US08818920B2
How much is the net benefit of treating an individual: cost-effective, very small, or even negative? To address this question, a methodology for developing an incremental effect model based on randomized test data is provided. The concept of an incremental effect area index is introduced for measuring the model's quality. A new variable screening technique is proposed to identify variables that are decision relevant and preferably time invariant. A piecewise linear function is created for each continuous variable to approximate the relationship between the incremental effect and the variable, based on a binning technique. Finally, a score is created as the weighted sum of a set of functions, with each function being the empirical prediction of the incremental effect based on a variable, wherein weights are chosen to maximize the incremental effect area index. The methodology creates an improved incremental effect model, leading to more cost-effective strategies in business practice.
US08818901B2
Digital rights management systems and methods for audience measurement are disclosed. An example method to monitor a media content presentation disclosed herein comprises configuring a media handler to present the media content presentation, automatically processing a measurement rights agreement with a digital rights manager to determine whether the measurement rights agreement authorizes monitoring of the media content presentation, when the digital rights manager determines that monitoring of the media content presentation is authorized, configuring the media handler to obtain measurement information corresponding to the media content presentation, and when the digital rights manager determines that monitoring of the media content presentation is not authorized, configuring the media handler to prevent measurement information corresponding to the media content presentation from being obtained, but not preventing the media handler from being configured to present the media content presentation.
US08818883B2
This is directed to a personalized avatar providing a true representation of the user's body, such that the avatar provides a substantially accurate graphical representation of the user's body. The avatar can be defined using any suitable approach, including by providing measurements of the user's body or extracting measurements from photographs of the user. The user can direct an electronic device to apply selected articles of clothing, accessories, or other items to the user's avatar to preview the appearance of the items on the user. In some embodiments, an electronic device can recommend different clothing items or other objects based on the user's body type.
US08818879B2
Systems and methods for determining a least cost transaction scheme for a merchant is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The least cost transaction scheme may be determined at a point of sale device or at a host computer system that communicates with a point of sale device. The least cost transaction scheme may depend on a standard industrial classification (SIC) code associated with the merchant and a transaction amount. In one embodiment the transaction amount and merchant ID is sent to a host computer system. Based on the merchant ID and the transaction amount the host computer system determines a fees for a plurality of transaction schemes. From the plurality of transaction schemes, a least cost transaction scheme is selected and a user is prompted to use the least cost transaction scheme to tender the transaction.
US08818878B2
An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from multiple different merchants. A customer anonymously interacts with the merchants to identify items to purchase, and the merchants provide virtual shopping carts including the item and tax information to the broker. The tax information describes tax rates for the item in multiple jurisdictions. The broker determines the jurisdiction applicable to the customer by, for example, determining a shipping address for the customer. The broker uses the tax information and jurisdiction to calculate the taxes to collect for the item. The broker determines the total cost for the transaction, and conducts an electronic commerce transaction for the item with the customer.
US08818875B2
A novel and useful mechanism and method for processing transactions on a point of sale system comprising of a conveyor system which continuously moves when one ore more items or items are resting on the conveyor system, and a sensing system to capture the information necessary to identify the items on the conveyor. When all items are correctly recognized by the sensing devices, the customer is charged for the items and an invoice is printed. In the event all the items are not correctly recognized the captured information is forwarded to a remote location for automated recognition processing and manual identification, if necessary. Once all the items are successfully identified, the customer is charged for the purchase and an invoice is processed and sent to the customer.
US08818873B1
The disclosure provides a method of operating a duty-free retail operation at an airport. The airport includes a secure zone and a non-secure zone, which are separated for passengers by a security checkpoint. The duty-free store may be located in the non-secure zone of the airport. The airport may also include a product storage area and a product pickup area, which can be accessible from the duty-free store or remote from the duty-free store. The product storage area may store copies of the products displayed in the duty-free store. A passenger customer can purchase products displayed in the duty-free store, for example, by scanning QR codes associated with products and making a payment using a mobile computing device. Copies of purchased products may then be retrieved from the product storage area and delivered to a designated product pickup area before the customer boards the plane.
US08818869B2
A subscription system allows a customer to establish a subscription to a product with one or more retailers (e.g., by establishing the subscription through a controller or central system). In one embodiment, a subscription may be established after receiving information that identifies a product. Terms of a subscription for the product are established, such as a frequency and a duration of the subscription.
US08818867B2
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to an NFC-enabled security token that is removably coupled to a mobile device. The security token may be provisioned with the information by the mobile device, then decoupled from the mobile device and used to authenticate the user or perform a transaction at a POS terminal equipped with an NFC reader. The security token includes logic for user-controlled restrictions on allowable purchases, such as payment limits, timeouts, vendor identifiers, allowed purchases, and location-based restrictions. The security token is further equipped with “self destruct” security features, such as deactivating itself or erasing any sensitive information upon being unable to contact the mobile device for a specified duration, or being subject to an unauthorized or restricted transaction, until such time as it is re-coupled to the mobile device.
US08818850B2
The presented invention is a method for an advertising sponsor user, using a client computer, or mobile device to be able to register, login and create zip code related local sponsor advertisements, with small advertisements for creating interest in the offers, that link to bigger advertisements with an embedded shopping cart. When a user creates the advertisements, they can upload their images, and create their type for the offers in the same interface form and the advertisements are instantly created and able to be published immediately throughout a network. Utilizing zip codes allows the system to use an intelligent smart decision engine, to make decisions of where advertisements and campaigns should be displayed as related to registered users locations. Also past performance and past advertisement information is utilized by the present invention to make appraisal value judgments as to the value of advertisements for sale, and campaign values for sale.
US08818848B2
A campaign offers and rewards system is provided. A receipt intelligence engine includes receipt processing that in operation extracts information about items purchased based on an image of a receipt from at least one of a shopping trip and an electronic receipt from an online or offline transaction. An analytics engine includes data intelligence coupled to the receipt processing and performs analysis of the receipt. In response to processing and analysis, an offer is then sold.
US08818845B2
Example systems and methods related to providing rewards for an online game in response to web-based purchases are presented. In an example, an online catalog webpage including information describing a product available for purchase is generated. The online catalog webpage includes code instructing a device receiving the online catalog webpage to issue a request to an online gaming system to determine an in-game reward for a user based on the product. The online catalog webpage is transmitted to a client device of the user. An order for the product is received from the client device. The order indicates the in-game reward determined in the online gaming system. An order confirmation webpage is transmitted to the client device in response to the order, and the order confirmation webpage indicates the in-game reward.
US08818843B2
Methods and apparatus to determine when to deflect callers to websites are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein to deflect a caller to a webpage include receiving a call from the caller, determining a performance metric associated with processing the call, and determining whether to offer the caller an option to terminate the call and access the webpage based on the performance metric.
US08818836B1
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for dynamically generating actual fulfillment plans for a current order or a potential order so as to enhance the future fulfillment process for expected future orders is described. In some situations, actual delivery information based on one or more such actual fulfillment plans will then be provided to a customer, such as by displaying actual delivery date and/or time before or during the ordering process based on one or more actual fulfillment plans that can be or will be used to fulfill the order. A variety of types of criteria can be used to evaluate the effects of using a fulfillment plan to fulfill a current order, including criteria that consider the modeled future cost of fulfilling expected future orders, such as an overall cost of fulfilling all orders during a specified time period that is at least partially in the future.
US08818833B2
This present invention provides an efficient method and system to manage service requests across multiple service request systems. This management method involves merging all service requests from multiple systems into standard system, sorting the request according to some standard and presenting a display list of all of the requests having a common characteristic to a technician or requester. Service requests are gathered from many different backend-ticketing systems and presented to the technicians in a single logical view. Service requests gathered from each backend ticketing system are packaged in an XML document format. The efficient use of a common XML format is an efficient way to manage all service requests from all backend-ticketing systems. These service requests can be sorted by ticket open or close date/time, status, severity of problem, etc. in ascending or descending order and be presented to the technicians in a single logical view. These requests are presented in a display as a single logical view of service requests from different backend systems.
US08818829B2
A method for utilizing firearm discharge data in a crime reporting and tracking database, includes: recording one or more discharges of a firearm; transmitting information from the discharging firearm to a crime reporting and tracking database; utilizing the transmitted information to establish relationships between the discharged firearm, committed crimes, and missing persons within the crime reporting and tracking database; and wherein the recording and transmitting is carried out by devices within the firearm.
US08818827B2
Systems and methods are provided for generating context-based movie information. For example, a movie application on an electronic device can obtain show times of a movie from multiple movie theaters. In some embodiments, the movie application can combine one or more show times into a single time slot in order to condense the number of show times that are displayed. Furthermore, the movie application can provide slot labels corresponding to each time slot based on one or more context-sensitive factors (e.g., current time of day, current location, one or more upcoming calendar events, and the like). As a result, the movie application can provide a user with a condensed view of the most accessible show times based on current context.
US08818814B2
Accelerometer-based detection for controlling audio-reporting watches, resulting in button-free operation. A wristwatch can use an accelerometer to detect the orientation and/or movement of a user's wrist and subsequently activate audio time reporting, without requiring the user to find and lush a small button. For example, a talking wristwatch can use this method to automatically report the time whenever a user moves or orients his or her wrist to a natural position for listening. A position such as that in close proximity to the ear can additionally facilitate private listening without disturbing others. Furthermore, the wristwatch can report time using personalized audio time components that the user has previously recorded, so that reporting is in a custom voice or language. In such applications, accelerometer-based control of audio-reporting watches offers significant advantages over conventional means of control, particularly in terms of ease of use and durability.
US08818808B2
Utterance data that includes at least a small amount of manually transcribed data is provided. Automatic speech recognition is performed on ones of the utterance data not having a corresponding manual transcription to produce automatically transcribed utterances. A model is trained using all of the manually transcribed data and the automatically transcribed utterances. A predetermined number of utterances not having a corresponding manual transcription are intelligently selected and manually transcribed. Ones of the automatically transcribed data as well as ones having a corresponding manual transcription are labeled. In another aspect of the invention, audio data is mined from at least one source, and a language model is trained for call classification from the mined audio data to produce a language model.
US08818805B2
A sound processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an input correction unit that corrects a difference between characteristics of a first input sound input from a first input apparatus and characteristics of a second input sound input from a second input apparatus. The apparatus further includes a sound separation unit that separates the first input sound corrected by the input correction unit and the second input sound into a plurality of sounds. The apparatus further includes a sound type estimation unit that estimates sound types of the plurality of sounds. The apparatus further includes a mixing ratio calculation unit that calculates a mixing ratio of each sound in accordance with the estimated sound type. The apparatus further includes a sound mixing unit that mixes the plurality of sounds separated by the sound separation unit in the mixing ratio calculated by the mixing ratio calculation unit.
US08818801B2
Disclosed is a dialogue speech recognition system that can expand the scope of applications by employing a universal dialogue structure as the condition for speech recognition of dialogue speech between persons. An acoustic likelihood computation means (701) provides a likelihood that a speech signal input from a given phoneme sequence will occur. A linguistic likelihood computation means (702) provides a likelihood that a given word sequence will occur. A maximum likelihood candidate search means (703) uses the likelihoods provided by the acoustic likelihood computation means and the linguistic likelihood computation means to provide a word sequence with the maximum likelihood of occurring from a speech signal. Further, the linguistic likelihood computation means (702) provides different linguistic likelihoods when the speaker who generated the acoustic signal input to the speech recognition means does and does not have the turn to speak.
US08818799B2
A method and an apparatus for indicating presence of a transient noise in a call are provided. The method comprises the steps of determining activity at an endpoint of the call by monitoring presence of a signal input from the endpoint into the call and monitoring presence of a potential source of transient noise at the endpoint. Further, based on the activity determination and the monitoring of the presence of a potential source of transient noise, a signal representative of the presence of a transient noise in the call is sent. The present invention is advantageous in that it enables improvement of the quality of the call.
US08818796B2
An apparatus for decoding data segments representing a time-domain data stream, a data segment being encoded in the time domain or in the frequency domain, a data segment being encoded in the frequency domain having successive blocks of data representing successive and overlapping blocks of time-domain data samples. The apparatus includes a time-domain decoder for decoding a data segment being encoded in the time domain and a processor for processing the data segment being encoded in the frequency domain and output data of the time-domain decoder to obtain overlapping time-domain data blocks. The apparatus further includes an overlap/add-combiner for combining the overlapping time-domain data blocks to obtain a decoded data segment of the time-domain data stream.
US08818789B2
A method and apparatus for automating the acquisition, reconstruction, and generation of knowledgebases of associated ideas and using such knowledgebases in many application including machine translation of human languages, search and retrieval of unstructured text, or other data, based on concept search, voice recognition, data compression, and artificial intelligence systems.
US08818774B2
There is provided a behavioral model generating device in which a first pattern generator selects behavioral patterns from all the behavioral patterns in behavioral pattern groups by duplicate sampling according to a weighting factor of each group, and adds modification to each pattern to generate first behavioral patterns, a second pattern generator generates device operation patterns from the first behavioral patterns, a power consumption calculator calculates power consumption data based on the device operation patterns, an evaluation selector selects behavioral patterns from the first behavioral patterns by duplicate sampling according to a likelihood of the calculated power consumption data with respect to measured power consumption data, a first updater merges a pair of most similar groups out of all the groups including a group of the selected behavioral patterns and sets a weighting factor of the merged group as a sum of respective weighting factors of the pair.
US08818754B2
The properties of a surface of an object in presence of thin transparent films are determined by generating a library of model signals and processing a measurement signal via searching the library to evaluate films properties and topography. The library may be reduced with principal component analysis to enhance computation speed. Computation enhancement may also be achieved by removal of the height contributions from the signal leaving only the film contribution in the signal. The film measurement signal is compared to a library of film signals to determine the film parameters of the sample. The library of film signals is produced by processing each full signal in a library to similarly remove the height contributions leaving only the film contributions. Additionally, a post-analysis process may be applied to properly evaluate local topography.
US08818752B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a biological information acquiring system and a biological information acquiring method capable of enhancing the calculation accuracy to more accurately calculate the exercise effect information, and capable of enhancing the satisfaction level of the user.In a biological information acquiring system, a body composition meter is configured to acquire pre-exercise body composition data measured before start of exercise and post-exercise body composition data measured after end of exercise. A pedometer is configured to acquire vibration data during exercise. The consumed calorie of the user can be more accurately calculated by arranging consumed calorie correction coefficient acquiring unit for acquiring a consumed calorie correction coefficient α based on the pre-exercise body composition data, the post-exercise body composition data, and the vibration data; and a consumed calorie calculation unit for calculating the consumed calorie using the consumed calorie correction coefficient α.
US08818750B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a display module, an operation module, a communication module, an obtaining module, and a calculator. The operation module obtains operation on the display screen of the display module. The communication module communicates with another electronic device. The obtaining module obtains trace information indicating a trace of operation moving from the electronic device to the other electronic device or a trace of operation moving from the other electronic device to the electronic device based on operation on the display screen of the electronic device and operation on the display screen of the other electronic device. The calculator calculates a positional relationship between the electronic device and the other electronic device based on the trace information.
US08818749B2
A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation.
US08818746B1
A simple, inexpensive, and fast method of establishing if a defect does or does not exist within a thick-walled solid geometry, which is especially useful to detect if such a defect, a crack, exists within a gun barrel. With further analysis, the method allows not only the identification of the defect's presence; but, a means of establishing the size thereof—which, for example, is critical to understanding if a gun tube has a defect that would warrant its being taken out of service for the safety of its crew or removed from manufacturing. The method involves creating an acoustic vibration in the particular thick-walled, solid geometry, esp. a gun barrel, and observing the vibration pattern which results. The size of the particular defect can be ascertained by a) manually using a correlation between the magnitude of the defect and the relative changes in the decay coefficient or shifts in frequency data or (b) automatically using a Bayes maximum likelihood, statistical pattern classification algorithm and a library comprised of either the decay coefficients or the means and covariances of defect-free and cracked objects.
US08818744B2
A test and measurement instrument and method of switching waveform display styles includes acquiring an electrical signal, storing peak detect data samples from the electrical signal to one or more memory devices, storing filtered data samples or unfiltered data from the electrical signal, automatically switching to a first waveform display style having the peak detect data samples configured in a first mode when a user selects the unfiltered data, and automatically switching to a second waveform display style having the peak detect data samples configured in a second mode when the user selects the filtered data samples.
US08818740B2
Techniques for leak detection are described. A leak detection module may include a plurality of wires comprising one or more collection points. The leak detection module may further include a capacitor configured to store a charge for powering the module during a power-off state and a plurality of switches to be controlled by a processor. The processor may initiate a predetermined switching sequence when a power-off state has been detected. During the switching sequence, leak detection data may be collected at the one or more collection points. The collected leak detection data may be stored in a set of registers. The leak detection module may transmit the stored leak detection data. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08818738B2
An apparatus for tuning a parameter of a Kalman filter in a wheel inspection for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an association module that associates wheel inspection data of the vehicle with locations of corresponding wheels in the vehicle; an evaluation module that evaluates a wheel stable score of the vehicle based on the wheel inspection data and the association, where the wheel stable score indicates reliability of the wheel inspection; and a parameter tuning module that tunes a measurement error covariance of the Kalman filter according to the evaluated wheel stable score.
US08818734B1
This invention comprises peptides, methods and a kit for identifying DNA fragmentation in non-viable sperm. Specific peptide sequences are claimed that bind to ssDNA and fragmented DNA.
US08818732B2
A molecular network analysis support method includes receiving designation of a biological phenomenon, extracting an interaction from a molecular network, and calculating a relation strength between the designated biological phenomenon and the extracted interaction.
US08818728B2
A method of transmitting borehole image data from a borehole location to a remote location includes obtaining a set of image data describing formation surrounding a borehole using a logging tool at a selected depth or range of depths in the borehole, extracting one or more image features from the set of image data downhole, and transmitting a representation of the extracted image features to the surface.
US08818714B2
A portable navigation device and method are capable of presenting a destination direction to a user without resorting to visual sensation with a relatively simple configuration. Vibration elements are disposed on or in different positions of a housing. The respective vibration intensities of the vibration elements are determined on the basis of an angular difference θ between a destination direction Vn and a terminal direction Vd. The vibration elements are respectively controlled in accordance with the determined vibration intensities. The position of a vibration, which is obtained as a result of blending vibrations of the vibration elements is sensed by a user.
US08818710B2
The present invention is a computer-implemented system for providing guidance information to aid a user in traveling along an off-road route. This system assumes that the route has already been determined. Also, it is assumed that the user's position and orientation can be determined, for example using existing techniques such as the global positioning system (GPS). The present invention uses a Look-Ahead-Point Finder (100) to find a point, which we refer to as a look-ahead point, located on the route ahead of the user's current location. A Guidance Message Constructor (102) and a Guidance Presenter (106) are used to present the user with guidance information directing him towards the look-ahead point. If the user is already headed towards the look-ahead point, then a Turn Analyzer (108) is used to search the route in order to find the next turn location. If the user is found to be nearing a turn, then the Guidance Message Constructor (102) and the Guidance Presenter (106) are used to give the user information about the turn including its distance and direction.
US08818693B2
The present invention provides an engine system control device to be applied to an engine system provided with an engine having a variable compression ratio mechanism capable of changing a compression ratio. In the case where generation of failure in a compression ratio control system is detected, determination of a state of a member placed in an intake and exhaust system of the engine is inhibited.
US08818689B2
A cylinder intake air amount calculating apparatus for an internal combustion engine that calculates a cylinder intake air amount, which is an amount of fresh air sucked in a cylinder of the engine using an intake air pipe model equation which is obtained by modeling an intake pipe of the engine, is provided. An intake air flow rate is obtained. The cylinder intake air amount is calculated by applying the intake air flow rate and a preceding value of the cylinder intake air amount to the intake pipe model equation. A predicted intake air flow rate which is a predicted value of the intake air flow rate is calculated. A predicted cylinder intake air amount which is a predicted value of the cylinder intake air amount is calculated by applying the predicted intake air flow rate and the cylinder intake air amount to the intake pipe model equation.
US08818687B2
A control pattern corresponding to a ultra high expansion cycle is executed, wherein an actual timing IVCa of an intake valve closing timing is controlled to agree with a steady adapted value IVCt, an actual value εma of a mechanical compression ratio is controlled to agree with a steady adapted value εmt, and an ignition timing SA is controlled to agree with a steady adapted timing SAt. There are four cases that might be generated, including a case in which the IVCa is shifted toward a retard angle side or toward an advance angle side from the IVCt due to a response delay of a variable intake valve timing apparatus, and a case in which εma is shifted to a greater side or to a smaller side from the εmt due to the response delay of a variable compression ratio mechanism.
US08818686B2
A purge control implementation determination unit determines whether or not to implement purge control in accordance with predetermined implementation conditions. If it is determined to implement the purge control, a purge control unit actually implements the purge control. A throttle opening degree upper limit switching unit switches an upper limit value of an opening degree of a throttle based on a determination result of the purge control implementation determination unit. A throttle opening degree control unit controls the opening degree of the throttle so as not to exceed the upper limit value set by the throttle opening degree upper limit switching unit.
US08818684B2
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting failure in gas turbine hardware. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for detecting a failure in a gas turbine is provided. The method can include monitoring a parameter associated with the turbine, wherein the monitored parameter comprises at least one turbine bucket temperature, detecting an event associated with operation of the turbine, wherein the event is based at least in part on the monitored parameter, and initiating shutdown of the turbine upon detection of the event wherein the monitored parameter is above a predetermined value for at least a predetermined time duration.
US08818682B1
An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. For example, a vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle may respond to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. For example, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.
US08818667B2
In a method for generating a differential torque in a vehicle, in the case in which the vehicle is in a load change state and simultaneously in an extreme driving situation, in which wheel torques of different magnitudes are present at the vehicle wheels, the torque distribution between the vehicle wheels is changed.
US08818665B2
A vehicle control apparatus is configured to set a desired speed of an engine to be inputted to a CVT based on a vehicle speed and an accelerator opening AP, calculate a desired output of the engine based on the accelerator opening; calculate a correction coefficient based on the vehicle speed, and calculate a corrected desired output by correcting the desired output with the correction coefficient such that the vehicle speed reaches a regulatory vehicle speed when the accelerator opening AP reaches a fully-opened position, i.e., to vary the characteristics of the accelerator opening in accordance with the vehicle speed in the vicinity of the regulatory vehicle speed.
US08818664B2
A powertrain system includes a multi-mode transmission configured to transfer torque among an engine, torque machines, and a driveline. A method for controlling operation of the powertrain system includes determining a bias engine speed based upon an engine speed. A search is executed including determining a respective candidate power cost for operating the powertrain system in response to an output torque request, and determining a respective candidate driveability cost for the candidate engine speed based upon the bias engine speed. The search also selects one of the candidate engine speeds and candidate engine torques that achieves a minimum of a combination of the respective candidate driveability cost and the respective candidate power cost as a preferred engine speed and preferred engine torque. Operation of the powertrain system is controlled based upon the preferred engine speed and preferred engine torque.
US08818657B2
The shift control unit shifts the sub-transmission mechanism while changing the speed ratio of the variator in response to a change in the speed ratio of the sub-transmission mechanism so that the through speed ratio does not change after the through speed ratio is caused to reach the final through speed ratio by changing only the speed ratio of the variator if the speed ratio corresponding to the shift instruction from the driver is between a first speed ratio at which the sub-transmission mechanism is in the second gear position at the high speed side and the speed ratio of the variator is lowest and a second speed ratio at which the sub-transmission mechanism is in the first gear position at the low speed side and the speed ratio of the variator is highest when the manual mode is selected.
US08818653B2
A system and method of dithering speed and/or torque for shifting a transmission of a vehicle having an engine, a reversible, variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump which can be driven by the engine, a hydraulic accumulator supplied by said motor/pump, and at least one reversible hydraulic driving motor for propelling the vehicle supplied with fluid by the hydraulic accumulator and/or by said motor/pump operating as a pump. A transmission unit connects the engine with the variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump during a first mode of operation (city mode) and connects the engine to a vehicle drive wheel during a second mode of operation. The system utilizes stored hydraulic energy to dither the output of the driving motor in order to achieve quick and smooth shifts between city and highway mode, or between various ranges within the city mode.
US08818647B2
Heads-up display arrangements for vehicles including a seat in which an occupant sits, a system for forming an image of text and/or graphics in a field of view of the occupant, a determination arrangement for determining a position of the occupant (or a part thereof) and an adjustment system for adjusting the seat based on the occupant's determined position to thereby change the orientation of the occupant relative to the image. Change of the orientation of the occupant relative to the image may entail adjusting the seat and/or adjusting the image forming system, which is often a heads-up display system. Adjustment of the seat may involve moving the seat forward or backward and/or up or down, or any other direction or way possible given the construction of the seat.
US08818645B2
A vehicle control apparatus for a vehicle causes several control target instruments to operate in cooperation, thereby controlling a behavior of the vehicle so as to approach a target behavior of the vehicle. In this case, target behaviors of several control target instruments are estimated. When a separation arises in a certain control target instrument between an actual behavior and the target behavior, operations of other control target instruments are changed according to the magnitude of the separation in the certain control target instrument. Thereby, even if an anomaly arises in one of the control target instruments, the behavior of the vehicle can be brought close to the target behavior.
US08818644B1
A seating determination apparatus includes a transition processing unit 29 configured to make a transition of the state between a first seating determination state in which an airbag apparatus is brought into an operation-permitted state and the second seating determination state in which the airbag apparatus is in the operation-prohibited state when a transition condition on the basis of a magnitude relationship between a seat load and a preset threshold value is satisfied, and configured to prohibit the transition of the state between the first seating determination state and the second eating determination state when the direction of variation of the seat load is determined to have inverted before a predetermined time set in advance has elapsed from a time point when the transition condition is satisfied.
US08818643B2
In this seatbelt device, when a lock release determining device determines that a lock has been released, and a command for driving a motor is output while a wind-up operation is performed by the motor to release the lock, and a priority of the command is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, a control device controls the motor so as to apply tension to a webbing.
US08818638B2
A device and a method for triggering passenger protection means as a function of signals of a sensor module is provided. For example, the sensor module includes at least two sensors which are accommodated in one housing. The signal conditioning for the at least two sensors takes place on separate hardware paths.
US08818630B2
A vehicular vibration damping control apparatus calculates a correction torque to suppress vehicle body sprung vibration. In outputting a correction torque command to a driving/braking torque producing device, the control apparatus outputs a hunting time correction torque command smaller than a normal time correction toque command when a state in which amplitude of the correction torque is greater than or equal to a predetermined amplitude continues for a predetermined time length, and thereafter to return an output of the correction torque command from the hunting time correction torque command to the normal time correction torque command if a state in which the amplitude of the correction torque is smaller than or equal to the predetermined amplitude continues for a first predetermined time length. The frequency of performing the vibration damping control is increased by suppressing occurrence of hunting at the time of return to the normal vibration damping control.
US08818620B1
Systems and vehicles for determining an operational status of at least one trailer brake are provided. A system for determining an operational status of at least one trailer brake includes machine readable instructions stored in one or more memory modules that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the system to command a trailer brake current output circuit to intermittently supply a diagnostic current to the at least one trailer brake during a trailer brake activation period, receive a sensed current signal from a trailer brake current sensing circuit in response to the command to supply the diagnostic current, and determine the operational status of the at least one trailer brake based on the sensed current signal.
US08818618B2
System and method for providing a website, portal and/or user interface adding, reviewing and editing street mapping data and speed-by-street information. The website, portal and/or user interface allows users to add, review and editing all or selected matters of safety data and street information in a street mapping database. The website, portal and/or user interface also allows the user to select any geographical area and/or any group of vehicles and adjust the system response for any reason, such as weather, traffic, road conditions, etc. The present invention also provides a website, portal and/or user interface that allows a user to register their vehicle and/or vehicle monitoring system hardware so that driver profile information and performance data may be stored on the site and viewed by insurance companies. The insurance companies may bid on drivers they wanted to insure.
US08818606B2
A method, system and computer readable medium to autonomously keep a vehicle in a lane. The method including, engaging a lane centering system configured to maintain the vehicle within the lane, at a specified lane position. Further engaging a lane keeping system when the lane centering system fails to keep the vehicle within the lane, the lane keeping system configured to return the vehicle to the lane, when the vehicle leaves or is leaving the lane. And, applying a cost function to determine the nature of engagement of the lane keeping system to return the vehicle to the lane.
US08818604B2
Ina drive control apparatus (1) of a hybrid vehicle, a change rate restriction value of a target engine rotational speed which is set on the basis of a vehicle speed is preset, a restriction value of the target engine rotational speed is calculated from the change rate restriction value and a previous target engine rotational speed, a target engine operation point to decide the target engine rotational speed and a target engine torque is set on the basis of the restriction value of the target engine rotational speed and the provisional target engine rotational speed, a target electric power is calculated from a difference between a target engine power which is calculated from the target engine operation point and a target drive power, and torque instruction values of a plurality of motor generators (4, 5) are calculated by using a torque balance equation including a target engine torque which is obtained from the target engine operation point and an electric power balance equation including the target electric power.Thus, even in a transient state where the operation point of the internal combustion engine (2) is changed, since the target operation point line is traced, the fuel consumption can be improved.
US08818601B1
A vehicle includes an engine, fraction motor, final drive assembly, battery pack, and a supercapacitor module electrically connected to the battery pack. The vehicle also has first and second clutches and a controller. The clutches have opposite apply states. The first clutch connects an engine driveshaft to the motor to establish a neutral-charging mode. The second clutch connects an output shaft of the motor to the final drive assembly to establish a drive mode. The controller selects between the drive and neutral-charging modes in response to input signals. The drive mode uses energy from the supercapacitor module and battery pack to power the traction motor. The neutral-charging mode uses output torque from the engine to charge the supercapacitor module and battery pack. The clutches may be pneumatically-actuated, and the vehicle may be characterized by an absence of planetary gear sets.
US08818598B2
ECU executes a program including a step of executing first charging control when a charging plug and a charging device are connected, a step of terminating the first charging control when CCV is more than or equal to a threshold value OCV, a step of executing second charging control, and a step of terminating the second charging control when charging is completed.
US08818591B2
There is provided a storage medium for use as a source of energy for vehicles. An exemplary storage medium comprises a data memory that stores information about the charge status of the storage medium. The exemplary storage medium also comprises a SIM card.
US08818585B2
The present disclosure is directed to a flat wheel detector. The flat wheel detector may have a first sensor configured to be located adjacent a rail of a railroad track. The first sensor may be oriented at a first angle relative to a horizontal plane. The flat wheel detector may also have a second sensor configured to be located adjacent the rail. The second sensor may be oriented at a second angle relative to the horizontal plane. In addition, the flat wheel detector may have a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to receive signals from the first and second sensors. The controller may also be configured to detect a flat wheel on a railroad car based on the signals.
US08818576B2
The different advantageous embodiments provide a system for generating trajectory predictions for a flight comprising a flight object manager and a trajectory predictor. The flight object manager is configured to generate flight information using a number of flight plans, a number of flight schedules, and flight status information. The trajectory predictor is configured to receive flight information from the flight object manager and use the flight information to generate the trajectory predictions.
US08818563B2
In a building which has at least two floors, an apparatus for controlling and regulating room temperature having a hierarchical structure includes a predictive device on the top level, that provides optimal control of the use of at least one free energy source, and at least one device on a lower level which is used for feedback regulation of at least one additional energy source. The predictive device uses a building model and repeatedly optimizes the energy requirement or the energy costs. The regulation strategy of the predictive device uses characteristics of a passive heat accumulator of the building.
