first orientation, the second passages are open to fluid flow and the first passages are closed by engagement of the inner and outer walls with the faces A and C.
US08624141B2
Illuminated button assemblies are provided that can be secured to a mounting surface by any of a locking member such as a snap tab, a securing member such as a nut, or a combination of both. The securing member is adapted to enclose the locking member when it is fully secured. A variety of illumination assemblies are similarly sized and shaped such that they can be interchanged within the same assembly housing. A switch and the illumination assembly are directly connected to the assembly housing without the need for a lamp holder.
US08624137B2
A device has a micro electromechanical structure (10) with a first arm (102), at least one second arm (104a, b) connected to each other via a connection (100). Both arms (102, 104a, b) and the connection (100) are preferably made of a single crystalline body. The first and second arm (102, 104a, b) have end portions attached to a substrate, but otherwise the arms and their connection are free to move relative to the substrate. The first and second arm (102, 104a, b) extending from the end portions to the connection (100) along different directions, preferably perpendicularly to each other. An electrode (12) is provided on the substrate, adjacent to the micro electromechanical structure (10) to excite vibration of the structure. The two arms in different directions make it possible to reduce the nonlinearity of the stiffness during vibrations of the structure.
US08624132B2
A printed wiring board including a wiring substrate provided with at least one conductor circuit, a solder resist layer provided on the surface of the wiring substrate, at least one conductor pad formed from a part of the conductor circuit exposed from an opening provided in the solder resist layer, and at least one solder bump for mounting electronic parts on the conductor pad. In the printed wiring board, since the at least one conductor pad is aligned at a pitch of about 200 μm or less, and a ratio (W/D) of a diameter W of the solder bump to an opening diameter D of the opening formed in the solder resist layer is about 1.05 to about 1.7, connection reliability and insulation reliability can be easily improved.
US08624129B2
A power device that includes a printed circuit board having one or more dielectric and copper layers between a top and a bottom metal layer. The power device includes an area extending through all metal and dielectric layers of the printed circuit board except the bottom metal layer. A semiconductor device is positioned within the area and mounted to the bottom metal layer of the printed circuit board.
US08624128B2
A printed circuit board and a manufacturing method of the printed circuit board are disclosed. The printed circuit board includes: a first insulation layer having a first pattern formed thereon; a first trench caved in one surface of the first insulation layer along at least a portion of the first pattern; and a second insulation layer stacked on one surface of the first insulation layer so as to cover the first pattern. The first trench is filled by the second insulation layer.
US08624123B2
The present invention relates to a printed circuit board. A heat radiation coating material is applied to a portion of a circuit layer formed on an outermost portion of the printed circuit board, thereby making it possible to improve heat radiation performance of the printed circuit board. The heat radiation coating material also serves as a solder resist, thereby making it possible to insulate and protect the printed circuit board without a separate solder resist.
US08624122B2
To achieve efficient heat spreading and heat releasing by using a metal core of a circuit board, a terminal block includes an insulating block body and terminals. At least one of the terminals is provided with terminal portions for a connection with a circuit board. The terminal portions are inserted into respective through holes of the circuit board, the circuit board having a pattern circuit at a surface layer thereof and a conductive metal core at an intermediate portion in a thickness direction, so that heat of the metal core or of both the metal core and the pattern circuit is absorbed and transferred to the terminals. A bus-bar block includes an insulating block body and several parallel bus-bars with different lengths. Terminal portions at a tip end of the bus-bars are inserted, near heat-generating component on the circuit board, into the through holes of the circuit board.
US08624119B2
A conductor of an electrical wire for wiring is disclosed. The conductor is obtained by stranding a plurality of copper alloy wire materials, each having a composition containing 0.3 to 1.5 mass % of Cr, with the balance being Cu and inevitable impurities. The conductor has a tensile strength of 400 MPa or more and 650 MPa or less, an elongation of 7% or more when broken, an electrical conductivity of 65% IACS or more, a ratio between a 0.2% proof stress and the tensile strength of 0.7 or more and 0.95 or less, and a work-hardening exponent of 0.03 or more and 0.17 or less. A method of producing the conductor; an electrical wire for wiring, in which an insulating cover is provided on the conductor; and a copper alloy solid wire for the conductor are also disclosed.
