US08805536B2
An implantable lead includes a pipe, a flexible conductive layer, at least one connector, at least one contactor and at least one wire. The pipe includes a first end portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, and a middle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The flexible conductive layer is located on the middle portion of the pipe. The at least one connector is located on the first end portion of the pipe. The at least one contactor is located on the second end portion of the pipe. The at least one wire is located in the pipe and electrically connects the at least one connector and the at least one contactor. A medical device using the implantable lead is also provided.
US08805529B2
An implantable medical device (IMD) comprises a transmitting/receiving (T/R) device for transmitting medical data sensed from a patient to, and for receiving control signals from, a medical expert (a human medical professional and/or a computerized expert system) at a remote location; an electronic medical treatment device for treating the patient in response to control signals applied thereto; and a sensor circuit, having a sensor circuit output, for producing sensor circuit output signal(s) representing medical data sensed from the patient. The IMD also includes logic device which analyzes the sensor circuit output signal(s) to detect a medical abnormality and, upon detecting an abnormality, either sends a notification signal representing a medical state of said patient to the medical expert at the remote location or sends a local treatment device control signal to the medical treatment device, or does both.
US08805521B2
An apparatus and method for improving mobility and/or the quality of synovial fluid of an affected articular joint are disclosed, wherein the joint is associated with at least a first muscle group and at least a second muscle group each having an antagonistic relationship for effecting mobility of the joint through a range of motion when recruited by natural neural impulses. An electro-medical device is configured to apply motor-level electrical stimulation in a multiphasic pattern via at least a first channel and at least a second channel. An applicator is worn on the articular segment such that the at least two first electrodes and the at least two second electrodes are disposed between the applicator and the articular segment and reduces compressive forces on at least one compartment of the affected joint.
US08805520B2
An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.
US08805500B2
A method and medical device for delivering an atrial pacing pulse to an atrial chamber to generate an evoked atrial depolarization, delivering a stimulation pulse to an atrioventricular node during a stimulation window to increase a PR interval of the heart, the stimulation window having a start time corresponding to the delivered atrial pacing pulse so that the stimulation pulse is delivered during a refractory period corresponding to the evoked atrial depolarization, and delivering a ventricular pacing pulse to a first ventricular chamber during the increased PR interval to cause a contraction of the first ventricular chamber to occur prior to a contraction of a second ventricular chamber to increase dyssynchrony between the contraction of the first ventricular chamber and the contraction of the second ventricular chamber.
US08805496B2
Techniques may automatically disable an exposure mode that was enabled for operation in the presence of a disruptive energy field. For example, an implantable medical device (IMD) automatically disables the exposure operating mode when (i) the amount of time that has elapsed since enabling the IMD exceeds a threshold amount of time and (ii) a disruptive energy field is detected before the amount of time exceeds the threshold amount of time and the disruptive energy field is not currently detected. When either of these conditions is not met, the IMD continues to operate in accordance with the exposure operating mode.
US08805491B2
A method of treating a patient in cardiac arrest (e.g., in fibrillation, electrochemical dissociation, or asystole), the method comprising delivering an agent for enhancement of cardiac function to the coronary arteries of the patient; and microperfusing the patient's cardiac tissue by electromagnetically stimulating the cardiac tissue at an energy level below a threshold sufficient to defibrillate the heart.
US08805480B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for classifying and/or ablating tissue. By directing microwave radiation through a probe (5) into tissue (6) and detecting the amplitude and phase of radiation reflected back through the probe and a reference signal, the tissue type can be classified. An impedance tuner which is actuated by magnetostrictive material (800) is also disclosed.
US08805479B2
A system for determining a functional property of a moving object includes a tag contactable to the object such that the tag follows the movement of the object. The system further includes a movement determination device configured to determine the movement of the tag. The system also includes a functional property determination device configured to determine a functional property of the object from the determined movement of the tag.
US08805472B2
The present invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of stress urinary incontinence. In one embodiment, the diagnosis and treatment involves the use of a positional feedback catheter. Positional sensors may be embedded in the catheter to provide real-time tracking of the position and movement of the catheter.
US08805471B2
A smallest enclosing body that encloses an abnormal region is set. A part of an organ, and the part belonging to the inside of an elliptic parabolic surface or a circular conic surface that circumscribes the set enclosing body, is extracted as a partial region. A region of a structure dominating the organ is extracted from the obtained medical image. A part of the organ, and the part including the abnormal region and being dominated by a part of the structure extending from a predetermined position in the extracted region of the structure toward the part of the organ including the abnormal region, is extracted as a dominance region. The partial region or the dominance region is determined as the excision region based on a predetermined excision region determination condition.
US08805469B1
The present invention relates to a physiological recording electrode, and, more particularly, to an EEG (electroencephalography) recording electrode that can be used without the need for numerous steps in preparing the subject's skin and the electrode itself. The invention further relates to a surface feature or penetrator with a size and shape which that will not bend or break, which limits the depth of application, and/or anchors the electrode or other device during normal application; and a packaging system comprising a well and electrolytic fluid for maintaining a coating of said electrolytic fluid on the surface feature or penetrator.
US08805462B2
A process applies a polymer to at least one individual conductor of a high-temperature superconductor (HTS) composite in the manner of a Roebel conductor. The at least one individual conductor includes a substrate and a superconducting layer. Particles are applied to the individual conductor. Then, a thermal treatment is performed which results in partial or complete melting of the particles and, after cooling, in a polymer layer on the individual conductor.
US08805456B1
A wide area communication system includes a mobile communication device and an inductive charging base that charges the battery of the wireless mobile communication device through inductive coupling. The inductive charging base may receive data from the wireless mobile communication device via a short range wireless communication link while the wireless mobile communication device is charging using the inductive charging base. One or more applications stored on the wireless mobile communication device can be automatically activated and data can be sent from the wireless mobile communication device to the inductive charging base via the short range wireless communication link, only while the wireless mobile communication device is Bluetooth paired with the inductive charging base and there is inductive coupling between the inductive charging base and the wireless mobile communication device.
US08805451B2
A portable terminal including a QWERTY keypad is capable of converting alpha-numeric inputs into a numeric only phone number. The portable terminal includes a controller that processes a phone number of a combination of letters and numbers. The controller can identify whether the input phone number contains letters. When the input phone number contains letters, the controller refers to a table for converting letters to numbers and converts the alpha-numeric phone number into a numeric phone number by converting the identified letters into corresponding numbers.
US08805441B1
A customizable mobile device comprising a processing element and a memory element and optional detachable displays is sensory-capable and provides multi-user capability.
US08805434B2
Access techniques using a mobile communication device are described. In implementations, a mobile communication device comprises a processor, hardware configured to implement multi-mode wireless communication in which at least one of the modes involves telephone communication, tamper-resistant hardware implementing a secure element as storing one or more credentials, and memory having instructions stored therein. The instructions are executable by the processor to cause the mobile communication device to perform operations comprising forming a communication having data that was generated using the one or more credentials stored in the secure element, the communication to be transmitted wirelessly using the hardware implementing the multi-mode wireless communication to initiate function of a physical lock or vehicle.
US08805428B2
Providing for cooperative sensing in wireless communications that improves user terminal throughput and minimizes interference is described herein. According to some aspects, a network entity, such as a base station, can assign a set of SUTs to measure a subset of wireless channels in a target frequency according to a cooperative sensing arrangement. In particular aspects, this assignment can be implemented so as to increase or maximize potential traffic throughput of those SUTs within the target frequency, in a given wireless time slot. In this manner, cooperative sensing can be structured so as to provide more efficient traffic communications within the target frequency.
US08805421B2
A method and a system for sending a ring setting reminder to one or more mobile devices within a predetermined area are provided. The ring setting reminder may be a reminder signal sent to cell phones and other mobile devices within a movie theater complex or other predetermined area to remind the users of the mobile devices to silence the ringers of the mobile devices before the start of the movie or other event. The identification of the mobile devices may occur at the predetermined area or through a wireless communication network. The wireless communication network may be configured to identify the predetermined area within the wireless communication network, identify one or more of the mobile devices located within the predetermined area, and send the reminder signal to correspond with the start of an event at the predetermined area.
US08805418B2
Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules are provided. In particular, these methods and systems may store an entertainment profile of a user, wherein the entertainment profile identifies entertainment media characteristics of the user. It may then be determined that the user entered a predetermined range of a location. In response to this, a location-based rule that corresponds to the location and that defines an action to be taken may be automatically identified. Based on the location-based rule, the location, and the entertainment profile of the user, the action may be performed.
US08805416B2
A privacy enhancement device for electronic device such as a cellular telephone. The privacy enhancement device may include a jammer which may produces false information, e.g. false information indicative of pseudo ranges. In addition, the navigation information used on the position detecting device may be locally stored versions of dynamically changing information. The navigation operation may be carried out using a Web service.
US08805409B2
Provided are a computer readable recording media, system, and method for using wired endpoints to determine position information for wireless endpoints in a network. Identification information from a detected wired endpoint connected to the network is received and a command is issued to the detected wired endpoint to cause the detected wired endpoint to transmit signals identifying the wired endpoint. Information is received from a communicating wireless endpoint, comprising one of the wireless endpoints, using wireless communication, including wireless endpoint identification information and information identifying at least one of the wired endpoints transmitting signals received at the wireless endpoint. Position information is determined for the wired endpoint indicated in the information received from the communicating wireless endpoint. Information on the communicating wireless endpoint is updated to associate with the determined position information.
US08805407B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to scan a wireless communication spectrum. An example method disclosed herein includes causing a first scanner to determine, for a frequency of a wireless communication spectrum, a decoded base station identifier, causing a second scanner to determine a plurality of signal strengths at the frequency without determining a base station identifier, and determining that the base station identifier is associated with a subset of the plurality of signal strengths by comparing at least one of timestamps and locations associated with the base station identifier and the plurality of signal strengths.
US08805404B1
Any number of mobile devices each execute an application allowing them to subscribe to a group. Alternatively, the devices subscribe at a Web server. A percentage of the group and a distance threshold from a target device are defined. Each device sends its GPS data to a Web server or to one of the designated mobile devices. Alternatively, the target device calculates its distance to the other devices using wireless signals. The designated device or the Web server calculates the distance from the target device to the other devices. If the distance is over the threshold then an alert is generated and sent from the Web server to designated recipients, or sent from the designated device to the recipients. Distance from the target device to the group members may be calculated based upon a majority, a percentage of the group, or a special cluster of the group.
US08805395B2
The present invention provides an implementation method for improving a service call completion ratio and a radio network controller. a radio network controller sends a radio bearer establishment message to a user equipment; the radio network controller judges whether a radio bearer response message from the user equipment is not received within a first predetermined period, and if YES, the radio network controller triggers the user equipment to report a cell update message; the radio network controller receives the cell update message from the user equipment and determines a configuration status of the user equipment according to information carried in the cell update message and/or time when receiving the cell update message; and the radio network controller performs call reestablishment processing according to the configuration status of the user equipment.
US08805384B2
Embodiments of systems and techniques are described for determining inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) coverage for energy saving management (ESM). In some embodiments, a network management (NM) apparatus may determine that a source cell of a network of a first RAT is triggered to activate an energy saving state and that the source cell is partially overlapped by each of a plurality of cells of one or more networks of one or more RATs different from the first RAT. The NM apparatus may instruct the source cell to activate the energy saving state when a combination of the plurality of cells provides coverage of the source cell. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08805380B2
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a radio related message including derived information for a particular cell in a heterogeneous network; and changing one or more self-optimizing network parameters of a small cell in the heterogeneous network to attract user equipment, where the change can be based on the derived information. In more specific embodiments, the derived information is provided in a relocation command message. In addition, the derived information can include cell load information for a macro cell. Certain methodologies may include receiving small cell derived information for a plurality of small cells in the heterogeneous network; and increasing a plurality of self-optimizing network parameters of the plurality of small cells in the heterogeneous network to attract a plurality of instances of user equipment, the increase can be based, at least, on information within Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) messages.
US08805379B2
Systems and methods of operating multimode 3G/4G communications devices in an overlapping 3G/4G coverage area (e.g., WiMAX or LTE/CDMA-EvDO) include determining a loading condition of the 3G and 4G base stations. If the 3G and 4G base stations are lightly loaded, one or more 4G Channel Quality Indicators (CQI) are compared with one or more corresponding 3G Data Rate Control (DRC) indices to determine which of the 3G and 4G networks allows a higher data throughput. The dual mode communications device is handed off to a 4G base station associated with the 4G coverage if the 4G network allows the higher data throughput; otherwise, the dual mode communications device is handed off to a 3G base station. User priorities, application categories, and/or MIMO and diversity modes may be used to determine handoff if the base stations are more than lightly loaded.
US08805377B2
A GSM or UMTS mobile telecommunications network is disclosed. In addition to the conventional radio access network comprising macro base station, one or more additional access points are provided. The access point is connected to the network core by an IP transport broadband connection. The access point is configured to appear to the mobile terminal as a conventional base station—that is, it communicates with the mobile terminal using GSM or UMTS transport protocols and does not require any modification to a standard GSM or UMTS mobile terminal. A subscriber may be provided with a designated “home” access point to provide coverage in their premises. Arrangements are described which will tend to reduce the likelihood that reselection to the macro base station while radio coverage is available from the home access point.
US08805368B2
An approach is provided for interworking between radio access networks that utilize different radio access technologies. Loading information of a plurality of radio access networks that are accessible by a terminal is determined. A list of candidates from the radio access networks are output based on the loading information for use by the terminal.
US08805364B2
A device searches for a primary access network, and acquires the primary access network. The device also requests a service provided by a network connected to the primary access network, and attaches to the primary access network only when the service is requested by the device.
US08805360B2
A method and apparatus for a wireless device that can adapt a rate of related wireless network unit scans for adjacent networks is disclosed. In one embodiment, the wireless device can include a wireless network unit and a co-located geo-location signal receiver, and a processor. The processor can determine the position and speed of the wireless device from data received from the geo-location signal receiver. The processor can configure the wireless network unit to adapt the rate of related wireless network scans based upon determined speed and position. In one embodiment, the wireless network unit scans can be wireless scans for other nearby networks for roaming or location based services.
US08805359B2
A method and apparatus for automatically deactivating an electronic device during flight of an aircraft. The method utilizes a global positioning system (GPS) or assisted global positioning system (AGPS) circuit to facilitate computing the acceleration, velocity and altitude of the electronic device and comparing this information to a profile to determine whether the acceleration, altitude and velocity meets a profile threshold of an airliner taking off. If the profile is that of the take-off of an aircraft, then the circuitry connected to the GPS/AGPS circuit will be deactivated.
US08805358B2
Multimedia communications in multimedia communications with different user terminals. Various optimization for the delivery of multimedia content across different channels are provided concurrently to a plurality of user terminals.
US08805353B2
A method to provide an entertainment service in connection with a telecommunication service includes transmitting by a remote control apparatus transmits a first control command to operate an electronic device providing an entertainment service to an electronic device while a user uses a telecommunication service, and transmitting a second control command associated with the telecommunication service transmitted from a telecommunication device to the electronic device. Therefore, a user enjoying an entertainment service can more conveniently use a telecommunication service.
US08805352B2
A method for determining proximity of two or more mobile units within a defined locale is disclosed. Each of the mobile units is operable to scan at least a portion of the locale associated with the scanning one of the mobile units. The presence of the ones of the plurality of wireless devices is detected within the associated portion of the locale, detecting receiving the unique information from the detected ones of the plurality of wireless devices or device IDs. The received information is formed into a wireless fingerprint and transmitted to a server, which has a database of stored wireless fingerprints that are compared to the received fingerprint and a determination made as to the stored wireless fingerprints within the locale. The relative proximity position of the mobile devices associated with stored wireless fingerprints within the locale is then determined and are transmitted to the scanning one thereof.
US08805351B2
A system is disclosed for automatically restarting an application running on a smartphone present in a predetermined environment, after the application has been paused. A hardware interconnect apparatus may be configured to establish a first communications link with the smartphone, and also to establish a second communications link with an electronic device present at the predetermined environment. A processor executable auto launch application may be adapted to run on the smartphone to detect when a previously selected application has been at least one of stopped or paused, and to automatically re-start the previously selected application without a command being physically entered on the smartphone by a user of the smartphone.
US08805340B2
These teachings provide for receiving from a user (via, for example, a voice-recognition component) a name-based identifier for an entity to be contacted via wireless communications and then using that name-based identifier to access a contacts list to identify a corresponding communications address to use when contacting the entity via the wireless communications. Upon determining that the contacts list includes at least two contacts having the same name-based identifier, these teachings then provide for providing to the user location information as pertains to at least one of the candidate contacts to thereby facilitate disambiguation.
US08805331B2
There is provided a schedule briefing method of a mobile communication terminal having a user schedule management function. The steps of this method include a step for initiating a schedule briefing, a step for determining whether a schedule exists for a predetermined period of time, a step for audibly outputting content of the schedule, and a step for terminating the briefing. The schedule is outputted in a vocal format to allow a hands-free review of a user's schedule.
US08805330B1
A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device comprises a processor, a memory, and a capturing application stored in the memory that, when executed on the portable electronic device, monitors a first voice telephone call with a first transmitting device. The portable electronic device also comprises records a telephone number spoken during the first voice telephone call. The portable electronic device also comprises sends a first message to the first transmitting device, the first message containing the telephone number and requesting confirmation of the telephone number. The portable electronic device comprises receives a second message from the first transmitting device, the second message confirming the telephone number.
US08805321B2
A geolocation data acquisition system (200) and method (400) for acquiring communication session data from a mobile radio communications network (210). A data extraction module (222, 226) extracts call session data continuously from a network of call processors (224, 228), each call processor supporting mobile communication units in an associated geographical region of the coverage area of the mobile radio communications network. The data extraction module (222, 226) provides the extracted data to one of several storage areas (260). In each storage area, a record is created of the communication session data for each call made within the coverage area of an associated set of call processors (224, 228). The records stored in each storage area (260) comprise the data available for all communication sessions in the geographical region associated with the corresponding set of call processors (224, 228).
US08805317B2
An apparatus and a method for reducing power consumption in a portable terminal that transmits digital broadcast data through an ad hoc network are provided. If a terminal receiving digital broadcast transmits the received digital broadcast to a neighboring terminal, a control unit enters a sleep mode after buffering received data for a predefined time.
US08805316B2
A passive implementation of an image reject mixer (IRM), capable of operating at very high frequency, is manufactured in a variety of silicon processes. The IRM comprises a quad MOS multiplier and a lumped-element hybrid, resulting in a passive IRM, operative at radio frequencies (RF) of tens of GHz with an intermediate frequency (IF) of several GHz. The RF+ and RF− signals are provided to two quad MOS multipliers. A local oscillator signal (LO) is used to provide LO+ and LO− signals to one of the multipliers and by providing the LO to a phase shifter, generated are a ninety degree shifted LO+ and LO− signals provided to the other multiplier. Providing the hybrids with the outputs of both multipliers and selecting an appropriate IF signal from each of the hybrids ensures the proper operation of the passive IRM.
US08805306B2
A calibration system for calibrating wireless circuitry in an electronic device is provided. The test system may include test equipment, a computer, and a device under test (DUT). The test equipment may measure the output power of the DUT. The DUT may include power amplifier circuitry that is provided with a power supply voltage supplied by power supply circuitry. A list mode sequence of commands may be provided to the DUT and the test equipment to calibrate the power amplifier circuitry. The list of commands may be processed by the DUT to produce radio-frequency signals. The list of commands may be simultaneously processed by the test equipment to perform measurements on the radio-frequency signals. The computer may retrieve measurement data from the test equipment after testing is complete. The computer may subsequently determine calibrated control settings for the DUT that reduce power consumption while ensuring satisfactory adjacent channel leakage performance.
US08805301B2
A VLF beacon operates in the near field of the antenna, providing a low impedance (magnetic) wave located by employing simple amplitude gradient and phase alignment direction finding (DF) methods. When rotated, the beacon antenna radiates its signal with little attenuation. Beacon antennas include a loop antenna which has a 1/r3 B-field amplitude relationship with distance. The antenna radiation range is limited, but the detectable near field signal is strong. The receiver comprises a simple 2-channel RF front end with filtering and an A/D converter. The antenna for each channel is a much smaller ferrite rod loaded loop.
US08805300B2
The disclosed invention relates to a MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) wideband transceiver. In some cases, the MIMO wideband transceiver comprises a signal processor that outputs or receives a plurality of distinguishable data streams. A first data stream is provided to a first antenna port connected to a plurality of wideband antennas, while a second data stream is provided to a second antenna port connected to a wideband antenna. A spatial filter element configured to assign antenna weights to the plurality of wideband antennas, which cause the wideband antennas to operate in a manner that attenuates wireless signals, at a frequency range at which the wideband transmit wideband radiate, in the direction of the wideband antenna without attenuating the wireless signals in other directions. By attenuating signals extending between the plurality of wideband antennas and the wideband antenna, wideband decoupling between first and second antenna ports is achieved.
US08805297B2
An electronic circuit combines two or more individual wideband RF receivers or transceiver band circuits to produce a usable instantaneous bandwidth that is wider than the bandwidth of the individual band circuits. The electronic circuit overcomes the difficulties of combining bands to provide low signal distortion across the band edges and throughout the combined instantaneous bandwidth of the two or more individual band circuits. This electronic circuit utilizes an amplitude, time delay, and phase adjustment procedure that uses associated adjustable circuitry to eliminate misalignments between the two or more individual band circuits.
US08805295B2
In a telecommunications network including a mobile terminal and a base station associated with a plurality of antennas, with each antenna configured to transmit the signal with a time offset relative to the other antenna or antennas, an engine for controlling a signal to be transmitted wirelessly from the base station towards the mobile terminal, the engine being configured to receive one or more parameter measurements relevant to the mobile terminal; and use the one or more parameter measurements to adjust the time offset of at least one of the antennas in order to adapt the signal transmission dependent upon the mobile terminal's instantaneous circumstances. Ideally the engine is configured to receive the one or more parameter measurements relating to a plurality of different mobile terminals, and independently adjust the time offset for each of the plurality of different mobile terminals, depending upon the one or more applicable parameter measurements.
US08805290B2
A method and system for over the air performance testing based on a multi-antenna system are disclosed. The method comprises: a branch device mapping path signals from a channel emulator to test antennas according to the set number of the combined sub-paths and sub-path mapping rule; the test antennas transmitting spatial signals according to the path signals from the branch device; and a device under test receiving the spatial signals; and an over the air performance analysis and display module analyzing and displaying the over the air performance of the device under test based on the spatial signals received by the device under test. The present invention implements the test of the over the air performance of a multi-antenna terminal.
US08805283B2
In a method of mitigating inter-cell interference, terminals are grouped into groups. A base station transmits data to a first terminal belonging to a first group among the groups, without cooperation with a neighboring base station. The base station transmits data to a second terminal belonging to a second group among the groups, through cooperation with the neighboring base station.
US08805279B2
A mobile device and method for performing a function using a short-range communication tag are provided. In the method, the mobile device inputs function-related information into a short-range communication tag, and recognizes proximity to or contact with the short-range communication tag. Then the mobile device reads the function-related information from the short-range communication tag, and performs a function correlated with the function-related information. This allows performing various functions of the mobile device, only depending on a user's action to bring the mobile device in proximity to or contact with the Near Field Communication (NFC) tag.
US08805278B2
The disclosure discloses a main board, wherein the main board includes: a first pad; a second pad connected to the first pad; and a third pad connected to both the first pad and the second pad. The disclosure also discloses a method of implementing network/card locking, wherein the method includes: transmitting, by an encryption chip, a blocking request to a central processing unit when the encryption chip detects authentication-related information that is provided by a user identification unit to the central processing unit, and determines that the authentication-related information does not meet a preset network/card locking requirement from a mobile operator; blocking, by the central processing unit, the mobile terminal from normal operation when receiving the blocking request. Meanwhile, the disclosure also discloses a mobile terminal in which network/card locking is implemented, wherein the mobile terminal includes a central processing unit, a user identification unit and an encryption chip. By using the main board, the method and the mobile terminal of the disclosure, the costs for producing a mobile terminal which is respectively adapted to different sales modes of mobile terminals can be reduced.
US08805269B2
A sensor includes: a light emitting part that emits light; a light receiving part that receives reflected light, which is emitted from the light emitting part, is reflected, and returns; and plural arranged fiber bodies that are disposed on a front side of at least one of the light emitting part and the light receiving part and operate as a filter limiting an emission angle or a light receiving angle.
US08805267B2
Provided is a process unit positioning device which performs positioning of a plurality of process units with respect to an apparatus main body, including: a positioning plate in which bearing holes into which individual drum shafts are fitted and a fitted portion onto which positioning portion of the apparatus main body is fitted are formed; and a holder portion supported by the apparatus main body so as to be able to pivot while holding the positioning plate so that a position changes by contact between the bearing holes and the drum shafts.
US08805264B2
In an image-forming device, a waste developer material accommodating part is provided integrally with a developer material accommodating part. A waste developer material conveying mechanism is connected to both of a recovering unit and the waste developer material accommodating part and conveys the waste developer material from the recovering unit to the waste developer material accommodating part. The waste developer material conveying mechanism includes a conveying member that is disposed outside the waste developer material accommodating part, that extends in an axial direction of a photosensitive drum, and that is coupled to the waste developer material accommodating part while being movable relative to the waste developer material accommodating part.
US08805263B2
A developing unit and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The developing unit includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing member to supply a developer to the image carrier, and a first cleaning member having a first cleaning blade to remove a non-transferred developer on the image carrier. The first cleaning blade is configured to be reversible between a counter disposition, which is opposite to a rotation direction of the image carrier while the image carrier is in a printing operation, and a trailing disposition, which corresponds to the rotation direction.
US08805259B2
A fixing device includes a heating rotating body driven by a motor, a pressing member, a biasing unit, a switching unit that receives rotational power of the motor in order to either separate the pressing member and the heating rotating body or to allow the biasing unit to press the pressing member and the heating rotating body together, a power transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational power of the motor to the switching unit over a first path or a second path, the first path having a larger reduction ratio, and a power transmission targeting unit that switches the target of transmission of rotational power of the motor between the heating rotating body and the switching unit depending on the rotational direction of the motor and that includes a path selection unit that selects the first path during separation and the second path during pressing by the switching unit.
US08805257B2
An applying device includes an applying member that applies an applying material to an outer peripheral surface of a fixing member that rotates, while a peripheral velocity difference is caused to exist between a peripheral velocity of the fixing member and a peripheral velocity of the applying member. The applying material contains a fluorocarbon resin material.
US08805235B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photosensitive members, an endless belt, and a separation mechanism. The photosensitive members are arranged in parallel with and spaced from one another and correspond to respective colors. The plurality of photosensitive members includes a first photosensitive member and at least one second photosensitive member. Each of the photosensitive members has a first end portion and second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the photosensitive members. The endless belt contacts the photosensitive members. The separation mechanism is configured to swing the second photosensitive member around the first end portion of the second photosensitive member as a fulcrum between a contact position at which the second photosensitive member contacts the endless belt and a separated position at which the second photosensitive member is separated from the endless belt.
US08805234B2
An image forming apparatus includes a pressure unit and first and second positioning portions. A photosensitive unit, configured to be mounted in a main frame of the image forming apparatus along a prescribed direction, may include a plurality of photosensitive drums, a pair of metal plates, and a resin frame. The pair of metal plates is spaced away from each other in the axial direction of each photosensitive drum and supports the photosensitive drums. The metal plates are configured to be positioned on the second positioning portion. The resin frame is configured to support the metal plates and developer cartridges. The resin frame is further configured to be positioned on the first positioning portion. The pair of metal plates is pressed against the second positioning portion to be positioned with respect to the main frame when the resin frame is pressed by the pressure unit in the prescribed direction.
US08805229B2
Printing processing is performed on a sheet having a characteristic value within a range of a characteristic value of a sheet which is defined usable in the printing processing in accordance with a specific print job. Specifically, in a case where a test page print job is input, a CPU selects a sheet feeding tray on which sheets having a characteristic value within a range of a characteristic value represented by characteristic value range information. The CPU performs a control operation so that a sheet is fed from the selected sheet feeding tray to a printer unit and the printer unit executes the test page print job.
US08805222B2
An image developing device includes a developer supporting body; a first conveyance path in which a first conveyance member is arranged; a second conveyance path in which a second conveyance member is arranged; and a partition member that partitions the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path and that has a first communication port and a second communication port. The first communication path and the second communication path communicates with each other through the first communication port and the second communication port. The image developing device includes a developer amount detection unit that includes an optical detection unit arranged in the second conveyance path and that optically detects an amount of the developer in the image forming device. The developer is caused to accumulate in the vicinity of the developer amount detection unit.
US08805219B2
An image forming apparatus includes photosensitive drums; drum charging members, an AC voltage source for outputting an AC voltage commonly to at least two of the charging members; AC voltage control devices for the charging members; variable resistors connected between the AC voltage source and the at least two charging members, respectively; a use situation detecting unit for detecting use situations of the drums, respectively; and an adjusting unit for adjusting electric resistances of the variable resistors, respectively. The adjusting unit adjusts the electric resistances of the resistors in accordance with the detection results of the use situation detecting unit such that the discharge currents applied to the at least two charging members are within predetermined ranges, respectively.
US08805217B2
Methods are provided for determining toner colors to be combined to form a target color at a location on a receiver. In one aspect, a method includes determining a fluorescent toner color to be provided at the location based upon the density and hue angle of the target color; determining one or more reflective toner colors to be provided with the determined fluorescent toner color at the location to form the target color and the amount of the fluorescent toner color is decreased as the target color density increases.
US08805212B2
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a storage medium which stores manufacture information to a consumable supply; a reading unit which reads information in the storage medium; a communication control unit which receives failure information of the consumable supply; a display unit which displays information; and a control unit which receives the failure information of the consumable supply by the communication control unit, then determines whether a consumable supply in use is equivalent to a failed consumable supply or not, and performs control to display the failure information on the display unit when the consumable supply is determined as equivalent to the failed consumable supply.
US08805211B2
An image forming apparatus mounted with a toner cartridge having a memory unit includes a toner cartridge which stores a plurality of control data depending on toner in the memory unit, an acquisition unit which selects one of the plurality of control data in the memory unit and acquires image formation-related information and a setting unit which sets image formation parameters on the basis of the image formation-related information.
US08805207B2
A distortion compensator, an optical receiver and a transmission system including an operation selectively compensating for linear waveform distortion exerted on an optical signal via a plurality of distortion compensators and compensating for nonlinear waveform distortion exerted on the optical signal using nonlinear distortion compensators.