US08818557B2
A methodology for using cortical signals to control a multi jointed prosthetic device for direct real-time interaction with the physical environment, including improved methods for calibration and training.
US08818554B2
An event execution method and system for a robot synchronized with a mobile terminal is provided for enabling a robot synchronized with a mobile terminal or a character displayed in the mobile terminal to execute an event on behalf of the mobile terminal and share experience points of the character displayed in the mobile terminal. The event execution system includes a mobile terminal and a robot synchronized with the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a short range wireless communication unit which establishes a radio link with the robot, a storage unit which stores a character rearing application for bringing up a character and a behavior contents database of behaviors that a character displayed by the character rearing application conducts, and a control unit which performs synchronization with the robot by means of the short range wireless communication unit and sends, when an event occurs, an event execution command indicating the event to the robot through the radio link, and the robot includes a short range wireless communication unit which establishes the radio link with the mobile terminal, a storage unit which stores a robot displaying application for bringing up the robot and a behavior contents data base of behaviors that the robot conducts, and a control unit which performs synchronization with the mobile terminal by means of the short range wireless communication unit and controls the robot to conduct a behavior corresponding to the event indicated by the event execution command.
US08818548B2
In a brush cutter (100), when it is determined based on acceleration information including frequency components, supplied from an acceleration sensor (24) included in the brush cutter (100) that the acceleration shows a peak in a range of frequencies lower than 100 Hz, the flow moves to step S5 to amplify the acceleration peak. In next step S6, the acceleration peak is compared with a threshold. When the result of comparison shows that the acceleration peak is higher than the threshold, the flow moves to step S7 to produce a safety signal. The safety signal is output from the controller (26) to a high voltage generation circuit (30) to stop generation of a high voltage in the high voltage generating circuit (30). In this manner, the acceleration sensor (24) is used to detect any unexpected, sudden danger, while diminishing influence of the acceleration caused by vibration inherent to the own nature of the work apparatus, its intended regular operation and its posture change in regular operation.
US08818545B2
A semiconductor fabrication apparatus includes a semiconductor wafer mounting table having a cavity therein; and a nozzle which jets a liquefied temperature adjustment medium having a temperature equal to or less than a targeted temperature to an inner wall of the cavity in order to adjust a temperature of the semiconductor wafer mounting table to the targeted temperature. The semiconductor fabrication apparatus further includes a pressure detecting unit for detecting an internal pressure of the cavity; and a vacuum pump which discharges gas within the cavity such that a pressure detected by the pressure detecting unit becomes equal to or more than a saturated vapor pressure related to the temperature of the temperature adjustment medium jetted from the nozzle and equal to or less than a saturated vapor pressure related to the targeted temperature.
US08818542B2
In order to reduce interference in an audio signal during a call on a mobile communication device, a plurality of transforms of the audio signal is performed, each transform containing phase information and amplitude information of corresponding samples of the audio signal. The results of the transforms are then averaged in order to generating a compensation signal that can be subtracted from the audio signal.
US08818539B2
An audio encoding device includes, a time-frequency transform unit that transforms signals of channels included in an audio signal having a first number of channels into frequency signals respectively, a down-mix unit that generates an audio frequency signal having a second number of channels, a low channel encoding unit that generates a low channel audio code by encoding the audio frequency signal, a space information extraction unit that extracts space information representing spatial information of a sound, an importance calculation unit that calculates importance on the basis of the space information, a space information correction unit that corrects the space information, a space information encoding unit that generates a space information code, and a multiplexing unit that generates an encoded audio signal by multiplexing the low channel audio code and the space information code.
US08818527B2
A lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes at least one elongated lead body, each of the at least one lead bodies having a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of electrodes are disposed at the distal end of the at least one lead body, each of the electrodes having an outer surface. A plurality of dimples are defined along the outer surface of at least one of the plurality of electrodes, the plurality of dimples configured and arranged to provide a larger surface area for the at least one dimpled electrode than that of a similarly-sized electrode with a flat outer surface. A plurality of terminal are disposed at the proximal end of the at least one lead body. A plurality of conductive wires couple each of the plurality of electrodes to at least one of the plurality of terminals.
US08818524B2
Some embodiments provide a system for delivering neurostimulation. Some system embodiments comprise a lead configured to be implanted in the body, a stimulation output circuit configured to deliver neurostimulation pulses to the vagus nerve through the lead, an EMG sensing circuit configured to use the lead to sense EMG signals from laryngeal muscle activity, and an evoked muscular response detection circuit configured to use the EMG signals sensed by the EMG sensing circuit to detect evoked laryngeal muscle activity evoked by the neurostimulation pulse.
US08818514B2
Methods for intravascularly-induced renal neuromodulation. In some embodiments, a method can include positioning a pair of bipolar electrodes within renal vasculature of a human patient and expanding a balloon within the renal vasculature. The method can further include delivering an electric field via the bipolar electrodes.
US08818505B2
Techniques of inducing a physiological perturbation to monitor a heart failure status of a patient are described. An implantable medical device (IMD) may induce a physiological perturbation in the patient to monitor and determine how the patient responds to the physiological change. This response may be indicative of heart failure improvement or worsening. For example, the IMD may deliver electrical stimulation with parameters configured to perturb the patient (e.g., stimulation that deviates from stimulation therapy). The IMD may then detect at least one physiological parameter to monitor the patient's response to the perturbation. Based on the detected physiological parameter, the IMD may generate a heart failure status. The heart failure status may then be used for adjusting patient therapy, with or without the use of remote monitoring.
US08818504B2
Systems and methods involve an intrathoracic cardiac stimulation device operable to provide autonomous cardiac sensing and energy delivery. The cardiac stimulation device includes a housing configured for intrathoracic placement relative to a patient's heart. A fixation arrangement of the housing is configured to affix the housing at an implant location within cardiac tissue or cardiac vasculature. An electrode arrangement supported by the housing is configured to sense cardiac activity and deliver stimulation energy to the cardiac tissue or cardiac vasculature. Energy delivery circuitry in the housing is coupled to the electrode arrangement. Detection circuitry is provided in the housing and coupled to the electrode arrangement. Communications circuitry may optionally be supported by the housing. A controller in the housing coordinates delivery of energy to the cardiac tissue or cardiac vasculature in accordance with an energy delivery protocol appropriate for the implant location.
US08818502B2
A method and device for endocrine and exocrine gland control. The method comprises selecting neuro-electrical coded signals from a storage area that are representative of body organ function. The selected neuro-electrical coded signals are then transmitted to a treatment member, which is in direct contact with the body, and which then broadcasts the neuro-electrical coded signals to a specific endocrine and exocrine gland nerve or gland to modulate the gland functioning. A control module is provided for transmission to the treatment member. The control module contains the neuro-electrical coded signals which are selected and transmitted to the treatment member, and computer storage can be provided for greater storage capacity and manipulation of the neuro-electrical coded signals.
US08818493B2
An apparatus and method for creating a three dimensional imaging system is disclosed. There is a first source of laser light and a second source of laser light having a wavelength different from the wavelength of the laser light of the first source. The laser light from the first and second sources are combined, and the combined laser light is transmitted to a scanner. The scanner further transmits the combined light to a surface to be imaged.
US08818492B2
An apparatus for measuring ganglion cells may include: a light generation unit configured to irradiate a first light signal polarized in a first direction and a second light signal polarized in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to a subject; a reflected light processing unit configured to generate an amplification signal corresponding to an image of the subject using a first reflection signal, which is the first light signal reflected from the subject, and a second reflection signal, which is the second light signal reflected from the subject; and an image processing unit configured to measure ganglion cells in the subject using the amplification signal. The apparatus may be used to count the number of normal ganglion cells in the retina by measuring a phase difference of two lights polarized in different directions. The apparatus may also be used to monitor the progress of glaucoma.
US08818491B2
A system for Non-Contrast Agent enhanced MR imaging, includes an MR image acquisition device that acquires first and second datasets representing first and second image slabs individually comprising multiple image slices acquired at fast and slow blood flow portions of a heart cycle and oriented substantially perpendicular in at least one axis to direction of vasculature blood flow, in response to a heart cycle synchronization signal. An image data processor processes imaging datasets representing the first and second image slabs to provide first and second volume datasets representing a 3D volume imaged at the fast blood flow portion and the slow blood flow portion respectively and for providing a difference dataset representing an image difference between the first and second volume datasets and enhancing arterial blood flow. A display processor provides data representing an image showing the enhanced arterial blood flow.
US08818469B2
A portable electronic device includes superposed base and sliding housings, a pair of guide units and a pair of slide rails that cooperate with each other to permit sliding movement of the sliding housing relative to the base housing along a sliding direction between closed and open positions, and a pair of correction mechanisms respectively adjacent to the slide rails and each including at least two push-back members. When the slide rails deviate from the sliding direction, the push-back members can push back the slide rails to a position parallel to the sliding direction so that the slide rails can slide smoothly relative to the guide units.
US08818468B2
In order to facilitate an operation of locking or unlocking a touch panel, a mobile terminal includes a first housing, a second housing connected to the first housing in a slidable manner, a touch panel provided on the first housing, a style detecting portion (S01, S08, S09) for detecting one of a plurality of possible styles on the basis of the relative positions of the first and second housings, a signal accepting portion (S04) for accepting a signal output from the touch panel, and a mode switching portion (S05, S06) for switching an input mode between a lock mode and an unlock mode on the basis of the detected style and presence/absence of a signal output from the touch panel.
US08818457B2
A compact antenna includes a main antenna patch. A first feed point and a second feed point connect with the main antenna patch to provide current in the main antenna. Excitation of the first feed point produces polarization in a first direction along the main antenna patch and excitation of the second feed point produces polarization in a second direction different from the first direction.
US08818455B2
A mobile device can detect, select and use an external antenna supported by an attached accessory device. The mobile device queries the accessory device whether it supports an external antenna and receives an indication of whether the accessory device supports external antennas. The indication can comprise a list of accessory device pins operatively coupled to supported external antennas. The mobile device selects an external antenna for use by the mobile device. The selection can comprise selecting a mobile device pin operatively coupled to the selected external antenna. The selected mobile device pin can be a predetermined pin or a pin that is both operatively coupled to a supported external antenna and configured to operate as an external antenna pin. The mobile device can use the selected external antenna. The mobile device can switch between an internal antenna and an external antenna operatively coupled to a selected mobile device pin.
US08818451B2
A mobile communication system based on images, enabling communication between a plurality of mobile devices and servers, wherein the images have associated additional properties in the nature of voice, audio, data and other information. The system further enabling the formation of one or more image networks wherein the images are stored, organized, connected and linked to each other by one or more methods inclusive of one to one connection between images, a hierarchical connection between images and or other methods of connection between images to facilitate efficient image based communication between mobile devices, stationary devices and servers based on the mobile device identification, mobile device specific profiles and user specific profiles. The imaged base network system further having the ability to learn and form intelligent association between objects, people and other entities; between images and the associated data relating to both animate and inanimate entities for intelligent image based communication in a network.
US08818447B2
A radio communication system (1) has: a radio terminal (UE); a radio base station (BS1) which transmits radio signals (RS1) to the radio terminal (UE) corresponding to the feedback from the radio terminal (UE); and a radio base station (BS2) which transmits, corresponding to the feedback from the radio terminal (UE), radio signals (RS2) to the radio terminal (UE) at the frequency and time identical to the frequency and time at which the radio signals (RS1) are transmitted. The time interval at which the radio terminal (UE) performs the feedback to the radio base station (BS1) is longer than the time interval at which the radio terminal (UE) performs the feedback to the radio base station (BS2).
US08818435B2
System for receiving satellite signals jammed by at least one source of interference and by a thermal noise comprising means for receiving the said satellite signals, means for filtering the said satellite signals, in order to remove the disruption from the said sources of interference. The system also comprises first means for determining a first covariance matrix of the satellite signals, adding means for adding respectively a first coefficient to at least one element of the diagonal of the said first covariance matrix in order to obtain a second covariance matrix, second means for determining, on the basis of the said second covariance matrix, second coefficients used by the said filtering means. The system also comprises means for detecting a first power of the said thermal noise, third means for dynamic determination of the value of the said first coefficients, on the basis of the first power.
US08818430B1
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for managing transmission of messages such as SMS messages. A device will determine based on access probe count history whether to transmit a message on a reverse access channel or on a reverse traffic channel, and the device will transmit the message accordingly.
US08818421B2
A mobile communication terminal (1) includes a mobile communication unit (13) that receives broadcast signals from base stations (2a, 2b, . . . ) through mobile communication, a wireless LAN positioning unit (12) that performs positioning calculation using wireless LAN communication, a GPS positioning unit (11) that performs positioning calculation through GPS positioning, a comparison unit (14) that compares the number of base stations from which broadcast signals are receivable by the mobile communication unit (13) with a predetermined number and determines whether the number of base stations is large or small, and a positioning system selection unit (15) that controls the wireless LAN positioning unit (12) to perform positioning calculation when the number of base stations is determined to be large and controls the GPS positioning unit (11) to perform positioning calculation when the number of base stations is determined to be small.
US08818420B2
Devices, systems, and methods are directed to the determination of current location information of a wireless communication device. Such devices, systems, and methods include a plurality of sensor elements configured to provide orientation parameter information, velocity and/or acceleration parameter information, and directional heading parameter information; a camera mechanism configured to capture images at predetermined intervals of a user's body as the user handles the wireless communication device; orientation logic configured to determine orientation change information attributable to the user's handling, based on the captured images, and provide orientation correction information; and location estimation logic configured to provide current location information based on previous location information, the velocity and/or acceleration parameter information, the directional heading parameter information and/or the orientation parameter information, and the orientation correction information.
US08818418B2
A mobile device receives RF signals from base stations in a location scanning region. Each of the base stations includes a plurality of distributed transceivers and each distributed transceiver includes an independently configurable antenna array. The mobile device generates and communicates channel measurements for the received radio frequency signals to a remote location server (RLS). The RLS configures, utilizing one or more channel transmit settings, the independently configurable antenna array for the distributed transceivers in the location scanning region, to transmit the RF signals. The RLS determines a coarse position estimate for the mobile device for the sub-regions within the location scanning region and applies different signature functions to the determined coarse position estimate for the sub-regions to generate corresponding sub-regions position estimates. The RLS determines a position estimate for the mobile device based on the sub-regions position estimates and communicates the position estimate to the mobile device.
US08818407B2
Providing location information on a mobile device includes receiving signals from external devices. Each signal includes information that specifies a geographic location for the external device that has provided the signal. A geographic location for the mobile device is calculated by using the information contained in each of the received signals. A representation of the geographic location of the mobile device is generated. The representation of the geographic location is included within an electronic message that provides information describing a user of the mobile device to other users of an electronic communications system. The electronic message is transmitted to another device to provide an indication of the geographic location for the user to one of the other users of the electronic communications system.
US08818390B2
A radio base station includes: a communication quality detector (183) configured to detect communication quality in a subcarrier; a positional information acquisition unit (182) configured to acquire positional information indicating a position of a radio communication terminal at a time point when the communication quality is detected by the communication quality detector; subcarrier information table storage (185) configured to store a subcarrier information table including a subcarrier number, the communication quality, and the positional information, in association with one another; current positional information acquisition unit (180) configured to acquire current positional information indicating a current position of the radio communication terminal; and allocator (189) configured to allocate the communication channel to the radio communication terminal on the basis of the subcarrier information table and of the current positional information.
US08818388B2
An object is to provide a communication device, a communication system, and a restricting method permitting a communication restriction for each service class. A user equipment 100 has a memory unit 102 which stores service class information showing correspondence between service classes indicative of available communication services, and service class codes to discriminate the service classes. A notice information transmitting unit 101 then receives a restriction message indicative of a service class number from an RNC 200. When the restriction message including the service class number is received, a restricting unit 104 specifies a service class corresponding to the service class number stored in the memory unit 102 and implements a communication restriction in the service class on a communication processing unit 105.
US08818383B2
Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In one broad aspect, a determination of which of the communication lines is a communication line associated with the one of two or more message addresses at which a message is received is made in the selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed.
US08818379B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for providing multiple communication paths. According to embodiments, a method for providing multiple communication paths is provided. According to the method, a plurality of cellular towers within a given range from a cellular device is determined. A first quality rating is determined for each of the plurality of cellular towers. A first group of cellular towers is selected from the plurality of cellular towers based on the first quality rating. A first plurality of communication paths is established between the cellular device and the first group of cellular towers. Each of the first plurality of communication paths may correspond to one of the cellular towers in the first group. At least one quality factor associated with each of the first plurality of communication paths is adjusted based on the first quality rating.
US08818375B2
In a wireless communication network where base stations receive protocol data units (PDUs) from mobile stations for decompression and deciphering for ordered, sequential transfer as service data units (SDUs) to an associated core network, the teachings presented herein provide a method of supporting seamless handover of a mobile station from a source base station to a target base station. By way of example, the teachings herein apply to a network based on the E-UTRA specifications, as promulgated by the 3GPP. However, that example is non-limiting, as the teachings herein apply to any network that employs in-sequence data delivery and duplicate data detection at handover. Broadly, the source base station forwards out-of-sequence SDUs and corresponding sequence number information to the target base station in support of seamless handover, and the target base station uses that information to request retransmissions as needed for packet reordering.
US08818371B2
A first mobile terminal group has a first measurement information transmitting means which measures radio quality of a second cell, and transmits measurement information to a first base station, a second mobile terminal group has a second measurement information transmitting means which measures radio quality of a first cell, and transmits measurement information to a second base station, and a neighbor cell list optimizing system has: a measurement information collecting means which collects the measurement information of the first and second cells; a reliability evaluating means which performs processing of evaluating reliability of the measurement information of the second cell; a priority calculating means which, when the reliability is a predetermined threshold or less, calculates a priority for registering the second cell in the neighbor cell list of the first cell based on the measurement information of the first cell; and a neighbor cell list updating means which performs control of determining a neighbor cell to be registered based on the priority, and updating the neighbor cell list.
US08818369B2
The present invention proposes a method for performing a detach of a terminal registered to a telecommunication network by associating an identification for said terminal, deriving a signature for said identification, and allocating a pair consisting of said identification and said signature to said terminal, said method comprising the steps of: sending a detach request including said identification and said identification signature from said registered terminal to said network; receiving said detach request at the network side; comparing said received detach request with a record of registration data of said terminal kept at the network side; and detaching said terminal from said network, if said received detach request coincides with said record of registration data.
US08818365B1
A method, device, and system for re-routing an incoming call via a stronger serving system. When a wireless communication device such as a cell phone is receiving an incoming call via a first serving system with which it is registered, the device may detect that a second serving system (possibly a competing carrier's system) would provide improved signal strength. In response, the device may prompt its user to request the call be re-routed to the device via the other serving system. If the user approves, the device may then signal to the network to cause the call to be re-routed to the device, and the device may register with the new serving system. That way, as the network sets up the call to the device again, the call will extend via the new (improved signal strength) serving system to the device, thus reducing the likelihood of a call drop.
US08818361B2
Method and arrangement for supporting connectivity of a wireless device to a network infrastructure. An infrastructure provider associates a set of device identification numbers to a first radio access provider in a subscription database of the infrastructure provider. The infrastructure provider also sets the first radio access provider as a preferred roaming partner in a SIM that comprises a subscriber identifier with a network identifier of the infrastructure provider. The SIM is provided for use in the device, to enable access to the network infrastructure over a radio access network of the first radio access provider based on the subscriber identifier and the preferred roaming partner in the SIM.
US08818355B2
In a wireless cell, the potential deterioration in quality is efficiently detected when the indication of abnormalities is weak. Provided are a step of calculating one or more radio qualities for each coverage area of a wireless cell; a step of measuring one or more network statistical qualities for each coverage area of the wireless cell; a step of making a pair of each network statistical quality and one or more radio qualities for each coverage area of each wireless cell; and a step of calculating, based on the pairs of each network statistical quality and one or more radio qualities for the coverage areas of the wireless cells, the correlation between each network statistical quality and one or more radio qualities.
US08818354B1
Systems, methods, and an article of manufacture for performing a validation test of a model of a mobile station for operability of the mobile station to communicate via a wireless communication network are shown and described. After receiving one or more call parameters at a mobile station, the mobile station automatically executes a test call an indicated number of times according the received call parameters. One or more test parameters are recorded during the testing. The recorded results can be displayed on the mobile station, for example, at the end of the test procedure.
US08818349B2
A method for deploying an application to a mobile device comprises providing a web page to a computing device coupled to a communications network for receiving the web page, the web page comprising a configuration determination and loading component for deploying the application to the mobile device coupled to the computing device, the web page determining configuration information about the mobile device for determining specific application components for loading; and providing specific application components for loading onto the mobile device in response to the web page. The web page may determine specific application components for the mobile device in response to the configuration information.
US08818347B2
Example embodiments are presented herein service session management based on service specific data and a user subscription. Some example embodiments may comprise a user equipment, and corresponding method therein, for monitoring an internet or network access by an identified application. Upon detection, the user equipment may be configured to send service specific data associated with the identified application to an enhanced application server. The enhanced application server may manage a service session based on the service specific data and the user subscription. The management of the service session may allow for a differentiated delivery of service for certain applications.
US08818343B1
A method and system provides for monitoring access to particular network content and providing a summary of the rating of the content accessed. In one embodiment, a telecommunications network entity, such as a mobile access gateway, can identify one or more resources accessed by a wireless device. The gateway can then associate the one or more resources accessed by the wireless device with a rating for each of the resources, and the gateway can provide a summary of the ratings for the resources accessed by the wireless device.
US08818339B2
Methods and devices are provided for generating and publishing multi-media information associated with actions performed on a mobile communication device. A publishing application monitors actions performed on the mobile communication device and enables selection of at least one of the actions. Content associated with selected actions may be stored and data associated with at least one of the selected actions and the content associated with at least one selected action may be extracted. The multi-media information may be displayed on a graphical user interface in a pre-selected format, such as a chronologically arranged list. Users may preview and modify the multi-media information before publication through a pre-selected communication service. The multi-media information may be published by selecting an icon, including an image identifying the pre-selected communication service. The mobile communication device generates content that users may efficiently modify and publish to a desired communication service.
US08818328B2
A method, implemented at least in part by a computing device, that can be used to bill a communication. The method includes terminating a teleservice request at an intermediary node, wherein the teleservice request is associated with a sender and a recipient; receiving teleservice content transmitted by the sender, wherein the teleservice content is received at no charge to the sender; receiving a request transmitted by the recipient to access the teleservice content, wherein receiving the request includes charging a fee; and sending the teleservice content to the recipient.
US08818320B2
A receiver includes an antenna unit that is able to receive a transmission signal from a subject alternately at different reception levels. A wave detection unit wave-detects the transmission signal to generate a detection signal. The detection signal has a signal level that becomes fixed in accordance with the transmission signal when the antenna unit receives the transmission signal at a reception level greater than or equal to a reception limit, and the signal level of the detection signal becomes non-fixed when the antenna unit receives the transmission signal at a reception level that is less than the reception limit. A correction unit removes, when the detection signal includes a fixed value session and a non-fixed value session, the non-fixed value session and corrects the signal level of the non-fixed value session to a level equivalent to the signal level of a fixed value session.
US08818316B2
The present invention is a system for increasing Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of antennas each antenna providing a signal, a device for selecting a subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, a maximum ratio combiner for summing the selected subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, and a decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The device for selecting the subset of signals is coupled to the plurality of antennas. The maximum ratio combiner is coupled to the selected subset of signals and the decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The decision device is coupled to the selecting device such that one selected signal of the selected subset of signals is replaced by an unused signal provided by the plurality of antennas.
US08818305B1
A method and system controls a transition between utilizing an envelope tracking (ET) mechanism and using an average power tracking (APT) mechanism to provide power to a power amplifier. A power amplifier controller (PAC) initiates an ET mechanism to track changes in amplitudes of a radio frequency (RF) signal being received by the power amplifier. If the PAC determines that the RF signal bandwidth is low and the average amplitude is at least equal to a threshold value, the PAC maintains the ET mechanism. If the RF signal bandwidth is high and/or the average amplitude of the RF signal is less than the threshold value, the PAC temporarily deactivates the ET mechanism and controls a transition to utilizing the APT mechanism by properly synchronizing the transition to the change in average signal amplitude levels so there are no undesired transients affecting signal quality or spectrum.
US08818295B2
A high and low speed serial interface multiplexing circuit includes a low speed transceiver, a high speed transceiver, an inductor coupled to a communication interface port of the low speed transceiver, a capacitor coupled to a communication interface port of the high speed transceiver, and a transformer coupled to the communication interface port of the high speed transceiver.
US08818288B2
A new methodology for detecting, localizing, tracking, and counting objects. The method for state/space estimation includes arranging in a space a first pair of radio frequency sensors in a network of nodes. The first pair of radio frequency sensors is calibrated to determine a first fading condition associated with the first pair of radio frequency sensors. A signal strength of at least one signal sent between the first pair of nodes is measured. A first likelihood model is determined based on the first fading condition. A first posterior distribution is estimated based on the signal strength of the at least one signal using the first likelihood model for purposes of determining object information within the space.
US08818281B2
In an image output apparatus for outputting an image supplied from an image supply apparatus, the image supply apparatus and the image output apparatus are connected wirelessly and send and receive data. The state of the wireless connection is determined and the image to be output is changed in accordance with the determined state of the connection.
US08818279B2
A communication device including: a setting portion that sets the communication device as a main device when communication device is connected to another device and receives an electric power from an external power supply, and sets communication device as a client device when communication device is connected to another device and receives an electric power from another device; an update portion that transmits first and second identifiers to another device, receives from another device third and fourth identifiers, forms a network to which communication device and another device belong with second identifier when communication device is set as the main device, and updates second identifier with fourth identifier when communication device is set as the client device; and a wireless communication portion that, when another device is disconnected from communication device, communicates wirelessly with another device with first and third identifiers, and any one of second and fourth identifiers.
US08818265B2
One or more embodiments provide circuitry for isolation and communication of signals between circuits operating in different voltage domains using capacitive coupling. The embodiments utilize capacitive structures having increased breakdown voltage in comparison to previous parallel plate implementations. The capacitive isolation is provided by parallel plate capacitive structures, each implemented to have parallel plates of different horizontal sizes. Due to the difference in horizontal size, edges of the parallel plates, where electric fields are the strongest, are laterally offset from the region where the parallel plates overlap. As a result, breakdown voltage between the parallel plates is increased.
US08818264B2
A data transmitting method, a data controlling module and a mobile device using the same are disclosed for transmitting data from the mobile device to a destination on an internet. The mobile device includes a first communication module and a second communication module. First, a first internet connection between the first communication module and the internet is established. Next, a second internet connection between the second communication module and the internet is established. Then, a local area connection between the first and second communication modules is established. The data to be transmitted are divided into several packets. A first part of the packets is transmitted from the first communication module to the destination through the first internet connection, and a second part of the packets is transmitted from the first communication module to the destination through the local area connection and the second internet connection.
US08818233B2
An image-forming device includes: a main body; a plurality of developer cartridges; a belt; a holder; and a plurality of urging members. Each developer cartridge has a photosensitive drum. The belt is configured to contact the photosensitive drums of the developer cartridges. The holder is configured to move between a position inside the main body and a position outside the main body and to hold the developer cartridges such that the developer cartridges are arranged in a row along a first direction. The plurality of urging members are configured to urge the developer cartridges to cause the photosensitive drums to contact the belt when the holder is at the position inside the main body.
US08818226B2
When a rotation member stops rotation, driving of a plurality of heating elements is sometimes partially limited. A control unit detects a current flowing to the plurality of heating elements when the rotation member stops rotation, and driving of the plurality of heating elements is partially limited. The control unit sets the power ratio of power to be supplied to the plurality of heating elements during a period in which the rotation member rotates to raise a fixing device to a fixing enable state in accordance with the detection result.
US08818222B2
An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable belt member for heating an image on a recording material; a rotatable member pressing against said belt member; a nip forming member, provided inside said belt member, for cooperating with said rotatable member to form a nip for nipping and feeding the recording material; a projection provided on a side of said nip forming member near the nip and projecting toward the nip; and an executing portion for executing a first image heating mode operation in which an image formed on the recording material having a first thickness with said projection projected into a nip region and a second image heating mode operation in which an image formed on the recording material having a second thickness which is smaller than the first thickness with said projection is outside the nip region.
US08818216B2
A toner-image detecting sensor for detecting a toner image before being transferred onto a recording sheet and a fixed-image detecting sensor for detecting the toner image after being secondarily transferred and fixed on the recording sheet are arranged so that the positions of them in a main scanning corresponding direction are aligned. An image forming apparatus has a first image adjustment mode and a second image adjustment mode. In the first image adjustment mode, image adjustment is made on the basis of only a result of detection by the toner-image detecting sensor without transferring the test pattern onto the recording sheet. In the second image adjustment mode, the test pattern is transferred onto the recording sheet, and image adjustment is made on the basis of both a result of detection by the toner-image detecting sensor and a result of detection by the fixed-image detecting sensor.
US08818214B2
The heating apparatus includes a first detection part which detects whether or not the power supplied to the heat generation member is in an overpower state by detecting a positive phase of a half wave in an alternating voltage of a commercial power supply applied to the first or the second current path of the heat generation member, a second detection part which detects whether the power supplied to the heat generation member is in an overpower state or not by detecting a negative phase of a half wave in an alternating voltage the commercial power supply applied to the first current path or the second current path of the heat generation member, and a control part which controls itself to stop supplying power from the commercial power supply to the heat generation member in a case where an overpower state is detected by the first or second detection part.
US08818209B1
A frequency decimation block for processing an analog input signal including a high-bandwidth data signal to generate a parallel set of parallel output signals, in which each output signal represents a respective portion of the high-bandwidth data signal. A preamplifier is provided for amplifying the input signal. A frequency domain divider divides the amplified input signal to generate a set of frequency band signals including a low frequency band signal, a mid-frequency band signal, and a high frequency band signal. Each frequency band signal is supplied to at least one signal path. A respective non-linear processor is connected in each of M signal paths processes the input signal using a respective branch signal to yield a corresponding composite signal. A respective Low-Pass Filter (LPF) is connected in each signal path, for low-pass filtering at least the composite signals to generate corresponding ones of the parallel output signals.
US08818201B2
This concerns a protected long-reach PON having a plurality of terminals connected to a distribution network that is fed by both a main and back up feed, each feed including a head end and a repeater. The back up head end had access to a ranging table with data previously obtained by the main head end, thereby speeding up the switch over in the event of a fault with the main feed. In one embodiment, the repeater has a virtual ONU therein, allowing the back up repeater to be ranged by the back up head end, thereby yet further speeding up the ranging procedure. The main and back up repeaters are sufficiently equidistant from the distribution network to allow the back up head to perform normal scheduling without performing a ranging operation on each of the terminals, even if the different terminals transmit at slightly different wavelengths. This is achieved using the ranging information obtained with regard to the back up repeater.
US08818195B2
The invention relates to a method of operating an optical transmission system (100), wherein an optical signal (s, s1) is transmitted (200) through at least one component (102) of said optical transmission system (100) which exhibits spectral phase ripple, and wherein a phase of at least one frequency component of said optical signal (s, s1) is altered (210) by phase influencing means (110) to at least partly compensate for said phase ripple of said at least one component (102), whereby a phase ripple compensated signal (s2) is obtained.
US08818182B2
A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation. Another aspect of the disclosed invention provides for gesture recognition to be used to interface with and control the camera system.
US08818179B1
Techniques for shared DVR programming via a web page enable using a DVR widget in a web page and DVR environment on a network to view DVR content from a publisher's DVR usage data and based on the viewed DVR content from the publisher's DVR, record or schedule to record particular content on the viewer's DVR.