US08624116B2
The present invention relates to an improved isolated core or insulated conductor with a low dielectric constant and reduced materials costs. Apparatuses and methods of manufacturing the improved isolated core or insulated conductor are also disclosed.
US08624114B2
A buffering part 34 is formed by turning an end side of a wiring harness 30 in a U-shape, and by detachably holding a neighbor of an end of the wiring harness 32 with a retainer 29 of a protector 24 disposed on a middle of the wiring harness 33. A circular portion of the buffering part 34 can work as a buffer. The buffer performance of the buffering part 34 depends on flexibility and resiliency of a corrugate tube 25 and on a circular shape formed between a holding position of the retainer 29 and the neighbor of the end of the wiring harness 32.
US08624113B2
A housing includes a transparent panel and a housing body. The housing body includes a main body and a flange portion extending from the main body. The filler is formed between the transparent panel and the housing body. The filler includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a support portion integrally formed together, the first connecting portion connecting the transparent panel to the flange portion, the support portion supporting the transparent panel, and the second connecting portion connected to the housing body.
US08624110B2
Vibration resistant cables containing a first conductor and a second conductor, each having a diameter d, are disclosed. The second conductor is twisted around the first conductor at a particular lay length to eliminate bagging of the vibration resistant cable.
US08624108B1
Novel structures of photovoltaic cells (also treated as solar cells) are provided. The cells are based on nanometer-scaled wires, tubes, and/or rods, which are made of electronic materials covering semiconductors, insulators or metallic in structure. These photovoltaic cells have large power generation capability per unit physical area over the conventional cells. These cells will have enormous applications in space, commercial, residential, and industrial applications.
US08624102B2
A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess.
US08624101B2
An adjustable solar power generation apparatus includes a solar power generation unit, a base, and a supporting bar supporting the base. The base accommodates the solar power generation unit. The supporting bar supports the base. The solar power generation unit includes a fixed lens unit and a solar cell. The fixed lens unit includes a converging lens to converge sunlight. The solar cell is located in the fixed lens unit, and is capable of moving toward or away from the converging lens to adjust the light intensity received by the solar cell.
US08624086B2
The present invention provides a method for disrupting pollen development in a plant, the method comprising inhibiting the expression of an endogenous nucleic acid molecule which is, under normal conditions, detectably expressed in anther tissue of a plant during pollen formation, and which codes for a protein belonging to the MYB class of DNA binding transcription factors. Particularly, the nucleic acid molecule whose expression is blocked encodes MYB 32 or MYB 103. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules for use in the method, use of the method in producing male sterile plants and transgenic plants produced in accordance with the method.
US08624085B2
An insect-resistant protein exhibiting a sufficient resistance to insects; an insect-resistance gene encoding the insect-resistant protein; a recombinant vector containing the insect-resistance gene; a host cell and a plant cell having the recombinant vector transfected thereinto; a transformant transformed by the insect-resistance gene and a method for producing the same; a protein recovered thereby; and an insect-resistant agent comprising them as active ingredients. In accordance with the present invention, the insect-resistant protein is derived from a plant.
US08624080B2
A process of producing one or more than one protein of interest, comprising: (a) providing a plant or plant cells comprising a first heterologous nucleotide sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an RNA replicon, and a first inducible promoter operably linked to said nucleotide sequence encoding said RNA replicon; said RNA replicon not encoding a protein providing for cell-to-cell movement of said RNA replicon in said plant; said RNA replicon encoding a polymerase and said one or more than one protein of interest, said polymerase being adapted for replicating said RNA replicon; and (b) inducing, in said plant or plant cells of step (a), said inducible promoter, thereby producing said one or more than one protein of interest in said plant or plant cells.