US08805204B2
In general, optical communication systems and methods may generate higher-level nmQAM from nQAM signals using one or more delay line interferometers (DLIs) arranged in various configurations. The nQAM signals may be generated by a lower-level modulator, such as a BPSK modulator, QPSK modulator or lower-level QAM modulator, with binary driving signals. Different parameters of the DLIs, such as free spectral range (FSR), phase shift, and amplitude imbalance, may be selected to accomplish the desired higher-level nmQAM depending upon the nQAM signal.
US08805203B2
A de-emphasis format signal generator can be configured to combine first and second electrical non-de-emphasis formatted signals provided to first and second optical modulators, coupled in parallel with one another, to provide a combined optical signal having a de-emphasis format. Accordingly, three aspects of a de-emphasis formatted signal, including a de-emphasis delay aspect, a de-emphasis attenuation aspect, and a de-emphasis combining aspect, can provided separately and in different domains (such as in the electrical domain and in the optical domain) which can be combined with one another to provide an output de-emphasis formatted optical signal.
US08805196B2
A communications link for carrying data between a transmitter and a receiver operates according to a communications protocol (such as PCI Express (PCIe)) specifying a reduced-power link operating state in which the transmitter generates a reduced-amplitude electrical output signal and the receiver is to operate in a power-save mode. The communications link includes an electro-optical link and a circuit coupling an output of the transmitter to an electrical input of the electro-optical link. The circuit is configured to detect initiation of the reduced-power operating state and to send messages to the receiver to maintain a normal amplitude of an optical signal on the electro-optical link.
US08805192B2
A method and an apparatus are for directing an optical receiver toward a light source, using a plurality of light detectors arranged around the receiver's optical axis to check where light (L) hits the light detectors relative to the optical axis. The method includes the steps of: A) arranging the receiver defocused to embrace a largest possible field of view of the area wherein the light source may be located, and refracting the light with largest possible spread angle; B) letting the receiver search for the light source until the light (L) hits at least one of the light detectors; C) calculating where the light hits relative to the optical axis, and adjusting the receiver, directing the light toward the optical axis; D) reducing the field of view embraced by the receiver; and E) repeating the steps C and D until the light is concentrated in a smallest possible area.
US08805188B2
There is a need to prevent two receivers from converging on a state of receiving the same polarization state, fast start receivers, and ensure highly reliable operations. A polarization-multiplexed transmitter previously applies frequency shifts of frequencies +Δf and −Δf to X-polarization and Y-polarization digital information signals to be transmitted. Optical field modulators modulate and polarization-multiplex the signals. As a result, a frequency difference of 2Δf is supplied to X-polarization and Y-polarization components. A polarization diversity coherent optical receiver 215 receives the signal. A frequency estimation portion in a digital signal processing circuit detects a frequency difference signal in both polarization components. This signal is used to a polarization splitting circuit in the digital signal processing circuit.
US08805187B2
An optical waveguide router device with feedback control that uses the fringe frequencies of an optical data signal to derive a wavelength (e.g., temperature) control signal in order to compensate for wavelength variations due to temperature fluctuations and/or other wavelength shifting factors without the need for a reference laser. A monitoring circuit converts an output of at least one output monitoring port to an electrical signal and comparing the output of said at least one output monitoring port against 1) a reference signal, or 2) at least one output from another output monitoring port having a higher or lower frequency fringe of an optical data signal of at least one data port, or 3) at least one output from another output monitoring port having light from diffraction pattern(s), and outputting a control signal reflecting a result of the comparison to control at least one center wavelength of the waveguide router.
US08805185B2
A wavelength-division multiplexing transmission device including: a dummy light source configured to emit and quench dummy light; a monitoring unit configured to monitor an optical level relating to the received wavelength-division multiplexed light; a dummy light controller configured to control the dummy light source to emit dummy light in case where the monitoring unit determines based on the monitored optical level that the wavelength-division multiplexed light is in a condition of input interruption; and a multiplexer configured to multiplex the light of the wavelength modulated based on the transmission data and the dummy light emitted by the dummy light source, wherein the transmitter transmits wavelength-division multiplexed light generated by the multiplexer.
US08805177B2
A camera module according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure includes a lens holder configured to support a plurality of sheets of lenses, an actuator configured to be arranged at an upper surface of the lens holder, an outermost lens configured to move along an optical axis by the actuator, and a light blocking layer configured to be positioned on a surface of the outermost lens.
US08805176B1
An auto-focus driving structure for installing a lens has an optical axis. The auto-focus driving structure comprises a main body, a lens retainer, and a driving unit. The lens retainer is movably disposed in the main body. The driving unit includes a coil circuit board and a magnetic group. The coil circuit board has a plurality of printed coils. The plurality of printed coils corresponds to the position of the magnetic group, thus the lens retainer can be selectively moved with respect to a bottom portion of the main body through the driving unit.
US08805175B2
An interchangeable lens that is detachably fitted to a camera body includes: a photographic optical system including a plurality of driven members whose driven state changes; a driven position information transmission unit that transmits driven position information to the camera body via a first transmission unit according to a clock signal input from the camera body, the driven position information being related to a position of at least one driven member among the plurality of driven members; and a type information transmission unit that transmits type information to the camera body via a second transmission unit that is different from the first transmission unit, the type information specifying a type of driven position information that can be transmitted from the driven position information transmission unit.
US08805174B2
An image taking system including: a lens apparatus; a first and a second operating apparatus, the first and the second operating apparatus configured to output a command information for an optical member movable in the lens apparatus, and the lens apparatus includes: a driving unit for the optical member; and a lens controller for driving the optical member based on a command from the first and the second operating apparatus, wherein the first operating apparatus includes: an operating unit; and a demand controller for outputting, to the lens controller, an information for driving the optical member, and wherein the demand controller outputs a position command information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit being operated, and outputs other information for the optical member to the lens controller when the operating unit not being operated.
US08805173B2
The amount of information provided to a user is adjusted adaptively by means of a simple method.To this end, the present invention includes delay sections 70A to 70D that each add a predetermined amount of delay to a picture whose playback speed has been converted, and output the picture to display sections 2B to 2E other than a first display section 2A of a plurality of display sections, and a playback speed converting section 60 that converts the playback speed of an input picture on the basis of a given variable, and outputs the converted playback speed to the first display section 2A and the delay sections 70A to 70D. Further, the present invention includes a gaze position judging section 40 that judges whether or not the position of a gaze detected by a gaze detecting section 3 detecting the position of the gaze of a user is on the screen of the first display section 2A, and outputs a judgment result, and a playback speed determining section 50 that determines a playback speed in accordance with the judgment result in the gaze position judging section 40, and outputs a variable according to the playback speed to a playback speed converting section 60.
US08805172B2
A contents reproducing method and apparatus for adjusting a contents reproducing time are provided. The method includes: receiving a target reproducing time and user preference information, the user preference information including at least one of user preferred contents sections or scenes from an external source; obtaining contents reproducing data for adjusting a reproducing speed of the contents based on the target reproducing time and the user preference information; and adjusting the reproducing speed of the contents based on the reproducing data.
US08805168B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows a user to preset a desired TV program for unattended recording by use of a PDA. A PDA acquires from a TV program information service provider TV program information by which to preset a desired TV program to be recorded unattended. When the user selects relevant TV information about the desired program, the PDA sends to a personal computer the information for presetting the TV program of interest for subsequent unattended recording. Based on the preset information sent from the PDA, the personal computer presets the specified TV program to be recorded unattended.
US08805163B2
A network device can manage the storing of content. In one aspect, the content may be managed to prevent the storing of multiple versions of the same content. A deduplication process may be performed by comparing digests generated at user devices. Based on the comparison of the digests, the network device can efficiently and effectively manage the retrieving and storing of content.
US08805161B2
Provided are an image display device and a reservation recording method. According to the method, a user can conveniently set series reservation recording on a recording list on the basis of history data of a record material.
US08805156B2
First deficiency information according to a deficiency period of time-series data in a first recording unit among plural recording units and second deficiency information according to a deficiency period of time-series data in a second recording unit are obtained. Then, it is controlled to combine electronic data of a non-deficient period in the first recording unit and electronic data of a non-deficient period in the second recording unit with each other and record the combined electronic data, based on the obtained first deficiency information and the obtained second deficiency information.
US08805146B2
The present invention relates to a multicore optical fiber having a structure for effectively inhibiting polarization mode dispersion from increasing, and the multicore optical fiber comprises a plurality of multicore units and a cladding region integrally covering the plurality of multicore units while separating the multicore units from each other. Each of the plurality of multicore units includes a plurality of core regions arranged such as to construct a predetermined core arrangement structure on a cross section orthogonal to an axis. The core arrangement structure of each multicore unit on the cross section has such a rotational symmetry as to coincide with the unrotated core arrangement structure at least three times while rotating by 360° about a center of the multicore unit, thereby reducing the structural asymmetry of each multicore unit. This lowers the structural birefringence in each multicore unit, thereby inhibiting the polarization mode dispersion from increasing in the multicore optical fiber.
US08805138B2
A method of manufacturing an optical path change optical connector, the method including: resin-molding a core part, the core part including an optical-fiber-hole-formed portion having an optical fiber hole, and a positioning structure portion for positioning the core part with respect to the circuit board; inserting an optical fiber into the optical fiber hole; and over-molding the core part with light-transmitting resin, covering a front end face of the optical-fiber-hole-formed portion and forming an inclined internal reflective surface opposite to the front end face of the optical-fiber-hole-formed portion, such that the inclined internal reflective surface is positioned to reflect light between the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber hole and an optical element disposed on a circuit board on which the core part is mounted.
US08805135B2
This patent disclosure is based on a silicon, instead of LiNbO3, waveguide chip. The disclosed silicon-based multi-function integrated-optic chip comprises a unique design and fabrication features onto it. A unique polarization-diversity coupler is designed and fabricated to couple the external light into the silicon waveguide structure. A unique two-step (vertical and lateral) taper waveguide region is designed and fabricated to bridge the polarization-diversity coupler output with the input of a multi-mode interferometer (MMI) splitter for power loss reduction. At either end of the Y-junction output, there is a phase modulator to achieve optical phase modulation through various physics mechanisms. With this newly-developed silicon-based multi-function integrated optic chip, the size and cost of fiber sensors including FOG's can be greatly reduced.
US08805126B2
A method and structure for a modulator which includes a forward-biased diode optimized for power and area to perform a tuning function, and a reverse-biased diode optimized for speed to perform a modulation function.
US08805109B2
A computerized method for independent disjoint block-level recompression of a first image generated by independent coding of disjoint blocks in a precursor image, the first image having at least one first quantization matrix associated therewith, the method comprising performing at least one independent disjoint block-level compression operation, using a processor on the first image, thereby to generate a re-compressed second image including generating a new quantization matrix and using the new quantization matrix for the independent disjoint block-level compression, including computing a rounding error created by the quantization process utilizing the new quantization matrix and, if needed, adjusting at least one value of the new quantization matrix to reduce a rounding error created by the quantization process utilizing the new quantization matrix.
US08805101B2
A frame rate conversion may be done using a target image between a current and a previous image. A first motion field is estimated between the target image and the current image. A second motion field is estimated between the target image and the previous image. The motion fields are then used for motion compensation in the frame rate conversion.
US08805097B2
Disclosed is a three-dimensional (3D) mesh compression apparatus and method. The 3D mesh compression apparatus may generate a base mesh through a mesh simplification, may separately compress the base mesh and vertices eliminated by the simplification, may construct a covariance matrix based on a topological distance between the eliminated vertices, and may compress 3D mesh data based on the covariance matrix.
US08805095B2
A method for analyzing a character string, the method including: analyzing a character string to determine one of more characters of the character string; determining from a dictionary source, an alternative character string to the analyzed character string; comparing the analyzed character string with the alternative character string to determine a weighting factor for each of the characters of the analyzed character string relative to the positional arrangement of the characters in the alternative character string; and for each determined weighting factor, generating for each of the characters in the analyzed character string a corresponding character of a particular size as determined by the weighting factor.
US08805089B2
A computer-implemented method for moving information between computing devices includes capturing a digital image of a display of a first computing device using a camera of a second computing device, transmitting, to the first computing device, data that corresponds to the digital image; analyzing the transmitted data on the first computing device to determine whether the digital image matches a current display of the first computing device, and using the analysis to cause one of the first or second computing devices to invoke an application and match a state of an application that is executing on the other of the first or second computing devices.
US08805084B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit that acquires a first image and a second image each of which includes a character string, an extraction unit that extracts feature points included in each of the first image and the second image, a setting unit that sets partial regions including characters which are continuously arranged in an arrangement direction of the character string in each of the first image and the second image, and a specification unit that compares positions of the feature points included in the partial regions set in the first image with positions of the feature points included in the partial regions set in the second image so as to specify the partial regions set in the second image corresponding to the partial regions set in the first image, and specifies corresponding points in each of the specified partial regions.
US08805077B2
An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. A line-candidate identifying unit identifies candidates of lines that constitute a contour of a subject region, on the basis of a captured image. A line-probability calculating unit calculates, for each identified candidate, line probability information representing a probability that the candidate is a line that constitutes the contour of the subject region, on the basis of feature values of positions located at or within a reference distance from the candidate in the captured image. A region-probability calculating unit calculates region probability information representing a probability that a target region surrounded by a predetermined number of candidates chosen from the identified candidates is the subject region, on the basis of the line probability information of the predetermined number of candidates. A subject-region detecting unit detects the subject region, on the basis of the calculated region probability information.
US08805070B2
An image processing apparatus is configured to reduce a color blur in a color image, and includes a color blur process determination part configured to change at least one of a color blur that serves as a reduction object and an estimation method of an amount of the color blur according to at least one of a characteristic of an image and an imaging condition.
US08805062B2
An image processing apparatus includes an influence value setting unit that sets an influence value on a pixel of interest in a local region of an image, the influence value being a color difference in the local region, and a color region processing unit that treats the pixel of interest as a pixel in a region of a representative color when a color of the pixel of interest is within a range from the representative color to the threshold value, the threshold value being set such that the threshold value increases as the influence value increases.
US08805061B2
A dedicated base vector based on a known spectral characteristic of a subject as an identification target having the known spectral characteristic and a spectral characteristic of an imaging system, which includes a spectral characteristic concerning a color imaging system used for image acquisition of subjects including the subject as the identification target and a spectral characteristic concerning illumination light used when image acquisition of the subjects by the color imaging system, are acquired. A weighting factor concerning the dedicated base vector is calculated based on an image signal obtained by image acquisition of the subject by the color imaging system, the dedicated has vector, and the spectral characteristic of the imaging system. An identification result of the subject which is the identification target having the known spectral characteristic is calculated based on the weighting factor concerning the dedicated base vector to output as an output signal.
US08805059B2
A first depth map is generated in response to a first stereoscopic image from a camera. The first depth map includes first pixels having valid depths and second pixels having invalid depths. A second depth map is generated in response to a second stereoscopic image from the camera. The second depth map includes third pixels having valid depths and fourth pixels having invalid depths. A first segmentation mask is generated in response to the first pixels and the third pixels. A second segmentation mask is generated in response to the second pixels and the fourth pixels. In response to the first and second segmentation masks, a determination is made of whether the second stereoscopic image includes a change in comparison to the first stereoscopic image.
US08805056B2
As set forth herein, a computer-implemented method is employed to place personalized text into an image. A location within the image is selected where the text is to be placed, and region is grown around the selected location. The 3D geometry of the surface is estimated proximate to the location and sets of parallel straight lines in the image are identified and selected to define a bounding polygon into which text may be inserted. Optionally, a user is permitted to adjust the bounding polygon once it has been automatically generated.
US08805054B2
A method of classifying the defects on a wafer having some same chips and corresponding system is provided. After receiving images formed by scanning the wafer using a charged particle beam, these images are examined such that both defective images and defect-free images are found. Then, the defect-free images are translated into a simulated layout of the chip, or a database is used to provide the simulated layout of the chip. Finally, the defects on the defective images are classified by comparing the images with the simulated layout of the chip. The system has some modules separately corresponds to the steps of the method.
US08805053B2
A method for locating marked numbers in a two dimensional (2D) image of an object, a rectangular frame enclosing the 2D image is determined. The method divides a boundary of the rectangular frame into a plurality of segments, assigns an index number to each segment along a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of the rectangular frame. The method further obtains a marked number selected from a preset file, and locates a cursor on a first position of the marked number in the 2D image according to coordinates of the marked number, or locates the cursor on a second position of the marked number according to a horizontal index number and a vertical index number of the marked number.
US08805043B1
A computer-based system for creating and using intelligent databases for assisting in intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements. Various embodiments utilize clinical data (images) to design intelligent clinical data sets, including geometric markers like blood vessel centerline, which can then be used with conventional image processing to compute the intima-media thickness of the carotid walls. The intelligent clinical image data utilizes the demographics (ethnity/race, gender and age) to classify the data. Finally, the intelligent database is used to collect intelligent parameters which are then applied to the incoming patients to estimate their intima-media thickness.
US08805033B2
This document relates to systems and method for latent fingerprint detection using specular reflection (glare). An exemplary system may include a light source alignment portion configured to align a light source at an illumination angle relative to a sample surface such that the light source illuminates a sample surface so that the surface produces specular reflection. The system may also include a specular reflection discriminator that directs the produced specular reflection to an optical detector aligned relative to said sample surface at an alignment angle that is substantially equal to an angle of reflection of the produced specular reflection. Preferably, the directed specular reflection does not saturate the optical detector; and the optical detector captures the specular reflection from the sample surface and generates image data using essentially only the specular reflection.
US08805032B2
The present invention provides a system for identifying an individual provided with a portable communication device. In a system for identifying an individual using a portable communication device with a display, the display is a sensor-incorporated display, the sensor-incorporated display reads the biological information of a user, and, based on the read information, identifies an individual.
US08805030B2
A method for automated categorization of human face images based on facial traits, said method comprising a facial trait extracting phase, comprising the steps of: providing a multitude of images comprising human faces, for each image sampling a multitude of points in said image to obtain point sample data, for each sampled point extracting visual features from said point sample data, for each image assigning said visual features to predefined codewords by applying a codebook transform, for each image extracting facial traits by applying a kernel-based learning method's prediction algorithm to said codewords to establish the probability that a facial trait from a predefined set of facial traits is present in said image, and extract said facial trait for said image if said probability is higher than a predefined threshold.
US08805028B2
Personal identification is implemented by picking up finger vein patterns when the user naturally grasps a grip such as doorknob. The device for personal identification has a light source provided to irradiate light on the finger from the palm side, a camera to pick up the vessel image of the finger, and a processor to extract features of the vessel from the image and compare the obtained features with the registered ones. The camera picks up the light that exits from the backside of the finger after penetrating it.
US08805015B2
A method obtains an original point-cloud of the object, filters discrete points from the original point-cloud, determines a first sub-point-cloud and a second sub-point-cloud from the filtered point-cloud, and creates an updated point-cloud of the object based on the first sub-point-cloud and the second sub-point-cloud, determines points to be fitted from the updated point-cloud. The method further fits a figure according to the determined points, determines a reference figure according to the fitted figure, determines a first point from the first sub-point-cloud and a second point from the second-point-cloud, calculates a gap width and a gap height of the updated point-cloud according to the first determined point, the second determined point, and the reference figure, and displays the gap width and the gap height on a display device.
US08805013B2
A pattern position detecting method capable of reducing time for detecting a component position includes: acquiring a model image of a target; dividing the acquired model image into reference images each including a specific pattern; acquiring a detected image of the target; matching origins of the reference images respectively with predetermined positions on the detected image; comparing a region within the detected image with corresponding one of the reference images while moving the origin of the reference image in X and Y directions from the corresponding predetermined position and sequentially acquiring correlation values; integrating the correlation values at respective comparison positions within an integrated XY plane to generate integrated correlation values; and recognizing a value of integrated XY coordinates at a peak of the integrated correlation values as deviation of the specific patterns in the reference images from the predetermined positions of the target within the XY plane.
US08805007B2
Systems and methods for tracking the foreground and background objects in a video image sequence. The systems and methods providing for determining a camera model based on a first group of feature points extracted from a video frame, extracting three-dimensional (3D) information for the first group of feature points based on the camera model and a previous camera model for a previous video frame, reassigning feature points to the first group or a second group, based on mapping each feature point to a corresponding 3D model using the extracted 3D information for each feature point and determining a new camera model when a number of reassigned feature points is greater than a predetermined threshold.
US08805005B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for processing imagery, such as may be derived from a coherent imaging system e.g. a synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The system processes sequences of SAR images of a region taken in at least two different passes and generates Coherent Change Detection (CCD) base images from corresponding images of each pass. A reference image is formed from one or more of the CCD base images images, and an incoherent change detection image formed by comparison between a given CCD base image and the reference image. The technique is able to detect targets from tracks left in soft ground, or from shadow areas caused by vehicles, and so does not rely on a reflection directly from the target itself. The technique may be implemented on data recorded in real time, or may be done in post-processing on a suitable computer system.
US08804993B2
A portable electronic device that provides compact configurations for audio elements are disclosed. The audio elements can be drivers (e.g., speakers) or receivers (e.g., microphones). In one embodiment, a molded acoustic chamber can be formed to assist in directing audio sound between an opening an outer housing and an internal flexible electronic substrate. The audio element can be mounted on or coupled to the flexible electrical substrate over an opening therein that allows allow audio sound to pass there through. The molded acoustic chamber can also be formed such that it includes a barrier, such as a mesh barrier, so that undesired foreign substances can be blocked from entry or further entry into the audio chamber. The molded acoustic chamber can also be formed such that it includes one or more acoustic seals that can be used to provide an acoustic seal between the molded acoustic chamber and the opening in the outer housing.
US08804990B2
A portable apparatus including a main body and a receiver is provided. The main body has a surface, an active sound hole and a passive sound hole. The active sound hole and the passive sound hole are both disposed at the surface of the main body. The receiver is disposed inside the main body and arranged for emitting a first sound wave and a second sound wave with the same amplitude and frequency but opposite transmission directions. The first sound wave is transmitted out of the main body via the active sound hole and the second sound wave is guided in the main body and transmitted out of the main body via the passive sound hole.
US08804980B2
A signal processing method for converting a signal received via a transmission path or read from a storage medium into a first audible signal, and suppressing a noise other than a desired signal contained in the first audible signal based on predetermined audio quality adjustment information, comprising steps of: in suppressing a noise other than a desired signal contained in the first audible signal to generate an enhanced signal, receiving audio quality adjustment information for adjusting audio quality; and adjusting audio quality of the enhanced signal using the audio quality adjustment information.
US08804968B2
In an audio network system constructed from a main node and a plurality of satellite nodes each having a plurality of ports, the main node generates and transmits a main packet including audio signals of a plurality of channels. Each satellite node selects one of the plurality of ports in turn, and confirms whether the main packet arrives at the selected port every predetermined period or not. When the main packet arrives at the selected port every predetermined period, the main packet is received via the port by continuing selection of the port. In the case where reception of the main packet is lost, one is selected from the plurality of ports in turn, the operation to confirm arrival of the main packet is restarted, and another port at which the main packet arrives at the present stage is automatically found.
US08804960B2
A method and circuit for implementing known scrambling relationship among multiple serial links, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A transmit Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) is provided with each of the multiple serial links for scrambling transmitted data. A receive Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) is provided with each of the multiple serial links for descrambling received data. Each of the transmit LFSRs is initialized to a unique value. Each transmit LFSR conveys a current unique value to a receive LFSR for synchronizing the transmit LFSR and receive LFSR to begin scrambling and descrambling data.
US08804958B2
A method is provided for protecting data content against illegal copying. The data content is provided by an entertainment system and is output to output units in an authorized playback environment for playing back the data content. The method includes transmitting the data content in the authorized playback environment from the entertainment system to an output unit, and adding an interference signal to the data content such that, during playback of the data content outside the authorized playback environment a disruption is induced.
US08804954B2
The present invention relates to a secure method for reconstructing a reference measurement of a confidential datum on the basis of a noisy measurement of this datum. The method proposes a phase of enrolling a reference datum w having n digits, comprising at least the following steps: selecting an error correcting code C of a length L greater than n; generating an extended datum we by increasing the size of the reference datum w with L-n digits making up a key Sk; choosing a word c of the selected error correcting code C; generating the reconstruction datum s by combining the said word c with the said extended datum we. The invention applies notably to the authentication of individuals and to the generation of cryptographic keys, using for example biometric data or the physical characteristics intrinsic to an electronic component.
US08804950B1
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a bit value from a key vector. The bit value has a position within the key vector correlating to a counter value. The method includes receiving a sequence of bit values from a plurality of predefined bit values based on the counter value and in response to a condition associated with the bit value from the key vector being satisfied.
US08804944B1
A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for improved processing of calls within an interactive voice response (IVR) system. An inbound call comprising a call origination identifier is received by a call processing module, which uses the call origination identifier to retrieve call record and call processing information associated with a prior call session. The call record and call processing information is processed to determine the state of the prior call session and its point of termination when it was terminated. If the point of termination was associated with a human operator, then the call processing module determines whether the same human operator is available. If not, the user is provided a choice of call session options including being placed in a hold queue until the same or another human operator is available, requesting a return call from a human operator, or selecting another call session process.
US08804940B2
This document discusses, among other things, a networked contact center that includes multiple platforms to host multiple tenants. Example embodiments include receiving a message associated with one of the tenants and identifying one or more of the platforms associated with the message. For some example embodiments, the networked contact center may allow the platform to access a data location that is both associated with the tenant and shared by two or more of the multiple tenants.
US08804930B1
A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to a caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, and allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list.
US08804924B2
The invention concerns telecommunications methods and systems, and more particularly methods and systems for enabling respondents, who may be potential customers, to respond to advertisements for items (goods or services) advertised by or on behalf of advertisers. Telecommunications methods and systems of the invention provide selective communication routing or forwarding to advertisers of communications made to anonymous contact identifiers selected from a pool of anonymous contact identifiers, each anonymous contact identifier able to be allocated to an item to be advertised by or on behalf of the advertiser. The anonymous contact identifier is a public telephone number or an email address, for example. The service is provided by way of hosted system for use by a plurality of advertisers. The invention has particular application in the area of classified or personal advertising in printed or online publications, such as for real estate, automotive, travel or job advertising, for sale or auction item advertising, or for dating agency advertising.
US08804917B2
An identification manager provides a user-generated identity of an initiating party during a connection to a destination. The identification manager includes an identity store for storing user-generated identities, and an identity provider associated with the identity store, for retrieving, from the identity store, a user-generated identity of the initiating party, and for providing the retrieved identity to the destination. Prior to delivery of the retrieved identity to the destination, the identity provider may sense connection characteristics, such as the network type and terminal capabilities of the destination party, and adapt the initiating party's identity to the sensed characteristics.The identification manager may also include a provisioning system for users to generate multimedia identities by various mechanisms. Identity provisioning may be performed automatically, as user replies to system initiated IVR calls, MMS messages and/or SMS messages. Additional provisioning mechanisms include a user-initiated provisioning system for users to generate multimedia identities over the Web, as well as a dedicated identity-provisioning client, for generating an identity on the user device or terminal.
US08804916B2
A system and method for remotely controlling one or more monitoring devices in a user's household in the event of emergency so as to more productively monitor the emergency situation on a real-time basis. The monitoring devices may include a number of multimedia instruments such as a telephone with an answering machine, a computer with a built-in digital camera, a video recording device, a cellular phone with an integrated digital camera, etc. An emergency service provider may remotely activate the monitoring devices in the user's vicinity upon receiving an emergency help request from the user, and receive the information sent by the monitoring devices to enable the service personnel to plan appropriate response to the emergency at hand. Such an arrangement allows for better monitoring of the user's vicinity in an emergency situation without the need for prolonged user participation in narrating or describing the emergency situation.
US08804915B2
An apparatus and method that enables a case officer to monitor in remotely to P/Ps. The remote supervision server receives GPS data/time-date data/text/audio/video reporting periodically from the parolees and probationers and the GPS data/time-date data/text/audio/video reporting is analyzed. The remote supervision server will send an alert to the case officer if a suspicious behavior is detected. If no suspicious is detected, the remote supervision server will store the analysis result and send a notification to the case officer. The case officer can then check the audio/video reporting and the analysis result later. The remote supervision server also calculates the likelihood of recidivism for each post-release supervised client, parolee or probationer and advises the officer of such risk in order of greatest risk to lowest risk.
US08804911B2
Isotope identification imaging of nuclear fuel material or explosives concealed in a drum or container in which nuclear reactor fuel or radioactive waste are sealed is realized while ensuring high precision, high reliability, and safety. A sample 31 is irradiated with laser Compton photon beams 21 and 22 generated by a collision between an electron beam 12 and polarized laser light 16 and 20. An isotope in the sample is identified using nuclear resonance fluorescence, and the spatial distribution thereof is imaged. In so doing, a nuclear level of an isotope whose emission direction of nuclear resonance fluorescence is dependent on the planes of polarization of the incident LCS photon beams is used.
US08804906B2
This invention relates to a technique to enhance the clinical efficiency of radiotherapy and readiosurgery using perturbative beaming and tissue specific radiobiology, comprising, Considering the normal steady beam dose rate, then increasing the temporal stochastic fluctuation of the output intensity of the radiation beam from a medical linear accelerator or cobalt gamma knife beam setup, developing a computer-based methodology by considering the tumor specific radiobiology and magnitude of the tailor made dose rate fluctuation using an embedded system device consisting of requisite hardware and software as described herein.
US08804905B2
The invention relates to a coordinate measuring apparatus (110) for measuring an object (3), comprising an x-ray sensory mechanism as a first sensory mechanism that is provided with an x-ray source (10) and at least one x-ray sensor (7) which detects the x-rays, and a second sensory mechanism such as a tactile and/or an optical sensory mechanism (8, 11; 9) that can be placed in the x, y, and/or z direction of the coordinate measuring apparatus in relation to the object. In order to be able to easily measure also large-size test objects, the x-ray sensory mechanism (7, 10) can be positioned in the coordinate measuring apparatus (10) according to the second sensory mechanism (8, 11; 9).