US08818178B1
A conflict analysis (CA) information handling system (IHS) receives conflict information from a population of digital video recorder (DVR) IHSs. The conflict information indicates that a conflictee show is in conflict with a conflictor show in a DVR IHS. The conflict information may include a conflictee show identifier and open timeslots for each DVR IHS that transmits conflict information to the CA IHS. Using the conflictee show identifier and available timeslots received from the population of DVR IHSs, the CA IHS makes a recommendation to rebroadcast the conflictee show at a particular time when more than an predetermined threshold number of DVR IHSs are available to record a rebroadcast of the conflictee show.
US08818161B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus capable of executing at least a reproducing process on content. The apparatus includes a title information acquiring unit configured to acquire title information on content subjected at least to the reproducing process for each of content obtained via a network and content obtained from a removable recording medium, and a history holding unit configured to hold the title information acquired by the title information acquiring unit, as a history.
US08818157B2
An optical fiber or cable storage module includes a back wall and a number of resilient mounting fingers extending from the back wall, and a fiber supply spool having an axial bore formed to receive the mounting fingers and to engage the fingers when the spool is urged toward the back wall so that the spool is restrained from axial movement. The spool includes a hub, and a first winding section for containing a length of fiber sufficient to route between a service terminal outside a user premises and a location near a user terminal inside the premises. The mounting fingers have corresponding catches at the ends of the fingers, and the inner circumference of the bore in the supply spool has an annular groove formed to seat the catches for restraining the spool from axial movement.
US08818155B2
An optical waveguide system includes a substrate, a cladding layer arranged on the substrate, a core layer arranged on the cladding layer, and a lens-prism patterned in the core material, the lens-prism comprising a Fresnel lens portion, and a Fresnel prism portion.
US08818153B2
According to the opto-electro hybrid cable of the invention, it is possible to prevent the excessive lateral pressure from being applied to the optical fibers from the electronic wires and the excessive bending or twisting from being generated. In addition, it is possible to increase the tensile strength and to prevent the excessive tension from being applied to the optical fibers, so that it is possible to keep the favorable transmission characteristics.
US08818128B2
An apparatus reduces color fringing in a color image, so that a post-processed color image is positioned in a restricted area in a chromaticity diagram. Where a first line passes a first point corresponding to a target pixel of the pre-processed color image and an origin, the restricted area is located on a side of the origin with respect to a line that is perpendicular to the first line and passes the first point, and held between two parallel lines separated from the first line by an equal distance that is equal to or smaller than half a distance between the origin and the first point. The restricted area is held by two lines each of which passes the origin and represents a boundary between one of the two color components and an area representing a color component made by mixing the one color component and another color component.
US08818127B2
The picture quality of captured images can be improved with the degradation of clearness of image-captured object boundaries suppressed. An image processing apparatus (100) comprises: an image/distance acquiring unit (200) that acquires corresponding pixel pairs between left-eye and right-eye images, its depth information and its matching scores; a weight information calculating unit (300) that determines, for each of the pixel pairs, a weight of each of the pixels in a certain area including, as pixels of interest, the pixel pair on the basis of the depth information and the matching scores; and a pixel value superimposing unit (400) that applies, for each of the pixel pairs, the weight to the pixel values in the aforementioned certain area, thereby performing a smoothing process in at least one of the two images and that superimposes the two images using the values obtained by the smoothing process.
US08818126B2
A block-based image denoising method includes determining similarities between a current block and reference blocks within a search range around the current block, from among certain-sized blocks divided from an input image; determining weights of the reference blocks with respect to the current block based on the similarities; and generating resultant blocks by denoising the current block with respect to every block of the input image based on the weights of the reference blocks.
US08818107B2
Embodiments of the invention provide methods, devices, and systems for personalizing presentation instruments. According to one embodiment, a method for personalizing presentation instruments may include providing account information for a plurality of accounts and providing a plurality of images. Each of the images may be associated with an account and may be formatted according to one or more defined parameters to facilitate placement of each image onto a presentation instrument. Each formatted image may be overlaid or placed onto a presentation instrument to personalize each presentation instrument and each presentation instrument may be associated with account information corresponding to the image overlaid or placed on the presentation instrument.
US08818106B2
A method for determining a matching score between a first set of n1 feature points, and a second set of n2 feature points includes producing a triple-wise affinity tensor, determining a leading eigenvector of the triple-wise affinity tensor, iteratively producing a binary optimal assignment vector and determining a matching score between the first set of feature points and the second set of feature points. The triple-wise affinity tensor includes the affinity score of assignments of triplets of feature points of the first set of feature points and triplets of feature points of the second set of feature points. The procedure of iteratively producing a binary optimal assignment vector is performed by discretization of the leading eigenvector. The procedure of determining a matching score is performed according to the triple-wise affinity tensor and according to the optimal assignment vector.
US08818105B2
An image registration process for detecting a change in position of a surgical target, such as a tumor, within a patient is disclosed. A pre-operative model of the target and surrounding area is generated, then registered to live patient images to determine or confirm a location of the target during the course of surgery. Image registration is based on a non-iterative image processing logic that compares a similarity measure for a template of the target (generated from the pre-operative model) at one location within the live image to other locations within the live image.
US08818090B2
A color processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit that obtains a first color signal from outside, a converting unit that converts the first color signal obtained by the obtaining unit into a second color signal based on a viewing condition, and a generating unit that generates a third color signal on the basis of the first color signal obtained by the obtaining unit and the second color signal obtained through conversion performed by the converting unit, the third color signal being an input signal that is used for a color gamut mapping process of performing mapping to a color gamut of an output device.
US08818085B2
A method of processing a digital image having a predetermined color pattern, includes converting the predetermined color pattern of the digital image into a converted digital image having a different desired color pattern; and using algorithms adapted for use with the desired color pattern for processing the converted digital image.
US08818084B2
A table, which records a relationship between image data of patches included in a chart, which are acquired by capturing the chart under a plurality of types of illumination light having different characteristics, and the characteristics, is held for each image capturing device capturing the chart, and for each chart print condition. Specifying information of an image capturing device used to estimate characteristics of illumination light and a print condition of a chart used to estimate the characteristics of the illumination light are input as estimation conditions. Image data of a chart captured by the image capturing device under the illumination light is input. The characteristics of the illumination light are estimated based on a table corresponding to the estimation conditions and the input image data.
US08818076B2
A method, a system, and a program for high-fidelity three-dimensional modeling of a large-scale urban environment, performing the following steps: acquiring imagery of the urban environment, containing vertical aerial stereo-pairs, oblique aerial images; street-level imagery; and terrestrial laser scans, acquiring metadata pertaining to performance, spatial location and orientation of imaging sensors providing the imagery; identifying pixels representing ground control-points and tie-points in every instance of the imagery where the ground control-points and tie-points have been captured; co-registering the instances of the imagery using the ground control-points, the tie-points and the metadata, and referencing the co-registered imagery to a common, standard coordinate system. The referenced co-registration obtained enables: extraction of ground coordinates for each pixel located in overlapping segments of the imagery, representing a 3D-point within the urban environment; and applying data pre-processing and 3D modeling procedures; to create the high-fidelity 3D model of a large-scale urban environment.
US08818053B2
A method of biometric recognition is provided. Multiple images of the face or other non-iris image and iris of an individual are acquired. If the multiple images are determined to form an expected sequence of images, the face and iris images are associated together. A single camera preferably acquires both the iris and face images by changing at least one of the zoom, position, or dynamic range of the camera. The dynamic range can be adjusted by at least one of adjusting the gain settings of the camera, adjusting the exposure time, and/or adjusting the illuminator brightness. The expected sequence determination can be made by determining if the accumulated motion vectors of the multiple images is consistent with an expected set of motion vectors and/or ensuring that the iris remains in the field of view of all of the multiple images.
US08818039B2
An information processing apparatus that executes processing for creating an environmental map includes a camera that photographs an image, a self-position detecting unit that detects a position and a posture of the camera on the basis of the image, an image-recognition processing unit that detects an object from the image, a data constructing unit that is inputted with information concerning the position and the posture of the camera and information concerning the object and executes processing for creating or updating the environmental map, and a dictionary-data storing unit storing dictionary data in which object information is registered. The image-recognition processing unit executes processing for detecting an object from the image with reference to the dictionary data. The data constructing unit applies the three-dimensional shape data to the environmental map and executes object arrangement on the environmental map.
US08818034B2
One or more facial recognition categories are assigned to a face region detected in an input image (24). Each of the facial recognition categories is associated with a respective set of one or more different feature extraction modules (66) and a respective set of one or more different facial recognition matching modules (76). For each of the facial recognition categories assigned to the face region, the input image (24) is processed with each of the feature extraction modules (66) associated with the facial recognition category to produce a respective facial region descriptor vector of facial region descriptor values characterizing the face region. A recognition result (96) between the face region and a reference face image (28) is determined based on application of the one or more facial recognition matching modules (76) associated with the facial recognition categories assigned to the face region to the facial region descriptor vectors produced for the face region detected in the input image (24).
US08818030B2
A system and method for post-processing a multi-spectral image which has already been processed for pixel classification. A binary image is received which contains pixels that have been classified using a pixel classification method. Each pixel in the image has an associated intensity value and has a pixel value of 1 or 0 depending on whether the pixel has been classified as a material of interest or not. The image is divided into a plurality of blocks of pixels. On a block by block basis, pixel values in a block are changed according to a threshold-based filtering criteria such that pixels in the same block all have the same binary value. Once all the blocks have been processed, contiguous pixels having the same binary value are grouped to form separate objects. In such a manner, pixel classification errors in the post-processed binary image can be reduced.
US08818029B1
A weather forecasting system has weather forecasting logic that receives raw image data from a satellite. The raw image data has values indicative of light and radiance data from the Earth as measured by the satellite, and the weather forecasting logic processes such data to identify cumulus clouds within the satellite images. For each identified cumulus cloud, the weather forecasting logic applies interest field tests to determine a score indicating the likelihood of the cumulus cloud forming precipitation and/or lightning in the future within a certain time period. Based on such scores, the weather forecasting logic predicts in which geographic regions the identified cumulus clouds will produce precipitation and/or lighting within during the time period. Such predictions may then be used to provide a weather map thereby providing users with a graphical illustration of the areas predicted to be affected by precipitation within the time period.
US08818018B2
A system for enhancing security printing includes a segmentation system, a secure database in operative communication with the segmentation system, a secure registry in selective operative communication with the segmentation system, and an analysis system in operative communication with the segmentation system and the secure database, and in selective operative communication with the secure registry. The segmentation system performs zoning analysis on a scanned image to identifying a list of regions in the image. The secure database stores at least one of i) a template, or ii) prior zoning output specification. The secure registry stores region of interest information and information pertaining to strategies for identifying a region of interest. The analysis system identifies the region of interest utilizing at least one of the secure database or the secure registry.
US08818017B2
The disclosure relates generally to geographic-based signal detection. One claims recites a method including: receiving information indicating a geographical area; with reference to at least a portion of the information indicating a geographical area, selecting a machine-readable indicia detector that corresponds to the information indicating a geographical area; using a programmed processor, processing machine-readable indicia with the selected machine-readable indicia detector to obtain a plural-bit message; and carrying out an action using the plural-bit message. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well.
US08818014B2
A sound production component that includes a vibration element, a support member, and a connection part. The vibration element includes a polygonal vibration plate and an electromechanical conversion element attached to the vibration plate. The connection part connects an entire periphery of the vibration plate to the support member. At least a portion of the connection part has a curved shape. The length of a portion of the connection part which connects each corner of the vibration plate and the support member is shorter than the length of a portion of the connection part which connects a central portion of each side edge of the vibration plate and the support member.
US08818011B2
A noise-reducing headset, comprising a suspending arm, a connection device, and an ear cover part is disclosed. An engaging device is disposed on both ends of the suspending arm, wherein a position fixing part is disposed on one end of each of the engaging devices. Both ends of each of the connection device are respectively provided with a pivot joint part and an opening for engaging the engaging device. One side of the connection device is provided with a hollow slot. The hollow slot is communicated with the opening such that the position fixing part adjusts the distance the suspending arm entering into the connection device. Moreover, the ear cover part is connected to the pivot joint part of the connection device such that the noise-reducing headset can be collapsed inward by using the pivot joint part to make the noise-reducing headset convenient for a user to take along.
US08818003B2
Disclosed are a mobile terminal and a control method thereof. The mobile terminal includes: a sound output module configured to output a sound; a user input unit configured to sense a control command for controlling a volume level of the output sound; and a controller configured to control a volume level of the output sound based on the sensed control command, configured to determine whether the controlled volume level corresponds to a preset volume level, and if the controlled volume level corresponds to the preset volume level, configured to output a signal corresponding to the preset volume level in the form of a signal different from the output sound.
US08817999B2
A sound masking system for shaping the ambient noise level in a physical environment. The sound masking system comprises a networked and distributed system having a number of master units coupled together and to a control unit. One or more of the master units may include satellite sound masking units which function to reproduce the sound masking signal generated by the master sound masking unit. Each of the master units is addressable over the network by the control unit enabling the control unit to program the contour, spectral band, and gain characteristics of the sound masking output signal. The system may also include a remote control unit which provides the capability to tune and adjust each master sound masking unit in situ without requiring physical access through the ceiling installation. According to another aspect, there is a networked paging system with individually addressable speaker units for announcing a paging signal selected from a number of paging signals.
US08817995B2
A method of controlling a loudspeaker of an electronic device provides voice coil temperature protection. When a power supply for the electronic device is first activated, a binding step is performed in which the loudspeaker impedance is determined and a temperature (such as ambient temperature) is accurately measured. These binding step measurements are used during subsequent use of the loudspeaker, to make the temperature measurements (based on voice coil impedance) as accurate as possible.
US08817993B2
An audio device and a volume adjusting method are provided. The audio device includes a speed sensor, a first FIFO buffer unit, and a second FIFO buffer unit. The audio device generates audio signals by playing multimedia files and stores audio signals to the first FIFO buffer unit. The audio device collects ambient sound signals and stores collected sound signals to the second FIFO buffer unit. The audio device further analyzes stored audio signals and sound signals to determine a waveform of environmental noise signals, and determines a SPL of the environmental noise signals according to the determined waveform. The audio device then compares the determined SPL with a preset SPL and compares the sensed speed with a preset speed if the determined SPL is greater than the preset SPL, and adjusts the volume of audio signals according to a comparison result between the sensed speed and the preset speed.
US08817986B2
A system enables intermediary communication components to carry out cross enterprise communication. At a first sending enterprise the system comprises: a processor executing code to: receive a signed encrypted message from a sender within a first enterprise; validate the sender; decrypt the message; encrypt the message for receipt by a second enterprise; sign the encrypted message by the first enterprise; and send the re-signed re-encrypted message to a second enterprise. At the second receiving enterprise, the system comprises a processor executing code to: receive a signed encrypted message from a first enterprise; validate that the first enterprise is the sender; decrypt the message; encrypt the message for receipt by recipients at the second enterprise; sign the encrypted message by the second enterprise indicating that the message is from the first enterprise; and send the re-signed re-encrypted message to the recipients of the second enterprise.
US08817975B2
According to one embodiment, a cryptographic processing apparatus is provided with first to fifth units. The first unit mask-converts input data from first temporary mask into first fixed mask (an invariable value in a first linear operation). In an encryption, the third unit performs a nonlinear operation on the mask-converted data and outputs a first result masked with second fixed mask data (an invariable value in a second linear operation). The fourth unit performs the second linear operation and outputs a encryption result masked with second fixed mask data. In a decryption, the second unit performs the first linear operation on the mask-converted data and outputs a second result masked with the first fixed mask. The third unit performs the nonlinear operation and outputs a decryption result masked with the second fixed mask. In encryption/decryptions, the fifth unit converts the mask of the encryption/decryption results into second temporary mask.
US08817972B2
The invention relates to a cryptographic method of authentication using a decoding of an error correcting code on the basis of a public matrix, in which the public matrix is a quasi-cyclic matrix. The invention pertains also to a cryptographic device comprising computation means arranged so as to implement this method. The invention makes it possible to reduce the amount of public data to be stored in a cryptographic authentication method using a decoding of an error correcting code on the basis of a public matrix.
US08817965B2
According to various embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method, system and apparatus for handling establishment of a communication session. A method of handling establishment of one or more communication sessions comprises receiving from a user an indication of user's desire to cause establishment of the one or more communication sessions. The method further comprises accessing scheduling data associated with the user, the scheduling data comprising one or more scheduling events, each of the one or more scheduling events associated with a corresponding one of the one or more communication sessions. The method further comprises in response to at least one of the one or more scheduling events, causing the corresponding one of the one or more communication sessions to be established with the communication device associated with the user.
US08817960B2
A call management device is connected to one or more internal networks and one or more external networks, and it operates to receive incoming calls or messages from the external networks and make a determination as to whether or not the call is from a qualified source. If the call is from a qualified source, the call is immediately forwarded to a destination device connected to the one or more internal networks, and if the call is from a source that is not qualified, the call is either terminated or the caller is prompted to enter a required response and identification information prior to the call be forwarded to the destination device.
US08817959B1
System for handling messages and distributing information between subscribers and their customers and contact. Each system subscriber can generate customized landing and flyer web pages called flyer pages for each of the subscriber's products, services, and/or listings. Landing and flyer pages can contain multiple links to other flyer pages. When a subscriber's customer or contact views a landing or flyer page and clicks on a link presented on that page, the system provides subscriber's information to a customer or contact immediately after the information is requested. The system can also make a lead, including a record of that event, and present the record to the subscriber who owns the landing or flyer page, allowing a subscriber to view a report with a history of who has viewed which page for all leads generated for their pages. Leads are tracked through a process that includes steps of lead generation and lead propagation. Embodiments of the system include a system for tracking sales leads, an internet-based wagering system, and an emergency response system.
US08817954B2
Event data messages can be provided by an interactive voice response (IVR) system to a complex events processor (CEP). The event data messages can include a Stream_ID and a series of textual elements. The Stream_ID can uniquely identify a call session between a caller and the IVR system. The series of textual elements can represent speech input provided by the caller. The CEP can create a text string from the series of textual elements of event data messages having the same Stream_ID. The text string can inherit the Stream_ID of the event data messages. The CEP can utilize user-defined business rules to process the text string. When the CEP issues an action message, the Stream_ID of the text string can be appended to the action message sent to the IVR system. The IVR system can modify the call session associated with the Stream_ID of the action message accordingly.
US08817950B2
An x-ray source can include an x-ray tube and a power supply. The x-ray tube can be removably affixed to the power supply in a rigid manner with the x-ray tube movable and holdable along with the power supply when affixed thereto. A releasable coupling between the x-ray tube and the power supply can create an interface defining a potential arc path. A means, such as a non-linear plug and socket junction, a gasket, or an electrically conductive sleeve, can be used for resisting arcing along the potential arc path.
US08817944B2
In an X-ray imaging apparatus that performs X-ray CT imaging, an X-ray generator (13) that generates an X-ray cone beam (BX1) and an X-ray detector (21) that detects the X-ray cone beam (BX1) radiated to an object (specifically, image object (OB)) are revolved for 180 degrees to be opposed to each other with the object being located therebetween. Further, the X-ray generator (13) is moved such that a revolution reference point (CP) that is set on an optical path (CB) of the X-ray cone beam (BX1) goes round of a predetermined oval shape while the X-ray detector (13) and the X-ray generator (21) are revolved for 180 degrees. Setting is made such that a CT image area (CA) to be imaged by the irradiation of the X-ray cone beam (BX1) has an approximately triangular shape through the above-mentioned operation.
US08817943B2
A shift register includes a plurality of stages for sequentially outputting A-scan pulses and B-scan pulses. At least one of the stages includes an A-sub-stage for controlling a voltage at an A-set node and a voltage at at least one A-reset node in response to an external A-control signal and generating an A-carry pulse based on the voltage at the A-set node, the voltage at the A-reset node and any one A-clock pulse, a B-sub-stage for controlling a voltage at a B-set node and a voltage at at least one B-reset node in response to an external B-control signal and generating a B-carry pulse based on the voltage at the B-set node, the voltage at the B-reset node and any one B1-clock pulse, and a scan output controller for generating a corresponding one of the A-scan pulses and a corresponding one of the B-scan pulses.
US08817941B2
According to an embodiment, a pressurized water reactor plant has a primary system which includes: a reactor vessel for housing a reactor core which is cooled by a primary coolant, a single steam generator, a hot leg pipe for connecting the reactor vessel and the steam generator, cold leg pipes, at least two primary coolant pumps, and a pressurizer for pressurizing the primary coolant pressure boundary in which the primary coolant flows. The plant also has: a passive cooling and depressurization system which is a primary depressurization means for equalizing the primary system pressure to the secondary system pressure at the time of a tube rupture accident of the steam generator, and a reactor containment vessel containing the primary system and cooling the primary system by air cooling. Thus, a compact pressurized water rector with high economic efficiency, safety, and reliability can be provided.
US08817933B2
Methods and apparatus are presented for obtaining clock data from Manchester coded serial data streams, in which received data is sampled at a sample rate higher than the serial data baud rate, multi-bit groups of transition bits are generated which individually indicate data transition locations in a corresponding multi-bit sampled data bit group, and clock data is derived using the multi-bit groups of transition bits without requiring receipt of synchronization data or receipt of a separate clock.
US08817927B2
A digital phased array may include a plurality of antenna elements forming a main array of the digital phased array, a plurality of mixers configured to down-convert data received at respective ones of the antenna elements, a plurality of analog-to-digital converters configured to digitize data provided by corresponding ones of the mixers, and a digital signal processor. The digital signal processor may be configured to receive digitized data including at least one interference signal and at least one desired signal, determine an angle of arrival of the at least one interference signal, steer a beam of the main array toward the at least one interference signal based on the determined angle of arrival, and perform interference cancellation relative to the at least one interference signal.
US08817925B2
This disclosure is directed to a wireless device with a suppressor that couples to the aggressor signal of a frequency source to generate a cancelling signal for suppressing spurs resulting from operation of the frequency source. The amplitude and phase delay of the cancelling signal are adjusted to optimize the cancellation of the spur. Preferably, a calibration routine is performed to establish appropriate delay and amplitude values to cancel the spurs occurring at each device gain setting.
US08817907B2
The measurement of far-end crosstalk (FEXT) in a Digital Subscriber Line communications is instrumental in the ability of using a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) pre-coder to cancel FEXT. A reliable robust back channel for transmission of error is instrumental to provide error samples for the proper operation of a MIMO pre-coder. Bins can be dedicated to insure bandwidth from the customer premises equipment (CPE) to the central office (CO). By increasing the margin used in the bins, robustness can be added to this back channel between the CPE and CO.
US08817906B2
A modulator 11 modulates an input signal in a predetermined modulation manner to generate a primary modulation signal. The serial-parallel converter 12 applies a serial-parallel conversion to a predetermined number of complex numbers and the primary modulation signal, and assigns the converted complex numbers and primary modulation signal to subcarriers to generate a subcarrier modulation signal. An IFFT calculator 13 applies an IFFT to the subcarrier modulation signal. A decomposer 14 decomposes a calculation result into real-part data and imaginary-part data. A real-part calculator 151 subtracts the average value of the maximum value and minimum value of elements of the real-part data from each element of the real-part data. An imaginary-part calculator 152 carries out a similar calculation on the imaginary-part data. A combiner 16 combines the calculated real-part data and imaginary-part data to generate a baseband signal. A transmitter 17 transmits a transmission signal generated from the baseband signal.
US08817901B2
To more accurately generate a virtual waveform of channel estimate values outside a bandwidth upon their interpolation in OFDM system while preventing the circuit size from increasing, a converter (104) performs a linear interpolation between channel estimate values corresponding to reference signals arranged at both ends of a predetermined bandwidth among first channel estimate values estimated based on reference signals, thereby estimating second channel estimate values corresponding to subcarriers outside the bandwidth. The converter (104) performs an inverse-FFT operation for channel estimate values obtained by merging the first and second channel estimate values to obtain a first delay profile, replaces with zero data components delayed for a predetermined threshold time or more in the first delay profile, performs an FFT operation for a delay profile obtained by the replacement to obtain third channel estimate values, and extracts therefrom channel estimate values corresponding to the subcarriers outside the bandwidth.
US08817895B2
An apparatus includes a digital data transmitter capable of sequentially exciting different sets of one or more propagation modes in a physical communication channel. Each set of one or more propagation modes has a different spatial distribution of transmitted energy in the channel. The digital data transmitter is configured to sequentially change the excited set of one or more propagation modes to transmit a different value of data to the communication channel.
US08817894B2
A method of sending a data signal and a clock signal between a radio frequency circuit of a device and a baseband circuit of the device. The method comprises: determining whether at least one of the data signal and the clock signal is disturbing in that it has a harmonic within the radio frequency band. If it is determined that at least one of the data signal and the clock signal is disturbing, the method further comprises: scrambling the at least one disturbing signal to flatten the spectrum thereof for frequencies below the clock frequency FC, setting a respective at least one indicator to indicate that the at least one disturbing signal has been scrambled, and sending the at least one scrambled signal between the radio frequency circuit and the baseband circuit. The method further comprises, subsequent to the step of sending the at least one scrambled signal, descrambling the at least one scrambled signal if the respective at least one indicator is set.
US08817893B2
A method for transmitting a signal from a transmitter over a channel to a receiver on a Power Line Network, wherein said signal is OFDM-modulated on a set of sub-carriers, is proposed, wherein an OFDM tonemap and an eigenbeamforming encoding matrix are determined based on a channel estimation for each sub-carrier, a tonemap feedback signal and an eigenbeamforming feedback signal are generated, which are descriptive of said OFDM tonemap and said eigenbeamforming encoding matrix, respectively, and transmitted to the transmitter. A corresponding receiver, a transmitter, a power line communication and a power line communication system are described as well.
US08817892B2
A data communications system having a plurality of communication devices including a host having a first receiver and a second receiver; and one or more clients, each client including a transmitter coupled between a signal node and a transmitter node, the transmitter selectively transmitting a multistate signal from the signal node to the transmitter node; and a single conductor daisy-chain loop redundantly communicating each multistate signal from each the transmitter to both receivers, the single conductor daisy-chain loop electrically communicating each transmitter node to the receivers. A data communications method including a) transmitting selectively a multistate signal from each of one or more clients; b) communicating electrically each multistate signal to a first location on a host using a single conductor coupled to each the client; and c) communicating electrically each multistate signal to a second location on the host using the single conductor.
US08817889B2
The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, systems for use in encoding and/or formatting content, such as multimedia content. Some embodiments provide methods for use in encoding content. These methods receive source content, encode the source content producing encoded content, evaluate a first encoded segment of the encoded content relative to a plurality of buffer models, determine whether the first segment of encoded content is to be re-encoded relative to one or more of the plurality of buffer models based on the evaluation; and re-encode the first segment when it is determined that the first segment is to be re encoded.
US08817887B2
Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus that performs a process of splicing encoded streams together at a splicing point, the apparatus including: control means for determining a section to be subjected to re-encoding in the encoded streams; decoding means for decoding the encoded streams to generate baseband signals; and encoding means for encoding an edited baseband signal generated by splicing the baseband signals generated by the decoding means together at the splicing point to generate an edited encoded stream. The control means provisionally determines a first section to be subjected to re-encoding in first and second encoded streams to be spliced together at a first splicing point. When a second splicing point exists in the first section or a predetermined section that follows the first section, the control means determines a second section to be subjected to re-encoding based on the second splicing point.
US08817885B2
In a video decoder having a picture skip function, the video decoder may obtain reference information from a network abstraction layer (NAL) unit, and upon receipt of a skip command, skips frames/pictures from where a non-reference frame/picture begins. The video decoder may execute a picture skip function, either at a fast speed or at a normal speed, according to the skip mode.
US08817883B2
A method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that allows the relative timing of nearby video pictures to be encoded in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, the display time difference between a current video picture and a nearby video picture is determined. The display time difference is then encoded into a digital representation of the video picture. In a preferred embodiment, the nearby video picture is the most recently transmitted stored picture. For coding efficiency, the display time difference may be encoded using a variable length coding system or arithmetic coding. In an alternate embodiment, the display time difference is encoded as a power of two to reduce the number of bits transmitted.
US08817882B2
In general, techniques are described for coding blocks of data using a generalized form of Golomb codes. In one example, a device may implement these techniques for encoding data that includes samples, each of which includes a set of values. The device includes a lossless coding unit. This lossless coding unit comprises a sample summation unit that computes a sum of the values of a first one of the samples and a counting unit that determines a sample index. The lossless coding unit further includes a variable length coding unit that codes the computed sum using a variable-length code to generate a coded sum and a uniform coding unit that codes the determined sample index using a uniform code to generate a coded sample index. The lossless coding unit also includes a format unit that combines the coded sum and the coded sample index to form a bitstream.
US08817879B2
Methods and systems for processing video data are described. A set of candidate motion vectors is selected from motion vectors associated with macroblocks in a first frame of video data and from motion vectors associated with macroblocks in a second frame of the video data. A statistical measure of the set is determined. The statistical measure defines a motion vector for a macroblock of interest in the second frame.
US08817876B2
A video transcoder is disclosed. The video transcoder generally comprises a processor and a video digital signal processor. The processor may be formed on a first die. The video digital signal processor may be formed on a second die and coupled to the processor. The video digital signal processor may have (i) a first module configured to perform a first operation in decoding an input video stream in a first format and (ii) a second module configured to perform a second operation in coding an output video stream in a second format, wherein the first operation and the second operation are performed in parallel.
US08817874B2
For determining a prediction mode parameter, a macroblock of an image is divided into a plurality of blocks; most prediction mode parameters corresponding to a plurality of first blocks along a left most edge of the macroblock are determined; most prediction mode parameters corresponding to a plurality of second blocks along a top most edge of the macroblock are determined; and the most prediction mode parameters of the first and second blocks are stored into a buffer allocated with designated position for the plurality of blocks.
US08817868B2
Techniques and tools for sub-block transform coding are described. For example, a video encoder adaptively switches between 8×8, 8×4, and 4×8 DCTs when encoding 8×8 prediction residual blocks; a corresponding video decoder switches between 8×8, 8×4, and 4×8 inverse DCTs during decoding. The video encoder may determine the transform sizes as well as switching levels (e.g., frame, macroblock, or block) in a closed loop evaluation of the different transform sizes and switching levels. The encoder and decoder may use different scan patterns for different transform sizes when scanning values from two-dimensional blocks into one-dimensional arrays, or vice versa. The encoder and decoder may use sub-block pattern codes to indicate the presence or absence of information for the sub-blocks of particular blocks.
US08817857B2
Residual FEXT resulting from intended and/or inherent partial cancellation of crosstalk in vectored DSL systems impairs upstream power back-off (UPBO) as traditionally implemented. By considering and taking into account the effects of residual crosstalk on vectored DSL system performance and operation, improved data rates and/or other vectored DSL system performance are realized through the use of UPBO parameters generated for a given residual FEXT environment.
US08817856B2
A dual modem device is provided. The dual modem device includes a first processor for communicating with a first network and a second processor for communicating with a second network and the second processor includes a host module for controlling the first processor. The first processor includes a first processor side IPC (Inter-Processor Communication) for transceiving signals with the second processor and the second processor further includes a second processor side IPC for transceiving signals with the first processor. The second processor transfers a suspend message to the first processor for shifting to a suspend mode and configures the second processor side IPC to not work. The first processor receives the operating suspend message, transfers a suspend response message to the second processor and configures the first processor side IPC to not work.