US08624076B2
A method for using a dressing mechanism on an epidermis. The dressing mechanism includes a first section, a second section, and a third section and the first section and the third section comprise an elastic material and include a first side having an adhesive located thereon. The second section is a laminated material.
US08624071B2
Process for making a bio-diesel and a bio-naphtha and optionally bio-propane from a complex mixture of natural occurring fats & oils, wherein said complex mixture is subjected to a refining treatment for removing the major part of the non-triglyceride and non-fatty acid components, thereby obtaining refined oils; said refined oils are subjected to a fractionation step for obtaining: an unsaturated or substantially unsaturated, liquid or substantially liquid triglyceride part (phase L); and a saturated or substantially saturated, solid or substantially solid triglyceride part (phase S); and said phase L is transformed into alkyl-esters as bio-diesel by a transesterification; said phase S is transformed into linear or substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha: by an hydrodeoxygenation or from said phase S are obtained fatty acids that are transformed into linear or substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha by hydrodeoxygenation or decarboxylation of the free fatty acids or from said phase S are obtained fatty acids soaps that are transformed into linear or substantially linear paraffin's as the bio-naphtha by decarboxylation of the soaps.
US08624061B2
The present invention relies on a process for the preparation of non ionic iodinated contrast agents and, in more details, it relates to a process for the preparation of Iopamidol in high yields and with a high degree of purity. In more details, the invention discloses a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (III) comprising the condensation reaction a compound of formula (II) with 2-amino-1,3-propandiol, being said reaction carried out in an aprotic dipolar solvent and in the presence of an alkaline or alkaline rare earth metal oxide or hydroxide.
US08624056B2
The present invention relates to halogenated compounds of formula (I) with the substituents as described within the specification. The compounds may be useful as anti-fibrotic agents. The present invention also relates to methods for their preparation.
US08624054B2
A process for the production of methyl acetate by reacting dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide into a carbonylation reactor containing a mordenite catalyst in the presence of added methyl acetate and/or acetic acid.
US08624053B2
The invention provides a method to produce a stable, ionic-bonded, dry creatine-α-ketoglutarate product at a molar ratio of about 2:1. The product is stable at room temperature when kept dry for periods of up to one year. The product can be supplemented with additional biologically active, natural amino acid, preferably l-arginine, l-taurine and l-citrulline. The serving dosage is typically between about 1 and 2 g.
US08624045B2
A process for the epoxidation of an olefin is disclosed which includes: reacting a feed gas composition containing an olefin, oxygen, and a moderator selected from the group consisting of diatomic chlorine and perhalogenated hydrocarbons, in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst.
US08624043B2
Described is a method to make liquid chemicals. The method includes deconstructing cellulose to yield a product mixture comprising levulinic acid and formic acid, converting the levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone, and converting the γ-valerolactone to pentanoic acid. Alternatively, the γ-valerolactone can be converted to a mixture of n-butenes. The pentanoic acid can be decarboxylated yield 1-butene or ketonized to yield 5-nonanone. The 5-nonanone can be hydrodeoxygenated to yield nonane, or 5-nonanone can be reduced to yield 5-nonanol. The 5-nonanol can be dehydrated to yield nonene, which can be dimerized to yield a mixture of C9 and C18 olefins, which can be hydrogenated to yield a mixture of alkanes.