US08804904B2
A physical phantom reference to control for variability of computed tomography measurement results duplicates the density curve of blood perfusion of contrast material in a healthy aorta or large artery to normalize observed changes in healthy arterial blood perfusion when calculating the reduction in tumor blood perfusion between two examination times. In one embodiment, a plurality of compartments with different concentrations of contrast material corresponding to a density curve of blood perfusion of a healthy tissue are positioned-in a screening field of a CT machine so the CT machine images the compartments when it images the healthy tissue. In another embodiment, a pipe containing fluid receives an injection of contrast material from the injector when the injector injects the contrast material into the patient, the pipe having sections of varying diameter so the sections together correspond to a blood perfusion curve of the contrast material in a healthy tissue.
US08804902B2
A collector mirror exchanging apparatus capable of safely and easily exchanging a collector mirror for collecting extreme ultra violet light emitted from plasma generated within a chamber of an extreme ultra violet light source apparatus. The collector mirror exchanging apparatus includes: a supporting base for supporting a collector mirror or a collector mirror structure; and a guiding rail disposed on the supporting base and regulating a moving direction of the collector mirror or the collector mirror structure; wherein at least the collector mirror is taken out of the chamber by moving the collector mirror or the collector mirror structure along the guiding rail on the supporting base.
US08804890B2
Phase locked loop circuitry operates digitally, to at least a large extent, to select from a plurality of phase-distributed candidate clock signals the signal that is closest in phase to transitions in another signal such as a clock data recovery (“CDR”) signal. The circuitry is constructed and operated to avoid glitches in the output clock signal that might otherwise result from changes in selection of the candidate clock signal. Frequency division of the candidate clock signals may be used to help the circuitry support serial communication at bit rates below frequencies that an analog portion of the phase locked loop circuitry can economically provide. Over-transmission or over-sampling may be used on the transmit side for similar reasons.
US08804889B2
A receiver derives the desired data sampling clock phase by averaging the phase information of transitions before and after a data eye. The average of the phase information reduces data clock phase error due to variations in the phases of transitions in received data signals depending on the polarity and positions of the transitions.
US08804888B2
The present disclosure provides a clock data recovery circuit that includes a phase locked loop unit, a delay locked loop unit and digital clock data recovery unit. The phase locked loop unit generates a clock signal based on a reference signal. The delay locked loop unit receives the clock signal from the phase locked loop, divides the clock signal into a plurality of clock signals and outputs the clock signals. The digital clock data recovery unit receives an input current signal, estimates a frequency of the input current signal, outputs a reference signal having the frequency, which can be transmitted to the phase locked loop unit, receives the clock signals from the delay locked loop, aligns a phase of the input current signal based on the clock signals and outputs an aligned current signal.
US08804885B2
A multi-stage receiver including, in one embodiment, a sequence of processing stages. At least one of the processing stages includes a first processing block, a delay block, and a second processing block. The first processing block is adapted to receive an input signal and generate from the input signal one or more processing parameters. The delay block is adapted to generate a delayed signal. The second processing block is adapted to apply the one or more processing parameters to the delayed signal to generate an output signal. The delay block compensates for one or more processing delays associated with the generation of the one or more processing parameters by the first processing block.
US08804883B2
A method and apparatus carry out received signal processing for received communication signals based on least squares processing to estimate the contribution of one or more interferer signals. The exemplary receiver uses interferer signal channel estimates to obtain least squares estimates for the interference contributions of one or more interferer signals, and then uses those estimates to suppress interference during demodulation processing. Further, the least-squares estimates may be used to obtain a reduced search space wherein the candidate set of signals searched during demodulation processing is reduced.
US08804868B2
A constant-amplitude and continuous-phase modulation method for modulating digital data and for demodulating said modulated signal, said data taking the form of symbols a(n) that can take a number M of states at least equal to 2, the method including, in transmission, use of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) for which the control is the sum of pulses he(a(n), t−n T), the form and the amplitude of which depends on the value of a(n); and, in reception, use of a single impulse response filter C0(t) regardless of the value of M in transmission, said functions he and C0 having a number of parameters that are optimized in the design of the system in order to obtain at the output of the filter C0 a constellation that is as close as possible to the theoretical constellation.
US08804865B2
A method and apparatus for adjusting the delay of a first data stream relative to a second data stream is disclosed. An apparatus receives first and second data streams having identical content. A timing difference between the first and second data streams is estimated. At least the leading one of the data streams is applied to a sample rate converter. The sample rate converter is configured to receive a data stream at an input sampling rate and to output the data stream at an output sampling rate. Based on the estimated timing difference, delay is applied to the leading one of the data streams by changing the sampling rate of the sampling rate converter. The output sampling rate of the sampling rate converter may be adjusted until both data streams are aligned in time.
US08804863B2
A Method for estimating the channel in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system, said method involving the step of extracting a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) from a received signal and further involving the step of spanning said PSS based Least Square (LS) channel estimation on the 64 sub-carriers so as to facilitate the MMSE channel estimation. Preferably, the spanning is performed by means of an interpolation of the particular sub-carriers which are not allocated to said PSS (#-32, d.c.) The method involves the steps of: —Perform LS channel estimation on the 62 sub-carriers containing the PSS (40) —reconstruct the LS channel estimation on the 64 central sub-carriers by interpolating (41) on subcarriers not allocated to said PSS; —Apply (42) an Inverse DFT or Inverse Fast Fourrier Transform —Extract (43) the L first samples, with L corresponding to the length of the channel; —multiply (44) by (FLHFL+σ2Ch−1)−1 —Zero-pad (45) the resulting signal to length 64; —Apply (46) a DFT or an FFT.
US08804861B2
A method and apparatus for multicarrier transmission of a signal representing a source signal. The source signal includes symbols including a set of subcarriers, transmitted simultaneously and having pilot subcarriers intended for at least one processing operation for assisting and/or improving decoding in at least one receiver, and data subcarriers, the location in time-frequency space and a reference value of the pilot subcarriers being known to the at least one receiver. The method of transmission includes: a phase of modifying, for a given symbol, the reference value of at least one subset of the pilot subcarriers, by correction data configured to correct phase and/or amplitude for each of the pilot subcarriers of the subset, so as to minimize peak-to-average power ratio, the correction data taking at least three distinct values, a transition between the values of two successive pilot subcarriers of the subset on a frequency axis being constant.
US08804858B2
Techniques for enabling an estimate of a transmittal signal vector, given a received signal vector and a channel matrix to be computed, are provided. An initial solution signal vector for the estimate is calculated, and based on the initial estimate, a pool of possible solutions is generated. Methods described herein may be iterative in nature, and may cycle through possible estimates of the transmitted signal vector so as to continually improve the estimates and the pool of possible estimates. The methods may terminate once stopping criteria are reached. In some example methods, solutions may be marked at taboo and a taboo period can be established that indicates a number of subsequent iterations for which the current solution signal vector cannot be considered.
US08804856B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a radio device comprises an analog front end comprising a radio to transmit and/or receive radio-frequency signals, and a programmable engine coupled to the analog front end. The programmable engine is capable of being programmed to perform one or more tests on the analog front end and includes a reconfigurable data path reconfigurable by the programmable engine to perform one or more tests on the analog front end.
US08804854B2
A network receiver and the adjusting method thereof, the network receiver includes a first delay unit, a second delay unit, a first processing unit and an adjusting circuit. The first delay unit is for delaying a first signal received from a first transmission line to generate a delayed first signal. The second delay unit is for delaying a second signal received from a second transmission line to generate a delayed second signal. The first processing unit is for processing a difference between the delayed first signal and the delayed second signal to generate first data. The adjusting circuit adjusts the first and second delay units to have a plurality of delay amount combinations, the first processing unit generates a plurality of first data respectively corresponding to the delay amount combinations, and the adjusting circuit adjusts delay amount of the first and second delay units according to the first data.
US08804848B2
Systems and methods for error resilient transmission and for random access in video communication systems are provided. The video communication systems are based on single-layer, scalable video, or simulcast video coding with temporal scalability, which may be used in video communication systems. A set of video frames or pictures in a video signal transmission is designated for reliable or guaranteed delivery to receivers using secure or high reliability links, or by retransmission techniques. The reliably-delivered video frames are used as reference pictures for resynchronization of receivers with the transmitted video signal after error incidence and for random access.
US08804847B2
An image encoding method of encoding units that are included in a picture is provided. The image encoding method generates a first flag which indicates whether or not a removal time of encoded data from a buffer by a hypothetical decoder is set per unit. The buffer is for storing the encoded data. The image encoding method further generates a second flag indicating whether an interval between removal times of the units is constant or arbitrary when the removal times are set per unit, and also generates an encoded bitstream which includes the encoded data, the first flag, and the second flag.
US08804842B2
A method for decoding a compressed image stream, the image stream having a plurality of frames, each frame consisting of a merged image including pixels from a left image and pixels from a right image. The method involves the steps of receiving each merged image; changing a clock domain from the original input signal to an internal domain; for each merged image, placing at least two adjacent pixels into an input buffer and interpolating an intermediate pixel, for forming a reconstructed left frame and a reconstructed right frame according to provenance of the adjacent pixels; and reconstructing a stereoscopic image stream from the left and right image frames. The invention also teaches a system for decoding a compressed image stream.
US08804839B2
Method for image prediction of multi-view video codec and computer-readable recording medium thereof
In a method for image prediction of a multi-view video codec, a disparity vector value of a current macroblock is obtained and a corresponding macroblock is searched through the obtained disparity vector value. An intra prediction coding direction value of the searched macroblock is determined as an intra prediction coding direction value of the current macroblock. The current macroblock is coded/decoded through the determined intra prediction coding direction value. The coding efficiency can be increased by reducing a coding amount by omitting a process of obtaining an unnecessary disparity value by using a different-view intra prediction coding direction as a current-view intra prediction coding direction. The coding efficiency can be increased by reducing a coding amount by differentially coding a similar disparity vector. The reliability can be increased through an accurate disparity using multiples of 8 rather than 16, in motion skip for sharing the format of a macroblock.
US08804829B2
The present motion description technique provides a technique for defining a motion description offline. The motion description can then later be extracted from a multimedia representation and adapted to various multimedia-related applications in a manner that not only reduces the processing for motion estimation but also provides high compression performance during an encoding/transcoding process. The motion description technique employs a motion alignment scheme utilizing a hierarchical model to describe motion data of each macroblock in a coarse-to-fine manner. Motion information is obtained for motion vectors of macroblocks for different partition modes. The resulting motion information is compressed based on correlations among spatially neighboring macroblocks and among partition modes to form the offline motion description.
US08804827B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an encoding or decoding method and apparatus. The method includes: extracting first information in a bitstream; determining a chroma component intra prediction mode according to the first information; when the chroma component intra prediction mode cannot be determined according to the first information, extracting second information in the bitstream; and determining the chroma component intra prediction mode according to the second information, where the first information includes information for indicating whether the chroma component intra prediction mode is a DM mode or an LM mode, the second information is used to indicate a remaining mode as the chroma component intra prediction mode, and the remaining mode is one of available chroma component intra prediction modes other than a mode that may be determined according to the first information.
US08804810B1
A method for synthesizing a wideband signal includes: generating a plurality of narrowband radio frequency signals; and constructively superimposing the narrowband radio frequency signals. In one aspect, this includes determining the delays for a plurality of constituent narrowband signals for use in synthesizing a wideband signal. The delay determination is software implemented, and thus may be embodied in software encoded on a program storage medium and a computing apparatus programmed to perform that method. An apparatus for synthesizing a wideband signal includes: a pulsed power source; a plurality of narrow band radio frequency source modules capable of receiving a signal form the pulse power source and outputting constituent narrowband radio frequency signal; a combiner for combining the constituent narrowband radio frequency signals after they have been uniquely delayed into a synthetic wideband radio frequency signal.
US08804808B1
A dynamic equalization system and method for use with a receiver is provided. The receiver may include an antenna for receiving a signal having multipath signal components and a digitizer for obtaining and digitizing the received signal and multipath signal components. The digitized signal segment and multipath signal components may be discretized into signal segments of length n. Channel parameters of each of the discrete signal segments may be analyzed and locked to, and a time-domain representation of the analyzed channel parameters may be output. Each time-domain representation may be Fourier transformed into a frequency-domain representation, based upon which equalization parameters to equalize the multipath signal components for each of the analyzed channel parameters may be determined. The equalization parameters may be applied to corresponding signal segments of the digitized signal and multipath signal components so as to equalize the multipath signal components.
US08804804B1
A system for estimating clock frequency offset and sampling clock offset in a communication system is provided. A receiver is configured to receive a communication signal having been transmitted from a transmitter via a communication channel. The receiver has a signal processor, wherein the signal processor is configured to generate an estimate of a carrier frequency offset and an estimate of a sampling clock offset from the received communication signal by: extracting a vector of pilot symbols from the received signal; performing equalization on the pilot symbols; performing clock frequency offset and sampling clock offset compensation on the pilot symbols; generating the estimate of a carrier frequency offset by estimating a common phase rotation using a first Taylor series approximation; and generating the estimate of the sampling clock offset by estimating phase differences between pairs of pilot symbols using a second Taylor series approximation.
US08804788B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit for a radio communication terminal sequentially uses a plurality of frequency channels by instructions from a hopping frequency decision unit to receive packet data by a reception unit. When the integrated circuit cannot detect the head of the packet data in reception operations, the integrated circuit cannot receive packet data should be received originally then assumes that the received packet data is a packet error. And the integrated circuit calculates packet error rates for each frequency channel on the basis of the number of times of reception operations performed for each frequency channel and of the number of times of packet errors to estimate channel qualities by using the packet error rates.
US08804786B1
An optically pumped sulfur monoxide (SO) molecular laser is presented. A near infrared pump light source generates a pump light at wavelengths that match wavelengths of a Q-branch or R-branch absorption transition of a b 1Σ+ excited electronic state of the SO molecule. The pump light is directed to a vessel containing a laser gain medium including gaseous SO and a buffer gas. The gaseous gain medium may be flowed through the region of output light extraction to remove waste heat deposited in the medium. In some examples output light is generated from any of the R-branch, Q-branch, or P-branch emission transitions between the v=0 vibrationless b 1Σ+ electronic state and the v=1 vibrational x 3Σ− ground electronic state. In some other examples, output light is generated from P-branch emission transitions between the v=0 vibrationless b 1Σ+ electronic state and the v=0 vibrationless x 3Σ− ground electronic state.
US08804783B2
An OPS-chip is soldered mirror-structure-side down on an upper surface of diamond-heat spreader. A metal frame is also soldered to the upper surface of the heat-spreader. The lower surface of the diamond heat-spreader is either soldered to, or clamped against, a surface of a heat-sink. The dimensions of the frame and the heat spreader are selected such that at a solidification temperature of the solder at the center of the upper surface of the heat-spreader has an effective CTE comparable with that of the OPS-chip. The lower surface of the heat-spreader can be soldered to the heat sink surface or clamped against the heat-sink surface by the frame.
US08804780B2
An upper limit and a lower limit are preliminarily set for a spectral line width common to a plurality of narrow-band laser devices. When delivered or subjected to maintenance, the narrow-band laser device is caused to laser oscillate to detect its spectral line width before it is used as a light source for semiconductor exposure. A spectral line width adjustment unit provided in the narrow-band laser device is adjusted so that the spectral line width assumes a value between the upper limit and the lower limit. The present invention is able to suppress the variation in spectral line width such as E95 bandwidth caused by machine differences during the manufacture of the laser device, or by replacement or maintenance of the laser device, whereby the quality of integrated circuit patterns formed by the semiconductor exposure tool can be stabilized.
US08804779B2
A system, apparatus, and method may provide laser beams of two or more wavelengths from diode pumped solid-state laser sources (220, 222, 224). The beam paths of these laser beams with different wavelengths, which are generated by the laser sources (220, 222, 224), may be aligned along a common optical axis 280 by an optical configuration, to treat at least one target area. Frequency-doubled laser beams, output from a plurality of diode pumped solid state laser cavities, may be passed through fold mirrors (M2, M5, M8), and combined on a common optical axis 280, using one or more combiner mirrors (M10, M11, M12), to unify the beam paths. Selected laser beams may be delivered to a target using one or more delivery systems.
US08804776B2
A connector assembly includes a first connector, a second connector, a first controller, an inter-integrated circuit (I2C), and a second controller. The first connector is electrically connected between a first element and the first controller. The second connector is electrically connected between a second element and the second controller. The I2C is electrically connected between the first controller and the second controller. The first connector receives and outputs a number of parallel signals from the first element. The first controller converts the parallel signals into two serial signals. The I2C transmits the two serial signals to the second controller. The second controller converts the two serial signals into a number of parallel signals.
US08804775B2
Method and device for a wired communication link that includes a first transceiver that sends over a set of wires a downstream multiplexed transmission that includes a first direction of a bidirectional data channel and lossless high definition digital video. The first transceiver is able to receive, over at least a subset of the set of wires utilized for the downstream multiplexed transmission, an upstream transmission comprising a second direction of the bidirectional data channel.
US08804773B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for maintaining voice call quality over a packet network by providing optimal de-jitter buffer depth and rate of change of depth. Buffer depth and rate of change of buffer depth may be initially determined by classifying the incoming call. Classification of the incoming calls may be accomplished by categorizing calls into groups based on characteristics of the calls. The buffer depth and rate of change of depth may be further optimized at the start of calls based on voice-path delay and packet loss probability measurements over one or more calls of the same class such that the voice-path delay is minimized while maintaining a certain packet loss probability, the packet loss probability is minimized while maintaining a certain voice-path delay, or an R-factor, which is an objective measure of voice quality, is maximized.
US08804772B2
A base station transmits on a first control channel first scheduling information for a control message. First radio resources of the first control channel start from the first symbol of each subframe in a plurality of subframes. The base station transmits the control message configuring second radio resources of a second control channel. The second radio resources comprise resource blocks in a subset of subframes in the plurality of subframes. The control message indicates the subset of subframes and a starting symbol of the second control channel. The base station transmits second scheduling information on the second control channel.
US08804766B2
The present invention is a method of sending compressed data includes providing a plurality of M compressing devices, each compressing device configured to apply a lossless compression algorithm and dividing uncompressed data into a first plurality of sequential segments S of uncompressed data. Each segment Si of a first N sequential segments of uncompressed data, for i=1 to N, where M >N, is applied to a respective compressing device CDi, and N respective compressed blocks Bi, each block Bi having a respective characteristic transmission time BlockDurationi.
US08804764B2
A data path for streaming data includes a plurality of sequential data registers, each of the plurality of sequential data registers comprising a plurality of data fields, wherein the streaming data moves sequentially through the sequential data registers; and a multiplexing unit, the multiplexing unit configured such that the multiplexing unit has access to each of the plurality of data fields of the plurality of sequential data registers, and wherein the multiplexing unit is configured to extract data from the streaming data as the streaming data moves through the sequential data registers in response to a data request.
US08804763B2
A method of transmitting data over a plurality of parallel transmission links, including dividing the data into a plurality of portions, and for each one of the portions in consecutive order providing the portion to a transmitter, and sending the portion over a transmission link connected to the transmitter, wherein the providing is made according to a plan which is independent of addressing information associated with the data. A method for reassembling data from a plurality of portions of the data received over a plurality of parallel transmission links including copying a first portion, according to an order among the portions, thereby producing partially reassembled data, from each one of the plurality of parallel transmission links, copying and appending a next portion to the partially reassembled data, according to the order among the portions, and continuing the copying and appending until the data has been completely reassembled. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US08804758B2
A real-time bandwidth monitor (RTBM) for VoIP applications are disclosed having a media streaming function to sense the available bandwidth between two endpoints of a VoIP communication (herein, a “call path”) utilizing the media streaming function and to adapt in real-time the transmission rate of the media stream to utilize that bandwidth. The media stream may include voice content, video content, or other media content.
US08804756B2
The present invention provides a method for improving interaction between a Scheduling Request procedure and a Random Access procedure in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system. The method includes steps of triggering a Scheduling Request procedure; repeatedly sending a Dedicated Scheduling Request (D-SR) message on a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) until an uplink transmission resource for a new transmission is received or the number of D-SR transmissions reaches to a specific value when the PUCCH is configured for the UE; and deactivating all pre-configured transmission resources before performing a Random Access procedure corresponding to the Scheduling Request procedure when the number of D-SR transmissions reaches to the specific value.
US08804754B1
A system and method for transmitting and presenting streaming digital information signals that optimizes performance in the context of goodput, throughput, delay, receiver buffer requirements and tolerance to loss and jitter. The method provides ordering packets of information based on a priority associated with each of the packets; managing the flow of the packets into and out of a buffer; adjusting the rate at which the packets are provided to a communication medium; and transmitting and retransmitting the packets as needed.
US08804753B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a shared memory buffer including a lead memory bank and a write multiplexing module configured to send a leading segment from a set of segments to the lead memory bank. The set of segments includes bit values from a set of variable-sized cells. The write multiplexing module further configured to send each segment from the set of segments identified as a trailing segment to a portion of the shared memory mutually exclusive from the lead memory bank.
US08804751B1
An epoch-based network processor internally segments packets for processing and aggregation in epoch payloads. FIFO buffers interact with a memory management unit to efficiently manage the segmentation and aggregation process.
US08804737B2
A method includes sending over the network from a source entity to a destination entity a sequence of a plurality of packets. Each packet in the sequence includes a same identifier corresponding to a network entity on the network. Sending includes modifying a property of the sequence of packets to uniquely identify the sequence of packets. The method includes receiving information indicating the identifier corresponds to the modification of the property. Another method includes examining a sequence of packets sent over a network from a source entity to a destination entity, each packet in the sequence comprising a same identifier corresponding to a network entity on the network. The method includes determining whether a property of the sequence of packets was modified when sent to uniquely identify the sequence of packets; and responsive to the determining, associating the identifier with the network identity. Apparatus and program products are also disclosed.
US08804734B2
A network node module includes a processing module and memory. The processing module is operable to generate a header section of a frame for transmission within a unified vehicle communication network. The header section includes a preamble, routing information, and a vehicle network field, which includes information that identifies a type of the frame. The processing module is further operable to generate a payload section of the frame. The payload section includes data payload and an integrity check field. The processing module is further operable to transmit the frame to the unified vehicle communication network in accordance with a global vehicle network communication protocol.
US08804733B1
A centralized packet processor device for use in a communication system includes a plurality of physical ports to couple the centralized packet processor device to a plurality of network devices, a port manager coupled to the plurality of physical ports and configured to assign to a packet received at the centralized packet processor device a virtual port that uniquely identifies at least one of a physical port and a trunk of the network device from which the packet is received and that is used with the centralized packet processor to process the packet, and a packet processor unit coupled to the plurality of physical ports, where the packet processor is configured to process the packet using the assigned virtual port.
US08804727B1
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc.
US08804722B2
A method and apparatus for routing multicast data across multiple multicast routing domains connected by a shortest path bridging (SPB) network is presented. A Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) edge router of an SPB network connected to a PIM network is configured as a Rendezvous Point (RP). A message is received at the RP, and in response, the RP forms a first data structure including multicast sender information. The RP floods the SPB network with a second message containing the first data structure, allocates an Identifier to the multicast stream, and sends a second data structure with sender information. An edge router with multicast receive interest responds with the second data structure with multicast receive interest information. As a result, a receiver in a second network has knowledge of devices in a first network such that multicast traffic is able to be routed between different networks connected to the SPB network.
US08804719B2
In one embodiment, which may be implemented in either IP networks or MPLS networks, a tree of the network may be constructed at a source network device by sending only a single packet. The remaining network devices in the network replicate the packet so that a copy will reach each of the egress nodes. Along the way, identity information from each node or hop will be added to the replicated packets. As the egress nodes receive the packets, the egress nodes will each send a reply packet to the source network device. The reply packet includes a list of every hop on the path. The source network device is configured to construct a tree of the network based on the reply packets.
US08804714B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling a media gateway by a switching center having a cluster structure with a plurality of blades using a partial wildcarding mechanism by including a blade identifier in the wildcard field.
US08804713B2
A method and a system for forwarding data in layer-2 network are disclosed. The method includes: configuring a virtual MAC address and a virtual MAC forwarding table for each node in a management domain in a layer-2 network; encapsulating a data packet with a source virtual MAC address and a destination virtual MAC address; and forwarding the data packet by each node on the data forwarding path according to the virtual MAC forwarding table configured for each node. A node and a system for forwarding data in layer-2 network are disclosed as well. The present disclosure frees the number of ESPs reaching a destination device from being limited by the number of designated PBT VIDs. Therefore the number of ESPs arriving at the destination device is expanded actually to 260 tag possibilities in limited network space; furthermore, P2MP and MP2MP connections is achieved, multicast and broadcast connections are supported.
US08804710B2
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing and at least one cable. The first housing includes a first interface card of a switch fabric. The second housing includes a second interface card of the switch fabric and a third interface card of the switch fabric. The second interface card of the switch fabric is operatively and physically coupled to the third interface card of the switch fabric via a midplane. The second interface card defines a plane that is nonparallel to the a plane defined by the third interface card and a plane defined by the midplane. The plane defined by the third interface card is nonparallel to the plane defined by the second interface card and the plane defined by the midplane. The cable is configured to operatively couple the first interface card to the second interface card.
US08804704B1
A method and system for updating physical location data associated with a VoIP endpoint device is implemented in a variety of embodiments. In one such embodiment, a VoIP endpoint device stores an identifier for a packet-communicating device which is subject to changing. The VoIP endpoint device has an interface for communication over the Internet via the packet-communicating device and uses a circuit-implemented method for prompting a VoIP user to update physical location data associated with the VoIP endpoint device. In response to a power state transition and a change in the stored identifier, the VoIP endpoint device facilitates an update to the physical location data associated with the VoIP service.
US08804696B1
An integrated gateway is disclosed. In one embodiment, a gateway includes a modem, a wide area network (WAN) interface, a local area network (LAN) interface, a router module, a voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP) adapter and a session-initiation protocol (SIP) adapter. The WAN interface is in communication with a packet network, such as a VOIP network. The router module is configured to route data traffic between the WAN interface and the LAN interface. In one embodiment, the VOIP adapter, as does the SIP adapter, includes a wireless interface for wireless communication with an endpoint device. The VOIP adapter is configured to provide VOIP services between the endpoint device and the packet network. The SIP adapter is configured to provide SIP services between the endpoint device and the packet network.
US08804695B2
A method, system, and computer program product for providing alerts and notifications to Internet Protocol-enabled devices are provided. The method includes receiving an alert message from a content source, retrieving a set of Internet Protocol device addresses associated with accounts subscribing to an alert service, and transmitting the alert message to the Internet Protocol-enabled devices corresponding to the set of Internet Protocol device addresses associated with the accounts subscribing to the alert service.
US08804694B2
In one example, handling a call at a first client device in a packet network is described. The first client device obtains device capabilities of a second client device in response to the call. The device capabilities are processed to determine whether the second client device is capable of graphical display or graphical interaction. If so, the first client device follows a multimodal call flow. Otherwise, the first client device follows a voice-only call flow.
US08804693B2
Methods, systems, and devices for increasing reverse link throughput by coordination of multiple wireless systems using reverse link blanking are provided. Some embodiments involve utilizing the bandwidth of one carrier bandwidth that partially overlaps with the bandwidth of another carrier bandwidth. This overlap may create interference. Different indicators may be utilized to prompt a device, such as a mobile device, to coordinate reverse link transmission blanking on at least one of the carrier bandwidths to increase throughput for the other overlapping carrier bandwidth. For example, a base station may transmit such an indicator to the mobile device to prompt the transmission blanking. Some embodiments also include increasing transmission power for the overlapping carrier bandwidth during the transmission blanking of other carrier bandwidth. Some embodiments utilize flexible carrier bandwidths systems that may utilize portions of spectrum that may not be big enough to fit a normal bandwidth waveform.
US08804686B2
Techniques are disclosed for signaling a pattern of cyclic shifts and orthogonal cover codes for use by a wireless device in multi-layer transmissions. In one example method, a signal includes B bits for identifying a reference signal is received, wherein each of several available reference signals is defined by a cyclic shift and an orthogonal cover code. The B bits are used to identify the cyclic shift and orthogonal cover code according to pre-determined tables that map each value of the B bits to a pattern of cyclic shift and orthogonal cover code combinations for a multi-layer transmission scheme. The patterns for the multi-layer transmission scheme include first and second patterns based on the same cyclic shifts, but where some, but not all, of the cyclic shifts in the first pattern are associated with the same corresponding orthogonal cover codes in the second pattern.
US08804684B2
Methods and arrangements (600) in a network node (110), for scrambling a timing advance value, to be received by a mobile station (120). The method comprises receiving (501) a signal from the mobile station (120), estimating (504) the timing advance value for the mobile station (120), determining (505) an offset value to be added to the estimated timing advance value, computing (506) a scrambled timing advance value by adding the determined offset value to the estimated timing advance value, and transmitting (507) the scrambled timing advance value, to be received by the mobile station (120). Also, methods and arrangements (800) in a mobile station (120), and methods and arrangements (1000) in a database (140) are disclosed.
US08804680B2
Systems and methods of efficiently providing network access for a portable electronic device while moderating power consumption are described. The electronic device may have a cellular radio and a network radio for communicating with an alternative network. In a default state, the electronic device may carry out communications using the cellular radio, and the network radio may be in an off state. Periodically, the electronic device may determine if the electronic device has moved. If so, a location of the electronic device may be determined and a check may be carried out to determine if the electronic device is in range of an available alternative network. If the electronic device is in range of an available alternative network, the network radio may be turned on and an attempt to connect to the alternative network may be made.
US08804671B2
A radio user equipment (UE) mobility status is determined in a communications node. UE mobility status measurements associated with the UE communicating over a radio channel are performed. The UE mobility status corresponds to a degree of variation of the radio channel over time. Channel characteristics of the radio channel at a first time and at a second later time are determined. Based on the determined channel characteristics, a channel characteristic error metric is determined and compared to a predetermined threshold. The UE mobility status is determined based on one or more iterations of the threshold comparison.
US08804670B1
Disclosed is a method and corresponding system to help improve inter-frequency handoff. While a radio access network (RAN) is serving one or more devices, the RAN will receive from the device(s) one or more reports of air interface quality on each of a plurality of potential target frequency channels. Dynamically based on the reported air interface quality information, the RAN will then select a given one of the potential target frequency channels to be a preferred target frequency channel. When a given device is fading from coverage, the RAN will then direct the device to scan for coverage on the preferred target frequency channel that was selected based on the earlier reported measures of air interface quality, so as to facilitate inter-frequency handoff.
US08804660B2
A serving base station provides time slot allocation information to a target base station for a mobile station that will likely undergo handover. The target base station uses the time slot allocation information to determine when resources should be reserved to facilitate the handover of the mobile station.