US08817855B2
An integrated circuit is incorporated into a communications system to enable a channel to achieve data rates that are at least double that which are currently achievable. The integrated circuit combines serial data signals using recovered clock and serial data signals in reference and non-reference clock domains. The integrated circuit rate converts recovered serial data in one of the clock domains, performs a phase alignment at the converted data rate, and returns the rate converted and phase-aligned serial data to the recovered data rate in response to the recovered clock from the remaining clock domain. Thereafter, the recovered and aligned serial data signals are combined. The phase alignment is monitored in circuitry that detects when a threshold offset is violated. When the threshold offset is violated a synchronization circuit is enabled.
US08817851B2
Disclosed is a wireless communications device with strong realtime performance, giving rise to no latency in communications even if communications errors arise in the communication frame MAC header. MAC header information is used to determine whether or not the destination address of a received data frame is the address of a concerned wireless communications device (1). MAC header information allocated among a plurality of MAC headers is employed in selecting MAC header information without errors. If all MAC header information is in error, a majority determination processing unit (13) is used to effect a majority determination of the MAC header information and generate correct MAC header information. A received data extraction unit (14) removes the received frame header, etc., extracts the received data, and outputs same to an external device.
US08817845B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, are configured for receiving monitor data from a smart transformer. A data stream is created based upon the monitor data. The data stream is spread with a common pseudo-noise (PN) code that is used by a plurality of nodes in communication with an access point. The spread data stream is transmitted at a first time based on a slot start time and a first randomly selected timing offset. The spread data stream is transmitted while at least a portion of a second spread data stream is transmitted at a second time based on the slot start time and a second randomly selected timing offset. The second spread data stream is spread with the common PN code.
US08817842B2
A communication device is disclosed, having a transceiving circuit, a timer circuit, and a control circuit. The transceiving circuit is used to transceive frequency hopping signals according to at least part of good channels in a channel map. The timer circuit is used to calculate a timespan of one or more communication intervals in which the transceiving circuit transceives the frequency hopping signals. The control circuit is used to compare the timespan with a time threshold to determine whether signal transmission tests with one or more bad channels in the channel map should be performed to update the channel map.
US08817840B2
A power supply arrangement for supplying a square-wave current (I2) to a load connected to an output of the power supply arrangement, in particular a power supply arrangement in an arc furnace for generating an arc, including a transformer (TU) with at least two primary-site taps (1U1, 1U2) which form an input of the power supply arrangement, and with several secondary-side taps (2U1, 2U2, 2U3, 2UN), a bridge circuit (BU) with several first half bridges (11, 12, 13) which include converter valves (V11, V12, V13, V14, V15, V16) and which each have a first terminal (A11, A12, A13) of the bridge circuit, with a bridge section with a choke (L1), and with a second half bridge (20) which has converter valves (V17, V18) and a second terminal (A20) of the bridge circuit (BU), wherein each first terminal (A11, A12, A13) is connected to one of the secondary-side taps (2U1, 2U2, 2U3) of the transformer (TU), wherein the second terminal (A20) is connected to the output.
US08817834B2
Method and system for I/Q mismatch calibration and compensation for wideband communication receivers
Methods and systems for I/Q mismatch calibration and compensation for wideband communication receivers may comprise receiving a plurality of radio frequency (RF) channels, downconverting the received plurality of received RF channels to baseband frequencies, determining and removing average in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) gain and phase mismatch of the downconverted channels, determining a residual phase and amplitude tilt of the downconverted channels with removed average I and Q gain and phase mismatch, and compensating for said residual phase and amplitude tilt I and Q gain and phase mismatch of the downconverted channels. The determined phase tilt may be compensated utilizing a phase tilt correction filter, which may comprise one or more all-pass filters. The average I and Q gain and phase mismatch may be determined utilizing a blind source separation (BSS) estimation algorithm.
US08817829B2
Provided is an apparatus for generating a single-polarization mode-locked laser capable of energy control. The apparatus for generating a single-polarization mode-locked laser is configured to adjust at least one of a focal length of a lens focusing laser light on a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) functioning as a saturable absorber, power of pump laser light, and reflectivity of an output coupler (OC) to set fluence, which is defined as energy density per unit area of the laser light incident on the saturable absorber, to be greater than reference fluence, which is energy density per unit area of the laser light incident on the saturable absorber when reflectivity of the saturable absorber is a maximum. Accordingly, it is possible to generate a single-polarization mode-locked laser, of which energy can be controlled, without generating multiple pulses.
US08817807B2
An example method includes sending a virtual output queue (VOQ) length of a VOQ to an egress chip. The VOQ relates to a flow routed through an egress port associated with the egress chip. The method also includes receiving fair share information for the VOQ from the egress chip, and enforcing a control action on the incoming packets based on the fair share information. An ingress chip and the egress chip can be provided in a VOQ switch. The control action is a selected one of a group of actions, the group consisting of: (a) dropping packets, (b) pausing packets, and (c) marking packets. The method can further include receiving VOQ lengths of corresponding VOQs from respective ingress chips, where the VOQs relate to the flow. The method can also include calculating respective fair share information for each VOQ, and sending the fair share information to the respective ingress chips.
US08817805B2
An apparatus, system and method are provided for transmitting data from logical channel queues over a telecommunications link, each of the logical channel queues capable of being associated with quality of service attributes, the method including determining available resources for transmission over the telecommunications link in a frame; selecting one of the logical channel queues based on a first one of the quality of service attributes; packaging data from the selected one of the logical channel queues until one of: a second one of the quality of service attributes for the selected one of the logical channel queues is satisfied, the available resources are used, or the selected one of the logical channel queues is empty; and repeating the selecting step and the packaging step for remaining ones of the logical channel queues.
US08817803B2
The invention relates to a hierarchical radio network operations system (OS) and a method for controlling a mobile communications network by a hierarchical radio network OS, the hierarchical radio network OS comprising at least one radio network OS on a subordinate level and a radio network OS on a superior level, wherein after a controlling action is initiated a demand for data depending on the controlling action is forwarded from the superior level OS to at least one subordinate level OS. The latter in response to the call forwards the demanded data to the radio network OS on the superior level.
US08817800B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for providing an end user of a network terminal in a local network with an access link to an external network. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a network node further includes a control unit arranged to transmit a local hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) response including detailed information to at least one network terminal in said local network using an earlier original HTTP request towards said external network made by said at least one network terminal in the local network.
US08817797B2
A method and apparatus for processing packet streams associated with stream-based transport connection to thereby enable communication between a source host and one or more destination hosts.
US08817783B2
An information processing apparatus which make it possible to search from an information processing apparatus, for an IPv6-compatible image processing apparatus which has an IPv6 network address designated by the information processing apparatus. A device management application determines search conditions, and specifies information associated with a designated network. Further, the device management application generates a IPv6 multicast address using the thus specified information, transmits a search message designating the IPv6 multicast address, and receives a response transmitted from an image processing apparatus associated with the IPv6 multicast address.
US08817782B2
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods that extend Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) protocols to Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) technology. This includes connecting an IP multicast domain across an SPB network. SPB edge routers, also known as Backbone Edge Bridges, form virtual adjacencies with each other. As such, SPB edge routers maintain such PIM adjacency without sending Hello messages. Backbone Edge Bridges (BEBs) are discovered using null Intermediate System To Intermediate System (IS-IS) Internet Protocol Multicast (IPMC) type-length-value (TLV) control messages. Each PIM-enabled BEB records other PIM-enabled BEBs as an adjacent PIM-router in response to receiving a NULL IPMC TLV from those BEBs. Accordingly, PIM-enabled BEBs form a full mesh virtual adjacency between each other and can thereby encapsulate PIM control messages sent and received between two access networks connected to the SPB network.
US08817776B2
A first method for sharing telephone resources includes a VoIP device connecting to a first device over an IP network, receiving a request from the first device to call a second device with a telephone number, connecting to the second device through a telephone system, and transferring voice signals between the first and second devices. A second method for sharing telephone resources includes a first VoIP device joining a group of VoIP devices connected to an IP network to share their telephone resources, receiving from a caller a telephone number to call a device, connecting to a second VoIP device from the group over the IP network, transmitting the telephone number to the second VoIP device so the second VoIP device connects to the device through a telephone system, and transmitting to and receiving from the second VoIP device voice signals between the caller and a recipient at the device.
US08817773B2
An approach is provided for originating a telephone call from a country with low telephone rates to a country with high telephone rates using a non-signaling network, such as a global computer network. This can be accomplished without additional specialized telephone equipment or any modifications to switches and databases in either country. Also, the telephone call can be established without any manipulations of signaling information transmitted by a carrier in the high traffic country. Such an approach provides flexible allocation of charges for originating a telephone call from a country with low telephone rates to a country with high telephone rates.
US08817770B2
Provided are a sync channel of a forward link, a common pilot channel structure, and an initial cell search method and an adjacent cell search method for handover in a cellular system using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). A cell search method in an OFDM cellular system in which a primary sync channel and a secondary sync channel are configured based on time division multiplexing (TDM) includes acquiring sync block synchronization and a primary sync channel sequence number using a primary sync channel symbol included in a frame received by a terminal, detecting a boundary of the frame and a scrambling code group using the sync block and a secondary sync channel symbol included in the frame received by the terminal, and acquiring a scrambling code using the primary sync channel sequence number and the scrambling code group, thereby reducing cell search time with low complexity.
US08817768B2
A mobile station is configured to send a base station a buffer status report explicitly indicating that the amount of a transmission signal in a buffer of the mobile station has become zero. This configuration makes it possible to efficiently allocate radio resources of an uplink shared channel and thereby to increase uplink capacity.
US08817766B2
Mechanisms, in a transmission channel shared by 802.11 systems and HIPERLAN/2 systems are provided to prevent 802.11 terminals from transmitting during time periods allocated to HIPERLAN, so that a single channel can be shared between the two standards. In a particular embodiment, a “super frame” format is used where HIPERLAN transmissions are offered the highest level of protection possible within 802.11, which is needed within the 802.11 Contention Free Period (CFP).
US08817764B2
A mobile router comprises: a wide area network wireless interface operable to access a cellular network; first apparatus operable to upload data and to download data via the interface to the cellular network; second apparatus operable to monitor the uploaded data and the downloaded data and to generate data corresponding to predetermined quantifiable units corresponding to the uploaded data and the downloaded data; and the first apparatus and second apparatus cooperatively operate to automatically upload the usage data to a server for generation of usage discrepancy reports.
US08817762B2
A mobile router, comprises a communications agent operable such that its initial communication to the network utilizes the main server information to establish a first communication with the main server. The mobile router further comprises a microprocessor operable with the communications agent to interact with the main server to upload configuration information to the main server. The communications agent is operable to receive group server identification information from the main server when communicating with the main server a second time. The microprocessor is operable to store the group server identification information. The group server information comprises information identifying one or more servers corresponding with a predetermined group assigned by the main server. The communications agent utilizes the group server identification information for subsequent communication via the network.
US08817746B2
A user equipment for alleviating barred access while reselecting from a first cell to a second cell in a mobile communication system is provided. A wireless module detects receives system information broadcasted in the first cell. A storage unit stores the system information. A controller reselects the user equipment from the first cell to the second cell. Particularly, the cell reselection is not performed during a connection establishment procedure. Also, the controller determines whether a first barred access timer is running in response to reselecting from the first cell to the second cell, and stops the first barred access timer and informs the upper layer of an RRC protocol that the access of the first service is allowed in response of that the first barred access timer is running.
US08817742B2
Overlay handover is generally presented. In this regard, a method is introduced including storing a broadband wireless network composite signal in a sample buffer, processing the sample buffer using subcarriers associated with a serving base station to determine a bandwidth grant from a first MAP, and reprocessing the sample buffer using subcarriers associated with a neighboring co-channel base station to determine a bandwidth grant from a second MAP. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08817726B2
The present invention provides an uplink transmission method and apparatus in a wireless communication system. A terminal receives an uplink resource allocation from a base station; and transmits uplink transmission blocks to a PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel) by using the uplink resource allocation. The uplink resource allocation indicates an allocated RBs (resource blocks) within a subframe that includes a plurality of RBs. The subframe is divided into at least one PUCCH (physical uplink control channel) area for PUCCHs and a plurality of PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel) area for PUSCHs, wherein the PUCCH area is arranged between the plurality of PUSCH regions.
US08817725B2
A source device has a wireless communication interface. Through the wireless communication interface, the source device establishes a communication session over a wireless medium with a sink device and determines a maximum capacity of a buffer at the sink device for receipt of audio samples to be transmitted in packets from the source device to the sink device in an asynchronous connectionless link over the wireless medium. Scheduling access to the wireless medium by the wireless communication interface for transmission of audio samples on the link takes into account the maximum capacity of the buffer.
US08817720B2
The present invention discloses a method for determining a subband index, the method comprises: an Evolved Node B (eNB) receives r, calculates a difference between the received r and a formula 〈 N - s i M - i 〉 corresponding to each obtained subband index, searches sequences 〈 N - 1 M - i 〉 , 〈 N - 2 M - i 〉 , … , 〈 0 M - i 〉 in a stored intermediate value table according to the calculated difference to obtain each si constituting {si}i=0M−1. The present invention further discloses a device for determining a subband index, the device comprises a table generation module, a receiving module and a calculation module. The method and device disclosed in the present invention are capable of reducing the storage space needed for a subband index report.
US08817718B2
A user equipment locally stores a shift pattern that is specific to a cell to which the user equipment is currently attached, and processes a group of modulation symbols or bits for uplink transmission by a) cyclically shifting the modulation symbols or bits within the group according to the stored cell-specific shift pattern, and b) applying a spreading code to the group of symbols or bits. Different embodiments include spatial shifting and frequency bin shifting.
US08817714B2
The base station device includes: a signal transmission unit which transmits a signal in which data is assigned in a natural number of resource blocks located in a frequency axis in each of a plurality of bands and a signal including information specifying the plurality of bands to the mobile station device. The mobile station device includes: a signal reception unit which receives the signal including the information specifying the plurality of bands from the signal transmission unit via any of the plurality of bands, and receives the signal in which the data is assigned in the natural number of resource blocks located in the frequency axis in each of the plurality of bands from the signal transmission unit based on the information specifying the plurality of bands; and a data extraction unit which extracts data from the signal in which the data is assigned in the natural number of resource blocks located in the frequency axis received by the signal reception unit.
US08817711B2
A UE receives a HS-PDSCH transmission from a base station and concurrently performs rate matching on systematic bits and parity bits (parity 1 bits, parity 2 bits) of the received HS-PDSCH transmission. The systematic bits and parity bits are buffered in a CPC circular buffer to support HARQ processing in a HS-SCCH-less operation of the base station. Memory locations are computed for the systematic bits and the parity bits according to corresponding transmission parameters such as, for example, redundancy version, number of systematic bits and/or number of physical channels. The systematic bits and the parity bits are stored in the corresponding computed memory locations of the CPC circular buffer. At least a portion of the stored systematic bits and parity bits are concurrently generated based on corresponding transmission parameters from the CPC circular buffer per request to support concurrent rate matching on systematic bits and parity bits.
US08817710B2
A device (400) scans and classifies each channel within a spectrum of channels (215-270) as being occupied or unoccupied (255), and, if occupied, whether it is occupied by a primary user (240), a secondary user (230), or an unknown user (260). As a secondary device (400), transmissions are avoided on channels occupied by primary users (490). The device selectively joins an existing network of secondary devices, or establishes a new network on an unoccupied channel (125), based on the quality of service (QoS) that the channel can provide and/or other factors. If the device is paired with a target device (115), the paired device advertises itself on a selected channel (345-360) for a period that is at least as long as the time required to scan all channels, to facilitate discovery in the event that the target device is also in a search mode. The advertising duration randomly alternates (345) among integer multiples of the scan duration.
US08817709B2
Methods and apparatus for determining a portion of a channel, e.g., a peer discovery channel, to use in a communications network, e.g., an ad hoc peer to peer network, are described. In the communication network, the channel includes a recurring set of time/frequency resources. A device monitors the congestion level and decides to use a whole channel or a fraction of a channel (e.g., ½. ¼) as a function of the congestion level. The device may change the fraction of the channel it occupies as the congestion level changes. The device broadcasts control information indicating the fraction of the channel it occupies. The device may be a mobile wireless terminal.
US08817707B2
Embodiments describe methods, apparatuses and logic for a user equipment (UE) to connect to an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) based on credentials from a UE's home third generation partnership project (3GPP) network. In some embodiments, the UE may receive selection policy parameters from the WLAN including a network access identifier (NAI) realm. The UE may also receive selection policy parameters from the 3GPP network. The UE may compare the selection policy parameters of the WLAN with the selection policy parameters of the 3GPP network and discover roaming relationships between service providers and the relative priorities of different networks, and create a network list based on the comparison. The UE may then associate with an AP of the WLAN based on the prioritized network list.
US08817705B2
Receiving a connection establishment request message sent by a user equipment; establishing a signaling connection with the user equipment according to the connection establishment request message; and transmitting a user plane IP data packet through the signaling connection. After a signaling connection is established between a UE in an idle state and a mobility management device, an uplink user plane IP data packet or a downlink user plane IP data packet, is directly transmitted between the UE and the network side through the signaling connection, with no need to specifically establish (recover) an RAB between the UE and an S-GW, which can save the signaling overhead, thus reducing the network load and lowering the operating cost of an operator.
US08817702B2
Techniques for mitigating interference due to peer-to-peer (P2P) communication are described. In an aspect, a P2P UE may measure the signal strength of downlink signals from base stations and may set its transmit power based on (e.g., proportional to) the measured signal strength in order to mitigate interference to WWAN UEs communicating with base stations. In another aspect, the P2P UE may measure the signal strength of uplink signals from WWAN UEs and may set its transmit power based on (e.g., inversely proportional to) the measured signal strength in order to mitigate interference to the WWAN UEs. In one design, the P2P UE may measure the signal strength of an uplink signal from a WWAN UE, estimate the pathloss between the two UEs based on the measured signal strength, and determine its transmit power based on the estimated pathloss.
US08817701B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for determining wireless channel interference in a television (TV) band white space spectrum. Upon sensing a signal on a wireless channel from a wireless white space device that transmits a unique device identifier, interference by the wireless white space device on the wireless channel is determined. A report of the channel interference by the wireless white space device is generated and may be utilized to cease the interference.
US08817693B2
L2Relay is a novel packet relay protocol for Wi-Fi networks that can improve the performance and extend the range of the network. A device running L2Relay is referred to as a relayer, which overhears the packet transmissions and retransmits a packet on behalf of the Access Point (AP) or the node if no acknowledgement is overheard. L2Relay is ubiquitously compatible with all Wi-Fi devices. L2Relay is designed to be a layer 2 solution that has direct control over many layer 2 functionalities such as carrier sense. Unique problems are solved in the design of L2Relay including link measurement, rate adaptation, and relayer selection. L2Relay was implemented in the OpenFWWF platform and compared against the baseline without a relayer as well as a commercial Wi-Fi range extender. The results show that L2Relay outperforms both compared schemes.
US08817683B2
In a network relay router 10, a multicast routing protocol processing module 11A sequentially sends a join request message (CP1) to a router 30a functioning as a rendezvous point via an interface 101, based on the settings of a multicast group address or destination address and a sender VRF name. The network relay router 10 receives a multicast packet (DP1) from the router 30a via the interface 101 and acquires a sender address or source address of a transmission device SE from the received multicast packet. The network relay router 10 sends a join request message (CP2) via an interface 102 on the side of the transmission device SE and receives a multicast packet via the interface 102. This establishes an optimum multicast route (MR) between the transmission device SE and the network relay router 10.
US08817675B2
Service-centric communication network monitoring apparatus and methods are provided. Service traffic, associated with a third-party service provided by an external service provider that is controlled independently of a communication network, is identified in communication traffic that is being transferred through that communication network. The identified service traffic is monitored, for example, to compile service usage statistics, to police usage of the service, to generate billing records for usage of the service, and/or to mirror the identified service traffic. A registry in which the service is registered may interact with a monitoring system of the communication network so as to establish monitoring for the service traffic.
US08817671B2
Disclosed herein is a full duplex transmission circuit including: a first internal input terminal receiving a signal to be transmitted; a second internal input terminal receiving a signal having an amplitude equal to ½ times the amplitude of the signal to be transmitted and having the same phase as the phase of the signal to be transmitted; an external input/output terminal; an internal output terminal; a first metal oxide semiconductor transistor; and the second metal oxide semiconductor transistor. A current generated by the current source as well as the sizes of the first and second metal oxide semiconductor transistors are set so that the transconductances of the first and second metal oxide semiconductor transistors become equal to 1/Z.
US08817661B2
In one embodiment, at least one grouping message is broadcast from a network element. The grouping message causes an access terminal (AT) in the communications network to regard the at least first and second subnets as both being members of a same subnet group. Location information and a maximum distance parameter associated with at least one area and configured to create a buffer zone along a border between the first and second subnets are broadcasted from the network element to the AT. The AT is prevented from sending a subnet identifier request message when the AT has, as an origin area, an area of the first subnet in the buffer zone and the AT travels to an area of the second subnet in the buffer zone. Session transfers are performed outside the buffer zone triggered by distance based location update messages, thus preventing session transfer ping-ponging.
US08817660B2
An allocation unit allocates a path formed by combining a link between nodes to any one of a plurality of time slots. A slot rearrangement unit rearranges the plurality of time slots so that time slots to which a path is allocated by the allocation unit are consecutively arranged. A path rearrangement unit converts a path allocated to any one time slot rearranged by the slot rearrangement unit to a path formed by combining a link included in a path allocated to a time slot different from the time slot. A transmission unit transmits information of the path obtained by conversion performed by the path rearrangement unit.
US08817657B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising retrieving a first network scan while connected to a second network access point (AP), without actually accessing the air, by the AP sending a message to “Get first network base station (BS) list” to devices in communication with the AP and operable to communicate in the first and the second networks, merging by the AP all answers from the devices to provide a list of all base stations (BS's) in the AP's vicinity, and querying the AP by other devices for the network BS list.
US08817651B2
The present disclosure discusses devices, methods, and systems for improving signaling. This can occur, according to some implementations, by increasing a power of at least one signaling channel if errors on the signaling channel occur, comprising tracking quality of the at least one signaling channel, determining whether the at least one signaling channel has an error rate that is above a threshold, and increasing power to the at least one signaling channel if the error rate is above the threshold. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.
US08817643B1
In a method for monitoring a radio link in a wireless communication system, a plurality of short term radio link quality values based on one or more measured channel matrices is determined. A long term radio link quality value is determined from the plurality of the short term radio link quality values. Additionally, radio link failure or recovery is indicated, when appropriate, based on the long term radio link quality value.
US08817641B2
According to an embodiment, a communication terminal is described comprising two radio communication modules and a controller configured to, in response to the reception of a request for starting communication using the second radio communication module, perform at least one of requesting from a communication device to perform reception quality measurements of signals received from the first radio communication module if the first radio communication module is transmitting signals to the communication device; and performing reception quality measurements of signals received from the communication device by the first radio communication module if the first radio communication module is receiving signals from the communication device.
US08817638B2
Aspects of a method and system for network communications utilizing shared scalable resources are provided. In this regard, networking state information for one or more of a plurality of communication devices may be communicated to a network management device. The network management device may be operable to aggregate the networking state information. The plurality of communication devices may receive aggregated networking state information from the network management device. The plurality of communication devices may route packets based on the received aggregated networking state information. The network management device may be dynamically or manually selected from the plurality of communication devices. The plurality of communication devices may be associated with a sharing domain, and one or more communication devices may be dynamically added to and/or removed from the sharing domain.
US08817633B2
A terminal switching method for switching terminals, in a communication system in which HARQ processing is performed, to which a base station grants a transmission permission, from a terminal A to a terminal B includes notifying the terminal B of aborting of the transmission permission, setting a time point at which an HARQ process whose state of the HARQ processing is a retransmission waiting state with the terminal A is performed as a virtual starting point, setting a retransmission waiting window having a predetermined window length with the virtual starting point being regarded as its starting point, and notifying the terminal B of the transmission permission when there is no HARQ process having the retransmission waiting state with the terminal A, wherein the virtual starting point setting and the window setting are repeated until there is no HARQ process having the retransmission waiting state with the terminal A.
US08817621B2
Some embodiments provide a network virtualization apparatus for managing a plurality of managed switching elements that forward data in a network. The network virtualization apparatus comprises a controller for converting logical control plane data to logical forwarding plane data. It also includes a virtualizer for converting the logical forwarding plane data to physical control plane data. In some embodiments, the physical control plane data is subsequently translated into physical forwarding plane data that direct the forwarding of data by the managed switching elements.
US08817612B2
The present invention provides a method and system for implementing limited policy and charging control. The method comprises a PCRF determining whether a visited network where a UE roams supports PCC, and sending a message containing an identifier indicating the limited policy and charging control deployment to an AF. After receiving the message containing the identifier, the AF performs no subscription of the event trigger and/or cancels the subscription of the event trigger based on the identifier. Using the method and system in accordance with the present invention, the AF can be notified more conveniently and accurately of the current policy and charging control deployment situation when the limited policy and charging control is implemented (i.e., when the visited network does not support the PCC). Moreover, the AF may perform the corresponding operations according to the current policy and charging control deployment situation, thereby saving system resources.
US08817608B2
A method and apparatus for customizing foreground application inactivity timer values based on network maximum tunnel count conditions, the method determining a maximum tunnel count value at a mobile device; and configuring at least one tunnel inactivity timer value based on the maximum tunnel count value.
US08817597B2
One embodiment comprises a network that includes a plurality of bi-directional links and a plurality of nodes. Each node is communicatively coupled to two neighbor nodes and to two skip nodes using the plurality of bi-directional links. Three neighboring nodes of the plurality of nodes form a triple modular redundant (TMR) set having a first end node, a second end node, and a center node, the first end node configured to transmit output data in a first direction and the second end node configured to transmit output data in a second direction. At least one of the plurality of nodes that is not in the redundant set determines the integrity of data received from the redundant set based on at least: (i) a comparison of data received on a first logical communication channel from a respective first neighbor node with data received on the first logical communication channel from a respective first skip node; (ii) a comparison of data received on a second logical communication channel from a respective second neighbor node with data received on the second logical communication channel from a respective second skip node; and (iii) a comparison of data received on the first logical communication channel from one of the respective first neighbor node and the respective first skip node with data received on the second logical communication channel from one of the respective second neighbor node and the respective second skip node.
US08817577B2
A system for determining the origin and trajectory of a gunshot includes spaced sensor nodes and a base station. A method for determining the origin and trajectory of a gunshot includes the steps of, at the nodes, sensing acoustic signals, converting the acoustic signals into digital signals, separating the digital signals into segments, calculating a time of arrival of each segment, and extracting features from each segment, and then at the base station identifying each time of arrival as a main shock wave or a main muzzle blast time of arrival from the features, and computing the trajectory from the main shock wave times of arrival. The computed trajectory includes velocity and acceleration. The method also includes computing, at the base station, the origin from the main muzzle blast times of arrival.
US08817572B2
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a reset pad configured to receive and transfer an external reset signal and an external control signal; a first input buffer configured to buffer the external reset signal in response to a buffer control signal and output an internal reset signal; a second input buffer configured to buffer the external control signal in response to the buffer control signal and output an internal control signal; and an input buffer control unit configured to generate the buffer control signal in response to an external command.
US08817569B2
A mechanism is presented memory circuits, such a NAND-type flash memories, to autonomously protect themselves from temporary and short power drops. A detection mechanism looks for the supply voltage to drop below a function voltage for a period of time. When such an event occurs, a suspend mechanism is activated, and after completing the last micro-operation (such as a program pulse) the memory freezes. When power is again stable at an operational level, the suspended operation is resumed. The memory controller can then be notified upon occurrence of such voltage drop by polling a special status bit. Examples of how the pausing can be implemented include altering of clock signals and suspending sub-phases of larger operations.
US08817557B2
A semiconductor memory device includes: a data transfer line coupled with a plurality of memory cell arrays corresponding to an address; an enable signal delayer configured to generate an enable signal by reflecting a delay amount corresponding to the address into an internal command signal corresponding to a column command; and a data exchange block configured to exchange data with the data transfer line in response to the enable signal.
US08817553B2
A memory includes a word line having a word line voltage, a charge pump coupled to the word line, and a dynamic feedback control circuit coupled to the charge pump. The dynamic feedback control circuit is capable of changing a clock frequency of a clock signal supplied the charge pump from a first non-zero value to a second non-zero value depending on the difference between the word line voltage and a target threshold voltage.
US08817552B2
A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory layers arranged in multilayer, each memory layer including a cell array, the cell array containing a plurality of first parallel lines, a plurality of second parallel lines arranged crossing the first lines, and a plurality of memory cells connected at intersections of the first lines and the second lines; a pulse generator operative to generate pulses required for data access to the memory cell; and a control means operative to control the pulse generator such that the pulse output from the pulse generator has energy in accordance with the memory layer to which the access target memory cell belongs.
US08817544B2
Provided is a readout circuit for a non-volatile memory device, which has a large readout margin for distinguishing between 0 and 1 of data and has a small circuit area. A voltage output from a single bias circuit is applied to a gate of a memory element and a gate of an NMOS transistor serving as a reference current source to be compared with a current flowing through the memory element. Thus, the gates are controlled by the same voltage, and hence characteristics fluctuations in the operating temperature range and the operating power supply voltage range are reduced. Therefore, a large readout margin for distinguishing 0 and 1 of data can be obtained, resulting in a simplified circuit configuration.
US08817542B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device in an embodiment includes a semiconductor layer, a memory cell array, word lines, bit lines, a source line, and a control circuit. The memory cell array has memory strings, each of the memory strings having memory cells. The word lines are connected to the control gates of the memory cells. The control circuit controls a voltage applied to the semiconductor layer, the control gates, the bit lines, and the source line. When executing a read operation, the control circuit begins application of a first voltage to the source line at a first time, the first voltage having a positive value. The control circuit begins application of a second voltage to unselected word lines at the first time or thereafter, the second voltage setting the memory cells to a conductive state regardless of retained data of the memory cells.
US08817525B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each memory cell being configured such that a variable resistance element and a selection transistor are connected in series. A set operation for a memory cell (an operation of converting the resistance of the variable resistance element to a low resistance) is performed by applying a set voltage pulse for a longer time than that for a reset operation (an operation of converting the resistance of the variable resistance element to a high resistance) while limiting, using the selection transistor, an electric current flowing in the set operation to a certain low electric current, and by simultaneously applying the set voltage pulse to the plurality of memory cells.
US08817521B2
A control method for at least one memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell includes a transistor and a resistor. The resistor is connected to the transistor in series between a first node and a second node. In a programming mode, the memory cell is programmed. When it is determined that the memory cell has been successfully programmed, impedance of the memory cell is in a first state. When it is determined that the memory cell has not been successfully programmed, a specific action is executed to reset the memory cell. The impedance of the memory cell is in a second state after the step resetting the memory cell. The impedance of the memory cell in the second state is higher than that of the memory cell in the first state.
US08817520B2
A system on chip (SoC) provides a memory array of self referencing nonvolatile bitcells. Each bit cell includes two ferroelectric capacitors connected in series between a first plate line and a second plate line, such that a node Q is formed between the two ferroelectric capacitors. The first plate line and the second plate line are configured to provide a voltage approximately equal to first voltage while the bit cell is not being accessed. A clamping circuit coupled to the node Q. A first read capacitor is coupled to the bit line via a transfer device controlled by a first control signal. A second read capacitor coupled to the bit line via another transfer device controlled by a second control signal. A sense amp is coupled between the first read capacitor and the second read capacitor.