US08624039B2
A method for preparing [18F]fallypride is disclosed, which comprises a first step for trapping a fluorine-18 to a polymer ion exchange cartridge; a second step for extraction of fluorine-18 by inputting low base concentrations: 5.0˜25 μL of 40% TBAHCO3 or K2.2.2./K2CO3 (5˜25 mg/0.5˜3.0 mg) as a phase-transfer catalyst in a mixture of alcohol/water (1.0/0.2 (v/v)) or alcohol as a solvent into the polymer ion exchange cartridge trapped by the fluorine-18; a third step for preparing a [18F]fallypride product by removing the solvent from the trapped fluorine-18, by inputting tosylate precursor in CH3CN as a solvent into a reactor and by reacting the same for 5˜35 minutes at 50˜120° C.; and a fourth step for preparing a pure [18F]fallypride by purifying the prepared [18F]fallypride product.
US08624038B2
The present disclosure relates to a compound of the formula I or a tribologically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, or proadditive thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R4 are as defined herein. Such novel pyrrolidine, or succinimide, derivatives may be useful as friction modifiers in lubricant compositions. This disclosure also relates to a method of using such friction modifier compounds in lubricating fluid formulations to lubricate machine parts, including gear, axle, engine, and transmission parts, and to lubricant compositions containing such friction modifier compounds.
US08624035B2
A silane-modified cyanine of Formula (I) includes the valence tautomers thereof: wherein R1 is a linear, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain, having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein one or more carbon atoms are optionally substituted by a 4-, 5- or 6-membered aromatic or non aromatic cyclic grouping of carbon atoms; R8 and R9 are independently selected from the group consisting of —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —OCH2CH2CH3, —OCH(CH3)2, —OCH2CH2OCH3, —Cl, —Br, —I, Formula (II), Formula (III), —N(CH3)2, Formula (IV), Formula (V), methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl. The synthesis method and the use as a fluorescent marker are for inorganic solid supports, for example silica nanoparticles, and/or for biomolecules such as peptides, antibodies, DNA, RNA, etc.
US08624029B2
The compounds of the subject invention are adjuvant molecules that comprise a imidazoquinoline molecule covalently linked to a phospho- or phosphonolipid group. The compounds of the invention have been shown to be inducers of interferon-a, IL-12 and other immunostimulatory cytokines and possess an improved activity profile in comparison to known cytokine inducers when used as adjuvants for vaccine antigens.
US08624027B2
The present disclosure relates to a combination of therapeutic agents for use in treating a patient a subject suffering from cancer. In addition, the present disclosure also relates to diagnostic assays useful in classification of patients for treatment with one or more therapeutic agents.
US08624024B2
Disclosed is a method for highly efficiently obtaining an optically active alcohol from a carbonyl compound highly enantioselectively. Also disclosed is a ligand used in such a method. Specifically, an optically active alcohol is obtained by reacting a carbonyl compound and an organozinc compound by using a ligand (L) shown below.
US08624020B2
The present invention relates to a method for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids by elution of nucleic acids from nucleic acid-containing samples, and biological materials, using a wash buffer comprising an alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and at least one further solvent selected from the group consisting of alkane diols and alkane triols having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, monocarboxylic acid esters and dicarboxylic acid diesters having 2 to 6 carbon atoms in the acidic component and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alcoholic component; (poly)ethylene glycols and ether derivatives and ester derivatives thereof, and poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) sodium salt solution. The present invention further relates to a kit for carrying out the method of the invention.
US08624015B2
Provided is a probe set that is useful for identifying each allele of HLA individually, and a method of identification of an allele of HLA by the use thereof for each type.The probe set is composed of probes that cover all of the partial sequences that contain a unique base to each allele. Using this probe set HLA contained in a specimen is identified.
US08624007B2
The present invention provides for a modified Fc-fusion protein in which at least one amino acid from the heavy chain constant region selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues 250, 314, and 428 is substituted with another amino acid which is different from that present in the unmodified Fc-fusion protein, thereby altering the binding affinity for FcRn and/or the serum half-life in comparison to the unmodified Fc-fusion protein.
US08624004B2
The present invention relates to a method for the production of a hepatitis B antigen suitable for use in a vaccine, the method comprising purification of the antigen in the presence of cysteine, to vaccines comprising such antigens.