US08804654B2
The invention relates to a method and system for performing packet switched handover in a mobile communication network. The system comprises a mobile node, a first and a second packet switching node. The method enables the parallel sending of logical link layer frames from the first and the second packet switching node. This is achieved so that the mobile node does not reject incoming frames received from two logical link layer entities having different states. The benefits of the invention are related to improved quality of service and the avoiding of gaps in received data during handover.
US08804643B2
A method for enabling multi-channel signaling in a communication network, including a multitude of communication nodes, wherein the communication among the communication nodes is performed by sending and receiving messages on communication channels including a control channel and at least one service channel, is characterized in that communication nodes embed information related to communication channel usage in messages sent on one of the communication channels, in particular the control channel, wherein the information indicates to others of the communication nodes a communication channel, in particular a service channel, intended to be employed for a specific service and/or application by the communication node having sent the respective message, and wherein communication nodes that receive a message including information related to communication channel usage forward the information by embedding the information in any of their own messages to be sent on a communication channel, in particular on the control channel.
US08804636B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting uplink control information on the data channel in a multi-carrier wireless communication system is provided. An Uplink Control Information (UCI) transmission method in a wireless communication system supporting multicarrier transmission according to the present invention includes channel-coding a UCI with reference to a number of UCI bits available; dividing the channel coded UCI bits into a number of Physical Uplink Shared Channels (PUSCHs); and transmitting the UCI multiplexed with data on the individual PUSCHs.
US08804633B2
A method and apparatus for a base station to trigger a random access procedure for carrier aggregation in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The method includes sending a dedicated radio resource control signal to configure a user equipment with a plurality of secondary component carriers (SCCs) that include uplink SCCs and/or downlink SCCs for carrier aggregation. The method further includes sending an activation signal to the user equipment to activate a configured downlink SCC. The method also includes transmitting a physical downlink control channel order only on the downlink primary CC to trigger a random access procedure.
US08804632B2
A method of performing a random access procedure by a user equipment (UE) in a multiple-carrier system is provided. The method includes transmitting, to a base station (BS), a first random access preamble on a first uplink carrier selected from a plurality of uplink carriers, and transmitting, to the BS, a second random access preamble on a second uplink carrier selected from the plurality of uplink carriers when a random access response corresponding to the first random access preamble is not successfully received from the BS.
US08804631B2
A message contains global carrier configuration is provided in a wireless multi-carrier orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system. The global carrier configuration contains global carrier configuration information such as the center frequencies for multiple available RF carriers of different base stations in the OFDM network. In one embodiment, the global carrier configuration comprises information of single or multiple carrier groups, each carrier group comprises single or multiple contiguous RF carriers, and each carrier group is associated with a multi-carrier configuration index that refers to carrier configuration information contained in a carrier configuration lookup table and a frequency assignment index that refers to a global frequency location contained in a frequency assignment lookup table.
US08804605B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for feeder link configurations to layered modulation. One feeder link system employs feeder link spot beam to antennas in distinct coverage areas to enable frequency reuse. Another system employs narrow beam width feeder link antenna to illuminate individual satellites also enabling frequency reuse. Yet another system uses layered modulation in the feeder link. Another feeder link system employs a higher order synchronous modulation for the satellite feeder link than is used in the layered modulation downlink signals.
US08804599B2
A tree topology in a multi-hop wireless network is configured by having each node other than the root node select a parent node within direct communication range, thereby becoming a child node of the selected parent node. Neighboring nodes provide selection values such as routing costs and local structural information indicating the existing topology in their vicinities, including parent-child relationships. The selection of the parent node is based on the received selection values, but the local structural information is used to bias the selection in favor of neighboring nodes with at least one other child node. This selection strategy reduces the number of parent nodes in the network and enables more nodes to operate as end nodes, which can then conserve power by carrying out sleep control.
US08804597B2
An apparatus and a method effectively adds and deletes a relay link in a communication system that includes a multiple relay system. The apparatus and method include determining by a relay mode controller whether to add or delete the relay link with consideration of at least one of a movement velocity of User Equipment (UE), a signal intensity of a Node-B and at least one relay station, and a channel state value of the UE. When addition or deletion of the relay link is determined, a message requesting addition of the relay link or a message informing deletion of the relay link is transmitted by a signaling processor to a relay station corresponding to the relay link whose addition or deletion has been determined.
US08804595B2
In an example embodiment, a method of adjusting a modulation and coding scheme may include selecting a modulation and coding scheme for multiple terminals and broadcasting a modulation and coding scheme identifier to the terminals. The modulation and coding scheme identifier may be configured to identify the selected modulation and coding scheme such that each of the plurality of terminals transmits a transmission to the base station based at least in part on the selected modulation and coding scheme.
US08804593B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, two or more cells are configured to perform coordinated multipoint (CoMP) transmission for one or more user equipment devices with a common media access control (MAC) or a common radio resource control (RRC). Measurement information is received from the one or more user equipment devices. One or more of the cells may be deactivated, or one or more additional cells may be activated for coordinated multipoint transmission based at least in part on the measurement information.
US08804585B2
The present disclosure proposes different methods of utilizing dedicated control channels in a multi-hop relay system. For one embodiment of the present disclosure, dedicated control channels may be used to power control communication entities in the multi-hop relay system. For another embodiment of the present disclosure, bandwidth resources of dedicated control channels may be employed to control a sleep mode at a subscriber station. For yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, dedicated control channels of the multi-hop relay system may be exploited for sending multicast and broadcast service messages.
US08804570B1
A first provider edge (PE) device is configured to: receive a Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) MAC Flush message from a PE device via an input port; flush a routing table in response to the LDP MAC Flush message; determine whether the LDP MAC Flush message comprises a PE identifier corresponding to the PE device; generate a Topology Change Notification (TCN) message based on the LDP MAC Flush message when the LDP MAC Flush message comprises the PE identifier corresponding to the PE device; and output the TCN message.
US08804559B2
A method of monitoring channel-sounding quality for VHT WiFi devices is provided. A mobile station (the receiver) receives a sounding signal transmitted from an access point (the transmitter) over one or multiple sub-channels of a wide channel in a wireless network. The receiver performs channel estimation and determines an estimated channel response matrix. The receiver then calculates sounding quality for each valid sub-channel by computing an estimation error of the received sounding signal based on the estimated channel matrix. The receiver transmits a feedback message to the transmitter. The feedback message contains sounding quality information derived from the calculated channel sounding quality. If the channel sounding qualities for all valid sub-channels are poor, then a null VHT channel feedback frame is sent back to the transmitter.
US08804556B2
A system and a method for handover of a terminal in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes transmitting, by a serving BS, measurement control information and DRX control information to a terminal; measuring, by the terminal, a channel, based on the measurement control information; operating, by the terminal, in connected DRX, based on the DRX control information; reporting, by the terminal, channel measurement information to the serving BS; determining, by the serving BS, the handover of the terminal based on the channel measurement information provided from the terminal; resetting, by the serving BS, the DRX control information of the terminal; transmitting, by the serving BS, the reset DRX control information to the terminal; operating, by the terminal, in the connected DRX, based on the reset DRX control information provided from the serving BS; and transmitting, by the serving BS, handover indication information to the terminal.
US08804551B2
A method and apparatus for estimating the position of an electronic device. The method comprises receiving an observation comprising the identity of at least one wireless transmitter detected by the device at the position to be estimate, comparing the observation with the contents of a set of record, detecting respective first and second matches between the observation and records, and retrieving the corresponding positions. The method comprises estimating the position of the electronic device based on at least one of the first position estimate and the second position estimate, depending upon quality characteristics of the first match and the second match and indications of the sources of the respective records.
US08804548B2
A method for a user entity (UE) transmitting data said data being receivable by at least a serving node (B1) and a non serving node (B2); the user entity (UE) being adapted for receiving a first signal (ABS GRNT E-AGCH) (4, 6) from a serving node (B1) granting the user entity permission to transmit at a given signalling rate; the user entity (UE) being adapted for receiving a second signal (8) from a non-serving node (B2) instructing the user entity to limit its signalling rate (DOWN E-RGCH). The user entity (UE) is being adapted to transmit data packets and associating a third signal (HAPPY, 7) and the user entity (UE) is being adapted to transmit data packets and associating a fourth signal (NOT HAPPY, 1, 9) with the data packet transmission indicating the user entity wishing to being granted permission to use a higher signalling rate than it is currently being permitted to use by the serving node (B1). The user entity is being adapted for issuing a signalling rate limitation signal (UE RATE LMT, 9′) to the serving node, indicating the user entity having limited its signalling rate signal below the signalling rate granted to it by the serving node B. There is moreover provided a method for a Node B, which as a non-serving Node B (B2) is transmitting on the E-RGCH, a situation signal (E-RGCH CEASE 14, 15′) being indicative of a cease ceased 9″ of an interference situation.
US08804546B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate managing interaction between paging and discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles for users operating in a communication system. As described herein, a connected mode user having an associated DRX cycle can modify its schedule for paging reception to minimize unnecessary periods of activity. For example, a user can initially schedule monitoring of paging occasions that coincide with periods of activity associated with the DRX cycle of the user. If such paging occasions are not sufficient to reach a minimum required number of monitored paging occasions, additional paging occasions can be monitored as needed by scheduling additional periods of activity and/or extending periods of activity specified in the DRX cycle. Additionally or alternatively, a network can synchronize a connected mode DRX cycle associated with a user with an idle mode paging cycle for the user, thereby providing power and performance benefits with low complexity.
US08804539B2
A method and system for detecting service disruptions in a packet network is described. In one example, a plurality of data reports is received. A determination is then made as to whether a number of the plurality of data reports that pertain to a particular class has exceeded a predetermined threshold. In the event the threshold is exceeded, at least one notification is transmitted.
US08804536B2
Techniques are provided for the suppression of reference signal transmissions to enable sensing in cognitive radio communications. In one example, there is provided a method, operable by a network entity (e.g., evolved Node B), that may involve communicating with another network entity to determine parameters of a quiet period, the parameters comprising at least one of when the quiet period occurs and duration of the quiet period. The method may involve transmitting a reference signal in a first channel exclusively during a first plurality of subframes of a first frame period, wherein the first frame period further includes a quiet period during which no signals are transmitted, and performing during the quiet period a sensing operation with respect to the first channel.
US08804532B2
In a vehicular network having a plurality of connected user equipment, experiencing a change in an available bandwidth a method for adapting to the change is performed comprising the steps of collecting information about the users and the bearers, detecting a change in bandwidth available for the local network, identifying user equipment in the local network to be affected by said detected change, notifying the identified user equipment of an adaptation of the bandwidth for the identified user equipment, and finally adapting the bandwidth of each identified user equipment.
US08804527B2
Technologies are generally described for providing a locative social networking service utilizing wireless access point. In some examples, a method performed under control of a mobile device may include connecting to a wireless local area network, finding at least one other mobile device connected to the wireless local area network and satisfying a predetermined condition, and for each found mobile device, requesting a public user profile associated with the found mobile device, in response to the request, receiving the public user profile associated with the found mobile device, and for each found mobile device from which an associated public user profile is received, transmitting to the found mobile device a public user profile associated with the mobile device.
US08804526B2
A congestion management apparatus for receiving a traffic data stream and an associated control signal, wherein the apparatus detects a congestion indicator in the traffic data stream and generates congestion control data. The apparatus incorporates the congestion control data into the control signal and sends the control signal to a streaming server to control the rate at which the streaming server sends the traffic data. The apparatus selects an adaptation method depending on a protocol associated with the control signal and generates the congestion control data in accordance with the adaptation method. The apparatus is modular and may be adapted to support a plurality of protocols and adaptation methods. The traffic data may comprise real time data, especially video data and/or audio data, transmitted using one or more connectionless transport protocol, such as Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) over User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
US08804522B2
The communication network includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of links. The allocation unit assigns one or more network flows to the communication pipe. The one or more network flows have the same source node and the same destination node. The allocation unit determines a required capacity of the communication pipe based on the amount of network traffic associated to the one or more network flows and based on one or more minimal quality of service requirements associated with the one or more network flows. The allocation unit allocates one or more links of the plurality of links to the communication pipe for routing the one or more network flows from the source node to the destination node.
US08804512B1
The present invention relates to increasing performance of Wide Area Network (WAN) communications and in particular to a redundant proxy device associated with one end of a transport layer connection that monitors packet traffic and selectively reroutes packets to a proxy application.
US08804510B2
A system for managing resources in a communication system including systems which do not have a permission for a first frequency band includes a coexistence manager configured to, when a frequency band available for the systems is searched from the first frequency band, manage the systems for coexistence and frequency sharing of the systems in the available frequency band; a coexistence enabler configured to transmit and receive information of the systems and information of the coexistence manager; and a coexistence discovery and information server configured to support control of the coexistence manager over the systems, wherein a plurality of coexistence managers are provided to respectively correspond to the plurality of systems, and wherein, among the plurality of coexistence managers, a first coexistence manager performs a negotiation procedure with coexistence managers neighboring to it, on the basis of one of an etiquette mode, a round-robin mode and a competition mode.
US08804502B2
An emergency backhaul link is created between a first radio base station and a second radio base station over an air interface in response to an interruption or failure of a primary backhaul link of the first radio base station. In some embodiments, the first radio base station and the second radio base station are provided with no additional equipment to support the emergency backhaul link. In other embodiments, the second radio base station includes a tunable receiver configured to switch between receiving mobile device traffic on an uplink frequency and receiving backhaul traffic on a downlink frequency. In other embodiments, the second radio base station includes a receiver configured to receive backhaul traffic from the first radio base station over a downlink frequency. After the primary backhaul link is restored, the emergency backhaul link is torn down and backhaul traffic resumes on the primary backhaul link.
US08804498B2
Devices, systems, and methods for sending and processing session initiation protocol (SIP) responses are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for sending an SIP response through a first telecommunications network node is described. The method includes receiving, by means of the first node, a SIP request sent by means of a second node of the network. The method includes detecting an event that interferes with processing of said request by means of the first node. The method further includes sending, to the second node, a SIP response notifying said interference. The method also includes, before the sending step, activating, within the SIP response, a parameter that allows the request to be rerouted, said parameter being configurable by means of the second node.
US08804494B1
A method and/or network configuration configured to enhance network performance using virtual system redundancy is disclosed. The network configuration, in one embodiment, includes a first packet core entity (“PCE”), routing cloud, and a second PCE. The first PCE, which includes a virtual backup module configured to facilitate virtual backup, actively provides network services to subscribers. The routing cloud provides network communication between network entities or PCEs across geographical distances. The second PCE, in one embodiment, includes a virtual smart core (“VSC”), wherein the VSC facilitates a redundancy instance for the first PCE. The first PCE and the second PCE may be separated with a long distance.
US08804489B2
A router detects a network failure and responsive to that failure, floods a fast failure notification message out a set of interfaces of the router. The fast failure notification message includes information that identifies the network failure and includes as its source MAC (Media Access Control) address a MAC address that is assigned to an interface that is coupled with the detected network failure and is not part of the set of interfaces of the router. The router updates a routing table to reflect the network failure. The flooding of the fast failure notification message is performed prior to completion of the routing table update to reflect the network failure.
US08804487B2
A control apparatus comprises: a switch extraction unit extracting a second switch adjacent to a first switch that stops in a communication system including a plurality of switches having a predetermined topology; a flow extraction unit extracting a flow transferred to the first switch after the second switch from a plurality of flows passing through the communication system; a path determination unit determining, assuming that, among the plurality of switches, switches located at start and end nodes of the flow are third and fourth switches, respectively, a path from the second switch to the fourth switch, based on a topology obtained by excluding the first switch from the predetermined topology; and a path generation unit connecting a path from the third switch to the second switch in an initial path of the flow and a path determined by the path determination unit to generate a new path of the flow.
US08804479B2
A transmitting apparatus for transmitting signals in a multi carrier system on the basis of a frame structure, each frame including at least two signalling patterns adjacent to each other in the frequency direction and at least one data pattern. Frame forming means arranges signalling data and pilot signals in each of said at least two signalling patterns in a frame and arrange data on frequency carriers of said at least one data pattern in a frame. Scrambling means scrambles the signalling data by use of a unique scrambling sequence. Transforming means transforms said signalling patterns and said data patterns from the frequency domain into the time domain in order to generate a time domain transmission signal. Transmitting means transmits said time domain transmission signal.
US08804478B2
The present invention relates to a data transceiving method in a communication system based on a plurality of carriers, and more particularly, to a method of designing a sequence in a communication system using orthogonal subcarriers. The present invention includes the steps of generating a time-domain sequence with a specific length in a time domain, generating a frequency-domain sequence by performing a DFT or FFT operation on the time-domain sequence according to a length of the generated sequence, including a DC subcarrier and a guard subcarrier in the frequency-domain sequence, and performing an IDFT or IFFT operation on the frequency-domain sequence including the DC subcarrier and the guard subcarrier.
US08804477B2
An orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission system is provided which includes a data processing unit which generates a transmission signal using a plurality of tones including a reserved tone, a storage unit which stores Peak Reduction Kernel information according to the type of data symbol, and a compensation unit which retrieves the Peak Reduction Kernel information according to the type of data symbol from the storage unit and causes the retrieved information to be carried by the reserved tone included in the transmission signal. Therefore, a Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) can be efficiently compensated.
US08804475B1
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for calibrating gains of an optical storage servo system having a plant. The method includes translating a first signal of the plant from a time domain effort signal into a frequency domain effort signal, translating a second signal of the plant from a time domain error signal into a frequency domain error signal, determining a first gain of the optical storage servo system based on the first signal and the second signal, comparing a third signal from an optical disk of the optical storage servo system with a predetermined threshold, and asserting a defect flag when the third signal drops below the predetermined threshold to avoid calibrating the first gain based on the first signal and the second signal.
US08804462B2
A marine vibrator with improved seal is described. The marine vibrator includes a housing and piston within the housing for generating vibratory signals. The improved seal is comprised of a two-stage seal having a first seal disposed adjacent the water interface and a second seal disposed away from the water interface, thus improving the reliability of the marine vibrator.
US08804461B2
Various embodiments of the invention provide a buoy and system for monitoring divers and other underwater objects. In many embodiments, the buoy has capabilities to monitor a diver, obtain position information about the diver and use that information to move itself to an effective range for continued monitoring. The buoy can connect and communicate with a communication device attached to a diver to communicate, position, biometric and other data. In one embodiment, the buoy comprises a propulsion system for propelling the buoy, an acoustic communication module for communicating with the diver and a propulsion controller for controlling the propulsion system to move to the effective range. Other embodiments provide a power generation system using a power generating buoy comprising an inertial weight, an energy converter and a connecting linkage. The system may comprise a single or multiple buoys and can include an electrical storage such as an electrical battery.
US08804455B2
A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array comprising a plurality of banks and a page size controller. The page size controller decodes a part of a bank selection address or a power supply voltage and a remaining part of the bank selection address to enable one of the plurality of banks or enable two of the plurality of banks to set a page size of the semiconductor device.
US08804452B2
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to a data interleaving module. A number of methods can include interleaving data received from a bus among modules according to a selected one of a plurality of data densities per memory cell supported by an apparatus and transferring the interleaved data from the modules to a register.
US08804437B2
A column select multiplexer, a method of reading data from a random-access memory and a memory subsystem incorporating the multiplexer or the method. In one embodiment, the column select multiplexer includes: (1) a first field-effect transistor having a gate coupled via an inverter to a bitline of a static random-access memory array, (2) a second field-effect transistor coupled in series with the first field-effect transistor and having a gate coupled to a column select bus of the static random-access memory array and (3) a latch having an input coupled to the first and second field-effect transistors.
US08804433B2
An operating method of a semiconductor memory device includes performing a first LSB program loop for storing first LSB data in first memory cells of a word line, performing a second LSB program loop for storing second LSB data in second memory cells of the selected word line and for detecting over-erased memory cells having threshold voltages lower than an over-erase reference voltage of a negative potential to raise the threshold voltages to be higher than the over-erase reference voltage, performing a first MSB program loop for storing first MSB data in the first memory cells, and performing a second MSB program loop for storing second MSB data in the second memory cells.
US08804431B2
A nonvolatile memory apparatus including a control circuit, plural terminals having clock, command and other terminals, data and command registers, and plural nonvolatile memory cells. The clock terminal receives a clock signal and the command terminal receives commands including read and program commands. The data register receives from and outputs data to outside. The control circuit reads operation steps from memory used to control the apparatus. The control circuit, responsive to the read command, controls reading data from the memory cells, storing read data to the data register, and outputting read data via the other terminal, not the command terminal, based on the clock signal. The control circuit, responsive to the program command, controls receiving data via the other terminal, not the command terminal, based on the clock signal, storing received data to the data register and writing received data to the memory cells.
US08804426B2
A method of operating a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes programming selected memory cells by applying a first program voltage, which gradually rises, to a selected word line and applying a first pass voltage, which is constant, to remaining unselected word lines; and programming the selected memory cells while applying a second program voltage, which is constant, to the selected word line and applying a second pass voltage, which gradually rises, to first unselected word lines adjacent to the selected word line, when a difference between the first program voltage and the first pass voltage reaches a critical voltage difference.
US08804424B2
Memory, memory devices, and a method for a backup sequence are disclosed. In one such memory device, sense circuitry and page buffers are coupled between a three transistor memory cell device and a non-volatile memory device. Enable/disable gates enable selective access to the sense circuitry and page buffers by either the three transistor memory cell device or the non-volatile memory device.
US08804420B2
At least one of a plurality of columns is an LM column for storing LM flag data indicating a progression state of a write operation. Each of column control circuits performs an LM address scan operation for confirming whether the LM column exists in a corresponding memory core or not. Each of the column control circuits stores a result of that LM address scan operation in a register. In various kinds of operations after the LM address scan operation, each of the column control circuits executes an operation of reading the LM flag data from the LM column in the corresponding one of the memory cores when data retained in the register is first data, and omits executing an operation of reading the LM flag data from the LM column in the corresponding one of the memory cores when data retained in the register is second data.
US08804418B1
The present invention provides for a solution benefiting from providing for a method and system to reduce the impact of read disturbance while providing improved system performance through optimized activities with minimal impact to overhead. The present invention provides for a highly effective early page migration mechanism, prior to a manufacturer's endurance limit and without a forced block migration, to reduce read disturbance associated with traditional NAND-based memory architectures, in part by identifying a block counter value, determining a block threshold value and early migrating one or more pages of data from the original block location upon the satisfaction of certain criteria.
US08804406B2
An electronic storage device includes a bit cell circuit, feedback circuit, and read accelerator circuit. The bit cell circuit is adapted for connection with true and complementary bit lines. The feedback circuit includes a first transistor which is coupled to a first voltage potential and responsive to the complementary bit line. The read accelerator circuit includes second, third, and fourth transistors coupled between the feedback circuit and a second voltage potential. The second transistor is responsive to a read line, the third transistor is responsive to the true bit line, and the fourth transistor is responsive to the complementary bit line. The read accelerator circuit is configured to provide a discharge path for at least one of the true bit line and the complementary bit line during a read access of the bit cell. Embodiments of a corresponding electronic read access accelerator device and method are also provided.
US08804400B2
According to an example embodiment, a variable resistance memory device includes a lower electrode that includes a spacer-shaped first sub lower electrode and a second sub lower electrode covering a curved sidewall of the first sub lower electrode. The second sub lower electrode extends upward to protrude above the top of the first sub lower electrode. The lower electrode includes an upward-tapered shape.
US08804391B2
A semiconductor memory device includes memory blocks that each include memory cells coupled to bit lines, a column masking circuit configured to output data change signals in response to an address signal indicating bit lines of selected columns among a plurality of columns, and an operation circuit configured to store data of the memory cells transferred through the bit lines and simultaneously change data transferred through the bit lines of the selected columns into operation pass data in response to the data change signals.
US08804385B2
A switching converter IC without a built-in power switching device includes a first terminal serving as a power supply positive connection, a second terminal serving as a power supply return connection, a third terminal serving as the switch-driving connection for controlling the switching duty of an external bipolar or MOSFET power switching device and also serving as a conduit for detection of current drawn by the power switching device to thereby provide overcurrent protection. Feedback information is derived from voltage between the first and the second terminals.
US08804381B2
A method of balancing reactive power at a power delivery system is disclosed. The method may include operating a power delivery system that may have a plurality of power cells that are electrically connected to a first transformer comprising one or more primary windings and a plurality of secondary windings such that each cell is electrically connected to one of the secondary windings and a plurality of the secondary windings are phase-shifted with respect to the primary windings. The method may further include controlling the reactive current flow at each power cell by calculating, at a first controller, a reactive current flow adjustment for at least one power cell so that reactive current flow is balanced among each of the plurality of power cells. Each cell may include a plurality of switching devices.
US08804380B2
A switching mode power supply (SMPS) includes a power transistor coupled to the primary winding of transformer and a resistor coupled between the input power source and a control terminal of the power transistor for triggering a primary current flow through the power transistor for providing startup power. A primary side control circuit is configured to regulate the output of the SMPS. A secondary side control circuit is coupled to the secondary winding and being configured to provide a first electrical signal to the secondary winding when an output voltage of the SMPS is less than a first reference voltage, whereupon an awakening signal is induced in the auxiliary winding and causes the primary side control circuit to provide a turn-on signal to the power transistor. The primary side control circuit is configured to enter a standby mode or a normal operating mode in response to the awakening signal.
US08804379B2
A flyback converter system and feedback controlling apparatus and method of operating the same are disclosed. The feedback controlling apparatus for the flyback converter system includes a primary feedback loop unit for generating a primary feedback signal, and a secondary feedback loop unit for generating a secondary feedback signal, a loop selector. In light-load conditions, the loop selector supplies the primary feedback signal to a PWM controller for feedback control, and the secondary feedback loop unit is disabled by a power monitor to save electrical energy.
US08804378B2
A method of optimizing a gain adjustment value Kadj for a digital controller in an isolated switched mode power supply. The power supply includes an opto-coupler having a current transfer ratio (CTRX) within a range defined by a minimum current transfer ratio (CTRMIN) and a maximum current transfer ratio (CTRMAX). The method includes determining the CTRX of the opto-coupler, determining an optimal gain adjustment value KadjX based on the determined CTRX of the opto-coupler, and storing the optimal gain adjustment value KadjX in the digital controller. The method can be performed by the digital controller or by a programming device external to the power supply.
US08804370B2
An exemplary electronic device includes a housing, a lever, and a locking device securing the lever on the housing. The housing includes a bottom plate, a top plate and a side plate connecting the bottom plate with the top plate. The locking device includes a nut having a main body extending downwardly into the lever, a screw extending upwardly through the top plate into the nut, and gaskets sandwiched between the top plate and the nut. The lever is disposed and sleeved on the nut with a gap defined between a top face of the lever and a bottom face of a head of the nut.
US08804368B2
A motherboard for an electronic device comprising a main printed circuit board (PCB) with a through-hole extending between the upper component surface and the lower surface. The motherboard includes a carrier PCB having a top surface and a bottom surface, and at least one component, e.g. an optical device, sensor, or the like, coupled to the top surface. The carrier PCB is mounted in an in an inverted orientation with respect to the main PCB such that the top surface of the carrier PCB faces the upper component surface of the main PCB. The carrier PCB is aligned with the main PCB such that the component is substantially aligned with the through hole of the main PCB and is visible from the lower surface of the PCB.
US08804365B2
To broaden a substantial area for wiring between a display portion and a driver element, and to increase the number of wirings between the driver element and the display portion.In a driving IC 100, bumps 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 24, 26 and 28 are arrayed in a first row 110 and bumps 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25, 27 are arrayed in a second row 120, wherein the respective bumps are disposed so that the shortest distances between forward ends of the respective bumps and a side along the array, become larger gradually from the center outward in the array.
US08804356B2
A mounting apparatus for an expansion card includes a bottom plate, a circuit board, and mounting bracket. The bottom plate defines mounting hole. The circuit board is secured to the bottom plate, and a gap is defined between the bottom plate and the circuit board. The mounting bracket includes a base secured to the bottom plate. The base includes two positioning pieces and an elastically deformable mounting portion. The two positioning pieces are received in the gap, to prevent the mounting bracket from moving along a first direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate, and the elastically deformable mounting portion is engaged in the mounting hole, to prevent the mounting bracket from moving along a second direction substantially parallel to the bottom plate.
US08804349B2
A foldable display device including a case that stably supports a flexible display panel for improving user convenience is disclosed. In one aspect, the foldable display device includes a flexible display panel including a foldable area between lateral plane areas thereof and a pair of front cases surrounding a front perimeter of the flexible display panel. The device also includes a pair of bottom cases coupled with the pair of front cases to house the flexible display panel and a biaxial hinge member mounted to the bottom case in the foldable area to connect the pair of front cases to respective rotation points.
US08804346B2
Provided are systems and methods for a control assembly including: a first film that is in-molded that includes decorative graphics, a front surface and a rear surface; and a second film molded to the rear surface of the first film having a printed circuit that includes sensors, control circuits and interconnects and a front and rear surface; and an internal connector.
US08804342B2
A communication module including a circuit board having leading and trailing ends and a module axis extending therebetween. The communication module also includes a support wall that is coupled to the circuit board proximate to the leading end. The support wall extends transverse to the module axis and has a wall opening. The communication module also includes an electrical connector that is held by the support wall within the wall opening and has a mating face. The communication module also includes a board interconnect coupled to the circuit board. The communication module also includes a flex cable assembly that is coupled at one end to the array of electrical contacts and at an opposite end to the board interconnect. The electrical connector is permitted to float within the wall opening relative to the support wall.
US08804338B2
To provide electronic equipment having a heat discharging function capable of achieving the maximum in the signal processing capability of a portable terminal by preventing the functional restriction of the portable terminal by effectively discharging exothermic heat from the portable terminal at the time of coupling the portable terminal whose function is restricted by heat generation to an external device, as well as a heat discharging system and a heat discharging method.
US08804333B2
A data room air circulation system has adjacent racks located side by side. The racks have a front, a rear, and a first and second side. A computer system component is mounted in at least one of the racks. A cold aisle, containing cold air, is located at the front of the racks. As the cold air passes through the component, hot air is formed and discharged to a hot aisle located at the rear of the racks. A baffle, having a front end, a rear end, and a hot air side is located between the racks. The front baffle end is attached to the front of one of the racks, and the rear end is attached to the rear of the other of the racks. The baffle separates the cold aisle from the hot aisle for at least the height of the baffle.