US08817519B2
An integrated circuit includes a high voltage generator generating a high voltage, a negative voltage generator generating a negative voltage, a divided voltage generator generating a divided voltage by dividing the power source voltage and supplying it to a read voltage terminal, a first power gate supplying the high voltage or the divided voltage to a program voltage terminal, a second power gate supplying the negative voltage or the ground voltage to a deactivation voltage terminal, a third power gate supplying the ground voltage or the divided voltage to an activation voltage terminal, and an e-fuse array circuit operating using voltage of the program voltage terminal as a program voltage, voltage of the divided voltage terminal as a read voltage, voltage of the activation voltage terminal as an activation voltage, and voltage of the deactivation voltage terminal as a deactivation voltage.
US08817514B2
A three-dimensional array read/write (R/W) memory elements is formed across multiple layers of planes positioned at different distances above a semiconductor substrate. It is preferable to operate the R/W elements with low current and high resistive states. The resistance of these resistive states depends also on the dimension of the R/W elements and is predetermined by the process technology. A sheet electrode in series with the R/W element and a method of forming it provide another degree of freedom to adjust the resistance of the R/W memory element. The thickness of the sheet electrode is adjusted to obtain a reduced cross-sectional contact in the circuit path from the word line to the bit line. This allows the R/W memory element to have a much increased resistance and therefore to operate with much reduced currents. The sheet electrode is formed with little increase in cell size.
US08817513B2
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a connector, a volatile semiconductor memory element, multiple nonvolatile semiconductor memory elements, and a controller. A wiring pattern includes a signal line that is formed between the connector and the controller and that connects the connector to the controller. On the opposite side of the controller to the signal line, the multiple nonvolatile semiconductor memory elements are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the substrate.
US08817509B2
There is provided a high frequency power supply device. The power control unit comprises an impedance adjuster that includes a variable reactance element and adjusts a load side impedance by changing a reactance value of the variable reactance element, and an impedance control unit that controls the variable reactance element of the impedance adjuster in response to a power value detected by a power detection unit so as to perform control of approximating the power value of the high frequency power, which is fed from the high frequency power generation unit to the load, to the setting value or control of maintaining the power value within the set allowable range by changing a resistance of the load side impedance in response to the power value detected by the power detection unit.
US08817506B2
A converter circuit including a step-up converter including a rectifier, a step-up reactor, a switching element, and a reverse current prevention element; a step-up converter having a step-up reactor, a switching element, and a reverse current prevention element and connected in parallel with the step-up converter; a switching control unit that controls switching elements; and a smoothing capacitor that is provided at the output of the step-up converters. The switching control unit switches the current mode of the current flowing through the step-up reactors into any of a continuous mode, a critical mode, and a discontinuous mode based on a predetermined condition.
US08817505B2
A three-phase rectifier converts three-phase alternating current (AC) power supplied from a three-phase AC power supply into direct current (DC) power. The three-phase rectifier includes a full-wave rectifier circuit, a bidirectional switch circuit, and a controller. The full-wave rectifier circuit rectifies three-phase AC power to DC power. The bidirectional switch circuit switches on and off inputs of respective phases from the three-phase AC power supply to the full-wave rectifier circuit. The controller detects voltages of the respective phases of the three-phase AC power supply, generates switching patterns for the respective phases to switch the bidirectional switch circuit on and off based on the detected voltages of the phases, and controls switching of the bidirectional switch circuit based on the switching patterns.
US08817503B2
Disclosed is a power conversion device, wherein among the optical fiber cables used in control/communication, at least the majority of high-voltage optical fiber cables with a dielectric strength against the output voltages of a plurality of cells can be eliminated and thus a low-voltage optical fiber cable with a dielectric strength against the output voltage of one cell can be used. Furthermore, here, the length required for the optical fiber cable can be reduced. A controller of the power conversion device comprising a plurality of cascade-connected cells comprises a central controller, and a cell controller with the same potential as each cell, the cell controller being installed in the vicinity of each cell, wherein the central controller and each cell controller are daisy-chained using an optical fiber cable.
US08817502B2
The present invention relates to a switch control device, a multi-channel converter including the same, and a switch control method thereof. A multi-channel converter includes at least two converters, and each converter includes at least one power switch. The multi-channel converter supplies the sum of the output power of at least two converters to the load. The switch control device generates at least two gate signals switching operation of each of at least one power switch of at least two converters. The switch control device modulates a switching frequency of at least one power switch according to the load, determines the number of phases of the multi-channel converter according to the load, and generates a gate signal for the phase difference corresponding to the number of the determined phases between at least two gate signals to be generated.
US08817484B2
A fastening device for an expansion card includes a first rack located at a front side, a second rack located at a rear side, a supporting member fastened to the first rack, and a rotating member rotatably connected to the supporting member. A pole extends up from the supporting member. When the rotating member is rotated up, a first end of the expansion card is operable to abut a top of the supporting member and the pole extends through a mounting hole defined in the first end of the expansion card. The rotating member is operable to rotate down to abut a top of the expansion card and engage with the supporting member. A second end of the expansion card opposite to the first end is fastened to the second rack.
US08817478B2
There is provided a communication device that includes a first circuit board which includes a first ground pattern (GND) and a first signal line formed on a substrate, a ground pin electrically coupled with the first GND, where the ground pin protrudes from an end of the substrate, and a signal pin formed in the substrate and electrically coupled with the first signal line, where the signal pin protrudes from the end. The communication device further includes a send circuit board which includes a second GND and a second signal line, wherein when an end of the circuit board is inserted into a space between the ground pin and the signal pin, the first signal line and the second signal line are electrically coupled with each other via the signal pin and the first GND and the second GND are electrically coupled with each other via the ground pin.
US08817476B2
An apparatus (102) comprises a mechanical interface configured to mechanically receive a module (101) into an assembled configuration. Within said mechanical interface, the apparatus comprises a first connector configured to receive a first matching counterpart in a first insertion direction (103), and a second connector configured to receive a second matching counterpart in a second insertion direction (104), which second insertion direction is the direction of a curvilinear motion and different from said first insertion direction (103). The apparatus (102) comprises a hinge joint between said first connector and a body of the apparatus. The hinge joint has an axis of rotation, which is essentially perpendicular against said second insertion direction (104).
US08817468B2
A switching power supply has electronic parts that configure a switching circuit. The electronic parts are accommodated in a casing. A seat member is formed unitarily with the casing on which the electronic parts are mounted. A coolant channel is formed through the seat member so as to be open at least at two positions of an outer wall surface of the casing. Coolant that flows through the coolant channel cools the electronic parts mounted on the seat member.
US08817446B2
Provided is an electronic device which can reduce possibility of generation of a secondary damage on an electronic circuit caused by a shock. A mobile telephone includes a case, an electronic circuit block mounted on the case, an acceleration sensor which measures an acceleration of the case, and a CPU. The CPU has a detection unit which detects a level of a shock applied to the case according to the acceleration value measured by the acceleration sensor and a control unit which limits electric communication to the electronic circuit block according to the detected shock level.
US08817438B2
A device for interrupting the flow of electrical power in an electrical distribution system is provided. The device includes a sensor operably coupled to the electrical distribution system. A switching mechanism is coupled to the electrical distribution system, the switching mechanism movable between an open position and a closed position. A controller operably coupled to the sensor and the switching mechanism, the controller having a processor that is responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on the processor incrementing a first counter in a first mode of operation and a second counter in a second mode of operation. Wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for switching from the first mode to the second mode in response to a signal from the sensor.
US08817431B2
To prevent property fires, electrical circuits need to be protected from arc faults due to line-to-line, line-to-neutral and line-to-ground conductivity, known as high current parallel arcing, and protected from arc faults occurring along line-to-line, line-to-load, load-to-load, load-to-neutral and neutral-to-neutral conductor configurations, known as low current series arcing. Devices that protect electrical circuits from these arc faults is known as a combination-type arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). Unlike prior art AFCI designs that meet the UL 1699 standard requirement for series arc fault detection down to 5 amps, the present AFCI invention employs a bi-directional Hall-effect current sensor (HECS) integrated circuit, a HECS measurement phase shift correction circuit, and a microprocessor with an integrated method to detect high current parallel arcing and low current series arcing, while also mitigating false arcing circuit detections and interruptions due to normal arcing electric motor-driven appliances like ceiling fans.
US08817428B2
Systems, methods and devices for monitoring temperature are presented herein. A method of monitoring temperature in a system, such as a capacitor bank, is disclosed. The method may include: receiving first device temperature signals indicative of the temperature of a first device over a predetermined period of time; receiving second device temperature signals indicative of the temperature of a second device over a predetermined period of time; determining a first rolling average temperature for the predetermined period of time from the first device temperature signals; determining a second rolling average temperature for the predetermined period of time from the second temperature signals; and triggering a disconnect event in response to a determination that either the first or the second rolling average temperature is greater than a predetermined maximum working temperature.
US08817426B2
A magnetic read sensor having improved magnetic performance and robustness. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetic free layer and a magnetic pinned layer structure. The magnetic pinned layer structure includes first and second magnetic layers separated from one another by a non-magnetic coupling layer. The second magnetic layer of the magnetic pinned layer structure includes a layer of CoFeBTa, which prevents the diffusion of atoms and also promotes a desired BCC crystalline grain growth. The magnetic free layer structure can also include such a CoFeBTa layer for further prevention of atomic diffusion and further promotion of a desired BCC grain growth.
US08817425B1
A read head structure is disclosed with a dual piece heat sink layer having a front piece formed over a front portion of a dynamic flying height (DFH) element and a back piece above a back portion of the DFH element. A first (S1) shield is formed on the front piece and between the front piece and air bearing surface (ABS). Front and back pieces are separated by an insulator gap. The front piece is used to help control read gap protrusion. As a result, a bottom portion of the S1 shield protrudes to a greater extent than a top portion adjacent to the sensor thereby protecting the sensor from unwanted contact with the magnetic media. The dual piece heat sink layer also enables an improved Figure of Merit in terms of temperature rise in the reader per unit of actuation (nm) delivered by the DFH element.
US08817413B1
It is determined whether one or more heads of a data storage device (DSD) have been within a radial position of one or more disks of the DSD for more than a threshold period of time. When it is determined that the one or more heads have been within a radial position of the one or more disks for more than the threshold period of time, the one or more heads are radially moved by more than a predetermined distance to reduce a development of variations in a distribution of lubricant on a first surface of the one or more disks.
US08817409B2
The magnetic data eraser includes: a mounting and immobilizing tray on which a magnetic recording medium is mounted, the mounting tray being inclined at an angle of 60±10 degrees to the horizontal; a magnetizer that is encircled by a magnetizing coil, the magnetizer having a hollow portion into which the mounting and immobilizing tray is inserted; and a controller that causes an electric current to flow as an excitation current through the magnetizing coil, the excitation current generating a magnetic field that erases data stored in the magnetic recording medium.
US08817401B2
Aspects of the disclosure pertain to a system and method for providing zero gain start (ZGS) and gain acquisition based on an adaptive analog-to-digital converter (ADC) target. The adaptive ADC target is used to collect channel characteristics and based on the adaptive ADC target, an adjusted 2T amplitude target value is generated.
US08817391B2
An optical system comprises, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group includes a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; and a second lens group in order from the object side to the image side includes a second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface, a third lens element with positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface, and a fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a concave image-side surface, wherein the image-side surface of the fourth lens element changes from concave at a paraxial region to convex at a peripheral region, and both of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fourth lens element are aspheric.
US08817377B2
The present invention is directed to light collection systems, the system comprising at least one light receiving element, selected from the group consisting of: a window, a photovoltaic element, a heating element, a light guiding element and combinations thereof, and at least one light reflector-deflector element, each element comprising a front light receiving surface, a rear surface, and a transparent volume, disposed between the front light receiving surface and the rear surface, the transparent layer being of a higher refractive index than of its surrounding, wherein the transparent volume comprises an asymmetric pattern which is configured to at least partially reflect light by internal reflection and direct the light within the element, reflect some light off said front light receiving surface, reflect, deflect and guide light within the light reflector-deflector element; and direct light through the front light receiving surface towards the at least one light receiving element.
US08817352B2
An optical switching assembly having an optical path therethrough includes an optical element, a base frame, an optical support that supports the optical element and is pivotably mounted to the base frame, and a linkage. The linkage interconnects the base frame and the optical support to effect movement of the optical support between an aligned position where the optical element is in the optical path and a non-aligned position removed from the aligned position. The linkage has two over-center positions that respectively correspond to the aligned position and the non-aligned position. No additional energy is required to hold the linkage in the over-center positions.
US08817347B2
A preprinted holographic label or printed material for use in labeling squeezable tubes or containers as well as compact discs, computer software, cosmetics, and the like is provided. The holographic structure provides for selectively reverse-printing a reflective coating directly onto a micro-embossed holographic film or coating which is affixed to a clear thin-film and contains the micro-embossed structure. Non-reflective coatings and support structures are also provided for protecting both the graphics and embossed holographic image from contamination.
US08817341B2
According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a detecting unit, a storing unit, a threshold determining unit, and a control unit. The detecting unit detects an ambient brightness level at an arbitrary time zone. The storing unit stores information indicating the brightness level detected by the detecting unit. The threshold determining unit determines a threshold serving as a criterion for switching into a low-power-consumption mode according to the information indicating the brightness level stored in the storing unit. The control unit controls switching into the low-power-consumption mode using the threshold determined by the threshold determining unit.
US08817340B2
The invention relates to a large-format scanning system (1) comprising at least two image acquisition elements (2) in a cascade arrangement, at least one platen, preferably a glass plate (3), arranged upstream thereof, and at least two reflector rolls (5) arranged opposite the at least two image acquisition elements (2) in a cascade arrangement, said reflector rolls being pressed against the glass plate (3) and/or a copy (4) to be scanned by means of resilient elements (6) that are arranged at the sides of the reflector rolls (5). According to the invention, the side portions (7) of the reflector rolls (5) are designed such that they touch the glass plate (3) only outside the reading area of the image acquisition elements (2) for the copy to be scanned (4) and that the copy to be scanned (4) rests on the glass plate (3) in the center area (8) of the reflector rolls (5).
US08817338B2
A scan mechanism and a scan module are provided. The scan mechanism adapted to be used in a scan module includes a rack and a scan unit. The rack has an engaging surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of teeth disposed on the engaging surface. Each of the teeth comprises a top end, wherein the distance between the centers of any two adjacent top ends is W, the shortest distance from the top end of each tooth to the bottom surface of the rack is D, and W/D is from 0.56 to 0.79. The scan unit includes a gear engaged with the teeth of the rack and adapted to roll along the engaging surface of the rack, wherein the scan unit is slidably disposed on the rack through the gear.
US08817336B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning device, a scanning method, and a computer-readable medium capable of easily performing display of a scanner on a computer of a user and display for starting scanning operation. A scanning device include a controller for displaying a phantom folder corresponding to a usable scanner on a display unit only when the scanner can be used, and for starting scanning operation by the scanner when the phantom folder is selected, a receiver receiving scan data from the scanner, and a storage storing the scan data received.
US08817333B2
Provided is a display device with photosensors that can achieve a scanner function without increasing the memory capacity for images. A display device with photosensors includes a visible light source and an invisible light source. The display device with photosensors further includes: a first photosensor that detects the amount of received light in a pixel region when the invisible light source is on; a second optical sensor that detects the amount of received light in the pixel region when the invisible light source is off; and a third photosensor that detects the amount of received light reflected from an object to be scanned, causing only display pixels respectively nearest to the third photosensors within a prescribed range in the pixel region to be in a display state, and causing other pixels in the prescribed range to be in a non-display state. Data obtained from the third photosensor is stored in a memory (205) including a region (205a) that stores therein first reference data obtained when the invisible light source is on, and a region (205b) that stores therein second reference data obtained when the invisible light source is off.
US08817331B2
Methods and systems for transcoding continuous tone Run Length Limited (RLL) encoded datastreams for including information for identifying halftone screens within the datastream are disclosed. Sequential packets comprising headers and bitmap data are identified within the datastream. Halftone screens associated with bitmap data within the packets are identified and merged into the packets to generate a modified RLL output.
US08817330B2
Pantograph background and foreground pairs that perform well in one printer may not perform as well in another. The main problem that occurs is the message is easily seen on the original print. By adjusting the background pattern quality, the pantograph is adjusted for optimal performance for a particular printer. The background pattern is adjusted by first adjusting the pixel density in the background pattern and second, by adding the adjusted cluster background pixel pattern.
US08817329B2
A color measuring device includes a unit configured to calculate a reference-value matrix for converting imaged reference RGB value of a reference color patch a reference colorimetric value of the reference color patch; a unit configured to convert a color-measurement RGB value of a color measurement object into an imaged colorimetric value of the color measurement object by using the corresponding reference-value matrix; a unit configured to select reference color patches of which the reference colorimetric values each have a close distance from the imaged colorimetric value in the predetermined color space; a unit configured to select, as selection RGB values, the imaged reference RGB values of the selected patches; a unit configured to calculate a selection-RGB-value matrix for converting the selection RGB values into the reference colorimetric values; and a unit configured to convert the color-measurement RGB value into a colorimetric value by using the selection-RGB-value matrix.
US08817325B2
A control device including an image enlarging unit that creates enlarged image data of image data by repeatedly using a line in the image data; and a control unit that reads, from a storing unit in which the image data is stored, the image data and outputs, to the image enlarging unit, the image data for each line, the output being performed at time intervals corresponding to the number of times the line is used in accordance with an enlargement ratio of the image data to the enlarged image data.
US08817313B2
A technique can prevent a parameter that is not to be read and set from history information and related to image formation from being read and reset from the history information. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, includes setting a parameter for an adjustment item related to image formation, determining whether the adjustment item corresponding to the set parameter includes a storage inhibition item, performing control to store the set parameter as history information in a storing unit in a case where it is determined that the adjustment item does not include the storage inhibition item, and not to store the set parameter unit as the history information to the storing unit in a case where it is determined that the adjustment item includes the storage inhibition item, and setting the parameter stored in the storing unit to the adjustment item related to the image formation.
US08817308B2
An image processing apparatus of this invention converts image data into a predetermined transmitting format in turn from a read page before images are read from all pages of originals. Upon completion of reading operations of all the pages of the originals, the image processing apparatus controls a transmitting unit to transmit image data in association with the image data of a page, which has already been converted into the transmitting format, and controls to convert image data into the transmitting format and then controls the transmitting unit to transmit the image data, in association with the image data of a page, which has not been converted into the transmitting format.
US08817307B2
An information processing device sends a print job to a print server for applying a printing rule to the print job. The information processing device comprises: a print job generation part for generating the print job; a display part for displaying a printing rule application result showing a result of application by the print server of the printing rule; a manipulation input part for receiving an entry of an instruction as to whether or not to continue a process relating to the print job with the printing rule application result being displayed; and a print job control part for making the process relating to the print job terminate in response to entry of the instruction to refuse continuation of the print job process, while making the print job process continue in response to entry of the instruction to permit the continuation of the print job process.
US08817299B2
Methods and apparatus for automatic generation of a hostname for a network printer embedded in or associated with a gaming machine are provided. An identification number is received at the printer from the gaming machine. The printer can then generate a unique Hostname for the printer by modifying the identification number. Once the Hostname is generated, the printer is able to connect to the network using the generated Hostname. For example, a connection of the printer to the network may be delayed after initial power up of the printer until print data for a game generated ticket has been received at the printer from the gaming machine. The identification number may be extracted from the print data at the printer and used to generate the Hostname.
US08817298B2
When data for printing and an authentication code are inputted, a CPU of a printer calculates a number of sheets to be used based on the data for printing. The CPU adds the calculated number of sheets to be used to the management table, based on the inputted authentication code, and rearranges the management table so that a user with a smaller number of used sheets is in a higher place. The CPU executes print processing using the inputted data for printing. The CPU acquires a display name, ranking, and the number of used sheets corresponding to the inputted authentication code from the management table in an RAM to transmit to information technology equipment.
US08817297B2
A method implemented in a multi-user data processing system including an image forming apparatus for processing a print job is disclosed, which includes: storing a printer language access policy in the image forming apparatus, wherein the plurality of printer language policy settings determines which printer language commands can be executed by the plurality of users on a user-by-user basis; and when a user requests to execute a printer language command for the image forming apparatus, determining whether the user is authorized to execute the printer language command based on the printer language policy settings for the user, wherein an execution of the printer language command affects at least one of a printer language feature of the image forming apparatus and a printer language setting of a printer language feature of the image forming apparatus to be effective to other users.
US08817296B2
Printing systems and associated methods of generating banner pages for print jobs are disclosed. A printing system in one embodiment includes a banner page system for generating the banner pages. The banner page system includes a memory that stores content representing selectable banner messages for banner pages. The banner page system further includes a page generator that receives print jobs. For each of the print jobs, the page generator selects a banner message from the stored content per print job based on criteria defined in the printing system, and generates a banner page that includes the selected banner message. Because the banner messages are selected on a per print job basis, the banner page for each print job is customized for that print job.
US08817288B2
A contract management service receives a relocation request including rearrangement information relating to relocation of an application to be applied to the image forming apparatus, the relocation request being for demanding relocation of the application to be applied to the image forming apparatus, decides a rearrangement application corresponding to the image forming apparatus after being rearranged based on the rearrangement information, and responds with the image forming apparatus after being rearranged and rearrangement information relating to the rearrangement application. The image forming apparatus accepts an application rearrangement instruction having the rearrangement, determines whether or not applying the rearrangement application is required based on the rearrangement information, and receives the rearrangement application from the contract management service depending on a determination result to thereby apply the rearrangement application.
US08817284B2
An image forming apparatus, including: a display device; a coordinate detecting portion which detects a directed coordinate in a display area including a first area in which is displayed a hierarchy image including uppermost-level images and lower-level images; a first display control section; a second display control section to display at least one first button image; and a third display control section, the uppermost-level images including: a first image in which is displayed at least one second button image; a second image in which is displayed at least one third button image; and a third image, wherein, where the directed coordinate is one of coordinates corresponding to the first through third button images, the third control section displays a lower-level image corresponding to a button image corresponding to the directed coordinate, and wherein the first control section executes processing to display the one uppermost-level image so as to be changed.
US08817281B2
According to the present invention, a print setting server connectable with a document processing server is provided, where the print setting server provides a print setting screen that depends on functions of a printer model through the Web, and a detailed print setting screen that depends on a printer is provided to a client. The client can enter print settings through the print setting screen. In this manner, print setting depending on a printer model is realized in a cloud print service.
US08817280B2
A printing device includes a plurality of data transfer control units which store image data transferred from an upper level device in a storage unit; a plurality of output control units which are provided correspondingly to the data transfer control units and each of which controls printing of the image data stored by a specified one of the data transfer control units; and a print control unit that, when abnormality has occurred in any of the data transfer control units, transmits a transfer instruction on the image data that is to be transferred originally by the data transfer control unit being at fault, to an alternate data transfer control unit among the data transfer control units in which no abnormality has occurred, and instructs an output control unit corresponding to the data transfer control unit being at fault to print image data stored by the alternate data transfer control unit.
US08817272B2
An optical position-measuring device for detecting the position of two objects movable relative to each other in at least one measuring direction includes a measuring standard which is joined to one of the two objects and possesses an incremental graduation extending in the measuring direction, as well as at least one reference marking at a reference position. The reference marking includes two reference-marking subfields disposed in mirror symmetry with respect to a reference-marking axis of symmetry, each of the subfields being made up of a structure extending in the measuring direction and having a locally changeable graduation period. In addition, the position-measuring device has a scanning unit which is joined to the other of the two objects and to which a scanning device is assigned that is used to generate at least one reference signal at the reference position. The scanning device includes at least one light source emitting divergently in the direction of the measuring standard, as well as a detector system having elements which are disposed along the measuring direction such that, starting from a central detector-system axis of symmetry in the measuring direction, the center-to-center distances between adjacent elements in the same direction change like the graduation periods of the structures in the reference-marking subfields starting from the reference-marking axis of symmetry.
US08817266B2
Devices and methods for detecting operational parameters associated with a gas separator used in an electric submersible pump in a wellbore. A fiber optic sensing arrangement is used to detect the operational parameter and includes a fiber optic signal processor and an optic fiber that is associated with the gas separator to provide a signal indicative of the parameter to the signal processor.
US08817264B2
A method is presented for analyzing a multiphase fluid flowing through a tubular. A sample fluid flow of multiphase fluid (a mixture of some combination of gas, liquid and solid) is separated from a primary tubular, such as with a probe which traverses the tubular. At least one property of the multiphase fluid is determined using at least one multivariate optical element (MOE) calculating device. Measured properties include the presence, proportional amount, mass or volumetric flow rate, and other data related to a constituent of the fluid, such as CO2, H2S, water, inorganic and organic gases and liquids, or group of constituents of the fluid, such as SARA, C1-C4 hydrocarbons, etc. The multiphase fluid is preferably mixed prior to analysis. Additional data can be gathered and used to calculate derivative information, such as mass and volumetric flow rates of constituents in the tubular, etc.
US08817261B2
Laser pulses are applied to surface plasmon resonant articles such as gold nanoparticles within a microscopy sample to generate a four-wave mixing signal that is detected as the output of the microscopy process.
US08817257B2
A method reconstructing the optical properties of a medium using a reconstruction system has a radiation source lighting the medium and a detector receiving a signal transmitted by the medium. The steps include lighting the medium using a radiation source, receiving by the detector of a signal emitted by the medium, and processing, for a source-detector pair, of a first distribution of the signal received by the corresponding detector. Then computing the Mellin-Laplace transform, for a given order and a given variable, of a magnitude comprising the first distribution, the order being an integer, the variable being a real number, and reconstructing optical properties of the medium using the Mellin-Laplace transform of said magnitude. The computation step includes computing a plurality of Mellin-Laplace transforms of the magnitude for distinct values of the order, and the reconstruction step is carried out from a combination of the plurality of Mellin-Laplace transforms.
US08817250B2
A tool for investigating a substrate, where the tool has a tool head for investigating the substrate, a chuck for disposing an upper surface of the substrate in proximity to the tool head, and an air bearing disposed on the tool head adjacent the substrate. The air bearing has a pressure source and a vacuum source, where the vacuum source draws the substrate toward the air bearing and the pressure source prevents the substrate from physically contacting the air bearing. The pressure source and the vacuum source work in cooperation to dispose the upper surface of the substrate at a known distance from the tool head. By using the air bearing as part of the tool in this manner, registration of the substrate to the tool head is accomplished relative to the upper surface of the substrate, not the back side of the substrate.
US08817242B2
A sensor device for spectrally resolved capture of optical detection radiation which emanates from a value document transported through a capture area of the sensor device, includes a detection device for spectrally resolved detection of the detection radiation and emission of detection signals which represent at least one property of the detection radiation, at least one reference radiation device which emits optical reference radiation which is coupled into a detection beam path of the detection device and which has a spectrum with a structure which is within the spectral detection range, and which has a radiation source which acts as the transmitter of a light barrier or of a light scanner by means of which barrier or scanner a motion and/or a position of the value document relative to the capture area is capturable, and a control/evaluation device which is configured for receiving detection signals from the detection device, evaluating them and emitting evaluation signals in dependence on the result of the evaluation, and which is further configured for employing detection signals which represent the property of the reference radiation, for checking and/or for adjusting the detection device and/or for making available correction data which are employable in the evaluation of detection signals which represent the at least one property of detection radiation emanating from the value document.
US08817239B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with distance based position measurement are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus is configured to be positioned proximate a feature of interest. The apparatus includes a laser distance meter (LDM) configured to emit a laser beam and to determine first and second distances between the LDM and first and second targets. The first and second targets have known positions in three dimensions with respect to a reference plane from which the LDM is located. The apparatus also includes a trilateration unit configured to compute a two dimensional position of the LDM relative to the targets based, at least in part, on the first and second distances.
US08817238B2
A combination of location measurement apparatuses to measure in three dimensions the location of an excavator with respect to a job site, and to further measure the location of an excavated or a topographical feature with respect to the excavator by range finding from the excavator in proximity of the feature and contemporaneously recording measurement data on a computer.
US08817236B2
A plurality of heads configuring an encoder system is arranged on a wafer table, and positional information of a wafer table in the XY plane is measured, based on an output of a head opposed to a scale plate (diffraction grating). And, a relative position (including relative attitude and rotation) of each head with the wafer table is measured herein by a measurement system arranged inside the head. Accordingly, by correcting the positional information based on the information of the relative position which has been measured, a highly precise measurement of the positional information of the wafer table becomes possible even in the case when the position (attitude, rotation) of the head changes with the movement of the wafer table.
US08817233B2
An illumination optical system for projection lithography for the illumination of an illumination field has a facet mirror. An optical system, which follows the illumination optical system, has an object field which can be arranged in the illumination field of the illuminate optical system. The facet mirror has a plurality of facets to reflectively guide part bundles of a bundle of illumination light. Reflection faces of the facets are tiltable in each case. In a first illumination tilt position, the tiltable facets guide the part bundle impinging on them along a first object field illumination channel to the illumination field. In a different illumination tilt position, the tiltable facets guide the part bundle impinging on them along a different object field illumination channel to the illumination field. The reflection faces of the tiltable facets are configured so that the part bundle in the at least two illumination tilt positions is reflected with a degree of reflection R coinciding within a tolerance range of +/−10%. The result is an illumination optical system which avoids an undesired influence of the illumination tilt position of the tiltable facets on the illumination light throughput of the illumination optical system.
US08817231B2
In an immersion lithography apparatus in which immersion liquid is supplied to a localized space, the space is substantially polygonal in plan substantially parallel to the substrate. In an embodiment, two corners of the space have a radius of curvature no greater than the width of a transition zone between the space configured to contain liquid and a surrounding configured not to contain liquid.
US08817226B2
An immersion lithography apparatus is provided that includes an energy source, a projection optical system, a stage, a showerhead including an immersion liquid supply device and an immersion liquid discharge device that produces a flow of liquid within an exposure zone, and a cleaning device that cleans a portion of the projection optical system having been contacted with the immersion liquid by means of a cleaning gas. In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes an ozone generation unit produces a flow of ozone into the exposure zone. In embodiments, the apparatus includes a stage that includes a dose sensor and/or an ultra-violet light source. A method for insitu cleaning of a final lens element within an immersion lithography system having an immersion fluid showerhead that provides immersion fluid to an exposure zone of the immersion lithography system is also provided.
US08817224B2
An input device is manufactured from a roll of a single-layer flexible transparent base sheet having a first surface and a second surface by forming a transparent electrode pattern and a wiring layer on the first surface. The transparent electrode pattern is disposed in a transparent input region, and the wiring layer extends from an end of the transparent electrode pattern into a decorative region surrounding the transparent input region. A decorative layer pattern is formed on the second surface in the decorative region, while conveying the transparent base sheet through a roll-to-roll processing. The transparent base sheet having the transparent electrode pattern and the decorative layer pattern is divided into individual units. A transparent panel having an operation surface is bonded to the second surface of each of the individual units with an optically clear adhesive layer interposed therebetween.
US08817220B2
In an element substrate of a liquid crystal device, a peripheral electrode to which a potential different from a common potential applied to a dummy pixel electrode and the like is applied is formed in a region interposed between an image display region and a sealing material. An electrical supply line that supplies the potential from the side to the peripheral electrode runs through the outside from a scanning line driving circuit portion.