US08623996B2
The objective of the present invention is to obtain a low temperature producing enzyme and more particularly, the enzyme provides a bifunctional purpose of varying its enzyme activity into activity of another enzyme. The present invention has overcome problems such as ability of obtaining an enzyme at low temperature.
US08623986B2
The present invention relates to biostable gel comprising: (a) at least one silicon-containing polyol, polyamine, polyepoxy or polyisocyanate having 1 or more functional groups and a molecular weight of at least 20,000 which is cured in the presence of: (b) at least one diol, diamine or diisocyanate having a molecular weight of less than 10,000; and/or (c) an initiator, processes for their preparation and their use in the manufacture and repair of biomaterials and medical devices, articles or implants, in particular the manufacture of a soft tissue implant such as breast implants and the repair of orthopaedic joints such as spinal discs.
US08623978B2
Process for the preparation of low-peroxide crosslinked vinyllactam polymer by free-radical polymerization in the presence of at least one organic substance acting as antioxidant, low-peroxide crosslinked vinyllactam polymer obtainable by this process, and its use.
US08623972B2
The present invention relates to styrene-butadiene copolymers (SBR) that are prepared using aqueous emulsion polymerization technology and are intended for the adhesive and sealing industry, being particularly useful in the preparation of contact adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) and widely applicable in the footwear and furniture industries. The use of this kind of elastomer in processes for preparing adhesives, having an aqueous or solvent base, provides high cohesion to adhesive compositions without compromising or jeopardizing the adhesion. The present invention is also intended to protect the process for obtaining SBR copolymers, simultaneously comprising: aqueous emulsion polymerization at high temperatures, the use of a specific surfactant and the maintenance of the Mooney viscosity and the combined styrene content in the copolymer in high ranges. Another object of the present invention application is the protection of adhesive compositions that are obtained from SBR copolymers, either in solid or latex form.
US08623966B2
In a process for preparing cationic or amphoteric (co)polymers derived from acrylamide by a Hofmann degradation reaction in aqueous solution in the presence of an alkali and/or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide and an alkali metal hypohalide on a base copolymer, a solution of base copolymer on which the reaction is performed contains a polyvalent cationic salt representing at least 0.5% by weight, preferably from 2 to 10% by weight of the base copolymer.
US08623963B2
High purity perfluoroelastomer composites and processes for producing the same are provided. High purity composites may be formed from compositions comprising a crosslinkable fluoroelastomer terpolymer of TFE, PAVE, and CNVE, and functionalized PTFE, which may be crosslinked to form crosslinked composites having low metal content and low compression set. Emulsion mixtures for forming the high purity composites are also provided.
US08623959B2
Described herein a method of manufacturing a metal shape that includes contacting a liquid metal and a surface of a foundry core under conditions wherein vein defects occur, the surface of the foundry core comprising a foundry aggregate, a combustible-organic material and a polyurethane resin, and the surface of the foundry core being free of or essentially free of an anti-veining agent; cooling the liquid metal to a temperature below its melting point thereby forming a metal shape; and then removing the foundry core from the metal shape.
US08623957B2
Method of making fluoropolymers by emulsion polymerization of one or more fluorinated monomers in an aqueous phase in the presence of a fluorinated emulsifier, said method comprises adding a doping agent in a weight ratio with respect to the emulsifier of from about 1:2 to about 1:20, said doping agent has a melting point of equal or less than 30° C. and a boiling point of at least about 100° C. and is selected from the group consisting of fluorinated cyclic hydrocarbons, fluorinated polyoxyalkenes, fluorinated alkenes and fluorinated polyoxyalkenes.