US08804332B2
A handheld computer having a housing with a midframe construction is described. The housing includes a front shell and a back shell coupled to a midframe. The handheld computer also includes two accessory slots for a stylus or other devices on the left and right sides of the housing. The handheld computer also includes an infrared port which is an integral portion of the housing.
US08804328B2
A portable electronic device includes: a housing, a processor provided in the housing, a rechargeable power pack provided in the housing in communication with the processor, apertures extending through the housing, insulating portions of the housing being provided between the apertures, a location of the apertures being selected to map out a graphical element, electrical contacts in communication with the battery for charging the battery, the electrical contacts being sized to be received in the apertures and wherein the insulating portions are provided for insulating the electrical contacts from one another.
US08804323B2
An electronic device includes a casing defining a first opening and a through hole, a first antenna, a first cover, and a camera module. The first antenna is mounted in the casing and whose position corresponds to the position of the first opening. The first cover is detachably fixed in the first opening and covering the first antenna. The camera module is mounted in the casing and includes a lens module received in the through hole for converging light incident thereon. The first antenna and the camera module are arranged in a first line, the first cover being fixed in the first opening is separated from the camera module by a first predetermined distance in a first direction parallel with the first line.
US08804308B2
A stretched film comprising a dispersion of at least one polyester and/or polycarbonate in a matrix of at least one polyester and/or polycarbonate different from the first polyester and/or polycarbonate, the percentage by weight of the dispersed polyester and/or polycarbonate in the dispersion being less than 50% and the dispersed polyester and/or polycarbonate being in the form of platelets. The stretched film can be used as a dielectric in a capacitor.
US08804295B2
Integrated circuits with configurable multi-gate switch circuitry are provided. The switch circuitry may include switch control circuitry and an array of multi-gate switches. Each multi-gate switch may have first and second terminals, first and second gates, and a metal bridge. The metal bridge is attached to the first terminal. The metal bridge may extend over the gates and may hover above the second terminal in the off state. The metal bridge may have a tip that bends down to physically contact the second terminal in the on state. Switch control circuitry may provide row and column control signals to load desired switch states into the switch array. The switch array may be partitioned into groups of switches that form multiplexers. The multiplexers may be used in programmable circuits such as programmable logic device circuits.
US08804294B2
A system for and method of providing overload protection for an active material actuator and composing assembly, including a magnetically functioning mechanism comprising one or more permanent magnet, electromagnet, and/or magnetorheological fluid reservoir cooperatively configured to produce a tunable holding force.
US08804293B2
A protection circuit for a memory control chip of a computer includes a controller, a switch circuit, a memory control chip, and a delay circuit. The controller outputs a high level control signal when the computer is in a first state, and outputs a low level control signal when the computer is in a second state. The switch circuit connects or disconnects the connection between a power pin of the memory control chip and a power terminal, according to the control signal. The delay circuit imposes a predetermined time delay for receiving a high level control signal, and outputs an enable signal to an enable pin of the memory control chip to make the memory control chip operate again, after a predetermined delay.
US08804292B2
A protective circuit compares at least two different signals and asserts a control node toward respective logic states accordingly. At least one of the signals is derived from a voltage on a power rail within a computer or other device. A switching element passes or isolates an enable signal based on the logic state of the control node, enabling or preventing operation of a power supply, accordingly. Central processing units (CPUs) or other elements are protected against electrically caused damage in the event that a fault is detected by the protective circuit.
US08804290B2
An active-FET ESD cell (300) for protecting an I/O pad (301) includes a first MOS transistor (310) with a gate oxide (315) of a first thickness and a second MOS transistor (320) with a gate oxide (325) of a second thickness greater than the first thickness at least by the amount required to handle the source-follower threshold voltage, the first transistor having its drain (313) tied to the I/O pad, its source (311) tied to ground, and its gate (312) tied to the source (321) of the second transistor and resistively connected to ground (340), and the second transistor having its drain (323) tied to the I/O pad and its gate tied to a capacitor (330) connected to the I/O pad and to a resistor (331) connected to ground.
US08804287B2
Structures and methods for fabrication servo and data heads of tape modules are provided. The servo head may have two shield layers spaced apart by a plurality of gap layers and a sensor. Similarly, the data head may have two shield layers spaced apart by a plurality of gap layers and a sensor. The distance between the shield layers of the servo head may be greater than the distance between the shield layers of the data head. The material of the gap layers may include tantalum or an alloy of nickel and chromium. The material for the gap layers permits deposition of gap layers with sufficiently small surface roughness to prevent distortion of the tape module and increase the stability of the tape module operation.
US08804284B1
According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a disk-facing surface, a main pole, a trailing shield, a first junction which connects the trailing shield and the main pole in a position off the disk-facing surface, a second junction which includes a high-frequency oscillator and connects the trailing shield and the main pole on side of the disk-facing surface, a leading shield on the leading side of the main pole, including a junction connected to the main pole in a position off the disk-facing surface with a third junction therebetween, and a connecting terminal configured to pass a current in series through the main pole, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, and the trailing shield. A thickness of the third junction is smaller than that of the first junction.
US08804280B2
In an example, a method of manufacturing a transducer head comprises configuring a control circuit to actively synchronize magnetic responses of a shield and a write pole during operation. The method also comprises configuring the control circuit to energize at least one coil wire during operation with a current direction opposite to current flow in a main transducer head coil. In another example, a method comprises actively synchronizing magnetic responses of a shield and a write pole. In another example, a transducer head comprises a write pole and a shield, and a control circuit actively synchronizes magnetic responses of the shield and the write pole.
US08804275B1
In a magnetic recording disk drive, a disk with equally angularly spaced regions that have topography different from the other regions of the disk is used to detect head-disk contact. In one embodiment of a bit-patterned media (BPM) disk, equally angularly spaced servo sectors have topography different from the data regions of the disk. A head-disk spacing sensor detects the topography of the servo sectors as the servo sectors pass the sensor during rotation of the disk. This results in the head-disk spacing sensor generating an output signal with a fundamental frequency f0=NX/60 Hz, where N is the number of servo sectors and X is the disk rotation rate in RPM. A second or higher harmonic or harmonics of the fundamental frequency f0 are filtered from the output of the head-disk spacing sensor and used to identify the initiation of head-disk contact.
US08804269B2
A HDD including a temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature in the HDD, a spindle motor comprising a fluid dynamic bearing; and a controller configured for adjusting a rotational speed of the spindle motor based on the measured ambient temperature while a rigidity of the fluid dynamic bearing is maintained, and reducing power consumption of the HDD based on the adjusting the rotational speed of the spindle motor.
US08804265B2
Calibrating a frequency filter includes applying a series of input electrical signals at different frequencies to a shock sensor, using circuitry to identify a particular one of the frequencies as a resonance frequency of the shock sensor based on responses of the shock sensor to the series of input signals, and setting a center frequency of the notch filter equal to the particular frequency identified as the resonance frequency of the shock sensor.
US08804264B1
Calibrating a read channel is disclosed. Previously written user data is read from an auxiliary memory. The previously written user data is processed through a plurality of write channel stages. The output of at least one of the plurality of write channel stages is compared to the output of a corresponding read channel stage to generate an error signal.
US08804262B1
In at least one embodiment, a data storage system is provided. The system includes a controller that is configured to determine a direction of current flow to a first write element to write first data on a magnetic tape and to determine a direction of current flow to each of a plurality of neighboring write elements to write corresponding data on the magnetic tape. The controller is further configured to compare the direction of current flow to the first write element to the direction of current flow to the plurality of neighboring write elements. The controller is further configured to control the first write element to write the first data in response to comparing the direction of current flow to the first write element to the direction of current flow to each of the neighboring write elements.
US08804257B2
A method according to one embodiment includes measuring a current position error signal; calculating a standard deviation or a variance using the current position error signal sample; calculating a kurtosis value, using the current position error signal sample or derivative thereof; adjusting a threshold value using the kurtosis value; comparing the standard deviation or variance to the threshold value; enabling writing when the standard deviation or variance does not exceed the threshold value.
US08804254B2
A wide-angle image pickup lens having small F-value, high resolution, and small distortion is provided. The image pickup lens is configured from, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens having a positive refractive power with a concave surface facing the object side, an aperture stop, a second lens having a negative refractive power with a concave surface facing the image side, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power with a concave surface facing the object side, and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power with a concave surface facing the image side.
US08804250B2
A zoom lens ZL having, in order from an object: a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power; a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power; and a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, wherein, upon zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state, at least the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 move along the optical axis so that the distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 decreases, and the distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 increases, the lens closest to the object in the second lens group G2 is a positive lens, and the object side lens surface of this positive lens is an aspherical surface of which radius of curvature increases in a direction from the optical axis to the periphery of the lens.
US08804245B2
Provided are an organic-inorganic composite resin composition and an organic-inorganic composite resin material made of a cured product thereof, containing at least an organic compound having a polymerizable functional group, metal oxide fine particles, and a polymerization initiator. The cured product obtained by curing the organic-inorganic composite resin composition through application of an active energy has a refractive index nd of 1.61 or more and 1.65 or less, Abbe's number νd of 13 or more and 20 or less, and an anomalous dispersion characteristic θg,F of 0.42 or more and 0.54 or less. Further provided is an optical element comprising a transparent substrate and the organic-inorganic composite resin material formed on the transparent substrate.
US08804233B2
Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a fiber assembly, for example, in a chirped pulse amplification system, for all-fiber delivery of high energy femtosecond pulses. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for improving dispersion management when using hollow core photonic bandgap fibers for pulse compression. In one embodiment of the present invention, a fiber assembly comprises: an optical laser oscillator; a first fiber section for stretching the pulses from the laser oscillator, the first fiber section comprising a high order mode fiber; and a second fiber section for compressing the stretched pulses, connected to the first fiber section via a splice, the second fiber section comprising a hollow core photonic bandgap fiber; wherein the fiber assembly outputs a pulse compression at less than 200 fs.
US08804231B2
Techniques, devices and systems that stabilize an RF oscillator by using an optical resonator that is stabilized relative to a master RF oscillator with acceptable frequency stability performance. In the examples described, the optical resonator is stabilized relative to the master RF oscillator by using a frequency stability indicator based on two different optical modes of the optical resonator. The RF oscillator to be stabilized is then locked to the stabilized optical resonator to achieve the acceptable RF stability in the RF oscillator.
US08804229B2
The Multi-MOEMS display comprises at least two MOEMS, and at least one superposition layer. All MOEMS are illuminated by beams which incide with incidence angles larger than the deflection angle onto the mirrors in their ON-state for an improved separation of illumination and reflected modulated beams. The reflected ON-beams accordingly include a zenith angle with the normal of the mirror arrays of the MOEMS. The increased angle between the illumination and the modulated beam facilitates the separation of illumination and modulated beams and diminishes the optic limitations of light energy flux through this reflection at the modulators. The Multi-MOEMS display uncovers a solution for the geometric problems of arranging multiple MOEMS and superposition layers posed by the non-normal reflection of the modulated image beams, by matching the zenith angles and the azimuth angles in the superposition image, and by a defined position of the MOEMS relative to the superposition layer.
US08804226B2
An optical modulator unit, an optical modulator, and a method of fabricating are provided. The optical modulator unit includes a first contact layer transmitting infrared rays, a lower reflection layer disposed on the first contact layer, an active layer, including a multiple quantum well, disposed on the lower reflection layer, and an upper reflection layer disposed on the active layer. The optical modulator includes a plurality of optical modulator units sharing the first contact layer. The method includes sequentially stacking a first contact layer, a lower reflection layer, an active layer, an upper reflection layer, and a second contact layer on a substrate; etching the second contact layer, the upper reflection layer, the active layer, and the lower reflection layer, exposing a surface of the first contact layer; forming a first electrode on the first contact layer; and forming a second electrode on the second contact layer.
US08804225B2
A signal shaping circuit includes an operational circuit that provides weights to a first signal input to a first input element and a second signal input to a second input element, adds or subtracts the second signal to or from the first signal, and outputs a signal obtained by adding or subtracting the second signal to or from the first signal; a divider that divides the signal output from the operational circuit into signals, causes one of the divided signal to be input to the second input element, and outputs the other of the divided signal; a delay element that delays the signal output from the operational circuit and to be input to the divider or the signal output from the divider and to be input to the second input element; and an adjuster that adjusts at least one of the weights provided to the first and second signals.
US08804218B2
A user is prompted to select one coating mode from a plurality of coating modes having different methods of applying a transparent recording agent. If the selected coating mode is not available in a preset print setting, a print setting available in the selected coating mode is presented to the user, and the set print setting is changed.
US08804212B2
A stepping motor control device comprises a plurality of buffers for storing data for driving a stepping motor, a read unit for reading the data from the buffer, and a write unit for writing the data in the buffer. The write unit includes a first mode for writing the data in the buffer in a process performed in a predetermined order, and a second mode for writing the data in the buffer in response to a request from the read unit to write the data.
US08804211B2
An image reading apparatus comprises a feeding mechanism conveying a document, a moving mechanism moving a reading unit, a driving source shared by the mechanisms, a biasing mechanism moving the reading unit to a predetermined position by an elastic member when the reading unit is moved out of a reading region, a transmission element being displaced by the movement of the reading unit and switching transmission of the drive force, and a disengaging mechanism disengaging the reading unit in the predetermined position to the reading region from the predetermined position by the drive force of the driving source.
US08804189B2
An image processing system includes: a data receiving section configured to receive data in a first format from an image processing apparatus; a convert control section configured to control a converting section to convert the data in the first format to image data in another format different from the first format; an overall-image transmitting section configured to transmit the image data to the image processing apparatus; an area-information receiving section configured to receive an area info from the image processing apparatus; a partial-image generating section configured to generate partial-image data based on the area information; and a partial-image transmitting section configured to transmit one of the partial-image data and print data generated based on the partial-image data to one of the image processing apparatus and a printing apparatus.
US08804188B2
A technique is presented for making effective use of sheets when the total number of pages to be printed on a sheet is changed after the number of pages per sheet was originally specified. In one aspect, the technique is implemented on an apparatus that accepts a specified number of pages per sheet, obtains a page group having a number of pages, determines whether the number of pages in the page group has changed, changes the specified number of pages per sheet when the number of pages in the page group has changed, and generates output data of the pages with the specified number of pages when the number of pages in the page group has not been changed, and generates the changed number of pages when the number has been changed.
US08804182B2
A printing control apparatus confirms whether a predetermined free space is present to stabilize an operation of a system. If it is determined that the predetermined free space is not present, the printing control apparatus deletes at least a part of stored print data. In a case where the predetermined free space becomes available by preliminarily performed deletion processing, the printing control apparatus stores print data of a first copy. Then, in the print processing for second and subsequent copies, if print data of a target page is already present, the printing control apparatus skips the processing for generating the print data of the target page.
US08804178B2
A method for routing a confirmation of receipt of a facsimile or portion thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention includes analyzing text of a facsimile for at least one of a meaning and a context of the text; and routing one or more confirmations to one or more destinations based on the analysis.
US08804169B2
A printing method includes a printing program causing: a web server to integrate a plurality of contents with each other to thereby generate a web page, and to transmit the generated web page to a client terminal via a network; the client terminal to transmit a request for printing the web page from a browser screen to the web server; the web server to call a print service of an image forming apparatus in response to the request; the image forming apparatus to transmit to the web server a request for generating a print page corresponding to the web page by the print service; the web server to integrate the plurality of contents with each other to thereby generate the print page and to transmit the generated print page; and the image forming apparatus to receive and to print the print page by the print service.
US08804168B2
The present invention provides a server which distributes firmware to an image forming apparatus, the server including a determination unit configured to determine whether the firmware distributed to the image forming apparatus is released now, and a transmission unit configured to, when the firmware determined by the determination unit not to be released now has not been applied to the image forming apparatus, transmit instruction information containing an instruction to prevent application of the firmware to the image forming apparatus, and when the firmware determined by the determination unit not to be released now has been applied to the image forming apparatus, transmit instruction information containing an instruction to obtain either of alternative firmware and downgrade firmware to the firmware and apply the obtained firmware.
US08804164B2
A job control device, a multifunction device, and an operation method thereof are provided. The job control device includes a middleware unit that supports connection with a multifunction device comprising multiple devices having independent functions, and a job control unit that controls performing of a job by at least one device from among the plurality of devices through the middleware unit. A multifunction device includes a multiple devices that have independent functions and a middleware unit that requests a job call to the job control device. A device, from among the plurality of devices, called from the job control device through the middleware unit executes a corresponding function.
US08804160B2
A vendor provides, and an operator obtains a method dedicated printer bundle. The printer bundle includes a printer having a key interface, an ink supply, and a key for association with the printer through the key interface. The key is provided with key data pertaining to an authorized page count. The printer operator is allowed to acquire additional authorized pages as needed. When the printer ink supply becomes depleted, the printer operator is provided with additional ink at no or insignificant cost.
US08804159B2
An image input apparatus determines whether an image input apparatus that has sent image data is an authorized sender when storing of the image data to a specific storage area is detected. According to a determination result indicating that the image input apparatus is the authorized sender, the image input apparatus applying one or more processes to the image data.
US08804158B2
Examples described herein relate to accessing an identity certificate with a printing device based on validation information obtained from a user. Examples include generating, with the printing device, a token based at least in part on the identity certificate, and the token incorporating constraint data. Examples further include printing the token having the identity certificate and the constraint data.
US08804156B2
A method of managing files in a Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV)-embedded image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus that performs the method. The method includes receiving a connection request from the WebDAV client to manage at least one of a file and a directory stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus; receiving login information from the WebDAV client, authenticating the received login information of the WebDAV client, receiving a WebDAV command to control the at least one of the file and the directory from the authenticated WebDAV client, and executing a process with respect to the at least one of the file and the directory with reference to the received WebDAV command.
US08804151B2
An information processing device configured to be connected with an image forming device includes a connection mode detecting unit detecting what kind of a connection mode is established between the information processing device and the image forming device, an operation mode setting unit setting one of a normal mode in which the image forming device performs the image forming operation without user certification and a secure mode in which the image forming device performs the image forming operation after successful user certification, as an operation mode in which the image forming device is controlled to perform an image forming operation, depending on the kind of the connection mode detected, and a driver installing unit installing a driver into the information processing device such that the driver controls the image forming device to perform the image forming operation in the mode set by the operation mode setting unit.
US08804137B2
A combined metrology mark, a system, and a method for calculating alignment on a semiconductor circuit are disclosed. The combined metrology mark may include a mask misregistration structure and a wafer overlay mark structure.
US08804131B2
In an optical angle-measuring device for ascertaining the relative movement between at least one scanning grating and a graduated disk having at least one measuring graduation, the scanning grating is in the form of a linear scanning grating, and the graduated disk includes a first and a second combined radial-circular grating as measuring graduation, and has a mirror. An incident beam of rays is initially split at the scanning grating into two partial beams of rays that then propagate in the direction of the first combined radial-circular grating and are diffracted there, then propagate in the direction of the mirror and are reflected there in the direction of the second combined radial-circular grating, subsequently propagate in the direction of the second combined radial-circular grating and are diffracted there, and then propagate in the direction of the scanning grating, where a superposition of the partial beams of rays results.
US08804130B2
A displacement measuring device is provided which can directly measure a position and shape of a target object with high precision even if the target object has a minute shape with a high aspect ratio. A displacement measuring device 100 for measuring a change in a distance to a target object S includes a light irradiation section 10 configured to irradiate, with laser light, a light transmissive particle 50 provided at a predetermined distance from a surface of the target object S, a movement section 20 configured to move, relative to the target object S, the particle 50 held in an optical standing wave field generated by interference between light transmitted from the particle 50 and light reflected from the target object S, a sensing section 30 configured to sense a movement signal occurring when the particle 50 relatively moves against confining force caused by the optical standing wave field, and a calculation section 40 configured to derive the change in the distance to the target object S based on the movement signal.
US08804125B2
In order to calculate and specify a valley wavelength easily and in a short period of time, a detection device for intermolecular interaction is disclosed that is equipped with a detector provided with a ligand, a white light source that irradiates the detector with white light, a spectrometer that detects the light reflected from the detector, and a control device that controls the white-light source and the spectrometer, wherein the aforementioned control device obtains a reflection spectrum by calculating the reflectivity over a fixed wavelength interval, approximates the aforementioned reflection spectrum as a high-dimensional function, selects a wavelength interval comprising the minimum reflectivity from the aforementioned high-dimensional function, approximates the aforementioned high-dimensional function with the aforementioned wavelength interval as a quadratic function of a lower order, and obtains a solution by which the aforementioned quadratic function is differentiated with respect to the wavelength and the value thereof becomes 0.
US08804117B2
A method and device for detecting a resonant non-linear optical signal induced in a sample, the sample including a resonant medium and a non-resonant medium forming an interface. The device includes an emission source of at least one first excitation light beam, called a pump beam, at a given angular frequency ωp for the excitation of the resonant medium of said sample, an optical detection module for detecting a non-linear optical signal resulting from the interaction of said pump beam with an axial interface between the resonant and non-resonant media of the sample, in at least two symmetrical directions ({right arrow over (k)}, {right arrow over (k)}′) relative to the optical axis of said excitation beam incident in the sample, and a processing unit for processing signals (IFwd({right arrow over (k)}), IFwd({right arrow over (k)}′)) thus detected, allowing the difference between said signals to be obtained.
US08804113B2
An apparatus comprising a container handling device comprising a centering device having a standing surface and a container gripper having a head side, a foot side, inspection openings on both said head side and said foot side, light-conducting elements, and a gripper bell having an inner area, a light source arranged to couple light into said light-conducting elements, a detection-and-control system comprising an optical system, and wherein said inner area can be illuminated by emerging light so that a cover side arranged at said foot side can be inspected by said optical system through said container gripper and by said light-conducting elements.
US08804110B2
Proposed is a defect inspection method whereby: illuminating light having a substantially uniform illumination intensity distribution in one direction of a sample surface irradiated on the sample surface; multiple scattered light components, which are output in multiple independent directions, are detected among the scattered light from the sample surface and multiple corresponding scattered light detection signals are obtained; at least one of the multiple scattered light detection signals is processed and the presence of defects is determined; at least one of the multiple scattered light detection signals that correspond to each of the points determined by the processing as a defect is processed and the dimensions of the defect are determined; and the position and dimensions of the defect on the sample surface, at each of the points determined as a defect, are displayed.
US08804102B2
The invention relates to a method of verifying a scan speed in a laser scanning system. The method includes modulating the laser of the system to form a periodically modulated feature from which the actual scan speed can be read or deduced.
US08804101B2
A lightweight, low volume, inexpensive LADAR sensor incorporating 3-D focal plane arrays is adapted specifically for personal electronic appliances. The present invention generates, at high speed, 3-D image maps and object data at short to medium ranges. The techniques and structures described may be used to extend the range of long range systems as well, though the focus is on compact, short to medium range ladar sensors suitable for use in personal electronic devices. 3-D focal plane arrays are used in a variety of physical configurations to provide useful new capabilities to a variety of personal electronic appliances.
US08804094B2
A meniscus pinning device has a plurality of openings through which liquid and gas from the environment are extracted. The openings are of an intermediate size, having a maximum cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter) in the range of from about 75 μm to about 150 μm.
US08804093B2
Systems and methods for providing movement to seating including theater seating generate complex motion responses in the seating by automatically analyzing an audio component of media being consumed for one or more aspects of the audio information contained in the audio component at certain frequencies or frequency ranges. The aspects analyzed include aspects relating to frequencies and frequency ranges substantially higher than the low-frequency signals used to drive motion of theater seating. From the analysis of the audio aspects contained in the audio component, a plurality of independent low-frequency output signals is generated. The plurality of independent low-frequency output signals is directed to a plurality of individual actuators incorporated into different locations in a seat to provide sensations of motion at different locations of the seat, such as at a seat location, at a lower back location, and at an upper back location.
US08804089B2
A display device including: a first substrate with a pixel switch and drivers mounted thereon; a second substrate disposed in facing relation to the first substrate; a material layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate and having peripheral edges sealed by a seal member, the material layer having an electrooptical effect; and a semiconductor chip mounted as a COG component on the first substrate, the semiconductor chip having a control system configured to control the drivers; wherein the semiconductor chip having a thickness equal to the total thickness of the seal member and the second substrate or larger than the thickness of the seal member and smaller than the total thickness.
US08804084B2
A liquid crystal display panel is provides and includes a pair of substrates arranged face to face so as to sandwich a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal device includes on one of the pair of substrates: a lower electrode; an upper electrode formed on a surface of the lower substrate through an insulating layer, in which plural slits are formed in each sub-pixel; and an alignment film formed so as to cover a surface of the upper electrode and the insulating layer. The plural slits have different widths at both ends of slits in a longitudinal direction.
US08804075B2
A color filter having excellent display quality is provided by a continuous exposure method using a compact photomask. The color filter includes: a substrate; a black matrix formed on the substrate, for dividing the substrate into rectangular display regions in which the plurality of pixels are arrayed, and non-display regions surrounding the display regions; a stripe pattern; a plurality of columnar spacers disposed in the display regions; and a plurality of dummy columnar spacers. The stripe pattern includes a plurality of colored layers extending in one direction. Each colored layer intersects with a pair of sides of the display region in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the colored layers extend. The thickness of both end portions of each colored layer disposed on the non-display region is not uniform. The dummy columnar spacers are disposed in portions of the non-display regions, where the colored layers are absent.
US08804074B2
A liquid crystal display device including: a liquid crystal display element that includes a liquid crystal layer, and an upper substrate and a lower substrate opposed to each other via the liquid crystal layer, a plurality of liquid crystal display elements being stacked; wherein a condensing direction of a reflected light by directional control in at least one of the liquid crystal display elements is different from a condensing direction of a reflected light by directional control in at least one of another liquid crystal display elements.
US08804066B2
A backlight unit has a light source area. The width of the light source area in a first direction is shorter than the width of a liquid crystal panel in the first direction. A plurality of LED modules (31) are arranged along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. End lenses (41A, 41B) and a middle lens (42) for enlarging a light divergence angle are disposed on the plurality of LED modules (31). The direction in which the end lens (41A, 41B) enlarges the light divergence angle differs from that in which the middle lens (42) enlarges the divergence angle. This structure can reduce difference in brightness of the liquid crystal panel, while reducing the number of light sources.
US08804062B2
A thin film transistor and a display apparatus include: a substrate; a plurality of first conductive lines formed on the substrate, each including a main body and a curved portion connected to the main body; a plurality of second conductive lines crossing the curved portions of the first conductive lines; and a plurality of pixel electrodes formed adjacent to the first conductive lines. The plurality of pixel electrodes includes a first pixel electrode disposed toward a side of one first conductive line, and a second pixel electrode disposed toward the other side of the one first conductive line. The display apparatus also includes an intermediate layer connected to the pixel electrodes for displaying images and an opposite electrode formed thereon.
US08804058B2
An exemplary display device providing touch function includes scanning lines and data lines thereby defining lots of sub-pixel units. Each sub-pixel unit includes a pixel electrode, a storage capacitor, a compensation capacitor connected between the pixel electrode and a corresponding scanning line. In each pixel unit defined by n number adjacent sub-pixel units, both of a ratio of capacitance values between the storage capacitors formed in the corresponding sub-pixel units and a ratio of capacitance values between the corresponding compensation capacitors are respectively substantially equal to a ratio of areas between the corresponding pixel electrodes.
US08804050B1
Systems, methods, and devices enabling peak time power savings are disclosed. An indication of a peak usage period may be processed, the indication received by a television receiver from a service provider. A power savings mode may be selected from operating modes based at least in part on the indication. Configuration information related to the power savings mode may be processed. The television receiver may be configured according to the configuration information related to the power savings mode at a first time corresponding to the peak usage period. The television receiver may operate in conformity with the power savings mode after the first time. The television receiver may be configured according to a second operating mode at a second time after the first time. The television receiver may operate in conformity with the second operating mode after the second time corresponding to the peak usage period.
US08804049B2
Wireless communication receiver, a wireless communication receiving method and a television receiver
The present invention relates to a wireless communication receiver, wireless communication receiving method and television receiver. The wireless communication receiver has signal processing circuits including a first signal processing circuit and a second signal processing circuit, a data storage module, and a deinterleaver. The first signal processing circuit receives a wireless communication signal and then performs a first signal processing to generate a first output data according to the wireless communication signal. The deinterleaver stores the first output data into the data storage module, and retrieves a deinterleaved data corresponding to the first output signal from the data storage module. The second signal processing circuit performs a second signal processing to generate a second output data according to the deinterleaved data. The data storage module is shared by the deinterleaver and at least one of the signal processing circuits for data storage, thereby effectively reducing the production cost.
US08804048B2
Systems and methods are provided for reducing motion blur in a video display. A system for reducing motion blur in a video display may include a motion detection circuit and a luminance control circuit. The motion detection circuit may be used to compare a plurality of frames in a video signal to generate a motion detection output signal that indicates whether the video signal includes an image that is in motion or a still image. The luminance control circuit may be used to vary luminance levels between two or more consecutive frames of the video signal when the motion detection output signal indicates that the video signal includes an image that is in motion. The luminance control circuit further may also be used to discontinue varying the luminance levels of the video signal when the motion detection output signal indicates that the video signal includes a still image.
US08804044B2
An apparatus to provide a fall-back procedure for a PRC imaging device is described. The apparatus includes a PRC controller, a system resource monitor, and a PRC setting calculator. The PRC controller outputs a stream of images at an adjustable temporal rate. The adjustable temporal rate is constrained within a range defined by a first predetermined rate and a second predetermined rate. The system resource monitor obtains a measurement of system resource utilization. The PRC setting calculator determines a setting for the PRC controller in response to the measurement of system resource utilization. Additionally, the PRC controller determines a value for the adjustable temporal rate in response to the setting.
US08804043B2
An image display apparatus and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The method for operating an image display apparatus includes displaying a first image, displaying per-input port images that are being received or have been received through a plurality of input ports on a per-input port basis so that the per-input port images are distinguished from one another according to the input ports, upon receipt of a per-input port image view input, selecting one of the per-input port images, and displaying an image corresponding to an input port through which the selected per-input port image is being received or has been received. The per-input port images are displayed overlapped with one another.
US08804042B2
Digital television channels are preemptively cached based on a modeling of a user to reduce delays while switching channels. A current television channel is selected using a first tuner. A future television channel selection of the user is then predicted based on a modeling of the user. The recorded content of the predicted future television channel is preemptively cached using a second tuner. A buffer of the recorded content of the predicted future television channel is displayed when the user switches from the current television channel to the predicted future television channel. The modeling of the user is updated and stored in storage.