US08817219B2
In an element substrate of a liquid crystal device, a peripheral electrode to which a potential Vtrap different from a common potential Vcom applied to a dummy pixel electrode and the like is applied is formed in a peripheral region which is interposed by an image display region and a sealing material. The peripheral electrode extends along the sealing material through the outside of the outside end of a data line driving circuit portion, and the outside end of a scanning line driving circuit portion, and does not intersect a data line and a scanning line.
US08817218B2
The present invention relates to a fan-out wiring arrangement of TFT-LCD slim bezel arrangement. The fan-out wiring arrangement includes a first metal layer that is subjected to etching to form parallel first fan-out wires and a second metal layer that is subjected to etching to form parallel second fan-out wires. The first and second metal layers are respectively arranged at upper and lower sides to be parallel to and substantially correspond to each other. The first fan-out wires have line width and fan-out pitch that are identical to those of the second fan-out wires. The first fan-out wires have projections on the second metal layer that are parallel to the second fan-out wires and alternate with the second fan-out wires in an equally spaced manner. The fan-out wiring arrangement realizes wire pitch ≦8 μm, reduces fan-out height, while increasing metal CD, reducing resistance loading, and achieving slim bezel arrangement.
US08817217B2
A display substrate includes an insulating substrate, a signal line, first and second pixel electrodes, a connection line and an insulating layer. The signal line is disposed on the insulating substrate. The first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the signal line through a switching element. The second pixel electrode overlaps the first pixel electrode. The connection line contacts an end portion of the signal line and extends to an end portion of the insulating substrate. The insulating layer is disposed between the first and second pixel electrodes and covers the connection line. The connection line is protected by the insulating layer, and the reliability of the display substrate is enhanced.
US08817212B2
A liquid crystal display panel including pixels, wherein at least one of the pixels includes a first sub-pixel charged with a first voltage and a second sub-pixel charged with a second voltage lower than the first voltage, a first substrate including a first sub-pixel electrode of the first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel electrode of the second sub-pixel, a first alignment layer aligned in first and second directions in each of the first and second sub-pixels, a second alignment layer aligned in third and fourth directions in each of the first and second sub-pixels to form a plurality of domains in each of the first and second sub-pixels, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second alignment layers, wherein the first sub-pixel electrode includes a plurality of slits formed substantially parallel to a liquid crystal alignment direction in each of the domains of the first sub-pixel electrode.
US08817199B2
A 3D display apparatus includes a display device, a liquid crystal panel, and a lens unit. The display device is configured to output polarized lights of one or more images with a first polarization direction. The liquid crystal panel is coupled to the display device and contains a plurality of pixel display areas to receive the polarized lights. The display areas can be individually controlled by corresponding active switches to a first state in which the first polarization direction is transformed into a second polarization direction or a second state in which the first polarization direction is maintained. Further, the lens unit is coupled to the liquid crystal panel and is configured to guide the polarized lights with the second polarization direction to pass through for 2D display and to guide polarized lights with the first polarization direction into predetermined transmitting directions for 3D display.
US08817197B2
A display device includes: an element substrate having a transistor element formed on a surface thereof; an opposing substrate which is disposed to face the element substrate; and a parallax barrier pattern which is directly formed on the surface of either substrate of the element substrate or the opposing substrate at the side opposite to the transistor element side.
US08817194B2
In an interlaced image processing method for processing fields generated by interlacing and including a plurality of rows of scan signals, the method includes: performing horizontal line detection on a current field so as to determine which of the rows of the scan signals is a horizontal line; according to the horizontal line detection result of the current field and a horizontal line detection result of a previous field, adjusting position of the horizontal line in the current field so as to approach position of a corresponding horizontal line in the previous field; and according to the result of position adjustment, re-sampling the current field. An interlaced image processing apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.
US08817191B2
According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes: an enlarged-image generation module configured to generate enlarged image information that is enlarged with a predetermined magnification ratio from input image information; a depth characteristic calculator configured to calculate, from the input image information, a depth characteristic amount indicating a change level of depth of field for each a plurality of areas comprised in the input image information; and a generation module configured to compose image information comprising a predetermined high-frequency component onto the enlarged image information, based on the depth characteristic amount calculated by the depth characteristic calculator to generate output image information.
US08817185B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a reproduction controller and a transmitter. The reproduction controller is configured to reproduce a first type of information of a first content. The first content includes a plurality of types of information. The transmitter is configured to transmit an instruction to reproduce a second type of information of the first content to other electronic device.
US08817180B2
A digital cable broadcast receiver and a method for automatically processing caption data of various standards and types, is disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes: a demultiplexer for dividing a received broadcast stream into video data, audio data, supplementary information; a controller for determining whether caption data included in the video data is digital caption data or analog caption data on the basis of caption information included in the supplementary information, and outputting a control signal according to a result of the determining; a digital caption decoder for extracting and decoding digital caption data from the video data according to the control signal; and an analog caption decoder for extracting and decoding analog caption data from the video data according to the control signal.
US08817174B2
An information recording apparatus for recording information obtained from a sensor, comprises: a face detecting unit for detecting a face of a person among the information obtained from the sensor; a face detection switching unit for switching a control of the face detecting unit between valid and invalid; a face detection setup information obtaining unit for obtaining information of whether face detection set up by the face detection switching unit is valid or invalid; a face detection observation unit for observing on whether detection is made on the face or not, when the face detection is valid; a power-saving controller unit for executing a power-saving control; a recording unit for record the information inputted from the sensor onto a recording medium; a recording observation unit for observing on whether recording of the information is conducted or not by the recording unit; a memory unit for memorizing information necessary for controlling the information recording apparatus; and a controller unit for controlling each constituent elements mentioned above, wherein the controller unit executes a control for reducing an electric power consumption of the information recording apparatus, by the power-saving controller unit, when determining that: the control of the face detection unit is valid from the face detection setup information obtaining unit; face detection is not made on the face of the person from the face detection observation unit; and recording of the information is not made from the recording observation unit.
US08817172B2
There is provided an improved solution for illuminating an object by means of an optical component. In use, the optical component is integrated with a hand-held camera unit. The optical component comprises a light-diffusing element. In addition, the optical component may also comprise at least one light source and an end element that directs the light to the object.
US08817170B2
This camera body includes an interchangeable lens detector, a lens information recognition component, a wireless communication component, and an output controller. The interchangeable lens detector detects whether or not the interchangeable lens is mounted to the camera body. The lens information recognition component recognizes lens information related to the interchangeable lens, according to the mounting state of the interchangeable lens. The wireless communication component performs wireless communication with the outside of the camera body. The output controller controls the output strength of the wireless communication component on the basis of the lens information in the information recognition component.
US08817148B2
To avoid reset noise in a CMOS chip for direct particle counting, it is known to use Correlative Double Sampling: for each signal value, the pixel is sampled twice: once directly after reset and once after an integration time. The signal is then determined by subtracting the reset value from the later acquired value, and the pixel is reset again. In some embodiments of the invention, the pixel is reset only after a large number of read-outs. Applicants realized that typically a large number of events, typically approximately 10, are needed to cause a full pixel. By either resetting after a large number of images, or when one pixel of the image shows a signal above a predetermined value (for example 0.8 × the full-well capacity), the image speed can be almost doubled compared to the prior art method, using a reset after acquiring a signal.
US08817142B2
A color image sensor includes a pixel array including CFA overlaying an array of photo-sensors for acquiring color image data. The CFA includes first color filter elements of a first color overlaying a first group of the photo-sensors and second color filter elements of a second color overlaying a second group of the photo-sensors. The first group of photo-sensors generate first color signals of a first color channel and the second group of photo-sensors generate second color signals of a second color channel. The color image sensor further includes a color signal combiner circuit (“CSCC”) coupled to receive the first and second color signals output from the pixel array. The CSCC includes a combiner coupled to combine the first and second colors signals to generate third color signals of a third color channel. An output port is coupled to the CSCC to output the color image data.
US08817141B2
A method for image processing according to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter includes: a step of acquiring an image taken by an imaging device including an image sensor having pixel configuration with repeating cycles of M×N (M, N: integers of 2 or more) pixels; (a) a step of setting a target pixel in the acquired image and extracting K×L (K, L: integers of M
US08817137B2
An image processing device includes an image input part inputting image data formed of a first type pixel in which a first color element is known, a second type pixel in which a second color element is known, and a third type pixel in which a third color element is known, a first color element interpolating part determining a first interpolation value of the first color element based on the first type pixels, a first convexoconcave structure calculating part calculating a first convexoconcave structure based on either of the second type pixels and the third type pixels, a first convexoconcave addition part adding the first convexoconcave structure to the first interpolation value to determine a second interpolation value, a first color range calculating part determining a range of the first color element based on the first type pixels, and a clip part determining a third interpolation value.
US08817135B2
A method and apparatus that allows for the correction of multiple defective pixels in an imager device. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of selecting a correction kernel for a defective pixel, determining average and difference values for pixel pairs in the correction kernel, and substituting an average value from a pixel pair for the value of the defective pixel.
US08817134B2
An imaging control device for an imaging apparatus or an imaging system having an imaging section which performs imaging of a subject and an imaging field changing section of the imaging section, includes: a determination section which determines whether or not a subject detecting section detects a predetermined target subject by analyzing a captured image signal acquired by the imaging section, in a subject detection processing; and an imaging field change control section which controls the imaging field changing section to change an angle of view in the imaging section, wherein when the determination section determines that the subject detecting section does not detect a target subject in the subject detection processing, the imaging field change control section controls the imaging field changing section to change the angle of view in the imaging section and then the image control device controls the subject detecting section to perform the subject detection processing.
US08817133B2
In a digital camera 1, when a lagged-timing is recorded (Yes at Step S9), from the frame image picked up when the shutter is fully depressed, a frame image picked up at a timing equivalent to the lagged-timing is displayed (Step S10). When the cross-shaped key is operated before the SET key is operated, the displayed frame image is changed based on the operation (Step S12 and Step S13). Next, when the SET key is operated, the displayed frame image is recorded. In addition, a lag between the timing at which the recorded frame image is picked up and the timing at which the frame image picked up when the shutter is fully depressed is picked up is recorded (Step S15).
US08817132B1
A method for synchronizing a first circuit to an electro-optical sensor is disclosed. The method generally includes steps (A) to (D). Step (A) may generate with the first circuit a configuration signal that conveys a request to capture at least one frame of a plurality of periodic frames. Step (B) may receive the periodic frames at a second circuit from the electro-optical sensor. Step (C) may discard a first frame of the periodic frames where the first frame precedes the request. Step (D) may store a plurality of active pixels in a second frame of the periodic frames in a memory where the second frame follows the request. The second circuit is generally a hardware implementation.
US08817131B2
An information recording apparatus includes a content generating unit that generates content, a position information obtaining unit that obtains position information, and a region determining unit that determines whether or not a position specified based on the obtained position information is included in a certain region. The information recording apparatus further includes a position information addition determining unit that determines, based on a determination result obtained by the region determining unit, whether or not to allow the obtained position information to be recorded, and a recording control unit that performs, based on a determination result obtained by the position information addition determining unit, recording control of the obtained position information.
US08817125B2
A method and system for analyzing an object is provided in the present invention. The system comprises: a background arranged behind an object, wherein the color of the background is allowed to be selected from a set of colors; a first unit for setting a given color for the background so that the given color is different from the color of the object; a second unit for taking a picture including the object and the background; and a third unit for detecting at least one feature relating to the object according to the picture taken by said second unit. In the system, the color of the background is allowed to be set so as to be different from the color of the object. In this way, it is easy to distinguish the object part from the background part in the taken picture. This results in stable recognition for different objects, especially objects of different colors.
US08817123B2
In a method for authenticating a charge-coupled device (CCD), e.g., in a digital camera including the charge-coupled device, a physical unclonable function is utilized for the authentication. In the method, a response to be measured of pixels in the charge-coupled device to a defined incident light is used as the physical unclonable function.
US08817117B2
A camera system having a plurality of camera pairs is provided. Each pair may have a camera control unit and a camera head unit respectively connected together by way of an asynchronous transmission network. The camera system may also have a central processing unit configured to obtain a video signal delay amount, representative of a time delay between a respective camera control unit and its respective camera head unit, for each of the plurality of camera pairs, and to adjust the video signal delay amount between at least one said camera control unit and its respective camera head unit to be equal to a selected video signal delay amount of another said camera control unit and its respective camera head unit.
US08817096B1
An imaging system having a first laser emitting a light beam to illuminate the object is provided. The system includes first and second beam splitters. The first beam splitter combines a first light beam portion and a third light beam portion emitted from a second laser to form a first interference pattern. The second beam splitter combines a second light beam portion and a fourth light beam portion to form a second interference pattern. The system includes digital cameras generating raw image data based on the first and second interference patterns, and a computer processing the raw image data to obtain synthetic image plane data.
US08817093B2
The present invention involves a surveying system and method which determines the position of an object point using two images. First, at least two reference points appearing on the two images are correlated. Then the position of the object point is determined based on the two images and the two reference points.
US08817083B2
An image display apparatus for displaying a 3D video signal using a liquid crystal device such as an HIPS or LCOS device comprises a frame rate converter (3) that converts the input video signal to a doubled frame rate, a signal format converter (4) that converts the pixel sequence of the video signal, a light source controller (7) that outputs a light source control signal for turning the light source used for image display on and off, and a 3D glasses controller (8) that generates a glasses control signal (c3) for shutters (64R, 64L) that switch the transmission of the light to the right and left eyes of 3D glasses (64). The risk of crosstalk between the right and left images, due to device response speed is reduced, without requiring a large number of frame memories.
US08817082B2
An autostereoscopic display device comprises a display (103) having an array of display pixels (105) and a view forming arrangement (109) of elongate elements which have a long axis which is slanted at an angle α to the column pixel direction, and the elements have a pitch of P times the width between pixels of the same color in different columns. The pitch P is selected to be: P=0.5·k·(1+S2) in which S=tan α, and k is a positive integer. This arrangement enables the resulting image projected in respect of each view to have a uniform and regular distribution of pixels across the image. This improves the visual appearance of the views.
US08817076B2
A method and gesture-based control system for manipulating a 3-dimensional medical dataset include translating a body part, detecting the translation of the body part with a camera system. The method and system include translating a crop plane in the 3-dimensional medical dataset based on the translating the body part. The method and system include cropping the 3-dimensional medical dataset at the location of the crop plane after translating the crop plane and displaying the cropped 3-dimensional medical dataset using volume rendering.
US08817061B2
In one embodiment, a method includes electronically detecting a gesture of a user listening to a speaker via a communication device, and generating an audible and/or visual response that corresponds to the gesture. The audible and/or visual response is then communicated to the speaker. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
US08817059B2
An optical scanning apparatus, including: a deflector including deflection surfaces and configured to deflect, by the deflection surfaces, light beams respectively emitted from light emitting portions for scanning in a main scanning direction; an imaging optical system configured to guide the light beams deflected for scanning by the deflection surfaces to a surface to be scanned; a light source including the light emitting portions arranged so as to be separated from each other in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and an optical axis direction of the imaging optical system; and a controller configured to control the light source in such a manner that a difference between scanning start timings of the light beams at two adjacent deflection surfaces among the deflection surfaces is different from a difference between scanning start timings of the light beams at other two adjacent deflection surfaces among the deflection surfaces.
US08817050B1
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving an image having indication pixels that define a plurality of regions within the image that are used for resizing the image and determining, based on the indication pixels, two or more of the regions that are stretchable regions that change size when the image is resized. The method also includes resizing the image by changing a size of at least one of the determined stretchable regions.
US08817045B2
Systems and methods of interacting with a virtual space, in which a mobile device is used to electronically capture image data of a real-world object, the image data is used to identify information related to the real-world object, and the information is used to interact with software to control at least one of: (a) an aspect of an electronic game; and (b) a second device local to the mobile device. Contemplated systems and methods can be used to gaming, in which the image data can be used to identify a name of the real-world object, to classify the real-world object, identify the real-world object as a player in the game, to identify the real-world object as a goal object or as having some other value in the game, to use the image data to identify the real-world object as a goal object in the game.
US08817036B2
An object surface is rendered by not only grid lines indicating a slope in the surface of an object, but also by moving objects which move over the object surface with a speed responsive to the slope angle on the object surface, thereby enabling a player to refer to the grid lines and to the movement of a moving object, so as to visually perceive minute slopes and bumps in the object surface.
US08817024B2
A display device includes a display panel for displaying an instrument image including an index image constituting an index and a pointer image constituting a pointer for pointing the index of the index image and a controller for displaying the instrument image on the display panel. The controller varies at least one of a pointer display mode of the pointer image and an index display mode of the index image so as to increase a readability of the index indicated by the index image when positions associated with the pointer image and the index image coincide.
US08817012B2
Disclosed herein is a light emitting period setting method for a display panel wherein the peak luminance level is varied through control of a total light emitting period length which is the sum total of period lengths of light emitting periods arranged in a one-field period, including a step of setting period lengths of N light emitting periods, which are arranged in a one-field period, in response to the total light emitting period length such that the period lengths of the light emitting periods continue to keep a fixed ratio thereamong, N being equal to or higher than 3.
US08817010B2
Circuits for controlling a data driver of a display device are provided. The circuit may include a bias block that may output a first or second bias current or voltage to the data driver and a control unit that may control the bias block to output the first or second bias current or voltage based on a control signal.
US08816984B2
A multipoint touch surface controller is disclosed herein. The controller includes an integrated circuit including output circuitry for driving a capacitive multi-touch sensor and input circuitry for reading the sensor. Also disclosed herein are various noise rejection and dynamic range enhancement techniques that permit the controller to be used with various sensors in various conditions without reconfiguring hardware.
US08816983B2
According to one embodiment, the electronic device of this embodiment includes a housing, a first substrate provided in the housing and including a sensor region configured to sense a touch of a hand and a translucent portion provided on an inner side of the sensor region, a second substrate separated from the first substrate and includes a light source configured to emit light towards the translucent portion and an elastic member intermediated between the first and the second substrate and including a through hole portion inside of which the light source and the translucent portion are provided, in which an edge portion which defines a circumference of the through hole portion is situated on an outer side to the translucent portion and on an inner side to the sensor region.
US08816978B2
An input device and computing system is provided for a user to input data. An input device may comprise a touch sensitive pad and a hinge. The touchpad may have a touch sensitive surface. The touchpad may have a first end and a second end. The hinge may be disposed parallel to the first end and the second end. The touchpad may be pivotably connected to the hinge to allow displacement of the touchpad from a flat position to an activate position at the first end when a force is applied to the first end of the touch surface.
US08816973B2
Disclosed herein is a position detection apparatus including: a sensor section having a plurality of detection electrodes laid out on a detection surface; a select section configured to select one or more detection electrodes from the detection electrodes; an oscillation section having an oscillation frequency determined by a capacitance generated in the one or more detection electrodes selected by the select section; a conversion section configured to output an output signal representing the frequency of an oscillation signal generated by the oscillation section; and a control section configured to change the frequency of the oscillation signal generated by the oscillation section in accordance with the output signal output by the conversion section.
US08816969B2
An input apparatus has an input unit for receiving a pressure input, a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on the input unit , a vibration unit for vibrating the input unit , and a control unit for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a click sensation is provided to an object pressing the input unit when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard for receiving an input to the input unit . Thereby, a realistic click sensation similar to that obtained when a push-button switch is operated is provided upon operation of the input unit of a pressure type by an operator.
US08816965B2
Devices and methods are described for improving the efficiency of text input by requiring more pressure to select keys on a dynamic keyboard that are improbable key presses. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key has a lever mechanism which varies the force required to press the key. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device is programmed to change the force required to enter each key within the dynamic keyboard based on the prior entry. The keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next.
US08816961B2
A pointing device (10, 50, 70, 90) is provided for use on an interactive surface (21). The pointing device (10, 50, 70, 90) comprises a grip portion (11, 51, 71, 91) and a shapeable part (12, 52, 72, 92). The grip portion can be manipulated into different positions by a user. The shapeable part (12, 52, 72, 92) has a contact surface for making contact with the interactive surface (21). The grip portion (11, 51, 71, 91) is coupled to the shapeable part (12, 52, 72, 92) in such a way that the manipulation of the grip portion (11, 51, 71, 91) causes a footprint (30, 60, 80, 100) of the contact surface on the interactive surface (21) to take a shape corresponding to the respective different positions of the grip portion (11, 51, 71, 91).
US08816953B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and method of the driving the same is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an LCD device includes a liquid crystal display panel; a plurality of backlight sources configured to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel; a scanning backlight controller configured to generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for controlling a turn-on time and a turn-off time of the light sources and a current control signal for controlling a driving current of the backlight light sources; and a plurality of light source drivers configured to turn on and off the backlight sources in response to the PWM signal and control the driving current of the backlight sources in response to the current control signal.
US08816952B2
An apparatus for driving a lamp of a liquid crystal display device includes a control signal generator generating a switching control signal, a waveform modulator modulating at least an amplitude of the switching control signal to generate a modulated switching control signal, and an AC waveform generator converting a supply voltage based on the modulated switching control signal to generate an AC waveform for driving the lamp, the AC waveform including at least two different peak-to-peak amplitudes within a time period.
US08816937B2
Provided is a multiprojection display system that includes a plurality of cameras configured to capture images of predetermined vertex regions including vertexes of projected images projected from two-dimensional scanning projectors onto a screen, an image-capturing timing control unit configured to control the cameras to capture images of the screen for a predetermine period including a display. start row of one frame of the projected image or a predetermined period including a display end row, and a vertex position detection unit configured to detect vertexes of the respective projected images from data relating to the plurality of images captured by the cameras, and to output data relating to image edges indicating positions of the vertexes. A projector control unit adjusts, when the vertex of the projected image shifts from a present reference position, a scanning range of the two-dimensional scanning projector so that the vertex can be matched with the reference position.
US08816932B2
The radio wave transmitting decorative member and the method of producing thereof efficiently and stably of the present invention is provided with radio wave transmitting properties as well as mirror-surface like metallic luster, hardly loses its metallic luster, and can be produced at a low cost. The method of producing a radio wave transmitting decorative member, having a substrate, a transparent organic material layer, and a light reflecting layer formed of an alloy composed of either silicon or germanium and a metal provided between the substrate and the transparent organic material layer; wherein the light reflecting layer is formed from a target having an alloy composed of either silicon or germanium, and of a metal with the use of a DC magnetrons sputtering.
US08816926B2
An antenna structure has a first resonance mode and a second resonance mode. The antenna structure consists of a first radiation element, a second radiation element, a grounding element, and a signal feeding element. The first radiation element resonates at a first operating frequency band corresponding to the first resonance mode. The second radiation element is extended from a first end of the first radiation element and resonates at a second operating frequency band corresponding to the second resonance mode. The grounding element is extended from a second end of the first radiation element. The signal feeding element is disposed between the first radiation element and the grounding element. The second radiation element, the first radiation element, and the grounding element are formed by bending a slender metal sheet.
US08816925B2
A multi-band whip antenna having a 30 MHz to 2 GHz bandwidth and an L-band dipole has its coverage extended up to 6 GHz by eliminating nulls and reducing VSWR problems that are cured through the utilization of a sleeve over the feedpoint of the L-band antenna. Chokes in the form of sleeves are provided at either end of the L-band dipole to shorten the L-band antenna for preventing reverse polarity currents at the L-band antenna feedpoint, with the antenna further including the use of double shielded meanderlines to provide improved performance between 410-512 MHz and in which a capacitance sleeve is added at the bottom of the L-band antenna to effectively elongate the antenna below the L-band to permit operation below 700 MHz.
US08816922B2
A multi-frequency antenna (1) comprises a dielectric substrate (100), an antenna element (110), a shunt inductor (120), a capacitor conductor (130), a series inductor (140), a grounded part (150) and a feeding point (160). The antenna element (110) is arranged on the substrate (100), and is electrically connected to the grounded part (150) through the shunt inductor (120). Moreover, the antenna element (110) is electrically connected to the feeding point (160) through a series capacitor formed by a part where the antenna element (110) faces the capacitor conductor (130) and the substrate (100) therebetween, and through the series inductor (140).
US08816920B2
A mobile electronic device comprises an RFID antenna section that sends and receives signals on a first useful frequency band, a main antenna section that sends and receives signals on a second useful frequency band, which is a higher frequency band than the first useful frequency band, an adjustment section that adjusts a resonance frequency of the RFID antenna section, and a control section that identifies a reactance value of the RFID antenna section based on the receiving sensitivity with respect to signals on the first useful frequency band and adjusts the resonance frequency of the RFID antenna section based on the identified reactance value by an adjustment section such that a high-order resonance frequency of the RFID antenna section is spaced apart from the second useful frequency band.
US08816917B2
A low profile antenna device for use in a vehicle comprises a base unit, and an antenna unit. The antenna unit is supported on the base unit, and is provided with a first helical unit on the side near to the base unit, and a second helical unit on the side far from the base unit. The second helical unit is configured such that the surface area is larger per unit length than that of the first helical unit.
US08816905B2
A method, device and system for determining a receiver location using weak signal satellite transmissions. The invention involves a sequence of exchanges between an aiding source and a receiver that serve to provide aiding information to the receiver so that the receiver's location may be determined in the presence of weak satellite transmissions. With the aiding information, the novel receiver detects, acquires and tracks weak satellite signals and computes position solutions from calculated pseudo ranges despite the inability to extract time synchronization date from the weak satellite signals. The invention includes as features, methods and apparatus for the calibration of a local oscillator, the cancellation of cross correlations, a Doppler location scheme, an ensemble averaging scheme, the calculation of almanac aiding from a table of orbit coefficients, absolute time determination, and a modified search engine.
US08816899B2
A method of target discrimination and identification, on a computer including a processing unit and a non-volatile storage device, from a radar signal having a plurality of radar return signals, is presented. The method includes: modeling, on the computer, the radar return signals by linear prediction to produce linear prediction equations; solving, on the computer, the linear prediction equations by the Burg algorithm to produce linear prediction coefficients for a linear prediction coefficient polynomial; computing, on the computer, roots of the linear prediction coefficient polynomial to produce scattering modes; computing, on the computer, a distance of each of the scattering modes to a unit circle; computing, on the computer, a complex envelope for each mode of the scattering modes; and selecting, on the computer, target scattering modes from among the scattering modes based on the distance of the mode to the unit circle and the complex envelope of the mode.
US08816895B2
Embodiments of a target classifier and method for target classification using measured target epsilons and target glint information are generally described herein. The target classifier is configured to compare a total epsilon measurement with target glint information to determine whether to the target being tracked corresponds to an intended target type. Based on the comparison, the target classifier may cause target tracking circuitry of a target-tracking radar to either continue tracking the target or break-off from tracking the target. Glint of different target types may be characterized at different ranges and the target's glint characteristics may be used to distinguish intended from non-intended targets. Accordingly, intended targets such as incoming artillery may be distinguished from non-intended targets such as aircraft to help prevent countermeasures from being launched against non-intended targets.
US08816891B2
An input circuitry for an ADC constituted of: a first resistor coupled to an input of the ADC; a second resistor coupled to the input of the ADC and arranged to provide a current path; an electronically controlled switch coupled to the first resistor and arranged to provide a parallel current path through the first resistor; and a control circuitry; wherein the control circuitry is arranged to operate in a high current mode in the event that the input current exhibits an intensity within a first predetermined range and is arranged to operate in a low current mode in the event that the input current exhibits an intensity within a second predetermined range, different than the first predetermined range, wherein, in the high current mode the control circuitry is arranged to close the electronically controlled switch and in the low current mode is arranged to open the electronically controlled switch.
US08816890B1
An integrated circuit device can include a plurality of analog blocks, including a plurality of programmable analog blocks configurable to provide different analog functions in response to configuration data, at least one programmable analog block including a programmable analog routing coupled to a plurality of external connections to the integrated circuit device; and a plurality of programmable digital blocks, at least one programmable digital block configurable into an analog block control circuit that configures the programmable analog routing.
US08816887B2
A sampling circuit comprising: an input node; a first signal path comprising a first sampling capacitor and a first signal path switch in a signal path between the input node and a first plate of the first sampling capacitor; a second signal path comprising a second sampling capacitor and a second signal path switch in a signal path between the input node and a first plate of the second sampling capacitor, and a signal processing circuit for forming a difference between a signal sampled onto the first sampling capacitor and a signal sampled onto the second sampling capacitor.
US08816886B1
A method and apparatus for controlling the effective gain of an ADC when the ADC is occasionally or continuously calibrated using the statistics of the input signal and when the statistics are not stationary.
US08816884B2
A rebinning device includes a rebinning engine that transforms signal data from a first format to a second format with vectorized binning. Moreover, a data storage operably coupled to the rebinning engine stores the signal data in the second format. The rebinning device may optionally includes a capturing engine that captures the signal data in the first format and a rendering engine that renders the signal data in the second format.
US08816881B2
A runway digital wind indicator system senses wind conditions at multiple locations, aggregates this data, and communicates up-to-date, usable information to pilots. Meteorological information, including wind speed, direction, and change (i.e., gustiness) plus temperature, humidity, barometer, wind shear, etc., can be sensed by three or more sensor pods placed along a runway (at least one at each end and another in the middle of a given runway). Data from these pods is then transferred to a computer receiver that processes the information into a real-time, concise, readable format that can be displayed to air traffic control, sent to runway digital display signs placed in proximity to runways for direct pilot reference, and/or posted to websites/internet locations that can then be used to wirelessly relay the information to any of a plethora of digital devices that can be accessed directly by a pilot.
US08816880B1
A computer-implemented method that includes receiving a request for navigational assistance to a location, identifying a parking facility at or near the location, identifying a first section of the parking facility having parking availability, identifying a first entrance of the parking facility that corresponds to the first section of the parking facility, providing, via a mobile communications device, navigational assistance to the first entrance of the parking facility, monitoring parking availability at the parking facility, and, prior to receiving an indication that a vehicle associated with the mobile communications device has arrived at the first entrance of the parking facility, determining that a second section of the parking facility currently has a parking availability that exceeds the parking availability of the first section of the parking facility, and providing navigational assistance to a second entrance of the parking facility that corresponds to the second section of the parking facility.
US08816877B2
The invention relates to a road gantry comprising a horizontal beam (2), the upper surface (21) of which constitutes a passageway for service personnel to cross, the gantry being characterized in that it comprises arms (25) for bearing apparatuses (30) for monitoring road traffic, electronic toll collection, or signaling, wherein said arms are pivotably attached to the horizontal beam so as to be able to move from a first position, in which the arms extend towards the road, into a second position for stowage on said passageway, and vice versa. The passageway may comprise protection guardrails (22, 23) in which openings (24) are formed, said openings being shut by door panels (24) arranged so as to enable the passage of said arms (25) from said first position to said second position and vice versa. The invention also relates to a barrier-free electronic toll collection station including at least one such gantry.
US08816873B2
A seat (5) includes a sensor (21) mounted on the seat which is arranged to sense the presence of an object, or movement or position of an object in a non-contact manner, within a sensing region around the seat. A processor is arranged to receive an audio signal and to process the audio signal based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A processed signal is delivered to a vibro-acoustic transducer mounted within the seat. The processor can also control a lighting effect based on presence, movement or position detected by the first sensor. A user can interact with audio in a personal way, to suit the mood of the user. A seated user can move their body (especially arms or hands) to modify audio, such as music. The seat has a nodule (12) which, in use, fits between the legs of a seated user. The nodule can house the sensor (21) and user controls.
US08816861B2
A method, computer program product, and computer system for detecting cheating in an assessment. Brainwaves of a user are identified. An attention level of the user is determined with the identified brainwaves. The attention level of the user is analyzed. An action of the user is classified as a cheating event using the analyzed attention level of the user.