US08623953B2
The present invention relates generally to gels that flow through an orifice. Specifically the invention relates to gels that are dispensed through a trigger spray nozzle or aerosol spray valve. Still more specifically, the invention relates to nonaquious gels containing polymers whose instantaneous viscosity reversibly decreases when the gel experiences shear loads. The invention includes spray gel compositions, methods of making spray gels and methods of dispensing gels whose viscosity exhibits an instantaneous temporary decrease in viscosity when the gel is subjected to shear force as happens when it flows through an orifice, such as a spray nozzle or aerosol valve.
US08623947B2
The invention developed compositions of plasticizers obtained from the partial transesterification, acetylation and epoxidation of vegetable oils with ethanol or glycerin, henceforth called partially transesterified epoxidized bioesters.
US08623942B2
The present invention provides a liquid curable epoxy resin composition that has excellent storage stability and curing properties and provides a cured product having excellent properties, particularly, excellent organic solvent resistance. For that purpose, a clathrate containing a carboxylic acid compound and at least one selected from the group consisting of an imidazole compound represented by formula (I), wherein R1 to R4 each represent a hydrogen atom or the like, and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undecene-7 (DBU) is mixed in an epoxy resin. The liquid curable epoxy resin composition uses a liquid epoxy resin or an organic solvent.
US08623939B2
An ink contains at least a first solid particle, and a second solid particle formed of a base material of a different main component from that of the first solid particle. The first solid particle and the second solid particle have zeta potentials of the same polarity, or zeta potentials of 0±5 mV. The first and second solid particles in the ink have the same surface property, specifically the same interface property in the ink. This makes it possible to use a common dispersant suited for adsorption on the first and second solid particles. In this way, more than one kind of solid particle can be stably dispersed using a sole kind of dispersant.
US08623936B2
Methods and compositions are provided that relate to weighted elastomers. The weighted elastomers may comprise an elastomer and a weighting agent attached to an outer surface of the elastomer. An embodiment includes a method of cementing that comprises providing a cement composition containing cement, water, and a weighted elastomer. In addition, the cement composition may be introduced into a subterranean formation and allowed to set therein.
US08623935B2
Antimicrobial compositions are provided that include a hydroalcoholic solvent system comprising a lower C2-C5 alcohol and water; a cationic antimicrobial agent such as chlorhexidine gluconate; a hydrophobic polymer soluble in the lower alcohol; an emollient ester such as diesters of bibasic acids and triesters of citric acid; and an optional fatty component containing at least one free hydroxyl group, such as a C12-C21 fatty alcohol, a C12-C21 fatty ester, a C12-C21 fatty ether, a C12-C21 fatty amide, and combinations thereof. The compositions described herein display improved antimicrobial efficacy and improved cosmetic elegance.
US08623930B2
{Problems}The present invention is contemplated for providing a thermoplastic resin foam and a light reflecting material having a high reflectivity when being made thin, as well as a method of producing the thermoplastic resin foam.{Means to Solve}A thermoplastic resin foam, prepared by using a thermoplastic resin composition containing a melt-type crystallization nucleating agent (B) in a crystalline thermoplastic resin (A), which foam comprises a bubble having a mean bubble diameter of less than 1 μm in the inside thereof.
US08623926B2
Disclosed herein is a methanol production process that includes at least two membrane separation steps. Using the process of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. As an additional advantage, the first membrane separation step generates a hydrogen-rich stream which can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the process of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.
US08623902B2
Compounds of Formula (I), in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as microbiocides.
US08623892B2
The instant invention describes compounds having metalloenzyme modulating activity, and methods of treating diseases, disorders or symptoms thereof mediated by such metalloenzymes.
US08623891B2
Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient suffering from a cognitive disorder using compounds of Formulas (1) and (2) wherein the variables have the meaning disclosed in the specification.
US08623880B2
The invention described herein relates to novel fused pyrimidinediones derivatives of formula (I) which are TRPA (Transient Receptor Potential subfamily A) modulators. In particular, compounds described herein are useful for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPA1 (Transient Receptor Potential subfamily A, member 1). This invention also provides processes for preparing compounds described herein, intermediates used in their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPA1.