US08804030B2
A battery assembly for providing a stable, quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus includes a housing defining a closed interior area for accommodating an energy cell. A threaded bore and a depression are defined in said housing, with the depression extending into the closed interior area. A mounting mechanism having a threaded post is provided for releasably engagaing with the depression such that an expansive mounting surface is provided when at least a portion of the mounting mechanism is engaged within the depression.
US08804027B2
An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor including a first pixel group used for generating an image signal by photoelectrically converting an object image and a second pixel group configured to receive a light flux that has passed through divided areas of the exit pupil, a memory unit configured to store information about whether a defective pixel exists in any pixel included in the second pixel group, a control unit configured to execute calculation including combination processing on output signals of the second pixel group existing in a predetermined area, and a controller configured to control a shooting operation according to a result of the calculation by the calculation unit. The calculation unit is configured, if a defective pixel whose information is stored on the memory unit exists in the combination processing, to execute the calculation by using the output signals of the second pixel group.
US08804026B1
A portable device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, which senses an image including a pattern code. The mobile device includes a camera unit configured to sense an image; a display unit configured to display the image; a sensor unit configured to detect an input signal and transmit the detected input signal to a processor; and the processor configured to control the display unit, the camera unit and the sensor unit, wherein the processor further configured to: provide an image capturing interface, wherein the image capturing interface displays the image sensed by the camera unit and an image capturing trigger for storing the image, simultaneously display a pattern code trigger for storing information of a pattern code in the image capturing interface only when the pattern code is recognized from the image.
US08804019B2
A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section in which a plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion element are arranged in a matrix; a pixel driving section that drives the pixels in a row unit so as to read out a pixel signal from the pixel section; a column processing section that performs a column process, synchronized with a first clock of a first frequency previously selected, on the pixel signal read out by driving of the pixel driving section; and a rate conversion control section that performs a rate conversion control of data processed in the column processing section in accordance with rate conversion information. The rate conversion control section includes a first rate converter, a second rate converter, a data rate conversion section, and a data output section.
US08804010B2
An image processing apparatus for displaying a live view image obtained by implementing special effect processing on an image data on a monitor comprises an image processing unit that implements a plurality of types of special effect processing on the image data to generate a plurality of sets of special effect image data corresponding respectively to the plurality of types of special effect processing, and a control unit that displays the plurality of sets of special effect image data on the monitor while switching the plurality of sets of special effect image data automatically in time series.
US08804008B2
In a data processing apparatus having a plurality of card slots in which memory cards are removably inserted, it is determined, with regard to each of the plurality of card slots, whether a memory card that has been inserted into the slot is a wireless card having a wireless communication function. In a case where it is determined that a memory card that has been inserted into a first card slot among the plurality of card slots is the wireless card, the wireless communication function of the wireless card is enabled. In a case where it is determined that a memory card that has been inserted into a card slot other than the first card slot is the wireless card, the wireless communication function of the wireless card is disabled.
US08803999B2
Tilt imparted to video images captured by a handheld electronic communication device is identified and corrected by the disclosed method and apparatus for image orientation. The handheld device includes image capturing capability and an orientation sensor, which provides a signal representative of orientation relative to gravity to calculate an angle of rotation for the captured images suitable to compensate a difference between the orientation of the handheld device and the orientation relative to gravity. The handheld device also includes a receiver wherein the angle of rotation is recovered and used to determine the changes needed substantially eliminate the difference between the orientation of the captured images and the orientation relative to gravity.
US08803984B2
An image processing device extracts, in an image block selection section 226, a plurality of image block pairs from a degraded image and a provisional restored image, each of the image block pairs being formed by two image blocks at identical coordinates in the degraded image and the provisional restored image, and estimates a point spread function (PSF) for each of the image block pairs. From among the estimated PSFs, a PSF which is estimated to be close to a true PSF is selected as a candidate PSF. The estimation of the PSF is carried out on a block-by-block basis, whereby the amount of computation required for the estimation of the PSF can be reduced. Also, the estimation method used is not disturbed by an image block which includes noise, and therefore, a PSF which is close to the true PSF can be estimated.
US08803981B2
Methods, devices, and systems for continuous image capturing are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes continuously capturing a sequence of images with an image capturing device. The method may further include storing a predetermined number of the sequence of images in a buffer. The method may further include receiving a user request to capture an image. In response to the user request, the method may further include automatically selecting one of the buffered images based on an exposure time of one of the buffered images. The sequence of images is captured prior to or concurrently with receiving the user request.
US08803974B2
There are provided an information providing system, an information providing method and an information providing program capable of providing information for enabling conditions of a horse entered in a race to be rapidly confirmed.A system control unit 15 according to the present application acquires moving image data in which horses are captured, extracts a plurality of items of still image data of the horses from the acquired moving image data, generates a horse list displaying the horse names for which a link to acquire and display the still image data by a user terminal 3-k is set, and distributes it to the user terminal 3-k.
US08803969B2
A feature extracting unit obtains sensor data from a plurality of sensors to calculate each feature. When an event determining unit determines the occurrence of an event based on each feature, a display data constructor generates remote-controller display data for displaying the event. When an infrared sensor detects an abnormality, a microwave sensor whose power consumption is small after the infrared sensor is turned ON. When the microwave sensor detects an abnormality, a video camera and a microphone are turned ON, and the microwave sensor is turned OFF. A communication unit wirelessly transmits an image signal captured by the video camera and an audio signal processed by the microphone. Then, if the infrared sensor does not detect an abnormality, the video camera and the microphone are turned OFF.
US08803965B2
An arithmetically operating device is provided and includes: an image acquiring portion configured to acquire phase difference images of a sample; a retrieval range setting portion configured to set a range of pixels each to be made a retrieval object in the other image in the phase difference images for pixels each to be made a representative set in one image in the phase difference images, and pixels other than the pixels each to be made the representative; a correlation calculating portion configured to calculate correlations between the pixels for the one image, and the pixels in the range set for the pixels; and a parallax calculating portion configured to calculate parallaxes for the pixels for the one image in accordance with the correlations thus calculated.
US08803958B2
Disclosed herein are various techniques for improving global path optimization in a system that uses camera path for three-dimensional reconstruction. A subset of frames of data for the global path, the key frames, may be used to reduce the computational complexity of the optimization, while preserving full three-dimensional detail in the optimized model by relating other measurements to the optimized key frame path.
US08803946B2
An image projecting device includes an image display unit that simultaneously displays left and right eye images in a line on a display panel and a projection optical system that projects the left and right eye images displayed on the display panel onto a screen in a superposed state. The display unit performs a transforming process for rotating the left eye image on a left eye image signal used to display the left eye image and for rotating the right eye image on a right eye image signal used to display the right eye image. The transformed left eye image signal and the transformed right eye image signal are synthesized to obtain an image signal for display use.
US08803944B2
Methods and apparatus to create and display panoramic images on a mobile device are disclosed. Such a mobile device can be a mobile phone. Apparatus is provided to control the position of a lens in relation to a reference lens. Methods and apparatus are provided to generate multiple images that are combined into a panoramic image. A panoramic image may be a static image. It may also be a video image. A controller provides correct camera settings for different conditions. An image processor creates a panoramic image from the correct settings provided by the controller. A panoramic camera is applied in a computer gaming system.
US08803927B2
An exemplary pixel circuit and a flat display panel using the same are provided. The pixel circuit includes three sub-electrode control circuits. The sub-electrode control circuits are controlled by two scan lines to receive data transmitted from two data lines. One of the three sub-electrode control circuits adjusts stored data by charge sharing. Accordingly, a display control of the pixel circuit is achieved by the three sub-electrode control circuits.
US08803925B2
A liquid crystal display includes a scanning backlight controller, that calculates a turn-on duty ratio of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for controlling turn-on and turn-off operations of light sources, and a light source driver, that synchronizes a frequency of the PWM signal with a frame frequency or synchronizes the frequency of the PWM signal with the frame frequency, changes the calculated turn-on duty ratio of the PWM signal to a maximum value, and adjusts an amplitude of the PWM signal based on a changed degree of the turn-on duty ratio of the PWM signal, based on the result of a comparison between the turn-on duty ratio of the PWM signal and a previously determined critical value, and then sequentially drive the light sources along a data scanning direction of the liquid crystal display panel.
US08803924B2
A display device includes a plurality of pixels respectively including, a light emitting element, a driving transistor configured to control driving current to the light emitting element, and a storage capacitor configured to be written voltage corresponding to a gradation value on and hold the voltage and configured to apply display voltage depending on the voltage corresponding to the gradation value between a gate and a source of the driving transistor. The display device further includes a stress voltage application unit configured to apply a stress voltage having a voltage value outside a range of a value capable of taking the display voltage between the gate and the source of the driving transistor.
US08803922B2
Methods and apparatuses to varying the apparent brightness of a display are described. The change in apparent brightness is accompanied by unchanged in relative contrast, rendering a display with higher or lower brightness while maintaining contrast fidelity. In exemplary embodiments, the signals for the middle tone levels are adjusted to increase or decrease the brightness intensity, while keeping constant the gamma correction. This maintains the relative contrast of images while rendering them at a different brightness. Implementations of the present process include an adjusted gamma correction lookup table, incorporated in the video card to modify the video signal before reaching the display. The present invention can be used for matching the brightness of two or more displays or to provide compensation for variations in display characteristics to ensure consistency in display brightness within a data processing model.
US08803914B2
In a machine-implemented method for use with a handheld device, a user is able to virtually try on a selected garment using augmented reality. The machine-implemented method includes: (A) establishing a garment database containing information corresponding to at least one garment, the information corresponding to each garment including a backside image of the garment; (B) establishing a marker database containing feature information of a backside marker; and (C) upon determining from a captured image of the user who is tagged with at least one physical maker that the physical marker corresponds to the backside marker, retrieving from the garment database the backside image of a selected garment, and superimposing the retrieved backside image onto the captured image of the user to form a composite image for display on a screen of the handheld device.
US08803908B2
Among other things, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed for displaying a sequence of multiple images to provide an appearance of a three-dimensional (3D) effect. A data processing device or system can identify multiple images to be displayed. The data processing device or system can divide a two-dimensional (2D) display area into multiple display portions. The data processing device or system can display a sequence of the identified images on the display portions so as to provide an appearance of a three-dimensional (3D) effect.
US08803884B2
A method for visually depicting complex events. Software agents are preferably employed to assist the human operator by collecting, enriching, selecting, aggregating, and analyzing data so that patterns of interest can be visually flagged or otherwise emphasized in the visual display. Events are depicted as an “event flow” from a source surface to a destination surface. Intervening surfaces may also be defined. The point of origin on the source surface reveals some information about the event flow, as does the point of impact on the destination surface. The event flow may be mapped to one or more intervening surfaces in order to visually depict other characteristics of the event. The entire depiction is rendered in a simulated three-dimensional view. The user is preferably given the ability to pan, zoom, and reorient the vantage point from which the user “views” the depiction on the computer display.
US08803870B2
A display module including a substrate having a plurality of pixels, a data line that supplies a data signal to a pixel, a current supply line that supplies electric current to the pixel, a data driving circuit that supplies a data signal to the data line, and a gate driving circuit thereon. The plurality of pixels are arranged in a display area of the substrate, and each of the plurality of pixels include a light emitting device, a first thin film transistor connected to the data line that supplies the data signal, a second thin film transistor connected to the current supply line, and a capacitor. The light emitting device includes a first electrode layer connected to the second thin film transistor, an organic layer formed on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer formed on the organic layer.
US08803865B2
A liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a plurality of signal lines, a gate driver, and a sealant. The substrate includes a display area and a peripheral area outside the display area. The signal lines are integrated with the substrate and include a clock signal line. The gate driver includes a stage located between the clock signal line and the display area. The stage is integrated with the substrate and is configured to apply a gate voltage to the display area. The sealant is distributed over part of the peripheral area. A seal region where the sealant is distributed includes a seal line, and the clock signal line is located within the seal line. The clock signal line is located further away from the stage than the other signal lines.
US08803863B2
A display power saving method for an electronic system includes a display including a light emitting diode panel. The display power saving method comprises detecting whether a pointing device exists in the electronic system, obtaining the location of a pointer controlled by the pointing device when detecting the pointing device existing in the electronic system, determining a display area of a screen of the display according to the location of the pointer, recognizing whether a power management mode of the electronic system is a power saving mode and decreasing the brightness of an area of the screen other than the display area when recognizing that the power management mode is the power saving mode.
US08803860B2
A display system includes a display panel of pixels, a gate driver and a compensation unit. The gate driver receives a control signal and based on the control signal, generates a gate signal to drive a transistor included in a pixel. The compensation unit measures and compensates for a fall time of the gate driver. The compensation unit includes a replica gate driver, a peak RMS detector, a comparator and a counter. The replica gate driver generates a replica gate signal based on the control signal. The peak RMS detector calculates a peak RMS of the replica gate signal. The comparator compares the peak RMS of the replica gate signal and a reference voltage and generates a comparator value. The counter is controlled by the comparator value to generate a compensation value used to adjust the gate driver and the replica gate driver. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08803849B2
An electronic pencil reads color information from a first color signal wirelessly sent from a drawing board, controls a color unit in the electronic pencil to indicate a corresponding color according to the read color information, and transmits a second color signal as a reply to the first color signal to the drawing board. The drawing board displays track having the corresponding color when a user draws on the drawing board using the electronic pencil.
US08803848B2
A touch screen in the form of a panel is capable of conducting signals and a tomograph including signal flow ports is positioned adjacent the panel with the signal flow ports arrayed around the border of the panel at discrete locations. Signals are introduced into the panel to pass from each discrete border location to a plurality of other discrete border locations for being detected and tomographically processed to determine if any change occurred to signals due to the panel being touched during signal passage through the panel, and therefrom determine any local area on the panel where a change occurred. The tomograph computes and outputs a signal indicative of a panel touch and location, which can be shown on a display.
US08803842B2
There are provided a touch panel apparatus and a method for detecting a distance between touch input points of a touch panel, with which it is possible to detect the distance between two points with accuracy, when two points are touched on the touch panel. Whether or not two points are touched on the touch panel TP is determined based upon a resistance value between terminals opposing each other. When it is determined that two points are touched, the distances between touched two points XDual and YDual are detected. In this situation, the distances between touched two points XDual and YDual are detected based upon the resistance value of the opposing terminals and a pressing force (contact resistance value) of the touch input points.
US08803839B2
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of circuits and methods for capacitively coupling touchscreen electrode terminals to terminals of a flex circuit, printed circuit or printed circuit board, without physically attaching the touchscreen electrode terminals to the flex circuit, printed circuit or printed circuit board terminals by means of conventional electrical connection bonding materials or agents such as anisotropic conductive film or solder. The flex circuit, printed circuit or printed circuit board terminals are spaced apart from, or placed in physical contact with, corresponding ones of the touchscreen electrode terminals, but are not soldered or otherwise physically attached to the touchscreen electrode terminals by conventional electrical connection bonding materials or agents such as anisotropic conductive film or solder. The flex circuit, printed circuit or printed circuit board terminals are positioned with respect to the touchscreen electrode terminals such that the flex circuit, printed circuit or printed circuit board terminals are spaced part from, or in physical contact with, the touchscreen electrode terminals by gaps ranging between about 0.0 mm and about 1 mm. The gaps are sufficiently small to permit capacitive coupling of drive and sense signals provided by the touchscreen electrode terminals to the flex circuit, printed circuit or printed circuit board terminals.
US08803829B2
The present invention relates to a touch panel. The touch panel includes a sensor, an optically clear adhesive layer, and a cover lens. The sensor has a surface. The optically clear adhesive layer is located on the surface of the sensor. The cover lens is located on a surface of the optically clear adhesive layer. The touch panel defines two areas: a touch-view area and a trace area. A space is defined between the sensor and cover lens in the trace area. The space is filled with dielectric material with a permittivity less than a permittivity of the optically clear adhesive layer.
US08803828B2
A method and portable terminal for controlling an operation of a touch panel are provided. The portable terminal includes a memory for storing at least one program for supporting a user function operated based on a certain frequency upon activation of the user function, a touch panel, activated when the user function is supported, for supporting a touch function, and a controller for selecting frequency information that does not interfere with the certain frequency for operating the corresponding user function when the at least one user function is activated, and for setting the selected frequency information as a scanning frequency of the touch panel.
US08803818B2
An input apparatus includes, a display unit that causes a plurality of display screens on which images are to be displayed to display the images, a input detecting unit that detects a first input on a first display screen, a second input on the first display screen, and a third input on a second display screen, a position acquiring unit that acquires a first position, a second position and a third position, a start-position estimating unit that estimates a start position of an associated operation on the second display screen, and a continuity determining unit that determines whether the third input is the associated operation based upon the third position and the start position.
US08803804B2
The invention discloses a mouse structure with click force adjustable function, which comprises a shell, a circuit board module, and at least one adjustable mechanism. The adjustable mechanism is setting inside the shell, and comprises a supporting body, an adjustable plate and an adjustable component. The adjustable mechanism is adjusted via the adjustable component, so that the place the free-end of the adjustable plate touching the key portion is changed, and the force the adjustable plate clicking the switch module is accordingly changed, which provides function that the user can adjust the click force finely to a suitable one.
US08803803B2
An operation member and an electronic device capable of maintaining operability while enhancing cushioning properties provided in the outer surface of an operation member are provided. An operation stick has a cushion portion and a base portion on which the cushion portion is placed. The base portion is supported to be movable. The base portion has a frame portion surrounding the outer periphery of the cushion portion. The base portion and the frame portion are formed of a material having a higher rigidity than that of the material of the cushion portion.
US08803788B2
A method of driving light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a backlight assembly for performing the method, and a display apparatus having the backlight assembly are disclosed for various embodiments. For example, the backlight assembly includes a light source unit and a light source controller. The light source unit includes red, green, and blue LEDs generating red, green, and blue light, respectively. The light source controller detects amounts of the red, green, and blue light, respectively, to compare the actual light amount ratio of the red, green, and blue light with the reference light amount ratio. The light source controller controls the red, green, and blue LEDs, respectively, so that an actual light amount ratio becomes substantially identical to a reference light amount ratio when the actual light amount ratio is not identical to the reference light amount ratio.
US08803776B2
A liquid crystal display device that is used in a small portable device includes a driver circuit which is freely mounted because the mounting area is small. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display element and the liquid crystal driver circuit. The liquid crystal driver circuit is mounted along one side of a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel is connected to a flexible printed circuit board mounted with a rewritable memory element. The memory element stores transition commands for various modes of the driver circuit. The driver circuit reads a transition command from the memory element using a simple command and executes a transition of any of the various modes to another one.
US08803768B2
A pixel having a transistor which controls a current value supplied to a load, a first storage capacitor, a second storage capacitor, and first to fourth switches is included. After the threshold voltage of the transistor is held in the second storage capacitor, a potential in accordance with a video signal is input to the pixel. Voltage obtained by adding a potential in which the potential in accordance with the video signal and the first storage capacitor are capacitively divided to the threshold voltage is held in the second storage capacitor in this manner, so that variation of a current value caused by variations in the threshold voltage of the transistor is suppressed. Thus, desired current can be supplied to the load such as a light-emitting element. In addition, a display device with little deviation from luminance specified by the video signal can be provided.
US08803764B2
A head-mount type display device adapted to make a user visually recognize a virtual image includes an image light generation section adapted to generate image light representing an image using image data and then emit the image light, a light guide section adapted to guide the image light, which is emitted, to eyes of the user, a receiving section adapted to receive the image data, and a control section, which is connected to the receiving section, controls image display by the image light generation section, and has a transmitting section adapted to transmit the image data to the receiving section. The control section controls luminance of the image light generation section so as to degrade visibility of the virtual image for a predetermined period of time in a case in which a disturbance in data communication between the transmitting section and the receiving section is presumed.
US08803756B2
A multimode antenna structure is described for a communications device. The communications device includes circuitry for processing signals communicated to and from the antenna structure. The antenna structure is configured for optimal operation in a given frequency range. The antenna structure includes a plurality of antenna ports operatively coupled to the circuitry, and a plurality of antenna elements, each operatively coupled to a different one of the antenna ports. Each of the plurality of antenna elements is configured to have an electrical length selected to provide optimal operation within the given frequency range. By way of one or more connecting elements, electrical currents on one antenna element flow to a connected neighboring antenna element and generally bypass the antenna port coupled to the neighboring antenna element.
US08803755B2
This disclosure relates to chokes for suppressing undesired signals such as such as common mode electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or radio frequency interference (RFI). The chokes can include an electro-conductive sleeve disposed over an electrical cable and the sleeve can be configured to suppress an undesired signal. In some embodiments, the electro-conductive sleeve and have a half-wave sleeve, which can be electrically open at both ends. Additional insulating material can be included between the electrical cable and the sleeve. Multiple electro-conductive sleeves and be disposed substantially concentrically over the cable. The chokes can be configured to reduce passive intermodulation (PIM). The sleeve can have a longitudinal slot that extends the length of the sleeve. The sleeve can include multiple slots that separate the sleeve into multiple panels, which can be configured to suppress different signals.
US08803748B2
A low-profile antenna is provided. A laminated substrate is formed into a structure in which a plurality of substrates having different permittivities are stacked, and a radiator consists of a plurality of unit patches disposed on an upper surface of the laminated substrate and generates an electric field perpendicular to the upper surface of the laminated substrate. Ground vias are formed from the respective unit patches to a ground plane disposed on a lower surface of the laminated substrate through the substrates constituting the laminated substrate. In the low-profile antenna, the radiator consisting of the plurality of patches is disposed on the upper surface of the laminated substrate having a structure in which the plurality of substrates are stacked to generate a magnetic loop around the patches, so that vertical polarized signals can be received due to a magnetic field perpendicular to the upper surface of the laminated substrate.
US08803739B2
This application relates to a multi-functional Composite Right and Left Handed CRLH antenna device. A conductive element of a wireless device is incorporated into the antenna structure for reuse. In one embodiment a peripheral feature, such as a key dome, is incorporated into the antenna device. In this way, the antenna structure includes portions which are multi-functional.
US08803737B2
Among other disclosed subject matter, a method includes detecting that a location is to be determined. The method includes selecting at least one among multiple location determination techniques based on a selection criterion. The method includes causing the location to be determined using the selected location determination technique.
US08803736B2
A primary phase measurement device measures a first carrier phase and a second carrier phase of carrier signals received by the location-determining receiver. A secondary phase measurement device measures the third carrier phase and the fourth carrier phase of other carrier signals. A real time kinematic engine estimates a first integer ambiguity set associated with the measured first carrier phase and a second integer ambiguity set associated with the measured second carrier phase. The real time kinematic engine estimates a third ambiguity set associated with the measured third carrier phase and a fourth ambiguity set associated with the measured fourth carrier phase. A compensator is capable of compensating for the inter-channel bias in at least one of the third ambiguity set and the fourth ambiguity set by modeling a predictive filter in accordance with various inputs or states of the filter estimated by an estimator.
US08803730B2
A system, method, and apparatus for radar pulse detection using a digital radar receiver are disclosed herein. In electronic warfare (EW), radars operate in an environment with highly dense electronic waveforms. As a result, the radars may receive thousands or millions of radar pulses every second. To detect and sort out radar pulses emitted from different radars is a challenging problem in electronic warfare. The present disclosure teaches a radar pulse detection system that utilizes digital channelization and joint-channel detection techniques to detect and separate radar pulses that are sent from different radar emitters. The main features of the present disclosure are: 1.) a digital channelization technique to separate radar pulses from their mixtures; 2.) a multi-channel detection technique to detect radar pulses; and 3.) an innovative technique to separate overlapped radar pulses.
US08803723B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a pulsed signal detection system with reduced noise bandwidth in the frontend. Analog to digital conversion speed is decoupled from the pulsed duty cycle timing. This in turn reduces the power consumption of the ADC and the front end while providing a high dynamic range. The ADC may be a continuous time sigma delta converter to reduce the drive requirements of the front end.
US08803720B2
An RF-DAC cell is configured to generate an RF output signal based on a baseband signal, a first signal and a second signal. The first signal has a first duty cycle and toggles between first predefined amplitude values, and the second signal has a second duty cycle smaller than the first duty cycle and toggles between second predefined amplitude values.
US08803715B2
Mechanisms to calibrate a digital to analog converter (DAC) of an SDM (sigma delta modulator) are disclosed. An extra DAC element in addition to the DAC is used to function in place of a DAC element under calibration. A signal (e.g., a random sequence of −1 and +1) is injected to the DAC element under calibration, and the estimated error and compensation are acquired.
US08803705B2
A traffic management system includes a data processing unit which communicates with a road leading unit and a vehicle management unit. The road leading unit comprises a plurality of grooves and isolation railings, the grooves are formed on a road, and the isolation railings are received in the grooves and can be opened to divide the road. The data processing unit can receive vehicle identification information and driving direction information from the vehicle management unit. The data processing unit comprises a data analysis module and a control module. The data analysis module is operable to estimate road condition information and count a total traffic demand index for each road according to the vehicle identification information and the driving direction information. The control module is operable to control the isolation railings to open or retract according to the total traffic demand index.
US08803700B1
A healthcare system includes an event notification system, a real-time location system and a proximity notification function. The event notification system operates to receive event messages from an event generation device, the real-time location system operates to receive tag identity and location information from a tag detector and the proximity notification system operates to receive the tag identity and location information and determine which of a plurality of tags are closest to the source of an event and to send an event alert message to an individual associated with this tag.
US08803692B2
A system and apparatus to track and control an animal, including a tracking unit to track the animal, and a stimulus unit to provide a stimulus to the animal, wherein the tracking unit and stimulus unit are configured to be removably coupled together, and the tracking unit and/or stimulus unit communicate with a common control device.
US08803685B2
A method for scanning and securing a container including a plurality of at least partially composite panels defining an interior volume is disclosed. The method includes: storing unique identification information in an identification element within container; sealing the container; monitoring the container for intrusion; without breaching the seal of the container, remotely identifying the container based on the unique identity information without breaching the seal of the container; without breaching the seal of the container; scanning the identified container to determine the presence or absence of a nuclear weapon in the interior volume; and if the scan determines no nuclear weapon is present remotely storing certificate information associated with the identity of the container in a remote monitor unit.
US08803681B2
A receiver of an object finder includes an antenna to receive a signal from a transmitter associated with the receiver, a PIN diode having a first terminal coupled with the antenna, and having a resistance that increases as a current flows therethrough decreases, and vice versa, a variable resistor coupled with the first terminal of the PIN diode to control the amount of a current flowing into the PIN diode, and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RF IC) having a first pin electrically coupled with second terminal of the PIN diode to receive the signal from the antenna via the PIN diode.
US08803675B2
A display apparatus for vehicle includes: a first display unit which is provided in a region within a horizontal width of a steering wheel when viewed from a driver, and which displays at least single piece of notification information regarding a state of the vehicle; a second display unit which is integrally formed with the first display unit, and which displays information in a region outside the horizontal width of the steering wheel when viewed from the driver; and a control unit which controls image-display on the first display unit and the second display unit. The second display unit includes an information-image display region which displays an information-image corresponding to the at least single piece of notification information, and a guide display region which displays a guide-image for guiding a driver's eye to a side of the information-image display region.
US08803670B2
An operating control, in particular in a motor vehicle, wherein the operating control has at least one actuating element for actuating the operating control. The operating control comprises at least one sensor element operatively connected to the actuating element for registering an actuation, and at least one oscillator coil fixedly connected to the actuating element for emitting a mechanical feedback signal, in particular bending waves, through the actuating element. The feedback signal is haptically and/or acoustically perceivable, preferably simultaneously haptically and acoustically perceivable. The operating control includes a controller element for activating the oscillator coil in case of actuation of the operating control.
US08803663B2
A semiconductor device capable of wireless communication which has low power consumption in a step for decoding an encoded signal to obtain data is provided. The semiconductor device includes an antenna configured to convert received carrier waves into an AC signal, a rectifier circuit configured to rectify the AC signal into a DC voltage, a demodulation circuit configured to demodulate the AC signal into an encoded signal, an oscillator circuit configured to generate a clock signal having a certain frequency by supply of the DC voltage, a synchronizing circuit configured to generate a synchronized encoded signal by synchronizing the encoded signal obtained by demodulating the AC signal with the clock signal, a decoder circuit configured to decode the synchronized encoded signal into a decoded signal, and a register configured to store the decoded signal as a clock (referred to as a digital signal).
US08803650B2
A vibration-suppressed transformer is fixed to a base plate and includes a magnetic lower core, two or more magnetic upper cores, primary and secondary coils. The lower core is on the base plate. The upper cores are arranged face to face over the lower core. The coils are arranged between the lower and upper cores. Each upper core contacts the lower core, on an outer side of the coils, with a first gap being provided between the upper and lower cores, on an inner side of the coils. The upper cores are extended towards each other from the outer to the inner side of the coils, with a second gap being provided therebetween. The second gap is provided therein with a non-magnetic pressing member to press the lower core against the base plate, on an inner side of the coils.
US08803641B2
A liquid micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) component includes a board, a channel, multiple liquid droplets, and one or more conductive elements. The channel is within the board and contains the multiple liquid droplets. A first liquid droplet has first properties and a second liquid droplet has second properties. When a force is applied upon the first and second liquid droplets, the first liquid droplet changes in accordance with the first properties with respect to the one or more conductive elements and the second liquid droplet changes in accordance with the second properties with respect to the one or more conductive elements thereby changing one or more characteristics of the liquid MEMS component.
US08803634B2
In a branching device, an LPF includes a first inductor arranged such that some conductor layers from among conductor layers are wound in a clockwise direction, and a second inductor arranged such that a conductor layer from among the conductor layers is wound in an counterclockwise direction. In addition, an HPF includes a third inductor arranged such that conductor layers are wound in the same clockwise direction as the first inductor. Therefore, when a high-frequency signal passes through the LPF, a winding direction is reversed. In addition, when a high-frequency signal passes through the HPF, a winding direction is reversed.
US08803613B2
According to one embodiment, a power amplification apparatus includes an field effect transistor (FET), a first decoupling element, a power supply circuit, a second decoupling element, and a third decoupling element. The FET is arranged within a package having an input terminal and an output terminal, and power-amplify an input signal from the input terminal to a transmission signal. The first decoupling element decreases an inductance component of the transmission signal output from the FET. The power supply circuit supplies a driving power to the FET. The second decoupling element cut an RF component. The third decoupling element decreases an impedance of a drain bias circuit over a wide band.