US08816858B2
An apparatus for preventing loss of an item and quickly searching for the item includes a slave configured to act as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having unique identifier information in an internal tag memory; and a hand-held master configured to function as an RFID reader and to permit the change of at least one of a recognition distance and a recognition width, at which the master recognizes the slave. When the distance between a user and an item is out of a predetermined range, a warning such as an alarm or voice signal is provided to the user, so that it is possible to prevent loss of the item. Alternatively, it is possible to quickly search for a misplaced item whenever the user desires it and has misplaced the same.
US08816854B2
A system for detecting electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) marker shielding includes an EAS subsystem a metal detector, a cart detection subsystem and a processor. The EAS subsystem is operable to detect an EAS marker in an interrogation zone. The metal detector is operable to detect a metal object in the interrogation zone. The cart detection subsystem includes a sensor array. The cart detection subsystem is operable to differentiate between a wheeled device and a human passing through the interrogation zone based on the sensor array. The processor is electrically coupled to the EAS subsystem, the metal detector and the cart detection subsystem. The processor is programmed to receive information outputted from the cart detection system and information outputted from the metal detector to determine whether to generate an alarm signal based on the presence of EAS marker shielding.
US08816852B2
Tamper-proof alarm components for detecting theft, for example, of copper, air conditioning component(s), and/or an air conditioning unit are disclosed. Methods of making and using tamper-proof alarm components are also disclosed.
US08816851B2
Methods and apparatuses of distributed lighting control are disclosed. One embodiment includes a lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus includes a light, a sensor associated with the light for sensing a change of light intensity per unit of time greater than a sense threshold, and a controller. The controller is operative to determine if the light is within an area, activate the light at a preselected area light intensity if a light associated with the sensor is within the area and the sensed change of light intensity per unit of time is greater than the sense threshold, and if the light is not within the area, then the light only activates if motion is additionally detected, thereby increasing light intensity over a target area.
US08816850B2
The tracking and monitoring system for opencast mines of the present invention enables continuously tracking and monitoring vehicles and moveable equipment in opencast mines using ZigBee-enabled active RFID devices forming a dynamic wireless network among them and other static and mobile ZigBee devices placed at strategic locations. The present invention provides a tracking and monitoring system for opencast mines comprises in combination of ZigBee-compliant devices (programmable to operate as end devices, routers and coordinators by hardware specific embedded software) and wireless sensor network software having various application modules for opencast mines. Use of the system of the present invention would help in maintaining computerized record and analysing the performance of costly shovels and dumpers deployed in opencast mines. This would help in optimising the placement of dumpers with each shovel depending on the change in working and dumping places. This would also help in maintaining computerise attendance of dumper operators and other personnel working in an opencast mine. This would further help in providing warning to the signal man and dumper operator, while dumper approaching close proximity to the signal man. This would help in establishing two-way message communication among the personnel engaged in an opencast mine. This would ultimately help in improving production, productivity and safety in opencast mine.
US08816847B2
The system of the present invention includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, a voltage potential is created and the power source is completed, which activates the system. The electronic component controls the conductance between the dissimilar materials to produce a unique current signature. The system can be used in a variety of different applications, including as components of ingestible identifiers, such as may be found in ingestible event markers, e.g., pharma-informatics enabled pharmaceutical compositions.
US08816836B2
A safe operation apparatus for a moving object includes: a distraction detection unit for detecting distraction information of a user operating a moving object; a controller for collecting the distraction information from the distraction detection unit, calculating a user's distraction state value, and controlling the moving object to be automatically operated or warning of the distraction state based on the distraction state value; and an automatic operation unit for automatically operating the moving object under the control of the controller. The apparatus further includes a communication unit for transmitting the user's distraction state to a remote control center or an adjacent different moving object under the control of the controller.
US08816835B2
An immobilizer device is configured for communicating with a base station. The immobilizer device includes an antenna circuit including three orthogonally-oriented antennas configured to receive a signal from a field generated by a base station. A power circuit is configured to draw power via the field on each of the antennas, and a communications circuit is configured to communicate with the base station via any of the antennas. The strength of the signals received via the antennas is evaluated and used to select one of the antennas for use in data communications and, if appropriate, as a power supply.
US08816828B2
A recipe wand reads meal plans and recipes for a recipe book, and with data about the appliance and one or more cycles of operation, sends data about a consumable to the appliance to automatically create and selectively commence a cycle of operation oh the consumable according to the recipe book.
US08816825B2
Proposed is a transponder for receiving a wireless electromagnetic interrogation signal and for transmitting a wireless electromagnetic response signal with a first coil acting as an antenna for generating a first wired electrical receive signal from the interrogation signal, and with at least one further coil acting as an antenna for generating a further wired electrical receive signal from the interrogation signal, wherein an axis of the first coil and an axis of the further coil are aligned differently in the space, wherein in each case one full-wave rectifier for rectifying the respective receive signal is assigned to the coils, wherein a summing element for summing up the rectified receive signals generated by the full-wave rectifiers is provided in order to generate in this manner a pulsating sum signal, the frequency of which corresponds to twice the frequency of the interrogation signal.
US08816824B2
A multi-field antenna able to receive a signal over one field selected from a plurality of different fields of the antenna includes an interface to connect the antenna to a signal processing device, such as an RFID reader, to receive and process the signal. The antenna includes a first magnetic loop configured to be tuned by a first tuner to provide a first volume field for reading data; a second magnetic loop configured to be tuned by a second tuner to provide a second volume field for reading data, the second volume field being smaller than the first volume field; and a switch to configure the first tuner and the second tuner to select the one field from the plurality of fields. The multi-field antenna can have a wide volume field selected to detect items within a large area and then the multi-field antenna can be switched to select a smaller volume field to detect items within a substantially smaller area. In a preferred embodiment, the multi-field antenna further includes; a first metallic element configured to cover at least a portion of the second magnetic loop, the first metallic element comprising a slot extending from one end of the first metallic element to a point proximal an opposite end of the first metallic element. Also preferably, the multi-field antenna can also create a point volume field, smaller than the second volume field, to localize detected objects within a still smaller area.
US08816823B2
Provided is an electromagnetic wave transmission sheet having a mesh-shaped electrode. The sheet has a length of width in a direction vertical to the propagation direction of the transmitted electromagnetic wave which length is substantially identical to half of the wavelength of the transmitted electromagnetic wave multiplied by a natural number so that a resonance state is obtained in the vertical direction. It is preferable that the sheet have an electromagnetic wave absorbing medium for reducing reflection of the transmitted electromagnetic wave in the propagation direction, so as to eliminate the need of an electromagnetic wave absorbing medium for reducing reflection in the direction vertical to the propagation direction of the transmitted electromagnetic wave.
US08816819B2
Embodiments of the present invention implement dynamic elements within a RFID card. Specifically, the embodiments update card information dynamically, using a biometric image scanner (e.g., for scanning a fingerprint passively). The scanner is activated only when a user intends to use it with a designated reader by bringing the RFID card within the reader RF field range, thus preventing unauthorized reader's RFID scan. Even if an unauthorized reader comes into contact with the RFID card, the reader cannot read the user's biometric information, unless the user holds the card for use by the reader. Thus, unauthorized biometric information scanning is effectively prevented. The medium owned and controlled by the user collects a biometric fingerprint image for safety and security. When a card is swiped by the user, the biometric imaging array sensor captures user fingerprints and transfers the corresponding image data to a verification system to match and track user biometric information with a predefine accuracy, and track changes of repeated uses.
US08816812B2
The purpose of the invention is to create such a varistor fuse element, which should within a single housing include both a varistor (1) as well as an electric fuse (2), wherein said varistor part i.e. a varistor (1) is intended to protect each electric installation against overvoltage impulses and consequently against current strokes, while the fuse (2) is capable to transmit the current stroke due to increased voltage and to interrupt each permanently increased electric current, which might occur due to defects on the varistor (1). Moreover, such varistor fuse should not exceed dimensions of already known and widely used protective means, in particular melting fuses. In accordance with the invention, the fuse (2) with its round tubular casing (20) and the varistor, which is also embedded within a round tubular casing (10), are serial interconnected and arranged coaxially within each other.
US08816803B2
The present invention provides a contact mechanism that is capable of, without enlarging the entire configuration thereof, preventing the generation of an electromagnetic repulsion that opens a movable contact upon application of a current, and also provides an electromagnetic contactor that uses this contact mechanism. A contact mechanism (CM) has a fixed contact (2) and a movable contact (3) that are inserted in a current-carrying path. In the contact mechanism (CM), at least either the fixed contact (2) or the movable contact (3) is formed into an L-shape or a U-shape so as to generate a Lorentz force that acts against an electromagnetic repulsion in an opening direction, which is generated between the fixed contact (2) and the movable contact (3) upon application of a current.
US08816790B2
Oscillators are described that have a highly stable output frequency versus the variation of supply voltage and different operating conditions such as temperature. The concepts are broadly applicable to various types of oscillators. The highly stable output is achieved with the use of self biasing loops. The circuits associated with providing constant harmonic output current can be used with the concept of a phi-null oscillator to further stabilize the output frequency.
US08816785B2
An oscillator which oscillates electromagnetic waves includes a negative differential resistance element, a resonator configured to prescribe oscillation frequencies of the electromagnetic waves, a voltage modulation unit configured to modulate the negative differential resistance element, a stabilizing circuit configured to suppress parasitic oscillation, and a bias circuit, including a power supply and a line, used to control an operating point voltage of the negative differential resistance element. The voltage modulation unit is connected to the bias circuit through the stabilizing circuit.
US08816778B2
A method for adjusting an oscillator clock frequency, comprising: providing a first oscillator, applying a first setpoint value to the first oscillator, determining a first oscillator frequency value within a first time frame, providing a second oscillator, applying a second setpoint value to the second oscillator, determining a second oscillator frequency value within a second time frame, determining a new frequency setpoint value from the first and second frequency values, the first and second setpoint values, and a desired frequency value, and applying the new frequency setpoint value to one of the first and second oscillators.
US08816776B2
An apparatus comprises a clock and data recovery system, and a loss of lock detector at least partially incorporated within or otherwise associated with the clock and data recovery system. The loss of lock detector is configured to generate a loss of lock signal responsive to phase adjustment requests generated for a clock signal in the clock and data recovery system. By way of example, the loss of lock signal may have a first logic level indicative of the phase adjustment requests occurring at a first rate associated with a lock condition and a second logic level indicative of the phase adjustment requests occurring at a second rate lower than the first rate. Absolute values of respective phase increments each associated with multiple up and down phase requests may be accumulated, and the loss of lock signal generated as a function of the accumulated phase increment absolute values.
US08816769B2
A power amplifier system includes a transistor stack and an upper portion. The upper portion includes an LC tank. The LC tank is configured to generate selected harmonics to mitigate voltage stress and facilitate amplifier efficiency. The transistor stack includes serial connected input transistors and upper transistors. The input transistors are configured to receive an input signal and the upper transistors are configured to provide an amplifier output signal. The LC tank is configured to provide the selected harmonics to at least gates of the upper transistors.
US08816765B2
A low noise amplifier (LNA) includes a bank of selectable first transistors and a bank of selectable second transistors complementary to the first transistors. The LNA also includes a plurality of switches to select one or more of the first transistors and to select one or more of the second transistors, the selected first transistors positioned in series with respect to the selected second transistors. The LNA also includes switching logic to control the plurality of switches, to simultaneously vary selection of the first transistors and the second transistors during calibration to substantially match output second-order distortion of the selected first transistors with that of the selected second transistors, to create high second-order intercept points.
US08816761B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide tunable filter circuits and methods for using such. As an example, a tunable biquad filter is disclosed that includes a tunable biquad circuit, a mixer circuit and a low pass filter. The tunable biquad circuit exhibits a cutoff frequency corresponding to an adjustment value, and is operable to receive an filter input and to provide a filter output. The mixer circuit is operable to provide a product of the filter input and the filter output. The product includes a time dependent component and a static component. The low pass filter is operable to receive the product and to provide the static component.
US08816757B1
Systems and methods are provided for regulating power in an integrated circuit system. A system includes a processing unit configured to monitor one or more operating parameters in the integrated circuit system. Based on the one or more monitored operating parameters, the processing unit is configured to predict an occurrence of an event that will cause an increased load on the integrated circuit system and further to assert a voltage adjustment command based on the predicted event. A power regulator is coupled to a power supply. The power regulator is configured to supply a regulated output voltage at a nominal voltage level. The power regulator is further configured to receive the voltage adjustment command and to supply the output voltage at an adjusted output level responsively to the voltage adjustment command.
US08816752B2
A low voltage AC power controller uses a line coupled capacitor AC to DC converter circuit to obtain energy from AC line power supplied to an AC load and may be used with an external high voltage AC switching device to control power supplied to the AC load. The line coupled capacitor AC to DC converter circuit provides a low power device that senses characteristics of the power supplied to the load and can communicate sensed information and/or receive control information related to the power supplied to load.
US08816748B2
An apparatus comprising a level shifter circuit and a control circuit. The level shifter circuit may be configured to generate a differential output in response to (i) a first differential input, (ii) a second differential input and (iii) a first supply. The level shifter circuit comprises a first pull down transistor pair operating with the first supply. The control circuit may be configured to generate the second differential input in response to (i) the first differential input and (ii) a second supply. The control circuit generally comprises a second pull down transistor pair operating with the second supply. The first supply has a higher voltage than the second supply.
US08816739B2
There is provided a semiconductor device having: a latch circuit (103, 104) having a plurality of data holding nodes; a first capacitance element (C) connected to the first data holding node (A) included in the plurality of data holding nodes; and a first switch element (SW2) provided between the first data holding node (A) and the first capacitance element (C).
US08816737B1
An interface circuit for signal transmission includes an amplifying circuit, a de-skew circuit and a latching unit. The amplifying circuit receives an input clock signal and outputs an output clock signal after amplifying the input clock signal. The de-skew circuit receives the output clock signal and outputs a de-skew clock signal as a trigger signal after removing a skew time of the output clock signal. The latching unit includes multiple sampling circuits, respectively receives multiple inputting data signals. The sampling circuits are controlled by the trigger signal to sample the inputting data signals and output multiple outputting data signals. The voltage amplitudes of the outputting data signals are larger than the voltage amplitudes of the inputting data signals and satisfy a required voltage amplitude by a subsequent circuit.
US08816736B2
Clock signal generators having a reduced power feedback clock path and methods for generating clocks
Memories, clock generators and methods for providing an output clock signal are disclosed. One such method includes delaying a buffered clock signal by an adjustable delay to provide an output clock signal, providing a feedback clock signal from the output clock signal, and adjusting a duty cycle of the buffered clock signal based at least in part on the feedback clock signal. An example clock generator includes a forward clock path configured to provide a delayed output clock signal from a clock driver circuit, and further includes a feedback clock path configured to provide a feedback clock signal based at least in part on the delayed output clock signal, for example, frequency dividing the delayed output clock signal. The feedback clock path further configured to control adjustment a duty cycle of the buffered input clock signal based at least in part on the feedback clock signal.
US08816731B2
An integrated circuit includes a first die and a second die. The first die comprising a first phase-locked loop (PLL) and the second die comprising a second PLL. The integrated circuit includes a shared loop filter, wherein the first PLL in the first die is combined with the shared loop filter to form a first PLL feedback loop, the second PLL in the second die is combined with the shared loop filter to form a second PLL feedback loop and the shared loop filter is configured to provide configurable bandwidths to each of the first PLL feedback loop and the second PLL feedback loop.
US08816729B2
Methods and systems for synchronizing an electric grid having unbalanced voltages are provided. A voltage vector may be filtered in a quadrature tracking filter (QTF) to generate a quadrature signal. The inputs to the QTF may be either single input, multiple outputs, or alternatively, multiple inputs, multiple outputs. Furthermore, the second state of either of the two QTF transformations may be either positive or negative. A phase-locked-loop (PLL) operation may be performed on the quadrature signal to monitor a voltage vector between the grid and a connected power converter. The QTF and PLL methods are suitable for either single-phase applications or n-phase (any number of phases) applications.
US08816724B2
Methods and systems are disclosed that provide a radio frequency synthesizer that generates precise frequencies over a large radio frequency range. The radio frequency synthesizer can provide a high resolution of frequency generation and still provide precise frequencies over a range of radio frequencies. The precision and resolution while maintaining a large operating range come from the ability of the frequency synthesizer to generate frequencies as a product of a plurality of moduli. For example, the frequency can be generated from a reference frequency using a first modulus and a second modulus. The plurality of modulo can be implemented using nested digital delta-sigma modulators in a fractional-N frequency synthesizer.
US08816720B2
A system and method of shifting a data signal from a first voltage domain having a first logic level to a second voltage domain having a second logic level, the second logic level having a second logical high state greater than a first logical high state in the first logic level and a single power supply logic level shifter circuit having a single power supply source, an input node and an output node, the input node coupled to a sender circuit in the first voltage domain and the output node coupled to a receiver circuit in the second voltage domain, the single power supply source being coupled only to a single power grid in the second voltage domain.
US08816719B2
A re-programmable antifuse field programmable gate array (FPGA) integrated circuit, the FPGA comprising: a plurality of CeRAM resistive switching elements forming a connection block, the switching elements capable of being switched from a conductive (ON) state to a non-conductive (OFF) state and back to a conductive (ON) state; a plurality of logic elements forming a logic block; and a programming circuit for turning the CeRAM switching elements OFF and ON to connect the logic elements to form the FPGA.
US08816710B2
Provided is a micro contact element which is capable of coping with the miniaturization and greater complexity of substrates or boards, which is simplified due to a reduction in the number of components, and which creates sufficient contact pressure and stroke. Also provided is an inspection jig using this contact element. An inspection contact element having the contact pressure and amount of contraction required to carry out an inspection is formed by using notch parts respectively formed in two conductive cylindrical members having different outer and inner diameters so that the notch parts can function as elastic parts, and combining the two cylindrical members in such a way that the elastic parts are arranged in parallel or in series.
US08816709B2
An electronic component testing device includes a first imaging device for imaging an upper-surface electrode of an electronic component before the electronic component is held by a holding part, a second imaging device for imaging a contact terminal provided to a testing head, a third imaging device for imaging a lower-surface electrode of the electronic component held by the holding part, and a fourth imaging device for imaging a testing socket. A control device controls the position adjustment part of the testing head to adjust the position of the holding part, and thereby controlling, based on images captured by the first and second imaging devices, a holding orientation when the holding part holds the electronic component, and controlling, based on the images captured by the third and fourth imaging devices, a holding orientation of the holding part in relation to the testing socket.
US08816704B1
A method includes generating a correction value for a capacitive sensor based on a difference between a capacitance of the capacitive sensor and a capacitance of at least one other capacitive sensor when an input to the capacitive sensor and the at least one other capacitive sensor is absent. The method further includes generating a compensated capacitance value for the capacitive sensor based on applying the correction value to a difference between the capacitance of the capacitive sensor when the input is absent and another capacitance of the capacitive sensor.
US08816703B2
Capacitive transducer systems are disclosed that reduce nonlinearities due to feedthrough capacitances or residual electrostatic forces. The systems can include a core with a first input coupled to a first variable capacitor, a second input coupled to a second variable capacitor, and a core output coupled to a common node; an amplifier with input switchably coupled to common node and an output; a feedback path switchably coupling amplifier output to common node; and a main clock with first and second phases, that controls switches coupling system components. When clock is in first phase, first core input is coupled to reference voltage, second core input is coupled to negative reference voltage, and common node is coupled to amplifier output. When clock is in second phase, core inputs are grounded, and common node is coupled to amplifier input. The system can have single amplifier. Neutralization capacitor can cancel feedthrough and parasitic capacitances.
US08816701B2
A slider and an electronic apparatus containing the slider, the slider including upper and lower board bodies, a first metal part positioned on the upper board body and connected to a capacitive touch sensor, the capacitive touch sensor being arranged on the circuit board of an electronic apparatus containing the slider; and a second metal part positioned on the lower board body and connected to a ground end (terminal), the ground end being arranged on the circuit board of the electronic apparatus containing the slider; the first and second metal parts are respectively positioned at the same end of the upper board body and the lower board body, and the first and second metal parts constitute a capacitor, the capacitance of which provides for detecting the open mode and closed mode of the slider.
US08816700B2
A partial discharge detection device for detecting and measuring partial discharges in electric systems or components, which delivers signals having a form much resembling that of the radiated pulse, for improved identification and analysis. The device is of small size, totally insulated and self-powered, and allows measurements to be performed with the highest safety with no need for direct connection, thereby allowing operators to stand at a distance and avoid any system shutdown while making measurements. Furthermore, it can also detect and deliver the sync signal, which is obtained by picking up the supply voltage of the discharge generating components.
US08816695B2
A method and system for interoperability testing is provided. Various network communications messages are sent to a device under test (DUT) and a number of similar devices from different sources including different manufacturers. Responses to the test signals from the device under test and the similar devices are compared to expected responses in accordance with the standard, and adjustments are made in the device under test if deviations in responses are detected. The device under test may be a intelligent electronic device or IEC 61850 protocol client device.
US08816688B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition acquisition unit and an imaging unit. The imaging condition acquisition unit acquires at least one of optimum amplitude and optimum phase of a radio frequency transmission signal so as to reduce a deviation of data in at least one region of interest set in an object. The imaging unit acquires image data by imaging according to an imaging condition including at least one of optimum amplitude and optimum phase.
US08816685B2
A method and system for performing pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes generating an excitation pulse train for applying to an object having probes and detecting from the probes an echo response induced by the excitation pulse train.
US08816680B2
The invention herein disclosed provides a 2D coil and a method of using the 2D wound EC sensor for reproducing the Eddy Current Testing (ECT) response of a prior art 3D orthogonal sensor. The resulting thin-film eddy current array of coils configured to be placed parallel and against the test surface, and a corresponding eddy current circuitry operable to excite and receive eddy current from the array of coils. The array of coils forming at least a first inspection channel and a second inspection channel. The eddy current circuitry is configured and operable in a way that the one of the first pair of driver coils is usable as one of the second pair of driver coils; and one of the first pair of receiver coils is useable as one the second pair of receiver coils.
US08816679B2
This disclosure describes techniques for sensing an angular position of a rotating object over an angular position range that includes up to 360 degrees using an arc position encoder comprising a substantially 180-degree angular position sensing range. The encoder may include a base comprising an arc length defined by a first and a second end, one or more magnetic field sensors disposed within the base between the first and second ends, and one or more polarity transition sensors also disposed within the base between the first and second ends. The encoder may further include a magnetic target that includes first and second magnetic poles disposed on opposite ends so as to generate a uniform magnetic field, wherein the magnetic target is coupled to the rotating object so as to rotate about an axis of rotation located substantially in a center of a circle defined by the base.
US08816675B2
A VR resolver comprises a resolver stator and a resolver rotor. Teeth whose number is equal to the product of an integer P of 2 or more and 4 are arranged in an annular shape from the inner circumferential side to the inner side in the diameter direction of the resolver stator. In the resolver rotor, convex portions whose number is equal to the product of an odd number m of 3 or more and the integer P are radially projected. All the stator slots are provided with excitation coils which generate a magnetic field by the application of a voltage. Moreover, all the stator slots are provided with either a first coil or a second coil which outputs electric signals of different waveforms based on the magnetic field.
US08816666B2
One of first and second switching devices turns on to flow a current along a current path between a potential reference output terminal of a drive-target switching device and a control terminal of the drive-target switching device to turn on the drive-target switching device. Thereby, a voltage changes between the control terminal of the drive-target switching device and the potential reference output terminal of the drive-target switching device to turn off the one of the first and second switching devices being turned on. Thereby, a potential of the control terminal of the drive-target switching device is clamped.
US08816662B2
An object is to reduce power consumption of a semiconductor device including a DC-DC converter circuit. The semiconductor device includes a DC-DC converter circuit and a microprocessor. The DC-DC converter circuit includes a conversion circuit including an inductor and a transistor, and a control circuit including a comparison circuit and a logic circuit. A hysteresis comparator is used as the comparison circuit. In the control circuit, the comparison circuit compares an output signal of the conversion circuit with a first reference potential or a second reference potential, and the logic circuit performs arithmetic operation between an output signal of the comparison circuit and a clock signal of the microprocessor. In the conversion circuit, the transistor controls current flowing through the inductor in accordance with an output signal of the logic circuit, and the output signal of the conversion circuit is generated in accordance with the current flowing through the inductor.
US08816661B2
According to example configurations as described herein, a power supply system includes a unique circuit including an analog summer circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital controller. An output voltage feedback control loop of the power supply system feeds back the output voltage to the analog summer circuit. The analog summer circuit generates an analog error voltage signal based on: i) the output voltage received from the output voltage feedback loop, ii) an analog reference voltage signal, and iii) an analog reference voltage adjustment signal. The analog reference voltage adjustment signal varies depending on a magnitude of current provided by the output voltage to the dynamic load. Accordingly, the analog summer circuit can be configured to support adaptive voltage positioning. The analog-to-digital converter converts the analog error voltage signal into a digital error voltage signal. A controller generates output voltage control signal(s) based on the digital error voltage signal.
US08816652B2
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems and methods for controlling a voltage profile delivered to a load in an electric power system. According to various embodiments, an electric power system may include an electric power line, a variable tap transformer, and a capacitor bank. The variable tap transformer may include a plurality of tap positions. A tap change controller may be coupled with the variable tap transformer and may control the tap positions of the variable tap transformer. A capacitor bank controller may be coupled with the capacitor bank and may selectively couple the capacitor bank to the electric power line. The tap change controller and the capacitor bank controller may share system information related to the voltage profile along the electric power line and to change the voltage profile along the line using the variable tap transformer and the capacitor bank depending on the system information.
US08816651B1
A load bank comprises one or more load resistors connected to an engine-generator and a control system for maintaining a minimum generator load when necessary for optimal operation. The control system operates the load bank to mitigate harmful effects of generator neglect and maintains loading for efficient DPF regeneration while allowing the generator to quickly dump the load bank when real load increases.
US08816642B2
A method for using a stand-alone system, provided with an actuator connected to a battery, comprises during a discharging phase of the battery at a predetermined current the measurement of a temperature representative of the battery temperature and the determination of a first voltage threshold depending upon the measured temperature. Then, a voltage is measured at the battery terminals. An operating mode, selected at least between a normal and deteriorated mode, is determined, said stand-alone system being in the normal operating mode when the measured voltage is higher than the first voltage threshold, and in the deteriorated operating mode when the measured voltage is lower that the first voltage threshold, the current provided by the battery during an actuation being reduced when going from the normal mode to the deteriorated mode.
US08816640B2
When detecting a fault of a master control device, a slave control device refers to master-device-line information, and obtains line information to establish a connection with the other master control device. The slave control device transmits connection request information to the master control device extracted from the other master control devices. The other master control device determines whether or not it is connectable with the slave control device that has transmitted the connection request information, and transmits a determination result as connectability information. The slave control device switches a communication line to the other master control device when the received connectability information indicates the connectable status.
US08816638B2
Techniques are described herein that are capable of increasing efficiency of wireless power transfer. A wireless power transfer system includes features that allow the system to be deployed in public spaces such as airports or in commercial establishments such as restaurants or hotels to allow a user to recharge one or more portable electronic devices while away from home. To accommodate wireless recharging of a variety of device types and states, the system may receive parameters and/or state information associated with a portable electronic device to be recharged and may control the wireless power transfer in accordance with such parameters and/or state information. For instance, the system may increase efficiency of the wireless power transfer based on such parameters and/or state information. The system may also provide a secure and efficient means for obtaining required payment information from the user prior to the wireless power transfer, thereby facilitating fee-based recharging.
US08816624B2
A rotating electromechanical machine has a rotor having at least one current-carrying winding and at least one rotor-mounted sensor configured to sense a machine property or parameter during machine operation. Rotor-mounted circuitry dynamically modifies at least one property of the current-carrying winding during machine operation in response to the sensed machine property or parameter.
US08816621B2
A PWM output apparatus includes a calculating circuit configured to calculate an output width of a PWM output signal of a first signal and a second signal, which have phases different from each other, based on a command value of a PWM output. A comparing circuit compares the output width and a reference period which is set longer than a predetermined dead time period. A PWM output signal generating circuit outputs the PWM output signal to a dead time inserting block as a corrected PWM output signal, when a set/clear signal generating circuit outputs the set signal, and carries out a correction of setting the first signal of the PWM output signal to be inactive to output to the dead time inserting block as the corrected PWM output signal, when the set/clear circuit outputs the clear signal. The dead time inserting block corrects the corrected PWM output signal.
US08816603B2
A method for controlling the operation of an electronic converter (10), comprising a power output (120) for providing a power supply signal (120) for a light source (L), wherein said light source (L) is coupled to an identification element (300, 400) which identifies at least one control parameter of said light source (L), and a data line (200b) for connection to said identification element (300, 400), wherein said method comprises: detecting (1002) the value of the voltage on said data line; (200b), comparing (1004, 1010) the detected value of said voltage with at least a first and a second range of values; (802, 804, 806), and a) determining said at least one control parameter as a function of the detected voltage (1002, 1044) on said data line (200b), if the detected voltage is within the first range (802), or b) communicating (1032) with said identification element (300) by means of a digital communication protocol in order to receive said at least one control parameter from said identification element (300) if the detected voltage is within the second range (804).
US08816600B2
Various embodiments relate to a method for driving a light emitting diode (LED) flash including: measuring a junction temperature of the LED by applying a test current to the LED and measuring the LED forward voltage; determining the drive current based upon the measured junction temperature and measured data characteristics of the LED; and applying the drive current to the LED for a specified length of time.
US08816596B2
An integrated circuit controller for use in a light emitting diode (LED) driver includes a comparator, an input signal absence timer and a regulator circuit. The comparator receives a first voltage representative of an ac input signal and compares the first voltage with a reference voltage. The input signal absence timer determines whether the first voltage is less than the reference voltage for a threshold duration and in response thereto generates a detect signal indicating that a portion of an ac half cycle is absent from the ac input signal. The regulator circuit controls switching of a switch to regulate a transfer of energy from the ac input signal to an LED load. The regulator circuit is disabled from switching the switch in response to the detect signal indicating the absence of the portion of the ac half cycle from the ac input signal.
US08816591B2
A plurality of LED-based lighting units is segmented into a plurality of LED-based lighting segments connected in series. Each lighting segment has a plurality of LED-based lighting units connected in series with at least a series-connection switch, and a bypass-connection switch is connected in parallel with the series of LED-based lighting units. The total number of LED-based lighting units can be determined by a maximum voltage level of an input voltage supply and the forward voltage of the LED-based lighting unit for achieving optimal efficiency. The number of lighting segments and the number of lighting units in each lighting segment are properly chosen based on the total number of the LED-based lighting units in such away that any number up to the total number of all the LED-based lighting units can be connected in series by respectively controlling the series-connection switch and the bypass-connection switch of each LED-based lighting segment.
US08816583B1
An improved mercury dosing composition is described. A method for dispensing mercury with this composition and to discharge lamps containing each composition is also described.
US08816581B2
Provided is a lighting device capable of displaying a desired image without an element such as a TFT in a light-emitting portion of the lighting device. The lighting device includes a light-emitting portion in which a plurality of light-emitting segments arranged in matrix and each including an EL layer between a pair of electrodes (an anode and a cathode). The area of a light-emitting region is varied as appropriate so as to obtain a desired light-emitting luminance from the light-emitting region in each the light-emitting segment; accordingly, gray-scale display can be performed and a still image can be displayed only by 1 external power source.
US08816578B1
A display system and method uses a display element. The display element can provide linearly polarized light. A wave retarder film can be configured to adjust the phase of the linearly polarized light so that reflections of the linearly polarized light from a surface in the environment of the display are reduced. A first light control layer is configured to constrain the field of view of the display in at least a first direction.
US08816577B2
A spark plug (20) includes a center electrode (24) and a ground electrode (22). The electrodes (22, 24) include a core (26) formed of a copper (Cu) alloy and a clad (28) formed of a nickel (Ni) alloy enrobing the core (26). The Cu alloy includes Cu in an amount of at least 98.5 weight percent, and at least one of Zr and Cr in an amount of at least 0.05 weight percent. The Cu alloy includes a matrix of the Cu and precipitates of the Zr and Cu dispersed in the Cu matrix. The Ni alloy of the clad (28) includes Ni in an amount of at least 90.0 weight percent. The Ni alloy also includes at least one of a Group 3 element, a Group 4 element, a Group 13 element, chromium (Cr), silicon (Si), and manganese (Mn) in a total amount sufficient to affect the strength of the Ni alloy.
US08816575B2
An LED module substrate includes a substrate main body, an LED mounted on one plane of the substrate main body, and a contact mounted at an edge of the one plane of the substrate main body and electrically connected to the LED. A cover section covers the LED module substrate in which the contact and the thermal radiation sheet are exposed. A lamp is attached to a socket. The socket includes a terminal electrically connected to the contact by the attachment of the lamp. A luminaire main body includes a thermal radiator including a contact surface and a recess. The lamp attached to the socket is brought into contact with and thermally connected to the contact surface. The recess is provided in a position opposed to the terminal of the socket.
US08816568B2
A vibration-type driving apparatus includes a vibrator holder, wherein a plurality of vibrators each having at least an electro-mechanical energy conversion element and an elastic member having a contact portion formed therein are connected to a vibrator holding member, for generating an ellipsoidal movement of the contact portion, to move, relative to the vibrator, a driving member contacting the contact portion. The plurality of vibrators are connected to a surface of the holding member at a side at which the contact portion contacts the driving member, and on a surface of the vibrator holding member opposite to the side at which the contact portion contacts the driving member, a pressing member is placed to set the contact portion to be pressed and contacted to the driving member.
US08816566B2
Apparatus and method that includes providing a variable-parameter electrical component in a high-field environment and based on an electrical signal, automatically moving a movable portion of the electrical component in relation to another portion of the electrical component to vary at least one of its parameters. In some embodiments, the moving uses a mechanical movement device (e.g., a linear positioner, rotary motor, or pump). In some embodiments of the method, the electrical component has a variable inductance, capacitance, and/or resistance. Some embodiments include using a computer that controls the moving of the movable portion of the electrical component in order to vary an electrical parameter of the electrical component. Some embodiments include using a feedback signal to provide feedback control in order to adjust and/or maintain the electrical parameter. Some embodiments include a non-magnetic positioner connected to an electrical component configured to have its RLC parameters varied by the positioner.
US08816556B2
A single stator electric machine includes a plurality of magnets for generating a first magnetic field. Each respective magnet represents a respective rotor pole. A magnet holder retains the plurality of magnets. A stator is disposed radially outward from the plurality of magnets for generating a second magnetic field. The stator includes a plurality of stator poles separated by slots with each of the stator poles having a concentrated winding with a respective number of turns formed around each respective stator pole. Each respective concentrated winding within the stator comprises non-overlapping phases which increase an active length of the windings of the stator and reduce an overhang of each respective winding with respect to each stator pole for improving torque efficiency. A number of rotor poles is at least eight and the number of rotor poles and a number of stator slots have a least common multiple of at least 36.
US08816554B2
A clutch mechanism moving together with an actuator allows coupling or decoupling an inner rotor to or from a power shaft, thereby controlling a rotation angle. This structure allows a polarity of a magnetic pole of the inner rotor to be the same as that of an opposing magnetic pole of an outer rotor when the motor is driven at a low rpm, so that magnetic fluxes inter-linking with windings can be increased, which results in greater torque. When the motor is driven at a high rpm, the structure allows the polarity of the magnetic pole of the inner rotor to be different from that of the opposing magnetic pole of the outer rotor, so that an amount of leakage flux is increased, and the magnetic fluxes inter-linking with the winding are decreased. As a result, an induction voltage is lowered and a high rpm range is widened.
US08816548B2
A drive unit includes a motor disposed in a motor case, a controller, disposed in a controller case, and a lever. The lever includes a supported portion that is fitted on a support of the controller case in a rotatable manner, a first action point at a first distance from the supported portion, and a second action point at a second distance from the supported portion. When the lever rotates from a close state toward an open state according to an application of a first force to the first action point, the second action point abuts on a specific part on the motor case, thereby generating a second force from the second action point to the specific part in a parallel direction of the axis of the motor case, with its reaction force reversely applied from the supported portion to the support as a third force.
US08816537B2
In a contactless power feeding system using a resonance method, an electric power receiving apparatus or an electric power transmitting apparatus is connected to a self-resonant coil and includes a capacitor having a variable capacitance. When electromagnetic resonance occurs at a prescribed frequency determined by the electric power transmitting apparatus, the capacitance of the capacitor is adjusted so as to maximize the electric power transmission efficiency during electric power feeding. Accordingly, deterioration in transmission efficiency can be suppressed even when the distance between the secondary self-resonant coil included in the electric power receiving apparatus and the primary self-resonant coil included in the electric power transmitting apparatus changes from a reference distance at the time of design.
US08816536B2
A system includes a dispenser and a transmitter. The dispenser is configured to support and dispense product. The dispenser includes: a housing; an antenna disposed and configured to receive electromagnetic energy that originates from the transmitter; a power supply disposed within the housing and configured to convert the electromagnetic energy received at the antenna into DC (direct current) power; a dispenser mechanism configured and disposed to dispense the product from the dispenser on command; a controller disposed in operable communication with the power supply and the dispenser mechanism; and, an actuator disposed in operable communication with the controller. Upon actuation of the actuator, and upon presence of the DC power, the controller is responsive to facilitate action by the dispenser mechanism to dispense the product. The transmitter is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy and is disposed in operable communication with the dispenser.
US08816534B1
A system of charging and utilizing rechargeable battery packs. A vehicle is provided that has an internal vehicle battery rack with removable battery packs. The vehicle recharges the battery packs when in operation. An auxiliary battery rack is provided that is separate from the vehicle. The auxiliary battery rack can also receive the rechargeable battery packs. A power inverter converts direct current from the rechargeable battery packs to alternating current. To utilize the system, the battery packs are charged by the vehicle. Once charged, at least one of the rechargeable battery packs is moved to the auxiliary battery rack. Once engaged with the auxiliary battery rack, the power inverter converts power from the rechargeable battery packs into alternating current. The alternating current is then used to power circuits in a building or to provide a mobile AC power source that can be used in place of a mobile generator.
US08816533B2
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system includes an AC input configured to be coupled to an AC power source, an AC output configured to be coupled to a load and a power converter circuit coupled to the AC input and the AC output and configured to selectively provide power to the load from the AC power source and an auxiliary power source. The UPS system further includes a control circuit operatively coupled to the power converter circuit and configured to generate at least one galvanically isolated neutral reference from the AC power source and/or from the AC output and to control the power converter circuit responsive to the generated at least one neutral reference. In particular, the control circuit may be configured to generate the neutral reference from a three-wire AC connection.
US08816526B2
An automotive lamp device is provided. The automotive lamp device includes a lamp housing into which a first lamp or a second lamp is inserted and which includes a plurality of lines, and a lamp driver module which is connected to a first line among the plurality of lines, supplies a first level of voltage and/or current to the first lamp if the first lamp is inserted into the lamp housing, and supplies a second level of voltage and/or current to the second lamp if the second lamp is inserted into the lamp housing.
US08816524B2
This invention relates to a power supply system comprising at least two drive units (3) having two power inputs and at least one power generator (G) providing electric power at a chosen system frequency and voltage. The system comprising a transformer unit (LLC) having a first and a second connection points (1,2), at least one of which being connected to a power generator (G), wherein the two inputs of each drive unit is connected to the first and the second connection point (1,2) of the transformer unit (LLC), and the transformer unit being adapted to provide a chosen phase shift between said inputs at the chosen system frequency and voltage.
US08816521B2
A system includes a gas turbine engine and a flywheel coupled to the gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine includes at least one compressor stage, at least one combustor, and at least one turbine stage. The flywheel is configured to store a rotational energy from the gas turbine engine, and the rotational energy stored by the flywheel is configured to resist changes in a rotational speed.
US08816519B2
A blade angle adjustment drive for a wind power plant having an electrical converter, an electric motor electrically coupled to the converter, and a monitoring unit which monitors the operation of the converter and identifies a malfunction in the operation of the converter. The operation of the converter may be interrupted at least temporarily based on the malfunction. An interruption prevention unit is selectively operable to prevent an interruption in the operation of the converter by the monitoring unit when the bade angle adjustment drive is in an emergency operation state.
US08816506B2
In a semiconductor device in which a plurality of semiconductor chips are stacked, performance is enhanced without deteriorating productivity. The semiconductor device has a plurality of elements, an interlayer insulating film, a pad, and a bump electrode electrically connected with the pad sequentially formed on a main surface of a silicon substrate and has a back-surface electrode formed on a back surface of the silicon substrate and electrically connected with the bump electrode. The bump electrode has a protruding portion penetrating through the pad and protruding toward the silicon substrate side. The back-surface electrode is formed so as to reach the protruding portion of the bump electrode from the back surface side of the silicon substrate toward the main surface side and to cover the inside of a back-surface electrode hole portion which does not reach the pad, so that the back-surface electrode is electrically connected with the bump electrode.
US08816503B2
A semiconductor device with a buried electrode is manufactured by forming a cavity within a semiconductor substrate, forming an active device region in an epitaxial layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate and forming the buried electrode below the active device region in the cavity. The buried electrode is formed from an electrically conductive material different than the material of the semiconductor substrate.
US08816501B2
Various embodiments provide semiconductor devices including a package structure and methods of forming the semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, the package structure can include a through-hole at least partially filled by one or more layers of material(s) to form a through-hole interconnect between semiconductor devices in the package structure. The through-hole can be filled by an insulating layer, a diffusion barrier layer, a metal interconnect layer, and/or a protective layer having a total thickness from the sidewall of the through-hole of less than or equal to the radius of the through-hole.
US08816498B2
A system and method for conductive pillars is provided. An embodiment comprises a conductive pillar having trenches located around its outer edge. The trenches are used to channel conductive material such as solder when a conductive bump is formed onto the conductive pillar. The conductive pillar may then be electrically connected to another contact through the conductive material.
US08816495B2
A device includes a package component, and a die over and bonded to the package component. The die includes a substrate. A heat sink is disposed over and bonded to a back surface of the substrate through direct bonding.
US08816492B1
An isolation mechanism and technique for packaging a MEMS transducer, such as a bulk acoustic wave gyroscope or accelerometer, which allows rotational information to be sensed by the transducer while providing the necessary isolation from externally applied (or internally induced) stress, strain, vibration, shock and thermal transients. The isolation mechanism is constructed of interposing materials that may be implemented with elastomeric-strain-absorbing-materials (ESAM) layers having different elastic moduli, with the most compliant ESAM layer disposed closest to the MEMS transduce. In another embodiment, one or more ESAM layers may have air pockets dispersed therein. The isolation mechanism enables mechanical, thermal and vibrational isolation of the MEMS transducer from the package substrate, while still permitting electrical continuity between the MEMS device and the external environment.
US08816489B2
Methods for fabricating integrated circuit devices on an acceptor substrate devoid of circuitry are disclosed. Integrated circuit devices are formed by sequentially disposing one or more levels of semiconductor material on an acceptor substrate, and fabricating circuitry on each level of semiconductor material before disposition of a next-higher level. After encapsulation of the circuitry, the acceptor substrate is removed and semiconductor dice are singulated. Integrated circuit devices formed by the methods are also disclosed.
US08816484B2
A semiconductor device, in which an integrated circuit portion and an antenna are easily connected, can surely transmit and receive a signal to and from a communication device. The integrated circuit portion is formed of a thin film transistor over a surface of a substrate so that the area occupied by the integrated circuit portion is increased. The antenna is provided over the integrated circuit portion, and the thin film transistor and the antenna are connected. Further, the area over the substrate occupied by the integrated circuit portion is 0.5 to 1 times as large as the area of the surface of the substrate. Thus, the size of the integrated circuit portion can be close to the desired size of the antenna, so that the integrated circuit portion and the antenna are easily connected and the semiconductor device can surely transmit and receive a signal to and from the communication device.
US08816483B1
A method for fixing a semiconductor chip on a circuit board is provided, which includes following steps. The circuit board is provided, which sequentially includes a substrate having a chip connecting portion, at least one metal wire and an insulating layer. An organic insulating material is formed on the insulating layer of the outside edge of the chip connecting portion. An anisotropic conductive film (ACF) is then formed to cover the chip connecting portion and a portion of the organic insulating material. Finally, a semiconductor chip is hot-pressed on the ACF. The organic insulating material formed on the insulating layer is used to prevent the metal wires beneath the insulating layer from occurring of corrosion. A semiconductor chip package structure is also provided.
US08816474B2
One or more embodiments relate to a semiconductor device, comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of first conductive vias, the first conductive vias electrically coupled together, each of the first conductive vias passing through the substrate; and a plurality of second conductive vias, the second conductive vias electrically coupled together, each of the second conductive vias passing through the substrate, the second conductive vias spacedly disposed from the first conductive vias.
US08816465B1
An energy conversion and storage device includes an energy storage component (530, 601) including a first electrode (611) having a first plurality of channels (612) formed in a first region (615) of a first material (617), a second electrode (621) adjacent to but electrically isolated from the first electrode and having a second plurality of channels (622) formed in a first region (625) of a second material (627), and an electrolyte (650) within the first and second pluralities of channels. The first electrode forms a first interface (619) with the electrolyte and the second electrode forms a second interface (629) with the electrolyte. The energy conversion and storage device further includes a photovoltaic component (520, 602) formed in a second region of the first material.
US08816453B2
A component includes at least one MEMS component and at least one additional semiconductor component in a common housing having at least one access opening. On the front side of the MEMS component, at least one diaphragm structure is provided, which spans a cavity on the backside of the MEMS component. The housing includes a carrier, on which the MEMS component is mounted. The MEMS component is mounted, using its front side, on the carrier, so that there is a standoff between the diaphragm structure and the carrier surface. The at least one additional semiconductor component is connected to the backside of the MEMS component, so that the MEMS component and the semiconductor component form a chip stack.
US08816452B2
There is provided an electric device including a base member, a beam elastically deformable to bend upward and having an outline partially defined by a slit formed in the base member, a conductive pattern provided on a top surface of the beam, a contact electrode provided above the conductive pattern, the contact electrode coming into contact with the conductive pattern, and a bridge electrode elastically deformable, the bridge electrode connecting the conductive pattern and a portion of the base member outside the outline.
US08816451B2
In a MEMS structure, a first trench which penetrates the first layer, the second layer and the third layer is formed, and a second trench which penetrates the fifth layer, the forth layer and the third layer is formed. The first trench forms a first part of an outline of the movable portion in a view along the stacked direction. The second trench forms a second part of the outline of the movable portion in the view along the stacked direction. At least a part of the first trench overlaps with the first extending portion in the view along the stacked direction.
US08816440B2
In semiconductor devices in which both NMOS devices and PMOS devices are used to perform in different modes such as analog and digital modes, stress engineering is selectively applied to particular devices depending on their required operational modes. That is, the appropriate mechanical stress, i.e., tensile or compressive, can be applied to and/or removed from devices, i.e., NMOS and/or PMOS devices, based not only on their conductivity type, i.e., n-type or p-type, but also on their intended operational application, for example, analog/digital, low-voltage/high-voltage, high-speed/low-speed, noise-sensitive/noise-insensitive, etc. The result is that performance of individual devices is optimized based on the mode in which they operate. For example, mechanical stress can be applied to devices that operate in high-speed digital settings, while devices that operate in analog or RF signal settings, in which electrical noise such as flicker noise that may be introduced by applied stress may degrade performance, have no stress applied.
US08816435B2
Preferred embodiment flexible and on wafer hybrid plasma semiconductor devices have at least one active solid state semiconductor region; and a plasma generated in proximity to the active solid state semiconductor region(s). Doped solid state semiconductor regions are in a thin flexible solid state substrate, and a flexible non conducting material defining a microcavity adjacent the semiconductor regions. The flexible non conducting material is bonded to the thin flexible solid state substrate, and at least one electrode is arranged with respect to said flexible substrate to generate a plasma in said microcavity, where the plasma will influence or perform a semiconducting function in cooperation with said solid state semiconductor regions. A preferred on-wafer device is formed on a single side of a silicon on insulator wafer and defines the collector (plasma cavity), emitter and base regions on a common side, which provides a simplified and easy to manufacture structure. A preferred embodiment array of flexible hybrid plasma transistors of the invention is an n+pn PBJT fabricated between two flexible sheets. One or both of the flexible sheets is transparent. The overall array structure is planar, and the planarized structure is sealed between the two flexible sheets. Visible or ultraviolet light is emitted during operation by plasma collectors in the array. In preferred embodiments, individual PBJTs in the array serve as sub-pixels of a full-color display.
US08816433B2
In one embodiment, a transistor fabricated on a semiconductor die includes a first section of transistor segments disposed in a first area of the semiconductor die, and a second section of transistor segments disposed in a second area of the semiconductor die adjacent the first area. Each of the transistor segments in the first and second sections includes a pillar of a semiconductor material that extends in a vertical direction. First and second dielectric regions are disposed on opposite sides of the pillar. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. Outer field plates of transistor segments adjoining first and second sections are either separated or partially merged.
US08816430B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate electrode, source/drain regions, and a gate insulating film. The substrate is made of monocrystalline silicon, an upper surface of the substrate is a (100) plane, and a trench is made in the upper surface. The gate electrode is provided in at least an interior of the trench. The source/drain regions are formed in regions of the substrate having the trench interposed. The gate insulating film is provided between the substrate and the gate electrode. The trench includes a bottom surface made of a (100) plane, a pair of oblique surfaces made of (111) planes contacting the bottom surface, and a pair of side surfaces made of (110) planes contacting the oblique surfaces. The source/drain regions are in contact with the side and oblique surfaces and are apart from a central portion of the bottom surface.
US08816428B1
Methods and systems for forming multigate devices and systems are disclosed. In accordance with one such method, a fin is formed on a semiconductor substrate including a carbon-doped semiconductor layer. Further, a first portion of semiconductor material that is beneath the fin is removed to form a void beneath the fin by etching the material such that the fin is supported by at least one supporting pillar of the semiconducting material and such that the carbon-doped semiconductor layer prevents the etching from removing at least a portion of the fin. A dielectric material is deposited in the void to isolate the fin from a second portion of semiconductor material that is below the void. In addition, source and drain regions are formed in the fin and a gate structure is formed over the fin to fabricate the multigate device such that the dielectric material reduces current leakage beneath the device.
US08816425B2
A transistor in which the state of an interface between an oxide semiconductor layer and an insulating film in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer is favorable and a method for manufacturing the transistor are provided. Nitrogen is added to the vicinity of the interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and the insulating film (gate insulating layer) in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer so that the state of the interface of the oxide semiconductor layer becomes favorable. Specifically, the oxide semiconductor layer has a concentration gradient of nitrogen, and a region containing much nitrogen is provided at the interface with the gate insulating layer. A region having high crystallinity can be formed in the vicinity of the interface with the oxide semiconductor layer by addition of nitrogen, whereby the interface state can be stable.
US08816418B2
A semiconductor memory device includes at least one supporting pattern on a substrate, a storage node penetrating the supporting pattern, an electrode layer disposed around the storage node and the supporting pattern, and a capacitor dielectric interposed between the storage node and the electrode layer. The supporting pattern includes germanium oxide.
US08816413B2
Photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a pixel area. A circuit area is arranged around the pixel area. An interconnect including copper is arranged in the pixel area and circuit area. A cap layer is arranged on the interconnect. Wherein the cap layer except a part on the interconnect is removed from the pixel area and circuit area.
US08816411B2
A semiconductor device featuring a semiconductor chip including a MOSFET and having a first main surface and a second, opposing main surface, a source electrode pad and a gate electrode pad over the first main surface, a drain electrode over the second main surface, a source external terminal and a gate external terminal, each having a first main surface electrically connected to the source electrode pad and gate electrode pad of the chip, respectively, and a drain external terminal having a first main surface and a second, opposing main surface and being electrically connected to the second main surface of the chip, each of the source, gate and drain external terminals having second main surfaces thereof in a same plane, and, in a plan view of the external terminals, the gate external terminal has a portion located between the source and drain external terminals in at least one direction.
US08816408B2
A compound semiconductor device includes a compound semiconductor laminated structure; a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a gate electrode formed over the compound semiconductor laminated structure; a first protective film formed over the compound semiconductor laminated structure between the source electrode and the gate electrode and including silicon; and a second protective film formed over the compound semiconductor laminated structure between the drain electrode and the gate electrode and including more silicon than the first protective film.
US08816396B2
According to an example embodiment, a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes a substrate, a buffer layer on the substrate, a channel layer on the buffer layer, and a barrier structure on the channel layer. The buffer layer includes a 2-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). A polarization of the barrier structure varies in a region corresponding to a gate electrode. The HEMT further includes and the gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode on the barrier structure.
US08816395B2
A normally OFF field effect transistor (FET) having a plurality of contiguous nitride semiconductor layers having different composition and heterojunction interfaces, wherein when there is no potential difference between a first gate and a common ground voltage, a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is present at a plurality of heterojunctions in each of a source access region and a drain access region, and substantially no 2DEG is present adjacent any regions of the heterojunctions under the first gate.
US08816390B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor package includes a first surface configured to be mounted on a circuit board, and a region of thermally expandable material configured to push the first surface of the semiconductor package away from the circuit board when a temperature of the thermally expandable material exceeds a first temperature.
US08816389B2
An overvoltage protection devices operable to provide protection against overvoltage events of positive and negative polarity, comprising: an N P N semiconductor structure defining: a first N-type region; a first P-type region; and a second N-type region; wherein one of the first or second N-type regions is connected to a terminal, conductor or node that is to be protected against an overvoltage event, and the other one of the first or second N-type regions is connected to a reference, and wherein a field plate is in electrical contact with the first P-type region, and the field plate overlaps with but is isolated from portions of the first and second N type regions.
US08816381B2
According to one embodiment, a light-emitting device includes a substrate, a plurality of pads and a plurality of light-emitting elements. The pads has electric conductance, and are arranged on the substrate. A reflecting layer which is formed by electroplating is provided on a surface of each of the pads. The light-emitting elements are mounted on the pads. A depressed part is left on the substrate. The depressed part is formed on the substrate by removing a pattern on the substrate, by which the pads are electrically connected.
US08816378B2
According to one embodiment, a light emitting element, includes: a semiconductor stacked body including a light emitting layer; a first upper electrode being connected directly to the semiconductor stacked body; at least one second upper electrode extending from the first upper electrode, the at least one second upper electrode being connected to the semiconductor stacked body via a first contact layer; a lower electrode; a transparent conductive layer; an intermediate film containing oxygen provided between the semiconductor stacked body and the transparent conductive layer; a light reflecting layer; and a current-blocking layer, at least one slit being provided selectively in the current-blocking layer as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a major surface of the light emitting layer.
US08816377B2
The present invention provides a phosphor emitting green fluorescence when being effectively excited by excitation light in a wavelength range from blue light to near-ultraviolet light, having an emission intensity that does not vary significantly with variation in the wavelength of the excitation light, and being manufactured easily. The phosphor includes a chemical structure represented by the following general formula (A): A(M1-a-xEuaMnx)L(Si1-bGeb)2O7, (A), where A is one or more elements selected from Li, Na, and K, M is one or more elements selected from Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn, L is one or more elements selected from Ga, Al, Sc, Y, La, Gd, and Lu, a is a numerical value satisfying 0.001≦a≦0.3, b is a numerical value satisfying 0≦b≦0.5, and x is a numerical value satisfying 0≦x≦0.2.
US08816374B2
A light emitting diode includes a substrate, graphene layer, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a reflection layer. The first semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the second semiconductor layer are stacked on the substrate in sequence. The first electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer and the second electrode electrically is connected with the second part of the carbon nanotube layer. The graphene layer is located on at least one of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The reflection layer covers the second semiconductor layer.
US08816373B2
In at least one embodiment, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip comprises a semiconductor layer sequence for generating an electromagnetic radiation, and also a silver mirror. The silver mirror is arranged at the semiconductor layer sequence. Oxygen is admixed with the silver of the silver mirror. A proportion by weight of the oxygen in the silver mirror is preferably at least 10−5 and furthermore preferably at most 10%.
US08816368B2
A device includes a semiconductor structure with at least one III-P light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The semiconductor structure further includes a GaAsxP1-x p-contact layer, wherein x<0.45. A first metal contact is in direct contact with the GaAsxP1-x p-contact layer. A second metal contact is electrically connected to the n-type region. The first and second metal contacts are formed on a same side of the semiconductor structure.
US08816364B2
The present invention supplied a display apparatus using plastic substrate instead of glass substrate, which can solve such problems that the plastic substrate has a low heat conductivity and its heat release performance becomes bad so that it is difficult to obtain stable performance and reliability. In the display apparatus being formed by bonding semiconductor thin film element on a plastic substrate, a thin film metal layer is formed on surface of the semiconductor thin film element for promoting heat release.
US08816363B2
A method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting element. A first layer is formed above a substrate, and exhibits hole injection properties. A bank material layer is formed above the first layer using a bank material. Banks are formed by patterning the bank material layer, and forming a resin film on a surface of the first layer by attaching a portion of the bank material layer to the first layer, the banks defining apertures corresponding to light-emitters, the resin material being the same as the bank material. A functional layer is formed by applying ink to the apertures that contacts the resin film. The ink contains an organic material. The functional layer includes an organic light-emitting layer. A second layer is formed above the functional layer and exhibits electron injection properties. The hole injection properties of the first layer are then degraded by applying electrical power to an element structure.
US08816362B2
An organic light emitting display is capable of reducing or minimizing the number of wiring lines to improve an aperture ratio. The organic light emitting display includes scan lines and data lines that cross each other at crossing regions, sub pixels located at the crossing regions that display an image in accordance with an amount of current that flows from a first power source to respective organic light emitting diodes in the sub pixels, and first power source lines that are parallel to the data lines, each of the first power source lines corresponding to at least two of the data lines. The first power source lines include a first group of the first power source lines that receive the first power source and a second group of the first power source lines that receive a second power source.
US08816360B2
A multi-chip package includes a lower substrate; at least two semiconductor chips stacked over the lower substrate and each defined with a via hole; an upper substrate coupled to a semiconductor chip positioned uppermost among the semiconductor chips; a light emitting part coupled to the lower substrate corresponding to the via hole; an electrowetting liquid lens coupled to a lower surface of the upper substrate for receiving a signal transferred from the light emitting part through the via hole; a light receiving part coupled to a sidewall of the via hole of each semiconductor chip configured to receive a signal from the electrowetting liquid lens.
US08816349B2
By using a conductive layer including Cu as a long lead wiring, increase in wiring resistance is suppressed. Further, the conductive layer including Cu is provided in such a manner that it does not overlap with the oxide semiconductor layer in which a channel region of a TFT is formed, and is surrounded by insulating layers including silicon nitride, whereby diffusion of Cu can be prevented; thus, a highly reliable semiconductor device can be manufactured. Specifically, a display device which is one embodiment of a semiconductor device can have high display quality and operate stably even when the size or definition thereof is increased.
US08816348B2
A trench shielded gate MOSFET device with embedded Schottky rectifier, Gate-Drain and Gate-Source clamp diodes on single chip is formed to achieve device shrinkage, lower cost and improved performance. The present semiconductor device achieve low Vf and reverse leakage current for embedded Schottky rectifier, having over-voltage protection and avalanche protection between gate and source and between gate and drain.
US08816346B2
A TFT array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, where the TFT array substrate includes a substrate; a gate line and a gate electrode integrated therewith, which are covered by a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a ohmic contact layer sequentially. An insulating layer is formed on the resulting substrate and on both sides of the gate line and the gate electrode, the gate insulating layer, the semiconductor layer, and the ohmic contact layer. A trench is then formed in the ohmic contact layer to divide the ohmic contact layer over the semiconductor layer. A data line and first and second source/drain electrodes are then formed on the insulating layer and the ohmic contact layer.
US08816340B2
An organic electroluminescence device comprises the following structure: a conductive base (110), a hole injection layer (120), a light emission layer (140), and a cathode layer (170) are laminated in sequence. The material of the hole injection layer (120) comprises a conductive polymer and an azo initiator. A nano-network structure is provided on the connecting surface of the hole injection layer (120) and the light emission layer (140). After being heated to a higher temperature, the azo initiator can be decompounded to release N2, thus the nano-network structure is formed on the surface of the hole injection layer (120). The nano-network structure can efficiently increase the contacting area of the hole injection layer (120) and the adjacent layer. The injection efficiency of the hole is improved. A manufacturing method of the organic electroluminescence device is also provided.
US08816339B2
An organic EL display panel includes a substrate; an interlayer insulating layer on the substrate; first electrodes on the interlayer insulating layer to correspond to element formation regions in rows and columns; banks extending in columns to partition the regions in rows; organic light-emitting layers above the first electrodes, and each containing organic light-emitting material having light-emitting color differing between each two adjacent regions in rows; and second electrodes above the light-emitting layers, and being opposite in polarity to the first electrodes, wherein the interlayer insulating layer has first opening corresponding to interval between each two adjacent first electrodes in rows, the banks each have integrally formed buried part and main part, the buried part fills the interval and the first opening, and the main part is protrusion of the buried part and has recess on top thereof along with shapes of the interval and the first opening.
US08816338B2
There are provided an electrode foil which has all the functions of a supporting base material, an electrode and a reflective layer and also has a superior thermal conductivity; and an organic device using the same. The electrode foil comprises a metal foil, wherein the electrode foil has at least one outermost surface which is an ultra-smooth surface having an arithmetic average roughness Ra of 10.0 nm or less as measured in accordance with JIS B 0601-2001.
US08816329B2
A radiation-emitting device for emitting electromagnetic radiation which is a mixture of at least three different partial radiations of a first, a second and a third wavelength range. The radiation-emitting device here comprises a substrate; a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one first layer sequence arranged between the first and second electrodes comprising: at least one first layer with a first fluorescent emitter, which emits radiation in the first wavelength range, at least one second layer with a first phosphorescent emitter, which emits radiation in the second wavelength range; at least one second layer sequence arranged between the first and second electrodes comprising: at least one first layer with a second fluorescent emitter, which emits radiation in the first wavelength range, at least one second layer with a second phosphorescent emitter, which emits radiation in the third wavelength range, and at least one interlayer, which is free of emitter material and is arranged between the first and the second layer sequences.
US08816327B2
Electrically programmable fuses and methods for forming the same are shown that include forming a wire between a first pad and a second pad on a substrate, forming a blocking structure around a portion of the wire, and depositing a metal layer on the wire and first and second pads to form a metal compound, wherein the metal compound fully penetrates the portion of the wire within the blocking structure.
US08816309B1
A radiation shielding panel includes a tungsten powder and a polyurea material. The tungsten powder includes tungsten particles having three different specific diameters. The tungsten powder is mixed and dispersed into the polyurea material. The mixture of the polyurea material and the tungsten powder shields radiation greater than about 6 MeV.