US08803611B2
A circuit includes a bias generating circuit, an operational amplifier, and a current mode logic circuit. The operational amplifier has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. The bias generating circuit is configured to provide a first bias voltage to the first terminal. The second terminal is configured to receive a second bias voltage. The second terminal and the output terminal are configured to form a negative feedback loop. The output terminal is coupled with the current mode logic circuit.
US08803601B2
A circuit includes a first circuit module with a first input node, a second input node and an output node. The first circuit module receives an input signal at the first input node and generates an amplified signal at the output node. The circuit further includes a second circuit module coupled between the output node and a reference potential line. The second circuit selectively draws a current from the output node in response to a first control signal. The first control signal is generated in response to sensing a voltage fluctuation at a power supply node which supplies power to the first circuit module.
US08803599B2
A circuit includes a direct current (DC) gate termination impedance having an impedance for DC signals higher than a maximum impedance DC at which dendrite growth occurs in the circuit, and a radio frequency (RF) gate termination impedance having an impedance for RF signals lower than a maximum impedance at which RF stability for the circuit is maintained for an application.
US08803584B1
A level shifter circuit is disclosed that gates at least one of a plurality of input terminals of a level shifter to at least one of a plurality of supply voltages that are associated with respective supply voltage domains when the at least one of the plurality of supply voltages is powered down. The level shifter is therefore insensitive to noise on the input terminals and also reduces leakage current associated with noise induced crowbar currents.
US08803581B2
A flip-flop structure with reduced set-up time is provided. The flip-flop includes the first master latch receiving a function data through the first switch controlled by a clock signal, the second master latch receiving a scan data through the second switch controlled by the clock signal, and a slave latch connected to the first master latch through the third switch controlled by the clock signal. The second master latch is coupled to the first master latch through the fourth switch controlled by the scan enable signal so that the scan enable signal controls whether the function data or the scan data becomes an output from the first master latch to the slave latch, and the slave latch is used to latch and transmit the output from the first master latch.
US08803575B2
A charge pump circuit is disclosed that includes a main charge pump, a replica charge pump, and an op-amp. The main charge pump includes up and down input terminals to receive UP and DN control signals, a control terminal to receive a calibration signal, and an output to generate a control voltage. The replica charge pump includes up and down input terminals to receive DN and UP control signals, a control terminal to receive the calibration signal, and an output to generate a replica voltage. The op-amp generates the calibration signal in response to the control voltage and the replica voltage.
US08803565B2
A power device includes a switching device having a control terminal and an output terminal; and a driving circuit configured to provide a driving voltage to the control terminal such that a voltage between the control terminal and the output terminal remains less than or equal to a critical voltage. A rise time required for the driving voltage to reach a target level is determined according to current-voltage characteristics of the switching device. And, when the voltage between the control terminal and the output terminal exceeds the critical voltage, leakage current is generated between the control terminal and the output terminal.
US08803560B2
An electrical to audible signal measurement apparatus comprises an absolute value converter, a voltage to frequency converter, a polarity detector, and a waveform changer. The absolute value converter is capable of converting a bipolar input signal into a unipolar signal. The voltage to frequency converter is connected to the absolute value converter and is capable of generating a frequency signal proportional to the unipolar signal. The polarity detector is capable of identifying a polarity of the bipolar input signal to form an identified polarity. The waveform changer is connected to the voltage to frequency converter and polarity detector and is capable of generating a number of different waveforms in an audio frequency range in response to receiving the frequency signal from the voltage to frequency converter and in response to the identified polarity.
US08803558B2
An integrated circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices. Each of the semiconductor devices includes an internal voltage generation unit configured to generate a plurality of internal voltages, a voltage select output unit configured to output a default voltage of a plurality of internal voltages to a preset pad in response to an initial value of a select code, and selectively output the other voltages of the plurality of internal voltages to the pad in response to variations of the select code, and a stack operation control unit configured to control the voltage select output unit to output the default voltage to the pad in response to a stack signal and a predetermined value of the select code, instead of the initial value of the select code, and whether or not to activate the stack signal is determined according to whether or not the plurality of semiconductor devices are stacked.
US08803554B2
A glitch free clock switching circuit includes a first enable synchronization logic that generates a first clock enable in response to a first enable from a first enable generation logic. The clock switching circuit includes a second enable synchronization logic that generates a second clock enable in response to a second enable from a second enable generation logic. A logic gate is coupled to an output of the second enable synchronization logic that selects the second clock signal as a logic gate output if the second enable is logic high. A priority multiplexer receives a first clock signal, the first enable and the logic gate output. The multiplexer configured to select the first clock signal as the clock output if the first enable is logic high, irrespective of the logic gate output.
US08803553B2
A differential transmission circuit comprises a sending unit that generates a pair of differential signals from an input signal, and sends the differential signals; a receiver that receives the differential signals sent by the sending unit; and a transmission path that transmits the differential signals from the sending unit to the receiver, wherein the sending unit has a selector that selects one of the input signal and a signal obtained by inverting a polarity of the input signal, and generates the differential signals from the signal selected by the selector.
US08803549B2
A latch circuit includes a feedback circuit having inverter circuits and at least two input terminals and an input circuit for inputting input signals or signals having the same phase as the input signals to the input terminals of the feedback circuit in synchronization with a clock signal. In the feedback circuit section, only when the input signals or the signals having the same phase as the input signals are input to the at least two input terminals at the same time, positive feedback using a predetermined number of amplification stages is applied to the input terminals.
US08803533B2
Noncontact determination of interface trap density for semiconductor-dielectric interface structures
Embodiments of the subject method and apparatus relate to a sequence of noncontact Corona-Kelvin Metrology that allows the determination and monitoring of interface properties in dielectric/wide band gap semiconductor structures. The technique involves the incremental application of precise and measured quantities of corona charge, QC, onto the dielectric surface followed by determination of the contact potential difference, VCPD, as the material structure response. The V-Q characteristics obtained are used to extract the surface barrier, VSB, response related to the applied corona charge. An intersection of the VCPD-QC characteristic obtained in the dark with the VOX-QC characteristic representing the dielectric response is determined. The specific VSB-QC dependence surrounding the reference VFB value is obtained and the dielectric interface trap density and its spectrum is determined. A method and apparatus to quantify and separate trapped charge components is provided.
US08803516B2
In an eddy current testing method which involves using a rotatable eddy current testing probe in which a detection coil is arranged within an exciting coil, a change in detection sensitivity (a deviation of detection sensitivity) which changes depending on the rotational position of the detection coil is reduced. The eddy current testing probe includes an exciting coil EC1, a detection coil DC1, an exciting coil EC2 and a detection coil DC2, which are mounted on a disk DS. The eddy current testing probe is placed so as to face a circumferential surface of an object to be inspected T, which is in the shape of a circular cylinder, and the disk DS is rotated. Then, the distance (liftoff) between the detection coils DC1 and DC2 and an inspection surface changes. Therefore, also the detection sensitivity to a flaw signal changes. To reduce the change in detection sensitivity, the detection sensitivity is adjusted by detecting the rotational position (rotational angle) of the detection coils DC1 and DC2.
US08803515B2
A substantially planar eddy-current sensor having durability enhancing pillars in an active region is provided. The pillars are distributed and sized so as to have limited effect on the sensor's performance. When the sensor is mounted on a component such that the sensor experiences forces on a top and bottom surface, the pillars bear the load reducing the load bore by the active elements (e.g., drive winding, sense elements). A sensor with redundant drive windings and/or redundant sense elements is disclosed. The redundant elements may be connected to separate electronics. Another aspect relates to providing a reference transformer for calibration of a sensor. The secondary windings of the reference transformer are connected in series with the sense elements of the sensor to be calibrated. Transimpedance measurements are made when the drive winding of the reference transformer is excited. The measurements are used to correct transimpedance measurements made when the drive winding of the sensor is excited. A system having an impedance analyzer and a plurality of multiplexing units is disclosed for monitoring a plurality of sensor. Each multiplexing units directs an excitation signal to the drive winding of a respective sensor and returns, serially, the sense element responses back to the impedance analyzer. The system coordinates the excitation of each sensor and return of the sensor response to share a serial network. The multiplexing units may have a reference transformer for calibration of their respective sensors. Optical communication may be used.
US08803509B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a modular testing assay. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the sensor arrays, or microplates, are removably attached to a substrate. In some embodiments, the electrical connection between the sensors of the sensor array and the substrate provide for the removal of one sensor array or microplate with another or similar sensor array. The sensor arrays can be aligned using various types of alignment devices or the substrate can be configured to allow various alignments and spatial orientations of one or more sensor arrays.
US08803501B2
A voltage source generates a power supply voltage VOUT stabilized such that it matches the voltage level that corresponds to a reference voltage VREF, and supplies the power supply voltage to a DUT. A current detection circuit generates a detection voltage Vm that corresponds to an output current IOUT that flows through the DUT. In the initial state, the reference voltage VREF generated by a reference voltage generating circuit is set to an initial voltage level that corresponds to an input voltage VIN. After the output current IOUT flows, the reference voltage transits to a first voltage level VL1 obtained by shifting the initial voltage level by a first voltage step that corresponds to the detection voltage Vm. Subsequently, the reference voltage VREF transits to a second voltage level VL2 obtained by shifting the initial voltage level by a second voltage step that corresponds to the detection voltage Vm.
US08803495B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a method of reducing a drop in voltage on a pre-biased output of a DC-DC step-down switching converter. A high side switch is activated to conduct a first current to the pre-biased output. After the high side switch is activated, a low side switch is activated to draw a second current from the pre-biased output such that the magnitude of the first current is greater than the magnitude of the second current for at least a portion of a time period T1. After the time period T1 ends, the magnitudes of the first and second currents are changed to maintain a predetermined voltage on the pre-biased output.
US08803482B2
A purpose is to provide a nonaqueous electrolyte type lithium ion secondary battery system, a control method, and a vehicle using the system, arranged to prevent unevenness of a salt concentration distribution in an electrolyte, avoiding an increase in internal resistance, thus improving endurance of the nonaqueous electrolyte type lithium ion secondary battery. For a measuring time (S101 to S104), a charge threshold current Ic and a discharge threshold current Id are read out (S102) and a charge hysteresis value Cc and a discharge hysteresis value Cd are calculated (S103). The charge hysteresis value Cc and the discharge hysteresis value Cd are compared (S105). If the charge hysteresis value Cc is larger than the discharge hysteresis value Cd (S105: Yes), a current value on a charge side is limited (S106). To the contrary, if the charge hysteresis value Cc is equal to or smaller than the discharge hysteresis value Cd (S105: No), a current value on a discharge side is limited (S107).
US08803462B2
A switching element is switched off after having been switched on for only a short time interval called a first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on a mode of a change in a contact point potential (a regeneration voltage) between an electric motor and the switching element when the switching element as switched off, as to whether or not one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. Next, the switching element is switched on for a time interval called a second predetermined time interval, which is longer than the first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on the magnitude of the contact point potential at that time, as to which one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. It is thus possible for a failure of the switching element and electric motor to be detected.
US08803461B2
A method, system and computer program product for monitoring health of a synchronous machine is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of phase voltage values and a plurality of phase current values. The method then computes a negative sequence voltage (Vn) based on the plurality of phase voltage values. The method also computes one or more operating parameters based on at least one of the plurality of phase voltage values and the plurality of phase current values. The method retrieves from a data store, one or more known Vn based on the one or more operating parameters. The method then computes a machine health indicator based on the computed Vn and the one or more known Vn, and raises an alarm based on the machine health indicator.
US08803452B2
A light source comprises a heat-sink having a mounting region, and heat-dissipating fins, a base housing having an inner cavity and coupled to the heat-sink, and an integrated lighting module including: a printed circuit board; an LED on a substrate coupled to the printed circuit board within a first lateral region of the printed circuit board, and an electronic driving circuit for providing power to the LED and coupled to the printed circuit board within a second lateral region of the printed circuit board, wherein a bottom surface of the substrate is thermally coupled to the mounting region of the heat-sink, and wherein the second lateral region of the integrated lighting module is located within the inner cavity of the base housing.
US08803449B2
An example controller for a switched mode power supply includes a zero crossing detector, drive logic, and a logic gate. The zero-crossing detector generates a zero-crossing signal indicating a zero-crossing condition in the power supply. The drive logic generates a drive logic output signal in response to the zero-crossing signal and in response to a feedback signal, where the drive logic output signal is representative of an on-time of a switch to regulate an output of the power supply. The logic gate is coupled to receive a first signal representative of a current through the switch and a second signal representative of a zero-crossing time threshold. The logic gate is further coupled to extend the on-time of the switch until current through the switch reaches a zero-crossing current threshold or until the on-time of the switch reaches the zero-crossing time threshold.
US08803448B2
A constant current output sink or source eliminates a current limiting series resistor for a light emitting diode (LED) and maintains a constant light intensity from the LED for all operating and manufacturing variables of a digital device since the current through the LED is maintained at a constant value. The constant current output sink or source may be programmable for selection of a constant current value from a plurality of constant current values available.
US08803441B2
To a constant-current power supply whose output current can be variably set, light emitting modules can be connected in parallel. A control unit recognizes connection information outputted from an information output unit provided in each of the light emitting modules and varies the output current of the constant-current power supply. Drive can be controlled in response to a state of the connected light emitting modules such as the connecting number of light emitting modules.
US08803434B2
A power supply has a TRIAC dimmer, and an AC-DC converter connected to the TRIAC dimmer. The AC-DC converter has a power switch, a bleed switch, and a controller. The controller turns off the bleed switch in a first time duration and turns on the bleed switch in a second time duration. Magnitude of a current of the power switch in the first time duration is larger than magnitude of a current of the power switch in the second time duration. Magnitude of a current of the bleed switch in a third time duration within the second time duration is smaller than magnitude of a current of the bleed switch in a fourth time duration within the second time duration.
US08803433B2
A lighting power source according to an embodiment includes a rectifying circuit, a smoothing capacitor, a reference voltage generating circuit, and a DC-DC converter. The rectifying circuit rectifies an AD voltage input thereto. The smoothing capacitor smoothes an output from the rectifying circuit. The reference voltage generating circuit generates a reference voltage on the basis of at least any one of an output voltage of the rectifying circuit and a voltage from the smoothing capacitor. The DC-DC converter includes an output element and a constant current element, and converts the voltage of the smoothing capacitor. The output element receives a supply of a voltage of the smoothing capacitor, oscillates by performing a switching operation which repeats an ON state and an OFF state when the reference voltage is relatively high, and continues the ON state when the reference voltage is relatively low.
US08803429B2
The present invention provides a structure of color mixing circuit of LED light. The LED light includes two input terminals and two output terminals. The two input terminals are respectively an input terminal of reverse parallel connection of any two light-emitting chips of three primary-color light-emitting chips of R, G, B and an anode input terminal of the remaining light-emitting chip and the two output terminals are respectively an output terminal of reverse parallel connection of any two light-emitting chips of the three primary-color light-emitting chips of R, G, B and a cathode output terminal of the remaining light-emitting chip. The structure is simple and the purposes of reducing the number of IC control chips and synchronous color change of light-emitting chips are achieved with modification only made on electrical connection among the three primary-color light-emitting chips in realizing operation of a group of LED lights connected in series.
US08803416B2
An organic light emitting display (OLED) apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same, the OLED apparatus including: a substrate; an active layer formed on the substrate; a gate electrode insulated from the active layer; source and drain electrodes insulated from the gate electrode and electrically connected to the active layer; a pixel defining layer formed on the source and drain electrodes, having an aperture to expose one of the source and drain electrodes; an intermediate layer formed in the aperture and comprising an organic light emitting layer; and a facing electrode which is formed on the intermediate layer. One of the source and drain electrodes has an extension that operates as a pixel electrode. The aperture exposes the extended portion. The intermediate layer is formed on the extended portion.
US08803414B2
A lighting device comprising a solid state light emitter and a light mixing element, in which at least ten of light emitted by the emitter that enters the mixing element is reflected within the mixing element, and the mixing element is not larger than 16 mm. Also, a lighting device comprising an emitter and a mixing element comprising first and second regions. Also, a lighting device comprising a light emitter and a mixing element, in which a light exit region of the mixing element has a surface area between about 50% to about 300% of a surface area of a light entrance region of the mixing element. Also, a lighting device comprising a light emitter, a mixing element and a light output shaping element which defines an exit aperture having a dimension that is at least three times a largest dimension of the first light mixing element.
US08803409B1
According to one embodiment, a lamp device includes a base body, a light-emitting module and a lens unit. The base body includes a recess part. The light-emitting module includes a board mounted with a light-emitting element. The board is arranged in the recess part. The lens unit includes a metal surface member to hold a lens. The surface member is arranged in the recess part and is thermally coupled to the base body and the board.
US08803402B2
An elastic wave device includes an elastic wave resonator which includes a comb-shaped electrode pair including a pair of com-shaped electrodes interdigitating with each other and provided on a piezoelectric substrate and which is configured to trap energy of the elastic wave therein. Each of the pair of comb-shaped electrodes includes interdigital electrode fingers connected to a common. A pitch of the interdigital electrode fingers changes along a direction perpendicular to a propagation direction of elastic wave. The elastic wave device has a small insertion loss and operates efficiently.
US08803398B2
A coreless electric machine includes: a permanent magnet on a first member; N-phase (N≧2) air-core electromagnetic coils on a second member; and a coil back yoke on the second member, each electromagnetic coil including a conductor bundle in which a conductor is wound M times (M≧2), coil sub-aggregates are provided, each including the N electromagnetic coils of the respective N phases and in each of which a conductor bundle forming an effective coil area of a first-phase electromagnetic coil contacts a second conductor bundle forming an effective coil area of another phase electromagnetic coil, and the second conductor bundle is in an air-core portion of the first phase electromagnetic coil, and the coil sub-aggregates are arranged along the cylindrical area, in which the coil sub-aggregates do not overlap in a radiation direction of the cylindrical area, and adjacent coil sub-aggregates contact each other.
US08803397B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a 3-phase 2-pole 2-layer armature winding, housed in 72 slots provided in a laminated iron core, a winding of each phase including six parallel circuits separated into two phase belts. Upper coil pieces of first and fourth parallel circuits are placed at 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 12th positions, and lower coil pieces of the first and fourth parallel circuits are placed at 1st, 6th, 9th, and 10th positions, upper and lower coil pieces of second and fifth parallel circuits are placed at 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th positions, and upper coil pieces of third and six parallel circuits are placed at 1st, 6th, 9th, and 10th positions, and lower coil pieces of the third and six parallel circuits are placed at 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 12th positions, from the center of a pole.
US08803392B2
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for axially supporting a shaft. In one aspect, a magnetic suspension system for supporting a shaft in a housing is provided. The magnetic suspension system includes an array of magnet members disposed between the shaft and the housing. The array of magnet members comprising a first magnet member, a second magnet member, and a third magnet member, wherein the first magnet member and the second magnet member generate a first force that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and the second magnet member and the third magnet member generate a second force that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft The first force and the second force are configured to position the shaft axially within the housing. In another aspect, a method of supporting a shaft along a longitudinal axis of a housing is provided. In a further aspect, a suspension system for supporting a shaft in a housing is provided.
US08803386B2
A brushless DC motor including a motor casing, a stator component, and a rotor component. The stator component and the rotor component are respectively arranged inside the motor casing. The rotor component includes a rotor iron core and a rotating shaft supporting the rotor iron core. A shaft extension end of the rotating shaft is arranged with a magnetic ring. One end of the motor casing is provided with an end cover. The center of the outer end surface of the end cover is provided with a groove. The magnetic ring is arranged inside the groove. A Hall induction device is arranged outside the groove and close to the magnetic ring. The motor is reasonably structured, compact, cost-effective, installation friendly, and highly reliable.
US08803384B2
A device includes a rotor and a stator with coils arranged to form a phase element. The phase element includes a first coil group including a first coil and a second coil and a second coil group including a third coil and a fourth coil, where the rotor is positioned between the first coil group and the second coil group. The device also includes one or more switches that enable reconfiguration of the phase element by switching an electrical configuration of the coils. In a first mode, the coils are arranged with the first coil in a first coil path and the second coil in a second coil path that is coupled in parallel with the first coil path. The coils are arranged such that a voltage generated across the first coil path is substantially equal to a voltage generated across the second coil path.
US08803377B2
A power tool has a casing and a motor assembly installed within the casing. The motor assembly comprises a motor, a heat dissipation device, a fan and a guiding member. The motor has a stator and a rotor. The heat dissipation device has an annular heat absorbing section which is fitted to a housing of the stator and a plurality of fins extending from the heat absorbing section for dissipating heat. Air flow generated by the fan is guided to the fins of the heat dissipation device by the guiding member to cool the motor.
US08803376B2
An AC motor is provided. In the AC motor, there are M pieces (M is an integer of 3 or more) of stator pole groups SPG are arranged in a rotor axis direction, where each of the stator poles groups is composed of a plurality of stator poles which are for the same phase and arranged in a circumferential direction of the motor. Between the stator pole groups SPG, “M−1” pieces of annular windings WR are arranged which allow one-way current to flow therethrough. The windings WR are arranged such that the directions of current passing therethrough are reversed in turn in the rotor axis direction. The stator pole groups SPG are excited to generate magnetic fluxes φG directed in a one way. The excited directions of the magnetic fluxes φG are reversed in turn in the rotor axis direction.
US08803375B2
An electromechanical device includes a rotor having a magnetic back yoke with a cylindrical shape, and at least one rotor magnet arranged along an outer periphery of the magnetic back yoke in a cylindrical manner, a stator having at least one air-core magnetic coil arranged along an outer periphery of the rotor in a cylindrical manner, and a coil back yoke with a cylindrical shape disposed on an outer periphery of the magnetic coil arranged in a cylindrical manner, and a casing adapted to cover the stator and the rotor, wherein at least a part of the casing is formed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
US08803370B2
An object is to provide a power feeding system and a power feeding method which are higher convenient for a power feeding user on the power receiving side. Another object is to provide a power feeding system and a power feeding method which can offer efficient services by determining or managing a power feeding user and controlling the amount of power supplied to the power receiver appropriately by a company on the power feeding side. A power feeding device which supplies power to a power receiver wirelessly manages the power receiver on the basis of identification information of the power receiver and controls power transmitted to the power receiver on the basis of position information of the power receiver.
US08803361B2
Systems and methods of controlling an uninterruptible power supply are provided. The uninterruptible power supply includes an input to receive input power, and an output to provide power to a load. The uninterruptible power supply also includes an inverter, a bypass switch, and a controller. The inverter is coupled with the input and with the output, and the bypass switch can provide the input power at the output in a bypass mode of operation. The controller is coupled with the inverter and the bypass switch. The controller can activate the bypass switch in a first configuration to provide the input power at the output during a first half of a cycle of an input voltage waveform, and can activate the bypass switch in a second configuration to provide the input power at the output during a second half of the cycle. With the inverter active during bypass operation, the inverter can more quickly provide output power upon the loss of bypass power, and can provide near unity power factor correction and harmonic distortion correction.
US08803360B2
Techniques are disclosed relating to supplying a power supply voltage to a gate driver. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a first transistor configured to raise a voltage at a node and a second transistor configured to lower the voltage at the node. The apparatus further includes a first driver configured to receive a first power supply voltage, and to use the first power supply voltage to control a gate voltage of the first transistor. The apparatus further includes a second driver configured to receive a second power supply voltage, and to use the second power supply voltage to control a gate voltage of the second transistor. In such an embodiment, the apparatus includes a first regulator coupled to the first driver and configured to generate the first power supply voltage based on the second power supply voltage.
US08803357B2
A power supply system is for supplying power to a number of loads, and includes a number of plugs, a number of power supply modules of the same type, and a number of current distribution modules. The plugs are respectively used for connecting to an external power source, to obtain alternating current. The power supply modules are connected to the respective plugs for converting the alternating current into direct current and providing the direct current to the loads according to the requirements of the loads. Each power supply module includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode, both of which connect to a corresponding load. The current distribution module electrically connects the positive electrodes to each other, and electrically connects the negative electrodes to each other, such that the power supply modules are connected in parallel.
US08803351B2
The invention relates to a method of controlling a wind turbine having a rotor with pitchable wind turbine blades and a generator for producing power, where a pitch reference value for the wind turbine blades is determined, and an operational parameter representing a loading on the wind turbine rotor exerted by the wind is measured at time intervals. A variation parameter reflecting a variation of the operational parameter over time is determined and used in the determination of a minimum pitch limit value of the pitch reference value. The wind turbine is then controlled according to the pitch reference value only if the pitch reference value is above or equal to the minimum pitch limit value, and otherwise according to the minimum pitch limit value.The invention further relates to a method of controlling the change in the operational parameter as measured in two successive time steps is determined and the turbine then being controlled according to a safety control strategy if the difference between the operational parameter change and the variation parameter is above a certain alert threshold.The invention further relates to a control system configured to perform the above control method, and a wind turbine comprising such system.
US08803347B2
A method for controlling a wind turbine generator is disclosed. The method comprises comparing an output power reference value and an actual output power value in a first control block with a first controller having a first control dynamics, comparing the output from the first control block with an actual generator shaft power value in a second control loop with a second controller having a second control dynamics, to determine a generator control signal, wherein the output power reference value is fed-forward and summed with the output of the first controller in the first control block. The disclosed method allows for fast reactions to changes in the output power reference value by the second controller regardless of the speed of the first controller.
US08803346B2
A system for maintaining buoyant, energy-capture devices in general relative position in water in the presence of surface waves allows heeling of the energy capture devices while preventing collision. The system includes a grid of structural members that resists compression while permitting limited relative surface displacement between the first and second energy-capture devices. The structural members may be partially compressible and provide a restoring force, and they may allow heeling. Electricity from wave energy capture devices is combined in a way that smoothes variations inherent in wave action. Electricity from wind energy capture devices is combined with energy from wave energy capture devices for transmission to shore.
US08803345B2
An inverter generator includes a motor, an electric generator and an ECU generating a pulse at each predetermined rotation angle of the motor. Estimating means estimates an initial electrical angle of alternating voltage produced by the generator from the pulse and calculates a phase shift angle to estimate continuous electrical angle of the alternating voltage. A converter converts the alternating current electric power into direct current electric power under d-q control based on the phase shift angle. An inverter converts the direct current electric power into alternating current output electric power.
US08803344B2
The invention consists of a system for generating regulated and controllable AC electricity from renewable sources of energy that are intermittent in their power output. The whole configuration comprises a renewable energy source and an appropriate conversion mechanism, an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen from water, a hydrogen storage tank, fuel cells to generate DC electricity using hydrogen as the fuel, and an electromechanical energy conversion system, comprising a DC motor in series with an AC generator to convert the DC electricity output of the fuel cells to controllable, regulated, harmonics-free AC output, directly connected to the power system grid. Other features of the system include the capability to modify the system, so as to generate electricity from natural gas, propane and hydrogen that was produced by off-peak electricity.
US08803318B2
An integrated circuit including an active region a passive region and a cut line in the passive region includes a passivation layer that includes an outer nitride layer over an oxide layer. The integrated circuit also includes a crack stop below the passivation layer and in the passive region, and a solder ball in the active region. The passivation layer has a trench formed therein in a location that is further from the active region than the crack stop and closer to the active region than the cut line, the trench passing completely through the outer nitride layer and a least a portion of the way through the oxide layer.
US08803317B2
Interconnect structures and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The interconnect structures provide highly reliable copper interconnect structures for improving current carrying capabilities (e.g., current spreading). The structure includes an under bump metallurgy formed in a trench. The under bump metallurgy includes at least: an adhesion layer; a plated barrier layer; and a plated conductive metal layer provided between the adhesion layer and the plated barrier layer. The structure further includes a solder bump formed on the under bump metallurgy.
US08803310B1
An embedded electronic device package structure includes a core layer, an electronic device, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and conductive vias. The core layer has cavity, a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The electronic device is disposed in the cavity. The first dielectric layer disposed on the first surface is filled in part of the cavity and covers one side of the electronic device. The second dielectric layer disposed on the second surface is filled in the cavity, covers another side of the electronic device and connects the first dielectric layer. The first and the second dielectric layers fully cover the electronic device. The conductive vias are disposed around the surrounding of the electronic device and penetrates through the first and the second dielectric layer and the core layer. The conductive vias respectively connects the first and the second dielectric layer.
US08803300B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a lead-frame having a die attach paddle and a contact pad connected by a link; mounting an integrated circuit die over the die attach paddle; molding a package body on the lead-frame and the integrated circuit die including leaving portions of the die attach paddle, the contact pad, and the link exposed from the package body; forming an exposed edge by etching away the link between the contact pad, and the die attach paddle; and depositing a solder-resistant layer on the exposed edge.
US08803294B2
A substrate has a surface made of a semiconductor having a hexagonal single-crystal structure of polytype 4H. The surface of the substrate is constructed by alternately providing a first plane having a plane orientation of (0-33-8), and a second plane connected to the first plane and having a plane orientation different from the plane orientation of the first plane. A gate insulating film is provided on the surface of the substrate. A gate electrode is provided on the gate insulating film.
US08803287B2
An electronic device comprising a semiconductor structure having an integrated circuit back end capacitor and an integrated circuit back end thin film resistor and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a first dielectric layer, a bottom plate of the capacitor and a thin film resistor body. Furthermore, there is a second dielectric layer which is disposed on the bottom plate of the capacitor and on top of the thin film resistor body. A top plate of the capacitor is disposed on the second dielectric layer in a region of the second dielectric layer which is defined by the lateral dimensions of the bottom plate of the capacitor. The bottom plate and the resistor body are laterally spaced apart layers which are both disposed on the first dielectric layer and which are composed of a same thin film material.
US08803286B2
A device includes a top metal layer over a substrate; a copper-containing metal feature in the top metal layer; a passivation layer over the top metal layer; and a capacitor. The capacitor includes a bottom electrode including at least a portion in the first passivation layer, wherein the bottom electrode includes aluminum; an insulator over the bottom electrode; and a top electrode over the insulator.
US08803284B2
Methods for fabricating a back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structure, BEOL wiring structures, and design structures for a BEOL wiring structure. The BEOL wiring may be fabricated by forming a first wire in a dielectric layer and annealing the first wire in an oxygen-free atmosphere. After the first wire is annealed, a second wire is formed in vertical alignment with the first wire. A final passivation layer, which is comprised of an organic material such as polyimide, is formed that covers an entirety of a sidewall of the second wire.
US08803283B2
Vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators and approaches to fabricating vertical meander inductors for small core voltage regulators are described. For example, a semiconductor die includes a substrate. An integrated circuit is disposed on an active surface of the substrate. An inductor is coupled to the integrated circuit. The inductor is disposed conformal with an insulating layer disposed on an essentially planar surface of the substrate. The insulating layer has an undulating topography.
US08803280B2
The present invention discloses a high-voltage ESD protection device including a silicon controlled rectifier and a first PNP transistor. The silicon controlled rectifier includes a high-voltage P-well and N-well; a first N+ and P+ diffusion region are formed in the high-voltage P-well; a second N+ and P+ diffusion region are formed in the high-voltage N-well. The first PNP transistor comprises an N-type buried layer; a low-voltage N-well formed in the N-type buried layer; and a base, emitter and collector formed in the low-voltage N-well. The base and emitter are shorted together; the collector is shorted to the second N+ diffusion region and the second P+ diffusion region; the first N+ diffusion region is shorted to the first P+ diffusion region to act as a ground terminal. The high-voltage ESD protection device can effectively adjust the ESD trigger voltage and improve the snapback sustaining voltage after the device is switched on.
US08803268B2
A vertical total internal reflection (TIR) mirror and fabrication thereof is made by creating a re-entrant profile using crystallographic silicon etching. Starting with an SOI wafer, a deep silicon etch is used to expose the buried oxide layer, which is then wet-etched (in HF), opening the bottom surface of the Si device layer. This bottom silicon surface is then exposed so that in a crystallographic etch, the resulting shape is a re-entrant trapezoid with facets These facets can be used in conjunction with planar silicon waveguides to reflect the light upwards based on the TIR principle. Alternately, light can be coupled into the silicon waveguides from above the wafer for such purposes as wafer level testing.
US08803264B1
The invention provides a novel class of room-temperature, single-phase, magnetoelectric multiferroic (PbFe0.67W0.33O3)x (PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3)1-x (0.2≦x≦0.8) (PFWx−PZT1-x) thin films that exhibit high dielectric constants, high polarization, weak saturation magnetization, broad dielectric temperature peak, high-frequency dispersion, low dielectric loss and low leakage current. These properties render them to be suitable candidates for room-temperature multiferroic devices. Methods of preparation are also provided.
US08803262B2
A microstructure device package includes a package housing configured and adapted to house a microstructure device. A bracket is housed in the package housing. The bracket includes a bracket base with a first bracket arm and a second bracket arm each extending from the bracket base. A channel is defined between the first and second bracket arms. The first bracket aim defines a first mounting surface facing inward with respect to the channel. The second bracket aim defines a second mounting surface facing outward with respect to the channel. The second mounting surface of the bracket is mounted to the package housing. A microstructure device is mounted to the first mounting surface in the channel. The bracket is configured and adapted to isolate the microstructure device from packaging stress imparted from the package housing on the second mounting surface of the bracket.
US08803261B2
A method of fabricating a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) transducer comprises the steps of forming a membrane on a substrate, and forming a back-volume in the substrate. The step of forming a back-volume in the substrate comprises the steps of forming a first back-volume portion and a second back-volume portion, the first back-volume portion being separated from the second back-volume portion by a step in a sidewall of the back-volume. The cross-sectional area of the second back-volume portion can be made greater than the cross-sectional area of the membrane, thereby enabling the back-volume to be increased without being constrained by the cross-sectional area of the membrane. The back-volume may comprise a third back-volume portion. The third back-volume portion enables the effective diameter of the membrane to be formed more accurately.
US08803255B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a novel semiconductor device are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes sputtering a capping layer in-situ on a gate dielectric layer, before any high temperature processing steps are performed.
US08803254B2
One illustrative gate structure for an NFET device includes a gate insulation layer formed above a semiconducting substrate, a first metal layer comprised of titanium nitride (TiN) positioned above the gate insulation layer, a second metal layer comprised of tantalum nitride (TaN) positioned above the first metal layer, a third metal layer comprised of titanium aluminum (TiAl) positioned above the second metal layer, a fourth metal layer comprised of an aluminum-containing material positioned above the third metal layer, a fifth metal layer comprised of titanium positioned above the fourth metal layer, and a layer of aluminum positioned above the fifth metal layer.
US08803244B2
A semiconductor device includes a first conductivity type base formed on a surface of a substrate, a second conductivity type emitter formed on a surface of the base, a second conductivity type doped region which, along with accepting a first type of carrier from the emitter, injects the first type of carrier into the base, and is arranged to be spaced apart on the surface of the base from the emitter, and a second conductivity type collector which is formed on an opposite side to the emitter and the doped region, interposing the base.
US08803240B2
The use of strained gate electrodes in integrated circuits results in a transistor having improved carrier mobility, improved drive characteristics, and reduced source drain junction leakage. The gate electrode strain can be obtained through non symmetric placement of stress inducing structures as part of the gate electrode.
US08803239B2
The invention provides a semiconductor device that is thermally isolated from the printed circuit board such that the device operates at a higher temperature and radiates heat away from the printed circuit board. In another embodiment, the semiconductor is stacked onto a second device and optionally thermally isolated from the second device.
US08803237B2
A distance “a” from a first gate electrode of a first transistor of a high-frequency circuit to a first contact is greater than a distance “b” from a second electrode of a second transistor of a digital circuit to a second contact. The first contact is connected to a drain or source of the first transistor, and the second contact is connected to a drain or source of the second transistor.
US08803233B2
A transistor includes a semiconductor layer, and a gate dielectric is formed on the semiconductor layer. A gate conductor is formed on the gate dielectric and an active area is located in the semiconductor layer underneath the gate dielectric. The active area includes a graded dopant region that has a higher doping concentration near a top surface of the semiconductor layer and a lower doping concentration near a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer. This graded dopant region has a gradual decrease in the doping concentration. The transistor also includes source and drain regions that are adjacent to the active region. The source and drain regions and the active area have the same conductivity type.
US08803222B2
Memory devices include a plurality of elongate gate stacks extending in parallel on a substrate and at least one insulation region disposed in a trench between adjacent ones of the gate stacks. The at least one insulation region has linear first portions having a first width and widened second portions having a second width greater than the first width. A common source region is disposed in the substrate underlying the at least one insulation region. The devices further include respective conductive plugs passing through respective ones of the widened second portions of the at least one insulation region and electrically connected to the common source region and at least one strapping line disposed on the conductive plugs between the adjacent ones of the gate stacks and in direct contact with the conductive plugs.
US08803220B2
Non-voltage storage and techniques for fabricating non-volatile storage are disclosed. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the control gates of non-volatile storage elements are formed from p-type polysilicon. In one embodiment, a lower portion of the control gate is p-type polysilicon. The upper portion of the control gate could be p-type polysilicon, n-type polysilicon, metal, metal nitride, etc. P-type polysilicon in the control gate may not deplete even at high Vpgm. Therefore, a number of problems that could occur if the control gate depleted are mitigated. For example, a memory cell having a control gate that is at least partially p-type polysilicon might be programmed with a lower Vpgm than a memory cell formed from n-type polysilicon.
US08803216B2
A memory cell system including providing a substrate, forming a charge-storing stack having silicon-rich nitride on the substrate, and forming a gate on the charge-storing stack.
US08803187B2
A light emitting device, includes a light emitting diode unit on a substrate; a gas-generating species; an inert gas; a barrier; and a sealant; wherein: the sealant, barrier, and substrate define a protective chamber; and the light emitting diode unit, the gas generating species, and the inert gas are disposed within the chamber.
US08803181B2
A semiconductor light emitting device which can control of current density and can optimize current density and in which a rise in luminosity is possible, and a fabrication method of the semiconductor light emitting device are provided. The semiconductor light emitting device including: a semiconductor substrate structure including a semiconductor substrate, a first metal layer placed on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a second metal layer placed on a second surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a light emitting diode structure including a third metal layer placed on the semiconductor substrate structure, a current control layer placed on the third metal layer and composed of a transparent insulating film and a current control electrode, an epitaxial growth layer placed on the current control layer, and a surface electrode placed on the epitaxial growth layer, wherein the semiconductor substrate structure and the light emitting diode structure are bonded by using the first metal layer and the third metal layer.
US08803171B2
A light emitting diode (LED) package includes an LED die includes a stack of semiconductor layers including an active region, and a wavelength converting element over the LED die. The wavelength converting element includes two or more non-flat surfaces that produce a desired angular color distribution pattern.
US08803169B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, and a backlight unit. The backlight unit includes a plurality of light emitting diodes each having an anode and a cathode, and first adjacently and disposed substrates. The plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted on the first substrate and the second substrate and arranged in a plurality of rows. A first light emitting diode mounted on the first substrate and a second light emitting diode mounted on the second substrate which are adjacent across a boundary between the first substrate and the second substrate are disposed so that respective anodes of the first and second light emitting diodes are opposed to each other and have a pitch equal to or smaller than a pitch of other light emitting diodes mounted on the first and second substrates.
US08803166B2
An arrangement of light emitting diodes including a first micro-die, a second micro-die, a first bridge, a second bridge and a substrate supporting the first micro-die and the second micro die. The first micro-die includes a first edge having a first end and a second end, a second edge opposite and not parallel to the first edge, a first connecting portion near the first end, and a second connecting portion near the second end.
US08803165B2
A nitride semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-type GaN substrate (101) that is a nitride semiconductor substrate, a nitride semiconductor layer including a p-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the n-type GaN substrate (101). The p-type nitride semiconductor layer includes a p-type AlGaInN contact layer (108), a p-type AlGaInN cladding layer (107) under the p-type AlGaInN contact layer (108), and a p-type AlGaInN layer (106). A protection film (113) made of a silicon nitride film is formed above a current injection region formed in the p-type nitride semiconductor layer.
US08803143B2
A transistor in a display device is expected to have higher withstand voltage, and it is an object to improve the reliability of a transistor which is driven by high voltage or large current. A semiconductor device includes a transistor in which buffer layers are provided between a semiconductor layer forming a channel formation region and source and drain electrode layers. The buffer layers are provided between the semiconductor layer forming a channel formation region and the source and drain electrode layers in order to particularly relieve an electric field in the vicinity of a drain edge and improve the withstand voltage of the transistor.
US08803140B2
The present invention has an object of providing a light-emitting device including an OLED formed on a plastic substrate, which prevents degradation due to penetration of moisture or oxygen. On a plastic substrate, a plurality of films for preventing oxygen or moisture from penetrating into an organic light-emitting layer in the OLED (“barrier films”) and a film having a smaller stress than the barrier films (“stress relaxing film”), the film being interposed between the barrier films, are provided. Owing to a laminate structure, if a crack occurs in one of the barrier films, the other barrier film(s) can prevent moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the organic light emitting layer. The stress relaxing film, which has a smaller stress than the barrier films, is interposed between the barrier films, making it possible to reduce stress of the entire sealing film. Therefore, a crack due to stress hardly occurs.
US08803135B2
An electrode foil, which has both the functions of a supporting base material and a reflective electrode, and also has superior thermal conductivity, and an organic device using the same are provided. The electrode foil comprises a metal foil and a reflective layer provided directly on the metal foil.
US08803133B2
An organic light emitting diode device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an emission layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes ytterbium (Yb), samarium (Sm), lanthanum (La), yttrium (Y), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), cesium (Cs), ruthenium (Ru), barium (Ba), or a combination thereof and having a thickness ranging from about 40 to 200 Å. The second layer includes silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), or a combination thereof and having a thickness ranging from about 100 to 250 Å.
US08803128B2
A composite material is described. The composite material comprises semiconductor nanocrystals, and organic molecules that passivate the surfaces of the semiconductor nanocrystals. One or more properties of the organic molecules facilitate the transfer of charge between the semiconductor nanocrystals. A semiconductor material is described that comprises p-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of electrons in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of holes. A semiconductor material is described that comprises n-type semiconductor material including semiconductor nanocrystals. At least one property of the semiconductor material results in a mobility of holes in the semiconductor material being greater than or equal to a mobility of electrons.
US08803123B2
According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes resistance change elements arrayed with a first space in a first direction and with a second space wider than the first space in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, second conductive layers disposed on sidewalls of the resistance change elements, each of the second conductive layers having a width greater than or equal to a half of the first space in the first direction and having a width less than a half of the second space in the second direction, the second conductive layers functioning as a first bit line extending in the first direction, a second insulating layer disposed on a sidewall of the first bit line, and not filling the second space, and a third conductive layer functioning as a second bit line extending in the first direction by filling the second space.
US08803112B2
A novel composition, system and method thereof for improving beam current during silicon ion implantation are provided. The silicon ion implant process involves utilizing a first silicon-based co-species and a second species. The second species is selected to have an ionization cross-section higher than that of the first silicon-based species at an operating arc voltage of an ion source utilized during generation and implantation of active silicon ions species. The active silicon ions produce an improved beam current characterized by maintaining or increasing the beam current level without incurring degradation of the ion source when compared to a beam current generated solely from SiF4.
US08803108B2
A method for acquiring a settling time according to an embodiment, includes writing a plurality of first patterns, arranged in positions apart from each other by a deflection movement amount, by using a DAC amplifier in which a settling time of the DAC amplifier is set to a first time to be a sufficient settling time; writing a plurality of second patterns, in a manner where corresponding first and second patterns are in a position adjacent, for each second time of different second times containing the sufficient settling time set as variable; measuring a width dimension of each of a plurality of combined patterns after adjacent first and second patterns are combined for the each second time set as variable; and acquiring the settling time of the DAC amplifier needed for deflection by the deflection movement amount, using the width dimensions.
US08803098B2
A method of manufacturing a scintillator panel in which no dust is generated when improving protrusions on the phosphor surface, resulting in no generation of image defects caused by the dust, to-provide a scintillator panel exhibiting excellent image quality and a radiation image detector thereof. The scintillator panel includes a support having a phosphor layer formed thereon. The method includes forming the phosphor layer on the support, and subsequently heat-treating the support and the phosphor layer which are sandwiched by two rigid plates under applied pressure.
US08803095B2
Improved analytical, diagnostic, monitoring, and other methods (and their associated devices) for evaluating the extent of deposition of an agent onto a substrate are described. Exemplary methods may be used in the in the monitoring of the dental health of patients or in the fast, efficient screening and/or characterization of formulations in terms of their use for depositing oral actives onto tooth surfaces. The methods involve the direct or in situ analysis of substrates, onto which agents are deposited, using Near-IR spectroscopy and/or UV spectroscopy.
US08803090B2
A citrate detector is provided for use in combination with a blood processing system and replacement fluid tubing or conduit of a disposable set. The citrate detector comprises a light source and a light detector. The light source is configured to emit a light having a wavelength absorbed by citrate, but at least partially transmitted by the replacement fluid conduit of the disposable set. The light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the light source and generate a signal indicative of the presence or absence of citrate in the replacement fluid conduit based, at least in part, on the amount of light received from the light source. A blood processing system incorporating such a citrate detector may include a flow detector for determining whether fluid is present in the conduit prior to checking for the presence of citrate.
US08803084B2
A mass spectrometer featured in including an ion source including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric unit having a sample introducing unit and a sample discharging unit and provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, a power source of ionizing a sample by a discharge generated between the first electrode and the second electrode by applying an alternating current voltage to either one of the first electrode and the second electrode, a mass spectrometry unit of analyzing an ion discharged from the sample discharging unit, and a light irradiating unit of irradiating an area of generating the discharge with light.
US08803075B2
A radiation detector device is disclosed that includes a scintillator including a scintillator crystal and a hybrid photodetector (HPD) coupled to the scintillator. The HPD includes an electron tube having an input window and a photocathode adapted to emit photoelectrons when light passing through the input window strikes the photocathode. Further, the hybrid photodetector includes an electron detector adapted to receive photoelectrons emitted by the photocathode. The electron detector comprises a semiconductor material characterized by a bandgap of at least 2.15 eV.
US08803067B2
A solid state imaging device is described that includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of photodiodes thereon. The solid state imaging device further includes a first wiring portion, a second wiring portion and a third wiring portion. The device further includes a first wiring layer over the semiconductor substrate and which includes a plurality of metal films and extends across all the wiring portions. Additionally, a second wiring layer is disposed over the first wiring layer and which extends across the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion.
US08803064B2
In a signal processing device of an embodiment, an integration circuit accumulates a charge from a photodiode in an integrating capacitor element, and outputs a voltage value according to the amount of charge. A comparator circuit, when the voltage value from the integration circuit has reached a reference value, outputs a saturation signal. A charge injection circuit, in response to the saturation signal, injects an opposite polarity of charge into the integrating capacitor element. A counter circuit performs counting based on the saturation signal. A holding circuit holds the voltage value from the integration circuit. An amplifier circuit outputs a voltage value that is K times (where K>1) larger than the voltage value held by the holding circuit. An A/D converter circuit sets a voltage value that is K times larger than the reference value as the maximum input voltage value, that is, a full-scale value, and outputs a digital value corresponding to the voltage value from the amplifier circuit.
US08803060B2
A modular focus system for image based code readers includes swappable lens attachments enables fixed focus, manual focus, and variable focus operation from a single reader. A manual focus lens cap includes a manually adjustable focus ring to change the focus of the reader. A variable focus lens module includes a liquid lens that is manipulated by a voltage delivered via a pair of electrodes to adjust the focus of the reader. The lens attachments can be swapped out and replaced as needed.
US08803058B2
A CCD image sensor includes vertical CCD shift registers and gate electrodes disposed over the vertical CCD shift registers. The gate electrodes are divided into distinct groups of gate electrodes. The CCD image sensor is adapted to operate in an accumulation mode and a charge transfer mode, an accumulation mode and a charge shifting mode, or an accumulation mode, a charge transfer mode, and a charge shifting mode. The charge transfer mode has an initial charge transfer phase and a final charge transfer phase. The charge shifting mode has an initial charge shifting phase and a final charge shifting phase.
US08803055B2
A volumetric error compensation measurement system and method are disclosed wherein a laser tracker tracks an active target as the reference point. The active target has an optical retroreflector mounted at the center of two motorized gimbals to provide full 360 degree azimuth rotation of the retroreflector. A position sensitive detector is placed behind an aperture provided at the apex of the retroreflector to detect the relative orientation between the tracker laser beam and the retroreflector by measuring a small portion of the laser beam transmitted through the aperture. The detector's output is used as the feedback for the servo motors to drive the gimbals to maintain the retroreflector facing the tracker laser beam at all times. The gimbals are designed and the position of the retroreflector controlled such that the laser tracker always tracks to a pre-defined single point in the active target, which does not move in space when the gimbals and/or the retroreflector makes pure rotations. Special mechanism and alignment algorithm are used in the gimbal design and retroreflector centering alignment to achieve accurate rotational axis alignment and repeatability.
US08803051B2
A microwave oven includes a cavity having a cooking chamber; a magnetron oscillating microwave radiation used for cooking food in the cooking chamber; and a plurality of radiation openings through which the microwave radiation is radiated into the cooking chamber, each of the radiation openings having a length in a direction where the microwave radiation is guided by a waveguide, the length being greater or less than λ/4.
US08803046B2
Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heat treatment of electrically conductive thin strip material. Multiple series-connected coil loops, each having a pole pair, are provided in each of a top and bottom induction coil, which are positioned mirror image to each other. The top and bottom induction coils form a transverse flux induction heat treatment apparatus. A separate flux concentrator is provided over and on the side of each pole. The thin strip material passes between the poles of the top and bottom induction coils and the flux concentrators associated with each of the poles.
US08803044B2
A dialysis fluid heating system includes a plurality of conductive tubes; first and second end caps located at first and second ends of the tubes, respectively, the first end cap including a dialysis fluid inlet and a dialysis fluid outlet, the end caps and the tubes configured such that dialysis fluid can flow from the fluid inlet of the first end cap, through at least one first tube to the second end cap, and through at least one second tube back to the first end cap; a conductive wire wound around an outside of the conductive tubes; and electronics configured to supply power to the conductive wire, the wire forming a primary coil of a transformer, the tubes forming a secondary coil of the transformer.
US08803024B2
A method to diagnose weld integrity in a welding process includes monitoring a weld indentation characteristic, comparing the monitored weld indentation characteristic to a threshold weld indentation characteristic, and identifying a discrepant weld when the weld indentation characteristic comparison shows the monitored weld indentation characteristic violates the threshold weld indentation characteristic.
US08803022B2
The invention relates to a welding head for a welding device for welding components which are not rotationally symmetrical onto workpieces such as for example metal sheets, with a head attachment, the head attachment having a holding device for the component and being designed for carrying a welding current to the component, wherein the holding device is mechanically connected by means of a connecting device to an interface device, via which the welding current can be supplied, the connecting device being subdivided into a first connection piece and a second connection piece, which are electrically insulated from each other.
US08803018B2
A switch device including arm springs as movable contacts slide in accordance with a switching operation of a switch knob. The arm springs come into resilient contact and slide on movable contact slide parts. Root parts and mountain parts are formed in the movable contact slide parts and a fixed contact is formed with end edges of bus bars. The bus bars are mounted and fixed to an upper surface of a support part. A cut out part is provided on the upper surface of the support part. The arm springs are formed in the shapes of bars having mountain forms in section fitted to the root parts, and the arm springs are extended in the vertical direction to plate surfaces of the bus bars and arranged to be inclined so that outer side surfaces abut on upper side edges of the fixed contacts.
US08803014B2
A pushbutton switch array is proposed which provides a uniform operating surface in which switching units are distinguished from dummy elements only by symbols provided on the switching units and the switching units are realized with few functional parts. The pushbutton switch array has a frame which is covered by a transparent film and includes recesses which selectively have an actuating element accommodated therein for displacement or a dummy element accommodated therein so as to be non-displaceable. The actuating elements are provided with symbols on the surface thereof facing the film and hold a printed circuit board at the opposite end. The printed circuit board carries a switch element that cooperates with a contact element on an opposite base plate. The transparent film, which completely covers the frame along with the actuating elements and the dummy elements, provides a continuous smooth surface. Arranged behind the film are the actuating elements, which are identifiable only by the selectively illuminated symbols.
US08803013B2
The present invention relates to an anti-tamper cam system 2 used to selectively operate a safety interlock switch 6. The cam system 2 comprising a cam 12 selectively rotatable between two positions in order to activate the switch 6. The cam 12 has a locking system 20, 22; 32a, 32b to lock the cam 12 in one of its positions. The locking system 20, 22; 32a, 32b comprises a separate mechanical locks 20, 22; 32a, 32b on each side of the cam 12, each of which must be unlocked using a dedicated key actuator 8 before the cam 12 can be rotated to its other position.
US08803007B2
The Cassu-guard is electrical safety apparatus that is created to prevent electrical shortage, shock & movement of broken wires and eliminate the use of electrical tape in insulating socket outlets and light switches when installing these devices in metallic boxes.
US08803003B2
A circuit board is provided which includes a plurality of signal pairs of connectors. The signal pairs of connectors are disposed in a triangular grouping of three signal pairs of connectors such that a first connector of each signal pair is located at a vertex of the triangular grouping. A second connector of each signal pair is located at a side of the triangular grouping adjacent to the vertex of the first connector. The signal pairs may be differential pairs.
US08802999B2
An embedded printed circuit board (PCB) includes: a copper foil laminate; an internal electronic component inserted into the copper foil laminate; a first circuit pattern formed on a surface of the internal electronic component; and a second circuit pattern formed on the copper foil laminate.
US08802998B2
A ceramic multilayer substrate incorporating a chip-type ceramic component, in which, even if the chip-type ceramic component is mounted on the surface of the ceramic multilayer substrate, bonding strength between the chip-type ceramic component and an internal conductor or a surface electrode of the ceramic multilayer substrate is greatly improved and increased. The ceramic multilayer substrate includes a ceramic laminate in which a plurality of ceramic layers are stacked, an internal conductor disposed in the ceramic laminate, a surface electrode disposed on the upper surface of the ceramic laminate, and a chip-type ceramic component bonded to the internal conductor or the surface electrode through an external electrode. The internal conductor or the surface electrode is bonded to the external electrode through a connecting electrode, and the connecting electrode forms a solid solution with any of the internal conductor, the surface electrode, and the external electrode.
US08802996B2
A wiring board according to an embodiment includes an inorganic insulating layer provided with a via-hole which is a penetrating hole, and a via-conductor which is a penetrating conductor disposed inside the via-hole. The inorganic insulating layer includes first inorganic insulating particles connected to each other and second inorganic insulating particles that are larger in particle size than the first inorganic insulating particles and are connected to each other via the first inorganic insulating particles, and also has, at an inner wall of the via-hole V, a protrusion including at least part of the second inorganic insulating particle. The protrusion is covered with the via-conductor.
US08802991B1
A power adaptor for portable electronic devices is positionable in an operational position and a travel position. In an operational position, an AC power connector is exposed for mating with a wall power plug. A DC power cable is extended from a spool. In a closed position, the AC power connector is retracted or removed. The DC power cable is wound around a spool and a cap is positioned thereon to cover the spool and DC power cable. What results is a sleek, featureless, outer surface in a closed position that makes the power adaptor easily stowed and transported.
US08802990B2
A contiguous deep trench includes a first trench portion having a constant width between a pair of first parallel sidewalls, second and third trench portions each having a greater width than the first trench portion and laterally connected to the first trench portion. A non-conformal deposition process is employed to form a conductive layer that has a tapered geometry within the contiguous deep trench portion such that the conductive layer is not present on bottom surfaces of the contiguous deep trench. A gap fill layer is formed to plug the space in the first trench portion. The conductive layer is patterned into two conductive plates each having a tapered vertical portion within the first trench portion. After removing remaining portions of the gap fill layer, a device is formed that has a small separation distance between the tapered vertical portions of the conductive plates.
US08802988B2
The present disclosure is directed to acetylated castor components and compositions including the same. The acetylated castor component may be an acetylated castor oil and/or an acetylated castor wax. The acetylated castor component may be blended with an epoxidized fatty acid ester. The present acetylated castor components and blends find advantageous application as a plasticizer.
US08802986B2
A purpose of the invention is to improve a bending durability of a slip-like plate spring arranged along a wire harness by preventing the slip-like plate spring from being corroded, and to provide a wire harness installation structure in which a conductor in electric wires is not liable to be broken. The wire harness installation structure includes the electric wires 19 that have one ends electrically connected to an electric component provided on a stationary-side structural body and the other ends electrically connected to an electric component provided on a movable-side structural body, the slip-like plate spring 17 that is made of metal and has one end fixed to the stationary-side structural body and the other end fixed to the movable-side structural body, and a binding member 21 that is adapted to bind the electric wires 19 to the slip-like plate spring 17. In the wire harness installation structure, the electric wires 19 are bound by the binding member 21 to the slip-like plate spring 17 at a portion other than a portion of the slip-like plate spring 17 to which an extremely large load is applied when the slip-type plate spring 17 is bent and deformed in accordance with the movement of the movable structural body.
US08802984B2
A junction block (40) includes a generally rectangular flat plate portion (42) attached to a side surface of an assembled battery. A control device (50) is disposed over a portion of the flat plate portion (42) which includes a middle of the flat plate portion (42) and which is positionally biased toward a lower side end of the flat plate portion (42). A connector-connecting portion (47) is provided in one of the four corners of the flat plate portion (42) that is a rear end corner of an upper side end opposite the lower side end of the flat plate portion (42). A rib (48) and a connector-connecting portion (49) are provided at a location on the flat plate portion (42) at which the rib (4) and the connector-connecting portion (49) clamp the electric power cable (28) that is connected to the connector-connecting portion (47) and that is laid along the upper side of the flat plate portion (42).
US08802977B2
Techniques for improving energy conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices are provided. In one aspect, an antimony (Sb)-doped film represented by the formula, Cu1-yIn1-xGaxSbzSe2-wSw, provided, wherein: 0≦x≦1, and ranges therebetween; 0≦y≦0.2, and ranges therebetween; 0.001≦z≦0.02, and ranges therebetween; and 0≦w≦2, and ranges therebetween. A photovoltaic device incorporating the Sb-doped CIGS film and a method for fabrication thereof are also provided.
US08802974B2
A solar cell includes a p-n junction formed by joining a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor. The p-type semiconductor is a chalcopyrite compound semiconductor with a band gap of 1.5 eV or more within which an intermediate level exists with a half bandwidth of 0.05 eV or more. The intermediate level is different from an impurity level. The chalcopyrite compound semiconductor includes a first element having first electronegativity of 1.9 or more in Pauling units, the first element occupying a lattice site of the semiconductor. A portion of the first element is substituted with a second element having second electronegativity different from the first electronegativity, the second element being a congeneric element of the first element. The intermediate level is created by substituting the first element with the second element.
US08802968B2
A fluororesin film on which no bubble streaks are formed even when it contains a sufficient amount of titanium oxide, in which deterioration of the fluororesin is suppressed, and which has a low transmittance of ultraviolet light at a wavelength of at most 360 nm and has excellent weather resistance and heat resistance, a method of its use, a backsheet for a solar cell module, and a solar cell module. The fluororesin film may be used for an outermost layer of a backsheet of a solar cell module. The fluororesin film contains an ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene copolymer as the main component, and also contains specific titanium oxide composite particles. An arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the film surface to be in contact with the air is at most 3 μm. Further, a backsheet comprising a laminate having a fluororesin film, and a solar cell module comprising the backsheet.
US08802959B2
A bifilar pickup for an electrical stringed musical instrument is provided. The bifilar pickup comprises a single coil wherein the coil is formed with two closely spaced but electrically isolated parallel wound wires. A guitar in combination with the bifilar pickup is additionally provided.
US08802954B2
An apparatus for signal processing, wherein a disc is placed on a turntable and is provided with a groove which can be followed by the pick-up element, and employing a time-code signal wherein during use of the disc the said time-code signal controls the digital audio source.
US08802953B2
A music based video game in which a game player's singing performance is digitally sampled while the player performs a free-form vocal over a prerecorded musical composition. Aspects of the game player's free-form vocal performance are compared with predetermined criteria. For example, the vocal performance may be compared with tempo and key information to generate performance evaluation data. The performance evaluation data may be used to present performance feedback to the game player while the game player is singing.
US08802948B2
A guitar slide holder for supporting a guitar slide so that the guitar slide may be secured when not in use and then easily removed and positioned on a guitarist's finger. The guitar slide holder can be releasably attached to a guitar strap so as to be easily accessed by the guitarist. Alternatively, the guitar slide holder can be coupled to a microphone stand or similar object so as to assist in locating the guitar slide holder in a convenient position near the guitarist. The guitar slide holder improves the storage, access, and finger positioning of the guitar slide so as to provide the guitarist with the ability to easily transition between using a guitar slide and not.
